Fantasy Are you tired of sipping Crab Coladas? (Pirate RP) (Always Open)

[Kylesar1]

Demestral Asella
Noble District​

"Thank you. I won't risk Basenji lives on this, but......" The words of the pixie were somber and longing. Her expression was serious. "I will do what I can......" From there, Demi searched with magic for any survivors. "I found a few.........." It hurt to say, but she had to press on. The problem? The house was burning, and at too big a scale for her to fly in. "Summon: Lattice, my dear. Come forth."


A magic sigil appeared on the ground and out jumped a creature. It looked like a reptilian mermaid, in a size relative to Demi so she wasn't massive hulking beast. Maybe about the size of a Greyhound. Blue skin, with fins proving that her body was made for the water. Scales, spikes, and claws which proved that she was reptilian in nature, yet normal looking hair which was not typical of reptilian species. She was like a cross between the Draconic and the Pisceoid. She was overall hard to pinpoint, not helped by the fact that her green eyes looked like someone shattered her irises, making her a bit unnerving to hold eye contact with.

It was unknown what the hell kind of creature she was specifically. Was she Fae? She definitely had that whimsically weird look typical of Fae. Was she Draconic? The scales and claws absolutely made that a consideration. Maybe she was like Cherylanth, an amalgamation of different creatures. She wasn't hideous like Cherylanth. Just peculiar.

Spoiler: Demi's Maid

Lattice Stoneburn is a member of the Stoneburn Family, who have been servants of the Asella Family for generations. Cursed, the Stoneburn Family will never rise beyond their place as slaves, due to the egregious misdeeds of the matriarch over 700 years ago towards the Fae Counsel. Lattice was one such girl born into these unfortunate circumstances. With her body changed by the curse as is every Draconian born in the Stoneburn House, her specific mutations made her aquatic in nature.

Her post is currently that of Demi's maid specifically. However, Lattice is a lonely girl. With Demi gone and having been the only one who treated her with kindness, even complimenting her looks, which is ugly in the eyes of both the Fae and Draconian societies at large, Lattice spends most of her days as servant to Lucille Asella, Demi's mother. Unfortunately, Lucille tends to not acknowledge Lattice most days, what with her having enough house-help without Lattice. This has led to Lattice doing mostly nothing most days. Just staying out the way unless one of Lucille's maids asks her for help. Which is rare. Standing by for orders all day makes Lattice feel like a lazy girl, but with the woman she tends to gone, what is she to do? She spends her days in Demi's room, reading her books or dusting as needed. She has learned every skill there is to learn in housekeeping and maid etiquette, but never really uses them.

Lattice longs for the day that Demi calls her to travel alongside her as a full-time aid, because right now, she has zero purpose in life outside of serving Demi. There is nothing she can do with her life that Demi hasn't commanded. Freedom is quite literally impossible for a Stoneburn, short of the Queen alleviating the curse on the Stoneburn Family. It will never happen

"Lady Demestral! It's been a while!" The creature exclaimed happily with a bow of her head. She was a quadruped, so this means her head almost touched the ground. Since she was actually moving her mouth, she was speaking common tongue (aka English)
"Indeed it has been, Lattice. Your hair is looking as beautiful as ever," Demi said in response. "Lift your head. I have a task for you."
The girl lifted her head. "Whatever you need, Lady Demestral."
Demi pointed around herself at the scene. The burning and the undead fighting. "This is Toron, the Capital City of the Lost Empire of Kraiven. Remember that?"
Her eyes widened. "Kraiven!?" she exclaimed, "I do remember! You were so depressed."
"Aye, and I'm depressed looking at it fall to ruin but we need to save lives. I need you to start putting out these fires where I tell you."
"On it!"
"Right, let's move." Demi cut out her usual conversations. Time was of the essence and Demi had to put away the pang of guilt for not having called on Lattice more often

From there, the push began. Bogrum's troops putting bullets in heads, Demi leading the rescue effort and pointing out places where survivors were, and Lattice and Stonerose water mages putting out fires to save lives. It was an effort that could only be coordinated with sync. With a Basenji commanding both parties in the equation, they moved in relative sync. Demi was showing how good she was at multi-tasking as she was barking commands at about 5 different things at once.

"Rider Squad, I want all hands out here," she called into her crystal. "We'll split half to the Church and the other half here." There was no need to keep any on standby. Getting them all out here would bolster their firepower and give transport to any survivors/wounded found. Since they weren't fighting the demon anymore, it was time to pour out all they had. "Let's MOVE! QUICKLY!"
"Are you gonna summon anyone else, Lady Demestral?" Lattice asked her.
"I'm good with just you right now," Demi said decidedly, "Do not disappoint me. We're in too serious a situation, so being replaced will not reflect well."
"I won't fail," she said without hesitation, though some fear showed in her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to be replaced in the first task Demi has given her in a long while. "I will do whatever it takes to become your aid."



The Goddess Speaks to the Elder Sister
Residential District- Holy Site

"My Child." This was the word of the Goddess. "I........ do not look upon Elaina with any kind of good favor," She said, her voice decisive, yet betraying that she has had to think heavily about that. "While witches are not allowed in My ranks, I will be lying if I said her presence was never needed. She is a crooked stick that has made many a straight line." Nellie hadn't spoken to the Goddess at all. "Cunning, manipulative, with intellect. Her words invoked in Nancy his first source of genuine fear in 200 years, yet her actions have been the sole reason Nancy lives, and survivors including yourself have survived.

"Her condescension and brutal honesty have been your greatest source of rage...........yet through following her, she has planned and led the greatest defense this city could have hoped to muster in these circumstances." Goddess Mariana actually chuckled now at the thought. "I reside in both the Holy and the Daedric. Elaina's actions have towed the line perfectly. Pulling my children into the darkness while showing them a light? Conniving and condescending yet never dishonest..........." Even the Goddess couldn't find herself mad at Elaina too much. Why? "Frustrating, is it not? Someone who isn't allowed in my ranks, towing the line of light and dark as well as any follower of mine? Maybe she knows my doctrine."

The Goddess sighed. "Your ungratefulness is forgiven. Knowing that witch, your life wasn't saved for no reason. She would NOT save your life with the primary intent to condescend to you." Goddess made sure to include the word "primary" in it. With Elaina, condescending to them was a foregone conclusion. However, there was nothing she said to them that was a lie either. "It means you have meaning to her." The Goddess couldn't even wager a guess, but Elaina absolutely didn't move for nothing. "So cling to that light, steel yourself, and get ready to enforce My will. I'm about to claim Sister Mariah as an Angel of mine. We are about to end this demon's farce.

Steven the Deacon and Jack the Shotgunner
Church​

More pirates were falling in the defense, which wasn't good as they were the whole defense. Jack was suffering more and more injuries, Steven couldn't keep them healed up. When Nancy came with the potions, Steven took one look at them and passed them out but skipped drinking one of his own despite his own injuries. Obris was tilling him to not drink it, so he obliged and warned the mages that they'd have to choose between health and mana. It gave the troops a second wind in the face of their fatigue, and given the large numbers, they could keep on fighting even after taking hit after hit. This worked WONDERS for someone like Jack, but Steven was having to fight mounting fatigue in the face of their wooden barriers finally being destroyed by the bulked up skeletons.

Skeletons were starting to get in now from multiple openings, and striking down troops and nobles alike. No matter what, they couldn't fight an endless army of bulked up troops. Steven grunted as he started pressing out the last bit of mana he had into his shotgun. At this point, using magic was about to draining his consciousness until it put him in a Magic Coma. Each shot now felt like a whisper of sleep suggestion in his brain. Fuckin hell, Steven thought, a catch-22, eh? If he stopped firing, he would die here. If he kept firing, he would fall into a magic coma and more than likely die here.

Primed and Fired

A fierce glow from the alter. Mariah started to rise, and Steven could feel the power. Just in time as the barriers all broke by this point and Nobles were cowaring trying to escape deeper into the Church to get away from the skeletons. The Basenjis had fought with all their might, but after so much, they were alive about as long as they had health potions, and after a while, after Nancy had used up all of the supplies, they were getting low again.

"I will save all of you!" Mariah screamed as both her eyes and mouth projected a glow from them. Then came the wing, bursting from her back. 1 wing, symbolizing her becoming a 1 star angel. Next was a full body transformation, changing into what could only be described as literally a floating eyeball with the single wing at the back of it, surrounded by a thin glowing ring, the halo.

Still, this transformation unleashed a wave of holy power over the Church, instantly smiting every skeleton within and within 10 feet of the Church. the difference between this time and last time is that the Church started to repair itself now at a moderate pace. With the power of the Goddess there and an Angel there now to serve as the protector of the city's holy sites, the Church was now a safezone strong enough to take on any forces of Darkness. It was overwhelming to the point where even the nobles fell to the floor crying and praying, alongside the remaining nuns, ALL of whom were praying to Goddess Mariana

"Goddess, I will Enforce your will as your loyal and faithful Angel," Mariah said, projecting her voice out from the terrifying form of this floating eyeball.
"I am The Ocean Trench Mariana, Goddess of the Deepest Deep and I expect great things out of you, Mariah." The voice of the Goddess boomed over the land, and was heard by all, from the City to the Vanguard. "I have claimed Toron as My own. Purge the graveyards and purge the undead. I want nothing to remain."
"I will make it so, my Goddess."

Mariah looked at the people before her then, in a flash of light, turned back into her human form, nun garb and all still on. She sighed. "I am Mariah the Watcher," she said happily with a humble curtsey. It couldn't be a bow, not before she did it before her Goddess. "Fun fact, Maria can mean 'Star of the Sea' which means that my name is already essentially an Angel's name. It also makes sense then why it was the Goddess Mariana who took me under Her fin."


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Ashlynn Thormdottir
Gates​

Fergie's call at the Gates were a smart one. For the skeletons rattling aimlessly, when they were met with the condition of having to approach in a weakened state, they moved differently. This different movement proved effective as they struck down any pirates who were unaware, who were especially vulnerable. This showed that the skeletons compensated for their lowered strength with going for stabs, or cutting weak points like the throat. What they lacked in power they were now trying to make up with wit and technique, even better for them since they didn't need eyes to see the pirates through the steam. Even in his death throes, at least one of Mozreliun's brains had gears turning.

Being the Blitzqueen though, Ash wasn't in her element. This showed as she took a cut across her back. An instant strike back, Ash dispatched this one. What would she do here? Ash wasn't some nerd who wanted to stand around and listen for fucking skeleton clanking on the damn BATTLEFIELD over yells, gunshots, and clashing blades. Instead, Ash decided to double down and start moving. If the skeletons were relying on sneak tactics, all she had to do was NOT be there and she'd be fine. Just run a bit slower and she'd be fine, right? Armed with sickles, she had to get closer than pretty much everyone else unless they were using their fist/brass knuckles.

This proved effective, as her movement prevented sneak tactics from behind, and she had enough reflexes to use the short window of time between skeleton coming into view and them striking her, to strike faster herself.



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Sebas Deadeye
Vanguard​

"Lostrogret!" Sebas called out over the raging water. It wasn't that he was expecting the demon to hear. Rather the name inside the demon. Didn't matter, since the Cascada attack ended anyways. "This has gone far enough!"
"I'm sorry, Sebas. I've done a bad thing, haven't I?" The words gave Sebas a bit of pause. He could only guess that he sounded angry. Makes sense given his words. Rarely did he ever use her full name. "Are you gonna kill me? I promise I won't do it again!" She seemed to have no recollection of ANYTHING that was happening or had happened throughout this fight.
"I ain't killing you, nor am I putting you back in timeout." Sebas fired back gruffly, not even trying to be the least bit gentle. "We will discuss punishment after this is over." Of course he wasn't going to punish her. She was a vassal against her will. Still, Sebas had to keep some standards in the girl's mind. So long as she knew she could be punished, she knew she could be forgiven. So he pressed it. "I said I was curing your sickness and you let Mozreliun try and kill me?! Ash? Avery? The whole damn crew, Lostro!"

There, a struggle began. Lostro didn't take kindly those words. Mozza had tried to kill not only Sebas but the WHOLE CREW??! Lostro began having a meltdown at Mozza. "YOU TRIED TO KILL SEBAS, MOZZA?!" The voice coming out of the demon was now fully Lostro. Where Lostro was too weak to fight Mozza taking over before, Mozza was too weak right now to be fighting Lostro's anger. "BAD SNAKES WHO BITE AT SEBAS DIE!" Yeah, it was one of those extremely harsh punishments Lostro did to the snakes that made up her hair. If one ever bit at someone she liked, she would kill the snake on the spot, like literally summon it out of her head into her hand and then incinerate it. That......was the result of her being with this pirate crew. It hadn't happened in a while given that they all died when she was brought back.

The demon began writhing in the hole with Sebas to watch. "THIS IS THE LAST TIME I GET PUNISHED BECAUSE OF YOU!!" Souls began to fly out of the demon's body. It was unknown what was happening inside its body, but Lostro was dishing out punishment now that she had some wits back about her. "I SHOULD'VE KILLED YOU THE FIRST TIME YOU DISRESPECTED HIM!!!" The girl was shrieking here and the demon was beginning to disintegrate, with scales falling off

Sebas smirked. It was time to end this now.

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Capital City

With the battles at the Gravesites raging on, both occupants were too engrossed to worry about extraneous things. This served well for Bogrum, who wouldn't allow himself to absorb the full tragedy of this circumstance. All he could do was lead and fight, keeping undead away from Demi's team while they saved who they could.
For Vlad however, the possibility that Nellie didn't make it to the holy site nagged at him incessantly. But he couldn't stop to ensure her safety; with the steam suppressing his fire summoning, every moment had to be spent beating back the ever-growing mob. A quick prayer mid-pounce was all he could muster, but even then, he knew Nellie wasn't the type to accept help, especially not from the Divine.

Nellie Noi​

The voice that rang in her head was as bitter as it was sweet. Nellie had expected the Goddess to have some terse words for her, and for good reason. The last time they spoke, long before connection was severed with the gods, what Nellie had parted with were not pleasant words. So to not only be forgiven, but be comforted in the midst of her turmoil...
"I... I'm unworthy, my Goddess."
She felt so ashamed. Not just for the past, but for the fact that she could be so ungrateful even now. The city would be in flames once again had it not been for Elaina's intervention, yet all she could think about was how much it all slighted her. Her anger felt justified, but right now? While people were dying? Nellie wanted to help, but instead of accepting her limitations, she acted like an IDIOT, and now she was stuck wounded in a safe zone, unable to do anything. Going nowhere fast, indeed.

"I'm not okay," she finally admitted, the last of her tears rolling down her face. If Vlad could tell she was shattering, she had to be clear as ice to someone like Elaina. The realization was mortifying, but just as sobering. These past two centuries of bearing the weight of secrets, keeping her loved ones safe, had worn her down to the extent where now that everything was falling apart, so was she. Her grief had accumulated from all those years of forced inaction... but now she could do something. "But I'll try to be. Long enough to see this to the end." Nellie wasn't about to declare herself a servant. But right now, she had to admit that circumstances were beyond her mortal self, even with all her powers and expertise.

"If it's Your will, Goddess, I'll keep her in check." Considering that pirate's apparent affinity for dissecting things she wanted to understand, Nellie wasn't sure Elaina having value in her was the light Mariana was making it out to be. But it did mean one thing that brought an odd comfort: Elaina needed them as much as they needed her. If Elaina was going to hold that over them, Nellie could give the same.

Nancy Noi​

With the ingredients quickly expended, Nancy was left with sanctifying water as something to hold off the desperate crew. The last batch of potions he brought downstairs, things were looking awful, and he could only imagine what was keeping Demi, how bad things had to be outside of the Church. Was the city okay? The Stoneroses? Ves? His sister? He shook his head, struggling to keep focus on the basin he was ready to purify. But as he began the prayer, a great wave of power rumbled through the walls, through every object. This source was external, and only a fraction of what Goddess Mariana had siphoned through Nancy, so he knew who it had been from before the Goddess made Her proclamation.

And he found himself... laughing. Of all things. "Sister, you think I'm strange? Just wait until you see the rest of Her children." With Goddess Mariana descending into deeper depths, he could only imagine what new Locathah clades might look like, under the strange properties of the Abyss. Nancy surely looked unassuming compared to those large-toothed, ghost-like deep sea folk, and if Mariah the Watcher was serving under Her, her duties would take her well down into those depths.

The Holy blast had purified the water instantly, so very soon, Nancy was bringing down bottles of it for the crew. The sight of freshly dead was only slightly alleviated by seeing the rest of the undead smitten, broken pillars and shattered windows piecing themselves back together. And of course, Mariah at the altar, aglow with energy. "Star of the Sea," he repeated, even though he arrived after she gave that revelation. Of course someone who gave himself his own name would be a nerd about the meanings of them. He neared her, but didn't bow along with the nobles and nuns. She was his friend before she was an angel. "I'm so happy for you, Mariah," he said, eyes moist with tears he was holding back. The power was overwhelming, but more so was to see her unwavering faithfulness at last be rewarded. "If anyone deserves this honor, it's you."

Fergie​

Fergie hated this. Being smothered by this fog made her realize just how much these pirates, herself included, relied on sight in the fight. How the hell was she supposed to tell where anything was in the midst of a roaring battle, shouts and clanging metal from all directions? And that wasn't getting into how years of standing by cannonfire had fucked up her hearing. She wore huge-ass lichen ears for a reason beyond cosmetics.

Despite the order she gave to the crew, Fergie was patrolling in and out of formation, making sure that the frontlines were keeping secure as well as ensuring that the wounded and mages in comas were kept guarded against sneaking skeletons. She sure as hell couldn't observe from one place, and what use was a leader then? So while making her rounds, she was bound to catch Ash creeping away from formation. What was she doing?
Doin' her own thing, leave it, said an internal voice. Yet another voice still nagged at her. Ash absolutely could hold off on her own just fine, but in these conditions? With no one to spot for her, or see if she was about to be in trouble and rush over in time? Mama Bear being her familiar could, but given those mauling sounds in the front, she was occupied. However she spun it, Ash was taking a risk.

Just like ye, that one. Which was a problem. Fergie was self-aware enough to know how she acted when as a crewmate, as opposed to a leader. Self-preservation was just... not a thing, unless lives were under her charge. And with Ash's style being blitz, she had be lacking in that department to have the guts for it in the first place. She'd probably be fine... but probably wasn't certainly, and Fergie had a duty to minimize losses. Also, she'd be fucking pissed if Ash got maimed, let alone killed by one of these flimsy things, and Ash would be even MORE pissed at herself. Fergie had no way of knowing the struggles she put herself through at the Vanguard, but call it a gut feeling.

So she got it in her head that someone needed to have her back. Fergie was reluctant to leave the crew under hardass Damond, but she wasn't about to send him off to protect one crewmate. It would be a waste of his skills, and an insult to boot, sending him off to play guard dog. Not to mention the potential embarrassment towards Ash, as Fergie sending a ship leader of all people to guard her ass likely spoke of a complete lack of faith in her skills.
No, she had to admit that this was a more personal matter. Everyone had their value here, but someone like Ash? Someone who put the crew above all else, and was a pinnacle of their overall morale? If this was a chessboard, Ash was... a queen, she guessed? Whatever, she was invaluable. Pirates who didn't regard lives as cheap were a rare commodity.

So keeping this personal, Fergie stalked after her herself, following her footsteps and the tearing of sickles through bone. Seeing how easily Ash dispatched any approaching skeleton almost made her want to turn right back around, but her first resolve along with a new idea kept her on course. "Good thinkin', lass! Let's thin 'em out 'fore they can mob the crew head-on."


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

A Boon to the Elder Sister

"Your mind is in the Deepest Deeps." the Goddess said with nigh a sigh of relief. Then her voice got dark and malevolent. "Do you require power? Power to make a change? Your brother has My Holy, the courier of My will. You can have My Daedric, the hook to drag to the Abyss those who oppose it." With that, Nellie began to feel empowered. Moreso than she had ever been....... but in a different way than someone like Nancy. There was no serene bliss. While Nancy had the will to save and protect, Nellie was left with only the will to kill. She would get her wish to help. To help destroy those who wished for the destruction of the city
"Protection from the heat, immunity to Divine Fire, Ice that freezes hell itself, Water with the pressure of My Trench. The power I bestow onto you will be used for Divine Punishment." Dark words from the Goddess and out of the Noi Twins, Nellie had the willpower to kill. Mariana was losing her patience. "The pirate under my fin is about to strike the demon down. We will then have a reunion."

• Nellie has been granted basically the same OP level power that Demi and Evangeline did. And access to black magic

With the Goddess intervening now to protect her city, She has bestowed Divine Favor onto the second of Her last 2 lung-borne Locathah. Onto Nancy the Holy, the desire to bring to light the darkness in which they had been living. Onto Nellie the Daedric, the will to snuff out those responsible for the darkness. The judge Mariah the Watcher, advisor to the Goddess Herself and an overseer to everyone in the city, there to ensure justice is delivered. The efforts in reclaiming the church have paid off. The Goddess's catalyst was secured and with this Church being the centerpiece of holiness in this city, She now felt the need to secure the city and then clean it.




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The Blow to Purge the Darkness





Sebas Deadeye
Forest​

The demon was writhing in pain as Lostro had her meltdown. Sebas didn't know how it worked, but Lostro's shrieking, the magic leaking, and demon's body beginning to deteriorate meant that she was indeed trying to kill Mozza. "Sebas, you will not hesitate." The Goddess was speaking to him directly, and she did not sound happy. "My city is sustaining an unacceptable amount of damage and I am ready to Punish the indolent fools who allowed it." Her voice held within it a calm brooding anger. "You will strike him down NOW!" That wasn't a request. That was a command. She wasn't asking him to do it. She was giving him a Divine Order as his Goddess, something that She hadn't done since Sebas was put with Ora. He knew She wanted to hold off on doing that sort of thing until he bowed to Her. These weren't normal circumstances though. It wasn't like She even needed to do this since he was about to do it anyways, so it was THAT which drove home why Her demeanor had changed to the more vengeful tone. "You strike him down, I will make her whole, I will make you mine, and then I will clean my city. So it is said, so let it be done."
She ain't being painfully cryptic anymore, Sebas thought. "As you wish, Goddess........" he said as he charged forward, blade ready to strike. "So it is ordered, demon. The Goddess has run out of patience." He slid into the hole, down to the writhing demon. As he got closer, his blade began to shine more with Holy energy. With a leap towards the demon, Sebas's breath began to speed up. Everything they had done led to this moment.

"Take this power. I won't even wait for Laylah." Mariana was on something. Whatever was going on in the city, it had to be bad for her to directly step in like this, without him even asking


Sebas was focused, wanting one thing and one thing only: To silence the screams of Lostro, to redeem the sense of failure that came from her death, to put an end to the farce of trying to use a little girl as a weapon in the first place. Purity stolen, killed, and then robbed of her eternal rest, Sebas wouldn't stop until he secured for her a peaceful second chance at the life she was robbed of. He was too passive, too fearful. Finding his nuts and deciding to step up for once, he was going to take what was his if it killed him. She would be in the arms of this demon no longer

With the Goddess enhancing his vision to see the child, he aimed directly for Lostro, who was resting at the base of the heads. Belly up from Lostro's meltdown, she was perfectly exposed due to the lava having melted the scales in the underbelly. "Demon! Take this blade and fuck off into nothingness!" Sebas slammed his blade right into the demon's heart, Lostro's heart. The girl was physically asleep, so he was glad she wasn't conscious to watch him plunge his blade into her heart.


A Gorgon Girl, No Longer a Vassal

Another banshee-esque shriek erupted from the maw of the beast. Sounding of a legion of people all shrieking as their demise came crashing in painfully, the shriek was heard all the way from even the Castle where Hemhart sat. With it, a purple wave of magic swept from the forest all over the land, blowing off all the steam that covered the battlefronts. The skeletons that it passed over stopped in their tracks, started shaking and then broke apart, falling uselessly on the ground, back to being a pile of bones with the magic connection being severed from the demon. With that, the assault on Toron came to a halt. The assault within the city came to a halt. The siege on the Church came to a halt. The cloud of demonic darkness that hung over the empire parted and for the first time in a long time, the people in Kraiven could breathe a sigh of relief at having secured their survival. The Basenjis could finally breathe a sigh of relief as their efforts finally paid off. The monstrous amount of deaths avenged, the raid coming to a close.

While the book wasn't closed entirely just yet, the fighting portion of the raid was finally over. A heavy cost in lives were paid for this crusade. The halls of the ships would absolutely sound less lively going forward. From the lowliest child to the most ancient of demons, another has bared their teeth at the Basenjis and lost their life for it.

His dragon form lying dead in the hole, Mozreliun manifested in the sky in a humanoid form, showing himself to the earthen residents for the first time.......and it wasn't a good first impression. Broken and bloody, pouring black demon blood, souls rushing from his body, Mozza looked like he barely survived. His vassal dead, his body brutalized, and his souls depleted, he couldn't even muster the energy to try and take on Laylah. His best bet was to get the hell out of here. Flee. With that, the exorcised Mozza desperately flew towards Toron, leaving Sebas with the lifeless body of Lostro in his arms, standing on the body of the dead Hydra.

Demestral Asella
Noble District
Faith? Trust? Pixie Dust wasn't fixing this.............​

Demi stopped when she heard the demonic shriek. "What is that?!" Lattice said, eyes wide with fear. The poor girl had no idea what all was even happening. She got summoned in the midst of all this to play firefighter, and didn't even question what was happening for it to all end up like this.
"The screams of a dying demon," Demi reassured, rubbing her maid's head. A weight was lifted off her shoulders as she watched the skeletons fall. It was done and dusted. What she sacrificed to protect her homeland was not done in vain. The dragon life that was sacrificed for this was avenged. So why did she hurt so much? Why did it feel like she lost? "We've won." While the pirates cheered at seeing the skeletons fall, which was proof that the fight was over, Demi felt like this was a hollow victory and it reflected in her words and lack of cheering with her men. Their job wasn't to fight the demon. Their job was to defend the city, and in that she felt like it was a fail. "I am feeling............," she said, "I don't know." Demi didn't want to take away the feeling of victory from their men, but the Stoneroses weren't sharing it anyways. Their home was destroyed and them left to die. You don't celebrate having fought for survival. You breathe a sigh of relief when the struggle ends and then you ask yourself "what now?" to the uncertain future you're left to stare at

Demestral knew what was next for her. She would get Quincy back on the ship and then sail away with the crew. Then she would take Ves back to her family. The same couldn't be said for the residents of this city. What would become of them? What would become of this city? What would become of the King? The Noble District was utterly decimated, the unlucky residents unceremoniously slaughtered. As the smell of blood and burning assaulted her nostrils, the memories made in the various places assaulted her mind as the sight of this destroyed district assaulted her eyes. She was fighting the urge to vomit, not being helped by the fact that the Royal Blood had worn off so all of the fatigue was setting in now as soon as she recognized that the fight was over. Managing a crew, managing the Stoneroses, managing a ship, unleashing a spell she literally needed permission from Avalon to cast, managing her emotions around her Wyvern getting his mind messed with, managing her emotions around seeing her homeland destroyed, managing her emotions around seeing her long-lost father lose himself to despair, managing her emotions around the king who abandoned his people to die, managing her emotions around having pulled this place out of the spirit sea in the first place and for all of this to actually have been the LESSER OF TWO EVILS.

She couldn't manage much more. She never wanted to escape more than she did right now

"Bogrum, you guys may rest." Demi told him, not wanting to meet his eyes because he would see the tears welling up in hers. "When I finally rest, I will break down, so I'll rest when it's the only thing left to do." The girl was as honest about her feelings as ever. Knowing that there was just a little more to do kept her impending emotional breakdown pending. "This was never destined to be a victory for me........... Come, Lattice. I need your comfort."

Ashlynn Thormdottir
Gates​

When the shriek happened, and the steam blown away and skeletons fell, Ash was first to cheer. Pulling out her axe and slamming it into a grounded skull, then hefting the skull-stuck axe into the air, she gave a massive warcry. "VICTORY MEN!!" she yelled to the heavens. "AXES. IN. SKUUUULLLLS!!!!"
The men cheered at the success of the crusade. All day this fight had gone on and the sky was turning gold as the evening set in. Their bones weary, their stomachs empty, the Basenjis were running off duct tape and adrenaline. Stamina potions weren't a substitute for rest. Health potions weren't a substitute for medical care. Mana potions weren't a substitute for food. Unless one literally hit the battlefields of war, this was the longest time in their lives that they had to fight continuously. They would all be painfully sore for the next few days if not a week. All day of swinging her axe or her sickles made her arms and shoulders ache, all day of running around made her legs feel like jelly, all the barking orders would ensure her voice is shot for the next few days.

With the adrenaline calming down, it was all hitting her at once. The feeling of victory never hurt as good as this one. Auntie will see ya soon, kiddo, Ash thought, alive and well. Not a monster anymore. Shifting some bones to the side, Ash took a seat on the grass.


"BE ADVISED ALL UNITS!" It was Sebas and he was yelling. "THE DEMON IS TRYING TO ESCAPE! HEADING TOWARDS THE GATES! HUMANOID!! GUNS TO THE SKY! GUNS TO THE SKY!!!"

"What?!" Those words shattered her mind and her train of thought. Ash jumped up, her blood pumping furiously. "I thought we just killed it!" They hadn't killed him quite yet. Just ceased his ability to summon. Exorcising him didn't kill him. It just forced him from Lostro's body
This was her opportunity for her own vengeance. For killing Mama Bear. For every single solitary life that was lost in taking him on. For holding her little niece hostage, and every life he stole from the Basenjis using Lostro's stolen power from the SECOND he took over her body. If Lostro had memory of her time under Mozreliun's trance, that little girl was about to be absolutely traumatized for the rest of her life. Ash was not about to let this stand. "YOU HEARD HIM! GUNS TO THE SKY!"
"Fergie, your time to shine." Ash was a melee girl. She couldn't command distance attacks. "For you blade-wielders, spread out! Let's capture him alive and show him how much we appreciate the funeral service we'll have to conduct due to him." She still had the air of victory about her. Now it was laced with the grin of a sadist. There was so much she wanted to do to Mozreliun before ending his unholy life, all of it having to do with making him suffer as much as possible. Her tribe had a thing against torturing people. When they administer the death penalty, it was to be as swift and as painless as possible. Death wasn't to be Mozreliun's punishment though. Death was to be his mercy
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Residential Gravesite

The demonic screech, the steam dissipating, the skeletons collapsing, should have fallen on deaf ears and blind eyes. The moment the demon's heart was pierced, Vlad anticipated a similar agony in his own chest. He expected more power to leave his body with every heaving pant, until his limbs trembled with weakness and brought him to his knees. But he didn't. The sanction should have returned upon the demon's demise. Why did he instead feel... invigorated?
Nellie...

"Vlad?" A guardsman rushed over, stepping over scattered bones and between pillars of Holy pyres. He held out a hand, meeting the beastman's eyes. "Are you okay?"
What had brought him to his knees was the horrid realization. If his full prowess was still in reach, that could only mean... "She didn't make it."
Becoming vaguely aware of the cleared air, save for the smoke billowing around them, Vlad felt a terrible chill fall over him. Holy Fires, the warmth it brought his bones, couldn't shield him from this new cold.

And then the cold grew colder. That chill became a chill of dread, shooting down his spine and raising his hackles. Vlad whipped over his shoulder, sensing the source immediately. Behind him and the guards, his battle partner padded up to them. Some visible burns on reddened scales, robes disheveled, otherwise unharmed. But she had not arrived unchanged.
"Nellie...?" Radiating from where she stood, the air was like biting ice. It was as if all heat around them was being sucked into a single point, destroyed and leaving only bitter cold in its place. It was Oppressive.

"My Goddess has made me an arrow." Her voice was calm, but not hollow. It was terse, a tension being held back, ready to spring. "Show me a target, and I'll strike true."

Bogrum Mazoga​

With that final scream reverberating throughout all of Kraiven, everything at last came to a standstill. All undead fell at their feet, the threat vanquished for good. The hoots and hollers of his cheering crew brought some feeble joy back into this ruined place... but Bogrum would not be participating. With the fight done, all fight left him, axe arm falling to his side limply. Clothes wet with hot sweat clung to his body, aching and sore in every joint and muscle. That was the least of his pain.
Finally. It's over. Yet it wasn't. Not even close. Homeland brought to ruins? Their leader leaving them to die while he hid himself away? The people of Toron could rebuild, but would never fully recover from something like this.

Seeing the despair brewing within Demi grounded him as much as it made him wince. His crew deserved a rest after this, and he knew he did as well. But Demi wasn't going to find reprieve for a long time.
"Demi," he said before they could leave. "If there's any way we can help shoulder some of this burden, let us know." She couldn't even look him in the eye, so he knew she was just barely holding herself together. "We're here for you, as always."

Fergie​

When Ash let our her victory cry, Fergie gave a throaty call in return. "FINALLY! FUCK THIS SHIT!" This crew had taken a beating that doubtlessly had been their worst. Pirates weren't meant to challenge the closest thing to literal Satan, and yet here they were, battered and bruised but victorious regardless. And yeah, she guessed they kind of saved the world too. What of it?

"You're all the craziest lot I've ever seen, and I couldn't be happier," she said, ready to lay on the praises thick. She had said before all this that she was proud to serve this crew, and it couldn't have been more true now. Most anyone, soldier or pirate, would have cowered and fled from an ancient demon, especially after that massive Petrify attack that did so many of them in. She wouldn't have even blamed them; there was a fine line between cowardice and some damn self-preservation. And yet, they stuck it through to the end, self-preservation be damned. They were several cuts above the rest, and her heart swelled with pride for it. Maybe it was just the post-battle high, but maybe...

"Agh?!" At Sebas's warning, Fergie looked to the sky, catching a speeding speck fleeing from the crater. Mozza was trying to save his ass? Nah, not happenin'. "RIFLES, PISTOLS, SNIPERS, EVERYONE! LEAVE NOT AN INCH IN THE SKY!!" He was coming too fast to reposition her gunmen, but it wasn't a necessity. The whole space over the Gates was about to be peppered with gunfire. "If ye got magic, use it! Elemental, Holy, whatever! When I give the word, shoot that fucker down!"

They only had to time it right, give no room for error. "Hold..." When speck turned to shape, she calculated his speed. Fast, but not fast enough. What little life left was rapidly leaking out with that oily blood trail. Almost a shame; he wouldn't last long at all, when this vindictive crew got a hold of him. "NOW! FIRE!!"


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Demestral Asella
Noble District​

Demi smiled sadly, "Rest well," she said, "Every single casualty here from Basenji to resident to beast to property, is one that'll weigh on me." It was like a civil war. No one won in the end. "So take care of your men. Let's not add anymore deaths to the toll." She looked out for a moment, a thousand yard stare, then caught herself by flicking her crystal. "Be advised Toron and Defense, The Caboose is ready to extract. You've fought well."

Severing the connection, Demi did the only thing that could possibly bring her comfort in times like this. "Come, Quincy!"
The Wyvern's presence was visibly quickly. Unlike last time though, Demi didn't just jump and get scooped up. She waited for Quincy to land before jumping on his back. "Let's go, Lattice."
Lattice obliged, jumping on Quincy's back with her and having to be seated in Demi's lap like a pet. Normally, Demi would have to seat quadrupeds in a side bag. Demi wanted Lattice with her right now though. Plus, Lattice didn't do well with heights. Part of her curse made her do very bad with heights despite having had wings before.

With that, Demi flew off. "You're free to head back to the ship. Our role in this is over." Demi said in the crystal to Bogrum.


Arnold Asella

Arnold coughed as he was helped out of the rubble, having gotten his consciousness back. Like Demi said, the man looked no more worse for wear than he was before he was blasted into the building. He looked ahead and then around. "Looks like it's over," he said with a deep sigh, "A shameful display from me......." Looks like he reflected while he was unconscious. "Destroyed again, eh?........" he sighed again, reserving himself to repetition of history. "It's been a long day. Stoneroses! Return to HQ!"

The victory for the Defense wasn't a victory. It was a failure. Even the pirates cheerful mood was sucked dry by the air of defeat around the Stoneroses, the ruins that was the noble district, and the bloody dead bodies of civilians. The question hanging over the Defense effort Basenjis was a good one: What was the point of anything they had done at the Gates, if this was the result when they succeed?

"Bogrum, you have my thanks. You're a fine leader with warriors of men. I can call pirates a lot of things, but never can I call them cowards........." With a coughing fit, Arnold unceremoniously left the pirates there in the rubble that was the Noble District.



"Elaina to Party"
The words of the witch reached those she worked with. Nellie, Vlad, Ves, and now Nancy. "So much Divine Favor to go around," she remarked in a congratulatory tone. However, from Elaina, if she weren't teaching them something, what came out of her was hard to take as anything but sarcasm. "Don't worry, Vespera. We can be non-favored sisters together."
"Elaina, death is the preferable alternative to being your sister." Ves wasn't holding back on the counter. She had been radio silent as she defended her part, the Commerce District
"Aww don't be like that," she said poorly stifling a chuckle. Even though she never took this seriously, they could all tell that Elaina's voice was noticeably looser and relaxed. So there was absolutely some part of her that made her tense, whether she'd want to admit it or not............ "If it makes you feel any better, I rejected Divine Favor." This jab was meant to say that Elaina didn't have it because she didn't want it, making Ves stand alone.

"Nellie?" Elaina sounded like a teacher chiding a young student. "Remember that you are Daedric now, so Oppressive Cold serves with it a risk of fratricide." These words, condescending as they were, were also very much true. Nellie wasn't alone here. She was with people, people that were a little more bothered by the cold than she was, especially after the steam crashing into their field, meaning that Nellie was going to start freezing them to death pretty soon. "You might want to get ahold of your emotions."

"Our fight is over, and Demestral is out looking for survivors," she updated, "I am marking to you locations of people whose lives are in imminent danger. I will consider the mission complete when all targets marked are either secured or dead." The way she spoke wasn't surprising at this point, that of someone who didn't care about the outcome. "Afterwards, we can clock out and go home."

Steven the Deacon and Jack the Shotgunner
Church​

There was a lot of cheering for the Basenjis and the nobles who had their lives secured. They had come out of the most dire straits of the entire fight. Without 2 Divine Interventions, their deaths were unavoidable. This was why he served a God. One couldn't look at the power of their intervention bailing them out and not want a piece of that pie.
They didn't bow with the nobles and other nuns. They were tired and she owed her life to them. "Mariah, can you heal?"
"Yes I can. I can actually be of assistance now!" she said happily
"Good. Heal the nobles and nuns." Steven commanded, not caring if Mariah was an angel or not. He was still running the show here. "We're sending our men to rest."

Spoiler: To Leave or Not to Leave

He yawned. Fatigue was hitting him just like it was everybody else. With the munitions drop having not come, he was fine with Mariah's Ascension in its stead. "Jack, that mug still standing?" he called
"Aye," he said, lighting up his last cigar close to a broken window, "Outta whiskey and smokes though. Need grub too."
"I hear ya," Steven responded, tapping his own empty flask. "Steven to Caboose. Requesting extract of troops in the Church."
"Acknowledged," the Caboose Captain said back, "Head outside and we will pull you up."
Steven moved over to his friend. "Jack, ya ride's here. Get the men out of here."
Jack didn't even look back. Maybe he was enjoying the golden hue of the evening. "An' you? Ye stayin' 'ere?" ("And you? You staying here?")
"Gonna finish up here."
"Then I'm stayin," Jack told him
"No ya ain't, ugly-ass," Steven told him, smacking his shoulder, "Get the hand looked at. Get a drink, food, rest. You're done here."
Jack sighed, exhaustion seeping through all of it and turning it into something more akin to a yawn than a sigh. ".......'sgo men," Jack finally said, not willing to argue. They grabbed the dead bodies of Basenjis and made their way out of the Church, lumbering about as if half asleep or shellshocked. "Seein' ya, Fish."

That left Steven alone with the 2 holy emissaries. Mariah approached him, still having the same demeanor she's always had towards him. "We can't thank you enough for your efforts here," She said with another curtsy, "Prickliness aside, I can see why Obris chose you."
"And you're a damn goody good," Steven fired back with a chuckle, "Can't say you haven't been a Saint. This situation was just too deadly for that kumbaya stuff."
Mariah laughed in response. "I understand. Crusades in the name of God aren't pretty."
"Exactly. Peace is paid for in blood." He looked to Nancy. "Guess this is time we part. Go find your folks."
"Yes," Mariah agreed to Nancy. "Go find your sister. Goddess gave Nellie the Daedric side of her. I will stay and begin fixing the Church." She looked out to the nobles. "All of you! Rejoice! For the Goddess has given you all a 2nd and then a 3rd chance at life. As you know grief for what was lost when you go assess the damage, know gratitude that you live another day. Nuns, you will conduct one last prayer for the evening and then you will all rest under the protection of my Goddess. Get fed, feed the children, then get some rest. My Goddess is making an appearance tomorrow, as decreed to Nellie."

"Goddess Mariana's got some gratitude to show me for saving those kiddos for her."

Gates​

The sky lit up with sounds of gunfire and cannonfire. The Caboose far in Toron, the Basenji being the most heavily armed and the closest to where the demon went, and the Canine being ran by the pinpoint Nakaos. All the troops on the ground. All the troops on the ship not operating a ship weapon holding a gun or casting magic. There was no escape for the demon as the sky was peppered with the full arsenal of the Basenji's wrath. It doesn't matter what the demon did. There was no dodging and there was no magic left in him to shield. Fergie wasn't the only one commanding.
"Cease fire! Cease fire!" Ash soon called out as the black speck dropped to the ground right outside the exit of the forest into the waiting gloves of her men. "We got him, men!" Ash yelled out over the crystal.

Mozreliun lay in the ground, full of holes, absolutely POURING demon blood. A cannonball broke his second horn when it knocked him out of the sky. "Damn it!" he rasped out in a voice curdled with blood. He started to groan in pain when his hair was grabbed and was staring into the face of an angry woman. "Glad you look good. It'll be fun messing up that pretty face before we kill you." She slammed his face in the ground stomped her boot on his head, holding it there as she gave another warcry. While this was her second warcry, it was no less enthusiastic than the last one. This time her prey was captured. Then the cheers began again. This time with much higher volume and much higher gusto. "Be advised all units: Raid complete!" Alarms began to rang across the ships symbolizing the closing of the fight.

Avery put his Silencer Bowie Knife back in his boot. "We did good, Shivarath." he said to the flittering butterfly knife. "So long as I collect his heart, this should qualify as an S-rank threat."
"Guess I was correct in choosing you as Raid Captain, Avery." The master captain twisted in his seat, a smirk across his face.
"Aye," Avery responded simply. He didn't want to be in the room with Adonis anymore. He wanted to be back down with Sebas and the men who actually did something. "We also get Dragon Scales from all those heads when we harvest them. My cut of the loot will be 75% of the Dragon Scales we harvest, 10 Gold, and then the heart of the demon."
"Gold?" Adonis asked, twisting his head in confusion as he leaned forward. "Where will we be getting that loot from, pray tell Avery?"
"You'd be more capable of being clever if you didn't try so hard." Avery said bluntly. The way he stroked his own ego with his demeanor was so...........pathetic? "Don't withhold ALL of the Goblins from the Reinforcements if you wanted to keep something secret but..........." Avery had made his way to the door by now, Shivarath still flittering about. "By toying with Fergie, you damaged my plan and it resulted in more deaths. Wild Cards have no place in perfect plans," Avery's eyes narrowed. "and I like my plans perfect."

"But you knew that, didn't you?" Shivarath landed in his hand. Its wings dispelled and Avery closed it. "I applaud you for keeping an eye on Shivarath. Lest a mutiny had begun."


The Raid on the Ancient Demon

1. Objective: Defeat the Ancient Demon Mozreliun
   • Status: Demon Captured. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
2. Objective: Liberate Lostrogret Whitcoat
   • Status: Lostrogret Exorcised. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
3. Objective: Prevent Mozreliun from reaching Toron
   • Status: Captured at the Gates. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
4. Objective: Reclaim the Church as a holy site
   • Status: Reclaimed by Goddess Mariana. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

The Defense of Toron

1. Objective: Prevent Mozreliun's legion from infiltrating the Gates
   • Status: Gates secured. 0 skeletons entered. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
2. Objective: Defend the Church
   • Status: Damage heavy but Church standing. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
3. Objective: Prevent damage within the city
   • Noble District Status: DESTROYED
   • Residential District Status: HEAVY
   • Commerce District: MODERATE
   • Status: MISSION FAILED
4. Objective: Secure Graveyards to stem Skeleton summons 3/3
   • Noble District Status: Graveyard Secure
   • Residential District Status: Graveyard Secure
   • Commerce District Status: Graveyard Secure
   • Status: Graveyards not secured in a timely enough manner, causing the failure of Objective 3. MISSION FAILED

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Capital City

This isn't your tragedy, Bogrum reminded himself once again, watching Demi on her Wyvern disappear behind buildings and pillars of smoke. Looking over his own crew, and the Stoneroses, he couldn't help but wonder himself: was there any point to any of this? Had it made a difference, keeping the outside forces from coming in? The deaths of each crewmate and soldier began to weigh on him as well, when it almost seemed as if the deaths had been in vain.

When Arnold was pulled out of the rubble, coughing and stumbling but otherwise not worse for wear, Bogrum couldn't muster words. What to even say? Give condolences? Nothing would bring the city back. So he only nodded graciously in response before the man limped away, cutting away that tug he felt to follow. The road forked here. Bogrum had to continue his path, and let the inhabitants of Kraiven follow theirs. Even though the latter would be a rough, treacherous one for some time.

"We did our best, men," he told his crew, crystal in his large fingers as he readied to call for extraction. "Let's go home." The nausea he'd feel on those rocking airships would be a marked improvement to what he felt among this broken, bloodied waste. He needed a drink. And another week-long nap. And hell, forget the psych eval. He knew damn well he'd need therapy after this.


---

Elaina's voice, which decided to be even more grating against Vlad's ears, immediately preceded that cold spiking to an almost needle-like sharpness through his sweat-soaked fur. He couldn't say he hated the pirate as much as Nellie did at this point, but hearing her demean everyone around her, emboldened by what meager success she gave them... that was making him come closer.
But Nellie didn't look angry. In fact, by the time Elaina clicked off, the newly Daedric vassal began to grin and laugh. "Bitch."

Nellie must have come to some sort of realization, but Vlad was becoming increasingly concerned about the burns on her body. The scales themselves were red in places, irritated and inflamed, and he paled to imagine how bad it was underneath on actual skin. He intimately knew what burns on Nellie looked like, and these? This was nearly the worst he'd ever seen her.

"You're hurt bad," he started to say, reaching out to cradle her hand before thinking. But that Oppressive Cold didn't singe his fingers as he investigated. Nellie jumped at the touch, the cold that radiated around them withering away until the only chill was the breeze in the air. "You got caught in that steam, didn't you?" Alive, but not close to well, he realized. Guilt pierced him, down the core to his still-throbbing chest. It must have been in his voice as well, pain flashing in Nellie's eyes as he spoke. "Did Goddess Mariana rescue you?"

The cold struck back into the air with a vengeance, almost burning Vlad's hand as it held hers. Nellie yanked away before it could. "Elaina's right. I'm dangerous to be around right now."
"Nellie--"
"I'll put out fires. I won't risk burning the survivors, so you and the men will have to pull them out." She turned away, using the Magesight Elaina gave them to scan the surrounding buildings. She pointed a direction. "There. Hurry." A line of water was drawn before her, and she jumped in. Gone in a flash, the speed of the current weaved her through the district with a speed unmatched. Just slow enough for him to follow with his cat's eye, but fast enough to keep a wide distance between them.

Nancy Noi​

When Jack took his leave, Nancy's brain scrambled for words. He had already given his profuse thanks, and he couldn't fathom what more to say. Wishes for health and good fortune? He didn't think they liked that sappy stuff. They just wanted to recoup at their ships, no doubt. And Nancy wanted to see his loved ones, be reassured of who was okay after this. But he didn't want them to leave thinking he'd take this for granted, forgetting-- ah, that was it. "I'll remember this, Jack, Steven. Always."

There was... the faintest feeling of closure. It was far from over, but the battle itself? It felt like eons ago when Nancy first stepped into this place, dreading the fight, dread nearly turning to terror when they all felt the demon's horrible presence on Kraiven. He could take comfort in that the fullest extent of ruin had reached its climax. And... by the Goddess's grace, he made it through. Not survival, as that had been guaranteed. But by Steven's words, that he'd shown "a pirate's mettle", would stick with him forever. Nancy knew he could be hard on himself, but even he had to give himself credit for keeping his nerves steady throughout all this. He had just swam up a waterfall. Now he only had to worry about fighting the current, rather than fighting gravity along with it.

"Mariah," he begun in a quiet voice, after she finished her small speech to the civilians. "Before I go, there's something you need to know. The lab was being used for some sort of human experimentation. There's more dead-- purified-- and shelves full of research. Can you make sure anyone who enters or leaves is accounted for?" If there's another accomplice to the crimes in the Church, he didn't want them destroying the evidence before they got the chance to investigate. It nagged at him still, but although he wanted to sit down and read through what surely would be dark texts, he needed to check on everyone for his peace of mind. That, and relay the crimes already known.

Spoiler: Ruins of the Lost Kingdom

When Nancy stepped out the Church, he soon stopped in his tracks. "Oh my gods..." It was like he had been taken 200 years into the past. The Toron skyline was littered with buildings broken down to rubble, smoldering where they sat ruined. What... what had happened? It was as bad as... but the pirates were helping! How could this have happened?

Nancy's hand trembled as he clicked his crystal. "Nellie?"
An immediate response. "Nancy? You okay?" She was focused, but her voice broke. If it looked this bad just standing outside the Church, he could imagine why.
"Yes! Yes, I'm... I'll be fine. You're... you and Goddess Mariana--?"
"We'll talk about it later. For now, go find Vespera--" She stopped herself. Probably realizing that his Favor made him dangerous around the vampire as well. "Go-- I don't know," she sighed in resignation. "Report back to the Stoneroses. Try to go with someone, the Noble District is a giant hazard to walk through."
"I... I know. I see it." Even though he had just secured the Church with his Goddess-given boon, he suddenly felt so helpless. "I didn't expect it to be this bad."
"Thank His Highness for that." The words had come out fast, the next faster before she cut off comms. "I have to go. Stay safe."

With his sister's voice gone, it left him alone with the sounds of crackling fires, shouts from other rescue teams, and cries of anguish and pain. His mind began to fill with static. Instead of cutting all of this awfulness out, it fed into each other, creating an overstimulation that started to--
Stop, stop! Nancy shook it out of his head. Stop. Later. Freak out later. I have to find... Who? Vespera was fine enough to be part of the rescue effort, by the sound of it. That left the rest of the Stoneroses. Arnold, Efi, GP... where the hell even was he, anyway? He was supposed to be his escort, but he never showed. Likely he was pulled into a more pressing task. Or perhaps was a fly on the wall, making sure suspected accomplices didn't try to flee in the chaos...

Despite his initial gut punch of a reaction, nothing about this disaster surprised him. He had been wiling to give some benefit of the doubt, that the king had allowed those atrocities to save his kingdom from Blight. But if said kingdom was left to ruin at the next provocation, who had it all been for anyway? Who did those children really suffer for?
"The Deepest Deep is found with the Crown", he recalled. And would do well to remember. The battle was over, but they weren't safe until the cause of all of this was settled for good.

Pulling him out of his thoughts was a passing shadow. Looking up above Toron, he saw an unmistakable shape, one that he hadn't seen in more than 200 years. Demi... how is she handling this? It could be assumed that she brought this disaster to them, with her crew and their demonic mistake. But Nancy knew that this disaster had been laying in wait all along. The pirates had only been the unaware catalyst. Nancy had been angry at every part involved, and still was. But now that he was understanding the cause of all this...
Report to the Stoneroses, he ordered himself, putting one foot in front of the other. Just report, and figure this out tomorrow.

Fergie​

When Mozza was unceremoniously shot down, left at the mercy of a very bloodthirsty Ash, Fergie felt her muscles lax, shoulders resting from their rigid posture. It was done. Honest to gods, they did it, and she almost still couldn't believe it. There was no doubt in her mind that the crew had earned the biggest bragging rights of their career, and she was right there with them. At the start of this raid, she had been wanting it to just be over, knowing the toll it would take on the crew and everyone around them on this old-ass rock. But now that it was over, there laid a heavy sense of satisfaction over the grief and fatigue. This battle? It would go down in history. And sure, Fergie's name would hardly be thrown around during retelling of the tale. This was Avery's battle, and certainly Sebas's, to save his adopted child. But she'd been a small part of a great thing, and that was enough for her.

So with satisfaction permitting her a deserved rest, Fergie took it upon herself to get a good front row seat to Ash's savegry on an upturned stone. That demon had been a pain in the ass for all. Literal, in Fergie's case, her right cheek burning like a bitch when she sat. But he had caused worse for Ash, ruining a child she cared for as well as killing so many of their own. She deserved this pleasure over anyone else.

"Scalp 'im, Ash!" she encouraged, cheering along with the crew. "Then cleave off his horns for a new mantelpiece!"


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

A bit of time had passed from when Nellie and Vlad went to go save people. It wasn't going well. 3 of the survivors died by the time they could be pulled out of the rubble. Vlad knew the truth though. They had frozen to death. Nellie's Oppressive Cold was doing the opposite of helping. She didn't notice it though, being cognizant of only those she had to rescue, but the power of her influence having snuffed out the last warmth of life from people who would've been saved otherwise. None of these brought her any catharsis. In fact, the deaths only made things worse, potentially creating a cycle. They found survivors, Nellie's Oppressive Cold kills them before they could be saved, Nellie's mental takes a hit, Oppressive Cold gets worse at the failed rescue attempt, repeat. It was drilling into her system that she was useless, a common theme that dragged her to the emotional lows she had been in the depths of for a long time. She's not moving fast enough, or she's not putting out the fires fast enough, or that maybe if she would've helped them lift the rubble, maybe they could've gotten the survivor out quickly enough

Vlad was quickly reaching a point though that if he didn't go out of his way to warm himself up or the troops, either he would end up with hypothermia, or the rescue party would disband as they sought warmth. By doing so though, he risked Nellie finding out that she was being the danger here, making things worse

Nellie's emotional instability was literally killing potential survivors. Maybe this was why Elaina said "secured or dead." Because she suspected that this would happen



Big Sister is Always Watching

"Elaina to Mariah, Nancy, and Vladimir. Broadcasting from atop the Church." The voice of the witch was there to grace their ears yet again.
Mariah stopped from her place in the Church. "I can hear you, Lady Elaina."
"Nellie is leaking magic. Tons of it. Her mental is shot and her Oppressive Cold has already killed 3 survivors." This of course meant that Elaina was watching everything going on with her new favorite subject: The newly empowered Daedric Nellie Noi.
"What's causing it?" Mariah asked, concerned.
Elaina chuckled a bit. "I saved her life when the steam hit," she said, "and Nellie doesn't enjoy that fact." From that, it made sense to Vlad then why talking about how she survived the steam was a sore subject. She wouldn't have if not for Elaina. That was salt in the burned flesh under Nellie's scales. "But that aside, I need Vlad to come get Nancy to Nellie. Through that, Nancy should be able to talk some calm into Nellie so you can save LIVING people this time." Again, the tone indicated that she didn't actually care, but felt the need to deliver to them information. "If I speak to her, it'll push her to a meltdown on the level of Demi's UV Nova, but with Ice. Tell her what she wants to hear."

"So my suggestion is this: Vlad, tell her that you're going to go get Nancy so he can heal the survivors. This isn't a lie. Nancy, while you actually do heal survivors and injured and protect them from the Oppressive Cold, talk some calm into her." She paused and said these next words slow and emphasized. "Do so without mentioning the steam, my name, or ANYTHING having to do with me." She let those words linger as they were very important. Vlad was a support system, but he alone wouldn't be enough. In Elaina's eyes, it's because Vlad kept trying to get her to stop, which she wouldn't go for. The solution was simply to get her to do it correctly and use the feedback loop of success to motivate her to slow down. "If you calm her down, the Oppressive Cold will settle because I doubt that she's doing it on purpose. Do not mention to her that her Oppressive Cold has caused the deaths of the survivors. It can cause a meltdown." Elaina shook her head from her post on top of the Church. She's too easy a target, Elaina thought. At least prodding Ves isn't prodding a time bomb.

"Oh, and word of warning: Demi and The Caboose are in the airspace. To protect my crew, I WILL put Nellie down if she's about to explode." If Nellie explodes, Adonis would be justified in ordering the slaughter of everyone in Toron. "There's been too many lives lost here already. We're not losing anymore." With that, the connection severed. There it was, just a little bit. A twinge of empathy for someone other than herself in her tone, covering the determined resolved words of a woman who already has idea to kill her pass the approval process of her mind. If there was a visual, it would be of a Sniper already taking aim and telling the friends of the target to convince the sniper to not pull the trigger.

Now it was a race against the clock. The most powerful mage of Kraiven given even more power by her Goddess, on the verge of melting down. But a mage could never cast faster than a bullet from a Sniper could kill. "Mariah to Elaina."
"Yes?"
"Why did you include me in the conversation? It didn't concern me." Mariah said this in a tone that was more confused than anything. It wasn't like she DIDN'T want to be part of it. It was just seeming more and more like Elaina was including Mariah in conversations just to include her. Was Elaina toying with her?
"Because I actually like you Mariah," Elaina admitted, "If I pushed too far, you'd have brought me back, as you've been annoyingly doing since I met you. There is........merit to it."
It made Mariah smile, as she could also apply it to Steven and Jack. While there was not always time for, as Steven said, "that kumbayaa shit", she was happy to know that her useless pleading wasn't so useless. She kept them within the realm of humanity. "See? I knew there was good in you."
"Shut it." The connection severed.

Spoiler: The Witch vs The Abyss #1

From atop the post on the Church, Elaina watched everything going on. Demestral was fiercely fighting fires with..........Lattice it seemed her name was. A cursed Draconian. Intriguing, Elaina thought, pulling out a notepad and adding the name Lattice to the list right under Lostrogret. She also saw a Shapeshifter moving with Vespera's group, which may be the factor that was why Ves's group defended their section the best, with the Commerce District suffering the least amount of damage.

"If you kill my Child, I will stop at nothing to drag you to the Abyss." The angry words of Mariana rumbled in the head of Elaina, jumbling the words in her head and shooing them off.
How annoying. This earned the Goddess a spit on the roof of Her Church from the All-Seeing Witch. "Your child's little temper tantrum is about to wipe out 100 people, our ship, and our Wyvern," Elaina said defiantly back to the voice, not even a flinch of surprise as she eyed Nellie in the Sniper scope. "If that's your will, I'll be glad to put a stop to it........but it wasn't, was it? You set her up for this. If you'd have gotten the Blight out of your ears enough to listen to HER instead of enforcing your will UPON her, you wouldn't be pleading with a Witch to not kill her." Elaina's eyes narrowed as she held steady. "Your child vs 100 people, Mariana. Kill me. I dare you, then I bid you good luck to the Court of Gods." Gods weren't permitted to do things like direct interference. This thing with Mozreliun was an exception, but even that was over now. Elaina knew the doctrine, and she wasn't scared to flex it

"Nellie is a rage-filled little bitch who can't accept her failures so she can do better, so she's USELESS! Useless for any reason that's not YOU treating her as a pawn." Elaina barked at the Goddess, not knowing to look high or look low. "Such is the deception of a Daedric Lord. Speak sweet nothings to the vulnerable so they become your thrall. Take away her will to think for herself so she stagnates in the mediocrity of overcompensation that is The Abyss...........well I'm the All-Seeing Witch. Neither your Light or your Abyss can blind me." This wasn't her first time speaking to a God. Like the rest of Divinity, they were bound by laws. Elaina walked her own path and if it meant defying Gods to their faces, all the better for her.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Ashlynn Thormdottir
Gates​

"Nice idea. Before that though, how about we do a Death by Thousand Cuts?" She said enthusiastically. "Everybody who wants to get a cut in, maybe 2, can get in line. He's bleeding like his body is an ocean of this shit. I want to see how much more until we bleed him dry. THEN I'll scalp him." Ash was serious about making Mozreliun suffer as much as possible, and scalping was too fast. That would be the topping on the cake

"One rule." This was Avery, popping up out of nowhere. No one had seen him move but he was just announcing the completion of the raid and now he was here. "No stabbing. I will be carving out his heart, so I need it preserved."
The casual way he said it took Ash aback a bit. Man, he must be pissed, she thought.
"No. He's always been like that," MB told her, "Why do you think Quincy and I are wary of him?"
Hmmmm. Ash did recall MB telling her that before, but she just brushed it off. While Avery was excellent on the battlefield, especially AGAINST Mama Bear, it never went into the house of brutality. Anyways, he mentioned the heart but...... "What do you need his heart for?" Ash asked, brow furrowed
"Trophy," he said with a shrug, "I've given up most of my Gold for it, so I'll be taking his heart, 75% of the Dragon Scales but I'll be getting only 10 gold. Yes, the heads and body of that Hydra are still here, so we can harvest it." Scales were good, but there was also the bones, teeth, spikes, and the gland that allowed it to use its breath attack (in this case, it's the Daedric Gland which gave it its Petrification Beam)
There were cheers at this. As Raid Captain, Avery was subject to more gold than all of the lowest-ranked soldiers combined. By hearing he was giving it all up for literally 10 Gold meant that they would be getting a very nice bonus out of this.

"Hell yeah then," Ash agreed. "Let's line up and get cuts in so we can extract out of here like Demi's men."
"We're landing the ships," Avery said. "Adonis wants them grounded and the crew rested before it's time to head out. Plenty of time for you all to celebrate, eat, rest." he declared aloud, "I understand if you're too tired to be partying it up tonight. We will dedicate all of tomorrow to celebrating this victory. We will also split up the loot in that celebration before we set off!"
"You need to ask him how we're getting that loot, Cub. That Hydra didn't exactly rain loot," MB warned
That grounded Ash, if his mentioning that Adonis was ordering the ships landed didn't ground her. "I'll pull him aside, but I'll check if Fergie caught that."
"Sounds like a leadership chat."

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Nancy's Counterpoint

Vlad began his part by informing Nellie of Nancy's pick-up. But when it was time to arrange said pick-up, Nancy didn't respond for several minutes, leaving him with nowhere to go and with no reason why.
Thankfully, it wasn't for long. "Nancy to Vlad, Mariah, and Elaina."
"Did something happen?" Vlad asked immediately. "I tried to call several--"
"I know. I'm sorry." Nancy's voice carried a serious tone, one that quickly turned Vlad nervous given its rarity. "But... We're not doing this, Elaina. It's a good plan, but it won't work. I'm going to take her away from the survivors and talk to her upfront."
"How is that a better idea?" he demanded, already not liking the sound of this.
"You know I have Favor too. They're not just opposites. With Goddess Mariana, Holy and Daedric are counterparts. I should be able to neutralize her magic long enough to get to the bottom of this."
"Are... are you sure about that?"
"... No." The honesty did nothing to assure Vlad, but Nancy went on, "But we can't let her stew. You know how she is. She'll stew, and stew, until it all comes out in an even bigger outburst. If she can freeze this entire district with an outburst now, then it will be so much worse if she has one after stewing longer. And IT WILL HAPPEN, unless she gets resolution some other way."

Vlad let out a shaky sigh. Of course her brother was right about this. Nellie was not at all adept at the bottling-it-up business. If something rose her ire that day, he could bet she'd be down in the training chambers shredding dummies with a razor flurry of ice before bedtime. If it happened any later, that chamber would be due for a restoration effective immediately after her rage. He did not want to imagine the decimation she could cause with magic this great. Toron, and possibly Kraiven as a whole would suddenly have more problems than picking up after a battle with a demon.
"Then... I suppose we have to take this risk. But what if your prediction turns out wrong, and she overpowers you?"
"... I'll take it on myself."
"Nancy, you can't do that!" he cried, growing frantic. "I don't think you fully understand the extent of this cold--"
"I can feel it from here, Vlad! I know!" Agitation was hardening his words, as much his resolve. "I grew up in frigid spring waters. I can handle this more than most."
"This isn't simply 'frigid', Nancy. It's Oppressive to the very definition." Frantic turned to desperate as he tried to make him understand. "Not a molecule of warmth is to be found where she stands. It's the sort of cold that's said to bring ice ages over entire lands. You will die, and die quickly."
"My Favor will keep me alive long enough for me to get through to her." Understanding be damned. Nancy was decided on this, and though he had very good reason to try, Vlad didn't want to be risking the additional life. "Please. You have to trust me. All of you."
"I trust you'll do what you can. But I have to anticipate the worst outcome."
"The worst outcome is that I'll die, and Elaina will have to shoot her before she realizes what's happened." Dark words spoken without a hint of hesitation. "More deaths are guaranteed if this isn't resolved NOW. This is the best preventative of that."

Vlad felt his stomach sink, more than it had throughout this dreadful day. "So all or nothing?"
"All or nothing. We both live or die together. Mariah the Watcher here as my witness." This made him sick. Was this sacrifice necessary? Or was Nancy so distraught at the possibility of Nellie meeting her end here, that he'd meet it with her? "Elaina, you'll sense magic fluctuations when we start speaking. She gets emphatic when talking about what upsets her. Still that trigger finger. Do not shoot unless I'm too far gone. Vlad, Mariah..." a sigh, some of that natural tremor returning to his voice, "sorry I'm wording it all like this. I know this is scaring you. But I have faith in my Goddess. And I have faith in Nellie. All I can ask is for you to have faith in me."
"... I have faith." Nancy knew Nellie better than anyone. If Vlad couldn't get through to her, then only he could. "Elaina? Mariah? What say you?" He knew Nancy was going to do this regardless, but them at the very least being on the same page will ensure that any failure of this plan would be contingent on Nancy and Nellie alone.

Fergie​

Oh, Ash. Fergie rose to a stand, to the shrill protest of her leg, all grins as she rubbed her hands in anticipation. You grim bastard, you. This is why I like ye. She got in line with a saunter to her step, extending the graciousness to allow some of the crew first, but still announcing, "I call dibs on the right cheek! Arse, that is! Payment for makin' sittin' down hurt for the next week!"

Of course, she wasn't rendered blind and deaf at the prospect of some sadistic payback when the man of the hour showed up. "Told ye we'd bag this demon bitch, Avery! Bloody fine work! Wish I'd been there meself to see ye rough up the bastard." Not that their Raid Captain looked the least bit surprised at this fact. To the contrary, he carried himself with a new air Fergie had never seen around the man. Just yesterday he had appeared so meek, so discouraged by his own lack of experience. Now, he exuded confidence that was nearly infectious. Ah, that first victory high. Never gets as good.

Odd, though, what he brought up. Gold? From the Hydra? Not likely. Given a staunch lack of Kersact's lackeys among the Reinforcements, Fergie could chance a guess that the team of tricksters hadn't been having a nice tea party up in the Treasure Vault. Not when there were nice, fat aristocrat purses to cut in that glimmering city. But what got her was Adonis's decision to ground themselves while they partied and recouped. She figured he'd want to stay just a tad longer to see to his "Annoy the Gods by Fucking Around in the Spirit Sea" quest and figure out the deets of how Kraiven made it happen, but why leave themselves vulnerable to attack in case the inhabitants decided they had enough of these harbingers?

Fergie saw why when she looked behind her, up at the city walls. Billowing above them was black smoke. Copious black smoke. The sort that one would see in the remains of a village after a hearty raid, but... worse.
Holy fuck... The city was not in good shape, that much she could see from that alone. Post-battle giddiness dampened to something somber when she thought about Bogrum inside. He's not gonna be okay after this.
And neither was Kraiven. She could guess that their forces were in shambles, trying to clean up whatever ungodly mess that was going on behind the walls. That hardly put them in the place where they could fight back a fleet of high scale pirates, even if on foot.
And... something else nagged at her. It was hard to think, remnants of the battle still buzzing in her mind. But whatever was in the back of her mind, unreachable for now, would surely hit her in the face later after she gave it some proper thought, or someone else brought it up.


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

"Hmmmmmm," Elaina thought. Had Nancy given her a reason to trust him to get things done of his own accord? Not really. She was hesitative, but he did offer her a way out. "I'll let you enact your plan," Elaina finally said. It was the closest she could get to ever saying that she had faith in Nancy. "This is an anti-magic bullet. There is no reviving if I shoot." It would cut through all of that magic, pierce the heart/head, and the anti-magic properties would prevent them from ever reviving. The only workaround would be to put the soul in a different body, which would cause Blight. Those bullets were immensely hard to make and made specifically to take out high profile targets or, in this case, magically volatile targets. It's an assassination tool essentially. In a world where one could revive someone from the dead, you think there wouldn't be a way to counter that?

"So, I'm counting on you to save her life." Elaina was actually genuine here. She didn't care for Nellie's life, but it wasn't like she WANTED to kill her. This was all necessity, not desire. The meltdown was NOT going to happen. It was just a matter of whether or not she'd have to use a bullet to stop it. "I know the parameters. If I pull the trigger, know that it is the last moment of hesitation I could afford." In other words, if she pulled the trigger, Nancy has failed

Mariah perked up. "Given the situation, in my authority as Watcher, I............I approve of Elaina's use of lethal force in the agreement set. Elaina, give your word."
She sighed. Divinity and their bindings, she thought. She could easily decline since she had all the power in this situation, but again she stood to gain nothing by lying or betraying here. There was no need to break her reputation as someone with words worth trusting. "You have my word."
"Thus bound," Mariah said, saving the warning of violating a soul-bound agreement. She knew Elaina knew. "Now go, Nancy!"

Spoiler: The Witch vs The Abyss #2

"Make my day, witch. Break your word."
"Like mother like daughter," Elaina quipped in irritation at the voice. She turned hella annoying the moment she went all Daedric Lord. "I'm the reason both your children have Divine Favor. I'm why Nancy didn't get fileted by Evangeline and I was the whip that drove Nellie to grovel AFTER saving her life. How about a 'thank you, witch'?" Elaina didn't even expect thanks. That was the funny thing to her. "I know you better than your children know you." This was true. Of all Mariana's children here, none of them knew Mariana better than Elaina. Sebas didn't give a shit, Ora was too young, and Mariah and Nancy/Nellie had a 200 year gap in knowledge where Mariana changed COMPLETELY in that time period. "I chose you because your children were easy. I could've chosen Vlad and his God, but Vlad would've taken too long." Vlad had too strong a mind and body. He had a mind to learn, so the only way Elaina could've done anything concerning him was to get in good with him by teaching him stuff about magic and magic innovation. It was her preferred path, but time wasn't on their side. She had to crack some eggs to make this happen. What, you think she WANTED to make an enemy out of one of the powerful members of the Sacrament, a guild she was a fan of? OF COURSE NOT. However, there was NEVER any relationship to be had here. They were PIRATES, invaders. They could only ever be neutral or disliked no matter HOW friendly she was with them. So she may as well not care and just worry about achieving the desired results.

"What do you presume to know about my Children you've known for less than a day?" Mariana hissed, insulted at this revelation.
"I KNOW," Elaina started sarcastically, "....that they needed to see with their own eyes that we the Basenjis are not the cause of their downfall." If Elaina had gotten enough troops to defend the city without the help of the people, they never would've learned their lesson. They needed to be shown another catastrophic failure, a repetition of history and the common denominators in order to learn. "Nellie specifically needs to learn what true powerlessness is. If her hatred of me runs deep, it is because she knows that what I say is true." Elaina's little quips and demeaning could only ever go surface level, to make them dislike her. For Nellie to just straight up fucking HATE her to this degree after knowing her for less than a day? There was something deeper at play. Elaina beat the shit out of Ves in front of Nancy then threatened his life, but even then Elaina could say with certainty that Nancy didn't HATE her. A strong dislike maybe, but not the realm of HATRED.

"You MADE her rightfully hate you," Mariana countered. "Don't whine about my Children hating you based on YOUR actions."
Elaina laughed aloud at the insinuation. Whining? I am well-versed in people hating me for delivering the truth. "I caused the response, not the emotion behind the response. It is not me that Nellie is angry at." Elaina fired back, "But what would you know about your followers? You pulled Sebas in against his will and pulled in Nellie when she hit a low point. Don't act like you give a shit about what THEY want. You granted Nellie a power that's the opposite of what she wants to do." And I gotta eat this garbage up about them having faith in you, Elaina thought. Nancy I get, but Nellie? "She wants to save lives and YOU want her to take lives. The result? She's taking the lives of the people she wants to save." In all that Elaina was saying in bad-mouthing the Goddess, she was choosing her words carefully knowing that the moment

Jack the Shotgunner
The Caboose- Mess Hall​

Jack sat at the bar, babysitting his drink after having eaten. After a day like this, having skipped lunch, this drink is more of His bed was calling his name, but he couldn't sleep while Steven was still down in the pits. He was grateful for the grub but while his friend was in the pits, he was feeling restless. Fuggin 'ell Steven, he thought. Stepping out from the Church wasn't a sight that sat well with him. Elaina told them defending the Church was their job, but he didn't know it ran down to the very word. If anyone knew anything, it had to be Bogrum, a leader right? "Bogrum, we wer at da Church wit Fish. We won but........." It would immediately place him with Elaina's crew as the ones facing the undead to make the Church a bastion again. Bogrum wouldn't know who "fish" was unless he asked the resident witch, but he WAS let in on them making the Church whole again. "We din' git numbers fer fendin da city. Wer we not 'sposed to care?"

Jack didn't care at the end of the day but wanting to know WHY things happened the way they did was not unreasonable. "Da 'ell happen? They din' wanna fend for themself?" Jack was not some high level soldier. He was ground-level so his view likely reflected that of any others, and given that Bogrum's own men had the aura of victory sucked out of them, they obviously viewed this as a failure of some sort.

Demestral Asella
Toron- Noble District​

Demi was a woman of determination when it came to saving as many lives as possible, and Lattice was a young lady of equal determination to assist in all the power she had. Lattice was fairly good with water magic. It was, afterall, the only bit of magic she'd ever be able to utilize and only at the intermediate level max, courtesy of her curse. Still, for fighting fires, it was more than enough. A fire was spotted, Lattice drenches the fire to put it out. Demi senses life in a destroyed building, she jumps off Quincy's back to go save them. Quincy assists with rubble removal if needed, but in general takes the survivors to a safe place.

There was a lot of sweat, smoke, tears, water, and desperation covering the Pixie woman. She knew she had to put it all in the background for now. She couldn't keep wracking her brain for answers when lives were at stake. She had act now and ask questions later. Another manor on fire. The master and maid ran into it without hesitation. Lattice was on it without having to be told anything, a regular little fire hose to these flames. The manor was massive so without that life-sensing spell, Demi wouldn't know where to look. The fact that they were still here though meant they must be trapped somehow. There were safer places to be in this manor so the fact that they weren't out yet was evidence of such

Spoiler: A Less Wholesome Reunion

Demi busted into the room and surveyed the scene as quickly as she could, her goggles keeping the smoke from burning her eyes and Lattice having a natural film protecting hers. She immediately recognized who this was, as she did quite many a people she saved. In this scenario, it was the wife of the von Levin son, trapped under rubble from a collapsed ceiling. It wasn't burning but the room was on fire so Lattice jumped to it while Demi dashed to help the woman. "Mildred........" Demi did NOT like this woman. While Mildred wasn't the biggest bitch, she was always the most consistently present, being only 2 years older than Demi. As such, they were always around each other as nobles, raised near each other and the superiority complex Mildred's family had towards the Asella family reared its ugly head quite a bit.

"Demestral...... Asella," she said, straining to get the words out.
"Yup, that's me," Demi said with a fake smile to reassure her, putting her feelings aside and summoning her lance to brute force the rubble off the woman.
"As brutish as........ever," Mildred said, having a coughing fit and struggling to push herself off the floor. "Why would you save me? I thought you hated me."
Demi scooped Mildred up in the princess carry. "Mildred, you're one of the biggest bitches I was ever forced to be around, but..........you don't deserve to die like this." There was never any hesitation in Demi's head to save anyone she had saved. "Where's your husband? Do you have kids?"
"Harold is at the castle with His Majesty. My son.....my precious boy died to those skeletons! I couldn't protect him!" Mildred fell into a crying fit full of coughing, and it pierced the pixie's heart. "He died protecting me." Ah, so that was dead teen boy she had found elsewhere in the manor as she was kicking in doors.
I wouldn't wish these circumstances on my worst enemy, Demi thought. Mildred was abandoned by her husband and her son gave his life so she could live. When she found out the truth of His Majesty, she'd fall into the pits of despair. Her son was killed trying to protect her while her husband watched their city burn over drinks.

Yeah they were Nobles, but at the end of the day, they were people. Them being the Haves didn't rob them of emotion. Mildred was a bitch, but she needed to be humbled, not have her life literally burned to the ground. Especially in this case, where it was obvious that even the Nobility wasn't immune to being backstabbed. "Mildred, get it together," Demi said with a steeled voice, "We're getting you to safety."
"What about my son! We have to get his body out of here!" Mildred pleaded, clinging to Demi desperately.
This wasn't the show of humbleness that Demi had in mind. "MILDRED!" Demi snapped, "You're not the only person to be saved, nor are you the last. I have to save LIVING people, not preserve corpses. We're on to the next one." Every single death that was had came from either a Kraiven resident or a Basenji troop. She was covering double the death burden and part of that death burden was incinerating every single corpse made in that forest by the demon, not to mention all of the corpses utterly destroyed by Evangeline's Sword in the Stone attack in the Vanguard

She couldn't divert here, and lose more to go save a corpse. She got the life she came here to same. There were almost done for this district. Her feet hurt from running, her wings hurt from flying, her heart hurt from dealing with all this, her hands hurt from all the debris moving she had to do. Her stomach hurt from both nausea and lack of food. "Lattice, we're out that destroyed wall," she commanded, taking the jump much to Mildred's screaming. "Come, Quincy!"


---------------------------------------------------------------------------


With only a few Basenjis left in the city (only Demi, Steven, and Elaina), The Caboose, the Basenji and the Canine both came in close to the Gates and then eventually touched ground for the first time since they grabbed it from Andouphe. This was also the first time the 3 crews were actually fully together in the same place since they took off. There were teleporters between ships (it was how they moved troops for setting up this raid for example) but if you weren't a leader or under orders, using the teleporters was a fee to be paid. As such, they were rarely used outside of official business. That put Bogrum and the rest of the Defense crew and Church crew back with the rest of the crew at large out at the Gates again

The official kickoff of this raid celebration. "Fergie, start us off!" Ash yelled out over the crowd, "Since you're a leader and I'm finishing him off, start it on up. GUT HIS DUMBASS!" So long as she avoided the heart and the head, Ash honestly didn't care whether she cut him or stabbed him, or just beat the shit out of him.

From there, the Death of a Thousand Cuts for the demon Mozreliun began, with most of the troops either in line for that or in one of the 3 grub lines. A nice airship picnic in between a destroyed forest and an intact gate leading to the destroyed city behind it. For tonight, everything was free. They had to feed an army after a raid afterall. Fires were started and the ship-bound crews were happy to be touching ground again, the ones who stayed on the ship operating ship weapons.

The yells of Mozreliun as each crewmate got their cut in were ignored by the merriment of the crew if not an active stoker of such merriment, a side piece to them taking the load off their overworked bones. Dr. Laylah was lost in her Medical Bay treating the injured. She already had a bit of a heavy heart due to all the deaths Mozreliun inflicted on them, but she still retained her permitted power-up. Unlike the rest of the Gods who gave their permissions just to kill Mozreliun, Laylah was the one in charge of reviving Lostro. For that reason, Laylah wouldn't be joining the festivities

Lostro's body was being preserved in Stasis. Orabelle was deep asleep in their room and Sebas was in holding her in his arms. Normally she would be asleep in her tank, but she specifically requested him to hold her to sleep this time around. She ate, took a bath, and was conked completely out all in the range of about 20 minutes. Sebas didn't want to join the rest of the crew in their merriment, but he certainly couldn't go out without dealing one of the final blows to Mozreliun. He decided that he would stab Mozreliun in the gut with his blade splashed with holy water. Then Ash would behead him and Avery said he'd carve out the demon's heart for some reason. When his part came around, he would make his appearance, strike his blow, and have only a few brews before going to bed. The man's mind was shot from this entire ordeal.

Spoiler: A Toast to Lost Lizardmen

Nakaos​

Naka was with her lizardmen crew on the opposite side of the Caboose from where the rest of the crew were. She didn't care for all of the noise like usual, but she wanted to talk to them. "First and foremost men, Naka wants to express her gratitude. Accurate bombardments with good effect. We are improving our direct-fire and while they were less accurate, your improvements were most noted." Cheers and laughter from the lizardmen. They'll drink to that. Of course their boss lady would waste no time giving performance feedback. They learned that even the love she had for them was expressed through what seemed to be a formal debrief and after-action report.

Over their smaller fire and barrels of ale, Naka was happy to see her lizardmen in their entirety. Split up across 3 groups was not ideal to the woman, but her drilling in of efficiency transcended her and affected the crews of other ships wherever there was a bombardment to be made. "Now, we must drink in honor of our 5 casualties and commend them for their job well done." Toasts to the lives of the lost was something that Naka was only familiar with due to being on this crew. The efficient Naka though knew them by name, as did she know the name of every single lizardman that served under her, regardless of which ship they were stationed on.

"First: Qretcht!" Qretcht was a woman with a very solid eye for detail. She was the main one with the ability to take on paperwork written in the common tongue. In fact, it was Qretcht who taught Naka in refining her writing and how to hold a writing utensil while controlling her strength.
"QRETCHT! QRETCHT! QRETCHT!" The lizardmen followed up these cheers with a long swig of their drinks
"Horach!" Horach was one of the younger members. He was one of the students who took to learning the calculations faster than most. A demolitionist, his desire to blow shit up for the sake of blowing it up was his driving force, and Naka's crew was the best at it
"HORACH! HORACH! HORACH!"
"Challah!" Challah was her first Foremen, so not only was he handpicked by Naka to lead, but he was leader of the lizardman crew aboard the Basenji. However, he took the helm in commanding the lizardmen who touched down, which he ultimately died in
"CHALLAH! CHALLAH! CHALLAH!" The cheers were starting to crack in emotion
"Urchin!" It was actually Uchin but he was affectionately known as Urchin by the lizardmen and only let them and the Boss herself call him that. Urchin was known for his humor and ability to uplift their crew through Naka's more grueling and tiring training. He made it his job to "crack" Naka's general stoic and business-like demeanor. While he hadn't had the time to finally succeed, Naka was honestly going to miss his attempts. Urchin lost his life at the Gates defending it before Fergie's team got there to reinforce
"URCHIN! URCHIN! URCHIN!" The lizardman crew were crying at this point. Urchin quickly made a name for himself and they all knew the Weapon's Ship Hangar was going to be less lively off of his loss alone
"Last: Hattel!" Hattel was one of the youngest members actually. Barely an adult, Hattel was a young lady following in the footsteps of Qretcht, looking to both her and the Boss as mentors. She was hoping to eventually become a Foreman. Her life was lost protecting her firing team from a Seeking Air Mine.
"HATTEL! HATTEL!! HATTEL!!!" She had not been in the crew long, and only came to Naka's crew from the main body upon hearing others talk about Naka and the Lizardmen in the rat event. Given the environment of Naka's crew, there was never any suspicion placed on any of them to be rats.

"Who we can bury, we will," Naka said. It would be an internal one, and a BASENJI burial, not an actual burial. "Grieve loss of ally, yet celebrate avenge of ally. Celebrate for being good brave ally who fights. Grieve that their voice may echo in bay no longer. As crew recovers and new allies walk our hangar, may these names never fade from memory. ONE MORE CHEER!"
"QRETCHT! HORACH! CHALLAH! URCHIN! HATTEL!"
"Rest precious allies," Naka said, draining her own ale, looking over to the forest. "We are emptier with your absence."

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Nellie Noi​

Something was up. Vlad telling her that he was about to bring Nancy into this critically dangerous area? Then Nancy calling her himself and telling her to meet him atop a building at the fringe of the carnage? Nellie was stressed to the Abyss and back-- a Depth she was becoming more attuned to the longer her powers were sourced from it-- but she wasn't stupid. Those survivors... they had pulsed with such life in her vision, thanks to Elaina's spell. Not with the life of a healthy person, but the life of someone prevailing in the struggle. They were guaranteed a chance if only they were rescued and given medical aid in time. So to only be found dead as soon as Vlad uncovered them...

She wasn't stupid. But she also wasn't weak-willed to allow this to break her now. At least, she was trying. Emotion welled in her chest at each failure, turning her limbs cold, and the air around her colder. It wasn't catastrophic; she didn't know for certain if it was her causing their deaths, but she knew her simple presence wasn't helping. It would only grow worse if nothing changed. Elaina was damn right that she was dangerous to be around. She'd been right about EVERYTHING--

Stop. THINKING. Nellie's scolding didn't stop the water current surrounding her from chilling almost to freezing point. At least there was that barrier between her and the city as she sped towards the meeting point. For gods' sake, stop making this about you!

Spoiler: Two of a Kind #1

Jetting up the side of the building until she curved over the top, she let herself fall to her feet. Nancy was there waiting for her. Nancy... he looked okay. Thank the Goddess, he was okay. A bit scuffed, and... and not so shaken, to her surprise. Not shaking in his boots, at least.

Not until he got a good look at her, horror splaying across his face. "Nellie!" He rushed forward, taking her burnt hands in a gentle cradle. "You're really hurt..." It alarmed her. Not just his complete lack of fear when approaching her Daedric state, like Vlad before. But when he touched her, it wasn't with chilled, clammy hands. They radiated with heat, so strong it felt hot against her Oppressive Cold. The shock of it almost made her recoil, but a distantly familiar tingling sensation kept her rooted. The redness in her hands began to fade, throbbing pain soothing until nothing remained.
"Occupational hazard," was her dismissive response, but even its dry delivery couldn't hide the marvel in her voice. "I'll survive."

"She gave me the power to mend," he said, distracted as he kept his focus on healing. But when he looked up to her face, bare words were given. "And you the power to destroy."
The bluntness of it, from Nancy of all, confirmed her worries. His hands suddenly felt so hot they almost burned her themselves. Hers must have felt similarly, but still he squeezed tighter, as if to reassure her.
"That's not our only purpose. If you want to help rescue people, then you can. I believe in you. But you have to face what's hurting you, or else..." Nancy eyed her for a few moments, as if to gauge her expression. She didn't want to think about what look she bore right now. He lowered his head, imploring, "Talk to me. Please."

With Nancy keeping Nellie's attention, and maintaining a physical conduit for her leaking magic to siphon through, the chilled bite in the air began to release some of its teeth. A cold less Oppressive, but still potentially deadly, hung over the Noble District and parts of adjacent ones in her new position. The start was a promising one, but this was far from over.

Basenjis​

Food left cooling on his plate, and drink left to settle by its side, this was not at all the appetite of a victorious Scorchclaw. Fork having scarcely moved towards his meal, Bogrum was sat beside Jack in a daze, stare yards past the wall of glass and brews in front of them. So lost, he wouldn't have known words were being spoken to him had his name not been uttered, and Jack would think as such until he finally muttered out something.

"The King hoarded his best fighters to guard the castle, and the castle alone," he explained. No use in sharing a false narrative to the men who fought and died for almost nothing. But he wasn't going to speak something that bleak to them. "He left the city to burn, while his chosen remained safe behind their drawn drawbridges. Why? I couldn't tell you." And the why would forever haunt him, a faint ghost of nothing that lingered in the back of his mind. What reasoning could a king have to abandon his people this way? What could have been done? What could Bogrum have done? He'd never know, at least not any time soon. He supposed he could press Demi for answers later, but... much, much later. There wouldn't be a good time for that for a long time, knowing the toll this was taking on her.

"All I can say is thank you for continuing the fight despite those circumstances. You and your men secured a vital component in the battle against the demon." He sighed, wishing that simple fact had secured victory for the city as well.


---

Shaken out of her thoughts, Ash's invitation earned a look of surprise from Fergie. Though it quickly became feigned surprise, the way she glanced about the crew whilst setting a demure hand over her chest. "Oh? Wee ol' me? Ye sure? Dunno if I can meet to standard of this 'ere savage lot." Then her head twisted down, giving Mozza a dark observation from under her hat's shadow. Her gaze flicked up and down, mirroring that false salaciousness she'd given Baroness when the bitch had still been alive to pester. Though in this body of his, it would almost look deserved... what was with demons presenting as conventionally attractive? Obvious. To hide the monsters they really are.

"'Suppose I can start 'im off with just a taste." 'Just a taste' being a full-powered kick to the back, knocking him hard on his gut and forcing the wind clean out of him. Boot holding him down, Fergie brandished her blade before landing the first cut. Buttock to thigh, just as promised. Tarry demon blood flung from her sword in an arc of liquid obsidian as she pointed it skyward, declaring to the onlooking crew, "A cut for every man an' woman lost! Wounds for wounds! Blood for blood!"


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Demestral Asella
Toron- Residential District​

Having evacuated the Noble District, the trio breached the airs of the Residential District to a nip in it, which was weird considering that the Noble District was hot from the aftermath of the UV Nova. This meant that the cold could only be Oppressive in nature, given that UV Nova was one of those Divine Wrath spells. To conjure up a cold like that in the aftermath of UV Nova under normal means would put them in a Magic Coma

"Demestral to Elaina." She had to call Elaina. If anyone knew anything about anything, it was her.
"Yes, Demestral?"
"What's the source of the Oppressive Cold?"
"Goddess Mariana gave Nellie power that she can't control because she's pissed off at the world." Who the second "she" was in this statement was unknown
"The world? You sure she's just not pissed at you?" Demi asked skeptically. Elaina was a well-known provocateur. Demi has slapped her for it before, as did Sebas. Elaina still prodded her a bit though from time to time. The difference was that Sebas didn't snap at her. He just stone-cold punched the shit out of her without any semblance of anger. HE was correcting disrespect. Demi had emotionally snapped.
"Nope. If you over-inflate a balloon, it pops. I was the final breath, not the other 99%." Elaina responded. Though Demi knew that Elaina was definitely more than 1%, she got her point. "Anyways, that's the source. I'm set to put a bullet in her head if she has a meltdown because it'll destroy half this city. Nancy is there cooling her down so things can heat back up."
"So what should we do in the meantime? Oppressive Cold will kill people!" Demi never really had a sense of pride. She would never refuse help if she needed it and she would never be afraid to ask for pride reasons. Maybe a deep dislike reason, but never pride. Did Demi hate Elaina?
"Keep saving people," Elaina answered easily, "I have eyes on you as well and you're done in the Noble District, so who cares if there's Oppressive Cold hanging over it? No one there is in danger." This was true. They had a Holy Site and since both the Daedric and Holy drew from the same source, they neutralized each other. "Move on to the Residential District since they're the ones who were under it so they're probably chilled. You have a Wyvern and a Heatwave spell, so use Quincy as a heatlamp so you can save them." Demi never thought of using Quincy as a heat lamp in Oppressive Cold using Heatwave. "Oh btw. Vlad's crew should be in the area. If Vlad isn't going to return, best you commandeer for efficiency."

"Let's go!" With that Demestral, Lattice, and Quincy all descended into the cold zone that was the Residential District beginning to recover from the outgoing Oppressive Cold. The warmth-draining cold now hung over the Noble District. With the help of Elaina Eyes and Vlad's crew, they could get it done even quicker than Noble District
"Lady Demestral, everyone you've tried to save has lived," Lattice reassured her. "I know things are bleak but you're doing a good job."
That made Demi smile. Not even like a sorrowful smile but a genuine one. Lattice knew how to cut through any negative feeling Demi had going on. Afterall, this was nowhere near Demi's first rodeo. "This is what I mean when I say I need your comfort."

Spoiler: The Witch vs The Abyss #3

Elaina Melora
Toron- Top of the Church​

"You think I wanted to make an enemy out of one of the strongest mages of my favorite guild?" Elaina asked with a smirk. "No, but here in the Basenjis, we might have to crack a few eggs to get shit done."
"What sort of futile nonsense are you being fed in that pirate crew?"
"Geez, Goddess," Elaina said tauntingly, "Hurry up and calm down so you can stop going all Daedric Lord. I have nothing personal against either of those Locathah."
The Goddess laughed. "What, you can't take what you inflict on others?"
"GODDESS!" Elaina yelled, "I'M NOT HERE DOING SHIT I WANT TO DO!" She was fed up with all this. The Goddess was a mosquito to the Witch "I swear I will put a bullet in the head of the damn children based on the actions of the mother. You think I fear death?!" She took a sigh and re-scoped in on Nellie with a deep exhale. She didn't want to even do this, but it is what it is. The witch was no woman new to sacrifice. "Speak again, Goddess. Do you want my soul, or do you want your child? How about staying your tongue..........." The witch did not care for her death. She gritted her teeth, lost in the thrill of losing her soul. "Make MY day. Say something. ANYTHING. You rooted for me to shoot. MAKE ME SHOOT! SPEAK!" she said aggressively, with nary a fear in her body, "MAKE ME KILL YOUR CHILD!" She was a witch without a damn to give. Elaina knew Mariana wouldn't do a thing. With the laws of Divinity in place, Goddess Mariana couldn't just interfere directly, and Elaina was prodding it with all her might. "WE DO WHAT WE'RE BEST AT, RIGHT?" she said aggressively. There was no greater show of baring teeth. "You wanted me to make your day?! SAY IT"

Steven the Deacon
Toron- Commerce District​

Steven took to the Commerce District as guided by Mariah. The Commerce wasn't as destroyed as the rest. He had heard tidbits of their conversations and they were looking for survivors. Mariah begged him to render some aid too. With their crate of supplies left, he got some potions and put them in his bag. Quincy's roaring meant that Demi was also looking for survivors. Gonna be a late dinner for me, he thought. "Steven to Elaina."
"That's me!" Elaina answered with sarcastic enthusiasm. "How can I help you?"
"What's going on where I am?" he inquired.
"You're in the Commerce District," Elaina said immediately, as if she were asked what 2+2 equaled. "There is a vampire girl there named Vespera. She has a crew and they're searching for survivors. Marking for you. Vespera in blue. Survivors in red." This chick has some convenient-ass magic. Steven couldn't help but be appreciative of it. Such guidance was invaluable in every sense of the word in every scenario they could ever find themselves in. Shame she's a bitch.
"Easy." Guess I'll render some healing, he thought. This kind of stuff didn't sit well with him. If they defended the Church and Holy sites, why the hell was the city destroyed? Were the guards that bad? The bulk of the damage had to be done in the first siege, right?
"There is a part of the Commerce District being hit with Oppressive Cold," she warned "Vespera being a vampire will be unaffected. YOU will."
"So keep the holy flame up if we cross into it. Gotcha," Steven finished for her. What a pain in the ass. And coming from Nancy's sister too. Mariah had explained that part to him but he didn't think it'd reach into Commerce. "What happened in this city? Why's it fucked?"
"The king hoarded the best warriors in the castle, leaving the city to burn."
Why the hell would he do that? He'd have saved the damn city if he just sent them. Steven thought. Granted, they bulked up on demon milk at some point, but the king was scared of some skeletons? "So we defended the Church more for ourselves than for the city," he concluded
"Yup. We were here to fight ALONGSIDE them to accomplish our goal." Elaina informed him darkly. It........wasn't the line of thought Steven was going down but OK. "We were never here to fight their fight FOR them. They didn't want to fight for themselves, hence the result despite our effort."
Made sense. The Basenjis couldn't just lend their whole crew if Kraiven's completely capable crew were hiding out instead of defending their own land.

Steven walked along the promenade of the destroyed

Jack the Shotgunner
The Caboose- Mess Hall -------------> Gates​

Jack eyed his drink and the spherical ice shape in it. Then he sighed after processing what it was that Bogrum had said. What would he do if Adonis pulled this on them? Make Adonis regret not ensuring they were dead, that's for sure. If he was left for dead, he'd just pawn that death back off to sender. "If 'Donis pulled dat shit, we'd need ta kill 'im," he said bluntly. "Our job was to 'tect the Church. Yours to 'tect the Gates. If folks wanna 'ang 'da king, I'd lend a bullet 'r 2 but is ther fight." he drained the drink and put the cup back on the table, "bu' we did our job. Can't save who don' wan' it, so ain' feelin' guilty. Maybe mad, bu' not guilty." Jack was more hardline than someone like Bogrum. He was more than willing to brush all this off like it was nothing, and he COULD........but Jack didn't know any of this, so things clicked now. Steven was probably in the city getting answers. If his bud came back wanting to help the people drag the king and his elite out of the castle, Jack was more than happy to blast all of them then do the king what thtey were doing to Mozreliun just outside by the bonfire

"Goin' ta drink fer those dead by da skulls at da Church. Thanks fer de info." With that, Jack exited the bar and headed outside. Now not worried about Steven anymore, he'd at least take the load off. He could understand why Bogrum and crew felt defeated but the simple fact was that they succeeded. Jack would damned if he'd let the actions of people asking for death drive out his merriment

Jack went outside to chants of "WOUNDS FOR WOUNDS! BLOOD FOR BLOOD!" The hell's happenin'? Jack thought. Then he saw Fergie taking a blade to the demon. Ass-cheek to thigh, with a screech escaping the demon's lips in response to the bloody kickoff to his eventual bloody end. Oh right, other folk were talking about getting cuts in on the demon. That wasn't Jack's type of thing. He'd rather blast and be done with it. But........ Ah what the hell? Jack waited his turn patiently. With the food settling well and the initial stomach pain gone (from having not eaten all day), Jack went from whisky to being given a mug of ale.

Ashlynn Thormdottir
Gates​

Mama Bear got hers in. After Fergie took her turn, Mama Bear padded forward. "I was one who died from you, demon." she growled
"Ha!" The demon spat in defiance while wincing in pain from Fergie's attack. Of course he could understand the familiar. "If I could've stolen the filthy soul that keeps you reviving, I would have!"
"But you didn't, and since you caused my cub pain, enjoy my claw!" Standing up on all fours and roaring with a ferocity that drew all attention, Mama Bear slashed across the opposite area Fergie did, which was the right cheek. So from left ass cheek, across thigh to the back of the right knee, Mama Bear's 5 claws shredded every nerve and artery from start to destination and scraped against the back of the knee bone. Crossing Fergie's own slash, it showed that Mama Bear either didn't try to hold back or didn't know her own strength to hold back.
The blood-curdling scream that Mozreliun sent to the heavens honestly annoyed the bear. She wanted to turn him into her prey and ragdoll his lifeless body into the gate. She damn sure didn't want to eat him, just mangle him as much as she could. "Be happy that I didn't kill you for insulting the core that makes my being," Mama Bear grumbled as she padded over..............

...............to her master. Ash was on a victory high, but she had to reel it in. Holding some food to fill her belly before she was ready to awash it in alcohol, Ash pulled Fergie and Avery aside. Standing at a place away from the bonfire and the bulk of the crew, here they could talk. "Hey, what's this I hear about Gold?" she asked, "I'm always grateful to fill the coffers, but I can't pretend that Adonis is paying us out the vault. Where are we getting the gold?"
Avery sighed and jumped into cat form to rest on a rock. Like a feline sage, Avery was about to impart some knowledge. "Adonis didn't bring us here to fight the demon," he said, "He brought us here to get some items. He hasn't gotten his items yet." Avery looked out at the crew. "The city is in ruins. The King withheld his 100 best warriors in the castle. Sound familiar?" He let the question ruminate. Their entire mission in coming here was to take down the king and his 100 best warriors in the ruins of the castle. "Adonis was neither correct nor incorrect when he told us it was the king and his 100 best. It was a premonition, not a history lesson...........or so we may have to find out."
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Spoiler: Two of a Kind #2

"Elaina told me what happened," Nancy eventually said, making up for Nellie's silence. "Is that why you're upset?"
"Hardly!" She pulled away from Nancy, tip of her tail flicking as she paced to the other side of the roof. "Yes, I'm upset about that. No, she's not THE REASON I'm upset. Of course she'd be so conceited to assume that."
"I should hope not." The edge that hardened his tone surprised her, and when she looked over, she saw something dark pass over his face. "Elaina is a hypocrite who uses the atrocities of others to justify her own wrong-doings. Her facts may have been vital, but her opinions mean nothing."
"I... agree." Nellie was still trying to shake off her mild shock. She knew Nancy wasn't one to take shit he didn't have to; after all, she was the one who instilled that into him. Couldn't have her little brother keep living his life as if he were still a student being scolded by a teacher who was impossible to please. "I don't care about her opinions. I only care about the facts." She waved her hand out towards the desolation of the Noble District. "And the facts? She was right all along."
"That this place deserves to burn?" he asked, now with a bite. Nellie had been turning off her nose to block out the slew of scents, the smoke and blood and despair this place now reeked with. But she couldn't ignore the intense anger that was radiating off of Nancy. "That's hardly a fact--"
"That Karma has come to collect," she corrected him. "Look. The place to have suffered the most damage? Everyone's paying for this, but no one more than the people who had the power to change things."

When Nancy followed her gesture, taking in the district that was barely recognizable, understanding made him nod. Reluctantly. "So she... wasn't incorrect. Fine. Then... what are you upset about?"
"I'm not upset that she saved me," Nellie asserted. She gave a chuckle. "I mean, I'm not looking forward to her smug bullshit about it. But I'm glad she did." She felt her smile fall. "I'm upset that she HAD to."
"Oh, Nellie..." She felt a hot hand lace with hers again, pulling an arm from its crossed position. "You're not feeling like a burden, are you?"
"I'm not feeling like one. I AM one."
"No you're--"
"Yes I am!" She yanked away, storming off to the side she left from. "Even before the Goddess Blessed me, I was a wreck! I kept screwing up! I couldn't save anyone without help!" Huffing, she was pacing now. "I swore to protect this city long before I joined the Elites. I accepted that burden, thinking that I was the one for the job. But I didn't think I'd be so damn WEAK, to crumble the moment I could actually fulfill that duty!"
"You--" Nancy lunged for her, grasping her hand in a tight grip. "You've probably known about all of this before I did! I knew you were stressed, but I thought it was because of the job position, not..." He sighed, looking down. "This has all been weighing on you, then?"
"It has," she admitted, stilling herself so he could maintain contact. "I... I couldn't stand it. Watching people suffer. Pretending that everything was okay. While I had to sit back and do nothing to help! I felt so guilty."
"Nellie, none of this is your fault! You just said it yourself, the nobles had the power here! Your job is to protect in battle, not in politics!"
"And now that I can, see how much good I've done!" Her free hand again flung outwards. "Three people, dead by my hand! Worse? Our survival depended on the help of a damn pirate who doesn't care if we live or die!" Her voice would be breaking if it depended on her uneven breaths. "It should have been me, Nancy! I should have been the one to save these people! I--" Another chuckle, this one without a hint of humor. "I, I, I. Me, me, me. So selfish. I haven't changed a damn bit since we entered the Void-- hell, since we left the Springs."

"You are selfish," Nancy confirmed. No hesitation, but the words brought him guilt regardless, eyes averting. "This isn't about you. But that doesn't mean it's not at all. Goddess Mariana chose you for this Blessing. You can do something now."
"Yes. I can kill more survivors."
"Nellie, stop that!" He gripped both hands, almost hurting them with their tightness. "You have to stop thinking like that! Expecting the worst just sets you up for the worst! I should know!"
"All I've been doing is the worst, Nancy! I'm useless! I'm-- I'm good for nothing!"
"STOP IT, NELLIE!" He shook her. "STOP! You have to trust yourself!"
"I can't!" Now her voice was breaking, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "I can only see the facts. And the fact is that I've been nothing but a burden from the start..." She felt them roll down her cheeks until they froze, body shaking as she held in sobs. "I swear, it wouldn't have made a difference if I died in that first battle. Sometimes I wish I had--"
"NO!" Nancy's tears came immediately. He was absolutely trembling. "NO, NOT YOU TOO! DON'T-- Don't go down that path, Nellie! Please!"
"I--" Nellie realized why. She'd been so wrapped up in her emotions, she didn't notice his lips turning as blue as his scales, or the gleam of crystals as they formed on his hands. Maybe it was her distress overpowering his Holy. Or his Holy fading in his own distress. But he couldn't take much more of this. "I... I have to leave. I have to leave the city. Before I hurt you too."

Vladimir Hochmut​

Paws running over his muscled arms, Vlad fought off a chill that refused to leave. The cold in the air was fluctuating, coming in waves of reprieve before sharper bites, which had to mean Nancy's plan was doing something. That filled him with hope, but couldn't stop the tremors that shook his body. He had lost so much already. His people, his city, and long ago, his peace. But losing Nellie on top of all that?
"Vlad?" His rounded ears pricked, turning to the voice. It was the guard who had offered to help him to his feet before. "Are you... do you need to sit down?"
He turned to look at him properly, not bothering to hide the exhaustion weighing down his face. The man clearly knew. "I know none of us are well, Garret. But while there's people less well than us, I'll continue on. Rest will come for all of us in time." He knew he wasn't far from breaking at this point. Right now, whether or not he could maintain this rescue team depended on Nancy's success. Vlad wasn't so unlike Nellie, especially when he could be just as stubborn, but he didn't get the same tunnel vision as her when he was decided on something. He could predict what would happen, what would make him lose his resolve entirely and force him to stop. And he knew Nellie's death would be just that.

As for the woman who would be responsible... ah. Hate was too strong a word, especially for someone he just met. Dislike? Vlad honestly disliked most people he worked with. Many of the Elites were so unauthentic, and he couldn't call Elaina that, even though he knew she was putting up some sort of front. No, he didn't expect she secretly cared for any of their lives. But there was something in this city that was of value to her. Why aid them, otherwise? Nothing about her attitude towards them, or even her readying a killing blow for one of their own, was personal. Yet it was, in some way. No one was immune to pettiness, but Elaina was too intelligent for anything she did to be for simple reasons alone. If only he knew the full story, maybe he could discern what they were...

Descending into the Residential District was the only Wyvern Vlad had recognized when Kraiven had been first pulled out. On his back, a face he hadn't seen in so long he surprised himself by recognizing her. "Ms. Asella's coming to aid us, it looks." Perfect. Quincy's dragon fires were just what they needed to ward away this cold.
"Asella? The Pixie girl?" Even though she left before they had all the time in the world to know each other, most remembered Demestral. If not by name, at least by her and her Wyvern as they flew in Toron skies.
"Aye. Let's flag her down."

Basenjis​

Bogrum felt a small pit in his stomach tighten at Jack's fearless words. So it weren't just leaders thinking of Adonis so negatively... though maybe it had been just a comparison. That this lot of pirates wouldn't allow such cowardice at their highest rank, while the city of Toron had allowed this to happen twice. The king had to be a master of deceit. Him and the rest of his elites. Maybe Jack was right, and they didn't want to save themselves, because surely rescue was coming. Even though that rescue hadn't come even 200 years ago...

Jack's assertion that this was a victory regardless was given back a smile. "This was a Basenji victory," he agreed. It didn't offend him that Jack could brush this off, nor did he envy his ability to. The crew deserved to be happy, for the hard work and sacrifices they made to make this happen. "Enjoy the festivities. You've earned it." But Bogrum couldn't. From the start of this whole thing, he had made it his desire and mission to save as many lives as possible, pirate or not. His heart hurt for Dr. Laylah, having to heal and audit the souls of so many. He didn't doubt she kept her word. He couldn't bear to think how bad this would have been if she hadn't.

The food and drink was still untouched. Bogrum considered changing that, scarfing everything down so he could go check on the angel, but quickly decided not. She was too busy for distractions, and shouldn't be made to focus on what surely was being kept buried right now. But he'd make it happen. Likely when he would be getting his psych eval. That way, they could check on each other.

---

Though she had completely eviscerated half of Mozza's leg, leaving less meat for the crew to cut up, Fergie wasn't about to scold Mama Bear for it. Nah, she earned that right, apparently literally being killed by the asshole herself. Ash hadn't been joking when she said the demon was leaking oceans of that rank blood. Already a massive puddle of black was forming under him, withering any grass it touched into curling husks. The citizens of Kraiven could look out from the gates later and see this huge dog piss stain on their lawn.

That was to say, if they didn't have something far more pressing going on. "They let it happen TWICE? Shameful." Avery confirmed what she had already been thinking, but reminded her of what was in the back of her head. The original briefing had made it sound like the king fled with his best like a coward, and turns out, that was exactly what happened, glistening utopia be damned. "They better hang that king's fat ass this time." Having the responsibility to protect people under your charge? Using the power that came with it to sit comfortably at your throne, watching the smoke build up in the city from your window? To hell with that shit.

"So what's the plan then, Ave?" she asked. If Adonis still had business on his mind, then Fergie was all business too. "He sendin' yer folks out on one more mission?" Fergie could expect Adonis wasn't so tone deaf as to send the worn out crew on another raid, on a kingdom they promised NOT to sack. In the turmoil of that ruined city, Avery's special ops could go in and out with the goods undetected for sure. She expected Kersact's group had done just that already, having scored some gold.


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Elaina Melora
Toron- Top of the Church​

"Nancy, I'm sensing a buildup," Elaina came in over Nancy's head. "A meltdown is seeming more and more imminent," she warned. "Either you figure something out or I take the shot." Now that Elaina thought about it, Demi could easily get out, and all her men were extracted. Was there any reason to do this? To save lives I guess, she thought. If Nellie melted down and killed her brother, she'd lose her damn mind and become a danger anyways. There was no way out of this. She was too invested in the outcome. Hell, she was SOUL-BOUND to see this through to the end whether she wanted to or not.

It was amusing more than anything, but it made sense. Of everything Elaina could control for, what she couldn't control for were people's emotions. She could manipulate them herself, but when it came to having someone else do such work for her, things could easily get dicey

Spoiler: The Witch vs The Abyss Final

She was hearing every single word the duo said. "Are you hearing this Goddess?" she asked the skies, feeling vindicated. "As I said, I caused the reaction not the emotion around the reaction."
"..............."
"Oh, hard of words now, I see." The witch's taunts came seamlessly. "A hypocrite who uses the atrocities of others to justify her own wrongdoing." The woman let the words marinate in her head and she . "Do you agree with that assessment, Goddess?"
"It is as clear as water that my child speaks agreeably."

Elaina laughed. "It is a mistake on your children to think I seek justification for anything. I became a witch so I DON'T have to do that." To Elaina, it was all a losing game. Plus, anyone could justify anything. Was it wrong what the people of Kraiven did? To fight the Blight, was it morally reprehensible to push it on children so the rest of the kingdom could be saved? Was it morally reprehensible to use nuns as experiments to gauge whether creating new life in a timeless realm was viable? All to keep the kingdom running? Elaina could see either side, yet what grinded her gears are when people do that and then tried to act like they were better than her. "I don't need to justify my actions because I don't need to defend my actions," Elaina spat. She was feeling insulted by the insinuation alone. "Hear me clear when I say this, Goddess: Not a single one of you is above me that I EVER need to save face to any of you." When it came to the people of Kraiven especially, if their words weren't spitting ancient knowledge or in advancing her plan, it was all just noise to her. "I've said it, this place deserves to burn, so if I ever want to hear what they have to say, I'll find it in a diary hidden in the scorched remains of their house."
"You are reprehensible. Such is a witch."
"Your opinion is too beneath me to try changing. Such is the view of a witch to a god." Elaina responded. "I bet you've spoken to me more than you've spoken to Nellie."
"........................."
"Hard of words now, I see."

Demestral Asella
Toron- Residential District​

Even in the aftermath of the Oppressive Cold, Demi found herself chilled under her flight gear, which was enchanted with both fire and ice runes to regulate her temperature in both very high or very low temps. Such is the terrifying nature of Oppressive Cold. Snuffing out the heat from all under its influence, the nature of Oppressive Cold was similar to that of a storm in the winter tundras of the Arctic. Breath misty from the cold, Demi took a look at the ground and saw the group waving to them. Vlad's big-ass lion form was unmistakable anyways. "Quincy, they're flagging us down. Let's give them some relief. Let's go, Lattice!" Demi grabbed her maid and hoisted the girl under her arm, to a yelp of surprise from her.

"Lady Demestral, I can take bein- AAAIIEEEE!" Lattice shrieked as they took the plunge from below. This was from quite the height. Every other time, Quincy had landed before. This time, Demi just jumped from his back while he flew. Lattice could manage heights........so long as she felt safe. In Demestral's arms from the back of Quincy? Manageable. Plunging from that height having no wings? "LADY DEMESTRALLLLL!! PLEEASEE WAARN MEEE!" She managed to shriek, which made Demi wonder what the problem for the girl was. Was it her jumping period? Or just not getting the warning?
Demi laughed genuinely from this, almost forgetting the situation that weighed on Kraiven. Almost. However, Lattice made this bearable. "Don't worry, Lattice," Demi yelled in her laugher, holding the cursed girl tightly against her while spreading her wings. "I won't let you go!"
"I'LL TRY TO NOT WOOORRYYY!" She cried desperately.

Lattice finally stopped screaming for her life when she felt her descent slow. With that, Demi's laughter faded as her fun little encounter receded back to the tragedy she had to walk through. "Lattice, this is Vladimir Hochmut, one of the King's 100 Elites worth his salt. You will address him with respect. Same with Nellie if you get the chance to meet her."
Lattice was given no time to process or recover from the experience she just went through. Struggling to keep her composure on her jelly legs, she shook as she still carried out her duty by taking a bow. "Hello, Sir Vladimir. Forgive my unsightly composure," she said, her clear words coming admirably through her physical state.
"Now," Demi said, cutting out the rest of the formalities like reversing the introductions. "Let me warm you guys up so we can save the lives here. Command: Heatwave. Gentle there, Quincy!"

From above, Quincy began to float in place without flapping his wings, entire body glowing a fiery reddish-orange. Then a large sigil appeared in the sky under the Wyvern's body and began to provide revitalizing heat in the winter Daedric-land for all who stood below it. Like sitting a comfortable distance from a campfire, their frozen bone began to get a bit of relief. Luckily, the Oppressive Cold threw them a bone by snuffing out all of those fires under its influence.
"Men! Gather yourselves!" Demi declared decisively. The moments with Lattice made her realize that she should push the why to the back of her mind. She would think after food and rest, and she wouldn't eat or sleep until every life that COULD be saved was saved. "We have a few more here and under our influence, the Oppressive Cold will subside quickly." That is of course for places not under Nellie's radius. As the one empowered her Goddess, Demi couldn't compete with that without permission from the Fae Counsel. That wasn't happening since the fight was over. I know you're tired and hungry as am I, but the survivors we have left don't have the luxury of time. Let's get them out of here, then we will worry about the rest."

"Vlad, let's split your group into 2. I'll take that half. With Elaina's vision, let's save these people." With them knowing exactly where the last few survivors were, there was no guesswork or searchwork needed. That would make their search and rescue highly efficient.

(You can push this to its conclusion when you wrap up the Nancy/Nellie convo.)


-------------------------------------------

Avery Valencia and Ashlynn Thormdottir
Gates (Pulled aside)​

"Yes he is," Avery confirmed with a flick of his tail, "I'm leading another operation with Kersact and his crew, and Elaina being our eyes. We're not launching it quite yet. We're waiting on the signal." he said slyly. There was more that he knew that he wasn't letting them in on. And about the operation? Maybe they'll never know. There were still things about the Mozreliun operation that they didn't know. Avery worked from the shadows. "However, as the crew, you're not expected to partake after this. You all fought well, and I say it's time to rest while we go secure your pay." Avery was firm with this. He couldn't in good conscience allow them to set sail and take off while not getting a single doubloon from having killed that beast. "On another note........" His eyes narrowed, "Adonis narrowly avoided his own death for being a wild card in toying with my raid fidelity. Had he not kept his eye on Shivarath, he'd have gotten them gouged out."

It was dark words from their cat boy, and it showed that Avery took more of a hardline approach than maybe he had let on. From the way he was talking of carving out the heart of Mozreliun, Avery was a stone-cold killer. One must never forget that even the cute silent anxious Avery or the plucky determined honest adventurer Demestral were part of the crew

There he goes again, Mama Bear thought. While Avery had an unreadable demeanor to Fergie and Ash, his words and tone were unmistakable. He only ever gets like this in cat form. Avery was NOT pleased with Adonis. Don't let his general cuteness kill you. The Basenjis were full of killers, and all of the leaders from Sebas to Elaina, from Avery to Demi, from Naka to Kersact, they were all DAMN good at what they did and with unique abilities. Adonis was good at what he did, and what he did was hire experts. Adonis's biggest issue was causing issue with those willing to turn their expertise back on him. "You'd have started a mutiny on the spot?" Mama Bear asked him

Avery's eyes darted to Mama Bear. "I would have started that mutiny, Mama Bear," he responded without any semblance of hesitation, answering the question in full so Fergie could know what she asked. "Toying with my raid plans aside, Adonis's actions caused the deaths of many more crewmates than anticipated." His ears flattened and his teeth began to show, a sign that he was worked up. A rarity. Anxiety? Common amongst his shown emotion. Anger? Almost never. "When I nigh broke down at being charged to head this, THAT is what I feared. Sending too many of you into a death march, not the demon."
"Cool it, Ave," Ash said to him, arms crossed. Even a meathead like Ash knew the sign of an agitated cat (plus they were best friends). "We all went out knowing we could die."

He sighed deeply and his ears returned to normal. "I had to figure out 4 fronts of battle with 7 sets of troops. including 3 sets of ground troops, 3 ships, and then Elaina's troops in the city itself." he said, almost hissing again. "If someone messed with your raid plans in order to toy with someone, and that resulted in preventable deaths, you'd be worked up, yes?"
"Yes," Ash admitted quickly, not denying his words. In fact, knowing that info put her in a mind of instant irritability. "But you also can't be saying shit like that aloud, even if you're willing to say it TO him," she warned. She couldn't have Avery being branded as a rat.

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Spoiler: Two of a Kind #3

When Nancy looked up to Nellie, it wasn't with pleading eyes this time. They were hardened eyes, almost scowling. "You know you'd never forgive yourself," he murmured, just above a whisper.
"I don't care!" she snapped, attempting a hard tug from his iron grasp. "I'll never forgive myself if I destroy what's left of this city, with you in it!" With a battlemage's strength against his squishy alchemist arms, she should have ripped right away. Instead, she heard and felt cracking against her hands, looking down with growing horror at the ice forming over their shared grip.
Nancy tugged right back, keeping her barely more than a snout's length away. "You can't just RUN from this, Nellie! You can't run from yourself! This is all YOU!"
"I CAN'T DO THIS, NANCY!!" Her tears only stopped flowing because they hardened to ice upon her scales. "I CAN'T! I CAN'T HANDLE THIS! JUST LET ME GO!"
"You can, and you will," he told her, fighting on against her continued pulling. "The Goddess Blessed YOU because only YOU are worthy of it!"
"Well, the Goddess made a mistake!" she bit back, ice crackling as she nearly broke free. "She gave Her strongest power to Her weakest child!"

Then Nellie almost was looking into a mirror. The expression on Nancy's face contorted into something that most had only seen on her own. Curling barbels, flaring nostrils, baring teeth. It was a rage so intense she felt it burn into her nose, and for a moment, she thought it blistering hot enough to pierce through her own Oppressive Cold. But no... that was power being drawn out of her, and rapidly. She helplessly watched the ice rise up past his forearms, yielding at the sudden weight that slammed into her and pushed her to the floor. Breath knocked out of her, she was only vaguely aware of her hands pinned at her sides before he came bearing down on her.
"Goddess Mariana didn't bestow Her Daedric upon a crying, self-loathing WHELP!!" he seethed, baring the pointed fangs of his front teeth as foggy breath hissed out of his nose. "She trusted it to a FIGHTER! A WARRIOR like none other! A woman who wouldn't let ANYONE!! ANYTHING!! Get in her way! Not enemies! Not rivals! Not even her own insecurities!" The grip encased under ice tightened painfully. "Where is that woman, Nellie?! You just told me you're selfish! Where did that go?! WHERE, NELLIE?! SHOW ME YOUR PRIDE!!" He picked up their hands to slam them back down. "WHERE IS IT?! WHERE?!? SHOW ME!!!"

His scream echoing into silence, Nellie could hear the soft smoldering of embers from afar, muted shouts and sobs from the distance. Though she realized the sobbing was muted because it was right above her, muffled best he could, though he couldn't stop frozen tears from clicking over her face.
"Don't leave me to face all of this on my own..."


Content Warning: Implied suicide attempt

Spoiler: Long, Long, Ago...

Nellie was now very acute to the hands pinned down, the shouting, the tears... This had happened before.
The times back then were so far now that they had muddied to an incomprehensible mass, akin to the wet sludge they had trudged through to get away from their birthplace. Days passed, monsters slaughtered, meals shared, were all one and the same in her mind now. But that night she remembered so well, she had done just as well to try to push it to the forgotten recesses of her mind, to no avail.


Nellie had Nancy against the soggy ground, hands in a bruising grip as she clutched him by the wrists. Her strength forced his hand open, clusters of brown-capped mushrooms rolling out of his palm. She never had an eye for flora like he did, but every Lungborne had been taught early on what plants and fungi to avoid when foraging beyond the spring banks. And this unassuming cap she knew to be among the worst.

~Don't tell me.~ Nancy recoiled under her ire, the scent of her expanding fury overbearing. ~Don't TELL ME. That this is for one of your concoctions.~ She slammed their hands to the ground, forcing the rest of that awful harvest away from him. ~NOT AFTER WHAT YOU WERE SAYING LAST NIGHT! YOU'RE SCARING ME!!~
~I'm... I'm sorry...~
~I'M NOT!~ She felt tears fall down, onto his face and mixing with his own. ~I didn't take you with me because I felt SORRY for you! Out of all the others, YOU were given his wrath! YOU know what it's like to be HATED by him! He didn't just ignore you like the rest, he LOCKED YOU AWAY! While he chained ME to his own wrist!~ She trembled at her own words, sobbing openly. ~Only you and I... We know what it's like. To be scorned by him. And I...~ She shook her head, again flashing her fangs. ~I need you with me! I NEED YOU! Don't make me face this on my own!~

Through the cold that pierced through her body, through the Deep, the Deepest Deep, and the Abyss of her mind, something warm pulsed within. Something familiar.
What... what am I...
It flashed hotly in her chest as she looked up at Nancy, taking in his shivering and crying.
What am I doing?!
She clutched his hands with a vigor to match.
You're the elder sister, godsdammit! Step UP!
Her eyes and mind focused. The ice encasing his arms glistened and turned clear as it began to drip.
I will NOT be controlled. Not by Father. Not by the King. Not by the pirates.
"I'm here." Their sleeves soaked from the melted ice, Nellie pushed herself up, Nancy assisting her after she gave his hands a reassuring squeeze. "I'm right here."
And least of all by me.

Drawn even closer, Nancy surprised her with a very warm hug, embracing her neck to neck. "I'm sorry." he breathed, crying weakly. "I'm sorry I yelled at you..."
"Nancy..." She pulled her arms around his shaken frame. "I'M sorry. I'll never stop fighting again. I promise."

Vladimir Hochmut​

Between Quincy's warming Heatwave, Demestral's familiar face, and Lattice's endearing presence, Vlad had enough to help keep his worries of Nellie right behind his current mission. With their two teams sweeping over the Residential District, survivors were recovered and given aid with a promptness that had no competition. The ache of grief that laid heavily over his lion's heart stung just a bit less, being able to save who they could with success. The city's future would be these fortunate souls, alive and soon to be well given enough time. Though hard to see through the smoke rising from this destruction, Vlad could catch just a glimpse of a stable life. They had done it once before, and thanks to all who had lent a hand, they could do it again.

"There's just that family over on Seraph Street, then that should be it for--" Vlad stopped cold in his tracks. But the air around them was hot. Very suddenly hot. Quincy's Heatwave gave off a feeling of cozying up to a campfire on a chilly night, but now, it was like standing next to a bonfire on a hot summer noon. It was as if any trace of Oppressive Cold had just... vanished.

"Vladimir!" Feeling a hand over his half-formed paw, he turned to numbly look over Garret. "Vlad, you don't look well. Sit down."
All protest gone, he nodded, mane barely jostling from the weakness of it. He didn't register his rear hitting the ground, only that he was closer to ground level, ears not even flicking at the order Garret gave to the other guards. "I... I fear... he's too late..."
"Here, take my canteen." The guard unfastened it from his belt and handed it to Vlad. He couldn't have known what Vlad was talking about, as it had been a private conversation between him and the party, but Garret would help where he could. "I saw you dried yours up a while ago."
Vlad took it as graciously as he could in his state, unable to purse his lips for even a sip. All he could do is gather his crystal in trembling fingers, clicking it on. "Vlad to Elaina. What's the verdict?"

He could faintly register the canteen leaking onto his arm, looking over to correct it from tilting. But... the cap was on. Where was the dripping from?
Vlad realized it then, that the golden skies of the evening had been blocked out by a rolling grey. No thunder, no whipping wind or ripping lightening. Just droplets falling straight down, steadily soaking his fur with cold wetness. They grew in volume until it was almost sheets of water pouring down. Fires were smothered out, blood was washed away from cracks in cobblestone, and sweat and tears were rinsed off the bodies of all under this cloud.
"By the Gods, they did it!"


---

Toron hadn't seen rain in 200 years, and this storm was to make up for the lack. An old summer land, dry and longing for fresh water, something to wash away old dirt to make way for new sprouts of life. Pelted with it in the epicenter, Nellie sat crouched with her brother still in her arms, watching as her magic did its work, and keeping her mind on that vision to ensure the cold didn't chill to ice. A vision of hope.

From up here, Nellie could see it all. Fires drowned, and smoke smothered to wet ash. The rubble would be slippery to work through, but there'd be no fire to burn survivors, and no more deadly chill to rid them of what life they could cling to. Whatever wasn't lost in the fire would be spared, though she felt a bit bad for any water damage from those opened roofs. She supposed that would be the least of anyone's problems, however.

"How did you get up here so fast, anyway?" she asked. This was a watchtower placed on the outskirts of the Noble District. If she had her glasses on (an Ice Spell prescription just for her), she could likely see the Church's steeple in clean detail even through all this rain. For Nancy to have climbed up all those steps in a timely fashion made her doubtful. It wasn't like he had access to their warpstones. "Did Vlad carry you?"
She was only answered with pattering rain.
"... Nancy?"

Fergie​

"She's right, Avery." The dropping of her given nickname, the flat tone in her voice, cut through the air between this group. Fergie wasn't at all angry, given the lack of change in her stance. No folded arms, but she gave him a very hard stare. "Lovin' the new confidence mate, but yer gettin' too big for yer britches." She looked about the area, making sure they were sufficiently far from the crew, before going on, "I don't blame ye for wantin' to put the man out. Crew would be leagues better off with a captain who actually gave a shit 'bout 'em. But mutiny ain't the way."

Fergie paced up to him, not to stand before him and stare him down like a subordinate, but to stand at his side. Still looking down at him, but maintaining her position at his right hand. "You're a young one, so I'm gonna tell ye this now so ye don't gotta find out on yer own. Mutiny should ONLY ever be as a last resort, all other options expended." Now she did fold her arms, shrugging. "Or if yer a pig-skulled meathead who can't think of no other way. But YE ain't. A sneaky fellow like you could pull the strings an' make it happen the way ye want." She unfolded one arm to point upwards. "But a mutiny? I promise ye, it AIN'T gonna go the way ye want. Folks ye expected to be fighin' on yer side?" The finger pointed at Avery, one eye closing. "Yer gonna find yerself starin' down their barrel. Or worse: vice versa."

Something hard hit her outstretched hand, making her flinch. "Eh?" They pattered loudly against her hat, and when she held out her hand, she caught a few of the culprits. Tiny pieces of hail burned cold little barbs into her bare skin. Fergie glanced around, hearing them scatter on the grass, against the hulls of the ships a distance off, and she looked up to see a growing grey cloud. "The fuck?" It was a harmless hail storm, but the little buggers stung a bit when hitting anywhere that wasn't clothed. From here, it seemed the clouds blanketed all over the city, and was starting to rain on their parade. "They can't fight against some damn skeletons, but they can turn up the AC after them own houses catch fire?"

Fergie flew up her hands before settling them back at her sides. Not her problem. "Eh, free ice with the drinks. Anyway, Avery, I got yer back 'fore I do Adonis's. Know that. But also know this. Careful how ye approach it. Adonis's gonna know if ye hate 'im regardless, but if ye get too cocky, he's gonna do ye in 'fore your time." Now her hardened stare came with a side of scowl. "An' I ain't gonna let any of these folks become collateral, even if for a good reason. Want to avoid a death march? Don't let it get to that point."


---

Spoiler: One of a Kind

Goddess, Goddess, Goddess!!
Nellie rocketed through the current, clutching Nancy's limp weight to her. In her blind terror, all she could see were the church doors as she made her rapid approach, but she knew that the chill of dread would be leaking into her storm spell. All she knew to do was span it outwards, pushing it further and further until the intensity of the spell dampened. Instead of pelting the city with golfball-sized hail, injuring and possibly killing anyone who didn't seek shelter, it strung the spell out to where any ice that fell did so in minuscule pellets.
Don't let this happen! Oh, Gods, how could I have done this!

With the doors nearly in her face, she didn't wait. A push of water forward forced them wide open, and Nellie flew in, dispelling her current. "HELP! MARIAH! ANYONE! PLEASE!" She rushed past the pews, dragging Nancy up to the alter. He felt so cold to even her frigid touch, color drained from his fins and eyes uncomprehending. She couldn't bear to look at him again after that realization on the watchtower, but now her flowing tears remained as water. "HELP HIM!!"

Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Elaina Melora
Toron- Church​

Nancy had already gotten to the precipice of death due to Nellie's Daedric. While they drew upon the same source, they were still counters. Elaina walked in, 2 vials in hand. "I cannot stress enough how avoidable this massive derailment was." she commented with a disapproving nod, walking up decisively. "I kind of need to salvage this." she muttered

She conjured 2 syringes opposite the 2 vials she conjured. "It's called anti-magic," Elaina said quickly, showing the first vial. Anti-Magic was exactly what it sounded like. "That Coin isn't gonna save his life." When Oppressed enough, the Holy couldn't fight it. Just like when something was sanctified, the Daedric couldn't hope to fight it. In this case, Nellie's Oppressiveness was far stronger than Nancy's Holiness. It always would be for one simple reason: Nellie was stronger magically than Nancy could ever be, so when they were both empowered, Nancy was losing that fight 10 times out of 10. "He took on more Oppression than he can manage, without understanding the properties of it." Nancy was an alchemist, not a mage. Even if he was a mage, 200 years of neither being a factor would mess with anyone's understanding of it. "In layman's terms, Nancy is poisoned without a cure."

Spoiler: A Plan That Comes with a Price

Elaina made a quick analysis of the situation. Well not really quick, as she had been watching the duo the entire time. Her plan was already forumlated. "I need you to draw your Daedric power back out of your brother's body," Elaina instructed slowly to Nellie. "FORCE IT OUT if you have to. It's like sucking venom or inducing vomiting." Forcing magic or mana out of someone's body was like snatching a hook or barb out of someone's body. "I will inject him and dispel what's left. Then I'll hit him with a Reset." She showed Nellie the other vial. The potent drug that the Basenjis themselves were restricted from using unless expressly prescribed by Laylah under wrath of her Provocation if they misuse or abuse it. "This is Reset. Extremely extremely potent drug of rapid healing, stamina regeneration, and Mana regeneration. It's quite literally used to Reset yourself to keep yourself alive in a desperate fight." Elaina felt like a medic explaining this to Nellie. "This will literally stabilize his condition within 30 seconds." She then sighed. Now it was time to drop the bomb. "With this sequence of events, there is one serious side effect."

"You wouldn't dare, witch!" The Goddess sounded like a banshee. "I WILL REND YOUR SOUL IF YOU TOUCH MY CHILD!!"
Elaina was fed up. Goddess wouldn't do shit. She couldn't do shit. Divinity Law prevented Her from doing anything. "I do dare, Goddess!" She exclaimed aggressively towards the alter. She slammed her fist hard on the podium. "YOU did this! YOU and YOUR CHILD did this to him!! This is what happens when you're CONTROLLED BY YOUR DAMNED EMOTIONS." Elaina shrieked aloud in response. "I. Am. NOT the cause of your problems," she hissed, "You are not an infallible being, and you will not pass YOUR failings off on me. You WILL take accountability."
"Lady Elaina!" Mariah grabbed her. "Please calm down. We have a patient here and I can't heal him!"

Mariah knew what to say. Instead of jumping on her for her words to Mariana, she chose the route of diffusing, which is the Locathah heading for the Frozen Hellscape. Then Elaina sighed and got back to business. Only Mariah had words worth listening to. Her and maybe Vlad. "Right. Regaining my composure." A deep sigh. Exhale. "The side effect is that Nancy will never use magic again, nor be affected by it in any capacity besides taking damage from damaging spells with a natural resistance to all of it." No magic casting, no healing from magic, no magic buffs, no reviving at death, no saving souls. It would also sever his connection to the gods. In that way, Nancy will be as invisible to the Gods as they were in the Null Realm. His prayers will never reach and he would never be allowed in their ranks. ANY of their ranks. "His Coin will still work. Just not on him." In other words, it would still burn the undead and Daedric creatures like Vespera, but Nancy himself couldn't draw from it. In a way, Elaina's method was no different than the Coin activating anyways. He'd still be granted a second chance at life.

"Your Goddess can't step in directly." The fight was over. "and the Angel can't fight her own Goddess's power. 4 words: Her. Will. Be. DONE." With the Goddess's will spoken and the power to accomplish it granted, the Angel couldn't fight it. Even if it was Daedric, because it was her GODDESS'S Daedric. What did that leave? "You do not want to fail to accomplish what you took on the divine power to do."

"Suck the Oppression out of him, and I will save him," Elaina said simply with a nod. Still speaking slowly and calmly. "Let it be known that this is the EXACT SITUATION where, if I were acting like a witch, I would make you choose between the Goddess and your brother." If Elaina offered a contract to do this and Nellie accepted, she would not only be stripped of Divine Favor, but she would be actively repulsive in the eyes of the Goddess. Witches were not allowed in the ranks of most Gods.

But Elaina wasn't, so it begged the question of why she was offering to save Nancy's life. "This is the only way you'll have both, so you can work with me or Nancy dies here."

Demestral Asella
Toron- Residential District​

Demi felt the Oppressive Cold dispel. With the last people saved, the family Vlad mentioned, the mission was over. "Dispel Heatwave!" she called. Quincy shattered the sigil with his flight and the air would turn to normal fairly soon.
"Men! I thank you for your efforts. Look alive!" Demi declared with authority, "You saved lives out there. According to our source, we've saved all that can be saved!"

"Elaina to Vlad, Demestral and Vespera." The All-seeing witch came through her crystal. "Nancy is lying on his death bed having taken on the Oppression to dispel it." Demi immediately knew what that entailed. He was Holy and took on Daedric Oppression. It was one thing after another. Please just give us a break, Demi pleaded. "Attempting life-saving measures. That's all the survivors so take a rest."
That wouldn't be possible........well period, but doubly so while she didn't know if Nancy was making it out of here alive. "I'll be there immediately!"
"Go. Rest," Elaina said bluntly, "There is nothing you can do to help me here."
"What about the Angels?" Surely they could heal him.
"It's the Goddess's Daedric Oppression under her Will. The angels can't fight it." Divinity Law prevented Mariah from fighting her own Goddess's power, and it was an act of aggression for another God to order their angels to defy the Will of another God. That's crusade-level stuff. "I have a method already."




--------------------------------------------

Avery Valencia and Ashlynn Thordottir
Gates​

Avery closed his eyes. He could dive into it, but he wouldn't. Not here or now. "I agree. Who knows who is with who?" Avery responded. He knew enough to know that between Adonis's Circle and those who he made an enemy of, it was a stalemate with only a certain pixie with a wyvern walking out alive to the destroyed remnants of both her crew and her homeland. There would only be losers. "A mutiny before he poisons his own well too much is too hasty." He nodded in agreement with this conclusion.

"Then again," he said to them, turning back to human form with a flip to rest on the boulder. "How many lives must be lost to the antics of a higher-up before putting a bullet in their head is the right choice?" the catboy asked. He stood up and looked towards the fire and the cutting of the demon. "Must we ask this question in foresight or hindsight?" He paused and turned to them, putting a finger to his lip as if he was shushing them. "Kraiven is asking this in hindsight." It was a counter-claim to Fergie since she did bring up the exact dilemma that Kraiven is facing now. The antics of a higher-up causing death.

Were they all fuel to cause the mutiny? Or collateral to burn in a mutiny? Which answer was the right answer?

That left Ash and Fergie, and blitz-meister looked at her. "That kid plays dangerous games he'll never tell us," Ash said with worry, "He's not riding the high we thought. Clearly this bothers him deeply." It made sense, and with him being privy to information they didn't know definitely courtesy to their all-seeing nerd, it was only subject to speculation.
"But we can't let him start acting alone." Mama Bear continued the thought.
"Agreed. I won't let him act alone. He knows we got his back." Ash said, the alcohol starting to settle in and take effect. "Part of having his back is telling him to reel it the hell in, so thank you for that Fergie." Avery was a sly one, not manipulative but conniving to the core. He wasn't a frontline fighter, so he couldn't get blatant about stuff. Then again, his emotions were running right, bothered by the results in this raid despite their victory.
"KILL THE DEMON! KILL THE DEMON!" The chants to bring this to an end began. The carving of Mozreliun hadn't stopped in any of this, and with everyone getting their cuts in, the demon was covered head to toe in own blood, looking like he took a dip in black tar.
"It looks like it's time to end the festivities and nod off for a bit," Ash said, stretching tiredly
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Spoiler: Deeper...

Nancy Noi
???​

A pulse sounded in his ears. It was a light sound, so soft he had mistaken it for Nellie's heartbeat as they held each other close. But it was deep as well, numbing. Like swabbing cotton or some other thick fabric on the inside of one's ears. It lingered there as it danced over the rest of his body, like undulating waves.
Waves...?
Clarity was having some difficulty finding Nancy in this moment. He had felt so tired while hugging Nellie... was he dreaming now? Wherever this was, it was feeling colder, but not unwelcome, like the Oppressive Cold he'd taken on. It was inviting. Familiar. He felt himself pulling in, the sharpness of the cold on his fingertips shooting some awareness into his mind.
"I'm... this is... my Goddess?"
It felt like waves because they were waves. This frigid brine... he'd been here before, right. When She answered his prayer.
"This is it, then?" he asked. "I'm dying, aren't I?"

Dark words, yet issued so numbly. Nancy had known this might happen. If the Coin wasn't able to reach him and pull him out of this slow descent, then Nellie's influence was vastly overpowering his. And... that was fine. Truly.
"It's as close to an elder's death I'll get, I suppose." Biologically young, yet having lived longer than the oldest known Lungborne. More than long enough. Too long, really. His thoughts wandered to Vespera, the immortal who's life was only just beginning. Nancy? He had no reason to be anything but grateful to have spent his life without the worries and toils of a mortal one.
But he knew they wouldn't share that sentiment for him. "Nellie will be fine, right?" She had stabilized, last he recalled. She wouldn't allow this to be in vain. Still...

"Comfort her, please? She'll never forgive herself for this." The pull felt tighter. Whatever last thread of life his body clung to was nearing to snap. "Tell her I do. I forgive her for everything."

Nellie Noi
Church​

I'll never forgive myself for this. Tears continued to fall as Nellie sat crouched over his sprawled body. Not inconsolable. She comprehended every word Elaina told her, eyes taking in every detail of the two stim shots she had never seen before. But she was on the brink, just as surely Nancy was. Oh my gods, I killed my fucking brother! What the hell is wrong with me?! Magic was leaking out of her like a waterfall, and the only thing stopping it from freezing this building was siphoning it into that storm. At this rate, it had to be spread for miles, hopefully only dropping flurries of snowfall rather than a blistering snowstorm.
There needed to be closure. Whether she'd be meeting grief or Nancy returning to her arms, this dreadful anticipation could only be reeled in so far. So she had to choose NOW.

"Oh, gods..." she nearly wailed. Having Divine Favor, she heard the Goddess's shrill warning. That wasn't just the cry of a wrathful mother. It was that of a terrified one. "W-- Without magic, then that means...?" Nancy would be separated again. By Elaina's words, this time forever. In their two decade limbo, Nancy's greatest source of grief had been the disconnection from his Goddess. Those first years, she'd spent pulling him out of a depression that wouldn't unhook its claws as it vied to drag him down. Though he learned to lean on his friends and sister, it was a grief that always lingered. Goddess Mariana was more than a higher power he served. She was his Mother, his first and closest friend. To lose that again after finally getting it back, and for good...

What was worse? Nellie leaving him to die at her hand? Or forcing him to live a Godless life?

Elaina's last sentences shocked her. Not at the profession that she could be... that she could CLAIM to have some form of empathy. But why even bring it up?
Good for you, I guess?? That you're not a completely horrible person??
Her thoughts on the pirate woman hardly mattered when her brother was laying at her feet dying, but it only spiked her suspicions. Perhaps she wanted to keep both of her Locathah specimens alive. Perhaps she wanted to prove a point. Perhaps it was some vile test of sorts, to see what Nellie was willing to do.

"I..." What was the right choice? Was there a "right" anything at this point?. "I... I did this to him." She was selfish. She didn't want to face all of this alone, either. "I robbed him of both chances at life. I owe it to him to save him."
Nellie settled a hand over Nancy's stone-cold chest, mentally reaching for mana trapped inside. His body was brimming with it, every cell and fiber steadily freezing. It was as if Nancy had locked it all inside of him before falling unconscious, not allowing a drop of this Daedric magic to fall upon what was left of the city's inhabitants. Not allowing the feelings it originated from to hurt anyone around them. He's always been good at that...
Both hands over his chest, Nellie tore into the tangle of mana that grew compacted in his body. She tore with all her might, yanking at it like she couldn't with Nancy's depression before.

Fergie
Gates​

Avery's foreboding words as he retreated from their little leadership chat left Fergie with a cold chill. Or maybe it was that damn storm kicking up. At least it wasn't hail hitting them and being annoying, but now clumps of snow began to layer over her hat. Falling white mingled with the green of the grass, the brown of battle-torn ground, and the red of spilled blood, as if to cover up what had taken place. A blank slate, hiding the horrors that present eyes couldn't unsee.

Aye. They'd like to pretend that vile shit didn't happen, wouldn't they? Kraiven covering their mistakes, pretending they never happened, just like 200 years before. Adonis never making mention of the crewmates he had fucked over. Ghauznud being reduced to a "boy" for daring to defy his bullshit orders, only to be proclaimed a man after his execution. Fuck all of that. Hope Avery makes him bleed slow.

To Ash's thanks, she gave a nod. "Kid's got a good head on his shoulders. Sometimes we all forget to use it." Not that Avery was being stupid, challenging Adonis to his face and being so open about the fact. Well... okay, it was kind of stupid. But not ignorant stupid. Angry stupid. Fergie knew better than most how emotion could cut through logic like a freshly sharpened paring knife. She was stupid a lot because she got angry a lot. Hard not to be, with Commodore 2.0 over there.

But enough about Captain Ass. There was final blood to spill, as the crew demanded. "Aye. Let's finish 'im off an get outta this cold. Swear it's gonna freeze me arse 'fore it cauterizes." Yes, she was still walking around with that nick in her rear, and she didn't care. She'd jab a stim pack in after watching the final act, then get some grub in her. Bogrum wasn't one for these sorts of blood sports, so she expected to find him where the food was.


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Elaina Melora
Toron- Church​

It was getting cold. I can't tell her to calm down, she thought. Of course she wouldn't be able to. Her brother was lying on the cusp of death at her hands. But Nellie was obliging. Elaina watched with a poker face in both demeanor and mind. She had seen this desperation time and time again. From dealing with the Divine and Divinity Law. It was strict and it was punishing, AS strict and punishing as it is powerful. The one with the best grasp on it was Demi and she was serving 2 pantheons........ and had been studying it for literally 2 centuries.

Spoiler: The Procedure That Comes with a Price

Pitch black tendrils growing from Nancy's body as Nellie desperately grabbed the mana and ripped it out, some of the lesser portions were smited by the Holiness of the Church. It was time. "Injecting the Anti-Magic." Elaina knelt down and analyzed the frosty Locathah's body. Finding a good spot to inject it, Elaina sighed. "Goddess, you followed reason by making Nellie the Have and Nancy the Have-not. 200 years later, you not only deviated from best practice, but you did so with naturally opposite elements. Now........Order resets."

Elaina injected the green anti-magic syringe. Nancy's body began float slightly as magic particles began to be forced from his body. White to symbolize the Holy being purged, blue to symbolize Water potential being purged, black to symbolize the last semblances of Daedric being purged, and indigo to symbolize the rest of his mana being purged. "Your reward to your most faithful has been Oppressed out of existence by your blessing given by emotion. You made your Have your ultimate Have. Your Have-not your ultimate Have-not." The ordeal was over and Nancy fell to be caught by Nellie. Looking at her brother, she could feel nothing from him. Normally they could always find each other with their magic, especially as twins. In this case, however, even though she was holding him, the only thing she could feel was his physical body and the shallow breath as the only sign of life. She couldn't even sense his heartbeat unless she touched where his heart was.

The storm over Toron grew violent. INCREDIBLY violent. Not violent as going into an Oppressive Blizzard. Violent as in going into a Torrential Hurricane. The Goddess shrieked in grief. An intense guttural scream like a woman discovering her child's dead body. Anyone with Divine Favor could hear it, and Elaina could hear it being the witch who could sense all. "AAAAGGGGHH!!! MY CHHHIIIILD!! MY BABYYY!"

You brought this on yourself, Goddess. He's not any less your child, Elaina thought. "Time to Reset." Elaina said and injected the Reset. Not even 30 seconds later, Nancy began to breathe again with deeper breaths. His internal body temperature re-ignited, though that wouldn't always be the case with violent freezing storm going on. "His condition will stabilize. Mariah, warm him up. Don't put him close to fire since he's still a Locathah." It would dehydrate him.

"Goddess, your child lives." Elaina called out. "The price? He's invisible to you."
"I ONLY WANTED WHAT WAS BEST FOR MY LAST 2!!" The Goddess was sobbing. "The last of my legacy above the Deepest Deeps......" Lung-Borne Locathah were Mariana's original creations. Gill-Borne rarely ever came on land (given their gills). Tritons came after Mariana Descended.
"He's still your child," Elaina said. "Being a lovin-......." Elaina chose to not finish the thought. There was no need to admonish her any more. Mariana wasn't a bad person or a bad Goddess. In this case though, she just made an honest mistake and it costed her dearly. Her will defied and her child's magic severed permanently, The Goddess was broken, and Elaina had lost interest in prodding further. She knew that Mariana knew it was her failure, not maliciousness on part of Elaina. "No need........."

Things were finally over. There was no soothing this over. When the Goddess's initial grief passed, so would her storm. When Nellie got Nancy back in full, which wouldn't be long, the temperature would regulate again.

"Vlad, Demi, Ves," Elaina called through her crystal. "Nancy is saved and these storms will pass. Do NOT get caught in these storms." These storms forced an ending to anything that could be done this evening. "Nellie, Mariah. Nothing should happen to Nancy's condition, but in the off-chance it does, Let me know and I'll come back down. Let's go, Ailis."

Elaina's alicorn trotted over to her. Hopping on the saddle, Elaina pulled out a Crystal. "To the Canine." Snapping the crystal in her hand, Elaina teleported away.


---------------------------------------------------

Ashlynn Thormdottir
Gates​

Maniacal laughter from their Melee-addict, the Basenjis were soaking in the torrential atmosphere. Between extreme high winds, heavy rain, and lower temperature "I LONG FOR THE SEEEAAA!!" Ash yelled into the clouds above. She knew something big was going on considering that Kraiven was already floating ABOVE the clouds, so the fact that there were new clouds above this meant something incredibly unnatural had to be happening.

Adrenaline pumping through her veins as nostalgic cold nipped at her, this made her feel alive. Sailing through torrential storm waters while raiding was a form of alive that fighting an ancient demon on land could never match. Her sea-legs itched again. She pressed her boots on the back of Mozreliun, scalping knife in hand. "TIME TO END THIS!!"
Ash took the knife to Mozreliuns head. Mozreliun's screams had considerably weakened from the cutting, but this one brought the screams back higher than ever. "WOUNDS FOR WOUNDS! BLOOD FOR BLOOD!!" Ash yelled repeatedly as she began to saw as furiously as the winds. Uninhabitable conditions had a way of galvanizing troops for things, and it was perfect for this, especially knowing that their shelter from the storm was very close.

She held up the bloody brutal result like a trophy showcase to the crew, to monumental cheers and the demon blood being washed away in the torrent. "Avery! Finish him!"

The catboy had retracted his cat traits when the storm started, not liking to get his fur wet in these circumstances. He was holding his Bowie Knife while Ash flipped him over. "Wounds for wounds. Blood for blood......." Thus began Avery's show of brutality on Mozreliun's chest, and Mozreliuns screaming being cut off into choking on his own blood. Avery worked furiously, taking out all aggression he felt towards Adonis on Mozreliun instead.

To finish it, Avery shoved his hand in Mozreliun's chest and ripped out the demon's heart and held it to the sky beside Ash holding up Mozreliun's scalp. The torrential rain and winds washed the blood off them. "VICTORY!!" One more round of cheers. "NOW GET OUT OF THE STORM!!" she called with a laugh as she tossed the scalp aside and took off running back towards the Canine's drawbridge, with troops running to their own respective resident ships revitalized with cheer from the unstable weather conditions. Abandoning everything but the mugs they could hold, anything not tied down got blown away in the wind to who knows where.

Dr Laylah stood at the entrance of the Canine to welcome the troops back in. When all were back in, she pointed towards Mozreliun's lifeless body. "May you dissolve into nothingness." With a snap of her finger, a beam of light erupted from the ground. Very quick and condensed, the aftermath left not even a pile of ashes where Mozreliun's body lie. Thus ends the ordeal in victory of the Basenjis vs the Ancient Demon Mozreliun
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Spoiler: .....

Nancy Noi
???​

The years passed in Nancy's mind. He recalled being holed up in a neglected study, trekking the wetlands with his sister, then the events that got them both their crystals. He remembered arriving at Toron, meeting Vespera, meeting Efi, meeting all the Stoneroses as they steadily joined. The guild improving, his skills improving, and it all crashing down with the war that plunged them into nothingness. Building back up after that, the centuries of peace.
And it struck him, just how small of a part he had in all of it. Just a lonely alchemist holed up in his cubby, not much different than the child who had nothing but his books to keep him company. Among the greatly powerful and influential creatures his life was surrounded by, how much of a difference had he made?

"I hope..." The pulsing grew louder, rolling over his body in its intensity. "I hope what I did meant something. Even if it wasn't much..." He'd miss everyone dearly. They had been his life, his happiness. But had it been the same for them? "I want to be remembered. For something. Anything. Even something as simple as being a good friend." The rippling water that surrounded him became visible, even in this darkness. "Was I a good friend, Goddess? Was I a good servant?"

Then... nothing. The pulsing ceased. His vision went dark. The sensation of waves over his scales stilled. Nancy felt his haws blinking, waiting. Was he about to wake up in Goddess Mariana's arms, or in Nellie's? But nothing continued to happen. Nothing continued to be what he floated in. Empty like the Void Sea, without the green glow of migrating souls filling the nothingness.

"My Goddess?"

---

Her Goddess wailing in her ears, Nellie could only vaguely assess her brother's increased breathing, the warmth that burned into her palms as she held his limp body to her. His robes were damp, wet with melted ice and tears as they trickled off Nellie's cheeks. She was just as vaguely aware that sobs bubbled out from herself, planting her face between his neck and elbow, following his strengthening heartbeat.
"If only you could hear how much She loves you, brother." Any doubts she had that Goddess Mariana's love was genuine, not bred of a possessiveness that made her Children more tools than family, were quashed here. Those weren't the cries of someone who just watched their new fancy toy fly over a bridge and crumble to pieces over the rocks below.

Eventually Elaina was gone, Mariah there with them somewhere, gathering something to warm Nancy with. The Goddess's mourning had not ceased. Nellie counted down the minutes until she felt a squeeze given to her arm.
Her head flew up, met with his concerned gaze. He let go of her arm, motioning, <<Are you okay?>>
"Am-- Am I okay?!" Nellie trapped him in another embrace, relief and grief and everything else renewing her crying. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry I did this to you!"
A tap to her back, and Nancy pulled away when she loosened her hold, smiling sadly. <<I forgive you.>> Reassurance was not what he'd see on her face, but still he moved to wipe her tears away, signing once he was done, <<Did the Coin bring me back?>>
"No..." A sickening knot twisted in her stomach. How was she going to drop this on him? "We had to find another way."

Nancy's confusion was expected, as well as the frown of concern when he looked down at his necklace. Swallowing dryness from her throat, Nellie took his crystal in her fingers. Though they primarily drew from the user's mana, they could be charged like any other crystal. What usually took a nightly charging session or a powering spell only took a second for it to light up violet at Nellie's touch.
Not even that helped. Concentration on his face melted away to worry. <<Everything feels so... strange.>> A hand settling over her shoulder moved to rest over his, moved back, and returned to himself again. As if checking for something. <<Why... what's going on? The Goddess isn't answering me.>> He must have seen the dread she felt, as it mirrored on his face. <<What did you do, Nellie?>>

Fergie
Gates ---> Canine​

Amazing, how her irritation melted away like the snow that blew into a soaking torrent. Contagious as always, Ash's enthusiasm made her grin ear-to-ear. The winds vying to batter Fergie's slight form into the ground, she stood ever stoically like an unimpressed pier. Yes, this did remind her of the storms that brewed over the seas. Though she still had reason to avoid them while sailing with this crew, standing here in this deluge definitely highlighted the hole in her heart being away from what amounted to her only home. Crews and ships came and went. The ocean? The only thing predictable was its enduring authority over Earth and Her processes. Whatever she lost, she could count on those vast waters to be there for her, waiting.

But sky sailing was pretty fun too. And so was watching demons getting their comeupance. Fergie pumped a fist in the air with enthusiasm as Ash sawed Mozza's bloodied mop of hair from his head, chanting along with the crew. When Avery added a feriocity to match Ash's, lifting the black, carved heart alongside Ash with the jagged scalp, Fergie cupped her hands beside her mouth and hooted in approval. A true display of pirate brutality, she hoped Mozza's fellow demons were watching in horror. The idea of putting fear in the horrible hearts of any deity thrilled her like little else.

Catching up to Ash in a long-legged sprint, she called to the crew, "Now, who's ready to get fuckin' wasted tonight?!" The party didn't have to stop once they'd retreated to their ships. But... ah. Fergie wouldn't be able to celebrate much. Not until she got an idea of how Bogrum was holding up. This was half a victory, half a defeat for him. She'd do as she told Ash, get healed up and food, but the latter alongside Bogrum once she found him. Hopefully he was silently sulking with a plastered smile on his face in the Mess, and not inconsolable after checking out early in his room.

Nellie Noi
Church​

<<What do you mean?! What do you MEAN I can't hear Her?!>>
Nellie's throat was closing up, chest tightening to where she could barely breathe. A pair of painful grips latched onto her wrists, her brother begging, pleading. For answers? The answers he wouldn't like, and he knew that. More so pleading that the answers wouldn't confirm his worst fears. "When Elaina injected the anti-magic, it didn't just purge the Oppression. It purged everything. Holy, Daedric... and your mana."
<<That...>> Horror turned his fins as pale as they had been when he was nearing death. <<That means...>>
"You're Null now, Nancy." Null meaning void of magic. "That's why you can't hear Her. Because She can't hear you, either. She can't find you."

To Nellie's frozen breaths, Nancy began to hyperventilate, air wheezing in and out of him. He staggered backwards until the podium stopped him, legs buckling and forcing him to a seat. <<I can't do this again, Nellie! I can't! I waited so long-->> He again reached forward as if to latch onto her when she stepped closer, but stopped midway to continue his frantic signs. <<Tell me! Tell me we can fix this! Please!>> She could see him trembling. <<How do we fix this?!>>
"... Elaina said we can't," she forced out. "Once it's done, it's done. It's permanent."

Disbelief, or denial, kept him shivering there. Then the sobs came, hysterical, the sort born of panic more than sorrow. Collapsing to his knees and elbows, energy and will sapped out of him like his mana. His fingers would have been digging harsh trenches into his head scales had he possessed nails, face awash in the same agony Nellie had seen in the civilians who had witnessed their loved ones perish. Tears endless, face scarlet under his scales from the uneven breaths, mouth open in a silent scream.
"Nancy!" Nellie dropped down to set her hands over his quaking shoulders. "Nancy, talk to me! Please!"
One hand, shaky as it lifted, could only manage one sign. <<Alone...!>>
Hoisting him upright so she could hold him tight, her own tears again soaked into his robes. "You're not alone, Nancy. She's with me, and She's with Mariah. She's all around you. Even if you can't feel each other."
Breaths never steadied, sobs never ceased, but eventually he could pull away and say more coherently, <<I can't wait another 150 years!>> He was destined to be met with silence until death. That's why she wasn't surprised when he signed, <<You should have just let me die! At least I'd get to be with Her!>> He yanked his fins, snout pointed up to the heavens.
"Nancy, don't--"
<<I'D RATHER BE DEAD!! THIS IS A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH!!>>

"Nancy, no! Stop!" She couldn't take this. Setting her hands over his cheeks, she forced his reddened eyes to look into hers, telling him decisively, "We-- That's just what Elaina said! She's smart, but she's not a god! We can find a way!" With his attention on her, she went on, "They said it was impossible to pull Kraiven in and out of the Void, didn't they? And look at us. So why not you? We don't have to give up. We can find a way."

Something changed in his face here. And it wasn't a glimpse of hope. Nancy reached up to grip her hands and pry them away, so hard that he had to feel the tendons of her wrist bend under his curling fingers. Teeth gritting, a loud hiss seethed through, then he let go only to shove her away. <<YOU BETTER FUCKING PRAY THAT WE DO, SISTER!!>> The shock of it almost sent her to the ground, but Nancy ensured she fell to it painfully, lunging forward to push her down. <<I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask you to save me! I was ready to die! I accepted it!>>
"You expect ME to accept it?!" she demanded, but anger didn't lace her tone. Nancy's fangs were bared, but not with gently parted lips like before. He was snarling like an animal, teeth and gums and everything displayed. Cold fear coursed through her. "You expect me to live with myself after killing you?!"
<<YOU DID WORSE THAN KILL ME!! YOU DRAGGED ME STRAIGHT TO HELL!!>> A raised hand came down, and a harsh sting radiated from the side of her face where his palm met. It primed to strike again after his next motioned scream. <<THIS IS THE LAST TIME YOU'VE DECIDED MY FATE FOR ME!!!>>

Nellie prepared for another slap, but it never came. She felt Nancy's weight being wrenched off of her.
"ENOUGH!!" Vlad's roar demanded silence, and that's what came after. Prying herself up, she saw his snarling face relax as the beastman held Nancy in place. "That's enough, Nancy! Everyone's hurting enough! Don't add to it."
Nancy's gaze held on Vlad for a few moments, then passed over to meet hers. There was guilt. Then anger. Then guilt again. Finally, shaking his head, he made to dash away towards the exit doors, but Vlad's claws snagged his robes and kept him from fleeing. "No, Nancy! It's dangerous outside! Can't you hear that wind?"
He could now that he mentioned it, ears twisting to take in the battering the stained windows were taking. Vlad's fur and battle gear was wet and slick with water, breaths a bit ragged, betraying that he had to fight to reach the Church. Nancy looked over at Nellie, who explained, "It's not me. It's... it's the Goddess." She gripped her collar, fighting lightheadedness with shaky breaths that had been locked in her chest for too long. "She's mourning you."

Those simple words drew out more tears. This time, sorrow grit his teeth. <<Tell Her I'm here!>> He begged, beginning to approach her, but stopping suddenly. He glanced between Nellie and Mariah, not sure who to approach. The pain that winced on his face when his eyes fell over Nellie gave away why. <<Tell Her I'm still here! Please! Tell Her that you can hear me!>>


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Mariah the Watcher
Church​

Mariah had tears running down her own face at watching all this. "The Goddess knows," Mariah said, shaking her head, "Elaina told Her that you live with the price being that you're invisible to Her." she said. "As long as you're Null, she can only see you in person. Even as Her Watcher, She can't see or hear you through my senses." Because that requires magic, Nancy couldn't be seen or heard through other people's senses. If Elaina had watched all this go down from wherever she was, she would only get half the conversation. Then again, it was ELAINA. There was probably some workaround she was doing to spy in on this.

"Lookin' bad, eh?" Steven the Deacon came forth. He never left the Church. He stayed around to help. "I heard damn near everything that's gone on."
Steven was a forgotten but very welcome presence right now. He had been with the kids who definitely like him. Mariah secretly wondered if he wanted to have a kid. "Steven!" Mariah exclaimed, "What can you tell us about Anti-Magic?" Mariah realized that Nellie and Vlad didn't know anything about Steven. "This here is Steven, one of the pirates. Divine Favor under the High God Obris. He was vital in making this Church holy, as well as defending it and Nancy." If there was ever a presence the Angel wanted, it was Steven. Lady Elaina was too full of jabs to be of any help right now. Plus, unless Vlad serves a similarly ranked God, Steven had the strongest Divine Favor out of all 3 of them in front of her.

• A High God is a higher ranked god. Obris is the highest ranked God in this RP so far

Spoiler: Steven Sheds Some Light

Steven took a seat on a pew, putting his shotgun aside. "Anti-Magic is a modern innovation, a........" He thought for a second about how he would explain it, ".......think about something that allows you to do a thing, but ONLY that thing. That's Anti-Magic. It's a magic whose job it is to dispel magic. The weakness? You can ONLY wield that magic."
It sounded terrifying. A magic specifically made and whose only purpose is to counter magic? Potent enough to where one literally couldn't wield another. "Why would someone wield that kind of magic? What's the benefit?!" Mariah exclaimed
"If I use Anti-Magic, both you and Nellie would be useless in battle. If you......." he pointed to Vlad, "Were to be Empowered by your God, you'd have to rely on extremely weakened magic. There's merit to it. Prevent teleportation, buffs, magic healing. Kings use it in their castle walls. If we used it around this city, we could've prevented any and all necromancy within the walls. At the cost of us losing our magic within these walls as well for as long as the barrier lasts. Anti-Magic is a GAMBIT."

• Gambit- Sacrifice something advantageous for something else advantageous. Anti-Magic barriers sacrifice your magic to disable your enemy's magic. Gambits are nothing new in magic, like sacrificing your own blood to inflict a powerful curse.

Mariah was lost for words. Would it have done them well to use Anti-Magic to prevent the destruction of this city? Sever their connection in the eyes of their Gods for a specific area? It was terrifying, the prospect of being made invisible again after just now being visible again. She could see the merit though. "So it's what Nancy is inflicted with. Can it be dispelled? What's this that Elaina knows? Please tell us!"

"Witches deal in Gambits. You know that, but......" Steven pointed to Mariah, then Nellie, then Vlad. "Did you know witches can gambit people's Divine Favor? Make you choose between 2 things you hold dear?" From these words, the words Elaina imparted on Nellie would come to mind for the Locathah woman

Spoiler: Imparted Words From the Witch

"Let it be known that this is the EXACT SITUATION where, if I were acting like a witch, I would make you choose between the Goddess and your brother."

"This is the only way you'll have both, so you can work with me or Nancy dies here."

"Divine Favor is powerful," Steven explained, "Witches can gambit people's Divine Favor to make damn near anything happen." Like dispelling the effects of Anti-Magic. "Think of it like dealing with the devil WITHOUT dealing with Daedric beings or any bullshit Monkey's Paw-style catches, or Fae and their fine print." Very straightforward. Give up a lot to gain something desired. "THAT is why Witches are hated by Gods." Witches could sever people from their Gods. OF COURSE they would be hated by them.

"But I'd be careful," Steven warned, "If you Gambit with a witch period, you run the risk of being spat out of the face of the God you serve. We know the rules." They........maybe they did. Vlad definitely did as did Mariah, but Nellie may not. Nancy may if he read Mariana's Script while in the Null Realm. "Once you lose Divine Favor, it's almost impossible to get it back. GAMBIT your Divine Favor........... it is a direct spit in the face to your God."

The Choice to Ponder

"I say all that to say this: Elaina can Gambit Nellie's Divine Favor to dispel the Anti-Magic on Nancy. Just know that Nellie may very well become dead to the Goddess. Maybe not. I have killed people who gambitted my God Obris's Divine Favor. Maybe your God isn't so vengeful."

So that was it. "Either we call on Lady Elaina or we accept that Nancy is now Null," Mariah said, head bowed. "The choice is between the twins." Mariah couldn't make this decision for them, or even offer a suggestion. She certainly couldn't tell Nellie to Gambit her Divine Favor. "As a Watcher, I definitely cannot condone Gambitting Divine Favor, but the Goddess cannot hear this while she wails."

Now to address the twins. "Twins, I am the Angel appointed over you under authority of Goddess Mariana as her delegate." Mariah said, then looked over to the now Null brother. "Nancy, you drained Nellie's Daedric Empowerment. This eliminated Nellie's ability to accomplish the Goddess's Will." Nancy's action was in direct opposition to the Goddess's will. "THAT is an act of defiance against the Goddess. In the eyes of the Counsel of Holy Gods, this would be a fitting punishment." Mariah let the words hit Nancy before continuing. "Divinity Law aside, you don't get to take it upon yourself to choose death and just expect your SISTER to accept that."

"Lady Elaina has saved your life and she has saved NELLIE'S ability to fulfill the Goddess's will. That brings with it double discredit to the name of the Deepest Deep, given that Lady Elaina is a witch." Mariah was dead serious now. It was worth noting that Mariah was still referring to Elaina with the title of respect despite the Goddess hating her. "Nellie, you will go fulfill the Goddess's Will. If She sees Her child being hindered by Her, She will calm down. Goddess wants you to destroy the castle. Do so with full ferocity then speak with Her. We also need to give you BOTH time to think on this. SEPARATELY."
WayfaringWaaksian

Sebas Deadeye
The Canine- Sebas's Quarters​

Sebas couldn't rest. He could hear grief from the Goddess. Damn it! Shut the hell up, Sebas thought. His daughter was asleep, but she was also super sensitive to the Goddess so he had to hold her while she slept to keep her asleep. Between the wailing of the Goddess and her grief-induced Oppressive Storm buffeting the 3 ships, Sebas could only wonder how Ora wasn't awake. Maybe she was just super exhausted between her mission with Chilby and then this entire ordeal against Mozreliun where she unleashed a TON of mana in her part in taking him down. Compared to Ora, the Goddess can kick rocks until she revived Lostro
Suddenly, Ora jolted awake, startling him. "Papa!" Ora looked around frantically, then her eyes calmed as she recognized him. "I'm sorry.........I'm having nightmares." She said softly, clutching his shirt. She was genuinely apologetic to him.
"About?"
"Wraiths, and skeletons. I know I can smite them but............"

Ora was being tortured by everything, and Sebas didn't know if it was due to being outside the holy water tank or just the general events. Sebas could assume the former but he would rest on the latter. "Ora, I won't let any of them get you." He decided to encourage her. Heroically "I fought them, right? Slashed them, yes?"
Ora smiled and nodded, "Yes."
"And I destroyed them to protect you, right?"
"Yes."
"I do that even in your dreams. Just think of me blasting them."
A smile from the girl. "With a shotgun, right?"
"With a shotgun," Sebas confirmed immediately to her laughter. "Always a shotgun. Why did you choose to sleep with me over the tank?"
"You have a shotgun," Ora said with a toothy razor sharp grin.
Sebas stifled laughter at this. That's the spirit, he thought "You know me well. Only the best to protect you. I love you."
"I love you too. The Goddess grieves.........."
"Yup. Not our problem," Sebas resolutely. It wasn't like it wasn't true. He squeezed the Triton girl closer. "Go back to sleep and I will handle the Goddess."
"Ok.........." Ora yawned and within seconds was asleep again, with more gentle heaving of her chest this time around.

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

The Noi Twins
Toron - Church​

Nausea Nellie had been swallowing back all day was beginning to build in her throat. Steven's imparted knowledge opened a new door to them. What lay on the other side? She could barely muster a glance in without tasting bile in her mouth. It was unthinkable, she knew. To be blessed with Favor, only to pawn it off to a witch for some other desire? It was no wonder the Gods would consider that a spit in the face, and Nellie didn't even care for any of this Divinity stuff.
But would it be worth it? To spare her brother from the fate she doomed him to? She could fix all of this on his side, but...

Mariah's words to them ripped her out of her thoughts, head raised after staring blankly at the floor. As light the Angel's admonishing towards Nancy may have been, it was enough to plaster utter despair on his face. Weeping renewed as tears flowed behind his hands, he fell down to his knees, tail coiling around his trembling body. Nellie was immediately behind him, hands soothing his shoulders while she shot a glare Mariah's way. She wouldn't go enforce the Goddess's Will while he was being told these insane things. "What are you saying?! You don't mean to tell me it was Goddess Mariana's Will to let me lay waste to the city?" It was taking much self control to not grimace her back teeth at her. "He saved everyone from me! He's a hero, not some dissident!"
<<I didn't save them>> Nancy said, though his sobbing didn't relent. <<I saved you. Elaina... she was ready to assassinate you before you could explode.>>
The news settled over her in silence. But she was soon to insist, "Then Nancy bolstered Her Will! He ensured that I lived so I could finish my task! How could he be wrong for that?! You can't expect him to let me die, any more than he can expect I let him die!"
<<Nellie... it doesn't work like that.>> Regaining some control of his breathing, Nancy shuffled out of her hold, looking up at her with teary eyes. <<You can argue the right and wrong about it all day. But in the end, it's Law. Law can't be argued.>>

"But--" She was shaking her head. This didn't make any sense. "But you did a good thing! How-- Why would the Law punish that?!"
"Because they'd be punishing an obstruction of the Goddess's Will." Vlad bowed his head, forlorn as he explained, "The intention doesn't matter. As Sister Mariah said, stealing your power was defiance because it's your Goddess's Will for you to have it."
"I was the one who put people in danger WITH Her power!" she argued, tail tip lashing. Nellie was glancing about everyone now, demanding an explanation. A PROPER explanation that wasn't utter nonsense to her. "I caused all of this! Where's MY punishment?! Why should Nancy suffer for my mistakes?!"

Bogrum
Canine - Mess Hall​

Food cold on his plate, drink not an inch lowered, still Bogrum sat. Unaware of the time that had passed, he was jolted out of his head as the Mess filled with more cheerful chatter. Filled... wasn't quite the word. It looks so empty still, he thought with a sinking heart. How many of us were killed, too? The brave face he was still putting on strained him. He needed to take his meal to his room, and maybe he could actually get something inside his barren stomach. Seeing the grim result of their battle made his thoughts run too much. At least being grounded stayed off his nausea, so the thought of eating didn't make him fight back a gag reflex.

Before he could get up and leave, someone took a seat beside him. Not at all to his surprise, it was Fergie gracing him with her presence.
"Hullo."
He mustered a small smile, which dropped a split second later. The stare at his untouched food remained locked, but he could hear her sleeves shuffle as she crossed her arms over the bar.
"Heard 'bout what happened in the city."
"I'd... rather not talk about it," he murmured, voice so weak he could feel the resulting look of concern burning into him. "Not right now, please."

What did surprise him-- astonish, given how his brows rose-- was the slightest pressure he felt over his resting forearm. He looked down to see a set of fingers resting there, and got a full glimpse of the shiny scars that crisscrossed them.
"Did good," she told him, nodding once. "All we expected, Bogrum. Ye did good."
Resisting the urge to tell her that he had expected more, he... he'd allow it. It did comfort some. "Thank you." Glancing between her face and her hand, the side of his mouth quirked. This urge he couldn't resist. "In front of the crew? Bold."
Fergie was lucky the whole Mess didn't hear him shout from her digging her claws in.


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Mariah the Watcher
Church​

"Let me explain things clearly, so there is no ambiguity:" Mariah knew this was necessary. Lady Elaina had done it clearly and concisely even to her. It was..........Mariah couldn't help but observe how Lady Elaina spoke and took lessons from it. Now that she was in a position of authority, that sort of hierarchy needed to be adhered to, and how she spoke when talking of official business needed to reflect that.

Spoiler: The Recap

"Nellie, you were tasked with the Goddess's Will to destroy the castle and the indolent that let this city burn. The Castle and all of those within, and then the Kitsune Family." The fact that Nellie didn't know this was irrelevant, because she didn't even get close. On top of that, Nellie knew she was given the power to destroy, but she chose to try and save lives. Plus, Elaina warned her to get control of her power. "You were spiraling into an emotional meltdown and it would've destroyed this city. Lady Elaina was ready to shoot you and kill you with the same magic she injected Nancy with to prevent that."

She let those words settle a bit before continuing

"Nancy wanted to talk you down from it before Lady Elaina killed you, and she staked her soul on doing it only if a meltdown was imminent and unavoidable, under my Watch under the Goddess's authority. Having failed in the task of talking you down, Nancy took it upon himself to drain your Daedric Empowerment to save your life from Lady Elaina. Draining your Daedric Empowerment, regardless of intent, was obstructing the Goddess's Will." It pricked at Mariah's heart to talk to them like this, but it had to be done. "Had he succeeded in talking you down, none of this would've happened. On the other hand, had YOU gotten control of yourself as Lady Elaina said..........or tried to accomplish the Goddess's Will as you were Empowered for the purpose of doing, none of this would've happened."

"Both of you played a part in this result........but there was only one crime committed under Divinity Law," Mariah said finally, "Nancy didn't ensure that you live to fulfill the Goddess's Will. He only ensured that you live, hence why he drained all of it. LADY ELAINA ensured that you could fulfill the Goddess's Will." That revelation clicked in Mariah's head with Steven's explanation of Anti-Magic. "If this was going to be the end result to Nancy, there is no other reason why Lady Elaina made you pull your Daedric power back out of Nancy's body." It was a purely optional thing, because the Anti-Magic would've dispelled all of it anyways. Nellie's current Daedric Empowerment was quite literally all owed to Elaina. Nellie was important in getting Nancy back to the Church, but it was Elaina that did the actual save. A more bleak outlook: Given that Elaina had Ailis to fly on, was what Nellie did even useful?

"One final note, Nancy. Now that you know that you committed a serious offense in defying the will of the Goddess, I can guarantee you that you'd have answered for it in death." She had to burst the Locathah's bubble. He had a rosy view of what was frankly harsh. "Do not be ungrateful that Nellie and Lady Elaina saved you." More than likely, he'd have been stripped of his Divine Favor and sentenced to be somewhere not with the Goddess. "The Goddess mourns the severance. If she does that, imagine how she'd have felt if you had to appear in front of the Counsel."
WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

Honest Mistake? Tough.

Vlad breathed a tired sigh, a deep rumble in his throat. Sister Mariah was trying, and she was making a good effort. But as harsh as her words here were, it was still not the full picture the Noi Twins needed. Not that he could blame her. Watching Nellie seethe in indignation, and Nancy barely stifle sobs that were just shy of hysterical again, brought a sharp pang to his heart. They were hurting so much as it was, and Vlad knew better than most how the two were. Criticism and the Noi's did not mix well. But Law didn't care for feelings, thus Vlad couldn't afford to spare them here.

Spoiler: Feline's Insight

"Nellie, your actions wouldn't have broken Divinity Law, so long as they didn't impede on your ability to fulfill the Goddess's Will," he tacked on to Mariah's point. "But you would have been served punishment by Herself for causing destruction to the city, had Elaina not been a factor. And if Elaina had to kill you, you'd be meeting a very disappointed Goddess for not completing your task." The exact punishment he didn't know, as She wasn't his Goddess. Nellie didn't care for the texts, but Nancy had an idea.

"Nancy, you took the fall for Nellie. In your attempt to spare her from the Goddess's disappointment, you committed an even more grievous crime. A crime against Divine Law. Furthermore..." Vlad gave a slow shake of his head, his brows furrowed grimly. "You went against your word, Nancy. As you said, you both live or die together. Sister Mariah as your witness."
<<I-- I didn't mean to!>> Nancy begged, shaking his own head in denial. <<I didn't mean to absorb all of it! It-- It was an accident! I just wanted to buy us more time!>>
"You don't 'accidentally' take on one's entire Empowerment!" he growled. "Especially against a Mage like Nellie. Especially when you're not a Mage yourself." When the Oppressive Cold had dispelled, it was as instantaneous as a snap of one's fingers. There was no way Nellie managed to calm down that fast, to that degree. And there was no way Nancy could have taken on that much of it to where it was just GONE, without stealing the power entirely. "You told us you would only take it on, as necessary. And do so until death, which would result in a failure of the task as Nellie would have been put down to prevent her grief from causing destruction. Instead, by taking on her Empowerment in its entirety, you eliminated Nellie as a threat, thus eliminating the need to kill her. As for you, taking on Oppressive Cold in its entirety without specific protections is a guaranteed death sentence, Favor or not."

Arms folded, there was an air of disapproval as he glared down at Nancy. He let it marinate before dropping, "But you knew that, didn't you? You sacrificed yourself to guarantee Nellie lived. You misled us into agreeing to the plan, knowing you were willing and ready to send yourself to your own death to ensure success. Is that right? No, don't answer that; you gave away that you knew how this worked just now." He hadn't said how Nancy went against his word right off the bat. Instead of a demand of "how?!", Nancy denied the very thing Vlad explained after the fact.

Caught, Nancy curled in on himself, cheeks alight and flushing his blue scales lilac. <<I... I just wanted to save her,>> he lamented, tears splashing at his feet. <<I'm sorry. I wanted to do what I felt was right. Is that so wrong?>>
"Is that WRONG?!" Nellie hissed-- a true, snake-like hiss-- whirling on Nancy now. "You don't just get to decide to send yourself on a suicide mission!"
<<It's my life,>> he insisted, looking up at her. <<Do I not have a choice what to do with it?>>
"I-- you-- wh-- DO YOU NOT SEE THE PROBLEM HERE?!?"

"That's..." Vlad couldn't begin to get into that right now. "Nellie." He waved at her to calm down. "We'll discuss that later. For now..." Breathing another sigh, he looked down at Nancy. "Had I known your true intentions, I could have warned you that draining her Empowerment would defy the Goddess's Will. Instead?" He grew very, very serious as he told him in slowed words, "I guarantee you, Nancy, that after death, you wouldn't have woken up in Her arms. As Sister Mariah said, you'd be facing the Council for your crime." But she left one little thing out. "Defying a God's Will is among the most grievous of crimes a Favored could commit. Defying YOUR OWN God's Will is a spit in the face of the Deity who gave you your Favor. The punishment? Stripped Favor, and a sentence served away from the God you defied. In your case, your ONLY saving grace is the fact that the nature of the crime was not malicious. You'd likely be sent to a neutral plane, rather than one of suffering."

Vlad fought back a wince, seeing Nancy's reaction. Hands covering his mouth, trembling head to tail in horror. Nevertheless, it was an appropriate response. "Sister Mariah is right, Nancy. I cannot stress enough how fortunate you are that you have a chance of meeting your Goddess again. You got off EASY." Even if getting off easy meant being permanently severed in life. The punishment in full was to be severed for eternity. "As... questionable Elaina is, it can't be denied that she ensured the best possible outcome from this situation."

Shaking that thought away, Vlad told the twins, "Regardless, it's not my responsibility to teach you these things. Nancy, you had ample time to study the texts proper, before accepting Her Favor. Nellie..." Vlad didn't have a good answer here. Nellie had no interest in the Divine texts, so he couldn't have expected she'd known any of this. It seemed negligent on the Goddess's part to be bestowing Favor on an ex-follower. Nevertheless... "You also accepted Her Favor, knowing that you aren't educated in Law. Ignorance is not an excuse."
"It's a pretty damn good reason!" Nellie's barbels were curled, lips twitching. He could tell she was struggling not to bare her teeth at him. "I didn't ask for Favor! I didn't ask for any of this!"
"Irrelevant!" Vlad could get into the details of how both she and the Goddess had made mistakes, but he wouldn't. Nellie didn't need to be feeling sorry for herself. "You could have requested your Goddess hold off until you educated yourself! Or respectfully deny it! Or at the very least--" Vlad had to reel it in a bit, keeping the rumble out of his voice-- "do the ONE THING your Goddess ordered."

Nellie's seething picked up... then slowed down. "I... Fine. I... I accepted a responsibility I wasn't ready for." She nodded. "All of this is on me."
"Most of this." Vlad motioned to Nancy. His wailing, silent sobs behind his hands grew in intensity at the next words. "While your actions led up to this, the most grievous mistake had been Nancy's choice alone. He must be held accountable, as do you."
She immediately let out a growl. "He wouldn't have done that if not for me!" She glared at Mariah and Vlad respectively as she said, "Don't demand him to be grateful, and don't tell him he deserves this! He's been through enough!"
"STOP THIS!" he ordered, whiskers ticking. He was having trouble keeping his own fangs obscured. "Both of you, STOP! You HAVE to stop defending the actions of the other! It's exactly that why--" Abruptly, he huffed and shook his head. He definitely couldn't begin to get into that, either.
"... Why WHAT," Nellie demanded in a low tone, brewing rage flushing her fins. "Why WHAT, Vlad?"
"It's time for you to enact the Goddess's Will." Vlad told her resolutely, pointing towards the door. "She's waited long enough. Let's finish things."
Nellie took a step closer, head lowered to Vlad's eyeline. "WHY. WHAT?!"
Vlad took a step further. Unleashing his pearly fangs fully, he roared, "GO! FINISH! YOUR! TASK!"

Fins tucked down, Nellie shrunk back. Still, she glanced down at the weeping Nancy.
"We'll take care of him," he assured her through gritted teeth.
"Yes, you sure will. After saying all that and turning into him into a crying mess--"
"GO!!!"
As if bestowed Wind magic, that last roar sent Nellie flying through the Church doors. At last...

Clawed fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, he turned his attention to the rest. "Steven, thank you for imparting your knowledge. Mariah, comfort Nancy best you can. You have a gentler touch. I'll go get him some water." The Locathah had to have cried out half of his water content by now. Plus, hearing both him and the Goddess wailing in his ears was starting to get to him.


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

Steven the Deacon and Mariah the Watcher
Church​

Steven whistled. "Ya'd make a damn good leader, Vlad," Steven said to Vlad as he went to grab water, but Steven's focus was on Nancy. He wouldn't belabor the point. Steven didn't feel bad about Nancy's situation upon Vlad realizing that Nancy knew exactly what he did. Plus, Nancy did lie to them and got caught in said lie, then lied to the Angel appointed over them. "S'unfortunate," Steven told him. "There's rules to this, Nancy. We don't borrow someone's power to do our own thing." and we damn sure don't borrow their power to defy them, Steven thought. He'd been under Obris for a long time, and there were plenty of tasks that Obris put on his shoulders, but never did Steven feel like Obris was against him and what he wanted to do in his life. As long as Steven accomplished His will whenever those tasks popped up, Steven could do basically whatever he wanted within the rules of both Obris and Divinity Law. It was no different than enlisting to become a soldier.

He wasn't going to comfort Nancy. Nancy knew what he was doing, knew the crime he'd commit, and chose to do it. The pirates lived lives of harsh reality, harsh choices, and harsh consequences. He WOULD, however, go comfort Mariah who actually needed comforting. The Angel was trying to comfort Nancy, but Steven wouldn't allow it. He grabbed the Angel and pulled her aside into another room, leaving Nancy there alone.

Spoiler: The Deacon Watches the Watcher

Looking at her face, her own eyes were red. Steven just stood there while Mariah gained her composure. "You've been dealt quite the hand as an Angel, Mariah." Steven said to her, "A younger Goddess dual-hatting opposite elements, committing infractions to dote on Her children? 1 child not fit to wield it and the other ready to knowingly commit crimes under Divinity Law? And you gotta ADVISE this?"

Mariah's head jutted over to Steven at the words. "How'd you know the Goddess committed an infraction?"
"Nellie is really damn slothful about accomplishing Her will. It means the Goddess Empowered Nellie without Nellie asking. That shit doesn't fly either." Every single person who had been Empowered expressly asked to be Empowered. Demi, Evangeline, Laylah, and Nancy. All of them. Nellie did not. "Plus, Elaina saw through the Goddess from the getgo. She did say Nancy's blessing was Oppressed out of existence by a blessing given out of emotion."

As usual, Elaina was at least 5 steps ahead. Even the Watcher herself didn't know the Goddess committed an infraction from the getgo with Nellie's Daedric Empowerment. It was why Elaina was condescending to Nellie about her emotions under the Empowerment. "How did Elaina know this?"
Steven shrugged. "Hell if I know. That chick is smoking hot for having brains that big. She is absolutely a 10/10
Mariah smiled at this. Why was he saying any of this? "In looks?" Mariah was familiar with rating the attractiveness of people. It was........something she herself wasn't innocent of doing. She was honestly happy to be free from the restrictions of nunhood. She had more freedom as an Angel under Divinity Law than as a nun
"10/10 on the crazy/hot scale."
"Crazy/Hot Scale? I'm not familiar with what that is."
"There's a theory that as women get more attractive, the more likely they are to be crazy." Steven explained. Mariah had no idea where this was going, but it sounded absurd to her. "Now I ain't sayin' the theory is true, but............I mean look at Elaina and then realize that she is absolutely batshit insane." Steven emphasized the last 3 words by speaking them slowly but firmly. "Not the fun manic kind of insane that'll rock your world in bed. The complete utter insane where she'll manipulate an entire city of people for a year just to get a man who scorned her 9 years ago to be killed at the hands of his brother at the 10th anniversary of when he scorned her."

Mariah busted out laughing at Steven's over the top story. No way Elaina was THAT crazy. She was the smartest woman Mariah knew by a shot as long as the time they spent in the Null Realm, but Elaina wasn't so crazy as to do something like THAT. Plus, Steven's pirate lingo and general vulgarity were honestly hilarious. "I don't think that's true, Steven," Mariah said after another fit of laughing. "She has questionable morals, but that's just too much."
Steven liked to see that she had improved just a little. "You like Elaina, don't ya?"
"I do, and I hate that I do." It was mostly due to the time they spent together overnight with the Blight. Hell, maybe even before it when Elaina was lockpicking and breaking/entering Eden's Door. To the eyes of Mariah, Elaina had a sense of thrill, danger, and mystery about her that the Watcher could only be attracted to, yet such a commanding presence as well with words backed with such a level of intellect that they required adherence and cooperation lest you find yourself in an immensely painful yet totally avoidable predicament if you don't.
"Hey, that's your choice Mariah," Steven said, "Elaina actually listens to you though, so..........Who knows? I'll be keeping my distance."
Mariah chuckled at this, but felt something come over her. "But why are you telling me this? Lady Elaina is a witch and they're not allowed in Divine Ranks."

"Because the topic of Elaina actually brings you some sort of calm in this shitshow," Steven said. He'd done all this really to just distract Mariah from the bleakness. She was the only innocent one here, the biggest victim of that whole mess. Mariah didn't choose the Goddess. "You got a ton on your plate too soon. A rule-breaking Nancy, a Nellie who can't do shit for herself, and a Goddess who'd commit infractions and give out Divine Favor/Empowerments just because Nellie is one of her last 2." Steven wasn't exactly shit-talking Mariana but it wasn't like she'd hear him anyways with her wailing. "Just calm it down. They know you don't hate them. You've got to be direct and firm. All you have to fall back on are the rules the Goddess has you following, and then Divinity Law. The facts are on your side. If they hate you for telling them, let them hate you. Do. NOT. Break the rules even for a loved one like Nancy. DO NOT be complacent or accept a task you can't or don't want to do like Nellie. DO NOT recommend someone for Divine Favor without checking them thoroughly like the Goddess. DO NOT allow the Goddess to do something that violates Divinity Law. DO NOT let your love for someone lead you astray. You will end up like those 3."

With those words, Mariah couldn't anymore. Her legs got wobbly and the dam of distress finally broke for her. Mariah broke down crying and Steven hugged her to be her shoulder.

"This is too much, Steven!" Mariah wailed loudly, knowing that if anyone would listen to her, it was Steven. Lady Elaina, as attracted to her as Mariah was, wouldn't want to hear this. "Everything! Nancy, Nellie, Goddess, the demon, the skeletons, the nobles, fighting for my life, serving a church that's committed those atrocities behind our backs!" That was what hurt her the most. The Church she devoted her life to. The God she chose who was SILENT this entire time and then passed her off. Steven had to guide her to the ground, wings drooping to the floor as Mariah's face poured tears. "This Church was my HOME! This Church was my LIFE! My life was a LIE, Steven!" She'd been keeping it in, but it had to absolutely awful to see everything that happened in the underbelly of the faithful life and path she'd been walking for over 200 years. "It HURTS!! The children we took care of DEAD. The nuns we taught and trained, Chastity stolen and them EXPERIMENTED on. It HURTS!!" Not even to mention those they will have to bury from them dying from the skeletons. "Tell me I didn't stay vigilant for 200 years for THIS! I don't deserve to be in the ranks of the Watchers when I couldn't see this."

Steven sighed. Yeah, she drew the shortest stick possible, he thought. "The Goddess may have fucked up here, but She didn't fuck up in choosing you to be Her Watcher," Steven told the crying Angel, "Shit'll get better. It'll be hard to get over, but it'll eventually pass just like the Goddess's bum-ass storm that's keeping me from returning to my crew."
That quip made Mariah choke on laughing in her crying. Steven's humor was the most welcome thing in her life right now. "I'm trying to cry."
"Go ahead and let it out," Steven said, "You got clergy to lead and children to take care of. At least for now, I gotcha here."
"I really appreciate it..........." she said with a sniffle. "We have food if you're hungry."
Steven laughed. In the midst of bawling her eyes out, Mariah still worries about him. "200 year old crazy ass recipes. Guess I'm in." Steven was running on fumes. Mana potions were NOT a supplement for calories (the primary source for mana regeneration. It was why magic-users were hungry all the time). "Just........don't worry about me, Mariah. Fuck the twins and their Goddess. Worry about yourself while here. When you step out that door, it's business again."

With that, Steven knew he'd be here at the Church all night tonight. He'd tell Jack about ol' boy Fish when he got back. Would he be mad at Nancy? Nah, Jack didn't do this divine shit. The most understanding one had to be someone agnostic like Jack. He'd talk to Jack tonight, but the Torrential Hurricane was messing up the signal


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overnight​

Basenjis

The Basenji fleet threw up their Magic Shields to protect from the buffeting of the Torrential Hurricane. It worked like a charm as overnight, the shields maintained integrity. It was a high energy end to a high energy blood festival to finally end the demon. The pirates went to bed in a drunken stupor to the raging sounds of the hurricane rolling outside, alcohol and exhaustion driving them into complete hibernation mode. Even those cursed with insomnia and the astraphobic would be forced to sleep after all this.

• Sebas was sleeping peacefully holding his daughter. He had tried communing with the Goddess to no avail. He couldn't be heard while she was wailing, so he just went to sleep
• Demi lay tossing and turning in night, and this was after Lattice had to hit her with a sleep spell to make her sleep. This meant that Lattice herself stayed awake by Demi's side trying to provide as much comfort as she could physically but it seemed to only marginally help. Lattice yawned, sleepy from how much mana she used, but feeling duty-bound to be awake if Lady Demestral got too restless
• Ash was out in a drunken snorefest. Mama Bear was drunk herself from taking on some of Ash's alcohol to prevent the woman from alcohol poisoning with how much she drank. The duo slept as usual, Ash foregoing the bed to sleep against her ferocious yet fluffy companion in a drunken stupor.

Spoiler: The Operation Prepares

Avery was wide awake. As was Elaina who took a dose of Reset after replaying the memory to Dr. Laylah of her using it to save Nancy in order to convince her. As was Kersact and his entire crew of thieves. "The operation is simple. As soon as the storm subsides, we will use the cover of the night to ransack as much as possible," Avery said to them, "Do NOT enter a house populated with too many people, only engage in self defense and prioritize remaining unseen than grabbing loot. You may use any spell or move to incapacitate so long as it doesn't cause harm." Tranq/Sleep, Paralysis, Mute, Blind, Deafen
"'ere that boys?" Kersact told his boys, now business-like and official. Now that his mind had settled a bit from leaving the vault, Kersact could think somewhat more clearly. SOMEWHAT. He was still an old man with a life of thievery and killing underfoot. "We thiefin' but we can't be killin' yes?"
The thief crew muttered their acknowledgement.
"Been too long since ole Kersact gets 'ta thief," the master thief said with a wide grin, "Boys, ya break rules, ya gets da blade, yes?"
More acknowledgement.
"I'll be feeding you all information," Elaina told them, "and I got a really good enhancement for you." Her eyes began to glow green and she became surrounded by a well of energy as she cast the spell over everyone present. "It's called Soul Suppression. Unless someone is looking directly at you, they can't feel your presence."
"It's like the ole Lurk skill, yes?"
"It synergizes with Lurk."

• Lurk- A spell that makes one harder to detect if not detected. Very basic, but Kersact has it Honed to Perfection
• Honed to Perfection- Do you know that concept of a high level firemage using a basic fireeball and it hitting like he just threw 10 sticks of dynamite? That is Honed to Perfection. Taking a Basic level spell and using it to its uppermost potential. It comes from YEARS of use and application. It's how someone can use a basic spell that hits like an Advanced level

"Are we ready?"
"Aye. Crew 'n me ready," Kersact responded, sheathing his knife.

Toron

The people of Toron had a tumultuous evening. The Torrential Hurricane from the Goddess weathering their already battered or destroyed buildings didn't do them any favors. Anyone who wasn't in a building by now died in the storm, smacked around by debris or just blown away by the torrent. Destruction on buildings were continued, as if the forces of the skeletons and then Nellie's Oppressive Cold weren't enough. They simply weren't built for a natural disaster of divine scale. The various guild HQs, the Kitsune stores, and the castles were the only truly safe places in this storm. The rest of them were subject to damage, and if they were already damaged, it caused more damage.

• Vespera lived in a manor away from the city, so her dwelling was safe as it hadn't taken any damage. That being said, Vespera couldn't sleep due to the event that had just transpired
• Arnold Asella's manor was damaged, so he had to take shelter in the Stoneroses HQ which was also used as a refugee shelter
• GP was forced to take shelter in an abandoned destroyed building, so he took the brunt of the elements
• Efi was such an effective seamstress that she had sealed her dwelling completely from the storm.

Meanwhile, the castle was subject to the wrath of the Goddess. When it was time, the storm would either subside or condense on the castle specifically, and Nellie would begin completing the Goddess's will to destroy the castle and bring to Kraiven/Toron a new era. Nellie was either:

Nellie's Attack Options:

• Overcompensating- Nellie goes all in with a ferocity that couldn't be matched, definitely with emotion involved and using up every bit of mana given to her with her Daedric Empowerment. The Kitsune Twins? Frozen with an Oppressive tough. The Kitsune Parents? No match for the Goddess's wrath along with her Torrential Hurricane The only life left alive would be the King himself, who is to be paraded as a head to soon be taken off via guillotine
  • Advantage: Full accomplishment of the Goddess's Will down to the word
  • Disadvantage: Nancy and Nellie both will be branded as traitors to the crown, an assistant to the pirate invaders
• Underachieving- Nellie finds that despite what she thinks about the Crown, she doesn't want to be the one to kill them. This means that Nellie destroyed the castle and killed those whom only she herself had expressed scorn for, giving the rest a chance to leave. Doing what she thinks is just enough to fulfill the Goddess's will. With the Goddess unable to see them in her wailing, Nellie can fly low to both the Goddess and the Crown
  • Advantage: Nellie gets to lay low, only killing those who know she's the assaulter
  • Disadvantage: This leaves important/corrupt aristocracy in place at Toron

WayfaringWaaksian

 

[WayfaringWaaksian]

A Rowdy Night

Wishing to put aside his grief for just a while, Fergie reminded Bogrum of his wish to live the lives they put on the line as pirates. So they did that in the only way fitting for pirates: they got absolutely roaring drunk.
Well, one did, anyway. Bogrum had gone through four pints, and was feeling a pleasant buzz. Fergie had gone through 12 ounces, and could barely keep herself off the bar.

"Oi, Ash!" She waved her way... kind of? A very haphazard, flimsy wave. "Six skulls! Did ye cat' that? One, two, three, four, five, six!" She counted them on her fingers, ring and pinkie finger unable to coordinate and having to be lifted up twice in a row. "Crushed 'em with this 'ere bum-ass clanker! Beat that, bi--WAAGH!" Her attempt to kick said clanker in emphasis would have resulted in her falling off her stool and hitting her head on the bar, had Bogrum lacked the diligence to catch her. "Oh, hullo." Folding her arms behind her head, she used Bogrum's arm as a very comfy cushion. "Come 'round 'ere often?"
"I think that's enough for you." With his free arm, he scooted her second drink on his other side before she could attack it.
"Psh, nah, don't need that shit." Fergie retrieved a hand so she could wave it dismissively. Said hand rose to pat Bogrum's boxy shoulder. "Not when I gots a nice, tall glass right 'ere."
"Uh..." That was... something.

"Get a room!" The surrounding pirates were bemused by this display. "Or at least try to flirt better than a 12 year old!"
"Nah, nah, I ain't flritin'! Flirtrin'! Uh... that word!" She crossed her arms over her chest, looking very assured of her words. "Just speakin' facts, mate."
"Speak any more facts, and we'll be learnin' more about you and Bogrum than we'd wanna hear.

The resulting guffaws numbed Bogrum's brain. Should he put a stop to this, or let this continue? This isn't going to help the rumors...
"Ey! What we do ain't none o' ye's business!" She pointed an accusing finger. "Maxwell, swear to god, don't ye EVER bring this dumb shit up again, ye 'ere?! That's an order!"
"YOU brought it up!"
"5 DAYS IN THE BRIG, LOCK 'IM UP!!"

More laughs. It was all in good fun, given everyone was all grins. Everyone but Bogrum. I think I'm done for tonight. "You'd better head off now, Fergie."
"Wha-- Nuh-uh! We just started!"
"Two hours ago." Not giving her the option, Bogrum downed the drink and guided Fergie off the stool. "Come on. Raid Captain need her rest."
She protested with many, many swats to his arm. "I don't wanna! Don't take me away from me LIFE! THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR, BITCH!" All while allowing him to lead her across the Mess, stumbling on her own boots and kept upright by leaning on his side.
"Damn, yer a stick-in-the-mud, Bogrum!"
"Be sure to give her a goodnight kiss for me!"
Bogrum sighed.

Spoiler: The Have-Not's Remorse

Vladimir Hochmut​

When Vlad returned with the drink in hand, seeing Mariah and Steven nowhere with Nancy sprawled across a pew in hysterics, he heaved yet another sigh. I shouldn't have pawned him off to her, he thought regretfully. To be honest, he just didn't want to deal with this. After all this, Sister Mariah shouldn't be the one to put up with this oxshit. She had faced the reality of the Church-- her life-- all under the span of a day, after all.

Thus began a long, long night of trying to console Nancy into calm. Well over an hour passed with very little improvement, and Vlad was beginning to see why Nellie was so resistant to the idea of Nancy confronting his mistakes. Vlad knew Nellie to be resistant to criticism, deflecting off at everyone and everything, until she finally faced the fact that she was to blame. After a bout of self-deprecation, she'd come to her senses and promise improvement. But Nancy? When he could manage it despite shaky hands, every single thing that he signed was ferociously self-loathing. Not once did he pawn off responsibility, which was good. But he took it so far in the other extreme that Vlad had refused to leave his side again. Nancy had been willing to throw away his life while having the Blessing and Favor of his long-lost Goddess. After losing all of that by his own doing, Vlad was certain that he wanted to take a dagger to his throat now more than ever. He couldn't trust him to not be a danger to himself at this time.

It broke his heart. It really did. Vlad loved Nancy dearly, like a brother. Which was why he was so absolutely PISSED at him for doing this, because now, he had to see Nancy at his worst. Vlad didn't know how to approach this; he was used to shouting sense back into the stubborn Nellie, not coaxing self-loathing out of an inconsolable Nancy.

For Gods' sake... Vlad's tail was lashing against the pew where he sat, hunched over his laced hands. Nancy was STILL crying, not full-on wailing, but weeping continuously behind his hands. It's over! It's done! Just face it and MOVE ON ALREADY! Huffing through his nose, he shook his head at himself. Don't judge him. You made an informed, calculated decision. You had years to prepare for it. Nancy did this on a whim, and is paying for it all at once. Mariah was a saint. How did she manage to hold herself together watching Nancy AND hearing the Goddess wailing?

The battle between sympathy and anger continued in his mind, but to his later shame, the latter finally won out when Nancy stood up from the pew. He began to pad down the runway, towards the doors.
"Where do you think you're going?"
<<Away.>>
"Will you just listen to me?" Vlad hissed, lips twitching.
<<No! Just stop, Vlad!>> Nancy flipped around to face him, tail lashing behind him. <<I don't deserve to be comforted! I deserve to suffer for this! I'm... I...>> Tears poured like streams down his face. <<I'm terrible!>>
"You're not--"
<<Worse than terrible, I'm WORTHLESS!!>> Futilely, he wiped them away with a violent flick of his arm. When it drew back, Vlad could see rage screwed on his face. He knew it wasn't directed at him. <<I DO deserve to be dead and taken away, never to be seen again! I'm a disgrace! Everyone would be so much better off if I was GONE, so you wouldn't have to deal with me! How could any of you still love me, after this?!>>
Tension snapping in his mind, Vlad growled and whirled towards him, shouting with snarling teeth, "If you were so TERRIBLE, I. WOULDN'T. BE. HERE!! None of us would have been! I'm putting my own grief on hold to be with you through this! Mariah put her grief and Angel duties on hold for you! Your sister, who you hit, screamed at, and so callously expected to just ACCEPT you running towards your own death, is still putting all that aside to defend you to the ends of the earth!" He swept a paw upwards at the storm that slammed the roof. "And your Goddess, the Goddess you defied the will of, STILL grieves for you as we speak! So do NOT sit here and tell ME that you don't deserve love, when everyone here has given it to you TENFOLD!!"
Nancy was rendered completely silent, tears still brewing in his eyes.
Go ahead. Cry some more. See if I fucking care!
But to his surprise, Nancy remained silent, his labored breaths calming. Not a full calm, but worlds away from where they started at. Through the glaze of despair over his bloodshot eyes, a moment of clarity shone. <<I'm... I'm sorry.>> Head lowered apologetically, Nancy trudged back to his seat, wiping and sniffing his nose. <<You're right. I'm sorry. You're all... so wonderful. Thank you. I'm not meaning to act so ungrateful. I just...>> The sobs bubbled up again, soft and quiet, his hands cradling his head until he could compose himself enough to sign, <<I finally had something good happen to me, and-- and I squandered it! Not even a day after! I brought shame to my Goddess, and now my sister's blaming herself for all of this! I just wanted to fix everything! But all I did was make things WORSE!!>> His sobbing ramped up, but he got a hold of himself when he bit his lip and shook his head. <<I-- I feel like I just proved my father right! That all I'll ever do is bring shame to my family! I lost my one chance to prove myself, and I failed! I... so how can I not feel like a failure? How can I not HATE myself?!>>

Vlad breathed again, ribs aching from the tightness of his chest. Finally, some progress. "You did fail." Reaching over, Vlad took his hand in his paw. Instead of a gentle cradle, he held it firm. "But YOU are not a failure. You made a terrible mistake, but YOU are not terrible." Tears still fell down his flushed cheeks, but Nancy looked intently at his face. He had his full attention. "Divine Law doesn't punish based on a person's goodness or lack of thereof. It punishes to uphold Order in the world. So don't take this punishment to mean that you're a bad person. Just a flawed one. And we're all flawed, Nancy."

Nancy began to nod in understanding, but then turned his head down, gently taking his hand back. <<It feels like I'm more flawed than most.>>
"You certainly made a more costly mistake than most. But such is the nature of playing with Favor." He raised his free paw. "I won't start to justify anything you did. You broke the Law, you lied to us, and hurt us with your lack of concern for yourself. But you can make up for it, and you can atone for it. Just like I'll have to."
Frowning deeply, guilt strained Nancy's face. <<I'm sorry. I've been sitting here, feeling sorry for myself, when you're going through the same thing.>>
"True. But I've already accepted my actions. You have a ways to go." He tapped the Locathah's shoulder. "That shame you feel? That guilt? Those are healthy emotions. You know you've done wrong. But don't turn them against yourself. Don't use them to destroy your resolve." Vlad sat up straight, barrel chest puffed and proud. "You have a lot of guile to defy Law, Nancy. But instead? Defy your demons. Defy your father's voice in your head, telling you that you're worth nothing. Use this failure to locate your weaknesses, and strengthen them. Work towards the man you want to be, instead of resigning yourself to the man you see yourself as now. Improve yourself like you always have, since I met you."
With those last words, inspiration glistened in Nancy's eyes. Though he was still meek as he said, <<I wouldn't know where to begin. I just... I feel like I don't deserve to even try. That I SHOULD just suffer and stagnate.>>
That... explains a lot, Vlad thought with a sinking heart. "You owe it to yourself to improve. But if you can't try for yourself, Nancy? Try for us. Try for your Goddess, and your sister. You owe it to them, too."

Spoiler: The Have's Regret

Nellie Noi​

Fury throbbed in her heart so heavily, Nellie couldn't tell if the roar in her ears was from her water current, the buffeting storm around her, or her rushing blood.
"Took it upon himself"...
She ground her teeth, tail lashing behind her as she picked up speed.
"Played a part in this"... what, he is SUPPOSED to control my emotions?!
The Library came into hazy view, standing pristine just as she had left it.
I'm the one who killed three people, yet HE deserves punishment?!
With a blast of water, she slammed the doors open, screeching to a halt in the entryway. "TWINS!" she declared in a shrill voice. "Your inaction regarding the assault on Kraiven has resulted in countless needless deaths! By hoarding your power to protect only your business, that makes you no better than the King hoarding his men! For that, Goddess Mariana demands your deaths!"

It was hardly a battle. The sister? Eviscerated to bloody mist in the Abyssal force of her Water blast. The brother? Frozen to the core, then smashed into millions of fragments upon the floor. She took no pleasure in it. Nellie was always fond of the Kitsune family, and ensured their deaths were quick and with minimal pain. It wasn't quick enough for her to miss the look of horror upon the brother's face, watching his sister be reduced to nothing. It jabbed ice shards in Nellie's heart. But she knew not to defy the Goddess's Will, as Law was Law.
Law is Law--
"AAAAAAAAAAAAGGHH!!!"

The Kitsune Parents' deaths came even quicker. A flash freeze immediately upon entering the Roasted Bean Cafe. The mother cleaning mugs with a rag, the father counting coins and marking numbers through his reading glasses, frozen in statues. They were shattered from a hard swipe of her tail.
"HE DOESN'T DESERVE THIS!!"

Nellie flew out the doors, rocketing up and straight towards the castle. A bold tower reaching for the Gods above, as if their haughty demands deserved Their attention. She would render it to ice and dust.
"HE'S BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH!!"
With the pressure of all the water at the deepest point of the Trench, Nellie blew a hole into its glimmering stone surface. All in the way were turned to mist in the air. The rest staggered back, fleeing and screaming as they garnered the sense to escape.
"ALL THAT WORK UNDONE! HE'LL NEVER STOP HATING HIMSELF NOW!"
Nellie thinned her Water Blast into a Water pressure washer, cutting thin streaks all around her. Arms and legs were sliced through, bodies gutted, heads removed. Blood and terror stung in her nose, and her pulse thrummed all the more.
"I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS, GODDESS! I ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS! I SAID I WAS UNWORTHY!"
Ice Shards became Ice Fragments, shooting with the speed of bullets. She peppered everyone in sight, and let them bleed slowly.
"THIS IS WHY I LEFT YOU!! I DIDN'T WANT TO BE MADE YOUR PAWN!!"
Sacrament, Crimson, Noble, Royal. All were bodies to her. All became bodies in her wake.
"YOU HAD ONE CHANCE TO PROVE ME WRONG!!!"

Morning

A golden sun peaked over the land of Kraiven for the third time in 200 years. The snowy mountain tops in the distance were touched with a soft orange, visible now through the dispelling ice storm. The new ice storm? Brewing around the remains of the castle, now a mountain in its own right. A ruined mess of broken stone and ice, grand ballrooms and banquet halls flattened to rubble. No person, artifact, or treasure remained intact, save for one. Dragged out of the remains of the throne room, the 10 foot giant was laid sprawled out and unconscious near the peak. Broken and bloodied, frostbite discoloring the tips of his huge fingers, his only sign of life was ragged, frosty breath. On the peak stood Nellie, tail coiled around its tapered tip like a Dragon resting over her hoard.

"My Goddess," she breathed, body quivering from lingering adrenaline as it settled in her bloodstream. "It is done. I carried out Your Will." From between the mountain peaks, the sun glared through, touching her nose with warm light that slowly trickled down. Warmth that left cold streaks on her cheeks.

"I'm sorry!" she wailed, falling to her hands. "I'm so sorry, my Goddess! You granted me forgiveness, and this is how I repay You?!" Weakness numbed her limbs, her power and anger drained. "I've brought shame to Your name, Goddess. I've brought shame to my family..."


---

When Vlad awoke, it was to his own surprise. Having remained dutifully awake to ensure Nancy was only alone in sleep, his mind had been racing, trying to process the aftermath of everything. He wasn't the sort to cry, so no tears were shed. Any energy he had to spare was not wasted on a violent rampage on the useless rubble outside. All Vlad could do was... think. Events played in his mind, and replayed. He envisioned other actions, other results, what-if's and what-should-have's. He did so until exhaustion took him.

So when the daylight met his eyes, he blinked and yawned widely, checking to see if everything was still in its place. Beside him was no Nancy, an empty cup of water sitting in his place. The blanket given to warm him up was now wrapped over Vlad's body. Stretching up, to his relief he saw that Nancy hadn't gone far. Kneeling before the alter, Nancy sat motionless, save for his tail tip's thoughtful ticking.
"Nancy?"
His head swiveled to look his way. The expression was hard to read, but maybe that was just the film of sleep over Vlad's eyes. <<Yes?>>
"Hm..." Vlad pulled himself upright, fluffing his flattened mane. "Surprised either of us got any rest." Well, less so with Nancy, with how much crying he did. Though the Locathah's eyes were still red and tired, now that he was approaching, Vlad could make out his muted features. Relaxed, with a bit of anxiety, as was his typical. "How are you holding up?"
Nancy smiled a sad smile. That serene veil was just that, hiding the turmoil that rolled on behind it. <<The only thing holding me together is knowing that I'm not the only one suffering.>>
Relief soothing his tight muscles, Vlad gave an approving nod. Good. That's the kind of selflessness I need to see from you. "Do you know where Mariah is?"
<<I don't. And I haven't looked for her.>> He sighed, casting his gaze down. <<I wanted to leave her be. Give her space, after...>> Nancy trailed off, but Vlad knew the only answer could be "everything". Looking back up at Vlad, he asked, <<When's the last time you ate? I can't remember when I last did.>>
"Ah..."
That was enough for him. <<Come on.>> He tugged the blanket off of Vlad, folding it into a neat square before setting it on the pew. <<Let's get some energy back in you. We gotta eat to live again, remember?>>


Kylesar1

 

[Kylesar1]

The Goddess to Nellie

"You did well, my child. With every drop of the Abyss, you have dragged them to where I will judge them myself." The voice of the Goddess appeared in Nellie's head. "Make your way back to the Church and tell Mariah that I am making my appearance in person to stake ownership over my new city. I will reward you for carrying out my Will despite the mistakes I have made." That was an acknowledgement that there was some self-reflection in the mind of the Goddess. "I want to tell you that I am sorry. My sorrow at Nancy's actions unfortunately doesn't keep him from punishment. I am bound by Divinity Law to inflict punishment as he was aware of the Law, yet I will reward him protecting you all the same." This told Nellie that Nancy definitely would've gotten a pardon if it were up to Her. Divinity Law was not up to Her though.

"We will speak more in person." Nellie could sense that the Goddess was already on Earth and relatively close. Every follower of a God could tell when that God was appearing on Earth. Mariana came to Earth around the time that the storms stopped in full, about a quarter of the way through Nellie's rampage. Then again, Nellie may have been too focused on her fierce rampage to sense it.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avery Valencia
The Canine- Command Wing- Conference Room​

"Men, good job," Avery told the crew before him. "In those terrible conditions, we got out mostly everything." It actually made things a lot easier. Under the cover of the night, the terrible weather conditions, and then Nellie's rampage, they could've walked around in the open and not get caught.
"And nice job looting the library and castle archives," Elaina complimented, "Didn't expect the Goddess to make Nellie kill the Twins and parents too, but I'm glad she did." The Kitsune had access to a literal library of information and the castle had its own public library and information archive not known to the public.

Elaina grabbed one of the books. "This is the Spirit Tome. I'm gonna copy it and give it to Adonis. I'm keeping the original," Elaina said, eyes salivating at the thoughts of knowledge to be gleamed from it. No way in hell was Adonis getting that book. Not an original anyways. "Nellie and the Goddess were vital in the success of this operation just like Nancy and the Goddess were vital in getting the Church running." The Goddess was a power piece to Elaina, Her children pawns. Adonis wanted items, he got items.

Kersact nodded furiously. As the master thief, he got a good cut of the loot stolen for leading the crew. Avery wanted weapon relics, Elaina the knowledge. Any old books and duplicates could be sold for gold.

Sebas Deadeye
Sebas's Quarters​

Sebas woke up with a yawn he immediately had to quiet as he remembered that Ora had slept in bed with him last night. His bones ached and he was sore from head to toe. The various cuts he took stung and his shoulders hurt from swinging his blade a ton. They got a knock on the door which woke up Orabelle and caused Sebas to groan at the thought of getting out of bed. "Coming!" he called groggily

Slowly but surely, he made his way to the door to open it. What he saw though made his eyes widen and shook off any and all. Standing there was none other than Dr. Laylah standing rigid and official, hands clasp in front of her, wings out yet folded. "Good morning, Sebas," Laylah said with a genuine smile, then she turned and stepped aside. This revealed 2 figures: Goddess Herself holding the hand of Lostrogret

The Goddess stepped forward. "We meet in person," Mariana said with a nod

Spoiler: The Goddess Makes Good (Mostly Filler)

Sebas looked back and Ora was kneeled already, having not made a sound. Sebas looked at the Goddess. "You've been crying," Sebas said bluntly. Clearly this was the case given that, despite the Goddess appearing as a Triton woman, she was no harder to read than someone like Orabelle
"Raise your head, my faithful child." Ora immediately stood up and grabbed Sebas's hand, looking at the Goddess in awe. "A series of unfortunate events transpired," Mariana responded sorrowfully, "But I won't make another mistake." She looked down at Lostro and nodded. Letting her hand go, Lostro stepped forward. "Thus ends my end of the deal. Now you must uphold yours."
Sebas fought some extreme emotion when Lostro took his right hand with Ora on his left. This is what he asked for, Lostro to be revived and purged of that demon's influence

"I understand," Sebas nodded, beckoning them in to which they entered, Goddess first then Laylah last who closed the door behind them. "For the record, Goddess," Sebas said, "While I may accept a double dose of your Divine Favor, I don't do that divine shit." He needed Daedric Divine Favor for Lostro. "You have 2 girls dedicated to your Will. In your eyes, I am but a catalyst or handler for these girls."
"I understand," Mariana responded with a sad bow of her head. "I....... I acted hastily in regards to my Locathah twins and it has caused damage to one of them. I will not make that mistake again." Mariana stood up straight. "Sebas! Time to appoint!"
"ORDER!" Laylah yelled out. While this order would reverberate across the entire ship, those were the only. "The Goddess will speak now."

"After my failure, I have resolved myself to do better," Mariana said softly. It would explain why the storm finally cleared somewhat into the night. "I made a promise and I will keep to it. Regardless, Sebas you were pulled into my ranks against my will by making yourself her guardian, and despite your lack of desire to serve me as my follower, you took to the role fully and rigidly, being a father this girl has come to love." The Goddess took it as an opportunity and was really surprised how Sebas took to it. Begrudgingly, but never did he make Ora feel like anything less than his daughter. "........Then to go out of your way to even summon an ancient demon to save the soul of the one you served as the father figure for before my child here, It is a level of vigilance, ambition, and love that I desire in my ranks. For you to offer yourself to me in exchange to making this child whole again, it is a drop in the ocean for much to gain. Now, kneel before me."

Sebas, for the first time ever actually bowed before a being, Goddess Mariana. He kept his Holy Divine Favor pretty much sealed based on that by keeping him from being a full follower and now that was over. The 2 girls bowed before the Goddess beside Sebas. "Sebas, these girls are your daughters and my faithful followers. Orabelle represents my benevolence and mercy. The power to heal, mend, smite, and spread good both above and below the waves. You have adhered strictly to my Divine Favor, studied and adhered to my text, smited many enemies in my name, and communed with me on the regular, even pulling your father into it. Orabelle, for such vigilance and love you show for me, you will be rewarded in kind." Mariana drew close to Orabelle and touched the girl's ear. More specifically, the flower brooch she kept in her hair. "I will empower this. How? Well I will allow you to explore that yourself." At Mariana's touch, the brooch glowed and then morphed into the shape of a shell

Orabelle's face was a waterfall of tears. "This is more than I deserve, my Goddess," she barely managed to get out through stifling herself from a full blown sob. "I thank you for your gracious reward and words of gratitude."
"Continue the good work." Then she stepped over to Sebas's right side. "You, Lostrogret, are new to my ranks. You will have my Daedric. The power to curse, destroy, and enforce. Use it to destroy those who stand against me, your sister, and your father."
"Uhhh y-yeah. Yes, Goddess." Lostro was a pirate, not religious like Ora. She had no understanding of what was happening beyond that this Goddess brought her back to life and that she would see Sebas again because of this Goddess. "Sorry, but I don't know what to do here."
Mariana laughed. "I understand your confusion child, but that is why your father here will guide you. Lift your head."
Lostro did so and Mariana made the inscription of the Daedric in front of her eyes. "I bestow onto you my Divine Favor. Gaze into the Abyss. When it gazes back, find my light within."
"I........."
Mariana laughed again. "No need," she said in mirth then she held out her hand, in which Laylah placed 2 vials full of a translucent grey liquid. Then she held out one to Sebas and Lostro. "Take. Drink."
They did so. "With this, it is Ordained. Lostrogret, a drop from the Abyss." It was actually a drop of Mariana's blood, but She wouldn't tell a child that. Plus, since she ruled the Abyss, it wasn't technically a lie. "To Sebas, my Ordination of Fatherhood. With this, you are the biological father of both Lostrogret and Orabelle. You will be judged as both father and guide to these girls."

Finally she stepped over in front of Sebas. "You, the father. Accept my Daedric as well. With Orabelle gravitating to your left and Lostrogret to your right, you will become in my image. Half-Holy and Half-Daedric, these 2 halves equal in strength to my full Divine Favor." So Sebas had both Holy and Daedric but both at half power. Mariana had Sebas look up and she took her left hand and made the symbol for Holy in front of Sebas's left eye, then with her right the symbol of Daedric in front of his right eye. "I will restrict your usage of the magics, only able to imbue your attacks with them. You will, however, be able to empower and restrict your daughters' power including full blown sealing. If they need to be empowered, you are the one who will ask for them. You are indeed their catalyst and handler, their checks and balances, their guardian and disciplinarian. Their FATHER. In that regard, you will serve the same role as an Angel while keeping your life here on earth."
Sebas smirked from his bowed position. Whatever the hell happened, it had to be related to the mistake and wailing, the damaged child she just talked about. "Aye. I will keep my daughters, your followers, in check. I will keep them on the right path, studying and following your rules, and punish them harshly should they step out of line."
"I will give you full knowledge of my rules and Divinity Law. Use it to guide your daughters, my followers, to me."
"I will not fail, my Goddess." Sebas said, almost gagging at using that term. He was happy that he was getting full knowledge of the rules and Divinity Law though. He was NOT about go reading that shit any more. He already had to study her sacred text as it is.

"I expect great things. You will serve as my first Divine Catalyst, a medium between me and my children. Now, on your feet!"
The 3 stood. "End formalities."
"So sayeth the Goddess." Laylah declared, "From the High Heavens!......."
"........Down to the Deepest Deep, the meeting sleeps." Sebas and Ora responded, with Lostro looking confused.
"Dismissed!"

Demestral Asella
Mess Hall​

Demi had a horrible sleep and didn't want to drag herself out of bed. Lattice slept at the side of the bed. She had permission to sleep in the bed with her, but Lattice was sensitive about that. "Maids can't sleep in bed with their masters unless expressly ordered to, and.....if I may, it would be uncomfortable to do so even if ordered," Lattice had told her once before in the far past.

Demi had made her way to the Mess Hall. She was late in getting up, and sorrow hit at her when she saw the state of the Mess Hall. People were there but every decibel lower than usual was a thorn in her heart and a reminder of the crusade they went on that cost them dearly. A double barb to her heart, Demi was looking and feeling rough, eyes red from crying. "Lady Demestral, I could bring your meal back to your room," Lattice suggested.
"I'm fine, Lattice. I'll order Quincy's food. Take it to him, will you?"
"Of course."
"Thank you. I will await your return and order for you."
"You don't have to do any-"
"I know," Demi said, cutting her maid off. "I can't do this song and dance this morning, Lattice." Demi's mind was just not in reassuring Lattice today. "I love you and I appreciate you. Please just accept what I give you with grace."
Lattice stepped back at the soft reprimand and bowed her head. "My apologies, Lady Demestral," she said, "I didn't mean to seem ungrateful."
"I understand. Just............" Demi had to rack her brain for this. "Henceforth, let's not have this conversation. Please, Lattice. I want you around, but I truly don't want to be reminded of this every time I seek to break that social notion."
"..............." Lattice thought for only a moment. "I understand, Lady Demestral. I love you too and it bring me endless joy to finally serve you in my fullest capacity."
"Thank you, Lattice. Sorry if I seem out of it or out of my typical mood."
"No, Lady Demestral," Lattice was quick to reassure her. "These aren't typical circumstances. When you order Quincy's food, I will deliver it to him immediately."

Demi was a bit fidgety. She had to confront Adonis per the Dragon Supreme Elewynn. Demi was pissed about what he did to Quincy, and while she wasn't usually the confrontational type, she was also never the type to shy away. She just needed a witness. A reliable one so that she do so without being branded as a rat.

WayfaringWaaksian