Fandom Faerie Core - In Character Thread

[Karyra]

Ehb EbonChevalier Emiya Shin

---

Akane watched the ice sail over to the cart... and turn into slush immeduateky upon contact. Well, it was kind of progress. The yells of both Ruka and Hoshino kept Akane from dwelling on the failed spell. Another failure on her part. Akane winced not in pain, but in her own incompetence.

Once the cart had started to settle and slow Akane managed to walk back up the group. Even while cheerful, Hoshino's praise felt hollow, knowing Akane failed both times she'd tried to help. She put her hands on the cart preparing to push, when the fruit vendor walked up yelling about his stand?

The wet plop of watermelon cause Akane to look over to Ruka, and realize the older girl was head to toe in bruises and mashed fruit.

Karam stepped in and Cyra also stood up to him, but Akane shrunk back. Her eyes flitted to the clocktower, checking the time and looking at the debate.

"Uhm, mister." Akane said, stepping out. "Curfew is really soon so we need to get home before it gets too dark out. Also, does Ruka want to help him? I could help instead. She's stronger and can actually help with the cart."

With her rate of success, she'd probably end up wrecking one of the wheels or something.

"I know she's at fault, but we need to get this all home before..." Akane trailed off, mumbling about the darkness.

 

[Ehb]

EbonChevalier Rithas Karyra LowD Emiya Shin

---

Hoshino looked at Akane's with a little bit of pity. Wondering how she should explain it to the young girl.

"It isn't fair to the old man-"
"I'm not that old!"
"-to have him clean all of that up by himself. Even if Karam is helping out, Ruka should take responsibility for her actions."

Hoshino looked directly at Karam. The young performer could see some solemnity in her expression before she even said a word.

"Karam, I'm counting on you to get yourself and Ruka back to the mansion safely before bedtime, okay?"



While Ruka and Karam helped the fruit seller. Hoshino and the others wheeled the cart over to the secret entrance. As Hoshino had planned, the food donations were taken out and the cart with the rest of the repair supplies for the roof was tucked away for later. Hoshino felt like it would be a bit too much to manually lift all that wood and carry it through the forest path to the mansion. It was probably better to just dedicate a day to taking the cart all the way to the town gate. They would have to travel further, but at least they would be doing it with a wheeled cart rather then getting splinters carrying piles of wood.

---

The forest was getting a little dark as dusk began to settle in. But even at walking pace, Hoshino and company would be able to make it to the mansion before night fell. Hoshino trusted Karam would be able to keep Ruka safe. But even so she was still naturally a little worried they might get lost in the dark of the forest. But that should've been an unfounded worry too since Karam, and even Ruka would've known the way back like the back of their hand.

Carrying a box of donations herself, Hoshino was just able to see the top of the roof of the Mansion peeking over the trees. At this point they were pretty much safe.

But.
Something didn't feel right.

While Akane and Melio were holding a box of their own, and Cyra was showing off with a double load of donations, Hoshino had been getting this weird feeling. It was an odd feeling that Hoshino didn't want to, and could not allow, to follow them back into the Mansion.

And with Karam and Ruka eventually coming after then, she didn't want them to be caught off guard in the dark by it, either.


With that in mind. Cyra felt her triple load of donations turn into a triple load of donations as Hoshino piled another box into her arms. Effectively now, the boxes she was carrying was currently taller than Cyra the mighty herself was. The others turned to look at Hoshino, wondering why she had just plopped her own box onto Cyra. Was she already getting tired?

"Everyone. We're already pretty much there, so Melio and Akane, make sure Cyra doesn't drop the food on the way in. Go ahead and set up dinner for everyone and make sure we partition out stuff for tomorrow as well, okay."

Again, more chores to do. But why?

"Akane is right. It's gonna be a little dark by the time Karam and Ruka get back, so I'll just make sure they make it back in time for dinner. Make sure to set aside places for everyone! Go inside right away. Okay?"


Without much room for argument. Hoshino walked, and then jogged back into the forest.
She sure seemed to be in a hurry to get back to Karam and Ruka.

---

Optional Roll:
Prepare Tonight's Dinner for Everyone and flip a coin to decide how well that went!

---

Night came as the lights on the Manor were carefully lit.
Suppertime had come and was about to end.

There was a sigh of relief between the children who brought the donations back when they all heard someone's arrival at the front door of the mansion.


It was Karam and Ruka. Having helped the Shopkeep clean up, they also had in hand their own plain Aprons. Practically an official uniform. Though Hoshino also used an apron back home when working on things in the Manor. But... on that note.

It was only Karam and Ruka.

The two of them made it through the forest. They were a little hungry at this point, waiting on the supper that was promised to them. The forest was darker than usual, but by now, they already know how to traverse back through it to get back to the Mansion. Though admittedly, it would've been easy to get lost of they made a wrong turn along the way.


Ruka, Karam, Akane, Melio, and Cyra looked at each other. Pausing for a moment.
But Big Sis Hoshino wasn't there. Even though she'd promised to come back with Karam and Ruka after she ran back into the forest.

 

[EbonChevalier]

Ehb Rithas LowD Karyra Emiya Shin

Karam was more than a little worried about not having seen Hoshino on the way back. Despite being hungry and tired from todays extra work he SHOULD have seen his klutz of an older sister.

"Okay, maybe she just got lost." He said more for his sake than the others.


"It's darker than usual and she was out alone. " He walked in and grabbed a few bites of his supper before getting some flashlights. "And she couldn't have gone that far. Let's just spread out and look for her."

 

[Emiya Shin]

Ehb Karyra Rithas LowD EbonChevalier

---

Ruka ran and shouted, as if her life depended on it. The spunky child was definitely aware of the outcome, if she failed to warn the pedestrians of the incoming cart that was laden with food, and resources for repairing the manor's roof. Fortunately, the children narrowly prevented a major disaster from happening to the pedestrians at the Tram Commons. If anything, the people there were pretty much amazed, or even amused with the children's daredevil stunt with the cart.

When everything was over and done with, Ruka's adrenaline soon worn out. She was left with a hoarse voice from the constant yelling that she did, and a pair of exhausted legs. She was leaning on the cart, when Hoshino were pretty concerned about her status. The girl was just too tired to say anything to the cheerful big sister of the group, and she merely waved at her with a smile.

Unfortunately, they just simply cannot rest yet. The fruit store owner returned to the group of children, and angrily demanded a compensation for the damage caused by Ruka. The spunky girl could only pout in an exhausted manner, lacking the voice to even reply to him. Fortunately, Karam and Cyra covered for her back, although Cyra as always, decided to be pretty excessive in her words. Despite Cyra's... over the top personality, it seemed the negotiation went smoothly. When Hoshino nudged the exhausted spunky girl, Ruka simply did 2 thumbs up to the store owner, while mustering the widest smile she could do.

"Yes, yes... Big Sis Hoshino..." She replied with a hoarse voice, while trying to maintain her smile. "... You don't -cough, cough- have to bring growing up into this..."

Her once nimble body felt like a pile of bricks. At least Karam is willing to help out, and she is pretty grateful of that...

* * *​

"Urghhhhhhhh---! Tired... Hungryyy...!"

Ruka was practically dragging her feet, when she finally reached at the mansion's front door. She was prominently slouching in her posture, before she noticed something off at possibly their welcoming party.

"Want food... want bed--- Eh? Guys, where's Big Sis Hoshino?"

By the time when she asked that question, Karam already prepared himself to search for Hoshino.

"W-wait! Karam!" She turned to the energetic athletic boy who was chewing supper. "P-please wait for the others to prepare themselves! It's not wise to go alone---!"

Then, she turned to the others weakly. "What happened to Big Sis Hoshino? Did she uh... say anything, before she left the mansion?"

 

[EbonChevalier]

“I’m not leaving now but we need to get moving.” Karam hands Ruka a flashlight. “But it’s dark out already and we need get going before it gets any darker.” Karam tucks his struggle hammer in the belt loop of his pants. “Bring a weapon too! We don’t know what’s out there! And someone put my food in the fridge!” Emiya Shin Ehb Rithas LowD Karyra

 

[Rithas]

Ehb EbonChevalier Emiya Shin LowD Karyra

---

Cyra shifted underneath the third box. "This is fine." Said the disembodied voice from behind the walking tower of boxes.

Hoshino seemed adamant on going back to help Ruka and Karam find their way back. "Wait Hoshi let me...!" An pair of eyes peaked from the side of the tower. "...help." But her sister was already into the woods. She frowned to herself in silence for a moment. Familiar thoughts churning in her head.

The girl turned back to the mansion.

"Well Kids" She called out to the rest of them. "Time to watch in amazement as your big sister carries three of the heaviest boxes. Please take caution to not stand directly infront of me as I cannot actually see a single thing at the moment!"

---

"Woah woah woah." Cyra laid a palm out as she stood blocking Karam and the rest from leaving. "Not so fast there mr juggle. This would be the point where I'd say to leave it to me to go find where Hoshi got lost to but~~" She shrugged "Seeing the looks on some of your faces I'd figure you'd only go and sneak out yourself shortly after to go find her yourself." She gave an amused look to some of those more likely to do so. "So it's easier to just lead you all anyway. But Karam do please give everyone else a moment to prepare. I don't want one of you straggling behind and getting lost yourself. Oh and also-"

She displayed a bowl of some mystery sauce in her hand. "Someone please taste test this." She laid it on a nearby table. "Frankly the meal I just ate was a bit inedible and I whipped this up to save the tastebuds of the younger kids when they have theirs. Come on Melio, Do better."

Cyra wasn't even sure that Melio had prepared the meal. She had to go and take a power nap after carrying thrice the carry threshold of everyone else.

"But then we'll go and find her." Cyra rested her bat on the shoulder with a playful wink, squashing her own concern down. "She's probably just making a circle around a tree or something with how bad at directions she is..."

At least that what she was telling everyone else.

 

[Karyra]

Ehb EbonChevalier Emiya Shin

---

Akane didn't like leaving Ruka and Karam all alone to clean up the stand, but she also didn't have a lot of choice. It was getting dark and there wasn't much point in arguing now. So one box later and a trip through the forest later, Akane was standing in the kitchen.

She was storing away the lefotovers -meager as they were- for the ones who hadn't come home yet. Things weren't going super well, but she was more concerned that Hoshino was waiting alone in the dark.

Hearing the door, Akane dashed outside with the others... only to notice they were all one short.

She looked around as the other called out, but Akane's fears only grew. Why had no one agreed to stay out with her?

Because she's dependable that's why.

"Oh, I'll- I'll go too, big bro Karam. And I already put away the food. I thought you might be late."

Akane tried to ignore the mystery sauce Cyra provided, carefully tipping it onto the floor, while putting out condiments and various other things that weren't... as questionable.

"We have to stick together. If- If Hoshino is gone because she went alone, then if we go alone too, we'll vanish too."

 

[Ehb]

Akane Earned the 'Novice Chef' title!
Earn titles during the story to increase your character's notoriety in the world and occasionally unlock new outfits for them! Sometimes, titles will unlock alternative pathways to certain scenarios!

EbonChevalier Rithas Karyra LowD Emiya Shin

---

And thus it was through their combined efforts that the children were able to serve what was at least an edible meal without needing Hoshino to make it for them. Though the truth was that Akane's swift thinking was what saved them from whatever horrible horrors awaited them behind the dangerous veil of what was known only as Cyra's mystery sauce.

The headmaster enjoyed the meal as well. So much so that they were now fast asleep in their office. So at the very least, the children didn't have to deal with needing to get past him to get out of the mansion.


So it was apparent Hoshino was not back home when she should've been - possibly lost out in the woods. Karam and Cyra were eager to go find their big sister before she'd get so lost that she'd end up all the way over in the next town. Knowing Hoshino she would somehow end up the next train stop over in a journey that began with her being distracted by a fluttering butterfly. That almost happened once.

But, Regardless finding Hoshino wasn't going to be just as simple as going out into the woods, shining flashlights and calling out her name till they found her.


At the gates to the Mansion is a Barrier. It was put in place in order to keep anything from wild animals to Phantoms from getting into the property - and it went active once night fell after twilight hours. Just as it was good at keeping things out of the Children's Home, it was also good at keeping the Children in the home, so as to not go wandering outside in the dark... just like what everyone was planning to do at this very moment.

But there was good reason for this. Beyond just getting lost in the woods - Fatuita had warned the children to not venture outside the Manor due to the potential presence of Phantoms. Even worse than any wild animal. If a Phantom got to them, they would steal their heart, and never be able to come back. There was a very primal terror in how simply laid it out to the children. Was that the fate that was going to befall Hoshino as well?



Once they had made preparations, the children were grouped outside the gate. They were able to put their hand up against the barrier wall that glinted when they touched it, and felt as solid as the physical walls of the mansion itself. But... there was a weak point. Sort of. Just inside of the barrier was the Magic Seal that a Wizard from the tower had put in was a circular glyph dimly glowing as it radiated it's magic power in the night. The power and control of the barrier came from this Glyph. and it was positioned off to the side but still out in the open specifically so that it would be able to perceive the fall of night and the rise of morning - letting it know when to put up or take down the barrier around the mansion.

If the children wanted to leave the mansion at this hour, and find Hoshino, they had to get past this obstacle.

Only Fatuita, or maybe even Hoshino had the magical knowledge to manipulate the Glyph to allow them through. The children knew magic to an extent as well, but there was a chance that they'd fail in manipulating the glyph. Them rewriting a glyph was like a child using a tiny painbrush to fix the work of a seasoned artist. In other words, there was a good chance they'd be destroying the glyph all the same. An alternative a and most straightforward way was to break the barrier seal to allow them out. There was a distinct possibility that they'd get in trouble, but Hoshino might be in trouble out there! There was also a clever way to trick the glyph as well.

How would the children proceed? Would they attempt to break the Glyph? By brute force or by magic?
Or was there some other way that was more obvious?

 

[EbonChevalier]

View attachment 1021824
Karam knowing the barriers would only rise at sunrise got an idea. “Hey. Think we can make the barrier think the suns up?” Rithas Karyra LowD Emiya Shin

 

[Karyra]

EbonChevalier Ehb

---

Having apparently saved the meal, Akane started packing things into her bag. A flashlight, a bag of snacks, her favorite stuffed animal, and a water bottle. Of course, there were all essential. Hoshino still wasn't back, and Akane was too guilty to sleep. So she'd go looking. She even made a note in case she didn't come back.

Sorry headmaster. Hoshino is missing and I wanted to find her. I hope to be back soon!

She was quiet sneaking out towards the gate, where the barrier awaited. Of course, Karam had beaten her to the punch.

Akane nodded at Karam's suggestion, pulling out her flashlight and pointing it at the glyph. Whether or not that would work was up to debate, but they were on a timer. The longer they waited, the colder and more scared Hoshino might be.

"I think this should work..."

 

[Ehb]

EbonChevalier Rithas Karyra LowD Emiya Shin

---

Success! As Karam suggested, shining the flashlight upon the glyph gave a tell-tale reaction that lowered the barrier around the mansion. A light breeze that had been blowing about the forest began to rustle the bushes, trees, and faces of the children now gathered to help find their missing and presumably lost sister. However, there was one little problem with the solution that they had just stumbled upon.

As Akane subconsciously moved to check if the barrier was really gone, she inevitably shone the flashlight away from the glyph.

The glyph did exactly as what it was supposed do. Not sensing anymore light, the barrier sprang back to life. Stifling the gentle wind that was blowing into the mansion completely.


This was a minor issue.
It was apparent that light needed to be constantly shined upon the magical circle in order to keep the barrier down. This implied that someone had to be left behind in order to keep shining a single flashlight on that glyph to allow passage through, and to allow the group back in when they returned. But, luckily again, this truly was a minor issue. By handing a flashlight to one single brave Orphan who had came along outside with the rest of the older kids, that single boy was given the task of gatekeeping the Old Mansion for them. Sitting out in the dark behind the gates, safely behind this barrier.

The boy was a little scared to be left on their own. But, like many of the children of the Mansion, they were eager to oblige in being able to help their brothers and sisters.

With that, the search party was able to venture out, into the darkness of the woods that surrounded their Orphanage.

---

The forest looks completely different at night.
In the back of everyone's heads were the warnings that Hoshino, Fatuita, and the other adults gave in reguards to playing out in the forest at night. There was the possibility of getting lost, or even the threat of encountering something unfriendly, like perhaps, a Phantom.

As mentioned, previously, Phantoms were malevolent creatures who stole people's hearts. Fatuita described them as large inky black forms with twitchy antennae and bright glowing yellow eyes. They were told that if they ever saw anything that matched that description, that it was best to run away and hide. Perferrably find an adult who could inform a Magician with the magical ability to combat the Phantoms.

The children themselves knew rudimentary magic.

It was in simple form: the same Magic that the Wizards at the Mages Tower used. Fatuita did say that someday they themselves might have to use their Magic in order to fight off Phantoms. But Hoshino at that same moment interjected that their magic was still to underdeveloped to be able to take on a Phantom for real. The real magic, used by fully trained Guardians and Wizards, was spectacular. Karam might've been been impressed the times he had seen the true Magicians do their work. His grandstanding may have even been inspired by it. But even so, it was only imitation in look and form. It lacked the power of someone seasoned in casting spells.

But even so, perhaps if they all worked together, they might be able to face a Phantom with their combined strength.

You and your friends have left the safety of the Mansion to search for Hoshino.
There is a distinct possibility of encountering a Phantom. Where you will have to decide whether to defeat it or abandon your search.

Phantoms can only be damaged by Magical Weapons, or through Magic Spells.
Your characters' 'Commands' all use just enough magic to deal damage to Phantoms. Blindly swinging at the Phantoms will have no effect.

The group walked a small ways out of the Manor. To the point where, once they made the next turn, they would no longer be able to see any of the light from the Mansion. They were generally following the way that they would go when they were trying to get into town, but truly, the path and the forest looked completely different from what they were used to. Just how lost was Hoshino if they themselves were already getting that same feeling just outside the Mansion?

They group heard a skitter.
Not a physical rustling out in the leaves. It was actually otherworldly sounding.

They were also getting a sense of dread.


Yellow eyes were peeking at them from the darkness beyond the trail. One moment they could make it out, and the next moment it disappeared, only to show up again in another location. Curiously, they heard no rustling of leaves as it apparently moved. Only that strange, hollow skittering sounding. No doubt, it was no animal. It was a Phantom. The thing that the children were told to run away from if they ever encountered it.

Their search for their Lost sister suddenly involved real danger beyond getting lost in the forest. There no was the possibility of their very hearts being taken from them by this creature.

The choice was theirs.
Would they run away, and abandon Hoshino to the forest? Or would they choose to fight, much like what Fatuita had hinted they should do?

Attack the Phantom with one of your commands!
When attacking remember to write your post as what your character does. However, the result of that attack must be decided upon a 'coin flip' in the relevant channel on the discord.

EX:
Hoshino Attacks the Phantom with Quick Flare (Fire Magic)! /roll 1d2

When attacking with commands be sure to include the element when stating the roll so the GM can remember to account for additional/reduced damage in relation to elemental affinities.

It's worth noting that encounters in Faerie Core are a bit more grindy and intimate. A single successful coin toss won't necessarily wipe out a foe immediately. Instead, it's better to think of it as 'how many attacks can the party get in before the GM responds?' Additionally, the 'damage' attack posts inflict on a foe can be negatively affected if the quality of that post is found lacking by the GM. Be sure to put some level of effort into writing them.

In short, keep attacking! The more hits that players get in between GM posts, the more likely that the GM will respond with confirming the defeat of the foe, rather than the response being the foe attacking you!

 

[Rithas]

Ehb EbonChevalier Karyra Emiya Shin LowD

---

It was good that Karam and Akane figured out a loophole with the glyph as despite being vaguely aware of some sort of loophole existing Cyra for the life of her could not remember it and was begrudging setting up to go smash something that Cyra knew she would get in trouble for.

"Now that's like, big brain stuff there!" She said as the barrier went down temporarily as they aimed their flashlights at it. "So smart it brings a tear to my eye." She grinned before leading the march into the forest.

---

Cyra laid out a hand behind her as the unnatural skitter vibrated throughout the group. A flat palm out signifying a universal sign of everyone to not make any forward movements at the moment.

Those yellow eyes were a sign of danger, something new and otherworldly. The new and scaring feeling of if they were ready to face this threat seem to reach everyone. Whether this was needed to be faced to find Hoshino or not, perhaps it was best to very quietly discuss on if they would try to combat it. Or perhaps find a way around and sneak or something else more clever that the group could d-

Where was Cyra?

The rest of them were suddenly aware of the lack of presence of the self described leader. It was dark in the forest and waving the lights around with the phantom was probably not a good idea. So where the hell was she?

A shadow only perceivable in the faint rays of moonlight washed over the group. It was only then that they looked up and spotted their sister hopping from one branch to another, uncharacteristically quiet. Melio felt the familiar memory of all the times the girl sneaked up on him in a tree.

What was she thinking?
Well, there wasn't much thought going through her head at the moment.
Just that this thing was in the way of finding her sister and that if anything she was the fastest climber if not the cleanest.
How hard could a heart stealing being be to hit?
That and she really hoped she wasn't going to fall and break her face on the ground.

Making it to the tree near the slithering nightmare. Cyra looked down.
It was dark, so the others would never see how much she was shaking in fear.
This was a good example to set for everyone,
Right?

Breathe.

She leapt from the branch.
The red light of flame sparked out from her. A rare sight of Cyra using some sort of magic
Her body fluttering into visibility to the night as her bat became washed in flame.

The girl spun as she went down to strike the Phantom, her bat meeting with-!

 

[EbonChevalier]

Ehb Rithas Emiya Shin LowD Karyra

Karam noticed the yellow eyes and in the darkness before he realized Cyra was gone too. His breath quickened and he could feel his muscle tighten at the thought of real danger. His feet were rooted to the ground and he dropped his flash light and reflexively pulled out his struggle hammer. His mouth was shut tight as a myrid of questions swirlled about in his mind.


'Where is Cyra?'

'Where is Hoshino?'

'Did that thing get them?'

'Where they next?'


He started wide eyed out into the darkness struggling to keep a steady grip on his hammer.

Until the slight sounds of creaking branches echoes above him.

He looked up.

There was Cyra planning on doing something stupid.....that was for there sakes.
He'd been so gung-ho on getting out to the forest to look for Hoshino and here he was losing it. He grit his teeth and leveled a glare at the darkness eventually focusing on the creature. Magic swelled in his arm as he reared back to throw his hammer at the creature. Performed many a time at the square it would ensure his weapon returned to him when throw again and again.

With all his might he hurled the weapon at the creature. The spells name echoing in his mind.

'Strike Raid!'

 

[Karyra]

Ehb Rithas EbonChevalier

---

Handing off the flashlight was harder than she thought it would be. A little test of her resolve. Go into the dark, scary woods to find a missing sibling? Knowing the reports of Phantoms and the reasons for the curfew, but she didn't have time to question it before they were off into the woods. Akane nervously chewed her lip the whole time they were walking, too scared to call out.

The noise of skittering just about stopped her heart. Phantom.

They should run. Akane remembered her failed blizzard spell earlier today and knew she should run.

Her legs were rooted to the spot in fear as she realized Cyra was missing. Akane knew with certainty what the older girl would do. The blur of the attack, Karam throwing his weapon... they had no choice.

Holding out her hand, Akane yelled, "b-blizzard!"

 

[Emiya Shin]

Ehb Karyra Rithas LowD EbonChevalier

---

Ruka did not contribute anything, when the group managed to bypass the barrier. One thing for sure, Karam and Kipo are pretty smart in unlocking the barrier surrounding the orphanage. Even so, things are not simple as it seems. One of them has to stay behind to keep the light shining on the barrier, so that the rest of the children can come back. Fortunately, they do have someone who is willing to stay behind, even though they are kind of timid.

"I'll give that boy an extra treat when we came back. He deserved it." Ruka muttered, and nodded at him, before the others into the forest.

And thus, the search had begun. Ruka hoped that this will end quickly. Maybe Hoshino was just being lost as usual, and the group of orphaned children were sharp enough to find her observing a bunch of pretty looking flowers. The search went on and on, until they heard something skittering around them. First, the sound originated beyond the trail in front of them. Yellow eyes can be seen beyond the bushes. Then, it moved into another location, if they teleported there.

It did not took long for Ruka to realize what they were facing, and like the other children, she too was taken over by fear. The spunky girl was froze right where she stood, unsure what to do with the Phantom that appeared in front of the group...

... Until Cyra, Karam, and even the timid Kipo launched successive attacks at the Phantom. They had already made their stance. Once again overtaken by adrenaline, Ruka instinctively lifted her Struggle Hammer, and charged straight to the Phantom. Her diminutive arms were outstretched to the back, preempting her eventual attack to the shadowy being.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH-----!"

Ruka swung the Struggle Hammer with all of her might, aiming at the center of the Phantom.

 

[Ehb]

EbonChevalier Rithas Karyra LowD Emiya Shin

---

With Cyra moving to ambush the Phantom, the children are inevitably drawn into a fight with it.

The Phantom was caught unaware as the young girl descended upon it. Lashing out with her Struggle Weapon encased in flame. Through force of will, gravity, and bravery the weapon hit square between the wriggly antennae of her target. Embers of flame radiated from it like a crown, signaling a successful hit.

Seeing Cyra's motions as a go sign, Karam followed suit. He imbued magic into his otherwise normal struggle weapon and allowed it to let fly! With a wide heave, it took flight, spinning wildly but seeming to be guided to it's intended target. But, neither the magic, or the strength the young man had put in was enough. It fell short, landing in the grass harmlessly.

Akane made an attempt to strike the phantom next. She attempted to cast 'blizzard'. This was a magic that she technically did not know. Usually, the ice she formed was so weak that it would in a short distance turn into water. Drizzling out a bit like water out of a wall-fountain. But perhaps in this rush of the moment, she was able to muster the strength to turn her normally docile attack into something proper. An unstable but swirling shard of ice flew and impacted the phantom. One of it's feeble arms were now encased in ice.

Finally Ruka tried to follow through and finish it off.
She closed with the phantom and aimed for the phantom's center of mass as if trying to cut it in half. She swings hard, and it's a direct hit!

But Ruka had forgotten something important.

Phantoms were unaffected by attacks or weapons that did not use any magic. Cyra had attacked with a Fire attack. Akane had cast Blizzard Magic. Karam's attack, if had connected, would've had just enough magic to allow the weapon to make contact with the Shadow. Ruka's attack had no magic. Thus it could not connect with the Phantom, even as true as her swing was - it was dead center.

Ruka immediately remembered this fact with a tinge of dread as her powerful swing, went right through the phantom. With her weapon having passed through the other side of the phantom with no effect, Ruka found herself wide open!


The phantom's antennae were vibrating, almost like it was communicating it's pain. But upon seeing Ruka's aggression, and seeing that she was just right before it, it tensed it's pointy feet, and drew back it's one free claw. It leaped a frightening distance, and sought to slash at Ruka dead center to return the favor!

 

[LowD]

EbonChevalier Rithas Emiya Shin Ehb Karyra

---

Melio had been following behind everyone in the search for Hoshino. He thought that with him being familiar with the woods, the group would have a better chance to find their way back should they have to stray from their path to search for her. But tonight, he felt that this woods was a bit foreign to him. It just felt so different with the dreaded night and the risk of being caught by Phantoms.

He kept himself silent, making sure he left a mark on the trees the group passed by just in case they came across a Phantom and have to retreat. Surely enough, they came across one. Melio was unaware as he stood there waiting for everyone's course of action. But as he heard the noises of fire magic, struggle weapons thwacking the grassy ground, and ice magic. He had to do something...

Melio read some of the knowledge that was considered a taboo. He had tried it, scaring some of his friends with how much power that it holds that it almost consumed him. Even to the point that Fatuita herself had to burn that knowledge away when she found out about what he did. But he knew he can handle it, even if it's just at a surface level.

Surely enough, Melio starts to grip onto his struggle bat tightly. Closing his eyes as he focused to draw out the darkness. His arm started to exude a darkness aura as it channels into the struggle bat. Grunting out, he sluggishly moved forward and approached everyone. He could see the Phantom clearly as he gets near.

"Darkness!" Melio shouted out as he swings his arm forward. Hurling his Struggle Bat with such force that it practically spun in a full circle. It glows with a darkish purple tint as he engulfed his Struggle Bat with Darkness. The bat's trajectory is aimed to hit the Phantom dead on... Hopefully taking it out.

 

[Karyra]

Ehb Emiya Shin LowD

---

Ruka swung at the creature, and Akane barely had time to be proud of actually using something like Blizzard before she realized that Ruka hadn't put in any magic. She was in danger, and Akane had no time before watching Melio's attack sail right on past the monster. Akane was moving quickly, and throwing up her shield before the creature could reach Ruka. It would only circle herself if she didn't get close enough, but it could keep Ruka safe. She could do that, she just had to get there.

"Go away!" she yelled this as if the Phantom cared. It seemingly did not.

She threw her arms up, hoping the similar look and feel of her shield would form.

 

[Rithas]

Ehb EbonChevalier Emiya Shin LowD Karyra

---

Cyra got a solid thwack on the Phantom, landing with a small roll. It did not immediately 'die' which was unfortunate but she was pleased to see that the rest of her team backed her up and didn't just leave her to solo a nightmare creature.

A few more attacks went in, though only one hit. Karam missed, Akane hit and Ruka attack simply faded right through the being. Some silly lesson about elemental attacks whispered in her ears. She didn't have too much time to think that she lucked in using fire as she hadn't realised a normal attack wouldn't work, as she saw the phantom tense up like a spring as it looked at Ruka.

"Woah!" Cyra called, as she spun behind her little sister and pulled her back away from the sharp claws of the black beast. She patted the girl on the head, "Be careful!" she said before she turned back around. Akane was holding a shield and inadeptly getting closer to the monster and was Melio using darkness!? That wasn't going to like, super power the monster was it? That dweeb better be careful! She would leave out the whole darkness thing in her notes when telling Hoshi what happened. Whether or not those 'attacks' were going to hit, they caused quite the visual commotion.

Opportunity.

Cyra crouched and sprung off her heels between the elemental attacks as she spun around the phantom, her bat lighting up it's surroundings again as she went for another attack on it's flank.

 

[EbonChevalier]

Ehb Rithas LowD Karyra Emiya Shin
Karam's heart sank in his stomach as he saw his attack failed half way. He almost screamed in horror when he saw Ruka hit that monster without magic! Thank the gods Cyra managed to pull her away in time. But he still had a fight on his hands! With speed born of the sheer adrenaline pumping in his veins he darted forward and snatched up his hammer.

Hammer in hand he jump up with all the strength his strength before bringing it down on the creatures head. It glowed with magic that would turn monsters in to munny and treasure.
(Using Slots Edge)

 

[Emiya Shin]

Ehb Karyra Rithas LowD EbonChevalier

---

Ruka seriously thought that she was done for, after she realized that her so-called perfect strike was not actually that perfect. No, it was not effective at all, because it is not a magically imbued attack! The Phantoms can only be harmed through magic! The spunky girl was stunned for a few good moment, before Cyra and Kipo managed to get Ruka out from harm's way. Especially Cyra, who managed to pull the spunky girl away just in time. Her mouth was still agape, and she dropped her jaws even further when Cyra patted her head.

"I----!"

Ruka was practically speechless. She was feeling pretty lucky, and at the same time, amazed with how Cyra managed to save her from the Phantom's attack. She was also mentally scolded herself for forgetting that crucial information of the Phantom. As the battle raged on, the spunky girl tried to regain her composure. She waited for an opportune moment to deliver another attack. Once Karam was done, she started moving towards the Phantom for the second time.

But this time, she invoked her Elemental attack.

"HAAAAAAAAAAA----------!"

Ruka conjured her magic, and surrounded herself in a layer of stone armor. At the same time, she was increasing her running speed.

"SLIDIIIIIIING---- DAAAAAAASHHHHHHHH---!"

The spunky girl screamed the attack name in an enthusiastic manner. She then dropped down, and performed a sliding kick at the Phantom while encased in an Earth elemental armor.

 

[Ehb]

EbonChevalier Rithas Karyra LowD Emiya Shin

---

The phantom at this stage was weakened from the initiative that Cyra had taken, and the frantic blows the children made in order to capitalize upon that ambush. But, with the urgency of needing to save Ruka the children had sprung fourth in order to save her! Melio had thrown their weapon, imbuing it with the power of his own darkness to make it fly true. Indeed, it flew with great force, flying and spinning in violent fashion. However, while his attack was an improvement over Karam's fizzled-out attempts, Melio's was inaccurate. It flew over Ruka and the phantom, smacking rather rudely into a tree, and falling into some bushes.

Akane next attempted to use her magic to shield Ruka from the Phantom. A small orb of magic began to form before the young timid girl, but she was far too ambitious in what she was trying to do with it. In her efforts to make it enough to protect both herself and Ruka, the magic became unstable. The orb, the 'shield' meant to protect both of them at once, collapsed in on itself, as the magic being used to conjure it was simply inadequate to keep the form.

But ultimately, a three pronged attack of Cyra's Fire, Karam's Slash, and Ruka's kick defeated the phantom. It left behind a dusty pile as the residual darkness of the Phantom was ousted. Due to the effect of Karam's Slot edge, or maybe by luck, a couple bits of Munny was also scattered near that pile.


The children did it!
They defeated a Phantom! Fatuita would be really proud of that accomplishment, since she was always saying that exterminating phantoms was what they were all supposed do someday!

But even then, a wave of fatigue came over the children. Especially Cyra and Akane, whom had aggressively used magic - more forceful, lethal magic meant to hurt - against this phantom.

Akane's tiredness put her to her knees.
Cyra while standing victorious for several moments over her victory, plopped face-first into the grass as all of her strength suddenly left her...

Without a doubt, they had overextended themselves.
The children were forced to wait it out still Akane, and especially Cyra could recover a little. They didn't want to go further into the woods without the two's strength, but it was also apparent at how much effort they had to put in just to defeat a single phantom. What if they encountered another phantom, or even several at the same time?

In any case, they had been sitting in the dark for about half an hour now. The sky was lit up with a full moon. But they had only reached just a stone's throw out of the Mansion and had barely done any real searching.

Fatigue!
Your Commands are useful tools in dealing greater than normal damage against any obstacle or foe that might come your way. However, they can be taxing to use, especially if you keep repeating the same attack over, and over again. If you do that, you character can fatigue themselves out! In the worst cases, it may cause your attacks to fail! Though you will usually be warned in a GM post when you character starts to feel that fatigue.

Be sure to cycle through your commands as you engage in battle. In your journey, you'll be able to learn new commands, and even upgrade your proficiency in other ones to allow you to use them more often without any negative effects!

The effects of fatigue are reset after the last foe in an encounter is defeated.

Some of the children's eyes wandered over to the pile of dust that the phantom had left behind.
It still had a bit of a weary aura left about it. Like there was still a darkness that was there, waiting to grow back. They remembered big Sis Fatuita had once said that those remains had to be disposed of properly else, another phantom would rise up again from those ashes. The phantoms were indeed rather tenacious. How long that would take, or what constituted 'properly disposing of the ashes' was something no one had a clue about, though. But, the pile of ashes, and the weird aura that they were giving gave the impression that while the children had defeated the Phantom in combat, they had not vanquished it forever.

Fatuita was already a part of the Order. She was quite proficient with magic. But what about Hoshino? She used magic pretty well too, but she wasn't Fatuita, either.

At that moment, with Cyra rousing up, it was time to get going.

But there was still that Ash Pile.

Why was it so interesting?



One of the children touched it.
They quickly regretted that choice.

Spoiler

What am I going to do? I...I need to get back to the store. That lazy brother of mine probably has left the cart out for too long on the street.
The forest looks completely different at night. I am lost. ...Oh no.

The child threw themself back from he pile of ash, surprised at the voices that seemed to be projected into his very soul.
Did that come from the Ash? From what remained of the Phantom.

The children gathered around that child, all seeming concerned... From their point of view, it seemed like their friend had touched the ash, paused, and just suddenly violently thrown themselves back from it. Was it still hot from Cyra's fire magic? They had to continue their search for Hoshino, but seriously, what had happened just now?

 

[LowD]

Ehb Emiya Shin EbonChevalier Rithas Karyra

---

Melio's attempt to hit the Phantom from a distance was swift and powerful. Yet with his lack of control over Darkness. It was inaccurate as it flew past the Phantom and smacked a tree behind before falling down. Clicking his tongue at the result, he immediately ran towards the fight recklessly as others strikes the Phantom. Melio walked in just as Karam landed the final blow on the Phantom. Stopping his tracks as he watches the Phantom turned into lingering ashes.

His eyes locked towards the dust. He remembered that when Phantoms are disposed off, they sometimes left a lingering ash that if not disposed properly. Another phantom would rise in it's place. But how would Melio dispose it? Perhaps, trying to know what it was would be proper if he's going to get rid of it. Approaching the pile, he squats down and laid a finger to the pile of ashes...

!!!

Melio's eyes widened, he suddenly jumps back and sat there in shock. His eyes still locked towards the pile. His expression showed his shock. He couldn't believe what he heard in it. It felt like it was out of this world. A voice, he doesn't feel any malice or darkness coming from it. "What... What actually is this..." He let out. "I'm fine... I just, can't believe what I just heard." Melio continued, he glanced over to the others. "Did you guys hear it?" Melio asked, making sure that the others did hear what it was and it wasn't just him that hearing things.

 

[Rithas]

Ehb EbonChevalier Emiya Shin LowD Karyra

---

Nailed it.

As they wombo-comboed the phantom into oblivion. Cyra clenched a fist in victory before standing with her hands on her hips to cement her group's victory with a solid pose.

"Well...that wasn't that hard. Fatigue? Nah! I feel like I can keep going fin-ohnopethereitis."

*PMF*

Her face nestled neatly into the forest grass with her legs becoming gravel and gravity taking hold.
She rolled over with some effort so that she could at least see the sky.
She stared at the moon. The Moon stared back.
A moth floated gently past her vision.

"How come I feel heavy when yall were shouting your attacks like we were doing some play!?"

...

This grass was comfortable at least. So that her wait for the feeling in her legs to come back was not too much of a physical discomfort. The mental discomfort that every minute they waited Hoshino was potentially fighting off like six of these monsters disturbed her greatly and so even with her legs still feeling about half like bags of gravel she began to rouse herself off the forest floor.

It was at this time that Melio jumped back from something. A certain exertion of shock from him that had become worn on his face as well. At first Cyra thought that he had spotted another phantom or something but the immediate lack of movement from him suggested otherwise.

He began to ask about hearing something that clearly no one else had heard. "Huh?" Cyra stood up. "Melio what are yo- Oh nearly fell over there-" She steadied herself, "What are you talking about. Did you get scared by touching that...er, dust or whatever." Sure, it was the apparent aftermath of some type of nightmare but seeing as the Dweeb's hand hadn't fallen off it didn't look like anything awful. "It shouldn't be hot or anything still."

The girl walked over, a little curious, a little amused, a little annoyed that they were wasting time. "Maybe something in the forest? Cause this dust looks-" She moved to take a fistful. "Like it should be-"

Cyra had spent her entire life at the orphanage.
How many voices had she heard in that lifetime?
How many people's lives had she come across, if just for moments.

And so as some figment of a memory scribed itself onto her very soul.
An itch in a part of her mind that she wouldn't open asked-
'Does this voice sound familiar?'

"Ghk!" She pulled her hand back as she bit her tongue.
One step back, Two steps back.

"I-" She brushed her hand off her chest "Y-Yeah, it's still very hot! I wouldn't touch it if I can't handle it." She looked at the rest of them, her eyes staying on Melio the longest. "We don't have time for this, Hoshino is out there somewhere so we should just move on from this...." She swallowed back something that was rising in her throat, sadness or anxiety or whatever confliction that arose from her sudden decision to not think about this.

"Time is money, ha. ha. Just leave that alone and we can go deal with it when we find Hoshi. Melio just heard some echo of us from the forest. Wouldn't you agree?" She said, an apparent sense of annoyed impatience settling into her tone.

Cyra attempted to take a step forward towards the next opening maw of the darkened forest. "Just come on already!"

 

[EbonChevalier]

Ehb Emiya Shin LowD Karyra
When the phantom exploded in a shower of dust and munny Karam fell to his knee's. The adrenaline in his body was spent and his strength went with it. His struggle hammer was held loosely in his grip and he was sweating bullets. He'd done all day performances and didn't feel half as tired as he did now.

"Hah hah hah no one touch that munny.....it's mine."

He shifted his legs and sat cross legged. Taking the chance to get a little break and steady his breathing. Then Melio and Cyra touched the strange dust the phantom left behind and started freaking out. Cyra tried to play it off like it was nothing but knew something was up.
When Cyra started urging everyone to get up and go he agreed. . Forcing himself to his feet and using a nearby tree for support he said.

"Cyra's right. We've wasted enough time lets get going." Feeling a little better Karam followed her.