Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Red Forest "​

"Don't look behind you. Don't speak to me." whispered a calm familiar voice behind Maxamillion. It was one of the soldiers he knew. "Keep walking pass the camp as though it's not there. Don't stop until you hear a war cry. We're ambushing an enemy. "

The tinkerer would be the first to see that their camp had disappeared and no one was there. Dirt and fallen leaves covered the traces of their burning campfires and pitched tents, and not a single foot print in the dirt could be seen.

But there were new bushes, and mounds of leaves and natural debris littering the area, and within their shadows he could barely make out the tiniest glint of a ready blade, and high above the red trees, the taut creaking of bows at the ready.

DrinkingGlass

Meanwhile, Lydia suddenly felt like she was slowly, slowly getting tired. Her feet were aching --- when did they start aching? --- and the things she was carrying were getting heavier and heavier, as though she may be about to pass out from exhaustion. It was odd, but she suddenly had the urge, to snuff out the scout.

"Don't look behind you, and keep walking past the camp, Serena." whispered James' voice casually and ever so quietly from a bee in her hair. "We're ambushing a stalking enemy. Stay calm."; at the same time Ymir suddenly stopped talking to Chenglei about what they should name the places they've been through for the map she was making, and rode very still on Frey's back and visibly trembled.

- Kenren Taisho -
" Camp "​

Crouching in the shadows, Kenren tensely watched his friends hike by the hidden ambushers, then he waited as the dark thing that's been stalking them came closer and closer.

It was a nightmarish predator. Looming, inky black, and freakishly prowled as silent as a ghost. Quietly, its head split open like a black flower, revealing a shuddering gaping hole as black as night. And in that hole there was a head that kept blinking wide-eyed everywhere. Then the split head closed, and then blossomed open again --- two different heads, that of ravens, one with red eyes and another with blue sat inside, looking around just like the previous one.

Kenren raised a hand; the hidden archers tightened their draw.

"Attack!"

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle DrinkingGlass

Spoiler: Battle Statistics

Deathknight?? (success +1) =
Hp 10/10
*Attacks three times; can attempt to control those who have dragon souls inside them if they join the battle.

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Somewhere "​

Why Seifer had been sent out to look for more edible plants this far from the camp he'd never know. He kicked at a rock, annoyed.

Smoothing his hair that he had not been able to give sufficient care as he was promptly ordered to find more food before he was done, he picked a cluster of berries that seemed to glow in the dark and tossed it into his bag.

If it was because of his and Renee's love making delaying the cure for his laughing fit, then he needed to be gassed again so that he'd lighten up. At least she was here with him. They could probably get it on again, except that Johnny was here too probably as their chaperone.

"Renee, Caprice, we've got enough food for a week, let's go back to camp." said Seifer sounding bored.

"No, there could be better plants ahead, lets keep going." said Johnny.

For some reason Renee and the two had been suddenly sent out to forage for more herbs, though Kenren gave Renee a trust-me-look before they left. Without warning, she felt strangely tired. That perhaps she may have tasted or smelled a plant earlier that was making her woozy right now and she could see Seifer experiencing the same things too.

Katsuya

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia drew in a sharp breath between her teeth, glancing down at her feet as she realized they were aching and she couldn't recall that they had been hurting before. She didn't commonly have foot pain because she was so used to wearing the granny boots she usually wore, but she just supposed that the added weight from the soldier was causing the pain and shrugged the feeling off.

She didn't really think much of what she had felt before until with some struggle she inhaled before the breath was pushed out slowly, a soft whine accompanying it as she started to feel weighed down. Her eyelids felt heavy and she blinked them rapidly as though she were trying to stay awake, her shoulders rising high up for a moment as she rolled them slightly and tried to readjust how she was carrying the stretcher, assuming that it was the weight of the soldier she was helping to carry that weighed her down.

The idea that the soldier was carrying down must have been what caused her to feel a sudden hatred for him, enough so that she felt like she wanted to do away with him right then. Her steps started to slow and she shook her head, the way she was holding the stretcher loosening. She would want to kill the scout, why did she have that urge? A dry click echoed from her throat as she swallowed before speaking in a rasp whisper, "Se...Serena... s-something's... wrong."

Lydia's body was trembling as she fought the feelings, coming to the realization that it wasn't her and that she should expect as much by the fact that something ominous was following them.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Looking at James with just her eyes, not moving her head, Serena sighed as if to release tension. Ambushing someone who's following them. Of course, they would have the worst luck on someone following them. Who or what is it, she wondered but she wasn't curious enough to jeopardize the surprise attack like that; Hisaya is around her neck and she wants to avoid anybody or anything noticing that her necklace is actually him.

The blonde violinist looked at Lydia and became worried for her well being. That's not good. They are about to ambush something and Lydia looks like death is hovering over her shoulder. Worse now that Lydia whispered 'something's wrong'.

"...Pass me the stretcher, Lydia. You'll need all the energy you have to walk." Serena whispered back quietly, walking a bit closer to her so she can grab the stretcher again. Lydia can rest when they pass the camp site.

If Lydia did pass it, Chenglei would have grunted quietly from the shift of the weight before calmly talked with Ymir who looked terrified at the moment. "Oi. So what should we call this area?" The soldier asked to the illusionist, trying to keep her attention away from the tension that's about to start by asking her questions.

*****
Echo hid in the bushes, her hammer ready on her waist as she observed from a distance the figure that's coming closer to her friends. Her frown deepened as she is worried about that...thing getting one of her friends that are currently bait. Her green eyes narrowed, her hands curled into fists then loosened before tensing up again as she watched the Prince raise his hand for the archers to ready their aim.

The moment he let's out a command and a flurry of arrows flew in the sky, Echo didn't move until it was her and everyone who fought close ranged turn to fight.

*****

Sitting on the ground, Renee was making sure that none of the berries and plants she found were inedible, setting aside those that seem like questionable to those that she wanted to test on just in case they were useful somehow. Her beige hooded cloak kept her warm as the fur inside insulated her body heat and pooled around her body; Same with her boots as it kept her toes nice and warm. The dark green pea coat underneath reached down to her mid-thighs that are cover in a dark grey pants. Her Skarn necklace, as usual, stayed around her neck and shown proudly on her chest.

The Pendragon teen didn't understand why Johnny, Seifer, and her were sent away to find more berries to eat, not that she's complaining as it means she can look around more and maybe find a new plant to experiment on, but it was still strange. She was sure that they had enough to survive for a week in camp. It's just really confusing but she wondered if maybe Ken-chan wanted to be really prepared on food supplies? Then again that's a waste on food if they pick too much and they rot before they can eat it...

However when she passed by him and gave her a look, Renee nodded and just did what Ken-chan told them to do. It didn't mean she stopped wondering though; The winged teen is still curious but she has to trust him just like how he trusted her for goodness sake...

'Well...somewhat trusts me.' Renee thought as her orange eyes looked at Johnny and grinned a bit awkwardly at the memory that popped in her head...when Ken-chan found Seifer and her together...

Yea...she didn't blame him for that. Then again, it could be for another reason.

When Seifer complained and Johnny denied him of going back, Renee chimed in, grinning at her sweetheart as she stood up and walked over to the Rathmore heir. "Johnny's right, Seifer. We could find other..plant..s...Wha-?" Her eyes lowered, half-lidded as she became really tired with white and tiny stars appeared in her vision. She almost dropped her basket that's filled with edible plants. That's weird. Maybe she ate too many different plants and experimenting on them that caused this?

Then she looked up to see Seifer suffering the same thing as her and something clicked in her brain. Seifer didn't go through as much as her with the plants...so it's something else...Grabbing onto his sleeve, she tugged him to sit on the ground with her, almost falling over as her dizzy spell became worse with each movement. What is going on?

"Se-Seifer...Lie d-down..." Renee mumbled before looking at Johnny, feeling like she didn't sleep for a week. "Johnny...ke-keep an eye out...I don't t-think I can-"

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[DrinkingGlass]

Max stepped into the camp and glanced around, he shuffled on with his bulging pouch and goggles, looking as strange as his surroundings, he froze and looked up, seeing the gleam of the blade, and as if the whole world had come into focus, he heard the creak of the bow, chirp of the birds, buzz of the bugs. Maxamillion dropped his belongings and straightened up, calling out, "Hello?" his fingers itching for one of his bombs, if he could get a hold of one, he knew he could get a shot straight on the ambusher, but he would probably have ended up with an arrow in him before he even got close. The trek back to the camp had been laborious, and Max cursed himself for letting his guard down, but he was also fair to himself, anyone in his position would have let their guard down, it didn't matter now, all that did matter was how was he going to get out of this mess. While his mind worked at its usual insane rate, his goggles kept pace, they highlighted the attacker and began trying to gather information about what they could see on him, if there was magic there, Max would see it. Sweat ran down his neck and arms but he paid it no mind, he intended to either die, or this man in the bush would. No mercy, no quarter.

 

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Minutes ago, Red Forest "​

"Fool! Don't speak, you'll give us away!" hissed another familiar voice at Maxamillion. One of the clusters of leaves slowly parted to reveal the camouflaged face of another soldier he was familiar with. "Keep walking!" he whispered, jerking his head angrily to the side.

DrinkingGlass

Spoiler: Enemy Perception

Enemy perception of ambush (1-3 success) = 2

​

​

- Ambush -
" Camp, Red forest "​

It went wrong, so fast.

Somehow, the monster knew an ambush was waiting. Arrows pierced its hide and the swordsmen slashed its flesh before the split head closed and opened to reveal the head of a gorgon, a hideous woman with venomous snakes instead of hair.

She let out a piercing scream and all who looked into her face turned into stone. The Orientals cried out in fear as they went stiff, or charged onwards, unfamiliar of the monster's power, before Echo's smite bashed that head into pulp.

The monster let out a horrible yell, split head closing and flailing in agony.

James, who was with Lydia, Chenglei, and Serena a far distance away from the ambush, immediately looked back at the grove of trees. "Pond, drop the bags and go! Safeguard Kenren!" he said. With a nod the owl bear lumbered off, parting trees in her passing.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle DrinkingGlass

Spoiler: Battle Statistics

Everyone, if you wish, your characters Chenglei, James, Lydia, Renee, Serena, and Maxamillion can join the battle on the second round. Katsuya , please pick only one of your characters apart from Echo to join the battle.

Please be aware, that defeat here means the enemy can do whatever he wants even to the characters who are not participating in the battle.

1. Echo (unarmed 1-7) = 2
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 6 || Mag.Def. 4
2. Kenren (two-handed 1-8) = 4
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 7 || Mag.Def. 7
3. Kenren's Elite (1-7 success) = 4
   Hp 3/0
   Phys.Def. 5 || Mag.Def. 5

* * * *​

1. Deathknight?? (success +1) = 10
   Hp 10/7
   *Attacks three times; can attempt to control those who have dragon souls inside them if they join the battle.

​

- Johnny Caprice -
" Somewhere "​

Johnny was already putting earplugs over his ears. He was looking at them in a way he's never before, like he's afraid of them.

"Polymorph!" he yelled. There was a puff of smoke and suddenly a white sheep stood in Seifer's place "baa-ing" in a confused manner; quick as a flash Johnny tackled him.

"Baa! Baa!" struggled Sheep-Seifer.

For some reason, Renee felt something dark awaken in her heart, and she felt this dark urge to snuff out Johnny's life.

"Renee, stay where you are! --- Baremu yeti!" Sorbet appeared and reached out an icy hand to grab Renee.

Somewhere in the distance, in the direction of camp, the sound of battle erupted.

Katsuya

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia nodded, slowly as she shakily handed Serena her end of the stretcher. Her jaw tightly clenched and her body trembled as she continued to trudge along unhindered. She hugged herself, squeezing her arms tightly as she struggled. At the sounds of battle, she stopped walking, looking as though she were fighting herself, though whether or not she was fighting the urge to look back or fighting the decision not to was hard to say.

To the sound of the scream, she did look back. Her feelings about what to do mixed, she wanted to do as James had said and keep fighting, but she felt like she was fighting her own battle now, one that no one else could fight but her. She slumped to her knees and tried to consider her options. Whether or not she went and tried to help, she couldn't use her magic. If she used her magic and she couldn't control herself, she could hurt her friends. She could hurt her friends anyway, "J-James... s-suck it up?"

Lydia then began struggling to her feet, her knees feeling tired and weak, she wound up just leaning over, holding her legs a moment, closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath before she began trying to walk in the direction of the battle in progress.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Yep. Seeing the head open like that is creepy. Very creepy. Echo is glad that she managed to punch it's face so it can stop turning the soldiers into stone. The fawn moved away, only to come back in the strike zone and kick or knee it with her strength. If it ever attacked her, she would try to block it.

Chenglei and Serena moved quickly when the battle started and the violinist became more worried when she noticed Lydia trugging back where the battle was. So she yelled the soldier that she's going to help them and he nodded. While the blond oriental picked up the wounded scout to move into a safe area, Serena walked back to reach Lydia. She readied her violin and played her fireflies song, aiming at the dark monster they are fighting against.

***

Meanwhile Renee let out a shudder when she felt that weird need to snuff out Johnny's life, wrapping her arms around herself. That's terrifying. Why did she have that need? What is going on?! Then she remembered the look Ken-chan gave her and wondered if it's because of that. Is that why Kenren wanted them away?

"Seifer, ca-calm down. Sweetheart, it's ok-okay." Renee tried to comfort Seifer who's now a sheep and being wrestled down by Johnny. She's not going to move, letting Sorbet pick her up. The winged teen shivered from the cold hand, hating this already. Her wings none stopped trembling.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Ambush -
" Camp, Red forest "​

Echo must have hit it harder than she thought, because the monster was still reeling from the blow, unable to mortally wound any of them as it lashed out blindly, sending Pond who came lumbering out of the trees stumbling back the way she came; the owl bear's feathers ruffled angrily and she picked up a fallen pine tree.

Echo's kick struck and the monster was knocked sideways into a tree, red leaves falling over the battlefield as it's tail whipped out to strike her, but she blocked it!

Kenren stepped forth and crouched into a stance similar to Chenglei's, a gleam of red in his eyes --- he was angry. One could see that after all this time, despite his calm visage, he must have been nursing some kind of hatred for the evil that has been threatening his world and now, turned his men into stone.

Shing

He sliced a limb off.

There was a burst of flame and fire flies set the monster and the surrounding trees on fire. With a roar it started to escape, limping, wings shape-shifting, becoming longer for flight --- then it came face to face with Lydia!

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Battle Statistics

1. Chenglei (1-7 two-handed)= N/A
   Hp 2/3
   Phys.Def. 4 || Mag.Def. 3
2. Echo (unarmed 1-7) = 8
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 6 || Mag.Def. 4
3. James (1-7 conjuration) = 9
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 8 || Mag.Def. 8
4. Kenren (two-handed 1-8) = 8
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 7 || Mag.Def. 7
5. Lydia (1-6 one-handed) = 4
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 3 || Mag.Def. 5
6. Serena (1-8 conjuration) = 5
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 6 || Mag.Def. 4

* * * *​

1. Deathknight?? (success +1) = Total 2
   Hp 10/4
   *Attacks three times; can attempt to control those who have dragon souls inside them if they join the battle.

​

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

A half-hearted smile was given to Serena as she too decided to join the fray and Lydia took another deep breath, focusing all of the energy she could muster into doing just that, staying focused. She didn't want her mind to wander, not when it was so important that she keep her thoughts aimed on the enemy in their midst, because that's what this creature was, their enemy. She had to keep reminding herself to focus any anger that she felt on that creature and not think about anything or anyone else.

With a trembling hand, she raised the hammer from her belt and stared down at it before hearing the thudding footsteps of the creature as it prepared to take flight. Her green eyes turned towards the black mass and widened before her brow furrowed and she swung the hammer back the way Echo and Chenglei had shown her, bringing it back to crash against the side of the beast's head before she shakily took a few steps back and moved to hold her hammer in both hands, hunching over slightly as she stared the creature down, "I... I know you... you are causing this!" she would then attempt to take another swing at the evil thing before her, this time raising the hammer with both hands and sliding her higher hand down as she swung.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Her ears flattened against her head as she blocked it; absorbing the tail whip with her arm instead of going against it, remembering Master Mushi's lessons. Echo didn't blame the Prince for being angry as he was, slicing the monster's limb off like that. However she watched in a bit of horror that it's facing Lydia and was trying to escape. The fawn, a fire in her green eyes lit up as she remembers her boyfriend is in possible danger too with Renee and Seifer, aimed her kick at the wings so it wouldn't escape!

Serena grinned back at Lydia. She didn't mean for the trees to burn so she played her water spell, aiming it around the area and the monster. Her violin turning into water as Lydia swung a second time to the monster! Chenglei aimed his sword once more, now the sparks of lightening showed as he swung at the legs after Serena's attack.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Ambush -
" Camp, Red forest "​

Echo broke the wings as the monster hissed and lunged at Lydia, split head opening to reveal a bloody something before it stumbled from the strength of the fawn's blow and bowled Lydia over.

SMACK

Pond swung a red tree down the monster's back as Kenren sliced off another limb.

Hissing in rage, unable now to escape in time from its foes rushing over, the monster fiercely snapped its flaming jaws around Echo --- the one who ruined everything --- and crushed her. The fawn too caught on fire, before Serena's wave washed over them.

"Stop!" Hissed the monster suddenly. "Stop or I'll end her!" It tightened its bite around the fawn.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Battle Statistics

For this, if you guys choose to attack, whoever rolls the highest will strike first. If you guys strike first the monster will be defeated before it kills Echo, if not Echo will be killed before it is defeated.

Or you can choose to let it escape.

1. Echo (unarmed 1-7) = 3
   Hp 3/0
   Phys.Def. 6 || Mag.Def. 4
2. James (1-7 conjuration) = 2
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 8 || Mag.Def. 8
3. Kenren (two-handed 1-8) = 8
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 7 || Mag.Def. 7
4. Lydia (1-6 one-handed) = 10
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 3 || Mag.Def. 5
5. Serena (1-8 conjuration) = 10
   Hp 3/3
   Phys.Def. 6 || Mag.Def. 4

* * * *​

1. Deathknight?? (success +1) = Total 7
   Hp 10/1
   *Attacks three times; can attempt to control those who have dragon souls inside them if they join the battle.

​

 

[Katsuya]

Serena didn't stop, her azure eyes glared as that dragon actually dared to threaten them with Echo in it's jaws. Knowing the fawn, who absolutely hated being a victim, she would want someone to attack it despite the whole situation. So the blonde violinist, who's now pissed, played her fireflies song again, letting it swarm wildly at the monster who's holding her unconscious friend hostage.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

As she swung the beast crashed into her and she fell to the ground, rolling over as it ran past and grabbed Echo. The dark haired witch gasped, her eyes filled with horror as she struggled to her feet, holding her hammer in hand again and blinking in uncertainty.

She looked down at the hammer, that she had gotten after being inspired by Echo and being impressed with her and admiring her and now she was in this beast's jaws. Her own jaw clenched and she drew in a shuddering breath before looking to the others after hearing the threat, her brow furrowed in worry. Then she saw Serena striding forward and not taking the threat lightly.

Lydia's posture straightened and solidified and her hands tightened on the hammer. If Serena was going to try and save Echo, Lydia would too and she raised her hammer to swing down on the creature once more as she ran towards it.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Ambush -
" Victory! "​

Kenren lunged; Pond swung desperately; and in that split-second it realized it was going to die, the monster clenched it's jaws, but ---

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

Spoiler: Who Strikes First?!

1. James = 7
2. Kenren = 2
3. Lydia = 8
4. Serena= 5
5. Deathknight?? = 4

OOC: Go coup de grace that thing! Roleplay Skittle

​

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia didn't even think about the fact that Echo was in this monstrosity's clutches, and not only that, but it had the ability to make her feel so weighted down, awful, and unusual in the worst way. She just focused her rage on that. Focused on that this black splotch on life was here to hurt her friends. It was here to hurt her family. Her face grew filled with anger and she cried out as she readjusted her aim, swinging her hammer sideways at the monster's head instead of bringing it straight down on top of the black petals that made up its face. It was only a moment and after she realized that the thing was dead, she dropped her hammer and hurried to check on Echo, "E-Echo!"

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Grinning at Lydia hitting and killing the monster, she stopped her attack, the fireflies faded away as she jogged towards the mess and peered in the petal jaws.

"Watch out, Lydia~" Her tone is sickeningly sweet, letting the witch know that she's not exactly happy at the moment; a warning of what she's about to do. Then, using her anger, she lifted her violin like a golfing cub and swung-!

"AND~ FORT!"

Her violin whacked the petal-like jaw open revealing their friend who's covered in gross liquids. Serena can see Echo breathing...

"We should find Renee." Serena mentioned.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Red Forest "​

James hurried to the fawn as the monster's corpse started to crumble away into ash just like Wrath's did. "Johnny, if it's safe, bring Renee here like your life depends on it!" he yelled to no one in particular as he pulled out potion bottles and checked Echo's pulse and breathing. She was bleeding very badly and many of her bones were crushed.

Back to where the mediwitch in question was, Renee suddenly felt better as though a great weight had been lifted off he shoulders. Seifer-sheep who had calmed down and was now being hugged by Johnny, gazed at her as though he felt it too. "Baa." it said in confusion.

"Got it!" said Johnny out of the blue. "Sorbet, back to camp!" The ice golem picked them all up and lumbered away as Johnny asked Renee questions such as how she was feeling, and what was in the lunchbox she gave him that first day of school.

Renee would see her friends around a mortally wounded Echo, helping to keep her alive; Johnny was in shock and became hysteric, so much that someone had to keep him down.

Kenren, removed the sealing cuffs around Renee and guarded her carefully with his blade drawn out as she went to work; James stood aside to let the better healer take over. He looked to Lydia, and smiled proudly, still looking a little bit apprehensive in case she was still mad at him.

"Second deathknight win." he grinned.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Lydia felt physically relieved as the weight she had been carrying vacated and she sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment before renewed worry came back to her features, but she stood out of the way as Serena asked her to and nodded, her hands moving to clasp under her chin. Her green eyes watered and she moved around beside Echo, sure to stay out of the way of the fawn's care and definitely upset that she couldn't help.

Her heart ached for Johnny, it was horrible seeing him so upset, but she was confident that Echo would be fine, especially since Renee was there with them and Kenren was letting her do what she needed to do. Lydia backed away more when Renee took her place next to their friend, she wanted to calm Johnny, but she didn't think that if something happened to James that anyone would be able to calm her down.

Speaking of James, she looked to him like she didn't know who he was when he spoke, her wide, teary eyes blinking a few times before she ran to him, not slowing or hesitating until she collided with him, wrapping her arms around his torso and burying her face against his chest. She didn't really know what to say to him so she just hugged him and didn't say anything.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee sighed in relief, the urge to kill Johnny left and she relaxed in Sorbet's hand. She can hear Seifer's baa-ing calmed too, looking up to see him stare at her as if he knew how she felt. The Pendragon can hear the battle has quieted down and said: "I'll explain later, Seifer. Later."

She flinched when Johnny confirmed something, she guessed her brother maybe, and took all three of them to where the battle was. Renee answered all of Johnny's questions calmly though she felt like it was a bit weird that he would ask but whatever made him feel better. However her orange eyes widened in shock, now squirming wildly as she picked up all of the injuries from her best friend, her hands shaking as her heart dropped from the bloody sight.

"Let me go! Let me go! Echo!?" Renee screamed, panicked.

As soon Sorbet puts her down and Kenren took off her cuffs, Renee quickly worked on her friend, summoning Mica who squeaked in alarm and helped her. He nuzzled everywhere as she placed kisses and took out bandages and looked for strong branches as stilts to help the bones stay in place as she healed her. She essentially ignored everyone as she was more concerned about Echo.

Serena had to keep Johnny away as she knew he would hinder Renee's work with his worries. "I know. I know." She told him that Echo helped kicked that monster's butt; it was the reason why she was in this state because she dealt the most damage to it. Then she asked Hisaya if he knew which deathknight this was.

Chenglei, who was hidden with the injured scout in his arms, came out and placed him next to Echo, looking regretful as he watched Renee work. He knew that she'll help the scout too. Then he walked over to Johnny to try to calm him down by saying things like 'She's a tough lady. She'll pull through for sure.' The blond hopes that she will pull through.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Giant Mushroom Grove "​

"Oompf!" James went down. Sighing in relief, he hugged Lydia and caressed her hair. "Nice swing." he whispered.

Meanwhile, the monster's corpse, now a heap of ash, slowly vanished leaving behind another red crystal. "That is Greed." said Hisaya's voice. "What will you do with his philosopher's stone?"

"We're taking it with us." said Kenren. "Good job everyone! James, Lydia, secure the crystal --- celebrate later. Make antidotes for petrification for my men --- the rest of you secure the perimeter."

Out of the soldiers, only half were whole enough to be given the cure. The rest of them had been crumbled or destroyed when the monster was on rampage. They secured the recovering Echo and moved away from the scene of battle, far, far away until they pitched camp again before nightfall.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle DrinkingGlass
OOC || Characters || Moments in Time
​

 

[Katsuya]

Renee stayed nearby Echo the whole time they moved to making their new camp, trusting Seifer preparing their new shelter as she takes care of the men who still needed an antidote. After making sure her friend is safe in the shelter made for her, the Pendragon teen let Johnny come in, telling him to please call her when she wakes up. Then she left, trusting him to look out for Echo and went to start cooking food for everyone after taking care of the wounded scout as well. He should be fine to live another day just like Echo.

Serena went out with some of the soldiers to make sure the area was safe for camp. Chenglei, after trying his hand at comforting Johnny, left him alone to do his job and secured the area as well. He wished Johnny and Echo well with a heavy and tired look.

In the meanwhile, a little ways into night, Echo stirred in the makeshift bed, groaning as she squinted her eyes open. Dazed and confused from the pain, the red head limply looked around and spotted a familiar figure. Weakly moving her hand and reached out though barely with the many bandages around her arm.

"Joh-Johnny? Wha-?"

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Johnny Caprice -
" Night time, Camp, Giant mushroom grove "​

"I'm here. Don't move your arm." said Johnny immediately, gently holding Echo's hand and lowering it. He sounded worried. "How are you feeling, my fluffy, my bandaged one?"

He bent over her and his other hand, warm on Echo's skin felt her forehead.

In another part of camp where Seifer sat outside his and Renee's tent --- he didn't bother making a shelter this time, as tomorrow they were going to head out, though where Kenren didn't say --- the archer walked over to where she was, plopped down behind her and hugged her stomach.

"Am I that dangerous? . . ." he pondered out loud, but in a voice only Renee could hear. " For a moment there I thought Caprice was going to choke me . . . Hey, Renee, why am I here with the group? If I were in Kenren's place, being a deathknight and all, wouldn't the safe option be to kill me too?"

He talked about how he knew his power to tell others what to do just by speaking was dangerous, and yet they haven't sewn his mouth shut or prevented him from speaking permanently --- just placed the sealing cuff that prevented him from doing magic.

"I don't get it . . . Is Kenren that nice? Risking keeping me around until we find that huge power source big enough to get the dragon out of me?"

Katsuya

* * * *​

Meanwhile, in the Oriental prince's tent, Kenren sat examining the philosopher's stone of Greed. Unlike Hisaya's, his red crystal heart had been silent. It sat now in a make-shift container sealed with Lydia's runes and charmed with James' shielding spells.

Across him lay the wounded scout Chenglei and the others saved. He was patiently waiting for him to wake up so that he can hear what exactly happened to them, and about that dragon that went after him. He had to know if the dragon was in fact the deathknight or if it was a real black dragon.

 

[Katsuya]

"..." Taking a deep breathe and wincing from chest pain, Echo had to think hard to answer. "I feel like my dad tried to make my bones into dust with his hug...What happened?" She asked quietly, holding Johnny's hand. She felt pain everywhere. Under his palm, her forehead felt really hot like her body wanted to have a fever while her hands felt very cold.

Then she remembered. Biting her bottom lip, her body shook a bit; Her green eyes got watery as tears gathered in the corner.

In the meanwhile, when she felt Seifer's arms around here and heard his question, Renee sighed heavily. Her shoulders slumped. Time to be honest. "Ken-chan is nice; he advised me to not mention about your real nature at the Order back in Dalaran because they would experiment on you without your consent. He wouldn't have sewn your mouth. He isn't cruel." She let that idea sink in his mind for a moment.

"But the reason why he's letting you be around us is because you are dangerous and I'm around to make sure you're calm. We believe that's the reason why Wrath was so wrathful; he lost his family and when he found out...well you can imagine what happened." Renee explained quietly. "It's why I wanted to have your mom be there when you woke up, so you wouldn't rage at the time. I didn't know it would work for sure; It was a gamble that you would wake up possible harming us or not..."

Then she looked over her shoulder, her glowing orange eyes gazed into his stormy grey ones. "...but I'm glad that I took that chance. It meant that you will stay alive and fight back the dragon..." She took another breathe. "I wanted you to live because it was...it is unfair that Hisaya treated your body like that. It's unfair that you were dragged into this when you had nothing to with it. I'm not going to lie; I wanted to crush Wrath's stone before I knew about his family, thinking 'I don't want you exist anymore, but...then I found out about his family and thought 'he's just like Seifer'...So I want to help you recover your nature back and so you can relax with your mother when we get back to the other side." That is her plan from the beginning; To let Seifer out of this whole mess as soon as he has his human nature.

"I'm sorry that this happened to you..." Renee muttered; her wings limped sadly.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Night time, Camp, Giant mushroom grove "​

"You're the first person to tell me that." said Seifer, touched. "Everyone else treated me like a time bomb about to explode." he kissed her cheek and hugged her tighter. "You're a kind person, Renee."

He looked into the fire more contentedly now and didn't speak for a while. "Is Echo okay?"

- Johnny Caprice -
" Night time, Camp, Giant mushroom grove "​

Johnny held her hand a little more firmly, then lay beside her and as much as possible, hugged her very gently. He rubbed her uninjured parts comfortingly. "You nearly died, but Lydia saved you, Echo. You're safe now, Greed's gone, and I'm here. I won't let anything hurt you."

He rubbed her cheeks. "Our strong friends are outside, they won't let anything hurt you either. Not on their watch."

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"...Of course they would treat you like that; They're scared to fight you." Renee placed a gentle hand on his hand, pressing it meaningfully as she nuzzled his head. Her wings fluttered as she comforted him. "We're all scared of possibly facing a friend that we grew to care about during our journey together and lose someone again."

That's what she believes; James wouldn't admit it but even he should be grateful that Seifer was that paranoid about facing monsters again. Johnny probably grew to accepting who he was and still appreciated his efforts despite his attitude. Echo is understanding and gets that Seifer is just being Seifer. Lydia wouldn't put up his idiocy but it seems like she found a friend in Seifer by the way she mentioned about him before. Seth found a rival in him and her little brother loves competing.

All of them had a reason to not want to fight Seifer after so much time spending with him.

When Seifer asked about Echo, Renee smiled widely. "Echo will be fine. She'll need to recover a bit more but after a night and a day, she should be okay." She placed a kiss on Seifer's cheek sweetly. "Johnny's with her. I'm sure him being there will help too. If you like, we can visit her tomorrow?"

***

Echo sobbed quietly as tears fell down, hiccuping as she weakly buried her face onto his neck.

"...Th-thank you, love. Thank you."

It's short, but Johnny could hear how scared she was at possibly dying again; How relieved she is being alive; How happy that none of them are in danger from another Deathknight now; How frustrated that she's going to be a hindrance to everyone now; Most of all how grateful that she has such wonderful friends and boyfriend who cares about her so much.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle