Fantasy Hunter's Moon: Ascendancy [IC] [CLOSED]

[Infab]

Caleling Reef - Marketplace - Miniboss Fight - Turn Two
Royland uses Penance Stare! The Lightning Elemental has been stunned for a turn, and cannot attack!
Azathor = 8. Does 6 DMG (A Sister's Legacy) to the Water Elemental. Water Elemental HP = 52.
Xiaòzhou attempts to heal Cassandra. Chance Roll = 10. Chance Roll successful! Cassandra regains 10 HP. Cassandra's HP = 15.
Xiaòzhou attempts to dry off Azathor (Like Water, Returning.) Chance Roll = 9. Chance Roll Successful. Azathor is now dry!
Sebastian = 10. Acc. Roll = 13. Does 5 DMG to the Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 47.
Rajko = 7. Acc. Roll = 15. Does 5 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 42.
Camille = 5. Acc. Roll = 20. Critical Hit! Does 10 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 32.
Jayden = 9. Acc. Roll = 13. Does 5 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 27.
Cassandra = 10 (Shadow Dancing, Naturally.) Crit Roll = 7. Does 10 DMG to Water Elemental. Water Elemental HP = 42.
Rebecca attempts to use her tower shield to knock the Lightning Elemental down! Chance Roll = 9. Chance Successful! Lightning Elemental has been knocked to the ground. Lightning Elemental cannot attack for an additional turn!

--- --- ---

Water Elemental = 7, 10, 5 (Pressure.) Acc. Roll = 19, 14, 13. Does 10 DMG (Pressure, Shield Maiden) to Rebecca, does 5 DMG to Rajko and Royland. Rajko HP = 10, Royland HP = 7. Rebecca has been KO'd!
Lightning Elemental cannot attack! Stunned for two turns!

​

Before the Lightning Elemental could get enough of a charge built up for another strike, it found itself locking eyes with Royland. Whom had removed his helmet and prepared himself to unleash one of his most powerful abilities. The moment their eyes met, a intense pain pierced the demon's mind. It let out a screech of pain, reaching up to clutch its head and stumbling around. This gave the others the opening they needed.

Sebastian, Rajko, and Jayden all fired at once, bullets ripping through the Lightning Elemental's flesh from different directions, before Camille's throwing knives embedded themselves in the demon's chest. Another screech sounded from the demon's mouth, before a loud grunt was heard as Rebecca plowed into the demon. She had bolted towards the creature, her shield presented before her, in an effort to shield bash it. It proved successful, as the demon bounced off the shield and hit the wet sand. It struggled to get up, still reeling from its injuries and the psychic damage that Royland had just given it. Perhaps they could now finish it off without issue.

However, before they could do so, a burst of water rocketed across the marketplace. It collided with Rebecca's shield, cleaving through it and hitting the Saint in the face and upper chest. She was sent sailing backwards, spinning in mid air before landing in the sand herself. Seemingly unconscious as she bled heavily from her head and upper body. The jet of water arced about, also slamming into both Royland and Rajko before finally stopping. It knocked both backwards into the sand with the sheer pressure and volume, but didn't do as much damage as it had to the Saint before them.

After watching the demon's attack on the others, and after being quickly healed by Xiaòzhou, Cassandra jumped into action. She jabbed her sword into the Water Elemental's chest once more, striking the orb inside with the point yet again and chipping it. Azathor also attacked, swinging his swords at the demon's legs and cleaving through with ease. He brought them upwards gracefully afterwards, and also struck the orb. While attacking, he also found himself oddly drying off. Xiaòzhou's magic seemed to be working.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou watched, as he healed Cassandra and dried off Azathor, how the battle continued to unfold and, for all intents and purposes, things seemed to be going well. The lightning elemental had been rendered incapable for the time being, so the fear of it working with the water elemental had gone down substantially. They had a real chance to finish things off right then and there with it, and finish off the remaining menace. But in that moment of glad, once more the water elemental showed its fury, striking Rebecca down.

The world almost seemed to go in slow motion as he sensed her fall unconscious, flung into the air and crashing down. Even before she landed, the hermit rushed to help her back up. He tried to get another protective qi shield up, as he got to her body and positioned it so that she wouldn't be bleeding out as heavily, before beginning to heal her.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille's rapid advance continued well after she tossed her knives into the lightning elemental, trying to close the distance to perhaps negate the danger it poses at range. The fusillade of gunfire as well as the impact of her thrown blades had proven timely, as somehow the wraith knight's gaze seemed to debilitate their foe a great deal. A spirited shield bash from the saint only threw off the electric being further, and now was the time to press the attack. Seeing it down and battered, the huntress began to unsheathe her sabers while drawing nearer still. The jet of water from the other foe caused her to stop in place, its damage caused to Rebecca and the others palpable to the point that Camille reflexively tightened her grip on her swords defensively. Cassandra and Azathor were working to punish the demon for this assault, and the huntress would go for the coup de grace.

Snapping her gaze back on to the prone elemental, she rushed forward before performing a leap into the air. Making a quick and deliberate descent, she sliced her blades laterally in an attempt to cut the creature's neck in twain.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Fortune smiled on them as their lead projectiles ripped chunks off the elemental. Rajko thought Camille's knife throw to be particularly impressive for a moment. Feeding another round in the chamber, Rajko prepared to fire again when a torrent of pressurised wrath came at him.

He lowers his rifle to try and block it, but it was futile. His lungs squeeze out air as he flies backwards. Rajko rolled his body when his back hit the sand. His hand swims lethargically to grab his chest in tingling pain and breathes deeply. He looks up. Unhatted, the rain pours over his face. The Saint is down with Takato rushing to her aid. His eyes search through the mud and rain, but he cannot find his rifle. Flung far and away from him in the attack.

Squinting, he saw Camille slicing at the creature's neck. She has the right idea, thinks the Inquisitor. He filled his lungs one last time before rushing up into a sprint.

He pushed aside his cloak and unsheathed the sabre on his hip. He leaped similarly, but instead of a slashing motion, he turned the blade in his hand and pointed it downward. He'll skewer this damnable sparkling.

 

[Breadman]

The water collided with Royland and send him to the ground. The wraith got back up quickly, mildly in pain. The demon would pay, but his comrade would suffer first. He hurried to where it had fallen and he lifted his sabaton clad food to stomp whatever passes for a skull in its head.

 

[K0mori]

Oh nein...

Sebastian watched, wide-eyed, as the Saint came crashing down. Unsure if she had survived the attacked, for a moment he wondered who else would be able to reel in Cassandra's mind, once they had finally brought these demons down. Survival felt even more unlikely than it ever had, somehow, and he wouldn't stand for it any longer. He took out his pistol in one hand and his axe in the other, and went over the top of his makeshift cover. The lightning elemental had already been immobilized, and as comrades tried to grind it into the earth, he charged instead at the water elemental. A battle cry escaped him- the same fury he displayed at the sawmill.

 

[Infab]

Caleling Reef - Marketplace - Miniboss Fight - Turn Three
Xiaòzhou attempts to create a qi shield. Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful. Xiaòzhou has deployed a qi shield to protect himself.
Xiaòzhou attempts to revive Rebecca (Like Water, Returning.) Chance Roll = 8. Chance Successful. Rebecca has been revived with 10 HP.
Camille = 10. Crit Roll = 10. Does 6 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 21.
Rajko = 5. Does 3 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 18.
Royland = 7. Does 3 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 15.
Sebastian = 5. Does 3 DMG to Water Elemental. Water Elemental HP = 39.
Azathor = 7. Does 7 DMG (Combination Power, A Sister's Legacy) to Water Elemental. Water Elemental HP = 32.
Jayden = 9. Acc. Roll = 19. Does 10 DMG to Lighting Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 5.
Cassandra = 7. Does 3 DMG to Water Elemental. Water Elemental HP = 29.
Rebecca uses Special Attack: Lux in Tenebris. Chance to Hit = 6. Chance Successful. Rebecca does 100 DMG to Water Elemental. Water Elemental is dead!

--- --- ---

Lightning Elemental is unable to attack! Can't attack this turn.

​

As Xiaòzhou scrambled to revive the unconscious and bloodied Saint, the rest of the group quickly attempted to put down at least one of the Elementals so that they could focus their attention on the other. Xiaòzhou's qi shield was manifested quickly, before the Oni rolled Rebecca onto her back and began to cast his healing magic. It would take a few moments, as it seemed their was extensive damage to her shoulder and face. Blood coated most of the right side of her face, where most of the damage was focused, and matted her already wet blonde hair. If he hadn't have reacted in time, she might have actually bled out.

While the Oni healed the Saint, several of the group attempted to finish off the twice stunned Lightning Elemental as it lay on the ground. Camille struck first, her swords hitting the demon's neck but failing to cleave through them. It seemed its flesh was a bit thicker than others, likely hardened to protect it from the lightning that coated the outside of its body at times. They did cut deep enough to cause heavy bleeding, however. Rajko's stab to the torso and Royland's stomp across the side of the demon's head added more to the injury, but didn't kill the creature. Jayden also managed to shoot the creature in the torso, but still failed to kill it.

Meanwhile, Azathor and Cassandra doubled their efforts to put down the Water Elemental, with Sebastian rushing in with his axe and pistol in hand to join them. Azathor delivered more swings, the blade colliding with the gemstone inside the Elemental. Cassandra's jab also managed to strike it, as well as Sebastian's axe swing. But the Elemental was still up and moving. It would take more hits to kill this creature.

Soon, Rebecca regained consciousness. Suddenly, however, she gently pushed Xiaòzhou away. "I'm alright," she managed to get out, "Please, tend to the others." She wiped most of the blood from her face, before forcing herself to stand. The wounds had mostly healed, but not entirely. Scars covered her face, long cuts caused by the shield being turned into shrapnel by the high water pressure of the Elemental's attack. She had lost the use of her right eye. But it didn't matter. She could still fight. Sazak had even broken her arm before, all those years ago, but she could still fight then too. This was nothing.

As she directed her attention to the Water Elemental, her remaining good eye began to glow a golden yellow. The clouds overhead began to darken and swirl in a circle, as thunder and lightning began to roll. She began to speak, words clear and loud. "I tread the path of Righteousness. Though it be paved with broken glass, I will walk it barefoot; though it cross rivers of fire, I will pass over them; though it wanders wide, the light of Heaven guides my every step."

Lightning crackled across the sky, focusing to one single spot above them in the clouds. It reminded them of how the Lightning Elemental had arrived, but this seemed far different. The circling cyclone in the sky began to glow as gold as Rebecca's eye. "Where there is an enemy, I shall rage. I will not shirk. I will not falter." she spoke, as she slowly rose her sword to the sky. "I shall be the divine light made manifest, burning brightly in the darkness. A beacon of hope, for others to seek out and rally behind in times of war and chaos. I shall lay a fire in their souls, and another in their hands. Both shall be their weapons. For one is faith, and the other is victory. Neither shall be snuffed out."

The thunder above rolled again, as the sky grew brighter. And then, Rebecca slowly lowered the point of her sword towards the Water Elemental. "I am Saint Rebecca Witlocke. I condemn you, demon of the darkest Abyss. You shall atone for your sins. Your punishment, the Final Death. And I shall deliver your punishment unto you, swiftly. In the name of Heaven, I smite thee."

Suddenly, a massive bolt of blinding golden light erupted from the heavens. Rocketing downwards, it collided with the Water Elemental, and sent the trio of Azathor, Cassandra, and Sebastian stumbling backwards into the sand. The demon cried out, as it was swallowed by the beam of light, but the cries of pain were but momentary. Its form evaporated almost instantly, the gemstone that held its soul vanishing in the flash.

The ground shook, cracks forming along the ground. Shooting in every direction away from the beam's impact zone. Sand poured into the cracks, as Azathor, Cassandra, and Sebastian quickly moved away from ground zero. Then, the ground began to slowly sink inward. As if the sheer weight of the light was pushing into the ground. Forming a crater.

And then, as suddenly as it had came, it went. The spire of divine light vanished, leaving a scorched black crater in its wake. The demon was gone, nothing remaining of the creature that they were fighting so hard to kill. The skies cleared, the clouds quickly scattering and the thunder and lightning ceasing. Rebecca's eye returned to its normal look, staring at the crater that once was a demon. "It is done." she muttered, before looking to the Lightning Elemental that remained.

"...Finish him, brothers and sisters." she then spoke, looking to the others.

SPECIAL ATTACKS HAVE BEEN UNLOCKED.​

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Slashes, stabs, and stomps yet the lightning elemental still lived. It vexed Rajko greatly. The question of its inborn tenacity and durability repeated with nauseating tendency. He looked around to search for ideas or inspiration from his fellows. Inspiration he did find, but not from his closest allies.

The thunder reached his ears first, strong and indelible. But it was the Saint's voice clear as freshly blown glass and imbued with a divine melody. He was knelt over his foe, blade driven deep but he looked to the speaking Saint. Listening. So transfixed by the illuminating execution of the water demon that he didn't cover his eyes when particulates of sand and dirt pecked him. Yet still he watched through squinting, teary eyes.

When it was over, Rajko received the word to eliminate the remaining foe. "So it shall be," he whispered before pulling out his revolver and leveling it at its head. He pulled back the hammer with his thumb and squeezed the trigger.

 

[Breadman]

"WHY! WONT! YOU! DIE!" The wraith shouted with each stomp to the demon's head. His frustration swelling with each stomp. Any crack he would hear from the boot colliding with bone wouldn't be enough as he felt the thing's life essence. He froze when the skies were illuminated and the demon's screams of pain echoed for a short moment. In his rage, he failed to notice Rebecca coming back to her senses and calling down the lighting with her divine blessing. Something that he hadn't seen in centuries. For that brief flash, it brought him peace of mind. But it wouldn't last. She urged them to finish their foe and so they would. If the thing were to survive Rajko's assault, he would continue his own.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille grunted as her blades found purchase in the demon's neck, though soon grit her teeth with frustration when it was clear that it would not be enough to kill. Kicking herself off of the creature, she rapidly thought on how else to capitalize on the elemental's incapacitated state before the darkening clouds and rolling thunder had her reflexively moving away. Assuming that their storm-manipulating fiend was responsible, she quickly loaded a bolt into the crossbow on her arm with far less fumbling.

Bracing her palm onto her arm, she levels the weapon at the demonic foe only to realize that it was not conjuring this storm. The huntress' arm lowered slightly as she looked upon Rebecca, blinking as she exerted her saintly power to utterly annihilate the water elemental in a few short moments. Awe inspiring as it may have been to witness, Camille simply smirked upon seeing the obliteration of their enemy. Given the grievous blow it had afflicted Rebecca with, it would seem that turnabout was fair play.

As Rajko leveled his revolver to deliver a shot to the lightning elemental's head, she steadied her crossbow arm and squeezed to loose a bolt right alongside the inquisitor's round.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou was caught off-guard by the Saint gently pushing him away after she regained consciousness. He wanted to protest the motion, as he could see she was yet to be fully healed - her right eye hadn't yet become functional again! But the gentleness of her plead to concentrate on the others, as well as feeling her tapping into her saintly abilities, convinced him to set aside the issue for now. He can finish healing her up later, he thought, or she herself even.

With the water elemental absolutely decimated by St. Rebecca, with the hermit hearing chuckles in his mind at the sight, he turned his sight over to the lightning elemental, still unable to fight back, and nearly at the brink itself. There was no need for him to fight, so he did was she asked of him, turning his attention to AoE healing. The question of the Icons remained high too... were they watching them at this very moment? They were close earlier, but how much closer have they gotten? As he began healing, he concentrated his mind to try and figure that out.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian had missed several times with his Luger before getting close enough to swing with his axe, splitting through the water elemental's torso to strike the gemstone at the center with a glancing blow. The resistance he felt was not quite what he expected, and he stumbled at the end of the maneuver awkwardly before momentarily regaining his footing. However, he would not attempt another swing, as Rebecca had reawakened in all her terrifying, saintly glory.

The annihilation that followed planted Sebastian on his back, away from the epicenter, and once the cracks began to appear he was forced to scramble back even further. If he only had time to think about it, he would wonder whether Rebecca had access to power like this all the time, or if her use of it now would cost her the use of it later, but he did not. Instead, his only concern was ensuring his own safety.

When the instruction came to finish off the lightning elemental, Sebastian lagged behind a bit, overwhelmed by what he had witnessed. Nonetheless, he took up the role of executioner, same as the rest, as he carried the axe toward the creature's head. At least this one would be easier to hit.

 

[Infab]

Caleling Reef - Marketplace - Miniboss Fight - Turn Four
Rajko = 10. Acc. Roll = 7. Does 3 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental HP = 2.
Royland = 3- 1 (2, I AM SPEED.) Misses Lightning Elemental. Lighting Elemental counters and does 6 DMG (I AM SPEED) to Royland! Royland HP = 2.
Camille = 3. Misses Lightning Elemental.
Xiaòzhou attempts to heal the entire group. Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful. All wounded members of the group regain 3 HP. Royland HP = 5, Camille HP = 15, Rajko HP = 13, Rebecca HP = 13, Azathor HP = 13, Xiaòzhou HP = 15.
Sebastian = 8. Does 3 DMG to Lightning Elemental. Lightning Elemental is dead!

​

As the group made an effort to finish the job and dispatch the Lightning Elemental, they found that the stuns that they had inflicted on the demon had worn off enough for it to put up a fight. Rajko's gunshot sounded off, but he found that he would end up shooting the demon in the arm. The demon had jerked its arm up to protect its head at the last moment, and the bullet punched deep into its forearm. It would also roll its head out of the way to avoid Royland's stomp, before driving several of the spikes on its other forearm deep into Royland's leg. Then, a jerk would yank Royland off his feet and onto his back. Flat on the sand.

Camille's crossbow bolt would also miss, embedding in the sand as the Lightning Elemental climbed quickly to its feet. It seemed as though it was about to unleash another lightning attack, the electricity building up across its body in an effort to electrocute those around it once more, but Sebastian would swoop in with the final blow. Embedding the blade of his axe halfway through the neck of the demon with one hard swing. The demon gurgled, losing its balance, before slumping over and falling back to the ground. Finally dead.

While watching things unfold, Xiaòzhou had managed to heal most of the group. As soon as he saw the demon was actually dead, he continued. Healing the group back to full strength. They'd need it, especially if the Icons were nearby.

And they were. As soon as Xiaòzhou finished his healing of the group, he noticed two powerful auras to either side of the marketplace. They had opted to flank the group

"My word, a divine smiting! I haven't seen one of those in centuries." spoke the first of the two Icons. A female voice, coming from just inside of an open-faced tackle shop to the right. And on the left, next to the rubble that was once a blacksmith's shop, a male voice. "Sazak did say a Saint was with them, though she doesn't seem to be in top form."

Both emerged from their respective places, walking towards the group across the sands of the marketplace. Stepping over debris and skeletal remains. The male was tall, bald, and wore a thick fur lined leather coat. Honestly, it looked as if he had just emerged from the woods of Tsavania. The woman, meanwhile, bore a set of lavish silver armor featuring gold and jeweled trimmings. A purple hood covered her head, but they could easily see her braided light brown hair and gleaming demonic eyes beneath it. A smirk plastered on her face.

"Icons." muttered Rebecca, glancing to both of them.

"Correct." responded the female. "I am Istres, Icon of Pride. He is Vegras, Icon of Wrath."

"Now that the introductions are out of the way, shall we get straight to business?" stated Vegras afterwards, "Lord Taranoch wants the amulet. He also wants you lot dead. Two birds, one stone."

"Well, he decided to substitute two large boulders for the stone, in this case." Istres chuckled, her smirk widening.

 

[joshuadim]

The elementals were dead, but they were no time to rest given the Icons arrival in short manner to flank the group from two sides. Both as replacements for prior losses, Azathor sneered at the low quality stock that Taranoch had decided to uplift. "So, Taranoch couldn't find anyone competent to fill in the gaps left behind by Azgon and Ralvas. So he was left with you two idiots." the Demon Prince commented in a mocking manner as he flourished Belais' blade. Both of his hands gripped onto the hilt as he bared his teeth, with unblinking eyes piercing straight at the two new Icons. "I'll be sure to send you both to Taranoch in pieces."

 

[Breadman]

It was dead. The worst hit was to his pride, but the demon was now dead. Royland got back up from the sand and let Takato heal him all the while he sensed the coming icons. It would be the Icons of Pride of Wrath that make their grand entrance. The wraith's attention was firmly on Vergas.

"I wonder. If I crack your head open will I inherit some nobility in the Abyss?" The knight didn't seem to even notice Istres. "Maybe that way someone of worth will sit on your bloody throne." He started to twirl the chains again. The head of a morning star on the other end.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou positioned himself in turn to the Icons flanking them, just keeping his eyes on the approaching Icons as he began recognizing the auras they put out. The hermit pondered at the fact that it was specifically the replacements for Wrath and Pride who were present here, and gave Cassandra and Azathor brief knowing glances, before shifting his focus back. His posture seemed relaxed, but flexible enough to bounce into any relevant position he should find himself in - any of his hands-on martial arts styles, any of his mystic styles, his armaments, his staff, etc - whether it be offensive, defensive, or supportive.

Given earlier, the oni knew that the enemy could target him, so he always needed to keep himself at the ready. He opted to stay quiet as the others made their remarks.

 

[K0mori]

What could an ordinary human even say to an icon? Sebastian didn't know. He just looked at them tiredly as he dislodged his axe from the neck of the lightning elemental. He figured he'd probably be dead soon, even with Rebecca back on her feet, so it didn't really matter if he had a quippy one-liner in his back pocket. Instead, he took a moment to close his eyes and picture his mother, filling himself with the warmth he sorely missed in the downpour among the misery of death and demons.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko simply stared at the icons. The rest jabbed scathing quips, demeaning their competency or boasting about measures of nobility, frankly he didn't care. He looked at his revolver grumpily, wishing that he had no lost his rifle in this dreaded downpour amidst dead daemons. The inquisitor huffed before looking to the others. He mouthed words, "Need more firepower," before jogging away in the opposite direction of the icons.

A sizable enough distance had been put between him and icons. The inquisitor didn't know if them being daemons or Icons or whatever granted them augmented sight, but in the unruly weather then he assumes it'll be harder to spot this. His inquisitorial cloak dropped to the ground like a melting shadow, accompanied by the belt of holstered weapons. The shirt felt as though it was choking him by the collar, two fingers hooked then tugged to loosen. With a thought, that was more akin to a muscle flex, Rajko began the change.

Pain spread throughout his body, it spread with the ferocity of a forest fire, setting his nerves alight. His jaw locked teeth against teeth, while his body jittered. A sort of violent shaking as just beneath the skin-veneer, new cells rapidly proliferated. Eyes fall on his tremoring hands. The skin bulged then popped, mixing blood with rain, fingers bend at odd, confusing angles then pop like firecrackers. Each digit then sprouting massive, curved daggers. His physiognomy morphs to resemble a bat; his jaw tips forward, a twin set of razor-sharp canines grow from bleeding gums, nose is mashed into an ugly mess while ears bloom upward. Two buds protrude on his back. Bursting into skeletal constructs overtaken by furred flesh and leathery skin. In place of eyes now rest glaring, glowing rubies with a blazing hatred.

He suppresses the urge to scream out his new voice box. Instead rearing his wings up then swatting down for a vertical take off. He'll arc back into the market place. Ambush from above.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille sucked in her teeth when her practically point blank shot missed its mark, though quickly grabbed onto her sabers to defend herself as best she could. Fortunately, Sebastian's mad dash with his axe managed to finally put an end to the foul creature. Breathing a sigh as some kind of warm breeze invigorated her in this chilling deluge, the huntress taking about five seconds to compose and relax herself.

And then, the Icons appeared. Once more the huntress grew tense, though this time found herself shaking with anxiety and uncertainty. Between herself and her husband, she made for a rather poor demon hunter compared to him, and these foes were as powerful as demons come. Yet it dawned on Camille that if she were to kill Sazak, she would need to steel her resolve if she would ever hope to face him. If Hudson and a group of disorganized psychopaths could slay Icons, so could they.

Another breath, then a deep exhale leaves Camille's lips as those slight vibrations of her limbs steadied while she found her center. Contrasting Sebastian, she did not think herself an ordinary human. An indomitable spirit and force of will would see her through any chaos these demons could conjure. Though she did not see the purpose in quipping back against the boastful Icons.

"We do not have time for you," the huntress said to them simply.

 

[Infab]

"So, Taranoch couldn't find anyone competent to fill in the gaps left behind by Azgon and Ralvas. So he was left with you two idiots." the Demon Prince commented in a mocking manner as he flourished Belais' blade. Both of his hands gripped onto the hilt as he bared his teeth, with unblinking eyes piercing straight at the two new Icons. "I'll be sure to send you both to Taranoch in pieces."

Istres chuckled. "This? Coming from you?" she soon replied, "You couldn't even kill Azgon by yourself. It took a group of you using ancient abyssal artifacts they had to grave rob to get. Oh, and not to mention two dead rulers. Heard Adriel's brief return was quite the spectacle. Also heard the vampire over there was the one that delivered the killing blow to Azgon."

"As for us, we were next in line.... well, actually I was next in line." stated Vegras afterwards. "Kellea was next in line after Ralvas, but she was tossed aside. She's now a demon of Vainglory, after Sazak snatched her out of the gutter. So, Istres took her place."

"And I do a far better job at it than she ever would have." said Istres, with a grin.

"I wonder. If I crack your head open will I inherit some nobility in the Abyss?" The knight didn't seem to even notice Istres. "Maybe that way someone of worth will sit on your bloody throne."

Vegras shifted his attention to the knight, as he twirled his chained mace. "You're welcome to try." he responded, "One or two of your kind have tried before. It didn't end well for them."

They soon shifted their attention, watching Rajko as he made what appeared to be a retreat. Both simply watched, a smirk appearing on their faces as he disappeared out of sight. A simple glance between them showed they similar shared thoughts on the matter.

But soon, Camille would speak a simple statement, which caught Istres' attention.

"We do not have time for you."

"As if you really have a say in the matter, sweetheart." she said, with a chuckle. "You'll stay here as long as we want you to. And we have all the time in the world."

But then, a flash of golden light caught their attention. Their gaze shifted, both locking onto Rebecca as she stood towards the center of the group. She had raised a hand above her, and had done something with her heaven-given powers. What it was, they didn't know. But her eyes were briefly golden, and had now begun to shift back to their normal appearance.

Rebecca simply smiled, as she noticed the two Icons looking towards her. "I'm sure Sazak has told you of what I did prior to our duel." she said softly, looking between the two before holding up her sword. "I prayed for divine favor. I blessed my weapons and armor."

"The blessings and prayers didn't save you from death, Saint." remarked Vegras, "And they won't save you this time."

"Oh, but I believe they will." she said, still smiling. "I have faith."

The Saint then motioned to the others around her. "I also took the liberty of blessing and praying for them as well. Their weapons will harm you now, if they couldn't before."

The Icons looked to one another quickly, before snapping their attention back to Rebecca. Rebecca simply continued to smile, looking between them. She then held up a finger, moving it between the two demons as she spoke again. "So, which of you will strike first? Or will you both strike at the same time? I believe we all would like to know, unless you intend on standing there and continuing to talk. Sazak didn't even talk as much as you two when I fought him."

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou maintained his position, only shifting slightly to make sure Sebastian wouldn't get struck first once the fighting began. Without even looking at Rajko, he could sense his departure and subsequent flight into the sky - whether or not the two Icons in front of them were aware of what had just occurred alluded him, so he knew that there a chance Rajko will need help for... whatever it is he is doing right now.

The hermit smirked at Rebecca's sudden reveal of the entire group's blessing. Though he didn't necessarily need it, given what he had inherited from the Abyss, it did mean he could switch to his armaments without worry if he'd be able to hurt them. He slid one foot forward, prepared to strike at any moment, aided by the qi shield he still had up, and his readiness to use all means necessary.

 

[Infab]

"So, which of you will strike first? Or will you both strike at the same time? I believe we all would like to know, unless you intend on standing there and continuing to talk. Sazak didn't even talk as much as you two when I fought him."

Istres grunted, before looking past Rebecca towards Vegras. Vegras returned the glance, and soon the two began to circle about the group to one side. As they met up, they took another glance towards each other, then held up their hands. One flat, the other balled up into a fist. Then, the fist moved up and down over the flat hand. Three times, before both of them made a gesture with the balled fist, shaping their hand and fingers into something else or not at all. One was flat, one was two fingers extended, and one was flat like their other hand.

Rebecca cocked an eyebrow, wondering what they were doing. Cassandra, however, soon spoke up. "They're playing Jan-ken." she said, before glancing to the others. "They're trying to figure out who goes first. Its a western thing, saw a foreigner do it once with a friend of his over trying out some Escarian dish."

After a few games, however, they seemed to have decided as to who would go first. Istres grinned, eventually patting Vegras on the shoulder before looking towards the group. "Look's like I'm up!" she stated, rubbing her hands together as she moved into position before them. Vegras, meanwhile, retreated to sit on a rock amongst the bodies of the fallen possessed soldiers from before.

Istres took up a wide stance, her feet positioned just so in the sand, before reaching back over her shoulder with a hand. And suddenly, the long shaft of some sort of weapon began to manifest as she gripped and pulled it from its invisible resting place on her back. The weapon, as it manifested, seemed to be made of pure obsidian, with deep red veins of hellish make traveled up and down the shaft to either end. Eventually, as she grasped it with the other hand before her, the weapon fully materialized. It was a war scythe, a pole-arm with a long curved blade affixed to one end of the weapon. The inside of the curve looked viciously sharp and jagged, appearing to carve into and rip through flesh more than it intended to slice.

Rebecca prepared herself, tossing what was left of her shield aside and gripping her longsword with both hands. Cassandra did the same, readying her saber. And soon, it was time. Istres twitched, darting forwards at a hellish speed. Moving straight towards Rebecca. Kill the Saint first, he said, then slaughter the rest. Should be easy enough.

 

[Breadman]

The battle had started and the Icon of pride was the first to strike. She darted forward with a clear goal in mind. As much as he wanted to kill Vergas, the Icon of wrath would have to wait. Royland spun the chains and threw the infernal coils towards the speeding Icon's feet.

 

[Damian0358]

Anyone looking at Xiaòzhou would've noted how genuinely confused he was at the sight in front of him. They were clearly engaging in shoushiling, a non-huaquan variant that's far simpler that sticking out one's fingers as he had seen many times before back home. Hearing Cassandra refer to it as specifically janken made him wonder if this variant emerged from Lower Redonia specifically, or if it emerged back home too during his absence. But soon with the finishing of the rocking, papering and scissoring, the fight was set. The hermit was surprised they'd be only fighting one after another - one would suspect they would fight them simultaneously.

But quickly, Istres darted towards Rebecca! He reached for his staff, and put two fingers to his forehead - he was going to use instantaneous movement to get to her immediately, and bash her away from Rebecca!

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor lunged ahead with his own demonic speed, aiming to intercept the Icon alongside Xiaòzhou and swung his blade directly at her midsection as to coordinate the strike together for additional impact and damage. He would not allow the Saint to be killed to easily - not while he had anyhting to say about it.