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

[K0mori]

Having struck one of the alchemists with his rifle, Sebastian realized just how lucky he was to have scored a shot and that he was probably relying on the wrong weapon. He drew his Luger, intent on fighting these men like he would any other mortal. "Keep the pressure on!" he yelled, squeezing off several rounds at the first foe who made themselves too visible.

 

[Infab]

Tiverpool - Tsavanian Trenches (Staging Area #3) - Miniboss Fight - Turn Two
Xiaòzhou attempts to disable an enemy's alchemical ability. Target: State Alchemist #3. Chance Roll = 8 + 2 (10, The Firm Grasp of Nature) Critical Chance Success! State Alchemist #3 temporarily loses their alchemical abilities! State Alchemist #3 cannot perform alchemy for three turns, and is suffers 3 damage from magical feedback. State Alchemist #3 HP = 19.
Camille uses Dagger Dance! Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful! All State Alchemists are stunned, and unable to move for a turn!
Azathor = 6, 5, 8 (That Which Dwells Beneath.) Does 13 DMG (Dagger Dance, A Sister's Legacy, That Which Dwells Beneath, Combination Power) to State Alchemist #1, #2, and #3. State Alchemist #1 HP = 2, State Alchemist #2 = 1. State Alchemist #3 is dead!
Rajko uses Batimalism. Target: State Alchemist #4. Chance Roll = 9. Chance Successful! Does 12 DMG to State Alchemist #2. State Alchemist #2 is dead!
Constantine uses Card Thrower. Chance Roll on Self = 9. Chance Successful. Constantine regains 10 HP. Chance Roll on Rajko = 6. Chance Successful. Rajko regains 10 HP. Rajko HP = 14. Chance Roll on Enemies = 3, 2. Chance Failed. Missed State Alchemist #1 and #4.
Sebastian = 7. Acc. Roll = 8. Does 3 DMG to State Alchemist #1. State Alchemist #1 is dead!
Cassandra = 5. Acc. Roll = 3. Does 1 DMG to State Alchemist #4. State Alchemist #4 HP = 19.
Rebecca attempts to heal Rajko (Voice of the Saint.) Chance Roll = 8. Chance Successful. Rajko regains 6 HP. Rajko HP = 20.

--- --- ---

State Alchemist #4 cannot move! Pinned in place! (Dagger Dance.)

​

Xiaòzhou focus soon paid off. The sigil on the different silver shards shattered, and he soon heard the Alchemist that had thrown them cry out in pain. His hands were soon clutched into his arm pits, arms crossed across his chest as he recoiled from the immense pain. It seemed that the shattering of the sigil allowed for some of the monk's qi to pass through and force a sort of magical feedback against the alchemist whom had carved the sigils. And a moment later, Camille would capitalize on the temporarily handicapped alchemist as well as the rest of his allies.

As she leaped into the air, performing graceful acrobatic movements, her special stiletto daggers were flung out at each of the alchemists. Each dagger hit its target, though in different parts of their bodies. The location didn't matter; the minor paralyzing agent that coated the blades soon began to kick in regardless as to where they were hit. Azathor would soon follow, the demon price choosing to leave his mortal vessel behind to attack three of the alchemists in his true form.

There stood the Rebel Son of Sazak himself, his torso exposed for all to see dark skin, muscle, and scars. His bright yellow eyes locked onto the nearest target and, clutching his sword, he charged. The blade met its target in an upward swipe, slicing through clothes and flesh. Blood gushed violently from the wound, spurting into the air. The next target would suffer the same fate, though the blade carved a horizontal gash across their abdomen. Then came the final target, and the only one killed by his attack. He locked onto the alchemist that Xiaòzhou had temporarily disabled, and charged. In a flash, he zipped across the battlefield with a speed resembling the pureblood Cassandra. At the end, he stood next to the alchemist. His sword was driven through the side of the alchemist's throat, and with a jerk, ripped out through the windpipe. The head rolled back, hanging on only by the remaining flesh, and the body collapsed soon after.

As quickly as he had emerged, Azathor disappeared into the same smokey mist he had spawned from. Soon, his vessel reappeared, prepared to continue the fight if need be. To follow up, a sudden swarm of bats appeared from throughout the trenches. Darting through the narrow pathways, the chirping and screeching mass swarmed one of the alchemists. Panicked screams filled the air, as the alchemist couldn't fight back. This would be his end. As he collapsed, being bitten and scratched by the black writhing mass, Constantine chose to make his own moves. A card was tossed into the air, soon landing back on him and healing him back to full health. The second healing card, aimed at Rajko, stuck him in the shoulder and healed him as well. The other two cards he threw, however, failed to meet their targets. Maybe he could chalk it up to his wounds?

Sebastian would choose to finish one of the alchemists off before the rest of the group could do something more gruesome, planting a bullet into the woman's head. She dropped on the spot, dead. Cassandra, however, would only wound her target. Rebecca would choose, instead of shooting at the enemy, to try and heal the wounded Rajko.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou cheered as his experiment turned out the result he had hoped, and seemingly even more than that. He could sense his qi passing through in a specific pattern, as if there was something to which the carved sigils corresponded to. If he got the opportunity, assuming they aren't pulverized, he would have to check their bodies. But out of the blue, with Camille's attack passing, he could sense a grand mass of power manifesting from Azathor - he had uninstalled his vessel and revealed his true form. In that very moment, the battle was decided.

One dead, two killed shortly thereafter, and one more left paralyzed. No amount of coordination could anticipate an attack such as that, especially if one was used to fighting non-demons. He stared over at the final alchemist, and could sense their desperation. Given what they've demonstrated as being capable of, who knows what one would do in a situation like this? Flee to spread info on their abilities? Commit suicide in a vein attempt to kill them all? Attempt some bastardized resurrection maneuver? They (he, really) had no idea what he had up his sleeve.

The oni knew he needed to act, quickly. Now was the time.

"10 BÈI ZIRÁNQUAN!"​

Abilities: The 10 Trials of Adriel (7 HP) / Shan Oni Pai​

 

[Breadman]

Two out of four isn't bad. 50/50 split. Breaking even. That and a few other things were the thoughts going through Constantine's head as the other two cards failed to land anywhere near the alchemists. He unholstered his gun and shot the remaining one. Live or die, he'd get a hit in to make himself feel better.

 

[Infab]

Tiverpool - Tsavanian Trenches (Staging Area #3) - Miniboss Fight - Turn Three
Constantine = 4 + 2 (6, Pistolero.) Acc. Roll = 12. Does 3 DMG to State Alchemist #4. State Alchemist #4 HP = 16.
Xiaòzhou uses both The 10 Trials of Adriel as well as Shan Oni Pai. Shan Oni Pai rolls = 7, 10, 8, 8, 5. Deals 15 DMG. Xiaòzhou has sacrificed 7 of his HP (The 10 Trials of Adriel), dealing 28 DMG additional damage. 15 + 28 = 43. Xiaòzhou deals 43 DMG to State Alchemist #4. State Alchemist #4 has been killed! Xiaòzhou HP = 15.

​

As the Alchemist prepared themself, the paralyzing agent wearing off and ridding themself of the dagger that Camille had struck them with, they would stand only to be struck with a revolver round in the shoulder. It threw them off balance, Constantine scoring the shot he was hoping for, and it created the perfect opening for Xiaòzhou to finish them off. As he moved, darting towards the Alchemist, he felt something stirring deep inside. Two things, really, in unison.

He felt a new power roaring through him, a power Zazriel spoke of when he taught Xiaòzhou about Adriel and her trials. Through those trials, ten doors she opened within to elevate herself to that of a Abyssal Titan. Xiaòzhou wasn't ready to throw open those doors. Far from it. That level of power would kill him. However, Zazriel instructed him on how to simply force a crack in them. Let the energy behind those doors seep out, like a stream of water, and grant him just enough otherworldly strength. However, power always comes at a cost. His body would have to bear that cost until he sealed those doors once more.

At the same time, however, another thing stirred inside. Memories deep within his Oni blood, calling out to him. Perhaps it was a lingering trace of his shadow self from his time in the Abyss? He would dwell on that later, however. For now, his blood boiled and churned. His body wanted to act as only a Mountain Oni could. It wanted to fight this alchemist, one-on-one in mortal combat. Do so, he would.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou felt his strength skyrocket as he tapped into the Zìránquan, combining what he had learned from Shi Jing and from Zazriel, as everyone else witnessed him surrounded by a red-colored aura. Taking what the humans had achieved with this form, he embedded that which Zazriel taught him, intensifying the aura surrounding him even more greatly, as he injected but a light stream of energy of an Abyssal Titan. He could sense the strain on his body clearly, but he was sure this would be enough to defeat the remaining alchemist.

As he rushed toward the alchemist however, the hermit felt a need to ground himself, to recall his own roots even as he called upon the lessons learned from the humans and demons. To strike like a northern oni, whether it be as his shadow had gone for, or whomst he had fought in his youth, would be enough to finish the enemy.

Rushing towards the state alchemist, the oni slammed his fists directly into the alchemist's head, throwing him off balance, before following up by kneeing his gut. He continued striking him in the chest, headbutting the man soon after, and then jumping at it with an overhead strike, slamming him so hard into the ground that he bounced off slightly. With the brief airtime, he kicked him into the air, raising his hand to catch the brutalized alchemist. He would finish by flinging him onto the ground, after which the aura surrounding him disappeared.

Xiaòzhou fell onto one knee, as he caught his breath following the attack. He knew that he would have to check the alchemist now, to see whether there was in fact something that the carved sigils corresponded to.

 

[joshuadim]

Following his onslaught, it was the monk who ended the fight at last with a bit of help from the others as he practically obliterated the soul with his hand-to-hand martial arts techniques. Azathor was quiet as the still came over the battlefield, devoid of enemies in the immediate vicinity; he would slice the air in front of him so as to thrust the blood that remained wet and slick on his blade before returning it back into its scabbard on his back with fluid motion. The Demon Prince took a quick glance around, as he could feel intense auras that were off in the distance. The battle raged on in other parts of the trenches, providing just a glimpse into the scale of warfare unfolding around them still.

"Let's get a move on! I'm not eager for another battle mutt to jump at us." Azathor shouted to his allies, spurring on the need to pass through the battlefront.

 

[Infab]

"Let's get a move on! I'm not eager for another battle mutt to jump at us."

"Indeed. We should move as soon as possible." stated Rebecca, before looking back to where Reese had been before. Gribov had been assisting Reese and the other soldiers, moving the wounded away from the battle so that the medics could tend to them. He noticed Rebecca looking towards Reese, so he nudged the Lieutenant and motioned to the Saint.

Reese looked over. "I'd say the same, but we've got too many wounded here. We'll be slowing you down." he stated, before pointing towards the area behind the trench. "Keep going. Those of us that can still shoot will cover your exit."

Gribov nodded. "I can guide us out of here. We just need to avoid Tsavanian patrols."

Reese gave him a thumbs-up, before looking back to the Saint. "Been an honor working with you all. Maybe we'll see each other again after all this is over." he said, chuckling a bit as a smirk appeared on his face.

Rebecca smiled. "Come by the cathedral in Eternis. You'll get a warm welcome." she responded. She then looked the others. "You ready?"

Cassandra was inspecting the corpse of one of the dead alchemists, squatting next to them with her rifle in hand. Her free hand was searching inside the alchemist's coat, her fingers slipping into any pockets she found. Eventually, she found a document. The paper was partially coated in flecks of blood, likely from the sword cuts that Azathor had given them. It seemed important, as it bore the seal of the Alchemist Guild on the outside.

She unfolded it, and her eyes ran over the writing on the inside. As she read, she cocked a brow. "...Looks like we were targetted specifically. Explains the traps." she said aloud. Likely Icon meddling. As she reached the bottom, however, her eyes widened.

This was signed by the leader of the Alchemist's Guild herself.

"...Well now, this is certainly damning." she soon said, holding the document up as she looked to the others.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian gathered himself up, having been dazzled by the combined displays of Azathor, Xiaòzhou, and Rajko. With everyone in his party more or less in one piece the way they started, Sebastian felt they had been exceedingly lucky. To keep that luck going, however, he wanted to get as far away from the front as possible, but he couldn't help but pause when he noticed Cassandra rifling through the possessions of one of his dead countrymen. When she took out the document and brought everyone's attention to the signature, Sebastian felt a sickness in the pit of his stomach, even if he wasn't really surprised.

"Klostermann." Sebastian grunted. "She was working with Nocturne before the war. Wouldn't shock me if she opened us up for business with the Abyss..."

 

[Dmaster]

The huntress finished her feat of acrobatics by landing gracefully, her practiced movements apparent as she still seemed ready to fight even after what would have been a disorienting experience to most. Yet her sabers would prove unnecessary as the group capitalized on her opening, the alchemists ending up being the ones taken by complete surprise despite them being the ones who created this ambush.

With a sigh, Camille righted herself to a standing position as a slow stillness enveloped their section of the trench, the huntress grimly walking toward each alchemist's corpse to withdraw her daggers from them. Wiping the blood onto her cloak, she started to slot them back into their bands for future use, her expression neutral and soft. Perhaps there was a time where she would have cocked a smirk or been pleased with her superior technique, yet these days she could see no joy in fighting as she had years before.

The name Sebastian uttered caused her to scoff, turning her head to him with visible annoyance. "That is unsurprising. I saw that woman at the Summit and she seemed only interested in profiteering from the tension there."

 

[Breadman]

Constantine let out a sensible chuckle as the last alchemist met his end at the hands of the oni. They were caught in an ambush, but quickly turned things around. He looked to the corpses of the other alchemists when Cassandra mentioned that they were targeted.

Klostermann,she was working with Nocturne before the war. Wouldn't shock me if she opened us up for business with the Abyss...

That is unsurprising. I saw that woman at the Summit and she seemed only interested in profiteering from the tension there.

"We have a lot of the smart guys down there. Trading souls for knowledge or just being bastards." Constantine added to the musing "Some of them are smart enough to worm their way into favorable positions." He remembered Colette "Others gets stuck in the pits."

 

[Infab]

"Klostermann." Sebastian grunted. "She was working with Nocturne before the war. Wouldn't shock me if she opened us up for business with the Abyss..."

"That is unsurprising. I saw that woman at the Summit and she seemed only interested in profiteering from the tension there."

"She's likely looking for a way to come out of this in a position of power." said Cassandra, "She's likely waiting for the right time to make a move against the Daristeinian government. Claim the country for herself under her demon overlords."

Cassandra folded the document back up, before stand and moving towards Sebastian. "Take this. If we survive, you can use it when you go home. Assuming she hasn't done anything twisted to save her skin once this is over."

As she handed the document off to Sebastian, Rebecca spoke up. "Indeed. Those that assist the invading Abyssal forces must answer for their crimes. That will come later. For now, we have relics to find and a war to win."

Goodbyes were said, and soon enough, the group was quickly moving away from the trench. Deep behind the line they pushed, choosing to stray away from any roads that they encountered. Tsavanian forces would be using the roads, pushing reinforcements towards the front to counter the Atracan assault. As they pushed further into the highlands, they would see how much the frontline had changed over the months. Abandoned trenches, burned down forests, destroyed villages and homes. The war spared nothing and no one.

Eventually, however, they would begin to head towards the northeast. They would hug the border of Trechtstaat as they moved along it towards where they would need to crosss into Daristein. The group would stop several times over the course of their journey, making camp in the wilderness or seeking refuge in a friendly home or vacant barn. Gribov was immensely helpful in convincing locals to assist, as was Rajko.

Days came and went, as they slowly made their trek through the wildness into the mountains that made up the border between Tsavania and Daristein. Die Nordwand, a pass carved through the mountains into Daristein would finish off their trek, the group emerging into the forests of Norther Daristein. Gribov wasn't with them, as he remained on the Tsavanian side of the pass just as he said he would. Their new guide was supposedly going to meet them in Daristein.

Daristeinian soldiers hadn't been seen in the area since the start of the war, as most of their forces had been moved to the Atracan and Escarian fronts. They would likely still have to worry about patrols, but that would come later once they decend further into the country itself. For now, they were in the clear. Mostly.

"So when is Riberta supposed to be here?" said Cassandra, sitting perched on a boulder near the campfire. "Wasn't she going to meet us?"

The group had pitched camp in a cluster of evergreen trees near the exit of the pass. Tents had been set up, and a small fire had been made at the center near some small bolders and downed trees. A rather scenic location.

Rebecca, who was polishing her longsword, glanced up. "That's what I was told. She was going to meet us here near the pass. Something must have held her up." she responded, running the worn rag down the length of her sword.

"Nothing holds that woman up. Not if she's alone." muttered Cassandra, before sighing and laying back on the boulder.

 

[joshuadim]

Beyond the trenches came the familiar comfort of wilderness; a world separate from the ruination of the modern world, retaining all its natural beauty and bounties. Through it all, Azathor breathed in the air - free from the smokes that choked the sky - and felt the aromas of leaves and flowers fill his nostrils. A welcome change of pace given all that they had travelled through thus far. And in this isolation, they didn't have to deal with the nuisance that was other people. But there was one particular thing that lingered on his mind through all this as they traversed the wilds.

He felt a small patter along his thigh, and looking down he saw that the small bag that he had carried with him since Grimtham had managed to stay put. He didn't need to open to know its contents, as it was the sugar cubes that he would have fed Horse while on their travels. While Cassandra and Rebecca wondered about the whereabouts of Riberta, their guide through this area, Azathor's mind dwelled on a more important matter.

"I hope our steeds are alright." the demon prince mused to no one in particular.

 

[K0mori]

From the moment their party crossed into Daristein, Sebastian's mood seemed to improve markedly. He talked more, smoked less, and even hummed and sang songs quietly as he hiked along, the same ones his unit sang as they marched during training, just before the war. It was easy to tell that he was nostalgic; before his enlistment, he was just a kid from a neglectful household, searching for his independence. It was safe to say that, no matter how odious the burden of killing in the name of one's country, Sebastian vastly underestimated the weight he would carry in the near future. Without exaggeration, the weight of the world was resting on the young man's shoulders.

But here, away from civilization for the moment, he could permit himself to think of something else. Beyond the joys of a simple hike through nature, he found himself enjoying the company of his strange comrades, and at times shared with them whatever knowledge of his country felt relevant to the current discussion, even if it became tiresome for his companions.

"I hope our steeds are alright." the demon prince mused to no one in particular.

"Someone will take care of them, surely," Sebastian said, poking his head out from one of the tents. "They did just fine before we got there, didn't they?"

"Nothing holds that woman up. Not if she's alone." muttered Cassandra, before sighing and laying back on the boulder.

He smirked at the pureblood and replied with a joke. "You're fast enough; go look for her."

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko had risen from the mud bed he had found himself in after enduring the paralysing tactics of the alchemists. Despite his allies' extraordinary healing abilities, the inquisitor's mind was scrambled, as though he were in a daze. The sudden experience of shocking agony and swift recovery left the inquisitor stunned. He moved mechanically. Absorbing information, but not processing it. He nodded, assented to whatever was needed, but for the long minutes after their battle, he was only there in body.

It was only their exit from the trenches that shattered the confounding spell that came over Rajko. He wasn't sure whether it was the change in sensations or the shock itself simply wearing off with time, but the man was glad that it had passed. He committed more of himself to their task, trekking through the untamed wilderness. Finding the solace, the tranquility in the isolation. Even when he had to speak with Gribov to convince locals to let them rest in their homes or barns, the peace never left him. It felt strange to him, at first, this needed silence, he could've forgotten that their task held the world in their balance. The times, however, necessitated that he always remembered. And perhaps, it was his own conscience telling him not to forget.

They had reached a stop in their hike, awaiting the arrival of Riberta, their guide through this pass. Rajko sat one-leg crossed another on a fallen tree, scarred body clad in the black attire of the Order. His eyes shut loosely, reaching out with his senses. The wind howled through the treeline, canvas tents rippling, and the fire flitting with it. The wind died. He heard Azathor and Sebastian speak about their steeds.

He opened his eyes, casting a glance towards their way. "Leofwine and the others will be fine." Rajko said, hoping to reassure the Demon prince. "They could use the rest from hauling our backsides anyway." Rajko added, joking.

"As for Riberta, we should wait for awhile longer, then look for her." Rajko concluded, tapping his fingers across the length of his boot.

 

[Infab]

"You're fast enough; go look for her."

"As for Riberta, we should wait for awhile longer, then look for her."

"Eh... yeah. I'll give them thirty minutes." said Cassandra, "...Its a nice night for a stroll."

The minutes passed, as the stars ever so slowly moved across the sky above. The ambience of the forest slowly grew louder as the night went on. Soon enough, the group could hear the sounds of horses. Several of them.

Cassandra sat up. She could sense a presence. Powerful, beastial. A hybrid. Riberta was near. "Here she comes." she soon said, looking in the direction of the aura.

As she neared, she could feel the auras of others as well. One was ever so familiar. A werebeast. "And she brought friends." she said, raising an eyebrow.

Rebecca glanced up, as they emerged from the darkness. Riberta, the large hybrid of werebeast and vampire, was clad in leather and fur armor. A helmet covered her head, her glowing red eyes piercing the blackness of the helmet's eye slit. She was guiding a few horses, which the group quickly noticed were their own!

After her emergence, those following her emerged. Camille recognized them as members of the detectice agency out of Red Gorge. At the lead, an old friend. Jakob.

 

[Breadman]

The days passed as they journeyed and Constantine would try to savour every calm moment in the mortal realm he could. Sebastian seemed to have calmed down and take the stick out his butt, even smoke a lot less. Which meant there was more for the wraith. He practically burned through the cigs he had on him and those he had picked up in the trenches. One of the many things he couldn't do down in the Abyss. Some of the group told him smoking too much would be unhealthy according to some new studies by scientists somewhere. Factoids like that meant very little to him. 'If they were, they'd be mandatory where I'm from' was his only response.

Hiking meant no horse, whic wasn't too bad for him. If he didn't have to summon his steed, then he could keep his energy in reserve. He thought about trying the flying variety some have claimed they could summon, but he couldn't exactly think of a beast big enough or strong enough not to drop him. Probably made up tall tales anyway.

He would wait with the others, laying on his back and his hat resting on his face. A luxury lost so long ago. Then he sensed it. Something big was coming. Big and angry. Smell of wet fur and splattered blood. Werebeasts. Nobody else seemed alarmed, by it. Especially the pureblood. She seemed eager. Going by that, he thought it might actually be friendly.

"Oh great." He said as he stood up "Horses are back."

 

[Dmaster]

The huntress had practiced her bladework for at least two hours when they first got to camp, though by now she had been leaned back against a tree as she seemed to almost be meditating on something. This forest's quiet serenity interspersed with the sounds of wildlife and rustling of leaves was a much preferable alternative to the wailing of artillery and the snaps of gunfire they had been surrounded by previously. Though Camille had not been acting distant from the group on their travels, it was somewhat difficult to bring a smile out of the woman, and it was clear that things weighed heavily on her mind.

While she did not detest the conversation that flowed around her she was not an active participant. Azathor worrying about the horses was intriguing, as she had to wonder how someone related to Sazak could obtain an affinity for animals. He was treating his steed better than she was, as the huntress hadn't even decided on a name for her own yet. At least, she couldn't remember if she did or not...

When the others began to shift and react off of a presence, Camille finally opened her eyes and swiveled her head to see the source of the commotion. Towering and imposing as Riberta was, the huntress seemed emotionless up until her eyes fell upon Jakob and his detectives. She flinched before averting her gaze elsewhere, not quite wanting to look the man in the eye. Though she considered him a friend she did not see herself as that great of a companion to him, and even then they did not see eye to eye on matters of justice and punishment for the 'immortal' supernaturals. Part of her surmised that if Jakob had his way she might be in a prison cell, and Camille could not blame him if he actually did want her incarcerated.

 

[EdwardDewey98]

​

Against his better judgement, Jakob found himself deep in the thick of it once again. After everything he had been through, both here and in the Abyss itself, he thought that he had enough of all this. Yet, here he was with a grin on his face and his horse galloping through the mud. With a handful of souls traveling with him, and his coat flowing on the wind, he was back.

Behind Jakob were eight other horsemen, seven of them being detectives of his agency. The last was a volunteer from Red Gorge. "CONNOR!" Jakob shouted at a young detective, "Remember what the Church told us: take Paul, John, William, and Margarite and do some recon for patrols! Head back home and report your findings after!" Those that he had mentioned all nodded as they turned their steeds about. "Godspeed, Jakob!" said the detective as they then rode away just as quickly. "...everyone else, on me!" he then shouted, leading the other four horsemen away.

Riding beside Jakob now were three detectives and the volunteer: Billy Morton, Sheila O'Donovan, and Marcus Peterson were all a part of Jakob's agency and were those he counted among his best detectives. The volunteer, however, had no known name and yet everyone in Red Gorge knew him by his profession. And he was referred to as such, as there was only one Gravedigger. After riding through miles of plains and forests, Jakob could feel and smell her, a fellow Lycan, yet one of immense power. He could see horses galloping in the distance, seemingly with no owner, but then noticed the towering woman running like a wild creature alongside the steeds -- Riberta.

She stopped for a moment, allowing the equines the run ahead of her, before looking back to where Jakob and his company were. She knew his scent, yet did not know why he was here or even if he was still an ally. But as the riders approached, and she saw his smile, Riberta could tell that he was on her side. And so, she ran alongside Jakob and his men.

After riding for hours, Jakob and his men finally caught up to Rebecca's group. The Church, or rather, Valeria, had given him some information on everyone in the group along with their mission and who was leading them. Though he did not address Rebecca at first, as his eyes fixated on those few he already knew, namely Takato, Camille and Cassandra. "...Y'know, when Valeria told me of this... I knew I couldn't sit on my ass back home and pretend nothing was happening. I ain't that type of guy." he said with a friendly grin at those few souls he had the honor of calling friends. "Takato, it's been a while, eh?" he asked, tipping his hat at him. He then looked at Camille, who averted her gaze for a moment.

"Madame Giguere..." he said with a grin before getting off his horse, walking towards Camille. He looked at her for a few seconds before embracing her tightly. He knew what she had gone through, the pain she and her husband had to endure, and understood those feelings. "I'm sorry for all the grief you and your family has gone through." he muttered, "You know, you have a friend in Red Gorge. I'll always be willing to help you... so please, never send me a letter with a single word on it again." he said with a joking tone, breaking the hug and patted her on the back.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille tried to remain stoic, yet as she heard Jakob's approach she rose to her feet and shifted awkwardly in place. For a moment she said nothing before he entered her personal space and hugged on her. Initially, she was stiff as a board, but soon loosened and gently wrapped her arms around him for a somewhat awkward embrace. When the hug broke, she crossed her arms over her chest yet had somewhat slumped shoulders.

"Two words," she corrects softly, "Technically four if you count the heading and signature. All genuine, though, I assure you... It was a... bad time for a letter, but I could not just leave your message unanswered." A hand brushes through her hair, the helmet she wore had been set off to the side of her seating place. "I'll apologize for it as many times as you want me to. And I do appreciate you being so willing to help me, I do. I just... have issue accepting help more often than not."

"Yet you aren't just here for me," Camille asserted, her soft voice becoming much more grave and serious. "I hope you know that a prison cell would be far too good of an end for Sazak. Justice will only be found for his victims when he faces utter oblivion."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

"After all the pain and suffering he put us through, I'd say Sazak is the only real monster I ever hunted. And the only one deserving of no mercy." Jakob said with a stoic look, "We, together, will put him down like the rabid monster he is."

He then turned his attention to Azathor, Sazak's good kid. "Good to see you again kid, hope you've done well out here in the human world." he said with a friendly grin, before turning his attention to Cassandra. Cassandra, Jakob knew, was a tragic figure that has suffered through the most; perhaps it was justice for all the horrible things she had done as a vampire, but to him she did her sentence. He didn't know what to say to her specifically, and all he could give her was a respectful nod alongside a solemn look.

He then turned his attention to the rest of the group. "...sorry for not introducing myself to you folks. It's been a while since I've seen some of these folk and I wanted to greet them. Name's Jakob Phillomon, leader and founder of the Phillomon Detective Agency. We deal with and investigate the paranormal and the supernatural." he then pointed to his subordinates nearby. "These are Detectives Billy Morton, Sheila O'Donovan, and Marcus Peterson. They are among my best and they've got the skills to fight and deal with abnormal threats." He then pointed to the Gravedigger: "That old man there... whose name isn't known by any soul, is a shaman of Adona and has deep knowledge of the spiritual. He's a hell of a shot too."

He then focused his attention to REbecca, who was probably confused by the detectives pretense. "...Valeria, I guess, your great-great-great-great-great granddaughter sent me a letter. She told me everything. I came here to help. I was involved with the Grimtham incident and a part of the Beaumont mission. I feel... indebted to your descendant, and to many of the people I've met through both the Inquiry and the Mission. I'm here to make amends, for those who are still with us..." he spoke, eyeing Cassandra for a moment. "... and those who are no longer among us."

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor offered Jakob a nod when spoken to, as they had met - however briefly given the circumstances - in the Abyss. During the fight with Azgon and later the escape from Sazak himself, where the prince was bloodied by his own father's brutality as he desperately tried to get his claws on the intruders. "Likewise." Azathor said, before turning his attention to his trusted steed that Riberta had brought along. On approach, the horse shook its head and let out a soft grunt as it saw its rider on approach. Horse was then treated to a well-deserved sugar cube that Azathor dug out of his pouch, holding it in his open palm for the steed the lick up.

The demon prince scratched Horse's neck and chin while it chewed on the sugar before letting out a smirk. "Missed you too." he said with a scoff, "Or did you only miss the sugar? I like to think the former." Horse only responded with a bow of his head before returning it back to eye level, expectantly waiting for another cube of sugar. Azathor obliged the steed as he picked out another sugar cube, before turning back to the conversation at hand - intent on listening.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou checked the alchemist's body, and was somewhat surprised by the sight he found - tattooed sigils directly on their body. This would explain what he had sensed earlier with the other alchemist, with his qi passing through some sort of pattern. Given the circumstances, he could only assume these paired with the sigils on their weaponry in some capacity, though in what way, he won't know. As the surrounding conversation on some alchemist leader turning out to be working with the demons died down, the hermit got up and stretched his body, to recover somewhat from the attack he just did. He joined in on the goodbyes, and followed the group in the back for security's sake.

---

The days passed by, as the group made their trek past the trenches and to their next destination. The oni, per usual, partook in watches and aid when necessary, but he could tell from the others that their moods had improved significantly. He himself was similarly glad they were out of the warzone, even as they pushed through the remnants of battle. It was a brief respite, but an appreciated one.

At their latest camp, as he stood watch nearby, Xiaòzhou thought about how they would be meeting Riberta again. Her strength would be quite needed given the challenges they've had thus far, but more so, wondered how she had been doing since last seeing her below. Soon, just as Cassandra noted, auras emerged in the distance. It was clear as day it was her... and clear that she had been joined by others, including another old friend, Jakob.

The hermit chuckled at Jakob's surprise appearance, tipping his own hat at him with an earnest smile. Meanwhile, he gave a similar smile to Riberta, with a wave.

"Great to see you two!" he exclaimed, "And a pleasure to meet the rest of you," he bowed in respect to four others joining Jakob.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian gave the newcomers a hesitant greeting, as Riberta's monstrous power was evident. Jakob, meanwhile, made clear in short order that he had been involved in the series of events which began on Grimtham several years ago through the Beaumont Mission in the Abyss. He was clearly a survivor, or perhaps he possessed supernatural abilities that Sebastian would learn about soon. His associates didn't look too strange, but presence of the one known as "the Gravedigger" worried him deeply.

"Ja, nice to meet you all," he said, eyeing the lot critically.

 

[Breadman]

Constantine lifted his hat from his head, revealing his ghastly features.

"Howdy!" He greeted the detectives with a grin.