Fantasy Hunter's Moon: The Sin & Sentence [IC] [CLOSED]

[Dmaster]

"Taken by his shadow, so we'll say he's more or less indisposed." Hudson replied to Leakhena. "I'm not too worried, seems as though he can take care of himself." As the hunter admitted that he kept staring on at Azgon, quite antsy as he wanted to see if the Icon would make a move. "I'd stick to worrying about us, though."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"I'd stick to worrying about us, though."

"I certainly am." frets Leakhena. "I never would've thought I'd actually fight the Icon of fucking Wrath..."

One of the many canteens comes out of her bag and she waves it around at him. "Don't hesitate to shout at me if you need any."

 

[K0mori]

"I'm not the one who needs help," Mariette replied simply to Azgon. "The time for that is long passed. Right now, you stand in our way. Make no mistake, we will go through you. ...And I am not asking you to step aside. I am just sharing with you a spark of clairvoyance."

With that, Mariette reached for her sword and her grimoire. This moment was perfect. She had no idea of which strategy she would employ, but she was certain that she would either witness the death of one of her greatest tormenters, or she would achieve a noble death- and a permanent one, at that.

While damned, mortal souls would simply reappear in the Abyss, Mariette was no longer a mortal soul. As she transcended into a demonic form, she was no more entitled to reappear after death than Ralvas or Wallace. Either way, Azgon could torture her no longer!

"En garde!" she said as she brandished the side sword, defiance in her eyes and gracing her lips in the form of a smirk.

 

[Infab]

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Shadow Battle (Vincent)
Shadow Vincent (Shadow Demon)

FLIP #1 = Tails
FLIP #2 = Heads
FLIP #3 = Heads

Vincent wins the final turn.

Vincent wins the battle.

The Heartlands (Dis) - Outside the Palace Walls - Shadow Battle (Takato)
Shadow Takato (Shadow Demon)

FLIP #1 = Heads
FLIP #2 = Tails
FLIP #3 = Heads

Takato wins the final turn.

Takato wins the battle.

---
​

"Well now! Looks like I have the upper hand." finally stated the Shadow demon, as he straightened up. His pistol pointed at Vincent as Vincent struggled to recuperate from his gunshot wound. As he approached, Vincent grabbed at his sidearm to find that it was far out of his reach. He still had his knife, as well as his gladius...but the gladius was out of the question. He didn't want to use it and end up dying from the weapon sucking him dry. As the shadow neared, Vincent drew out his knife...which the Shadow shot out of his hand almost instantly. "Ahah! None of that now." said the Shadow, as he now loomed over him.

Vincent grunted. "...Alright, then. Shoot me. Get it over with." he muttered. The shadow paused. "...No. No, I don't think I will." he responded, before reaching down and grabbing Vincent by his shirt. "I'm going to kill you just like how you said you were going to kill me! I'm going to slit your thro--" The Shadow was only able to get out so much, before he felt something plunge deep into his stomach. With a shocked look in his eyes, he glanced down to see that Vincent had shoved the gladius deep into his copy. Vincent then drew the weapon back out. "Finally, I shut you up." muttered Vincent, before placing the gladius to the demon's neck. And then, with a quick sideways slice, the he slit the demon's throat. Just as he said he would.

The demon clutched at his throat, black blood spurting everywhere from both his neck and stomach wound. And it wasn't long before he finally collapsed, falling flat onto his back. Vincent looked at the gladius, taking note that it hadn't possessed him during use, before spitting on the corpse of his demon copy.

------
​

"Of course he wants this fight, why else would he come here? I'm ready to kill any Icon that gets in the way of the mission. We've come too far to let it end because of a craggy-skinned fuck like you."

"I came here because I was told to wait here by Lord Taranoch." stated Azgon rather bluntly.

"So, what do you say? You willing to go a few rounds with me like the old days? I might even teach you a few things on getting your ass kicked now. Or is that what you're afraid of? Losing to the likes of us? "

"Boy," responded Azgon to Azathor, "If you are trying to make me angry, you should know that I'm always angry. Being forced to wait here has made me even angrier." He unfolded his arms, letting them rest at his sides but with his hands still balled into fists. "And yes. I am going to fight you. I am also going to kill you."

"I'm not the one who needs help. The time for that is long passed. Right now, you stand in our way. Make no mistake, we will go through you. ...And I am not asking you to step aside. I am just sharing with you a spark of clairvoyance."

"If it is anything like your previous attempts, you will lay at my feet in pieces before the hour is up." responded the Icon. He then looked over to where Vincent had effectively silenced his shadow, the body of the demon slowly dissolving and flowing into the shadow of Vincent as he approached the group. "It looks as though the Shadows have failed. As per usual whenever I see them at work." muttered Azgon, before looking back to the group. "Time to get this over with."

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle
Azgon, the Icon of Wrath (Icon of Sin - Wrath)

Azgon, the Icon of Wrath (5000 HP)

Trait #1: Power of an Icon - May strike up to 3 targets in a turn (depending on how rolls go.) Does 5 DMG normally.
Trait #2: A Wrathful Being - When hit by a Super Move, does an additional 5 DMG for a turn. When hit with a Coop Super Move (two Super Moves at the same time), is stunned for a single turn.
Trait #3: An Unstoppable Force - Cannot be held in place. Can be distracted, but for only 1 turn at a time.

SUPER MOVES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THREE TURNS.​

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor snarled as he lowered his sword into a combat stance and shed his vessel in favor of his true form. As Azgon moved to begin fighting, Azathor was quiet as he focused entirely on what to do and charged forward with speed and grace. He rapidly closed the distance before bringing his sword for an overhead strike at a demon he hated... yet still held respect for some reason. Someone was going to die today, and Azathor made an internal vow that it would not be him as he brought his blade down towards Azgon.

 

[Damian0358]

Takato pushed Xiaòzhou away from the staff, as he now consciously twirled it in his hands. Takato began using a stance befitting staff usage, whilst Xiaòzhou attempted to counter it, albeit still bewildered by the feeling he received from it. The two rushed at one another, as Takato blocked his counterpart's attempts to break through his defenses like earlier, striking at Xiaòzhou's arms and legs at key points to push him back further, even as he called forth his last arquebus to use as a makeshift staff. But before the shadow could respond, he had been slammed across the chest with the staff, before being pushed to the ground with a strike across the back.

Takato whirled the staff as he repositioned himself to be ready for any maneuver from the shadow. However, as he lied in wait, Xiaòzhou's largely stoic expression had finally melted away, revealing a smile that could only be described as crazed-yet-genuine. He turned towards the waiting hermit, clenching his teeth to accentuate his smile further, before blinking to reveal pupils where they once weren't. The shadow began bursting forth air punch after air punch, Takato slapping each away with his staff, though wondering what he was planning. Finally, Xiaòzhou threw one last punch... except it didn't come close to him?

Takato tried to rationalize what the shadow was aiming at, before realizing too late that the 'air punches' weren't merely one-shot. Where he had knocked them into, they remained, and with that last punch, they activated to combine into one massive flurry beneath his feet. As Takato tried to deflect the punches, Xiaòzhou put his two hands together and aimed straight for the artificial art. With the flurry distracting him, Takato could hardly respond to having his other arm blasted off, taking the staff with it, and resulting in him getting rushed with the remainder of the flurry.

Takato paced back to maintain his balance, though keeping his eye on his shadow. It was then that his shadow spoke, laughing proudly beforehand:

"Truly you are worthy of respect! To have pushed so far, and come so close!" he began, "It is about time I dispensed of this form I had chosen for myself. I'm sure even you have realized how ill-representative this appearance is to actual northern Oni," he stated, before charging his aura.

Before Takato's eyes, Xiaòzhou began to metamorphose, as the more northern-esque features shifted to southern-esque, resembling Takato even more than he had previously. The one short horn he had on his forehead began to crack and split in two, before they spread apart and began growing higher and higher, ending with their tips pointing backward. The shaman-esque attire altered to more resemble robes that southern Oni or Humans would wear, albeit one befit for combat. And his bald head began sprouting hair, manifesting as smoke emerging from his ears before turning into wisping locks of hair, reaching down to his behind.

Finishing his metamorphosis back to the form the Abyss had given him, he cracked his neck, and looked Takato straight on, before removing his own right arm.

"...now this fight is even once more! Come on, hermit, show this damned sage your full power!" he yelled, confirming Takato's suspicions on his looks. Before he could respond, however, in a sharp blast, his shadow charged him at high speed.

Both utilizing one-armed fighting stances, they skidded across the field, rendering more and more of it to appear as a wasteland more characteristic of the remainder of the Abyss. Slamming back at him, Takato pushed him away and began pelting him with stronger and stronger qi blasts, further destroying the area around them. Though Xiaòzhou tried to use his shadowy movement to his advantage, at this point, Takato had figured him out, managing to either defend or even attack him as he tried to do so.

It seemed to Xiaòzhou that he appeared to be at his wit's end, with Takato growing better and more determined as the battle went on. Not even the rain of gunfire earlier discouraged him. However, he had but one final trick up his sleeve.

Using rapid movement akin to that which Takato had seen the vampires use, Xiaòzhou tried to disorient the hermit before engaging in his final attack. Blasting forth a precise barrage of qi blasts as he approached, raising his arm high up, he enveloped Takato and utilized a mystic barrage technique without its card: the Earth-themed card of the Five Elements set, Wuxing ~ Meteor Explosion!

The earth cracked as massive amounts of qi surged from it, seeking to forever engulf Takato in it. However, as he was fighting against his own qi, he tried turning the trick against Xiaòzhou, expanding the blast such that his counterpart could not escape from it. Blasting further into the sky, Takato charged himself to blast directly into his shadow and into the earth.

With one final punch charging right into the false sage, Meteor Explosion had been reversed, and as the two slammed into the ground, the earth shook. A decently-sized dust cloud formed around the impact sight, which to anyone witnessing it would appear as though they were anywhere but the Heartlands.

Takato slowly emerged from the earth, looking over to where they had landed, attempting to find where his shadow had went. Perhaps the strike had resulted in them being immediately absorbed, he wasn't sure. As the dust cleared however, he couldn't believe what he witnessed.

Xiaòzhou emerged from the earth, looking far worse than Takato, with contemptuous eyes.

 

[Breadman]

The camp didn't have much in terms of food supply and neither did the fortress surprisingly enough. Besides being agitated, Henderson felt perplexed by something like that. The search for the artifacts was also going easy. Too easy. Eventually the real purpose was revealed. While the Icon and the rest exchanged pleasantries, the mutant had other things on his mind

"No words of advice?" Henderson briefly eyed the hammer in his hands.

"If it wasn't for your allies, you wouldn't have managed to do much against the last Icon, so I have no hope for your performance here, beast." The spirit within spoke in an annoyed tone "But do swing me around. Maybe I'll taste wrath blood if you land a lucky hit."

"A wanker as always." Looking to the Icon, Henderson prepared to strike. "But not as big as that one."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The boiling over feelings of anxiety mixed with fear make Leakhena fly like a bullet the second she finally gets a foot off the ground. Instead of charging forward like Azathor and Henderson, Leakhena rapidly circles around Azgon to see if she can strike him in his back with her sword.

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson had never fought a foe quite as massive as Azgon before, but that didn't mean that the hunter didn't have a few ideas to take him down with. He unfurled his chains, silently thankful that whatever magic they were imbued with allowed them to be much sturdier than before. Running up he tossed his mace upward to hook around the Icon's shoulder, retracting them as soon as he had a good hold so that he would launch straight at the Icon. As he flew, Hudson prepared a visceral sword slash to strike with across Azgon's chest once he was in range.

 

[Infab]

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle - TURN 1
Azathor = 9. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Demon Prince) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4985.
Henderson = 6. Does 18 DMG (5 + 13, Hellish Gauntlets, Abyssal Warhammer) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4967.
Leakhena = 9. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Heavenly Blade) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4952.
Hudson = 7 + 1 (8, Velin's Tears.) Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Heavenly Blade) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4937.
Mariette = 10. CH Roll = 6. Does 7 DMG to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4930.
Jakob = 6 + 2 (8, With Badge & Gun.) Does 14 DMG (5 + 9, With Badge & Gun, Shadow's Shotgun, BUCKSHOT!) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4916.
Gwen = 8 + 2 (10, Spiteful Survivalist.) CH Roll = 4. Does 17 DMG (7 + 10, Abyssal Tome) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4899.
Cassandra = 9. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Abyssal Estoc) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4884.
Riberta = 5. Does 15 DMG to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4869
Vincent = 6 + 3 (9, The Huntsman.) Does 15 DMG to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4854.

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle - TURN 1 (ENEMY)
Azgon = 10, 6, 5 (Power of an Icon.) CH Roll = 7. Does 7 DMG to Vincent, Does 5 DMG to Henderson, Does 5 DMG to Hudson. Vincent HP = 13, Henderson and Hudson HP = 15.

------
​

The group made their moves, as Azgon took a step towards them. The battle had begun. As Azathor leapt into the air and brought is blade down onto Azgon's shoulder, he'd find that the blade barely even made a mark on the Icon's cracked, rough flesh. A thin slice, almost like a paper cut. Henderson made his move next, rushing in and delivering a hell of a swing which collided with Azgon's stomach. A similar situation occurred with with the warhammer: it barely left a mark on him. Azgon made his move, however, on Henderson. He grabbed him by his head, lifting him up, before spiking him into the ground with a massive show of force. The ground cracked and caved inward, leaving Henderson laying in a small crater matching his shape.

Leakhena rushed in and delivered a slice across Azgon's back, which seemed to do slightly more damage as she actually drew blood using the angelic blade. Hudson was next, using his chains to propel himself inward towards the Icon to strike him. With his angelic sword, he made a similar slice across Azgon's chest like Leakhena had done to his back, but Azgon was quick to catch him afterwards. He grabbed onto the chains, removing them from his shoulder, before twirling Hudson around and slinging him at the palace steps behind him. Hudson collided with the stairs roughly, letting out a yelp as he bounced off the sharp edges of the individual steps.

And then came Mariette's move, using her newly acquired demonic speed to rush in and slash the Icon across his side. Jakob didn't shift into his werewolf form for this battle, choosing to hold back with his shotgun and slam fire several shots into the Icon's body. The pellets peppered the Icon, but they simply fell off and hit the ground instead of actually punching into his flesh. Gwen took her shot, using a magical bolt she conjured up to smack Azgon in the side of the head, before Cassandra made her move to rush in and try to stab Azgon. Instead of stabbing him, however, the point simply recoiled off after hitting his flesh. She knew why: his skin was toughened from all the centuries of punishment it had endured. Its like they were attempting to destroy rocks with a pair of scissors. Next was Riberta, whom rushed in and jabbed the points of the trident into Azgon's side...to little effect.

Finally, Vincent made his move with his gladius, rushing in and slicing the Icon across his thigh. Azgon managed to catch him, however, and dealt with him in a similar manner as he had done Henderson. He spiked him into the stone ground, though at more of an angle to where Vincent went skipping across the stone instead of making a solid, deep crater.

SUPER MOVES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN TWO TURNS.​

 

[Damian0358]

With their battlefield ruined, Takato and Xiaòzhou stared one another down with varying emotions, yet both doing so in a tired fashion. The two tried to force themselves off the ground, as to finally finish this fight. Takato could sense Azgon's aura engaging with the others, and Xiaòzhou knew this too. Xiaòzhou realized Takato needed to end this now.

Stepping over the cracked debris they had caused, the two began attempting to exchange blows with one another, but despite their lumbering movements, Xiaòzhou was able to catch Takato's strikes, while Takato was able to dodge Xiaòzhou's. They tried, and tried, but it appeared they had finally reached their zenith. Xiaòzhou watched as his counterpart backed off for some reason unbeknownst to him. Slowly, he realized what the hermit was doing. He was sitting down.

His contemptuous glare turned into a stare, as he spoke:

"...what are you doing?"

"...sitting down," Takato responded plainly.

"Why?"

"Because what sense is there to fight? I've fought as an oni, and as I did, I remained a hermit. I am one and the other. The fight is done."

Xiaòzhou responded incredulously: "What do you mean what sense is there?! You're supposed to kill me! That's how it ends for us Shadows, how this fight has to end! Either we die, or you do!"

Takato sat there, silently, as if he shifted towards meditating instead. Xiaòzhou shook his head in disbelief, unwilling to believe that this was happening. In denial, he tried to attack the meditating hermit, and yet, he dodged every single one of his attacks. Each punch, each kick, just wordlessly avoiding them.

Xiaòzhou didn't know what to do. After all these millennia, he had finally reached this moment, his end. And yet, his counterpart won't end it. Did he want him to suffer?! What of his colleagues?! Can't he feel what is going on at the palace?! He found himself hyperventilating, not noticing the glow he had begun to take on. Slowly, this form he had been granted began to vanish.

He only began to notice once he looked at his hands, looking as shadowy as they had before. He had already lost.

"...shadow, tell me, do you really believe death in combat is the only way?" Takato spoke up, surprising the compromised shadow, "Because your body reveals otherwise."

The shadow didn't know what to think, as he found his mind clearing, and in those moments, remembering his past more vividly than he had ever before. The hermit was right, he didn't truly believe that, because he remembered the shadows of his time willing giving themselves up to adventurers passing their tests. And yet, he didn't feel satisfied with this ending, even if to him, Takato had achieved it all.

Takato slowly rose up, calling forth both his artificial arm, which had sustained some damage after the last scuffle, and Zazriel's staff. Placing the arm beside him, and grabbing the staff, Takato approached the shadow.

The shadow found itself presented with the staff, Takato remarking: "...you felt a connection with it, didn't you? Please, if it would grant you peace, hold it."

The shadow slowed down its breathing, almost not resembling Takato anymore, before reaching for the staff. Holding it brought forth emotions and memories from his past he had long forgotten under the continued corruption of the Abyss.

Zazriel was his king. Though he could not remember what he had done, what he had done brought him to be venerated by the shadows of his time. All they had done, they wished to ensure others to be like him. Most could not or would not achieve such status, of course, but they always believed one without sin would arrive, one who could upend the status quo. Though now such a being is viewed as a threat... back then, such one would have been seen as a grand being, one whom in desperate times would assist those in need. He need not be perfect, as Zazriel wasn't either, but to strive for it, that was key.

The shadow held the staff close to its chest, as if its mind was more and more returning to how it had been ages ago. He recalled all he had done, how he had tried to not stoop as low as his younger counterparts. His kill count was still in single digits, after all. But he realized just how far the Abyss had corrupted his mind, and his memory of the past. In that moment, he wished to cry out to Zazriel, wishing for forgiveness, yet he couldn't speak, not anymore.

Suddenly, Takato hugged the shadow, embracing it as though it were his brother. The shadow realized who the hermit reminded him of, and knew in that moment that the one whom he tried to have killed this entire time had forgiven him. In the end, Takato treated him not as a shadow of today, but one of yesteryear, and in turn acted as one himself. He felt his aura fading. This was his end, closing its eyes.

---

The shadow opened its eyes to find itself surrounded by a white absence. He knew not where he was. Was this the afterlife for him? He had always been told that they Shadows would merely vanish, absorbed, and yet, he seemed to exist still.

Suddenly, as he observed the area around him, he found himself confronted by an old man. He recognized this old man from Takato's memories... it was Shan Douzhou.

"...you must be very tired, shadowy one, no?" the old man asked him, uncertain of how to respond to him, "Thankfully, someone here has come to help you get to where you need to go."

Douzhou moved aside to reveal someone who had been standing behind him, hidden until that very moment. As they straightened up, the shadow realized who it was they were face to face with.

"...ah, there you are," he spoke, "all of your friends were wondering where you have been all this time. Come, come! They've been waiting for their little buddy," reaching his hand out at the shadow.

The shadow's expression morphed into something resembling joyous sorrow, as it rushed towards the figure. He had no idea whether or not this was all an illusion, to ease his disappearance into nothingness, but at this very moment, he didn't care.

He was going home.

"MY KING! I'M COMING!"

---

The shadow's aura enveloped Takato, as he slowly but surely absorbed him. The aura began to bend and morph, as he approached his artificial arm. The glow around him began to turn into sparks, and before long, he found himself engulfed in his own final mystic barrage, a celebratory firework-esque show celebrating his homeland in color alone. Anyone approaching to see what had exploded would find themselves witness to a fantastical show.

At its end, as the dust settled, a figure emerged, with horns reaching about a head and half above its own, its tips perpetually pointed towards Heaven. Their skin was of a paler reddish tone, and their hair seemed to be of a lighter brown color. The robe they wore appeared ancient, as though they had emerged from another time altogether, with a hat and another robe falling from the sky. Reaching up with their bandage-covered right arm, using what appeared to be magic folded the clothes and placed them into its bag. They grabbed a staff, extending it forth.

Out of this battle emerged the one son of clans Kanggili and Turge, the one successor to Butoo Mountain's legendary Shan Douzhou, rememberer of Shadow Demons past, the Hermit of the Occident, the one Oni Siennyin, the one they call Takato Ka, the transcendent Gaá Xiaòzhou!

Having checked himself over, Xiaòzhou reached for his ankles and removed the talismans placed there. He wouldn't need to use these constantly anymore. Placing them back into the talisman carrier, he quickly launched himself into the air and flew back towards the palace! There was an Icon he needed to help defeat!

Swiftly passing the palace walls and catching sight of the battle at hand in the Palace Courtyard, Xiaòzhou twirled the staff he wielded, intending to slam down on Azgon with it! Whether he hits or not, he intends to follow up like water with a continued assault with the staff.

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson heard an internal crack once he had hit the stairs, rolling down them quite roughly as he was left face down in the dirt. He groaned and pressed his fists against the ground to get himself up, rolling his neck as he stared up defiantly at Azgon. The Icon's whole body was naturally armored, and he didn't possess any weapon large enough to pierce him. However, he still had an idea.

Hudson unfurled his chains again, swinging them about at his side as he slowly crept forward. This time he aimed for Azgon's waist - though if he could propel himself upward again he would try to cut across the slash he made previously. They could break the armor if they repeatedly struck the same area, possibly. Either way Hudson knew that they would make little progress slashing the wrath demon's ankles.

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor quickly rebounded from his first attack and moved in quickly for another, circling Azgon as the others kept him busy. Using his speed, he looked for a proper opening as the Icon focused on dealing with the others before rushing in again with another swift strike. This time, he aimed at Azgon's backside with his blade as he quickly brought it in position for his attack.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

After making a successful hit, Leakhena instinctively dashed away almost to the edges of the courtyard to put some immediate distance between her and Azgon; just in case. Though she starts turning back after she sees the others make their advance. She makes hers too, striking his back with her sword again.

 

[K0mori]

Mariette couldn't help but chuckle after landing a clean slash against Azgon without taking a hit in reply. She and the others weren't yet doing enough to bring him down, not even close- but she knew that their battle against Ralvas had begun similarly. First they would chisel away, and then would come the sledgehammer blows that would bring the fiend to his knees. And then comes the blood... at last!

She had never tasted Azgon's blood, not once in thirty years. Even when they had wounded him, it had been Cass who had managed to draw blood from some grazing cut here or there, and the two had been pounded into the ground and torn limb from limb for their efforts. Mariette had always been the distraction, the decoy, and on some rare and desperate occasions, the bait. Most of the time, it didn't even work, as even a brute like Azgon would grow wise to the few tricks Mariette and Cassandra had up their sleeves. He would destroy them both mercilessly, and repeatedly, as there was no sporting or art to his destruction. He would grip the chains connecting their necks and whip them both around, breaking their spines or beheading them in the process. It made no difference to him whether or not they ever had a fair fight.

This was nothing like 'her previous attempts,' and Azgon knew it.

And Mariette knew that he knew it.

What do you think, servant? How are we going to bring this beast to heel?

Perhaps we can use the environment to our advantage, Master.

Mariette looked around at her surroundings. Along with the stairs, the courtyard was adorned with large pillars. She cracked a smile as she realized it would be entirely possible to bring one down on their foe, and it would do a lot more good than the little scuffs and scrapes they were giving Azgon so far. But she needed help; once again, Mariette would be the decoy. Sprinting to Riberta, she paused briefly to inform her of the plan while others attacked. "Listen close: I'm going to keep him still; I need you to fell a tree on him, understand?" She tipped her head in the direction of the pillars ahead of them. When Riberta nodded in reply, Mariette dashed back toward Azgon.

She had no idea how to activate her demonic magic, so she began a hex with her grimoire, doubling, then tripling herself in Azgon's eyes. She would attempt to strike him as many times as possible while dancing around in erratic circles- none of the hits intending to do any real damage, but only to annoy him. Azgon would hopefully swipe at her without moving, giving Riberta enough time to knock the pillar down on top of him. Mariette just hoped that she could remain elusive enough to not be smashed into the ground like the others.

 

[Breadman]

"Get up!" The hammer demanded. "Pull yourself together, beast!" Already feeling a migraine from his head being spiked into the ground, Henderson arose from the crater. The words from the weapon only making things worse for him as it fueled his anger as his brain already felt like mush and was being assaulted from the inside. Gritting his teeth, he held the hammer and prepared to hit the demon Icon again.

 

[Infab]

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle - TURN 2
Xiaòzhou=5. Does 6 DMG (5 + 1, Butoo Style) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4848.
Hudson = 8 + 1 (9, Velin's Tears.) Does 15 DMG to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4833.
Azathor = 6. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Demon Prince) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4818.
Leakhena = 1. Misses Azgon.
Mariette attempts to distract Azgon. D6 used. Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful. Azgon distracted for 1 turn.
Henderson = 5. Does 18 DMG (5 + 13, Hellish Gauntlets, Abyssal Warhammer) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4800.
Jakob = 3 + 2 (5, With Badge & Gun.) Does 14 DMG (5 + 9, With Badge & Gun, Shadow's Shotgun, BUCKSHOT!) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4786.
Gwen = 6 + 2 (8, Spiteful Survivalist.) Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Abyssal Tome) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4771.
Cassandra = 9+ 1 (10, The Crimson.) CH Roll = 7. Does 18 DMG (8 + 10, The Crimson, Abyssal Estoc) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4753.
Riberta attempts to knock a pillar over onto Azgon. D6 used. Chance Roll = 4. Chance Successful. Does 100 DMG to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4653.
Vincent = 5 + 3 (8, The Huntsman.) Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Abyssal Gladius) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4638.

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle - TURN 2 (ENEMY)
Azgon cannot attack! Distracted for 1 turn!

------
​

From out of nowhere, almost, came Takato rocketing in. Featuring both a brand new appearance as well as the staff of Zazriel. It surprised Azgon for a moment, as Takato (now known as Xiaòzhou) brought the staff down to whack Azgon squarely on the head before darting way. Azgon simply glared at him as he moved away, before he was struck across the back by both Azathor and Hudson. Right in the same spot where Leakhena had cut him before. More blood was drawn. They were striking in the right places, it seemed. Leakhena moved in to strike his back again, but missed as Azgon swiftly turned to face her. He wouldn't get to strike her, however, as Mariette's hex kicked in. Around and around Azgon now danced several of her, which he began to swat at as he turned.

And nearby, Riberta had moved into place next to a pillar. Within a few moments, she had shifted into her Alpha Werewolf form, which she used to plow into the pillar three times. And with the third time, she managed to tip the pillar over. It cracked and fell, falling directly on top of Azgon and knocking him to the ground. He didn't take long to push the rubble off of himself, standing as Jakob's buckshot peppered him and Gwen's magic bolts collided with his torso. Then Henderson rushed in and whacked him with his warhammer across his chest again. A little blood was drawn this time, staining the head of the warhammer as he moved away. Cassandra and Vincent made their moves, Cassandra driving the point of her estoc into Azgon's back while Vincent cut him across his chest.

"Ah, the witch deploys her hexes and illusions." stated Azgon, as he straightened up completely. "...Illusions and witchcraft pisses me off."

---
​

As Leakhena moved back away from Azgon, whom the others attacked and did their own damage to once the pillar was dropped onto him, she began to hear a voice. First, it was in a language unknown to her. It sounded old. Ancient. Vaguely like demonic. The next language she heard WAS demonic, but an old dialect. Much like her parents had spoken to her. And then, she heard it in plain Atracan. "...My armor suits you well, demon of gluttony. But you lack focus. You fear this false Icon far too much for your own good. Be still and know, Leakhena, that you have nothing to fear. You can, and will, put down the false Icon of Wrath known as Azgon."

The voice continued after a moment of silence. "I know you have nothing to fear, because I have fought beings like him. I have even fought far larger. Beings that would terrify you, down to your very core. And I have fought and killed them all the same. And if you need proof that you should believe what I say..." The voice went quiet after a moment, and suddenly Leakhena was struck with a vision. She found herself looking about a far different looking version of the Hollowlands, standing at the edge of alien green waters while surrounded by reddish colored plants. And as she looked into the water before her, she noticed that she was not herself. She was someone else. A being with soft white skin. Almost like pure ivory. Their hair was a soft shade of silver, and they had two sharp black horns jutting upwards from their forehead. Tribal markings adorned their face, though they appeared self-painted and ornate in nature. It seemed to be blood, though black and done with a fine brush of some sort.

Their eyes met their own in the water, and Leakhena noticed their eyes were white, instead of black like most demons, with the most brilliant golden irises she had ever seen. And then the being spoke to her, through her reflection in the water. "...I am Adriel'toch. Daughter of Zorzonal and Vath'toch. Warlord of the Great Northern Abyss. The Great Northern Titan. The Walking Purge. The First of the Ascended. Slayer of the Archdemon Trig'dranuuch. First Demon King of the Abyss...well, Queen. The Great Reformer of the Abyss." The being known as Adriel then smiled. "Be not afraid, young one. This false Icon is nothing to you."

And suddenly, the vision ended, Leakhena finding herself back in the battle with Azgon. "Focus, Leakhena. Help them cleanse the Abyss of this filth."

SUPER MOVES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ONE TURN.​

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor rebounded from his strike once more to observe the damage being done to the Icon. It seems as though they were getting some damage done by breaking through a specific point, and Azathor moved to attack once more. He gave a loud whistle as he rushed again towards Azgon before delivering a wide horizontal slash to his legs, intent on starting to do some damage on his ability to move around and respond to attacks and threats.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou leaped away from Azgon after getting his strike in, getting a good look at the surroundings and the state everyone is in. Minimal damage so far, and they're slowly but surely getting damage in, which is reassuring to see! As he considered his next move, watching Riberta knock a pillar into Azgon, he sensed Leakhena nearby... having a moment, it seems! As he noted that, however, he himself began to hear something.

A voice speaking some unknown tongue began orating something, morphing into something vaguely resembling the demonic speech he had been hearing throughout the journey, before it shifted to a clearly pronounced form of Upper Redonian. "[...absolutely astonishing. To think you can even note her presence at this point, as a mortal branch of our kin! She would've liked you, I'm sure.]"

"[...hello?]" the hermit asked slightly confused in his mind.

"[O-oh, hello there! I do hope you don't mind my intrusion, given your beliefs would have you perturbed!]" the voice spoke gently, but enthusiastically, "[do you prefer Xiaòzhou or Takato, before we continue?]"

"[...whichever is easier for you, I suppose.]"

"[Out of respect, I will use Xiaòzhou. Now, allow me introduce myself; I am Zazriel'tin, son of Algrakath and Moth'tin. Of the titles I gained in my lifetime, the Second of the Ascended, and the Second Demon King of the Abyss, were my most noteworthy, though the title I cherished most would be that of Adriel's closest advisor. I speak to you, daimon, in cheer and fascination!]" Zazriel proclaimed.

"[...I, I am honored to be in your presence.]"

"[In some way, you are, but truly you aren't, but that really matters not! Let me speak about you! Such a wealth of knowledge, in my time with you, I've learned much, including this tongue of yours,]" he remarked, prompting Xiaòzhou to wonder how long he's been 'with' him, "[but your beliefs! The comparisons to the human Dou and my Divine Order are well-made, though I agree it does simplify both. But never had I imagined one with such similar beliefs to attain the power you've gained. The mortal realm is truly something. My robe fits you well, and my staff's in good hands! However, I'm sure you know what I will say next.]"

"[...I cannot allow myself to remain on my laurels, for there will always be a greater threat to overcome.]"

"[Precisely! And you know what this threat is. It goes beyond this wrathful battle, and if you wish to deal with it, you need to end it quickly,]" Zazriel affirmed to him, "[Go, Xiaòzhou, and may you use my belongings to assist your group to your wanted destination! Meanwhile, I shall be finding out more through you, for both ours' sake.]"

Soon, Zazriel's voice faded, and Xiaòzhou twirled the staff in his hands. He rushed at Azgon, to once more strike him and grant openings for his compatriots.

 

[Breadman]

"YEEEES! THE BLOOD OF WRATH AND ANGER! LONG HAVE I WAITED TO TASTE ITS NECTAR!" The hammer was extatic from what little blood Henderson managed to draw from the Icon.

"And how does it taste?"

"LIKE PURE ADRENALINE! I REQUIRE MORE! GIVE ME MORE!"

Henderson prepared for another strike.

"This one is for spiking my head, you git."

 

[Dmaster]

Hudson continued his aerial maneuvers as he slingshot himself upward, twisting in the air as he pulled himself back into a free fall. As he approached Azgon's head level yet again he extended his chains to latch about the Icon's shoulder, flinging himself downward as he attempted another slash across the massive demon's chest. At that point he willed the chains to loosen, trying to break away from the tether to safely roll back on the ground. His blade was starting to pulse brightly yet again - and Hudson would need to get good footing to unleash the energies.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

No amount of reassurance from anyone, not even seemingly Adriel herself, could stop Leakhena's poor, worn-out, old heart from trying to beat out of her chest now. Every last shred of her nerves are screaming at having to fight Azgon; a being far more powerful than she ever will be. Yet in the middle of trying very hard to not die a painful death at Azgon's hands, she's now got the long dead voice of the unifier of the Abyss itself speaking to her through the armor she's wearing. At first, she thought it was just some figment of her imagination trying to calm her down by making her believe Adriel's spirit is with her. She almost passed it off as such until her vision faded away.

"Shit! No! NO!" she screams as she tries finding somewhere to hide behind until it's over. Huddled behind a pillar and hoping silently Azgon won't target her next, she slowly opened her eyes and looked around only to see she's been taken somewhere else entirely; some land looking much like the Northern Wastes. There aren't any shouts, any clashes of metal, or any signs of fighting anywhere. It was all eerily calm. What the hell just happened? Where's Azgon, and where's everyone else? Was she taken away? Did someone save her? Or maybe... she's dead? Is she really dead? She could only stand there staring blankly at her surroundings as in pure shock... until she finally looks down and sees someone staring back at her through the water. It was a woman, and her pale features reminded her of Tariun a little, but she was not. Though... she looked familiar, like if she saw a painting or a statue of her back when she was still a child. Then she introduced herself, then it put itself together in Leakhena's mind.

This really is Adriel; somehow speaking to her through the armor. She almost fell into the water after being left in a daze of pure awe. She wanted to embrace her, to hear her say how everything's going to be alright and that there won't be any more suffering in the Abyss now that she's here... but the vision fades again and now she's back in reality. Adriel speaks to her one more time.

"Focus, Leakhena. Help them cleanse the Abyss of this filth."

"A-Alright!" she stammers. The sword's gripped tightly in her hands; noticeably shaking less than they were earlier; they've had enough being full of fear. "ADRIEL, GUIDE MY HAND!" she yells as she charges full speed towards Azgon, ready to drive her sword as deep as she could into whatever he has for a heart.

 

[K0mori]

"Ah, the witch deploys her hexes and illusions." stated Azgon, as he straightened up completely. "...Illusions and witchcraft pisses me off."

"Well..." Mariette replied, looking to Azgon from a safer distance, "Boo-fucking-hoo, tu... bâtard laid!"

Jakob cut a glance to the former Countess, as he still wasn't quite used to hearing her lose her decorum, at least when she was of apparently-sound mind. But Cassandra could only smile as she knew better than anyone else present how deep Mariette's hatred for Azgon ran. Only Velin and Sazak occupied a higher position in the hierarchy of people Mariette wished to destroy. She twirled her sword around like a conductor waiving a baton, and flipped to another page of her grimoire with the other. She even imagined herself directing a symphony of violence against the Icon. She created a new illusion, one meant to make Azgon move.

Behind him, an imaginary Riberta slammed into another column, tipping it his way again.

 

[Infab]

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle - TURN 3
Azathor = 6. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Demon Prince) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4623.
Xiaòzhou =10. CH Roll = 3. Does 7 DMG (6 + 1, Butoo Style) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4616.
Henderson = 2. Misses Azgon.
Hudson = 10. CH Roll = 5. Does 17 DMG (7 + 10, Heavenly Blade) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4599.
Leakhena = 8. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Heavenly Blade) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4584.
Mariette attempts to distract Azgon. D6 used. Chance Roll = 2. Chance Failed.
Jakob = 6 + 2 (8, With Badge & Gun.) Does 14 DMG (5 + 9, With Badge & Gun, Shadow's Shotgun, BUCKSHOT!) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4570.
Gwen = 2 + 2 (4, Spiteful Survivalist.) Misses Azgon.
Cassandra = 4 + 2 (6, The Crimson.) Does 21 DMG (5 + 16, The Crimson, Abyssal Estoc) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4549.
Riberta = 6. Does 15 DMG (5 + 10, Adriel's Trident) to Azgon. Azgon HP = 4534
Vincent = 1 + 3 (4, The Huntsman.) Misses Azgon.
Azgon is suddenly hit by arrows (Azathor's Rebel Commander.) Suffers 10 DMG! Azgon HP = 4524.

The Heartlands (Dis) - Taranoch's Palace Courtyard - Final Boss Battle - TURN 3 (ENEMY)
Azgon = 8, 8, 5. Does 5 DMG to Azathor, Does 5 DMG to Leakhena, Does 5 DMG to Cassandra. Azathor HP = 35, Leakhena HP = 25, Cassandra HP = 15.

------
​

Once more, the group struck at Azgon. Attempting to do more damage to the Icon than just drawing droplets of blood. Azathor slashed at Azgon's legs, delivering a paper thin cut across Azgon's thigh. The Icon didn't seem phased by the attack, simply shrugging it off before punting the Demon Prince into a nearby pillar. Azathor plowed into the pillar, the stone shattering and chunks of it raining down onto the Demon Prince. Azgon was left open, however, after punting the Demon Prince for Takato. He darted in, and delivered one hell of a smack with Zazriel's staff across the side of Azgon's head. Hard enough for the Icon's head to snap around for a moment. It also forced him to take a step, making Henderson miss his swing.

Hudson was next to land a hit, delivering a vicious slice across the Icon's chest which drew even more blood. He quickly got away, as Leakhena rushed in and stabbed her blade into Azgon's chest. More blood, followed by an angered Azgon. He slapped her away with his massive hand, sending her sailing and eventually skipping across the cobblestone. Mariette, attempting another distraction, found that Azgon wasn't so easily convinced. He glanced back at the imaginary Riberta behind him, pushing at another pillar, before grunting and ignoring her. It must have been too obvious. She'd need to come up with another distraction.

Jakob unloaded his shotgun into the Icon once more, as Gwen fired off another magical bolt. The buckshot connected, but the magical bolt did not, as Azgon simply stepped out of the way of it. Cassandra darted in once more, stabbing the point of the estoc into Azgon's back. And with unnatural speed, the Icon spun about and grabbed the pureblood. And a moment later, delivered a devastating punch that sent her sailing through the air for several yards. Right into one of the palace walls. The real Riberta, whom had shifted back into her normal form, took up the trident again and delivered a nasty stab into Azgon's back. Azgon attempted to swat at her as well, forcing Vincent to miss his swing at Azgon's front. As Azgon straightened back up, arrows rained upon him from various locations around the walls surrounding the courtyard. Some of Azathor's men and women decided to take shots at the Icon. Attempting to help as best they could while distracting the palace guards.

---
​

"A rough hit, young one. Still, my armor protected you. You must get up. Focus, and keep striking at the false Icon." spoke Adriel into Leakhena's mind. As she spoke, the armor seemed to slightly warm a bit, its golden shell glowing ever so slightly. Riberta didn't notice, but it seemed as though the trident was doing the same. Warming to the touch, and glowing.

SUPER MOVES ARE NOW AVAILABLE.​

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor grunted as he recovered from the blow delivered to him by Azgon, dusting himself off by patting his sides and shoulders and stretching his shoulders. "Looks like age has made you slow, old man. I was wondering when you were actually going to land a blow." Azathor taunted as he charged in ahead once more. He was intent on continuing to strike Azgon's legs and aimed for one of his knees this time around, arcing his blade around for a savage strike to one of them as he approached closer.