Fantasy Light In The Darkness (IC thread)

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

Sildar listened as Inner Monica voiced her pleasure at their successful combination attack as well as enjoying the exchange that the two of them participated in. Of course, he was not expecting Inner Monica to say that she couldn't stay because Monica's body wasn't built for combat. A sigh of relief appeared as Monica herself reemerged from within her psyche and appeared to regain control. This didn't stop him from almost rushing over to help her when she stumbled over, but she soon picked herself up and healed her hand. Monica then offered to heal Sildar's injuries herself and proceeded to do so most notably on the wound in his left shoulder. The cool crisp feeling of water washed over the wound, but to his surprise, there was no pain at all. With the wound healed, she then offered to heal his knees.

"I'm not worried about my knees so much as i'm now worried about your safety, I'm tougher than I look" Sildar began. "Your inner self made things slightly harder, but we can still accomplish our goal. However, we need to find Suva and Straps as if all the goblins are moving to a more defensive position we need all the help we can get." Looking down at his claw he opened and closed it before looking back at Monica. "I could also go and deal with this myself, but at the cost of your safety as well as the safety of our two companions and wherever Blue is. I will not endanger my team to attain personal glory, I WILL NOT!" Sildar vowed in an increasingly louder voice until he shut himself up and lowered his voice before continuing. "Stick close Monica, we need to find our companions."

 

[LumaThePhoenix]

Monica Battaglia​

Clockwork Syringe Trektek

Monica listens to Sildar decline the second heal before stating that he could deal with this situation on his own, but she and the other ladies would pay the price with their safety, which is why he wouldn't. On one hand, it's good to know that he wouldn't, but it was also a bit unnerving to know that he could.

The part that hit her the hardest is when he said her inner self made things more difficult. That's what she was afraid of. She felt like she let him down and put everyone in danger because of her own fears. "I'm so sorry. I should've controlled myself better. I'm sorry for being too weak to stop her." She looks away and at the compound. "You're right. We should find them. I hope they're okay. I-I hope they're not hurt because of me. Not to mention I still have to apologize to Blue for causing her to run off." Monica would follow closely behind Sildar whenever he's ready to try and reunite with Suva and Straps.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

Sildar frowned as Monica looked away from him as she apologized for making things difficult; she felt guilty from the looks of it that she couldn't control her inner self. Giving Monica a calm and compassionate gaze, Sildar started.

"Monica you have nothing to be ashamed of in terms of controlling your inner self; we all have to start somewhere," he began. "You've already made great strides in terms of your healing power; I felt that personally when you healed me. It just takes time to understand what you are capable of; something I've had a um, had a good deal of." Sildar's gaze darkens as he fumbles with his words for a brief moment as if he is remembering something, but then it goes back to the compassionate face he had on before. "Lets go find the two of them shall we?" he asked before making a move to begin walking while waiting for her to follow him.

 

[Trektek]

Clockwork Syringe , LumaThePhoenix , LegoLad659

The Cave

Blue's Manuevers managed to easily take out the guards before they even knew what had hit them. The first dagger hit one of them in the throat and it went down in a gurgle of blood. The other one barely had any time to et a scream out as the dagger was plunged into his chest. They both were soon bleeding out on the ground. The darkness of the cave beckoned Catherine.

Traveling deeper into the cave, she would see a large cavern that ends the cave. It is carefully lit up with many candles in alcoves and across the floor. In the center of a large pentagram was a large figure chained up. He was obscured by the darkness. There were multiple people in thick heavy robes chanting towards the back of the cave.

The Goblin Camp

Suva and Straps were standing outside the main building, with a few dead goblins at their feet. Suva waved the two of them over and once they arrived, she began to speak.

"Whatever you guys did, really messed them up. What's left of the Goblin group is in side there hold up with their Leader. We managed to take out a few on their way in. But they are hunkered down inside."​

 

[LegoLad659]

Catherine Terra
Trektek
​

Catherine recovered her thrown knife and made her way into the cave, hiding out of sight of the chanting men as she saw them. She quickly observed the situation before she realized the course of action here was obvious - Dash in and take out the cloaked men. So, that's what she did, starting with whichever one was closest to her. Facing away from her if possible, but it may or may not have been.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

Sildar approached the Goblin tent with Monica and then noticed both Suva and Straps awaiting them. He then walked over and listened to what Suva had to say. "Whatever you guys did, really messed them up. What's left of the Goblin group is in side there hold up with their Leader. We managed to take out a few on their way in. But they are hunkered down inside." Sildar frowned and then looked over everyone as he contemplated the group's next step. Monica was out of commission in terms of fighting as her inner self had said so that left Straps, Suva, and himself. Sure he had no doubt that Suva could certainly handle herself in close combat as he witnessed, but he wasn't too sure with Straps as she looked to favor a bow, a less than ideal weapon in close quarters. That left himself as one possible contender for a solution. The only person who he had clued in to about his Draconic heritage was Monica although it looked as though Straps and Suva would soon come to know if he was going to do what he thought was a good idea. It might even be the time to avoid casting spells and just unleash more of his power without the spell excuse; he could catch Dirken and his generals off guard if that was the case.

Turning to Straps and Suva, Sildar started. "I have an idea that might work, but I first need to know anything else you may have observed while getting here apart from what you have already stated as well as how you feel in close quarters combat."

 

[LumaThePhoenix]

Monica Battaglia​

Trektek Clockwork Syringe


Monica follows Sildar to the main building. Suva and Straps waved them over. It looks like they were busy as well. The sight of fallen goblins by them was proof of it. Suva mentioned that the remaining goblins and their leader had set up shop in the main building. That explains their earlier retreat. They were gathering their remaining forces for a final defensive stand.

As for Suva and Straps, Monica was relieved to see that they were okay. However, she hesitated before finally speaking. "Thank goodness you two are okay! I-I'm so sorry for what happened to me earlier. I didn't.....I didn't mean to worry you. I'm just scared that......a-actually, i-it can wait." Monica stops herself and listens to Sildar speak to Straps and Suva. Monica remained quiet and listened to any extra information they may be able to provide. As far as the combat part goes, she figured it would be better to stay back and let the others handle it. If anything, she could help them by healing them when needed and avoiding danger as much as possible.

 

[Trektek]

Clockwork Syringe , LumaThePhoenix , LegoLad659

The Cave

Blue charged in and took down the nearest robed figure, downing him quickly, but not before he let out a blood curdling scream. The other robed figured turned to look at her while the chanting continued at a steady beat, almost unperturbed by the actions that the woman had taken. Each one wore the same dark robes, but there was something off about the way that they all stood and carried themselves, perhaps it was merely the corruption of dark magics that they were wielding, or something else. Surely, the young woman did not care about such things.

The leader had pointed at Blue and yelled, "Get her you fools. She's clearly trying to disrupt the ritual and then Saul will have all of our heads!" A few of the robed figures broke off and began to advance on her position. One of them starting a different chant and summoned up two small imps that starting circling her.

The Goblin Camp

Suva put her hand on Monica's shoulder and gave a kind and caring look with her eyes, the kind that showed that words need not be spoken, before she herself began to speak. "It's all right Monica. I know that that wasn't who you really are. But yes, we can talk about it later when we are out of this camp."

With that, Suva turned to talk to Sidar. "As far as I can tell tell, the remaining Goblins in the camp have taken shelter in here, retreating towards their leader in order to face our entire group head on for a final desperate assault. Its quite clear from my humble tactical opinion that what you guys did out there, really messed them up. However, since they have been backed into a wall, that might make them even more dangerous than before. So I suggest caution."​

 

[LegoLad659]

Catherine Terra
Trektek
​

Catherine indeed didn't take much of an interest in the possibility of the mages being corrupted, although she took note of it nonetheless as she sliced her way through one of the imps on her way to reach the rest of the mages. She kept an awareness of the other, plus any other creatures they may summon, but her main targets were the mages, so she only killed those creatures who either attacked her directly or were in her way.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

First, Sildar watched as Suva began to comfort Monica saying that it wasn't her fault when it came to Inner Monica. However, this made Sildar want to converse with Inner Monica to find out why she was so intent on fighting for control. This begged the question of why can't they work together; he would need to figure this out with the two halves so they could make a better whole. Sildar then listened as Suva laid out that the goblins were now at a last stand in the tent. Putting a still clawed hand with his pointer and thumb on his chin he began to ponder and plot. He realized that he still had a few cards left to play, and they he would need to use at least one of them if they had a chance of succeeding in this mission; it was looking more and more likely that the secret he had taken great lengths to conceal, and the facade he took time to carefully construct, would come crashing down if he played this incorrectly. "Suva, Monica, Straps here's what I propose we do. They'll expect us to send you first Suva since you're the most heavily armored out of all of us. It is for this reason I'll nominate myself at the tip of this spear with Straps behind me followed by Monica and with you at the rear." Casting a concerned glance for a moment at Monica, Sildar paused before he continued. "I don't want to subject Monica to whatever is going to happen next so I need you to protect her Suva," Sildar continued with a look of steadfast resolve on his face. "I don't look like much apart from my physique, but I have a few cards left to play." Sildar then shot a brief glance at Monica as if to indicate something that only the two of them would clue in on.

 

[LumaThePhoenix]

Monica Battaglia​

Trektek Clockwork Syringe

As Monica listened to Suva, she felt a wave of calmness wash over her body. She nods her head and then listens as they come up with their next move. She catches each of Sildar's glances towards her while he explains his plan. The fact that he asked Suva to protect her surprised her a bit. "I have no objections to your plan. I'll try to stay out of everyone's way and provide healing if any of you need it." She then zones out for a moment as she converses with her other half.

I-I don't believe it. Even after what happened earlier, they still want to protect us. They're still concerned about us. I feel like they really do care. Maybe they can keep us safe.

I don't believe it. It still feels too good to be true.

You still don't trust them?

It's not that I don't believe it's possible that they truly aren't malicious. I just can't afford to be as naive as you are. Granted your naivete does make you friendly and approachable, it also makes you a target. You and I know very well that there are those out there that will see your kindness and try to take advantage of you because of it. If neither of us are skeptical and we both just blindly follow along with whatever anyone tells us to do, then we are no better than sheep being led to their slaughter.

I see...I think. There were so many compliments and insults that I got mixed up a little. It is refreshing to hear you say nice things.

Well I'm not some hateful tyrant. If anything, YOU'RE the one who does the insulting. You tell everyone I'm some kind of monster. Am I dangerous? Of course, but I have to be. Just like I have to appear unfriendly and be violent. It's to protect us.

Really? All this time you've been hostile...just to keep us safe? I said so many horrible things about you...I...I'm so sorry. I'm just...afraid...of you.

That's fair. I'd fear me too if I wasn't myself. I do have quite the explosive temper. Which reminds me, you volunteered to talk to our allies about us after this mission. Are you sure you can go through with this?

Well, no. I'm not. I want to stop living in fear, but I don't know if I can.

You've already taken a step in the right direction. I imagine they'll have questions for and about me, so it would be better if I were the one to answer them directly.

...and you won't hurt them?

Not unless they try to hurt us first. Consider it this way. If you can learn to trust me, then I can learn to trust them.

Wow. I uhhh...I don't know what to say. I guess you're right.

First, we have to get through the rest of this mission. You ready to put all of that healing you've been practicing to good use?

Yeah. I'll do my best to protect them. Oh, and thank you.

For what?

For being nice to me.

Ugh, don't say it like that, but sure whatever.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

"Very well then Monica," Sildar started. He then looked at his clawed hands and then back at the group, "My magic spell from earlier is still in effect, but lets make the most of it." If things went south he would truly tap into some of his draconic powers, but not too much as he did not want to hurt his teammates. In fact this may be the first time he ever got into a situation like this with other people that were not his father; it was imperative that he be careful. Sildar then made a mental note to not go further than expanding his wings and growing his dragon fangs for this encounter. Moving in front of everyone and taking into account their positions, Sildar then led the way to the main building expecting the worst.

 

[Trektek]

Clockwork Syringe Clockwork Syringe , LumaThePhoenix LumaThePhoenix , LegoLad659 LegoLad659

The Cave

Blue was cutting through mages, but in the process started to get hit by some spells. Her left arm was hit with a flame spell, causing a painful burn. Her right leg was hit by an ice spell, causing freezer burn and slowing her down as the rest of the regrouped in order to stop this menacing figure that practically came out of nowhere.

"Dammit. Work faster to get rid of her. We can't have any further delays. It'll mean the end of all of us if we don't."

The Goblin Camp

Suva and Straps both nodded at the plan. They both understood what was at stake and were going to do their best to take out the enemies while keeping the group from getting injured or killed.

As Sildar began to move forward, a hail of arrows started coming at his direction from higher up further down the hallway. Two wolves began a charge, each with a Heavily armed and armored goblin on top of them. They wielded Sharp looking longswords with half plate insulated with furs, wearing fierce scowls on their faces.

This was not going to be an easy battle.​

 

[LegoLad659]

Catherine Terra
Trektek
​

Catherine grunted in pain as the spells found their marks, and she slowed her advance, making sure to focus more on dodging the mages' attacks. She was all alone out here, so she had to be careful, or... Well, if she found she had to retreat, she planned to, since the goblin's life wasn't worth losing her own over. It's not like anyone in the group would know, after she ditched them like that she suspected they wouldn't even want her back anyway. One other thing compelled her to stay and continue to fight though, and that was what the mages said to each other in their attempts to fight back.

'We can't have any further delays.' These mages were on a time limit. That meant that just by being here, even if she wasn't doing anything otherwise, she was putting their plans in jeopardy. In response to this information, Catherine went even more on the defensive, focused now on just presenting a threat to them, breaking their focus and attacking any who tried to continue their spell. If she could just stall them long enough, they might just run out of time and she could potentially walk out of here with Straps' father and minimal injuries.

She cringed slightly as her wounds burned. Well, no more injuries than she'd already sustained, anyway.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

Sildar began his walk down the hallway and noticed the following. Numerous arrows sailed directly at him followed by two heavily armored goblins riding wolves. Thankfully all of his allies were behind him and his enemies in front; there was one thing he could do to even the odds. Sildar yelled "EVERYONE STAY BEHIND ME NOW!!" before he called upon his dragon blood and took a deep breath of air. He could feel the fire building in his lungs greedily devouring the air he supplied them with before the flames began to rapidly boil and roar. ~Sorry dad~ Sildar thought to himself before he let loose a torrent of bright red dragonfire. The flames raced towards his enemies burning up the arrows sent towards them as well as gravely inuring the wolves sent after them. Luckily, or unluckily, the armor the goblins were wearing had shielded them from the brunt of the damage as the flames had caused the fur within the half plate to catch fire. Sildar opened his mouth and his canines could be seen fully elongated like the fangs of a dragon and then waited for the goblins to react to their burning armor as well as the fact that he just incinerated all the arrows fired at him. "Nobody else needs to die today, bring your leader forward!"

 

[LumaThePhoenix]

Monica Battaglia​

Trektek Clockwork Syringe

Monica silently walks with the others. She wasn't sure what to expect, which made her a bit nervous. As the walked down one of the hallways, she heard something. Rain? Indoors? Not quite. It wasn't the rain from clouds, but rather a shower of arrows coming straight for them. Monica quickly turns and hides behind Suva as Sildar tells everyone to stay behind him. She wasn't sure how he was planning to deal with the barrage of weapons, but she hoped he had a plan for it. Behind the arrows were more goblins and wolves. They were heavily armed and looked a lot tougher than the ones they fought earlier. When she turned her attention back to the professor, he was shooting fire out of his mouth to incinerate the arrows. There was no doubt that he was using his dragon powers. Monica continues to keep quiet and look aroun the area in front of them as well as behind them while Sildar demands that the goblins bring out their leader.

 

[Trektek]

Clockwork Syringe LumaThePhoenix

The Goblin Camp
There was no expecting the fire that came exploding out of Sildar's mouth as he certainly didn't seem the type. As such, the goblins and their beasts were caught off guard. The burst of flames caused the Wolves to suffer extreme burns and the heavily armored goblins to get singed. Most of the Goblins took off, but one of the armored ones suddenly down a large potion in one quick motion. It suddenly dropped it its knees, grabbing its own head in pain as it shrieked. The armor bulged and burst open, to reveal a writhing mass of expanding flesh. Muscles strengthened and rippled while the creature became large enough to fill the height of the structure from the inside. It roared loudly with spittle flying towards the group.

The Cave
LegoLad659

The Goblins began to rush Blue in an attempt to overwhelm her mobility and fighting strength. They wished to put an end to her life before their ritual was complete. Otherwise the delay in the casting ability would be troublesome. And then they would have to answer to beings far greater than their current boss.​

 

[LegoLad659]

Catherine Terra
Trektek
​

Catherine tried her best to stay and delay the ritual as much as possible, dodging and weaving through the enemies with a quick precision that she was obviously used to performing while she continued getting her own attacks in wherever she could find an opening. However, as time went on, not only did she grow more tired (Magical shoes can only get you so far) but she kept sustaining little hits here and there that piled up over time. If they weren't going to run out of time, or preferably even die from their own injuries, soon, she began to consider whether it was worth it for her to remain here. It might even be too dangerous, if she stayed long enough for them to beat her down sufficiently. She held firm for the time being, but if it looked like things would go bad for her, she planned on breaking off and running away. Find somewhere in the forest where she could safely recuperate - The goblin village if she absolutely had to, but she would rather not return there if she could avoid it, since she knew that one of three people would also be headed that way as well.

Either it would be Dirken himself, seeking to destroy the town like he had before...

Her former party members, who would no doubt be pissed at her for ditching them like she did...

Or Monica, after killing everyone and probably would do the same to her next...

Honestly, she didn't like any of those outcomes. But it was also entirely possible that she wouldn't be able to find anywhere safe in the forest as well, forcing her to go back to the village anyway. Hopefully she wouldn't have to retreat like that in the first place, really.

 

[LumaThePhoenix]

Monica Battaglia​

Trektek Clockwork Syringe

Monica watched as Sildar's flame attack singed the opposition. The nurse covered her nose with her shirt as the smell of burnt fur and flesh would soon fill the air. It looked as if the group were in the clear to press onward. However, one of the goblins didn't run away. Instead, it drank some kind of potion. Monica wasn't sure was it was, but she was horrified by what she saw next. The creature went from holding its head in pain to growing exponentially. What was once a lowly henchman was now a massive beast that had its sights set on them. As it charged at the squad, Monica takes a few steps back. "Brace yourselves!"

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans:​

LumaThePhoenix Trektek

Sildar looked on at his handiwork as the dragonfire incinerated the arrows and caused several of the wolves to suffer extreme burns. In addition, he also noticed that some of the more heavily armored goblins decided to run when it seems they were facing someone who could wield draconic energy. However, he was not expecting someone to down a potion and then charge at them. ~craapp!~ Sildar thought. "Brace yourselves!" came from Monica as he noticed she took a few steps back and decided what he would do, he was going to try and stop this charging beast from hurting Monica, Suva, and Straps. Taking off his scarf in one swift motion, he threw it to the side with a *fwoomp* and then stood in the middle of the corridor as the beast charged at him, however, Sildar had a plan. He then called further upon his bloodline and while only his hands had been transmogrified into claws, a gold glow spread up his arms and up to his shoulders causing his arms to become fully covered with golden scales.

 

[Trektek]

The Cave
LegoLad659

All of a sudden, some of the spellcasters that were still chanting, had balled over, crying out in pain. The leader of the group scoffed and pointed at Blue. "How dare you disrupt all of our carefully planned work. This was years In the making and ruined by one scrawny human woman. I'll make sure that you never see the light of day again.

Without warning, the chained figure erupted from the chains that had been binding him. Shrapnel burst throughout the room. A large minotaur was standing there. And he looked extremely angry. Not at Blue, but at the mages that were now looking very, very scared. The minotaur let out a roar as he spoke. "You kidnap my daughter and then you try to use me for your twisted spells. I will make sure that you are the ones that aren't leaving this cave."

The beastman begins to crush the spellcasters with impressive strength.

Clockwork Syringe LumaThePhoenix

The Goblin Camp

The now muscular beast of a former goblin charged, clashing with Sildar's now golden scale covered arm. It's own fists were plunging deeply into the spellcaster as he was trying to pummel Sildar into a pulp. It was quite clear from the actions that this creature was more running more on instinct than any sort of rational thought.

Suva took a defensive position around Straps and Monica, just in case the monster broke through. The creature itself was bringing back horrible flashbacks and as it was, her sword arm was shaking, though she was working to stand as firm as she could.​

 

[LegoLad659]

Catherine Terra
Trektek
​

Catherine smirked as the mages started crying out, and the leader was clearly angry at her for it. Her plan had worked, now all she had to do was find a way to get Straps' father out with her. Which, considering he was in chains, was... Probably going to be difficult. She would've had to kill the mages anyway, unless they'd decided to leave him behind for one reason or another.

Well, she would have, anyway, if the guy didn't bust his way out himself, now apparently a minotaur. While that worked, she... Kind of had to wonder why he didn't do that earlier? Sure, it was helpful now, but it would've been more helpful... Literally at any point before this one. Maybe there was some reason, she didn't know. And she wasn't keen on asking when he was a giant beast in a mad rage. Right now she should be helping him. So, while the mages were distracted with the angry minotaur, she closed in on the nearest one to run her blade through him, along with any others she could get to before the minotaur did.

 

[LumaThePhoenix]

Monica Battaglia​

Clockwork Syringe Trektek

The sight of golden scales running up Sildar's arms catches Monica's attention. She remembered what he had told her about his powers and hoped that he wouldn't become consumed by them. The monstrous creature collides with the professor, and Monica watches to see how the latter holds up. Suddenly, something else catches her eye. Shaking. Not from her, but from Suva. Her arm was shaking and she looked distraught. The nurse started to worry about her, so she walks next to her and gently places her hands on the mercenary's sword hand. Monica looks at Suva and tries to smile to help comfort her. "I-I'm not sure what to say to help, but I'm here for you. W-we all are. I believe in you, and I know we'll make it through this."

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Sildar Evans
LumaThePhoenix Trektek​

Sildar clashed with the beast blocking a few punches and landing some of his own with some additional claws that raked across its' chest. However, some got through his defenses and he felt the beast punch into his chest causing him to gasp out of reflex. He then slammed a counter directly into the beast's head hoping it would daze the creature enough for him to deal a powerful blow.
~You need more power~ It was that damn voice again.
~Shut up! I can handle this on my own!~
~But you just took a big punch, if you had used more power it would have broken its' fist against your chest. Giiivvveee iiinnnn to your rage and desirrreessss!~
"I WILL NEVER GIVE IN, BE QUIET!" Sildar screamed as he opened his jaws and let loose the unbridled dragonfire directly at the creature's head.

 

[Trektek]

The Cave
LegoLad659 LegoLad659

Blue and The Minotaur made quick work of the remaining spellcasters. As he finished off the last one with a sickening crunch, the minotaur turned to face Blue and smiled. "Thank you so very much for your help. I don't know what they were going to do to me other than use me for some sort of dark magics. And all because I was looking for my daughter Straps."

He wiped his brow and started going through a pile of objects that were against the wall until he pulled out some large armor and a greataxe that all seemed very familiar to him. "Now, I know its a lot after you just helped me deal with these jerks, but would you be able to help me rescue my daughter?"

Clockwork Syringe Clockwork Syringe LumaThePhoenix LumaThePhoenix

The Goblin Camp

Suva stopped shacking at Monica's touch. It seemed that the simple act of placing her hand over her hand, along with the comforting words, brought her back out of her own misplaced thoughts and to the events that were surrounding them all. "T..THANK you, Monica. That really helps." She smiled at her friend as she looked back at what was going on in order to keep them all safe.

The DRagonfire that came spewing out of his mouth was scorching the creature's face. It attacks continued until at last, it collapsed onto the ground, its head burnt to a crisp, along with a foul smell of burnt beast.​