Fantasy Swords, Sorcery And Whatever That Monster Torching The Town Is

[Zerohex]

Through everything The Wizard Of Wizards suddenly relayed, foregoing her usual means of homunculi heralds and written messages and revealing a surprisingly low, deep voice, the Champion of the Highlands lasered in on one specific statement. "Whaddaya mean I can't punch satans dead? Sounds like a challenge to me, lass! Gonna smash me some satans!", he hollered as he followed Zharko Serafim Bogdan etc out after their brief search in the dead dragon's lair. He looked positively thrilled at the idea of proving people wrong on this one, smiling from ear to ear and already loudly cracking his knuckles in preparation of the fight to come. "You just chill n have fun with this lass, ya gotta enjoy the ride if ya wanna live this life".

His attitude basically remained the same as they emerged outside and saw the newcomers conferring with Rinzler and the rest, even as a raven suddenly fluttered around their heads screeching and covering them in loose feathers for no discernible reason. It had probably found its way in smelling the battle and corpses but as Mickey was certainly not dead he took exception to the carrion bird, swiftly slapping it down it into the rock floor. It had happened in the blink of an eye and taken him about as much effort as most people put into waving flies away, but the snapping crunch the impact made left no doubt as to the effect of the casual blow. "Hrn, darn birds, ain't right messin with the dead", he muttered, still smiling.

That matter settled he took stock of the newcomers and thought very little of them, some soft lass and lad probably not old enough to drink and even more magic users still, so he chose to adress Rinzler directly as one of the few responsible people he'd met so far: "Oh, so who's the kiddos Rinzler, and is this about them satan folk Sera says I can't beat to death? 'cause I'mma do it".

Freshet KnightOfNight Amaya Himura Gaius Danius Griinia RatKing Gohan510

 

[Ixacise]

Lance continued to move without much care forward towards the destination. It was only until the sound of a chant and seeing the magic accumulating over him to form the spell, that he stopped his movement. Finally, it seemed the situation regarding the girl and the others has revealed and resolved itself. He rotated around to see the other demons gone, save one with a dagger. With a deceptively lazy speed did he intercept the demon's lunge with his body taking the blow. It would be a shame to let the spell go to waste after all. Lance followed through by giving a forceful and swift crack on the demon's head with his unsheathed blade. The demon went down without much struggle.

"Here's the deal, give up your attempts at playing brigands and go farm cabbage or some shit and I won't leave you dying in the boonies." He said loudly and quite matter-of-factly as he rested against the sheathed blade. He hoped the others heard him or have long ran off. He really didn't care for dealing with idiot small fry at this moment. He briefly wondered if he should use that, but vetoed it mentally thinking that it would be dumb and overkill. StrayTheCat

 

[Freshet]

"EWwww~!" Trinity balked out as she took a few steps away from the deceased bird. "HATE those things!" declared Trinity with a huff as she crossed her arms over her torso. She shook her head as she glanced at all assembled before walking towards her alpaca. It just stood, sort of unamused at the situation and sneezed. She grabbed the reigns of Augusta and took her a, well there was no posts here, so she just kept a hold of the reigns while glancing at the camp.

"Mickey totally could." Trinity said with a nod as she began brushing her alpaca steed as she eyed the watery map. "Uh, are you using water from here? I don't think that's a good idea, cause we need water here, water something not to waste. Or oh uh reading water seems like really hard and inconvienent? Like maps are good, nice, papery and they don't use up valuable resources! You can even make them more representative of stuff by adding figures to them!" She continued to brush her alpaca.

"But yeah is this about the satans? Are we gonna beat up satans now? Also Sera is that one." Trinity pointed at the Master of Homunculi and Lord Librarian. "But the goons will clarify whatever needs to be clarified. But yeah satans... something should be done about satans, I'd imagine."

Zerohex KnightOfNight Gaius Danius Griinia Amaya Himura RatKing

 

[ColdCash]

The dead had been buried and the living patched together as best as the saint and surgeons could handle. The moans of the injured had quieted to a handful of pained grunts, most of them having lost consiousness in the hours since treatment. Most of the staff had been ordered to return to their unit, with the rest taking a break to finish mealtimes interrupted by the mad king and his lust for battle. Rosario sat, silent, helm under one arm as she wiped the sweat from beneath her veil with a folded scrap of bandage, her hairless pate glistening softly in the dim light.

She stood with effort, taking stock of the patients. Fifteen injured from the falling stones or Grigori's thrashing body; twenty-three from the undead assault; four with serious burns, and innumerable others who had been dead on arrival or mutilated beyond any hope of saving- most of them the result of friendly fire. She knelt down next to the soldier the hellspawn had brought, stroking the unburned half of his face. She hadn't told the men for morale reasons, but the poor bastard was doomed to die before the week was out if he stayed like this. Same with his three friends.

"...But not if I have anything to say about it.", She mumbled.

____________________

"Careful not to cover their faces when you lay these men down, the most minor of obstructions run the risk of suffocation!"

Saint Rosario, once again in full kit, supervised the soldiers as they transported the worst-injured (mostly burn victims and amputees) in blankets, carrying them to a wagon that had previously contained approximately one-third of their campaign's entire food supply. In hindsight, it was a blessing that Grigori had attempted to break the siege immediately rather than waiting them out. Lacking any sort of leadership or means to return to the capital, and with no earthly idea of where they were located to begin with, Rosario had put the bulk of her men to the task of foraging and holding the castle as she set off in hopes of finding a supply route.

Luckily, she wasn't alone. The armor of the Saint was a powerful artifact, yes, but it still required regular maintenance to remain in good condition. To this end, the Order had engraved upon the right gauntlet a compass of sorts, which showed the location of the nearest monastery in the event that repair was needed. With luck, it'd lead her to civilization...

____________________

They had been traveling for a few hours now, the wagon's escort marking the mountain passes to be retraced by the supply caravan. Attempting a siege with no supply route was a tactical blunder no matter how one looked at it, but sieging this fortress was so positively idiotic it was a miracle they hadn't all starved to death in the attempt. Steep, rough, heavily forested... It was obvious these trails hadn't been in use for ages. Unsurprising, considering everything staffing the fort had either been dead or capable of flight. Supply runs hadn't been an issue for them.

"You ever wonder what he looks like under that armor a' his?", one of the rear escorts asked, stout and red-faced.

"Who, the saint?", his companion replied, tall and fair in hair and skin.

"No, John Gallister. Of course I mean the saint!"

"The hell's John Gallister?"

"Bit of regional humor."

"Really? Where ya from?"

"Oh, little town off the coast of- stop doing that!"

"Stop what?", the blonde horseman asked, suppressing a laugh.

The red-faced horseman slapped his snickering companion across the back of the head.

"Ouch! Alright, alright, I get it!", the younger man said, rubbing the back of his neck, "The saint, eh? I suppose he always struck me as... Gentle. Ladylike, even."

"Yeah...", The older soldier mumbled, scratching his chin, "...E's a bit of a poof, ain't he?"

"His voice is surprisingly high-pitched, too. You don't think-"

"-What, him? Gotta be kiddin', boy. Not even me own ma has shoulders that broad! Prolly jes cut 'is tackle free to sing choir or somesuch."

The short soldier made a snipping motion with his fingers for emphasis.

"Ye know how these heathens are, don't even sacrifice goats or nothin'."

"Still, I'm glad he took us along...", The blond soldier replied, checking the surrounding area for spies before continuing, "...The camp's practically tearing itself apart over this campaign, you know?"

"Can ya blame 'em? Mad King Izuru drags us up here with barely a day's worth of supplies, kills half his own men, and then just trots off to god knows where without so much as a how do ya do. The man's a damn disgrace!"

"You know, I didn't think it was possible to be worse than old man Izaya."

"Kid's sure making a go of it, at the very least."

 

[RubyZoo]

"So I guess we both have parent problems then, aye?" she said, not trying to joke around anymore. "So, do you mind if I stick around for a while. I don't have anywhere to go or be so..." she trailed of, waiting for an answer

(sorry, short again)

 

[KnightOfNight]

The Wizard Of Wizards could feel her eye twitch upon hearing Mickey insist he could punch the cloud satans to death, but quickly contained it. She hated the idea of someone ignoring her advice, but she had also come to appreciate the company of Mickey and Trinity and didn't want to end that by directly stating how dumb they were rather than just implying it. Besides, could she really blame them for their ignorance? She didn't know how they were raised, or if they were properly raised at all. Trinity could have easily grown up with the alpaca she takes with her everywhere and see it as a sibling. This thought amused her to no end.

Upon approaching the group at the camp, a few things stuck out to her above everything else. Someone had created a three dimensional map out of water, likely to show off to the rubes. The second thing was the creator of the map, a naiad. Known for their jealousy and wrath, naiads were dangerous to allow near you as you could never know when something you do breaks their trust. The third, and final thing, was the presence of more strange hybrids. What was it with the mortals of this age and their obsession with outside races? Was it purely for the power it would give their offspring? How did they manage to convince dragons and demons to this arrangement? Perhaps this was something worth studying to add to The Most Completed Sanctum Of Lore In This World And The Next.

Putting her feelings aside, she quickly scribbled a message for the new people. "My name is not Sera. Do not call me that and I will consider helping."

Zerohex Freshet Amaya Himura RatKing Gaius Danius Griinia Gohan510

 

[Juju]

Yuki closed the door behind them and looked around the cramped room. "Human dens are strange." she grumbled, poking at one the straw beds.

Her attention was soon diverted when a hawk flew in through the window to land on the table. His name was Hakai, or at least, Kuto had called him that once, and it was easy to see why. In those orange eyes there was a desire for evil, she could see it. Even now as it groomed its golden feathers, she knew it was only waiting for the slightest slip of her guard. Ever since she first met the bird, Yuki could tell that it hated her. She still didn't forgive it for the time it chased her over a hill in front of Kuto. It knew she couldn't harm it in return, being Kuto's pet, and Yuki swore it took joy in every scratch it could land on her... usually when Kuto wasn't looking.

It was a game it liked to play. One Yuki was determined to win.

Yuki flattened her ears and crouched down, her body tensed up and ready for any sudden movements. With careful footfalls she crept up to the corner of her bed and lifted her head just enough to see over the edge of the mattress. Hakai looked up from its preening to give Yuki a scornful glare, causing her to freeze until it went back to its grooming. The two remained like this for a long time, both parties refusing to back down from their secret game. From across the room Yuki heard Kuto mutter something but she didn't think much of it, being too preoccupied with her stare-down. Only the gods knew how long it would have lasted if Hakai did not break the silent war by fluttering to Kuto's shoulder.

With a triumphant 'HA!' Yuki jumped onto her bed, officially claiming it as her territory. Relishing her victory with a smile, she slowly swung her legs back an forth in the air.

"What was the note about?" she asked, tilting her head to the side in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the paper. It didn't really make much of a difference since she couldn't read Sumarian.

Gohan510

 

[Amaya Himura]

She noticed that Kai jumped at bit when she spoke about his lack of clothing. And the way she scratched the back of his head and laughed... It reminded her too much of Kuto... They're brothers, of course they would have similar gestures. Keep it together idiot! she yelled at herself.

She only stared ahead at the Princess, the cloudy manifestation of the power they were now up against, and the newly made map (created by the naiad who strangely shouldn't be accompanying the Princess as nymphs are jealous, enticing, and vengeful). Answering Kai's question, she spoke, "Yes, I had served under the Princess as her bodyguard." ...and friend, but that's a long story for no one here.

When Otonashi popped out of nowhere, Rinzler figured he'd teleported his way here. That little twin brother of Izuru's has always been the silent type, even when he's traveling. Two out of three of the Kamukura siblings were here which made her think. Even with the addition of the human sword's information, Cypher's expression hardened. "So, Izuru left camp and his station at training his soldiers to run off on another adventure. One without any assistance or any form of planning or even advice or approval from me?" It was said more as a statement rather than a question. Of course he did. The Emperor's brashness was going to get himself killed.

"The Twelfth Legion, if you may even call it that, has just gone through much terror and pain as of this one day. Why in the world, in Tiamat's sacred name, would he take an untrained group of novices to fight against the Northern Rangers? That... is what generals, true generals of war, would consider a child's move." she quietly hissed about the boy king. Rinzler pinched the bridge of her nose in complete and utter frustration. The Northern Rangers were a fierce group of warriors. She herself spent some time training with some of the Rangers. The Twelfth "legion" would stand no chance. It was a suicide mission.

Ravens flew out above her head. These little aves will get nothing done if we are all here, and the Emperor is out essentially murdering the rest of his soldiers. Now these Venti -- manifestations of fear and cowardice -- are terrorizing the land, and...

Just as Otonashi and his sword were walking away towards a certain direction that she, Septimus and Kai had just arrived, the Knight of Zero stopped them. "Where do you think you're going? If you're looking to run away like the Emperor, you may do so. But if you are looking for a fight, you best stay with us and fight off these Venti. Your Highness, it is you and Princess Chiho who brought this to our attention; why do you leave?" When he took another step, she barked, "...Otonashi, turn around, come back here and let's fight these Venti."

"Has the great swordsman become only a messenger bird for his little brother?" Cypher knew that Otonashi wasn't Izuru and would stay here and fight with them against the Venti. Izuru would make up an excuse to run away, but Otonashi was terrible at lies. Knowing that her words would irk him, she placed her hands on her hips daring him to challenge the one who took care of him for all his years. "Don't make me give you a time out like Izuru."

The confrontation of Kuto and his friend needed to have Kai and herself present as there was unfinished business from both Knights. Having a prince go after them would prove to be pointless and stupid, for Kuto has grown much stronger and could easily take out the princely swordsman.

Septimus approached once more and she turned to him nodding in a hello. Cypher turned back to face the map and address Kai as he kept on circling around and proclaimed his excitement for another fight. She smiled on the inside knowing that these Knights would get a kick out of fighting something again and not running around doing who knows what. "Yes, we have another fight on our hands, so it would seem."

He'd said "big sis" when addressing her. Rinzler decided to cover that with him when he decided to talk to her. She'd also heard Kai's little slip up of almost calling her by her first name. She was going to let it go this time, but she'll need to cover that with him as well.

The three who'd gone treasure hunting returned and voiced their concerns. To the Knight of Two, she said, "These two are the siblings of the Emperor. This is Princess Chiho, and Prince Otonashi. These beings are their followers."

To The Knight of Three, Cypher said calmly, "This is a water map, yes. And it is a waste. However it is nice to have a map of the physical land to see what we're up against."

The sun had finally set beyond the mountain and past the valley. The Knight of Zero decided now was a good time to give some orders and get things done for once in this camp. She clapped her hands together, loud enough for the soldiers gather their attention. "Men, I thank you for your service today. I, as the Knight of Zero, wish for you to all head to your tents, get some sleep, for tomorrow you will be returning to the Capital. You are not here to get frostbite or to deal with any monsters for now." She didn't want any more of them to die in the next 24 hours.

Some of the soldiers eyes widened at the sound of her stern, cold voice. It rivaled the cold of the snowy mountain. "We will return to the Capital together so that we may not lose any more. Upon our return, you will be needing the time to train. Generals Anaroi and Criodan will begin basic training. Now head to your tents!" she ordered. She knew that the Generals will be able to train these men in the most fundamental forms of fighting, but she and the rest of the Knights need to deal with these Storm Spirits.

Turning back to the group, the Knight of Zero's stone cold expression stayed. "Your Highnesses may take Izuru's tent. I see that it has been rebuilt, thanks to the guards. At sunrise, we will take these men back to the Capital Estial. Because these Venti are of a critical manner, I want us to return to the Capital as quickly as possible, gather supplies, and leave. I know it may seem pointless, but we have little to no supplies, these men need rest, and we can't be babysitting them while heading to another fight. I'm not making this another suicide mission. These spirits feed off of fear and these men are fearful."

She needed a bath and sleep. She was definitely done with this extremely long day. Rinzler took a brief moment to formulate her final words to them that night. "If you would like to continue to chatter, please do so quietly as I dismiss myself. If we are done, head to your tents and sleep. You'll need it for tomorrow. You are all dismissed, and goodnight."

She turned on her heel, passed by her tent, and picked up extra clothes. She headed straight for the bathhouse.

Gaius Danius Griinia Gohan510 RatKing KnightOfNight Freshet Zerohex

 

[Gohan510]

Kai’s eyes opened wide looking at Sera. He pointed at her. “Your name is Se-.” She instantly responded by not assisting if called Sera. He put his arm down and looked at the map again. Hearing the situation it seemed pretty tough. It could involve in a lot of men hurt. They could simply leave the soldiers and finish this off together. All knights together was said to be a godly force to be reckoned with. Each Knight had a terrifying amount of mana and untapped potential.

Out of all the Knights Kai had to be the most destructive, as he doesn’t care for structures or floral areas as long no one weak was around. He wouldn’t mind destroying an important building fighting an enemy. The satan’s every one kept mentioning Kai nodded to it all. Then bam Rinzler clapped announcing the soldiers to rest, the night sky was starting to cave in. The wind was coming in faster and sharper. Soon after Rinzler told the knights to rest for the night. What about Izuru? He couldn’t betray Rinzler and run off again so he nodded. He looked at Septimus. “So that fire magic from before, is that all you can do?” He smiled curiously. Kai would have to catch Rinzler on her own after she bathe.
Zerohex RatKing Freshet KnightOfNight Gaius Danius Griinia Amaya Himura
————————
Kuto listened to Yuki and stayed seated. “I can’t read it, but maybe the villagers could. You should get some rest if you don’t have any questions. Your body is getting torn up. Before you rest eat as much soup as you need. I only need a small bowl.” Kuto stated walking to the window Hakai flew through as he blocked it off. Hakai flew and landed by the pot looking at Yuki. Kuto directed himself outside. “Eat up Yuki I will return shortly.” Kuto closed the door behind him as the night sky crept on them he continued on to the forest they came from taking the summoning circle from his clothe. Releasing the seal he opened it reading. It summoned the beast of Horns. Thousand horned bull. A giant beast that could prove useful at some time for distraction. “I thought it was something important that Yuki couldn’t see, this is fine though. Come out already.”

A man came out of the shadow of the tree smirking at Kuto “How long are you gonna be passive with her power?”

Kuto listened to the man insult him on his lack to use the full extent of the Kitsune’s power. “Begon or I’ll dismiss you myself. Sly.” With that the man went into the shadows riding off on his steed. Kuto put the scroll in his clothe again turning back to the cabin.
Juju

 

[StrayTheCat]

Erina stared for a moment at how quickly the man handled the demon with the dagger. The demon was knocked out, but she wasn't keen on getting closer if it was just faking. "Thanks for that. Since my former employers have now run away like mice, mind if I tag along with you?" She asked, nodding her head towards the male's sword. "You seem the type to handle himself alright, and I doubt you'll find a better healer anywhere nearby. Cheap too, just escort me alive to wherever you were headed and I won't charge a coin for any magic I use." Ixacise

 

[Juju]

Slowly, Yuki approached the bubbling pot of soup. She eyed the bird and it her, but nothing happened. Yuki filled a bowl of soup. Still nothing. It was only when she stepped away from the pot, bowl in hand, that the bird struck. Hot soup splashed onto the ground and the bowl fell with a wet clatter.

"That was Kuto's food!" Yuki snarled at the bird, holding her bleeding arm. "You stupid... overgrown chicken! Argh!" In the dull light of the fire, Hakai almost looked to be smiling. With narrowed eyes she slowly knelt to pick up the bowl. The bird pecked at her again, but this time she was expecting it. With a swift movement she twirled to the side, evading the hawk's strike while at the same time repositioning herself so that she was squarely facing its flank.

That was it. Mess with her, that's one thing, but mess with her food and you become it. "It's time to die, you f-!" she spat, transforming mid leap as she pounced for the hawk. Effortlessly it took to the air and Yuki slammed into the table, causing a loud screech as the old wood raked against the floor. Wasting no time, Yuki scrabbled on top of it in pursuit of the bird and made another jump for Hakai. Her fangs made a crisp click as they bit down on air and she landed back onto the table, successful only in knocking over a few candles (which were fortunately unlit) and a few dishes. A plate fell down and shattered on the floor, but Yuki hardly noticed it as she nimbly hopped onto the back of the chair then made one last leap for the bird.

It was only one tail feather, but in that moment it brought her more joy than the destruction of the empire. At least, until she crashed into the pot of soup.

---

When Kuto returned he would find the chair knocked over and the table in disarray. An empty plate was suspiciously on the floor beside it, completely unscathed despite the obvious sound that it had broken. Yuki must have fixed it before he opened the door.

The kitsune was still in her natural form and had her head stuck in the pot, which was laying on its side on the floor. She had already lapped up the soup that had spilled onto the wood (she never understood why humans wasted good food) and her tails wagged happily as she wolfed down whatever remained in the pot. Hakai was perched on top of the fireplace, glaring daggers at the kitsune below. Both beasts looked fluffed up, but nothing seemed amiss save for a single missing feather on Hakai's tail and the scratches on Yuki's forearm. However, since Yuki's fur was already littered with wounds from earlier, it was easy to miss the new wound. Positioned exactly in the middle of the floor between Yuki and Hakai was a single bowl of soup. In unspoken truce they had stopped all rivalry to ensure just enough was spared for his meal.

Yuki looked up when she heard Kuto enter the cabin, shook her fur clean of soup, then transformed back into her human form. She picked up the bowl of soup and brought it over to Kuto. "Kuto, you have to try it!" she said brightly, pressing it into his hands. "Human food usually tastes like deer scat but this stuff is great! I'm trying to place what type of fug.. uh.. fungoosh.. it is. It tastes like mooncap but those are too rare and only grow in water caves. Oh! Or it could be Adder's Breath. Hmmm no, that's too spicy."

She picked up the pot and took another taste. "I guess it could be..." Her voice trailed off when she glanced back at Kuto. "Hey, what's wrong? Did a villager say something weird? Do we need to destroy them? I can make a thorn-fang and have it poison them in their sleep!"

Gohan510

 

[RatKing]

Another fight? So soon after fighting off an army of undead and a necrodragon? Quite the coincidence that two dangers to this country come up the moment after the new Knights of Sumaru are formed… he thought to himself not particularly excited to be thrust into another conflict that threatened the land, but at the very least they would be leaving this snowy region for the capital which was comparatively warmer.

Now dismissed by Rinzler, Sept along with Kai started to walk toward the wagon that majority of the food supplies had been stored. Sept hoped to get something warm to eat and then a well deserved rest so he could be energized and ready for the trip back to the capital. (Hope you don't mind me moving Kai along with Sept, just want to get things wrapped up with the Mt.Snowden Arc in a timely manner. Feel free to describe whatever foodstuffs have been prepared or if they are simply just basic rations if you are up to it)

“Oh, my flame breath? It isn't magic or at least I don't think it is” he said not certain of the intricacies of his ability. He had always just presumed it was a natural ability as he was not the only kobold to ever been able to do it. Though magic was not something Septimus was very well trained in so for all he knew it could very well have been magic like Kai had suggested. “But yea, that's about all I can do when it comes to manipulating the elements" he said looking over Kai's wounds. "Hey uh, shouldn't you get those wounds patched up? Don't want them to get worse or anything you know?" he said concerned that the Knight of 1 hadn't yet sought some medical attention for the injuries he received from the fight with his brother.

Gohan510

 

[Gohan510]

Finally reaching the Wagon there was many delicate foods as there was soup to bread rations. Kai’s stomach growled as he grabbed a piece of bread and made a bowl of soup taking a wooden bowl and spoon to scoop up the warm substance. Gouging down the bread he drank the soup down to the bottom of the bowl and went for more soup. His body request for more food then the average person because his metabolism is that of a dragon. Kai listened to Sept speak up for a little guy he had a powerful voice. Mouth full and all he looked at Sept and smiled. “Oh really? I can do that naturally too I just assumed it was fire magic because I never really met a kolball or whatever you guys are called, sorry Sept.” He scratched the back of his head with a smile on his face as he had another piece of bread in his mouth. “He cooks are pretty good considering the fact they had a chance of getting snatched up by some undead. “Nah I’ll be alright these wounds are nothing honestly I needed that fight against Kazume he helped stretch put my muscles. Much needed.” He paused for a moment after stretching.“You know Sept, I can really consider you a friend.” Kai said grabbing another piece of bread. “I owe you one for what you did, that was brave for a small guy like you. Whenever you need me for anything I’m here for you.” Kai said finally breaking a piece off handing it to Septimus. “Let’s continue to work together as partners.... no... as the Knights of Sumaru.” He stated with a shine in his eyes for determination of great things in the future.
————————
Finally reaching the cabin Kuto paused before opening the door. He thought to himself how far can these two go until the end closes in? His master was dying he needed his own forces. A group of bandits isn’t nothing compared to a whole army. One Yuki can handle a whole army of normal soldiers, but not a knight. No not yet she isn’t ready to fight a knight, maybe that small Kolbolt. Maybe him with the yellow scales as he relatively small but what if Rinzler catches her. Yuki wouldn’t be able to handle that. Kai would blow her away with his immense magic power, just strength in general. The imperor well let’s not think that far into it. Kuto would have to start teaching this young girl.

He did notice something though her power stagnates as its like she’s bound to an object that’s keeping her from progressing. Opening the door he noticed things got hectic, obviously he knew the dispute between the hawk and Kitsune but he acted as if he didn’t. Walking in he took the bowl from Yuki and nodded to her mentioning it was good. He knew she was trying to change the subject of why everything was in a disarray. Sitting down at the table he grabbed a wooden spoon and began eating. Yuki then mentioned of a villager stating something weird as he didn’t respond. He felt there was no reason to. It wasn’t the villagers it was all that’s happened today opened his mind to thoughts he never had before. “No.”
Juju

 

[RatKing]

With a warm bowl of soup in hand Septimus began to eat the meal he had been looking forward to all day and was glad to finally be able to warm up after being in the cold for so long. Sitting next to Kai, Septimus quickly learned that the Knight of 1 was not one for savoring his meals as he voraciously consumed his food even while holding a conversation.

“Its Kobold” he corrected Kai “And no need to apologize about it. Can’t blame you for not knowing all there is to know about my race, most of us are located in the dragon islands where most people don't typically go” he said before continuing to eat his food. “And alright if you say so. Though honestly if it were me that was caught up in an explosion that left me with wounds that got past scaled skin, I'd probably go and get myself healed.

Stopping for a moment from eating his food Septimus listened to Kai express his gratitude toward him for doing what he did earlier, how it was brave, and how Kai considered him a friend. “Oh no problem, Kai. I mean you were the one who told me to tell the others where you had gone off to and it was really Rinzler’s plan to go and check up on you. I just tagged along to lead the way” he said honestly as he did not want to take all the credit for things he hadn’t entirely done on his own. “But I’d be glad to work with alongside you in the future as a fellow Knight of Sumaru” he said as he grabbed the piece of bread Kai had offered to him. “Though we should probably get some rest pretty soon. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow”


Gohan510

 

[Ixacise]

Lance stood up quickly as he was confident there were no threats around them. He then turned to face the woman again. "Yeah you can come along with me, but I got no plans on hiring you." He then continued leading them northward through the wilderness. While the day was already somewhat dark and overcast he realized that night was approaching.

Lance's pace increased ever so slightly in response to this. "The name's Lance, anyway let's hurry up to this damn camp before we start freezing together in the middle of nowhere." Luckily for the two, their traveling had amounted to just barely bringing them by night time to the camp. Or more accurately, the bombed out ruins of a fortress in the ass end of the north. Lance stood there taking in the sight. It was clear how much in dire straits the entire thing was. He then continued on eager to see what massive trainwreck awaits.

"Well on the bright side it looks like you'll be giving much postive contribution to the camp." He said with pure sarcasm dripping to Erina.
StrayTheCat

 

[StrayTheCat]

Silently nodding to him, Erina followed him through the wilderness, and she kept her silence until her spoke up. "Nice to meet you Lance." She didn't like the idea of moving during the night, but the rather not slow down Lance as he was the only thing currently protecting her and the only one who knew where they were going. Luckily they got to the camp, or whatever remained of the camp, just as night came. It was obvious that this place had turned into a battlefield, but she shrugged it off, pretending it didn't bother her. Bodies didn't bother her, but she never did like the idea of seeing the aftermath of a war.

She could tell he was being sarcastic in his remark, but still felt like it needed some sort of response. "I don't charge anything for helping the dying." She replied, keeping her voice monotone and her face blank, but inside she wished there was something better she could've thought up.
Ixacise

 

[Juju]

Yuki's ears lowered dejectedly upon hearing Kuto's curt response. Frowning a little in concern, she let out a soft sigh and placed the empty pot back onto the floor. "It's about that knight and Kai isn't it? I get it... believe me, I do. Don't worry, you don't have to say anything. I won't bother you about it."

With that, she settled down in her bed, curled up in a ball with her back facing Kuto and her tails wrapped around her for warmth. Untying the strings of her mask, she lowered it from her head and placed it on the bed beside her. Firelight caught on its glossy surface, enveloping the ebony in soft amber and illuminating every scratch. All except a single groove below the eye, a dark channel that drunk in the light. A crack in the seamless wood.

Yuki stared at it dully for a time before shutting her eyes, willing herself to go to sleep. She was exhausted from the day's slaughter hunt yet she couldn't bring herself to sleep. It was the silence. It gave her time to reflect. To think. To remember. When you just keep moving forward there's no time to care if you may be wrong, no time to apologize when you don't look at the faces of those you cut down. But as soon as you stopped, it caught up. Sometimes she wondered if she had forgotten how to think at all.

Her eyes shot open again and she looked at the mask, this time with a glare. Whatever the empire suffered, her people had suffered tenfold. Every town that she raised, every drop of blood she spilt was justice. Yuki closed her eyes again and listened to the screams of dying spirits, once hidden below the silence. A loud crack sounded from the fireplace as a log split in two, but Yuki only heard the sound of a burning forest.

Strangely, a lullaby of screams was the only thing that gave her comfort.

Gohan510

 

[Gohan510]

Kuto finished his bowl as he pounder on his thoughts. Yuki’s word went through one ear out the other as she laid down. He waa thinking, what the next move should be. The night sky would be the perfect time for them to move out, but he couldn’t since the Kitsune behind him was exhausted. Over usung her body’s limit would be a terrible mistake in the long run. She needed rest it was only proper for a youngin like herself. Though he had questions for her. “Yuki. That tree you meantioned before, Yakul. Remind me of it’s purpose to you again.”

Standing up he looked at the girl. His fingers ran through his head as he scratched it exhausted from today. His resting face always made him look dead inside but right now it was the real deal. He stood by the door. The fire kept going as he looked out the peep hole. “The old lady was familiar with the faelands?”
Juju
—————
Kai looked at Septimus and turned to the moonlit sky. “Yeah but the fact you actually did it is enough gratitude. I can see you don’t like taking credit and that’s a good thing, but accept my thank you this once pal.” Kai smiled as he then placed his hand on Septimus head and began to walk off. “You go on and sleep I have to something on my mind that I have to let off by sitting outside for a bit. Kai continued off waving as his back was facing Septimus. He walked throughout the camps and sat on a log. As the wind pushed in his hair swayed in that direction. He was waiting to smell Rinzler leave the bath so he gave this the chance to think.

Closing his eyes for a bit he got into a state were technically “mind left body”. He woke up shocked looking around he wasn’t at the camp no longer. He was sitting on the log still but the sky was black the camp was gon the dimension itself was grey and black.
RatKing
Mentions: Amaya Himura

Spoiler: Inner World

Kai stood up from his log and realized nothing was the same. “Where am i?” Kai walked around accidentally stepping in a puddle. Looking down he can see his reflection in the red puddle. Kai jumped back as he seen a horrific sight in the puddle. Sliding actor the ground from how far he jumped Kai looked at the puddle. Something began to emerge from the puddle, a voice something that gave an insane vibe to it echoed throughout the dimension. “What are you?!”

Spoiler: Inner World

“I’ve been calling your name for years. You’re now able to hear my voice.” He laughed insanely as his eyes watched Kai. “You don’t me and probably wondering who I am.” He laughed again. “I want to warn you now that your here. Don’t get in contact with that much demonic magic again, unless you want to let me gain control. I mean I don’t mind taking over and killing the knights for you!”

“You’re not killing anyone.”

 

[Ixacise]

Lance immediately wandered around the camp after his arrival. He didn't know where to go and it was already late and he needed to get ready for whatever happens tomorrow. As he walked, he noticed the rather bad condition of the encampment. The entire place was bombed out and had the stench of death, well a more recent death. It was obvious to him there was no small number of undead judging by the residual necromantic energies he could perceive. In the middle of everything was a structure the emanated more of that juju. While he would have liked to poke around in there, something told him it was not gonna have the people he was looking for. As he circled around through the camp he eventually saw a person sitting on a log.

"Finally." He thought to himself as he walked towards this man. "Hey there can you-" He cut himself off when he saw that the guy was asleep on that log. With the softness of a thousand down feathered babies he gently placed a hand on the man's shoulder and rocked him awake... to no avail. He didn't know whether to be impressed at his deep sleeping or to pity such exhaustion. However, it wouldn't be good to leave him sleeping in the cold and also he needed to check in. He tried again with just slightly more force but again to no avail, and then tried giving him a poke that also failed. A spirit of mischief took over as he saw how soundly out of it the man was. Extending his arms outward, his hands hovered parallel to his ear. With a swift motions he produced a mighty clap right into his ear.

Gohan510

 

[Gaius Danius Griinia]

"Soon I shall have my lovelies back in their cages" Stormageddon smiled at himself as he looked at the empty cages where his Venti were once held. Looking outside, he was displeased to see sunlight covering the little town he ruled over. Flourishing his cape, he walked up the steps of his massive stone tower, Stormhaven. Years ago, he had built this place to contain and hold the storm spirits he would catch on his travels. The elemental energy they emitted caused the town to be struck with constant rain. The people had learned to adapt, cultivating crops using methods that didn't rely on dryer soil. It also drew tourists to check out a town without a sunny day. It was in honor of the endless downpour, that the citizens christened their town "Rainfell". Sitting on his throne, he was attended to by an Aurae named Nelly. Taming a nymph of the breezes was mere childs play for a Weather Master like himself. Though Venti were much harder to deal with. They were as wild as the storms that spawned them. Free spirits who could cause stormy destruction at the drop of a hat, Venti were what gave Stormageddon his name. Wrangling three of them and having them pull his chariot was his first step to becoming the Lord of Storms. From there he began capturing and experimenting with them. Some of them behaved different if introduced to certain stimuli. Contact with water would increase its chance of generating rain. Large groups of prey caused them to stir up a tornado. Electricity in large doses could cause them to become greatly aggravated. Their escape was not expected, though it did show they were capable of intelligent thought. Then he met the Maiden of Faith and the Divine Blade. These two came to him because of his Venti. Playing the role of the apologetic and fretful mage, Stormageddon won them over. Though he suspected that the Divine Blade may have been onto his lies. Stormageddon couldn't defeat one of the Four Swordsman, so he made sure not to step on the young mans toes. It seemed as if they would bring the Imperial army into the picture. Stormageddon chuckled and sipped wine poured by Nelly. The Emperor and his foolish knights would bring him his Venti, which would be their undoing. It was as if the gods were smiling at him...
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"Rinzler you'll never control me... plus you know you'll never defeat me" Otonashi turned to the Knight of 0 and sneered. Rinzler cared for Izuru and Chiho, not him. Otonashi was raised by his Master, Yata. SHE was his second mother, not some stuffy wannabe. Summoning Yamato to his hand, Otonashi pointed his sword at Rinzler and vibrated. A perfect triangle was cut into the grass around her feet. "Rinzler, if I wanted... I could kill you right now. I only help you and Izuru because you offer decent challenges. However... I'm not some sentimental hack like he is. Never forget that as the Divine Blade... I have no loyalties to anyone. Any one of you could be on the other end of this sword someday" Otonashi threatens Rinzler with demonic eyes. Slicing the air, Otonashi departs through a portal.
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Izuru rides in on Ghost with his army of black armored warriors behind him. He has the lot of them march silently to avoid any unnecessary noise. However as soon as the sentry sees them, he immediately alerts people to the presence of the large group of soldiers. The troops march out and demand identification. Izuru stops a former noble by the name of Simon from verbally abusing the warriors. Izuru pulls his hood off and the troops back away. "Emperor Izuru? We thought you were gone...." One of them said with fear in his voice. "More like we wish you were gone" Said another as he mutters under his breath. His friend stares at him and apologizes to the Emperor. "Worry not... I know I have been a bit lackluster in my duties.... so your comments are well deserved" Izuru smiles and hands them some mead from his satchel. "This is.... Northern Spiced Wine? This is really rare!" The first warrior shows it to the others. They all hand it off to each other and stare at Izuru. "I know this won't make up for what I've done... however do you think you could let us pass?" Izuru respectfully asked. "Of course, Your Majesty" Said a few of them. Soon they split apart and the Twelfth Legion and their prisoners went through. Passing by, the soldiers on gate patrol see a large man bound to a wooden cross with silvery chains covering his arms, legs and waist.

"Its good to be back, Majesty" Jacob looked around and smiled at the familiar sight of their camp at the base of Mount Ihu. Izuru had picked this location because it was well hidden from Grigori. While it was once prone to being covered in snow due to frequent avalanches, Grigori's magic had altered the environment in many different ways. This included keeping the snow at the level where avalanches wouldn't be a threat. Many different people from each Legion yelled, jeered or threw things at the Twelfth. Both because they looked down on the Twelfth and due to their hatred for Izuru. "Go fuck up someone elses life, Tyrant!" "Leave this land!" "No one wants you here!" Their responses just made Izuru laugh. Raising an eyebrow, Jacob inquired as to Izuru's laughing. "Well its just funny to see how much they hate me. They have every reason to, though its not like they can oust me with words alone" Izuru caught a thrown rock and put it inside Baggy. Passing the medical pavilion. Izuru saw his sister, Chiho working on injured soldiers. It seemed this one was fighting her, he must not trust Kamukura. Izuru made him sleep with Hypnotism. There was still plenty of fear in the area, so Izuru used it for himself. Looking at Jacob, he entrusted the Standard Bearer and Second in Command to get the men to their barracks for food, drink and rest. In the morning, they would drill the new tactics and formations they learned on their journey.

Walking over to Chiho, Izuru was tackled in a hug by his sister. "I haven't seen you in so long, Little Brother" Chiho smiled brightly at her younger sibling. "Well we've both been busy Maiden of Faith" Izuru said in a low voice as he poked her in the side. "I heard what you did against Grigori got a lot of people killed, Izuru" Chiho poked her brother in the chest. Izuru nodded and pulled out a list of the dead he was given by Rinzler. "She wanted you to remember what you did" Chiho said sadly. Izuru set it alight and burned it to ashes. Chiho seemed surprised and stared into Izuru's eyes. "Why? That was something Cy gave you to help you be a better Emperor" Chiho had gone back to helping a man with his frostbite and hypothermia. "I don't need it... I have each name memorized" Izuru crossed his arms. Chiho wiped the forehead of the man she was healing. "Where were you?" Chiho asked as she sees the carts full of captured werewolves. "I was crushing my enemies... its what an Emperor does to keep his Empire afloat" Izuru whispered. "Izuru are those...slaves?" Chiho looked genuinely scared of what her brother might be capable of. "They're people who killed innocents and plotted to overthrow me. Though I understand why the muzzles look weird. They're werewolves, like in the stories Mother would tell us. Silver is one of the only ways to kill them. Its what I used to keep them restrained. They'll be tried for their crimes in an court of Imperial Law" Izuru said as he saw Chiho continue to stare. Chiho couldn't meet his eyes and went back to healing the sick and injured. Izuru sighed and walked away. He couldn't convince EVERYONE to see things his way, that was life. Though just as he did that, he heard the sound of a powerful vacuum...

Breaking into a roll, Izuru sees a large humanoid shape in the distance. It sucks up trees, animals, soldiers and everything else in its path. Edging closer, Izuru notices the sentries sound the alarm. Raising his sword, Izuru teleports to Jacob and asks him to inform the other Legions and rally the Twelfth. Still armored up and wide awake, the warriors of the Twelfth begin getting into formation. Calling Ghost to him, Izuru jumps on and flies over his Legion. The monster is getting closer to their camp and Izuru's brave men of the Twelfth Legion are ready to fight along their brethren to slay it.

 

[StrayTheCat]

She couldn't place what it was, but despite not seeing any actual bodies, it was as though Erina could feel almost the very presence of death at this place. Shivers went down her spine as she forced her body to follow Lance, tightening the grip on her staff. When they came across somebody who seemed asleep, Erina was a bit unnerved at how hard Lance was trying to wake them up to no avail. "M-maybe.." Stopping herself, she coughed to clear her throat, mentally telling herself to get a grip. "Maybe we should let them rest. It looks like hell here, so how about we make up camp and take turns sleeping in case something happens?" Erina suggested, placing a hand on Lance's shoulder.

Pointing her staff towards the person sitting on the log, a faint blue glow surrounded them. "Its a basic protection spell, but its all I'm going to do right now. Once morning comes, if he isn't awake then I'll try healing him." Erina said, before glancing around the area. "Man this place is creepy. Oh, and I'm sorry for any buddies you had here Lance."

Ixacise
Gohan510
(Also since they are in the same general area, RatKing )

 

[Gohan510]

Kai had realized the dimension he was in was starting to get foggy and crumble. “What’s happening with his world?”

“Someone’s interrupting our talk. Before you go I have something to tell you, this is the last warning as well..”

Kai looked shocked as he looked at the invert of himself as he looked at him confused. “Hurry up! We don’t got all day? What is it that you have ro say?”

“Don’t rush me. That Kitsune, Kuto involved himself be careful with her. She ha-“ The world collapsed in a white flash as it forced Kai out of the world.

Kai was listening closely, Thats what she was a kitsune! What is that though?! What race is that? Kai thought to himself intently about what the demon was trying to tell him as he heard voices and strange noise. Who was being aggravating enough to bother Kai at this moment? How did Kai even enter this world was a better question? “What’s your na-“ Kai stopped as he could hear it throughout the workld “Zan Zan, the demon of demon slayer.” As that happened Kai fell through the floor and the floor was like black paint falling with him.
————
Kai woke up noticing the barrier around him standing up confused Kai began to unsheathe his blade as he heard the voices again. He turned around looking at the two. “Who are you and what are you two doing?” His left eye was corrupted black and yellow pupil.
StrayTheCat Ixacise

 

[Ixacise]

"Now why'd you do that for? No point in that when I'm here trying to wake him up " Lance said chidingly to Erina. Still, Lance reckoned he could always destroy the spell which would also contribute to jostling him awake by virtue of being touched again. It was then the man awoke with his initial response to draw his sword and then speak.

"Took you long enough." Lance said. He then added, "We're both freebooters coming in to work. I've been hired by someone from your nation to go help out as muscle. Now for her I don't really know her, but she says she's a healer which should be a use to you all judging by how bad things look here. Anyway, I'm looking for the person I'm supposed to report to." He then produced a contract which verified that he was indeed hired out to battle alongside them.

 

[StrayTheCat]

Erina frowned in annoyance at how she was being treated by Lance, but just closed her eyes and sighed for a moment rather than make a big deal out of it. "I'm Erina Earthgrown. I placed a protection spell in case you were under some sort of curse which might suppress its effects, and the guy over here is Lance who was trying to wake you up. Like he said, we don't really know each other, but Mr. Muscle over here I can say can handle himself alright and I'm sort of known as a pretty good healer." She said.

Erina glanced at the contract that Lance seemed eager to show to people, and returned her attention to the sword being held out by the man. Shrugging, she didn't really have anything to actually confirm her word of not being an enemy. "I don't actually have paperwork like him, but as the Healer of Dying Dragons, I promise I'm just here to help. My word is pretty much all I've got." Erina explained, making a mental note to get some kind of paperwork like that if she made it back to the capital.

Ixacise Gohan510

 

[Gohan510]

Kai sighed, as they probably were talking about Izuru. Why would we need them though we’re perfectly good on the frontline, oh well. “Can you release the barrier?” Kai looked at it confused, that’s probably why the inner world crumble she stopped their conversation. Zan Zan. Kai thought to himself about the being. Looking at the two he was beginning to become impatient. “So the Emperor asked for your help and you’re a-.” Once she mentioned dragon healer he stopped. “You can heal dragons?”
Ixacise StrayTheCat