[hider=Quiet before the Storm][center][img]http://i.imgur.com/i60t4Yi.png[/img][/center] [b][u]Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard[/u][/b] As if in answer of Syed’s desperate pleas, the very heavens themselves ripped open. The storm that Marcus had cast aside and pushed at bay had returned with a vengeance, and the courtyard was ripped apart by the omnipresent onslaught of whipping rain and lightning. The darkness that smothered the Manor continued to flash and vanish again and again, sinister, horror strewn shadows being thrown violently across the landscape. Despite the wind and rain that lashed at him, Lucifer took it all without a single care in the world. Glancing down at the pitiful humans seated below, looking up at their Lord and praying for his mercy and forgiveness. Mercy and forgiveness that would not come. From Guilder to Guilder his gaze wandered, as he tried to decide who should be his next target. Who should suffer a slight injury or two, or be knocked out of the game as violently as Marcus, Don and Trent had. The golden haired cleric he spied, casting the familiar telltale signs of healing magic to her hapless partners. She would serve well being next. [img]http://i.imgur.com/COh55ZM.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/cfXWu5X.png[/img] “Ngrrraghhh!” Lucien’s bear growled, as it padded towards the injured pair of Celeste and Julius, who with a throbbing groan, picked themselves off the floor. Celeste’s vision was blurry and dazed, groggy at best, and so it was that it took several rapid blinks for her to make sense of anything. And then, when she did, when she saw the intimidating bear in front of her as the very first thing she saw… “Yaaa!” She shrieked, her fist jumping on reflex and punching poor Lucien’s summon on the nose. It recoiled, unprepared for the magic coursing with it. “Hrrrrnnn?!” The bear whined. “What the hell?! First a snake, now a bear?! Get away from me!” Celeste recoiled in fright, putting her fists up for another combo of punches, when she was suddenly halted by a large hand pulling on her shoulder with the hope of restraining her. “Stop it, Celeste! The bear’s good!” Julius called out. “Good?!” Celeste shouted back out. The howling wind, the violent cracks of thunder and the blood rushing through their heads made it hard to hear anything. “Yes! I think it’s Lucien’s summon.” “Lucien’s… summon? What the hell does that mean…? And who’s Lucien? Isn’t that the name of that stupid Lord?!” “No, that’s Lucius. Or Lucifer, or…” “Raaah too many names sounding the same, whatever!” Celeste stamped her foot down on the ground hard, again and again, crack after crack forming underneath. “Where’s that bastard we’re meant to hit?!” Lucien’s familiar raised his nose once, then twice, pointing into the air, directing their attention towards him. Lucifer. Whose body now turned and- [img]http://i.imgur.com/fQWT986.png[/img] “Trent, no!” Selan screamed as she ran over the youthful boarder’s prone form. She collapsed to her knees, joining Dylan who cradled Trent’s unresponsive body. Was he dead? No, no he couldn’t be. He couldn’t! But his chest didn’t move, his lips were horribly pale and still, and his eyes were glazed over and absent. No. No this wasn’t fair! There had to be something they could do! He couldn’t be dead! [b][i] “Nothing defeats the Pride!!”[/i][/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/JO4B0vT.png[/img] A short distance away, Nikki and Trixie stood, the former having rescued the latter in the nick of time. As they paused to catch their breath, the two looked all across the battlefield. Searching for Lucifer, and the people who they cared most about. Trixie’s eyes automatically centred on Amy, as her thoughts raced to that of her adopted sister, whilst Nikki’s turned to Trent. Even in the distance she could clearly see him, lying in Dylan’s arms as he and Selan towered over him. And how he didn’t move. First Marcus, now Trent. No, this wasn’t fair. She had already lost so much that she was close to, that she cared about. She couldn’t keep losing them! It wasn’t fair!! Nikki’s body wanted to move, to race to his side, and to Marcus’, but she also needed to stay by Trixie, and to reassure her everything would be okay, even though she couldn’t sure that things would. And then there was Lucifer as well. Turning her back on a monster like that was tantamount to death. What could she do?! Her thoughts flickered back to Tabul, and the other moment where she felt nothing but death stare back in her face. She couldn’t resign herself to her fate again. She just couldn’t! “Amy!!” Trixie shouted, as Lucifer above made his move. His body lowered and lurched forwards, aimed towards Amy. His body started to blur and disappear, as he descended towards her. And then the sky cracked and was filled with the loudest, most unbelievable loud crash of all. A giant exploding light, trails of neon green-yellow shooting straight into the sky. And Lucifer howled in pain. A thin hole penetrated straight through the centre of his chest, burrowing all the way through and out the other side, rain and lightning visible from the oozing black wound. Lucifer’s body started falling to the ground. --- [b]Dannyel[/b] [img]http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag138/enrika01/Dylan2_zps27cb5f1e.png[/img] The heavens opened up above them, the rain pouring down onto the battlefield. Dylan found it strangely appropriate, as it seemed to underscore the despair that shook the Pride to the very core. He still held Trent’s lifeless body in his arms, wondering if there was any hope left for him. Marcus and Don had been savaged, but even that seemed better than this. A lifeless shell. Despite the horrific circumstances that led them here, Dylan couldn’t help but think that this would make a wonderful painting. Lucifer flew over them, a villain so large in scope and so terrifying in design, and scattered around him were the bodies of the fallen and the grim-faces of those who fought on. Then something happened that was even more beautiful. Lisette shot at Luficer, her body pulled taut as she sent the magically enhanced arrow towards the enemy. As picturesque as that was, it paled in comparison to Syed’s light show, as the mage called down the power of the heavens and channeled the lightning through him and into the attack. It struck true, and Dylan watched, amazed, as the blindling light faded and Lucifier started to fall from the sky. Now was there chance. Now he was weak. Laying Trent down as gently as he could, Dylan pulled his slate free and started to sketch. He had seen Celeste striking at him earlier, but perhaps she could do with something that packed a bit more punch. He willed the creations into life and Celeste suddenly found a push dagger in each hand. She looked back at him in confusion and he smiled. “Give him hell!” --- [b]Bunanigans[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/wv6nkSY.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/T07Xw1w.png[/img] Moira simply gaped. That was all she could really do, throwing an arm before her eyes to shield them from the light. Damn, she could have done with some shades. And then Lucifer began to fall. Wait... was that it? After all the grief he had put them all though, the thought that they had finally got him...! It had taken so much sacrifice, so much pain and suffering. She would never give up, never give in, never stop until she hit the floor dead. But death... she had seriously started to prepare herself mentally for it as an inevitability coming sooner than she thought. And here they were. Dylan shouted something which didn't quite carry this far across the courtyard, although the flurry of movement implied he didn't believe he was dead. Which was something considering he hadn't hit the floor yet. He had just taken one hell of a shot to the chest. Still, it was pretty good practice to make sure, she supposed. Whatever, they were too far to be of help here. May as well try and get closer to the others. "C'mon, let's go," Moira looked towards the other two and flicked her head towards the others. "Ah... Moira..." Syed said quietly, his voice cracking. Boy, he looked like shit, even if she looked no better. He made to step towards her, although he just ended up falling forwards and collapsing to the floor with no resistance at all. Alright then. "Get up then you fuckin' show off," Moira grumbled, pulling him up and throwing an arm over her shoulder. She could have thrown him completely over her shoulder like normal, but considering his rib and her shoulder she didn't think it the best idea right now. Geez, was he putting all of his weight on her? Guy really had had it. It was a wonder he was still conscious at all. "You... you know me..." he just about managed, forcing a smile. She ignored him, so he spoke to Lisette instead. "Lisette... thank you. For... what you said." He flashed her a smile which this time was genuine, abeit a little distorted by a grimace of pain. He then averted his eyes back to the others, somewhat ashamed. None of them gave up, he was sure. Still, they had a job to do before he could beat himself up about that one. Like the fact that until someone declared Lucifer was either unconcious or... dead... they couldn't really relax. "Come on love," Moira gestured with her head again as she looked at Lisette, her sword held by her side. "We best go and make sure." With that she turned and began to help support her partner back to the others, eager to see how the others were doing as well. It didn't look good, nor did it sound good, but they wouldn't know til they got there. Unfortunately they couldn't go any faster than walking speed when supporting one another as they were. --- [b]Taerinn[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/VQL4rMN.png[/img] Dylan laid Trent back on the ground, getting up to ensure that if Lucifer were to rise again, he would be put back down. Selan tended to him instead, cupping his face in her hands. His lips were turning blue, and his horrible, empty, lifeless eyes looked straight through her. Beyond where she knelt, she could still see Don sprawled out on the ground. She couldn't accept that any of them were to be casualties of this terrible, seemingly never-ending night. She pulled the boarder's body against hers, embracing him tightly and whispering prayers as Amy's healing spell reached him. [img]http://i.imgur.com/q5PjiIP.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/H5KaVNz.png[/img] "Woooah..." Lisette breathed. Syed's plan didn't click in her head until it actually happened, but seeing Lucifer fall gave her a swelling feeling of accomplishment. That moment, seeing the arc of lightning connect with her arrow... It made her feel like a real Guilder, not just a bumbling little kid. Unlike her, poor Syed was completely tuckered out by the exertion required to carry out such an attack, and collapsed into the mud. After Moira pulled him up onto his feet, he spoke to the archer. "Lisette... thank you. For... what you said." Lisette pressed her lips together in a grin. It didn't feel right to be thanked by him, but it made her happy to know that she may have helped him somewhat. "Thank you, Syed! That was amazing!" "Come on love. We best go and make sure." Moira said, tilting her head in her direction. Lisette nodded, her expression becoming more serious. "Ah... Right." She sure hoped that he wouldn't be getting up again, but considering how the events played out so far, not even she was feeling especially optimistic about it. But the sooner Lucifer is defeated, the sooner they can search for Estelle. Kneeling down, she picked Kapi back up and placed him on her shoulder to keep her hands free, then began to walk alongside Moira and Syed towards where Lucifer would eventually land. "I... I hope everyone is doing alright..." Lisette murmured, wondering about Marcus's condition, and whether anyone else was as badly hurt, or worse. --- [b]Rexcalibur[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/Na1JGZp.png[/img] Even at Trixie's scream, Amy watched and watched as Lucifer began to descend - no, to fall. Relief washed over the cleric's body, as if she herself had cast some sort of spell of renewal, and a pink glow returned to both her body as well as her gem. She closed her eyes, exhaled deeply once more, and continued to meditate. The arrow was a success. The arrow was a success - but they would be fools to let up now. As long as they kept this up, surely they would emerge victorious against this beast. At least until they were positive he was down. Though she saw them not, everyone seemed to share her sentiments as well, either preparing to continue with battle or wasting no time to check on one another. Amy continued to pray. Please, Dyn, keep him down, just a bit longer. Three bodies still remained sprawled on the floor. No, that's it, just sprawled, they - they couldn't be dead. No. Not when Amy was there. She, she couldn't let them die. What kind of healer would she be if they...? She bit her lower lip and continue to meditate. Once she felt enough energy swirling between herself and her gem, she would send her strongest healing spells to the fallen bodies - Trent, Marcus, and Don. All she needed was just a little more time. [img]http://i.imgur.com/yO2NSRJ.png[/img] Trixie too watched as Lucifer dropped from the skies, her eyes and mouth widening at this spectacle. Was that... was that it? She turned to Nikki and flooded her with likeminded questions. Was that it, was that all, did they win? Whatever Nikki's response was, Trixie then looked back to the fallen bodies; any sign of hope in her visage began to waver, but not fail entirely. She flipped her eyes to and from them and Amy. Though she watched as the others returned to their fallen-- no, collapsed comrades who were just collapsed, Trixie was unsure if she had the heart to return to them as well. Not after what happened to Marcus and Don, not after what happened to Trent. If they weren't able to rise - which they were gonna - she did not want to see their injuries. "Come on Amy," she muttered to herself, clasping her hands together beneath her chin. "Come on, please get them up, please, please." Once again the question of Estelle's whereabouts clawed at her consciousness, but - but she knew she needed to focus now on the battlefield in front of her first. They were winning, they were gonna win. They were the heroes of this tale, they were all gonna win. "Come on Amy, please!" --- [b]Fox of Spades[/b] [img]http://i.imgur.com/9iZrspN.png[/img] The bear snapped angrily at Celeste after a moment of whining. Its eyes went dark, and for a moment it seemed as if Lucien had lost control. The summoner was cursing profusely from beside the broken down walls as he rubbed at his now bleeding nose. He shut his eyes tight and when he opened them he was back in his medium’s head. The bear backed away from Celeste, ears perking up at all the commotion. The animal turned its head only to see Trent and Don on the ground. He didn’t know the former but seeing both his friends on the ground made him freeze. The bear’s eyes went wide as it stared at the lifeless bodies sprawled out on the battle field. The sky was a dismal grey and rain pounded the ground endlessly. It was almost as if the sky was crying, and it was horrifyingly fitting. Lucifer was way out of their league and soon enough Abraxis would rise. Soon, they’d all die and he and everyone else would cease to exist. So this was what it meant to be a guilder? Dying for the greater good, andnever ever backing down. Lucien grimaced, horrifying thoughts eating away at his concentration. He was ice-cold and his shoulders shook with rage. Lucifer would pay. The bear lowered its head before peering at the guilder’s one by one. Everyone was giving it everything…they were all amazing, but where was their Leader? More thoughts flooded his head, threatening to sever his ties with his medium, but he pushed them back. The sky rumbled angrily and the bear stared in awe as a blinding flash filled the court. Suddenly Lucifer was falling and for a moment he thought he was dreaming, but it was true… Celeste, Moira and the others began making their way towards Lucifer and the bear trotted behind them, ears listening and teeth bared.[/hider]