[h2][center]Geralt of Rivia[/center][/h2]
[center]The Maw- The Depths[/center]
[center]Lvl 7 (76/70) -> Lvl 8 (77/70) [/center]
[center]Word Count: 679 words[/center]

As Geralt continued running towards the elevator, he hoped desperately that Nadia would be able to get away from Moreau before he managed to forcibly remove her. As much as he kept up his aloof outward demeanor, this little band of heroes they were all making together had started to grow on him. He didn't want to see any of their number- or any more of their number, if you counted the diving suit Mirage copy- die. And he had no illusions about her surviving being thrown into the massive debris piles around the place. Sure, if she got [i]lucky[/i] and avoided them, she might get away with just major injury, but that wasn't worth counting on. 

Thankfully, his callout of the nail had been heard by more than just Nadia herself. Bowser, the King Koopa, the Boss Man himself, had overheard Geralt's mention of the nail, and he just so happened to be carrying a giant hammerhead around. Sure, he lacked the sheer overwhelming size and presence he normally had, but even aged down like the others he was still a force to be reckoned with. Whatever species he and Junior were from were not quite as slow to grow as humans were, clearly. Speaking of the younger Koopa Royal, he had his own plan with that little monster companion thing of his. 

And those plans came together [i]quite[/i] effectively, all things considered. Between Nadia's own efforts to weaken their adversary, Bowser's gravity-assisted hammer blow, and Mimi's flurry of attacks, the already-enraged Moreau found himself in a whole new world of pain. A grim part of him was satisfied at seeing the guy so messed up, but there were more important things to worry about. 

Like getting the hell out of this place. Thankfully, a cheerfully out of place ding noise let Geralt know that that particular goal was just about in reach. Mirage was helping Nadia up after their little magnet stunt worked. Blazermate was jetting around, helping everybody out. Sakura had given them some help with her darts. 

And Moreau was freaking out, before rearing up while his belly swelled to grotesque proportions, and unleashing a spew of acidic vomit that would make even the most brutish troll wince in disgust. As for how he could tell it was acidic, the multiple burn holes in his clothes and the searing pain gave him that bit of knowledge. Forcing himself to run as fast as his little legs would allow, Geralt made it quickly into the elevator in time to watch Nadia and Mirage pull themselves up and seemingly wait for death to take them.

To anybody watching, Geralt's face betrayed very little emotion. His eyes bored into the two of them, wondering for a moment what their plan was, only to close in relief as he saw Blazermate grab them and ferry the two to the elevator. "Damn, that's not quire good. Hope the boss gets out alright." Trying to peek out the elevator and get a look at what was going on, Geralt frowned when his relatively safe position that would not let him melt to death in the acid didn't quite afford him the best sight lines. 

Sighing, he held two fingers up to his mouth and whistled to get the attention of those who hadn't made it into the elevator yet, only to briefly panic as he saw the nail he'd thrown and Bowser hammered flying back at him. 

Drawing the Sign of Quen with one hand and nearly activating it purely on instinct, Geralt managed to stop himself in time before potentially harming himself from the strain and reaching out to grab the weapon as it seemed to slow a bit on approach.

As his hand closed around the nail, its momentum seemingly vanished and he blinked a few times in surprise. "That would have been helpful to know before." He deadpanned before sighing. 

Hopefully the others that hadn't quite made it yet would be able to remember where he whistled from and navigate to the elevator without being melted.