[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/h6OCm6X.png [/img] Level 9 - EXP 50/90 The Frozen Highlands[/center] [hr] [hr][center][h2]Below Zero[/h2][h3]Midnight Walk - Moon Mountain[/h3] Featuring: Ramattra and Edward [b]Word Count: 2367[/b] // +4 EXP[/center] After the Stagecoach had resumed movement thanks to the clockwork assistance between Sandalphon and Edward, Ramattra felt a sense of relief in knowing that the evening of festivities was now behind them. He didn’t pretend in his contentedness from the crew taking a much needed break, however. No matter how holly and jolly things may have been to his displeasure- at the end of the day it was better than wading through the blizzard. While the insides of the Stagecoach were occupied by White Team’s recon expert, the Omnic made an effort to keep an eye out for unexpected danger that may be lurking in the new clearing the group approached. Ramattra looked in awe at the foot of the mountainside they arrived at- impossible in its geology for natural erosion. He had almost expected something more… magical- in the literal sense- with the name “Moon Mountain”. Perhaps there was more to see the further they climbed. And maybe it was just the nomad in Ramattra, but if it weren’t for the fact that the Stagecoach provided an invaluable portable base of operations, he would almost suggest leaving traveling by pack instead for the time being- just to avoid further detours. He knew how stupid that sounded of course, but climbing to fetch a means in which to activate the lift sounded dreadful, especially with his nihilistic optimism of their solution even being there. “No matter. Perhaps there is another way to get the lift moving. We should be diligent in exploring options.” He muttered to himself as he scratched his metallic chin. [color=ea590c]”Agreed. It would be a waste of resources to abandon it here, not to mention a waste of those Pal spheres to transport all the pullers up the mountain. The Shieldrix are no mountain goats after all,”[/color] Edward agreed, even as he unharnessed the creature so they could better act as guards, before theorising [color=ea590c]”We may be able to track down the keys, or power source, of this ‘elevator’ mechanism if we commit the time to exploring the rest of the structure.”[/color] Ramattra was not alarmed by the Dreadnaught’s sudden chime into conversation, but did not expect another Seeker who was skeptical about the cathedral containing their way forward. “Yes, it would definitely benefit us to look around here as well. Maybe our ‘key’ didn’t wander too far.” The Omnic stepped away from the structure to examine around and behind the lift. They seemed to be rather spacious underground chambers, with decorative reliefs hewn into the ancient stone. “Ah. This appears to be a religious building of some sort. A bit… Victorian to say the least, but I’m unsure of any origin or purpose it could’ve possibly had.” [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Hfqr3fG.png[/img][/center] After one room, the ruins opened up into a much more massive chamber, a huge hall with an arched ceiling high above and a floor so far below that it couldn’t be seen through the icy mist down there. A single path lay ahead: a series of stairs and octagonal platforms held aloft by broad pillars above the abyss, descending further into the structure. It should have been pitch black down here, but dozens of pale, ghostly candles illuminated the eerie space. It must have taken whoever built this place an unfathomable effort to hollow it out and build up the walls, and to what end it was hard to say. The area below the lift looked daunting immediately, but if there was anything else- it was deeper. With a deep sigh, Ramattra clutched his staff before facing the Stagecoach one last time. “I suppose we should investigate the pathway?” [color=ea590c]”It’s either the stairs or leaping off the banisters”[/color] Edward replied from where he was leaning out over said fall preventers and looking down into the abyss below [color=ea590c]”There seem to be a few side rooms down there at the very least. Perhaps there used to be connections, but there’s no indication as to where they linked up to”[/color] The corridors leading down to this large one hadn’t been suitably sized to bring the impossible creatures down, nor would the narrow staircases be good places for them to fight. So the general presently only had Taffy the Traffikrab and a squad of inferno hounds with him as escort, with the latter acting as their main heat and light source for the descent into the dimly candle lit subterranean chamber. “Perhaps there may be an entrance to one of them along the path. It looks like quite a long fall.” The Omnic noted out loud in response to Edward’s observations, taking a glance over the side of the stone railings that kept them within their safety. In the distance, [url=https://imgur.com/KjQgmOb] patrolling suits of blue armor[/url] made rounds in the lower levels of corridors. “It seems there’s still plenty of activity here, Edward. Try and remain aware…” Ramattra warned upon seeing the idle troopers nearby. The doorway the stairs lead to seemed like a fair hike away. “This kind of architecture only existed in my world because of technology… It’s odd exploring these places that seem to bend my perception of reality.” He took extra caution clambering down the steps with his third claw-like leg. One wrong step and he could easily tumble off the edge… Or so Ramattra initially thought. After passing a strip of passageway adjacent to another corridor, a quiet, ghastly whisper could be heard growing closer. Ramattra was quick on his feet to reach for his staff. It was impossible to tell where the sound was coming from in the large room. Small flickering purple flames became more noticeable from the left side, where a [url=https://imgur.com/XyFW4ew] travelling flock of living candles and lanterns[/url] effortlessly strode over an invisible passageway which led to the adjacent corridor. They didn’t appear to harbor any aggressive intent. “Well, I guess it wouldn’t be too odd for spectral candles to exist as well.” He added, before quickly scanning each unique creature into his Pokedex. “Aha! So those[i] were[/i] Pokémon as well!” He exclaimed in surprise as their data effortlessly filled in. [color=ea590c]”A somewhat standard ancient tomb or dungeon found all across the astral sea from where I am from. Much has been lost to time since the reign of the giants or the archons, whose marvels that could stand the test of time litter the forgotten corners of many a realm”[/color] Edward commented, as he wondered how he might be able to get a sample of the specters, and if the they’d even be usable would even be able to do anything with one if he got it. [color=ea590c]”As for getting down, well, I could always take a shortcut and see if there are any stairs leading up myself”[/color] he added, flapping his wings to posit how he would do so. Still, such a leap was perhaps a bit premature, he acknowledged, and so they set about seeing to the obvious rout first. As the pair began to round the final corner of the stairs, Ramattra held his staff out momentarily, gesturing to Edward that there was rather noisy trouble ahead. [url=https://imgur.com/tITT1aM] some simple undead[/url] creatures foolishly clambered amongst their ranks- equipped with a bow, sword, and greataxe respectively. Ramattra looked over his shoulder toward Edward, an easy fight surely, but would the commotion it causes be worth the path forward? “The way forward is blocked.” Ramattra cautioned under his breath, looking down at many of the corridors below them. “I have an eerie feeling about this.” Waiting for Edward’s word, the Omnic reached for the large scimitar buried in his chest. “Whenever you are ready.” The Dreadnaught drew his magelock pistol in one hand and the rainfall katana in the other (both weapons augmented with nanites) in one swift motion before declaring himself [color=ea590c]”Ready”[/color] Ramattra was first to take the Great-axe bearing undead, performing an amateur parry on its sluggish overhead swings. It wasn’t much to transfer the parry into a forceful shove- pushing the zombie soldier over the rails that were keeping them confined to the pathway. His sword cut clean through the sworded soldier, proving the fragility of the enemies stationed here. “Well. I suppose that could’ve gone worse.’ Behind him, a crack of magical gunpowder rang out as Edward nailed the bow wielder in the head, echoing through the chamber. The peaceful candle and lamp pokemon startled at the noise, and then after a moment fled entirely. The candles scattered around the chamber seemed to snuff out alongside them, leaving only the infernohound’s baleful glow lighting their way. This light briefly danced with the shadow of the shieldbearer as the constructs closed in and promptly ripped it apart with burning tooth and claw. [color=ea590c]”A simple obstacle indeed”[/color] Edward commented as he sheathed and holstered weapons, only to tilt his head and wonder [color=ea590c]”But what is that sound?”[/color] Ramattra’s attention turned from the large door structure beyond the chasm below as he collected the three stray spirits from the Draugrs. Indeed, there seemed to be a scrabbling sound coming from below the staircase, from the deep pit down in which they had seen the other pathways. It felt as though the ground was vibrating, as concealed tombs, hiding spots, and figures that were buried clawed and scratched as the horrific sounds of snarling and scraping echoed into the empty chamber. Killing the undead that were stationed here seemed to stir whatever sort of hibernation the horrors lurking here were under, as shadowy figures began appearing along the walls and the sides of the stairs. [url=https://cdn.imgchest.com/files/c332b28e1099.JPG]ghouls[/url], dozens of them, came clambering up the sheer walls, having poured out of hiding places down below. With serrated cleavers in hand and bloody teeth in human flesh hungering maws they came, aiming to leap over the banisters of the stairway and to then swarm the pair with overwhelming numbers. [color=ea590c]”We’ll be having none of that”[/color] Edward declared as he drew odin’s pinky, before ordering [color=ea590c]”Taffy, wall the stairs”[/color] prompting the Traffikrab to scuttle over and use some of its own vitality to place two barricades of plastic blocks that would delay the tide coming towards them somewhat. Edward passed behind these walls to the other side of the stairwell. His infenro hounds lunged ahead, taking out a ghoul so that the man could take up point by the banister. There he gripped the magical machine pistol in two hands and began to fire controlled bursts of burning spellshots down at the climbing ghouls whose accent would let them bypass Taffy’s plastic walls. Ramattra was more confident in his skills as a berserker than in helping Edward hold a line of defense, especially with the sheer number of ghouls clambering against Edward’s fortifications. Ramattra took the side that was undefended by Edward’s command and battled many of the oncoming ghouls, opting to use his brute strength to dispose of as many as possible by throwing them off the side of the stairs into the abyss below. “They’re weak but… their numbers are proving difficult.” Using his large scimitar to hack through their fragile flesh proved easy enough and served for decent crowd control with the blade’s sheer weight. While more clambered closer from the walls, Ramattra deployed a calculated Ravenous Vortex onto the floor in line of sight of his onslaught. Though the ghouls climbing past the walls were dealt with, the ones in front of it had amassed and now battered on the defences. Brick by brick they tore at the plastic barricades, slowed only by gouts of flame fired between the banisters by Taffy the Traffikrab. When the walls fell, Edward sent the infernohounds into the breach, where they were swarmed by the undead attackers. Gouts of flaming ichor sprayed the ghouls as they hacked at the constructs, burning the monsters with every blow. The retaliating flame came when they completely surrounded it, and the Dreadnought mentally commanded them to vent flames, causing fire to roar out and wash over a mass of the ghouls, charging them to cinders as the blaze flooded the room with hellish light. Yet more came, however, and though the construct fought on with tooth and claw, it soon fell. Its light was extinguished along with its light plunging the living defenders into the murk while facing the remaining horde, with only the glow of Edward’s searing weapon enchantment to fight by. With a groan of frustration, the Omnic knew where the rest of this fight was going. Their numbers were definitely culled to a more comfortable level, but their defenses were just going to be torn through until they were nothing. “I’m going to lead off as many of them away as possible. Finish the rest. I'll meet you back at the stagecoach.” The Omnic thrashed past Edward, shoving as many Ghouls off the side of the stone pathway so that he could attract their aggression. The undead beasts didn’t seem to take lightly to their peers being so brazenly dealt with, and quickly began charging towards Ramattra as he ran headfirst toward the large doorway the pair had just been walking down towards. The swarm had now split in two in the enemy’s indecision of which target to focus. A hurled zombie grenade and a shot from a magelock pistol finished off the last of the ghouls, two final explosions that signaled the end of the onslaught on Edward’s end. After about 10 seconds of following silence, after which the blue glow of the candle pokemon returned as they peeked out from their hiding spots. They revealed a field of ash, spirits and broken banisters, some of which, oddly enough, lay down in the pit, suspended in the air. [color=ea590c]”Invisible pathways? Well now. I wonder what other secrets this palace has in store for us”[/color]