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Going in a trip over the weekend. Will be back on Sunday, probably no RP posts until then
9 yrs ago
>That awkward moment when you learn the religious revival movement you were headin was actually a vehicle for a Lovecraftian Abomination masquerading as a God to jack your body and take over the world
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9 yrs ago
>That moment when you realize that you can only do fandom RPs because you're bad at original characters. This is what I get for never playing DnD
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Alicia was not happy about it, but there was a sort of grim satisfaction as Rachel headed off in response to the information she had provided. If putting their own house in order was what they needed to do in order to ensure future success, then so be it.
Initially she was reluctant to go to the infirmary. There were things to do, debriefings to be had. This had been her mission, her plan, and she needed to see it to the end. And while Jenna might have been handled, there were others who needed to be held accountable for their actions. If they were going to have to do this again then she did not want to run into the same mistakes.
That was the plan at least. Reality intruded as fading adrenaline and tumultuous emotions were stamped on by pain lancing through her chest with each deep breath. It seemed Trixy’s sniper shot had done more than she had initially thought in the heat of the moment.
Grimacing, a hand fell to press near the impact zone, and with a frown she turned and made her way after the others to the infirmary. It looked like she needed that trip after all. “Rachel reacted a lot better than I thought she would,” she noted as she rejoined FanFan and Leena. Not that she was complaining about that fact, it just seemed somewhat out of character. Especially with the responsibility she had placed on Alicia for this.
For now, she joined the others in heading to the infirmary. Hopefully nothing else had fallen apart in the delay between the general return and her appearance back in HQ.
Age: 36/18 | Gender: Female/Female | Darkness/Illusion Mystic | Focus Fire | Horror/Ebon Mint Familiar/Sorcery/Awareness/Gifted/Incognito/Enhanced Weapon/ Intuition/Mystic Artifact | Minions/Mystic Might/Gifted Item/Transportation/Supplier/Magical Overload/Non-Exclusivity/Mana Font | Insomnia/Quick Tempered/Mind Bent/Fearsome Reputation/Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form 7/7/8/23/6
Age: 26/17 | Gender: Male/Male | Time/Air Ranged | Prime | Puchuu/Ebon Mint Gifted/Sorcery/Incognito/Overlay/Masculinity | Well Connected/Mystic Might/Physical Prowess/Supplier/Magical Overload/Non Exclusivity/Mana Font | Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form/Distracted/Hostile/Clueless | Wings/Chaos Engine/Broken Reincarnation/Second Specialization 5/20/6/18/8
The fighting at the Sanctuary continued, both above and below. The Mint team rapidly became aware of Oros’ sudden and dynamic return, but that was resolved before they needed to intervene. If anything it had helped their plan, though in an indirect manner. At the very least it had not hurt. It merely served to confuse the defenders and hinder their response to the real threat all the more.
Still, the monster would not be entirely unimpeded. Shane went to slow it down, and some of the more bold in the Sanctuary would go to help him and defend their home. Of course the monster was a formidable foe on its own, surging forward and lashing out at any target with a myriad of tendrils. As one could guess, being caught would be unwise.
The Sanctuary had a lot of strong members though, even when one did not consider Penny. Given time they could have found a solution, or dealt with the monster on their own. That was why the Mint team was here. It fit their agenda much better if those efforts did not succeed.
That was the problem Shane and his allies would run into. Illusions to confuse, Time magic to alter reaction speeds, reinforced barriers to weaken attacks before they could strike, mental spells to weaken the resolve of girls to potential setbacks. With Varjo’s powers the team was able to move in the shadows, unseen and unnoticed. With someone actively working against them on so many fronts, Shane was leading a doomed effort as the monster surged forward towards the passage to the second floor.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Weary but hyped up on adrenaline nonetheless, for a moment Alicia felt pretty good. She’d helped ensure that Leena and FanFan were alright, and she’d gotten to kick a second person in the face. She wasn’t usually a hand to hand combatant like that, so it was a bit of an unusual experience for her. Plus it seemed the emotion magic that had kept Leena in such a rage was fading, or at the very least she was able to appeal through it.
”Thanks for the catch,” she said to FanFan as they descfended to the ground. She’d heard the crack of impact, the explosion of magical energy and force, and her brow furrowed as she looked to where Justine had fallen. Was she still alive? It was impossible to tell form here.
Still, she had to check and make sure. Mariette had escaped, as they all realized. They still needed Justine if they were going to do this again, so if she was alive then she needed to be retrieved. ”I have to get her,” she told FanFan and Leena while gesturing to the crater. ”Don’t wait for me.” Turning, she readies her bow as she ran towards where Justine had fallen to effect a rescue.
But that was not what happened. Coming up short, she watched with wide eyes as Jenna poured the holy liquid on Justine, commiserated with the Cradle members, and left with them. She could have tried to intervene, but with such odds she still had the common sense to restrain herself from that battle.
Reaching out, she grabbed one of the remaining Aurelio clones, letting it teleport her back. She felt shock, confusion, disappointment, and a growing anger. One that threatened to overwhelm her and that almost might look no different from the emotion magic that had been used earlier. She remembered telling Janet about the deal with Justine, her planned end game. Did the Twins really trust her that little? She didn’t want to believe that Jenna was being blackmailed by Veronica, but that only left voluntary treachery as an option. After everything she’d done for them, sticking her neck out for them. And this was how they repaid her?
In the blink of an eye she was back in HQ after being teleported. The familiar warmth, the magic that hung in the air, it enveloped her and sapped away the adrenaline of imminent combat. But she was still driven by some measure of burning anger as she stepped over to Rachel. “The mission failed,” she said, wasting little in the way of words or time as her emotions flowed. “Mariette escaped, Justine is dead, ad you need to detain Janet right now because Jenna just left with the Crimson Cradle members defending Mariette.”
If this was what Janet thought of their friendship, then so be it. She would not be held responsible for anything that happened afterwards.
With one final blow Viva crumpled to the ground unconscious,. The mutation that served to make her monstrous form more malleable was fully on display, though for the most part the group moved on rather than letting it bother them. They had seen worse.
Looking down at their fallen ally-turned-enemy, Varjo sighed. “Too bad. We could have been good friends. At least I still have a toy to play with.” His disappointment did not last long as she looked down a Viva with a demented gleam in her eye.
“I’ll take care of her. You all have a mission to complete.” The members of the group stiffened as Anja emerged into view. Resplendent in her white uniform, she walked up to them with measured steps. A hand lingered on the pommel of her blade, and she regarded the fallen Viva with disdain. Luckily for Viva the Mint did not want her dead just yet. Not until they were confident of where Reaver’s loyalties lay.
Alma nodded. “Understood. The plan is back on track without Penny around anyway.” She wasn’t sure what had happened there, but she would not think twice.
While Anja dealt with transporting the fallen Viva away, the Mint team went back to work. With Varjo’s magic they transported a creature from the sewers below deep into the Sanctuary. A curiosity among other monsters, this beast had been created through the use of nightmare magic, and it had been bestowed with terrible powers. Through the use of its tentacles it was able to absorb the magic of girls as well as their blood to strengthen itself, something that those inside the Sanctuary quickly learned to their misfortune in the immediate moments of the attack.
As panic and chaos spread with the growing threat, the group slipped inside. It was time to proceed to the next phase of the plan, and there was no one that could stop them. Not anymore.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
There was a very satisfying feeling of impact as Helga was thrown away by her kick. Alicia had been sincere in her comment about the Trove though, not merely using it as a ruse to distract her, so hopefully that would give her something to think about in the short term. She really didn’t want to do that fight again.
Returning to climbing, the sound of a commotion above reached her ears. Not that that was the only distraction, as the cracking of the dimension spread further and up into the mansion itself. There was also Trixy’ and although Alicia was alert for potential action she did not expect it to be quite so heavy. The round was dead on, a testament to her aim. Unfortunately her Enhanced Uniform prevented penetration, though she was almost thrown away by the sudden kinetic force and only barely able to grab on to another handhold.
Glancing around for the source, Alicia did not hesitate. She resumed climbing rapidly, attempting to stagger her movements to not give Trixy another easy shot like that. It was all she could do without a way to retaliate. Even if she felt like she’d been kicked in the chest.
She crested the lip of the roof only to find a large hydra-looking thing in the way and that fire girl from before fleeing with Mariette. “Son of a-” Alicia hissed before dropping back down out of sight. She couldn’t fight that thing, so she’d have to go around. Dropping down further, she moved to go around the outside of the building and intercept them that way.
She landed with a roll and began sprinting, only to see Mayra doing the same. It became rapidly apparent that if she caught up it would be at the portal itself, precious little time to prevent an escape. ”Fine,” she snarled, heard by no one in particular but aimed towards Mariette. ”You win this round. But we’ll have our reckoning.” That just left getting out of this mess so there could be a next time in the first place. The world was breaking down after all.
Turning back, her gaze fell upon her first target. The others were in trouble, both Justine as well as Leena. In a flash she made up her mind. First her fellow Beacon members, then the vampire. They’d need her power if they were to do this whole thing a second time.
There was one last thing. ”Leena, drop the field,” she yelled to her ally as she drew nearer the scene. ”Mariette’s escaping!”
Racing back in, she moved to intercept the duo that were tag teaming FanFan. ”Oh no you don’t!” she challenged, once again using her blade as a fixed anchor to gain momentum as she launched a flying kick at Suzette’s side before she could reach her ally. A risky proposition that could put her as the focus of whatever attack was being used, but it was a risk she was willing to take for the sake of her comrades.
With blade in hand, Oros would be able to find that it was not simply a normal blade. It possessed magical effects, though that was likely to be expected given who had initially used it. In this case the blade was hot. Very hot, metal glowing a bright orange encircled by yellow. Perfect for slicing through metal like a knife through butter.
That said, the monster Oros recalled encountering had not specifically been utilizing magical waste like what they were in now. But what the creature could manipulate was close enough for it to be functional to her needs. It drew in magical energy from the environment, and there was plenty of that here,. They would see how well she could use it, rather than it becoming a hindrance.
Buffeted by the explosions of magical energy as Viva shot her own barriers, Varjo persisted. Her Familiars moved around and behind Viva to keep her trapped in that dome, and to lessen the effects of those explosions on them. They served as conduits for Varjo’s magic.
“I think it’s time to end this,” Imarinen said casually as he hefted his rifle. There was a pause as he waited, observed. Then in the blink of an eye he fired. Using his Time spec he was able to count the pattern Viva fell into, and to thread his bullet through the period of her barrier being shattered by her bullets and the creation of a new one.
He aimed at her arm, seeking to remove the last pesky element that kept her resisting. When that fell silent Alma could then move in and deliver a knockout punch with Reinforced speed. They had work to do, and she did not intend to be held up here any longer. Not when greater chaos beckoned.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Many things happened. A new arrival showed up and proved himself to be exceptionally bloodthirsty, but although he seemed familiar Alicia did not pay him too much attention as he moved forward. Whatever his deal was, that could be addressed after the fight here. Especially as he shifted into a monstrous form in a bloody display.
Her decision to have FanFan protect Leena was quickly proven a correct one, as several girls beelined for her and the sound of conflict soon rang through the air. In fairness Alicia hadn’t expected her to charge forward as she did, but she trusted in the metal armed Ascendancy girl to keep her in one piece.
Reaching the edge of the mansion, Alicia found that there did not seem to be all that much between her and her target. She picked her path upwards, leaping and using her swords as leverage to boost what her own physical skill could not accomplish. It turned out climbing was not as hard as she had thought it would be, though the previous damage helped by making a lot more spots to anchor on.
For a moment it seemed she was about to get tag teamed, only for one girl to divert and go for Leena instead. Alicia had more than enough to focus on with the one she had though, as a familiar red haired girl dive bombed her with slashing claws.
”Ghnn,” she grunted, quickly creating a perch to anchor herself so as to deflect the incoming strike. Her arm rattled with the force behind the blow, but she did not falter. Not immediately anyway.
At this point it seemed unlikely that Helga would be dissuaded. All she could do was state the facts, and hope that it created even a sliver of uncertainty that she could use to her advantage. ”So you sided with her,” she growled. ”I hope you’re ready for the consequences of this Helga. We’re not going to give the Trove a free pass anymore if its owners decide to side with enemies of the city.”
But she didn’t expect that to really stop her. Instead she leapt upwards once more, reaching out to stab her blade into the side of the building. There she used it as an anchor point like a pendulum, directing her momentum and adding additional force as she launched a swinging kick at Helga that would hopefully toss her away from the building and allow the Paladin to finish the ascent to the roof without further difficulty.
Still, who knew what would happen in the chaotic nature of combat?
Making her exit, Seppa did not expect some random girl to come barreling in out of nowhere and do the thing that they had been intending to do this whole time to Penny. She wasn’t one of their Agents, which made the intrusion all the more confusing. Still, Seppa wasn’t about to look astray at the opportunity it offered.
Quickly she relayed the information to Alma. Hopefully they could still salvage something from all of this. Though she could not turn back now at this point and still make it in time, she could lend a hand. With a mighty heave she threw back the sword she had been using, which would embed itself in the ground near where Oros had jumped. That way she’d be able to use it and get a bit of an advantage in the fight.
With a rippling of reality, Oros and her targets arrived in the Overcity. Thanks to the preparations of the Mint beforehand she would find a battlefield already prepared for her. The group found themselves in a fairly large valley, rock bluffs rising up on both sides. The sky was darkened by clouds, twisting and sparking with weather patterns of lightning, fire, and ice that Earth could only dream of. It cast a somber and almost picturesque tableau over the fight that was to happen here. Jagged spikes of crystal jutted from the ground below, dark in color to contrast the lighter surroundings.
More important was the liquid on the ground, primarily an orange color but occasionally shimmering and changing both tone as well as consistency. Thanks to previous experiences, Oros would not have much trouble identifying what this stuff was. It was magical waste, polluted and contaminated with byproducts from the main city itself as well as creation processes. The effects could be random to some extent, but generally speaking direct contact was not a wise decision unless one was prepared for it. With her particular gifts, Oros was likely better equipped to handle whatever might happen.
Age: 36/18 | Gender: Female/Female | Darkness/Illusion Mystic | Focus Fire | Horror/Ebon Mint Familiar/Sorcery/Awareness/Gifted/Incognito/Enhanced Weapon/ Intuition/Mystic Artifact | Minions/Mystic Might/Gifted Item/Transportation/Supplier/Magical Overload/Non-Exclusivity/Mana Font | Insomnia/Quick Tempered/Mind Bent/Fearsome Reputation/Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form 7/7/8/23/6
Though Viva had escaped momentarily, Varja was not deterred in the slightest. If anything she took the fact that Viva had moved through her shadow attack as a challenge. One that could not go unanswered.
“Your boy toy ran out on us,” she explained gleefully. “Now he’s going to learn that actions have consequences. You just happened to be here.” Reaver had gotten the carrot of cooperation before. Now it was time for him to get the stick.
For now the others watched, Ilmarinen knowing better than to get in between Varjo and her fun. Alma listened off from the side, her head tilting slightly as she received another message on the heels of the previous one. It was a positive one this time, but she did not say anything. Regardless of how this mission went, it did not change the facts of Reaver’s betrayal.
Gesturing, she sent her Familiars sweeping forward before casting another spell towards the fleeing Viva. A blanket of darkness fell over the woman, or at least that was what it seemed to be. The Darkness magic was mixed with Illusion magic, making it unclear as to what was real inside of this void of nothingness and what was not. That way her own powers could not be used against her so easily.
With Viva pinned in place, Varjo went for the final shot. “Take a nap,” she called to Viva, before unleashing her spell. Darkness and illusion, a potent combination unleashed to curse Viva’s body with paralysis and trick her senses. It was like a smothering blanket fell over her, one that strangled her breath and filled her lungs with fumes. Despite being surrounded by air, from the curse and her own mind she would asphyxiate. At least she could count herself lucky that she was more valuable to the Mint alive than dead.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Alicia waited patiently as Connie did her work, only for the magical girl to deliver the somewhat disappointing outcome of her efforts. ”That’s alright. Thank you anyways.” Maybe it had just been a closet after all. Either way it was nothing to get worked up over.
Following after FanFan, Alicia was luckily not first through the door, and thus not the first subjected to the sudden blow that sent her just as quickly flying out of the library and back into the foyer. That was a sign of sorts, as a series of traps and attacks suddenly went off in quick succession aimed at the group. An ambush, and a sign that their time roaming the mansion was done. Now it was going to be a fight all the way.
Unprepared for the strike and not in tune with Sounds magic, Alicia winced and covered her ears, but that was far too late to stop the ringing and muffled noises that would follow. Hopefully it didn’t affect her balance too badly. At least she didn’t have to worry about the ice, with it coming from the stairs and the ground floor. But that did not necessarily mean things were easier because of it. A net, some kind of Empath attack, and explosions in the air behind her.
It seemed that Connie had not escaped unharmed, though whether Mia was being affected was hard to tell. Princess had things under control on her end, leaving Alicia to focus on her own situation. Tenebra had made some kind of portal before promptly passing out, removing one member of the team from the battle in a single swoop. Hopefully they would not pay for it later.
But the decision was already made as Leena and FanFan made their exit through the portal, carrying Connie and the Princess with them. ”I guess we’re doing that them,” Alicia muttered as she shifted her bow into blades. Taking advantage of Dinah’s Reinforcement for however long it lasted, she slashed the webbing that had landed on her, and used the precision of Light magic to weaken what she could not immediately cut.
With a flourish she was free, and she moved for the portal. ”Everyone get out of here,” she called to her remaining companions as her wings snapped open and drove her forwards. At least she had her Enhanced Uniform to take some of the hits, so she only ended up somewhat scorched, and most of her cuts were on her extremities rather than her torso.
Arriving on the other side of the portal, she found a fight in the making. Mariette’s girls, the remainder of the Assault Team, and Justine facing off with Mariette. It was something she only got to take in for a moment before Leena unleashed the full force of her powers, casting the entire area into a magicless zone. Which was unfortunate for her sword now losing its edge, but she could at least use it as a blunt object.
Her wings vanished as well, leaving her stuck on the ground. But that was fine, and she jabbed a blade towards the Portal Witch as she joined in Leena’s anger. ”Mariette!” she called. ”I’m here to end this! It was you who provided all those magical girls for Justine, you who enabled her scheme to change the world to her whims. You used me, took all the girls you had previously abducted who were previously under the sway of her magic to serve your patron, as well as the wealth and knowledge she had gathered in her castle. There must be justice for your sins.”
For a moment she thought of using the arrows she had bought from Brittany’s Shop, and ending this in one fell swoop. She was stopped by the realization that they likely would not work, not in the Void area.
”FanFan, look after Leena,” she instructed. Not that there had been any doubt that she would do that. ”I’m going to end this.”
With that she moved forward, already bracing herself to fight past anyone who got in her way and somehow climb to the roof to face Mariette there. Maybe taking the portal had not been the best idea after all, in hindsight.
Seppa was primed, grinning with anticipation as her weapons surged forward to attack. As much as she liked collecting things, she also liked putting her skills and her craftsmanship to the test. From what she had heard, there would be no better opponent in this city. That made her all the more eager for the imminent clash of will and steel.
Then Reaver vanished, leaving her alone in the courtyard.
For a brief moment she stared at the spot where he had just been. Her brain needed to catch up with what had happened, and soon her face twisted to a visceral rage. “Reaver you useless bastard,” she snarled at the man who was no longer present. He had been crucial to the plan, as Penny would no doubt flee back to the Sanctuary the moment that the alert was raised. Which defeated the purpose of their plan.
Plus, he’d also run off with her stuff. That just could not stand.
As much as it physically pained her to do this, she could not remain in this fight. It was not the right time, or the right circumstances. Their brawl to the end would have to wait for another time. And exiting this fight would require her sacrificing something very precious to her. Another thing that both Penny and Reaver would pay for in the fullness of time.
So, Penny had caught her spear. That was fine. Her snarl twisted as she stretched out a hand and applied both her Metal and Psychic magic. Push, pull, twist, pushing the bounds of her magical enchantments on the spear until it could take no more. Her Killing Blow had been an option, but then she would be hobbled in retreating if Penny decided to pursue. It was best to keep that in her back pocket.
With a shriek the spear fragmented and tore itself apart in a blast of magical energy. The acid normally concentrated in the tip was released with the breaking of the enchantments, and spread itself across the fragments as they slammed into Penny like a makeshift shotgun blast.
Though Seppa was aware of other potential arrivals, it did not change her calculus. While Penny was reeling from the damage of the detonation, she turned and made a dignified exit. “This isn’t over,” she called back as she did so. Penny had escaped by circumstance, but next time she wouldn’t be so lucky.
As she fled she sent out a Psychic message to her companions. They needed to know what was going on.
Age: 36/18 | Gender: Female/Female | Darkness/Illusion Mystic | Focus Fire | Horror/Ebon Mint Familiar/Sorcery/Awareness/Gifted/Incognito/Enhanced Weapon/ Intuition/Mystic Artifact | Minions/Mystic Might/Gifted Item/Transportation/Supplier/Magical Overload/Non-Exclusivity/Mana Font | Insomnia/Quick Tempered/Mind Bent/Fearsome Reputation/Debt/Betrayal/Monstrous Form 7/7/8/23/6
As Varjo carried out her task, Alma’s ears perked up as she received the telepathic message from Seppa. She leaned over and whispered into Varjo’s ear, who in turn summoned her Familiar back as she turned to face Viva.
“Change of plans,” Alma told them. “We’re leaving.” It was sudden, but the other squad members rolled with it.
There was a reason for that, as Varjo took on a crooked smile as she looked to Viva. “Don’t worry,” she giggled. “We won’t be leaving without a consolation prize.” With a sweep of her hand she struck. Dark tentacles rose from Viva’s shadow and grabbed at her, seeking to bind her in place and keep her from resisting. The attack was sudden, and the others made no effort to stop her. They would see just how good Viva was under pressure. Still, Varjo was confident. The outcome was not in doubt.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Though she felt power rush through her from Dina’s Reinforcement spell, Alicia did not place too much reliance in it. It would only be a temporary thing, so assuming that she would always have it was likely to end with them in a pinch. At least they were able to move on without a further fight. Dan might be sad about it, but he’d survive. Probably.
For now they headed up the stairs to the second floor as she resumed looking around with her Third Eye. FanFan immediately went to follow Dina’s entry point into the foyer, on the assumption that it would lead them back to Mariette. Yet Alicia was not so hasty to follow, wanting to make sure they did not miss anything or walk into an ambush. Hence, the use of her Third Eye. Personally she suspected that Mariette was not directly back that way, but it was as good an option as any.
Yet as she moved on, something caught her eye. Or Third Eye, rather. There was a room beneath the stairs, possibly a closet but with what Ronin had said and the tricks Mariette had up her sleeve, it was best not to leave things to chance.
Before entering the library, she paused and looked to their companions. As had been said before, they needed to stick together. Plus it might just be nothing so she didn’t want to spend too much effort on it. But there was a way they could make sure, without needing to go and fight.
That in mind, she looked to the person who could make it happen. “Connie, there’s a room beneath those stairs,” she told the girl, gesturing to the left side stairwell. ”It might be nothing but Ronin did say to look for ‘small, secluded places’. Could you use the fear trick you used on that patrol on anyone inside of that room? With how clever she is, I don’t want to leave things to chance.”
She would wait for Connie to confirm or reject her suggestion, before moving on to join the others in either eventuality. ’What are the odds there’s something of value in here?” she wondered aloud. Not that Alicia intended to find out just yet. There would be time for reclamation when this was over. For now they continued through the library, the Paladin alert for danger as they continued searching for Mariette and wherever she was operating from.
It only took four cameras for Penny to show up, which was a bit more than Seppa had been expecting but she wasn’t about to complain. After all, the Queen had come to face them. Reaver wasted little time in his antagonism, throwing a magic spear at the mechanical warrior and proclaiming his defiance. In turn Penny was all but dismissive, so certain and confident that they were not a threat.
Perhaps this was true. But there was only one way they would find out.
“They said you were pretty tough,” Seppa observed with a grin as she readied herself to fight. Weapons rose, hovering in the air with the aid of her powers. A spear, an axe, a sword, a cudgel, plus her own fists, all menacing and glittering in the light. Perhaps they were not as ominous as Penny could be, but she was confident in the works of her craft nonetheless.
Settling into a fighting stance, she nodded to Reaver. “Well, I’m not one to miss an opportunity to put my tools of the trade to the test against the best out there. I hope you won’t disappoint me.” There had never been a chance of avoiding this fight, and she was eager to get to it as she launched the sword and spear forwards for a pincer attack.
Varjo nodded along as Viva explained what had brought her here. Each word was listened to eagerly, her controlling nature wanting to understand what aspects of Viva she could. That way they would be able to have more fun together. At least while they wee on Mint business.
“No matter how winding our paths are, we always end up where we are meant to be,” Ilmarinen noted as they moved along, slipping past Penny’s cameras without drawing attention to themselves the way that Seppa and Reaver had done. There was no need to give up the game this early.
Varjo rolled her eyes. “Don’t mind him, he’s always like this,” she assured Viva. “Something about how ‘chaos is nature’s natural state’ and ‘destiny’ and all that nonsense. Personally I think he took one too many hits to the head while practicing his flight.”
“The universe has its own plan. We are all merely players in it,” Ilmarinen observed, fingering the coin that Viva had seen him so fond of before. This was an argument they had had more than once.
Still, Varjo wasn’t about to get into it. Not when she had more fun close at hand. And not just because they were nearing the Sanctuary itself. “That’s why I’ve got to be the fun one here. Alma is all super serious and focused on the mission. But at least Seppa has some fun toys.”
That caused Alma to glance back. “Didn’t she threaten to rip your arms off and toss them in a volcano in another dimension if you touched her stuff again?”
“Yeah, but she doesn’t mean it,” Varjo replied happily. “Who could stay mad at me?”
After a moment Alma cocked her head as she shifted the topic. “Seppa says they’ve started fighting Penny,” she noted. “Get ready to release the monster.” They just needed her to be in the Overcity, then this part of the plan could commence.
Grinning, Varjo skipped over to a nearby manhole cover. Alma joined her, hefting open the access point. Vajro then waved her arm, and a diamond shaped being with a large eye in the center appeared. “Go on, let’s go find our new toy,” she told the familiar, dispatching it into the sewers. It would be her eyes down there, as they got in place for the next step.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Nodding, Alicia relaxed as she left the monsters to Connie and Mia. The duo were very effective at that, sending the incoming patrol running away in terror at imagined phantoms. All except the minotaur, and that was handled by FanFan. “Don’t fall too far behind,” Alicia told her, when instructed to go on ahead while she dealt with the now bound monster.
Preparing to move on to the stairs, the group paused as Joanna and her friend caught sight of a trap of some sort. “Good eye,” she remarked, shifting to the side to dodge the pressure plate as they headed up the stairs.
Then shutters slammed shut on both sides and lava appeared at the top of the stairs, rolling towards them. Had someone stepped on there plate, or was there another trap they missed? She wasn’t sure but there was no time to dwell on the ‘why’. They had to keep from being roasted alive! Too bad FanFan wasn’t here.
“Mia, make a barrier to block the lava. Those with Reinforcement, support that barrier,” she directed before looking to Tenebra. “While it’s stalled, get rid of the lava. Condense it or move it or whatever you have to do so we can get past.”
Despite the quick response, things were still a bit touch and go. But they made it to the other side mostly unscathed, and entered the foyer above. They had just barely gotten a look around when a monster slammed the doors open, sliding across the floor to the stairs and setting off all manner of traps in the process. Then a detonation rocked the roof above, though at least it did not collapse on them. While she might have a strong disdain for Mariette, Alicia had to admit that the portal user had put some strong construction into her manor.
Glancing at the paintings, Alicia’s attention turned to Ronin. “I have x-ray vision. But something about this place is proving difficult to see through. I’ll need you guys to cover me for a moment so I can focus.” She then turned her attention inwards, activating her Third Eye to cast her sight beyond the limits of normal human sight. She’d already looked in the basement, but found she could only make out the shape of a room. To see specific things inside she needed to concentrate. So she’d survey for likely candidates, then focus on those. First the foyer, then the hall at the top of the stairs.
For now she worked as fast as she could manage, well aware of the ticking clock looming over them. Hopefully they still had time.
Ilmarinen was indifferent to his secondhand inclusion from Reaver, focused on the task at hand and not the sort of personality to make a big issue of small details. They would see how things panned out.
Varjo giggled, pleased to find such a warm reception from Viva. So many others tended to ignore her or ran away whenever she showed an interest in playing with her. It wasn’t her fault that they didn’t want to have fun. “Maybe after the mission,” she answered cheerfully. “Good friends are always so hard to find.”
Examining the weapons, Reaver would be able to tell that Seppa basked in the praise that he gave her. She was not a very complicated individual, and someone showing such regard for her craft and arsenal were sure to meet with approval from her in turn. “Oh, definitely. I made the one’s your holding on to right now,” she replied with a grin. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time I’m in the forge.”
She then looked to Viva, humming in thought. A spectral limb reached over to the pile of goods as she rummaged through what she had. “Hmm, I think I may have something you could use,” she muttered. Eventually she produced a moderately sized axe, the edge of which was coated in frost and a chilled handle.
“Here. This one creates icy gusts when you cut the air plus the usual ice benefits. I didn’t bring much in the way of equipment I could offer you,” Seppa noted. Having given Viva what she could, she distributed some toys to the others in their little operation. It was only fair to share the love, so long as the items she gave out were returned. Aside from Ilmarinen’s bullets anyways. Getting those back would be tricky at best.
Nodding, Louis looked over the group. “I’ll leave this to you then. If everything goes as planned Anja will join you for the finale. Good luck.” With that he turned, making his way out of the warehouse. His presence was no longer needed.
Grinning, Varjo took Viva’s hands in her own, once they were no longer occupied by weapons of course. “Come on, let’s go. We’ve got a party to crash.” She was eager to get to work, and to show the poor monster girls at the Sanctuary just who they should put their trust in.
“Indeed, let us depart,” Alma agreed as she pushed off of her resting spot. If she had noticed the look Viva gave her, she said nothing of it. For now, the trio exited the warehouse, making their way along at a decent pace. After all, they could not act until the other team had.
As they moved along, Varjo did not hesitate to speak with their newest comrade. “So how long have you been in town?” she asked. “I just can’t believe we haven’t run into each other before now.”
Meanwhile, Seppa gathered up the rest of her gear, and led Reaper in the opposite direction to the strike team. “There’s a camera across the street,” she told him. “I figure we start smashing her surveillance net and Penny will come running eventually. Then we lead her on a merry chase, and pull her into the Overcity.”
Coming to a stop next to a boarded up storefront, Seppa nodded to where the camera was hidden. “Go on and smile for our friend,” she directed, grinning and waving directly at it. Then moments later a spectral limb slammed into the machine, tearing it free of its mooring and tossing it high into the sky. Then on to the next one, to repeat the process.
Age: 22/15 | Gender: Female/Female | Light Ranged/Melee | Barrage/Third Eye | Beacon Enhanced Outfit/Sorcery/Get Out of Jail/Blood Magic/Wings/Dual Weapon | Shine Spark/Perfect Life/Gifted Item | Vow of Patience/Excommunication 10/9/11/15/7
Rising upwards, Alicia reacted swiftly as she found tentacles circling downwards towards her and from all directions. The direct barrage ended as her bow shifted into a blade, light spinning and slashing as she cut down any appendage that drew too near.
A grunt escaped as FanFan warned that it would take her time to break through the wall, fully prepared to hold out and buy as much time as needed. But it turned out to not be needed as Tenebra and Sonia created a portal out of the basement. “Go,” Alicia called, unleashing more blazing arrows to clear a path for everyone to slip through.
Ending up in a hallway near where they had been, the group wasted little time in moving forwards. They couldn’t linger, not when Mariette knew of their presence. Reinforcements could be on their way even now. The only choice was to keep moving and push through any opposition. It was a point further confirmed as turrets opened up with light magic bullets along the next hallway, including behind them. Alicia grunted as they impacted against her uniform, taking at least a few blows before protective barriers went up.
Like Ronin she returned fire, her own Light magic allowing for accurate shots to hit the turrets and dismantle them. She nodded along with Ronin’s comment. “No splitting up. Besides the portals, we don’t know what Mariette’s numbers look like. We can’t afford to dilute our strength.”
That just left the question of what to actually do. “We need to go up,” she added, still firing. “Mariette isn’t going to be down here with the fight going on outside.” At the very least going up could let them aid the other assault team, and that would be just as useful. They just had to be careful of one particular detail, as she glanced towards the stairs and the incoming patrol. “I suggest we make our own paths if we can. The stairs are probably booby trapped.” FanFan and Tenebra would be useful for that, the only question was whether the walls out here were as reinforced as the ones in the Void Room had been.
For now her Third Eye activated as she scanned the walls, searching their immediate area to see if there was anything worth investigating first. With her bow at the ready, she prepared to hit the patrol the second they rounded the corner.
Arriving at their destination, Reaver and Viva would find the occasional mental nudge guiding them in the right direction whenever they became uncertain about the path they were to take next. Eventually they wound up at a train shed, and would find the employee door unlocked to enter inside.
Inside, Louis was waiting for them. But he was not the only one present. The rest of the team undertaking this operation was there, a group of four. One was a busty woman with wild hair, pointed ears, and a long tail. She had on a flashy outfit to go with it, and had several weapons of varying shapes and sizes laid out around her.
Then there was a white haired girl with oversized ears, a fluffy tail, and an outfit that shifted between white and black and was very elaborate to watch in how it seemed to draw attention everywhere. She held a glimmer in her eye, one that spoke to the animal nature lurking beneath the surface as she eyed the newcomers cautiously.
A third girl rested higher up, floating in midair with casual ease. Though her hair was also a light grey, her eyes glowed with an offputting red color, though they might not notice her at first. But she certainly noticed them, and a smirk played across her features as she looked over the duo. “Oh, now things are getting interesting~”
Lastly a boy was off to the side, flipping a coin like some sort of discount Two-Face knockoff. You know, if Two-Face had magic powers. And wings. He also had red hair, with a long ponytail, and a generic green military outfit. But just like the previous girl, it would be easy to miss him if one was not paying attention.
With Reaver and Viva entering, Louis looked over to them and nodded. “Good, you’re here. Now we can begin.” He pointed to the first girl with blond hair. “Reaver, this is Seppa. She’ll be running distraction of Penny with you. You don’t have to die for the cause, just stall her as long as possible.”
Looking to Viva, he then gestured to the remaining trio in order. “Viva, these are Alma, Varjo, and Ilmarinen. You’ll be going with them to infiltrate the Sanctuary and make a mess of things for the daring rescue.”
Smiling warmly, Varjo clasped her hands together as she looked down at Viva, with a possessive look in her eye that all but reeked of danger. There was something wrong about her, and she made no effort to hide that fact. “Oh, you’re so cute! We’re going to have a lot of fun playing together Miss.”
Meanwhile, Seppa picked up a couple items and stepped over to Reaver. She handed him one after the other, while at the same time looking into his eyes. “Here. This one is a reinforced shield, and the spear drains Lightning magic and other forms of electricity. I made them myself, so you can be sure they’re the best quality. Just keep in mind that it’s a loan, nothing more. If they come out of the fight in one piece then I’m going to want them back, got it?”
Renose
BrokenPromise
Azure Bubbles