Lugubrious

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

Cormorant Sanders – Road from Ruin

@The Wild West@Lunarlors34@raijinslayer@caits@hatakekuro@oblivion666

To call the night that settled over Belka peaceable would be to make a bad joke indeed, but even still, nothing nightmarish remained after the dark swarms vanished into the black sky and the corpse of the curse's carrier turned to ash. Most of Frenzy Plant, particularly those needled by the noxious flesh spears, made next to no response. General Sanders couldn't really blame them, either. An experience as rotten as this would rattle just about everyone. The end of the furious fight against the Flesh Giant also marked the end of the conqueror's aura that surrounded the war guild's master, and in the fitful light of torches and magical fires he seemed as old and withered as ever.

One voice stood out to him among the rest, for it belonged to a stranger. Curious despite his fatigue, Sanders made his way over to the newcomer and examined him as well he could. This man, he concluded, was a tough customer. His response to the situation was entirely reasonable; he treated it maturely, incredulously, and with a dry sense of humor that Sanders found quite appropriate. Additionally, judging by his garb and air of mystique, he wasn't from around here. ”Not every day, mister. We get our fair share of monsters, though admittedly something like this is unprecedented. Other days its bandits, rogue mercenaries, marauding invaders, or even the armies of other nations. There's always another war, but Frenzy Plant and its branches are always ready to fight, and always growing stronger. If that kind of thing suits you, please, visit our camp at the other end of Belka. We've got a long way to go tomorrow, and it's been a long night.”

Meanwhile, Tsubano, stooped over the figure of Argus and devoid of both sound and movement, listened to what he had to say. When he quieted himself to let her continue her work, the witch resumed her healing with head bowed. ”That is good. It is noble. We will work to earn your trust. If one day you decide to open up, we will be there. If you are one of us, you are never too far gone.” She observed his every motion, particularly his attention to the place on his body where the Seal of Denial had been affixed. Expectant, she waited for him to speak, and when he did, she absorbed all he had to say before unconsciousness claimed him. Then, a company of animated dolls hoisted him gently up, and across the town the ferried him.

Ten minutes later, the exhausted entirety of Frenzy Plant was reunited at the makeshift camp at Belka's other end. The scene was, at first, one of complete pandemonium. Villagers, be they full of gratitude or fear, swarmed the place, fit to burst with questions, concerns, and even condemnations. Jane Putcher, Bytan Brass, and Joakim Fortinbras were assigned to deal with them. Other soldiers righted tents that had been knocked down in the storm, gather strewn supplies, and try to fall asleep. The revelation that Harper Saxum had somehow become a zombie caused quite a bit of confusion, but the guild did not act hastily. After listening to her story and having Tsubano perform a cursory examination, the General declared his profound joy that the young ninja had not perished, and welcomed her as Frenzy Plant's second undead soldier. Though initially ecstatic, Harper took the opportunity to reveal that some of the swarm bugs -quite a few, actually- lived inside her as the collective magical force keeping her 'alive'. These seemed bound to her, however, and the notion of studying a few of her bugs was put on the docket for later.

After method had been coaxed from the madness, the camp put to order, and the villagers dealt with, a calm settled over Frenzy Plant. One by one, the soldiers nodded off. Ashlyn Johnson and the newcomer Flint, however, were not allowed to rest just yet. ”I kept my eye on both of you during the battle, and I consider myself highly impressed by your combat capabilities. In your own ways, I think, you are rough around the edges, but if I say this because I do not know you well enough, it is because I wish to know you better. Your abilities in the service of Frenzy Plant would be highly valued, and you would find lifelong comrades among my troops, if you were so inclined to join us. This may seem sudden, but I have a knack for reading people, and I feel like this might be just the opportunity one or both of you were waiting for. You need not reply immediately. I urge you to sleep on it, and present me your answer as we depart from Belka back to Crocus in the morning, but I do sincerely hope that you join us.”

Mission Complete!
Fatalities: 1?
Spoils: New comrades?
Time taken: 29 hours
Frenzy Plant moves back to Crocus
Arrival Time: Around noon

Hyun Sasithom – Grand Magic Games' Arena

With some satisfaction, Hyun peered down at the symbols on the ground. Rather than sand, the flooring of the arena appeared to be earth today, which suited her well. Anything, from a good house to a good fight, required a solid foundation, and Hyun detested the barbarity of a sandy colosseum. All it truly accomplished was to make the bloodshed more visible. Another new detail of today's event became known to her as a member of that boisterous, unpleasant guild Phoenix Wing made her way into the arena, standing on top of her organization's symbol before sending a matching flare into the air.

Her various comrades noticed it too, though nobody said a word. None had to, really; a smile was enough. So, today would be a team event. All six representatives of each competing guild will take part, ehm? Nothing in the world could have been better for Fiore's finest war guild. Cooperation was the lifeblood that flowed through the veins of Frenzy Plant, making it not just a collection of talented and powerful individuals, but a single organism united by one will and one cause. Teamwork won Hyun's friends the victory in the tag-team match, but today their victory would be overwhelming. The word 'support' was a simple one, but in such a setting, it represented a whole new dynamic that would make winning a cinch.

So far, the crowds had seen what Frenzy Plant's soldiers could do, but they had yet to catch the slightest glimpse of what they could really do together.

A few more moments passed while Zander rummaged through the great bag he'd brought with him. In the end, he selected three: his ruby-bladed arming sword, which he sheathed at his waist, a large Gothic flail with a ball that resembled a flanged mace, and a huge two-handed claymore with a heavy pommel. After that, he set the bag aside. Then, as one, the six vaulted over the arena railing. They put on no magical display whatsoever as they strode to the spot on the field marked as their own. Once there, they stood in a circle, talking in low tones. Among them the plans were laid for something utterly spectacular.

Pokemon: New World

A sudden commotion jolted Olivie awake. She couldn't remember whether she had been dreaming or not, but as she sat up, blinking away the sleep from her eyes, she found herself smack dab in the middle of a nightmare.

Her room -that sanctum of privacy and identity, that refuge, that one place she could truly call her own- was in total disarray. Just about everything that stood on a desk, cabinet, or shelf had been knocked onto the floor. Small pieces of furniture lay on their sides, paintings leaned against the walls where they fell, and several pillows appeared to be exploded. The acrid scent of char invaded her nostrils, causing Olivie to grimace. Dumbfounded, she sat near-motionless, slowly panning across the scene of carnage just to try and take it all in. At the foot of her bed, Buck, who lay on his back, watched her solemnly. No way he did this, Olivie knew—and she had a very good idea about who the real culprit was. Drawn by the sound of whistling wind, she drew her focus to her window, where the jubilant morning sunlight streamed in through a gaping hole in blackened glass. After trashing her room, the sight told her, the perpetrator of this dastardly deed fled through here. Olivie maneuvered out of bed and stood in front of the window in her burgundy nightgown, peering down at the street to see if the little cad was still about. ”So, that crappy monkey woke up after a bath, a meal, and a night of rest, wrecked the joint, and bust a hole in my window to scamper off. Hmph.” She gave a ferocious scowl. ”Serves me right for tryin' to be nice to a wild animal. Next time I see you, hothead, you're getting' a full beatdown and comin' with me.

The next twenty minutes she spent in the bathroom, showering, dressing, and tidying herself up. Once her usual morning fogginess washed away, courtesy of the hot water, she felt like a million bucks. Today was the day her Pokemon journey began, and nothing could have filled her with more energy than that thought. She dressed herself quickly, assembled all the gear she needed -including a messenger bag full of the outdoor essentials-, and headed out into the main room with a smile on her face and an eager Bidoof around her feet. ”Bye, mom! Bye, dad!” she called before smiling sheepishly. ”Sorry about my room!” Before they could respond, the girl was out the door.

Stepping outside caused a profound change to settle over the pair. They went from bright and earnest to serious and surly in one second flat. Of course, the joy of beginning remained in trainer and Pokemon alike, but the former had an image to uphold and the latter had a master to take cues from. Olivie made a beeline for the nearest Poke Corp store and arrived at her destination in less than ten minutes. The place gave off an air of mismatch; the exterior showed off all the trappings of a rustic town market, from its earth tones to its flowerpots, but stepping within the building was like stepping into a science lab. Inside, all was sterile, smooth, and efficient. Olivie didn't like it, but she didn't have to. With purposeful stride she made her way to the checkout counter, Buck marching alongside, until the brunette stood with arms akimbo in front of the cashier. ”I want three Pokeballs,” she informed the worker, having previously calculated how much she could get with her current stockpile of Trainer Points. Dutifully the blank-faced person behind the counter produced a trio of the bicolor spheres and held his hand out to receive the customer's Pokedex. Olivie passed it over, the cashier registered it, and the transaction was complete. The Pokeballs were added to Olivie's thigh ring, and with nary a farewell she left the way she came.

Once outside, she paused for a brief moment, arms crossed beneath her chest, to survey the street. Getting more Pokeballs had been first on her list, but her plans afterward had been less well defined. What to do, what to do. She observed Buck, who stood patiently beside her. Obviously she wanted to figure out and then improve on his fighting abilities, and for that she needed Pokemon. Since the urban Pokemon did not enthuse her, that meant leaving Central City behind once again to come the wilds for potential allies and adversaries. She didn't need to beat around the bush figuring out a way to go, either; as impulsive as ever, Olivie simply picked a direction and started walking.

Her randomly-chosen route brought her through a section of Central City she knew well. In fact, it wasn't long before she crossed the river. Not wanting a replay of yesterday, she opted to continue straight, though she briefly considered a quick detour. The memory of that persistent Feebas bubbled up in her mind as she approached, so she couldn't resist taking a quick peek into the water to see if the ugly fish was still on her trail. For a few second she scanned the river, but Olivie couldn't spot any fish at all. "Huh." One shrug later, the spirited brunette was on her way once more.

@Balthazar007

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

@Lugubrious
I know there is a bit going on, and we can skip this, but should Ash have a proper conversation with Sanders about joining? She also has to come clean about her past sooner or later >.>

@Lunarlors34

That can take place during the trip back as well. Stand by for my next post.

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

I'm tickled that you drew some degree of inspiration from my tremendously awful heromachine images, Nar.

Heroes of Beacon - the Next Chapter

Abel Fulgurate

“I'm dreaming,” Abel suddenly told himself. And so he was.

Possessed of a newfound self-awareness, he looked around. In less than a second he laid eyes on a scene that caused him to jump in surprise and fear. It was to his fortune that he jumped backward rather than forward, as a forward jump would have sent him hurtling into open space and an ensuing long, protracted fall to his death. Of course, that would probably just wake him up given what he knew of dreams, but regardless he didn't see this course of events as particularly favorable. Once the beating in his chest subsided, soothed as if a sore moistened by a comfortable wet towelette thanks to his realization, he could clearly see why he didn't want to end the dream just yet.

Before him lay a breathtaking view. He sat on a colossal stony crag extending out from a high-altitude cliff face. Behind him stood a towering redwood forest—a seemingly infinite grove of giants. So vibrant was the red of their bark and so gorgeous the green of their great crowns that they looked straight out of a fairy tale to the amazed guardian. On the other hand, there lay before him a huge and wondrous valley. For a moment Abel mused whether it might have been cut by the steady movement of ancient glaciers across the landscape, though soonafter he remembered that he was in a dream. Why do I need to keep reminding myself all the time? Yet, taking in this scenery, it wasn't hard to see why losing oneself was so easy. Trees, grassy meadows, and glittering rivers formed a mosaic down in the valley.

This was all, Abel thought, just stupendous, and obviously too good to be true. Where were the floods? The thunderstorms, and the earthquakes? Why weren't the creatures of Grimm tearing him apart or throwing him from his rocky perch to properly acquaint him with the rich valley soil? Abel expected some horrific behemoth to emerge from behind one of the snow-capped mountains in the distance any second, but he was glad it did not. Questions swirled in his mind. How did I get here? Why am I dreaming about this? Will I remember when I wake up? He saw no trace of darkness in this temperate paradise. When he breathed in, the air felt crisp, fresh, and above all, free. All of a sudden, the guardian found himself shivering. Something wet rolled down his cheek, causing Abel to stir. What the hell? No way I'm crying about some nice land in a dream. He looked out again at the valley, and found the sun, previously high in the cloudy white sky, beginning to droop. As the sun slid toward the horizon, the landscape changed; the decline of a day was echoed by the earth as a decline in the year. The leaves of trees became vivid yellows, reds, and oranges. Abel watched the grass turn a radiant gold, like hair. He made no motion as the sun drifted toward the horizon and everything began to grow dark, savoring as much as he could the last moments of his splendid vision.

-=-=-

“Urgh.” Abel groaned into his sheet, lying face down. “I'm awake.” And so he was.

Though he was not as awake as he could have been. Like a giant, muscular slug he oozed out of the bed and onto the floor, the experience restoring just enough consciousness so that he could rise to his feet. On autopilot he navigated his way to the bathroom, where he doused himself with water. His electric aura stirred sleepily, sending voltaic tickles across his skin. “Ooh.” This morning, he felt oddly at peace, though he had no idea why. Once he regained his vision, he leaned back through the door to see if his teammates were present. Only one bed seemed to be occupied: Shiro's. Though he looked more like a burrito than anything else, the sleeping faunus was clearly identifiable by his furry ears. Abel expected that his teammate could sleep through practically anything, but he made sure not to test the theory as he went about his business. A visit to the toilet, a sojourn in the shower, an application of deodorant, and a quick update to his stubble later, Abel was back in the room and getting dressed to go to breakfast.

At that moment his scroll, laying on his little desk, vibrated. Abel made no bones about nabbing it quickly and opening it up to see what news had come his way. Memories of the night before popped up in the guardian's mind as he found out that the message was from Krysanthe. The seven-man pizza party had been pretty darn subdued, if Abel remembered it correctly, but he'd enjoyed it well enough. His eyes scanned Krysanthe's message.

To: Abel
From: Krysthane
Subject: Re: Hang out?

For some reason, I'm itching to take a hike through the Emerald Forest. Haven't been since the start of the school year, and it's pretty cool. Lots of nature to go through. Maybe that's something you might enjoy too?

Hoping that he didn't make it obvious that he'd very much like her to go with him, Abel held his breath and hit send.

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

@LmpkioI would, but Lugu hasn't brought everyone back yet, so I have to wait for that to happen. . . speaking off.

@LugubriousI might be redoing the post, because the more I think about it, the less I like a lot of it. I'll give you the heads up if I actually do go through with, which is likely going to come tonight or tomorrow if I do, but I think an advance notice is probably called for.

@Raijinslayer

Alright.

I was thinking of going ahead and moving everyone back soon, so you know. Pretty much everyone except Oblivion has replied, now that I think about it.

The post that contains this will also contain interaction with your character, @The Wild West. I regret that I made you start off in such a restricted setting, but soon things will open up.

Capes of Denver: A Worm RP

Flashing light, the riotous noise of gunfire, and the jarring beat of of the gun in his hands from recoil got the blood pumping through the Margrave's veins. This feeling of elation, free of any hindrance the knowledge that his bullets were rubber might otherwise have provided, surged through his body like lightning right up until the sinking feeling began to set in. Anyone with half a brain could figure out that a being made of straw wouldn't be too bothered by bullets, but as Eyeblight closed in the Margrave began to comprehend the extent of their inefficiency. They're not even slowing him down! he wanted to wail, even as one of the monster's arms detached. Before he could say or do anything else, the world was spinning, and the MAC-10's stream of bullets ceased when the Margrave hit the floor. Instantly a spike of pain shot through his lower spine, tailbone, and hips. Gritting his teeth, the Margrave watched as his assailant repaired what little damage he'd managed to do. From prior experience he knew that while this injury didn't hurt too bad now, given his level of adrenaline, it would worsen as it lasted for days. In a single motion, the dastardly villain had effectively ruined his next half-week, but of course it wasn't like he'd stop there given the chance.

If Eyeblight pressed his advantage to bury his knife between the Margrave's ribs, the tragic tale of the young rogue would have likely ended then and there. No antihero could have asked for a more appropriate fate—to perish in the cold dark, unloved and unmourned, his ferocious spark extinguished with such ferocity that it would jolt the remaining do-gooders into coming together and turning the situation around. After the day had been won, he imagined, the heroes would think back to the stranger who allied himself with them, for better or worst, and died to give them the impetus they needed to win. Perhaps an unmarked grave would be erected for him in the woods somewhere...an anonymous monument, though small, and a testament to the spirit of the man who sacrificed himself.

Alas, it was not to be. Eyeblight changed targets, resigning the Margrave to live in pain for now. Naturally he would regret this decision. Disregarding his gun for now, the rogue scooted away across the floor, searching through his jacket. When he held up his hand again, it contained a bunch of Lego bricks. Hastily, as his crow-scaring nemesis went after his fellow Ward, the Margrave constructed his bricks into a wall a few inches high and across. A storm of dramatic words entered his mind, but he kept them to himself so as to secure the element of surprise. After getting to his feet, he waited for an opportune moment when Messiah was no longer entangled with Eyeblight, then lobbed the little construct in his direction. In midair it transformed into a wall of cinderblocks several feet wide and tall, ready to squash the Margrave's enemy against the tunnel wall.

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

@lugubrious
So none of frenzy plant will be there exccept the team?

@Caits

Yes, the rest of the soldiers are making their way back.

Phoenix Wing (A Fairy Tail RP-Always Open, Open)

Hyun Sasithom – A Quiet Place

Since the sun first peaked over the horizon to begin its daily, astral journey across the sky, a soft breeze had blown through a place in one of Crocus's green parks where a sense of emptiness prevailed. In days prior, vitality, excitement, and community had filled that space, but now there lay only the traces of a bustling came. The earth, scored by holes for stakes, pits for fires, or depressions where objects sat, harbored no buildings, but all the same the spot seemed like a ghost town. Not all who made that area his or her base had gone just yesterday, galvanized into action by a dark rumor and a pervading fear, but those who remained in Fiore's capital city elected not to return that night, either. Instead, the guild's elite dispersed through the city, each quietly attending to their own business and psyching up for the competition to come.

When the pink, orange, and yellow of a sunset in the west melted away into the purple onset of night, however, the six convened once again in a secluded, quiet place. Smack dab in the middle of the northern district of Crocus, the land swelled up slightly into a hill. One sloping path led to its top, and from there six elevated buildings could be accessed. Because of the slightly exotic location in the heart of the urban sprawl, the Knoll often bustled with activity, but at the far end of the hill from the slope there lay a little terrace behind some bushed that seldom had visitors. Here, sealed away from the commotion of the city, with tell-tended grass and a ring of austere monuments that might have formed a shrine, the last soldiers of Frenzy Plant met, sat, and talked.

Indigo Afina, the war guild's premier sorceress and beloved librarian, was only too pleased to recount a story. This tale she drew not from some aged, legendary tome, but from the intangible book that was her own life. It was, in essence, a love story, with its ups and downs. It had a happy ending that made the others smile.

Zander Louvier, in his armor as always despite the total lack of danger, took it upon himself to follow his comrade's example and recount his own experience. He told of the Gem Knights, with whom he had served in his younger years, and how their natures forced them into conflict despite their shared ideals. This story had a moral: that no matter how well-intentioned their unity, the members of any alliance, be in love or in war, could not stand together if they did not share compatible worldviews.

Dmitri Argentum, whose accursed forearms smoldered even in a time of utmost peace, could not find a story to tell. Instead of looking to the past, he turned his gaze to the future. He chose to open up in the special moment and tell his allies of his chief desire: fame, derived of true strength and true culinary mastery. As much as he craved this dream, however, he admitted that it lay beyond his capability. An unrealistic goal, he observed, had fueled much rage over the years. A new purpose had found him in life that lay far beyond the grip of materialism: service to the finest cause that he could think of. To hear this declaration from the guild's boisterous bruiser touched his allies deeply.

Holding her head in her hands, Xyster put everything she had in the recitation of a scary story. She did this not to try and incite terror in her allies, thinking them to be made of sterner stuff, but so that they might enjoy it, and that they did. The normally ditzy Dullahan restrained herself, using subtlety and vivid language to create visceral, disturbing images of a man trapped in a nightmarish hell of endless dark. So effective was she that, though they were veterans of battle, her friends' skins crawled.

Owen Whateley spun a yarn from a rural southern town nestled amidst rolling, grassy hills and still creeks—the place he called his home. This playful tale turned out to be short, though, and he followed it up with his true concern: politics. After a brief but emphatic discussion about Fiore's monarchy, as well as the Magic Council, the group's conversation turned to a hypothetical situation in which Frenzy Plant's general had a role in the country's leadership. It came to no definitive conclusion, but all agreed that the current, do-nothing king was doing few people any good.

Throughout it all, Hyun Sasithom scarcely said a word. Instead she listened with all her heart and her mind, losing herself in each story and riveting herself to the discussions. All too frequently, however, different images appeared in her head. She saw the clash of swords, again and again, where a man fought a woman and the woman lost. In her mind, the faces of those who beat her blended together. There were no differences between them that mattered. But what did matter? Like Dmitri, she had realized that she could not realize her dream. The hotheaded, singleminded pursuit of strength, embarked upon by so many, would not avail her. All the same, there was a path to redemption, and it lay through wisdom. Honed keenly, her wits could be her sharpest weapon; they could be the crucible from which her skill and strength were forged. When the daunting images of played out in her head now, sometimes she saw something different. Sometimes, when the fight ended, it was not her face ground into the sand or crushed against the cold, unforgiving floor. Sometimes it was her foot that she saw on the enemy's face, and she could not pretend that this imagined event didn't make her heart sing.

Soon, the night swallowed the city up, and the six fell asleep beneath the stars.

-=-=-

Side by side, the six soldiers ascended the road to the great arena. At a glance, any onlookers knew that they were not only competitors in the Games, but intent on winning them, and nobody stood in their way. Each one wore one additional garment in addition to their ordinary wear: the standard issue green and black Frenzy Plant uniform jacket. On each of these jackets, the guild insignia was emblazoned so many times, and in so many hues of those colors, that in their vast quantities they appeared to have a camouflage pattern. Each one wore it differently; Zander wore it buttoned up beneath his armor, Indigo wore it with only one button done at the midsection, and while Xyster rolled hers up into a scarf, Hyun wrapped hers around her waist. Dmitri had it completely open with the sleeves rolled way up, leaving his chest and arms exposed, and Owen tied the sleeves into a knot to use the jacket as a cape. The six moved through their arena to the Frenzy Plant section and sat in the front row, knowing that not a single one of their comrades would be here to watch them today.

The Three Realms War [A DMC, Bayonetta and Darksiders RP]

Mad World

@zarkun@lazo@kapuchu

Through the substantial ambient noise of skittering and twanging cables, Souta distinctly heard someone throw off his focus just as he fixed to pull the trigger of the miniature cannon he called Maelstrom. He cast a withering look at the distant figure of Wrath, having not at all been listening to what he he said, but it seemed the Nephilim had already received his comeuppance in the form of a sudden spider assault. His attention soon drifted to another one of his comrades, however, surrounded as she was in a screaming jetstream as she zoomed straight for him faster than he could finish the sentence, ”What the shi...!”

Lily jetted straight past him, the wind and noise shocking the smith so thoroughly that he froze up for several seconds, not even breaking out of the stupor when a deluge of bug gunk splattered him. After a moment, fortunately, he seemed to recovered his wits. With his off hand he wiped the slime from his face, then put it to his ear in an exaggerated 'can't hear you' gesture. Her appearance caught him off guard both in terms of unexpectedness and in looks, since he hadn't been aware of her shapeshifting capabilities. Nevertheless, he received her question loud and clear. The realization that her dynamic entry had saved his neck did not escape him, and he opted to go for a less confrontational response than he'd initially planned. ”Right. I'll remember it for the quiz.” He watched her glance at his array of gleaming blue shards stuck in the colossal vine. Admittedly, the scene wasn't perfect for showing off, since he could feel vibrations through the vine that meant more spiders were on the way, but there existed a few moments still in which he could make a good account of himself. The goop on his hand washed away in a swirl of water as he swung his arm, lodging the newly-formed Silverbeast claws into the vine. Its metal fingers pierced the surface, sticking tight. Closing one eye, Souta resumed his firing stance, saying, ”Clearing the area.” With that, he fired twice in quick succession. Like little comets the two blue bolts flew through the area. The first hit the vine directly, jamming into its surface. A split second later the second bolt collided with it, detonating it.

The next thing Souta knew, the entire vine was up in a massive blue explosion, giving off plumes of black smoke and violently shaking this entire region of the Hanging Jungle. Thanks to his claw, Souta remained where he was, though the vibrations flung him around severely, battering his joints and bruising his skin. At least twenty seconds passed before the vibrations stopped and Souta, his entire body one big ache, was able to pull himself up. Teeth gritted, he looked around, training his eyes and ears for any skittering foes, but he found nothing. Just as he'd predicted, the massive tremor had coerced the spiders hordes into leaving, believing something greater to be afoot.

Souta was surprised again, then, when a shape dropped down not far away. He whirled to face it head-on, but found it to be only Uhelei, the group's biomechanical guide. On second glance he appeared to be covered in scratches and dents from head to toe, even in his mask, but judging by his free, trained movements the paralytic venom of the spiders did not affect him at all. “You are crazy,” he told Souta. “Almost killed me. And then where would have you been? Yet I am ashamed to say that crazy worked.”

”What's more amazing is that it took that long to figure it out, and that out of everyone, it was the human that did it!” The familiar and nausea-inducing voice of Panoptos heralded his arrival, drifting up from below like an underwater fart in a bathtub.
“Well, maybe it's not so surprising. With everyone else being at least mildly competent at fighting, they probably thought they could hold the creepy crawlies off indefinitely. Only reasonable that you had to weasel your way out of the situation, really.”

Wearily, Souta opened his mouth to sternly rebuke the watcher, but Panoptos bulldozed straight through him. ”As much as I'd love to hear your comeback, we are on a schedule here. While you lot were crushing bugs, I zipped back in the direction of the portal. Just as I thought, we're not alone in the Undersky any longer. So let's pick up the pace. Which way, my little tin can?” He clasped his long claws together, stooping plaintively toward Uhelei.

The exiled tribesman, though clearly aggravated, restrained his tone as he responded. “We are about two thirds through. We must forge on, reunite with your other allies, and reach the end. Then there is the winding path, and after that, we will arrive at Wit's End.”

-=-=-

In the distance, beyond the great tangle, a dark mass loomed that could only be another immense stalactite. The agents of the Charred Council encountered no more spiders, but as they grew closer to there came to be a change in the vines. These new, huge strands lay intermixed and sometimes wrapped around the vines to which the agents had by now become accustomed, appearing with greater frequency. Alongside them, Souta also spotted chunks of rock ensnared in the vast web seemingly at random, similar asteroids floating in space. Coming near one, he veered slightly off path to try to navigate its surface instead, and found the flat surface on its top to be far more manageable.

At the far end of the large slab only the new vines were in range. Hundreds of repetitions of the same technique made his motions mechanical as he slung a Trawler toward the nearest one, pulled himself up, and assessed his surroundings. He decided immediately that he did not like this new vine. It was somewhat softer than the old variety and much more rubbery, with a ribbed surface rather like an earthworm's. Though dry, it was unpleasantly warm to the touch.

Of course, Souta was bringing up the rear of the group when this happened. Farther up, the other agents, by now all also using the new vines, had come into range of a particularly massive, circular chunk of stone situated right in the way to the other stalactite. The scene brought to mind, perhaps, images of the great railroads of the United States or other big countries. Whenever the railroad companies, in the course of laying their tracks, came to a mountain, a decision had to be made. Would they try and build over? Or would they go around? Or try to blast a path straight through the obstacle? No route was without its cost.

Panoptos, leading the group, pondered it. But he found his ruminations distracted by the obstacle itself. The entire thing, gargantuan and very round, appeared to have a smooth surface laced with uncommonly straight cracks. Copious amounts of very large vines fed into it from all angles except the one directly ahead of the group -where there was a clearing-, vanishing into yawning black holes. As he stared at it with his wandering eyes, the principal watcher began to snicker. His chortling intensified into a churlish guffaw, but it did not last very long, for he composed himself to say, ”Even in all my travels I haven't encountered something like this before. I'll have to keep a close eye on this...or two, or three, or nine. Say, underlings? Do endeavor to make this interesting for me. Let's see...how long, do you think? I'm betting three.”

Uhelei's icy stare affixed him. “Three what?”

Pure silence surrounded Panoptos for about a second. Then he clarified, ”Two. One.”

Dead ahead, roughly a hundred meters out, the rock mass moved. In front of the Charred Council's agents, there opened a monstrous eye.