Mas Bagus

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

"Much appreciated."

Water...

Jazdia opened the silver flask and gulped its contents down. It felt burning in her throat, was that Rum? Whiskey? Didn't matter, it was terrible all the same. Trying to recollect herself, she switched to the water bottle to wash the alcohol down her throat and dilute the alcohol she had been swigged.

As the fire began to light up in front of her and her power started to do its thing, Jazdia dared herself to release the pressure on her bloodied bandage and reached for her blade to cut the bindings. The hemostatic substance in the gauze did its wonders to partially staunch the bleeding, but there was just too much blood it had been dissolved and needed to be replaced ASAP. Immediately she sheated her blade and undo the wrapping. Blood was still leaking from her wound like a wet sponge being squeezed whenever she made a move, and just seeing a glimpse of that made her feel light-headed.

"There is a medkit in my bag." she said to Yvonne, trying to sound unperturbed despite the trembling.

The so-called medkit was a relatively small nylon pocket with many things crammed inside but could be easily accessible after unbuttoning its only fastener and letting it roll open. Inside, several strange items were secured in their individual pockets and containers. The items were as follows: a small scissor, a pocket containing four squeezable things fitted with a needle on each, palm-sized wet gauze pads that smelt like alcohol and pinecone, a roll of bandage with a strange corrugated design, another pad that looked extremely thinner than usual, a roll of flexible tourniquet, some strands of transparent thread and a needle with curved design, and lastly, a small tube containing three red tablets.

Jazdia reached for the tube and chewed one of the tablets before washing it down with water again. Wincing, it was extremely hard to keep the movement minimal when you have nothing to lean for.

"Okay, now let's do the ugly part."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Nodding, was the only response the Red Haired mage could give before finally lying flat on the floor with eyes half opened. Blood pooled around her, and it seemed the only movement she did was clutching the wide gash on her chest.

The electricity struck Varya and Cedar. The kidnapped bear got lucky because he was lying on a bed with wood as support, insulating him from taking full damage yet still powerful enough to jolt him awake. Varya however was hopeless to do anything to save himself from being energized.

___

The ball made of books hit Ted the Bear on the nose.

The hulking, flaming, angry, and desperate beast bellowed, shaking his head in pain as he flailed his right hand to reach for anything. Satisfied with the first hit, the juvenile bear continued her assault, undaunted by the enormous bear twice the size of her, she aimed to score a hit on Ted's face again.

But the Bear-Gladiators were not backing down, as the bundle of books and bedsheets hit him on his neck, Ted the Gladiator recalled his gladiatorial training and did his hardest to ignore the pain and focus. Using his acute hearing and sense to pinpoint the attacker's whereabouts from the previous blows, his arms outstretched wide, his claw unsheathed, and in a sheer rage, he swung it toward the pesky attacker, it connected on Lilly's arm and he grabbed it, sinking his claw deeper as he yanked the juvenile bear toward him for vicious bite to the shoulder, and letting her taste the fire she caused on his face and the burning floor beneath him.

He almost had her pinned when he felt another heavy blow to his back.

Out of pain, he released his grip on Lily and charged forth, stomping the juvenile bear and toppled cabinets in the process, and got stumbled by the ordeal. Ted and his bulk rolled on the floor and stopped at the other end of the laboratory, near the exit. Blood rushed out from his nose and back, and coagulated at an unnaturally fast rate as it dropped on the floor, sizzling.

Meanwhile, the attempt to put out the fire was slow and tedious. Whatever substance that had been ignited by the fire was not only flammable but also hot to the touch, almost like burning lava, and the wetted blanket could only do so much. The wooden cabinets blackened in a smoldering fire as the spilled substance continued to burn underneath it and spread onto the next ones. Black smoke began to cloud on the facility's high ceiling and its fumes felt irritating when breathed.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Next to the cell where Varya was trapped, a chained creature could be seen sleeping on his tattered bed. further inspection revealed that the creature was of the species of ursine, but severely malnourished and so thin he looked more like a starved warg than a bear. Lines and tubes could be seen attached to his body, and those medical items seemed to be connected to a red, orb-like container by the corner of his room. His cells were dirty and smelt rancid from blood and other filth.

---

Widernia was a mere steps away from the cell door when the medallion she wore hummed. In utter fright she spun around, recognizing the attack, and stepped back. A kick she could get away from, but what followed was a poled weapon came down diagonally. One of the three gems attached to her artifact shattered, a shield sprung awake, and a backlash in the form of an electric ring triggered, but the scythe swung wide and unhindered, slashing her chest.

Confusion and horror dawned as the blood gushed from the wide gash, staining her sweeter and white coat. "You! How dare--"
The red-haired mage raised her staff, pointing it forward to shoot a wave of lightning in her general direction. Under her feet, similarly colored white sparks of electricity surged on the floor and spread rapidly, covering the entirety of the corridors and cells before the caster herself finally flopped down.
___

The jar landed square on Ted's temple and broke on impact. And because he was practically wrestling with an animated armor with an orb of fire for a head, it took no time for the doused alcohol to ignite his furs.

It was painful and frightening. When the fire crept upon his head and blinded him, Ted felt that whisper again, low, harrowing, and in agony. "Where are you, my boy... I am... dying..."

The whisperings and the blistering pain sent Ted into a terrible frenzy. No longer concerned about taking down the armored thing, he shifted sideways and released his grip, arm outstretched to maul everything in front of him, and in pure rage, he charged. With fire blocking his sense of direction, the Bear-Gladiator slammed his shoulder against one of the cabinets and pushed through, bulldozing everything in his path.

The cabinets shifted with a creaking noise and toppled, glass shattered, and bottles of many kinds and colors broke and rolled about, spilling their contents onto the floor. Ted opened his jaw and swayed his muzzle left and right to clamp someone with his enormous (and flaming jaw). For now, the blind-raged bear rampaging about was still the immediate threat.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

"His arm needs treatment, but to hell with that. How in the world are you still standing?" A hand went for the potion belt, thumbing the lids to identify the content. "I have potions. It's nasty, but it does the job-"

"I can't drink it." Said Jazdia, immediately diverting. "Yes, We can use belts as a tourniquet."

When the choking stopped, and after a fit of cough, Jonas chuckled. His hands went limp again.

"Still couldn't help yourself, can you? After you turned my family against me, you still meddle, Even in death--- Destroyers! I hope you will live to see this nation crumbling to dust!"

Jazdia knelt beside Yvonne, pinning Jonas's arm with her knee as she drew her bow closer to the Patriarch's face.

"Struck a nerve didn't I? Ha Ha! That's the spirit! Come on then! Finish it!"

"Keep holding his neck, but don't choke," she instructed before pulling the string. A faint light emanated somewhere between the arrow rest and the nocking point and it disappeared with a small bang as Jazdia dry-fired her bow.

Like being bludgeoned to unconsciousness, Jonas Delving laid still, eyes closed.

Jazdia too stumbled a few steps back and was knocked by an onset of headache and nausea. She, Lurea, and her quiver lay on the grass. Blood was still dripping from her wound, but it wasn't as profuse as before. Above her, the sky was dark grey, it would still be a while before the sun rises.

"I got some belt and straps to stop his bleeding and to tie him later. Lord Thernous have his words once he regains consciousness. I shall carry you all one by one to retreat on the carriage, tend wounds and recover injuries there." It was Louise, returning after giving the remaining Enraged the coup-de-graces Jazdia immediately shook her head in utter disapproval.

"I need to rehydrate myself first, and some fire... I will be long departed before we can make it to our camp. My dear Yvonne, could you help this little old me walk?" She said, hobbling just to wake up and stand again, using Lurea as a supporting stick. "Those guys' camping spot... yes, that's the place. Dissaray as it may, they still have some campwood to burn. Miss Squire, would you kindly check on Miss Athena and Young Baron Evan?"

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Jazdia was in a hurry, but even then she slowed down to watch where the hell those oversized ice swords were going. It careened itself overhead, flew past injured Athena, and crashed itself on the two freezing enraged by their east, knocking them over, but failed to cleanly sever their bodies. Their hearts were still beating.

"Do you need..."

And there he was, the mage behind those spectacular displays. Jazdia responded by shaking her head. Not sure what was the purpose of showing off the conjuration of ice strands on fingers at this moment, nor she would spare a moment to ask.

"Yeah, please light that campfire. Can you do it?"

She said, walking past him, and not even bothering to see that the man had slumped down behind her.
___

Jonas Delving, with what was left of his strength struggled. His arms, then outstretched and feebled, now moved to clutch Yvonne's hand, trying to release her grip from his neck. His stumped hand was outstretched, smearing blood onto the mercenary's upper arms and clothes.

"That's enough."

Still struggling, his eyes stared at the approaching elf defiantly, tears formed in his eyes, his sclera reddened, and saliva ran from the corner of his lips.

"YVONNE ROSENVING, THAT'S ENOUGH!!!"

She grabbed her by the shoulder and squeezed it with her bloodied and trembling hand.

"Let... let him be. We need him alive..."

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Landing on all four, the giant bear let out a roar when he realized that his enemy had escaped his mighty hug.
Varya leaped to his back and began hacking his hind leg with his butterfly knight. His visibility faded. At the wrong time. Really.

He felt a surge of electricity suddenly ensnared him from his back. His legs refused to move, and his hand suddenly went limp. Enraged Ted did not waste a moment to turn back, but instead, he used his hindleg to kick Varya back, hurling him to the other room. The sound of door cells being clanged open could be heard before his body finally crashed against the hard and cold wall.

Behind the bars, a beautiful red-haired woman smiled mischievously. Her staff glowed in pale white when she stomped it to the floor. Runic letters glowed on the cell doors and wall behind him, and as if moved by some unknown power, the door swung shut.

"Ah! A new test subject! Be a dear and make yourself at home. Fret not. This will be over soon!"

___

Ted the Gladiator growled and turned back. Then turned back again. Huffing like mad. Confused was an understatement to describe what he felt right now. He stood by his two legs again, trying to sniff that wretched magic. It was gone now. Did he pulverize that thing under his legs?

"Ted. Focus! llonydd!" The doctor shouted something powerful. It felt like something was blitzing in his head when he heard it, yet the magic felt calming. Focus, yes, he would be so.

Fully adjusted to the room's ambient brightness, he could clearly see them now. The intruders, this many, surround them. blocking his way from the entrance. What they want?

"You see, my boy? They are here for mother, they are here to kill mother."

His heart raced. A voice in his head spoke up, and it was somewhat familiar. Yes, what about Mother? If the intruders were here, would that mean....? He shook his head. The pain swelled again. No, Mother IS safe, she is in the big house. Those intruders came here through tunnels, like rats they were.

Yes... don't think much about it. Mother is safe, but Ted has to do something to keep her safe. Get rid of those intruders! Crush them! Don't think much! Remember Mother think. Ted Smash.

Mother think. Ted Smash.

Mother think. Ted Smash

Crush them!!!

His enormous hand caught the axe, letting the warm iron dig into his palm. It was shallow, almost painless. This old sensation, adrenaline, the rush. The Gladiator Were-Bear grabbed the axe with his two hands now and tried to take it by force. The armored thing refused, so Ted swung his arm and thwacked the blazing specter's chest armor.

The fire temporarily ignited his fur, but such minuscule pain was a mere trifle thing to him.

---

Ted might be slow, dull-witted, and sees himself as a wild animal. But they did not crown him as the arena's Champion out of pure savagery alone. And thus, he was capable of logical thinking, and if those juvenile bears thought they could lure him like an animal in heat, they were wrong.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Like a guillotine, the ice blade twice bigger than an average human came down. It managed to withstand the heat as it cleaved the enraged's hardened body starting from his shoulder. As it reached the heart, the glowing blood splashed about, and suddenly the body started to lose its integrity and shattered.

Evan had carefully positioned himself and the blade so it wouldn't get into the range of Jonas' Radiant field, but still, moving that enormous mass of ice was very taxing he could feel his magic reserve draining.

It was one down and two to go.

___

Even Jonas could be blinded by his own light. As the sword staff became bigger and brighter, something whistled in the air, followed by a sharp sensation of pain. He did not see it when it struck, but he now knew that an arrow shaft seemed to have sprouted out from his right shoulder.

Adrenaline was a hell of a painkiller. Even after recognizing his blunder, he continued his channeling, eyes focused on the black-haired, cat-eared shieldbearer, who after dastardly backstabbed him when he was not looking, rushed again toward him to attack.

Yes! That's what you are. Dirty, plague! Can't help yourself but poking your nose where it doesn't belong, right?

His giant spear came crashing down. Initially impinging upon Athena's shield and nailing it deep to the ground before impacting the earth with immense force it blasted Athena and sent her flying.

The Rosenving rushed from another angle, and in response Jonas moved his massive weapon sideways, intending to swipe incoming attackers away, but his arms finally gave in. The massive spear stopped midway and disappeared. Too weak and too slow to properly block, the Delving patriarch retreated back. Yvonne's sword hit a thin air.

Another arrow came, and he could see it this time. Gathering every ounce of willpower he could muster, Jonas hastily conjured a protective layer of light on his body before rushing sideways to evade it and the incoming blast.

But no explosion could be heard or felt. Instead, he got another backstabber. Louise rushed to intercept and ran her blunted sword on the old man's pelvis. His armor blocked the thrust, and Jonas retaliated by kicking the squire in the gut.

"Trash! Everything was fine before you meddlers showed up!"

Shifting his attention to the side, Yvonne had closed the gap, faster than anticipated. Jonas pathetically raised his hand to block, but no shield made of light formed, nor protective layer reached his arm to protect him. His magical energy had been all used up it only partially covered him.

The mad blade's sword cut his forearm off. Her mace followed and struck Jonas right in the face. His protective layer negated half of the damage, but the sheer willpower behind that swing knocked him down regardless. Laying on the grass with a bloody nose and lips, Jonas Delving coughed, spitting teeth and blood in the remainder of his consciousness.

___

Jazdia released the string from her fingers and detached her enchanted arrow. Blood was still trailing from her upper midriff, soaking her leggings and right shoes. Trying her hardest to avert her gaze from her own bloody shoeprint, or the puddle of blood she departed from, she returned her glowing arrow back to her quiver and left.

She has to be there, she must catch up with Yvonne on the others! The Rosenving was still not on her sanest, and God knew what those three Government employees would do in front of a defenseless traitor.

"Yona, remember the plan..." her voice came out huskily. The pain was getting unbearable, and she could only clutch it, and press the bandage to stop the blood from seeping put.

---

The light was starting to shrink and fade, yet the two surviving enraged remained frozen. Whatever unholy magic that governed their movement seemed to have been broken by Jonas's radiance spell. It raised a concern about who actually controlled them. Was it done autonomously? Remotely controlled by someone? Could that spell be reactivated? Repaired?

One thing was for sure, their glowing heart was still beating.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Many unpleasant feelings, a strong headache, and sheer anger burned Ted the Gladiator when Widernia commanded him to wake up. He could hear the cell door being opened, and his chains released.

No questions were asked, rather unusual of her, but it did not make the witch any less obnoxious.

"Come on. Boy. Wake up, That old crone wants to see you." she purred, provocatively, humiliatingly. Something that would make his arm spring to grab her neck and crush it without thinking. But he knew it was futile so he swallowed the taunt whole. At least he finally found something he could tolerate. He would meet his mother, and get out of this stinky place and will see her or this whiny neighbour no more. His great heart thumped in anticipation.

"Lead the way, woman!" he gruffed, forcing his legs to support his enormous bulk and walk in two. Whatever words came of that damn witch she did not care anymore as the door cell closed behind him.

"No talk!" Rembukung angrily, Ted raised his arm as they nearly reached the lab room. The excessive lighting in that place suddenly made his vision blurry, and by instinct, he switched to his smelling.

It was at that moment he stopped. His breathing was rapid and instead of blocking the light, his hands clutched his head.

"You witch! What evil hab you brought here?! Where are they?!!" the great Ted bellowed. His superiorsmelling, long had been rendered palsied suddenly recognized a very distinctive scent of apple and burned wood and iron and stone. And it brought forth a memory of a certain elf.

With new waves of headache assaulting him, He cried again, "Where are they!" before rushing blindly toward that one corner to his right.

Beside him, Widernia was initially confused, but when Ted charged forth she understood what was going on. A crooked smile bloomed on her lips as she materialized her staff. An electric current ran wild on its tip and bloomed into a crown made of energy.

---

A giant bear, a full whole of the beast, enraged and loaded for all bearish cruelty appeared in front of Varya. His eyes were red, and despite his fluffy brownish fur, his chest appeared to be glowing. He stood on two legs, his arms outstretched and his claws unsheathed like eight nasty sharpened blades strong and sharp enough to tear iron. And he was ready to crush the elf under his enormous bulk.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Using Lurea as a staff to help her stand, Jazdia let out a huff of controlled breath. For now, adrenaline did its part to partially numb the pain. She dared not to look at the damage she sustained, but her other senses knew that the blood loss was profuse.

Her fingers trembled as she fought the urge to grope the wound, nonetheless, it felt like she had just done it. When she reached for her bag to get a bandage, it felt like her fingers had dived into the bloody mess, feeling the depth of it; fifteen centimeters wide, right under her ribcage, seven to ten centimeters deep, the organ felt like a jelly to the touch.

She removed her vest, unbuttoned half of her shirt, and tied it so they wouldn't get in the way, before started rolling her bandage. Was that an adequate first aid? Maybe not. Did she just underestimate the severity of her injury? Oh no, the elf knew it damned well that she was standing on borrowed time.

The fight was far from over.

____

A subtle hint of frustration showed on Evan's face when he realized that his ice spell failed to materialize. He tried again, and it too failed to take shape. Amids the radiant light, his target suddenly disappeared, and showed up just a few steps away from him. A sword staff made of pure light swung in a mighty swipe, and Evan, lacking any means to actively defend himself suddenly found himself violently knocked aside.

"Slow!"

Had he not been protected by his ice armor, being cleaved in two could very well be his final fate now. Still, he landed on the grass with chest contracted in pain, some of his ribs broken, and one of his arms felt numbed and arched the wrong way.

---

Killing one of those enraged did not bring enough satisfaction for Yvonne, so after she managed to ensure that one stayed dead, The mad blade, craved for a bigger fish to fight set her eyes on a new target.

Jonas had just finished his mighty swipe when Yvonne viciously attacked from his left. But the Delving's patriarch was faster than before. After he raised his shield to block the combo from Rosenving's sword and mace, his shield changed shape into the form of a longsword, and with that, he retaliated by swinging a sudden strike at her.

Luckily Yvonne was quick enough to intercept the light sword with her mace.

"How sloppy! he scoffed when both had their weapons locked.
And sad! I expected much from you!"

It was at that moment Athena suddenly attacked from his side and stabbed her spear on Jonas' exposed shoulder. The patriarch's smug face once again contorted in pain as he retracted his blade and dashed backward. Quick-footed he might be, his maneuver could still be predicted. An arrow whistled in the air to welcome him with an explosion close to the spot where he was supposed to repose.

Delving reshaped and raised his shield to block the incoming blast, and everyone will see him standing pridefully through the dust and smoke. Yet, unfaltering as he may with all that poise, a trail of blood dripped from his nose, his hands trembling, and his strength, though still formidable, was no longer at its peak.

Standing tall, his eyes darted on them. One cowardly archer and Two she-warriors. Warrior The term felt bitter to the tongue.

"Of course, if you are not fighting dirty, you are not fighting, right?" Particles of lights brighter than the surrounding radiance gathered at the end of his spear, The Delving patriarch raised his sword staff high and had his sight fixed on the first enemy who dared to initiate an attack.

___

Sadly for Louis, there was nothing to anticipate. Yet it did not discourage her from trying to infiltrate the sheer Defense of Jonas Delving by using her wind power.

Propelling herself forward into the radiance, she found the blessing of the wind abruptly disappeared from her very self. With no wind to control her movement, she stumbled and fell after covering a mere three strides into the illuminated zone.

___

After sustaining that many injuries, and failing to siphon any mana from the enraged, the last warg finally faded into nothingness.

The Enraged immediately continued their advance, but rather than aiming for the party's backline, they rushed to aid their Lord instead. Unaware of the effect, their undying loyalty was rewarded with complete immobilization the moment they entered their lord's radiant field.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

In the antechamber, Rose dashed up to the stairs, careful not to overtake the guards, listening carefully for the sounds of men and the clatter of armor in the hall to stop before proceeding, hugging the corner of the hall to remain out of sight until then...

@wierdw

When Rose dashed up to the stairs, the Delving Usuals had made it to the manor and closed the door. The stairs corridor was sufficiently lit, with no rooms, nor crevice on its walls. Up above the door was a single-panel metal door made of iron sheets.

When the bear approached the door, she could hear the sound of a lock being engaged. There was a huff and fast-talkings, one particular sounded like it was uttered by someone who had just escaped from death's grasp.

"You! You! Lock all doors, including this one! Especially this one! Those King's men mean business we can't let them reach the secret. Duncan! Damn it! don't dally! Move that large cupboard and cover this door!"

"Captain, what about milady doctor?!"

"Hell if I care. We got escape tunnels there. It's not like we lock her up to die!"

"Captain! What the hell is happening and where is Sergeant Ardal?"

"He is dead you dumbfuck! Those agents did it! oh Gods! Give strength to our Lord!"