[Log] When Crazed Elves Attack (Part 2)
Part The Second
"...Guh." That's all Simon can say in response to the environs, the Raksha, and the fact that reality just decided to turn seven shades of /wrong/ on him. Maybe more. The demon presses a hand to his temple, grits his teeth...
...And nearly gets bowled over by Seki. The demon startles, stumbling out of the way of the oncoming pirate; the look he gives him can best be described as 'jaundiced', and he hisses something under his breath: "Game? What the hell is that thing talking about?"
And then Oswald nearly runs him through. The demon's eyes widen, and he pulls himself away, backpedaling out of range. "Buddy, I don't think this guy plays by those rules," he breathes.
Simon's reaction to the insult? Well, he's spent his entire life getting pushed around by people who could kill him without a second thought, so it amounts to 'indignation with a side of healthy fear'.
It does not surprise Gwendolyn when the Shadow Knight rushes ahead, in that monstrous form of his. What does surprise her is when he proves ineffectual. "So, you are a king who has chosen a champion for us? I see you do not think us worthy of your strongest." She stands up straight and tall, a princess in front of her troops. No need to /show/ fear. "...So be it. Let us see the true strength of your jester!"
She rushes forwards, the blue gem of the Psypher glowing brilliantly as she attempts to land rapid magical strikes against the magical ape. Her troops hang back at the moment, for it would be an insult to the princess to insist on a mob attack from the /start./
Gwendolyn switches armor modes to In Person.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her THE VALKYRIE RUSHES IN jab.
"He will make a story that he expects us to follow, but make no mistake, Mister Parker," Lera says in a dead serious tone. "This is no game." She scowls as she sees the monkey jester chosen as his champion. "We will have to follow this tale, to a point - it is part of his power, but it can be overcome!" Or so she tells herself; her mother never overcame her story, though. Lera found a way around it, beating it by placing her trust in others.
That is what she will have to do here. She sees Oswald move in and stares - she felt that bite before. She uses it to her advantage. Her swords move with a flourish and come out quickly, as she leaps ahead of the others, and comes down near the jester.
"You will find my blade to be no joke, and find me to be no mortal!" the Fire Aspect roars. She lands, blade stabbing downward - and then the left one finishes with a hard slash.
Cathak Lera gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with her Even Blade Style attack.
"She does that every time, Mark, it's great. Like an angry chicken." Seki continues. Social attack?!
Oh shit Hanuman. Seki's eyes narrow, seeing that their game isn't quite finished yet, and Markandeya has decided to play dirty this time. Which is, of curse, the best way to play. "Markandeya have known eachother a long time." Seki murmurs to Simon, "Since I was a kid. He likes playing Gateway with me. Only, fairy nobles? Not really big on sticking to the rules. Gets boring."
"How this works, folks." Seki says alloud, "Is we have to play by the fair folks's rules. If we win, they go home. If we lose, the Wyld gets to stay in the bit of Creation they've claimed, until something kicks them back out. Keep any grunt troops towards the rear, you need to have, y'know, style to handle these things." Seki looks back up at the noble, seemingly not intending on fighting at the moment, "-did you know, Marky, that Gwendolyn and Oswald here have fairies powerful enough in their home plane to hold a kingdom in their mortal realm?"
Oswald strikes... And is summarily negated. The flaring red eyes widen in surprise as he brings Belderiver up to prevent from skewering an ally, rebounding off of a wall and flipping into a shifting crouch. Hatred blazes forth from those red lights, as he waits a moment, listening to the situation...
Fine. If he wants to play that way, he'll play. The Shadow Demon surges forward with an inhuman howl, the Belderiver darting back and forth before... He leaps straight upwards, rebounding off of the ceiling to srive the deadly fang of death towards Hanuman with both hands.
He'll 'talk' to Seki about that 'boyfriend' crack later.
Oswald critically strikes Peleps Fals with his Acrobatics Are Fundamental attack.
Okay, let's recapitulate for a second, here: Out of all things that this...Rakashathingimabob would bring out to fight them he calls down...the ape. The monkey. A /Jester/ monkey, which makes it either a pure insult or something far more dreadful is going to happen with that creature.
Han's past experiences with jesters -- and clowns in general -- makes him lean to the latter. As such, the martial artist is divided bettewn feeling vaguely insulted and downright uneager of finding out that this thing can do. "Okay...Alright! FINE! If that's what we gotta do!" He shouts after hearing the explanations and charges onward.
It's looks pretty boring, really. The young man charging with that beautifuly well crafted spear of his, as if all creativity of attack was robbed of him since he arrived in the Wyld.
In truth, he just don't know to use a bloody spear. He can use chopsticks, spoons, chairs, tables, bodies and watermelons to deadly effect, but a spear? Nope. No go.
Han Su Li gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with his One Of Thoses Generic Charges attack.
"Is she, Seki? What wonderful friends you have." Markandeya's voice has reverted to its normal cheery, happy tone. He laughs with that same musical, bell-like laugh. "Such wonderful /fire/ to their souls. Do they have those, though? How wonderfully different! I shall have to pay a visit."
He does not seem at all worried about Hanuman, though he does draw one of his many rings from a finger. He holds it up in the light.
Hanuman is not doing so well. The laughing ape dances around Gwendolyn, tumbling and capering. "Hahahaha, you are so fu-" Urk. The ape stops speaking as - first, a sword slices through his back. Then /another/ sword pierces his skull. Finally, a spear stabs his side. He blinks. "...that's not funny."
As Hanuman says this, cracks appear in the ring in Markandeya's hand. "No, Hanuman. They don't think you're funny at all, do they? My my..." And he presses on the ring - which shatters into gossamer shards, all of which burn up. Hanuman's face contorts, as he falls...
Seki and Lera will know of this, perhaps from legend. When a raksha passes beyond even their measure of 'sanity,' he falls to Bedlam, the terrible curse of madness. But for some, Bedlam is no curse...as Hanuman shows. His face shifts to a mad rictus, an insane smile, staring eyes - but his body shifts, muscles growing upon muscles, claws sprouting from fingertips, jewelery shifting to grasping strands - and Hanuman laughs. It is not a happy laugh. It is a beautiful laugh, of course - for somehow, Hanuman's form now /radiates/ beauty and desire, a thing of ambrosial madness that tugs at the mind with its beauty...but his face is mad, and his laugh is madder. For Hanuman, the Bedlam is no curse - it is a spectacular insanity.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
DEATH JESTER HANUMAN
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
"He's... Dragons!" Lera snaps, as she looks at the horrific monster. Her eyes widen - and she takes a few steps backward, her voice catching in her throat. "He's entering Bedlam!" She had heard of this - her mother had known much of the Fair Ones, reading texts that had been banned for centuries by the Immaculate Order. Lera had a fraction of this knowledge, and thus more than most have. She grits her teeth. "Be careful! This one is no longer what he once was!"
She decides to forego her swords for now, with a cautious leap back. Lera perches where she lands, sliding her blades into her sheaths. She slings her bow over her shoulder and redraws her bowstring. The arrow is raised, slowly.
She squints with one eye, and looses the arrow into the ape's hide with her supernatural strength.
Cathak Lera hits Peleps Fals with her It's Kinda Like Princess Monoke attack.
"This...thing is your friend!?" Gwendolyn, unaware of how similar she is to Oswald at this moment, will question Seki about that later. For at the moment, the ape has turned into an evil beast of sorts-a magnificently beautiful, terrifying beast, no less.
"You heard him," she barks to her troops, "stay back unless absolutely necessary! I shall put my life on the line." The troops mutter in mild protest, for no barbarian desires to miss a fight, but they obey. The princess herself leaps up to catch the air beneath her outspread wings, floating and drifting above the ape. Her spear glimmers, and then with rapid force, she dives down at the Bedlam creature from above and attempts to drive the spear into his shoulder or back.
Gwendolyn gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with her Dive Bomb attack.
Oswald has no troops. Oswald needs no troops. But he's no Boromir, as he rips Belderiver out of the ape's head and flips backwards once more. The pulsing darkness grows unsteady, the eyes flickering... But the Shadow Demons shakes its head. About /time/ Gwendolyn got off her butt and started fighting, he thinks. The appearance of this creature of magnificent beauty, insanity, and destruction causes even the Shadow Demon to pause for a moment. This is truly a beast worth slaying...
The fact that he's helping Creation may or may not be a factor as well. Nevertheless, Oswald streaks in from the flank as Dwendolyn goes aerial, and darts in low, striking at the legs of the beast much like a wolf pack attacks from all sides.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his So Where's Fenrir, Anyway? attack.
You take 25 damage.
"Oh, that's just /great/!" Han Su Li shouts out, his eyes widening with what very well might be a bit of fear and awe. "First we had to fight some dangerous insanity jester monkey, and now THAT thing has become even MORE insaner! Jeeze!" The Martial artist loudly complains, backing off with his spear and giving himself a few seconds to calm himself. A deep breath in, a quick one out. Harmony. Just like your old man told you, Han.
A mad creature made of pure madness becoming even MORE mad is just as hard than fighting a demon. Really. It is. That's what he'd say!
"They're not the kind to go so crazy that they loop all the way back to sane, aren't they!?" The Li shouts, returning to the charge but he does it differently this time. He slams that spear of his into the ground like a javelin and vaults toward the now Deadly Jester, lashing out a feet glowing with inner power. "DRAGON'S SMITH ARROW KICK!" He shouts.
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Dragon's Smight Arrow Kick! attack.
The sun sets.
Simon can't see it, of course, but he /feels/ it--the Symphony comes flooding back as his attunement lapses, and sweet, precious Essence flows into him a moment later.
Simon takes in what Seki has to say, and gives a vague toss of the head. "I will, but it looks like--"
Oh shi.
Parker looks... enraptured, for about three seconds, at the sudden change.
Then he calmly reaches into his shoulder-holster, draws his pistol, and fires.
Simon Parker misses Peleps Fals with his Flippant? Or just seriously annoyed? attack.
Peleps Kaizoku Seki knows a fair amount about the Fair Folk, having attracted the interest of a few between his adventures with his cousin Fals and his Exaltation within a fairy's domain. "Actually, he tried to eat my family's souls." Seki notes, "But other than that he's not a bad guy. Kinda has a temper when I do things like point out that random chaos isn't very random at all, but hey, who doesn't?" Seki may be lieing.
Okay, he's definately lieing, but these guys don't warrent the full story yet. He idly pulls his own pistol out of his coat, twirling it in his hand a few times but otherwise still watching to see how his unwitting minions do against the Death Jester.
"You know, keep doing that to the poor man, and he's gonna turn on you in the end." Seki points out, smiling a little. He's confident that the pieces /he/ picked are superior.
"Hanuman? Turn on /me/? Seki, surely you don't mean to think that I /mistreat/ my favorite jester..." Markandeya laughs. "Nothing could be further from the case. In fact, I enacted a Law recently. None may be a finer brawler than Hanuman. Ah...but the valor here - oh, the /Valor/. I can /taste/ it..." Markandeya smiles broadly - and, to those with the vision of the spirit world, has extended a mouth from his /ear/, and is feeding on the ambient bravery and valor. Just crumbs - it would not do to ravish his experiment - but food is food.
Hanuman is having the time of his life. Bedlam is a release - a marvelous thing for him - and few other Raksha. He dances between blows, laughing madly as he tumbles and rolls under Han, leaping into the air on one massive hand and /catching/ Simon's bullet, closing his fist around it. As he lands, Lera's arrow strikes his chest, and silvery blood trickles down it - followed by Gwendolyn's spear slashing at his shoulder, though the ape leans forward as the slash comes, making it a shallow cut. Then Oswald's sword slices at his legs, and Hanuman shrieks - but in pleasure or pain? "Oh, your gift! It is marvelous!" His voice is twisted, an insane mockery of voices everywhere - and the ape opens his hand, revealing the bullet has...sprouted.
Into a tree. The tree grows from his palm, its leaves spreading - and turning to face Simon, an eye on the bottom of each. "Here is my gift!" He tosses the bush at the demon, and when it gets close, the bush tries to wrap around Simon, to constrict painfully.
Then he turns his attention to the pack around him, his handlike foot stretching out to slap Han across the face as he stands on one leg and one hand, his free hand raking claws at Gwendolyn. "Dance! Dance for Hanuman! LAugh at Hanuman, dance for him!" He cackles - and then shifts into a cartwheel, his flailing limbs flying at Oswald - and then at Lera, as he rolls towards her.
You hit Simon Parker with your Bedlam Masterwork: The Bush That Sees A Thousand Truths - Tenintara attack.
You get a glancing blow on Han Su Li with your No, This Is How - Obey The Law attack.
You get a glancing blow on Oswald with your Down Boy! attack.
You hit Gwendolyn with your Aren't I Funny? attack.
You get a glancing blow on Cathak Lera with your DANCE FOR HANUMAN attack.
Lera isn't exactly ready to handle Hanuman. When he rolls at her, her eyes widen and she tries to nock another arrow, but has no such luck - the ape rolls right into her and she is entangled in the maddened Fair One for half a second. Her eyes widen sharply, as her bow is lost. Her arrow, however, is not; she adjusts her grip on the wooden shaft.
She then stabs the arrow down, hard, and tries to stab it deeply into the Fair One. She will break it off, if she can - and then lets go, and rolls away from him. She comes up in a crouch, taking a breath, and aching from having been rolled into - but at least nothing is broken.
Cathak Lera misses Peleps Fals with her Broken Arrow attack.
[Fac-IPA] Simon Parker, over combat sounds: "'No one may be finer brawler' than this thing?"
[Fac-IPA] Gwendolyn says, "Why is he referring to a 'gift' so?"
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter interested grunt.
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Could be pain, could be their feasting on your courage, could just be psyching you out."
"-What /is/ this creature?! What sorcery...?!" The claws rake against the valkyrie, slicing into her, though she refuses to do more than flinch in the pain. To show fear against an enemy is to show weakness, and there is no valkyrie who fears death. That is, of course, the worst this thing can do. It can kill her.
"If you are so fond of sorcery," she hisses as she reaches into her satchel. "Stand clear of it for just this moment...!" From it she draws a glass bottle, warm to the touch, with a red-orange liquid glowing inside. The bottle has a small label, "N." As she tosses it at the ape's feet, the liquid bursts into flame, exploding on contact as the bottle shatters. It is not a widespread explosion, but it is potent, the result of alchemy.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her Why is the Napalm potion made with onion mandrakes? attack.
Down, boy indeed. The cartweel blow slams into the Shadow Demon, the darkness shattering from around him as he slams towards one of the 'walls'. He tries to flip around in midair to take the impact properly, but a foot slips, turning a perfect landing into a crackling shriek of metal and a swift clattering trip to the floor. Oswald grunts at the pain, and pulls himself back to his feet. Belderiver spins in his hand, and he does the unexpected: He raises the weapon and flings it at Hanuman in a spinning strike. Oswald instantly bolts in from another vector, slower in this state but no less tenacious. "What do we care for your law?" Oswald mutters. "This isn't your land." He leans, and dives in for Hanuman, leaping upon the monkey's back. A black-gauntleted hand reaches out, catching Belderiver in his hand, before he hangs on with one hand and stabs down with the other. "Now die!"
Oswald switches armor modes to Shadow Knight.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his On Your Monkey's Back, Stabbin' Ur Jesters attack.
"You people can do better than this." Seki notes, frowning a little. Maybe he'll need to use the magic bullet tonight after all. If only the combat system had buffs, his War Charms might be worth something!
...woah, Seki thinks, I've been in the Wyld too long. Shaking the metatext out of his head, the Kaizoku continues matching gazes with the Fairy Noble, idly licking his lips. "But a perfect servent isn't a very good story, now, is it?" Seki idly debates, frowning at the implications of the law.
His eyes gleam slightly, as faint whisps of Essence touch the other fighters, Seki's Exalted power bringing with it inspiration; suddenly, fighting as a unit doesn't seem impossible. If anything, it seems /easy/, as though you'd all done so through dozens of battles. It's a start, at least.
Somewhere on the MUSH, Orihime Inoue has connected.
The bush strikes Simon dead-on. Its branches grow with alarming speed, entwining about his chest; the demon lets out a startled cry as his weapon arm is suddenly pinned to his side, and the branches holding him start to constrict.
The Balseraph's eyes narrow to slits, and with his free arm, he grabs a handful of vines--wood creaks, groans, and gives as he pulls. With a violent shudder, Simon frees himself from his bonds, and breaks off a foot-long piece of wood from the bush. Gripping it dagger-like, he waits for an opening... And then rushes forwards, stabbing the improvised stake at Hanuman.
Simon Parker gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with his This would've been a burning bush reference instead, but I don't have any fire Songs. attack.
There's few things more annoying than getting bitch slaped by a monkey's -- as mad and supernatural it might be -- foot. Hulmiating, too, for that matter. As such, Han flies a metre or so away from the impact, flipping in mid-air and landing on the ground after a few paces of skiding. Oh, it's /on/, now. It's so going to ATE it!
"REAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Li screams as he straightens up, spinning his spear expertly -- just like he would with a staff. Miraculously, he avoid to stab himself accidently, not forgetting that, unlike a staff, this thing has a very pointy, painful end. Fighters sensitive to spiritual energy can feel some gathering into the young man's body, to then...suddenly, immediatedly vanish into his hands.
He reels his wide opened hand back and thurst it foward against the ape, unleashing a nearly invisible blast of pure fighting energy. "EMPTY HAND THRUST!"
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Empty Hand Thrust attack.
"Oh, you know my way, Seki - I never keep /full/ control. Knowing what's going to happen next - I have /told/ you about when I did that, didn't I? Hardly interesting. But Hanuman - oh, Hanuman would not betray me without a full story to explain it! And if that is done - oh, what a story that would be!" The feast of crumbs continues, as Markandeya laughs, feeding off the bits of Valor and Courage that are in the air. "But...well, this /is/ my land, have you noticed? My court. You will obey my law...as for you, little godling...this is no sorcery. No sorcery at all."
Hanuman continues his capering. If the huge ape were not in the process of beating people up, it would be comical. Oswald's blade slams into Hanuman's back, followed by Oswald landing on said back and stabbing it again. Hanuman cackles at the pain, the beautiful, horrible pain. Then Simon's stake slams into his knee as he steps back spreading his arms and pointing at something only he can see.
And then the ape suddenly lunges forward, catching the Napalm Bottle before it shatters. He slips beneath the broken arrow with the lunge, and comes up next to Han - and holds his free hand out, giving Han a high five as he slams his palm forward. Somehow, the chi does not burn him - perhaps because it shifts as he touches it, shaping into Wyld energy, chaotic power that creates a burst of singing daffodils that turn into crows.
Then Hanuman begins to juggle the bottle, ;aughing. "Pretty-pretty, all of you! So pretty! But I can make you prettier! Pretty as anything!" The ape hurls the bottle back at Gwendolyn as he turns, leaps into the air - and somersaults, perhaps crushing Oswald if he is not fast enough to leave the raksha's back. He continues rolling, trying to tumble over Lera as if she were a bowling pin - and then he stands, his claw stretching out to grab at Simon - and hurl him at Han. "Yes! Bruises make you pretty-pretty-prettier! Such colors, the purple and red and brown!"
You miss Gwendolyn with your Jesters Can Juggle Too attack.
You critically strike Oswald with your Crushed Under Ape attack.
You get a glancing blow on Cathak Lera with your Also Crushed Under Ape attack.
You get a glancing blow on Simon Parker with your Are You Fay Wray? attack.
You hit Han Su Li with your Are You Bruce Cabot? attack.
Lera manages to roll away to avoid being completely crushed by Hanuman, but his Law proves true: he can strike, and strike hard. The blow slams into Lera and knocks her to the side. She rolls as she hits the ground, and then pushes a hand against the floor - and comes back up, standing as she does. "I'm quite satisfied with my appearance!" she shouts at the Fair One.
Her blades are drawn again. Lera leaps - clearing the floor with a smooth jump, to land near Hanuman as his claw strikes at Simon Parker. The left sword stabs at the ape. The right swings out in an arc right in front of her.
Cathak Lera critically strikes Peleps Fals with her Double Slash attack.
Gwendolyn takes flight again, catching the bottle before it can burst, placing the volatile contents back in her bag to settle. While they are inside, they will remain stable-she hopes, at least, in /this/ strange and beautiful world. "This is not a /game/ I appreciate," she notes in a cold tone of warning.
Are there Phozons here? Likely not; nothing has died here, from what she can tell, and there is nothing to release life energy. She will have to rely on what is currently stored in her spear. She raises it into the air, closing her eyes and charging as it glows softly-and then explodes outward in a brilliant light, one she hopes will catch the ape unawares as he's hit with the force of elemental life energy, channeled through a weapon.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her Phozon Burst attack.
"If you say so." Seki says simply, smiling a little. "I think you said it drove you a little crazy. Made you question if even you were real, could exist, or if that was a privelage solely for the grey people of Creation. That is why you're so facinated with us, yeah? Envy."
"Also, I feel compelled to tell you that brown is the same color as poo gas, which is the opposite of pretty." Seki actually likes brown, especially when paired with blue hair and a greedy gleam in her eye...Seki shakes his head.
Gwendolyn may aslo notice that Seki is positivly /covered/ in Phozons, as though he spent his time rolling around in freshly emptied battlefields.
Damned, dirty ape.
Hanuman grabs Simon by the front of his shirt, and before the demon can react, he's airborne. He strikes something shoulder-first, rolls, and comes up to a knee; hell, that smarts, but who did he...?
"Sorry about that," he says to Han. The demon stands, bloodied 'stake' still clutched in his right hand, and backs off as Hanuman launches another attack. Awfully acrobatic, now wouldn't it be a shame if...
Parker rushes in again, bringing his arms up to guard himself as he takes aim--his right leg whips up and around in a vicious kick. He's aiming for the head, really, but he'll settle for just hitting the guy.
Simon Parker critically strikes Peleps Fals with his Boot to the head! attack.
"Only until someone stronger comes." Oswald retorts. "This madness has no place in the world." The Shadow Knight grapples with Hanuman, preparing to strike again, only to be crushed under the sudden roll. Oswald groans as armor buckles and bones pop... But he doesn't let go, hands twitching as he is solidly bruised up from the Monkey of Death.
From below, he growls, "Get off of me, you damned... dirty... APE!" There is a flare of Phozon energy, and from below the ape, a torrential cyclonic wind rises. The swirling force roils about the battlefield, carrying anything it catches about until it hits something large enough to disperse it. Regardless, though, Oswald is clamped down on the monkey, stabbing away.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his HESTON IS MY LIEGE LORD OR SOMETHING attack.
The daffodils turning into crows makes Han pause visibly, staring blankly at them. Grave mistake, for before he knows it, he got some dude crashing straight into him, sending him to the ground.
"No problem," Grunts Han in a tone tha definetively says the contrary, flipping back to his feets and glaring at the monkey. So, kicking didn't, blasting didn't work, only spearing worked so far. Li glares down at that spear -- gleaming with an inner light, the long sash blowing to a wind of it own. He talks to it. "So, that's what it is, huh? Spear that's only like female members of the Li. Okay, look,"
He's really talking to his weapon now, lifting it straight in front of himself, staring at the blade. "It's not the time to be /picky/. If I don't get out of here in one piece, you'll be stuck in here for...well, for a pretty damn long while and whatever thoses creeps will do to us. SO." He narrows his eyes. "Do your best, please? Thanks. I'm glad we could have this conversation."
Han then smoothly shifts into a more battle worty stance -- the weapon lifted up toward the ape -- and charges, reeling back his holding hand to get some momentum and...he stabs.
If Han's little talk had any effect remains to be seen...but it glowed a bit. Maybe it's just the lightning.
Han Su Li hits Peleps Fals with his I Swear, My Family's Ancient Relics Are As Just Screwed Up Than My Grandfather attack.
"Mmmm...yes, it made me question whether I was real...and whether /you/ were. Tell me, Seki - are you real? Or are you a dream-actor, in a world of dreams, in the mind of a man? But I enjoy this game. Such beautiful Valor, like a feast - tantalizing, so tantalizing...but no. No, I shall not devour it all. As for this 'madness' - this is not madness. It is the Wyld! Though you are correct...it has no place /in this world./" Markandeya smiles, not at all caring that he has gone far more meta than he should. He is of the Wyld, after all.
Hanuman's hand comes up, catching the phozon burst and closing around it. Somehow. One should not ask those questions of a raksha going through glorious Bedlam, his mind and nature warped to madness and chaos. However - chaos does not save it this time, as first Lera's blades slash through Hanuman as his arm moves into the path of both - and then Simon slams it in the head with a nasty kick. The ape laughs uproariously. "Ahahahahah! I like you! I will show you how much I like you!" Oswald's blade slams into Hanuman again and again, drawing silvery faux-blood - and Han's spear stabs into the beast, bringing more. Yet still it stands, cackling.
Then Hanuman opens his hand. Where the phozon burst hand been caught is...a glass lizard. A single glass lizard.
Two glass lizards. Four. Six. Eight interlocking lizards. Sixty four. They grow outward, never appearing - just /having been there/ - and threaten to slice at everyone with their bladed edges.
Hanuman is now standing above them, cackling and dancing a mad jig. "THIS IS HOW MUCH I LIKE YOU ALL!"
You critically strike Gwendolyn with your Bedlam Masterworks: Escher Lizards attack.
You critically strike Cathak Lera with your Bedlam Masterworks: He Likes You THIIIIIS Much attack.
You get a glancing blow on Oswald with your Bedlam Masterworks: Tesselation attack.
You hit Simon Parker with your Bedlam Masterworks: Two Lizards Define A Plane? attack.
You critically strike Han Su Li with your Bedlam Masterworks: Yeah, You Call YOUR Artifacts Crazy attack.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya laughs melodically, like a singing bell. "Hanuman, dance for me! Ah, such a wonderful jester."
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "..."
[Citizen's Band] Catlike, Kerrigor quietly hums an annoying little song. Rather familiar. '...Oh the cat came back... the very next day...'
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "Excuse me, but why are you taunting your jester on public radio?"
[Citizen's Band] Catlike, Kerrigor says, "Good question."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Is somebody messing with Hanuman?"
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "He, like, drops mountains on people, you know. Is what I hear anyway."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Something about lifting mountains."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Taunting? Hardly."
"That's the difference between us, isn't it." Seki notes, shrugging a little. "I don't care if I'm real or not. I never really deserved to be. Not after..."
Seki trails off, looking over at the faltering troops. "Be careful. He takes his master's commands seriously. Try and find a way to keep his legs from moving." He's strangely subdued.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Hanuman is my jester - he dances. He dances for my entertainment. It's quite amusing."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Are you this desperate for an audience?"
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "I see."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Cause, y'know, I know this decent therepist out at the Hub, he might be able to help with that."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Seki, Seki...I am /never/ desperate. But you know how much I love a spectacle!"
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Do you like the lizards, by the way? I've not the slightest idea where he got them."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Oh, hi Seki. You know this guy?"
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "They are pretty nice. -yeah, you could call him an old friend."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "I am surprised how well your friends are doing. Perhaps next time they may merit my dog."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Is he the kind of friend who tries to kill me if he ever meets me? I like a heads up on that."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "You shouldn't be. I always choose my pieces carefully."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "...why would I /ever/ kill you, little boy? Dead people are so /boring/..."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Nah, dead people are like living people. Just with, y'know."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Fewer functioning organs."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "'Scream in torment, hope for ancestor worship, got forged into soulsteel' - honestly. They're simply not as /interesting/ as living mortals. Though if you're volunteering, I would be happy to oblige you."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "In this case, I'm sure you've figured out my strategy by now, which is why you know I'm going to win."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Captain."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Do I need to get my gun?"
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Yeah, no, I'm not volunteering. I'll get around to the whole dying thing at my own pace, please."
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Don't threaten me, Hunter, you won't like the consequences. I'm doing what I have to t'keep his attention off of the others."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Captain, I was referring to shooting the thing you are yelling at."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "As you please, little boy. As for you winning - perhaps you will! Perhaps you won't! I dearly hope you have /not/ become so predictable."
It is /baffling/ how the ape managed to turn the phozons into a blade of glass lizards, if not through sorcery. The hard-headed princess will ask later how these dangerous fairies operate, and if they are likely to seek allies in their Ringford kin. The blade cuts into her, sending her flying back as she finally lets out a cry of pain, reflexively.
She grabs her bleeding arm, gritting her teeth. "How dare you...make a /game/ of this? You are merely a bored coward who uses people for amusement, and I shall /not/ let you play with us as toys!" The princess rises back to her feet, holding her spear in both hands, and the Psypher reacts. So, for some reason, that man has Phozons near him. It may be somewhat painful to him if she absorbs them, but...
Well, it's that or possible death, or worse. They are saving him, technically, so let this be his thanks. She raises the spear, and Seki will feel rather strange as those Phozons are drained directly into the glowing Psypher crystal, the remnant life transforming into the unnatural jewel's power. A moment after, she turns to dash at the ape, stabbing and slashing with renewed vigor and rage. Valor? Probably.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her Powered By Dead People attack.
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "I have a better reason to live than to die. Therefore, we both know I must continue to try and live."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Yes, I suppose you do. I saw a twinge of desire in you - have you been strung into a Tale of Lust?"
Lera hisses sharply, blood oozing from from several shar wounds from the glass lizards. She gasps and stumbles backward, staring for a moment. The blood oozes from the wound, and she holds it with one side; one of her swords is temporarily dropped. She grits her teeth and looks at the Raksha, angrily. "This is no game... and this remains OUR WORLD!"
She lunges forward. Fire leaps from her feet as she goes airborne, and with her one sword, she comes down hard - and chops her blade at the ape.
Flame explodes from the sword, should it strike.
Cathak Lera hits Peleps Fals with her Falling Star Maneuver attack.
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki frown. "No. I'm pretty sure I was just a distraction on her travellog. I have no interest in being...entwined with other people."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Mmm. The Cup is such a fickle thing, yes. I have always preferred the Ring to the Cup."
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "er"
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter ahem.
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter audible adjustment of spectacles.
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "I'm terribly sorry, but, uh, cup?"
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Graces, my dear! Graces! I haven't at all interest in being your teacher, unless you offer me something interesting."
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "No, thanks. Thank you for that much."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki offers a cruder, probably rating-breaking explination.
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Seki, can I get a rundown on that later if you have /any/ idea what he's talking about? I keep notes on this stuff so it doesn't kill me later."
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Emotional manipulation. 'Graces' are Fair Folk powers."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior clears his throat uncomfortably.
As the... Escheresque maze of death erupts towards Simon, he shifts his weight backwards, falling to the ground. Shards of glass tear gashes in his leg, and he bleeds, but his vessel's too tough to be crippled by it. Parker shifts his weight again, shoving off the ground with his hands and rising to a half-crouch. As Hanuman reels, he waits for another opening...
And lunges. Simon grabs for the ape's right leg, locking his arms around it just behind the knee--his legs wrap around the Raksha's other knee. And the demon tightens his grip, trying to trap Hanuman in a risky two-limb pin.
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Oh, lovely."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Polite. Ah...the Valor burns in your pieces, Seki. Such a /feast/...a pity they're too interesting to eat."
[Citizen's Band] Frozen Heart says, "-H-hey, now! That sort of thign can be...discussed later, can't it?!"
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "By the ring, he means physical reality."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter scribble scribble.
Simon Parker misses Peleps Fals with his Deceitful Serpent Style: Wrapping The Coils stun.
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "You've gotta watch your girlish figure anyway."
The Shadow Knight is sliced by the glassine lizards, the strangely multiplying chaos cutting into him and leaving gashes in his armor. Finally, he is forced to let go of Hanuman, tumbling to the ground with blood splattering about from the dozens of shallow wounds across his body. He pulls out a kerchief, stanching the wounds as best he can. "I tire of this..." He can't make sense out of this. Nothing makes sense. What can he do when even his senses fail him? What doesn't work? That which works. What works? That which doesn't work.
He looks down at the bloody kerchief, and with swift movements, ties it around his eyes and over his ears. Block out everything... But himself and the blade. For several moments, he stands, the multiplying tesseract spreading towards him once more...
And with a swift movement, he cleaves into the wall of lizards, the blade cutting through them as he walks forward and throwing up showers of shattered crystal. One step, another, a third... And with a whipping of Belderiver, spins the blade and strikes out for Hanuman, letting the blade seek what it will. It was forged to obliterate... Let it find its own way to feed.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his Use The Resonance, Oswald? attack.
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Thanks."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "N-no, I guess it's okay... I mean."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "It's stuff I can keep in mind when I'm, y'know. Older, or..."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "OrIwaituntilmomanddadleavemehomewithoutababysitterandthenshapeshiftgottagotoaster'sringing."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior click.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya laughs. It's a very pretty laugh.
[Citizen's Band] Frozen Heart clears his throat. "What precisely is a Raksha doing there?!"
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Why, /laughing/."
Okay, Han's artifact is SANELY insane. That is, not being some random crap that spourts out of fever dreams! Because that's really where the Li feels he's at -- in a fever dream. This is so crazy. He's seen ridiculous weapons before, but that pretty much beats it.
He get slashed and slashed and slashed again by the spinning 'blades', multiple cuts ripping through his shirt, blooding it up. Han staggers, willing himself to remain focused, snarling back up.
"I've played better games of Go with a Vegetable than this!" Now, that's hardly intimidating and vaguely offending, but that's all Han could think of at the moment.
He was far too busy pulling out a pair of weapons that were much more familiar to him -- chopsticks. Regular, old, boring, mass-produced chopsticks that breaks half of the time when you try to separate them. In this case, it apparently DID break.
Best that way, it's probably going to add a few splinters in that damn crazy ape after he throws them.
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Never Doubt The Power Of Cheap Chopsticks attack.
Gwendolyn's spear absorbs Phozons - and her Valor flares. It is too much to resist - Markandeya takes a nibble bigger than his crumbfeeding. Such /pure/ courage - it's wonderful! And mildly disgusting to those who can see the spirit-mouth. "I cannot understand you, Seki. Not to care about that - but can any of us claim to deserve it? Perhaps we all do - or none! Perhaps you don't, perhaps you do! I feel you're interesting - so your existence is better than nonexistence now. Is that enough for you? After all - you play a /marvelous/ game with these pieces. Which is your Manse?"
Hanuman dances, his master's feeding making it enough for him to avoid Gwendolyn's blows. He jigs around them, though he cannot dance through fire. The Falling Star's flames tear into the ape, burning at his flesh and dreamstuff. The cackle he gives out is pained - but his sanity is gone, now - gone for a time until his Ring Grace is reforged. He's enjoying it all, the sensations and emotions. Simon's grab is avoided by a complex dance, as Hanuman capers and dances on the glass lizards - which have somehow become the floor. We don't ask. Oswald's blade, however, is Oblivion - and Oblivion is stronger than chaos, today. Hanuman shrieks in actual /pain/ - but his story asserts itself. Not as strong...but that /hurt/. At last, Han tosses chopsticks. Lots of chopsticks - and Hanuman ceases his jig at Markandeya's nod, catching the chopsticks and juggling them all.
One by one, they each fly at a foe, sharpened by madness and chaos - and each sprouting into a different flower.
You hit Gwendolyn with your For You, An Iris attack.
You critically strike Cathak Lera with your A Rose By Any Other Name attack.
You hit Oswald with your Poppies! Poppies Will Make Them Weep! attack.
You miss Simon Parker with your Lily-White You're Not - So Have A Lily attack.
You miss Han Su Li with your Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do attack.
The rose strikes into Lera - and cuts deep, thorns somehow slashing her far more deeply than they should. Blood oozes from her wounds and she hisses, dropping down with a gasp.
"Sharp..." she murmurs, before she crumples into a heap.
That flower proves to be more painful than it should be, digging into Gwendolyn's wounds. Her Valor is likely a feast, mixed with rage and physical pain. And that rage is directed in a wide manner, at this whole accursed world within a world. It should not be! The only way to keep it from being is to make this thing go away! The only way to make this thing go away is to entertain it, apparently...
Another bottle is pulled. This one is thick and black, truly /ugly,/ and within it swirls something unpleasant. The Toxin bottle is tossed directly at this creature, releasing a black, thick toxic cloud when it shatters, noxious and acidic. It seems so obsessed with beauty, so perhaps...
Meanwhile, several of the valkyries tend to Lera, carrying her back and tending to her wounded body. A giant stands guard with narrowed eyes.
Gwendolyn hits Peleps Fals with her Toxin Potion, I think it's called? attack.
Oswald sweeps his blade, and prepares to strike again before a poppy strikes, piercing easily through his gauntlet to transfix his hand. The Wyldspawned flower causes his hand to tremble, blood dropping onto the crushed shards of glass lizard. With a wrench, the hand clenches, crushing it in his hand. What can he do?
Oswald bends, picking up Belderiver with his other hand. The Shadow Knight continues to deny his senses, deny the chaos without as he draws upon the darkness within. The tides of destruction cannot be stopped. He feints high, and then low, before spinning and ripping Belderiver upwards in a brutal reverse-grip thrust that is torn across Hanuman's side.
Oswald gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with his Death Is Not A Hunter Unbeknownst To Its Prey, It Always Lies In Wait attack.
Scratch that. Chopsticks turning into flowers takes the new top of the 'WTF-O-METER'. Han didn't dodge that one, he raised his spear in a vain, thoughtless move and the razor sharp dasy deflected away harmlessly.
For a wooden weapon, that thing is pretty damn though.
He was about to attack, but something makes him stop. A brief glance to the side reveals that Lera has fallen...pretty bloodily, appropriatedly to the flower she was hit with.
That sight makes him angry. Really angry. Watching a good friend getting mutilated like that rises Han's ire to incredible heights.
Maybe it's the Wyld affecting his thought, maybe it's the battle making him feel things worse than he should, but one thing is certain -- he's pretty pissed off now.
"OKAY! THAT'S /IT!" The Li shouts, glaring daggers with his gaze at the ape. A burst of energy gathers around his feet in a neat, illumiated circle, emiting a loud, dull 'hmming' for all to hear. Just like before, this is chi, even if this time it has a completly different use
He leaps. Way higher than any man should be. A leap that could reach to the sky if Han didn't steered his momentum to the ground. His entire lower body glows with a bright light as he lash out a feet downward -- missing by excatly 5 feet.
He kicks again. Miss by 4 feet.
It keep going until he's close enough to kick once more...but this time, what follows, is a blindingly fast torrent of blows while Han remains, visibly, afloat.
"FLYING WINDMILL KIIIICK!"
Han Su Li juggles Peleps Fals with his Flying Windmill Kick combo.
Peleps Fals breaks Han Su Li's combo.
Simon does not call Valor by its name, because Valor is Valor no longer.
His emotions are a tangled miasma of fear, anger, desperation, and arrogance--and, naturally, more than a little 'too proud and stubborn to quit'.
The demon is fully expecting another counterattack, and when it comes, he's ready. He rolls to the side, pushes off the floor with a hand, and rises to a crouch; he looks at Hanuman, at his master, and back at Hanuman... mostly because he sees that mouth, and what the /hell/.
Simon then... takes a risk. The Balseraph's eyes close as he tries to concentrate--no easy feat, given the circumstances--reaching out to... whatever passes for order in this chaotic not-Symphony. And then he Sings, giving voice to a short, graceful set of notes accompanied by hand-gestures.
And if it works, Hanuman is going to get lasered.
Simon Parker critically strikes Peleps Fals with his pew pew attack.
As Lera drops, Markandeya laughs. It's a pretty laugh. A friendly laugh. A laugh that is most certainly not a /nice/ laugh, despite its sounds. "Oh...how wonderful it all is, so /unpredictable!/ I had thought the pretty young godling would go first."
Hanuman cannot dodge apparently, at least now - for he has ceased to dance. The Toxin Potion slams into him, the acid burning at him - but he remains beautiful, somehow. Supernaturally so. It is impossible to mar his beauty - when he is in Bedlam, at least. But the damage is no less real - and nor is the blade of Oswald, which slices through Hanuman, spilling more silver faux-blood. Han's feet fly also, battering at the beast, hammering it about - until finally the Law imposes itself again. Again and again the kicks come - until finally Hanuman regains his Supremacy in brawling, blocking the blows with his palms and tossing Han off - just in time to get burning lasers slamming into him. They burn with unholiness! Hanuman shrieks - not quite laughing so much any more, it hurts so much.
But he must dance. "Oooo, you are fast and clever, my friends! Shall I show you a pretty thing?" The ape-raksha begins /handwalking/ towards Gwendolyn - and makes an attempt to place his feet on her shoulders, flipping over her to land on his hands again - having placed his whole considerable weight on her. Then he handwalks to Oswald - and tries the same. Then Han, and then Simon. Not so chaotic, to try the same thing again - perhaps. Then again, is not Chaos the unexpected? Who expects chaos to do the expected?
You critically strike Gwendolyn with your Monkey Stand On Shoulders attack.
You hit Oswald with your Monkey Stand On Chest attack.
You get a glancing blow on Han Su Li with your Monkey Stand On Many Thing attack.
You miss Simon Parker with your Monkey Stand The Best attack.
"P-pretty young...how dare you-...!" Gwendolyn can't finish her sentence, as the large ape crushes her with his hand assault and leaves her on the ground for a moment, rumpled. It is tempting, very tempting, to lie there-but a princess cannot succumb. If she defeats this creature, this /fairy,/ Father will be proud of her. If he is proud enough, he may speak a kind word to her, and then...
She forces herself up with a fist, bloodied and battered, one of her feathers hanging ajar off of her wings. Her spear is raised again, and then she rues at him with full force, hitting him once, raising it again and striking him from above, then below, then in a wide arc.
Gwendolyn juggles Peleps Fals with her WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM combo.
Gwendolyn juggles Peleps Fals with her WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM combo.
Peleps Fals breaks Gwendolyn's combo.
Parker gets the hint when Gwen goes down: Don't get hit. The demon rises to his feet, narrows his eyes...
And whatever passes for reality here /bends/, just a little. Simon slips backwards, and out of the way of Hanuman's attack. A mote of Essence escapes into the multiverse.
As the Raksha is (hopefully) reeling from the Valkryie's assault, Simon attacks once more, fingers curled and claw-like.
"Will."
A vicious rake at Hanuman's eyes.
"You."
Another claw-rake at one of the jester's wounds, this one aimed at opening it further.
"Kindly."
A low snap-kick at his knee, just to throw him off-balance.
"Shut. Up!" Simon finishes with a backhand aimed at Hanuman's head--he's getting more annoyed and desperate by the moment, and this translates to him taking risks.
Simon Parker misses Peleps Fals with his Deceitful Serpent Style: Raking The Claws combo.
Oswald is a member of the school of 'kill them before they kill you'. In this case, it looks like he isn't doing so well. The ape handstands on Oswald, and he crunches nicely, the incredible strength shattering several portions of his shoulder armor. He slams into the ground, the blindfold flying off to skid across the ground. The sound of the mocking Fae rings in his ears... and his blood boils. Rage cuts through the incredible pain, and Oswald hisses, his body erupting into darkfire once again. The Shadow Demon rises, lunging towards Hanuman, the blade striking a multitude of times as he fuels his assault with pure, unadulterated anger. But it is not over. At the end of the blurred strike, he flips over Hanuman, cuttind down vertically as he lands, before slamming the blade towards the small of the monkey's back.
There is a flare of red light, as the life energy within Belderiver is brought to a boil... And from the tip of the blade, Phozons explode and detonate in a rush of force that would send the ape flying...
Straight for Markandeya. Over the rush, the Demon hisses, "Speak of Gwendolyn like that again and I will rip out your tongue, you cur."
Oswald switches armor modes to Shadow Demon.
Oswald juggles Peleps Fals with his And In Strange Aeons, Even Wyld May Die combo.
Oswald juggles Peleps Fals with his And In Strange Aeons, Even Wyld May Die combo.
Oswald juggles Peleps Fals with his And In Strange Aeons, Even Wyld May Die combo.
Peleps Fals breaks Oswald's combo.
Unlike SOME others here, Han don't have any armor whatsoever and, as such, his shoulders crunch quite nicely under the weight of the ape. The young man landed from his dreaded Flying Windmill Kick, knowing he has executed it with some success...
But now, he's on the ground, growling and bitting his lips to not shout out in pain from his wounded shoulders. Damn. Nothing's broke, he can feel that much. It's just /hurts a lot/ on the spot.
His earlier rage has subdued some, the flying kicks drained a lot of energy for him, but the fight is not over yet! He staggers back up, allowing ampletime for the 'godling' and the crazy shadow demon to attack while he regain a shred of dignity. He grasp Radiant Steel Blossom -- one of the ancestral Li weapon -- with both hands, waiting for an opening.
He finds one. Right before Oswald launch the Ape into it's master, Han ...tosses the spear, dashing immediatedly after it in a blurr of movement and pull it right out after it hits the monster, causing any wounds or not.
He's not too sure how he DID that, even less if he'll be able to do it out of here, but damn, he did it.
Han Su Li critically strikes Peleps Fals with his Throw 'n Pull Spear Toss attack.
Markandeya just laughs and laughs. He's enjoying the hell out of this. Presumably, Seki is plotting and scheming - but needn't pull his Trump Card, as Hanuman appears to be going down fairly well. If with a fight - and a good one.
The ape-raksha is first slashed and battered and stabbed by spears - and then manages to dance around every claw strike and blow from Simon, reeling from his wounds - luck, after all, is defined here by his master. Oswald slams at the ape-beast, strkining and cutting - and then kicking it at its master. In the seconds before impact, the spear of Han Su Li goes in deep, leaving a huge wound...
And then Hanuman flies in exactly the opposite direction, very fast. Markandeya shakes a finger, smiling beatifically. "Naughty, naughty...mustn't try to break the rules. You face my /champion/. Not myself." As he says this, there is a rushing sound. Hanuman is...flying in.
The rules have changed. 'Down,' for Hanuman, appears to be...variable. The ape curles up and cackles. "Watch me! Watch me, my friends! Laugh at Hanuman!" And then it is /pinball time/. Oswald is the center 'bumper', off which Hanuman seems to be bouncing - towards Han, towards Simon, towards Gwendolyn, in whatever direction - but Oswald is at the center. Perhaps the raksha is angry at Oswald for trying to harm his master. When it all finishes, Hanuman lands...on the ceiling, giggling to himself.
You juggle Oswald with your Pinball Wizard combo.
You juggle Oswald with your Pinball Wizard combo.
Oswald breaks your combo.
You hit Gwendolyn with your Bouncemania attack.
You miss Han Su Li with your Ape Pinball attack.
You critically strike Simon Parker with your Bounce Like You Really Mean It attack.
Gritting her teeth, the wounded Gwendolyn braces herself and holds her shield up defensively, but still takes the brunt of Hanuman's attack. She staggers, leaning against her spear to keep herself on her feet. Not now, not here in front of her troops, her allies, the curious way the Shadow Knight spoke of her...
"I...intend to do more than watch you, fairy! Now fall, in the name of the heir of all Erion, Demon Lord Odin!" She levels her spear, taking a step back and then dashing forward with all of her remaining strength. Her wings are folded back, to increase her running speed. Her armor clangs with each step, digging into the ground. And when she strikes Hanuman, she attempts to stab right into his gut, attacking with enough force and speed that her hair falls out of its bun and braid-falling out behind her in long, white waves.
Whether the attack is effective or not, she collapses immediately after, as a pair of valkyries fly towards her and tend to her alongside Lera. She does not move.
Gwendolyn hits Peleps Fals with her SPEEEEEEAAAAAAAAR will this hit? probably not but hey drama super.
Han, not taking time to take a breath and wonder just how he managed to pull off something like that, he dives down, barely avoiding the pinball ape and remain there for a good...oh, split second.
Then, he's in the air again, flying straight to the celling with his own spear, snarling out as he does. "IN THE NAME OF WHATEVER CRAZY GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER I'VE HAD," He begins rather well and respectfully of whatever ancestral spirits lying in the Guan Do, "Face the wrath of her spear, just like Walken shall if he dares challenge me!"
Let's get this straight -- a young man flying with a pointy stick up, directly to an ape on the celling, aiming for his head.
His fault for being a juicy target like that.
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Minds You, After Saying That After His Great Great Great Great Grandmother, Can't Expect Anything Good Out Of This attack.
"What do I care about your rules?" The Shadow Demon mutters. "This is nothing but an amusement for you. You treat people like /playthings/. You're no better than..." He trails off, mainly because he's busy getting blasted by ape. The ape rebounds off of him over and over, the darkness shattering once more and leaving him in his Shadow Knight form once more. But even then, his armor is shattering under the onslaught, leaving him standing as nothing more than a shredded patchwork of bruises, wounds, and cuts. The Faerie-forged armor is sent flying as he is struck repeatedly, and he reels like a boxer on the ropes.
But he still holds Belderiver. His hand flashes out as Hanuman bounces again, the accursed Psypher blade striking straight for Hanuman with the last of his fading strength. "War is not a /game/."
Oswald critically strikes Peleps Fals with his MELVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN attack.
Peleps Fals been knocked out!
Dodge. Dodge. Dodge. Simon is getting more and more annoyed, and this only escalates as Hanuman starts bouncing around like a pinball--the Raksha bounces off Simon's gut, bowling the demon over, and he lands /hard/. He lies there for a moment, trying to remember how the whole 'breathing' thing works, before he comes to his senses... and forces himself to his feet. Lera owes him for this. Seki owes him for this. A great many people owe him for this, if the Raksha Noble's banter is accurate.
...Unfortunately for Simon's ego, someone has other plans. As Markendeya's minion goes down, he turns to the man himself. He draws himself up, trying to look as threatening as he can while beaten-up, and arches an eyebrow. The unspoken question, obviously, is "Well?"
Gwendolyn's final attack slices Hanuman open, a silvery faux-blood spurt leaking from both sides of his body. A hole can be seen straight /through/ him. As Han leaps for the ceiling, the ape-raksha moves - and intercepts his mighty spear by allowing it to pass /through/ said hole. Hanuman shrieks - and then, as Oswald slices one last time with Beledriver, he is cut in two - and dissolves in white flames.
There is a clapping. Markandeya's hands. "War - is not a game, no. For you. You're mortal. You take it all so /seriously/." The Raksha Lord smiles widely. "You have defeated the least of my warriors. Hanuman is a wonderful servant - but battle was never his speciality." The Fair One may be lying - but who would know? "I am impressed. Peleps Kaizoku Seki chose his pawns well. I will keep my word and release my hold on this land. Your Valor has a great taste - and you, demonling. Your Compassion has a warm taste." He glances significantly at Gwendolyn - and then waves a hand. The court begins to fade.
"Is there anything you'd like to ask before we go?"
Oswald stands firm, fae ichor splattered across his body and Belderiver. He succeeded. But he will have to have a REALLY long talk with Seki about this. "Go then, and remember my words. Immortal or no, I will make you pay if you fail to heed them." Oswald turns, and looks to Gwendolyn. She will be assisted by her Raganival warriors. Instead, the Shadow Knight collects the pieces of his armor, and gets out a healing potion. It's been a hell of an evening.
There is, alas, very little that Han can say, shout, insult, scream, spit at the Fae as the court start to leave. As you know, the martial artist's leap was so great that he plowed through the hole and all the way up. Soon enough, whatever influence the wyld had over him and his chi is going to run out, but for now, the young man is one of the few men alive to fly.
"I do not forget." Markandeya turns and walks into the distance - without ever moving. He and his followers shrink as if moving far away, but never seem to leave their places. "I will be very interested to see how you make me pay, my friend, my little demonling...very interested. Take care of the godling girl."
That last may be a taunt - or advice - or both - or neither. With raksha, who can tell. Just before the Fae vanish, there is one last call. "Hanuman will be very happy to talk to you next time. I will reforge him with scars, as he would want."
And then - the Court of Markandeya is gone. Faded to nothing. The real world has reasserted itself. The room is a warehouse. The island is an island. Han Su Li has found himself on top of some crates.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Clever...goodbye, mortals. Next time, I hope you will be as interesting. Take care of the godling girl, my little demonling."
Some HIGH crates, at least.
CREAAAAK THUD TUMBLE CRASH.
Too bad Han was in disbalance due to the transition and promptly crashed through the crates, them falling all over him.
Oh well, he had worse.
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li CRASH CRACK BOOM.
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li says, "...I hate switch on-off gravity."
[Citizen's Band] Old Man Li says, "That why you learn punch gravity so hard, you fly through air while punching enemy!"
[Citizen's Band] Old Man Li says, "You need more training!"
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li says, "I couldn't!"
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li says, "That place was made out of /insanity/."
"...Guh." That's all Simon can say in response to the environs, the Raksha, and the fact that reality just decided to turn seven shades of /wrong/ on him. Maybe more. The demon presses a hand to his temple, grits his teeth...
...And nearly gets bowled over by Seki. The demon startles, stumbling out of the way of the oncoming pirate; the look he gives him can best be described as 'jaundiced', and he hisses something under his breath: "Game? What the hell is that thing talking about?"
And then Oswald nearly runs him through. The demon's eyes widen, and he pulls himself away, backpedaling out of range. "Buddy, I don't think this guy plays by those rules," he breathes.
Simon's reaction to the insult? Well, he's spent his entire life getting pushed around by people who could kill him without a second thought, so it amounts to 'indignation with a side of healthy fear'.
It does not surprise Gwendolyn when the Shadow Knight rushes ahead, in that monstrous form of his. What does surprise her is when he proves ineffectual. "So, you are a king who has chosen a champion for us? I see you do not think us worthy of your strongest." She stands up straight and tall, a princess in front of her troops. No need to /show/ fear. "...So be it. Let us see the true strength of your jester!"
She rushes forwards, the blue gem of the Psypher glowing brilliantly as she attempts to land rapid magical strikes against the magical ape. Her troops hang back at the moment, for it would be an insult to the princess to insist on a mob attack from the /start./
Gwendolyn switches armor modes to In Person.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her THE VALKYRIE RUSHES IN jab.
"He will make a story that he expects us to follow, but make no mistake, Mister Parker," Lera says in a dead serious tone. "This is no game." She scowls as she sees the monkey jester chosen as his champion. "We will have to follow this tale, to a point - it is part of his power, but it can be overcome!" Or so she tells herself; her mother never overcame her story, though. Lera found a way around it, beating it by placing her trust in others.
That is what she will have to do here. She sees Oswald move in and stares - she felt that bite before. She uses it to her advantage. Her swords move with a flourish and come out quickly, as she leaps ahead of the others, and comes down near the jester.
"You will find my blade to be no joke, and find me to be no mortal!" the Fire Aspect roars. She lands, blade stabbing downward - and then the left one finishes with a hard slash.
Cathak Lera gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with her Even Blade Style attack.
"She does that every time, Mark, it's great. Like an angry chicken." Seki continues. Social attack?!
Oh shit Hanuman. Seki's eyes narrow, seeing that their game isn't quite finished yet, and Markandeya has decided to play dirty this time. Which is, of curse, the best way to play. "Markandeya have known eachother a long time." Seki murmurs to Simon, "Since I was a kid. He likes playing Gateway with me. Only, fairy nobles? Not really big on sticking to the rules. Gets boring."
"How this works, folks." Seki says alloud, "Is we have to play by the fair folks's rules. If we win, they go home. If we lose, the Wyld gets to stay in the bit of Creation they've claimed, until something kicks them back out. Keep any grunt troops towards the rear, you need to have, y'know, style to handle these things." Seki looks back up at the noble, seemingly not intending on fighting at the moment, "-did you know, Marky, that Gwendolyn and Oswald here have fairies powerful enough in their home plane to hold a kingdom in their mortal realm?"
Oswald strikes... And is summarily negated. The flaring red eyes widen in surprise as he brings Belderiver up to prevent from skewering an ally, rebounding off of a wall and flipping into a shifting crouch. Hatred blazes forth from those red lights, as he waits a moment, listening to the situation...
Fine. If he wants to play that way, he'll play. The Shadow Demon surges forward with an inhuman howl, the Belderiver darting back and forth before... He leaps straight upwards, rebounding off of the ceiling to srive the deadly fang of death towards Hanuman with both hands.
He'll 'talk' to Seki about that 'boyfriend' crack later.
Oswald critically strikes Peleps Fals with his Acrobatics Are Fundamental attack.
Okay, let's recapitulate for a second, here: Out of all things that this...Rakashathingimabob would bring out to fight them he calls down...the ape. The monkey. A /Jester/ monkey, which makes it either a pure insult or something far more dreadful is going to happen with that creature.
Han's past experiences with jesters -- and clowns in general -- makes him lean to the latter. As such, the martial artist is divided bettewn feeling vaguely insulted and downright uneager of finding out that this thing can do. "Okay...Alright! FINE! If that's what we gotta do!" He shouts after hearing the explanations and charges onward.
It's looks pretty boring, really. The young man charging with that beautifuly well crafted spear of his, as if all creativity of attack was robbed of him since he arrived in the Wyld.
In truth, he just don't know to use a bloody spear. He can use chopsticks, spoons, chairs, tables, bodies and watermelons to deadly effect, but a spear? Nope. No go.
Han Su Li gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with his One Of Thoses Generic Charges attack.
"Is she, Seki? What wonderful friends you have." Markandeya's voice has reverted to its normal cheery, happy tone. He laughs with that same musical, bell-like laugh. "Such wonderful /fire/ to their souls. Do they have those, though? How wonderfully different! I shall have to pay a visit."
He does not seem at all worried about Hanuman, though he does draw one of his many rings from a finger. He holds it up in the light.
Hanuman is not doing so well. The laughing ape dances around Gwendolyn, tumbling and capering. "Hahahaha, you are so fu-" Urk. The ape stops speaking as - first, a sword slices through his back. Then /another/ sword pierces his skull. Finally, a spear stabs his side. He blinks. "...that's not funny."
As Hanuman says this, cracks appear in the ring in Markandeya's hand. "No, Hanuman. They don't think you're funny at all, do they? My my..." And he presses on the ring - which shatters into gossamer shards, all of which burn up. Hanuman's face contorts, as he falls...
Seki and Lera will know of this, perhaps from legend. When a raksha passes beyond even their measure of 'sanity,' he falls to Bedlam, the terrible curse of madness. But for some, Bedlam is no curse...as Hanuman shows. His face shifts to a mad rictus, an insane smile, staring eyes - but his body shifts, muscles growing upon muscles, claws sprouting from fingertips, jewelery shifting to grasping strands - and Hanuman laughs. It is not a happy laugh. It is a beautiful laugh, of course - for somehow, Hanuman's form now /radiates/ beauty and desire, a thing of ambrosial madness that tugs at the mind with its beauty...but his face is mad, and his laugh is madder. For Hanuman, the Bedlam is no curse - it is a spectacular insanity.
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
DEATH JESTER HANUMAN
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
"He's... Dragons!" Lera snaps, as she looks at the horrific monster. Her eyes widen - and she takes a few steps backward, her voice catching in her throat. "He's entering Bedlam!" She had heard of this - her mother had known much of the Fair Ones, reading texts that had been banned for centuries by the Immaculate Order. Lera had a fraction of this knowledge, and thus more than most have. She grits her teeth. "Be careful! This one is no longer what he once was!"
She decides to forego her swords for now, with a cautious leap back. Lera perches where she lands, sliding her blades into her sheaths. She slings her bow over her shoulder and redraws her bowstring. The arrow is raised, slowly.
She squints with one eye, and looses the arrow into the ape's hide with her supernatural strength.
Cathak Lera hits Peleps Fals with her It's Kinda Like Princess Monoke attack.
"This...thing is your friend!?" Gwendolyn, unaware of how similar she is to Oswald at this moment, will question Seki about that later. For at the moment, the ape has turned into an evil beast of sorts-a magnificently beautiful, terrifying beast, no less.
"You heard him," she barks to her troops, "stay back unless absolutely necessary! I shall put my life on the line." The troops mutter in mild protest, for no barbarian desires to miss a fight, but they obey. The princess herself leaps up to catch the air beneath her outspread wings, floating and drifting above the ape. Her spear glimmers, and then with rapid force, she dives down at the Bedlam creature from above and attempts to drive the spear into his shoulder or back.
Gwendolyn gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with her Dive Bomb attack.
Oswald has no troops. Oswald needs no troops. But he's no Boromir, as he rips Belderiver out of the ape's head and flips backwards once more. The pulsing darkness grows unsteady, the eyes flickering... But the Shadow Demons shakes its head. About /time/ Gwendolyn got off her butt and started fighting, he thinks. The appearance of this creature of magnificent beauty, insanity, and destruction causes even the Shadow Demon to pause for a moment. This is truly a beast worth slaying...
The fact that he's helping Creation may or may not be a factor as well. Nevertheless, Oswald streaks in from the flank as Dwendolyn goes aerial, and darts in low, striking at the legs of the beast much like a wolf pack attacks from all sides.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his So Where's Fenrir, Anyway? attack.
You take 25 damage.
"Oh, that's just /great/!" Han Su Li shouts out, his eyes widening with what very well might be a bit of fear and awe. "First we had to fight some dangerous insanity jester monkey, and now THAT thing has become even MORE insaner! Jeeze!" The Martial artist loudly complains, backing off with his spear and giving himself a few seconds to calm himself. A deep breath in, a quick one out. Harmony. Just like your old man told you, Han.
A mad creature made of pure madness becoming even MORE mad is just as hard than fighting a demon. Really. It is. That's what he'd say!
"They're not the kind to go so crazy that they loop all the way back to sane, aren't they!?" The Li shouts, returning to the charge but he does it differently this time. He slams that spear of his into the ground like a javelin and vaults toward the now Deadly Jester, lashing out a feet glowing with inner power. "DRAGON'S SMITH ARROW KICK!" He shouts.
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Dragon's Smight Arrow Kick! attack.
The sun sets.
Simon can't see it, of course, but he /feels/ it--the Symphony comes flooding back as his attunement lapses, and sweet, precious Essence flows into him a moment later.
Simon takes in what Seki has to say, and gives a vague toss of the head. "I will, but it looks like--"
Oh shi.
Parker looks... enraptured, for about three seconds, at the sudden change.
Then he calmly reaches into his shoulder-holster, draws his pistol, and fires.
Simon Parker misses Peleps Fals with his Flippant? Or just seriously annoyed? attack.
Peleps Kaizoku Seki knows a fair amount about the Fair Folk, having attracted the interest of a few between his adventures with his cousin Fals and his Exaltation within a fairy's domain. "Actually, he tried to eat my family's souls." Seki notes, "But other than that he's not a bad guy. Kinda has a temper when I do things like point out that random chaos isn't very random at all, but hey, who doesn't?" Seki may be lieing.
Okay, he's definately lieing, but these guys don't warrent the full story yet. He idly pulls his own pistol out of his coat, twirling it in his hand a few times but otherwise still watching to see how his unwitting minions do against the Death Jester.
"You know, keep doing that to the poor man, and he's gonna turn on you in the end." Seki points out, smiling a little. He's confident that the pieces /he/ picked are superior.
"Hanuman? Turn on /me/? Seki, surely you don't mean to think that I /mistreat/ my favorite jester..." Markandeya laughs. "Nothing could be further from the case. In fact, I enacted a Law recently. None may be a finer brawler than Hanuman. Ah...but the valor here - oh, the /Valor/. I can /taste/ it..." Markandeya smiles broadly - and, to those with the vision of the spirit world, has extended a mouth from his /ear/, and is feeding on the ambient bravery and valor. Just crumbs - it would not do to ravish his experiment - but food is food.
Hanuman is having the time of his life. Bedlam is a release - a marvelous thing for him - and few other Raksha. He dances between blows, laughing madly as he tumbles and rolls under Han, leaping into the air on one massive hand and /catching/ Simon's bullet, closing his fist around it. As he lands, Lera's arrow strikes his chest, and silvery blood trickles down it - followed by Gwendolyn's spear slashing at his shoulder, though the ape leans forward as the slash comes, making it a shallow cut. Then Oswald's sword slices at his legs, and Hanuman shrieks - but in pleasure or pain? "Oh, your gift! It is marvelous!" His voice is twisted, an insane mockery of voices everywhere - and the ape opens his hand, revealing the bullet has...sprouted.
Into a tree. The tree grows from his palm, its leaves spreading - and turning to face Simon, an eye on the bottom of each. "Here is my gift!" He tosses the bush at the demon, and when it gets close, the bush tries to wrap around Simon, to constrict painfully.
Then he turns his attention to the pack around him, his handlike foot stretching out to slap Han across the face as he stands on one leg and one hand, his free hand raking claws at Gwendolyn. "Dance! Dance for Hanuman! LAugh at Hanuman, dance for him!" He cackles - and then shifts into a cartwheel, his flailing limbs flying at Oswald - and then at Lera, as he rolls towards her.
You hit Simon Parker with your Bedlam Masterwork: The Bush That Sees A Thousand Truths - Tenintara attack.
You get a glancing blow on Han Su Li with your No, This Is How - Obey The Law attack.
You get a glancing blow on Oswald with your Down Boy! attack.
You hit Gwendolyn with your Aren't I Funny? attack.
You get a glancing blow on Cathak Lera with your DANCE FOR HANUMAN attack.
Lera isn't exactly ready to handle Hanuman. When he rolls at her, her eyes widen and she tries to nock another arrow, but has no such luck - the ape rolls right into her and she is entangled in the maddened Fair One for half a second. Her eyes widen sharply, as her bow is lost. Her arrow, however, is not; she adjusts her grip on the wooden shaft.
She then stabs the arrow down, hard, and tries to stab it deeply into the Fair One. She will break it off, if she can - and then lets go, and rolls away from him. She comes up in a crouch, taking a breath, and aching from having been rolled into - but at least nothing is broken.
Cathak Lera misses Peleps Fals with her Broken Arrow attack.
[Fac-IPA] Simon Parker, over combat sounds: "'No one may be finer brawler' than this thing?"
[Fac-IPA] Gwendolyn says, "Why is he referring to a 'gift' so?"
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter interested grunt.
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Could be pain, could be their feasting on your courage, could just be psyching you out."
"-What /is/ this creature?! What sorcery...?!" The claws rake against the valkyrie, slicing into her, though she refuses to do more than flinch in the pain. To show fear against an enemy is to show weakness, and there is no valkyrie who fears death. That is, of course, the worst this thing can do. It can kill her.
"If you are so fond of sorcery," she hisses as she reaches into her satchel. "Stand clear of it for just this moment...!" From it she draws a glass bottle, warm to the touch, with a red-orange liquid glowing inside. The bottle has a small label, "N." As she tosses it at the ape's feet, the liquid bursts into flame, exploding on contact as the bottle shatters. It is not a widespread explosion, but it is potent, the result of alchemy.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her Why is the Napalm potion made with onion mandrakes? attack.
Down, boy indeed. The cartweel blow slams into the Shadow Demon, the darkness shattering from around him as he slams towards one of the 'walls'. He tries to flip around in midair to take the impact properly, but a foot slips, turning a perfect landing into a crackling shriek of metal and a swift clattering trip to the floor. Oswald grunts at the pain, and pulls himself back to his feet. Belderiver spins in his hand, and he does the unexpected: He raises the weapon and flings it at Hanuman in a spinning strike. Oswald instantly bolts in from another vector, slower in this state but no less tenacious. "What do we care for your law?" Oswald mutters. "This isn't your land." He leans, and dives in for Hanuman, leaping upon the monkey's back. A black-gauntleted hand reaches out, catching Belderiver in his hand, before he hangs on with one hand and stabs down with the other. "Now die!"
Oswald switches armor modes to Shadow Knight.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his On Your Monkey's Back, Stabbin' Ur Jesters attack.
"You people can do better than this." Seki notes, frowning a little. Maybe he'll need to use the magic bullet tonight after all. If only the combat system had buffs, his War Charms might be worth something!
...woah, Seki thinks, I've been in the Wyld too long. Shaking the metatext out of his head, the Kaizoku continues matching gazes with the Fairy Noble, idly licking his lips. "But a perfect servent isn't a very good story, now, is it?" Seki idly debates, frowning at the implications of the law.
His eyes gleam slightly, as faint whisps of Essence touch the other fighters, Seki's Exalted power bringing with it inspiration; suddenly, fighting as a unit doesn't seem impossible. If anything, it seems /easy/, as though you'd all done so through dozens of battles. It's a start, at least.
Somewhere on the MUSH, Orihime Inoue has connected.
The bush strikes Simon dead-on. Its branches grow with alarming speed, entwining about his chest; the demon lets out a startled cry as his weapon arm is suddenly pinned to his side, and the branches holding him start to constrict.
The Balseraph's eyes narrow to slits, and with his free arm, he grabs a handful of vines--wood creaks, groans, and gives as he pulls. With a violent shudder, Simon frees himself from his bonds, and breaks off a foot-long piece of wood from the bush. Gripping it dagger-like, he waits for an opening... And then rushes forwards, stabbing the improvised stake at Hanuman.
Simon Parker gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with his This would've been a burning bush reference instead, but I don't have any fire Songs. attack.
There's few things more annoying than getting bitch slaped by a monkey's -- as mad and supernatural it might be -- foot. Hulmiating, too, for that matter. As such, Han flies a metre or so away from the impact, flipping in mid-air and landing on the ground after a few paces of skiding. Oh, it's /on/, now. It's so going to ATE it!
"REAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Li screams as he straightens up, spinning his spear expertly -- just like he would with a staff. Miraculously, he avoid to stab himself accidently, not forgetting that, unlike a staff, this thing has a very pointy, painful end. Fighters sensitive to spiritual energy can feel some gathering into the young man's body, to then...suddenly, immediatedly vanish into his hands.
He reels his wide opened hand back and thurst it foward against the ape, unleashing a nearly invisible blast of pure fighting energy. "EMPTY HAND THRUST!"
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Empty Hand Thrust attack.
"Oh, you know my way, Seki - I never keep /full/ control. Knowing what's going to happen next - I have /told/ you about when I did that, didn't I? Hardly interesting. But Hanuman - oh, Hanuman would not betray me without a full story to explain it! And if that is done - oh, what a story that would be!" The feast of crumbs continues, as Markandeya laughs, feeding off the bits of Valor and Courage that are in the air. "But...well, this /is/ my land, have you noticed? My court. You will obey my law...as for you, little godling...this is no sorcery. No sorcery at all."
Hanuman continues his capering. If the huge ape were not in the process of beating people up, it would be comical. Oswald's blade slams into Hanuman's back, followed by Oswald landing on said back and stabbing it again. Hanuman cackles at the pain, the beautiful, horrible pain. Then Simon's stake slams into his knee as he steps back spreading his arms and pointing at something only he can see.
And then the ape suddenly lunges forward, catching the Napalm Bottle before it shatters. He slips beneath the broken arrow with the lunge, and comes up next to Han - and holds his free hand out, giving Han a high five as he slams his palm forward. Somehow, the chi does not burn him - perhaps because it shifts as he touches it, shaping into Wyld energy, chaotic power that creates a burst of singing daffodils that turn into crows.
Then Hanuman begins to juggle the bottle, ;aughing. "Pretty-pretty, all of you! So pretty! But I can make you prettier! Pretty as anything!" The ape hurls the bottle back at Gwendolyn as he turns, leaps into the air - and somersaults, perhaps crushing Oswald if he is not fast enough to leave the raksha's back. He continues rolling, trying to tumble over Lera as if she were a bowling pin - and then he stands, his claw stretching out to grab at Simon - and hurl him at Han. "Yes! Bruises make you pretty-pretty-prettier! Such colors, the purple and red and brown!"
You miss Gwendolyn with your Jesters Can Juggle Too attack.
You critically strike Oswald with your Crushed Under Ape attack.
You get a glancing blow on Cathak Lera with your Also Crushed Under Ape attack.
You get a glancing blow on Simon Parker with your Are You Fay Wray? attack.
You hit Han Su Li with your Are You Bruce Cabot? attack.
Lera manages to roll away to avoid being completely crushed by Hanuman, but his Law proves true: he can strike, and strike hard. The blow slams into Lera and knocks her to the side. She rolls as she hits the ground, and then pushes a hand against the floor - and comes back up, standing as she does. "I'm quite satisfied with my appearance!" she shouts at the Fair One.
Her blades are drawn again. Lera leaps - clearing the floor with a smooth jump, to land near Hanuman as his claw strikes at Simon Parker. The left sword stabs at the ape. The right swings out in an arc right in front of her.
Cathak Lera critically strikes Peleps Fals with her Double Slash attack.
Gwendolyn takes flight again, catching the bottle before it can burst, placing the volatile contents back in her bag to settle. While they are inside, they will remain stable-she hopes, at least, in /this/ strange and beautiful world. "This is not a /game/ I appreciate," she notes in a cold tone of warning.
Are there Phozons here? Likely not; nothing has died here, from what she can tell, and there is nothing to release life energy. She will have to rely on what is currently stored in her spear. She raises it into the air, closing her eyes and charging as it glows softly-and then explodes outward in a brilliant light, one she hopes will catch the ape unawares as he's hit with the force of elemental life energy, channeled through a weapon.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her Phozon Burst attack.
"If you say so." Seki says simply, smiling a little. "I think you said it drove you a little crazy. Made you question if even you were real, could exist, or if that was a privelage solely for the grey people of Creation. That is why you're so facinated with us, yeah? Envy."
"Also, I feel compelled to tell you that brown is the same color as poo gas, which is the opposite of pretty." Seki actually likes brown, especially when paired with blue hair and a greedy gleam in her eye...Seki shakes his head.
Gwendolyn may aslo notice that Seki is positivly /covered/ in Phozons, as though he spent his time rolling around in freshly emptied battlefields.
Damned, dirty ape.
Hanuman grabs Simon by the front of his shirt, and before the demon can react, he's airborne. He strikes something shoulder-first, rolls, and comes up to a knee; hell, that smarts, but who did he...?
"Sorry about that," he says to Han. The demon stands, bloodied 'stake' still clutched in his right hand, and backs off as Hanuman launches another attack. Awfully acrobatic, now wouldn't it be a shame if...
Parker rushes in again, bringing his arms up to guard himself as he takes aim--his right leg whips up and around in a vicious kick. He's aiming for the head, really, but he'll settle for just hitting the guy.
Simon Parker critically strikes Peleps Fals with his Boot to the head! attack.
"Only until someone stronger comes." Oswald retorts. "This madness has no place in the world." The Shadow Knight grapples with Hanuman, preparing to strike again, only to be crushed under the sudden roll. Oswald groans as armor buckles and bones pop... But he doesn't let go, hands twitching as he is solidly bruised up from the Monkey of Death.
From below, he growls, "Get off of me, you damned... dirty... APE!" There is a flare of Phozon energy, and from below the ape, a torrential cyclonic wind rises. The swirling force roils about the battlefield, carrying anything it catches about until it hits something large enough to disperse it. Regardless, though, Oswald is clamped down on the monkey, stabbing away.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his HESTON IS MY LIEGE LORD OR SOMETHING attack.
The daffodils turning into crows makes Han pause visibly, staring blankly at them. Grave mistake, for before he knows it, he got some dude crashing straight into him, sending him to the ground.
"No problem," Grunts Han in a tone tha definetively says the contrary, flipping back to his feets and glaring at the monkey. So, kicking didn't, blasting didn't work, only spearing worked so far. Li glares down at that spear -- gleaming with an inner light, the long sash blowing to a wind of it own. He talks to it. "So, that's what it is, huh? Spear that's only like female members of the Li. Okay, look,"
He's really talking to his weapon now, lifting it straight in front of himself, staring at the blade. "It's not the time to be /picky/. If I don't get out of here in one piece, you'll be stuck in here for...well, for a pretty damn long while and whatever thoses creeps will do to us. SO." He narrows his eyes. "Do your best, please? Thanks. I'm glad we could have this conversation."
Han then smoothly shifts into a more battle worty stance -- the weapon lifted up toward the ape -- and charges, reeling back his holding hand to get some momentum and...he stabs.
If Han's little talk had any effect remains to be seen...but it glowed a bit. Maybe it's just the lightning.
Han Su Li hits Peleps Fals with his I Swear, My Family's Ancient Relics Are As Just Screwed Up Than My Grandfather attack.
"Mmmm...yes, it made me question whether I was real...and whether /you/ were. Tell me, Seki - are you real? Or are you a dream-actor, in a world of dreams, in the mind of a man? But I enjoy this game. Such beautiful Valor, like a feast - tantalizing, so tantalizing...but no. No, I shall not devour it all. As for this 'madness' - this is not madness. It is the Wyld! Though you are correct...it has no place /in this world./" Markandeya smiles, not at all caring that he has gone far more meta than he should. He is of the Wyld, after all.
Hanuman's hand comes up, catching the phozon burst and closing around it. Somehow. One should not ask those questions of a raksha going through glorious Bedlam, his mind and nature warped to madness and chaos. However - chaos does not save it this time, as first Lera's blades slash through Hanuman as his arm moves into the path of both - and then Simon slams it in the head with a nasty kick. The ape laughs uproariously. "Ahahahahah! I like you! I will show you how much I like you!" Oswald's blade slams into Hanuman again and again, drawing silvery faux-blood - and Han's spear stabs into the beast, bringing more. Yet still it stands, cackling.
Then Hanuman opens his hand. Where the phozon burst hand been caught is...a glass lizard. A single glass lizard.
Two glass lizards. Four. Six. Eight interlocking lizards. Sixty four. They grow outward, never appearing - just /having been there/ - and threaten to slice at everyone with their bladed edges.
Hanuman is now standing above them, cackling and dancing a mad jig. "THIS IS HOW MUCH I LIKE YOU ALL!"
You critically strike Gwendolyn with your Bedlam Masterworks: Escher Lizards attack.
You critically strike Cathak Lera with your Bedlam Masterworks: He Likes You THIIIIIS Much attack.
You get a glancing blow on Oswald with your Bedlam Masterworks: Tesselation attack.
You hit Simon Parker with your Bedlam Masterworks: Two Lizards Define A Plane? attack.
You critically strike Han Su Li with your Bedlam Masterworks: Yeah, You Call YOUR Artifacts Crazy attack.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya laughs melodically, like a singing bell. "Hanuman, dance for me! Ah, such a wonderful jester."
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "..."
[Citizen's Band] Catlike, Kerrigor quietly hums an annoying little song. Rather familiar. '...Oh the cat came back... the very next day...'
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "Excuse me, but why are you taunting your jester on public radio?"
[Citizen's Band] Catlike, Kerrigor says, "Good question."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Is somebody messing with Hanuman?"
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "He, like, drops mountains on people, you know. Is what I hear anyway."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Something about lifting mountains."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Taunting? Hardly."
"That's the difference between us, isn't it." Seki notes, shrugging a little. "I don't care if I'm real or not. I never really deserved to be. Not after..."
Seki trails off, looking over at the faltering troops. "Be careful. He takes his master's commands seriously. Try and find a way to keep his legs from moving." He's strangely subdued.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Hanuman is my jester - he dances. He dances for my entertainment. It's quite amusing."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Are you this desperate for an audience?"
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "I see."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Cause, y'know, I know this decent therepist out at the Hub, he might be able to help with that."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Seki, Seki...I am /never/ desperate. But you know how much I love a spectacle!"
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Do you like the lizards, by the way? I've not the slightest idea where he got them."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Oh, hi Seki. You know this guy?"
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "They are pretty nice. -yeah, you could call him an old friend."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "I am surprised how well your friends are doing. Perhaps next time they may merit my dog."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Is he the kind of friend who tries to kill me if he ever meets me? I like a heads up on that."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "You shouldn't be. I always choose my pieces carefully."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "...why would I /ever/ kill you, little boy? Dead people are so /boring/..."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Nah, dead people are like living people. Just with, y'know."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Fewer functioning organs."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "'Scream in torment, hope for ancestor worship, got forged into soulsteel' - honestly. They're simply not as /interesting/ as living mortals. Though if you're volunteering, I would be happy to oblige you."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "In this case, I'm sure you've figured out my strategy by now, which is why you know I'm going to win."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Captain."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Do I need to get my gun?"
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "Yeah, no, I'm not volunteering. I'll get around to the whole dying thing at my own pace, please."
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Don't threaten me, Hunter, you won't like the consequences. I'm doing what I have to t'keep his attention off of the others."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Captain, I was referring to shooting the thing you are yelling at."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "As you please, little boy. As for you winning - perhaps you will! Perhaps you won't! I dearly hope you have /not/ become so predictable."
It is /baffling/ how the ape managed to turn the phozons into a blade of glass lizards, if not through sorcery. The hard-headed princess will ask later how these dangerous fairies operate, and if they are likely to seek allies in their Ringford kin. The blade cuts into her, sending her flying back as she finally lets out a cry of pain, reflexively.
She grabs her bleeding arm, gritting her teeth. "How dare you...make a /game/ of this? You are merely a bored coward who uses people for amusement, and I shall /not/ let you play with us as toys!" The princess rises back to her feet, holding her spear in both hands, and the Psypher reacts. So, for some reason, that man has Phozons near him. It may be somewhat painful to him if she absorbs them, but...
Well, it's that or possible death, or worse. They are saving him, technically, so let this be his thanks. She raises the spear, and Seki will feel rather strange as those Phozons are drained directly into the glowing Psypher crystal, the remnant life transforming into the unnatural jewel's power. A moment after, she turns to dash at the ape, stabbing and slashing with renewed vigor and rage. Valor? Probably.
Gwendolyn misses Peleps Fals with her Powered By Dead People attack.
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "I have a better reason to live than to die. Therefore, we both know I must continue to try and live."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Yes, I suppose you do. I saw a twinge of desire in you - have you been strung into a Tale of Lust?"
Lera hisses sharply, blood oozing from from several shar wounds from the glass lizards. She gasps and stumbles backward, staring for a moment. The blood oozes from the wound, and she holds it with one side; one of her swords is temporarily dropped. She grits her teeth and looks at the Raksha, angrily. "This is no game... and this remains OUR WORLD!"
She lunges forward. Fire leaps from her feet as she goes airborne, and with her one sword, she comes down hard - and chops her blade at the ape.
Flame explodes from the sword, should it strike.
Cathak Lera hits Peleps Fals with her Falling Star Maneuver attack.
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki frown. "No. I'm pretty sure I was just a distraction on her travellog. I have no interest in being...entwined with other people."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Mmm. The Cup is such a fickle thing, yes. I have always preferred the Ring to the Cup."
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "er"
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter ahem.
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter audible adjustment of spectacles.
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "I'm terribly sorry, but, uh, cup?"
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Graces, my dear! Graces! I haven't at all interest in being your teacher, unless you offer me something interesting."
[Citizen's Band] Celene Hunter says, "No, thanks. Thank you for that much."
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki offers a cruder, probably rating-breaking explination.
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Seki, can I get a rundown on that later if you have /any/ idea what he's talking about? I keep notes on this stuff so it doesn't kill me later."
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Emotional manipulation. 'Graces' are Fair Folk powers."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior clears his throat uncomfortably.
As the... Escheresque maze of death erupts towards Simon, he shifts his weight backwards, falling to the ground. Shards of glass tear gashes in his leg, and he bleeds, but his vessel's too tough to be crippled by it. Parker shifts his weight again, shoving off the ground with his hands and rising to a half-crouch. As Hanuman reels, he waits for another opening...
And lunges. Simon grabs for the ape's right leg, locking his arms around it just behind the knee--his legs wrap around the Raksha's other knee. And the demon tightens his grip, trying to trap Hanuman in a risky two-limb pin.
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Oh, lovely."
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Polite. Ah...the Valor burns in your pieces, Seki. Such a /feast/...a pity they're too interesting to eat."
[Citizen's Band] Frozen Heart says, "-H-hey, now! That sort of thign can be...discussed later, can't it?!"
[Fac-IPA] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "By the ring, he means physical reality."
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter scribble scribble.
Simon Parker misses Peleps Fals with his Deceitful Serpent Style: Wrapping The Coils stun.
[Citizen's Band] Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "You've gotta watch your girlish figure anyway."
The Shadow Knight is sliced by the glassine lizards, the strangely multiplying chaos cutting into him and leaving gashes in his armor. Finally, he is forced to let go of Hanuman, tumbling to the ground with blood splattering about from the dozens of shallow wounds across his body. He pulls out a kerchief, stanching the wounds as best he can. "I tire of this..." He can't make sense out of this. Nothing makes sense. What can he do when even his senses fail him? What doesn't work? That which works. What works? That which doesn't work.
He looks down at the bloody kerchief, and with swift movements, ties it around his eyes and over his ears. Block out everything... But himself and the blade. For several moments, he stands, the multiplying tesseract spreading towards him once more...
And with a swift movement, he cleaves into the wall of lizards, the blade cutting through them as he walks forward and throwing up showers of shattered crystal. One step, another, a third... And with a whipping of Belderiver, spins the blade and strikes out for Hanuman, letting the blade seek what it will. It was forged to obliterate... Let it find its own way to feed.
Oswald hits Peleps Fals with his Use The Resonance, Oswald? attack.
[Fac-IPA] Celene Hunter says, "Thanks."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "N-no, I guess it's okay... I mean."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "It's stuff I can keep in mind when I'm, y'know. Older, or..."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior says, "OrIwaituntilmomanddadleavemehomewithoutababysitterandthenshapeshiftgottagotoaster'sringing."
[Citizen's Band] Nergal Junior click.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya laughs. It's a very pretty laugh.
[Citizen's Band] Frozen Heart clears his throat. "What precisely is a Raksha doing there?!"
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Why, /laughing/."
Okay, Han's artifact is SANELY insane. That is, not being some random crap that spourts out of fever dreams! Because that's really where the Li feels he's at -- in a fever dream. This is so crazy. He's seen ridiculous weapons before, but that pretty much beats it.
He get slashed and slashed and slashed again by the spinning 'blades', multiple cuts ripping through his shirt, blooding it up. Han staggers, willing himself to remain focused, snarling back up.
"I've played better games of Go with a Vegetable than this!" Now, that's hardly intimidating and vaguely offending, but that's all Han could think of at the moment.
He was far too busy pulling out a pair of weapons that were much more familiar to him -- chopsticks. Regular, old, boring, mass-produced chopsticks that breaks half of the time when you try to separate them. In this case, it apparently DID break.
Best that way, it's probably going to add a few splinters in that damn crazy ape after he throws them.
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Never Doubt The Power Of Cheap Chopsticks attack.
Gwendolyn's spear absorbs Phozons - and her Valor flares. It is too much to resist - Markandeya takes a nibble bigger than his crumbfeeding. Such /pure/ courage - it's wonderful! And mildly disgusting to those who can see the spirit-mouth. "I cannot understand you, Seki. Not to care about that - but can any of us claim to deserve it? Perhaps we all do - or none! Perhaps you don't, perhaps you do! I feel you're interesting - so your existence is better than nonexistence now. Is that enough for you? After all - you play a /marvelous/ game with these pieces. Which is your Manse?"
Hanuman dances, his master's feeding making it enough for him to avoid Gwendolyn's blows. He jigs around them, though he cannot dance through fire. The Falling Star's flames tear into the ape, burning at his flesh and dreamstuff. The cackle he gives out is pained - but his sanity is gone, now - gone for a time until his Ring Grace is reforged. He's enjoying it all, the sensations and emotions. Simon's grab is avoided by a complex dance, as Hanuman capers and dances on the glass lizards - which have somehow become the floor. We don't ask. Oswald's blade, however, is Oblivion - and Oblivion is stronger than chaos, today. Hanuman shrieks in actual /pain/ - but his story asserts itself. Not as strong...but that /hurt/. At last, Han tosses chopsticks. Lots of chopsticks - and Hanuman ceases his jig at Markandeya's nod, catching the chopsticks and juggling them all.
One by one, they each fly at a foe, sharpened by madness and chaos - and each sprouting into a different flower.
You hit Gwendolyn with your For You, An Iris attack.
You critically strike Cathak Lera with your A Rose By Any Other Name attack.
You hit Oswald with your Poppies! Poppies Will Make Them Weep! attack.
You miss Simon Parker with your Lily-White You're Not - So Have A Lily attack.
You miss Han Su Li with your Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do attack.
The rose strikes into Lera - and cuts deep, thorns somehow slashing her far more deeply than they should. Blood oozes from her wounds and she hisses, dropping down with a gasp.
"Sharp..." she murmurs, before she crumples into a heap.
That flower proves to be more painful than it should be, digging into Gwendolyn's wounds. Her Valor is likely a feast, mixed with rage and physical pain. And that rage is directed in a wide manner, at this whole accursed world within a world. It should not be! The only way to keep it from being is to make this thing go away! The only way to make this thing go away is to entertain it, apparently...
Another bottle is pulled. This one is thick and black, truly /ugly,/ and within it swirls something unpleasant. The Toxin bottle is tossed directly at this creature, releasing a black, thick toxic cloud when it shatters, noxious and acidic. It seems so obsessed with beauty, so perhaps...
Meanwhile, several of the valkyries tend to Lera, carrying her back and tending to her wounded body. A giant stands guard with narrowed eyes.
Gwendolyn hits Peleps Fals with her Toxin Potion, I think it's called? attack.
Oswald sweeps his blade, and prepares to strike again before a poppy strikes, piercing easily through his gauntlet to transfix his hand. The Wyldspawned flower causes his hand to tremble, blood dropping onto the crushed shards of glass lizard. With a wrench, the hand clenches, crushing it in his hand. What can he do?
Oswald bends, picking up Belderiver with his other hand. The Shadow Knight continues to deny his senses, deny the chaos without as he draws upon the darkness within. The tides of destruction cannot be stopped. He feints high, and then low, before spinning and ripping Belderiver upwards in a brutal reverse-grip thrust that is torn across Hanuman's side.
Oswald gets a glancing blow on Peleps Fals with his Death Is Not A Hunter Unbeknownst To Its Prey, It Always Lies In Wait attack.
Scratch that. Chopsticks turning into flowers takes the new top of the 'WTF-O-METER'. Han didn't dodge that one, he raised his spear in a vain, thoughtless move and the razor sharp dasy deflected away harmlessly.
For a wooden weapon, that thing is pretty damn though.
He was about to attack, but something makes him stop. A brief glance to the side reveals that Lera has fallen...pretty bloodily, appropriatedly to the flower she was hit with.
That sight makes him angry. Really angry. Watching a good friend getting mutilated like that rises Han's ire to incredible heights.
Maybe it's the Wyld affecting his thought, maybe it's the battle making him feel things worse than he should, but one thing is certain -- he's pretty pissed off now.
"OKAY! THAT'S /IT!" The Li shouts, glaring daggers with his gaze at the ape. A burst of energy gathers around his feet in a neat, illumiated circle, emiting a loud, dull 'hmming' for all to hear. Just like before, this is chi, even if this time it has a completly different use
He leaps. Way higher than any man should be. A leap that could reach to the sky if Han didn't steered his momentum to the ground. His entire lower body glows with a bright light as he lash out a feet downward -- missing by excatly 5 feet.
He kicks again. Miss by 4 feet.
It keep going until he's close enough to kick once more...but this time, what follows, is a blindingly fast torrent of blows while Han remains, visibly, afloat.
"FLYING WINDMILL KIIIICK!"
Han Su Li juggles Peleps Fals with his Flying Windmill Kick combo.
Peleps Fals breaks Han Su Li's combo.
Simon does not call Valor by its name, because Valor is Valor no longer.
His emotions are a tangled miasma of fear, anger, desperation, and arrogance--and, naturally, more than a little 'too proud and stubborn to quit'.
The demon is fully expecting another counterattack, and when it comes, he's ready. He rolls to the side, pushes off the floor with a hand, and rises to a crouch; he looks at Hanuman, at his master, and back at Hanuman... mostly because he sees that mouth, and what the /hell/.
Simon then... takes a risk. The Balseraph's eyes close as he tries to concentrate--no easy feat, given the circumstances--reaching out to... whatever passes for order in this chaotic not-Symphony. And then he Sings, giving voice to a short, graceful set of notes accompanied by hand-gestures.
And if it works, Hanuman is going to get lasered.
Simon Parker critically strikes Peleps Fals with his pew pew attack.
As Lera drops, Markandeya laughs. It's a pretty laugh. A friendly laugh. A laugh that is most certainly not a /nice/ laugh, despite its sounds. "Oh...how wonderful it all is, so /unpredictable!/ I had thought the pretty young godling would go first."
Hanuman cannot dodge apparently, at least now - for he has ceased to dance. The Toxin Potion slams into him, the acid burning at him - but he remains beautiful, somehow. Supernaturally so. It is impossible to mar his beauty - when he is in Bedlam, at least. But the damage is no less real - and nor is the blade of Oswald, which slices through Hanuman, spilling more silver faux-blood. Han's feet fly also, battering at the beast, hammering it about - until finally the Law imposes itself again. Again and again the kicks come - until finally Hanuman regains his Supremacy in brawling, blocking the blows with his palms and tossing Han off - just in time to get burning lasers slamming into him. They burn with unholiness! Hanuman shrieks - not quite laughing so much any more, it hurts so much.
But he must dance. "Oooo, you are fast and clever, my friends! Shall I show you a pretty thing?" The ape-raksha begins /handwalking/ towards Gwendolyn - and makes an attempt to place his feet on her shoulders, flipping over her to land on his hands again - having placed his whole considerable weight on her. Then he handwalks to Oswald - and tries the same. Then Han, and then Simon. Not so chaotic, to try the same thing again - perhaps. Then again, is not Chaos the unexpected? Who expects chaos to do the expected?
You critically strike Gwendolyn with your Monkey Stand On Shoulders attack.
You hit Oswald with your Monkey Stand On Chest attack.
You get a glancing blow on Han Su Li with your Monkey Stand On Many Thing attack.
You miss Simon Parker with your Monkey Stand The Best attack.
"P-pretty young...how dare you-...!" Gwendolyn can't finish her sentence, as the large ape crushes her with his hand assault and leaves her on the ground for a moment, rumpled. It is tempting, very tempting, to lie there-but a princess cannot succumb. If she defeats this creature, this /fairy,/ Father will be proud of her. If he is proud enough, he may speak a kind word to her, and then...
She forces herself up with a fist, bloodied and battered, one of her feathers hanging ajar off of her wings. Her spear is raised again, and then she rues at him with full force, hitting him once, raising it again and striking him from above, then below, then in a wide arc.
Gwendolyn juggles Peleps Fals with her WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM combo.
Gwendolyn juggles Peleps Fals with her WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM combo.
Peleps Fals breaks Gwendolyn's combo.
Parker gets the hint when Gwen goes down: Don't get hit. The demon rises to his feet, narrows his eyes...
And whatever passes for reality here /bends/, just a little. Simon slips backwards, and out of the way of Hanuman's attack. A mote of Essence escapes into the multiverse.
As the Raksha is (hopefully) reeling from the Valkryie's assault, Simon attacks once more, fingers curled and claw-like.
"Will."
A vicious rake at Hanuman's eyes.
"You."
Another claw-rake at one of the jester's wounds, this one aimed at opening it further.
"Kindly."
A low snap-kick at his knee, just to throw him off-balance.
"Shut. Up!" Simon finishes with a backhand aimed at Hanuman's head--he's getting more annoyed and desperate by the moment, and this translates to him taking risks.
Simon Parker misses Peleps Fals with his Deceitful Serpent Style: Raking The Claws combo.
Oswald is a member of the school of 'kill them before they kill you'. In this case, it looks like he isn't doing so well. The ape handstands on Oswald, and he crunches nicely, the incredible strength shattering several portions of his shoulder armor. He slams into the ground, the blindfold flying off to skid across the ground. The sound of the mocking Fae rings in his ears... and his blood boils. Rage cuts through the incredible pain, and Oswald hisses, his body erupting into darkfire once again. The Shadow Demon rises, lunging towards Hanuman, the blade striking a multitude of times as he fuels his assault with pure, unadulterated anger. But it is not over. At the end of the blurred strike, he flips over Hanuman, cuttind down vertically as he lands, before slamming the blade towards the small of the monkey's back.
There is a flare of red light, as the life energy within Belderiver is brought to a boil... And from the tip of the blade, Phozons explode and detonate in a rush of force that would send the ape flying...
Straight for Markandeya. Over the rush, the Demon hisses, "Speak of Gwendolyn like that again and I will rip out your tongue, you cur."
Oswald switches armor modes to Shadow Demon.
Oswald juggles Peleps Fals with his And In Strange Aeons, Even Wyld May Die combo.
Oswald juggles Peleps Fals with his And In Strange Aeons, Even Wyld May Die combo.
Oswald juggles Peleps Fals with his And In Strange Aeons, Even Wyld May Die combo.
Peleps Fals breaks Oswald's combo.
Unlike SOME others here, Han don't have any armor whatsoever and, as such, his shoulders crunch quite nicely under the weight of the ape. The young man landed from his dreaded Flying Windmill Kick, knowing he has executed it with some success...
But now, he's on the ground, growling and bitting his lips to not shout out in pain from his wounded shoulders. Damn. Nothing's broke, he can feel that much. It's just /hurts a lot/ on the spot.
His earlier rage has subdued some, the flying kicks drained a lot of energy for him, but the fight is not over yet! He staggers back up, allowing ampletime for the 'godling' and the crazy shadow demon to attack while he regain a shred of dignity. He grasp Radiant Steel Blossom -- one of the ancestral Li weapon -- with both hands, waiting for an opening.
He finds one. Right before Oswald launch the Ape into it's master, Han ...tosses the spear, dashing immediatedly after it in a blurr of movement and pull it right out after it hits the monster, causing any wounds or not.
He's not too sure how he DID that, even less if he'll be able to do it out of here, but damn, he did it.
Han Su Li critically strikes Peleps Fals with his Throw 'n Pull Spear Toss attack.
Markandeya just laughs and laughs. He's enjoying the hell out of this. Presumably, Seki is plotting and scheming - but needn't pull his Trump Card, as Hanuman appears to be going down fairly well. If with a fight - and a good one.
The ape-raksha is first slashed and battered and stabbed by spears - and then manages to dance around every claw strike and blow from Simon, reeling from his wounds - luck, after all, is defined here by his master. Oswald slams at the ape-beast, strkining and cutting - and then kicking it at its master. In the seconds before impact, the spear of Han Su Li goes in deep, leaving a huge wound...
And then Hanuman flies in exactly the opposite direction, very fast. Markandeya shakes a finger, smiling beatifically. "Naughty, naughty...mustn't try to break the rules. You face my /champion/. Not myself." As he says this, there is a rushing sound. Hanuman is...flying in.
The rules have changed. 'Down,' for Hanuman, appears to be...variable. The ape curles up and cackles. "Watch me! Watch me, my friends! Laugh at Hanuman!" And then it is /pinball time/. Oswald is the center 'bumper', off which Hanuman seems to be bouncing - towards Han, towards Simon, towards Gwendolyn, in whatever direction - but Oswald is at the center. Perhaps the raksha is angry at Oswald for trying to harm his master. When it all finishes, Hanuman lands...on the ceiling, giggling to himself.
You juggle Oswald with your Pinball Wizard combo.
You juggle Oswald with your Pinball Wizard combo.
Oswald breaks your combo.
You hit Gwendolyn with your Bouncemania attack.
You miss Han Su Li with your Ape Pinball attack.
You critically strike Simon Parker with your Bounce Like You Really Mean It attack.
Gritting her teeth, the wounded Gwendolyn braces herself and holds her shield up defensively, but still takes the brunt of Hanuman's attack. She staggers, leaning against her spear to keep herself on her feet. Not now, not here in front of her troops, her allies, the curious way the Shadow Knight spoke of her...
"I...intend to do more than watch you, fairy! Now fall, in the name of the heir of all Erion, Demon Lord Odin!" She levels her spear, taking a step back and then dashing forward with all of her remaining strength. Her wings are folded back, to increase her running speed. Her armor clangs with each step, digging into the ground. And when she strikes Hanuman, she attempts to stab right into his gut, attacking with enough force and speed that her hair falls out of its bun and braid-falling out behind her in long, white waves.
Whether the attack is effective or not, she collapses immediately after, as a pair of valkyries fly towards her and tend to her alongside Lera. She does not move.
Gwendolyn hits Peleps Fals with her SPEEEEEEAAAAAAAAR will this hit? probably not but hey drama super.
Han, not taking time to take a breath and wonder just how he managed to pull off something like that, he dives down, barely avoiding the pinball ape and remain there for a good...oh, split second.
Then, he's in the air again, flying straight to the celling with his own spear, snarling out as he does. "IN THE NAME OF WHATEVER CRAZY GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER I'VE HAD," He begins rather well and respectfully of whatever ancestral spirits lying in the Guan Do, "Face the wrath of her spear, just like Walken shall if he dares challenge me!"
Let's get this straight -- a young man flying with a pointy stick up, directly to an ape on the celling, aiming for his head.
His fault for being a juicy target like that.
Han Su Li misses Peleps Fals with his Minds You, After Saying That After His Great Great Great Great Grandmother, Can't Expect Anything Good Out Of This attack.
"What do I care about your rules?" The Shadow Demon mutters. "This is nothing but an amusement for you. You treat people like /playthings/. You're no better than..." He trails off, mainly because he's busy getting blasted by ape. The ape rebounds off of him over and over, the darkness shattering once more and leaving him in his Shadow Knight form once more. But even then, his armor is shattering under the onslaught, leaving him standing as nothing more than a shredded patchwork of bruises, wounds, and cuts. The Faerie-forged armor is sent flying as he is struck repeatedly, and he reels like a boxer on the ropes.
But he still holds Belderiver. His hand flashes out as Hanuman bounces again, the accursed Psypher blade striking straight for Hanuman with the last of his fading strength. "War is not a /game/."
Oswald critically strikes Peleps Fals with his MELVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN attack.
Peleps Fals been knocked out!
Dodge. Dodge. Dodge. Simon is getting more and more annoyed, and this only escalates as Hanuman starts bouncing around like a pinball--the Raksha bounces off Simon's gut, bowling the demon over, and he lands /hard/. He lies there for a moment, trying to remember how the whole 'breathing' thing works, before he comes to his senses... and forces himself to his feet. Lera owes him for this. Seki owes him for this. A great many people owe him for this, if the Raksha Noble's banter is accurate.
...Unfortunately for Simon's ego, someone has other plans. As Markendeya's minion goes down, he turns to the man himself. He draws himself up, trying to look as threatening as he can while beaten-up, and arches an eyebrow. The unspoken question, obviously, is "Well?"
Gwendolyn's final attack slices Hanuman open, a silvery faux-blood spurt leaking from both sides of his body. A hole can be seen straight /through/ him. As Han leaps for the ceiling, the ape-raksha moves - and intercepts his mighty spear by allowing it to pass /through/ said hole. Hanuman shrieks - and then, as Oswald slices one last time with Beledriver, he is cut in two - and dissolves in white flames.
There is a clapping. Markandeya's hands. "War - is not a game, no. For you. You're mortal. You take it all so /seriously/." The Raksha Lord smiles widely. "You have defeated the least of my warriors. Hanuman is a wonderful servant - but battle was never his speciality." The Fair One may be lying - but who would know? "I am impressed. Peleps Kaizoku Seki chose his pawns well. I will keep my word and release my hold on this land. Your Valor has a great taste - and you, demonling. Your Compassion has a warm taste." He glances significantly at Gwendolyn - and then waves a hand. The court begins to fade.
"Is there anything you'd like to ask before we go?"
Oswald stands firm, fae ichor splattered across his body and Belderiver. He succeeded. But he will have to have a REALLY long talk with Seki about this. "Go then, and remember my words. Immortal or no, I will make you pay if you fail to heed them." Oswald turns, and looks to Gwendolyn. She will be assisted by her Raganival warriors. Instead, the Shadow Knight collects the pieces of his armor, and gets out a healing potion. It's been a hell of an evening.
There is, alas, very little that Han can say, shout, insult, scream, spit at the Fae as the court start to leave. As you know, the martial artist's leap was so great that he plowed through the hole and all the way up. Soon enough, whatever influence the wyld had over him and his chi is going to run out, but for now, the young man is one of the few men alive to fly.
"I do not forget." Markandeya turns and walks into the distance - without ever moving. He and his followers shrink as if moving far away, but never seem to leave their places. "I will be very interested to see how you make me pay, my friend, my little demonling...very interested. Take care of the godling girl."
That last may be a taunt - or advice - or both - or neither. With raksha, who can tell. Just before the Fae vanish, there is one last call. "Hanuman will be very happy to talk to you next time. I will reforge him with scars, as he would want."
And then - the Court of Markandeya is gone. Faded to nothing. The real world has reasserted itself. The room is a warehouse. The island is an island. Han Su Li has found himself on top of some crates.
[Citizen's Band] Raksha Lord Markandeya says, "Clever...goodbye, mortals. Next time, I hope you will be as interesting. Take care of the godling girl, my little demonling."
Some HIGH crates, at least.
CREAAAAK THUD TUMBLE CRASH.
Too bad Han was in disbalance due to the transition and promptly crashed through the crates, them falling all over him.
Oh well, he had worse.
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li CRASH CRACK BOOM.
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li says, "...I hate switch on-off gravity."
[Citizen's Band] Old Man Li says, "That why you learn punch gravity so hard, you fly through air while punching enemy!"
[Citizen's Band] Old Man Li says, "You need more training!"
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li says, "I couldn't!"
[Citizen's Band] Han Su Li says, "That place was made out of /insanity/."