[Log] Turning Away [2/2]
Who: Agrias Oaks, Christoph Schmidt, Meliadoul Tengille, Natsuki Kuga, Simon Parker
Where: Nelveska Temple - Kingdom of Ivalice - Fantasy Sector
When: 01 September 2008
What: The IPA is called to escort a Zodiac Stone from a different Ivalice to the TSAB Headquarters for investigation and potential safe destruction. Instead, the entire mission is compromised when, in a rage, Agrias turns on her allies. Turns out that the influence of the runeblade, Rimehowl, wasn't quite as silenced as everyone had hoped...
Watch For: Everyone being incomprehensible. Simon gets lucky!
Captain Agrias Oaks snarls, nastily. "Oh, aye, Sergeant! Ah've awoken! Whitfaer ye think Ah've opened my e'es?! Ah'll kill ye both! Thro' ye intae tha' bay. Let tha' dragons feast y'r bones." There's a short pause, and then, as though talking to somebody else entirely, Agrias has a totally different tone of voice - feral, bloodthirsty eagerness. "Aye, m'Laird!" ...She's not answering anybody audible on the channel, at least.
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...Oh my."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "It sounds like Young Oaks has gone rampant."
Simon Parker says, "You're not killing anyone today, Oaks."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Has she had maintenance recently?"
Sephiroth says, "Apparently not."
Captain Agrias Oaks snarls. "Ah'll start wi'e ye, Parker. Creature. Abomination. Ah've waited lang tae dae this."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "... ..."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Aua."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Me lord?!"
Aerith Gainsborough says, "Someone grab him -"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Clearly you've been touched in the 'ead now! I"
Meliadoul Tengille sounding snide, "I thought you didn't believe in God!"
Captain Agrias Oaks, with that same feral, bloodthirsty eagerness, almost reverence, "Ah ser'e ae far better master than God!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Hmmmmm. Well, to be fair, there are many gods, and some of them are quite petty."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt suddenly, viciously, "Verdammter Schwert! Should haff schnapped it right away and ground it into filings für scrubbing zer bottom side of zer Baron's codpiece! DU FETTE KUH, HALT 'N KLAPPE UND SEI DOCH RUHIG!"
Micronized Klein Klan says, "Someone had best cut her radio if she's, uh, obviously not herself!........I can't understand anyone right now, but."
Simon Parker's voice is a low, angry snarl. "Who, then, do you serve?"
Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Sounded more like a 'Die gleefully, mortals, to ease my Yozi master's hunger!' tone of voice."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Oh my. I do hope not. The Great Maker's siblings are most unpleasant fellows."
Captain Agrias Oaks bellowing, over the sudden screaming of arctic wind. "Ah ser'e tha' Yin True King...!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "And 'ere i thought you 'ated Delita woman!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...But who is Yin Trucking? I am fairly certain he is not in the last Role of Glorious Divinity that I consulted!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...granted, that one is several hundred years out of date. Hmmmm. I need to find some local Savants."
Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "'One true king', I think. Sorry, navigating haunted stairs."
Captain Agrias Oaks snarls. "Ah ser'e ae king more true than tha wuirm. Ah ser'e tha' Frozen North!" The wind screams again, skirling through Nelveska Temple. "Ah ser'e tha' Undying! Ah ser'e tha' Lich King - Ah'll show ye power like as nae ye've ne'er seen...!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Oh. Undead."
Simon Parker swears. "Cut her signal. Now."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Dirty little abominations. I suggest fire."
Captain Agrias Oaks' signal cuts in a burst of static.
Agrias Oaks' signal cuts in a burst of static.
Note! Agrias can no longer hear messages on these frequencies from this point on, but the communication has been left intact for the purposes of logging.
Thaelarion Dragonsbane SUDDEN GOOD CHEER. "Good evening everyone! You wouldn't believe what my sister and I caught today!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Hello there!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Hello!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Hello!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane can keep this up for hours. "Hello!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Lich King?!"
Reis Duelar says, "Agrias..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "That stupid woman got 'erself..."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "What is it you found? Does it serve Yin Trucking, God of Liches?"
Simon Parker says, "Possessed."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane thump. Liquid pour. "It's been a good d-"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane ....
Simon Parker says, "I don't know how, that sword was destroyed-"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "........"
Simon Parker says, "But wait."
Simon Parker says, "It... it cut her, didn't it."
Natsuki Kuga says, "Is this about that sword she had? I can barely understand half of what's being said, and these idiots refuse to listen to reason."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "I told you that we should have properly recycled it."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "'ow the 'ell am I supposed to know?! You were the one with 'er!"
Simon Parker says, "When the Argent Dawn destroyed it, a piece of it flew up and cut her."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane this message has been censored by the Silvermoon Bureau of Proper Public Speaking. Please stand by!
Simon Parker says, "Yes!"
Natsuki Kuga says, "Right.. reversible?"
Reis Duelar says, "I swear I'll do all I can to help."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane WAILS something thoroughly incoherent in Thalassian.
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "......but where will we find a metal cabbage? And what is a cabbage?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony translation error.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Wound in her face, Meli...shard cut her face when it was destroyed. Scheiße!"
Simon draws his sword away, dripping with his superior's blood. By now it's obvious-despite their best efforts, Captain Oaks has been subverted by the very power he sought to spare her from. Something deep inside him is mourning this, wailing in grief, but he tunes it out. He has to keep his wits about him.
"Lich King?! You... how dare you, after all I did for you-!" Parker switches his grip on the Judge, and brings the pommel down at Agrias' head, hoping to add still another head wound to the mounting toll.
Simon Parker gets a glancing blow on Agrias Oaks with his BOOT TO THE HEAD (only not) jab.
You take 15 damage.
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "I KNEW that forsaken piece of-" TRANSLATION ERROR "-was going to cause problems! You're all going to die!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "...I think I picked the wrong time to tune in, didn't I?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Why?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane wails, "It's contagious!"
Simon Parker says, "It's what?!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Oh."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Is that all?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane sounds more than a little hysterical. "YOU might be okay, I'll be fine, but the rampaging armies of Northrend are going to be filled with members of the IPA and I don't WANT to put any of you out of your misery!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Sounds like somethin' crazy just happened."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "...What's a Northrend?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "It's a type of pastry."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Its a place full of DEATH and UNDEAD and DYING and PAIN and SUFFERING."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "I found it in the Trandimensional Transport Nexus the other day."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...No, no, I'm pretty sure it's a pastry."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Quite tasty."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "It's also a pasty, but this is the ARMIES OF DOOM, not the snack!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Undead, eh? i'm pretty good at takin' care of those."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Bad times ahead."
Simon Parker says, "It'll never get me, I swear it, I'm no plague-bearer, I-"
Maria Tegawa says, "Calm down."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "They'll have to kill me first first before they make me one of the undead."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane wail.
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...I thought that was the point of the undead, though."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "YOu know. Killing people. So they then become undead. The process seems quite inefficent and distasteful, mind you. Hmmmm."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane hiccups. "It's horrible."
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "Um, how does it spread the contagion?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane sniffle. "I can't handle this. I like everyone too much."
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "... and is there anyone near him who has a hankie?"
Defender skitters over the golden shield on Meliadoul's right arm and she grunts as the heavy sword bites into the ring mail right beneath her breast plate. There is a flash of blood and the knight snarls as she bickers back and forth over the radio. Suddenly Agrias is cut off and the knight roars in rage. "THE LICH KING?! YOU BLOODY IDIOT!"
She swings her sword wide again, "Why the bloody 'ell are you listening to some undead no life thing?!" Save the Queen returns on the back swing as she attempts to drive the point of her sword through the other knight. "Allow me to put you out of your misery then." Her lips curl into an angry snarl as tears threaten to form at the corner of her eyes.
Meliadoul Tengille critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her :stabbity stab. attack.
You take 29 damage.
Cameron Mitchell seems to have been put off his jello. "So, uh, we'd better nip this in the bud, huh?"
Aerith Gainsborough belatedly, "Northrend?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "There, there. I'll send an Aide over with a thermos of tea and a nice Northrend, you'll calm down, and then we can discuss this like sensible mortals. Of which I have very good memories, mind you."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "I don't think a thermos of tea is gonna make that guy calm down. Maybe a swift kick to the ass might."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Tea helps everything."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "It is quite an enjoyable substance. I hope we can find a way to properly syntehsize it back in Gulak."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane unhappily, "No, I won't calm down, you need to kill the infection right now, WITH FIRE, or it'll get everywhere, everywhere and-" That's probably hyperventilating. There's the sound of someone pleasant and female in the background. "Thael, put that down, and come have some dinner. We didn't spend all day chasing down wrathguards just to let them go to waste."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "That's what Urahara says. He's insane, though."
"If you idiots would just listen to me!" Several more shots are fired from Natsuki's pistols as Duran charges in. "This isn't about your Church or your war. You're going to just get yourselves killed if you don't leave her right now!" And then one of the monks punches Duran. Now, normally, a human punching a Child isn't going to do anything but break their hands. But a trained monk...
A loud CLANG sounds as the punch launches Duran back several feet, the Child only barely able to land on his feet. "Duran!" Green eyes flash as Natsuki glares daggers at the monk and his friends. "I have had it. Load Chrome Cartridge!" Panels on the wolf's rear legs open, each one locking a large shell into the rear of the cannons on his back. "This won't kill you, but you are going to be hurting a lot once you wake up..."
Natsuki lifts her hand to her head, running it through her hair, giving just a moment to let anyone who wants to flee do so. A moment is all they get, however. The girl flicks her hair over her shoulder and points toward the group. "FIRE!" Both cannons launch their shells, which arc through the air and explode on contact with the ground.
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Fire you say?"
Meliadoul Tengille mutters, "Fire fire fire..."
Natsuki Kuga says, "Nobody's going to die here! *CLANG* ...except maybe these people."
Meliadoul Tengille wishing she didn't fail so much at Black magic
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "Um... If they're undead, don't holy things also hurt them? They do in stories... purification and all that."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Maybe I shoulda tuned in earlier, helped you get rid of some of these undead."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane sniff. "Holy things might work, but if she's not dead yet then fire will do. I don't want any fel energy, it leaves me lightheaded for HOURS."
Natsuki Kuga says, "They're not undead. They're just too stupid for their own good!"
Sword meets skull, fails to induce unconsciousness. Christoph scowls briefly, then gets a gutful of sword before he can react. And Agrias puts quite a lot of power into the swing, smashing aside the protective magics in the Barrier Jacket and giving the first gash in his stomach a much larger sibling, this one taking a chunk of rib with it.
There is a grunt, an involuntary spasm through the Belkan mage's entire body. One eye widens, while the other squeezes shut as a lot of pain cascades through his nervous system, making his adrenal glands scream in panic and pour out enough reactive chemicals to make a small mammal explode.
He stumbles back, bleeding profusely. A small piece of his brain is hoping that the sudden biting chill sweeping through will help numb the wound; another piece is shrieking that the cold is making it worse, at least for now, because the abused nerve endings are sending even more signals back home. A small third portion glances at Meliadoul, is glad she got through the attack in much better shape than he. The remainder of his brain is still dealing with the first shock of the sensation of a blade sweeping through his stomach and leaving a large notch in his ribcage.
It all culminates in a furious howl over the IPA radio, in which he expresses his desire for Rimehowl to have been used to scrub a medieval jockstrap while calling Agrias a large heifer, only a little bit less genteel.
He now stumbles forward, the latest injury clearly hampering his movement, but nevertheless is able to spin Balmung around in his hand in order to ram the glowing green jewel on the pommel into Agrias' gut, snarling something out in Belkan as he goes.
Christoph Schmidt critically strikes Agrias Oaks with his This attack name has been edited for content, because we don't want monitors melting right now, and the player needs more caffeine. attack.
You take 35 damage.
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "The one who is or might be undead is Captain Oaks. She's kind of our ally... I don't think we want to get rid of her. Just the undead part."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Hate having to fight allies."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Cannot kill them."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "No, no, it's too late for that."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Tch."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Just put her out of her misery before you all become her mindless zombie minions. And don't get your miniony plagueness near Silvermoon!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Giving up on an ally?"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Pathetic."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Oi, you guys out there. Beat the Bad out of her."
Simon Parker says, "We're trying!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "There's nothing wrong with wanting to put her soul to rest!!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "IT'S FOR THE BEST"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "And who the hell made you the expert on what's for the best? So ready to throw someone's life away?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Because I've dealt with this before. It destroyed ninety percent of my entire species. YOU have not."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Your species needs upgrades."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "We're working on that! Prince Kael'thas has plans in the works!!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Have you considered soul gems?"
Aerith Gainsborough says, "... Well, don't be so sure, sir. What happened to her...?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Oh yes. But they only last a half hour."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Your soul gem technology is flawed."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "We're working on that too."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Maybe, but is giving up on someone going to make things better? Hell no! Never give up on a friend, even if your life, the life of the world is on the line."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Mine has been perfectly functional for over one hundred years."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Perhaps you are constructing them in an inferior manner."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Oo, not bad, a century's pretty good time for most mortal races."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Well, yes, but I'm quite young for my kind."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "S-sir, if I wanted to give up on her entirely I'd say destroy her soul too, but I DIDN'T, if that's saved, then she can come back and try again! Or at least we can put it in someone else.."
Simon Parker says, "We'll do what we can, Thael."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Do it quickly. You'll make a hideous zombie."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Or a lichling. I don't know what lawyers would turn into."
It looks like the summoned beast does a little more than just stand around and growl. When the mechanical wolf is pounced back, the knight roars, "And why should we listen to you heretic?!" With all the flashing and unearthly unGodlike power being slung around behind Natsuki, the Glabados members are finding it kind of hard to believe that Natsuki really is just watching out for their own safety.
Then she shouts the magic words, "Load Chrome Cartridge." The bullets fire into the air and hit the ground. THe resulting explosion throws the gathered contingency sky high and far in the other direction. It will take them quite some time for them to return back to this battle. Better go help out your friends Natsuki!
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Well, if he soul's tainted, I'll fix it. ..Once it's out of her body, anyway."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "What? Destroy her s-! NO!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Damn it! WE ARE NOT DOING THAT TO HER!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Ovelia would have me 'ead!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Hey, hey. I don't destroy sould. I 'clean the bad ones and send 'em to the Afterlife."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane hyperventilating again. "I'm going to go lay down. I can't handle this."
Natsuki Kuga says, "Hmph. Th-" Her voice is cut off by a ver close explosion. "That's taken care of. I'm on my way back to help, Meliadoul."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Understood."
The Bloody-Handed Judge falls like a falcon in full stoop, but a quick dodge sideways ensures that it doesn't cleave Agrias' skull in twain. Instead, it glances off the clasp of her green cloak, carving a seperate gouge into her shoulder. For all that it should be a debilitating blow, she seems to ignore it entirely.
It isn't even bleeding that much, for as deep as the two-handed sword has gone.
Mind not your wounds, my Knight! Fight on and show them the true power of Northrend. Together we will conquer the world itself. The Lich King's voice is silent to everyone but Agrias, but the howling of the wind rises in time to his eagerness. All will fall before the Scourge, in time.
"Aw will fall tae tha' Scourge!" There's a zealous look to Agrias, now, in a way that she'd never dealt with anything before. Always, the Holy Knight had been embittered and cynical, openly scornful of religion and faith, or blind service in any pursuit. "Ye'll feed tha' ranks o' tha' Lich King's ain army. Oh, aye. Ye'll make fine additions!"
The sword whistles as she tries to swing it around, chanting something foreign. But no Holy energies come. Agrias pauses for just a moment, frowning blackly at Defender. The silvered blade gleams, still - but it refuses to obey.
It was, after all, a blessed thing; annointed by the Church. Though so much of it was corrupt, some small core must have held - some universal shred of the Light. With a ragged cry of disgust, Agrias swings the blade anyway.
Defender won't obey, but its keen edge still cuts. Its keen edge is sent whistling straight for Simon, a blow that would be destructive to anybody else. Here's to hoping he's fast enough that it doesn't take off his head.
Agrias carries through the blow, tilting her wrist just slightly and letting her arm fly; aiming Defender for Meliadoul next. "Ah'm nae ae maunderen' eedjit," she jeers, something terrible behind those golden eyes. "Ah'm tha' ainly yin wi'e e'es tae see wi'e ye lot! Y'r aw blind, strugglen' 'gainst soom'thain' ye canna e'en howp tae ken. Death be tha' strongest o' powers. Ah'll show ye firsthand...!"
She doesn't dodge Meliadoul's blow, either; letting Save the Queen rip through a shoulder. It comes out cleanly through the other side, but Agrias actually seizes the blade, using it to pull herself closer to Meliadoul. The better to return the favour - Defender snaps out in a sharp thrust, meaning to punch right through the Knight Templar's gut.
"Ah'll be tha' yin tae put ye out o' yer misery," she snarls, once she's sufficiently close to Meliadoul. The familiar Agrias Oaks is simply not there, behind those golden eyes. They seem a little... yellowed, the hue sickly-looking instead of the rich gold of a raptor; or maybe that's the dark hollows under them.
Except she's knocked aside by the pommel of Balmung being planted into her gut; Save the Queen ripping free from her shoulder with a sickening sound. Agrias is flung from the saddle like a broken ragdoll.
She's quick to rise, though; not at all deterred by such a show of force. Defender is picked up, and she leers at the Master Sergeant. "Och. Sae ye waun' tae play, dae ye?"
"Awricht." She rises, cracking her neck and limping forward. "We'll play."
Defender suddenly raises, and she aims the sword, slamming forward, seeking to plant the blade straight through Christoph's chest.
It is most definitely meant to be a lethal blow. She's not holding back at all - whatever was left of Agrias Oaks, it's been completely twisted. It's gone.
You hit Meliadoul Tengille with your STABBUMS attack.
You critically strike Simon Parker with your SLASHUMS attack.
You critically strike Christoph Schmidt with your THIS MAY HURT A LITTLE attack.
Meliadoul Tengille exhales sharply, "Tch."
Meliadoul Tengille then begins to laugh bitterly, "Hah hah hah... hah hah hah...."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "NO MERCY!"
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Ach, du lieber..."
One day, Christoph's ribs are going to evolve sentience, quietly communicate with each other and establish a union, Local Costae #93, and go on strike. His penchant for calculating the paths of attacks and then walking right into them to tank them in order to counter quickly and effectively has led to them getting abused particularly well. Tonight is a prime example of such.
As he clumsily straightens up, he stares at Agrias making a determined thrust right at his chest. His first instinct is to teleport away to safety. But a quick estimation of his current mental focus and the pain continuing to course through his nervous system tells him that he isn't going to be able to pull it off in time to dodge this.
So, with what looks like a pained lurch to the side...wait, no, it really is a pained lurch...the blade slides neatly into his torso, puncturing a lung but at least missing his heart. He's got two of the former, only one of the latter, so all's good, right?
This hurts a lot, actually.
Fury stoked by agony banks a fire in his eyes, and he now pushes forward-pushes up the sword, with the point now emerging from his back as he forces it to drive right through his body. "Good vun," he rasps, spitting out flecks of blood at Agrias as his accent gets more pronounced through all the acutely focused stress scouring his brain. "Returning zer favor now."
He abruptly whips Balmung around, sending the sheath flying off to the side, unlamented, and attempts to jam the brightly glowing blade into Agrias' side. It's not meant to be a fatal blow, because even now, he's got enough presence of mind to try to restrain himself-despite what Herr Drachenbane and others have said on the radio.
Christoph Schmidt hits Agrias Oaks with his THIS HURTS, AND I'M JUST SHARING THE JOY, MMMM-MMMM TASTY PAIN super.
You take 48 damage.
Meliadoul was close enough to realize at the exact same moment that Agrias did that her powers as a Holy Knight have abandoned her and she grins even as Defender punches through the chainmail covering her abdomen. She exhales sharply as the blade cuts through some of her internal organs. She's going to need a visit to the hospital after this.
But as Christoph distracts the knight, she casts a look to Parker to make sure he's alright. Fallen or not, there is no time to oversee his corpse. Instead she starts laughing. It is a harsh angry sound as blood trickles through bent and cut rings. "Hah hah hah... hah hah hah...."
Her lips twist into an angry grimace. "God 'as forsaken you Agrias! You are no longer worth of wielding 'is power! You are no longer worth of protecting Ovelia!" She pulls then from that power deep inside, a power born from faith and the desire to protect. "Even Defender acts against you! You 'ave shamed your sword! Your name! Your very existence!" A white light begins to coat the blade. "But worry not! I will put an end to this miserable existence you have created!" The sword raises high into the heavens, "ARMOR WON'T 'ELP THE 'EART STAY SHARP!"
Meliadoul Tengille misses Agrias Oaks with her Breastplate shatter! attack.
Meliadoul Tengille misses Agrias Oaks with her Code hates me tonight D: attack.
Meliadoul Tengille misses Agrias Oaks with her Seriously. D: D: attack.
Meliadoul Tengille critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her OH FOR BLOODY HELL attack.
You take 31 damage.
Meliadoul Tengille buffs Agrias Oaks's STA to -2.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt crunch, wet sound, a somewhat gurgling, "Good vun. Returning zer favor now."
Maria Tegawa says, "..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Kuga!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Shoot her!"
Natsuki Kuga says, "I'm still here!"
Maria Tegawa says, "I would like to request an update on the situation consisting of who currently is in control of their mental facilities and who isn't, if that isn't too much trouble."
Once more Agrias' sword cleaves into Simon Parker's torso, tracing a ragged, bloody gash in his flesh. Blood oozes from the wounds, a macabre X-shape across his breast; and he chokes back the pain. That hurt, but it didn't damage anything vital. Simon hopes it didn't damage anything vital. The Balseraph staggers back, blood staining his green robe crimson...
You know they'll only betray you in the end.
Something about that-and Meliadoul's voice-makes something go 'snap' in Simon's mind. The demon lets out a bellow of rage, and grabs his sword by the chain-length attached to the pommel. He swings the weapon over his head, the chain somehow extending to give him more slack to work with. Round and round it whirls, like a macabre propellor blade, until it stops... and lashes out at Agrias' chest, to impale her. Simon promptly jerks the weapon back once more, then thrusts it fowards-the chain somehow animating the Judge for him. One final tug, and the weapon will slip free again.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 12 damage.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 20 damage.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 19 damage.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 20 damage.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Haff mental faculties. Barely holding on to physical. May start to bleed out soon. Ach."
Well! That was quite satisfying. Natsuki watches the zealots go flying off from the explosion, a smug twist to her lips. "Maybe they'll be smart and stay gone." Her hand comes up to, once more, give her hair a neat flick. That's what they get!
Now that they're all taken care of, Natsuki turns to face the swordfight. "We'd better help them out there. Duran!" The Child lets out a low howl and bounds forward, leaping quickly toward Agrias. As he runs, the HiME raises both her guns, firing off several shots at the mad knight. "Agrias! Come to your senses already!"
Duran quickly jumps to the side, not wishing to get hit by friendly swords, then finally times his leap, pouncing at Agrias with the intent of knocking her to the ground.
Natsuki Kuga juggles Agrias Oaks with her Guns and Guns and suddenly DOG combo.
You take 16 damage.
Agrias Oaks breaks Natsuki Kuga's combo.
Simon Parker says, "Oaks's lost it, the rest of us are fine."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Fine? Who ist fine?"
Natsuki Kuga says, "I'm perfectly fine."
Simon Parker says, "By 'fine' I mean 'not possessed by an eldtrich evil entity'."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Lucky you. Aua."
Maria Tegawa says, "Good. Thank you."
Meliadoul Tengille pants, "Captain Agrias Oaks of the Vanguard Detachment turned traitor while we were attempting to retrieve one of the Zodiac stones in another world. She claimed that we were attempting to trade her to the clergy in exchange for the stone. So she attacked us. God has left her and she is now in service to the Lich King."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "So, wait. Just being cut by...whatever she got nailed by can make you lose your sh-mind?"
Simon Parker's breathing sounds labored. "Lady Duelar, we're... trying to... subdue her..."
Meliadoul Tengille growls, "That woman. It was her faithlessness in God that lead her down this road."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Less speculation, more heavy blows to the head."
Reis Duelar says, "I can't-I don't think I can get there fast enough, but God, I wish I could...! Is she...hurt badly? Other than the obvious..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "It is not a speculation and we are trying to subdue her."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "She is fairing far better than we are Lady Duelar."
Natsuki Kuga says, "She's unhurt enough to swing that sword around, if that says anything."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "I'm not gonna argue what faith in 'God' has t'do with any of this."
Aerith Gainsborough says, "How could-something like that happen so quickly..."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Did not happen quickly! Was being changed for the past-weeks. Now completed."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "And nobody noticed? Yeesh. She musta hid it well."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Were worried, but nothing conclusive. Final change did happen faster than expected."
Aerith Gainsborough says, "Yeah... that makes sense."
Maria Tegawa says, "Well, is it permanent?"
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Herr Drachenbane said it is on his world. Could...could be different hier."
Maria Tegawa says, "We have the rest of the multiverse tenatively at our disposal. There will be a way out there."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "What she said."
Cameron Mitchell says, "Yeah, no such thing as an insurmountable obstacle. Just need somebody with a brain juicy enough to figure it out."
Reis Duelar says, "I swear that I will save her. She-she saved me before, so I must..."
Meliadoul Tengille growls, "Oh yes. We'll save her alright. After we beat this Lich King nonsense out of that skull of hers."
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "I'll contact Mr. Amachi and see if he can come up with any ideas, if you want. He's good at improvising this sort of things."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "If y'want, I could takl to Urahara. He's good with this weird sh-stuff."
The Holy Knight seems perfectly in control of herself, physically. Her body holds together with a toughness and resilience it simply shouldn't possess. She's taken wounds that, while not fatal, should have slowed her enough for them to overpower her. Yet, for all the damage done to her, Agrias doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.
"Nae bad, y'rsel', Sergeant." Agrias flashes her teeth in a bloody leer as Christoph shoves his sword into her side. The blade gives a sickening crunch, narrowly glancing past her spine and puncturing through goodness-knows-what along the way. "But ye're nae realisen' soom'thain."
She wrenches her sword from Christoph's torso, Defender slick with the blood of her allies. Her legs tremble, but she doesn't fall, nor does she seem to be weakening, otherwise. She leans forward, letting the blade rip further into her body, to whisper a blood-choked whisper in Christoph's ear.
"Ah'm become Death itself."
And then she struggles backwards, ripping herself off of the Master Sergeant's two-handed sword. She even attempts to plant a boot on Christoph's body to further that goal, aiming a half-hearted swipe at his face as she does.
She gains herself enough time to back up, spitting a thick clot of blood to the ground. It steams as it hits the frozen stone of the earth, a thick rime of frost already beginning to form underfoot. Doubtless it's treacherous footing to anybody without spiked shoes or some other adaptation.
Oddly, Agrias seems to have no trouble with the slick stone at all.
"Aye. Let someone new luik o'er Her Majesty." Agrias' face twists into a snarl as she recognises what Meliadoul's about to do. Oh...
Do not concern yourself with the armour! The Lich King's voice touches her mind, even as a fresh blast of painfully frigid wind scours the isle. You are stronger than that, my Knight. Now put an end to them!
She snarls, even as her breastplate shatters; staggering forward even as the brilliant, holy light ravages her. Eyes shut tightly against its brilliance, searing even behind closed eyelids. "Aye, m'Laird," she grounds out between gritted teeth. It's like she's been turned into some kind of force of nature, absolutely heedless of pain and punishment; as though she were wholly unaware of the wounds wrought against her.
"Ah dinnae need armour nair heart," she rasps, swinging Defender around again in a heavy, two-handed blow. It's meant to decapitate or dismember, with no beating around the bush about it. No feints, today - all heavy-hitting blows, meant to do the job quickly and with ruthless efficiency.
She turns, then, even as Simon raises his weapon. She tries to leap out of the way, but her crippled leg is in the way. She has no time to avoid, simply walking into the damaging spin of the Bloody-Handed Judge; when it punches into her, she lets it, unresisting. The two-handed blade runs her right through at the stomach, and she pauses long enough to glance down at it, almost dismissively.
It will not kill you, the Lich King states in her mind, his voice like the relentless grinding of glaciers and scour. You are above Death itself, now, my Knight. Show them what that means.
Another blast of frozen wind scours the temple grounds, and Agrias pauses, eyes fluttering closed. Her head falls back, and she draws in a deep breath, as though drawing some kind of comfort from the painfully cold gale.
And then, she laughs, even as the Bloody-Handed Judge still lies lodged in her gut.
"Fools," she hisses, even as Natsuki's bullets rake her, one of them leaving a tear through one cheek, blood drawn to the cheekbone. Defender whips up, the rest of the shots spanging harmlessly against the holy blade. "Ah'm above Death itsel'. Ye'll nae harm me nae."
She slashes out, seeking to lay low the incoming Duran. She doesn't pause to see if she strikes the Child, instead advancing towards Simon with murderous intent.
She draws up to him, seeking to slam her blade through Simon's throat; one hand on the hilt, the other flat against the pommel to make darned sure it goes through all the way. "Ah'll remember that," she snarls, savagely. "Ye'll be tha' first Ah raise in ser'ice tae tha' Yin True King."
You hit Christoph Schmidt with your Let's Not Scar That Pretty Face Of Yours attack.
You critically strike Meliadoul Tengille with your SLASHUMS attack.
You hit Simon Parker with your OH NO YOU LE DIDN'T attack.
You critically strike Natsuki Kuga with your AND YOUR LITTLE DOG, TOO attack.
"Ghk" is all Parker manages to get out as Agrias' sword strikes him in the throat. The demon is saved from decapitation by his own quick reflexes alone-he falls backwards, rolling with the blow, even as hot, sticky wetness trickles down his neck. His throat is on fire, even in the face of the arctic winds.
And then Simon suddenly rises to his feet, rushing forwards. His gait is labored, and each breath is agonizing-but he manages to close quarters with Agrias. He's too close to swing the Judge at her... so instead, he lashes out with his leg, aiming to kick Oaks in her bad leg. If he's lucky, Simon's blow will land in the exact same spot the Inquisitors broke it, originally.
Simon Parker gets a glancing blow on Agrias Oaks with his CHEAP SHOT attack.
You take 14 damage.
This is a level of brutality that Meliadoul has never seen from Agrias, ever. It almost shocks her but the knight's instincts are sharp and she was born during a time of warm. Even as Defender strains in the former Holy Knight's hands and crush metal rings into the templar's flesh, Meliadoul is not ready to go down yet.
Her spirit burns and she looks up to the Heavens as if seeking the warmth of God's light in this frigid land that has suddenly risen about her. Her lips raise, exposing white teeth grinding against themselves. "Lady Duelar would be wroth with me, as would Ovelia if I tore your heart out. So i will have to make do." The raises her shield high up and then brings it back to sling it forward. The heavy metal object flies off her arm and straight towards Agrias.
Meliadoul Tengille critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her Like Captain America, I am! attack.
You take 31 damage.
Poor Duran doesn't even get to Agrias. He's swatted out of the air by the sword, landing with a crash a short distance away. While he may not have been cut, that definitely hurt the Child. "Duran!" Without thinking, the HiME drops her guns, the Elements dissolving into nothing as soon as they hit the ground, and she runs over to crouch near her Child. "Duran, you..."
With a soft whine, the canine staggers to his feet, shaking his head a bit. "Thank goodness, you're alright." Placing her hand on Duran's shoulder, Natsuki slowly rises to her feet. "Duran. Load Silver Cartridge." The Child flicks his ears as the shells are loaded into his guns. "We have to end this quickly." Lifting a hand, she points toward Agrias, eyes narrowing slightly. She waits a moment, carefully watching the others... and finally calls out, "Fire!"
Twin shells are launched, but halfway to the mad knight, they dissolve against a disc of blue, shifting into several javelins of ice. While Duran can't use full power here without hitting his master's allies, there's still something to be said for a rain of razor-sharp icicles.
Natsuki Kuga critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her Hopefully she isn't A: Ice! attack.
You take 26 damage.
Natsuki Kuga says, "Incoming fire! Don't worry... I don't hit you!"
"Du sprichst viel von sich selbst," Christoph hisses right back at Agrias, turning his face toward hers, their foreheads nearly touching when she whispers in his ear. Under other circumstances, this might look faintly romantic, if not for the rictuses of sheer fury reflected against each other. "You speak much of yourself," he repeats, in a language that both will understand now. "But just a shadow."
And then she kicks him, along with a severe wrench of the sword, sending him sprawling. Now, finally, his teleporting reflexes kick in, and instead of landing in a crumpled heap and tearing open his wounds further, reappears in a low crouch a slight distance away. He is bad shape now-a potentially mortal wound, though all things considered, he is likely to get the requisite medical care quickly enough to keep him alive and whole. But he is not going to be able to take much more punishment.
He stabs Balmung into the ground, hard, and leans against it in order to keep himself from toppling over at this point. An angry glare gets sent back up at Agrias as he wheezes wetly for breath; the term 'sucking chest wound' is being made plainly manifest here.
He certainly doesn't dare dart back in at this point, though he sure would like to. Maybe in a few moments, after he catches his breath...right. He snakes his left hand out, grabs a wayward chunk of masonry, watches carefully as Simon and Meliadoul now advance against their former compatriot-watches Natsuki direct Duran to open fire on Agrias.
"Meli, meine Freundin, please duck."
His metal arm glows, bends back like a catapult being engaged, and then hurls the shattered brick right at Oaks' face past Meliadoul at magically enhanced speeds. He may not be able to extend his power very far away from his body, but once a stone is thrown, it stays thrown. Hard.
Christoph Schmidt hits Agrias Oaks with his Yep, that's right, back to basics: >Throw Stone attack.
You take 20 damage.
You have been knocked out!
The Holy Knight raises an arm to try and coax her blade even further through Simon's throat, maybe even to take his head off entirely. Wouldn't that be nice? He has reflexes enough to lunge backwards, though, depriving her of a proper kill.
She's left in a semi-crouch, swaying slightly. It's true that she seems not to notice the punishment she's been put through, but a physical body can only endure so much abuse before it fails. She'll have to be careful.
The winds take a change for the worse. Frost begins to form on the crumbled remains of Nelveska Temple, and it skirls like a lost spirit through the temple's stones. The chill is almost numbing by this point, though the Holy Knight almost seems rejuvenated by its deathly chill. Is that a rumbling sound, deep under the howling of the gale?
Simon's kick catches her a bit by surprise, and she goes down with a snarl, her leg simply collapsing under the strain. Were this under normal circumstances, it would probably leave her on the ground, sobbing in pain - but she simply takes the blow, crumpling into a heap and climbing slowly back up. True, she centres all her weight on the other side, but she seems unconcerned.
There is certainly brutality to her, tonight. There's something off in those eyes, too; the colour of them somehow... changed, slightly, corpse-yellow instead of the rich, raptor's gold they usually are. And while there may be recognition in them, there's a kind of callous disregard for the years of friendship she has with these people - as though she had lost any and all faith in everything except for whatever drives her.
She smiles a bloody smile, swaying uncertainly on her feet. Defender's tip trails a dripping red line in the frost.
"Her Majesty may yet find her own defenders. I will not swear my fealty to her. She can no more defend herself than I can suffer this... rabble." Agrias gestures vaguely towards the assembled party. Something in her voice changes, as well; a colder tone to it, deeper. There seems none of her usual soft-spoken nature about it - it's cold and harsh, like the scouring winds that rake through the temple grounds. "I serve now the One True King, and His power I will wield. I am become Death itself." She laughs again, even as the ice javelins pierce her; heedless of the damage they surely must be doing. "Dare ye fight such a power, rabble? Thy power is not enough to best Death itself."
She raises Defender, just in time for the masonry Christoph lobs to strike her in the back of the head. She's sent staggering, even moreso once she lands on her crippled leg, but quickly recovers.
"I shall soon have a blade more fitting, methinks, but not quite yet. Not quite yet." She raises aloft the blessed blade, pointing it at her former allies, laughing again. "I have no fear! Not of thee, nor of thy petty defenses! I have no fear of Glabados and such paltry authority as they claim to wield! No more will I fear them!"
She straightens, jamming Defender into its sheath. "I have had enough of thy games." One gauntlet is whisked off, and two fingers put to her mouth, blasting a sharp, shrill whistle - in response, Alkoun comes barreling out from wherever he'd been hiding, screeching. Even he seems to look a little different, feathers paler, no yellow at all in his plumage; but a sickly white tipped with black.
Agrias swings herself up into the saddle, casting a flat, dead look towards the company of agents. "I will soon see thee again." Her smile is particularly unpleasant. "Fare thee well," she adds, mockingly. "I promise, I will be certain to finish thy task, next time. I will see thee slain, to a man. You shall serve the Lich King."
With that, she turns Alkoun, kicking with her good leg. The chocobo sprints towards the mainland, screeching and snapping at what few Glabados operatives remain in his way.
It isn't long before what's left of Agrias Oaks is lost to the howling gale, leaving the defenders to pick up the pieces amongst themselves.
Simon Parker says, "She's... fled."
Meliadoul Tengille snarls quietly.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Ghh."
Simon Parker's voice is barely more than a wet little croak.
Reis Duelar says, "I'll track her. I'll bring Ruklegos."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "We will need medics. I do not know if Parker can hold out any longer."
Reis Duelar says, "I'm coming, but my skills..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Christoph has suffered grievous wounds. I have a hi-potion on me. It should hold Parker over until you get here Lady Duelar"
Simon Parker would say more, but Agrias nearly punched a hole in his larynx.
At Christoph's warning, the knight drops to the ground and allows the brick to whiz by. It smashes into Agrias and the now Dark Night beats a hasty retreat. She gets to her feet and makes to follow but the wind is too strong and she is bleeding from several wounds. Blood leaks from ice frosted armor as Natsuki's ice shower rains down harmlessly around her. She snarls as she watches Agrias retreat. Just you want woman. She will drag you away from the Lich King kicking and screaming and half-dead if she has to. But for now, there are others to attend to.
A quick look around is all she needs to know that Simon is the one most badly injured. She fumbles in her pouches and pulls out a single unbroken crystalline vial and rushes to Parker's side. Still bleeding, she kneels down and opens the vial, "Drink this Parker. It will stop the worst of the wounds till Lady Duelar arrives."
As usual, Christoph's brain apportions itself into multiple lines of thought.
One wants to chase down Agrias, kick her in the face a few more times, hogtie her, and drag her back for deprogramming with a large mallet. A second one replaces the mallet with a nailbat. A third is saying that it will probably not work, and other methods will have to be found to deal with this possession by the Lich King's influence. And of course, the final piece that has a lock on the rest of him is saying it's time for another visit to the tender mercies of Shamal. Only it's not saying this, it's whimpering like a kicked dog.
He slumps heavily against Balmung, hunching over in a vague attempt to press the edges of his wounds together in hopes of slowing the flow of blood. It doesn't work too well, but...it's better than nothing.
He slowly, jerkily rotates his head to look over at his allies. Simon seems to be in as bad shape as he, just with the puncture wound in a different place. Meliadoul is bloodied, but doing better. And Natsuki seems hardly touched. "Sorry, Meliadoul," he says, the first thing coming to mind aside from the previous thoughts. "Will make sure...we rescue your friend."
It looks like he wants to say more, but he sputters quietly, spraying more blood from his lips and then coughs wetly with a wince. He then reaches out with his hand, and now lines of writing appear in the dirt: 'Please recover Balmung's sheath. Over that way.' And an arrow finishes off the request, pointing off into a clump of bushes, where the metallic blue skin of the scabbard can be seen.
Simon would reply, but Agrias' blade made quick work of whatever snarkiness he was going to spit at her. As-is, the lawyer-agent-something remains on his feet as she rides off, teeth gritted against the pain. Slowly, the Bloody-Handed Judge wobbles in Parker's hand, and sinks into the ground. Simon falls to one knee, burying the blade further as he struggles for breath.
And then Meliadoul presents the potion. Simon takes it, uncaps it with a shaking hand, and swallows it. It, too, burns as it makes its way down his throat, but... it's enough to seal the wound there, and lessen the pain in his chest.
"Thanks," Parker croaks, as he hands the empty vial back to Meliadoul. "...We need to regroup. Figure out where she'll go from here, what we need to do to capture her alive."
"Duran!" As Agrias rides off on chocobo-back, the Child gives chase... but he's hurt, and he isn't able to keep up with the demonbird, much less catch it. Before long, he comes loping back, returning to Natsuki's side with a soft whimper. "Tch... no, it's okay. I know." The HiME runs her hand over the top of the canine's head as she returns her attention to the others. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Pausing, Natsuki glances over her shoulder. "I'm not sure how safe it is to stay here. I got rid of those other knights, but I'm not sure how long they'll be gone. You're in no state for another fight right now."
================================== The IPA ================================== The IPA ===================================
Message: 12/13 Posted Author
From the Blackberry of Simon Parke Tue Sep 02 Simon Parker
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vanguard engaged in attempt to secure Holy Stone 'Virgo' from plane
of Reis Duelar. Attempt went sour due to Captain Oaks seemingly succumbing to
influence of 'Lich King'; undoubtedly related to exposure to and/or injury
from Runeblade 'Rimehowl'. Oaks attacked Vanguard members, dealt severe injury
before cumulative injuries forced her to retreat.
Oaks no longer retains information access privleges. Subject is to
be treated as enemy combatant-subdue if possible, but be advised Oaks uses
lethal force. Vanguard leadership remains unresolved, will be resolved soon.
Further information pending.
-SP
==============================================================================
Where: Nelveska Temple - Kingdom of Ivalice - Fantasy Sector
When: 01 September 2008
What: The IPA is called to escort a Zodiac Stone from a different Ivalice to the TSAB Headquarters for investigation and potential safe destruction. Instead, the entire mission is compromised when, in a rage, Agrias turns on her allies. Turns out that the influence of the runeblade, Rimehowl, wasn't quite as silenced as everyone had hoped...
Watch For: Everyone being incomprehensible. Simon gets lucky!
Captain Agrias Oaks snarls, nastily. "Oh, aye, Sergeant! Ah've awoken! Whitfaer ye think Ah've opened my e'es?! Ah'll kill ye both! Thro' ye intae tha' bay. Let tha' dragons feast y'r bones." There's a short pause, and then, as though talking to somebody else entirely, Agrias has a totally different tone of voice - feral, bloodthirsty eagerness. "Aye, m'Laird!" ...She's not answering anybody audible on the channel, at least.
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...Oh my."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "It sounds like Young Oaks has gone rampant."
Simon Parker says, "You're not killing anyone today, Oaks."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Has she had maintenance recently?"
Sephiroth says, "Apparently not."
Captain Agrias Oaks snarls. "Ah'll start wi'e ye, Parker. Creature. Abomination. Ah've waited lang tae dae this."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "... ..."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Aua."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Me lord?!"
Aerith Gainsborough says, "Someone grab him -"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Clearly you've been touched in the 'ead now! I"
Meliadoul Tengille sounding snide, "I thought you didn't believe in God!"
Captain Agrias Oaks, with that same feral, bloodthirsty eagerness, almost reverence, "Ah ser'e ae far better master than God!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Hmmmmm. Well, to be fair, there are many gods, and some of them are quite petty."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt suddenly, viciously, "Verdammter Schwert! Should haff schnapped it right away and ground it into filings für scrubbing zer bottom side of zer Baron's codpiece! DU FETTE KUH, HALT 'N KLAPPE UND SEI DOCH RUHIG!"
Micronized Klein Klan says, "Someone had best cut her radio if she's, uh, obviously not herself!........I can't understand anyone right now, but."
Simon Parker's voice is a low, angry snarl. "Who, then, do you serve?"
Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "Sounded more like a 'Die gleefully, mortals, to ease my Yozi master's hunger!' tone of voice."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Oh my. I do hope not. The Great Maker's siblings are most unpleasant fellows."
Captain Agrias Oaks bellowing, over the sudden screaming of arctic wind. "Ah ser'e tha' Yin True King...!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "And 'ere i thought you 'ated Delita woman!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...But who is Yin Trucking? I am fairly certain he is not in the last Role of Glorious Divinity that I consulted!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...granted, that one is several hundred years out of date. Hmmmm. I need to find some local Savants."
Peleps Kaizoku Seki says, "'One true king', I think. Sorry, navigating haunted stairs."
Captain Agrias Oaks snarls. "Ah ser'e ae king more true than tha wuirm. Ah ser'e tha' Frozen North!" The wind screams again, skirling through Nelveska Temple. "Ah ser'e tha' Undying! Ah ser'e tha' Lich King - Ah'll show ye power like as nae ye've ne'er seen...!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Oh. Undead."
Simon Parker swears. "Cut her signal. Now."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Dirty little abominations. I suggest fire."
Captain Agrias Oaks' signal cuts in a burst of static.
Agrias Oaks' signal cuts in a burst of static.
Note! Agrias can no longer hear messages on these frequencies from this point on, but the communication has been left intact for the purposes of logging.
Thaelarion Dragonsbane SUDDEN GOOD CHEER. "Good evening everyone! You wouldn't believe what my sister and I caught today!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Hello there!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Hello!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Hello!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane can keep this up for hours. "Hello!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Lich King?!"
Reis Duelar says, "Agrias..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "That stupid woman got 'erself..."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "What is it you found? Does it serve Yin Trucking, God of Liches?"
Simon Parker says, "Possessed."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane thump. Liquid pour. "It's been a good d-"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane ....
Simon Parker says, "I don't know how, that sword was destroyed-"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "........"
Simon Parker says, "But wait."
Simon Parker says, "It... it cut her, didn't it."
Natsuki Kuga says, "Is this about that sword she had? I can barely understand half of what's being said, and these idiots refuse to listen to reason."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "I told you that we should have properly recycled it."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "'ow the 'ell am I supposed to know?! You were the one with 'er!"
Simon Parker says, "When the Argent Dawn destroyed it, a piece of it flew up and cut her."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane this message has been censored by the Silvermoon Bureau of Proper Public Speaking. Please stand by!
Simon Parker says, "Yes!"
Natsuki Kuga says, "Right.. reversible?"
Reis Duelar says, "I swear I'll do all I can to help."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane WAILS something thoroughly incoherent in Thalassian.
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "......but where will we find a metal cabbage? And what is a cabbage?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony translation error.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Wound in her face, Meli...shard cut her face when it was destroyed. Scheiße!"
Simon draws his sword away, dripping with his superior's blood. By now it's obvious-despite their best efforts, Captain Oaks has been subverted by the very power he sought to spare her from. Something deep inside him is mourning this, wailing in grief, but he tunes it out. He has to keep his wits about him.
"Lich King?! You... how dare you, after all I did for you-!" Parker switches his grip on the Judge, and brings the pommel down at Agrias' head, hoping to add still another head wound to the mounting toll.
Simon Parker gets a glancing blow on Agrias Oaks with his BOOT TO THE HEAD (only not) jab.
You take 15 damage.
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "I KNEW that forsaken piece of-" TRANSLATION ERROR "-was going to cause problems! You're all going to die!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "...I think I picked the wrong time to tune in, didn't I?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Why?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane wails, "It's contagious!"
Simon Parker says, "It's what?!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Oh."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Is that all?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane sounds more than a little hysterical. "YOU might be okay, I'll be fine, but the rampaging armies of Northrend are going to be filled with members of the IPA and I don't WANT to put any of you out of your misery!!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Sounds like somethin' crazy just happened."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "...What's a Northrend?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "It's a type of pastry."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Its a place full of DEATH and UNDEAD and DYING and PAIN and SUFFERING."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "I found it in the Trandimensional Transport Nexus the other day."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...No, no, I'm pretty sure it's a pastry."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Quite tasty."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "It's also a pasty, but this is the ARMIES OF DOOM, not the snack!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Undead, eh? i'm pretty good at takin' care of those."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Bad times ahead."
Simon Parker says, "It'll never get me, I swear it, I'm no plague-bearer, I-"
Maria Tegawa says, "Calm down."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "They'll have to kill me first first before they make me one of the undead."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane wail.
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "...I thought that was the point of the undead, though."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "YOu know. Killing people. So they then become undead. The process seems quite inefficent and distasteful, mind you. Hmmmm."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane hiccups. "It's horrible."
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "Um, how does it spread the contagion?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane sniffle. "I can't handle this. I like everyone too much."
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "... and is there anyone near him who has a hankie?"
Defender skitters over the golden shield on Meliadoul's right arm and she grunts as the heavy sword bites into the ring mail right beneath her breast plate. There is a flash of blood and the knight snarls as she bickers back and forth over the radio. Suddenly Agrias is cut off and the knight roars in rage. "THE LICH KING?! YOU BLOODY IDIOT!"
She swings her sword wide again, "Why the bloody 'ell are you listening to some undead no life thing?!" Save the Queen returns on the back swing as she attempts to drive the point of her sword through the other knight. "Allow me to put you out of your misery then." Her lips curl into an angry snarl as tears threaten to form at the corner of her eyes.
Meliadoul Tengille critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her :stabbity stab. attack.
You take 29 damage.
Cameron Mitchell seems to have been put off his jello. "So, uh, we'd better nip this in the bud, huh?"
Aerith Gainsborough belatedly, "Northrend?"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "There, there. I'll send an Aide over with a thermos of tea and a nice Northrend, you'll calm down, and then we can discuss this like sensible mortals. Of which I have very good memories, mind you."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "I don't think a thermos of tea is gonna make that guy calm down. Maybe a swift kick to the ass might."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Tea helps everything."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "It is quite an enjoyable substance. I hope we can find a way to properly syntehsize it back in Gulak."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane unhappily, "No, I won't calm down, you need to kill the infection right now, WITH FIRE, or it'll get everywhere, everywhere and-" That's probably hyperventilating. There's the sound of someone pleasant and female in the background. "Thael, put that down, and come have some dinner. We didn't spend all day chasing down wrathguards just to let them go to waste."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "That's what Urahara says. He's insane, though."
"If you idiots would just listen to me!" Several more shots are fired from Natsuki's pistols as Duran charges in. "This isn't about your Church or your war. You're going to just get yourselves killed if you don't leave her right now!" And then one of the monks punches Duran. Now, normally, a human punching a Child isn't going to do anything but break their hands. But a trained monk...
A loud CLANG sounds as the punch launches Duran back several feet, the Child only barely able to land on his feet. "Duran!" Green eyes flash as Natsuki glares daggers at the monk and his friends. "I have had it. Load Chrome Cartridge!" Panels on the wolf's rear legs open, each one locking a large shell into the rear of the cannons on his back. "This won't kill you, but you are going to be hurting a lot once you wake up..."
Natsuki lifts her hand to her head, running it through her hair, giving just a moment to let anyone who wants to flee do so. A moment is all they get, however. The girl flicks her hair over her shoulder and points toward the group. "FIRE!" Both cannons launch their shells, which arc through the air and explode on contact with the ground.
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Fire you say?"
Meliadoul Tengille mutters, "Fire fire fire..."
Natsuki Kuga says, "Nobody's going to die here! *CLANG* ...except maybe these people."
Meliadoul Tengille wishing she didn't fail so much at Black magic
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "Um... If they're undead, don't holy things also hurt them? They do in stories... purification and all that."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Maybe I shoulda tuned in earlier, helped you get rid of some of these undead."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane sniff. "Holy things might work, but if she's not dead yet then fire will do. I don't want any fel energy, it leaves me lightheaded for HOURS."
Natsuki Kuga says, "They're not undead. They're just too stupid for their own good!"
Sword meets skull, fails to induce unconsciousness. Christoph scowls briefly, then gets a gutful of sword before he can react. And Agrias puts quite a lot of power into the swing, smashing aside the protective magics in the Barrier Jacket and giving the first gash in his stomach a much larger sibling, this one taking a chunk of rib with it.
There is a grunt, an involuntary spasm through the Belkan mage's entire body. One eye widens, while the other squeezes shut as a lot of pain cascades through his nervous system, making his adrenal glands scream in panic and pour out enough reactive chemicals to make a small mammal explode.
He stumbles back, bleeding profusely. A small piece of his brain is hoping that the sudden biting chill sweeping through will help numb the wound; another piece is shrieking that the cold is making it worse, at least for now, because the abused nerve endings are sending even more signals back home. A small third portion glances at Meliadoul, is glad she got through the attack in much better shape than he. The remainder of his brain is still dealing with the first shock of the sensation of a blade sweeping through his stomach and leaving a large notch in his ribcage.
It all culminates in a furious howl over the IPA radio, in which he expresses his desire for Rimehowl to have been used to scrub a medieval jockstrap while calling Agrias a large heifer, only a little bit less genteel.
He now stumbles forward, the latest injury clearly hampering his movement, but nevertheless is able to spin Balmung around in his hand in order to ram the glowing green jewel on the pommel into Agrias' gut, snarling something out in Belkan as he goes.
Christoph Schmidt critically strikes Agrias Oaks with his This attack name has been edited for content, because we don't want monitors melting right now, and the player needs more caffeine. attack.
You take 35 damage.
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "The one who is or might be undead is Captain Oaks. She's kind of our ally... I don't think we want to get rid of her. Just the undead part."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Hate having to fight allies."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Cannot kill them."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "No, no, it's too late for that."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Tch."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Just put her out of her misery before you all become her mindless zombie minions. And don't get your miniony plagueness near Silvermoon!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Giving up on an ally?"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Pathetic."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Oi, you guys out there. Beat the Bad out of her."
Simon Parker says, "We're trying!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "There's nothing wrong with wanting to put her soul to rest!!"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "IT'S FOR THE BEST"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "And who the hell made you the expert on what's for the best? So ready to throw someone's life away?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Because I've dealt with this before. It destroyed ninety percent of my entire species. YOU have not."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Your species needs upgrades."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "We're working on that! Prince Kael'thas has plans in the works!!"
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Have you considered soul gems?"
Aerith Gainsborough says, "... Well, don't be so sure, sir. What happened to her...?"
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Oh yes. But they only last a half hour."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Your soul gem technology is flawed."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "We're working on that too."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Maybe, but is giving up on someone going to make things better? Hell no! Never give up on a friend, even if your life, the life of the world is on the line."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Mine has been perfectly functional for over one hundred years."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Perhaps you are constructing them in an inferior manner."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Oo, not bad, a century's pretty good time for most mortal races."
Perfected Engine of Harmony says, "Well, yes, but I'm quite young for my kind."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "S-sir, if I wanted to give up on her entirely I'd say destroy her soul too, but I DIDN'T, if that's saved, then she can come back and try again! Or at least we can put it in someone else.."
Simon Parker says, "We'll do what we can, Thael."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Do it quickly. You'll make a hideous zombie."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane says, "Or a lichling. I don't know what lawyers would turn into."
It looks like the summoned beast does a little more than just stand around and growl. When the mechanical wolf is pounced back, the knight roars, "And why should we listen to you heretic?!" With all the flashing and unearthly unGodlike power being slung around behind Natsuki, the Glabados members are finding it kind of hard to believe that Natsuki really is just watching out for their own safety.
Then she shouts the magic words, "Load Chrome Cartridge." The bullets fire into the air and hit the ground. THe resulting explosion throws the gathered contingency sky high and far in the other direction. It will take them quite some time for them to return back to this battle. Better go help out your friends Natsuki!
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Well, if he soul's tainted, I'll fix it. ..Once it's out of her body, anyway."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "What? Destroy her s-! NO!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Damn it! WE ARE NOT DOING THAT TO HER!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Ovelia would have me 'ead!"
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Hey, hey. I don't destroy sould. I 'clean the bad ones and send 'em to the Afterlife."
Thaelarion Dragonsbane hyperventilating again. "I'm going to go lay down. I can't handle this."
Natsuki Kuga says, "Hmph. Th-" Her voice is cut off by a ver close explosion. "That's taken care of. I'm on my way back to help, Meliadoul."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Understood."
The Bloody-Handed Judge falls like a falcon in full stoop, but a quick dodge sideways ensures that it doesn't cleave Agrias' skull in twain. Instead, it glances off the clasp of her green cloak, carving a seperate gouge into her shoulder. For all that it should be a debilitating blow, she seems to ignore it entirely.
It isn't even bleeding that much, for as deep as the two-handed sword has gone.
Mind not your wounds, my Knight! Fight on and show them the true power of Northrend. Together we will conquer the world itself. The Lich King's voice is silent to everyone but Agrias, but the howling of the wind rises in time to his eagerness. All will fall before the Scourge, in time.
"Aw will fall tae tha' Scourge!" There's a zealous look to Agrias, now, in a way that she'd never dealt with anything before. Always, the Holy Knight had been embittered and cynical, openly scornful of religion and faith, or blind service in any pursuit. "Ye'll feed tha' ranks o' tha' Lich King's ain army. Oh, aye. Ye'll make fine additions!"
The sword whistles as she tries to swing it around, chanting something foreign. But no Holy energies come. Agrias pauses for just a moment, frowning blackly at Defender. The silvered blade gleams, still - but it refuses to obey.
It was, after all, a blessed thing; annointed by the Church. Though so much of it was corrupt, some small core must have held - some universal shred of the Light. With a ragged cry of disgust, Agrias swings the blade anyway.
Defender won't obey, but its keen edge still cuts. Its keen edge is sent whistling straight for Simon, a blow that would be destructive to anybody else. Here's to hoping he's fast enough that it doesn't take off his head.
Agrias carries through the blow, tilting her wrist just slightly and letting her arm fly; aiming Defender for Meliadoul next. "Ah'm nae ae maunderen' eedjit," she jeers, something terrible behind those golden eyes. "Ah'm tha' ainly yin wi'e e'es tae see wi'e ye lot! Y'r aw blind, strugglen' 'gainst soom'thain' ye canna e'en howp tae ken. Death be tha' strongest o' powers. Ah'll show ye firsthand...!"
She doesn't dodge Meliadoul's blow, either; letting Save the Queen rip through a shoulder. It comes out cleanly through the other side, but Agrias actually seizes the blade, using it to pull herself closer to Meliadoul. The better to return the favour - Defender snaps out in a sharp thrust, meaning to punch right through the Knight Templar's gut.
"Ah'll be tha' yin tae put ye out o' yer misery," she snarls, once she's sufficiently close to Meliadoul. The familiar Agrias Oaks is simply not there, behind those golden eyes. They seem a little... yellowed, the hue sickly-looking instead of the rich gold of a raptor; or maybe that's the dark hollows under them.
Except she's knocked aside by the pommel of Balmung being planted into her gut; Save the Queen ripping free from her shoulder with a sickening sound. Agrias is flung from the saddle like a broken ragdoll.
She's quick to rise, though; not at all deterred by such a show of force. Defender is picked up, and she leers at the Master Sergeant. "Och. Sae ye waun' tae play, dae ye?"
"Awricht." She rises, cracking her neck and limping forward. "We'll play."
Defender suddenly raises, and she aims the sword, slamming forward, seeking to plant the blade straight through Christoph's chest.
It is most definitely meant to be a lethal blow. She's not holding back at all - whatever was left of Agrias Oaks, it's been completely twisted. It's gone.
You hit Meliadoul Tengille with your STABBUMS attack.
You critically strike Simon Parker with your SLASHUMS attack.
You critically strike Christoph Schmidt with your THIS MAY HURT A LITTLE attack.
Meliadoul Tengille exhales sharply, "Tch."
Meliadoul Tengille then begins to laugh bitterly, "Hah hah hah... hah hah hah...."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "NO MERCY!"
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Ach, du lieber..."
One day, Christoph's ribs are going to evolve sentience, quietly communicate with each other and establish a union, Local Costae #93, and go on strike. His penchant for calculating the paths of attacks and then walking right into them to tank them in order to counter quickly and effectively has led to them getting abused particularly well. Tonight is a prime example of such.
As he clumsily straightens up, he stares at Agrias making a determined thrust right at his chest. His first instinct is to teleport away to safety. But a quick estimation of his current mental focus and the pain continuing to course through his nervous system tells him that he isn't going to be able to pull it off in time to dodge this.
So, with what looks like a pained lurch to the side...wait, no, it really is a pained lurch...the blade slides neatly into his torso, puncturing a lung but at least missing his heart. He's got two of the former, only one of the latter, so all's good, right?
This hurts a lot, actually.
Fury stoked by agony banks a fire in his eyes, and he now pushes forward-pushes up the sword, with the point now emerging from his back as he forces it to drive right through his body. "Good vun," he rasps, spitting out flecks of blood at Agrias as his accent gets more pronounced through all the acutely focused stress scouring his brain. "Returning zer favor now."
He abruptly whips Balmung around, sending the sheath flying off to the side, unlamented, and attempts to jam the brightly glowing blade into Agrias' side. It's not meant to be a fatal blow, because even now, he's got enough presence of mind to try to restrain himself-despite what Herr Drachenbane and others have said on the radio.
Christoph Schmidt hits Agrias Oaks with his THIS HURTS, AND I'M JUST SHARING THE JOY, MMMM-MMMM TASTY PAIN super.
You take 48 damage.
Meliadoul was close enough to realize at the exact same moment that Agrias did that her powers as a Holy Knight have abandoned her and she grins even as Defender punches through the chainmail covering her abdomen. She exhales sharply as the blade cuts through some of her internal organs. She's going to need a visit to the hospital after this.
But as Christoph distracts the knight, she casts a look to Parker to make sure he's alright. Fallen or not, there is no time to oversee his corpse. Instead she starts laughing. It is a harsh angry sound as blood trickles through bent and cut rings. "Hah hah hah... hah hah hah...."
Her lips twist into an angry grimace. "God 'as forsaken you Agrias! You are no longer worth of wielding 'is power! You are no longer worth of protecting Ovelia!" She pulls then from that power deep inside, a power born from faith and the desire to protect. "Even Defender acts against you! You 'ave shamed your sword! Your name! Your very existence!" A white light begins to coat the blade. "But worry not! I will put an end to this miserable existence you have created!" The sword raises high into the heavens, "ARMOR WON'T 'ELP THE 'EART STAY SHARP!"
Meliadoul Tengille misses Agrias Oaks with her Breastplate shatter! attack.
Meliadoul Tengille misses Agrias Oaks with her Code hates me tonight D: attack.
Meliadoul Tengille misses Agrias Oaks with her Seriously. D: D: attack.
Meliadoul Tengille critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her OH FOR BLOODY HELL attack.
You take 31 damage.
Meliadoul Tengille buffs Agrias Oaks's STA to -2.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt crunch, wet sound, a somewhat gurgling, "Good vun. Returning zer favor now."
Maria Tegawa says, "..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Kuga!"
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Shoot her!"
Natsuki Kuga says, "I'm still here!"
Maria Tegawa says, "I would like to request an update on the situation consisting of who currently is in control of their mental facilities and who isn't, if that isn't too much trouble."
Once more Agrias' sword cleaves into Simon Parker's torso, tracing a ragged, bloody gash in his flesh. Blood oozes from the wounds, a macabre X-shape across his breast; and he chokes back the pain. That hurt, but it didn't damage anything vital. Simon hopes it didn't damage anything vital. The Balseraph staggers back, blood staining his green robe crimson...
You know they'll only betray you in the end.
Something about that-and Meliadoul's voice-makes something go 'snap' in Simon's mind. The demon lets out a bellow of rage, and grabs his sword by the chain-length attached to the pommel. He swings the weapon over his head, the chain somehow extending to give him more slack to work with. Round and round it whirls, like a macabre propellor blade, until it stops... and lashes out at Agrias' chest, to impale her. Simon promptly jerks the weapon back once more, then thrusts it fowards-the chain somehow animating the Judge for him. One final tug, and the weapon will slip free again.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 12 damage.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 20 damage.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 19 damage.
Simon Parker juggles Agrias Oaks with his I see you Stabbings and raise you STABBINGS combo.
You take 20 damage.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Haff mental faculties. Barely holding on to physical. May start to bleed out soon. Ach."
Well! That was quite satisfying. Natsuki watches the zealots go flying off from the explosion, a smug twist to her lips. "Maybe they'll be smart and stay gone." Her hand comes up to, once more, give her hair a neat flick. That's what they get!
Now that they're all taken care of, Natsuki turns to face the swordfight. "We'd better help them out there. Duran!" The Child lets out a low howl and bounds forward, leaping quickly toward Agrias. As he runs, the HiME raises both her guns, firing off several shots at the mad knight. "Agrias! Come to your senses already!"
Duran quickly jumps to the side, not wishing to get hit by friendly swords, then finally times his leap, pouncing at Agrias with the intent of knocking her to the ground.
Natsuki Kuga juggles Agrias Oaks with her Guns and Guns and suddenly DOG combo.
You take 16 damage.
Agrias Oaks breaks Natsuki Kuga's combo.
Simon Parker says, "Oaks's lost it, the rest of us are fine."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Fine? Who ist fine?"
Natsuki Kuga says, "I'm perfectly fine."
Simon Parker says, "By 'fine' I mean 'not possessed by an eldtrich evil entity'."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Lucky you. Aua."
Maria Tegawa says, "Good. Thank you."
Meliadoul Tengille pants, "Captain Agrias Oaks of the Vanguard Detachment turned traitor while we were attempting to retrieve one of the Zodiac stones in another world. She claimed that we were attempting to trade her to the clergy in exchange for the stone. So she attacked us. God has left her and she is now in service to the Lich King."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "So, wait. Just being cut by...whatever she got nailed by can make you lose your sh-mind?"
Simon Parker's breathing sounds labored. "Lady Duelar, we're... trying to... subdue her..."
Meliadoul Tengille growls, "That woman. It was her faithlessness in God that lead her down this road."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "Less speculation, more heavy blows to the head."
Reis Duelar says, "I can't-I don't think I can get there fast enough, but God, I wish I could...! Is she...hurt badly? Other than the obvious..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "It is not a speculation and we are trying to subdue her."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "She is fairing far better than we are Lady Duelar."
Natsuki Kuga says, "She's unhurt enough to swing that sword around, if that says anything."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "I'm not gonna argue what faith in 'God' has t'do with any of this."
Aerith Gainsborough says, "How could-something like that happen so quickly..."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Did not happen quickly! Was being changed for the past-weeks. Now completed."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "And nobody noticed? Yeesh. She musta hid it well."
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Were worried, but nothing conclusive. Final change did happen faster than expected."
Aerith Gainsborough says, "Yeah... that makes sense."
Maria Tegawa says, "Well, is it permanent?"
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Herr Drachenbane said it is on his world. Could...could be different hier."
Maria Tegawa says, "We have the rest of the multiverse tenatively at our disposal. There will be a way out there."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "What she said."
Cameron Mitchell says, "Yeah, no such thing as an insurmountable obstacle. Just need somebody with a brain juicy enough to figure it out."
Reis Duelar says, "I swear that I will save her. She-she saved me before, so I must..."
Meliadoul Tengille growls, "Oh yes. We'll save her alright. After we beat this Lich King nonsense out of that skull of hers."
Subaru Hoshikawa says, "I'll contact Mr. Amachi and see if he can come up with any ideas, if you want. He's good at improvising this sort of things."
Ichigo Kurosaki says, "If y'want, I could takl to Urahara. He's good with this weird sh-stuff."
The Holy Knight seems perfectly in control of herself, physically. Her body holds together with a toughness and resilience it simply shouldn't possess. She's taken wounds that, while not fatal, should have slowed her enough for them to overpower her. Yet, for all the damage done to her, Agrias doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.
"Nae bad, y'rsel', Sergeant." Agrias flashes her teeth in a bloody leer as Christoph shoves his sword into her side. The blade gives a sickening crunch, narrowly glancing past her spine and puncturing through goodness-knows-what along the way. "But ye're nae realisen' soom'thain."
She wrenches her sword from Christoph's torso, Defender slick with the blood of her allies. Her legs tremble, but she doesn't fall, nor does she seem to be weakening, otherwise. She leans forward, letting the blade rip further into her body, to whisper a blood-choked whisper in Christoph's ear.
"Ah'm become Death itself."
And then she struggles backwards, ripping herself off of the Master Sergeant's two-handed sword. She even attempts to plant a boot on Christoph's body to further that goal, aiming a half-hearted swipe at his face as she does.
She gains herself enough time to back up, spitting a thick clot of blood to the ground. It steams as it hits the frozen stone of the earth, a thick rime of frost already beginning to form underfoot. Doubtless it's treacherous footing to anybody without spiked shoes or some other adaptation.
Oddly, Agrias seems to have no trouble with the slick stone at all.
"Aye. Let someone new luik o'er Her Majesty." Agrias' face twists into a snarl as she recognises what Meliadoul's about to do. Oh...
Do not concern yourself with the armour! The Lich King's voice touches her mind, even as a fresh blast of painfully frigid wind scours the isle. You are stronger than that, my Knight. Now put an end to them!
She snarls, even as her breastplate shatters; staggering forward even as the brilliant, holy light ravages her. Eyes shut tightly against its brilliance, searing even behind closed eyelids. "Aye, m'Laird," she grounds out between gritted teeth. It's like she's been turned into some kind of force of nature, absolutely heedless of pain and punishment; as though she were wholly unaware of the wounds wrought against her.
"Ah dinnae need armour nair heart," she rasps, swinging Defender around again in a heavy, two-handed blow. It's meant to decapitate or dismember, with no beating around the bush about it. No feints, today - all heavy-hitting blows, meant to do the job quickly and with ruthless efficiency.
She turns, then, even as Simon raises his weapon. She tries to leap out of the way, but her crippled leg is in the way. She has no time to avoid, simply walking into the damaging spin of the Bloody-Handed Judge; when it punches into her, she lets it, unresisting. The two-handed blade runs her right through at the stomach, and she pauses long enough to glance down at it, almost dismissively.
It will not kill you, the Lich King states in her mind, his voice like the relentless grinding of glaciers and scour. You are above Death itself, now, my Knight. Show them what that means.
Another blast of frozen wind scours the temple grounds, and Agrias pauses, eyes fluttering closed. Her head falls back, and she draws in a deep breath, as though drawing some kind of comfort from the painfully cold gale.
And then, she laughs, even as the Bloody-Handed Judge still lies lodged in her gut.
"Fools," she hisses, even as Natsuki's bullets rake her, one of them leaving a tear through one cheek, blood drawn to the cheekbone. Defender whips up, the rest of the shots spanging harmlessly against the holy blade. "Ah'm above Death itsel'. Ye'll nae harm me nae."
She slashes out, seeking to lay low the incoming Duran. She doesn't pause to see if she strikes the Child, instead advancing towards Simon with murderous intent.
She draws up to him, seeking to slam her blade through Simon's throat; one hand on the hilt, the other flat against the pommel to make darned sure it goes through all the way. "Ah'll remember that," she snarls, savagely. "Ye'll be tha' first Ah raise in ser'ice tae tha' Yin True King."
You hit Christoph Schmidt with your Let's Not Scar That Pretty Face Of Yours attack.
You critically strike Meliadoul Tengille with your SLASHUMS attack.
You hit Simon Parker with your OH NO YOU LE DIDN'T attack.
You critically strike Natsuki Kuga with your AND YOUR LITTLE DOG, TOO attack.
"Ghk" is all Parker manages to get out as Agrias' sword strikes him in the throat. The demon is saved from decapitation by his own quick reflexes alone-he falls backwards, rolling with the blow, even as hot, sticky wetness trickles down his neck. His throat is on fire, even in the face of the arctic winds.
And then Simon suddenly rises to his feet, rushing forwards. His gait is labored, and each breath is agonizing-but he manages to close quarters with Agrias. He's too close to swing the Judge at her... so instead, he lashes out with his leg, aiming to kick Oaks in her bad leg. If he's lucky, Simon's blow will land in the exact same spot the Inquisitors broke it, originally.
Simon Parker gets a glancing blow on Agrias Oaks with his CHEAP SHOT attack.
You take 14 damage.
This is a level of brutality that Meliadoul has never seen from Agrias, ever. It almost shocks her but the knight's instincts are sharp and she was born during a time of warm. Even as Defender strains in the former Holy Knight's hands and crush metal rings into the templar's flesh, Meliadoul is not ready to go down yet.
Her spirit burns and she looks up to the Heavens as if seeking the warmth of God's light in this frigid land that has suddenly risen about her. Her lips raise, exposing white teeth grinding against themselves. "Lady Duelar would be wroth with me, as would Ovelia if I tore your heart out. So i will have to make do." The raises her shield high up and then brings it back to sling it forward. The heavy metal object flies off her arm and straight towards Agrias.
Meliadoul Tengille critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her Like Captain America, I am! attack.
You take 31 damage.
Poor Duran doesn't even get to Agrias. He's swatted out of the air by the sword, landing with a crash a short distance away. While he may not have been cut, that definitely hurt the Child. "Duran!" Without thinking, the HiME drops her guns, the Elements dissolving into nothing as soon as they hit the ground, and she runs over to crouch near her Child. "Duran, you..."
With a soft whine, the canine staggers to his feet, shaking his head a bit. "Thank goodness, you're alright." Placing her hand on Duran's shoulder, Natsuki slowly rises to her feet. "Duran. Load Silver Cartridge." The Child flicks his ears as the shells are loaded into his guns. "We have to end this quickly." Lifting a hand, she points toward Agrias, eyes narrowing slightly. She waits a moment, carefully watching the others... and finally calls out, "Fire!"
Twin shells are launched, but halfway to the mad knight, they dissolve against a disc of blue, shifting into several javelins of ice. While Duran can't use full power here without hitting his master's allies, there's still something to be said for a rain of razor-sharp icicles.
Natsuki Kuga critically strikes Agrias Oaks with her Hopefully she isn't A: Ice! attack.
You take 26 damage.
Natsuki Kuga says, "Incoming fire! Don't worry... I don't hit you!"
"Du sprichst viel von sich selbst," Christoph hisses right back at Agrias, turning his face toward hers, their foreheads nearly touching when she whispers in his ear. Under other circumstances, this might look faintly romantic, if not for the rictuses of sheer fury reflected against each other. "You speak much of yourself," he repeats, in a language that both will understand now. "But just a shadow."
And then she kicks him, along with a severe wrench of the sword, sending him sprawling. Now, finally, his teleporting reflexes kick in, and instead of landing in a crumpled heap and tearing open his wounds further, reappears in a low crouch a slight distance away. He is bad shape now-a potentially mortal wound, though all things considered, he is likely to get the requisite medical care quickly enough to keep him alive and whole. But he is not going to be able to take much more punishment.
He stabs Balmung into the ground, hard, and leans against it in order to keep himself from toppling over at this point. An angry glare gets sent back up at Agrias as he wheezes wetly for breath; the term 'sucking chest wound' is being made plainly manifest here.
He certainly doesn't dare dart back in at this point, though he sure would like to. Maybe in a few moments, after he catches his breath...right. He snakes his left hand out, grabs a wayward chunk of masonry, watches carefully as Simon and Meliadoul now advance against their former compatriot-watches Natsuki direct Duran to open fire on Agrias.
"Meli, meine Freundin, please duck."
His metal arm glows, bends back like a catapult being engaged, and then hurls the shattered brick right at Oaks' face past Meliadoul at magically enhanced speeds. He may not be able to extend his power very far away from his body, but once a stone is thrown, it stays thrown. Hard.
Christoph Schmidt hits Agrias Oaks with his Yep, that's right, back to basics: >Throw Stone attack.
You take 20 damage.
You have been knocked out!
The Holy Knight raises an arm to try and coax her blade even further through Simon's throat, maybe even to take his head off entirely. Wouldn't that be nice? He has reflexes enough to lunge backwards, though, depriving her of a proper kill.
She's left in a semi-crouch, swaying slightly. It's true that she seems not to notice the punishment she's been put through, but a physical body can only endure so much abuse before it fails. She'll have to be careful.
The winds take a change for the worse. Frost begins to form on the crumbled remains of Nelveska Temple, and it skirls like a lost spirit through the temple's stones. The chill is almost numbing by this point, though the Holy Knight almost seems rejuvenated by its deathly chill. Is that a rumbling sound, deep under the howling of the gale?
Simon's kick catches her a bit by surprise, and she goes down with a snarl, her leg simply collapsing under the strain. Were this under normal circumstances, it would probably leave her on the ground, sobbing in pain - but she simply takes the blow, crumpling into a heap and climbing slowly back up. True, she centres all her weight on the other side, but she seems unconcerned.
There is certainly brutality to her, tonight. There's something off in those eyes, too; the colour of them somehow... changed, slightly, corpse-yellow instead of the rich, raptor's gold they usually are. And while there may be recognition in them, there's a kind of callous disregard for the years of friendship she has with these people - as though she had lost any and all faith in everything except for whatever drives her.
She smiles a bloody smile, swaying uncertainly on her feet. Defender's tip trails a dripping red line in the frost.
"Her Majesty may yet find her own defenders. I will not swear my fealty to her. She can no more defend herself than I can suffer this... rabble." Agrias gestures vaguely towards the assembled party. Something in her voice changes, as well; a colder tone to it, deeper. There seems none of her usual soft-spoken nature about it - it's cold and harsh, like the scouring winds that rake through the temple grounds. "I serve now the One True King, and His power I will wield. I am become Death itself." She laughs again, even as the ice javelins pierce her; heedless of the damage they surely must be doing. "Dare ye fight such a power, rabble? Thy power is not enough to best Death itself."
She raises Defender, just in time for the masonry Christoph lobs to strike her in the back of the head. She's sent staggering, even moreso once she lands on her crippled leg, but quickly recovers.
"I shall soon have a blade more fitting, methinks, but not quite yet. Not quite yet." She raises aloft the blessed blade, pointing it at her former allies, laughing again. "I have no fear! Not of thee, nor of thy petty defenses! I have no fear of Glabados and such paltry authority as they claim to wield! No more will I fear them!"
She straightens, jamming Defender into its sheath. "I have had enough of thy games." One gauntlet is whisked off, and two fingers put to her mouth, blasting a sharp, shrill whistle - in response, Alkoun comes barreling out from wherever he'd been hiding, screeching. Even he seems to look a little different, feathers paler, no yellow at all in his plumage; but a sickly white tipped with black.
Agrias swings herself up into the saddle, casting a flat, dead look towards the company of agents. "I will soon see thee again." Her smile is particularly unpleasant. "Fare thee well," she adds, mockingly. "I promise, I will be certain to finish thy task, next time. I will see thee slain, to a man. You shall serve the Lich King."
With that, she turns Alkoun, kicking with her good leg. The chocobo sprints towards the mainland, screeching and snapping at what few Glabados operatives remain in his way.
It isn't long before what's left of Agrias Oaks is lost to the howling gale, leaving the defenders to pick up the pieces amongst themselves.
Simon Parker says, "She's... fled."
Meliadoul Tengille snarls quietly.
Master Sergeant Christoph Schmidt says, "Ghh."
Simon Parker's voice is barely more than a wet little croak.
Reis Duelar says, "I'll track her. I'll bring Ruklegos."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "We will need medics. I do not know if Parker can hold out any longer."
Reis Duelar says, "I'm coming, but my skills..."
Meliadoul Tengille says, "Christoph has suffered grievous wounds. I have a hi-potion on me. It should hold Parker over until you get here Lady Duelar"
Simon Parker would say more, but Agrias nearly punched a hole in his larynx.
At Christoph's warning, the knight drops to the ground and allows the brick to whiz by. It smashes into Agrias and the now Dark Night beats a hasty retreat. She gets to her feet and makes to follow but the wind is too strong and she is bleeding from several wounds. Blood leaks from ice frosted armor as Natsuki's ice shower rains down harmlessly around her. She snarls as she watches Agrias retreat. Just you want woman. She will drag you away from the Lich King kicking and screaming and half-dead if she has to. But for now, there are others to attend to.
A quick look around is all she needs to know that Simon is the one most badly injured. She fumbles in her pouches and pulls out a single unbroken crystalline vial and rushes to Parker's side. Still bleeding, she kneels down and opens the vial, "Drink this Parker. It will stop the worst of the wounds till Lady Duelar arrives."
As usual, Christoph's brain apportions itself into multiple lines of thought.
One wants to chase down Agrias, kick her in the face a few more times, hogtie her, and drag her back for deprogramming with a large mallet. A second one replaces the mallet with a nailbat. A third is saying that it will probably not work, and other methods will have to be found to deal with this possession by the Lich King's influence. And of course, the final piece that has a lock on the rest of him is saying it's time for another visit to the tender mercies of Shamal. Only it's not saying this, it's whimpering like a kicked dog.
He slumps heavily against Balmung, hunching over in a vague attempt to press the edges of his wounds together in hopes of slowing the flow of blood. It doesn't work too well, but...it's better than nothing.
He slowly, jerkily rotates his head to look over at his allies. Simon seems to be in as bad shape as he, just with the puncture wound in a different place. Meliadoul is bloodied, but doing better. And Natsuki seems hardly touched. "Sorry, Meliadoul," he says, the first thing coming to mind aside from the previous thoughts. "Will make sure...we rescue your friend."
It looks like he wants to say more, but he sputters quietly, spraying more blood from his lips and then coughs wetly with a wince. He then reaches out with his hand, and now lines of writing appear in the dirt: 'Please recover Balmung's sheath. Over that way.' And an arrow finishes off the request, pointing off into a clump of bushes, where the metallic blue skin of the scabbard can be seen.
Simon would reply, but Agrias' blade made quick work of whatever snarkiness he was going to spit at her. As-is, the lawyer-agent-something remains on his feet as she rides off, teeth gritted against the pain. Slowly, the Bloody-Handed Judge wobbles in Parker's hand, and sinks into the ground. Simon falls to one knee, burying the blade further as he struggles for breath.
And then Meliadoul presents the potion. Simon takes it, uncaps it with a shaking hand, and swallows it. It, too, burns as it makes its way down his throat, but... it's enough to seal the wound there, and lessen the pain in his chest.
"Thanks," Parker croaks, as he hands the empty vial back to Meliadoul. "...We need to regroup. Figure out where she'll go from here, what we need to do to capture her alive."
"Duran!" As Agrias rides off on chocobo-back, the Child gives chase... but he's hurt, and he isn't able to keep up with the demonbird, much less catch it. Before long, he comes loping back, returning to Natsuki's side with a soft whimper. "Tch... no, it's okay. I know." The HiME runs her hand over the top of the canine's head as she returns her attention to the others. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Pausing, Natsuki glances over her shoulder. "I'm not sure how safe it is to stay here. I got rid of those other knights, but I'm not sure how long they'll be gone. You're in no state for another fight right now."
================================== The IPA ================================== The IPA ===================================
Message: 12/13 Posted Author
From the Blackberry of Simon Parke Tue Sep 02 Simon Parker
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Vanguard engaged in attempt to secure Holy Stone 'Virgo' from plane
of Reis Duelar. Attempt went sour due to Captain Oaks seemingly succumbing to
influence of 'Lich King'; undoubtedly related to exposure to and/or injury
from Runeblade 'Rimehowl'. Oaks attacked Vanguard members, dealt severe injury
before cumulative injuries forced her to retreat.
Oaks no longer retains information access privleges. Subject is to
be treated as enemy combatant-subdue if possible, but be advised Oaks uses
lethal force. Vanguard leadership remains unresolved, will be resolved soon.
Further information pending.
-SP
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