illusions in the mist. [Now open thanks to ninja subthreading.]

[immortal_lion]

Characters: Rishfee, Vincent Valentine, General Rughadjeen, Eiko (You are stowing along, right?) Auron (I believe. Lemme know if Ive been informed wrongly.)
Progress: Ongoing.
Summary: Caedarva Mire exploration / Azouph isle staging point discovery / boss fight / aftermath. Luzaf's UNEXPECTED TURNING UP IN FINE FORM AT THE WORST TIME EVER will be

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[immortal_lion]

It was all Rishfee could do to pay the voices little mind. He glanced at the ensemble, and then to Rughadjeen, and merely shrugged his shoulders. More of the Empire's secrets coming to light... but at least they would not attack.

"This was the reason for not doing this when the sun sets. When it does- they rise from their graves and walk among us. "

...And probably a Hell of a lot more, considering. He decided to move on.

"You will see creatures in the swamp. Jnuns, they are called. They are already dead... rotting mounds of flesh, nothing more. But they are capable of attacking. But they sleep during the day. Tread very carefully around any open expanses of water... they are heavy sleepers- yet they have been known to wake... and are awkward to really kill."

[rughadjeen]

Rughadjeen on the other hand was listening to the voices, not exactly allowing them to affect him but they did seep in. Something he would remember for a long time, the way they sounded and the anger they held. It wasn't something he was often exposed to so the immunity he could have built up wasn't there. The Mire wasn't exactly his favourite place in the world to visit. Those voices though...part of a shiver worked its way down his spine.

The Elvaan watched where each foot step was placed, not wanting to be caught by anything, step in something he shouldn't. It was made difficult by the mist though, obscuring most of his vision.

[unsentmonk]

Auron stepped carefully around the water and on the solid surface, unsure if there wold be traps and other demons lurking about the place. The voices were full of anger and spite, yet the guardian attempted to block them out as best he could manage. He held his sword close on his back, ready in case of an attack.

Such a place in existence was not surprising but still worrisome to him.

[lastsummoner]

If anyone in this collective seemed out of place, it was the small child tagging along with grown men. Whenever movement allowed for it, she had hold of both Rishfee and Auron's hands... in case they were scared, of course. She on the other hand was one brave little summoner and not the least bit frightened by all the lurking in the murk monsters.

Rubbish. She was scared as any ten year old child had every right to be, but Eiko was so stubborn there was no way on any of the worlds that she would ever admit to it. She had herself quite convinced that she was there to make the guardians feel better and heal up any booboos that came along. And deliver a little white magic holiness on undead monsters. Truly a formidable opponent, holding on for dear life while her green eyes kept getting bigger and rounder the further they went.

Azouph Isle staging point / soulflayer fight.

[immortal_lion]

As the general wind temperature seemed to inform the group that it was nearing twilight and as the voices of the Ephramadian fomors started to grow stonger yet again, finally the dreary, foggy and murky scenery started to dissipate. The fog remained as strong as ever, as did the stench, yet the dim and faint outlines of trees finally gave way into something unseen, something that could even be relished, as it signified an end to the long and slow traversion of the mire

[chaos_vessel]

The blue of the creature's eyes, as well as Rishfee's reaction to it, set off alarm bells in Vincent's head. It reminded him far too much of Rishfee's reaction to his transformation into Galian Beast, or what little of it he'd seen. They had seen nothing else but this creature after entering the area, certainly not the blue mage they had been looking for. There was only this creature. The signs all pointed to an unpleasant fact.

There was little time to think on it, though. The monster was coming closer. Clearly, there would be no escaping it, not if they wanted to stay to examine this place. Since the bow was already in hand, he got off a shot at it immediately, but he was already watching the creature to see if the weapon had an effect- or rather, how little effect it had. He doubted the bow would be helpful in this situation, and he was more than prepared to set it aside in favor of his gun. Even if it would use ammunition, it would probably be necessary for this fight.

[immortal_lion]

"Do not look into it's eyes!"

To do such would render anyone under paralysis. Striking one should render one under a terrible curse which sapped the strength from both their mind and their body. They were vile, vile creatures- versed in black magic more accomplished than that of any black mage.

As it approached, the oddest squealing sound filled the air, at first unnoticeable, but continued on and on without end. As it came closer, still tracing odd arcs in the air with it's arms very alike a broken puppet, the sound was to get louder. Loud enough for Rishfee to hold his head in his hands. Loud enough to be extremely painful.

It came to a dead stop, and dark energies swirled around the creature. Tribulation -- an ability meant to curse Vincent with the effect of the most severe Bio, an incantation designed to bring the man to his knees in suffering in a matter of minutes.

[rughadjeen]

The noises that were made and the sight of the creature, the stench, everything, it was over powering. His blade was freed as soon as the thing made a move towards them, taking Rishfee's warning and lowering his gaze. He made sure that all he could see was the bottom of the flayers robes. His grip tightened, this wasn't something he had ever fought against before. Not that he could remember, and it was surely something he would never forget if he had.

Rughadjeen made to move against it when the noise got louder, he stilled but brought the Algol higher, closer to the monster as he swung the blade down with as much might as he could muster.

Azouph Isle aftermath. (Rughadjeen exit stage left?)

[immortal_lion]

Finally, it was over. The Immortal's breath was weak, his body limp, and as the soulflayer finally fell, he did. Situated directly opposite the creature, they were almost touching. The Immortal was curled up into a foetal position, eyes open and staring at nothing