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gegenji · 7 years ago

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Going Going Kugane, Part 1

Let’s Go by Ship! - Denz’s Doubts!?

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The morning mists were still clinging stubbornly to rocky outcroppings and lattices of docks and walkways that combined into the naval city that was Limsa Lominsa. The sea air was thick with the smell of salt and brine, and the sounds of sea birds seeking that early sea worm. Harbored at the docks was a squat thing... less a ship and more looking like an oversized, upside-down floating ingot with sails. The Rusty Adamantoise was nothing elegant, but its purpose was transporting cargo first and its crew seemingly as an afterthought. Even now, its crew were focused on loading up the last of the crates and barrels for their trip. The voyage to Kugane was a rare and long one, so the 'Toise was to carry quite a lot even before accommodating the travelers that even now approached it.

Was Denz prepared? At the last minute he was. His armor was an indication of that, wearing the protective gear to both keep from having to pack it up, and because he had forgotten to pack his clothing prior to them leaving. Two bags were slung over his shoulders, carrying his clothes, amenities, and things he probably didn't need to take with him. Jancis' council on the ridiculous things he was going to take had been valuable. In return, he also would attempt to carry one of her bags in his plated hand.

For a long trip, Zhara packed rather lightly, she only had one large pack strapped to her back. She looked around the docks for Denz, Jancis and Chachan. She'd eventually spot the large armor clad elezen and would wave enthusiastically. "Hi!! Good to see you." she'd approach Denz and then stopped to inspect the ship.

Jancis continued to thank Denz for carrying her bag with some extra clothing and traveling supplies including an extra blank journal, asking vainly off and on if he wanted a break. Her own person had her medic satchel and a small blanket. "Lady Zhara. Good morn." Jancis popped out from behind the elezen as if she hadn't been dwarfed by him at all.

Zhara nodded and let out a yawn. "Morning." while in a cheerful mood, she did look really drowsy. She was not a morning person, unlike a lot of seekers.

Chachan seemed without luggage, but that was just because he had spent part of the morning helping load. Which meant his belongings had already been tucked on board. As things were wrapping up, he had moved down the docks to greet his friends and travel companions. "T'day's th' day, huh?" he chirped, looking over them with one of his usual freckle-dotted grins, though there was a tinge of concern to it. "A-ah, by th' by, I got a look at our... um... 'sleepin' quarters'? 's... mostly a few hammocks hung up fer our use in what space they could make fer us."

"Yeah Chachan..." Zhara responded with a tired smile. "The hammocks will be okay. I have a blanket in my pack somewhere and it looks like Jancis has a blanket too, we'll make it work."

"Warden's Grace! Is it not exciting?" Jancis on the other hand was nearly bouncing around. "Dawn here. Means it is deep night where we are going, yes? Just think, we will be holding Azemya's hand practically and enjoying the dawn with them again. I get my own hammock? Are we going to be in one of the cargo boxes?"

Zhara yawned again. "Oh yes, it's very exciting Jancis. I'm just... not a very good sleeper, especially when something exciting like this is on my mind."

Jancis nods at Zhara, motioning joyfully. "I cannot blame you; I am quite excited. To come with. See Chachanji's childhood home. And I am but a guest! For you it is to meet more new family culture."

Denz blinks at the ship as the information settles in. "Wait... that's -not- the cargo ship?!" His eyes widen as he looked at Jancis. "I'm getting severe flashbacks to the airship captain and his flying pontoon..." He swallowed, before shaking his head. "Well, nothing says bonding like breaking boundaries."

The hyur seems to reflect on what Denz brings up with some grief with great fondness, taking in a breath of the salty sea air as if she was once again airborne. "What flashbacks? Surely not my memories of it, nor yours. You were nigh asleep for the entire voyage. A pity, too. Was like I had mine own wings."

"It's th' cargo ship... 'n we're part'a th' cargo this trip," Chachan admitted apologetically. "'s th' best I could manage outta th' guild. I-if'n it helps, they're very NICE hammocks 'n they moved a lotta stuff outta th' way fer us."

"Very nice hammocks." Jancis Milburga smiles at Denz De'bayle.

"Who can argue with that? Worry not my friend. I shall not look a gift chocobo in the beak. Lest I wish to somehow conjure up mine own ship which..." Denz looks around the dock silently for a few seconds. "... I haven't learned how to do yet."

"That would take a great deal of concentration, love," Jancis countered. "And be smaller."

"It ain't much to look at compared ta th' other ships 'round 'ere..." Chachan admitted, rubbing at the back of his neck for a moment before continuing. "But th' crew says this is prolly one'a th' sturdiest cargo ships ya can find. Ev'n bragged tha' Leviathan'd get a headache from tacklin' it."

"Eorzea was just as mystifying when Armont and I left Ishgard," Denz continued. "I'm more interested to see how -you- handle culture shock." He grins slyly at Jancis, garnering a wide-eyed gaze from the woman. Zhara grinned at both Jancis' earlier statement and Denz's more recent one as she nodded. "Yeah I've always been curious to see Othard. I have never left Eorzea. Most exotic place I've been to is Coerthas."

Jancis blinks at that grin, one of the more rare times it didn't make her smile in return, her hand going to her face a moment before turning to Zhara. "It is quite exotic. Though I suppose one thing they will have deeply in common is recovering from being war-torn."

"The only things I've gathered from observing natives of Othard are a lack of pants, curved swords, and interesting accents."

Zhara blinked at Denz. "They don't wear pants? Chachan wears pants."

"I do wear pants," he agreed, looking down at said pants.

"I have only not seen him in pants. Two, no three. Wait Mister Eorzea... more... well less times than I have seen you without, Denz," Jancis added, garnering the usual fluster from Chachanji whenever that particular title was brought up. Meanwhile, Zhara just had a very shitty grin on her face. It took all her might and muster not to say something dirty about how many times she'd seen Chachan without pants.

Denz had opened his mouth, before pausing to let Jancis speak - clearing his throat a little and looking to the side as he did so. A hand came up to rub at his scar for a moment after the pants debate had quieted before speaking. "A-ahem. I meant the robe wearers. That seems to be the majority of the natives I've seen. Then again, everyone probably thinks Ishgardians bathe in armor."

"Forgive me," Jancis said. "I had not thought of that."

"Tha'd be pretty uncomfortable, bathin' in armor," Chachanji added. Zhara, meanwhile, gets pale. "Ooops... yeah you totally meant robe wearers. Anyways! Is everything loaded? Can we get in the boat yet or do we have to wait a little longer?”

"They were jus' gettin' th' last'a th' foodstuffs on board fer th' trip. I think we're good ta head on if'n ev'ryone's ready," Chachanji answered quickly and with a smile. And, indeed, there seemed to be no more crates or barrels sitting outside the vessel. There were still sounds of movement from within, but that seemed par for the course for a ship getting ready to set sail within the next bell or so.

"Okay, I'm ready when you guys are," Zhara stated, giving the group a thumbs up. It was hard to tell if she was going to go straight to her hammock to take a nap or if she was going to stay awake. Jancis, however, followed up with a much more exuberant:"Navigator's Joy!"

Denz simply shifted the bags on his shoulders, nodding. "I'll need to change once we get on but..." His eyes scan over the vessel one last time, visualizing worse case scenarios and defects that could possibly happen. He lets out a small throat noise. "Hnngh. Ready."

"It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage," Jancis advised as she tried to take Denz's arm, helping with his commitment. "I am nervous, too. That is what is going to make it wondrous."

She didn't sound nervous, more excited like a girl going on a carnival ride, continuing on: "May I hold the bags? I am not as armored. And you have a longer reach." Jancis was already going for the two bags Denz was effortlessly carrying. At least effortlessly in her eyes.

As they drew closer, perhaps Denz would take solace that... while the ship grew no more aesthetically pleasing, it certainly looked sturdy. Made for function more than form as it sat low in the water due to its heavy cargo. The rope walkway leading inside had a bit of a downward tilt thanks to it, but it seemed safe enough if one made sure to use the rope handrails.

Denz's eyes continued to look look over the vessel before Jancis spoke to him, grabbing his attention from his worries, sucking in a deep breath and nodding. "Aye... I'm sure it will be, my love. Just need to." He began rolling his neck and trying to shake out his nerves as Jancis took one of the bags. He looked down to the lalafell, nodding him forward. "Right, after you."

Chachan nodded and hopped his way across and in, having made the crossing several times this morn already. He turned once a few steps inside and smiled to them, as if to show them just how safe it was! Zhara smiled at the show and gripped the rope rails as she carefully made her way inside, once at the entrance frame she'd turn her head. "Yeah it's not too bad." she'd wink at Denz. "We're going to be fine, don't worry."

Denz was quick to follow, and it was far from the most precarious bridge he had to cross. Stepping over carefully, his eye twitched as his armor caused the boardwalk to creak. Taking a rather large step onto the deck, he began apprising the inside of it's contents. As expected of a cargo ship, the interior was stuffed quite full of crates and barrels. Various crew members were still at work lashing some into place to keep them from shifting about during the trip. There was still enough room to move about relatively comfortably, and a glance to the right would see a quartet of hammocks hung by what was marked as the galley. They'd be resting over by the foodstuffs rather than by the crates of ore and metal, thankfully.

"Hm? Right, right. Not a problem in the world." His slightly wide eyes tried to convince his friends that he was not internally panicking at all. Jancis missed most of Denz's worries, or at least dismissed them, her nurse-like countenance in showing no reaction that there was nothing to be upset over. Familiar with the Maelstrom and boarding a few ships in her 'service', she slowly walked over the bridge, her hand going from the robe rail out to Denz to help her with the larger step to board.

Denz, meanwhile, followed the rest of the group towards the hammocks, putting his and Jancis' bags down where they wouldn't be in the way. He started testing the rope, before hearing the creak and believing his armor was working against him. This left Jancis to pull her hand awkwardly back before stepping down the rest of the way and following suit, though she recovered enough to greet the crew and thank them for hosting her. The crew thanked by Jancis were taken by surprise for the most part, but gave nods and gruff reassurances that it wasn't a problem at all.

Zhara would look around the ship and curiously began to scout it over. "Oooo, this is pretty cool." she'd look out the windows of the ship, and walk around towards the bottom floor before heading to the hammocks and setting her backpack down. There was actually a lower hold to the ship, but it seemed pretty packed to the brim with crates, and any notions Zhara had of seeking to delve down there were gently but sternly waylaid by the crew who were busy lashing down the cargo there.

"So..." Denz spoke up suddenly, "how long does a voyage take?"

One of the crew members was over by the foodstuffs, apparently checking the contents of the barrels to ensure it was all good for travel. Salted meats, cheeses, and the most ignoble of breads - hardtack - seemed to dominate the supplies. He paused in his checks to look up at Denz's question, eyeing the man in full armor clambering into the hammock and garnering a raised eyebrow from the elezen in response.

"... About two moons, mate," he reponded gruffly, causing Denz's eyes to widen at the answer.

"Halone, I..." He cleared his throat, trying to hide embarassment at his belief they would be there in relatively short time. Zhara tilted her head at Denz. "Not expecting the trip to be that long? I was kind of surprised myself when Chachan first told me."

"A few weeks, at the most but... Two moons?! I did not realize it was so far away." The knight crossed his arms in thought as the crew member simply rolled his eyes at Denz's uneasiness, before resealing the lid on a barrel of fresh water and moving off to another part of the ship. "When the tale of the Warrior of Light going to Othard reached my ears... They must've had a faster boat."

The gentle chime of Jancis' staff was more noticeable as she worked on getting use to standing on the ship. "Is not too late to disembark, Denz. Shall write you often. It is most clear you are unhappy and that is the last wish I have for you. Not to be a burden. And return with breads and gifts. And you can give me some of your bread. Mayhaps another trinket and it will be like you are there."

"Wh-?! Jancis!" Denz's eyes looked hurt at the notion."Travelling is simply not my forte, when I've not control of our course." He rubbed the side of his head, pushing away his momentary outburst. "I'll be fine... and keep the whining to a minimum, I promise."

Jancis instead furrowed her brow as she once again failed to console him. Zhara, on the other hand, simply chuckled. "I think we'll have fun, I'll get to know you guys better since we'll be stuck on this boat for awhile."

The elezen let out a huff of air, pulling off his sword and shield to toss on top of his bag. When a soft landing was heard, Denz's eyes widened. "Oh no! Was that the bread bag?!"

"You guys brought a bread bag?" Zhara immediately asked.

"Bread bag?" Chachan echoed in turn, moving to one of the hammocks. It had a little rope ladder to help him get up into it, and a few bags set against one of the support pillars. As he did so, a more empathetic sailor leaned in from his work as the concerns settled from travel worries to foodstuffs. "You'll feel better once we're out on the open sea, mate. Sea air in your face 'n the wavekin racin' alongside will make ya ferget all yer worries."

Denz put his lips together, eyeing the sailor and nodding. "Right... right. Shouldn't be any different from walking through the Gates of Judgement. Enter a foreign land, have a woman punch me in the face, and boom, I'm acclimated." The sailor raised a brow at that and then guffawed at Denz. "Whatever floats yer boat, mate. 'm sure there's a lass ya can pay to be as rough wit ye as ya want over there."

Denz waved a hand as he knelt down at his bread bag. "Not necessary, but thank you!" His dismissal fortunately prevented him from realizing the extent of the sailor's meaning. Jancis simply mistook the suggestion as someone to punch him as well, an Othardian Grindstone? Taking a deep breath, she joined Denz, holding some of the items he had to make sure they didn't slosh back onto the bread bag. “Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone.”

"Aye, you are the walking proof out that," Denz responded with a light smile directed towards the hyur. Zhara, however, couldn't help but let out a snicker at the sailor's comment before adding: "I'm sure things will be fine, hopefully going to Othard will be more smoother than when you first came to Eorzea."

She paused for a beat.

"I mean the Shroud, the Shroud!" she corrected before rubbing her chin. Was Coerthas part of Eorzea? She thought it was. Meanwhile, Denz let out a breath as he pulled out a shirt from his bag, which he had rushed to open during all this.

"Nay, 'twas the clothes bag," he affirmed as his eyes went to the bag in Jancis hand - the poor hyur being clueless to the fact that she was, in fact, holding the precious bread bag - before a hand came up to unclasp his pauldrons, grinning at Y'zhara. "Worry not. Ishgardians do not count Coerthas among Eorzea either... At least, they didn't until the gates opened and we accrued a debt to never be repaid," he said without scorn, gratitude in his words.

Chachan had clambered up into his hammock at this point - an act that had gotten Denz's attentions as he began working on removing his gauntlets - and had flopped belly-first and sideways into it. His hands gripped one side as he watched them converse, kicking his little feet in the air. "This ain't so bad, y'know. Mama 'n Papa told me how crammed th' ships were leavin' Othard when they came ta Eorzea."

"You do not recall it?" Jancis asked, garnering a blink from the Lalafell before he responded: "Huh? Oh, I came a'fore tha'. I was in Ul'dah when th' whole razin' happened."

Zhara crawled into one of the unclaimed hammocks that was near Chachan's. She'd lay on her side and nodded. "Yeah he left beforehand. Sometimes I feel sad for him... that he left Doma and didn't realize it was going to be the last time he'd see it."

Chachan got a bit quiet at that, shifting in his hammock to stare up at the ceiling. "... I was more scared I wasn't gonna see me family again..."

"Though I heard it was taken back... so maybe they'll rebuild it," Zhara suggested with a smile before adding: "I'm glad your family's alright."

"Not the last time, apparently," Denz added in agreement, casting a smile in Jancis' direction. "Such thoughts cannot remain in our minds. I left Ishgard and feared I would never return. When I finally returned, who would be at the gates but this woman to greet me... I mean, after Nidhogg, that is."

He cleared his throat to keep Chachanji in the spotlight, but the Lalafell seemed content enough to fade back out of it, looking up at the ceiling and idly rocking side to side in his hammock instead. Jancis - however - caught part of Denz's smiles, easing the awkward boarding, her face and voice showing more heartening with it. "That is the news that goes through the Isle. The liberation, I mean. Though it will be ever changed regardless. For the better."

"As was Ishgard. For the better," Denz added, sitting down on the tame boat deck to work off his sabatons now that his gauntlets were removed. "While the sightseeing was nice, I'm sure everyone enjoyed not being amidst a war to experience Coerthas and the Far West. Fortunately we won't have to dodge imperial patrols to experience the Far East."

"Yeah, at least that. I think we'll for the most part be safe, as long as we're careful about where we go," Zhara nodded before glancing over at Chachan. "Hey you know what sucks about these hammocks?"

Chachan's ears wiggled at that, turning to get a look at Zhara. "Huh?"

"I won't get to snuggle you while we sleep." Chachan flustered at that, scratching idly at a slowly pinking cheek with a gloved finger. "A-ah... I-I guess so..." he murmured.

Denz looked at Chachanji and his hammock, then to Y'zhara. The hammocks were sized so even the hefty Roegadyn crew members could use them without issue... so technically doubling up could be possible, as the elezen was quick to point out: "Well, if these are the same ones that our roegadyn sailors use, I could see it working."

Zhara would look over her own hammock. "That's true, I think it's big enough." she smiled. "We can try it out later. For now I think I'm happy just laying in here... it's too comfortable to move." she chuckled.

As if summoned by the talks of Roegadyn, one plodding his way over to them from the upper decks. Though, his sort stature and shockingly wide frame made it look like he had gotten comically caught under some heavy object and left squashed out like that. "Oy. You mates all good 'n settled in? We're goin' ta be shippin' off in about half a bell, tops."

"Aye, I think we're ready and settled in to go," Zhara responded quickly and with a nod. Jancis, on the other hand, waited for Denz to answer. Not that she had put down anything or settled in. The elezen in question stood back up, working off the felt coat that covered his breastplate, revealing the adamantite steel in all its golden glory. He worked the straps off as the roegadyn approached before pulling the protection off - making the elezen look a fair bit smaller - and nodding himself.

"I should float now, so aye." Turning about, Denz began to pile up all of his armor, knowing he could not leave it laying around on a moving vessel.

"Are you the Captain, Lord?" Jancis queried once Denz had said his piece. "I am ready to go! It shall be most wonderful."

"Aye. Captain Loezmann, atcher service." He bowed, or the best one of his proportions could, which seemed more a bowing of the head and a slight forward tilt of that wide frame of his. "'s been a while since we've had landlubbers hitchin' a ride, so I hope ya don't mind th' lodgin's."

Zhara smiled. "We don't mind, thanks a lot for helping us captain."

"Very grateful for all the room we have been granted. Four hammocks, even! Not taking shifts at all!" Jancis added, some Maelstrom training having apparently stuck, and got a surprised look from the Seeker.

"... You slept in shifts?"

"Yes, for the few times I served upon ships" Jancis answered. "There would be three to a. A bunk. Not very good at it, I am afraid, but I would not give up the experience."

Denz perked up at the question, looking at Y'zhara. "Not everyone got to sleep soundly," he stated before pausing for a brief blink of realization. "Wait... you're not a fighter, are you?" He gave the captain a sideways glance in acknowledgement, before looking back curiously at the miqo'te as he continued in the same vein as Jancis had. "Temple knights rotate who gets the tent out in the snow."

"Came down from the guild heads ta treat you lubbers right," the captain interjected rather bluntly before chuckling. "So jus' don't make a point of braggin' 'bout it ta th' rest'a th' crew and we should be fine. They're shiftbunkin'."

"Does that mean we are a part of the crew?" Jancis asked. "I am good at cleaning, besides regular mending. It works well because someone must needs tend the ship at each bell." Denz's ears perked up at that, turning to the man and adding: "Anything I can do to help, let me know. I've no skillset suited for sailing, however."

Zhara looked over at Jancis and then the captain. "I can cook and clean too." she shrugged.

"... We wouldn't turn it down, lass," Loez responds. "I know the wee one is doin' some work fer th' guild ta cover us bringin' ya along, but a little extra help wouldn't hurt none. We may call this girl th' 'Rusty Adamantoise,' but I make sure we keep a tight ship 'round 'ere." He glanced at all the other offers. "Well, galley's right 'ere if'n ya want to help wit the grub. As for -you-..." He eyed the Elezen up and down. More up than down due to how stout the Roe Captain was, of course. "... How good are you wit ropes, then?"

"Lady Zhara is right, you could help her cook," Jancis began to suggest to her elezen companion, though she stops talking as the Captain asks about ropes. Denz put a hand on his chin in thought.

"I've enough experience to tie a rope to an icy rock and support myself and her down a cliffside" He responded thoughtfully, tilting his head to indicate Jancis. "Nothing too impeccable."

"Well, if'n ya wanna help 'n ya ain't itchin' ta help in the galley like the lass suggests... we could always use another hand to make sure all th' lashin's are tight," the Captain offered. "Dun think ya'd want ta be woken up by bein' blindsided by a loose crate'a ingots."

"I've been woken up by worse, but I'll make sure nothing comes loose, if you need an extra pair of eyes."

"His eyes are quite sharp!" Jancis added. "He was already inspecting the ship before boarding!"

Denz's eyes leave the captain, as Zhara let out a chuckle at Jancis' comment, a finger running along his scar in embarrassment. The Captain didn't seem to mind, though, simply giving another nod before continuing. "A'ight. Well, make sure yers sit'ated. We's be castin' off soon." And with that, he rumbled his way back up to the deck.

"Hm... seems a nice enough man," the elezen stated. "Though I must raise the question..."

Jancis beams, clearly helpful. "Question?" Quickly followed by Zhara's own: "Hm..?"

Denz looks around at the party before continuing: "Are there any Captains that -aren't- Roegadyn?" A question that garnered an odd look from Jancis before she spoke: "Lady Odile you have met is a Captain. And your own beloved Captain Orenji. I think he would be awfully disappointed you were forgetful of him."

"Well he was a -sky- Captain," Denz interjected, raising a finger. "Different kind of ship."

"Well.... I know an ex pirate captain that's a lalafell," Y'zhara offered. "He's now with the Maelstorm."

"Th' Cap'n on me ship here I think was a Xaela..." Chachan mused thoughtfully. "From one'a them tribes what swim lots."

Zhara nodded. "Makes sense."

"Seemed a mutually exclusive title they held." Denz continued, looking at the Lalafell thoughtfully. "Then again, I suppose that's like asking if all dragoons are elezen."

Chachan blinks at that. "... A-are they?"

"... Weren't there a few hyurian dragoons too...?" The miqo'te again offered. "I don't know."

"E-eh.... Most of them were, but there were a few hyur," Denz answered, that finger still raised. Though it turned into a proud fist as he continued. "Ishgardian blood is the catalyst for dragoon powers to work, so most who claim to be of a dragoon's caliber but not of Ishgard are riding off the shadows of true Ishgardian glory."

A sailor came by as the group absorbed that revelation, lighting a couple of the lanterns. The reason for his passing quickly became obvious as the little rope bridge is pulled in and that hatch closed and sealed tight. Chachanji, however, was still quite focused on the talk of non-elezen dragoons. "Huh. I thought Ms. Sei could do some dragoon-y thin's... I know she's really good wit a spear..."

"I think there's maybe a few miqo'te in Ishgard but they're rare to come by," Zhara stated with a shrug. "I don't know where Sei's from."

"'Tis nothing more than wind and fire aether at your beck and call to assist in the jumping. Dragoons utilized a fount of aether from a dragon aether to enhance their abilities, so..." Denz continued before nodded to the Miqo'te. "Ishgardian Miqo'te are rare, aye."

Jancis, in the meantime had founda loop to put her arm through, the other weaving around Denz's with the odd pretense as if she's simply wanting to cuddle the man's arm. "If I recall correctly, she traveled there for many Moons. Some thought her dead."

"Oh! Tha's right..." Chachan suddenly chirped. "There was a Miqo'te Dragoon lady I did work fer too when I was in Ishgard fer a bit... she came across a -really- nice naginata 'n wanted it fixed up... She was a friend'a Ms. Aya's too. Um... Ms... V... V'alerie? V'elma? Somethin' V-ish."

Zhara nodded. "Huh... okay." she began to rest her eyes as she continued to lay in her hammock. "I think I'll just stick to arcanima... and punching. A friend wants to teach me how to fight with my fists."

"Arcanima?" Denz repeated, leaning towards Jancis and her arm before finally taking a seat on the hammock. "The thing people do with the books?"

"It is a good weapon when all others are gone." Jancis agrees quietly. "And a good means to learn how to call upon your inner reserves."

"Mmhm.. yep we use tomes," Zhara affirmed. "I primarily fight with my carbuncles Bunky and Bunkle."

A sharp ringing of bells are heard, followed by the unfurling of large quantities of canvas. There's a short lurch and a creaking as the Rusty Adamantoise lazily shifts into motion. The hyur tried to keep her body and arm there for Denz, the expected lurch making her sway. More than the hammock? Probably not. Zhara, meanwhile, just grips onto her hammock. "Wooaah.. we're moving."

"Oh man. Ya think Bunky'd like to run 'round th' ship?" Chachan added, seemingly unswayed by the sudden movement of the ship. Zhara gasped in response, brought back to the conversation at hand. "Yes! That's brilliant... hm.... but I don't want him to cause trouble with the sailors who are working."

"'m sure there'd be some time ya might be 'llowed ta let 'im out."

"Yeah maybe on the deck."

Denz, however, took the launch a bit less gracefully. Lurching forward with the movement of the ship, his fingers gripped both the rope and Jancis' arm as his feet stick to the deck. "Hnnngh!" A few quick breathes escape his mouth, before looking at Y'zhara. "Hah.... Sorry... what did you say?"

"I was just talking about my carbuncles." Zhara would then try to reach over and pet Chachan. She'd only manage to reach his arm and awkwardly pet it, thanks to the Lalafell being set to swinging a little by the lurch. He seemed well enough, though, with his attentions - and concern - seemed to be on Denz after that little outburst. "A-ah, ya akay, Mr. Denz?"

The elezen grits his teeth, cheeks flaming up with blush as he tried to recollect himself. "I'm... not good with ships, I've learned. At the least, this one is not hundreds of yalms into the air."

The bell on Jancis' staff clunked with the take off, her legs stiffening up to compensate, but she did glance over for the rewarding blush on Denz's face. Zhara giggled. "You want some of my anxiety pills? They calm me down really fast."

"Ah, well, um... as I said... they all said this ship's -super- sturdy!" Chachan offers, making a grand motion that just agitates his swinging further. "S-so ev'rythin' should be fine! Plus th' whole... not flyin' thin'."

The ship creaks again, almost on cue. There's a quiet groan of the crates against their lashings, but they hold fast. This doesn't seem to faze Denz as he quickly shook his head at Zhara's offer. "No, the last time I took something for needless fear, I was knocked out for the entire ride."

"... I would think bein' knocked out fer two moons would be bad too, yeah."

"Yeah... that's one side effect, it makes you drowsy," Zhara admitted. "I don't think it would knock you out for moons though, maybe a few bells."

Denz looked at Jancis pointedly before adding: "Which I heard was quite the trip."

"It was wonderful," Jancis answered before trying her best to describe it. An air ride through the brisk winds over Coerthas in what basically a manacutter. "We were one with the clouds, dancing through them. But, but holding Denz through that was quite nice, too. You can experience it surely. In mine mind? And yet, Lady Zhara -does- have a point, especially if you had a hard time sleeping last night. A nap might do us good and make for sound beginning."

"When I think'a sailin' through th' clouds... I think'a tha' one trip me 'n Mel-chan 'n Virara went out ta th' Seaclouds," Chachan murmured, garnering a smile from both Jancis and Zhara.

"Oh that must've been interesting," the latter responded. "The only airships I've been on are the ones that go from city state to city state. I'll admit, I don't have a whole lot of life experience."

"Seven hells, this will be a long few months..." Denz murmurs, hanging his head a bit before squeezing Jancis' arm "But there would be no other place I'd rather be, my love. I swear it."

"'m sure it'll be fun!" Chachan chirped goodnaturedly. "I know it's a long trip but... um... 'm sure we can figger out ways ta past th' time."

"Yeah," Zhara agreed, "it'll be a long trip but I think it'll be worth it and fun to see a new place and to learn new things."

Jancis looks at the top of Denz's hung head, color coming to her face at his resolute words. Her hand renews her grip on him, fingers gentle with more than gratitude. "It is nice to travel so far, city state to city state. And you give people life experiences. Your singing. It is immensely encomapassing! And the lanterns! You have brought more than a few to us. Oh! And surprising Chachanji! We were in a room even smaller than this waiting for him to arrive!"

"Yeah um.. we can tell stories, I also brought a mandolin and harmonica," the miqo'te offered. "It's not my guitar but they're still fun to play."

"Very true. And we can train. The cargo is fairly like an obstacle. And so much water and wind," Jancis agreed, getting a nod out of Denz, who added: "Aye. Now you can't do anything -but- train with me on the ways of protection, aye Chachanji?"

"Oh, yeah. We were meanin' ta do tha', huh?" The Lalafell frowns. "... After th' last Grindstone, I prolly need it."

"You participated in the last Grindstone? A shame I was not there to cheer you on."

Chachan scratched at his cheek, looking away. "Ya didn't miss much. Lost in th' first round wit'out really doin' much'a anythin'."

"Hm..." Zhara shrugged. "Like I said before, I'm starting to believe that winning the Grindstone is more based on luck. So many people compete in that."

"The skill of the fighters there, it is anyone's match." Jancis agreed.

"Anyway, getting back to things we can do..." the miqo'te continued, returning to the original topic. "There's plenty of games that just need a pen and paper, we could go on deck. Lots of things."

"I do like games," Jancis continued. "We should start with one now!"

"Start wit a game?" Chachan echoed, canting his head. Denz likewise raised his eyebrows at the deviation towards games, adding a query of his own: "Like... card games? Or those games where everyone reveals their dark secrets?"

"Yes! This is a happy occasion so we can celebrate a little. The shipping off celebration! You have a preference, Denz? Besides, secrets are no good."

"Not exactly the place to play hide and seek, so..." Denz murmured, looking to Jancis before he set a hand on his chin in thought. "Any recommendations?"

Jancis pursed her lips in thought as well before answering. "There is one truth one lie. Or poker! Poker is good! The one to have the best hand can ask a question and everyone else must needs answer."

"Um... sure," Zhara assented before asking: "Doesn't poker need cards?"

"We do not have cards?"

"I di'n't bring any..." Chachan admitted with a frown. "Should I 've?"

"Yeah I didn't either," Zhara echoed. "I'm sorry."

Not to be deterred, Jancis provided a solution: "Sailors always have cards! Mayhaps I can buy someone's!"

"Ah, or jus' borrow 'em?" Chachan added, inspired by her idea. "Mebbe they'll want ta play too?"

"Hey yeah that's a good idea," Zhara chimed in as well.

Jancis nods, squeezing Denz supportively before freeing her arm, replacing it with the bag of bread. Because there's nothing more comforting. "Shall return anon!"

#ffxiv logs #going going kugane #chachanji #y'zhara zekial #jancis #denz #bread bag

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progeny-of-the-fury · 7 years ago

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Encounter the Dark Divinity

Log date: 10/4/17

OOC Note: The text in these logs are strictly for the reader’s enjoyment. Anyone using the knowledge displayed within this text without the participant’s knowledge risks the potential of blacklisting from future communication and roleplay. Please do not meta-game!

Tags: @darkknightsbread @halone-from-the-otherside @lyriahkarnelle

The House’s heads called upon all available personnel to gather in Camp Tranquil, mentioning an urgent request sent to them by the Twin Adders. Seemed per usual, Imperial maggots were up to no good within our lands. How I relished the idea of a night of justice...

Denz stood near the northern exit, arms crossed as he waited, Alleria standing beside him.

Adelise approached the duo as she too made way into Camp Tranquil. Glancing about, the young woman pressed a visibly muscular arm to her hip. "Evening you two."

Lyriah wandered closer upon seeing the familiar group as well as the face she was most well accustomed with. She was on time.

Siovant wasn't overly far behind the younger De'bayle, swathed in dark fabric and bearing his typical dour expression. As opposed to his typical exaggerated, plate-clad presence, he was prepared in a more magical manner. "A sizeable group."

Denz cleared his throat. "That is everyone? Then I shall be brief. An elite scouting party of Twin Adders was tailing behind an insurgence of Garleans who had maneuvered past the wall and have reported to be bearing significant firearms. The scouting party has not reported in some time, and the Serpents have assumed the worse. They've called upon us and our..." He looks warily at Adelise's attire. "... well-equipped knights." He gestures to Alleria. "Ser Surlaint shall be overseeing the operations for tonight. Her command is our own, as she has proven herself worthy of the position. The scouts last known position was not too far from Taker's Rot, which puts them dangerously close to Quarrymill." He clapped Alleria's shoulder plate. "Sink or swim, my lady."

"Ever inspiring, De'bayle," Adelise added dryly as she leered over to Denz. "I have the utmost faith in you, Surlaint. Especially after our last expedition."

Armont De'bayle looked to his youngest brother with a sly smirk and raised, playful brows. "Does jumping count, dear brother?"

One of Siovant's elegant brows lifts in momentary surprise, and a complaint was prepared for the shift in leadership. Alas, it dies there upon his scarred lips. Instead he merely tilts them upwards in some crooked amusement. "We should be moving, in any case."

Lyriah offers Alleria a silent smile of encouragement, waiting to see what she had to say.

"Not all of us can, dear brother." He gave him a humoured look, before turning back to the woman in charge.

Alleria's eyes widened at the ending of the explanation. "I... seem to be in charge quite a bit lately." she let out a small sigh as she turned around eyeing the path they'll take. "Thank you all for coming along for this. If you all have anything you wish to share for idea's along the way. Please speak up. For now let's get going." She turned around and waved for all to follow along. "No stopping for drinks either."

The forest yawned before the group of "knights", the evening air chilling with the fall season. Leaves cascaded down before the party, and the rustle of wildlife in the bushes could be heard. No one stopped them as they made their way through the Druther's and back down the path.

Adelise scanned her surroundings with some caution as they walked deeper into the woods. She was certain no one within their current squad was unfamiliar with the dangers of the Shroud.

The night sky assisted in keeping the House from being seen from great distances. However as the group moved into the Takers' Rot, the ground became muddied as dirt was kicked up, several Gridanian weapons strewn upon the ground. The moon reflected off dark liquid staining the earth. In the distance, voices could be heard, loud, prideful, aggressive in nature. A bonfire was lit between the ruins of what was an abandoned poacher's den. There were no other people in sight.

Siovant draws his amber gaze about in minor concern, "Every bandit from here to Gridania likely heard us clattering through the woods. I don't much relish the idea of adding some Redbelly mongrels to our list of assailants.

Lyriah frowned as they came to a halt. The forest was darkening around them as they had marched and now a dark veil made every shape look unfamiliar.

Scoffing, the young De'bayle slipped a hand behind her neck to brush at her long braid. "Bandits. I do not quite relish the idea either," Adelise grumbles in distaste.

Alleria stopped upon seeing the adder weapons. She sighed out listening closely and overlooking what was visible of the camp. "Well they don't seem to have noticed us approaching." she looked down at her attire. " I should really look into armor better suited for the night. Let us approach slowly and figure out where they have their weapons stashed so we can make this an easier task for us all. Any objections?" she asked looking back to the group with a raised brow awaiting a response.

It seemed like a solid plan. At a glance, there didn't seem to be much more of an alternative present that Lyriah could see. "Are we to split up or shall we all remain as a single unit?"

Denz bowed his head in thought, a hand on his hilt before stepping forward. "And should we find their weapons in their hands?"

"Kill them. Let some God or another sort them out,” Siovant added flatly.

Crossing her arms, Adelise frowned in her typical fashion. "I would prefer we avoid a slaughter, but if it comes to it and they do not back down, the only mercy that can be handed to them is a swift death."

"Take at least one alive... If they're in their hands Denz then we should find the best way to catch them off guard. I'm sure all of us can manage that with ease." she said with a slight smile. "Are we all ready then?"

"At your call, Surlaint.,” Adelise added.

Armont De'bayle looked to Alleria and nodded. "By your order, Surlaint."

"Stay within eyesight of one another. The night is good cover, but we're not invisible." she turns again to put on her helm. "De'bayle and company, move out!" she said in a commanding tone without being to loud as she stepped forward.

Stepping forward, the young Half-Elezen peered around Alleria's large figure to look ahead.

As the group stealthily approached as well as an assortment of plate and leather wearers could, the scene before them unfolded. Several bleeding and battered Twin Adder soldiers were on their knees, three of them lined up before a Garlean foot soldier wielding a gunblade. Six highly plated Garleans in total lined the campfire's radius, two of them in red legatus armor. A seventh Garlean operated a strange suit of magitek armor, menacing guns mounting to the sides pilot's seat, bladed spikes lining the machine and making it unapproachable. "Tell me, would you rather see your comrades die first, or shall we make them watch their proud leader die all for one harmless secret." The middle Adder spit blood before the Garlean, who responded by embedding his sword into the man's shoulder, blood and gore pushing out the back as he growled behind his helmet. "Where are the Vanguard remains?!" The six other Garleans watched, full of themselves and believing no one could possibly be foolish or close enough to attack them. All of them were still armed, only having recently fought the Serpent scouts.

Reaching back, Lyriah unclasped her lance from it's harness, now cradled in the woman's grip at the ready. Ready to spill blood.

Armont De'bayle's hands held his sabre tightly in a forward slanting position. At any moment he would be ready to leap forward, should those around him be attacked or initiate attack.

Sharpened polearm held tightly in her grasp, Adelise held an equally narrowed stare as she held a mostly defensive posture. For now.

Siovant brushes the tip of a Swan-pinioned quill across the pages of his Grimoire, ruinous portents gathering with crackling power upon the edge of that delicate fuller. Like a note held at the edge of it's pitch, that dull thrum of destruction only seemed to grow more insistent by the second.

Alleria grit her teeth behind her helm. She'd slowly take a step back looking to her group. "Anyone have a way to destroy a magitek armor?" She asked peering to everyone for a brief moment. "I want to save the Adders as well." she tightened the grip on her sword and shield turning to look at the Garleans.

Denz held up a finger, as if he had some way to destroy machinery, before shaking his head.

Lyriah raised her arm "Perhaps I can serve as a distraction for the Magitek?"

"I cannot guarantee the destruction of the armour itself, but I can jump the rider and take them out that way?" Adelise added quietly, offering the only assistance she might have.

Armont De'bayle remained silent, listening to Alleria's question. He was curious to see if she had a plan in her own mind, or if there were those who held secrets up their sleeve for this construction.

"Present me with an opportunity, and I can use my magic to reduce it to dust. I will be occupied, and vulnerable, though,” Siovant offered.

Alleria Surlaint nodded to each suggestion giving Lyriah a slight stare for a moment. "Alright I'll leave the magitek armor in your capable hands." She said nodding to Lyriah and Adelise. " If you take it outside the camp you can use trees for cover and vantage points. Sio I'd prefer you use your magic to help against the troops as we're out numbered. I can't safely say we'd be able to hold them back for you to destroy the armor." She looked to Armont and Denzy. "Armont if you would be so kind as to jump one of them early on it would be appreciated. Denz we can show them why Ishgardian steel is far superior to any material they have on their side of the realm."

The Garlean pressed a boot against the Twin Adder, the other two cursing the foreigner as the legatus kicked the dying man off his blade. "It seems we'll need more time with this one to find our prize. Kill the other two." Two of the plated Garleans loomed forward, leveling their gunblades to the two subordinates.

Denz nods silently, eyes cutting across to the elite Garleans in the encampment.

"Hurry in, we'll take care of that walking piece of tin." Lyriah grabbed a rock, turning and moving away from the group to not give away their locations before hurling the stone long and hard to strike the magitek's operator.

Armont De'bayle nodded as his eye locked onto one of the men with their backs facing Armont. "Aye, one moment Surlaint. You will have your kill with haste." He said quickly before stepping back. Once settled into a better position, he would kick up from the dirt, hurling himself sabre forward at the Garlean.

The House would engage in battle against the Garleans, catching them off guard as they rushed the camp.

"As you wish, Surlaint," Adelise dips her head forward, taking a step. Setting herself into a crouching position, lips moving in silent chant as the grass and dirt around her form twirled and twisted, the wind at her feet picked up as she winded back into her legs. In one swift motion the young woman took off into the sky, her figure and braid twisting with practiced grace as she vaulted over the fencing onto the first set of armour. Landing onto the machinery with an audible thud, the young forced her lance forward, attempting to wrap its pole to the neck of the rider, also hoping to draw some attention off the rest of the group.

Denz charged in behind his brother, letting out a battlecry to earn all of their attention as the units clashed. He threw his sword against a soldier, hoping to pierce the armor and do some damage.

Siovant prudently kept his distance, that built-up power flashing from the pages of his Grimoire. Sizzling bolts of aether flash distractingly out towards the Garleans.

Alleria ran in quickly as Armont took off keeping her sword high as she closed in to slash the back of one of the Garleans.

The rock would strike against the operator's helmet, a yelp emitting from behind the woman's helmet as she turned towards Lyriah. She glared down the hyur, before the half-blooded dragon landed next to her. The rider was prepared, however, and trained in hand to hand combat. Her armor halted the lance's path, hands gripping the shaft to tug Adelise towards her. The campfire Garleans turn on the armored Ishgardian’s as they rushed in, meeting them all with blades and parrying aside the De'bayle brother's weaponry easily. Only Alleria's blade would sink into the back of the Garlean taking aim to execute the Serpent's, back arching and gun firing upwards into the trees with a shout of pain. Siovant's aetherial magic seemed to ineffectively bounce of this juggernaut group's armor. They all turned their weapons on the Eorzeans, rushing forward to close the gaps on Siovant and Lyriah, Alleria's target turning about at her knees to fire a shot towards the knight.

As Denz's blade was knocked away, a gauntlet punched his faceplate in harshly. The young knight stumbled backwards onto a knee, crying out in pain as he tore off the face protection. "Arrrgh!"

Siovant snorts. "Ignorant proles." The Elezen's fingers crackle with fell power, laying out binding magic to prevent the Garlean approach by keeping them in place.

Armont De'bayle swiftly brought up the center mass of his sword to catch an incoming sword. It was fine Ishgardian steel versus Garlean alloy, and it was in-tense.

Adelise was not about to allow this Imperial to overpower her, even at such a close range. Allowing for them to at least tug at her lance, Adelise thrusted her head forward to bang against the riders head, her knee raising under the polearm in an attempt to hit their chin.

Alleria turned her shield keeping it to high as the bullet pierced through into the armor imbedding itself into her leg. She cried out before taking a pained step forward planting her foot firmly and swinging her blade toward the Garlean before her.

Lyriah met her foe head on, clearly not unsettled by her most ungraceful attempt at hurling a stone. The Garlean she battled with didn't allow her a chance to react, rushing and slicing horizontally to hit her chest. She was able to move back enough for the blades tip to bite into her shoulder instead of lopping it off.

Now that the battle was in full swing, the Garleans assessed the situation and earned back their bearings. Breaking through their impressive Garlean armor would be no simple task.

Siovant would proceed to gather the power to attempt to vaporise the Garleans that he'd caught in his trap. Foreboding energies flickering between the pages of his Grimoire. Despite his efforts the power fizzles thin against their magic-defenses.

As Armont's sword and the Garleans locked against one another, the Garlean would press forward to Armont's demise, knocking him off balance before tearing the Garleans sword down them middle of his chest.

Lyriah’s arm was drenched in blood while her opponent smirked at his handy work, apparently not upset that he didn't completely kill her. Drawing it out seemed to bring his own form of amusement. She twisted her lance around to try and hit the man, or at the very least, afford her some space. He dodged her attack easily.

The chin strike failed to stagger the Garlean as intended, the pilot pushing Adelise roughly to get her off the magitek armor and begin piloting it. Even if she failed to remove the dragoon fully, her hands would find the switches to flick on the turrets of her magitek armor, flames spewing carelessly over the camp. The vaporizing power of Siovant's spell was once more nullified by the armor, the machinations of their suit appearing to absorb the destructive aether. Alleria's Fine Ishgardian Steel failed to penetrate the juggernaut armor, bouncing off with a shrieking cry. Lyriah's strikes produced much of the same sound. Armont's was much more full, solid with the strength of a dragoon behind his cut. Yet all it did was create a massive display of sparks to prelude the fire that began to swamp the area, washing over House member and Garlean alike.

Siovant promptly steps behind a bit of the wooden camo-walls to keep himself from being roasted alive!

As the fighting continued, the light of the campfire and flamethrower both seemed to die down and become more dull, yet the heat and intensity licking over the armor and leathers of the fighters proved that their sight was betraying them. The air, when not sucked away by fire, would grow heavier, the aether-sensitive Eorzeans feeling a strange dread creep upon their consciousness. The battle did not give them much time to contemplate the changing weather, however.

Adelise manages a clean flip from the armour as the rider pushed her off, landing on her feet with care as she quickly retreated back to avoid the flames herself.

Armont was suddenly kicked back and while he stumbled backwards, the gunblade would fire off, piercing the plate on his shoulder and soaring clean through. "Seven hells..."

Alleria luckily was wearing good ol Ishgardian armor so fire wouldn't be an issue in short bursts as she turned raising her shield towards the incoming attack as she couldn't prevent herself from taking a knee from her earlier wound.

The air grew thick, and not just from the smoke. Even as the flames scoured over them, she wasn't able to avoid them all. She cursed and swatted fabrics that smoldered, cursing and staggering back. The twelve were not favoring her steel this day, she only hoped she could live long enough to do better.

Denz throws his shield over his wounded face, trying to avoid the fires as they washed over him, but they burned him all the same. His shield grew too hot to hold, tossing it aside as the fire singed and dampened on his armor. The ishgardian-made equipment would protect him well, but not from the unaffected Garlean's advance to cut down into thigh where no armor lay. He regret not wearing chainmail pants, letting out another cry of pain.

The Garleans were washed over with flames, but their armor left them unaffected as they disengaged and regrouped next to the magitek armor. As the flames died down, the changing weather became more apparent, an unnatural darkness... illuminating the battlefield, as if the moon shined down upon them. It was impossible, as mists had begun forming around the group, tightening until all that remained was the camp, the shadows of trees the only reminder there was a world still out there.The juggernauts looked around in confusion, before pointing their weapons back at the De'bayles. "Damned savages! Your magics cannot pierce our armor!" Suddenly from beyond the mists echoed the disembodied whinny of a horse, a dark and shuddering cry that froze the foreigners in place.

Adelise watched the Garleans with some level of confusion, her gaze lingering about as the air suddenly became tense... nearly suffocating. "What... what is going on..." she asked out quietly, "is this another of their tactics?" her jaw tightened, fear suddenly tightening through her body.

Armont De'bayle slowly backed up to place himself over his brother protectively as he stated at the new foe that entered into the fray. "Seven hells is this?" he muttered to himself before looking back to his brother. "Are you able to stand or fight?"

Alleria was removing her helm as she coughed. She began to stand finally opening her eyes to the instant change that overtook the area. She'd drop her sword instantly and begin frantically looking around obviously afraid and panicking.

Siovant, rather prudently, takes a few quick steps that would carry him into the clearing of the camp. Preferring the company of Garleans to whatever remained out in the gloom.

Denz grasped onto his brother's arm roughly, pulling himself up to his feet as best he could, avoiding weight put onto his left leg that had been stabbed. "I-I don't know Armon-" He sucked in a breath, a dreading sense of deja vu washing over him. "We need t-" His words caught in his throat at the sound of the horse whinny.

Lyriah looked around and gasped "Gods above.." The stories that her father had told her when she was young gave her an idea of what was happening. "We've got to get out of here. This is not a place we want to be right now.." Her gaze caught Alleria's reactions, no longer standing tall, but cowering.

Glancing down to Alleria, Adelise shakily held her polearm in hand. Her visage, once proud and cold, was now tugged back. Crimson eyes filling with dread. "What... what is this," she choked out. The feeling was strangely familiar, yet she could not quite put her finger on where she had felt it once before. Forcing her legs forward, the young woman moved about to go toward the panicked Elezen woman. "Surlaint! Do you forget yourself?!"

Siovant drew the edge of his quill against the page, alighting with power as he prepared for whatever presence stirred dangerously at the edge of the light. Resolute in his power, and eager to face a real foe amidst this rabble. Still, there was something strange and unfamiliar about the way the aether in the air felt. A tension that brought a sickening throb to the backs of his eyes.

The horse called out once more, yet instead of the shriek coming from all around the party, it was in front of them, where an impassable cliff and protected the Garleans to the north. Slow, heavy thudded footsteps padded towards the campsite, before the shadowy figure of a colossal mount broke through. The jostle of stirrups and heavy plated armor accompanied the massive head of a great black horse, red eyes piercing down from it's tall gaze towards those. More imposing was the plated figure riding the horse. In his right hand was a blade longer than any had ever seen before, the curved dark blade pulsing heavily with aether, a buckler in his left hand. The horned helmet's visage bore white eyes, staring at all before it. Then his head swiveled to the Garleans, their juggernaut armor and mech rivaling this mysterious rider.

Alleria quickly turned to Adelise her eyes still wide in a panic. She'd taken a limped step forward. "W....we...we need to go!" she yelled out loudly. She fell onto her damaged knee again looking up at the smaller woman with a hand on her shoulder. "Get everyone and go... NOW." she called out before turning around to see the imposing figure. "it's....." she fell silent her arm falling limp off of Adelise as her gaze fell onto the rider.

The Garleans were drawn to the new visitor, or.... as Lyriah knew, the primal. She took advantage of their distraction to slip over to Alleria as best as she could. They were no match, none of them were. A hero blessed by Hydaelyn was the only one that was told to defeat these things.

"Odin," Adelise remarked breathlessly, her mouth agape in some horror, "even... even here such a being exists," shaking her head, Adelise turned toward Alleria to take a hold of her. "Surlaint, you must try and walk!" she spoke out in an attempt to sound assuring, her words failing on her with sharpness and breakage. "We will die out here..." the dread seeped into her heart, the tension that permeated the air toying at them.

Something black twisted greedily behind Siovant's golden hues. That pulse of aether, leaking power like a punctured vessel. It was like the promise of one last draw of his favorite vice. Power crackled from the tips of his fingers, stretching his will to it's straining edges.

The Garleans failed to fathom the knight's presence, who he was. They saw the figure and believed him another knight come to aid the House De'bayle. "Light him up, men!" The magitek armor stepped forward, opening its maw and gathering ceruleum to shoot at the horse. The footsoldiers brandished their gunblades to fire upon the figure, before a cacophony of shots and explosions resounded. Fire and flak crashed into the horse, a disgruntled snort the only response. Pinging of bullets on plate echoed out, before the smoke subsided and the man stood, unflinching. Power mounted around him, pebbles and rocks levitating as the impossibly long blade was raised. A single swipe over its head came out, before the magical edge cut through machine, armor, and flesh, the line of Garleans letting out cries of surprise and pain as a perfect line split their bodies in half, the magitek armor falling in on itself as it was cut with precision. Blood and oil spattered upon the ground silently as the figure remained there, staring at any who had yet to turn and flee.

During the lightshow of explosions and gunfire, Denz shook his brothers arm with what strength he had left. "B-brother... 'tis the like of Nidhogg... we must run!"

"For the time, aye, De'bayles! Retreat and make haste!" Armont shouted out towards those in front of him.

Siovant wasn't keen on making his escape, not while there was an opportunity at hand. That nagging feeling, like an angler's hook driven through a lobe of his brain, bid him closer and closer. In his present guise, he lacked the presence of the armored knights. If he could just get a little... closer…

Alleria's breathes grew heavier with every moment she stared at Odin. Without turning away she reached back her hand shaking causing her armor to raddle. "R...run." Where the only words she managed to mutter in her panicked state.

"Hydaelyn's mercy..." Adelise gaped, tugging the hysteric Elezen back with her with some pained force. "What... what horror... we will not make it out of here alive. Surlaint..." Adelise found her words caught in her throat as vermillion eyes glanced toward the Elezen man approaching. "L-Lord Gascogne! You must run! You must!"

They weren't getting anywhere any time fast. Lyriah looked to Adelise "You should grab him, if we linger we will be cut down like those men." It took every ounce of effort to stop her body from shaking. She was prepared to do what it took to get them out of there but their chances of survival were slimming by the second.

"I..." His voice trails off into dismissal. Each step drew Siovant a little nearer to his tempting demise, eyes locked upon the blade. The very presence of the spectral rider was near-ignored in favor of that mouth-watering temptation.

Odin knew he would find no further challenges, and the the breach of his sanctuary had been quelled. The noiseless visage turned towards the elezen that moved forward. A challenger? The greatsword-scimitar amalgamation pointed towards Siovant menacingly.

Slipping a hand to her head, the woman's teeth grit painfully as a hand when to hold her branded forehead. Throbbing pain ached through her skull, as if it was... holding back. Fighting back. Nodding toward Lyriah, Adelise slipped her hands from Alleria. "Protect her, she needs to be taken. Free the fear from your heart to escape!" Twisting around, Adelise ran toward Siovant, her hands reaching into his robe to tug him back forcefully, "Siovant! Stop this! We must retreat!" she shrieked out.

Lyriah didn't wait long. The instant Adelise went for Siovant, Lyriah slipped in and grabbed Alleria's arm, supporting her weight to get her out of her. "Alleria, lets go now!"

Siovant was a willing combatant. Now and always. If not for the woman tugging his mind back into the present, he'd likely have attacked the Primal with his fledgling aether. He blinked once, twice, that iron-tinged fog clearing from his mind as the gravity of the situation began to set in. Hard, tired lines drew deeply across his features. As though he'd just run a circuit of the Shroud in addition to their battle. "L-let's go." He stammers, his mouth drier than he would have liked.

Reaching for the Elezen's hand, Adelise held tightly to it as she continued to tug him back toward him, fearful that he might attempt to suddenly continue forward. "I will protect you, my Lord," she stammered out, offering the primal a dangerous stare. Glancing back, Adelise bellowed out, "we must warn others! Retreat to the city to alert the Adders!"

The blade remained unwavering before Siovant, before the party's calm retreat kept Odin from cutting them down as well. The horse turned around slowly, retreating into the mist and disappearing. The mist shortly followed, revealing the empty cliff face behind the campsite, though the House members never turned around to check, escaping from the primal.

It had been so long since I had felt that familiar tug of fear. I... cannot believe they are more similar than I had been to initially believe.There were some aspects I truly wished were not mirrored over.

#Journal #Alleria Surlaint #Armont De'bayle #denz de'bayle

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asksnailworld · 6 years ago

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Anyways, how are the others reacting to Tom

I don’t think they like it

#ffs #he looks like a dinosaur #hes supposed to be on all fours #ew monster tom #ew tord #ew matt #ew edd #ew hellucard #silent armont #mod silent #asksnailworld #eddsworld #eddsworld au #hi-i-draw-stuff

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jancisstuff · 7 years ago

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The Dark Crystal - Awakening

*The impenetrable barrier of darkness hummed quietly at the door. Denz had kicked Astrelle in the chest and had pushed past anyone who had tried to stop him within his path, covering his escape. However, the De'bayles could sense that Denz was no longer retreating further than being outside. Nuarmac still blinked, his long beard frizzled from the commotion of his nephew's hasty flight.*

Armont 's weight shifted quickly as he leaned over to fetch his halberd from the pillar that it leaned against. "Grab your arms, all of you!" He demanded with a shout as he too began his quick sprint up the stairs to make chase after his brother. Jancis recovered from being pushed out of the way, losing her grip on Nuarmac's arm and hand. "Denz!" Not waiting for a plan, Jancis tries to follow, confronted by the barrier. Eyes staring at it a minute in her rush, her hand reaches out to feel at it, trying to see how powerful the barrier was and if she could convert it to another form.

Guillemont releases his grip on the older man, turning towards the aetherial barrier. He steps towards it, silently wiping his mouth. Suddenly, he turns and throws a heavy gauntleted punch at the man's gut. "You old fool!" Watching in some stunned fear; fear that her giving Denz this object had done this, Carina thinned her lips as a wave of determination came over her. Watching as the scene around here seemed to dissolve into chaos, the woman grabbed out her axe. Approaching Astrelle, she offered the woman a hand up to help her, "we have to save him from himself sister, if he cannot do it on his own..." she leers back over toward Nuarmac, who had just been punched so it seems. Astrelle reaches to rub at where Denz had kicked her, a scowl now adorning her features. As she recovered, her eyes widened at Guillemont's sudden aggression towards Nuarmac. She looks then to Carina, giving a firm nod and taking the offered hand to pull herself up before unholstering her long gun and clicking back the hammer. "Guillemont," she grunted as she stood, "enough." *Guillemont's strike was met unopposed, the old man doubling over the plated fist with a hoarse gasp. His vision was blurry with the tears of pain and the fading impression of his controlling nightmares. Blinking through it, he grimaced up at the headstrong cousin, more than willing to strike back before seething through his teeth.* "Save your strength, -boy-... I am not the enemy here." *He stepped away from the knight, shambling over to the barrier with a hand on his stomach, cane now serving more as a crutch. He watched as Armont 's spear flecked off measly scales from the powerful shield, placing a hand on it.* "This was... not meant to lock us in. I can feel a protective desire upon this aether, and it is certainly more potent than I would first guess." *He turned back to the younger adults, eyeing them carefully.* "If we are done placing blame, I shall open the path. If we are swift, we can stop Denz before he is overwhelmed. Otherwise..." *He sighs, closing his eyes.* "He will not be immediately lost, but I doubt he will remain idle while the darkness continues to gnaw away at him. Detain him, and we shall continue."

Guillemont turns his head to the side, spitting on the ground. His expression is mostly blank, but there is a fire behind his eyes. Walking closer to the barrier, he draws his zweihander. "Open the path then." Armont looked back towards his uncle as he thrust the bottom of his spear into the ground in anger. "Release us Uncle! I wish to not wait another moment within this basement!" He shouted once more.

Stepping forward toward the shield behind Armont , Carina readied her weapon tightly within her grasp. "It is easy to fall into chaos. It is harder, to remain balanced when fear chokes you. We must set aside our fear and anger to help Denz. Later, can we weep over the emotions that overcame us. Steel yourselves," she remarks out in a sort of eerie calm. There was a soft click as Astrelle's gun unlatched from her belt, her hand going back into her pouch to click on the siphon orb hidden within. With a flick of her wrist, it was once again attached and a soft, blue glow emanated from within her coat. She calmly walked beside her family and Jancis. She gave a simple, firm nod to Nuarmac and reached out a gloved hand to pat his shoulder. "We are ready," she muttered. "Detain." The word was hard on Jancis' throat as she repeated it. Her hair and eyes were still torn by the dream walk she had experienced, anger and concern still there in striving calming collecting breaths. "Wounds will heal after he is safe." *Nuarmac back standing up straighter, sucking in a light breath as he collected himself. Back to his full height, only slightly shorter than Armont did the Spiritual Leader of the De'bayles slam the tip of his cane into the ground. White aether gathered at the head, before a beam shot out to the dark barrier. The shield look unaffected, Nuarmac's face growing more and more strained as he focused greater amounts of aether into the attack. With a final roar, he grasped the staff with both hands and struck the shield with enough strength to shatter the barrier. The dark shells shatter like glass, falling to the ground before dissipating into wisps of smoke. The uncle fell to a knee, pointing his cane towards the entrance.* "GO!" *Before she could leave the room however, his cane halted Jancis momentarily.*

Armont quickly dashed forward as soon as the barrier had dropped. Not stepping once on the stairs, Armont would brace against the wall before him before shooting up to the doorway above. "Denz!" He yelled out in a dead sprint for the houses front door. "Do not think you can run from me!" reaches for her helm that she had attached to her waist for the time being. Fixing it on over her head properly, she swiftly made haste through the exit behind Armont . Guillemont runs through the door after the others, cautious not to poke them in the back with his sword in his closer pursuit. Astrelle shot a glance over Nuarmac, her cerulean gaze flicking over to Jancis. She hummed a quiet note before moving forward behind her twin, skipping every other step with a bound of her long legs. She chose to remain nearest Guillemont as they exited, her gloved hands tightly gripping her gun. The sight of the cane coming before her, clearly leaning forward, made the conjurer shuffle, mouth agape with surprise as the others rush through. Looking up at the elder, she listens quietly, hands closing around the parcel he gifts her. Touching his arm, she stays only long enough to squeeze and try to catch up, crystal tight on her chest as she ran. *Outside, the snow fell with a purpose, blanketing the horizon and almost hiding the fallen elezen in the yard. Denz's hair had fallen from it's ponytail, hands clutching at his head painfully. The sensation of his family closing on him stirred him from his forced meditation, letting out a panicked gasp.* "Gah! No! Stay back!" *He rose to his feet weakly, taking a half step before stumbling back to the ground, face turned back towards the family.* "D-don't..." *Through the snows, black and red aether began to swirl around him.*

Armont pursed his lips as he came to a halt after bursting through the door. With eyes locked onto his brother, even after hearing his plea Armont would give no quarter. "Stay yourself brother!" He shouted yet again, his feet now dug into snow as he motioned down for a jump. With one large stride forward, the mans own body soared through the air just ilms over the snow with polearm out. He did not aim to strike his down with blade or point, but rather knock him down or out with the center pole of his weapon.

Guillemont holds his sword between the horns of the blade and the guard, the tip pointed behind him. "Denz, just... Stay calm. We're going to take care of this. Take care of you." He takes a few cautious steps towards his sibling, muttering a quiet spell under his breath. A thin veil of aether covers him and the party, hopefully protecting them from harm to some degree. Standing back some as she watched Armont lunge toward his brother, Carina trekked around the duo toward the other side of Denz in hopes of blocking the easy exit. For now, she would let Armont face him. Carina did not wish to overpower the youngest brother in force, as the idea was not to hurt him. Though often times, things do not always work out as most would hope. Astrelle kept behind her twin, gloved fingers cradling the metallic sphere as she kept her eyes on Armont and Denz. She rolled a shoulder idly, watching with keen eyes. Jancis made it to the doorway, hearing Guillemont's clear words and also followed them herself. She kept her hands together on her chest, cradling the crystal in her flowing sleeves and arms and stayed by the door, trying to echo the calm. *The poleaxe swing was met solidly by a wall of dark aether, preventing the weapon from reaching Denz. The wall dispersed, the knight-errant stumbling backwards to his feet, lulling backwards from Armont , eyes wide in fear.* "I can hear them... Screaming in defiance. Daggers in my back... Falling. So much falling. They won't leave... I... " *He let out a strained yell, hands going back to his head. His tattoo pulsed with dark aether, wisps flitting into the air over his eyes. As he spoke out, his words distorted, the overlap of disembodied voices covering his own.* "I... am become... Darkness." *The shadowy aether plumed up around Denz, causing him to disappear within this pillar of darkness.*

Armont continued to point the tip of his halberd out towards the pillar of darkness as it consumed his brother. "Jancis, do you have anything to negate this shield that he has conjured?" He questioned, though stayed focused on the large shard of ice that he was forming at his weapons point. "I wish to attempt to break it, though I do not wish to kill my own blood in the process if found successful." Guillemont continues his slow approach towards his brother. "Keep control, Denz. You're stronger than this." He reaches out with his free hand as he draws near the pillar of darkness. "Lower the barrier, Denz. Lower it so we can finish what we started." Astrelle's siphon seemed to be picking up fragments of aether, the soft glow beginning to shift between various shades of red. She frowned as Guillemont moved forward, a thumb sliding across the metallic surface of the orb to flick it off; it wasn't meant to hold dark aether. Her gun raised at the barrier in preparation.

"I can try." Jancis' words came with action as she walked closer. It took a lot to simply walk over, trying to echo the calming. "Denz. We are all here for you." Her aether reached out. "Remember the water, it is much the same as this to move, no?" Her staff hit the snow, making a trail and sensing how deep and how high the pillar went, aether seeking across the barrier. "I will try to reach out." She was honest in her tactic, looking for a means for the wind aether to split through. *As soon as everyone drew closer to the pillar, it began to disappear, the column shortening and drawing closer to the ground. Once it reached the top of the knight’s head did it start to swirl around the rest of his body. His eyes were no longer painted with fear. Instead, they were a calculated calm, behind pupils stained red and swirling with their own energy. The smoke dissipated from his lower body, revealing a harsh raiment of armor, one that Denz had never worn before. His head turned slightly, before flexing his fingers up to his face.* “We can… feel… smell…” *An intake of breath came through his nose, the disembodied voices over Denz’s own now louder. His red eyes went over those gathered, one by one. Except Jancis* “And we see the last flickers of light for this damned family… I will disma-” *He let out a gasp, his face contorting through several different emotions: pain, frustration, panic, before settling on rage, his arm flicking out as he stepped away from Armont and Guillemont.* “WHERE IS SHE?! Where is the bitch that would have us excised?! You can’t hide her! We want her drowning in her own blood!” *His outstretched hand coalesced more aether, solidifying into the shape of a greatsword, taking up the weapon and pointing it at the two brother’s.* “Come! Show us how you fight for her, and your family!*

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Grunting out some within the metals of her helm, Carina yelled out toward her brother, allowing for the smallest wisps of aether to lace into her words as she at least /tried/ to see if her charmspeak might have any impact. "Denz! Try to find yourself within the all the pain! You must try brother! This not you!" she shrieked out. Armont was swiftly brought to a knee as he took aim as the top spike of his spear acted as the sights to this weapon he had in store. The snows around the end of Armont s weapon began swirling, forming a much larger spike of ice. Within moments of build up, his spears munition would begin coursing with a light blue aether before shooting out from his halberd, the kick back being enough to cause Armont to slide back in the snow some feet. "It shall not pierce armor, but act as enough force to knock him back! Act quickly brothers and sisters!" Guillemont shifts his grip on the sword, entering a guard with the point held between him and his younger brother. "There will be no blood tonight, brother! Control yourself!" He calls out, knowing full well the futility of his efforts.

As the shield lowered and revealed the now armored Denz, Astrelle's lips twitched uneasily. She began to move to the left, her finger sliding along the trigger guard of her gun while she stepped out from behind the two brothers to look at the youngest, a steely stare set upon him. She waited to see what would happen first, her weapon held at the ready. Jancis' eyes were solid, staying put, hearing the 'fake' voice that brought her such a nightmare. The thing she wanted to do more than confine to a crystal. And she also realized what small advantage she had for the moment behing unseen. Staying quiet, her eyes shifted about the packed snow for spots, traps. If she could wear down this form and subdue it leaving her love intact underneath. To find an opening to do as the uncle bid.

*The controlled Denz whipped his greatsword over his head with ease, winding up his sword to strike. Before he his sword fall though, several dark figures in Denz's silouette rushed out from him, each one swinging downward for a De'bayle. The one that went for Astrelle however was a feint, and suddenly, Denz was no longer in front of Jancis, but instead Astrelle, his armored hand going for her throat to attempt to raise her off the ground.* "Your siblings command such power... What toys do you play with at the heels of your superiors?" *In the unlikely event she could not react after his monologue, he would then follow up by stabbing into his stomach with his darkened greatsword.*

Astrelle's eyes widened as she felt the armored hand wrap around her throat, beginning to lift her off her feet. She stared down at her youngest in fear before her mind kicked back into action; hand still wrapped around the orb, she flicked it back on and quickly pointed her barrel towards the snow. "Toys I can actually control," she gurgled through the constricting air passage before her gun fired off her a blast of wind aether, hopefully shooting her from Denz -- or, at the least, knocking him onto his feet. She would, of course, take the second before it fired to place her foot against his chest in a hard kick to retaliate for earlier. Grudges and all.

Armont grunted as he looked to the shadow that held the arching blade before him. Bringing up his spear swiftly in retaliation, Armont gritted his teeth as he pushed metal against metal as his spearhead met the greatsword, locking in struggle. "The vessel of a thousand plus years of darkness, released at once..." He muttered out, pushing the shadows weapon back with all his might. Guillemont raises his sword, the phantom's weapon skating across his own and locking at the horns of the zweihander. The elezen releases his right hand from the weapon, drawing the arming sword at his hip and slashing it across the abdomen of the apparition. "Away with you!" He bellows. Jancis watches each split, staff arm coming up though none come for her, confirming her feeling. She was nearly invisible! For now. Seeing the change and the call, she moves towards Astrelle, taking a step back once she feels what is about to happen from the orb. *Denz would be blown back with a pained grunt, his defenses lowered in his showboating. Stumbling back from the kick, his voices growled in a rising chorus, sword held over his head before falling, sending a shock wave towards Astrelle, before turning on Carina. He leapt high into the air, winding his upper body sideways to strike horizontally for the hyur with immense force. The apparition Guillemont struck shuddered from the strike of his sword, the abdomen leaking aether. Whatever form it took, it could be disrupted. The bleeding shade hopped back, sending out a small bolt of dark aether, before dashing behind the blast with it's own uppercut. The silhouette parried by Armont went to strike for his shoulder, a hand reaching out for his helmet.*

Cleaving at the phantom in one great sweep, Carina was met with the figures darkened blade. Carina forced herself forward into it as her boots dug into the snow beneath her. "Damn it all... wh-" shoving the figure back with the force of her body. Snapping her attention back toward the actual Denz, the ferocious expression of her helm hid the shock as the watched the man leap and strike toward her. Moving her axe to act as some sort of shield from the oncoming hit, the sheer force behind it was enough to toss the woman off her feet and tumbling into the snow behind her. Off to the side, Joseph watched in fury as the youngest De'bayle attacked his Hyur, charging forward to ram his sharpened horns into the leg of the man was he was planted.

Astrelle fell back onto her feet, doubling over as she clutched at her throat, dropping the orb into the flurry of snow upon the ground. She staggered, catching a glimpse of Denz as he sailed through the air towards Carina - though she raised her gun to fire a true shot at her youngest sibling, the shock wave sent her flying backward and onto her back. She grunted in pain, rolling over to push herself back to her feet and reclaim her gun.

Guillemont sidesteps the bolt of aether, extending both blades in front of him and twirling as he does so - aiming a spinning strike with both weapons at the charging shade. Armont quickly rolled off to the side from the shades striking advance. Once at the shades side, Armont 's hands moved to choke the spear in hand, thrusting the point of it towards the shades ribs if able. Jancis tries to keep up, the flying form and other combat. The aether shades were far more powerful than she anticipated, watching Guillemont deal more than one blow at the creature. Realizing time was short, too far from Carina. She murmurs, an orb of water forming and flinging for Denz in the cold blizzard. She didn't know if he would expect it, or sense her aether. But the distraction needed. *Denz's strike against Carina came with a boisterous laugh.* "Ahahaha! Yes! Unleash your beast! We've want to cl-" *He let out a shout of pain as the behemoth's small form punctured his leg, sending his left foot back with the force and nearly making him trip. He rights himself, his other foot coming up to punt Joseph away. He raised his greatsword over his head to strike down for Carina.* "You'll have t-" *SPLASH! The knight's head gets drenched by the water orb Jancis threw, his sword swinging down to blindly let loose an aetherial slash in Jancis' general direction. The shade getting struck by Guillemont's weapons fell to a heap, dissipating as the real Denz's face twitched. He turned back towards Guillemont, face filling up with numerous emotions as he rushed for the knight, manically laughing.* "Spoil the surprise! There's more than -one- monster here!" *His blade swung horizontally to crash into Guillemont's side.*

*Armont 's shade was thoroughly skewered, the dark hand grasping at the shaft to try and pull it free, Denz's maniacal face once more faltering with pain.* Armont thrust forward once his spear was set in place. With a steady step forward the Elezen would heave the man up further onto his spear, lifting him into the air as he sunk the end of his polearm into the ground vertically. Gravity can take this one. The slash was loose, Jancis skirting off to the far side of it as the snow melted in its wake. She missed the flinch at her angle, worried more once again for Guillemont. "It is not my choice to imprison. You should be torn asunder and absorbed by Hydaelyn, back into the lifestream as it should have been centuries past." Her voice calls out in the snow. Quiet afterwards as she tries to circle around to another open part of the dilapidated field. Exhaling out a shaky breath as Denz's attention was redirected, Carina reached a clawed gauntlet out to latch back onto her axe. Pushing herself up to her feet, Carina moved over toward Joseph to see how he was, the creature mostly just huffing out angrily after being kicked. Guillemont fails to react in time, his brother's massive blade impacting heavily into his side. He digs his feet in to the snow, barely managing to stay on them. "A monster I may be, but I will not raise my blade against my brother!" He drops both weapons, trying to wrap the arm of the side that was struck around his brother's blade to immobilize it, and throwing a punch at the man's face with his other hand.

Astrelle rushes forward, bending low enough to scoop up her gun and siphon. She clips them back together and raises the barrel of her musket towards Denz once more. She waited for Guillemont's action and, when her twin reacted only in kindness, she sneered and released a shot of aether--now heavily drawing from Armont 's--to attempt freezing her youngest brother's shoulder in place. *The execution from Armont stunned the dark-filled Denz, even after his blade made solid contact with Guillemont. This gave his brother plenty of time to land his strike, and Astrelle's aetherial shot to encompass his shoulder. Denz stumbled back, his hands letting go of his sword as his various voices let out another rising shout. The sword left Guillemont's side, reappearing in Denz's hand.* "NO! WE WILL NOT RETURN TO THAT PRISON!" *The dark aether swelled around Denz one final time, before gathering into his sword, which stabbed into the ground and expunged a great shock wave of dark aether, weapons and silhouettes of past ancestors striking outward from within the wave in defiance in a display of unhinged power.*

Managing to be just barely within said shock wave as she helped her beast back up on his feet and brushed him off, Carina was sent blasting back. Thwacking against a nearby pillar, the woman sat against it motionlessly for the moment. Guillemont pulls the shield off of his back, holding it in front of his face and charging forward through the wave hoping that he would be able to push through it and tackle his brother. Armont looked to his brother as the wave began coursing out to the group. Retreat from an AOE was never one of Armont 's favorites, nor was it the DRG way of life. Time to tank that shit. Stepping forward towards it to jump into the air, Armont would dodge the attack. Astrelle watched Denz as he /unleash/ed a shock wave once more. Her orb quickly picked up as she aimed it towards Armont , judging his next move. She took a step back as the shock wave quickly closed distance before aiming her barrel down to the ground. She hopped with a grunt before releasing the wind aether from her musket, pulling at a contraption near the butt of her musket to up the power of the propulsion mechanism. She would sail over the shock wave, landing uneasily on her knees. Jancis braced herself for the aether wave, stones building in front of her to take the brunt of the punishment before pushing through, trying to get closer, Guillemont's protective aether leaving it easier to speak, hoping to draw the attention of the consuming dark aether, "You are the only monster here. My love has harbored you for far too long." *The swords, daggers, and spears cut where they could through on Guillemont, the aetherial blast striking his core and leaving him weakened in a different way other than physical. That did not halt the shield charge, however, and Denz, behind the shock wave of aether, was still recovering. The charge knocked him from his feet, catching a glimspe of the two De'bayles leap over his attack. Groaning, Denz roll onto his knees, head turning towards where Jancis' voice was, though he still couldn't see her, her voice muffled as well and hard to discern.* "You won't... get him... back..." *He bowed his head, the dark greatsword disappearing and reforming above Denz's head to promptly descend for his neck. Or back. It was a large sword.*

Snow kicked up as Jancis' worked to close the distance between them, going to push him out of the way of the falling blade, to push in him onto his back. Her free hand went for his shoulder, hoping to push Denz onto his back, her hand holding the crystal out to push against his forehead. It would hurt, the blade was sure to hit somewhere on possibly both of them, her eyes serious and form stiff to take the impact. She had to get the aim right, she had to. Astrelle's still pushing herself back to her feet, yo, so she can't do much in time except for look up and watch.

*Denz's face became one of pure shock as his vision was filled with Jancis' tackle, the hate and rage and darkness seeming to drift from his face even as his head struck the snow. The greatsword plummeted down, but instead of cleaving his neck, her tackle readjusted his body to where the greatsword cut deep into his left side, as well as Jancis' own right side, blood spilling from Denz's side as the aether was expended, and unable to resist the crystal being put against his forehead. Denz's face took on a look of momentary panic and pain, before staring endlessly into the sky. The ancient darkness swelled around Jancis' palm, burning like wind to her skin as it flowed into the crystal within her palm. It was like a dam being opened, except a thin sheet of ice blocked the river from flowing. Was the greatsword stabbing through her side into the earth going to prevent her from tipping this river into it's rightful prison?*

Tears burst into her eyes, blurring her vision in the cold. Her free left hand came up to help with her aim, planting on Denz's face to anchor her right hand, to keep it in place, to not be misled. Her voice cried out at the multiple sides of pain, pitched and high before it morphed into a thicker defiant call trying to block out the searing and gashing. The call caused a flash of aether on her form, the weak spell trying to mend the damage as it happened, to slow it down, to buy time. *The presence, healing, and defiance from the woman seemed to strike a chord in the nearly lost elezen, as that thinly veiled impediment broke between vessel and prison, the dark aether beginning to diminish around Jancis hand and into the crystal. The sword that had impaled both of them was next to disappear suddenly, letting free the blood from its massive cuts. Then the armor followed suit, disappearing and returning him to his former clothing. The dark aether could not cry out in hatred,in mourning or defeat, a silent end to this foul legacy as it continued to siphon into the crystal. The door to the manor had remained open, leaving Nuarmac's entrance rather quiet. He moved past Guillemont and Astrelle without a word or notice, striding over to Jancis. He placed his hand over her's, ensuring the dark aether was properly tunneled into the crystal, before pushing aside her hand to take up the crystal himself. Staring at it harshly, his voice came out with a slight shake.*

"You took away my daughter's future... Now, I've sealed yours." *He looked back towards the others.* "It is done. Gather up the wounded and bring them out of the cold. They shall recuperate here." *With that, Nuarmac moved back into the manor.* *Armont would move for Carina once her heard Denz was no longer in danger, picking her up to bring her back inside behind his Uncle.* Jancis resisted the movement at first, so focused she was on not losing Denz that her hand gave the older man part of a hard time before her strength waned. She barely made out his words, speaking only enough to try and close Denz's large wound, hand deep red in the effort.

Guillemont crouches down over the wounded pair, dropping his shield into the snow beside them. "Alright, let's uh... Let's get you inside." Carefully, he hoists Denz over his shoulders, one arm holding his brother's legs and the other holding his arms - the brunt of the weight being held on his upper back as he hunches forwards. "Gods, you're heavier than uh... Than I remember." He carries his limp brother back to his uncle's home, noting the blood in the snow behind him. "We'll uh... We'll have to get that patched up..."

Astrelle moves forward, watching Guillemont pick up the youngest sibling. She frowns with some concern before striding over to Jancis and looking over her side with a cursory glance. "Come," she muttered needlessly, carefully grabbing the woman beneath the arm and slowly hoisting her up above her shoulder to begin walking her towards the manor behind Guillemont and Denz. "Denzel would never forgive me if I left you out here.." Jancis, barely conscious gives in to the simple pain of just being moved after such exhaustion of traveling, dreaming walking, and wounds. "Th-" Overcome, even though Astrelle had endured so much of the same this night, the words of gratitude end aburptly with a stifled breath and giving into unconsciousness.

Guillemont collects his armaments, sheathing his swords. Still somewhat weakened from taking the hit from the wave of dark aether, he stumbles slightly as he trudges through the snow in to the distance.

Denz De'bayle @darkknightsbread Armont De'bayle @halone-from-the-otherside Guillemont De'bayle @ishgardianknightblogging Carina De'bayle @carina-debayle Astrelle De'bayle Jancis Milburga Nuarmac De'bayle @darkknightsbread

Jun 14 2017

#Denz De'bayle #Armont De'bayle #Guillemont De'bayle #Carina De'bayle #Astrelle De'bayle #Jancis Milburga #Nuarmac De'bayle

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