Riley hugged her arms about her and was still nervously eying the rain falling about the group. The stage magician gave Aurus a small wave as he appeared and the fiery warlord then went and explained, in a bout of doom and gloom of course, how dire things had become – which to be fair, as she watched the towering figure sludge apart in front of everyone, seemed to be an accurate expression of how bad the whole situation was becoming.
The girl shrugged though and grinned slightly. There didn't need to be much though to it. Percy needed help. They all were friends of Percy. It was a friend's duty to help their friends out of whatever silly mess they found and then laugh about it later.
“Let's get out from under this leak then! Time to find Watson - and there is no point complaining about something not already done when we can just do it ourselves.â€
Tossing the mini Decanus a pair of Breakfast Bear Breakfast Bars from her own stash the girl gave the impish little guy a hearty thumbs up. “Heard you could find a group of a couple tourists the way towards the Centrifuge – sounds fun, eh?â€
[Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
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Gwathdraug
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:48 am
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
Decanus' little grin opened up under the guise of Coco, enjoying the somewhat playful forthrightness of Riley to the less than cheery natures of the others. A natural outcast, the shady deity seemed pretty good at ignoring the foul remarks of others, snickering with Coco's voice as he went.
With a wiggle of his nose, and quick, shadowed movement to the floor from Miyuki's shoudler, he went over to the edge of the ring, placing his hands on the edge of the stone. For a moment, he seemed to whisper his tiny voice into the markings, and seething light burst upward from the edge, blinding those around until the light faded, revealing a pathway, or rather, another place. From the edge of the platform came what looked like another place entirely. Grassy earth ran flush against the edge of the limestone surface, and led into a distant sky that was filled with white clouds. That sky in itself, around the edges of what one could assume was a portal, became fuzzy when it mixed with the somber grays of the sky of the world around them.
What it led to was a valley that opened into grassy area, filled with ruins. The place was of a pleasant air, with a gentle wind flowing through the divide of what seemed to be a mountain. At the mouth of the plains area, from where they entered, stood statues. They were carved from the same limestone as the platform, and they seemed to be carved into the mountains themselves. The most striking feature of these statues, though, were that they represented some familiar people.
There were two at the sides of the pathway, one holding out a staff, the other holding out a sword. The first was quite easy to tell from her the robes she wore now, the other, despite having a full face helm, by the armor he wore now.
Miyuki and Miller.
Further down were another set of statues, these separate from the mountain themselves, these were rather easy to recognize, too. One had a bristling smile, while the other had a discerning set eyes that robbed one from a sense of security.
Riley and Ruarc.
As each magus made their way into this new section of the Elementalia, the area behind them, of rain and despair seemed to disappear, with others simply materializing behind them by their own perception. Decanus took a few steps forward, smiling still with Coco's face, then pointed towards the limestone ruins at the center of the plains area. From where they stood, they could see that the despite its appearance, there was a certain livability to the distant ruins, as if one could comfortably stay there.
With a wiggle of his nose, and quick, shadowed movement to the floor from Miyuki's shoudler, he went over to the edge of the ring, placing his hands on the edge of the stone. For a moment, he seemed to whisper his tiny voice into the markings, and seething light burst upward from the edge, blinding those around until the light faded, revealing a pathway, or rather, another place. From the edge of the platform came what looked like another place entirely. Grassy earth ran flush against the edge of the limestone surface, and led into a distant sky that was filled with white clouds. That sky in itself, around the edges of what one could assume was a portal, became fuzzy when it mixed with the somber grays of the sky of the world around them.
What it led to was a valley that opened into grassy area, filled with ruins. The place was of a pleasant air, with a gentle wind flowing through the divide of what seemed to be a mountain. At the mouth of the plains area, from where they entered, stood statues. They were carved from the same limestone as the platform, and they seemed to be carved into the mountains themselves. The most striking feature of these statues, though, were that they represented some familiar people.
There were two at the sides of the pathway, one holding out a staff, the other holding out a sword. The first was quite easy to tell from her the robes she wore now, the other, despite having a full face helm, by the armor he wore now.
Miyuki and Miller.
Further down were another set of statues, these separate from the mountain themselves, these were rather easy to recognize, too. One had a bristling smile, while the other had a discerning set eyes that robbed one from a sense of security.
Riley and Ruarc.
As each magus made their way into this new section of the Elementalia, the area behind them, of rain and despair seemed to disappear, with others simply materializing behind them by their own perception. Decanus took a few steps forward, smiling still with Coco's face, then pointed towards the limestone ruins at the center of the plains area. From where they stood, they could see that the despite its appearance, there was a certain livability to the distant ruins, as if one could comfortably stay there.
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
The Elementalia Magicus never ceased to keep one curious, and Ruarc kept mental notes that he would write down when he got the chance. As the druid watched the magical world around him shifted and changed he did not forget about what was real right next to him, and thankfully Raiko seemed to be calming down; however she was still being cryptic, and even more so than usual. “It’s okay, Raiko, Ah’m here for ya,†Ruarc said quietly to Raiko as he held her hand a bit tighter.
The situation began to shift as progress was made towards helping Percy, but it was looking like protecting Raiko would be getting tougher. The group now found themselves in an earthy valley. Despite the fact that this new area was by far the most interesting place that he had seen yet. Not only were there spectacular ruins, but there were statues that made Ruarc’s jaw drop slightly as he looked up at the statues of four of the main group. It made him wonder about how the Elementalia Magicus could alter its form based on context.
In the new environment Ruarc began to wander as he felt an odd egotistical draw to the limestone effigy that bore his face. The resemblance was striking and slightly off-putting, but it certainly impressed him and he had a feeling that this had to do with helping Percy.
“Heh, statue is pretty good, aye?†Ruarc said playfully as he nudged Raiko.
The situation began to shift as progress was made towards helping Percy, but it was looking like protecting Raiko would be getting tougher. The group now found themselves in an earthy valley. Despite the fact that this new area was by far the most interesting place that he had seen yet. Not only were there spectacular ruins, but there were statues that made Ruarc’s jaw drop slightly as he looked up at the statues of four of the main group. It made him wonder about how the Elementalia Magicus could alter its form based on context.
In the new environment Ruarc began to wander as he felt an odd egotistical draw to the limestone effigy that bore his face. The resemblance was striking and slightly off-putting, but it certainly impressed him and he had a feeling that this had to do with helping Percy.
“Heh, statue is pretty good, aye?†Ruarc said playfully as he nudged Raiko.
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
As the little Demi-God continued to mock Coco, she sulked.
"Why are you always picking on me anyways," the not-as-little-as-before girl half spoke to herself, half at Decanus the Mini-God. It wasn't like she ever even got a reply from the little thing anyways - it honestly seemed to just take pleasure in tormenting her and her alone. Or Duncan on occasion, but, the I.O.N. taught them to never rise to the bait of any Trickster-Class, and that was something he did better at than she did. Was that why it picked on her all the time? It didn't matter. The now-teenage girl walked along in her costume, still getting used to it and all of its quirks, as well as the quirks of her new body - it was hard to balance well when taller, and a little front heavier than before!
When the breathtaking sight was revealed however, Coco was impressed. And then was bothered. "Why do I suddenly feel like I've been left out?" she wondered aloud, cocking her head to the side in wonder.
Funny thing was, she really did mean it.
"Why are you always picking on me anyways," the not-as-little-as-before girl half spoke to herself, half at Decanus the Mini-God. It wasn't like she ever even got a reply from the little thing anyways - it honestly seemed to just take pleasure in tormenting her and her alone. Or Duncan on occasion, but, the I.O.N. taught them to never rise to the bait of any Trickster-Class, and that was something he did better at than she did. Was that why it picked on her all the time? It didn't matter. The now-teenage girl walked along in her costume, still getting used to it and all of its quirks, as well as the quirks of her new body - it was hard to balance well when taller, and a little front heavier than before!
When the breathtaking sight was revealed however, Coco was impressed. And then was bothered. "Why do I suddenly feel like I've been left out?" she wondered aloud, cocking her head to the side in wonder.
Funny thing was, she really did mean it.
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
Sakura blinked and cocked her head confusingly as the area around her changed to that of the earthy area, this made her confused though as it wasn't something she'd ever encountered before. As she looked around, admiring the landscape for a brief moment, her eyes fell upon the statues in the distance that she carefully walked over to and looked up. She blinked, and looked out of the corner of her eye when she heard Ruarc speak, but then her eyes went right back to the statues, which she started walking around the base of to get a better look at.
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
"Positively Striking, dear." Raiko responded to Ruarc, nudging him in the ribs a bit for being so conceited. She seemed to be calming down, looking at the statues, and on what appeared to be solid ground for the moment, but Ruarc could still feel that something was making her uncomfortable. She continued to lean on the Irishman, but the shaking had stopped. "I just hope we can find him soon, I don't really like it in here," she commented.
****************
"Why are they... Us, though?" Miyuki asked, walking up to the one that looked like herself, and poking the stone figure. "Does this have something to do with Percy, or is it just scenery?" she put her hands on her hips, and seemed to puzzle over the statue. "Ruarc, you're all in tune with nature and stuff- do you sense anything about these statues? Should we worry about them, or just move on?"
****************
"Why are they... Us, though?" Miyuki asked, walking up to the one that looked like herself, and poking the stone figure. "Does this have something to do with Percy, or is it just scenery?" she put her hands on her hips, and seemed to puzzle over the statue. "Ruarc, you're all in tune with nature and stuff- do you sense anything about these statues? Should we worry about them, or just move on?"
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
As Miyuki turned her attention back onto the station, she could notice something unusual about it. Instead of keeping a vigil forward as it was, it was looking at her now. The change had been sudden, without sound or warning, but beyond that there was no change. There it stood, simply staring at her with a blank, deadpan expression.
Crkkhk. Miller's statue, however, made noise.
From its pedestal came down the mage-knight, boots shaking the ground, like a certain Fire God, as it stepped. The construct had taken its place down next to Coco, and stared down at her for a moment. His cold, limestone helmet had two slits that likely lead to the face underneath, and from behind those slits came a lively golden color. He made a half turn, with both of his stony hands going to his sword. Those arms had no trouble hefting the massive weapon, and ,with little mercy or respite, he brought the blade down on the girl, the edge singing a deadly song through the air.
In distance, out of the grass tufts rolling over the field came burst of green, leafy blades and flowers. Another statue had appeared, this one wearing a hood and wielding a bow. Her face was Sakuras, and her eyes had already picked out a target, from her quiver of sediment she pulled a rocky arrow and knocked it on a string of similar military. She pulled back the string, with the arrow floating in place, and let it fly. Though as it left her bow, it picked up a red glow as it soared towards Raiko, aiming for the miko's heart. The statue next to her, Ruarc's, burned entirely with the light ruins glittering over the skin and clothing. The construct wreathed itself in flame, and willed a cloud of it down onto the couple.
Riley's statue had disappeared, or... had it?
Miller's body suddenly felt very heavy as pair of stone legs straddled his neck and settled on his shoulders. The Alstad construct and landed on the holy knight, and was bearing down on him with intolerable weight. Yet, those were the least of his worries as spectral wolves crawled in out of the air and surrounded the man. Five of the summoned beasts surrounded the man, and one leaped for him with its gaping maw filled with sharp canines.
Lastly, as the chaos ensued, Miyuki had found her own challenger. Herself.
The statue bearing her semblance, instead of bringing out magic, tackled her, bull-rushing her. Magic came only then as her double kept her pinned down, a conjured ball of water appeared into its other hand. Then, with a sinister intent that didn't show on its frozen face, it began to lower the ball of water down Miyuki's head, intending to drown her in it.
Crkkhk. Miller's statue, however, made noise.
From its pedestal came down the mage-knight, boots shaking the ground, like a certain Fire God, as it stepped. The construct had taken its place down next to Coco, and stared down at her for a moment. His cold, limestone helmet had two slits that likely lead to the face underneath, and from behind those slits came a lively golden color. He made a half turn, with both of his stony hands going to his sword. Those arms had no trouble hefting the massive weapon, and ,with little mercy or respite, he brought the blade down on the girl, the edge singing a deadly song through the air.
In distance, out of the grass tufts rolling over the field came burst of green, leafy blades and flowers. Another statue had appeared, this one wearing a hood and wielding a bow. Her face was Sakuras, and her eyes had already picked out a target, from her quiver of sediment she pulled a rocky arrow and knocked it on a string of similar military. She pulled back the string, with the arrow floating in place, and let it fly. Though as it left her bow, it picked up a red glow as it soared towards Raiko, aiming for the miko's heart. The statue next to her, Ruarc's, burned entirely with the light ruins glittering over the skin and clothing. The construct wreathed itself in flame, and willed a cloud of it down onto the couple.
Riley's statue had disappeared, or... had it?
Miller's body suddenly felt very heavy as pair of stone legs straddled his neck and settled on his shoulders. The Alstad construct and landed on the holy knight, and was bearing down on him with intolerable weight. Yet, those were the least of his worries as spectral wolves crawled in out of the air and surrounded the man. Five of the summoned beasts surrounded the man, and one leaped for him with its gaping maw filled with sharp canines.
Lastly, as the chaos ensued, Miyuki had found her own challenger. Herself.
The statue bearing her semblance, instead of bringing out magic, tackled her, bull-rushing her. Magic came only then as her double kept her pinned down, a conjured ball of water appeared into its other hand. Then, with a sinister intent that didn't show on its frozen face, it began to lower the ball of water down Miyuki's head, intending to drown her in it.
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
Ruarc had a wide smile and chuckled lightly, happy that Raiko was a little more at ease. Miyuki’s question called his attention away from his own statue just in time to see the changes in the others, and also to see a new statue off in the distance; which had just shot a stone arrow directly at Raiko. Then to make the situation even better, his own statue lit up and began to cast a fire spell at its human doppelganger.
Reflex time. Adrenalin kicked in as both Raiko and himself were now in immediate danger. There was no time to cast a spell in defense, and he had to keep Raiko from getting hurt; though with an enchanted stone arrow speeding towards her and a cloud of fire threatening to engulf them both that was looking to be a tricky order. First things first, getting Raiko out of the way of the arrow. Thankfully she had just leaned against his shoulder, so with his hand still clasped in hers he pulled the smaller girl behind his back as he spun and shifted his position towards where she used to be.
Now he had to take care of the fireball bearing down on them. As he still had no time to cast he decided to place his faith in the new robes he was wearing. His normal cloak had some amount of protection against the elements, so with luck the combined efforts of the robe’s runes and his body he would be able to keep Raiko from getting burned. Still in his spin, he used his free hand to lift his hood, and once he had placed himself between Raiko and the attacks pulled her into the robe; wrapping the two safely away from danger, hopefully.
Reflex time. Adrenalin kicked in as both Raiko and himself were now in immediate danger. There was no time to cast a spell in defense, and he had to keep Raiko from getting hurt; though with an enchanted stone arrow speeding towards her and a cloud of fire threatening to engulf them both that was looking to be a tricky order. First things first, getting Raiko out of the way of the arrow. Thankfully she had just leaned against his shoulder, so with his hand still clasped in hers he pulled the smaller girl behind his back as he spun and shifted his position towards where she used to be.
Now he had to take care of the fireball bearing down on them. As he still had no time to cast he decided to place his faith in the new robes he was wearing. His normal cloak had some amount of protection against the elements, so with luck the combined efforts of the robe’s runes and his body he would be able to keep Raiko from getting burned. Still in his spin, he used his free hand to lift his hood, and once he had placed himself between Raiko and the attacks pulled her into the robe; wrapping the two safely away from danger, hopefully.
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
He was going to move to intercept his stone doppelganger, twisting his body to wind up with his weapon and swing at the armoured, stone knight. However the world had other plans for him. He stumbled and was barely able to keep his balance with the kid on his back. How did that silly old song go again? You can't change film with a kid on your back. The teacher would've preferred to rollerskate in a buffalo herd in retrospect, but he was putting himself through all this for Percival's sake.
He had to remember his training, he knew that there was no such thing as a fair fight, since it was six against one - including the stone trickster girl. He grabbed the stone girl by one of the legs resting on his shoulder and attempted to use her as a giant bludgeon against the incoming wolf - but midway through the swing he remembered something.
The girl was tricky, she could leap and dance and teleport - so why have her teleport at the last moment and leave himself open to the wolf? He released his grip on the stone girl mid-swing and started lifting his sword upwards against the wolf. He'd hoped that the wolf would buy his feint and be unable to adjust its trajectory - plunging right into his blade.
He had to remember his training, he knew that there was no such thing as a fair fight, since it was six against one - including the stone trickster girl. He grabbed the stone girl by one of the legs resting on his shoulder and attempted to use her as a giant bludgeon against the incoming wolf - but midway through the swing he remembered something.
The girl was tricky, she could leap and dance and teleport - so why have her teleport at the last moment and leave himself open to the wolf? He released his grip on the stone girl mid-swing and started lifting his sword upwards against the wolf. He'd hoped that the wolf would buy his feint and be unable to adjust its trajectory - plunging right into his blade.
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Gwathdraug
- Posts: 281
- Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:48 am
Re: [Episode 4.1] The Mantle of Responsibility
Standing as one of two members of the group currently safe from the chaos that was the enfolding ambush Riley plucked at her folded up and stashed cloak awkwardly as she realized that she'd have to go this whole fight with being unable to just shwoop her way through physical attacks with a little bit of thought. Shaking that off and deciding that the battle Miller was dealing with was probably the most unfair at the moment the girl started to barrel in that direction – but was quickly stopped by a hand lifting her skywards.
A large, gauntlet covered, and decidedly spectral hand.
“I didn't summon you!†Riley shouted at the dog-helmed phantasm that had went into a rage against the yetis. In response the figure simply shrugged and shook Riley about in the air a bit, clearly showing off that despite all that it was currently present and effected how things went. Gulping heavily the young stage magician squeezed her eyes shut and forced down the feelings of sickness that had begun to bubble up in her stomach.
“No blood shed.†Riley murmured to the phantasm, her eyes still closed. As she began to be shook again the girl popped her eyes open to find the dog-helmed figure to be shaking as if it was laughing, it's head shifting between looking towards the stone and spectral combatants assaulting Miller and its master.
Blushing Riley squirmed out of the phantasm's grip and dropped to the ground. Glaring upwards as she dusted herself off she poked a finger at her summoned fighter. “My point still stands!â€
Riley was taken back when a flat, and somewhat garbled voice responded in her head. Of course, no fun, only punishment.
As the phantasm strode towards Miller a long, heavy truncheon formed in its left hand. After the white blank mask material making the weapon completely formed and settled Riley's summon increased its pace and hit the back line of the wolves surrounding the school teaching Paladin like a canon ball.
Swiping at one wolf with its club to drive it back the phantasm scooped another up with its right hand and begun to silently shake with laughter again. Just as it seemed to have gone completely crazed – jitter with joy as a wolf snapped through its baggy garments and into the flesh of an arm – the helmed figure froze and looked directly at its captive. The white lines spidering through out the phantasm's arm pulsed and twisted in a flash of movement before tendrils of spectral flame spiraled up the dog-warrior's hand and quickly spread to the wolf, engulfing it.
A large, gauntlet covered, and decidedly spectral hand.
“I didn't summon you!†Riley shouted at the dog-helmed phantasm that had went into a rage against the yetis. In response the figure simply shrugged and shook Riley about in the air a bit, clearly showing off that despite all that it was currently present and effected how things went. Gulping heavily the young stage magician squeezed her eyes shut and forced down the feelings of sickness that had begun to bubble up in her stomach.
“No blood shed.†Riley murmured to the phantasm, her eyes still closed. As she began to be shook again the girl popped her eyes open to find the dog-helmed figure to be shaking as if it was laughing, it's head shifting between looking towards the stone and spectral combatants assaulting Miller and its master.
Blushing Riley squirmed out of the phantasm's grip and dropped to the ground. Glaring upwards as she dusted herself off she poked a finger at her summoned fighter. “My point still stands!â€
Riley was taken back when a flat, and somewhat garbled voice responded in her head. Of course, no fun, only punishment.
As the phantasm strode towards Miller a long, heavy truncheon formed in its left hand. After the white blank mask material making the weapon completely formed and settled Riley's summon increased its pace and hit the back line of the wolves surrounding the school teaching Paladin like a canon ball.
Swiping at one wolf with its club to drive it back the phantasm scooped another up with its right hand and begun to silently shake with laughter again. Just as it seemed to have gone completely crazed – jitter with joy as a wolf snapped through its baggy garments and into the flesh of an arm – the helmed figure froze and looked directly at its captive. The white lines spidering through out the phantasm's arm pulsed and twisted in a flash of movement before tendrils of spectral flame spiraled up the dog-warrior's hand and quickly spread to the wolf, engulfing it.