[Mission] [TWFNE] Week 197: Appearance In Dawn

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Redfin

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"Help me! Please!"​

A home laid broken. Wood and brick had collapsed into a pile. Glass shards littered the area. Furniture, decorations and mementos were crushed into a tangled mass of jagged colors. An arm stuck out among the rubble, hand grasping at the ground and leaving behind a trail of red. Half of the building had been destroyed, leaving the remaining part leaning precariously. Rafters fell downwards, dragging the roof along.

"Run away!"​

A fire had erupted when something crashed into the stove. Hot embers rested against wooden structures. The blaze grew steadily, consuming everything nearby. Smoke filled the sky in a thick funnel. The heat blurred the air. An acidic feel lingered in the air, seeping into everything.

"What is that?"​

The place that used to be the town gardens was no more. It used to hold flowers and trees, a place for everyone to enjoy. There was a communal garden and orchard where anyone could take some herbs or fruit. All that had been crushed. Even the mighty tree trunks snapped and was ground to pulp. Huge stone bricks crushed the entire area. Stacked on itself, they formed part of something larger.

"Where is my son?"​

The air shimmered. A faint outline of a massive shape stood over the once calm town. From the ground up, it began to fill out, displacing anything in the way. Buildings fell as if they were made of paper. Anyone caught in the torrent of debris was swallowed. The massive shape continued to grow. It was a grand building, ornate in shape but muted in color. The great stone bricks were a dark blue. Etchings were highlighted with a brighter tone.

"You can't go look for survivors!"​

It was more than just a giant structure appearing. Humanoid figures emerged. They were ragged, gangly and misshapen. Their skin were twisted and rotten, clinging to bones in sinewy strands. They were grey and blue. Holes in their body revealed a swirling field of stars within. Their eyes sunk into blackness. They moved in stiff, jerky motions, as if they were getting used to it again. But the weapons they held were still sharp and dangerous.

"We need help. Send word for someone. Anyone."​

The center of the small town known as Kervidum had been crushed and replaced by something mysterious. With each passing moment, the distortion grew.

[394]
 

Redfin

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Notifications went up in all of the appropriate locations, such as the Fraternitas, the Arcanum or any other organization that could lend aid.

"The town of Kevidum needs help! We are under attack by strange forces, by the Fold. We need donations of food, water, medicine. We need help in evacuating and keeping the townspeople safe. What has appeared is nothing we have ever encountered. The priests of the Inlustrovis have kept the Fold from grown larger, but they are growing weaker. We need people that can help stop and reverse the spread.

"Hurry. Things are getting more dire by the moment. Anyone that helps will be rewarded in whatever way we can."


It was unfortunate that more notifications and requests for aid couldn't be sent, but the town was poor on resources. They managed as much as possible and could only hope it was enough. Otherwise, whatever was coming out of the Fold might not stop at just that location.

[563]
 

Mystydjinn

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Sporadic as the calls to action for the quickly disappearing town were, aid rushed to the town in great number.

Among these "heroes" were Araevians from all walks of life. Some noble heroes ferrying survivors away from the chaos on their backs and carts, while others committed themselves to administering first aid and wrestling with death, while few others attempted to do battle with the strange invaders.

Among this group of heroes was a small girl with skin the color of midnight, knives for hair made of red and green feathers with purple cartilage tying up a bun, and piercing green eyes framed by red freckles; all wielding a brightly shining auritium bow.

"If you can hear me, come this way!" She shouted over the din of chaos and notched another arrow. Can anyone even hear me out here? The girl grit her teeth and let her arrow fly into the spreading distortion.
I can barely hear myself.

[WC: 223]
 
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Keydis Lysistrata

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A young laicar woman walked out onto the battlefield, violet eyes darting around, internalizing the position of all the queer humanoids she could see. The unusual creatures, full of starlight and shambling like zombies, turned toward her, and Keydis stood there, waiting.

To those in Terminus, her short and spiky brown hair, red-dyed bangs, and tan skin were starting to become familiar, and not always in a good way. Short-statured but well-built, Keydis was wearing a tight red undershirt and matching black pants, with sturdy grey plates sewn in to the abs and thighs. Her boots were sturdy, knee-high black leather. Armor of tightly woven black and violet scales protected her throat, chest, shoulders, and most of her left arm. A long red glove with golden Aridusian designs covered the rest of her left arm while her right was wrapped in black leather straps.

With her half-cloak of black wool flying in the stiff Hiemis winds, Keydis reached in to grab the sword at her belt. The handle of an axe poked over her shoulder, but she didn’t plan to use that, yet.

The irritating itch of magic filled the air and finding its source would be difficult. In the face of new battle another tingling sensation, this one burning, built up in both arms as the pravum inside her began stirring. A cocky grin curled at the corner of her lips.

Perhaps this was a way they could both be happy.

The nearest creature lifted its arm, raising a sword, and finally Keydis burst into movement. She ripped her own sword, Promoveo, from its sheath and sliced across the creature’s belly, following with a straight left punch to its face. She ripped the sword out and danced backward turning to the next nearest monster.




[300/300]
 

MoonlitRain014

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The auritium halberd in the slight, lanky figure’s grasp whirled and stabbed in an elegant series of motions as though it was an extension of her whole body. One of the misshapen, sinewy creatures let out a howl as the sharp blade of the weapon sheared through its arm, tossing it backwards into two of its fellow creatures. The reach of the weapon kept the angrily grasping hands at bay as Aeria Luxus became a swirling mass of destructive energy. Beside the slender spurii, a muscle-bound velen wielded a heavy bladed cutlass. The sharp edged weapon with weight and muscle behind it both crushed and sheared the monstrous beings as Diamantus batted their clawing arms aside and shattered fragile skulls.

When the call had come from Kervidum, both of them had responded without hesitation. Diamantus had heard about it from some informants with whom she was working and had conveyed the message to those people she knew who might be able to help. Unsurprisingly Aeria had jumped at the chance. Her altruistic nature always drove her. What she didn’t want to admit this time is that she was also missing the sensations she’d felt in battle. In spite of her feelings of inadequacy over her role in the Battle of the Black Portal, since that day she’d craved a fight on some level.

On the other side of them, Keydis was driving into the monstrous creatures. Between Diamantus and Aeria, they began cleaving a path towards her. In their minds, it was better to present a united front to the attackers. One of the things launched itself at Aeria and she caught it in mid-air on the blade of her halberd and tossed it backwards into the roiling mass of other creatures, sending them tumbling away.

[296]
 

Redfin

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A field camp had been set up. It was about as safe of a place as could be in the area. Debris had been turned into barricades. Supplies were piled up in a huge mess. Blankets mixed with crops. Meat was drying out in the sun. Tents had been set up, acting as meager shelters.

Most everyone around were people trying to help. The civilians had been evacuated to a place further back. Those that could leave already did. The stubborn and unfortunate chose to remain nearby, despite all warning.

Falba had become the unofficial leader of sorts. He wasn't the oldest, but locals felt he had the most level head. He was a priest of the Inlustrovis, the apprentice of the high priest of the region. Unfortunately, the high priest was missing. Falba was an enlil. He was properly groomed with a thick collar of down. Blue-green feathers poked through the wide sleeves of his robes.

Falba waved to his helpers. "Please, go gather the latest group of helpers and bring them here. I'll need to explain the situation to them. Perhaps we have enough people to do something other than stem the bleeding of our village."

[761]
 

Keydis Lysistrata

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Together and without the need to exchange many words, the three warriors cut into the mysterious humanoids. Keydis, Aeria, and Diamantus weren’t so much working together as avoiding getting in each others’ way, but the results were undeniably effective. Effective, and ultimately pointless.

When the first summons came, calling them back to the camp, Keydis snarled out a, “Fuck that!” and kept on fighting, ignoring the sweat building up on her skin and the growing ache in her arms. The creatures came on endlessly, and if they stopped for even a few minutes, the camp would soon be found and overrun.

That was the problem, though. There seemed to be no end, and finally, even Keydis had to admit that they weren’t going to break through so easily. With one last frustrated growl, Keydis sliced the head from one of the shambling silhouettes and then slammed her sword back into its sheath.

“Fine, let’s go see what the holy man has to say!” Keydis relented. Although she recognized the two from the bar, she couldn’t place their names, so she left them to make their own decision. “If we break away quick enough, they shouldn’t follow. Hopefully.”

The brunette was still scowling when she arrived at the camp, shouting for directions to the priest. Finally in front of him, Keydis demanded, “Make it quick, man. What do we gotta do to get rid of these damned things?”



[240/540]
 

Mystydjinn

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Midway through a shot one of the old man's assistants caught her attention with a tap on the shoulder. "Young lady, come with me." He said, and beckoned her towards camp.

The girl's green eyes looked between the unsettling scene in front of her bow and then back to the young man. "Don't you guys need help here though?" The young woman asked, relaxing the bow string in her fingers.

The terran glanced between the spurii and the battlefield as well, pausing for a moment, then nodding furiously. "Yes, but this is more important. The priest Falba has need of you, please go meet him in the main central tent."

The bowoman frowned but a flash of bright light from behind her and the chirping crackle of lightning that followed shocked the spurii's eyes wide and she turned to find its source.

A tall terran with violet hair that reached her hips, wearing a priestess robe and pointed cap, shooting the bow mage a thumbs up and a stern look. "We will manage bow mage, obedience is greater than sacrifice." She said, then another flash of light erupted from her fingertips as a portal and a gout of flame erupted from the ground to consume one of their strange foes a few meters away. "Now go!"

The verdant feathered spurii nodded and turned to face Falba's assistant. "Come this way." He said.


Just outside the priest Falba's tent Gwen frowned at the entrance. She was having second thoughts about leaving. That lady was there, but things still looked really rough though. She thought and turned her head over her shoulder to see the unnatural pillar in the distance. I should've stayed, Aelf would've stayed. I can't be lik-

“Make it quick, man."
Said a brusque and familiar sounding voice, and Gwen turned back towards the tent.

Sis? The girl's face lit up and she moved closer to the tent to listen for the voice again.
"What do we gotta do to get rid-"
It is her! "Aelfie!" She cried; and without looking, the green and red feathered spurii burst into the tent with all the gracefulness of a volucri crashing through an airship's port window and leapt at Keydis with her arms stretched wide. "I've been looking everywhere for you!
WC: [368/591]
 
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MoonlitRain014

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Aeria shook the repugnant remains of the creature from her halberd with a disgusted look. In spite of her desire to fight, the overwhelming tides were not likely to cease because she kept swinging her halberd. Diamantus swept the head off of one more creature before also joining in the strategic withdrawal. She realized the utility of retreat when necessary as much as anyone did.

Now they were in the camp, trying to ignore the horrifying gibbering noises that came from outside, while they awaited Falba's words. Aeria still felt the adrenaline surging in her veins. She had to admit that battle had awakened something in her and it was hard to tamp down. Instead she tried to focus on Falba's words and the mission she would need to accomplish.

[426]
 

Redfin

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Falba sighed and paced back and forth. While he was calm, it came at the cost of urgency. He looked out at Kervidum. The town was being swallowed up by the strange building emerging in the middle. Emerging. It was still in the process of appearing from whatever dark place it originally resided.

He motioned to the fallen creatures. They were shambling, slow and simple to slay. But before the eyes of the warriors, the creatures vanished. A wave of energy pulsed through the area. The source was a crystal sitting on top of a turret. All of the fallen creatures were reappeared in their previous state. There was more than one such crystal. They were built into the tallest turrets of the building.

"Try to conserve your energy. I'm afraid these monstrosities will keep on returning. Unfortunately, I'm not certain how to stop it. It has something to do with those crystals, but we haven't have the time nor capability to investigate." Falba shook his head. "Not that it would do much good. We have no way up there. It looks like the part of the building connecting to the turrets hasn't fully formed yet. There's no passageway.

He pointed to a set of large steps. They belonged to the interior of the half-formed building. At the top was a set of double doors into the main part rooms. Transparent shapes lingered on the stairs, waiting to fully emerge.

"I'm afraid the only way we can solve this is to go in there and investigate. But it could be tremendously difficult. We have no idea what's inside. If we don't hurry, though, more of the building will emerge. The rest of the priests can't hold it back forever. I feel we have enough people outside. If you are willing, I ask that you enter this mysterious structure and uncover what is waiting inside."

[1075]
 

MoonlitRain014

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Aeria hadn’t suffered through all of the carnage at the Black Portal for nothing. She was not about to let another gibbering horde of daemons or whatever these things were render the sacrifices that had been made there meaningless. She stood a little taller as she spoke. “You can count me in. I’m willing to take the risk!”

Beside her, the muscle-bound velen woman named Diamantus, nodded in assent. “I’m with her. We can’t let these bastards spread. Whatever’s in there has to be stopped.”

The pair of them looked at the others who stood beside them. Aeria couldn’t imagine Keydis backing out after the zeal she'd shown for the fight. She couldn't speak to this odd person who seemed to think Aelflead was around though. The spurii figured only time would tell.

In was strange, Diamantus mused, as she looked around at their little group. Here were people from many races, coming together out of a sincere desire to help others. Clearly it was possible, but everywhere she looked in Araevis she saw division and antagonism between races. Shaking her head to clear away the thoughts, the velen rogue brought her focus back to the problem at hand.

[625]
 
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Keydis Lysistrata

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”Wasting our time isn’t going to get anything done, old man,” Keydis groused. She swept an arm angrily out toward the village-turned-battlefield. “If all you had to say was ‘take the fight inside’ then you could have dragged your ass out to the frontlines where those of us with spines are actually fighting to save your town and your people! Or send a Bell-damned kid to spread the word if you couldn’t even manage that much yourself!”

Keydis peeled the spurii girl off of her and added a biting, “This one’s not much more than a kid herself, out here risking her life, and you can’t step outside a tent.” Finally turning her attention to the girl herself, who by then must have realized she wasn’t ‘Aelfie,’ Keydis pointed out, “I wouldn’t be surprised to see her here, if you mean that Kirastes woman, but nope. Just another brawler that shared drinks with her once.

“Now come on. You better be as brave as I think after I just said that shit. Let’s go save this forsaken shithole. Name’s Keydis, by the way.” Keydis left the tent and set her sights on the possible entryway. The way the building was emerging from nothing was beyond her understanding, but it set the hairs on her arms standing on end.

Violet eyes flicked around, tracing paths to the building. There were two, maybe even three routes that would get them around all of the shambling creatures. Keydis turned to appraise the others in the small group. None of them looked too slow… They could definitely make it.

Her teeth flashed in a bright, almost feral grin. “He said hurry, right?” Keydis broke into a run, charging straight toward the objective. Shortest distance between two points… even if at least a dozen weapon-toting obstacles are set into your path!

The first one went down with a broad chop across where its head would be. “That’s one!” Keydis called out, not even turning to see if the others had followed her.

[340/880]

You shouldn't let Keydis take the lead or things like this happen.

She's assuming Falba's staying behind, but if he's tagging along, she'll be less of a bitch to him.

Brashness aside, Keydis doesn't like standing around when a fight is going on around her. She might be more conversational once everyone gets inside. Maybe.
 

MoonlitRain014

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Well thought Aeria we've got another live one here!

She put her head down, swung her halberd into a more useful fighting position and charged in behind Keydis. Her long legs made it easy to keep up and she swept the polearm in an arc to swipe the arm from a creature that shambled toward them. If the goal was to get inside, it was important to do so as efficiently as possible.

On the other side of Keydis, her muscled legs pumping hard, Diamantus' set about with her cutlass. The power in her arm cleaved through the monstrosities and she shouted in macabre glee as she felt the blade bite.

Glancing across at Keydis, Aeria could see the woman clearly took pleasure in killing. In spite of herself, the spurii realized that she did too.

Diamantus caught the leading woman's eye as she hacked into another creature. "I like your style. Direct and to the point is the way to go eh?"

[789]
 

Redfin

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Up ahead was the heart of the disturbance. The building was constructed from massive, dark bricks. They shimmered and glinted in the light. It was unknown if that was due to the magic in the air or qualities of the material. It was over twenty feet from the floor to the ceiling. The building already took up an entire town block, and it was still not fully formed. It was the interior of the building that was showing its face. The rest of it was still held back by the mages and arcanists of Kervidum.

The structure was ornate. Alcoves had been cut for pedestals. Faded tapestries hung reaching from the ceiling to the floor. Sculptures of crawling lizards circled decorative pillars. Hints of gold and silver gave striking pop to everything. The style was reminiscent of a temple, one meant to exude glory and inspire the masses.

Stone steps with ramps on either side led upwards. At the end was a pair of stone doors. A language not seen in ages had been carved into the surface. The words swooped and curved. It dances across the door like feathers floating on the stream. It made the stone feel light, elegant.

In front of the door stood a guardian.

[1284]
 
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Abbey Rose

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It was a being of immense height, towering over the would-be trespassers. Even the door he guarded would have almost no chance of containing his bulk. His armor added another layer to it, sheathing its body in a spiked suit of rusted and mossy metal. At the top of the suit sat a large cracked bucket helmet, visor of which showed not flesh and bone, but a single red eye surrounded by an almost oozing starfield.

Despite the recent “birth” of the building, the guardian looked like it could have stood at that spot for centuries. Rust and cracks covered its armor, and moss dangled from each of its four arms as well as the massive two handed mace it wielded. Said mace rested headfirst on the ground, “time” having buried its head, a ball of massive spikes, slightly into the dirt. The larger pair of the guardian’s arms rested its hands atop it, gripping a chipped and cracked pommel. Though similar cracks could be seen throughout the armor, no skin was visible. Instead, one could make out the slightest hint of stars beneath the suit, swirling throughout the creature.

The creature stirred to life at the adventurer’s approach, small chunks of dust and moss falling from it as it widened its stance, unfolding a secondary pair of arms that, while smaller than the ones that gripped the mace, were still quite large enough to give someone pause. The larger set moved as well, gripping the handle and haft of the mace and pulling it up in a cloud of dust and dirt to bear.

Not a word was spoken as it settled into a fighting stance. The guardian was a being of purpose, not one of words. It did not yet take a step from the door it guarded, but it was clear that this being would let no one willingly pass.

[311]
 
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Mystydjinn

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"Well, uh... H-hey Wait!"

Things were happening way too quickly.

"H-hey! Wait!" The small girl half-shouted half-stammered after the axe-woman tearing off into the battlefield.

"We're just charging i-!?"

“He said hurry, right?”

Visdamnit. The verdette turned to the more reasonable looking women still in the room and blanched when the two of them rushed past her as well.

"I, I-guh, gah-!" Suddenly the girl was alone in the tent with the priest and her thoughts. "Visdammnit, I have to go out there don't I?"

"Adventure," is dangerous. And it's for shitheads like me who can't do shit else. Find something quiet, Gwen.

Charcoal fingers clenched determinedly around her bow's shaft.


Visdammnit, why am I so stubborn?

Keeping pace with the other women, and settled into the empty wake they left behind their charge, Gwen's knuckles had turned white around her bow with fear.

This was different than darting in and out to drag survivors away, or picking things off in from a nice little hidey hole. The spurii's sharp green eyes were were satellite dishes drinking in the battle inches away from her; and when they stopped to behold the golem blocking their path, her knees turned to maracas.

"Y-you don't suppose he wants to make friends do you?" The girl asked no one in particular and nocked an arrow with shaky hands in her bow.

WC: [221/812]
 
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MoonlitRain014

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Aeria chuckled, the adrenaline of combat already quickening her pulse, reminding her of why it was that a part of her didn't miss the war at all. "No, I don't think it wants to be friends, not at all."

Looking to the war-like woman in the middle of the pack, Aeria raised an eyebrow. "So, what's our next move, Keydis? I feel like we need a plan to fight this big bastard. An all out, full frontal assault doesn't look like it'll go well. I have some range advantage, but I'm pretty sure it's negated with him."

Diamantus spoke up next. "I can take a couple shots at it and try to blind it? That'd even things up a bit."

The conundrum was clear to the spurii. The longer they hesitated, the more evil things would flow out, but if they didn't think about what they were about to do, they'd die at the hands of the gigantic guardian and the sacrifice would be futile.


[954]
 

Keydis Lysistrata

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”Losing your nerve already, slickskin? How’re you thinking to blind a fucker without eyes?” Keydis asked, still holding a dangerous grin on her face but slowing to a walk. “Direct and to the point, your words.” She passed her schiavona from her right hand to her left, holding it blade downward. The faint wind that continually swirled around the weapon seemed agitated, growing faster in response to Keydis’ excitement.

Still walking forward, Keydis grabbed the haft protruding over her shoulder, giving a practiced push and twist to free the auritium axe-head from its sheath and drawing it forward into the light. It was a curiously-shaped weapon, the size of a one-handed battle-axe but the blade’s edge better resembled a bardiche and the back of the blade was shaped like a thin anvil. Leaving it resting on her shoulder for the moment, Keydis called back, “Make it hurt!” Close enough. Her eyes locked on the featureless stars behind the guardian’s helmet.

Abruptly, Keydis burst into a dead run, kicking up grass as her boots dug into the ground, pushing her legs to the limit and just when it felt like she couldn’t go any faster, roaring winds burst from the sword in her hand. Its momentum threw the brunette into a spin. Instead of fighting it, she turned into it with a shout, coming around with the auritium axe-head leading.

The blade cleaved ahead, aiming to shorten the enemy at the knees. Keydis let the axe fly to the ground, a cloud of dust flying up where she skid to a halt. Without waiting for it to react, Keydis stabbed backward with her sword and dove into a roll away.


[280/1160]

Adrenaline Rush, Laicar (increases normal speed)

Blink, Pugilis (15m movement) - 1000 Vigor

Promoveo’s Flight, Item (15m movement) - 500 Vigor

Cleaving Stroke, Militis (hit all targets in 180 degree sweep) {Skilled + Aurit = 6 mag} - 250 Vigor

Fall Back, Contigeri (attack + 5m movement away) {Skilled + Aurit - 1 DW = 5 mag} - 500 Vigor

Ambidexterity, Trained Feat (reduces penalties for dual-wielding from -1/-2 to 0/-1)

2250/30000 Vigor spent

Moved 50m to enemy, retreated 5m back

Attempted 2* hits at 6 mag, 1 hit at 5 mag (sounds like the guardian is big enough to take a hit on each leg from Cleaving Stroke, up to Fin/Griff)
 

MoonlitRain014

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It had only dawned on Diamantus that the red thing in the creature's face wasn't really an eye at all when Keydis mentioned it. She ignored the cocky woman's attitude. There wasn't much point in holding a grudge right now, there was too much to worry about. As Keydis ran at the thing and struck it in the lower part of the legs, Diamantus took aim at its chest, squeezing off three shots, hoping to strike it full in the chest.

Aeria had fanned out wide, running to the other side of the big brute, curving inwards and skidding to a halt. In one fluid motion, she thrust forward with the stabbing blade of the halberd, driving the blade in towards one of the gaps in the thing's armor, sinking the blade in and then sliding it out, leaping backwards again without halting her fluid movement.


In melee combat, Disciples of Contigeri hold the distinct advantage of range, so it is always prudent to maintain control of range. To this end, Lancers practice the simple act of falling back, moving and attacking in the same motion to discourage pursuit. While simple in concept, it takes practice to make it effective in combat, heightening their control of the battlefield.

This ability costs 500 Vigor. The user makes an attack and retreats backward up to 5m. One round must pass before this ability may be used again. Requires a melee weapon.


[1100]
 

Abbey Rose

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The guardian stood there, bracing itself against the attacks of its small foes. Dark blue spark, almost the color of midnight, popped off of its body where they struck it, denying the attacks entry through the armor. It bore the attacks silently, not a single sound passing through it.

Instead, it reacted. The hands holding the mace shifted, spinning it around to smash the ground where Keydis had just been. Chunks of stone and gravel were thrown up as a spray into the air. The large guardian continued the motion, grinding its weapon through the walkway as it turned towards Diamantus. A block of concrete, perhaps two meters in length, was sent careening through the air towards the gunman.

As it did so, the guardian’s underarms moved, the joints gliding through the armor as if it was made of water instead of heavy plate. They reached out and down, diving towards the side of the great titan and grabbed Keydis’ sword by the blade, a faint hint of blue seeping beneath its fingers. “Swimming” up, they pulled the blade and its owner up and over its upper shoulders. The mortal missile flew quickly, heading straight towards Aeria with Keydis’ back as its point.


201/512
 
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