Penny
@Silver Fox@Oblivion666
Penny sighed, "I have absolutely no idea about the shapeshifting magic, but as long as Karn has seen an animal, and its real, he can use it. I think." She said, rubbing her temples and looking over at Gamble. She supposed she should be a proper S class mage and do the whole chatting thing with him. Right then, it wasn't something she wanted to do, but as she was required, she figured she had to.

"Well. Are you sure you wish to know more about this guild? If so, ask away. I'm Penny, one of the S class mages in Phoenix Wing." She said, managing to put on a cheerful tone.

Sasha
[@CirusAvennicus]
"I'd gone back to the guild" Sasha said wearily, and then just gave up on arguing about it. If Edo-Karn wished to be bitter and depressed, then she could just be so. They'd find a way. They always did.

She looked to Trinity, "Should we follow?"

Jessie
@Hatakekuro
"Well, it appears that Indigo isn't fooled by the magic, and seems to be fighting back" Jessie said, poking her tongue out at Ferris, when he patted her head. "It's been full on, and we still have two guilds to make a show! Riders Blade and Pirate Lord better get a move on!" She said brightly, leaning forward, so that she was just about climbing on the microphone bench.

Blair

Blair cackled as her name was chosen for the third event, finally excited to get some action, as she listened to what was going on, and took a map. Summoning Zero, she instructed the ghost dog to travel over the city searching for Lacrima, while she trotted about, watching the others stumble along searching.

Whenever Zero found a lacrima, Blair trotted over there, happily doing so, and going through the process of collecting the different colours.

She found the yellow lacrima up a tree, as if it were a bird's egg, in the nest. She had to watch for a time until the mama bird flew off, before hurriedly grabbing it, and making sure she didn't disturb the nest, she leaped back down, humming to herself. She smiled at Zero, and continued on.

The red Lacrima she found in a bowel of fruit, as if it were an apple, and she had to be quick to snatch it out from under the owners nose, giggling to herself all the while. She found the green lacrima in perhaps one of the oddest places, the men's baths.

Boy, did she have fun sending Skelington into the baths to collect it for her, hovering about as the manager spluttered about it being inappropriate. She just laughed, and took the lacrima fro Skelington, trotting off.

The orange lacrima was a bit tricky to find, but she found it. She had to trade a packet of candy for it, but she and the kid that had it both left happy, and that was all that mattered. She found the blue one at a balloon cart, and left with it, and a handful of balloons, giggling like a child as she sucked on a lollipop.

She found the indigo one pretty much when she fell over, distracted by the balloons, in a large crack. Smiling all the while, she continued, despite a scrapped palm. But she still had her balloons, and thus, she was happy.

The violet one was easy to find, and once she had it, she began to look for the rainbow one. it was as it was raining, and a rainbow was formed that she ran off, somehow managing to find the end of the rainbow, and the lacrima was there. Giggling, she began to get back to the arena.

Gabriel
@lugubrious@Liferusher@raijinslayer
Gabriel sighed to himself, finding the whole thing ridiculous, but he didn't say anything, merely let Isla go, and stepped back, away from what was happening, but he was still within listening distance.

Argus had been a mere split-second away from charging Ike once he returned with Isla in his arms, not trusting the psycho for an instant and fully expecting him to kill her. But then he set her down, if a bit roughly, and surrendered, releasing all the tension in the air and letting everyone lower their guards. Argus himself was just glad that this mess was all over, and fostered the vague hope that maybe in the wake of this cluster fuck, his little rank had been forgotten. A few minutes later, with all the present guild members around a fire, the guy with the sword made it very clear that wasn't the case, but what he says made Argus ponder something.

Hiw did what I do embarrass the guild? I'm still not even a part of it, and even if I was. . . why do my actions matter to them? Argus scratched at his chin, his usual response to when people chewed him out for his pranks sticking in his throat in the face of this concept. It wasn't the first time he'd been called an embarrassment or something similar or more hurtful, but it had never gotten to him before. He'd even enjoy it sometimes, taking pride in the anger and frustration of others in response to his practical jokes. So why is this any different?

Argus' train of thought was interrupted, however, as he gelt the swordsman's gaze on him. Sitting up straighter, Argys couldn't help feel a little more meek than usual, having lost his center if self from the man's comment. While he seemed to be addressing Ike in particular, it was clear that everyone involved was expected to answer. Wanting to get his word in before anyone else, so that no misunderstandings could be caused, Argus decided to speak up before anyone else did.

"Well, I've no idea what went in between Isla and that Ike guy to make him go all psychotic just from seeing her, I met Isla after she met this Indigo woman, who took her ability to walk. This was right after my prank, and while it would've been prudent of me to keep in the move, I happened to see what I thought to be a young girl in need of help. So I picked up her paintings, we went to her apartment, an invited me in for this tea stuff, and over the course of the conversation, she offered to paint a portrait of me in exchange for the deed. By this time it had gotten late, and I am very unfamiliar with this city as it is, so when she offered to give me a place to stay, I agreed."

Argus eyes flickered around as he thought about, then dismissed mentioning his night terrors. It was an issue for another time and not one he felt very comfortable discussing anyway.

"When I woke up, I found her asleep in front of the portrait, which she had finished in a night, and felt touched by the action and saddened that I couldn't help her. This feeling got even worse when she seemed to suffer some sort of heart attack out of nowhere. She tried to brush it off like it was nothing, but I was unconvinced and thought to bring her here so that, if there was something wrong with her, you guys might have a healer around to help. As for what happened after, well, not much to say. Dude went psycho, the chick with the big gun tried to put us to sleep, I fucked up by bring him with me when I dodged due to acting out if reflex and the rest is history." Argus sighed as he finished his explanation, feeling a little tired and a littkevfoolhsjbthat he hadn't caught on to Isla sooner. But still. . . "If you don't mind me saying as such, I've no regrets in helping her, even if I was somewhat tricked and manipulated, cause I do feel that she's got some earnest goodness and kindness in her. That, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try to help someone who didn't seem able to help themselves."

@Lugubrious

[@Oblivon666]

@liferusher

@Caits

Nidhogg

Hmmm, quite the old one we have here, and yet, not quite smart enough to avoid making slip-ups. Not the brightest, it seems, but maybe that's the type that make up Phoenix Wing from what she tells me of their non-existent standards. But then again, who am I to judge, Shadow Heart is the same way.

Nidhogg instantly caught the girl's mistake, but gave no indication of doing so, merely nodding in agreement. As he studied the girl, his mind turned to the other members if his guild that he knew were in the area. He wondered what those beats were doing right now, and considers trying to rid then for a bit, but decided against it, too much work for morsels he wasn't allowed to touch.

"I've heard the same, they were probably really something before the war happened." Nidhogg face took a slightly melancholic, longing look, as if he was thinking of a distant memory. It was bait, trying to see if he could draw more out if her by convincing her that he was a fellow immortal from times gone by. This thought process was cut, however, as things stared to get interesting in the screen. Whatever Nolab had done, it seemed to have back fired in him in a major way, as Indigo seemed much more willing to fight at fill strength joe then when she had been enraged.

"Tch, should've made a run for it while he had the chance. Now he's gone and ticked her off. Seriously, why would he stuck around in a gift he's nearly guaranteed to lose. Must he some foolish form of stubborn pride, am I right?"

@Lugubrious@Raijinslayer@Caits

Gabriel was quick to grab Isla out of Ike's reach which he figured would happen and kept silent. He was sure they would all fire at him if it wasn't for Owen preventing them from doing as such. So when he offered his hand out with a smile, Ike just kept his grumpy look before accepting the extended hand. Regretting not ending Isla while he could, for not beating Argus senseless for his little crush on her and undying will to protect her. That woman really did change him, but was it for the better?

They all after a few minutes crowded around the empty cook pot to which Owen was speaking to Argus first then to him. Yet Argus decided to speak up first and Ike just shook his head the entire time he was telling the story. When he finished Ike simply started laughing at the story before looking at Argus. "Man she is heartless, she at least captured me instantly. Yet she toyed with your heart and was still going to use your feelings against you. So let me explain to you and everyone, just what a bitch your crush is Argus. Yet first let me tell you something. If you call me psycho again, then I will show you just how powerful this psycho has become."

Ike then cracked his neck before telling his story. "Well as little shit there said, it was around when Isla lost her legs use to Indigo. I was going to get my gramps a gift for being there for me when I was little. Hes not really my gramps but when hes the only one to care for you when you had no one else, then hes pretty much my only family. Sure it might have been a little egotistical of me, yet I wanted to get him a painting of myself with the Guild's mark showing. That way he knew I was okay and doing well for myself, yet I was then thrown into that painting's world which was a castle. Whatever happened then on the outside I have no knowledge of. At first though I was amused by the paintings fake world, everything was fancy and impressive. Yet I came to learn that I am very dependent on human interaction, cause having no one to talk to was like being tortured.. Day after day after day of only hearing myself breath or hearing this monster rabbit try to kill me. The only thing I could do was train myself, its all I had to keep me from literally losing my mind. Do you know what its like to be nothing? Thats not me putting myself down, I mean nothing. Its as if I was already dead, I never felt tired nor did I feel hunger or thirst. I don't know how long I was in there for, from what I experienced and counted. I was in there for longer than a month, that's when I just stopped counting. My body changed after a while yet, I still never felt like I was hungry. I never drank water or ate food while I was in there. I was a machine who could only keep training myself, so there is one benefit to all of it. I grew so much stronger, hell power was all I could feel in my time there. The more power I could get the better, cause when I got out I could use that power to tear that bitch apart." Ike's eyes seemed to shrink into almost a predator like state, as if he spotted the woman and was ready to tear her asunder. They re-sized before he looked around at everyone and folded his arms.

"So simple version is I got put in the painting for months maybe years, with no feeling almost as if I was dead. Used that time to learn about my magic teach myself to use a sword, not as well as Owen or anything. And I achieved power to which I couldn't believe. Yet at what cost.... I have so much power that I wouldn't think possible and all of that is for fucking nothing. I have to let the bitch live and I spent so much time doing all of that for shits and giggles pretty much." Ike said making his story a shorter version in case someone got confused.

@Silver Fox@Caits

Gamble just remained confused as he received no answer and only further sunk into confusion when it escalated. Then the one that started the confusion came over behind him and pushed him with his or her head. He stared at penny before rubbing his head while looking at Karn. "Umm okay then... How would you describe Phoenix Wing in your own words. Like your experience with it." He politely left out and what the hell is going on, although the look in his one eye seemed to say what he was thinking.

"People, too. I've seen Karn transform into me, once. Not long after we met, now that I think about it." Trinity looked between Karn and Penny, and then the two seemed to go their own ways, with their own business. Well. She turned from watching Karn when Sasha spoke, replying, "I was going to. Though, perhaps it would be better to simply go with her, instead. Would you happen to know any good restaurants around here, Sasha? I don't, but we should treat her. You pick the restaurant, I'll pay. And don't worry, I've got it covered." She'd recently been given a considerable satchel of gold coin, after all. She had it tucked away.

"C'mon." Trinity jogged a little to catch up with Karn^2, walking next to her. "You're not going to lose us that easily. What kind of food do you like? Sasha might know a place."

@Raijinslayer

"Yeah. I wish I coulda seen 'em. I bet the war would've been interesting to see too." She told him, perhaps a bit to slowly, trying to make sure she didn't make any slip ups again. Well..at-least he didn't pay to much attention to what I said.. She thought to herself, sighing internally. Though, there was still something off about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She studied his expression curiously until a sudden flash on the vision lacrima drew her attention away. "Welp...that guy's screwed." She replied to his question, nodding.

"Even I'm not stubborn enough to stand up against an S-Class, sheesh." She spoke, watching the fight with an amused expression on her face. This Jack guy is interesting...maybe he did catch my mistake? Maybe..maybe he's like me? I can't just up and ask 'Hey Jack are you an immortal bloodsucker too?' I'm curious but I really shouldn't risk exposing myself... She thought to herself while watching the fight un-fold.

"I haven't really read to much about the war, maybe you could tell me some stuff about it?" She asked, leaning back and looking at him curiously.

The rabbit squealed loudly once a million blades were pierced through its liquid body. Isla her painted rabbit was defeated rather easily and exploded in liquid rain of a black paint mixed with magic particles. The crown fell down in between the painted and ringed once it had hit the ground. The crown exploded in a golden color of paint and mixed in with the black. The paint swirled around on the floor and all streamed towards the tree in one go.

The paint slowly gather all it's tiny bits and went back into the can of paint again that was hanging from the side of Isla her hip. The leftover magic Isla still had didn't seem to have helped in any way this fight, Isla might regret this once she wakes up again. Ike quickly found out the source of the painted rabbit and dragged her along towards the group where he dropped her down onto the ground. Her limbs moved about by the gravity as she landed on the ground. Her expression twitched a little as the pain surged through her body but she remained unconsciousness. Gabriel came up to her and held both her hands dragging her away from Ike that could have killed her in an instant.

Argus was unimpressed by Ike's threat, cause while Ike was strong, Argus believed he'd be able to take him on as well as any other foe. However, as Ike told his tale, Argus once again couldn't help but empathize with him, as he had felt many of the same emotions in his own life, and fir a lot longer and probably more intensely than Ike had. While he was sure that finding yourself trapped inside a world all by yourself was definitely a terrible experience, Argus still found it a much preferred state then his own past, where he didn't just feel like a helpless nothing, he was reminded of it and had it weighed down on him every moment of his life.

As Ike spoke, Argus' thoughts turned to the many times he was forced to fight and kill for the amusement and how dehumanizing an experience that had been. How it had shaped and formed a side to himself that he always tried to bury but knew he couldn't live without. Was Ike's imprisonment the same kind of event, something that changed him to his very core as a person. At that moment, Argus wondered how Ike was like before he met Isla, and his he would regard that person in comparison. For a moment, he felt a flow of anger course through him as he considered the horrid nature of her actions, but then he took a breath. He revered how he felt talking to her, how she acted and how she had stated up all night to paint his portrait. This, to him, showed selflessness and generosity, and someone caps le if such things couldn't be possible of such cruelty.

Then again, many people often have contrasting ideals and personalities at different times. Maybe I caught her at the right time so I could see that side of her. Ugh, Isla aside, this guy is still very much angry, and nothing is probably going to change his hatred towards her. . . but maybe I can try to make it so hat he doesn't flip his lid again. . . or maybe I'll just piss him off some more. Argus pondered over this last thought a little, before mentally shrugging his shoulders. Meh, he already dislikes me quite a bit, nothing I could say could make it any worse than it already is, right?.

With that in mind, Argus decided to speak up a little after Ike had finished speaking, wanting to comment on something that he felt should be addressed.

"Not trying to sound preachy here, but can I just say that . . . it's kinda dumb to say that you gain all this power for nothing if you can't kill a young girl like Isla with it. I mean, what does that prove? She doesn't seem particularly strong combat-wise, though that may just be conjecture, and while I won't insult you by calling her innocent or misguided, it just seems kind of, sorry to say, psychotic to fixate in that so much." Argus knew that he was basically calling Ike out on his threat earlier, but he didn't really care and couldn't think of a better word. "I understand quite well the desire to wreak bloody vengeance on some who so greatly wronged you, but I also know that killing someone with naught but hated and vengeance on your mind is an empty and utterly dehumanizing experience. Every life has value, and the action of taking it is always evil, no matter the circumstance, but what makes people evil, in my opinion at least, is when they take for no other reason than for their own sake."

Argus looked down at his own hands, thinking iff alk the hloid he had spilt just to serve his own needs and wants. He continued to sieak, his tine taking a more simber note as he did so. "By that very definition, I am a very evil person and I'ce devoted myself to trying to change that part of myself. Part of the reason I joined a guild is because I felt like it would help me to help others, so that if I ever have to kill again, it will be to protect others from danger, be they regular people or other members." After that long bit of dialogue, Argus renained silent, hoping, but not expecting, that Ike find some form of meaning from it and taking it to heart. "So instead of cursing thst you can't yse this power to kill one person, why not try and yae that power to help others, both teammates and victims alike. But hey, those are just my thoughts on the matter, so take them as you will."

@Oblivion666

@Lugubrious

@liferusher

@Caits



"Hmph, what is there to say about the war that hasn't been said about all wars. People fought, people died, and in the grand scheme of things, nothing has changed. I mean, after only a century, Magic has almost reached that same level if popularity and acceptance as before the war, even thigh people were scared shitless by the very thought of it not too long ago." Nidhogg sighed, as if he was disappointed with society as a whole, his gaze around at those in the stand with a sense of age and tired submission to life. "Guess that shows just how powerful the allure of such power is to humanity as a whole. They just couldn't hold out and went right back to the source of such destruction and death, with only a momentary pause of hesitance, when you thing about on a large enough scale."

@Shikaru

After the battle at hand, the two had just heard that all unengaged members must turn in the fighters they've beaten to Damian, as they came from a guild known simply as the Promised Butchers. With Alice just trodding off slowly with a wounded leg, Samir easily took her by the hood of her jacket and dragged her towards the area where Damian was. Once they got there, they dropped him off under his care.

"Here's one of em." Samir explains, "Name is Alice and uses Shaman magic, only failing to realize... she's now the hunted."

And with that, they head towards the arena. A little late perhaps, but better then missing out the whole Day 3 events. Unfortunately, Isabella and Bullet were nowhere to be found. Did they get caught up in a battle too? Did they forget about them? Either way, they sat in the respected seats within the Phoenix Wing section and watched the fight at hand.

"And whaddya know?" Samir remarks, "Looks like your boy~"

"Please don't even go there." Marlene interrupts her, "*sigh* I still need to apologize to him anyways."

"C'moooooooon, I was only joking!"

An awkward pause came between the two of them, with Samir's joking side completely fading away.

"S-Sorry about that..." she then finishes as they look at the stage at hand.

As they do however, Marlene glances over at Frenzy Plant's section. Enma should already be there too... and maybe that Argus-bitch too. However, to start up a fight in a heavily crowded arena would be the last thing she wants. She continues to watch the battle from afar with the Heavenly Archer.

---

@Expolar


Later after the announcement of the Council Members towards the whole arena, Sayatchi was inside her room fixing her make-up and hair. She always liked to be spot on and very dazzling in front of everyone, sometimes being inside for a long hour if needed. At least she didn't complain if something goes minorly wrong... most of the time. Otherwise, she wouldn't mind kicking some teeth in. After she finished, she walks outside on the balcony where the Council Members observed the games. It appeared Grane was the only one there. Sayatchi was always interested in him, not exactly for his looks, but rather for his uniqueness. She had rarely, if ever, seen a lizardman, let alone one that is a title of council member anyways. She slowly walks next to him, stopping beside him as she looks at the Games below.

"Grane Falo." she suddenly says towards the lizardman, "I never figured you'd participate in the new Council, ever since the old one dissolved."

Penny
@oblivion666
Penny was thoughtful for a few moments, trying to figure out the best way to decribe the guild. "They were welcoming. The guild is...happy. At times it might not seem like it, but the guild is close, it is a family, and we stick together" She said simply, "We have weird things al the time, like now, but all guilds have that, really. Some of us are stubborn, argumentative, and yet we would all go to hell and back for each other" She said, finishing.

Sasha
@Silver Fox@CirusArvennicus
"There's one not to far away from here. It's busy, but it's the only resturant I know" Sasha said wearily, "I have money too, I wouldn't feel right letting you pay for all of it" She said, but Trinity had already ogged off. Sasha quickly caught up as well, expecting arguments from Edo-Karn. She deliberately chose not to walk near edo-karn, as her proximity seemed to annoy Edo-karn.

Gabriel
[@Rajinslayer]@lugubrious@liferusher
Gabriel listened to the stories, the view points, and figured they were all missing the whole point. Perhaps the only one who could answer what had brought Ike into the painting was Isla, who still seemed to be unconscious.

The whole thing just seemed pointless now. Was it possible Isla hadn't meant to imprison Ike? People made mistakes all the time. The whole thing just seemed to turn into a pity feast, and Gabriel sighed.

"Life sucks, get over it, and just make the best of it. Killing someone for revenge is just plain stupid. You get a small bit of relief and then spend the rest of your life chewing over what they did to you anyway. So what's the point?

So indigo took the girls legs, or the use of them, and it seems like shoving Ike into the painting was for revenge for that-see what revenge gets you? into a whole lot of mess that just makes things even worse, and chances are you're just going to make someone else want revenge.

why did Indigo take the use of the girls legs? You need the girl awake to get the whole story, I think, and you both just need to shut up, because all you're going to do is argue and probably end up in a fight again, and then we will all be back to where we started"

Gabriel didn't care if he was stepping out of bounds, everyone else just seemed to be being so immature, that he figured he might as well throw his two cents in there.

@Caits@CirusArvennicus

It seemed this Sasha hasn't changed much. Hypocritical, whinny, and apparently didn't really think things through be it the situation or with her words. She was a bit lucky Karn wasn't a complete psychopath yet. Nor was one to usually whine about something and hold grudges. It was more of a annoyance really, like a fly buzzing about in the ear. After all, it was a bit high and mighty of her to dare to try make someone she hardly knows and compare it to her own, relive memories she has no idea about but could just guess based on the world she was in. It wasn't too hard. About everyone had some shitty points. Plus doing this to someone who she 'supposedly' understands the situation, didn't exactly show it. If she had said that to anyone else in her guild, Karn probably would of bitch slapped her. And it would have hurt far worse then Sasha could. But it was just Karn, so it didn't really matter.

"Quite harsh aren't you?? You hate her or something?" Pen asked as he walked backwards in front of her.

"No. She's just a idealist, and I'm a realist. Sometimes a pessimist because someone has to. If one can't anticipate the possible bad outcomes, then you can't avoid it. If I didn't think about it, then my soul would just overpower this world's Karn before I could react. It's easy to think of the best out comes." she thought bluntly. Truth was, she wasn't mad, perhaps annoyed and agitated though.

"Plus, I've always been perceived as a asshole. Nothing new really. Not going to stop me from saying what to say. Or doing what I believe in. If I really was trying to be a asshole, I would of thrown her brother back to her face." Karn thought before eyes narrowing to as rain continued to pound over her body. Slightly blurring her vision and she shook her head but to no avail. Seem the storm had grown stronger.

"Oooo how mean... You're probably just irritated because looking at her reminds you that your ideals just got crushed. And you have to start over. Funny, how your ideals always manage to get squashed.. But youre pathetic enough to keep getting back up and trying again." Pen snickered.

Karn rolled her eyes a little. "Well. One of them got realized. You, Viper, and Queen Bitchiness were taken down. All three warlords. So hopefully, everything in Edolas is fine without your sorry ass. I'll just have to wait see the end result." she thought.

As she heard Trinity's voice, she glanced at the Earthlander out of the corner of her eye for a moment, making sure she was the real thing before looking ahead. "Yeah, makes me wonder if you two will follow me into a brothel. Don't do that without bringing your lover, tend to get awkward otherwise." she replied in the same calm manner, making it a little difficult if she was joking or not.

At the question, Karn paused to think for a moment. Back home, there really wasn't much food they could eat. They had bread, and some meat but most food went to the people who needed it. It wasn't exactly a prosperous time for resources thanks to Angelica. Karn herself had to make do what her body could handle without proper amount medication. Which was usually a mixture of vegetable and meat shake that tasted like Legion slop. That weird food here didn't taste too bad, if not foreign. Making weird sweetly fluffy cloud like candy and sweet drinks that froze the brain if the drinker was to drink too fast. Still, she tried to remember if she ever actually had decent food that was edible to her. She didn't really remember if her mother cooked for her, it had been too long to remember.

Ru and Rian couldn't cook for shit.

Jarvis. That's right. She thought that Jarvis made her something as a child. What was it? It was good though. After having to replace her chest, she couldn't have it anymore but the faint memory was nice.

"Doesn't matter. Food is food. Didn't eat too much back home. This body however seems to have a appetite." Karn responded, truly unable to come up with anything.

They really were like night and day. She couldn't imagine their Karn in a brothel, but this new one seemed like she might. She sounded like she just wanted to eat, so it was Sasha's suggestion to take. "Alright, well. Sasha, lead the way." The musician looked over to their guild mate, smiling softly. After another moment, the young lady conjures a violin and begins tuning it. "What's the atmosphere of the place, Sasha? Maybe I'll play some music for us while we eat."

"Karn, do you know any melodies or songs from your home? You could teach me one."

"Th-that was faster than I expected." She'd say carefully, testing out her voice. It was sweetly girlish, and definitely fit with her possible age. She seemed surprised at it. "H-heh, I expected to sound a bit... Deeper." She'd remark, gently massaging her throat with one hand. While she was doing this, her other hand would clumsily slip off of the desk, and she would fall forward, stumbling a few feet, before grabbing the desk and righting herself again. Carefully, she stood properly and took her hands off the desk, managing to stand on her own, and she'd sigh softly. "There. Now that I've figured out standing on half the normal amount of legs walking should be a breeze." She'd smile cheerily, before finally regarding Valak and Layle from her newfound height. They didn't look nearly as big as they did before. "Well, uh, what do you two think?"

@Crimson Raven

@Burthstone

While he was waiting for Mithera's transformation to finish, Valak sat in a chair, drew his sword and started running a whetstone down the edge, producing a steady rasp. Layle, for his part started pacing back and forth. After awhile, Layled looked at Valak. "Would a magic sword really need sharpening?" He asked, irritated by the noise. "Weren't you leaving?" Valak countered. Layle shrugged. "Touché, but no, I would like to find out whats going on here, and besides, I've got nothing better to do. Valak grunted and kept sharping his sword.

Awhile later Mithera finaly came out. At her question, Valak looked up and regarded her with his dispassionate gaze. "Human." He said, dryly. Layle rushed to help her walk. "You look as beautiful as a winter day." Layle said, holding out a hand so she could steady herself. Valak got up and sheathed his sword. "What now?" He asked the former dragon.

*~*Amaya VanIsis*~*

@Joshua Tamashii

Amaya sighed rubbing her left temple with her left hand finding his concern pathetic and annoying at the moment " it is the anniversary of my life changing from a simple shrine maiden to a dragonslayer, this is for me to handle on my own, NO ONE can help me with this "she said emphasizing the 'no one' part, hoping he got the hint for his sake of not getting ripped a new one.

She sighed shaking her head " I need a drink for this headache"she said to herself as she looked around moving past him as if Joshua wasn't there as she made her way to some random tavern. She stopped suddenly at the entrance before looking around confused for some reason before she shakes her head heading inside.

@Lmpkio
ENMA and DALTON

"Ohohoho, I don't get how your guild keeps getting all of these pretty women, but I have to say, I'm jealous." Somehow, just somehow, for someone that stuck out like a sore thump, the horned oni somehow sneaked behind them and leaned his head forward in between the gap in between Marlene and Samir. He had a fanged grin along his face that matched that his vulgar personality though quickly pulled his head away from them so he wouldn't get a slap. "Heh, looks like Nolan really pissed off Indigo. Only that nutcase could pull off something like that!" He laughed in his usual cheerful manner.

Dalton had a wide grin on his face and clapped his paws together. [color=662d91]"He can take her on! Go Nolan!"/color] The Exceed cheered on for his partner with great enthusiasm, hopping on top of Enma's head.

"W-what the?! When the hell did you get on my head?" The oni cried out in surprise though the cat ignored him, opting to jump onto Marlene's head.

FERRIS
@Caits

"And Blaire of Pirate Lord has finally arrived back to the stadium with all the lacrima! All that is left for Krystal and for the clash between Phoenix Wing and Frenzy Plant to subside!" He leaned forward into his seat and watched it all play out through the lacrima vision. The fight between Indigo and Nolan was certainly the highlight of this part of the game. There was action to be had and a lot was on the line for just one lacrima that could be the deciding factor whether or not either of them win. Ferris began to shiver from Indigo's magic affecting the entire surrounding area. A mini-storm has taken place caused by the book Indigo had summoned and used it to send a catastrophic blast at Nolan. "This is it folks! One hit from that and Nolan may be out of the count!"

@Lugubrious
NOLAN

Nolan watched from the darkness of the ashes as Indigo slowly began to break down from the voices of those trapped in Purgatory. It was too cruel of him to subject the woman to such a brutal form of torture. Only the strongest of minds could handle the visual sensory deprivation, hindrance of their breathing, and the screams and sobs of those who can't pass on to the afterlife. Otherwise they would just simply descend into madness or at the very least pass out from the stress. Indigo was the former as she was able to save herself from this twisted attack, but it was because she thought it was really an illusion than the real thing. It was just a way of coping through the stress. Believing that something is a common form of defense against an alien idea though it fuels ignorance. "Tch, wit? You condemn what you don't understand!" Nolan growled as the ashes were blown away by Indigo's wind magic. This pressure, this magic...she wasn't holding back anymore. The real fight had begun.

The entire had cooled down, cooling down the once burning Nolan. The sun, the thing that she had used as a weapon before, was blocked by grey rain clouds. The wind whipped around her in a violent vortex of destruction, blowing away whatever was around her including his own ashes he used previously. A loud crack resounded throughout the area and an electric, wet cyclone plummeted his way. The attack was not too fast, but it's size was insane! Not only that, but the tornado was starting to drag him in, the soles of his feet slowly dragged against the ground. There was no way he could dodge the attack in time...He summoned the god slaying sword Balmung, the weapon hovered by his side and swinging his arms in an upward crossing motion, shooting the sword in Indigo's direction, but missed by a mile when it just pierced high up in the wall of the stadium. In that same motion he summoned a wall of ashes at the same time the vortex hit.

The attack kept on going, leaving destruction in its wake. When the winds died down it would've been safe to assume that Nolan would've been sent to the other side of the kingdom, but instead there was a sphere of black where the God Slayer was. It was a dome of compressed ashes that had surrounded him in order to take the attack, something he formed at the last second when he summoned the wall of ashes. The dome stood though it sustained heavy damage; cracks covered it and there were even more growing by the second. A loud crack was heard as his form of defense gave way, the pieces broke against the ground and became powdery ashes. A large piece gave way and Nolan...wasn't there?

Where the hell did he go?! There was no way he could've escaped that mini-natural disaster! The answer to that question was simple: he was behind her. Where Balmung stood pierced in the wall of the stadium, stood Nolan on the handle of the weapon. For his next attack he planned on ending it with one, decisive strike. He poured all of his magic energy into it, ink black ashes streamed towards his mouth in wild, erratic movements. "Ash God's Grand Cry!" A vortex of ashes similar to Ash God's Bellow blasted straight towards Indigo. The attack was much larger than Ash God's Bellow, much larger. Whatever was around it was torn apart by the tumult, leaving the area in a wreck as if a great calamity had taken place. The destructive blast resounded with a great boom, as if it was the roar of an enraged deity.

Like a marble statue, Owen sat utterly still and attentive, taking in every smidgen of what Ike had to say. Lines of worry and sorrow creased his face when the more painful parts of his story arose, but otherwise he gave no signs of life save for a quiet wisp of breath and the promise of consideration. At one point, though, he gave a low whistle in disbelief. When the tale came to an end, Owen clasped his hands together and told him, ”You're wrong. It wasn't fer nothin'. When used by creative but cruel people, magic can be doggone awful. Ya went through a pro-foundly disturbin' experience, Ike, but it didn't break ya. Takin' revenge don't mean you're weak. It means you're strong. All the power in the world don't mean anythin' if it ain't used responsibly. So don't sit among friends and tell us you survived that hell fer nothin'. Yer power is nuts, it took all of us to take you in, and we didn't even beat ya in the end.”

He stood up, sauntered ever, and knelt in from of Ike. His face bore utmost seriousness. ”What the girl did to ya, really stinks, but it didn't turn ya into some kinda monster. You still know what's right and what ain't, so you're better than her. Yer scar is big, but we can heal it. You're our comrade, and that means we're here for you. Ya can use yer new power to fight alongside us, make a difference in this world.” Owen clapped a hand on Ike's shoulder, then returned to his seat to hear Argus out. The demon basically reiterated some of the things mentioned by Owen, though with less tact. ”Looks like Argus thinks similar. But you, Argus, need to live out yer own words to make 'em mean somethin'. I saw yer face when you were fightin'. Everyone needs help now and again, buddy. If ya got yer own problems, I reckon they'd be better out in the open. It's easier to punish a stranger than a comrade.”

Thinking the exchange to be over, Owen prepared to leave. He did not expect Gabriel to begin talking, and at the kid's first words the southerner froze. Instantly, a fire raged inside him, like someone flipped a switch. As Gabe babbled on, hurling insults and idiotic insights, Owen fought to restrain himself, but at last he could bear it no longer. Owen stood bolt upright, his magic working instantly, and a ring of magic circles flared to life surrounding Gabriel's chest, back, and shoulders. A rapier blade extended from each one, lengthening until they were mere centimeters from his body. Any movement, be it to the side, upward, or down, would draw blood. Owen bellowed, ”No, boy, you're the one that oughta shut yer trap, you dense, brainless, heartless son of a bitch! Life sucks, does it? D'you even realize what's happened here!? These men have suffered! Beaten down by the black side of magic 'til they almost lost their humanity! D'you care even one lick 'bout tragedy? When ya see a slave, d'you say, 'life sucks, get over it'? What about a cripple? Abuse victim? Kidnapped child? Orphan? Widow? Ya tryin' to trivialize trauma? We sat down like a family to talk 'bout our problems and emotions and sort 'em out like adults, and you come along tellin' us it's pointless! Ya've picked some girl's side over yer own guildmates! Tell us then, asshole! If fightin's stupid, and empathy's stupid, what should we do!?” Fuming and trembling in rare anger, Owen could no longer speak. His magic circles flickered and faded, their bladed disappearing into nonexistence.

Jane, however, took up the slack. When Gabriel's words passed her ears, she'd started laughing—not because it was funny, but at his astounding ignorance. Now, however, she'd regained her composure enough to say, “Man, ye dug yerself into a hole this time. Weren't ye payin' attention, lad? Ike asked fer a paintin', Isla trapped him, Indigo arrived, she found him, she cursed Isla and took the paintin'. No revenge at all! Plus, you don't know much about revenge. Revenge can be about brin'in' justice t' evildoers. Only idiots use it t' make themselves feel better." She held out hands toward Argus and Ike hoping to restrain them. ”Buckos, don't get upset at this lubber. He's just a deluded little kid playin' at complicated ideas. He'll get what's comin' t' him when t' General returns. After hearin' this, I wouldn't be surprised if Sanders kicks him out. We don't have any use for clueless sprogs.” All eyes were on Gabriel, waiting to see if he'd back down and preserve some shred of dignity, prove himself an idiot by desperately trying to defend himself, or prove himself a hypocrite by getting mad and attacking. Not many people now suspected that he, having now show his true colors, would be allowed to remain in a guild that valued teamwork and bonds.



Sheer power poured from Indigo in a viciously destructive funnel of thunder-infused, sopping-wet, gale-force winds. If the sorceress hadn't been subconsciously limiting herself to minimize collateral damage on nearby structures, no living entity could have maintained its footing against the mighty, continuous blast. To Nolan's credit, he did not attempt to withstand the Gathering Gale by force of will or pride, instead concentrating his power into a total defense after a single attempt at shutting Indigo down with Balmung, which she ignored completely, knowing no projectile could hit her. The Librarian watched intently as a featureless black dot formed in the middle of the cyclone, assembling slowly thanks to the constant and implacable winds but assembling nonetheless. After realizing that her spell wouldn't dislodge this ashen shell from the ground where it clung like a sable limpet, Indigo cut off the spell, and reluctantly the storm subsided. With its last breath it crumbled the dome, and the moment Indigo saw that Nolan wasn't inside her mind went on overdrive to figure out the trick. Raw atmospheric power surrounded her still, enveloping her in an aura of rushing air, but it would do her no good if her racing mind couldn't discern where Nolan went.

Underground? Not a threat. In the air? Impossible. Ash fake? If so, he must be nearby... A voice from behind and above her caused her eyes to widen, and she turned just in time to cry, her voice distorted by the torrent of wind surrounding her, knowing that everything hinged on this moment, ”Whitesky Eye!” From every direction, the air suddenly lurched in her direction. Toward Indigo roared a pitch-black torrent of destruction, but directly in front of her materialized a hyper-compacted atmospheric singularity, an orb swirling with clouds, water, and electricity, as if the entire sky were imprisoned within a marble. It washed the landscape with teals, whites, and grays, and in the second it took to fully form Indigo shielded her face with both arms, and prayed.

Then the Ash God's Grand Cry ruptured the Whitesky Eye, and before everything went to hell there was a moment of complete stillness.

A massive explosion of wind, rain, lightning, cloud, and ash, nearly the size of the arena itself (and certainly spilling over into it to ruffle skirts, soak shirts, and zap into comical shapes the hair of the people within) rocked the city of Crocus. At the point of impact between the two ludicrously powerful spells, the ground itself was bleached white and scorched black, and the side of the arena was permanently scarred with an intricate black and white pattern. Any objects not nailed down near the point of impact had been subjected to unfathomable repulsive force from the breached Eye, and had been sent flying. Overhead, a rainstorm raged, though the rain blew nearly horizontally thanks to the winds. Indigo regained consciousness in midair, about halfway across the city. She winced to see the damage done to the atmosphere, though aside from ripped curtains and torn shingles the city's buildings were largely unharmed. Summoning some of her reproachably low magic power, Indigo descended to streetlevel, and realized by looking in the window of a nearby store how much of a catastrophe she looked. For starters, hair lay in utter disarray, like a many-armed yellow octopus having a seizure. Her clothes, meanwhile, had been reduced to embarrassingly scanty scraps, little more than a frayed one-piece. She sighed, resigned to the fact that she'd need to find a new yellow lacrima somewhere in the city before returning. Rushing air surrounded her, lifting her skyward, and she resumed her search.

Twelve minutes later, Indigo -still looking very disorderly- arrived in Sheldon's box. She held up the false book, all eight lacrimas in its compartment. ”Here they are,” she wheezed, very much out of air.

@Lugubrious@Caits@Raijinslayer

Ike Tsugi

Ike looked at Owens as he tried his best to be sympathetic and try to cheer him up, this simply made Ike shake his head at his words. "I also tried to kill you all for stopping me, do you realize that? Besides I would have lost to many of you were there. But thank you for saying that Owen. Yet Owen..." Ike said clapping his own hand on Owens shoulder. "You are also wrong, I am very much a monster and no time will heal that wound, this memory. The old Ike that was loud and annoying and so gullible is gone, he died in that world. I'm no longer or will be the same person." Ike said removing his hand before scoffing at Argus's words.

His words were true in most regards, but he still had a few words that didn't sit right with him. "True, she herself isn't physically strong. Its what she can do that makes her strong. She was capable of creating a painting with a monster that was so powerful I feared it just by looking at it. So Im not doing this for myself, I'm doing this for everyone so no one suffers from evil like that. If eradicating them makes me evil in the process then so be it."

Then came Gabriel's words which made Ike freeze as he spoke. Owen did the anger for him as Ike stared at the ground while Owen shouted at him, followed by threats from Jane who spoke of Sanders most likely kicking him out. Ike simply stood up and placed a hand on both Owen's and Jane's shoulder. "Hey a request from me. Don't tell Sanders about this, I'm not bothered by his words. I won't be bothered by someone who doesn't know any better. But maybe you should heed your own advice Gabriel. For if you keep acting the way you do, your life is really going to suck when you lose everyone who tried to be close to you. Yet if you wish to prove anything then Im always waiting... Private. Anyway on a different note..." Ike said and his stomach growled after he finished. "Anyone got any food? I guess I'm hungry."

@Caits

Gamble

Well she wasn't wrong on the weird part, hes seen a lot of weird acts in his days as a performer but they take the cake. Yet everyone always said they were family so far. He smiled and nodded at her words before tapping his chin, Amaya said he should ask someone with a more troubled past as they would have much better answers. One was Damien and Rose he believed, Damien was currently in the events so he believed. So next best would be this Rose woman. "You don't have to answer this if you don't wish too, but I was suggested to ask the more troubled past members for their thoughts on the guild by Amaya. I'd ask Damien but hes in the current event, so do you know where Rose is? Again fine if you don't answer, if anything you can ask her for her thoughts on the guild for me and just give me the answer the next we meet."

Penny

Penny was a little taken aback at request for Gamble to speak with others, with troubled past. She didn't think Damian would want to share too much with someone not in the guild yet, and Rose had enough troubles being in the games as well.

She got a haunted look in her eyes, and said "We all have troubled pasts, in one way or another. Some are just more public then others. I can tell you one thing though, I haven't felt like I've been apart of a family since I was young. Imagine a lot of people in the guild feel like that. All I wanted was to find my sister, I didn't expect to find somewhere to belong. So when I say the guild is like a family, I don't just say it because it has to be said, I say it because I mean it.

While Rose would, I'm sure, be happy to speak with you, I believe she is out with the guild master, and I do not think she'd want to speak about her past with her daughter nearby. Still, she'd probably say the same. In one way or another, the guild has saved us." She said, giving a shrug

Sasha

"it's quite a cheerful place. Relaxing. Friendly" Sasha said as she began to lead the way, letting her thoughts drift. She wondered how she got into this, and supposed it could easily be traced back to Edolas. Mostly though, it was because she would do anything for the guild. But she didn't like pessimism-there was always a way. She had to believe that, and often she found that the best way just snuck up on you, or hit you with a tone of bricks.

She sighed, and asked for a table when they arrived at the restaurant, getting one within a few moments. She supposed she should be a little bit easier oon Edo-Karn. She knew she wasn't the same person she was even a few months ago, but Edo-Karn hadn't had time to grow, to adjust, had, it seemed, not even seen the result of all that had happened in Edolas. And she supposed, in hind sight, she couldn't blame Edo-Karn for being skeptical of Lazurus, given how Edo-Lazarus acted, but it had been painfully obvious that their counterparts often weren't the same.

She could take some of the blame for some of the bad blood between them, but Edo-Karn had to take some of the blame too. And until then, Sasha would stand by the fact her slap had been right, and justified. She followed the waitress to a table, accepting the menus and sitting down, waiting for the others to do the same.

Jessie

"Such an exciting spectacle, just when you think its over, the other comes back! It looks like it will be the one who has magic that is left standing!" Jessie said excitedly, holding her mic, her eyes alight, watching with avid interest on what was going on. "OH! and the arena, and the cities defenses come into play,, protecting the area from destruction! Certainly necessary for the games!"

Gabriel

Gabriel just about hummed in annoyance, if Ike had been left alone, Gabriel was certain his words would have calmed him before the situation escalated, it had seemed like Ike was backing down, before someone attacked him. Perhaps it was petty to focus on that, but it angered him that people attacked first, when there might have been a chance to stop it without so much damage.

Gabriel might be half a child still, but Michael and himself had had some experienes that most people wouldn't experience in their whole life time. He knew that chances were, the guild, and other guilds, had members who experiencd similar things, but he resented being considered a child because of his age. And it annoyed him, greatly so, that the only time people seemed to focus on him was when he messed up, even unintentionally. "Everyone's suffered. Some people suffer all the time. Some people can't get over it. I've been a salve, kidnapped from my family with my brother, orphaned, and seen people crippled. Trauma isn't trivial, but whats the point in wallowing? The best thing, I've figured out, is to do something about it.

I didn't pick some girls side. I tried to help Ike, unfortunately that help was marred by someone attacking him. I didn't see the point of watching a girl be murdered by my own guild mates. How do you all know that the girl didn't do it by accident? Some people don't have a good handle on their powers. Just because the guild is regimented and trained to be soldiers, doesn't' mean you can just fight. There are other ways of trapping people, of bringing them in. And I also know that jumping to conclusions about people just gets you into trouble.

I may have misheard, misunderstood the situation, but I'd rather try and save lives then take them. There's too much death in the world already, I just didn't want to witness it today. If trying to stop a death is going against my guild mates, then fine, I did that. And I would do it again.

Why the hell is it that people don't seem to notice me, or give a damn, until I either challenge them, or make a fool of myself?" He didn't mean for that last sentence to tumble out his mouth, but the words just came out. Feeling Ill, and grief filled, Gabriel just turned and walked away, knowing he couldn't stay there right then, not when it seemed everyone would just pile on him. He couldn't stay there when the look in their eyes radiated what could be betrayal, or distrust.

He maintained his composure until he was out of sight, and then he ran. He didn't know where he was going, or what he was going to do. He just needed to get away. His head buzzed with thoughts that it was hard to pick what was going on in there, and his heart was a painful lump in his chest.

He had misunderstood the situation, it seemed. He knew the orders, but since when did orders say 'attack first, ask questions later'?. He stumbled into a clearing, and blinked, looking about. He just stood there, looking lost.

@Lunarlors34

“Aweeeeeeeeee...” Was all that Janna said, looking at the pair. She smiled and give James an encouraging look with the 'Keep trying and it will happen eventually!' Feel to it.” Also try with a present, we women love presents~” Janna whispered to the man with a smile.

“Alright Arthur, let's get one thing straight...” Janna finally stated and looked with mildly annoyed look at the man.” Stop trying to cover it over for me... I already figured it out. It really isn't as hard as you think you are making it to be. Especially your overreactions are almost a dead give away. Calm down a little, I'm not going to say anything about that.” She stated, revealing she figured out the little thing he was trying to hide from her.” Men...” She sighted just before Angela pulled a broom and smacked Arthur over the face with it.

The former thief almost chocked from laughing.” Angela, what did we agree about behaving...” Janna tried to say, but couldn't stop giggling.” Alright... now put it away again and let's switch places so I'm between you and Arthur. If I leave you two sitting near one another, we will get throw out the stadium before the games end.” Janna laughed.

Mithera's cheeks turned very slightly pink as Layle rushed over to help her, and she nodded, though she seemed somewhat confused by the winter day statement. A winter day wasn't particularly beautiful, everything looked dead that time of year and it was freezing cold. She would put her hand on Layle's shoulder gently to hold herself up, and would look at the two lacrima on the bed. "What happens now is I go to Dragon Fang and get help." She'd say softly, and take a few wobbly steps towards the bed, using Layle to help her stand, she'd grab the communication Lacrima nervously, and after a moment of trying to find a pocket, she'd remember something Melina would sometimes do and put the lacrima in her bra. She would shiver slightly as she did, and bite her lip. It was cold, and very uncomfortable. Taking a deep breath, she then grabbed the other one and looked at the other two. "U-uhm. I guess... Thanks for helping me out Valak uh... If you do want to come, head out of the city at uh, about the end of the games, towards the... East? Yeah, the East." She'd nod to herself, thinking. "And make sure you have a passport or something, I guess." She'd turn towards Layle, and smile a bit at him. "I-it was uh, nice to meet you, uhm, Layle was it? Uh... Yeah." She'd blush slightly, and sigh a bit, clutching the teleportation lacrima, letting them say whatever else they wanted to say.

@Crimson Raven

The shiny red eyes of the white haired girl opened once more, blinded by the warm day light and shivering by the cold floor beneat her she blinked. Her eyes scanned from right to left to oversee the area she was in and to her knowledge she had no memory of this place. She slowly came to a sitting and looked around once more. Barricaded by wooden bars with a thin woollen cloth beneath her and a silken roof above her, she had some vague idea to where she was at the moment. The white haired felt her side to notice her weapon of choice had disappeared just like the rest of her supplies. A soft crackling sound escaped her lips as she looked around the jail tent she had been placed in. Nothing more then some water and food was to her use at the moment. Isla was done with the tent already and went for a further horizon. Her eyes fell on the outside of the tent where some chaos was still going on. She peeked out and immediatly spotted the horror of her life and fell backwards onto her back flailing about in the progress. Her one feet kicked violently as she quickly shoved herself against the back of the tent and grasped for her heart.

The horror from outside was nothing more then Ike but he seemed to have calmed down a bit more now. Isla gave a sigh of relieve but stayed on the same spot. Safely in the back of the tent her mind drifted away. She had no recollection on how she had lost consciousness but she didn't feel as that she had so much power left over. The idea quickly came to mind that her magic had ran out in some way. Well it didn't matter now anyway since it had already happened anyway. Isla puffed a breath out and let her hands hang as her eyes drifted elsewhere. She was stuck in here now. There was no way to break free of something like this with the amount of strength Isla possesed and with water only she couldnt make proper paint either. Looks like her tirany had finally been stopped by the soldiers of Frenzy Plant.