To none's surprise the one who came though the path that lead to Yggdrasil's office was none other than the Platinum Guardian in metal and... more metal. The clattering giant clad in armor heavier than a man of his size would be able to wear normally, eyed the group standing besides the door of his sanctum.

"Speak." Was Yggdrasil's long and to the point reply to Meihou's tirade as he walked into his office and set up his tome over the pedestal. Given that neither Titania no Axon had made their voices known to Yggddrasil, he didn't bothered addressing them. As Yggdrasil placed his tome back in place, the shimmer of a silver chain could be seen around his right wrist, a detail that would escape anyone with untrained eyes.


Back on sewers, the situation was beginning to get complicated. Asgard raised back to her feet with a shacky grip of her sword. The bleeding that even now stained the waste waters of the capital refused to stop, a remainder of the price Eleonor paid for making use of Vladimir.

"Do-don't worry, Lorelei, I'll be well, given the time to recover. More importantly, we should take this opportunity to evade our pursuers." Asgard said as she finally steadied her posture, leaning against a wall, the bleeding slowly coming to a halt. "You don't happen to know any hiding places on the vicinity, do you, Solanne? It seems like we will have to find a way to convince the Imperium that we are doing what's right, in the meantime, surviving is our only option."

Close to them, Linea, Siena, Tori and Nebula laid, close to the main piles of debris. In fact, Nebula's body was under a very big section of floor, likely unharmed, but stuck nonetheless, unless the heavy stones were lifted. Linea hit her head hard and blacked out but, otherwise escaped mostly unscathed and Tori's fate was a nebulous one. Siena however didn't shared the same luck of her sister, or rather, she was the one who spared her sister by pushing Linea away from her at the very last moment.

While she had survived the fall as well, a heavy block of stone and pool of blood where all that laid on the place where Siena's right arm was supposed to be. She was unconscious, most likely due to shock and blood loss, but if she were treated, it was unlikely that Siena would die. Her arm, however looked like it was gone for good. Needless to say, none of the three girls close to Tori had the means to reply to Ruxen's complaints.


On Riven wood, the fight between the fey and the mercenaries was beginning to swing in favor of Tegonay's men. As long as the black knight was able to keep the elven prince in check, the numerical superiority his troops had over the fey would guarantee the victory of the Imperial troops.

Jessi's and Chen's search for a way to penetrate the battlefield and forget the scenes of unbridled lewdness happening on the bush where they were hidings would bring the two of them to the back of a relatively unoccupied lane where a group of mercenary riflemen took cover while exchanging fire with elvish archers. If the two took this position, it wouldn't be hard to access the main skirmish, but that would also put them in plain view of both forces.

Whatever was they decision, it should be made wisely and fast.

---

@TheWindel@FrozenPhoenix@KoL

Měihóu Niángniang

"Mmm.. You have exactly zero intention of telling me anything do you? I'm asking for your motivation, not tactical information or the location of relics, but I get the vibe that is beyond your capacity for acknowledging the will of others. Do you intend to force me with your mighty power of hand or perhaps the position which you hold? Tell me, how many of the legend relics have those won you? One exactly, perhaps two for there is one relic I know not the location of? When the forces arrayed against you hold all the rest? Your tactics are not winning, Yggdrasil. And unless you feel like losing is an option, you're going to need to start relying on things other than those two skills." Měihóu continued the slow lilting pace of her dialogue. As always, every separate form of Měihóu had a seemingly completely different outlook on life, pace, and voice.

"The deal is simple, Yggdrasil, tell me the why, and I shall tell you the how."

Tori was briefly knocked unconscious, the pain of what amounted to about half a building and being crushed was something she was certainly not used to. Coughing into the water Tori made to pull herself up before she was barrelled over. Getting a mouthful of sewer water, Tori spat it out and coughed again, struggling to breathe. Looking at what hit her Tori’s vision swam back into focus.

“Beastkin. Assumed extinct, I’ll have to clarify that the species is instead severely endangered” scrunching her brow Tori finally heard what Ruxen had said “You live here? Why would you want to live in a sewer? Let me up” pushing Ruxen off her, Tori stumbled to her feet looking for the twins that she attempted to save. Grimacing as she tried to look around, Tori went intangible for a second and let all the tiny bits of debris that hurt her fall out, coughing out dust as she did. Resuming the search, Tori found the twins. One of them was fine, Linea she thought, Sienna on the other hand… was hurting in a bad way. She had lost a lot of blood and needed first aid at the very least. Turning to the beastkin that had knocked her down…

“I need help. Judging by your tone you have decided that I should claim responsibility for your lack of a home. If you assist me I will show you to a teacher of mine that will gladly take you in, enjoys the quiet and lives comfortably in the forest. I can only contact her if I can leave here safely. I will only contact her if these two both live. If you can somehow bring the robot Nebula stuck under those rocks as well, I’ll be even further in your debt… I don't know I'll by you a lot of meals, just please help” almost begging, Tori was too far out of her depth, she didn’t hate the twins even after they ran off with Nebula. She didn’t want their death to be on her head. She didn't want them dead, period. Tearing off a strip from her undershirt, Tori made a makeshift tourniquet with it and tightened it around Sienna’s stump of an arm to prevent any further blood loss and pulled her away from the hole they fell through before going back for Linea

@KoL@TheWindel

Axon stood his ground, waiting patiently at the door until it opened up to reveal the empty office. Upon seeing 'dearest dad' as Titania put it was not present he stepped inside. Yggdrasil's office wasn't so foreign to him given his former position, but it had been quiet awhile. Resisting the urge to tip something over he heard Titania's words and in response said, "Eh they may know me. As for the relic I don't know. Dad has his secrets, like we all do." He started gesturing all around before continuing to say, "Look around secrets is kinda our thing."

When Yggdrasil walked in and took his place with Měihóu talking all the while he couldn't help but cross his arms and listen. When Yggdrasil spoke with his single word answer he couldn't help but scoff. "You know we're literally a bunch of spies right? We don't make a habit of telling anything, even the most minor of details. Again, not trying to be mean, btu I think this may be a bit of the wrong approach." He concluded patting Měihóu on the shoulder before chiming up one last time to say, "Hey Dad." Directly to Yggdrasil, almost too casually.

From there it was just a simple matter of pacing around a bit to continue listening to the talks between the two who were actually contributing to the banter. After all this part of the plan really wasn't involving him much. Though all the while this bout was going on he was thinking about where and how he could obtain the relic. The castle required a ton of energy to keep floating and it was rumored that the relics had incredible power. Perhaps that is what made this whole place stay up given that when he worked here the truth of how the castle worked was never revealed, regardless of how many young minded questions were asked. Though it would also make sense for Yggdrasil to keep the relic on him, especially given that the power would certainly make him a frightful force from which to take his title. Regardless it would take some work and in a place like this, being rash would only lead to death. They had to be more cunning than an entire ring of spies.

A great many things occurred in a short period of time, but concerned as she was Lorelai was a bit slow on the uptake when confronted by a near exsanguinated Asgard who's powers were likely all that kept them from being dashed upon the stones and scattered through the water ways. Still, it was a great risk on Asgard's part and she would be lectured most fiercely about it when they weren't pressed for time and they returned to the halcyon days of lounging around a chateau with no responsibility, IE, yesterday.

"Sir Asgard, take a moment to recover while I address this...interesting find. Don't move an inch from this spot until Vladimir has replenished you." Lorelai said with an authoritative air to her, putting her foot down lest her Knight try any more heroics in aiding the fallen Aquiarian at the risk of her own life. Hoping that Asgard would concede to the advice of her general, she spun on her heel and marched down the sewer lane to stand above the incensed beastkin. She snaked an arm around Ruxen's waist and lifted her off of the librarian like one carries a petulant child beneath their arm.

"Don't think we aren't aware of who you are. I've known that many have been tasked with hunting the last beastkin in the past, yet despite their successes you still manage to return to the Imperium, hale and hearty. Quite a feet, though perhaps not if the rumors of your immortality are indeed true."

And Lorelai was certain they were given the multitude of reports she'd received about the last beastkin, Ruxen. It was only to be expected with her history of handling dangerous creatures that someone in the Imperium would approach her in regards to handling Ruxen in a more lasting fashion then imprisonment. The proposal was interesting and the experience of bringing such a magnificent beast into the Imperium's fold would have been worth it alone, but the posting would have made it too implausible to ever serve beneath Eleonor, so she had rejected the offers.

Ironic she know held her once potential prey yet joined her in flight from the Imperium's long reach.

After moving a few steps away from Tori and Asgard, she set the beastkin down onto all fours and addressed her a bit more civilly. "Regardless of your nature, you are now bereft of your roof. The Cathedral is most certainly ruined beyond immediate repair, and none of us want to remain here for very long when the city guard will be upon us once they find a proper access tunnel." At least with the supposed death of Antonia, there was no one to tell those above of some secret shortcut in the cathedral remnants, so they would have a bit of leeway while the guard searched for official sewer entrances. They couldn't just jump into manholes blind either, and would undoubtedly secure proper maps while they organize search parties. These were all things that would buy them time in the short term, but make their every endeavor past that grace period a waking nightmare if they weren't careful.

"So, Ruxen is it? By all accounts you hate the Imperium. Can't say I share the sentiment but I'm awfully sympathetic right now, so I'll be straight with you. Soldiers will come down to, best case, arrest us for treason and painlessly execute us behind closed doors, so if all us don't leave your home now, then we aren't getting a chance to. Since you live down here, I imagine you know the ins and outs. Get us to safety, and we may be in a position to pardon you from all future Imperial assassinations."

It was a surprisingly composed offer from the Abyssal Knight, though on the inside,

What the fuck am I saying!? I can't promise this! Ahhhhhhh- Wow those are some fluffy ears- Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- Like I really want to pet them- Ahhhhhhhhh!

It was less so.

---

Yet there was something amiss in that very stretch of sewer. Something imperative to their survival and laid bare for all to see were their eyes not drawn to one another or the hole above, but to the very water they had just traversed.

To the patch of murky water where the water curved around an object unseen, leaving a sphere of stillness within the rapids like the oculus of an unfathomable observer, gazing upon those intruding upon its domain.

@KoL@TheWindel@McFazzer

---

"Most definetly, many people to kill, world to save and all." Chen rushed off with Jessi to go kill the Elf leader and Tegonay, they approached a group of elves and soldiers. Chen looked at Jessi and began to think quickly.

"I'll take the elves, you take the soldiers." He left it up to Jessi whether it would he lethal or not, but he definitely knew he would be going for the lethal approach. Chen created a few knives of ice and threw them at the archers as he moved in, killing one instantly as he hit him in the throat while the others managed to dodge a lethal blow in favor of minor injuries. Chen was practically in their faces at this point and he grabbed one of them by the face and froze his head solid.

With three left they were beginning to get their bearings and counter attack so Chen pushed his offense further. He grabbed an arrow from the quiver of the Elf he just killed, the bottom of it covered with soft feathers, and covered it with a fine layer of ice. He quickly threw it into the throat of the third elf while the fourth and fifth elves actually managed to fire off shots at him. He used the corpse of the second elf he was still holding onto to block the arrows while he froze the rest of the corpse solid. The elves had managed to back off and gain some space so Chen advanced while he discreetly froze the ground beneath them.

The fourth elf slipped and cracked his head on the hard ground, likely giving him a concussion at the least, while the fifth elf was shaking in her boots at the man who had just dismantled her squad with little effort and a cold glare in his eyes. Chen stalked towards her silently and stared her in the eyes. He cocked his fist back and knocked her out, he didn't kill women. Didn't sit right with him.

@Awesomoman64@KoL@BlueAjah

"You would not understand, I don't have the time to waste words on rambling artists." Yggdrasil replied to harpy's question with the same monotone he had before, clearly, he wasn't all that interested in talking, or maybe he already spent his stock of words for a whole week or so in the couple sentences he has uttered up to now. Who knows?

Even so, the knight's eyes, or better his armor's visor, turned to Titania and Axon, before getting back to harpy musician. "Why... have you joined them, harpy? What you ask of me is not different. All I do is preserve the fate of the Imperator, by the law or by the sword." Was all that the titan of metal had to declare, whether the avian artist would be satisfied with or not, wasn't Yggdrasil's issue.

However, when Axon finally spoke, the Platinum Guardian turned his sight to him. Yggdrasil wondered what sort of mental illness must have befallen his former subordinate as to come up with a declaration as stupid as claiming to be of his blood? Or rather, what sort of boldness have brought a blatant betrayer here of his own volition. "You should thank my good will that you are still standing on your feet. Soon enough I'll have the power to crush the snake's head, your treachery will not save you from the might of the Imperium forever."



While Tori tried to hurriedly stop the bleeding that threatened to reap Sienna's life, the blood that came from the fox girl's injury was carried by the water until it touched Nebula. For a reason or another, the scarlet fluid caused a reaction on the previously motionless machine, which seemed to siphon the excess power that bled from the activation of the nearby Legend Relics.

"Critical condition of Handler's health detect. Switching to emergence power mode under Secondary Handler's request." Nebula once more let out one of her cryptic command lines as her both began to shine, no, disassemble itself in what looked like a fine cloud of silvery sand. "Reprogramming excess nanocomponents to medical functions. Main frame will will be reduced to a low power consumption form until a replacement is issued." With one more line of commands, the glittering grains that were shed from Nebula covered Sienna's body, closing her wounds and, more importantly, repairing the damage done to her body, creating replacements for the parts lost.

Nebula on the other hand, had... turned into a more portable form, even more loli childish looking than her previous one, which came rather in handy to unstuck her of the rocks. With all tasks requested by Tori done, the robotic girl fell face first in the sewage sludge, going back to her recharging sleep.

Meanwhile, the Crimson Knight did as she was told to and found a wall to rest against as she waited for Solanne's reply. Asgard's forces were recovering at a slow pace, but she was sure that she would be in shape once they decided to depart. Even so she couldn't help but feel unease for some reason, almost as if they were being observed. But, that was impossible, right?

---

“I’m pretty sure she did open the search to the public buddy. Or something like that,” the bartender said to Alex, polishing his glassware. Not like his words would have any real impact though given that the boy was already out and about to depart. Shrugging, he left him on his way but not before noticing a flicker of motion from the front door. What was that? A moment was saved to ponder before he shrugged. Not his problem.

In Alex’s pocket, the Blue Relic was growing just a bit agitated. Something was wrong, and it began to pulse rapidly in the thief’s pocket all the way back to his dwelling. But no sooner would he take care of it did a loud banging knock on his front door. At once the Relic went stone cold silent, acting as if it was just an ordinary stone.

“Open the door Alex Kincaid,” came the harsh and robotic tone that was Stark Zealot. “The Imperium has some questioning concerning your…. recent disappearance. Your tax rates haven’t been paid and your kindly government is worried about your well-being.”

Underneath the capital, deep in the sewers, Solanne waited beside Eleonor as Lorelai and the twins tended to their own matters. “Not that I know of. I know maybe a few tunnels down here but this place is such a maze that not even us rebels like to hide out here,” she said, eyes continuously flicking back and forth around her. “Hey….you feel like we’re being watched?”

“Assumed extinct? I’m gonna make you fucking extinct if you don’t move out of my goddamn way!” came the heated voice of Ruxen, interrupting whatever Solanne was implying. The mad Beastkin was huffing and stomping, outright enraged at Tori’s mere suggestion that she be adopted especially by some weirdo who lived in the woods. At least her rage was mitigated by Lorelai, albeit only by a little.

“Put me down bitch face before I piss all over those fancy boots of yours,” Ruxen growled with flattened ears; evidently, she was put down, listening to whatever Lorelai had to say next. “Yeah, maybe. Look, I don’t need your fucking help shit face. But since your party is small and pathetic, maybe I’ll lend my divine fucking grace to lead you back to civilization. But only after I get to piss on your boots. Got it fuck nugget? Oh, and I hope you brought compensation for the beasts you just fucking woke up. Thanks assholes,” she said, fur bristling as she sensed more lifeforms closing in around them.

High above their group in Yggdrasil’s abode, Titania was wondering what the hell was going on. The Monkey was spouting questions she knew would yield no answer and Axon was still trying to use the father son approach that didn’t exist. Why did she have to be paired with the stupid ones? Sighing mentally herself, she narrowed her eyes at the Platinum Knight’s wrist.

“Forgive me Lord Yggdrasil,” was all she said before she unholstered her massive blade and swung forward. For such a large weapon, she was able to make a single, clean cut that separated their prize away from Yggdrasil: the White Relic. At once she burst forward to snatch the prize in her hand…before immediately bolting out of the room.

“Stop standing there and run you idiots!” she called out to the Monkey and Axon. It wasn’t like either of their plans was going to work anyway and they were already behind schedule as it was. Hopefully Yggdrasil would be too dumb-founded to react, giving them ample time to escape. Stupid tin can…

Yet despite these irregularities, all events were considered. Such was the will of the Jester of the Court, who even now watched Fei’s group with interest in Rivenwood. He stood high above their battle, form concealed by the shadow of a large tree. His eyes narrowed as he leaned back against the thick trunk. Yes, things were fitting together nicely.

---

@TheWindel@FrozenPhoenix@KoL

Měihóu Niángniang

Měihóu raised up her harp, and smashed it into the ground, but while doing so, was transforming back into her normal form, so that by the time her now staff landed to smash up a giant pile of dust and debris into the air, as well as send Měihóu falling through the floor, she was in her "base?" monkey girl form.

"WELL! That went on longer than expected. Still, shame we didn't get to the real interesting stuff. Like why the Imperator's Fate matters. I've never seen the Imperator get off her duff and do anything, so you could have anyone sit on that cushy chair and it'd be the same, unless there's some other thing than needing her power for ruling the kingdom going on. Probably some deal with this Fate shenaniganary that everyone goes on about. Well, seeing you didn't feel like talking about that, I guess you get to fight us instead, that's more your style I suppose. Well, it probably won't be much of a fight. Is chasing people more your style and worth your time more?" Judging by the rampant smashing noises going on below, punctuating her yelling, she was probably making her escape without respect to walls, or with respect to trying to destroy something.

Alex didn't bother sticking around to explain what he had meant, since the bartender had somehow missed the sarcasm o arrive at the exact opposite of the conclusion that he was trying to explain. If the Imperator had really wanted it done quickly, then perhaps she shouldn't have opened it up to the public rather than relying on her own assets. He knew enough about people to understand that the public didn't really do 'quick'. But hey, that wasn't his problem now was it? He could stay concerned with his own fortunes as he returned home for the day.

Making it back home, he unlocked the door of his apartment and stepped inside, putting down some of the stuff that he had brought back wit him from Arcadia. No riches or what have you, but mostly the stuff he had brought with that he hadn't lost at some point. Losing the airship hadn't made that feat easy though, so it was much diminished from what he had brought with him on the way out.

Yet he had barely done that when he heard the knock on the door. Turning to face it, the robotic voice caused a bit of confusion, but Alex took a second to straighten himself up before stepping over to the door and opening it. "If my kindly government had looked they would see that I was in Arcadia, and I can't really pay taxes while on a trip. Now how can I help you, Mr...."

@TheWindel

With Titania's brash and rather single minded efforts of using violence to solve her problems, Axon took his chance to wrap his shadows around his body, dashing like a black bolt of lightning towards her and the door in turn, seeing Měihóu basically make her own exit through the floor. Měihóu knew how to take care of herself, so that was far from concerning. What was concerning was Titania. She couldn't fly, couldn't move as fast as him, and above all she had the relic.

Once he was near her he made sure to slow down so that they could sprint and run along the rings of the floating castle until he found what he was looking for. Along the way should any guards, agents, or similar things get in their way, Axon would make sure to incapacitate them with a few highly accurate shadow bullets to vital areas and joints of his victims. Though given his deadly accuracy he made sure not to kill his targets unless he absolutely had to.

As the two continued to move though he made sure that on the first balcony, open window, or get ledge he found, that Axon found, he'd grab Titania by the waist and throw her off it, jumping with her to dive out into the open air. In free fall Axon would grip Titania in what could only be described as a death grip, almost as if trying to crush her waist as he fell with her. It was there was he kicked on the afterburners and blasted with full strength using his shadows. Rocketing as best as he could towards the sky he could only slow their descent. Really she wasn't so heavy, but that gun of her's was a right proper bitch to carry. With their fall going at a still rather unsafe speed he shouted out to the whipping winds, "Lose the gun!" Hoping that she'd have the capability to do so before they hit the ground a little too roughly.

Clenching her teeth in pain, Fei cursed at herself for being so careless. The pain in her leg was intensifying and the world was beginning to sway. She blinked several times to stay conscious. "If you are injured, I suggest you disengage from battle and recuperate." Chen spoke to Fei as if his words held any importance. To Hell if she’d step away from the battle. There was no way, poison or not, she could possibly give up this mission. Too much was at stake.

And then suddenly Jessi was by her side, and part of her grew at ease. “I’m fine..” She mumbled before growing wobbly and relying on Jessi to keep her upright. Dammit.. Why did everything have to go wrong at the worst possible moment? She had to keep fighting or everything up to then would all be for nothing. Black spots soon filled her vision and it felt like only a matter of moments before she would pass out. For better or for worse, Fei was taken from Jessi’s warm grasp and set under some bushes by their strange cat companion. Taking a deep breath, she waited for Si to pull out some healing potions or special herbs that would get the poison out of her system. Of course things always went in an unexpected way in Fei’s life.

Putting her face up to Fei’s leg, Si began to vigorously lick her wound. Fei’s eyes grew in alarm and she would have called out at the damn cat had a feeling of strength not passed through her. The fire within Fei was quickly returning to life and despite hating every aspect of the situation, Si’s soft licks were incredibly pleasing. She closed her eyes as her entire body grew warm and a slight crackle of fire appeared on her head. Not even the boys’ discomfort could ruin the sense of bliss she was feeling. Part of her knew the moment it was all over, she would be mortified, but for now, she didn’t care.

Before long, all of the poison killing Fei on the inside was gone and the cut on her leg was no longer present. She felt incredible, like she could take on the entire universe and come out victorious. The fire on Fei’s head grew even more as she clenched her fist for battle. Looking around, she realized both Jessi and Chen had taken the battle floor, without her. “Damn them.” She spoke aloud in annoyance. And then there was Si, the strange cat who always seemed to have the answers. She hesitated before speaking to her. “Umm.. thanks…”

And with that, Fei marched forward. It was clear that Chen and Jessi had both split up, Chen with the elves, and Jessi with the soldiers. Both were making quick work of the enemy and didn’t appear to even need her help. But the newly restored magic was beating inside her like a heartbeat, as if begging to be unleashed. There was really no thoughts involved as Fei moved toward Jessi. Pulling out the devilish twin swords, Fei stepped beside him. “Need some help?” She grinned as he was clearly pulling his own weight. As her entire body was still glowing from the warmth of Si’s licks, Fei couldn’t help but immediately jumping into the fray. Sinking her sword into on the soldiers, she used the momentum to kick another one in the face, sending a strong wave of heat with the touch. Looking back at Jessi, a soft smile covered her lips. She didn’t even need to speak to tell him to make sure they both got out of this alive.

@KoL@floodtalon@Awesomoman64

“To be completely honest, the… lack of beastkin throughout the Empire is considered rather common knowledge. Honestly I'm not sure how you evaded records so far given your apparently brash personality”
As Tori carried Linea over to her sister, the activation of Nebula’s… first aid, surprised Tori. As she could not detect the ambient energy in the air herself so she could only assume that there was some sort of emergency reserve of energy, for use in situations such as this. Still, she was rather upset that she had ruined her undershirt for no reason. Leaving the torn piece of shirt on Sienna, seeing no reason to reclaim it, Tori stood up and picked up the more manageably sized Nebula as Ruxen blustered her way about the sewer.

“You do not wish the safe haven that I can provide? Very well, I will assist you in any way I can. However, Miss Beastkin, that has the caveat that my needs are met also. Namely the safe passage of me, my unfortunate twin companions and this artificial intelligence that has designated itself Nebula. If you wish we can discuss specific requests when there is no more immediate danger, but can we please just go?” the statements made by Ruxen caused her frown to deepen into one of concern as opposed to simple frustration that normally caused her creased brow.

“The beasts are awake you say? Well, my three companions are incapacitated and my primary role is not that of combat. So, do you think we can escape? Or will I have to attempt a bloody combat? Or worse yet, will you all be true to humanity’s selfish nature and abandon me and my companions? I cannot leave them after all the trouble I’ve gone through. The net loss would be devastating” Cloak splaying out the twins were swept up and Nebula was lifted into her arms, ready to attempt an escape if it came to that.

“That said, I’m willing to be a rather annoying lodestone if the abandonment route is taken.” For better or worse, Tori tended to assume the worst in people, regardless of whether their good intentions had been proven. Running and abandoning her with the three bodies was only logical. The beasts would attempt to take the easy targets first, namely her with the girls.

@KoL@TheWindel@Lonewolf685

The Abyssal Knight could now join the cadre of knight's before her who could record a first hand account of their interactions with the Last Beastkin. Contrary to her hopes, Ruxen seemed to corroborate ever known testimonial in regards to her etiquette and decorum, though had acted against the commonly held belief she was a brute without any sense of reason by agreeing to help them for a rather perverse price. Perhaps Lorelai's natural affinity for animals had won her over where others failed, or it could have also been the rather peculiar situation which allowed such a partnership to form, but there wasn't any time to waste by looking a gift hound in the mouth.

"You can piss wherever you want so long as you get us to freedom- Pardon, but what was that about other beasts?" Lorelai removed her hands from Ruxen's sides and instantly took ahold of her sword and tome, readying herself to react to any threat that may be coming to claim Crimson Knight and her cadre, yet her eyes and ears detected nothing approaching from either end of the tunnels. So busy was she in contemplating whether Ruxen's hearing was either so good she heard the soldiers from far, far away, or so horrid she was mistaken, that Lorelai wasn't prepared for the truly unconventional monster attacking in the stead of Imperial Soldiers.

Those few who believed to be under the gaze of an outside force were correct, but even their considerable experience and natural instinct could do little to warn them of the threat in the water, for it was the very substance flowing down the channel amidst the sewage. A viscous mass, thick and without any defining characteristic beyond the refuse floating inside, rose up an inch over the channels edge. In seeming defiance of gravity it shot forth, stretching itself into sheet along the cobbled sewer stones with startling speed that would have alerted any looking towards it its presence.

It was a Slime, and it struck out to encase the feet of the most obvious prey among the group. Perhaps, if they were so fortunate to receive the privilege of living long enough to look back in hindsight, then Tori would marvel at her good fortune.

As it was, the slime clutched onto the woman whose blood was spilled so profusely in the Cathedral's collapse and tugged upon her feet to drop her to the ground and drag her to roaring current of sewage.

@KoL@TheWindel@McFazzer

Thankfully Stark Zealot’s arrival hadn’t been for some time since the Blue Relic’s warning. That in effect would give Alex ample time to prepare be it through preparing tools or plotting an escape route just in case diplomacy would fail. And even then, he still had the power of the Blue Relic at his side, the jewel remaining inactive in his pocket when Alex approached the front door.

“Stark. Stark Zealot. Or perhaps you have forgotten the face of Imperium’s Enforcer?” the metal man said right back. It was obvious he wasn’t here for good news and even now, the lingering traces of the Relic could be detected by him. How Alex wanted to handle the situation and play it out was up to him right now because it didn’t seem like Stark was going to strike; no doubt waiting for Alex to reveal some evidence that could be used to apprehend him.

Back in the sewers, Ruxen huffed at Tori’s words. “Yeah, well I’m surprised smartasses like you still fucking exist. And as for your offer, I said I’ll fucking think about it. But frankly, it sounds both you and the shitty knight want to make me a house cat. And that blows ass!” Ruxen snarled. She was going to add a snarky retort to add on to that but unfortunately the monsters in the dark chose then to attack.

“Elly!” Solanne said, horrified as the water itself seemed to be their enemy, lashing out and dragging her sister away by her ankles. Rage billowing in her features, she brandished her blade in one hand before firing off a stream of molten flame with the other, aiming with precision and care at the slime holding Eleonor. Towards her, she would hack and slash to try and close the distance between them.

High up the tower that hovered Infinitum, Titania was running for her life. No way could she ever do that again, not without Yggdrasil tearing her apart. She saw neither sight nor sound of Axon and wondered if he had somehow fled the scene overall. Not only that, but the monkey was gone from her sights as well. Those idiots!

Sighing, knowing she couldn’t just leave either of them behind, she turned right back around to see what the hold-up was about. Měihóu couldn’t seriously be trying to take Yggdrasil on, could she? It was suicide! Or if she was, she would at least need some hefty back-up. Gripping her massive weapon, she pocketed the Relic before heading towards Měihóu’s location.

Such events were converging on one another; if not by chance, then by the careful hand of another. As the trio of youth went forward to wrap up their battles, the masked man finally revealed himself in Rivenwood, phasing in view in front of Si. He looked at the cat before turning towards the scene of battle.

“You put your faith in children? It’s a wonder your Resistance is struggling to overturn all that I have put in place,” he said with little emotion. “Tell me Fairy, why are you choosing to start battles you know you cannot win?”

---

"So... that's it..." Yggdrasil walked down the same corridor he came from, picking his tome on the way, and entered the elevator which was the fastest access to this point in the tower. He had perfect knowledge of all that happened inside his base of operations and, no matter where Meihou's final destination was, he would get there, if not first, at least about the same time.

Even without the Relic powering his might, Yggdrasil would still prove to be a formidable —but not unbeatable— foe. Maybe, if Titania happened to meet with her companion, it was possible for them to take him down? One could only hope so.


"Uh!? What's th-" Eleonor was taken by surprise when the very waters that carried the filth and rot of the Imperium's crown jewel attacked her. Without time to react, she was dragged away and encased in the blob of jelly-like sludge. If that wasn't bad enough, the being's acidic fluids began to slowly corrode Eleonor's vestments, while unwittingly helping to stanch the bleeding by burning her wounds. A blessing born of a curse, perhaps? Well, no matter what Eleonor was powerless to detain her fate, given that her attackers, lack both blood to be manipulated and substance to be cut. The only thing she could hope for is that the others could save her, before the worse came into being.


"Ghh... what did- Sis! Sis!" Linea was the first of the Twins to regain consciousness and, just after doing so, she noticed Siena, uncoscious beside her. Ignoring, or if need be, fighting, the grip of Tori's cloak, the Youngest of the Aquarian twins, approached her sister frantically, ignoring everything else around her. Linea hesitated in touching Siena for a moment, fearing that she could trigger, or worsen, any unseen wounds. It wasn't until her sister coughed hard and groaned in pain as well that Linea pounced on her, hugging Siena while crying profusely, of relief.

"Li-Linea? What happened?"

"I-I don't know, Sis! One moment we were escaping with Alex and Tori and then... the cathedral... fire... and everything turned black. I... I..."

"There... there, Linea. Everything is fine now we are... argh!" Neither of the Twins had noticed until Siena felt a sharp sting of pain run through her, and her whole body surge with a strange power but The eldest Aquarian had changed a lot thanks to Nebula's intervention. A power that Siena never had before coursed through her body.

Even so, Linea and Siena were largely unaware of their surroundings. At least until the hubbub with the slime dragging Asgard away, which made them turn to the tunnel behind them. "Hey, Tori!? You are there? What happened and who are these people? I swear I heard the voice of Lady Asgard a moment ago... By the way, where is Alex? I just remembered him running away in another direction on the last minute. Did he betray us and left us for dead, after all we did to help him? That... that rat, all he wanted was t steal the Relic, wasn't it?" Siena tightened her previously destroyed hand in a fist, while baring her teeth.

That coward. How could Alex just abandon them like that after they not only gave him a job but also saved his life and helped him to the best of their skills? Just the thought of it made Siena's feel like throwing up with disgust. But, that was a concern for later. Now, they had to get out of this place, finding the Blue Relic again could be left for later.


Back on Rivenwood, the good news brought by Fei's sudden recovery —assisted by Si's magic— were soon going to be rendered less important in face of the most recent developments that ensued in the fight between the native fey and Tegonay's warband.

Thud!

With a dry and sharp sound, like the strings of a grand piano snapping, came the proclamation of the end of the fight, as the black knight finally claimed the life of his foe, with a decapitation swing, after long minutes tiring out the fey prince in a war of attrition. With the death of their leader, and the surge of inspiration brought by the Yellow Relic's golden shine, the remainder of the fey forces began to retreat to the depths of the woods, while under heavy fire from Tegonay's men.

It was not a battle anymore, but merely, a one-sided slaughter. Genocide.

If Jessi, Fey and Chen planned to intervene directly, somehow, there was no time better than now. The Black Knight was left standing alone and unguarded, moving to retrieve the Relic. Once he did, God knows how powerful he would become?


Lastly, but not least, came the intense confrontation between one Jester of the Court and a humble —but not really so humble— cat fairy, very much likely, the last of her kind in the present world. Both of them knowing full well the true secret of Si's real identity as the one and only Librarian, it was of no use to the cat girl to try and fake it. Not before him.

"This world... is not your science project, guh! If you want to... put us through hardship... you can... expect that we will fight back, guh!" Came Si's reply, it had a particularly inflamed tone that, while noticeable by few, laid bare Si's true motivation for her millennia long struggle.

"Just because... you have ultimate power... doesn't mean that... you can... use people in your devices... like pieces in a chess game, guh!"

---

@floodtalon, @BlueAjah, @TheWindel, @The 42nd Gecko,@McFazzer , @Awesomoman64, @Lonewolf685, @Flamelord.

After many of the mercenaries tried to best him, Jessi now stood in the center of a small circle of bodies that was still being added too when Fei finally came to join the fight.

”Hey, you’re looking much better.” he remarked pulling his spear from his latest kill. ”Erm, not that you didn’t look good before, you looked great.” he ducked an incoming crossbow bolt before continuing. ”I mean I didn’t enjoying seeing you like that. Poisoned I mean not what was happening just barely.” Jumping out of the way of a soldier trying to bisect him Jessi quickly countered with a spear to the man’s heart. ”Not saying I liked that either. Watching I mean not the act itself. Not implying that you and I… You know what I’m just gonna shut up now. The important thing is you’re up and going… After being poisoned I mean not after… Oh god someone shoot me.”
Just then another bolt came his way which he caught despite his previous statement. He was never good at these things. Truth be told he never really dated anyone before. He had spent nearly all his youth training and very little socializing. Now here he was trying to give Fei a simple compliment and making an absolute fool of himself. Oh he wished there was something to distract from this embarrassing moment.

Much like the timing of the crossbow bolt, the second Jessi hoped the moment would end a distinct thud sounded. His eyes were drawn to the sight of Tegonay standing above the now dead elf. The fey forces almost simultaneously began a full retreat with Tegonay’s forces in pursuit. Jessi immediately saw an opening. With the fey running and the soldiers after them, no one would try to stop them from getting to the black knight himself.

Without another traumatizing word to Fei, Jessi broke into a full sprint ready to hit Tegonay with a surprise attack, only to catch a faint glint of yellow shining from the dead elf’s body. The Relic. Once he had that there would be no way to stop him. Jessi had to act quick. Using his momentum he launched his spear at Tegonay’s hand hoping to pin it to the ground. Following through he slid between the trapped knight and dead elf swiping the Relic just from under his nose. Without another thought Jessi called to Fei before throwing her the Relic keeping it out of Tegonay’s reach.

”You know, I was a little upset at first when I found out you hadn’t died falling down that bottomless pit. But standing here now I realize we never really got to finish our one on one.” Jessi grabbed the weapon previously used by the elf leader, wanting to be ready in case Tegonay wouldn’t have the courtesy of giving him his spear back. ”So how about it? Wanna finish what we started in the desert?”

@BlueAjah@floodtalon@KoL@TheWindel

Alex shrugged, not too intimidated by Stark being there but also aware of the fact that he had to tread carefully. This was too soon after his return to be a coincidence, and in that case he had the feeling that he had to keep the Relic secret if he could. The Imperator might want it, but this wasn't exactly a good way to convince him that he should give it over to them. Well, he just wasn't inclined to.

"Sorry, it's been a long day," he explained in a tone that was all too truthful for his liking. "Besides, I wasn't sure how you wanted to be referred to so I figured I should get that out of the way first." That part was only a bit true, and he moved past that to focus on what was happening.

With that said he took a step back, revealing more of his apartment as he gave a beckoning wave. "Please, come on in. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have." He was confident enough in his abilities to make up something that would seem credible without an in depth check, which would give him the time he needed. If worst came to worst he could always make a run for it again. But for now he waited to see how far the Enforcer was willing to go with this.

@TheWindel

@TheWindel@KoL

Měihóu Niángniang

Měihóu blasted herself out of the building into the sky, and promptly started falling because she wasn't a flying creature at the time. Well, she kind of was, but in the sense that a thrown rock is "flying". She retracted her staff before it hit the core. She felt it was a good bluff, but she didn't really want to kill anybody if anyone was on there that couldn't fly.

"Alright, just need to catch gun lady and we're good to flee." Měihóu looked around, wind whistling in her ears as she talked to herself. "Gun lady?" But Titania was nowhere to be seen from Měihóu's perspective.

"Man, I'm really wishing we had exchanged cell numbers at this point. Boy, that would have been smart. She didn't get killed already, did she?"

Everything was simply moving far too quickly, Tori was simply doing all she could to stay out of the more capable fighters’ way. The twins rousing themselves from their unintended slumber, Tori let her cloak drop the pair to the ground gently as they acquainted themselves with the new situation they found themselves in.

“Hello Linea and Sienna. Your mother won’t kill me at least. I don’t know who Lady Asgard is, if she’s the one being taken by slimes then, yes, you heard her. As for Alex? I do not know, I believe he was trying to escape the mob like you two were but in another direction. He is not really a concern at the moment. I spent my time realising you had run off with Nebula, I pursued. Then the cathedral you two were in crumbled, you two would probably have been crushed, or at least more crushed, if I hadn’t decided that you two really owe me and I can’t collect if you are both dead. Congratulations are in order, Sienna. You discovered one of Nebula’s functions concerning first aid.” Tori’s voice came out at a rapid clip, summarising the situation as quickly as she could, trying to run her mind through how she could help somehow. Hoisting Nebula further into her grip Tori’s brow furrowed as several ideas flashed through her head before realising that she would most likely be a hindrance.

“Do you two believe you would be able to help that slimed woman? I don’t think I can. I can phase, but not carry people as I do. I can fly, but there's a roof. I'll take any idea here. What about you Miss Beastkin? Would you be inclined to help them Or are slime creatures beneath your notice?” Tori honestly wanted to simply get out of there, but simply rushing off into the unknown dark of the sewer system with no one that could help? She’s not suicidal, she can’t fight after all.

@Lonewolf685@TheWindel@KoL