[IC] Remnants of the Past

[Misumichan]

“As tempting as that sounds, Diana,” Eve jammed their light source into the ground so she wouldn't accidentally use it up. “We can take care of them faster if we all deal with them!” She grabbed the other half of Tippetarius from her back and opened it with a slight smirk.
Eve bolt straight for the closest Creep and sliced right through it. She closed the fan and took aim over her shoulder at the small Deathstalker crawling her way. Once it's in range she fires, launching the fan’s end blade right through the top of it's head. The blade retracts and she back flips out of the way of another Beowolf’s claws. Her foot catches a raised pave stone and she fall backwards.”Ow, I should know to watch my footing better…” She rolls a bit to the left avoiding the Beowolf’s claws and opens her fan again cutting off its arm. The howl of pain was followed by another strike. She slammed her feet on the raised pave stone and shoves herself back several feet. She rolls and gets to her feet, quickly closing the fan and firing at the charging Beowolf’s head killing it.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana nodded and turned away "As you wish." Diana held her large katana one handed in a form reminiscent of fencing and advanced towards a charging Ursa alpha. She sidestepped a lunging beowolf cutting it in half at the pelvis she leaned back to avoid a savage swing from the alpha ursa before lunging forward and jamming her blade into its head. She then sees a beowolf charging her from behind and rips the sword from the alpha ursa's head and cuts the beowolf down the middle in one motion. She then looks up as a Deathstalker attempts to bring it's stinger down on her head, she jumps back to dodging the attack and then dashes forward slashing the stinger off and making the Deathstalker stumble backwards slightly. She then readied herself for her next move eyeing down the Deathstalker.

[lantgreen]

The fight persisted with the new team, each using each other in combinations and supporting when one needed it. Though Marlin stuck the front lines, keeping the majority of the horde coming from the tunnel on him, any slipping past or those he's thrown behind him as targets for his teammates. Marlin kept the punches coming just as quick as the Grimm were appearing, it wasn't till he started getting the upper hand and his lust for slaughter kept rising. He furthered deeper into the cave, fighting in almost pure blackness as only his hands and feet were lighting the tunnel.

It wasn't until Marlin struck at a target with the colors of a Grimm, with the angle of the punch his fist only slid of the target. His eyes widened, quickly grabbing two wind crystals he tossed them across the tunnel, turning around and sprinting back towards the open cavern, his feet landing on both the crystals accelerating his speed and darting past the girls, "WE GOT COMPANY!" He shouted knowing full well how strong the King Taijitu were. Though Marlin knew he could handle the two it was best done in a more open area rather then a smaller tunnel. The two emerged from the darkness, appearing much larger than their average type. "Whoa, any plans ladies?" he questioned wanting to hear their possible plan of attack. Marlin threw another two wind crystals but this time into his hands. He knew his best way around was with speed rather than strength, now all his extremities were covered in a slight green glow and their light was nullified.

[Misumichan]

“The plan is don't die!” Eve said charging at the King Taijitu. She jumped above it as it's black head dove in to strike. She ran along it's back as the white tried to strike too. She back flipped, landing on the ground and launching through the loop in the body before the black head tried to get her, following her through. She flipped back over the main body the black head in hot pursuit. The white came back around. After a few more precise jumps it could no longer even get close to her because it was all knotted up. “Grimm are so simple.” Eve chuckled lightly.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana quickly trusted her sword multiple times into the Deathstalkers face killing it. She then turned as the massive Taijitu appeared chasing Marlin, she started to walk over slicing down the occasional beowolf. She looked at Eve as she tied the Taijitu up suing itself, That's... Unconventional. Diana then frowned at Eve's chuckle. "Not all are this dim witted. You know that." Diana said this assuming Eve was as into research as she acts. She then looked over at Marlin and reluctantly spoke to him "You take the black head and I'll take the white..." Diana then locked onto the white head and sprinted forwards rolling under a strike from the white head before slashing at it's underside. She then readies herself encase it lunges at her.

[lantgreen]

Marlin kept his guard up, watching Eve create a complicated knot with the Taijitu and soon their mobility was reduced. The giant mass of slivering Grimm squirmed violently but it wasn't going anywhere. With the Deathstalker out of commission, they could all focus on the larger target ahead. "That was rather quick," he noted to Eve, impressed with her ability and sense of direction to predict where they would end up. Diana spoke up quickly, calling out the white head for herself leaving the black for him. Marlin smirked, having a plan in mind.

With a quick step forward, his hands and feet still infused with wind dust, he took off for head of the Taijitu. It tried to take a bite out of him but his boot was too quick and slammed it's mouth shut with an upward kick, he finished the combo with a fist drilling on top bringing the Grimm's head to the ground. Marlin fell slowly and landed just inches from it's mouth. He scanned the cavern noting spikes at the ceiling, stalactites. The beast lifted its head slightly off the ground, stunned and weakened, Marlin formed a small grin, pulling back his left fist, amplifying it with more aura but keeping the wind dust in it. He threw an uppercut, creating a shockwave from the collision, the Taijitu's Black head shot up towards the ceiling, penetrated by the stalactites, shaking the cavern. "HAHA YES!"

[Misumichan]

“Please try not to bring the ceiling down on us!” Eve whined. “I still need to study this place, and you know, I said the plan was not to die.” Eve picked up the half of Tippetarius that was being used as light while her teammates were dealing with the tangle of a King Taijitu. “I mean I know it's a dead end but I'd rather it not be literally.” Eve cut down the last few small Grimm wandering about, before looking around. Noticing more cracks than before. “So much for my pristine ruins!”

[LemonZest1337]

Diana dodged out of the way of another savage strike from the white head before severing the head completely with a massive strike to the already weakened section of its neck. She then looked around as Eve finished the last of the small grimm. She then fished around in her pocket and produced the relic "Do you want the relic now Eve?" Diana asked as she to looked around at the now slightly more ruined ruin. "Damage was unavoidable with a Grimm of that size present. I am sorry if your research has been impeded." as she had contemplated using some dust to make a light but the others were already on it and she preferred not using dust. If Eve said yes to wanting the Relic Diana would walk up and hand it to her.

[lantgreen]

Marlin darted his attention to Diana as she finished off the Taijitu, a clean cut to the back of the neck and the beasts started to dissipate in unison. The cavern filling with a black fog for a brief time since all the Grimm were taken care of. Marlin stepped back, removing his amplified aura from his body and taking a moment to assess the new and current situation. Thanks to his recklessness the cavern was now damaged and cracks filled the walls where Eve would be studying. Eve, he turned his attention to her and studied her as if she was studying ruins. She had a nice body, long hair, narrow shoulders, attractive none the less. Marlin shook himself awake from his day dream, "Sorry about the mess," he said softly, fond of her. As he spoke a stalactite fell just inches from him. The place began to shake and crumble above them. "COME ON! TO THE CAVE!" He knew took of running, trying to stay close to his teammates. He knew that a small cave was safer than an open cavern, especially one that was crumbling. "We don't have much of a way out do we?"

[Misumichan]

“I guess I better make this quick!” Eve bounced over and nabbed the Relic from Diana. She skimmed the walls carefully comparing symbols on the wall to the ones on the relic. One large one stood out. It filled most of the wall and had some detailed text around it. Eve moved in closer to try and read the runes even though she hadn't a clue to decipher them, but she hoped she'd catch similarities to ones she knew. As she brought her light source up to the wall the symbol lit up and absorbed the dust out of her fan. The wall split and began to part but the crumbling room jammed the door from opening fully. Eve peeked in and saw the dust that was absorbed started running along the walls illuminating the symbols all along the corridor. “Intriguing!” Eve turned to the others. “Through here! The structure looks extremely stable. And I think we really need to get in here!”

[lantgreen]

Marlin had shelter with the girls, temporary protection from the crumbling cavern. A bright light and a shifting of stone caught his attention and her turned around away from the destruction. From the doors behavior he figured it would close soon, especially since it didn't open all the way the door would close in half the time. Marlin agreed with Eve and going through, better than the collapse behind them. "Then what are you waiting for go go," he ran to the door using his arm to help push it open, infusing aura to increase his strength.

Letting the women go first he started to feel pressure from the stone door closing. The power behind the door was stronger than he thought and was going to crush him if he didn't move out of the way. With the ladies clear of the passage Marlin tucked under himself and pushed through the door. The cracked stoned wall that was parted now slammed shut, Marlin was careless for half a second, his tail getting crushed by the door. A loud feline roar of pain escaped his mouth as his face filled with rage. He rose both his fists and hit the door with as much power as he could muster. Shattering the stone to rubble, the shier force causing the debris to fly back to where they came from, compacting both the rubble of the door and the collapsed cavern so tightly the majority of the ruins above would no longer give way, acting like a support beam. Marlin instantly jumped back and fell to his bottom clutching his tail, whimpering in pain.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana squeezed in through the door after sheething her weapon and proceeded to scan the room to the best of her ability. She then looked back sharply as Marlin let out a roar then smashed the wall causing rubble to get sent flying. "Control you emotions you dolt! You are lucky your that didn't cause another cave in!" she snarled and looked at him as he whimpered then looked at the crooked tail. She let out a sigh knowing her words were harsh. She waited for his response to this before deciding on weather to aid him or not, her eyes avoided his and focused on his wounded tail. She put a hand in one of her pockets and started fishing around for something. She would then produce a strange high tech box. She was half hoping that Marlin would be rude so she would feel less inclined to help him. She really doesn't like Marlin.

[Misumichan]

“You alright Marlin?” Eve gave him a look of concern. “That must really hurt…” Eve felt a bit bad he risked his tail to get them through. “Thank you for getting us out of there!” She graced him with a smile. Eve turned her attention to the walls of the stairwell they were in. The dust absorbed from her fan was already at the bottom. Her eyes traced the carvings of the path it took. But the light was dim. And after the dust moved around the corner the only light was a dim glow coming from the room below. Her curiosity was intense but she didn't want to leave them just yet so she settled for trying to investigate the carvings near them. She grabbed the chipped cyan dust crystal she used in the last set of ruins and jammed it in Tippetarius’ Dust Chamber for light. She brought it close to the walls to get a better look but that too was absorbed right out of the fan. “Hmm, well if you use any dust don't go near the walls.” She followed the Dust down a few steps but didn't go far as she watched it creep through the carvings in the wall down to the room below. “Fascinating! What kind of material absorbs dust like this? I've only ever seen small amounts of a specific type. But this, this is a whole new level. It absorbs large crystals worth indiscriminately!” She turned back to see if the others were ready to follow. She smiled and waited patiently while slowly spinning the cube in her hands.

[lantgreen]

Marlin sat still in a fit of rage, angry at the stone doors for wounding his precious tail. Diana snapped at him, telling him to control himself better, her words held no sympathy either. Marlin turned in her direction, his face hot and he was about to yell at her for her comment but then Eve spoke up. She spoke of only how his body was fairing the incident. Marlin immediately calmed down and his anger towards Diana vanished. "It's sore, won't using it much for anything now," he returned, his voice heavy and filled was remorse of his mistake, he should have wrapped the tail around him rather than have it swing loose. Marlin stood up haphazardly, his tail wrapping lightly around his leg so it wouldn't get caught in anything again. "No problem Misses," he said with a slight smile glancing at Eve before returning to Diana, her sigh told him she at least cared but didn't want to. The team was only on their first mission and relationships were still building, though Marlin hadn't done anything to progress with Diana, knowing she didn't like him from the start. If he was going to be paid with the group he might as well act like part of the group. He thought about grabbing his flask, reaching into his pocket pulling it out slightly. He shook his head and dropped it back down to where it was changing his mind on wanting a drink. He left his position to go follow Eve. Wanting to help in some way besides his fists, he tapped her on the shoulder and extended his hand. Opening his fingers so his palm was up his hand was filled with a bunch of tiny fire dust crystals, "Here, so we can all see," he said softly and calmly, still in pain from his tail but he dind't show it.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana frowned as he complained his tail was sore, of coarse it was going to be sore a stone door just closed on it. She took a deep breath and watched Eve begin to wander off then Marlin shortly following her. She looked back at the box in her hand and groaned quietly. She then followed after Eve and Marlin keeping a special eye on Eve to make sure she does't slip away as Ozpin had warned. She watched the wall absorb the dust and tilted her head following the flow briefly before looking at Eve and Marlin. She knelt down and examined the wall closely "Indeed it is peculiar. What could our mystery group seek with a material such as this. A weapon perhaps? I can already think of a few uses for a material such as this... And they are. Not good. Especially if this enemy is out to destroy civilisation as we know it." Diana then looked up at Marlin offering some dust for light, her eyes drifted off to his tail. She then sighed and pushed few buttons on the side of her box, it then opened up and had some high tech medical devices and general supplies. She walked over behind Marlin and put her box onto the floor. "Marlin... Give me your tail..." Diana's tone sounded slightly concerned, but it was very easy to tell it was forced. She then pulled a device out of her med kit.

[Misumichan]

“Thanks!” Eve smiled, putting Tippetarius away and accepting the crystals. “I'll try not to get too close to the wall this time.” She sat on the step since she knew Diana was watching her. At least sitting kept her from wanting to proceed to the glowing room ahead, she'd be so lost in thought then. She was starting to realize Ozpin's concerns were right so for now she focused on her concern for her teammates to keep her around. It was easy when it was just her and Yoki, he'd always follow and indulge her curiosity whether he liked it or not.
She set the cube down next to her and grabbed the notebook clasped to her belt. She opened it and pulled a pencil out of it's spine. Eve decided to try and sketch the symbols on the cube so she wouldn't always have to ask it from Diana when it came to translations and interpretations when she eventually figured out the ancient language.

[lantgreen]

Marlin was glad that she took the crystals and used them for light so that the three of them could see in the cavern a lot better, lighting the place up. He didn't pay too much attention to his surroundings, even though part of the team he didn't have the intellect that Eve did, he was a fist for hire that was the best he could, might as well stick to it. He followed her around till Diana called out to him, asking for his tail. He sensed that she wasn't exactly proud of what she was going to do, and he didn't exactly want to give him. He spotted the box on the floor and a device in her hand, Marlin stepped closer to her and unraveled his tail before gently placing it in her hand, a small twitch in his face from the pain. He had his back slightly turned and he was looking the other way, watching Eve from a distance and keeping an eye on the especially darker places. "Why are you doing this?" he asked in a tone that was very serious, "As far as I know you hate me, why not let me suffer."

[LemonZest1337]

She pushed a button on the device and a needle popped out the end "What kind of person do you take me for... It is true I don't like you. But that doesn't mean I won't help you. At least not at the moment..." Diana then held the needle up to Marlin's tail "Now sit still and shut up..." she hissed before jabbing the needle into his tail rather forcefully but not unprofessionally. It was out almost as fast as it went in and Marlin's tail would begin to numb, "it's a local anaesthetic, your tail will go numb and you won't be able to move it, so sit still while I bandage it." Diana got onto her knees as to make it easier to tie his tail around his waist and bandage it there so it wouldn't move. "This is just a temporary fix, I'll see what I can do later once we're out of this cave..." She then packed up her med box and hit another button on it that made it light up like a lantern the light was bright but only angled in one direction like a torch.

She then followed after eve keeping her distance from the wall not knowing if it would inter fear with her equipment. she sighed quietly as she scanned around the room with her light. She also kept a firm eye on Eve and the cube, both were essential to the mission.

[Misumichan]

Eve looked up as Diana turned on the light on her device. “Well looks like you guys ready to keep moving!” She quickly closed the book grabbed the cube and stood up. She happily bounced down the steps, excited to see what she would find in the room below.
When they reached the bottom the room expanded out before them. It was large, tall and perfectly round and on the opposite side was a staircase that went up. “Wow! Look at this pristine stonework! I can't believe how well the room has lasted the years!” All over the walls and floors were intricate carvings illuminated in different colors. “This is all Dust!” Eve ran her hand along the carvings. “This room must be storing hundreds, maybe thousands of years worth of Dust!” She moved her attention to the center of the room and observed the round pedestal perfectly in the middle of the room. There was a small square indentation in the top. Eve ran her hand across it clearing off the dirt that filled the carvings. In it was a symbol that was on one side of the cube. “Well maybe now we can see what this does…” Eve placed the exact symbol face down in the slot. She stepped back when the pedestal lit up and all the Dust in the walls began to separate. Some went above and some went below all moving to the center of the room. The cube rose up as the Dust was funneled into it from above and below. “How can something so ancient draw in all this Dust?!” Eve watched intently as the cube dropped into place. The symbol that was placed face down was now up and aglow. Eve ran back up to it and picked up the cube, “What is this thing?!”

[lantgreen]

Marlin winced in pain as the needle jolted in and out numbing his tail. He was glad the pain was at least gone but he had no way of knowing what kind of internal damage there could be. He stood still and calm as Diana bandaged and wrapped it around his waist. He gently placed his hand on his tail and rubbed it, feeling that it's secure and safe till they got out, "Thanks," a quiet but sympathetic tone. Diana created a light and simply went after Eve who found her way deeper into the cavern. Marlin followed, though hanging back a bit, the room didn't seem to go much further unless there was a door but he knew if they were gonna be attacked it would be where they just came from, not that they could with the tunnel collapsed, but just to be safe anyways.

Marlin admired the walls for a moment, reaching down into his pocket to take a swig from his flask. Some alcohol to take his mind off his tail and to relax while they had a moment of peace. Eve caused some commotion in the walls and the light started to move, it funneled its way into her relic of a box. "I don't know but I tend to stay away from hocus pocus shit like that," he layered his body in a thin blanket of aura, a barrier in case anything were to happen.