[IC] The Legend of Heroes: Tales of the World

[Pachamac]

“…all I’m saying is, don’t you think it’d be so much easier if these monsters just, I don’t know, blew up in a puff of smoke and turned into some gald and items?”

“Yes, indeed that would. But it’d also be insane, Estelle.”

“It’d make doing this job sooooo much easier!”





Opening Theme: Now~ Paramore

A
[Pachamac] [Bunanigans] [Taerinn] [Rexcalibur] [Fox of Spades] [Crescendo] [Orpheus] [AkiBlue] [Ryver et Rhine] [Caelestis]
Production

Estelle Fenix and Marcus Wiseman are two rookie Guilders based in Clockwork Town. Their job brings them into meeting various characters and embarking on adventures that will take them across the kingdom and to explore the world. There will be laughter, tears, life, death, romance, heartache, adversity, tribulations, conspiracies and a whole load of monster ass-kicking.

This is The Legend of Heroes.

The Road So Far

[Pachamac]

Now





Clockwork Town Guild

Two rookie Guilders, Estelle Fenix (Rank H Swordswoman) and Marcus Wiseman (Rank H Wind Mage) return to their lodgings in the Clockwork Town Guild, turning in their latest mission to subdue a rampaging Boarig. Inside, Estelle automatically dives for the Mission Board, hoping to take on a fresh new mission that's a little bit more dangerous and exciting then the usual rescuing of cats that seems to plague the town. The missions are slim pickings - the majority of missions already taken or far too high a danger rank for them to accept. And they're not the only ones.

However there are two missions available, under the leadership of veteran Guilder Largo [The Lion] Mann (Rank A Warrior) who's willing to allow the rookie Guilders to join him on his mission - to clear a bandit infestation squatting in a castle ruins nestled atop a hill next to the snowy mining town of Tabul. At the same time, the town is plagued by wild Firons attacking them from the other side, making camp across a frozen lake. Numerous Guilders answer the call. Of them they include:

Moira Dennis (Rank H Berserker)
- A veteran Guilder of many years whose bad manners and angry temperment has made her never advance beyond H rank.

Syed Dyjani (Rank H Electricity Mage)
- A reluctant new Guilder, magically bound to stay within a certain distance of Moira, much to his chagrin.

Selan Leclair (Rank G Dancer/Songstress)
- A beautifully exotic woman with a cool and calm personality, and bewitching abilities that turn the attention of all men to her.

Trixie May (Rank H Prankster)
- The youngest Guilder ever at 16, Trixie is a hyper and energetic prankster who batters adversaries with twin uzis and grenades.

Amy (Rank H Cleric)
- Trixie's companion, Amy is a beautiful blonde cleric with an angry grudge towards all men, to the extent that requests for healing are often ignored.

"Thunderhawk" (Rank C Ranger)
- An alcoholic womaniser, Thunderhawk thinks of nothing but himself and the booze he nurses in his glass, despite needing to provide a better example.

Nikki "Nikkolaira" Wyatt (Rank G Rogue)
- A playful, flirtatious and life happy nekomimi with a penchant for breaking into and stealing belongings.

Colchester "Cole" Grale (Rank F Earth Warrior)
- An eco warrior attuned to nature, the big, stocky man is deathly serious and determined towards right and wrong, even when it rubs off negatively to others.

Tobias "Tobi" Zenmyr (Rank G Marauder)
- A happy, carefree jokester with a penchant for riding on top of trains instead of inside.

Together the Pride is formed, and after passing on the details of the mission to his hopeful team, Largo instructs the Guilders to meet at the train station early the next morning, and for his team to get plenty of rest.

The Fateful Morning

Estelle wakes up late the next morning, dashing madly to the train station, where everyone else, bar Largo, has already arrived. Largo finally arrives, laughing at everyone else - this was his first test to see who would and could take the initiative to check the train times. The train arrives, and the Pride quickly board. Two hours remain before the Guilders reach Tabul. During that time, the Guilders laugh, frolic, talk and throw up. But the time for jolly frivolities is about to quickly run out.

---

Disaster strikes

Once the Pride reaches Tabul, they realise that the situation is far worse then they could possibly imagine. During the night, the town was besieged by the arrival of a new figure, Gaoh Capuello, the father of the two bandit sibling ringleaders, Sylvester “Don” Capuello and Josette Capuello. Somehow Gaoh managed to break free from prison, track his roaming children down and rejoin them. And alongside that, Gaoh managed to steal experimental military grade weapons with him: A magitech cannon and rifle. Gaoh tests the might of his newfound power on the town itself, levelling a small section.

What was originally a D ranked mission at most escalates to A rank. With Gaoh and the bandits on one side, the Firon pack on the other, and all communication lines between Tabul and other villagers severed, the situation has grown far worse then any might believe possible. Largo originally instructs his charges to return to Clockwork Town at once, but led by Estelle’s outburst, the rookie Guilders refuse to back down with the Tabul townsfolk in danger. And as dangerous as the situation is for the rookies, the numbers are so far against Largo, he could use the assistance. He reluctantly agrees, hoping to make use of the early time and Selan’s abilities to hopefully deal with the bandits whilst they remain asleep. The Pride embarks to the castle ruins where the bandits have made camp.

Reaching the hill’s peak, Largo separates the group into two teams, better to scout the ruins quickly, floor by floor. In one team there is Largo, Cole, Estelle, Marcus, Trixie and Amy. The other, led by Thunderhawk, includes Selan, Moira, Syed, Nikki and Tobi. Largo’s team enters through the front, Thunderhawk’s team the rear.



Things go bad

It isn’t long before the Pride are discovered and battles erupt between them and the bandit posse. After interrogating one of the bandits, Largo departs his team to immediately hunt down the main threat – Gaoh, at the peak of the castle. Estelle quickly grows frustrated with Cole’s sub commanding, and desires putting a more direct end to the danger by racing to the top and finding the bandit leaders, and so she quickly entices Trixie – Marcus has no choice but to follow. Thunderhawk’s team finds the mission quickly turn south – their team is overwhelmed and Selan assaulted and kidnapped. They race to rescue her.

As smaller battles and explosions ring out through the ruins, Estelle, Marcus and Trixie discover Josette’s room, and an equally pissed off Josette with it. After Josette becomes enamoured with Marcus, a furious catfight breaks out between her and Estelle. Meanwhile, Selan is introduced to Don in a way nobody could have predicted. Trapped and locked in a hidden room, Selan has to rely on her talents to beguile and subdue the dangerous man on her own. And while all this occurs, Largo encounters Gaoh at the top of the ruins, and the two battle. After a brief skirmish, Largo appears to be defeated, with Gaoh striding out confidently.

Things go worse

With Gaoh let loose, the whole Pride and castle begins to feel his wrath. He stalks after and attempts to hunt down and kill the Pride, not caring who gets in his way. Don, after bonding with Selan and witnessing the Pride’s bravery in standing up against the father who inspired so much fear and sadness inside him, tries to stand up to him, but is quickly defeated. The Ruins is subjected to much stress and damage, and begins to crumble. Determined, Estelle fights against Gaoh and is separated from Marcus, but it proves futile. She’s momentarily saved by the others, but then they’re all left subjected to Gaoh’s wickedness. As things reach their most desperate point, Gaoh becomes inches away from killing them all – and it’s only a last second save by Largo that the Pride survive.

Rules of Nature

As Largo and Gaoh’s battle is violently felt throughout the entire castle, the rest of the Pride flee. Marcus, alongside Don and Josette, flee through the ruins using another way. As the ruins collapse into rubble and debris, Largo defeats Gaoh, and the day is momentarily won.

Rest

The Pride are earned a brief respite, and they enjoy it to the fullest with an impromptu snowball fight. The team begin to bond more, enthusiastic with relief at having survived such an incredibly dangerous adventure.

But the joy is short lived, when the other trouble plaguing Tabul – the raging pack of Firons, attacks the Tabul mines, and the lives of the villagers who attempt to go after them are put into danger. The Pride race into the Tabul mines, slaying the Firons who come in their way.



Baptism of Fire

They reach the centre of the mines, and a frenetic battle royale erupts between the Pride, the Firons, and a terrifically powerful Mother Firon. The Pride barely have enough stamina left, but manage to fend off most of the Firons and protect the villagers. But then the impossible happens. In a bid to save Estelle from an attack from the Mother Firon, Largo is stabbed straight through the chest. At the same time, the supports holding the interior of the mine structure is destroyed, and once again things start to fall apart. Suddenly the ceiling collapses.

Honor

Before the Pride’s rookies are killed, Largo saves them one final time, by holding the ceiling up with his last ebbing strength. As the Pride all turn to flee, Largo bids them farewell, and entrusts Estelle with a secret letter intended to be delivered to the Clockwork Guild leaders Rize and Kara, asking her to give it to the secretary Marise. Estelle is pulled away by Marcus, crying and screaming all the time as the Lion roars one last time.

The battle of Tabul has ended.

And from a vantage point overlooking the entire town, two mysterious hooded figures watch in content with the knowledge that their plans have succeeded.

[Pachamac]

The Lion’s Funeral
Mourning

Days pass since the events of Tabul, and the funeral for the Lion begins. Guilders from across the Kingdom of Artar all convene on Clockwork Town, wishing to extend their final respects to the man who helped and inspired them all. A giant funeral service is given, with thousands of Guilders in attendance. The Guilders are consumed with grief at the events that have transpired, and each demonstrate it in various ways – whether secluding themselves or lashing out in anger.

Of all of the Guilders, only Estelle abstains from being a part of the funeral – blaming herself for the death of the man who helped her so much through her childhood.

The Clockwork Town Guild secretary Marise leads the service, delivering an inspiring eulogy to all those in attendance. Selan sings a final song in Largo’s memory, a beautiful melody that remains on the ears of all.

I Do

Meanwhile, Estelle releases her frustration and anger in her working out. As she does, she comes to a stark realisation about what she wants to do next. She reaches out to find Marise, and asks her that she informs all of the Guilders whom were a part of the mission in Tabul to meet her in the Guild’s basement. They all turn up.

"We are the Pride"

In the Guild’s basement, Estelle makes a startling proclamation – she intends to take the letter Largo entrusted her to deliver to Marise to dliver it to its true intended recipients – the Clockwork Town Guild leaders Rize and Kara, whom have been missing an incommunicado for the last six months, with Marise’s permission. She asks each of the Guilders whom she bonded with whether or not they would be willing to follow her, and aid her in her mission. All of them - with the exception of Tobi, who still suffers from injuries in the mission and wishes to help rebuild Tabul, and Cole, who holds himself at a distance from the group and needs to return to his hometown – all join. They take the name of “The Pride” in Largo’s memory.

Marise has a surprise for the group – two new members joining the team. One of them is a diminutive sprite of herself conjured by Marise’s natural cloning abilities, to serve as liaison and guide: Lil’Mari (Rank C Secretary Sprite). The other is even more of a shock… bursting into the basement with a song and dance routine and dramatic flair, before revealing himself to be the Pride’s own former enemy, ex-bandit leader turned Guilder rookie: Sylvester ‘Don’ Capuello (Rank H Bro)!

Smooth Criminal

The Pride are given the next day to gather supplies and prepare for their journey in searching for their missing Guild Leaders. Amongst the preparations include Moira, Syed and Estelle’s shopping of explicit underwear, Marcus’ ominous encounter with two strange individuals, and Don’s mass theft of a clothing store, believing a ‘Guild tab’ would neatly pay for everything.

Vow

On the day of their departure, Estelle visits Largo’s grave. She makes a vow to him and to herself to succeed, no matter what, leaving behind a picture she drew years ago, before racing off with her friends on their next adventure.

Father and…

---

Travellers

The Pride’s first destination in their quest to find the missing Clockwork Town Guild Leaders, Rize and Kara, was the market town of Fenaru. They travelled the road whilst performing an escort duty for the father-daughter merchant team, Otis and Maybelle. With the sun shining down on them and a pleasant breeze greeting them, the day was considered, for all, to be a good one.

But of course, all good things can’t last forever.

Bloom
Budding Flower

Halfway through their trip to Fenaru, the Pride were suddenly ambushed by a Guilder popping out of a roadside bush, holding the team up and placing Don under arrest for his misguided robbery of the Clockwork Town clothing shop. Amidst confusion and talks breaking out between the Guilder and Estelle, they were all suddenly ambushed, by a roaming band of underground monsters called Varren, who delighted in stealing the belongings of passing travellers.

The battle was hard fought but quickly won, with the Pride’s combined efforts quickly sending the Varren packing. But as they fled, they also stole Don’s Herculean backpack carrying the clothing store’s stolen goods… thus disappearing the evidence. The Pride and the Guilder were left not knowing what to do, until the summoning of Marise’s sprite form helped to smooth things over. The Guilder, Lisette, and her baby capybara companion Kapi, had actually been set up Marise with the intention of having the archer hopefully join Estelle’s team, and this entire situation had been a test. Marise also took responsibility for Don’s robbery, paying back the clothing store in full, leaving Don massively in debt to the secretary… with his other companions now becoming more wary of him.



The Market Town: Fenaru

Lisette joined the Pride’s remaining trek to Fenaru, where the group started to bond. Upon arriving in Fenaru, they briefly split up to peruse the many stalls and their wares. Along the way, Estelle, Trixie and Lisette met a businessman named Del who sold the trio ‘Artar’s most rare and popular of cuddly toys!’ Toys which quickly died after he had already fled after payment. Eventually the team regrouped at Fenaru’s Guild, where they met the town’s secretary: Gray Aramati, and learned of a dilemma afflicting the town – a serious of break ins and robberies, with the stolen items revealed to be, of all things, cats. The Pride were left to ponder this strange mystery, as the town’s only Guilder, assigned to the mission, returned to the Guild.

Fat Lip
Hoverboarding Punk

Trent Walker was no stranger to some of the Pride, having already some affection for Selan (enough to call her Grandma) and polarising animosity for Estelle. After meeting the Pride, and arranging the details for how they would go about their mission; breaking into smaller teams and canvassing the town at night, the Pride briefly split apart for lunch. Whilst most of the group went to a new, opening chicken diner’s called Grungy’s, Moira, Syed and Thunderhawk explored the town on their own, and became embroiled in trouble when they were taken inside as hostage by a kindly old lady and made to have dinner with them. An action that enraged Trent, who considered the woman akin to his real grandmother, and blamed the trio for taking advantage of her and her unassuming nature. The trio were reprimanded, with Thunderhawk being deranked to serve as a lesson and reminder.



Rooftop pursuit

As dusk fell, tensions were high. The Pride surveyed Fenaru from all directions, each team having a firework to launch as a signal if they discovered the would be thieves. Don, Moira and Syed’s team were the first to notice a prowling figure on the rural streets, and took off after them. However, at the same time, Marcus and Nikki were ambushed by another mysterious pair, who took to kidnapping the nekomimi in her cat form. Two simultaneous fireworks were launched, and the Pride’s efforts divided. What was happening?

Estelle rejoined Moira, Syed and Don in chasing after the strange, portly man who’s fleeing took them through alleyway after alleyway and eventually into the sewers.

Nikki, whom transformed back into her normal form, was confronted with shock at the identity of the two cat-thieves who kidnapped her, who were actually revealed to two of her closest childhood friends:- the nekomimis Java and Lyja! The pair having taken it upon themselves to help liberate their feline friends after decades of mistreatment and abuse under human hands:- the neko race were often treated as slaves or hunting game by wicked individuals. As hard as it was, Nikki had to fight against her friends. Whilst she could sympathise with their hardships, it didn’t excuse their actions. What followed suit was another chase across the Fenaru rooftops once Lisette, Amy, Trent, Selan, Trixie and Thunderhawk arrived. Java and Lyja, sensing the tables turned and the two unmatched, decided simply to flee, racing for their hideout… also hidden under the sewers.

Across the town, in two separate places, the Pride would discover each other drawing closer, and closer to one another…

Don eventually got separated from his friends, and ended up obliviously finding the man they were chasing, who was the same con-man Estelle, Lisette and Trixie met earlier in the day: Del Dennis, one of Moira’s many brothers. Don took the man to be a friend and not the person he was chasing… until he was suddenly knocked out cold by Java and Lyja’s arrival in their underground hideout, filled to the brim with the town’s stolen cats. Del, caught between the two cat thieves and the Guilders behind, was suddenly knocked out by Java.

The two cat thieves had no time to flee, however, with the Pride right behind them, having boxed the two in. With no other option, they took to hiding in plain sight – transforming into their cat forms and mingling with the rest of the now liberated kitty brigade. A somewhat anti-climatic end to the mission, but one that was peacefully resolved.

New Adventures

The next morning saw the cats returned to their owners, and Java and Lyja taking the opportunity to flee. Nikki, who could have identified them before, watched them depart, a listless feeling consuming her. She parted ways with the Pride to hook up with Trent, who vowed to catch the two cat thieves no matter what. Nikki had other ideas, hoping instead to find and talk to them and resolve things peacefully. The Pride meanwhile, welcomed their newest member once Estelle formally asked Lisette and Kapi to join them on their crusade, and the Pride welcomed a new friend.

Gray found the details of Rize and Kara’s destination following Fenaru, and with that the team disembarked onto the road again, this time heading to the lively town of Museo.

[Pachamac]

Archaeological Town: Museo

A week after the events of Fenaru, the Pride had found themselves in their next destination, the archaeological city of Museo. There, the Pride had embarked on a number of smaller missions as they passed the time in waiting for Museo’s secretary, Anastasia, to uncover the next destination Rize and Kara had left to. During one of the Pride’s days of relaxation, Moira and Syed was exploring the magnificent Museo museum when they met a friendly, beautiful man with a strange ability to manifest anything he could draw with his slate and chalk; Dylan Sanders. The man helped the duo in recovering a missing cat, and followed them back to the local Guild, where upon being enamoured with the wonders and carefree delights of the Guilders inside, decided he would apply to become one himself.

At the same time, Estelle and Marcus discovered a new mission posted on the Guild’s mission board. A mission that automatically instilled within the girl wonder and excitement for the adventure, and riches, promised. To accompany the Museo Museum’s archaeological team and explore newly discovered ruins in the outskirts of Museo! The Pride, with some reservation and reluctance, agreed to take part, curious of what exactly the mission might entail.

Mind over Matter

The very next morning, as they left for the museum, Anastasia requested Estelle and Marcus to take heed of Dylan, and have him accompany them as a primer to the duties a Guilder might have. It didn’t take much for Estelle to be enamoured by the artist after he willed a beautiful tiara into life for her.

The meeting at the museum introduced the Pride to three archaeologists - Harrison Jones, the man in charge, and his two charges Angelina Jones and Nolan Drake. The mission involved the Pride to essentially serve as carriers of their equipment to the site and from there to help serve as bodyguards against the many possible dangers inside.



The Ancient Ruins
Dangers they quickly encountered once they finally arrived and dropped in front of the Ruins’ entrance. Splitting into three teams, it wasn’t long before they were confronted by all manners of dangers, including rolling boulders hoping to crush, flying arrow mechanisms and the release of millions of spiders. As their exploration increased, the three teams of Pride eventually reformed into two as they simultaneously battled against two, very deadly traps.

Midbosses

A giant skeleton formed from the animated bone remains of a number of deceased beings battled against Moira, Syed, Dylan, Trixie, Harrison and Angelina, whilst the spider legion menace formed one, giant venom spewing arachnid against Estelle, Marcus, Amy, Lisette, Don, Selan and Nolan. Through teamwork, and the use of the ruins’ only trick puzzles, they were able to defeat both of the vicious creatures and find a way back to each other. Reforming into new teams, they continued their exploration of the Ancient Ruins, and confronted yet more deadly traps, including one involving the stepping upon of tiles that activated a myriad of traps, and light reflecting mirror traps that summoned yet more boulders.

Vacant Interference
The last puzzle

Eventually, the Pride and archaeologists were able to pass through the ruins, emerging out the other side and discovering themselves inside a cave split in two by a fast river. And on the other side of that river was another ruin, bordered by strange, giant statues. Estelle’s group, first to arrive, used the artefact they had discovered in the ruins with the hope of unlocking the door. But it wasn’t enough, they needed the other tableau Marcus’ team had acquired, but whom hadn’t arrived yet. It was enough to activate the Ruins’ final trap, however, and bring to life the four giant statue warriors that each wielded a different weapon – sword, axe, spear or bow, against the Pride.

Uniting as one, the Pride fought back against their terrible foes, and managed to subdue each of them. However, with the bridge crossing the river ruined, only Estelle, Moira, Syed, Selan, Dylan and Harrison entered the final ruins. And what they found there was something none of them could expect.



The interior shaped like that of a sphere, layered with wiring and metal surfaces. They witnessed a strange and ominous image appear in front of them, of a person wearing peculiar clothes none could recognise, speaking in a language no one could understand. Amidst the static, the image of an unrecognisable city and its people burning to death surrounded them. The image of a world dying. The last line the hologram spoke before blinking into nothing was:

Katastrophe



At that time, the ruins started to collapse. The Pride were returned to where they were, and all of them turned as one to flee. All bar Estelle, who was transfixed on a strange, black magisphere lying in the centre of the room. Pulled back to her senses, Estelle finally grabbed the magisphere, before turning with her friends and jumping into the river as the cave collapsed above them.

They all reappeared, falling out of a waterfall, into a small lake back outside. As exhausted and weary as they were, all of the Pride laughed together, for they had survived the trials, and it seemed as though the archaeologists were pleased with the mission’s result. A job well done, celebrated later on with a date between Moira and Harrison, whom a spark had grown between the two.



As the day came to a close, and the team’s findings in the Ruins were placed in display at the museum, Estelle invited Dylan to join the Pride, with the Matter Artist happily accepting. From Anastasia they learned the group’s next destination: Tagress.

[Pachamac]

A chance encounter

En route to Tagress, the on foot travelling Pride are interrupted in their journey when they stumble on a couple of Guilders in the midst of an attack by a flock of lightning conjuring avian enemies called Electures. Rushing to their aid, the Pride and the two newcomers are able to safely dispatch and send the monsters running, afterwards catching their breath to properly greet their rescuees.

They introduce themselves as Elaine Wyatt, a chakram wielding Tracker, and Lucien Maddox, a rookie Guilder with the ability to summon beasts to life and fight inside their minds. Elaine explains how she recruited her adorable son Lucy (read: kidnap) to help her on a mission of paramount importance, and she also asks the Pride for their aid in assisting her. As they grow to learn, Elaine’s husband had departed a few days prior to investigate the rumours of a curse surrounding the Woods of Weir, that would transform any human in the surrounding area into trees themselves, as well as send the beasts within the curses’ perimeter mad. There were also rumours of a strange cloaked man, unaffected by the curse, departing into the woods. Deciding as a group to break away from their main mission to assist Elaine and Lucien, the Pride change tracks and head to the town of Lafeal, a small settlement on the outskirts of the Woods of Weir believed to be affected.

As they journey closer, the Pride chance upon an encounter with a couple of old friends: The Donahue Merchants, who were travelling on route to Lafeal, escorted by an unfamiliar rookie Guilder by the name of Julius Tarrant, a glaive wielding skirmisher with difficulty in understanding and expressing emotion. Elaine wasted no time in adopting Julius into her family either, dubbing him Julie, and so the group overlooked the town of Lafeal from a nearby hill, wondering how best to tackle the situation. From what they could see there was no sign of movement or life in the town, but they needed to get closer in order to investigate Lafeal and the woods. Fortunately, Otis Donahue revealed he carried with him a number of amulets that were said to ward off transformative curses. Braving the talismans, a small section of the Pride entered Lafeal, testing their effectiveness… and luckily enough, they remained human. Regrouping together, the Pride began to explore Lafeal.



A town transformed

It was as the rumours reported:- there was no sign of any remaining human life within Lafeal. Instead, the town had been overtaken by plantlife and vegetation. Perplexing trees stood formed within buildings and streets, positioned in odd and curious poses that led little to the imagination of their true origins. They were the townspeople. Elaine, using her keen tracking skills and senses, was able to find one particular tree within Lafeal that she was certain was her husband. Things were growing grave.

Regrouping again, the Pride and their new allies decided the best way to investigate and resolve this danger was to face the curse at its source:- to journey into the Woods of Weir, as well as find the cloaked stranger. Don and Selan remained behind, to help guard the Donahues and with the songstress feeling unwell, wracked by a cold. However… no sooner had the Pride vanished into the fogging Woods, then did a horrifying turn betake Don, Selan and the Donahues. Each ad every single one of them began to turn and transform, and within moments they too had joined the rest of the townspeople in becoming trees.



Entering the Woods of Weir

Meanwhile, the Pride descended further into the Woods. As the Woods grew darker and more ominous, the fog obscuring their sight and direction, sending Elaine’s senses reeling, they found a wounded wolf whom Dylan rushed to aid. But upon drawing close to the wolf, they were ambushed by the rest of the Dire Wolf pack, beasts whom were all mutated and who drew their deadly fangs against the Guilders. They fought as one, begrudgingly needing to kill each and every one. The struggle was hardest yet for Lisette and Dylan, the former one in love with all of life and nature. A moment’s hesitation from her led to Marcus being savagely attacked by one of the animals before being saved, his arm shredded and bleeding. Dylan learnt a first chilling lesson in what being a Guilder meant when he took his first monster’s life. With the Dire Wolves all killed, Dylan chose to rescue the Dire Wolf Pup, refusing to leave it behind, despite the warnings of his colleagues.

And then, a nightmare happened.

A rush of hurricane force yielded the immediate presence of a giant, hulking beast:- A mutated, monstrous Bearon, who appeared in the centre of them all. It was plain to all the danger he represented, that to fight would mean certain death. The Bearon drew to attack, and the Pride could do nothing but flee, becoming separated as they fled, scattered throughout the twisting and ever changing Woods, lost to one another.



Seperated

Elaine, Lucien, Dylan and Julius appeared in an sun shining, open grove. When they backtracked to find their friends, they were attacked by the trees themselves, mutated into dangerous Treants. Moira, Syed, Amy and Trixie were attacked by an unrelenting swarm of mutated squirrels. Estelle and Marcus, winded by the Bearon and injured by the Dire Wolves, followed the trail of an ethereal, emerald glowing deer, that seemed to be calling them and leading them through the woods. And Lisette… Lisette and Kapi were left all alone in an unceasing downpour. And before them… before them was the hooded stranger.

At first, she thought he might bring her harm, but to her surprise he represented kindness. His words were wrapped in cryptic ambiguity as he explained the curse of the Woods, and how the trees and animals called out to him, screaming in pain and agony. As he led Lisette to follow him, winding their way through the maze of trees to their friends, he started to explain the concept of ‘communion’. Of being able to listen, feel, and communicate with nature itself. With great surprise and difficulty, Lisette started to feel a glimpse of it.

The truth behind the Curse comes to light

With the aid of the ever just out of their reach deer, and the hooded man, the Pride managed to reform once again, overcoming the obstacles in their way. Tackling the hooded man, Estelle and the Pride discovered that it was actually their former ally Cole Grale, the Earth Warrior they fought with in Tabul. Cole explained that the curse originated in the very centre of the words, from the demi-god tree Damu that gave life and beauty to all of the woods. Once upon a time it had been poisoned, and throughout the decades that poison had taken root and infected all of the beasts and life in Weir, transforming them into mindless, violent monsters, and was even now spreading. But at the same time, Damu, using the last vestiges of its waning strength, drew what power it could to protect life outside of the Woods, and the only way it could do that was to protect them in the shell of trees. In order to save Lafeal and their friends, they would have to reach Damu.

Last Ride of the Day
But then, once more, as they neared close, the Bearon attacked them again. This time, they had no choice but to fight. The Bearon, the origin of the curse that infected Damu, was an evil that had to be destroyed. But it was more then they could possibly handle. The Bearon had been mutated into a whole new being. Incredibly powerful, and fast, able to transform into a hurricane wind and rejuvenate its wounds, let alone be resistant to feeling any pain… no matter what the Pride threw at it, it resisted.

The only hope they had left was a last, desperate gamble from Cole. He channelled a curse that laid deep inside his own body, a monster that had been sealed inside his body in his youth. His body transformed, as the beast within emerged. A Golem made from dirt and stone, that charged at the Bearon… and violently ripped it to shreds. The Bearon had been destroyed, but now… now the Golem turned to the Pride. And things grew only worse.



Wonderfields
In a desperate plea, Lisette found herself trying to save Cole through reason. Using what he had taught her, about communing with nature and communicating, feeling the life around her, she was able to break into the spirit within the Golem that was Cole. And soothing the rage inside him, she was able to, along with Cole’s own spirit, to suppress the monstrous Golem back, deep inside of himself… and transform back to normal. The beast had been quelled.



Schism

But the darkness was not yet over. Reaching Damu, the Pride learned that there was only one way to save the people of Lafeal, and that was to kill the ailing Demi-God. But it came with it dire repercussions. To choose to do that would not only lead to the death of Damu, but that of the entire woods itself, and all of the life within that had been corrupted by the curse. It led to a furious schism debate amongst the Pride, splitting between what was right and what was necessary. Many reasoned that Damu and the Woods were beyond saving. That to take its life would not only save the people of Lafeal, but grant mercy to the Woods. But Estelle refused. She refused to cower and quit like this. To take such an ‘easy out’ was unacceptable. She would find a way to save Damu and the Woods of Weir no matter what!

But before the debate could prosper, Elaine took it upon herself to end it and assume responsibility, as the highest ranking Guilder and leader of the mission. She killed the weakened Damu in one strike, and brought about an end to the curse and saving the people of Lafeal.

With the Rain
But, as the Woods and the life within, including the Dire Wolf Pup that Dylan had saved, disintegrated into red dust and vanished on the parting breeze, everyone there knew that something had changed. Something between them had been lost. And it would never return again.

[Pachamac]

Port Town: Tagress

The Pride returned to Lafeal from the decimated Woods of Weir to find their efforts had been successful. The curse had been broken, and all of the townspeople had been transformed back to normal, including Don, Selan, the Donahues and Elaine’s husband Malik. The day had been won, but it would leave a gaping wound in the Pride that would be difficult to heal.

They continued on to Tagress in silence, and upon arriving in the bustling port town, went their separate ways to handle and come to grips what had happened. Lucien, Moira and Syed had retired to a bar, planning to drink their frustration away, whilst the others gloomily settled in at the bar. Don, oblivious to what had really happened, went to explore Tagress along with Kapi. They stumbled upon a burgeoning gang fight between two of Tagress’ local gangs, and he meant to put a peaceful stop to it. Moira, Syed and Lucien, who followed another gang to the dock warehouses where the fight would take place, found Don’s efforts to be quickly turned down and the man knocked unconscious. The scene could have turned much, much more worse then it had, if the trio weren’t rescued, and the gangs sent packing, by one of Moira’s oldest friends:- The A Rank Tagress Guild Leader himself, Tiberius Rex. He helped escort them to the Guild, promising to catch up with Moira later.

The next day, the Pride had managed to sleep, but the feelings of guilt and turmoil resided. Don, not wishing to see his friends be so gloomy and sad, ended up kidnapping Lucien and Dylan to take them on a bro day out. Trixie meanwhile, was exploring Tagress along with Julius, whom had promised the prankster to go shopping with her sometime. Selan and Amy remained at the Guild to talk, whilst Lisette, Syed and Moira shared a morning breakfast at a tasty café. It wasn’t long before they were interrupted by Don and his shenanigans, who forced them all to come shopping with him for some new, stylish clothes. The results were… unexpected, to say the least.

Silent goodbye

As the Pride eased their way into recovery, and weaving their lives back into normalcy, sadder developments were occurring elsewhere between Estelle and Marcus. Estelle, wracked in grief and self hatred for being a terrible leader. For someone unreliable and unable to accomplish anything, admitted to Marcus how hard the burden was, and how much easier it would be for them to go about their mission alone. She wanted to leave the Pride, and carry on with Marcus, alone. And she wanted to do so without telling anyone about it either.

Marcus however, despite wishing to agree with Estelle and her wishes no matter what, saw this as the onset of a catastrophic mistake born from grief. One that Estelle would later grow to hate herself for. After talking to Tiberius and explaining the situation, earning some advice from the Guild Leader in return, Marcus went to each member of the Pride separately, and explained the situation to them, and of how he and Estelle would depart for Vandrell in the coming days. Whether or not they wished to continue with them, would have to be a decision they would each decide.

Three days later, Estelle and Marcus departed on a train for Vandrell.

We Are Broken

---

Vandrell

All of the members of the Pride discover themselves inbound to Vandrell on the same train. The sight of everyone so far reuniting, with the exception of Amy and Trixie, helps to uplift their spirits, although they still hold worry and doubt over Estelle’s impending reaction. But like any and every other challenge they’d faced before, they resolve to face it head on.

Eventually, the train arrives at their destination: Tagress, and together they begin to explore the town in search of their companions. Things quickly grow worrying however, once they notice how empty and abandoned the streets are. There’s no Guild or Inn to relax in, and the nearest Tavern they enter only yields an unresponsive and dismissive set of patrons. The atmosphere is distorted and worrying. Something is amiss.



But a peculiar stranger offers his assistance in leading the Pride to their missing friend’s whereabouts- he had seen them travel to the nearby Manor located on yonder hill. With no other leads, the Pride follow suit, and are glad they did when it starts to rain. Arriving at the Manor, they are greeted by the butler Jack, who diligently serves the noble Hawthorne Family. For the Hawthorne Family, they consider the Pride, plus the missing Amy, Trixie, Estelle and Marcus, as guests of their own, and invite them to dinner, rest and entertainment. The Pride gratefully accept.



The Hawthorne Family

The Hawthorne Family is composed of the head: the joyfully loud Lucius, his wife, the beautifully serene Drusilla, their children Damian- a bookworm and Alice, a child who loves her games and quickly makes friends with Trixie. Lucius’ cousin Megaera, a woman with a keen sense for refinement and is dismissive of anything less, attempts to teach Don in the art of regal manners. The maids Valentine, a violin virtuoso who greets several of the Pride whilst attending their laundry, and Circe, who serves as the Family cook and whom prepares their upcoming dinner, are also present. And rounding out the Family is Oren, an old man with a limp and gruff attitude who spends most of his time within the basement.

The evening starts fresh and joyful, with the Pride being given new clothes to wear as their soaked wet ones are taken to dry, and they begin to explore the Manor and interact with the Family. Trixie and Alice’s games end up involving many members of the Pride, whilst Lucius leads several to look over Megaera’s art gallery and the Manor’s stunning Ballroom, which they have the chance for a quick dance. Damian greets several more of the Pride in their expansive Library, until his mother Drusilla also appears to offer some assistance. As the Pride look over the Manor with wonder, they also endeavour to search for Estelle and Marcus, however time quickly runs out. Trixie and Don discover them, but the time for dinner had arrived.

Setting down at the table, the Pride enjoy a wonderful three course meal prepared by Circe to the background music of Valentine and Jack. Estelle and Don arrive late, to awkward tensions amongst their friends, which only heighten until Lucius snaps at his guests for their ill considered, rudeness towards their surroundings and his family. After this, however, the mood cools considerably, and once dinner has been completed, he leads his guests to the Ballroom for further revelry and delight. Everything is turning out splendid, even Estelle is starting to lighten up and have fun. But all of that comes to a crashing halt when one by one, the Pride collapse unconscious.

The Ascension

They had been tricked by the Family, their food drugged during dinner. As they later discover upon awakening and through the help of another trapped prisoner, Billy, the Family are not the quaint, courteous nobles they present themselves as. Instead, they are a band of psychotic villains, aiming to bring about the resurrection of a fell, dreaded demon known as Abraxis through a ritual known as the Ascension.



With no way of knowing how much time is remaining, all the Pride do know is that they have their backs against the wall, with no help incoming. In a situation more dangerous then ever, the only option they have is to fight, and to win… or else the whole world could be doomed. They had to find the eight artefacts needed to prevent the Ascension’s completion. They had to stop the Family.

With Trixie’s help in freeing them, the Pride quickly escape and are reunited with their weapons and gear. Splitting up, the Pride search the Manor as quickly as they could for the Artefacts they need, as well as the members of the Family in order to put an end to their nefarious schemes. All around the Manor, the Pride become more and more split up, and embroiled in their most dangerous battles yet. Dylan and Lucien fight Damian and Alice in the Library. Lisette and Amy encounter Jack and Valentine in the Ballroom. Moira and Syed struggle against Frank, the demonic man machine juggernaut jailer, in the Courtyard. Celeste fights to rescue Julius from Megaera’s clutches in her Gallery. Selan finds Don in the second floor Guest Room corridor, trapped and bewitched by Drusilla’s charms. And Marcus and Trixie intrude upon Oren and Circe in the midst of performing an operation in the alchemist’s Basement/Laboratory. And so it begins.

We’re in this Together

Through much trial, hardship and adversary, the Pride fight, and eventually, they succeed. Against all odds, the Pride manage to overcome their opponents, and claim 6 of the 8 keys they so far needed. But there is little time for rest or respite, as the ground beneath them surges and breaks. In the underground basement, a terrifying transformation occurs for both Marcus and Oren, as the latter injects himself with sinister concoction after another, transforming him into a giant, mutated monsters that rips itself free and onto solid ground. Marcus and Trixie, along with Trent and Nikki, former companions whom were similarly captured and drugged before their arrival, retreat into the courtyard, where they are joined by the rest of their companions in one united front against the horror that is the monstrous Oren. Together, they wage a deadly battle against an impossibly powerful being, who can withstand numerous amounts of pain, and who, even after being injured by the Pride, brought to his knees and blinded, is able to recover himself against.



Things grow desperate and bleak.

On the Manor’s fourth floor, in the Master bedroom, Estelle encounters the Family’s leader, the dreaded Lucifer. After revealing how much time is left before the Ascension begins, Estelle wastes no time in attacking Lucifer, preferring not to listen to the maniac’s monologuing madness. Through fiery determination, Estelle breaks through his attacks and brings him down. But the victory is short-lived, the undead Lucifer, transforming into his true form, stabs Estelle in the back, leaving her to lie broken and dying behind.

As the battle rages outside, Oren, in all his madness, suddenly stops. A new presence appears above him and the Pride, silhouetted against the full moon. A vile and unspeakable, evil being.

And now…

[Pachamac]

Lucifer appears

“Oren… what are you doing?”

“LUCIFER!!”

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor



Hanging suspended in the sky, silhouetted against the bright and giant full moon; big, mighty wings beating within the air to keep the suspended figure aloft, a dark and sinister being gazed down at those assembled below him with cold, piercing gold eyes. The beleaguered and battered Pride, whom had suffered many an injury in their battles with the individual members of the Family, and then against that, the towering, mutated monstrosity known as Oren, could only look on. Oren’s large, giant form looked up too, as his body continued to heal the wounds the Pride had dealt to it and make himself newly immune to their attacks. He looked up, a vicious snarl forming upon his grotesque lips.

“I said… what are you doing? What have you done to yourself, Oren?”

“Power, Lucifer!” The madman raged. “I have achieved true, glorious power!!”

“Oh?”

“Never before have I… or anyone else… possibly achieved what I now have! This power… the ability to cheat death… I now have it! I am unstoppable! I am immortal! Invincible!”

The flying figure, Lucifer, looked down at the mutated aberration, his head cocking to the side as he thoughtfully contemplated Oren’s words.

“My life’s work… I have achieved it… although never before did I imagine it to be so successful! True power… coursing through my veins… I have no weakness! There is nothing that can hinder me… prevent me from having what I want…!”

A giant arm whiplashed out, destroying the north-western tower, much in the same way as he had done moments ago to the north-eastern tower where Lisette, Lucien and Nikki had been. Debris and rubble rained onto the ground with a thundering crash.

“Abraxis… the ritual… none of that is now important! Not anymore!!”

Lucifer’s brow furrowed. “What did you say?”

“You heard me, Lucifer!” Oren snapped back, his eyes bulging wide with excitement, a pulsing red glowing brighter and brighter. “I am immortal, invincible, more powerful then ever before! Nothing can stop me! We don’t need Abraxis, we… I! Don’t need him! Don’t need you! I am invincible!!”

“You don’t need me, or our Lord Abraxis? Is that what you just dared to utter?” Silver locks flowed up and down amidst the harsh wind, and lips curled in disgust, shining white fangs exposed to all, glistening in the moonlight.

Without warning, Oren’s right arm was thrust into the sky, and from each of his spiky armoured digits, more black mass surged forth in the form of tentacles streaking through the sky, ready to impale and devour Lucifer whole. They shot through the sky with such speed and forth, the Pride on the ground below could feel a sudden surge of wind press against them.

Darting through the sky, the five appendages streaked across the whiteness of the full moon, seconds away from reaching their target. When, all of a sudden, Lucifer, who had raised his arms across each other in front of his chest, suddenly swiped them down in a cross shape. And the five bulging black tentacle masses… were severed completely.

A guttural roar escaped Oren’s maw.

“Invincible, you said?” Lucifer cocked his head to the side again, looking down at Oren with unbridled disgust. Oren’s roar didn’t stop. With his head tilted back, his throat started to bulge more and more. Fire and smoke escaped through the gaps in his jagged teeth, when finally, Oren’s head shot forwards, and a ball of pure, raging inferno was unleashed into the sky. The mass of flame was impossibly huge, far bigger then the same attack he had attempted on Marcus, and as the ball of flame was shot into the sky, it appeared for a brief moment as if the full moon above was joined by a miniature sun. And in its path, was Oren’s new hated enemy- Lucifer.

But Lucifer was not devoured by the flames. Instead…

“Let us see how invincible you are.”



“What?”



Suddenly, the mammoth Oren was stopped in his tracks. He felt something, deep inside of him, that was not right. Something moving, breaking and tearing things apart. He could feel-

And then he felt nothing.

A giant hole exploded from within the behemoth’s chest, and a mighty pouring of black oozing blood burst forth from the gaping wound, raining down onto the ground below. Oren’s hands twitched, moving slowly, shakily to his gaping wound, as the fires of life in his eyes started to flicker and fade away, extinguishing in the night. There, besides the gaping wound, hovering several feet away from the spurting fountain of blood was Lucifer once more, holding in his hands a slowly throbbing and dying heart. Oren’s heart. He took one last look at it, before crushing it in his hand and making the organ implode in a shower of tissue and blood. Oren was no more.

His body, now rigid, wavered in the air, before tumbling down and collapsing. To the unbelieving eyes of the Pride below, they could not comprehend what had just happened. How the monster they had struggled so hard and in vain to defeat was laid low so simply, and easily. And nor could they believe the transformation that was happening to Oren’s body as he fell. His mass shrunk, and the gleaming onyx armoured that surrounded the dragon mutated monster receded and vanished, the beast once more becoming the aged, fragile and decrepit man he once was… and then disappearing into the abyss he had emerged from.










“What the hell… what the hell just happened?” Moira asked, with Lucien still slumped over his shoulder. By her side, on the north-eastern part of the courtyard, amidst the rubble of the tower that had collapsed onto her, was Julius with Lisette and Syed with Nikki and Kapi. They too could not believe what had happened, or what that strange new being in the air.






Neither too could Don, Amy, Trixie or Celeste, who were all gathering in the centre of the courtyard, leaving Marcus, Selan and Dylan to the south.





“What… what is that thing?” Dylan asked in disbelief at the white haired, winged creature above. He had never seen anything like it. And then, before he could receive an answer, the being was gone again, having vanished in the blink of an eye… his presence remaining a mystery for not much longer, as a chilling voice emerged from behind.

"You’re the most powerful of them, aren’t you?"

A chilling gasp of icy breath exhaled from the grey skinned man’s lips, as he looked towards the trio. His gleaming gold eyes, centered on Marcus.

The wind mage turned, but it was already too late. Lucifer had already raised his hand, his fingertips cutting through and scratching through the air, the force of his slash raking fresh wounds along Marcus’ entire body. The silver haired man didn’t even have time to scream, as his body slowly collapsed to the ground.

“MARCUS!”



A scream erupted from Lucifer’s side. He turned his attention to see a calico coloured nekomimi charging towards him, her body launched in the air with her clawed gauntlets aimed directly towards the horrifying aberration’s face. Lucifer made no moves to evade, instead flicking his wrist again, this time towards Nikki.

The far wall behind (the same one which had been damaged when Frank first assaulted Moira and Syed, ripping them through it) was destroyed even further as five vertical lines snapped along it, destroying everything in its path. Nikki too, would have been caught in the deadly attack if her body hadn’t suddenly been ripped out of the way, caught in mid air. A speeding bullet passed where Lucifer’s attack had been launched, and the blur shot forth into the air after almost hitting the southern Manor’s wall. Trent had saved Nikki’s life just in time, but a thin gash on his arm trickled crimson.



“Hmph…” Lucifer watched after the pair, before turning around again to focus his attentions on the two stunned Guilders before him, Dylan and Selan, and the rest of the Pride further north beyond. He took a step forward, his feet crunching and cracking the ground below, as his head turned from one to the other, before settling on Selan.

A sinister smile stretched upon his lips, as he raised his left hand up towards the dancing songstress.

“We didn’t have that dance yet, did we Selan...?”



Planet Hell

[Pachamac]

Lucifer faces the Pride

Bunanigans




Hawthorne Manor

Beaten bloody and bruised from the fallen tower, along with her myriad of pre-existing injuries, Moira looked up to the sky. At this strange, unrecognisable figure who floated above them. Who had killed Oren like it was nothing. The sight of Oren as he transformed back into that decrepit old man back from their meal, falling back into the abyss...

But it's voice was familiar. His voice. She released her hold on Lucien with a deep scowl.

Oren called this... thing Lucifer?

Syed also stared, hunched over slightly to try and minimise the horrible pain he was in. Amy had worked wonders, sure. But her power was draining. So it wasn't all that suprising that her pain-numbing magic was weakening too.

But at the same time... he didn't dare to look away. At this figure. He was dangerous - so increadibly dangerous. He killed Oren, a man who could bloody regenerate and adapt and become invunerable to attacks like it was nothing. In the blink of an eye. Left him plummetting back into this great fissure in the ground. If it were who he thought he was judging by his voice... weren't they in the same family? Even if he had backtalked him...

He terrified him.

Then he dissapeared. It wasn't til they heard Nikki's scream that they realised where he had gone.

No no NO NO NO! Once more, Marcus had been targetted, but as they were nowhere near they didn't hear the reason why. What they did know though was that there was way too much blood there. This was a serious injury. He finally collapsed, although it was a wonder how he lasted as long as he did thanks to the state he was in. With the attacks Oren threw at him. And for a second time, they weren't really sure if he was still alive or not.

Moira's fist clenched around her greatsword, before she launched herself towards him. They were too far. They watched as Nikki was nearly stuck too, only to be saved last second by Trent. And they could do nothing but watch as this Lucifer then turned to Selan. It didn't matter how fast they ran. Even at her fastest, Moira still wasn't fast enough.

"SHIT!" she bellowed in fustration. She had to take his attention away from the others. She probably wouldn't survive if she managed it, but if she couldn't who would? They didn't even know where Estelle was - if she was still in a fight with someone. If she was okay.

Syed stumbled at he ran - as much as he was running off adrenaline, he too had reached a point of exhaustion.

Spots of rain began to fall once more.

---

Dannyel



The monster had been defeated. It's heart was torn clear from it's chest before it collapsed into itself, the beast becoming man once more. He didn't know what to feel, his emotions ricocheting from elation to despair. They had to throw everything they had at the Beast to even make a dent in it yet this villain had destroyed it utterly.

What hope did they have? Abraxis was rising. They had fought to get here through the many members of the Hawthorne family, but to what end? What chance did they possibly stand against such a force?

Lucifer turned to them, focusing on Marcus. His friend.

And he utterly destroyed him, attacking the Wind Mage with a slash that cut him down. There was a moment when time seemed to stand still for Dylan, when Marcus was caught in mid-fall, Nikkolaira's mouth open wide in a cry of pure hate, when it all just clicked.

Even if they couldn't beat Lucifer, even if they could not stop the rise of Abraxis, even if the world ended tonight, the Pride would make them suffer for it. The Hawthorne family had already bled and suffered. If, in the end, all they could ensure was a pyrrhic victory, it would be enough for him. Abraxis might rise, but Lucifer would be alone.

Whipping his slate out, Dylan quickly put his chalk to the surface and began to draw. Lucifer might have already taken down Marcus, but Selan would not fall! Willing it into being, Dylan ensured that Selan was encased a suit of armor tailored to her slim form.

There was not much he could do about the weight of it, knowing that she might find it cumbersome, but should the villain strike he would not cleave through her like he did Marcus.

---

Rexcalibur




"Marcus!" Trixie screamed, a banshee whose voice ran hoarse. She jolted towards the back, but staggered over and fell, unable to pick herself up in time to resume her dart. Nikki apparently had the same idea - but was swiped away by Trent before she could meet the same fate.

But Nikki's safety did nothing to ease Trixie's growing agony. As Lucifer set his eyes next on Selan, as the others began to take action to protect the dancer, Trixie too scrambled to her feet and whipped out her uzis. Her body trembled madly. "You'll pay! You'll pay for that!"

"Trixie, no," Amy croaked from behind the prankster. Everyone was going to get themselves killed at this rate - everyone. No matter where they moved, no matter how fast they moved. The cleric herself was on her knees, as if she were pinned to the ground; she couldn't imagine the exhaustion and fatigue the others endured by this point, and if this Lucifer was as powerful as he looked...

Marcus was cut down. Trixie was enraged beyond Amy's call, so the latter turned to a healing spell for the fallen mage instead. Her power, however, was faltering. Badly. The usual glow that would transmit from her body to the recipient was faint and without warmth, but she quickly transferred it to her companion nonetheless. Please get up, please get up.

Trixie clicked her weapons' triggers numerous times before flinging them behind her. With empty magazines and incredibly shaking hands, the guns were useless. So she dove a hand into one of her belt pockets and pulled out the last of what remained, the very last of its kind. Something, small, round, golden, heavy - like a festive tree ornament. A ticking ornament. She always carried two.

Wasting no time, wasting no thoughts, the rattled child chucked the ball northward. Within seconds the mid-southern chunk of the battlefield would become enriched with a deep purple plume.

---

Taerinn




"Marcus...!"

As soon as Marcus fell, there was a flurry of movement. Lisette pushed away from Julius, who was helping to support her. Looking around at the rubble, Lisette saw one end of her bow sticking out, and she immediately rushed to yank it out. As battered as it was, it was still in good enough condition to use. She reached back into her quiver and, unfortunately, discovered that many of her arrows had been displaced when the tower collapsed; she had a couple dozen left, at the most.

“We didn’t have that dance yet, did we Selan...?”

Lucifer... Did you mean Lucius?

No, I'm pretty sure he said Lucifer... Ah, you're confusing me!

Moira and Syed took off to do what they could before he could make his next move, but Lisette aimed her bow, mostly to look at the winged man.

"I think that's Lord Lucius!" Lisette said to Julius, although surely it mattered little at this point. His threatening remark to Selan did not bode well if they didn't move quickly. Lisette pulled back an arrow and began to channel magical energy into the tip.

---

Coward... Targeting the weak. Selan flinched when the winged man addressed her, but she stood her ground. All he had done was identify himself, as their ever-hospitable host, Lord Lucius. She was tempted to taunt him with the defeat of Lady Drusilla, but she wasn't about to throw her life away now.

Thankfully, Dylan was already on top of it; she couldn't see what he was sketching, but she felt it materialize around her. It was unwieldy and heavy, but she could see no better options for now. At the very least, Dylan's creations were relatively functional if the ballista was anything to go by. "Thank you..." she said to the matter artist, grateful for his quick thinking. She looked back to Lucifer, raising her chin almost defiantly as a helmet began to form around her head.

[Pachamac]

Planet Hell

Planet Hell

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

Lucifer’s eyes widened in startled bewilderment as the glowing white magic pulsing and engulfing Selan’s body, starting with her chest, and then extending out to her arms and legs. One by one the glowing white pulse brightened then ceased, and in its place, over the top of Selan’s fine raiment’s, were a gleaming set of ornate armour. Lucifer’s brow furrowed, unsure what to make of the sudden transformation. He didn’t know his ‘guests’ well enough to be able to determine what their abilities could be, but he certainly would never have imagined that a fair woman such as Selan would be able to conjure armour from out of thin air. It was most unusual, but then they were Guilders, and Guilders always carried with them more then a few tricks. It was what made them so interesting, after all, and why, in these last twenty scant minutes before the Ascension was complete, it would be amusing to crush their resolve and abscond with their souls, to join the other thousands he had captured within that crystallised cube as an offering to his lord Abraxis.

In the end it didn’t matter whether or not she wore armour. Lucifer’s claws and fangs would cut straight through, if he so desired to target them. But why do that, when he could simply sever her head clean off? Armour had yet to formulate there, and so…

Lucifer’s right hand moved from right to left, his dark onyx talons slicing through the air, aimed at the spot where Selan’s neck laid. Dylan’s conjuring was now formulating the suit’s helmet, but it would be too late. Too-!

And then the wall behind Selan burst forth with debris as Lucifer’s attack struck. Selan found her footing beneath her suddenly lost, as something charged at her and attacked her from behind. Gripping her arm and waist, something suddenly pulled her down, scantly dodging the invisible air slicing scythe above. Her head turned, to her savior- Don.



Don, whose eyes were wide in disbelief and horror… at the poor strands of hair falling from his pompadour down around him. It had been a few months since Tabul, since his father Gaoh had severed much of Don’s magnificent coif. He had been regrowing it rather steadily and now, in his bid to save Selan, another fine chunk of his beautiful mane had been cut. Saving Selan meant it was more then worth it, but it still caused Don to shriek and whine.

“You… asshole!”



The rainwater pooled in the various puddles formed in the cracked courtyard’s ground suddenly splashed up here and there, as another angry Guilder charged towards Lucifer, ready to attack him with his attention distracted by Don and Selan. In contrast to Nikki who lunged forward in an aerial based attack, Celeste kept low, rearing a fist back to collide with Lucifer. But as the archdemon turned, ready to confront her, Celeste instead held back her punch, dropping her body low and swinging her foot out in a wide arc to connect with their adversary’s ankle. It was a swift sweep, and one so very close to connecting, were it not for Lucifer’s mighty wings beating down against the ground and lifting him up and over the acrobat’s valiant efforts.



“Celeste!!” Julius shouted from alongside Moira, Syed and Lucifer, his glaive gripped ever tighter in his hands as he charged forwards. “Get back!”

Celeste threw her hands overhead, somersaulting backwards in the nick of time to avoid Lucifer’s left claw driving into the ground, scantly missing the Lord’s hopes of impaling her. She was lucky.

But Lucifer was still able to attack at range, and even though he missed impaling Celeste whilst she was beneath him, it didn’t stop him lifting his other hand up, rising it to unleash yet another air cutting assault.

Until, that was, the battlefield surrounding Lucifer was buffeted by a thick purple smoke. Celeste disappeared from Lucifer’s sight, as did the rest of his closest targets in Selan, Don, Dylan and Marcus.

Not that it would matter. The prankster’s efforts succeeded in briefly forestalling the acrobat’s death, however now they had made each other blind to his and their comrades presence. And Lucifer… Lucifer had no need of his eyes. He could easily use his mighty wings to beat the smoke away, but why not make use of his foolish adversaries’ gift?

Their painful wounds. Bodies covered in blood.

He could smell them.
________________________________________
Bunanigans




They were nearly there! Nearly there! Moira's boots pounded against the sodden, cracked ground as fast as she could. Damnit, why was she so slow? She couldn't stand it, how was she supposed to fight if she couldn't get there quick enough?

Hang in there.

Just hang in there.

I'm coming!

She brought her sword back, just as he began to raise his hand in the air. She was nearly there, she was so close! What the fuck was he?!

And then suddenly, smoke. Moira skidded to a stop, her heavy panting punctuated with a couple of coughs, straining her eyes against the thick purple gloom. She couldn't see shit! She couldn't even see her partner!

Wait, no she could, or at least she could see his shillouette. Good thing he was so lanky, she guessed. Made him easy to recognise. He stepped a little closer to her so they could make eye contact, giving a small nod.

She returned it, and he closed his eyes and began gesturing.

He cast out a field of electromagnetic waves all around himself, using it as a primative kind of radar. It had been a while since he had done this. His eyebrows lowering slightly in a small frown, he felt out for any signs of movement. This spell did require him to stay still, but he wasn't going to be moving anyway with all this smoke.

He couldn't tell who was who, but Lucifer was fast. If he moved - or dissapeared, since he really was that fast - Syed could give himself an extra split second to react. Cast something or jump out of the way or... anything. Hopefully the smoke had blinded him too. Oh boy, if only he knew.

Moira felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up from the static, but that was all. Those further away might feel even less than that.

"Ey!" she shouted. Well, she couldn't go around hacking and slashing like this. She might end up getting one of her friends instead. She still needed to turn his attention away from the others though. "So who are you then?!"

"Lucius" Syed replied, his voice shaking dispite his concentration.

Moira's grip on her greatsword tightened. Shut up Sy, she wanted Lucifer to respond so she could sort of judge what direction he was in. "Wha? Bloody hell, what's with the makeover?"
________________________________________
Dannyel



Dylan staggered back, drained by the magical effort it had taken to not only create such a suit of armor but place it effortlessly on Selan. She was protected, though, and Dylan could only hope the others would be safe as well. Celeste had attacked him as well, nearly knocking him down, and Julius was there to watch her back.

Then, he lost sight of everything. Trixie had set off a smoke grenade leaving him blind in the fight. True, Lucifer was in the same position, but there was little comfort in that. Dylan needed to see a fight, needed to know what was happening in order to react. Now he could only see inches in front of his face, and this…this was frightening.

Falling back, he stumbled to the ground. "Think man, think!" he said, not realizing that he was likely giving his position away. There had to be something he could do, some trick up his sleeve. He just had to figure out what it was.

The armor on Selan was probably not so necessary now, which was a shame because it was quite a sight to behold. The enemy flew and moved so quickly, and Dylan knew that it would be very difficult to land a melee attack on him. But what could he do? Could he give Selan or Don a ranged weapon?

Would that be enough?

Wiping part of the slate clean he dismissed part of Selan's armor, leaving her in only a breastplate, gauntlets, and a helmet. There was still protection in that, but the reserves he had freed allowed him to give her one bit more. Sketching on the other side of the crack, he created bow with a set of wicked barbed arrows. The appeared in her arms, and he cared not who used it. Perhaps Don could figure it out.

Not knowing what else to do, he did the last thing available to him. In his blindness, he listened.
________________________________________
Fox of Spades



This was the result of playing hero…

Estelle, Moira, Julius, Lisette, Dylan, the kid – every one of them was going to perish. The pride could barely wound Oren, yet he had been killed in a split second by the figure that loomed above them. What chance did they really have? It was ridiculous to think they could destroy that thing when the fight with the family had exhausted them already. Lucien closed his eyes and for a moment just leaned one of the broken down walls. Maybe he should have abandoned them back at Lafeal.

He was never guild material – it was always fun and games and hell, this wasn’t a game. Well, not anymore. Abraxis would be summoned soon and lives – all life would be wiped off.

“MARCUS!”

His thoughts began spiraling down an abyss of what could have and should have been, but a scream pulled him back to the situation at hand and his head snapped towards the sound. Lucien turned just in time to see Marcus fall to the ground…there was so much blood and it froze the summoner in place. Was his friend still alive? Marcus had been one of the smartest and most experienced in their group and he had been cut down, just like that.

Do something – anything. He was frustrated with himself, but he couldn’t stand there and just watch Lucifer tear them to shreds. The creature called on Selan and suddenly the gears in his head began to turn. Back in the ballroom…hadn’t he asked the same thing? Lucien’s expression contorted into one of absolute fury and he took out his deck of cards. He ran a finger over the wound Damian had inflicted then pressed it down onto the card. There was a puff of smoke, followed by a grizzly bear’s angry roar.

There was no time to think and there was no time to doubt.

He was a coward, but…he’d never live with himself if he didn’t try his darnedest. If he didn’t give his all like everyone was doing. The pride made him just a little bit braver.

Lucien hunkered down beside one of the walls and when he opened his eyes again he saw the world through his medium’s own. Celeste and Julius were assaulting Lucifer and Selan was now encased in armor. The bear bared its teeth and ran towards their foe, but then smoke…

The summoner hesitated for a moment before putting on an almost feral grin.

Bears had a great sense of smell, though the problem was he couldn’t tell the guilder’s apart by smell and Lucifer could fly. The bear sniffed the air before padding carefully through the smoky battlefield.

"Think man, think!"

The bear’s ears twitched and it let out a soft growl, as he walked on a silhouette became clear through the smoke. Growling he walked up to the figure only to see that it was Dylan. The animal let out another less threatening grumble then looked up at the artist as if asking for the location of the others.
________________________________________
Taerinn



"Ungh..." Selan said, unharmed but dizzy from the unfamiliar weight of her armor bringing her to the ground harder than she was expecting. She turned her head to see Don, who was fuming from Lucifer's shameful attack. "Don... Thank you." She was quickly pulled back up, made much easier as Dylan un-conjured some of the armor and freed up some of her movement.

A bow materialized in her hands, and she made a peculiar face at it. She decided to offer it to Don. "I have no skill whatsoever in archery..." she said apologetically, not at all happy with her status as a liability in this battle.

Still, all she could think of was that if Lucifer was here... Then Estelle was still nowhere to be found. Had she been defeated...?
________________________________________


Lisette choked back a gasp at Celeste's close call. While Lucien charged forward to retaliate, she stepped backwards and crouched down."Okay, that's it!" she said, breathing deeply through her nose and taking aim, her arrow charged with what she thought was a sufficient amount of magical energy. The purple smoke was closing in on their side of the battlefield, but she could still see Lucifer, barely.

Shnnng!

"Please hit, please hit..." she mumbled, the smoke wrapping around Lucifer and obscuring her view.
________________________________________
Rexcalibur



Trixie whimpered as she stepped back, an injured dog with nowhere to turn next. Her eyes continually wandered the battlefield of smoke - not looking for a figure, but following the direction of her nose. She ducked low, ready to dart off should the situation call for it.

It was a continuous stop and go for the child. Even if she could sniff out the dangerous man, what could she do next? She excelled in this type of odorless custom smoke, light enough to avoid suffocation, but still enough to hinder eyesight. But even here she knew she was useless against this bad man. Maybe someone else could land a direct hit... until he did that teleporting thing. How do you target - how do you chase after - how do you outrun someone who could teleport?

"He's... he's over... he's... he went..."

She wheezed. Too much going on in her head, too much going on in her surroundings. The smell of flesh, of metal, of blood.

It still had not occurred to her that Estelle was nowhere to be found. Her thoughts could not drift from their fate against this monster.



As Amy's vision clouded with smoke, she remained on her knees, her gem settled in her open palms atop her lap. She closed her eyes, allowing her magic to flow from her body to her focus and back. Lucius (or was it Lucifer?)'s inner aura burned with a sickening darkness; she sensed that much just looking at him. As someone who relies on the power of light, Amy figured she should be able to trace his hideous scent, even though the plume of smoke. Should.

She ground her teeth. The weak aura encapsulating her gem pulsed, but she knew not what to make of it. With her stamina draining with every spell expended, with the round of smoke blinding her eyes, her focus was the only thing she could rely on. Yet it proved useless, and thanks to Trixie's unwarranted actions, she was stuck there without sight either. She did however feel something lingering, creeping from inside her gem, threatening to interfere with her own magical prowess. What had that weasel done to her...?

Something high-pitched suddenly shot at Amy from southward, causing her to recoil instinctively. A green trail zoomed right on by as it fled southward. She sighed a breath of relief, hoping the smoke would assist her teammates rather than hinder them as it blinded the all-too-powerful Lucius as well...

[Pachamac]

Smoke and Ash

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor

As a thick cloud of violet hued smoke descended upon and blanketed the battlefield, a light emerald light shot across the courtyard, Lisette’s arrow aimed and launched straight towards Lucifer in the final moments before his body became obscured. Laced with the archer’s nature affinity magic, the empowered arrow streaked throughout the air, and aimed directly towards Lucifer, it…

It connected head on. Lucifer didn’t notice it until the last second, and the bulleting arrow connected straight with his forehead. His body juddered and recoiled, his knees bending as his body toppled backwards slightly, but he did not fall. Instead, he managed to stop himself, and for a time, his body remained motionless. He bore no evidence of grimace or anguish that the attack hurt. He felt nothing, instead his body simply reacting to the force of the attack. He lifted himself back up, running one finger along his wound, to then eye the blood smeared. He licked it clean, before a sly smile crept on his lips. He wasn’t sure where that attack came from, but if anything he was grateful. As futile as the Guilders’ efforts were, he was rejoiced to see that they could put up some manner of fight. Otherwise the time remaining until his Lord Abraxis’ ascension would be much, much more boring…

And then he appeared. A shadow growing in size, bursting forwards and towards him. Sharp metal became thrust towards him, with Lucifer narrowly dodging the attack intended to impale his abdomen. His wretched smile grew, whilst his golden orbs for eyes glimmered with interested surprise. Julius had marked where Lucifer stood before Trixie’s smoke grenade had erupted, and his course remained undeterred. They would stop him, for these people who were his friends, for the sake of the world, for justice, they would win!



Julius gripped the staff’s handle tighter, stopping the charge of his body and forcing his might into swinging the glaive to the side, with the hopeful aim of gashing Lucifer’s side. And to his own disbelief… he did! Having trained for so long with his old, heavier glaive, he was still unprepared for how light his new one was, or how it retained the same level of sturdiness. And now… now a faint trickle of blood coated the blade’s edge.

But that was all it was, a faint trickle. The wound was so shallow it could be called a scratch at all. And Lucifer- Lucifer was already now suspended in the air, his right leg lashing out, his foot colliding with the skirmisher’s face and sending him reeling backwards into the thick smoke with a sharp yell.

Lucifer pondered for a time on pursuing Julius, to remove him from the chessboard for good, but stopped. He was curious to see what other talents and abilities the rest of his guests held. And the closest was-

---

“A bow and… arrows…?” Don asked, after he and Selan had righted themselves and his companion bequeathed him the weapon Dylan had summoned for her. Don looked over at the weapon in his hand, not sure what to make of it. It was certainly an interesting looking weapon, and the barbed arrows were very sharp indeed (so much so that Don actually pricked his fingers on them, resulting in a shrill yelp), but Don wasn’t sure how good he would be with such a weapon. Lisette might be able to do more with the arrows, but… well, it didn’t matter. He may or may not be able to hit the broad side of a barn but it was better then nothing and it could help! …maybe?

“Selan, what do you think we should do?” Don asked, at a loss for how they should proceed. His head was also waving about, to and fro, searching for his partners in the sea of smoke. His thoughts also focused on the Pride’s sole missing companion… but said nothing, not wanting to mouth his worry in front of the woman who he wanted to reassure. They had to be strong.

---

"Ey!" Moira had shouted. "So who are you then?!"

"Lucius" Syed replied rather quietly in comparison, his voice shaking despite his concentration.

Moira's grip on her greatsword tightened. Shut up Sy, she wanted Lucifer to respond so she could sort of judge what direction he was in. "Wha? Bloody hell, what's with the makeover?"

“You are far too loud.”

A voice shocked both Moira and Syed’s attention. Turning around, they searched every which way they could for the ominous voice, before finally realising that…!

“I think we should sever that tongue.”

Lucifer was held aloft, mere feet above them, his right hand swooping down in front of him, his glisteningly sharp nails pointed directly at Moira. In the next second, another violent slash piercing the air was fired straight at the Berserker.

---

Bunanigans




“I think we should sever that tongue.”

Syed's eyes widened in shock as he abruptly ended his spell. He felt him move, but he was that fast he couldn't keep up...!

However, a thin smirk spread itself across Moira's face. At last, she had gotten his attention. Now she needed to make sure she didn't waste it. For once, she only said one word.

"Bingo."

Syed moved to dive out of the way of the incoming attack, not trusting his shielding magic to be able to withstand a blow like that. Moira on the other hand dug her heels into the ground and brought her blade before her.

There was an almighty crash, followed by a splash of blood.

Moira was sent sliding backwards from the sheer force of the blow, although her hold on her blade remained firm. The slash has deflected off her blade, leaving great gashes into the earth behind her and out of sight beyond the thick fog. At least mostly - the slash had also glanced off her shoulder, shearing the already damaged plating off completely and revealing the horrific wound Frank had inflicted in it's full gory glory. Along with the new gash, it really wasn't a pretty sight.

"Darling, I've been doing this for 25 years," Moira snarled as she mentally blocked the pain as much as she could. It really wouldn't do to put more pressure on the healer. She could deal. "You'll have to join the queue."

Hopefully, if she kept talking, the others would be able to find where they were.

And with that she dug her foot into the ground to launch herself towards him. Simultaniously, reading her body language as easily as he could read a book, Syed made swift, precise gestures then thrust his hand out towards Lucifer.

He gritted his teeth as bright, blueish-white electricity exploded from his fingertips straight towards Lucifer. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up, he really didn't. But if he could stall Lucifer for just a second, give Moira time to strike...

Moira gave out a yell as she swung, aiming for his torso.

---

Dannyel



As if the fight couldn't get any stranger, Dylan found himself face to face with a bear. The bear growled at him, seemingly in a friendly fashion, and Dylan sudden realized that it must be one of Lucien's summons.

"I don't know," he said simply. Lucifer was somewhere around, and he had heard Moira and Syed, but he was no tracker. Through he magic he could sense Selan's location, but he doubted that would really help. "I don't know what to tell you!'

Then Moira was attacked, Lucifer's clawed hand hitting her though she was able to deflect most of the attack. He could hear her snarling response, and Syed's sizzling electrical strike. "There!" he shouted to the bear, directing it towards the sounds of battle.

Despite knowing that he was of no help, Dylan followed behind the summon anyway.

---

Rexcalibur



She didn't see it - she didn't see it at all, but she definitely heard it. A body thudding to the floor, metal clanging alongside it - accompanied by a familiar shout.

Trixie shrieked and ran to Julius' side. She bustled through the arena of smoke as she trailed the familiar sounds. When the silhouette of his fallen figure came into view, her bolting footsteps slowed to a stagger, and as if her knees carried weight she dropped to the ground and crawled to the skirmisher on all fours once she was closer to him. Tears arose in her eyes.

The man laid there, quiet, his face contorted. His weapon had been lost with Lucifer's counterstrike, dropped somewhere in the haze.

Trixie thrust her hands in her open belt pouches, her fingers wrapping around the remaining contents of both in a single grip. The smokes were used up, the splats were gone. The stinks would probably make things worse, but she still seemed had a handful of ammunition left, just a handful. All she had to do was run back to where she dropped her guns, that's all, that's it, then maybe she could pull something off, maybe she could help her friends before more of them succumb to this hurt. If not at least help delay their fates a little more. He was an unstoppable monster that needed to be stopped, but who could do the stopping?

Trixie lifted her hands from Julius' shoulders and, still crouched, slowly turned around. Her nose twitched. Ears, ears, she picked up some inhuman growls, pattering feet, Boss talking, the jump of static. There! He must be over there. So all she had to do was-

Something had gripped her. Something cold. Trixie froze in place, her heart skipping one beat, two, before she turned around. Did he... did he teleport behind and... was he going to...?

"Don't."

"J... Ju...?"

Julius might not comprehend emotions adequately, but he understood the drive to fight all too well. He had already sat himself up, with one hand gripped around Trixie's stick-thin arm, by the time the child turned to face him. While Trixie would manage even less of a scratch than Julius' or Lisette's attacks had, if Lucius decided to silence the prankster's annoyance as decidedly as he did Marcus, Nikki, Selan, Julius, or Moira - she was as good as minced.

Only when Julius understood that Trixie had changed her mind about charging in (through feeling the tension in her arm loosen, more so than by her visage) did he release his clutch on her. Trixie sniffed loudly, once again turning to 'see' the battle against Lucifer play out. The smoke slowly began to dissipate.

"Th, then, what... what can I do... Mister?" She sniveled. The thought of fleeing perturbed her thoughts, but she refused to admit it. Superheroes don't run. They win. They lose sometimes - but they ultimately win. Right? So how could she help them win against an unstoppable monster? Was there any stopping him? She didn't want to die. Superheroes don't die. Superheroes can't die.

So why was she so damn scared? Trixie sniveled again. Supersis woulda known what to do. Supersis woulda... ...where was she?

---

Taerinn



Selan shook her head. "I don't know..." She surveyed the battlefield, barely able to even see the movements of her comrades.

The smoke swirled and swooped downward, a sign that something had moved upward. Moira's silhouette grew larger as she slid backwards. The smoke bomb was a blessing and a curse -- at least Lucifer was forced to focus on one or two of them at a time.

"If we flank him, perhaps we can attack him from the rear... With all this smoke, it's possible that we could disorient him... but..."

But unless they could communicate with the others, it would be impossible to coordinate such a plan. Lisette was much better with a bow and arrow and has the advantage of long-range attacks, while Trent and Trixie could attack from above... But where exactly were they?

"Come on, we shouldn't stay in one spot." She tugged on Don's arm and began walking clockwise. "Keep an eye on his movements, we need to surprise him, not the other way around."

This isn't hopeless... she reassured herself. We've come this far, we can finish this, all we need to do is regroup...

---

"I can't see...!" Lisette muttered, walking counterclockwise from where she had originally stood. She couldn't see anyone else, and she definitely didn't want to get too close to the cloud of smoke. Her bow was half-drawn, as she found herself currently unwilling to risk shooting blindly at the variously-shaped silhouettes moving around. Kapi was walking right at her heels, which she didn't like at all; just like in the Woods of Weir, it was equally dangerous to hide him amongst the rubble as it was to take him along with her.

As she reached the northeast side of the courtyard, the cloud began to dissipate, much to her luck and relief. Lowering herself to a crouch yet again, she readied another shot and began channeling magic into the tip of the arrow, waiting for another opportunity to attack.

---

Fox of Spades



"I don't know, I don't know what to tell you!'

The bear tilted its head to the side as it let out a discontented huff. There was too much smoke, too much chaos and confusion. Its ears perked up as it tried to listen but too much was going on and it was almost impossible to tell anything apart. It let out an irritated growl, baring its fangs at the mist that had enveloped the entire battle field.

Lucien couldn’t do much from so far away so he made his bear sit still, made it listen and sniff at the air.

A metallic clank followed by a familiar voice rose above the chaos and the bear snarled viciously at the sound, jumping up like a coiled spring and running across the battle field towards the sound. However, it slowed down somewhat so Dylan could keep up.

Lucifer would pay ten times over for messing with them! He’d freaking pay!

As his medium got closer to the scene he saw outlines that looked like Moira and Syed. It was easy to tell them apart from the others and for that he was thankful. Soon, another silhouette became noticeable. The bear dug his claws deep into the earth and sprang forward, leaping into the air and lunging towards what seemed to be Lucifer with his teeth bared and ready to bite.

[Pachamac]

Nothing defeats the Pride!

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

"Darling, I've been doing this for 25 years," Moira snarled as she mentally blocked the pain as much as she could. It really wouldn't do to put more pressure on the healer. She could deal. "You'll have to join the queue."

“Twenty five years?” Lucifer chuckled. “You are but a babe.”

“Oi, oi, are you fucking hitting on me?” Moira spat back, charging towards Lucifer with Syed in tow, the electricity mage’s fingers already dancing in rhythmic, practiced gestures to ignite sparks of neon blue electricity. If the situation wasn’t quite so desperate, he might have laughed at Moira’s confusion, but this was hardly the time. They had to be quick, and precise, and they couldn’t let up their attack, not even for a second. Moira managed to block one of Lucifer’s attacks, but there was no guarantee they’d succeed with another.

Moira’s sword swung out, the beserker lunging for the still airborne vampiric lord. Syed’s electricity burst from his finger tips, a hopeful initial attack that might surprise the man long enough for Moira to get a good hit in.

But Syed’s hope was for naught. Lucifer’s body was engulfed by the electricity, his body glowing and pulsing with the magical attack’s electrocution, but Lucifer took it, and with the same lack of feeling or interest he gave from Lisette and Julius’ attacks. Frustration started to mount in Syed’s mind. First Frank, now this.

And Moira’s attack was similarly thwarted, as Lucifer outstretched his hand and gripped the mighty greatsword. He tilted his head, looking at the enraged Berserker. A split second later, Moira and Syed were both airborne, as Lucifer’s hand lifted and cast free the sword that Moira still gripped into the air and far away, landing in an awkward, painful bundle by Lisette’s feet.

“Really, I expected better… after all those wonderful stories you told, I thought you might be even a little stronger. But- oof!”

Lucifer’s chastising comments were brought to a close as a large figure burst through the now dissipating smoke, catching Lucifer from behind and driving him into the ground underneath incomparable weight. Lucifer slammed into the ground, hard, and as he tried to push himself back up, a powerful blow slammed into both of his arms, before then beginning a relentless assault on the back of his head.

Lucien’s bear summon wasted no time in attacking again, and again, and again.

“That’s it, Lucy!” Dylan cheered. “Keep going!”

“Hnn… nn… better, but…” Lucifer’s teeth gritted tightly, as the man renewed his efforts to stand up again. Now having the measure of Lucien’s strength, he was able to pool his own strength together properly, and lift his body up again, despite the large beast’s continued attacks. “But not enough!”

Lucifer’s wings suddenly snapped outwards, and his body burst into the air. Lucien’s beast summon was sent flying backwards through in the air in a wide spiral, almost hitting Dylan in the head before cutting through the rest of the smoke and landing besides Trixie and Julius.

Lucifer was now overhead, hovering further in the sky, looking down at his opponents with utter revulsion.

“Is this the best you have?!”

“No!” Came a bellowing voice from below.

Everyone’s attention snapped to its owner.

”We’re the Pride, and nothing’s going to stop us!”



To the slack jawed response of the rest of the Pride, they bore witness as Don flamboyantly took the spotlight, having dashed just a little bit away from Selan and now, turning on the spot, readied one of Dylan’s barbed arrows upon his bow, pointed high in the sky, directly at Lucifer. A bedazzling smile gracing his brilliant display.

“Not you, not anyone! Nothing will ever defeat the Pride!!”

And with that, Don let loose the deadly arrow. As the bow’s string snapped back into place, the arrow was sent sailing high into the sky…!

And in the completely opposite direction to where Lucifer hovered, disappearing in the dark and clattering somewhere harmlessly.

Complete silence, and disappointment by everyone involved. Don continued to flash his gleaming smile.

“…idiot.”

Another swing of his claws, and Don was streaked with the same powerful raking cuts that Marcus was, his body howling in pain as he tumbled to the ground.

“S-s-superbro!” Trixie screamed from Julius and Lucien’s bear side.

“That… fucking idiot…” Moira muttered under her breath, one hand gripping a bleeding forehead.

“He’s an idiot alright, but that moron’s our idiot! And he’s right!”

Another voice, startling the attention of everyone in the courtyard. This time from behind Lucifer…!



Trent, streaking towards Lucifer on his hoverboard. Before he could react, he was once again slammed from behind, his body driven towards the ground. Trent gripped onto both of Lucifer’s wings, holding them tightly so as to make sure he couldn’t slip away. And then, seconds before they meteored into the ground, he let go and pushed himself away, whilst Lucifer crashed into the ground with unbelievable power.

He back flipped, skidding away from the newly formed crater in the ground. Upon reaching a stop, he looked up, a defiant stare shared by all of his companions.

“Nothing defeats the Pride!!”

---

Dannyel



Dylan ducked as the summon was knocked back, nearly taking his head off. He winced as he turned to watch the bear crashed into the ground. Would Lucy feel it's pain? Regardless, he could sense his magic constructs drawing closer, so he prayed that Selan and Don would be able to make a difference.

He was wrong.

"Come on!" he shouted, exasperation leaking into his voice. "What the actual fuck?" How was he supposed to help him? He gave Don a ranged weapon, something that could actually hit and do damage to Lucifier, and the man had whiffed completely. Then got cut down like Marcus had

Despite his resolve to keep fighting, Dylan wondered what exactly they could accomplish. Syed's attack had done nothing, Lucy's bear had been batted aside like a fly, and Don was….well, Don. They were now down two members. What more could they do?

Then Trent appeared from behind Lucifer, taking the creature down with a surprising attack from behind. "Nothing defeats the Pride!!"

He didn't know this boy, but dammit, he was right. "We can do this!" he shouted, echoing the man's sentiment.

Pulling his slate out, he wiped the bow away and started once to draw once more. The key to the fight would be keeping him grounded, so he drew another ballista and chained spike. It might have been too small for something like the dragon beast, but… focusing his will into it, he strained his magical reserves. It was too much, and the armor on Selan flickered and faded out of existence, moving now into the ballista.

Pale with effort, Dylan moved to quickly man the weapon, turning and aiming it down into the crater. With one last, breathless, prayer, he sent the chained spike directly at the monster's wing.

---

Bunanigans




Perhaps it was for the best that Moira didn't hear Lucifer's parting comment. She attempted to orientate herself in the air as to allow herself to land on her feet, although with the velocity she was going at she fell over and was sent rolling anyway. Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself back up with her sword, ignoring the large blood smear now across the floor. By now her whole body hurt like hell, her head swimming from the pain.

"Fuckin' ass," she murmured, staggering up to a fighting stance. He may have pushed her away, but she'd always come back for more. She didn't do giving up. Especially not now. Especially not with how much they had messed them around. Especially not with how much they were threatening with the summoning of this Abraham or whatever the hell this demon god thing was called.

However, she was the only one. Ready to launch herself once more, she turned to glare at Syed who still lay prone on the floor. He had sort of half curled up, wrapping his arm around his chest to cradle his broken rib, while with the other he was trying to push himself off the ground.

Trying.

"I... I can't..." he choked, clenching his fist in fustration. He had been through too much. He had been through far too much. He tried again, his arm shaking and straining but ultimately failing against the waves of agony shooting across his body. "Oh Vayū, we can't... please..." He choked back tears and took a shallow, shuddering breath. Reaching for his pendant and clutching it tightly, he murmured a prayer - his use of the language fractured and broken. He was never very good at languages. Even the one he was brought up with. It sounded even more off when spoken in a strong Artar accent. "Bē lbeaevāke, jetete gī fepūpese..."

Moira's jaw tightened as she glowered down at him. "Get up."

"I can't! I can't." He groaned, the noise however cut short as he stifled a sob. "What are we doing, Moira? Playing pretend at being Guilders? I'm not a Guilder, Moira. I deal with kids, not monsters and machines and... and people trying to summon demons..."

Moira made no movement towards him. "Get up!"

"I can't! I'm trying, I can't... I'm sorry..." His eyes flicked to Lisette. He had tried to be strong for them all. He tried. "...I'm sorry..."

"I don't give a shit if you can't or if you're sorry, get up!" Moira shouted perhaps a little too loudly. "It's just us lot Sy. It isn't about if you can or can't anymore."

Syed strained as he tried to get up again, although he was once again unsuccessful. He clenched his fist and hit the floor, although that only proved to hurt his hand more than anything else. Moira's eyes softened slightly. Just slightly.

"Look, you're a mage. Who gives a shit if your body's had it, you rely on your brain, right? And you've got so good at it in like, a month? Just get the fuck over yourself Sy. We don't stop til I drop, remember."

"...That sounded as much like bullshit then as it does now..." Syed gasped, although he finally locked eyes with her.

"I don't give a flying fuck! We're too far away. I can't hit him, and I take too long to get there. But you, you're ranged. You don't need to be close."

He didn't say anything. She was wrong of course. Did she not see how little his magic affected him? He was too weak, even at full power, and Lucifer was too far away. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't even stand up anymore.

However, beyond Moira and high in the sky, he could see the thunderclouds reforming. The spotting of rain was becoming a little heavier, before something deep within one of the clouds something flashed.

He rolled onto his back, closed his eyes and held out his hand above him and towards the heavens. Feeling, listening. Unfortunately, once again, his own many many thoughts were easily drowning out the voices.

“Nothing defeats the Pride!!” Trent shouted, and Moira's grip on her greatsword tightened. Oh hells yeah. They had a job to do, and this guy could get fucked.

"...I don't know what to do..." Syed whispered. He turned his head to look at Lisette. He may be nearly ten years older than her, but he wasn't above asking for help when he needed it. "I don't know what to do! Why can't I hear it? I think... I think it's trying... how...?"

---

Rexcalibur



"Fucking..."

In the brief moment following Don's failure of a counterattack, his body glowed with a faint green - which remained with him even as he was clawed to the side like a ragdoll. Amy, eyes closed, let out a deep breath as the aura on both herself and Don washed away completely; the man was loud enough for her to pinpoint his location based entirely on his stupid battlecry. The spell was weak, sure, and Amy could only pray it spared him a slightly better fate than Marcus' unforeseen shot.

She exhaled deeply once more. Luckily she was lost somewhere in the center of the field, unnoticed while the others kept Lucifer preoccupied. All she had to do was remain calm, to loosen the tension and worry straining her mind so she could regain her magical energy more quickly. Never before had she shot out spells left and right in succession before this day - but just like everyone else, she had to stay strong. She needed to be of use where she was needed most.



Trixie sprung from Julius' side as a bear crash-landed beside them. Instinctively she reached for her remaining (albeit useless) bombs, remembering the predator that had assaulted them back in the Woods of Wier. But this bear... this one was injured. He didn't seem to want to hurt the guilders either - was it on their side? Where do all these random but really nice animals keep coming from, anyway??

She shook her head violently. No, no, now was not the time to think about stuff like that. And she immediately snapped out of it upon hearing Don's taunt and crash. Trixie looked to Julius following the man's painful wails, expecting, hoping for some sort of answer from him. What do, what do, what do...

Her ears twitched then. Another crash, accompanied with a really heroic motto, had disturbed the battlefield. The sound of some chains shooting off from somewhere relatively nearby followed suit. With some scouring and partially due to the smoke clearing up more and more, she could see the silhouette of something spiky blast off in the distance. Ah, the boarder guy was right - they've still got the means to win! They're the heroes of this tale, after all!

Trixie's thought process immediately jumped back to a sense of worry, a sense of confusion. It was as if the smoke, her own maneuver, clouded her very thoughts themselves. Ugh, it was just so conflicting...! Can't she just close her eyes and make everything go away!?

A huff. "We can win this, we can win this." A puff. "We can do this, we can do this." Trixie bit her lip and clenched her fists. Shakily she retrieved the remaining uzi ammunition from her pouches. Then, she unbuckled the belt hanging around her waist, allowing the extra weight to clatter among the ground.

She had absolutely no idea what she was going to do, but she was going to do it, all right. If her friends were gonna get beat up left and right and sacrifice themselves so the others could land a hit, then what good of a superhero- no, a guilder was she if she just wailed in the sidelines? She was supposed to be sixteen and battle-ready.

With the plumes clearing up, her dropped uzis were right in her sights. All she had to do was trust the others, and hopefully her plan would work...!

"Juju? Mister Bear? I'm... I'm going in."

[Pachamac]

Desperation

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

“Who… dared…”

As Lucifer’s arms pushed his body up from the steaming crater his landing had created, his body was suddenly thrust back into it, as a large, powerful, heavy weight collided with him, impacting directly atop his right wing and impaling through the wing’s membrane and imbedding itself into the cracked ground.

At last, Lucifer felt something, and a small grimace creased his pained features. A breath later, and he took the measure of the attack, his chest heaving up and down, up and down, before he then started to push himself back up.

“Who…” Lucifer spat venom. “Who did that?”

A flick of his wrist, and the spike’s chain was severed with five razor sharp cuts. He stumbled up to his feet, and then stretched his left hand out, over his shoulder, to his wing and the implement stabbed within. His left hand ripped the spike free.

His face slowly turned and focused… on Trent and Dylan…

“So. You two wish to be the next to die?”



“Bring it on, motherfucker!!” Trent automatically dashed forwards, charging towards Lucifer on foot as his hand threw his board to the ground. Circling about, it stopped inches before hitting the ground, righting itself perfectly straight as it then pulsed and glowed with Trent’s magical energies. The youth jumped on the board, and it accelerated forwards with impeccable speed, bursting straight towards Lucifer.

But the Lord’s reactions were quicker. Trent was snatched in midair, caught within the vampire’s icy cold, suffocating grip. His board was dislodged from his feet and sent clattering into the miniature crater.

“Hack! Ack! Agg!” Trent sputtered and coughed. Dylan’s eyes widened in surprise and fear. Even if he didn’t know Trent, having only met him moments ago, he couldn’t stand by and watch this man, this Guilder, a member of the Pride be left at Lucifer’s mercy! He had to do something! But what?!

“You will finally make yourself useful, boy! Ahahaha! AHAHAHA! ...! ...! ...!” Lucifer’s golden orbs shimmered brilliantly, before glowing ever brighter yet. And Trent… the life in the youth’s eyes began to fade. His struggling and thrashing against his unbelievably powerful opponent was to no avail. His kicking and punching was futile, and now that stopped, his arms and legs falling uselessly at their sides, as the life was literally stolen away from him.

And as for Lucifer… the hole that had been ripped within his right wing started to close and seal.

“No!!” Dylan shouted.

“Be quiet.” Lucifer peered over Trent’s body, and then launched the chained spike back towards Dylan. At the same time, Trent body was cast aside, thrown high into the air, and landing in a crumpled heap at Selan’s feet.

“Is this the best that all of you have got?” Lucifer bellowed, turning around, his gaze circling across the battlefield. Overhead, the storm that Marcus had quelled and held at bay started to rush back, and rain lashed against the Manor, rippling in the pools of blood left at Marcus and Don’s side. “I expected better. But then I shouldn’t be so surprised… that girl you all follow, Estelle, was just as pathetically weak.”

“Rarrrhhh!”



The air was buffeted by the sound of an erratic typewriter stealing Lucifer’s next attention. Craning his neck, he spotted a startling sight. The Pride’s youngest and arguably weakest member, Trixie, was attacking him with her twin uzis centred directly on him. Despite how futile the effort was, she did not run, did not stop. She wouldn’t let any of her friends be hurt anymore. Even if she couldn’t hurt him, she simply couldn’t stand by and watch her friends fall one by one! She couldn’t!

“Ha… ...! ...! You’re brave at least, I’ll give you that. Or stupid. Such young innocence… Abraxis will enjoy devouring you!”

Lucifer’s body vanished yet again, reappearing a second later after having crossed the difference in-between them, right in front of Trixie. His right hand raised overhead, the sinister tips of his claws diving down, aimed right at the eyes closed, squealing prankster, when suddenly…!

“Yieee, Trixie!”

The prankster was scooped out of the way by a fast person moving on all fours, tail shaking back and forth behind.

“Careful, careful, careful!!”



Nikki’s feet bounced up and down as she sped as quickly as she could muster from Lucifer. The annoyed Lord turned, not ready to allow his prey to scarper quite so quick. Both of his arms crossed over his chest, ready to unleash another cross shaped attack. His arms began to descend-

And Lucifer was met with a new, fresh attack. Two simultaneous blows, a powerful blunt impact to the back of his head whilst a sharp cut sliced across his abdomen.

Celeste and Julius were fighting together.




“Yeah, take that you stupid prick!” Celeste shouted, rearing her fist back for another magic fuelled attack. At the same time, Julius lowered his head and remained quiet, mentally chastising himself for the shallowness of his cut again. The Pride couldn’t afford for him to keep missing like this!!

“Amateurs!!” Lucifer yelled, his wings smacking against Celeste and forcing her to tumble head over heels backwards as his foot crunched into Julius’ chest and propelled him backwards.

Lucifer vanished again. This time, to reappear high overhead, his wings beating to keep him aloft and out of range of the ground based fighting Guilders. This way, he could witness all of the prattling insects below him, and more keenly make his choice on who to play with next. So far he had encounters with all of them… bar the golden haired, red dressed cleric Amy.

She became his next target.

---

Dannyel



What was he doing to Trent? The boarder was snatched in mid-air by Lucifer, and though Dylan could see no signs of actual damage to the man, he soon stopped moving. And even worse…Lucifer began to heal.

"No!!" Dylan shouted, only to be silenced by the enemy. Lucifer cast Trent aside and flung the chained spike back at him. Spinning round, Dylan whipped the slate clean just in time, the construct vanishing mid-throw into nothingness.

"Is this the best that all of you have got? I expected better. But then I shouldn't be so surprised… that girl you all followed, Estelle, was just as pathetically weak."

"Yeah?" Dylan called back, refusing to let the taunts get to him. "If we're so pathetic where's the rest of your family? Huh? We beat them!"

The Pride continued to rally around the enemy, fighting and striking. Feeling exhaustion creep up on him, Dylan scampered over to the fallen Trent's side, rolling the boy over and seeing the pale skin and sickly features. Just what had he done to him?

"Come on, man," Dylan begged as he gave the boarder a shake. "You gotta be alright."

---

Taerinn



The thunderstorm looming overhead normally would have spurred an intense panic in Selan, but Lucifer's attack on Don thoroughly distracted her. She began running towards him, and was relieved to see that Amy was still keeping up with healing the injured -- although it was clear that they were all running out of stamina and time.

There was hardly any time to tend to him, for something else caused her to stop in her tracks completely.

"Trent, no!"

Selan ran to kneel next to him. At first, she thought he had "merely" been injured, but one look at him told her that it was much more severe. He was neither moving nor breathing, and something about him just seemed... gone.

The songstress, who thought of herself as a sort of occasional mentor for the young man, could hardly speak. While Dylan shook the boy's lifeless body, she stared at him, mouth agape, reaching out but hesitant and afraid to touch him. She felt responsible for him, and while she still had no idea how he (and Nikki) came to be at the manor, it felt as though she had failed him somehow.

One by one, they were all beginning to fall...




On the other side of the battlefield, Lisette had lost her shot; Lucifer was faster than she expected, and before she could fire her arrow, he had moved on to attack the others. Don and Trent had been taken out, and although she couldn't see them very well from where she was standing, she hoped they were alright.

Who she could see, however, was Moira and Syed. Syed was lying on his back, and she was afraid that he was badly hurt as well.

Jogging over in the mud, she skidded to a stop next to them. "Miss Moira, is Syed okay?"

"If by okay you mean he's being a stubborn arse, then yeah." Moira huffed.

"Huh...?" Lisette was clearly confused. "You're not giving up, are you?" It wasn't said in an accusatory way, but her voice had gotten softer. Syed, along with Moira and Marcus, had done a lot to try and encourage her. To see him lying on his back in the mud, with raindrops hitting his face... It was a little sad. Not to mention somewhat insane, considering the chaos going on just yards away.

"No, it's not that..." Syed tried to explain. Seeing Lisette looking down at him with her big, innocent eyes, twirling an arrow around and around in her hands, uncaring of the inevitability that she would get hurt as long as she remained there. It hurt as much as the rest of his body. "It's... It's just hard, Lisette."

Lisette frowned, but immediately perked up. "But weren't you the one who said 'it's hard sometimes, but that's part of the job'?" she said, recalling his pep talk back in the Woods of Weir. "You said my smile brightens up the--"

A sudden flash of lightning interrupted her, causing her to grimace and pet Kapi for a moment, who was having his own flashbacks to the scary forest. "Kapi, don't worry, it's just a lot of noise and rain. You're not made of metal, so it's okay."

Syed wasn't looking at the sky or even Lisette anymore, though; for that split second, the metal arrow tip in her hand glinted...

---

Bunanigans




Moira's eyes widened in rage at the sight of Trent getting pretty much the life sucked out of him. She wouldn't call Trent a friend, and she had no doubt the feeling was mutual. But he was still someone she knew. Someone she had worked with before. She wasn't going to stop til either she or Lucifer was dead, she didn't even care. Although if Syed didn't pick his act up soon Moira was just going to haul his arse over there whether he liked it or not. They were wasting more time here than if she just went for it.

But then Lucifer suddenly took off, high above the courtyard. The only way she could reach him now would be if she threw her sword at him, and like hell was she going to do that. She snarled.

For Syed however, time almost seemed to slow as something in his mind clicked. He looked across the courtyard, to where Lucifer now hovered. His eyes then darted back to Lisette as she knelt over him, his voice laced with the upmost urgency.

"Aim your arrow. Make sure to charge it, yeah?"

He needed to get up.

"Huh? O-okay..." Lisette stepped away from him, notching her arrow onto the string of her bow and lining up her shot. Kapi, as always remained close at her heels.

He needed to do this.

They were dying, and he was too damned weak to even stand up to do anything. But he couldn't give up. He was so close to doing so... but he couldn't. He took a deep breath, before rolling back onto his side, trying to push himself up again. He couldn't give up, he couldn't give up...! Not when they were all relying on him. Not when Lisette outright asked him, turned his own advice to her back on him. She was right.

Waves of agony once more spread across his body. Being thrown through a wall, the fight with Frank, having his bond with Moira pulled with such force, and now this... he wasn't a tank like she was. He couldn't take this kind of abuse. He just couldn't. His body was well beyond it's limits.

His mind was still going though, and he still had a bit of magical energy left.

"Argh!" Electricity began to arc across his body, magnetically pulling at him and giving him that extra bit of strength. He felt like he was going to throw up then pass out from the pain, which if he were in a better state of mind would leave him worrying how bad he would be if Amy wasn't supporting him with her magic. But he couldn't afford to stop, he couldn't afford to give up. Not when so much was resting on this.

Moira looked away. The way he pulled at himself with his magic made her a little uneasy. Reminded her a little of a puppet on strings. She concentrated instead of positioning herself defensively, ready to react if she needed to.

Finally he managed to get back onto his feet, staggering a little before coming to a slightly swaying stop. If he went down again he knew that was probably it, though. Standing next to Lisette, he closed his eyes once more. Just focus on your breathing. Just your breathing. Nothing else.

Not on Lucifer, not on how he is butchering your frie-

Just your breathing.

"Why won't you see us, why won't you let us know where you are?!"

Breathing.

"Sir! Sir! Look what I made!"

Just. Breathing.

"But weren't you the one who said 'it's hard sometimes, but that's part of the job'?"

Breathe.

And then thousands of what almost sounded like tuning forks, all clashing against one another all at once. And among all the commotion he could hear what almost sounded like an inhuman screaming, like an animal caught in a snare.

That was it. No wonder he had such an affinity for it, it sounded like his thoughts often felt like. Among the clashing sounds, one in particular caught his attention. It was growing louder and louder, as though gaining in strength.

"Lisette!" Electricity buzzed around his body, before he threw his hand up, throwing a bolt of it high up towards the sky. "Shoot!"

Lisette held her breath, steadying her shot. She knew she had to get this right, and with Lucifer as far as he was it took some concentration. And then, she released her arrow. Simultaniously, the strengthening noise Syed heard reached it's peak, and lightning exploded out of the clouds above.

And was snatched from it's path by Syed's own arc of electricity, creating an electrical bridge directly towards the mage. And in one flowing movement, he thrust his other hand towards the green streak heading directly towards Lucifer.

Lightning flowed through Syed, illuminating him in a brilliant bright blue-white glow, before continuing and striking Lisette's charged arrow.

Charging it further with his electricity, accelerating it to such an extent that the friction caused the arrowhead to become white-hot. The sheer amount of energy now charged in the arrow left a shockwave and a brilliant, green-yellow streak in it's wake...

---

Fox of Spades



He landed a hit and the world seemed bathed in red.

There was only one goal in his medium’s mind and it was to tear and bite and rip and shred. Lucien let the thoughts consume him and each blow that landed just felt so right. However, in a moment’s notice Lucifer sprang up and his wings snapped outward with an incredible force. It sent his summon flying through the air and crashing into the ground with a thud.

For a moment the connection wavered and Lucien was sent into a fit of coughs. “Crap,” he mumbled as he took in a sharp breath of air. The summoner felt like his lungs were on fire, but no one was backing down and he wouldn’t too! He closed his eyes, focused and regained control of the yelping bear.

We will fight. He repeated the word in his head and the bear growled as if agreeing. Slowly, the creature got back onto its feet suppressing a pained yelp as it did so. During its skid across the ground it had obtained a nasty gash on its side. Lucien felt it too, but they weren’t ready to tuck tail and run yet.

”We’re the Pride, and nothing’s going to stop us!” The bear snapped his head towards the sound. Yes, they were the pride and they were going to fight till they saved the world or till they went down in a blaze. Lucien felt his hope soar though it immediately crashed the moment Don comically failed…if the situation had been different, he would have laughed, but now he couldn’t help but stare in exasperation.

“Nothing defeats the Pride!!” The bear stared on teeth bared and ready to leap into the fray once more. He needed to hurry or soon the animal’s thoughts would muck up his own.

"We can win this, we can win this.We can do this, we can do this."

He turned to look at Trixie and nodded though for a moment…she looked just like a bite sized snack. No, we can’t eat friends, yeah? He chided and the bear grumbled sulkily before glaring through the haze. Trixie stated that she had to go and he followed, he’d back her up then get a bite out of Lucifer! He trailed close behind her and watched as she buffeted him with bullets. However, Lucifer got ready to strike and the bear watched in wide-eyed shock only to let out a grumble of relief when Nikki dashed in to save the prankster.

Julius and Celeste launched their own tag-team assault only to be brushed aside and just when he was about to pounce Lucifer vanished… “Ngrrraghhh!” The bear growled before padding towards Julius and Celeste and attempting to help them back onto their feet.

---

Rexcalibur



"Let go, let go!" Trixie yelped as Nikki snatched her. She hadn't even seen her captor, barely hearing her voice, before she was snatched away to safety - but she wasn't done yet...!

Only when Trixie plopped out of the nekomimi's hand did she finally see the rogue's face. She looked back to Celeste and Julius launching another attack for a moment, then returned her attention to Nikki. "You... thank you." Sniveling, tears brewed beneath her eyes. The fate Trent suffered, the fate Trixie herself was about to suffer, the fate Celeste and Julius could have suffered - it was a menagerie of torture, and she couldn't fight the fright no matter how hard she tried.

But she had to keep hope. She had to keep hope. The man had said something about Estelle - something that she had deliberately cut short with her round of bullets. Supersis was gonna show up soon. She was just, she was just waiting for the right time to strike. Cuz superheroes are good at doing...

Trixie watched as Lisette and Syed worked together to shoot off an electrified arrow. They still had a chance, they still had a chance.



In the meantime a pink glow had encapsulated Amy's gem, where vapors ascended from, as if it were sizzling. A slow recovery process. But it was cut short, as soon the silent process was broken with a violent throbbing. Amy's eyes peeled open, her own heartbeat matching the rhythm of her gem's aura. Lucifer's maniacal laugh had returned. She had missed the draining process, but she watched as Trent was cast aside. It was if all life had escaped from his body.

Fear choked her. The pink aura surrounding Amy and her gem quickly reverted to one of gold, as the cleric ran through another healing spell. She doubted herself, she doubted that her weak magic could fix a broken spirit, but she had to try. Just in case...

In the moments following Celeste's and Julius' attack on Lucifer, with Lucien's bear charging off after the countered duo, the monstrous man had shifted locations again - she could sense it, she could hear it. But she looked not in his direction, wherever he may have been.

Lightning struck, and something disturbingly bright lit up like a firework; with the surrounding smog nearly cleared away, the light emanating from the shot arrow was as bright as ever. A blinding streak taking to the dark skies. Amy prayed it would hit.

[Pachamac]

Quiet before the Storm

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

As if in answer of Syed’s desperate pleas, the very heavens themselves ripped open. The storm that Marcus had cast aside and pushed at bay had returned with a vengeance, and the courtyard was ripped apart by the omnipresent onslaught of whipping rain and lightning. The darkness that smothered the Manor continued to flash and vanish again and again, sinister, horror strewn shadows being thrown violently across the landscape.

Despite the wind and rain that lashed at him, Lucifer took it all without a single care in the world. Glancing down at the pitiful humans seated below, looking up at their Lord and praying for his mercy and forgiveness.

Mercy and forgiveness that would not come.

From Guilder to Guilder his gaze wandered, as he tried to decide who should be his next target. Who should suffer a slight injury or two, or be knocked out of the game as violently as Marcus, Don and Trent had. The golden haired cleric he spied, casting the familiar telltale signs of healing magic to her hapless partners. She would serve well being next.




“Ngrrraghhh!” Lucien’s bear growled, as it padded towards the injured pair of Celeste and Julius, who with a throbbing groan, picked themselves off the floor. Celeste’s vision was blurry and dazed, groggy at best, and so it was that it took several rapid blinks for her to make sense of anything. And then, when she did, when she saw the intimidating bear in front of her as the very first thing she saw…

“Yaaa!” She shrieked, her fist jumping on reflex and punching poor Lucien’s summon on the nose. It recoiled, unprepared for the magic coursing with it.

“Hrrrrnnn?!” The bear whined.

“What the hell?! First a snake, now a bear?! Get away from me!” Celeste recoiled in fright, putting her fists up for another combo of punches, when she was suddenly halted by a large hand pulling on her shoulder with the hope of restraining her.

“Stop it, Celeste! The bear’s good!” Julius called out.

“Good?!” Celeste shouted back out. The howling wind, the violent cracks of thunder and the blood rushing through their heads made it hard to hear anything.

“Yes! I think it’s Lucien’s summon.”

“Lucien’s… summon? What the hell does that mean…? And who’s Lucien? Isn’t that the name of that stupid Lord?!”

“No, that’s Lucius. Or Lucifer, or…”

“Raaah too many names sounding the same, whatever!” Celeste stamped her foot down on the ground hard, again and again, crack after crack forming underneath. “Where’s that bastard we’re meant to hit?!”

Lucien’s familiar raised his nose once, then twice, pointing into the air, directing their attention towards him. Lucifer. Whose body now turned and-



“Trent, no!” Selan screamed as she ran over the youthful boarder’s prone form. She collapsed to her knees, joining Dylan who cradled Trent’s unresponsive body. Was he dead? No, no he couldn’t be. He couldn’t! But his chest didn’t move, his lips were horribly pale and still, and his eyes were glazed over and absent. No. No this wasn’t fair!

There had to be something they could do! He couldn’t be dead!

“Nothing defeats the Pride!!”



A short distance away, Nikki and Trixie stood, the former having rescued the latter in the nick of time. As they paused to catch their breath, the two looked all across the battlefield. Searching for Lucifer, and the people who they cared most about. Trixie’s eyes automatically centred on Amy, as her thoughts raced to that of her adopted sister, whilst Nikki’s turned to Trent. Even in the distance she could clearly see him, lying in Dylan’s arms as he and Selan towered over him. And how he didn’t move.

First Marcus, now Trent. No, this wasn’t fair. She had already lost so much that she was close to, that she cared about. She couldn’t keep losing them! It wasn’t fair!!

Nikki’s body wanted to move, to race to his side, and to Marcus’, but she also needed to stay by Trixie, and to reassure her everything would be okay, even though she couldn’t sure that things would. And then there was Lucifer as well. Turning her back on a monster like that was tantamount to death. What could she do?!

Her thoughts flickered back to Tabul, and the other moment where she felt nothing but death stare back in her face. She couldn’t resign herself to her fate again. She just couldn’t!

“Amy!!” Trixie shouted, as Lucifer above made his move. His body lowered and lurched forwards, aimed towards Amy. His body started to blur and disappear, as he descended towards her.

And then the sky cracked and was filled with the loudest, most unbelievable loud crash of all. A giant exploding light, trails of neon green-yellow shooting straight into the sky.

And Lucifer howled in pain.

A thin hole penetrated straight through the centre of his chest, burrowing all the way through and out the other side, rain and lightning visible from the oozing black wound.

Lucifer’s body started falling to the ground.

---

Dannyel



The heavens opened up above them, the rain pouring down onto the battlefield. Dylan found it strangely appropriate, as it seemed to underscore the despair that shook the Pride to the very core. He still held Trent’s lifeless body in his arms, wondering if there was any hope left for him. Marcus and Don had been savaged, but even that seemed better than this. A lifeless shell.

Despite the horrific circumstances that led them here, Dylan couldn’t help but think that this would make a wonderful painting. Lucifer flew over them, a villain so large in scope and so terrifying in design, and scattered around him were the bodies of the fallen and the grim-faces of those who fought on.

Then something happened that was even more beautiful. Lisette shot at Luficer, her body pulled taut as she sent the magically enhanced arrow towards the enemy. As picturesque as that was, it paled in comparison to Syed’s light show, as the mage called down the power of the heavens and channeled the lightning through him and into the attack. It struck true, and Dylan watched, amazed, as the blindling light faded and Lucifier started to fall from the sky.

Now was there chance. Now he was weak. Laying Trent down as gently as he could, Dylan pulled his slate free and started to sketch. He had seen Celeste striking at him earlier, but perhaps she could do with something that packed a bit more punch. He willed the creations into life and Celeste suddenly found a push dagger in each hand. She looked back at him in confusion and he smiled.

“Give him hell!”

---

Bunanigans




Moira simply gaped. That was all she could really do, throwing an arm before her eyes to shield them from the light. Damn, she could have done with some shades.

And then Lucifer began to fall. Wait... was that it? After all the grief he had put them all though, the thought that they had finally got him...! It had taken so much sacrifice, so much pain and suffering. She would never give up, never give in, never stop until she hit the floor dead. But death... she had seriously started to prepare herself mentally for it as an inevitability coming sooner than she thought.

And here they were. Dylan shouted something which didn't quite carry this far across the courtyard, although the flurry of movement implied he didn't believe he was dead. Which was something considering he hadn't hit the floor yet. He had just taken one hell of a shot to the chest. Still, it was pretty good practice to make sure, she supposed.

Whatever, they were too far to be of help here. May as well try and get closer to the others. "C'mon, let's go," Moira looked towards the other two and flicked her head towards the others.

"Ah... Moira..." Syed said quietly, his voice cracking. Boy, he looked like shit, even if she looked no better. He made to step towards her, although he just ended up falling forwards and collapsing to the floor with no resistance at all. Alright then.

"Get up then you fuckin' show off," Moira grumbled, pulling him up and throwing an arm over her shoulder. She could have thrown him completely over her shoulder like normal, but considering his rib and her shoulder she didn't think it the best idea right now. Geez, was he putting all of his weight on her? Guy really had had it. It was a wonder he was still conscious at all.

"You... you know me..." he just about managed, forcing a smile. She ignored him, so he spoke to Lisette instead. "Lisette... thank you. For... what you said." He flashed her a smile which this time was genuine, abeit a little distorted by a grimace of pain. He then averted his eyes back to the others, somewhat ashamed. None of them gave up, he was sure. Still, they had a job to do before he could beat himself up about that one. Like the fact that until someone declared Lucifer was either unconcious or... dead... they couldn't really relax.

"Come on love," Moira gestured with her head again as she looked at Lisette, her sword held by her side. "We best go and make sure."

With that she turned and began to help support her partner back to the others, eager to see how the others were doing as well. It didn't look good, nor did it sound good, but they wouldn't know til they got there. Unfortunately they couldn't go any faster than walking speed when supporting one another as they were.

---

Taerinn



Dylan laid Trent back on the ground, getting up to ensure that if Lucifer were to rise again, he would be put back down.

Selan tended to him instead, cupping his face in her hands. His lips were turning blue, and his horrible, empty, lifeless eyes looked straight through her. Beyond where she knelt, she could still see Don sprawled out on the ground.

She couldn't accept that any of them were to be casualties of this terrible, seemingly never-ending night. She pulled the boarder's body against hers, embracing him tightly and whispering prayers as Amy's healing spell reached him.




"Woooah..." Lisette breathed. Syed's plan didn't click in her head until it actually happened, but seeing Lucifer fall gave her a swelling feeling of accomplishment. That moment, seeing the arc of lightning connect with her arrow... It made her feel like a real Guilder, not just a bumbling little kid.

Unlike her, poor Syed was completely tuckered out by the exertion required to carry out such an attack, and collapsed into the mud. After Moira pulled him up onto his feet, he spoke to the archer. "Lisette... thank you. For... what you said."

Lisette pressed her lips together in a grin. It didn't feel right to be thanked by him, but it made her happy to know that she may have helped him somewhat. "Thank you, Syed! That was amazing!"

"Come on love. We best go and make sure." Moira said, tilting her head in her direction.

Lisette nodded, her expression becoming more serious. "Ah... Right." She sure hoped that he wouldn't be getting up again, but considering how the events played out so far, not even she was feeling especially optimistic about it. But the sooner Lucifer is defeated, the sooner they can search for Estelle.

Kneeling down, she picked Kapi back up and placed him on her shoulder to keep her hands free, then began to walk alongside Moira and Syed towards where Lucifer would eventually land.

"I... I hope everyone is doing alright..." Lisette murmured, wondering about Marcus's condition, and whether anyone else was as badly hurt, or worse.

---

Rexcalibur



Even at Trixie's scream, Amy watched and watched as Lucifer began to descend - no, to fall. Relief washed over the cleric's body, as if she herself had cast some sort of spell of renewal, and a pink glow returned to both her body as well as her gem. She closed her eyes, exhaled deeply once more, and continued to meditate. The arrow was a success. The arrow was a success - but they would be fools to let up now. As long as they kept this up, surely they would emerge victorious against this beast. At least until they were positive he was down. Though she saw them not, everyone seemed to share her sentiments as well, either preparing to continue with battle or wasting no time to check on one another.

Amy continued to pray. Please, Dyn, keep him down, just a bit longer.

Three bodies still remained sprawled on the floor. No, that's it, just sprawled, they - they couldn't be dead. No. Not when Amy was there. She, she couldn't let them die. What kind of healer would she be if they...?

She bit her lower lip and continue to meditate. Once she felt enough energy swirling between herself and her gem, she would send her strongest healing spells to the fallen bodies - Trent, Marcus, and Don. All she needed was just a little more time.



Trixie too watched as Lucifer dropped from the skies, her eyes and mouth widening at this spectacle. Was that... was that it? She turned to Nikki and flooded her with likeminded questions. Was that it, was that all, did they win?

Whatever Nikki's response was, Trixie then looked back to the fallen bodies; any sign of hope in her visage began to waver, but not fail entirely. She flipped her eyes to and from them and Amy. Though she watched as the others returned to their fallen-- no, collapsed comrades who were just collapsed, Trixie was unsure if she had the heart to return to them as well. Not after what happened to Marcus and Don, not after what happened to Trent. If they weren't able to rise - which they were gonna - she did not want to see their injuries.

"Come on Amy," she muttered to herself, clasping her hands together beneath her chin. "Come on, please get them up, please, please."

Once again the question of Estelle's whereabouts clawed at her consciousness, but - but she knew she needed to focus now on the battlefield in front of her first. They were winning, they were gonna win. They were the heroes of this tale, they were all gonna win.

"Come on Amy, please!"

---

Fox of Spades



The bear snapped angrily at Celeste after a moment of whining.

Its eyes went dark, and for a moment it seemed as if Lucien had lost control. The summoner was cursing profusely from beside the broken down walls as he rubbed at his now bleeding nose. He shut his eyes tight and when he opened them he was back in his medium’s head. The bear backed away from Celeste, ears perking up at all the commotion. The animal turned its head only to see Trent and Don on the ground. He didn’t know the former but seeing both his friends on the ground made him freeze.

The bear’s eyes went wide as it stared at the lifeless bodies sprawled out on the battle field.

The sky was a dismal grey and rain pounded the ground endlessly. It was almost as if the sky was crying, and it was horrifyingly fitting. Lucifer was way out of their league and soon enough Abraxis would rise. Soon, they’d all die and he and everyone else would cease to exist.

So this was what it meant to be a guilder? Dying for the greater good, andnever ever backing down.

Lucien grimaced, horrifying thoughts eating away at his concentration. He was ice-cold and his shoulders shook with rage. Lucifer would pay. The bear lowered its head before peering at the guilder’s one by one. Everyone was giving it everything…they were all amazing, but where was their Leader? More thoughts flooded his head, threatening to sever his ties with his medium, but he pushed them back.

The sky rumbled angrily and the bear stared in awe as a blinding flash filled the court. Suddenly Lucifer was falling and for a moment he thought he was dreaming, but it was true…

Celeste, Moira and the others began making their way towards Lucifer and the bear trotted behind them, ears listening and teeth bared.

[Pachamac]

All fall down

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

As Lucifer’s body fell from the air, tumbling to the ground, the rest of the Pride began to move towards it- making no concessions in being certain that the battle was done and the mission had been won. Celeste, Julius and Lucien’s bear moved from the south, with new prized wasp daggers materialising in Celeste’s hand courtesy of Dylan’s magic, whilst from the north, Moira and her exhausted companions Syed and Lisette marched forwards.





Selan remained with Trent, and Nikki and Trixie stood still too, watching the space where Lucifer fell, staring at his prone body and hoping for the best. The figure didn’t move, instead lying perfectly still, his wings flopping about his side. From all outward appearances there could be no doubt whatsoever what fate had gripped him, but even then, they prayed.





Amy, meanwhile, cast another prayer altogether. A prayer coalesced in the form of a meditating spell to rejuvenate her own exhausted energies, so that she could then move on to heal their wounded comrades. Whilst a battle’s end might result in the others being able to lay down their arms and rest, Amy was afforded no such luxury, her work continuing long afterwards.

But please, let that be it…

Celeste’s trio were the first to arrive.





Skidding to a halt besides Lucifer’s prone body, Celeste maintained a safe distance, staring at him with abject confusion. She glanced towards Julius, whose expression returned was as monotone as ever, which was both comforting and frustrating at the same time. Comforting that he didn’t appear worried but… also frustrating for the same reason, damn it! She was scared as heck, here!

Lucien’s bear paced around the body, looking at it from every angle and ready to lunge forward and protect Julius and Celeste the moment trouble reared its ugly head. But so far, Lucifer continued to remain still. A twitch of his nose also revealed a stench of absolute death - but even that was no confirmation.

“No one could survive something like that,” Celeste muttered as she walked towards Lucifer’s head, and prodded it with her foot. It moved back and forth in time to her foot, lulling just so. With trepidation she brought it back, and took a quick look towards Julius. He nodded, and turned his head to silently signal Celeste to move back, before taking a step forwards himself and gazing over the body.

He didn’t enjoy the thought of it. Not after everything they went through in Weir. Not after everything Celeste went through fighting Megaera. Not considering how it stood against everything that being a Guilder meant. But they had to be sure. Lucifer… a being as dangerous as him couldn’t be allowed to continue.

He crouched down, searching for Lucifer’s pulse. If there was any life remaining, then he would do what Elaine had done before him – and silence the threat for good.

But there was none. No pulse, no sign of movement, a gaping hole carved straight throughout his body. As much as a grotesque monster as Lucifer looked, it was impossible he could still be alive. They had done it.

They had won.






“So what’s the score?” Moira asked as her trio arrived amidst huffs and puffs. “And what is with the bear?”

Lucien’s bear raised a hand up and groaned. The other five Guilders looked on in confusion. What was that? It almost looked like a thumbs up?!

“Dead.” Julius replied. “Not breathing, not moving, no pulse. And there’s no way he could take what you dealt and still survive. He’s – ”

“Being dead doesn’t mean I cannot survive your feeble attacks.”
The ground was torn apart beneath everyone’s feet. What happened next was a simple blur, the actions following occurring far too quickly for anyone to react to, much less make sense of things. As soon as it began, it was over, and over in such a horrible fashion. Were time to slow to a crawl, the distant Guilders Selan, Dylan, Nikki, Trixie and Amy would be able to see things more clearly, other then its horrifying aftermath.

Lucifer’s body having suddenly risen from the ground and twisting as he reached his feet, his hand turning and his claws raking the air. The wounding gashes crossing along Celeste, Julius, Lucien, Syed and Moira’s body, stopping short of young Lisette. The shockwaves from the sudden violent attack blowing across the whole battlefield, even pushing the distant Guilders back and making them almost stumble to their knees. The bodies of the five Guilders now falling to the ground in slow motion, as Lucifer’s own moved forward. His dark obsidian hand reaching out for Lisette’s throat…

In the blink of an eye, the Pride laid fallen on the ground, Lucifer and Lisette having disappeared.

Kapi landed on his back, and struggled to right himself up as his miniature legs wriggled back and forth.

“AHH! Motherfucker!” Moira bellowed in-between clenched teeth. The wounds were shallow but sharp, enough to hurt, but also not enough to force any of the Guilders unconscious. She, Syed, Celeste and Julius all grabbed their injuries with tears mounting in their eyes, whilst Lucien’s bear form flickered in and out of existence.

“Lis… sette…” Syed gasped.

“No!!” Trixie screamed, her eyes bulging wide. What happened?! What happened?! How… what… NO!

Amy’s mind echoed the same feelings, disbelief and horror creasing the beautiful cleric’s features. Not all at once. This couldn’t be right. It just couldn’t, it was impossible, it was-

“Haaac---accck--- ackkk…”

Rain and tumultuous winds eclipsed the courtyard. Flashes of chaotic lightning screeched across the sky, illuminating the most horrifying scene imaginable. Suspended high in the air, far, far above any of the Guilders’ bellows reach, Lucifer was held aloft, his wings beating back and forth, back and forth, his hair billowing in the wind. And with his arm held out aloft, his hand tightly squeezing around the flesh of innocent, tender skin, Lisette struggled amidst choking tears against the monster’s ferocious grip. Her body kicked and thrashed and struggled to no avail.

“You… actually hurt me.” Lucifer sneered. “I think it would be best if you were taken out of the game first… yes?”

“Hnngg… gah…!”

“Not without fixing the damage you’ve done first, however…”

And then Lisette was bathed in an indescribable sensation. Cold, clingy, rough and terrifying. It felt much like the pulsing black walls she had crashed into several times, except magnified a hundred times. It was horrible and gut wrenching, but atop that, she also felt something… hopeless. She felt the energy in her body begin to flow and drain from her body, to her neck and into Lucifer’s hand, as he repeated the exact same process he had used on Trent before. And the result was that the wound that bored through his body, started to shrink, close and heal.

N… no…

“LISETTE!” Dylan howled from below. He was the only one still able to even shout. Everyone else was too exhausted, too drained to do anything. Nikki had left Trixie’s side and skidded besides Moira’s group, doing her best to help Syed up. Out of everyone, he was the only one who had the ability to attack at range. He could use the lightning again, couldn’t he? Couldn’t he…?! But Syed’s body was too damaged and depleted to do much at all.

Was this the end?

It couldn’t be!

It couldn’t end like this!

“Get the hell away from my friend!!!”

A loud roar shot across the sky, and Lucifer’s head turned sharply, his golden eyes widening in surprise. At the same time, a sensation of pain raced across his outstretched hand, and a thin line suddenly formed across the top of it- black blood then spurted free from it. For a brief moment, Lucifer’s grip hesitated and failed, and Lisette’s throat became free. She could now breathe… but her body started to fall.

“What…?!” Lucifer snarled, snapping his attention in the direction of the voice and his attacker, his eyes bulging and focusing on the illuminated figure falling from above.

Gripped in an ethereal green glow pulsing from her metal sword, a young woman with bright red hair fell towards him. Indignation and fury painted across her face. She stared directly towards Lucifer, free of fear or pain. Only one emotion consuming her entire body. Only one need, one desire.

“What in the…? How?! You’re…!” Lucifer’s body turned, his arms swinging to greet his adversary with the same sharp greeting as he had to so many of the Pride. But Lucifer was unable to, as a bright new, overwhelming light suddenly burst forth in front of the woman’s necklace, growing bigger and bigger, brighter and brighter.

“INVOKE! GIANT MARI!”

The giant ball of light grew bigger and bigger, growing in volume and mass, blanketing Lucifer’s entire vision of the sky above as it descended towards him. The mass pulsed and morphed- the sphere growing new appendages that quickly formed and solidified into hands, feet and head- into a person. A big, BIG person. A giant! A giant with a very familiar shape and appearance, as the light dimmed and stopped, to reveal a clone of the Pride’s diligent secretary, only so incomprehensibly big – and a giant fist brought behind her back now launching straight forwards like a cannon.



Lucifer felt the full, unbridled force of the punch, and was sent crashing into the ground again like a meteor as Giant Mari landed atop, the ground cracking and quaking in all directions around. Her fists then began to rise and fall, as she relentlessly started to pound upon Lucifer again and again.

“I… I promise to pay back Secretary Sis everything I owe her. I swear.”



Selan’s and Dylan suddenly shifted out of their bewilderment to see Don stare towards the unbelievable image in front of them, eyes bulging and mouth hung open, a cigarette falling out of his lips. A loud gulp escaped his throat.

“What the fuck is that?” Moira arched her neck up to look from her tumbled over body, to see Mari punch again and again. She couldn’t make sense of what was happening, or why there was a giant version of that prim and proper Secretary Marise who always gave her such a hard time with Guild rules and regulations was there, but a smile crept up her lips once she saw what a beating she was dishing out. And then a little shiver ran down the back of her neck at the thought of how she could have done that to Moira at any time…

The ground below Lisette grew bigger and bigger, faster and faster as she fell and fell and fell. Her weak screams were muffled from the howling wind and relentless rain, and she couldn’t help but fear this was the end. In a second she was going to die, and that would be it.

“It’s okay, Lisette. Don’t worry. Go limp.”

Lisette could barely register her body being pulled close into the warm embrace of a body, as hands reached round and shielded her. All she could think about was the ground approaching, of Kapi, her friends and-

And then the sudden rush of gravity beneath her stopped. And she was still alive.

It took time for her to slowly blink her eyes open. Not until she felt the sensation of a warm breath blow over her face, and the sound of her voice again.

“It’s okay, Lisette. You’re safe. It’s alright now.”

A smile beamed down at her, from the friend who she cherished so much. Her face turned, looking towards the source of Lisette and the Pride’s worry and frustration. The woman’s grew serious and determined.

“I won’t let him hurt any of you anymore.”

“Estelle…!”

[Pachamac]

Return

Bunanigans




Eyes wide with horror, Syed attempted - abeit very weakly - to push himself away from Nikki. He appreciated her help, he really did, but he couldn't cast if someone was holding onto him. His casts tended to create quite a lot of additional discharge, and the last thing he needed on top of everything else was to injure her with his electricity. Again.

He couldn't let Lucifer take Lisette. He couldn't! The thought just made him angry, of the kindly, mild-mannered archer being taken like that. She had been though so much lately, what with Museo and Wier. He knew what it was like to go into a dark place mentally - he knew more than many, probably. But even after all that she still stuck with them all, brightening up the room like always. They were all his friends, but she was closer than most.

Don't you take her, don't you bloody well take her. A small amount of electricity buzzed across his body as he tried to push himself away again, causing Nikki to involuntarily flinch and stop supporting him. He mumbled an apology and staggered forwards clumsily, before raising a hand to the heavens...

...Then collapsed back to the floor. He couldn't, he couldn't... damnit! He could do nothing but lie on his side and look up, his eyes drifting in and out of focus. "Don't... don't... please..." he whispered before his face screwed up with fustration, self-loathing and dispair. He couldn't even do that... he couldn't...

Then suddenly, everything went to hell. A figure shot across the sky, and suddenly someone started falling. It was difficult to see who from this distance, although Moira had an easier time of it. She squinted, straining her eyes to focus.

What the fuck was going on...?

By the time Lil'Mari... big... Mari...??? Oh who knew, the clone of Marise had arrived in possibly the most simultaniously badass and dramatic way Moira could have imagined, she felt like she could do with a lie down in the mud as well. Bloody hell, she was huge. Made Frank look small. Made Moira suddenly feel the pressing need to give the woman a thumbs up. Yeah, show the patriarchy who's boss. And also this arsehole. Especially this arsehole.

Brushing aside the uncomfortable feeling of intimidation she now felt from both the puncher and the punchee, she gritted her teeth and looked back around them. She felt a little overwhelmed, really. She wanted to help, but what was she good at? Just hitting people. She would have said she was good at keeping people's attention on her too, but after everything which had happened with this group she had realised this was anything but the case. She may be exceptionally strong for a H-rank, but she was bloody useless at her job.

But she knew she was no use to an injured person either other than maybe carrying them. However with her own injuries which were very much hurting her dispite her best attempts to act otherwise, along with being stuck with Syed who had well and truely had it, she didn't know if she could even do that. Even he was getting picked up again by Nikki, as much as he weakly insisted she should check on the others. He didn't feel he deserved any help, and as injured and exhausted as he was, he didn't fail to notice how she kept glancing over to Trent.

So she looked to the sky instead, at the two figures floating above them. One of them... one of them was definately Lisette. And the other was bloody unmissable with that shock of red hair of hers, illuminated by the glow of her sword. Her face dropped.

"They're okay..." she breathed. "Both of them."

---

Taerinn



Like jumping into a cold pool, and that shocking, shivering feeling never going away.

Like standing on your feet all day and being unable to sit down or stretch out your legs.

Like that tingly, needly feeling in your limbs when they fall asleep.

It was similar, but still nothing even remotely close to the sensation Lucifer subjected Lisette to. Everything happy, everything alive, everything Lisette had inside her, it felt like Lucifer was forcibly taking it out of her, and there was nothing she could do. She had been able to struggle before, but now her body was tensed and still, and she was forced to look into Lucifer's horrible eyes and watch him drain the life from her.

A familiar voice rang through the air, just as loud as the thunder. Lisette thought maybe she was dreaming, that she couldn't possibly have heard the voice she thought she heard.

And she was falling, and falling. She tried to scream, but it only came out as a loud whimper. Strangely, despite being bereft of nearly all of her energy, she knew she wasn't ready to die, and was terrified that it was quickly approaching.

But then there she was, her leader, her hero, her friend.

"Estelle..." Lisette whispered weakly, smiling despite the utter exhaustion that was slowly overtaking her body. The relief from seeing her friend's face was too much. Her head tipped back, and she drifted out of consciousness. She needed to rest, but thanks to Estelle and Marise, she was spared just in time from being in the same state that Trent had succumbed to.



Estelle's sudden appearance and Lisette's safe retrieval was one thing, but the sight of a gigantic version of her close friend left Selan flabbergasted. She didn't know Marise was capable of such a form, but there she was, striking Lucifer over and over.

She still clutched the boarder close to her, immensely thankful that Lisette had been rescued but still anguished that Trent had not been so lucky. By this point, she refused to look at his face anymore; it was too painful, too cruel that he had to endure such a thing.

Estelle was here now, she knew that much. But would her presence be enough, after Lucifer had injured or otherwise incapacitated nearly the whole lot of them? There was something different about Estelle, something that made her believe that this battle could still end with the Pride victorious.

---

Dannyel



He waited on bated breath as the others approached Lucifier's fallen form, hoping that the daggers had made for Celeste could help. But it seemed that he had conjured them for nothing, since it appeared that the villain was dead. His heart lightened as he let out the tiniest sigh of relief. He had just started to turn to look back at Selan when he heard him, the sound of his voice chilling him to the bone.

"Being dead doesn't mean I cannot survive your feeble attacks."

Turning, Dylan was far too slow, unable to see the attack that felled his friends. But yet it had happened - Celeste, Juilius, Lucien, Syed, and Moira all falling before him. Not yet done, Lucifer leapt forward and grabbed Lisette in the same way that he had Trent.

"NO!" he howled, his cry rough and primal as it was tore free from his throat. It was all so hopeless. They were reduced to such a small number, and the majority of those left were not even combat specialists. How were they expected to take him on? They kept throwing everything they had at him, again and again, and for what?

"Get the hell away from my friend!"

"Estelle?" he breathed, too afraid to make a sound yet too surprised to keep silent.

"INVOKE! GIANT MARI!"

There! A shining light that burned his eyes and forced him to look away. Covering his face, he did not see the first attack but felt it, the shockwave of her strike rippling across the battlefield as Lucifer was sent flying.

Dylan was exhausted, not just physically or magically, but emotionally. He had dangled on the edge of despair again and again, only to be brought back from the brink at the last moment by another spectacular attack. Giant Mari was truly a force to be reckoned with, but at this point he didn't believe anything would make a difference.

Pushing himself to his feet, he staggered forward, all thoughts of attack and strategy gone from his mind. No, there was only one thing left that he cared about, and that was the friends who lay hurt on the ground. He crossed the courtyard with a grim determination, skidding to a stop next to Moira.

"Come on, you lug," he said as he worked his way under her arm, hoisting her up with all her strength. Nodding at Nikki, he forced Moria back towards Selan and Trent, step by bloody step. "Not gonna let a little wound like that slow you down, are you?"

---

Fox of Spades



They had actually done it…

Lucien couldn’t help but grin. There was Lucifer, on the ground – dead. It was almost too good to be true. The bear sniffed at the fallen Lucifer only for his death to be confirmed. They had did it, they had won!

Lucien released his summon and with wide eyes began staggering towards the others, ready to pull the first person he reached into a clumsy and maybe even painful hug. Hell, he was ready to pull them all into a group hug despite his aching body.

His eyes prickled with tears…they had done it – they had really done it. Lucien didn’t care that he looked like a mess, didn’t care that he was hurting all over. Lucifer was dead and a foxlike grin wormed its way onto his face as he began approaching the others with open arms and a shaky smile.

“Being dead doesn’t mean I cannot survive your feeble attacks.”

The smile was wiped off his face and before he could call out to any of the others pain froze him in place. It raced across his body with a great intensity, in fact, he didn’t have time to do anything but gasp and before he knew it he crumpled to the ground. Several thuds reached his ears and he figured the others were falling down as well. Black dots swam around his vision and the world began to tilt at ridiculous angles. His eyes flitted to his arms and he watched as blood seeped from the several gashes.

He tilted his head, eyes focused on Lucifer…that was him, right?

The world was going out of focus…but it couldn’t end like this. It just couldn’t…but who was he kidding they were all tired and Lucifer deflected everything with absolute ease. Lisette was raised into the air and Lucien grimaced. No, no, no! With a shaky arm he reached for his deck of cards, but he couldn’t concentrate at all…couldn’t pull his thoughts together. Lisette struggled in vain and he did what cowards did best – he looked away.

“Get the hell away from my friend!!!”

Lucien opened his eyes only to see a flash of red. At first he thought it was the archer’s blood but after blinking several times it became clear, it was Estelle. Everything that happened next was a blur. Their leader’s necklace began to glow, a giant appeared out of nowhere and Lisette was saved. He stared on in awe as the magical girl from the prison began beating the crap out of Lucifer and found himself laughing. Each chuckle sent a wave of pain up his side, but he couldn’t stop.

The timing of Estelle’s arrival had been perfect and it reminded him of the time she had saved him from the Chupacabra bear thing back in Weir.

He felt just a little bit braver and slowly, with a wince he pushed himself onto his knees then staggered to his feet. They weren’t going down – not yet.

---

Rexcalibur




Once Lisette was snatched into Lucifer's hands, Trixie let out a scream for her friend and fell to her knees. Everybody was dying against this guy. How many people would have to die until they won? Until it was the end? This was unbearable.

Amy felt the smaller's eyes fall upon her. She felt Trixie silently begging to save Lisette - to save everyone. She was the healing savior. She's in charge of preventing people from dying. But her healing spells could only go so far--

"Get the hell away from my friend!"

Everyone looked up at once. Then a flash of familiar golden light flooded the battlefield - and a giant emerged. Marise. Amy gaped at the sight, staring in awe as the secretary pummeled Lucifer again and again. Of all things unexpected...

Meanwhile Trixie's eyes were elsewhere - pinned on the red star falling from the sky. She bolted off towards her hero, a trail of tears sparkling behind her with each bounce. She was here. She was here now. Trixie knew she'd come, because that's exactly what superheroes do! And she brought along a sidekick that's the size of the moon to beat the snot out of the bad guy!

In the labs, against those monsters, against the giant mutant, against the devil - any despair, any doubts still lingering in Trixie's heart had washed away. Their redheaded wonder-savior was here, and she was falling from the sky like the star that she was. She was invincible.

Everything was gonna be all right.

[Pachamac]

Rise of the Fenix

“It’s okay, Lisette. You’re safe. It’s alright now.”

A smile beamed down at her, from the friend who she cherished so much. Her face turned, looking towards the source of Lisette and the Pride’s worry and frustration. The woman’s face grew serious and determined.

“I won’t let him hurt any of you anymore.”

[size=85]“Estelle…!”[/size]




Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

As the dust started to settle, the Pride could see the two women appear in the centre of the battlefield. Estelle stood determined, Lisette cradled safely in her arms, their hair billowing in the chaotic wind and rain. A sense of relief washed over everyone in seeing not only Lisette safely rescued but that Estelle, who had been missing for so long was safe as well. The advent of Giant Mari too, who even now continued to pound relentlessly upon the trapped beneath Lucifer, was a pleasant surprise, if for no other reason then to see him on the receiving end of pain. But would that be enough?



Eventually Giant Mari began to become enveloped in another bright, pulsing glow, that began to coalesce around her entire body and then slowly dim, her body becoming transparent before then vanishing into the ether. As the last of Marise’s magical energy stored within the necklace she had given Estelle began to drip free, she looked up and smiled to the Guilders. She did what she could, and now what remained rested on them. She hoped it was enough and that Lucifer was defeated, and the Pride could defeat Abraxis. But separated now, with her true body lying in Clockwork Town, she had no way of knowing, and could only place her trust within these young, determined Guilders.

She believed in them.

The thunderous blows rocketing and shaking the ground came to a dying halt, and for a short period of time, until the next thunder clap above, silence reigned.

Trixie skidded in front of Estelle and Lisette and wrapped her arms around the two girls, burying her head in Estelle’s chest.



“Supersis!!” She screamed.

Estelle broke her concentration from the newly formed, smouldering crater in the centre of the courtyard, from where Lucifer’s body had been pummelled into again and again, to look at Trixie, and return a comforting smile to her. She patted Trixie on the head, pressing her palm down slightly and gently stroking her cheek. She closed her eyes and smiled again, gently lowering the drained and weary Lisette towards Trixie, who automatically responded in trying to help her stand. Estelle didn’t say anything, but instead moved forwards, walking towards the centre of the courtyard.

Her feet tapped again and again atop the splintered, uneven broken ground, before finally stopping. Estelle closed her eyes again, and then lowering her head, sucked in a tremendous amount of air and took the greatest breath she could.

And then, she shouted.

[size=200]“EVERYONE!”[/size]

Estelle’s voice bellowed.

[size=150]“I’M SORRY!!!”[/size]

“Estelle…?” Her friends’ faces perked up, each and every one of them staring towards her in confusion and bewilderment.

“I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY!!!” Estelle screamed ever so loudly. Tears started to swell within her eyes.

“I’m sorry I tried to leave you! I am! I was wrong! So very, very wrong!” Estelle’s body began to pour out every last piece of her emotions out. “I was stupid and weak! I wasn’t strong or smart enough to lead you all and I was just putting you all in danger! I tried to leave because… because I told myself that would be protecting you! But it was a lie! I was… scared!!”

“Estelle…”

Her friends looked towards her, each of them feeling for her in their own individual ways. The responsibility Estelle carried, and the heartache she suffered. She tried her best, and always would, but she was still only eighteen years old. It wasn’t surprising for her to feel like this.

“But I need you all! I need you all so, so much!! Please, forgive me!!” Estelle’s heart continued to pound and her voice continued to scream. “You’re my friends, and I don’t… I can’t... I can't be without you! I can't!… We have a mission! And I can’t… I don’t want to complete it without all of you besides me!!”




“Big… sis… Waa!” Besides Selan, Don’s eyes and nose were streaming with tears and snot. He was bawling like a baby. As one hand continued to clutch onto Trent, her other hand reached out to him, placing her palm atop his hand in order to comfort him.

Supported in Trixie’s arms, Lisette lifted her weary head up high to watch her friend scream and shout and with it… she felt a little stronger too. Kapi had crossed the length of the battlefield and hopped up and down on one of her legs.









Dylan, Moira, Syed, Lucien, Nikki, Julius and Celeste all watched on too, transfixed on Estelle’s speech. Amy’s eyes shut tight, listening to each and every word Estelle spoke, and found new inner strength within herself.

“I can’t sing!

I can’t dance!

I can’t shoot guns or fire arrows!

I can’t heal people!

I can’t control wind or electricity!

I can’t draw things to life, summon animals, create clones or turn into a cat!

I can’t do acrobatics, fight with a glaive or head butt people!

I can't do any of those! There's so much that I can't do, and why I can't do it alone!!”

“Estelle!!” Everyone shouted in unison.

Each and every one of them looked towards Estelle with renewed determination and empathy for their friend. She wasn’t only right about herself, but about each of them too. There was so much they couldn’t do alone, and that’s why they needed each other. It wasn’t just their abilities alone - but their heart.

Much more then this fake band of psychopaths they fought, they were a family, and they needed each other.

They were the Pride.

[size=85]“Nnn… shut the goddamn hell up… can’t a guy die in fucking peace…?”[/size]

Selan’s eyes opened with in disbelief, her face sharply turned to the awakening youth lying in her arms.

“Trent!!”



“Goddamn you all make too much fucking noise… is the monkey screaming again…?” Trent coughed as he scowled. Selan’s face crumpled as she looked down at him, holding him tightly as tears trailed down her cheeks with abject relief. "Wait, maybe that means I actually am in hell..."

“I can’t piss off everyone either...” Estelle added quietly, lowering her head and smiling.

And then a loud, chilling laughter eclipsed the thunder above. It carried across the wind, howling at the Pride from all around.

[size=200][color=#6d6f6f]“HA! HA HA HA! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!”[/color][/size]

[color=#6d6f6f]“And what the hell can you do?”[/color]

Suddenly, everyone turned away from Estelle, staring forwards at the voice several feet in front of her that arose from the still smoking crater. A shadow rose from the ground, lifting up with arms and wings extended, to come to a defiant stand before them. It was obvious to all his body was haggered and exhausted, but with each passing second his stance and breathing improved, returning to normal. Marise and the Pride had hurt him severely, multiple times too. But to look at him, it would seem as though nothing had happened. He stood and spoke with the same collected air of power and confidence as he always had.

[color=#6d6f6f]“Well? All I see is a bunch of weak, pathetic simpering fools stupid enough to believe they have any power to do ANYTHING.”[/color] Lucifer’s voice pierced the Pride’s ears, a dark chill of despair running up their spines as if an ethereal cold claw of hate was trailed along it. [color=#6d6f6f]“A bunch of fools stupid and desperate enough to make them believe anything… to think that so many people could blindly choose to follow such a disgustingly weak degenerate like yourself.”

“Tell me… what makes you so special?”

[size=150]“WHAT CAN YOU DO?[/size]”[/color]

Estelle’s hand gripped the hilt of her Magitech Sword. A smile stretched across her face, and she looked towards Lucifer with no doubt or hesitation held in her heart.

“I can beat you.”

Lucifer’s eyes opened in disbelief and pain as a flash of emerald light shot out towards him, and his torso was engulfed in a sharp diagonal slash that rained more midnight blood down to the ground.

Estelle’s sword was raised, a strike already unleashed from the Magitech Sword that pulsed and throbbed a cool, emerald glow from the Wind Magisphere she had inserted into it earlier.

“Everyone!!” Estelle’s voice shouted out, as she continued to focus her attentions upon Lucifer. “I need you all to go to the top floor to the north! To the master bedroom there and the balcony outside!!”

“Estelle?” Her friends turned to each other in confusion.

“I need you to stop the ritual! There’s not much time left!” Estelle continued to shout out. “We need to use eight keys to close the gate or Abraxis is going to come through!!”

“…keys?”

Members of the Pride started to rummage through their pockets, the select few pulling out the spoils of war they had achieved from their battles with the Hawthorne Family. Selan, Dylan, Lucien, Amy, Lisette and Celeste all held a key from the defeated Drusilla, Damian, Alice, Jack, Valentine and Megaera.

“…are these it?” Selan shouted back to Estelle.

“That’s it!!” Estelle called back, her free hand digging into her pocket and pulling out another key. “That’s seven!”

[color=#6d6f6f]“Where did you get those?!”[/color] Lucifer’s haunting voice returned as he staggered back, glistening white fangs curled into a ferocious snarl as he gazed towards his adversaries. His breathing was rapid, before then slowing down and cooling. [color=#6d6f6f]“Fools… You cannot stop the Ascension! Defeat my pawns and take their keys all you like, it doesn’t matter! You won’t ever steal- what?”[/color]

Lucifer’s hands searched the back pockets of his trousers, only to find…

“Missing these? Nyahaha~” Nikki laughed as she hopped back and forth on each foot, holding a key in one hand and the glass cube filled with souls Lucifer coveted so within the other. She couldn’t stop laughing. “They looked so shiny, I just had to take them~”

[color=#6d6f6f]“HARLOT!”[/color] Lucifer’s right arm swung upwards, trails of air piercing slashes bursting through and raking along the ground, aimed towards the nekomimi… before they were blocked and parried by another burst of emerald light slashing through them from Estelle’s own sword swing.

“You don’t get them, Lucifer. You get me.”

Estelle then quickly turned, throwing her key through the air, to land in Don’s hands.

“Go! Everyone! Please!”

“Right, Big Sis!!” Don shouted back, jumping onto his feet and posing extravagantly as always. The various injuries he had suffered and the pain he was granted from them had completely vanished from his mind. All that mattered was that this was it and that this was crunch time! Do or die! Time to save the world!! “Let’s go!!” Don yelled, holding Selan’s hand and lifting her up from the ground to begin running to the nearest entrance to the Manor and run to the fourth floor of the northern-most part of the Manor.

“But…! We can’t leave Estelle…!” Lisette weakly gasped.

Trixie looked to Estelle, and then Lucifer, her gaze flicking in-between them before then quickly shaking her head and running as quickly as she could whilst supporting Lisette.

“No! We can! Believe in Supersis, Lissa! She’s invincible!! C’mon, bugbread, you too!!”

“Hnn…” Moira grumbled, lowering herself from Dylan’s support, and then throwing Syed over her shoulder. Like fuck she’d let everyone else show her up with this sudden appearance of newfound strength. Sure, she could keep going a little bit longer if only to piss off Lucifer and his family’s shitty friends. “Tear that fucker a new asshole!”

The rest of the Pride began to turn, following Don’s lead and moving after him. Lucien, Dylan, Nikki, Celeste, Julius and Trent all moved to follow after. Amy finished chanting a defence buffing spell before then following after the others.

[color=#6d6f6f]“No, you don’t…”[/color] Lucifer sneered, lifting his head up and turning to look at the Pride with sheer derision as they fled for the eastern entrance. [color=#6d6f6f]“You won’t escape!!”[/color]

His body disappeared in another blur, a shockwave erupting at the point where he originally should. A fierce gale assailed the Pride, all of them turning to look at the origin of it, of Lucifer streaking towards them, aiming to kill once and for all, his claws raised high and swinging downwards.

“I told you, your enemy is me!!”

To everyone’s surprise, Lucifer’s attack was countered, as his claws met sharp steel and was blown backwards, tumbling into a heap upon the floor.

Estelle body was coated in a cool breeze that floated all around her, twinkles of emerald light flashing all around.

In the southern part of the battlefield, Marcus stood with his weight supported by his staff, his hand raised and outstretched towards Estelle.



[size=150]“Go, everyone!”[/size] Estelle called out one more time, before dashing forwards towards Lucifer, Magitech Sword raised up high.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPzTS4v26QkFINAL BOSS THEME: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT[/url]

[Pachamac]

Race against Time

Bunanigans




Hawthorne Manor
"Go, everyone!"

Feet pounded across the sodden, muddy ground as Moira charged after Don. She felt as though she was hurting right through to her bones, although something like that wasn't going to stop her. Nor was how cold her shoulder and the adjoining arm now felt, dispite the warm weight of her partner lying on it.

Speaking of, he desperately tried to push himself up a little to minimise the pain. It was one thing to ignore her own injuries, it was another to ignore his too! Especially when his shirt and trousers were ripped up to such a degree that he could feel her metal armour digging into bruised and cut bare skin in places. However, dispite Estelle's words, he was still physically very weak. His struggling didn't get him anywhere.

So all he could do from his position is look back just before they reentered the manor. To the girl they all had followed dispite her wishes to get here. Could they actually do this? With how the night had gone so far, he wouldn't be suprised if they came across yet another setback up there. It was one of those nights.

Nonetheless they had to do their best, as little as it may be at this point in time. This was their chance, and Estelle had put her faith in them. It was now or never. And in their state... staying here would hinder Estelle rather than help.

Just... just stay safe.

Moira nearly lost her footing as she stepped - or rather stomped into the manor itself, her wet, muddy boots sliding across the highly polished floor. She managed to just about save herself though, wasting no time in continueing her brisk, sort of half-run. She couldn't really handle anything more than that, no matter how much she tried to push herself. She didn't really have any clue where her destination was either, so she just continued to follow Don. Wait. Was that really a good idea?

Syed was thinking along the same lines, his eyes unsteadily fixing on the signs wherever he saw them. They had no time to take any wrong turns after all. He felt he had to do something to help, although since Selan was with Don there probably wasn't any need for him to do so.

Moira sucked the air through her teeth, grumbling something which was pretty much incomprehensible. How many stairs were there?! Stairs should be illegal... this many of them, anyway. Her pace slowed, and she started coughing and stumbling as she went. Nope. Nope she had it, she was fine. She was fine.

Carry on. Keep going. She was Moira fuckin' Dennis! She was the juggernaut, bitch! Her nostrils flared as she lowered her head and kept on pushing, her pupils constricting even further than normal. Syed moaned in pain, his breath catching in his throat. He was still trying to absorb as much of her plodding gait as he could into his arms rather than his chest, with somewhat variable success. "Sorry..." he murmured quietly.

She didn't reply, glowering up ahead. Fuck this day, night, whatever. Fuck this manor. Fuck the family. Fuck them all.

They were gonna pay for messing with the Pride.

---

Taerinn





The Pride burst through the manor doors, into the northwestern corridor. Don was doing most of the work by pulling Selan along, but she squeezed his hand to let him know whenever he made an incorrect turn. By the expression on his face, he was more determined and serious than usual, ignoring the numerous injuries on his body.

They were all determined. The decisions leading up to this moment, they were intent on making it all count for something. Miraculously, through part effort and part pure luck, they had survived this far. They would defeat Lucifer, no matter what it took.

Lisette stumbled along, supported by the much smaller Trixie. Lucifer had not succeeded in completely draining her of her stamina; even though it was difficult to keep up, she was already feeling much better than she did when Estelle first saved her. Like Trent, she would be fine soon enough. Kapi clung onto her shoulder, sniffing her constantly to make sure she was alright.

Those who had keys clutched them in their hands. They were almost there!

---

Fox of Spades



Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor

The dust settled and both Lisette and Estelle became visible through the haze.

They were alright and he watched as the giant magical woman continued to pound away at Lucifer. She was amazing – no, they were all amazing. However, it didn’t last and soon the woman began to vanish. Was the beating she had given Lucifer enough? Lucien could only hope it was…they couldn’t handle much more of this and he was hitting his limits as well. Several thoughts swirled in his head, creating an incoherent mess. A part of him understood the gravity of the situation, but a part of him really wanted smoked ham, bird seeds and maybe even hay…

He shook his head right and left, focusing instead on Estelle.

Trixie ran over to tackle her into a hug and the reunion made him smile.

“EVERYONE! I’M SORRY!!!”

The summoner’s eyes widened at the scene.

“You’re my friends, and I don’t… I can’t... I can't be without you! I can't!… We have a mission! And I can’t… I don’t want to complete it without all of you besides me!!”

So this was what guilders were made of? Trust, strength, loyalty, teamwork… friendship. They just couldn’t fail… not now – not ever. Yes, they were going to work together and stop Abraxis. Lucien nodded in agreement at Estelle’s speech and clung to the words she spoke. He had chosen to follow her as well, and this time he decided to stop playing a coward and go through with his decisions.

Lucifer laughed, but this time he didn’t feel like running away and saving his own skin. After Weir and the event in the mansion, he couldn’t just turn back.

“I need you to stop the ritual! There’s not much time left! We need to use eight keys to close the gate or Abraxis is going to come through!! Go! Everyone! Please!”

Lucien held onto his key tight and when Moira told them to go he wasted no time.

As soon as he pushed himself into a sprint he felt a burning sensation spread across his side and broke into a hacking cough. He slowed down, wincing as he tried to keep a consistent jog. “I can’t believe we’re going to kill a demon lord,” he wheezed eventually breaking into another coughing fit. “I never really signed up for any of this,” he rambled, a broad Cheshire like smile spreading across his face. “I bet neither of you did either, yeah?” Despite his out of place rambling the determination in his eyes were clear. He’d follow this rag tag group even if it killed him.

Hell, it would probably be the death of him, but for some reason Lucien couldn’t help but chuckle.

---

Rexcalibur




"Lissa? Lissa, you're okay, right?" Trixie hobbled along, assisting Lisette. Luckily for her the archer was fairly light-weighted; although it slowed the smaller down by quite a lot, movement wasn't at all impossible. After all, the duo was still ahead of Amy, who had stopped to hunch over the handrails midway through the second flight but fought to continue onwards regardless. Then again, Amy was the last to ascend.

Hearing this, Trixie halted to allow Amy to catch up for a moment before the latter paused a second time. The prankster's feet continued to shift around, as if treading to keep herself moving. Waring down now was simply not an option. But Amy - her gasps were fraught with throaty coughs. "Amy? Ames? You okay? Please don't throw up. Umm, you can- I can get one of the other guys to help you. I'll get Mister or, or, what's his name- Lucy - I'll get them to come down and--"

Don't. Amy's flick of the wrist said it all. Trixie sealed her lips shut in a frown, but gave the woman an affirmative nod as she handed over her key. Trixie then looked to Lisette - "You're still okay, right?" - and the duo continued onwards. With another cough, Amy followed suit as well, dragging her fingers along the handrails as she pressed on.

Trixie's sneakers continued to squeak their way up the third flight of stairs, having been drenched from darting about the wet grasses outside. Her footing was stable enough to keep from slipping - which Lisette surely appreciated as well. Almost there, almost there, almost there.

[Pachamac]

In the Middle of the Night

“Now now, Miss Fenix, open your eyes. It’s not time to die just yet.”



Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: 4F: Master Bedroom

In the ruined wreckage that was once the Hawthorne Manor’s master bedroom, a tall man clad entirely in black stood rigid, his head tilted low as he looked upon the bleeding, pale girl below. Estelle had been laid low by Lucifer, stabbed in the back, and left to bleed out and die behind. Even now, she desperately clung onto life, struggling to stay awake and out of the cold empty abyss whose myriad number of hands tried to snatch her. Amidst her weeping teas and the terror she felt, she was certain this was it, and that she was going to die. And it frightened her. It frightened her of all the things she could not, and would not do. And all of the things that would happen to her friends… to the world if things were to remain like this. It couldn’t end like this. It just couldn’t.

And then he appeared.

“Hnnn… who… ahh… nnn… you…”

“Shh, shh, shh,” The man raised one black gloved hand from the hilt of his cane up to his mouth, the features of his face entirely shrouded by the shadows cast down by his tophat. He shook his head from side to side. “Save your strength, Miss. Fenix. Any undue exertion and you could cause yourself to prematurely leave this world. And it’s not yet the time for that, no. No.”

The man’s hand fell from his mouth, back onto his cane.

“Just be quiet, and allow me to help you first.”

Estelle had no choice, instead she just weakly let her head fall and close her eyes. She didn’t know who this person was, and it didn’t really matter. No matter what they said, it was inevitable. She was going to die.

She felt it. And unspeakable chill permeate her entire fibre of being – beginning first in her stomach and then spreading like a virus throughout the rest of her body, until even the tips of her fingers and toes went numb. Her throat grew dry, and she couldn’t breathe. This was it. This was death.

And then she opened her eyes… and it wasn’t quite the afterlife she was expecting.

The cracked ceiling she saw above, the dislodged and destroyed room she had been fighting in that once served as the bedroom for Lucifer and Drusilla… she was still here. Was this the afterlife? No, as horrible and terrifying as it was, it couldn’t have been. Which meant, beyond all hope and belief, she was still alive. And her injuries, the pain… she couldn’t feel them anymore.

She jolted upright, looking over her body. The cuts she had suffered fighting Lucifer was no more. Neither was that sharp, deep stab in the back of her side. It was like nothing had ever happened.

“What… who…?”

Estelle’s head sharply turned, to the man standing besides her, whose features were even now hidden from view, aside from his mouth, which curled into a delighted smile.

“Miss Fenix, your injuries have now been healed. I have drained from you the pain and suffering they caused, and now you are quite alright. Your body may feel a little bit stiff now, but it’ll get back to normal soon enough.”

“Who… wait…” Estelle’s eyes narrowed. “It’s you… why are you… why are you... doing this...?”

“Didn’t I already say? It’s not yet your time to die. You still have to fight, don’t you?”

“But… but you’re… why…?”

The man raised a finger, and wagged it to and fro.

“Be sure to live, and I will tell you the next time we meet.” The man chortled. His hand reached into his coat, pulling out a black key, which he then threw onto Estelle’s lap. “Here. Oren won’t be needing this, but you will. Eight of them in total, in order to turn the lock and close the gate. It’s only with those that you’ll be able to prevent Abraxis from rising. I believe your friends have gotten six of the keys so far… all that remains is his.”

“And with that,” The man turned, spiralling on the spot and then departing with a jovial spring in his step forwards. He lifted his hat down and bowed with his back facing Estelle as he stepped towards the open broken window overlooking the courtyard, his feet not once stopping. “I wish you the best of luck, my dear. I bid you adieu.”

He disappeared.

Minutes later, Estelle came to her feet, and checking that every part of her body worked as it should, she hurriedly ran towards the open window, and jumped out.

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: North-Western Tower: Top Floor: Observatory

Within the centre of the elaborate spherical room, along the clean ceramic tile floors besides the giant telescope that peered up into the sky at the giant full moon above, shadows started to bubble and boil before creeping along the length of the room, and from it, a man started to slowly emerge from the floor as he paced through the room, leaving the observatory’s centre, towards the open doors leading out to a balcony overlooking the courtyard below.

He walked with a whistle and dance of his cane, before then lifting it over him, more shadows curling, bubbling and billowing out from its end, transforming into the shape of an umbrella to protect him from the raging elements outside. He stepped out onto the balcony, a giant smile plastered on his face.

“Jack…”

A meek voice came from behind him. He turned to look over his shoulder briefly, at the gorgeous pink haired violinist who laid on the floor behind him, surrounded by two injured, unconscious children and their mother, plus the rigid stone statue of a beautiful work of art.

“…what are you… doing…?”

“Looking at the stars, my dear.” He replied, a devilish smile plastered on his face. His gaze centred away from the sky.



“They’re shining so brightly.”

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

[size=150]NOW[/size]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUkgNhNao9kIN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT[/url]



Estelle’s body shot forwards, her feet a blue as she dashed forwards and hip hopped over the broken, dishevelled remains of the courtyard, straight towards where Lucifer’s body began to rise again before. As he lifted his head up, a look of pure indignant, seething rage bubbling to viciously erupt turned towards Estelle, he felt a powerful blow collide into his cheek, and he was sent flying backwards again, this time southwardly after Estelle’s foot greeted him with a powerful kick.

As his body soared backwards through the air, he flipped himself over, his body still sailing backwards but ready to face Estelle. And with the agility buff she had been granted by from Marcus, who even now continued to support Estelle by funnelling every last remaining vestige of magic he had inside of him to empower her, was already to Lucifer again. This time she held her sword behind her back, bringing the blade slicing through the air in the hope of cleaving him in two and ending the fight there and then.

But Lucifer effortlessly twisted his body and avoided the attack, reaching out with his hand to grab the back of Estelle’s head, and push them both forwards with frightening speed southwards… and straight into and through the wall of the Manor there.



Marcus said nothing. Instead he simply closed his eyes and focused on maintaining the connection between himself and Estelle, to continue supplying her the magical agility she would need to fight, because without it, against Lucifer’s speed, she would not succeed.

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: North-eastern tower stairs:

“C’mon guys!!”

Don shouted as he raced up the stairs of the tower, leading the Pride behind him thanks to Selan’s assistance in pointing him in the right direction. As exhausted as they all were, they needed to push on, they needed to keep fighting, as much as they could, and to do it as quickly as they could too! Time was running out, and they needed to close the summoning gate that was ushering in Abraxis before it was too late. Just as they put their faith in Estelle to fight against Lucifer, she had put hers in them to complete their mission in time… and they couldn’t let her down!!

“We’re almost… almost… there!!”

Don kicked down the door to the corridor leading to the fourth floor, and with it led everyone else with him down the corridor, sprinting at full pace to the sole wooden doors at the end. With another running charge he crashed through the door, tripping over a piece of out jutted flooring and rolling into the remains of a wooden dresser.

“This is… *huff*… the right room… *huff*… right?”

Selan, Lucien, Dylan, Moira, Syed, Trixie, Lisette, Kapi, Nikki, Trent, Julius, Celeste and finally Amy all stumbled into the wreckage of the Master Bedroom, looking around in disbelief at the chaos that was once no doubt a stunningly beautiful room left in bitter tatters. Their gaze wandered over it, from the shattered window to the south, and to the clattering open doors to the north, which led to a sensation of utter despair and chilling dread howling beyond…

“Ha… ha… what… what is that?” Lucien asked, laughing in his exhaustion at the terrible atmosphere beyond. Although it wasn’t funny, laughter was all he could do, otherwise he would break down and cry. But he couldn’t. Not yet. None of them could. They were the Guilders, they were the Pride, and-

“Lissa?” Trixie’s eyes widened in surprise as Lisette moved forwards, to the center of the room and towards the edge of the destroyed southern window, looking desperately outside the window and at the courtyard below. Doing her best to look for Estelle, but not succeeding. It was so difficult to see in the thunderous wind and rain and horrible darkness, but she hoped she could see her friend’s familiar flash of red, and –

Lisette fell to her knees and did not move, instead continuing to stare outside and keep vigil for her friend.

“Moira… put me down by Lisette…” Syed weakly asked from atop the pissed off berserker’s shoulder. She scrunched her face, not understanding what the fuck was going on.

“Ames!” Trixie ran back to the cleric, who similarly collapsed out of exhaustion on the side of the bed, haggard breaths escaping her pale lips. All of them were exhausted and on their last legs, but just a little more… a little more was all they needed…!

“Trixie. Please give me your key.”

The prankster looked up to Julius looking down at her, his hand outstretched, his expression blank. Trixie looked back in confusion, before breaking into an awkward laugh at the pained smile Julius tried to give.

“You too, blondie. Cough it up. Gimme.”

Lisette looked up to Trent towering over her with his hover board in one hand and the other beckoning her to give him her key. She weakly reached into her pocket and pulled it out, faltering for a second and losing her grip before Trent grabbed it – and her hand.

“Make sure you don’t frigging fall out or something…” Trent snatched the key and spun around, walking towards the double doors and lowering his beanie further down his forehead.

“We’ve got this shit.”

Trent, Selan, Don, Dylan, Lucien, Nikki, Julius and Celeste: The eight left whom had the keys won from the Family walked through the doors, to stand upon the rain lashed balcony. As soon as they stepped one foot outside, their bodies were assaulted from the tumultuous forces whipping at them, and the force of sheer gravity pummelling down upon them and making it difficult to stand. Before them, beyond the edge of the balcony and over the forest beyond was a raging hurricane of pure fire, and a ghostly, ethereal shadow of a giant being… a being so impossibly big howling back at them.

They had to fight on, one step at a time, and seal the gate no matter what!!

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Dining Room

The wall imploded inwards and brick and masonry was flung in every direction as Estelle and Lucifer tumbled inwards, Estelle thrown from Lucifer hand onto the grand table in the centre and smashing it in two before falling backwards and off – before Estelle had a chance to react, she was gripped once again by the raging demon, her head trapped in his hand, and driven straight through the next wall into the southern corridor beyond.

Estelle gasped, pain rocketing throughout her body. Amy’s defence spell had absorbed most of the impact, as had her armour, but the transparent shell that covered her body flickered and died as Amy’s buff faded. Marcus’ warm light still covered her, still covered and-

Estelle’s head was grabbed yet again, and her body was violently yanked by Lucifer, who spun and spun and spun before unleashing his victim through the air, and Estelle sailed down the southern corridor, from the eastern portion of the corridor through the Manor’s grand hallway and towards the end of the corridor where the Library laid just beyond. Estelle however, had decided enough was enough, and she wouldn’t continue to be tossed around like a rag doll anymore.

She flipped her body over, her feet skidding along the ground to halt her speed, when her eyes bulged with surprise at Lucifer mere inches away from her, claws diving down to rake her. With the aid of Marcus’ spell, she turned, dodging the attack just in time and driving her left fist forwards, smacking Lucifer square in the face and sending him back reeling.

The two stood facing each other in the middle of the Manor’s hall.

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Kitchen

Carrying and eating a bowl of cereal from the kitchen, Billy walked through the curtained doorway back into the dining room, and stopped once he saw the gaping holes in the walls and the destroyed table. He just stared silently as he chewed.

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Grand Hall

Estelle sucked in as much desperate air as she could, looking on at the demonic, obsidian skinned hell spawn before her. For all that Lucifer had done, all the fighting and activity he had partaken in, he drew no sign of exhaustion or fatigue. And Estelle was already sweating.

Not like that mattered any, because there was no way in hell she was going to lose. Not here, not now, not ever!

She was going to make him sweat, no matter!

Estelle swung her Magitech Sword down to her side, the hilt of her sword popping up. Her other hand deftly reached into and fingered through her satchel, retrieving her last Magisphere, the Wind and a Fire sphere she had already used. This was it, her last one, and she was going to make sure that this was it.

She dropped it into the sword and closed its hatch. Swinging the sword back in front of her face, the blade hummed and flared up, sparks enveloping the blade as it ignited into a blazing inferno. Lucifer wanted to bring hell down on the world… she’d bring hell straight into his face!

Lucifer grinned.

[color=#6d6f6f]“You could have run away… you could have run and spared yourself so much pain and misery, Estelle…”[/color]

“Are you crazy?!” Estelle shouted back. “No way! No how! Estelle Fenix does not run away from a fight! Not from you, not from anyone! I won’t ever run away from a bully like you!!”

[color=#6d6f6f]“A bully…? Hmph. So be it…”[/color] Lucifer shook his head, his silver hair swaying from side to side. [color=#6d6f6f]“Running away wouldn’t have prevented your death from the hands of my lord Abraxis, but it would have given you a few more minutes of life. Now… now I am going to wring the life from your pathetic little neck once and for – ”[/color]

Lucifer’s words were never finished before he needed to step back and avoid the blazing steel centimetres away from cutting into his chin and severing his head, Estelle once again having charged in before Lucifer was able to finish. With Marcus’ agility buff, she was closer then ever, but not quite close enough. Still, it didn’t matter if her swing missed, or if her next one did, or the one after that…! She would keep fighting no matter what and she would win!

Estelle and Lucifer’s bodies danced, each of them struggling to hit the other. Lucifer’s claws shot out, more air cutting slashes released from his fingers tips as Estelle parried them with her blazing sword and tried to cut Lucifer down. Again and again the two fought, and again and again they drew closer. Violent slashes permeated both of their bodies, cutting across and leaving bloody gashes in their arms, legs and chest – deep enough to severely hurt, but shallow enough not to be fatal.

And on and on it went, the Hall another victim of their frenetic fight, scarred in deep scratches and the furniture and carpet set ablaze by Estelle’s sword. The room quickly began filling up with fire all around them as the flames spreading along the wooden banisters and supports. It was already turning into an inferno.

“Raaaaarrrghhh!!” Estelle yelled, her body bursting forth as soon as her feet touched the ground again, another swing of her sword aimed for Lucifer’s head. She had to stop him, and now, before her Magisphere ran out. Lucifer had to be ended… and now!!

Bursting forth with more speed then ever, she jumped, her body a blur and her swinging right at Lucifer’s neck. This was it!!

But then his body disappeared, and the sword sailed harmlessly through the afterimage of his body.

[color=#6d6f6f][size=150]“Enough… is enough!!”[/size][/color]

Estelle felt pain stab through the back of her head as Lucifer grabbed onto the swordswoman’s trailing ponytail, and with a violent tug snapped her body backwards. The next thing Estelle felt was searing, unending pain as a powerful punch collided into her face, smashing her into the floor.

Estelle gasped.

[color=#6f6d6d]“You fought valiantly little girl, but enough is enough.”[/color] Lucifer bent down, grabbing Estelle up by her throat and bringing her face to face with him. The fire in her Magitech Sword whimpered and died. [color=#6f6d6d]“It’s too late for you now, but what you have to understand is that there are limits to everything. You’re a pathetic, mewling brat… still a baby… whilst I have lived for centuries! Compared to my power you are absolutely nothing and no one! You cannot save your friends and you cannot stop me! This night is mine, and no others!!”[/color]

Estelle even now continued to squirm, to resist and try to break free. But Lucifer’s grip was permanent.

[color=#6f6d6d]“I am going to suck what remains of the life from you, and then I am going to kill every last one of your friends and Abraxis…

[size=150]“Abraxis will walk free.”[/size] [/color]

Estelle felt the life in her body ebb and fade, as her strength and resistance left her, passing through her body and out into Lucifer’s own through the conduit of his hand. She tried to fight, tried to resist… but was unable to.

Her heart began to slow, and Lucifer’s pumped ever faster. His smile grew wider and wider.

Thirty seconds passed, and Estelle did not move. Lucifer sneered, and threw her body towards the Manor’s entrance, his other hand unleashing another calamitous strike that ravaged and tore at her body. As Estelle fell to the ground, Lucifer’s hands swept across his body in another cross shaped attack – powerful slashes tore at the supports of either side of the Manor and brought them to ruin. As they crumbled to the ground, the fire engorged roof above collapsed and rained down into the ground.

Lucifer turned and started to walk away.

[Pachamac]

The Long Climb

Bunanigans




Hawthorne Manor: 4F Master Bedroom
So apparently, out of everyone, the only person who didn't have a key was Frank. After all the shit he put them through, he was the only one who didn't drop any goodies. Bloody typical, that is.

Still, Moira said nothing. She dropped Syed off by the window like he asked, then stood a small distance away and stared across the room, out the doorway and to the balcony beyond. They could see something was wrong with the sky just before Oren made his entrance. They had no idea just how wrong it was, however. They had no idea at all. They could feel the pressure even in here, perhaps due to the doors being so wide open. It unnerved her, gave her a deeply uncomfortable feeling deep in her stomach. How far gone was this ritual? She didn't envy those who were going out there, although it had to be done so that was that. Hopefully they could figure out what they're supposed to do.

She glanced back to the others still in the room, all exhausted and wounded and emotionally drained. "Well then... this is it."

Syed leaned himself gingerly against the edge of the window, looking down to Lisette with concern. Then without a word, he joined her in looking out the window. He doubted he would be able to see anything she couldn't, especially since she was an archer and all, but he thought she could probably do with some company. Plus he too was worried. He was really worried. As a whole team they couldn't deal with him, so Estelle and Marcus on their own?

He sighed, looking up to the lightning-stained sky above. No, no, they had to trust her. They had to.

---

Dannyel



Hawthorne Manor

He ran with them as they made their way through the ruined manor, clutching the key in his hand. It seemed that his gut instinct had paid off - these keys were important after all. Leaving Estelle behind felt wrong, but Abraxis needed to be stopped. Not able to spare any breath, Dylan sent off a quick prayer to Aislin, hoping that Estelle would make it till they got back.

Soon enough they found themselves in the ruined Master Bedroom, and they quickly arranged who all had keys. Turning, Dylan stared out across the balcony. "Well, then," he said with grim determination. "Let's do this."

He wasn't quite sure what they were supposed to be doing, not seeing any kind of key hole. But it was a magic ritual, so he was sure that something would reveal itself sooner or later.

The first step out onto the balcony was killer, the force of the maelstrom nearly knocking the slight mage from his feet. But he held on, pushing through the wind as it nearly torn the hair from his scalp with the pure force of it. Holding onto the key tightly, he bared his teeth in a feral smile.

They were doing this!

[Pachamac]

Iron

Another time, another place

A quiet, peaceful autumn afternoon. Trees rocked and swayed back and forth within the pleasant breeze, their red and gold leaves cascading to the ground. In the middle of a small cottage’s garden, the chains of a little swing creaked as it rattled back and forth ever so gently. A small girl sat on it, her eyes facing the ground.

Crack, crack, crack

“Heya Largo…” The small girl’s tiny voice called out.

“Hey Estelle! How’d you know it was me?” The larger man’s boisterously jolly voice replied, as the mountain of a man joined her.

“You’re the only person big enough to crush leaves like that…” The girl replied.

“Hey, hey! Are you saying I’m heavy?!” Largo laughed. He gently put a hand on Estelle’s shoulder, and then with it falling onto her back, he started to push her. “What’s wrong, Estelle? Your mum said you’ve been out in the garden here doing nothing all afternoon. Why don’t you go out and play?”

“I don’t feel like it,” Estelle replied.

“Don’t feel like it? Why not?”

“Cus…” Estelle stopped short for a second. “Because I don’t have anyone to play with.”

“Nobody to play with? Why not?” Largo asked again, scratching the underside of his chin as his mammoth hands pushed Estelle’s back each and every time she swung back. With each push, the swing rose higher and higher. “A girl like you should have lots of friends!”

“I don’t have any friends.” Estelle replied, her voice littered with sadness. Largo fell silent.

“Why not? I know this is a really small village, but you should have some friends…?”

“Nope… I tried, but every time I do the other kids bully and laugh at me. They call us poor and call me and my mum bad names.” Estelle’s nose started to sniffle.

“What?!” Largo’s voice bellowed. “Why on Ddaear would they do that?!”

“I don’t know… cus I’m different, I guess.” Estelle’s shoulders slumped down even lower. “They laugh at me cus I don’t have a dad, and they laugh at Mum’s leg too. I know we’re poor and all but… why does that matter?”

“It doesn’t, Estelle.” Largo smiled. “Don’t listen to them. These kids don’t know what they’re talking about… sometime soon, Estelle, you’ll find some friends. Good friends, friends that will stick with you and stay by your side forever. You’re a good kid, and don’t ever give in to bullies. They want you to be upset, you know. So don’t give them the satisfaction! Smile, laugh and be happy!!”

“But it’s so hard…”

“If your mum wasn’t cooking you dinner right now she’d wallop you for saying that!” Largo laughed again. “C’mon, you already have a friend, don’t you? I’m here, and we’re playing! So c’mon, laugh a little!”

“I don’t feel like-”

“I said laugh!”

Largo pushed Estelle with an unbridled amount of force, and the swing rocketed at unbelievable speed, launching the little girl high, high into the sky. Largo’s face immediately dropped, his eyes bulging in horror upon realising that he just used far too much strength then he had meant to.

“...oops.”

The Lion dashed out, running as Estelle started to fall again, skidding just in time to catch her before she hit the ground, safe inside Largo’s big arms. He looked down at her, fear gripping his heart as he saw how much Estelle started to tremble.

“Sorry about that Estelle, I didn’t mean to use so much strength there. Are you okay? Look, if you don’t tell your mum about what just happened, I promise to buy you all the ice cream you could eat and-”

“Ahahahaha!” Estelle started laughing. “That was fun! Fun! Again, Largo, again!!”

Largo smiled as well.

---

“I am going to suck what remains of the life from you, and then I am going to kill every last one of your friends and Abraxis…

“Abraxis will walk free.”



Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Grand Hall

Estelle felt the life in her body ebb and fade, as her strength and resistance left her, passing through her body and out into Lucifer’s own through the conduit of his hand. She tried to fight, tried to resist… but was unable to.

Her heart began to slow, and Lucifer’s pumped ever faster. His smile grew wider and wider.

Thirty seconds passed, and Estelle did not move. Lucifer sneered, and threw her body towards the Manor’s entrance, his other hand unleashing another calamitous strike that ravaged and tore at her body. As Estelle fell to the ground, Lucifer’s hands swept across his body in another cross shaped attack – powerful slashes tore at the supports of either side of the Manor and brought them to ruin. As they crumbled to the ground, the fire engorged roof above collapsed and rained down into the ground.

Lucifer turned and started to walk away.

And then he stopped.

His head slowly turned, looking back… his mouth and eyes widening in disbelief.

“Im… impossible. How…?!”

…sometime soon, Estelle, you’ll find some friends…

"Yaknow, Estelle? I think you're cool! You're a lot funner than that other guy."

"Hang tight, kid, this should help numb the pain. So long as he didn't break anything.”

"That was pretty brave of you, Estelle. I've never seen anything like what you did back there with Gaoh. A bit reckless, of course, but I'm still very impressed."

"Girl, you have a lot to learn. You see, I caused a punch explosion. Beat the shit out of pretty much all of the bandits, single handedly. Because, quite simply, I am awesome. Ask her!"

“Come back here, you!” “Nyahahaha~” “No kitty! Bad kitty! Cool down!”

"Hey, Estelle! I've never seen a magitech sword before! Where did you get something like that?"

“I’m here to follow you anywhere, Big Sis!”

"Really!? You guys will let me come along even though I tried to arrest Mr. Sylvester? Of course I'll go with you to Fenaru! Besides, I can handle myself pretty well!"

“Gorilla girl! Er, I mean, Estelle! It’s been a while, huh? (Not long enough but…) How have you been? You still with girlyman? What are you doing here? What’s up with all of you here, actually? There a convention in town or something?”

“My name is Dylan Sanders, new Guilder and Matter Artist! And it is lovely to meet such a beautiful warrior as yourself. Your kind is a rare breed, and it warms my heart to think that I shall be working with you.”

"I'll have you know, Lucy is the manliest name around. The name is Lucien, she just likes giving me nicknames and what can I say, I'm powerless against the power of cute nicknames, besides, I'm rather cute myself."

"Of course I'll help. … ... ... ... Um, I mean, I'd be... happy to!"

“Hmm… No, I’m not. I’m a Guilder, one of Julius’ friends. My name’s Celeste! Pleased to meet’cha! So, how’s the tartar?”

“Your name is… Estelle? …thank you, Estelle. Thank you for saving my life…”

…good friends, friends that will stick with you and stay by your side… forever.

Standing amidst the burning rubble, the flame haired swordswoman stood still. Her body decorated in wounds and blood, exhaustion running rampant throughout, Estelle stood strong, tightly clutching onto her sword. It didn’t matter what Lucifer would do to her, even now, because she would not stop. She could not. Because if she did, Lucifer would go on to kill her friends… every single one of them. And she couldn’t allow that to happen.

She would not let him.



WITHIN TEMPTATION
IRON

“How are you…? No, it doesn’t matter.” Lucifer’s fangs shimmered with the reflections of the surrounding flames. He lifted his hands up, ready to strike and put a final end to this. “I’ve had enough of this. Now… now you die!!”

His body became an indistinct blur, before vanishing completely. To the naked eye, Lucifer was now gone, but his presence was felt all over. Fresh scratches suddenly formed within the walls, floor and ceiling, wicked slashes emerging where Lucifer, moving at unbelievable speed, tore into. All around where Estelle stood, the Hall became battered and destroyed, as Lucifer neared closer and closer, toying with his victim, elating as he desired her fear to mount and her will to break before he finally destroyed her body.

But her will did not break.

Estelle simply stood still and waited. Waited, until –

Her hand launched out and then swung downwards. Lucifer’s body collided with the floor from where Estelle had found and grabbed his head, pummelling him into the ground.

Left in the darkness
Here on your own
Woke up a memory
Feeding the pain
You cannot deny it
There's nothing to say
It's all that you need to fire away

The wooden fire drenched floorboards splintered and broke, and Lucifer’s body bounced back. This time, before he could react, his head was grabbed and dragged along the floor as Estelle dashed directly forwards, climbing the stairs two at a time, straight towards the approaching wall.

Oh damn, the war is coming
Oh damn, you feel you want it
Oh damn, just bring it on today

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

The southern wall of the Manor exploded into the courtyard, as the two figures Lucifer and Estelle tore through. Lucifer was pushed outwards by Estelle, and a deft swing of her sword drew a mighty gash across his body- dark midnight blood falling down and intermingling with the sorrowful rain above.

This night was not over yet.

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: 4th Floor: Master Bedroom

“Estelle!” Lisette weakly called out. Trixie, Amy, Syed and Moira all snapped their attention to the archer, racing towards the window to see exactly what Lisette could. And sure enough, far away… throughout the howling chaotic maelstrom of a thunderstorm outside, they could see her. A flash of red that would not ever give up.

“Supersis!” Trixie screamed in joy. She knew it, she knew it, she knew it! Her Supersis was invincible, and she’d never lose! Never ever! “Supersisssss!!” Trixie screamed, her tiny voice a squeak amongst the howling wind and crack of thunder, but it didn’t matter. Trixie didn’t know what she could do, but right now, this was it. She’d support and encourage her supersis to fight and win no matter what!! “Supersis you can do itttt!!”

Moira’s eyes flicked to Trixie, watching as the younger girl screamed relentlessly. The others were fighting to stop the ritual, by switching Abraxis’ summoning off before he could appear. Estelle was fighting Lucifer, and she… she wasn’t doing much of anything. She couldn’t with Syed in the form that he was, otherwise she’d be standing against the chaotic energies bombarding her friends on the balcony too. But this… shouting… shouting she could do.

“ESTELLLLEEEE!!! KILLL THAT FUCKEEEERRR!!!”

“Supersissss! Kill that fuckeeeerrr!!”

Lisette meanwhile closed her eyes… closed her eyes briefly before then drawing her bow, and the last arrow she had left. She said nothing, only drawing it and aiming it towards the battlefield below. She didn’t know what else she could do, or what firing an arrow would achieve especially in a storm like this, but it didn’t matter. She would fight alongside her friend no matter what!

Syed stumbled behind her, as close as he could, resting besides Lisette, one hand on her shoulder.

And Amy, sitting on the torn up bed behind everyone, closed her eyes and concentrated.










“Everyone!!” Selan screamed out, her ponytail whipping about behind her as she struggled to stay standing, let alone move forward. This… this might, this magic and sheer evil was almost unfathomable to comprehend, to withstand, to even recognise. It was so powerful and yet… they couldn’t back down, they could not shirk or quit. Before them Abraxis was almost there, and they were within reach to stop it! They had to move forward, had to keep going, no matter the pain! “Hold onto each other!” Selan yelled. “We can do this!”

She held out her hands, and in one, Don took it. She looked to him, to see him smiling at her reassuringly, before turning and clutching Dylan’s hand next. Her other hand was gripped tightly by Trent, who’s spare hand was then taken by Nikki, and then Lucien. Dylan’s other hand was gripped by Julius, who also held onto Celeste.

They formed a chain, and against the unstoppable force assailing them, they walked forwards.

They would not be broken.

---

Vandrell: Hawthorne Manor: Courtyard

Raised in this madness
You're on your own
It makes you fearless
Nothing to lose

Dreams are a joke here
They get in your way
That's what you need to fight day by day

The dark night was lit up with the sparks from Estelle’s sword clashing with Lucien’s fingertips, each fighter continuing to attack and parry the other’s blows. Each would move and dodge, avoiding the other’s attacks at the last second, back flipping and jumping across the beleaguered and torn ground, ducking, diving, lunging and swinging without pause to hit the other. And slowly, gradually, their attacks began to hit home, each fighter’s exhaustion beginning to mount. Fresh cuts formed upon both Lucifer and Estelle’s body… and it was only a matter of time before Estelle would fall.

Lucifer’s body was so much more powerful, rejuvenated each and every time he had feasted upon Trent, Lisette and Estelle’s energy, whereas Estelle had no such benefits. Her strength was rapidly draining, but it didn’t matter. She would keep fighting, keep attacking no matter what! Until she won!

Blown away from Lucifer by another parry of the powerful man’s claws, Estelle landed on the cracked ground, already dashing forward, her sword drawn close for a lunging thrust. Lucifer’s body spiralled back, his right hand unleashing another air cutting slash that tore into Estelle’s shoulder and pelted the ground with blood, but she keep moving, keep sprinting with the aid of Marcus’ magic and was upon Lucifer again. Her sword swung out, gashing into Lucifer’s own shoulder.

He winced slightly, a fist swinging out and punching Estelle in the face, for her to land hard against the ground, immediately swinging her body back up and away to avoid another slash aimed directly where she just was.

“C’mon guys!!” Don screamed. “We can do it! We can!!”

“Y… yeah! C’mon everyone… Big Bro! Selan! Lucy! Everyone! We can…!”

“Damn… straight… we can…!!”

“This… y’know, this actually… tickles a little…”

“Nyahahaha!! You’re so funny, animal man~”

“Goddamnit, shut up cat!!”

“Trent… now’s not… the time…”

“…”

The swordswoman’s feet danced up and down along the ground again as she dived towards Lucifer, her sword slicing through the air. Her teeth grit together, Estelle dived forwards, pushing on, and on, and on. Backed by Marcus’ magic propelling her speed, Estelle surged forwards, relentless, like a force of nature. It didn’t matter how bad the situation was, how desperate the odds, she would never give up. She would win!

The winds shifted.

“Goooo, supersis! Gooooo!!!” “MURDER THAT MOTHERFUCKERRRRR!!”

She could hear the rallying cries of her friends.

She smiled.

Estelle jumped forwards again, propelling her body with all her speed towards Lucifer, taking him by surprise and swinging her sword down at him. With all her Magispheres spent, she had to fight and win by pure grit and determination alone. And she’d prove it was enough!!

“Foolish girl!!” Lucifer bellowed back, his rage beyond compare. “You never learn, do you!!”

Lucifer’s body vanished from sight again, Estelle’s sword sailing harmlessly through thin air. He reappeared behind her, his hand snagging Estelle’s ponytail again, his free hand open as he brought it in close with the intent of draining every last bit of life from the Guilder’s body… and then snapping her neck for good measure.

But then a brilliant burst of light streaked through the sky, cleaving the air in two and bursting through Lucifer’s hand, penetrating through the ground and leaving a smouldering hole behind. As everything fell into slow motion, Lucifer turned, looking to his hand and the clear hole burned straight through, utter disbelief left on his face.

“What… how…?!”

“I have friends in high places.”

Estelle’s body turned, using the momentum of Lucifer pulling her body back by her hair. Her sword was the first to swing out, cutting off her ponytail and sending the strands of her fiery red hair falling to the ground, with Estelle’s right foot following through and cracking against the villain’s cheek, sending him barrelling backwards.

Estelle’s feet landed on the ground, and she stood up defiant, not yet ready to give up.

In the manor’s master bedroom, a bowstring became relaxed, and a pigtailed blonde girl collapsed to her side in exhaustion with an electrically sparking mage beside her.

“Go! Estelle! Win!!”

Estelle’s eyes shot up, facing the recovering Lucifer, who finally skidded to a halt, his head rising up to face hers too. Those glowing orbs narrowed, and sinister white teeth flared ever sharper in the glow of another streak of lightning and echo of thunder. Enough was enough.

Estelle waved her arms, and sheathed her Magitech Sword. This was it… she only had enough strength for one more attack.

“Almost… there…!” Eight pairs of feet crunched atop the rain slicked balcony, the Pride inches away from the slowly appearing, glowing red magical circle that stood before them as the Gate for the Ritual. A magical circle with eight points upon, shaped like keyholes were littered along the giant glowing circle. Releasing their hold on each other, all of them stood as strong as they could, baring the brunt of the unheavenly forces assailing their bodies, fighting against the unimaginable force of gravity to lift the hands up that held their keys…

Before them, the giant, malevolent creature flickering between dimensions in the centre of the spiralling storm in front of them turned, and unleashed an ear splitting scream. Lifting a massive, powerful arm, it reached out towards them…

Oh damn, the war is coming
Oh damn, you feel you want it
Oh damn, just bring it on today

“Enough… is enough…” Lucifer panted, gritting himself for the next strike. The final strike. “Now… now you die!! Once. And. For. ALL!!”

His powerful wings beat against the ground, propelling him forwards with his mightiest speed yet. He surged forwards, claws raised towards his prey, towards Estelle, ready to end it once and for all!!

Her eyes flicked open.

She had no Magispheres left… none except…

Her hand reached into her satchel and bought out that last one- the strange and inexplicable one she recovered from the ancient ruins of Museo. Her hand quickly opened and inserted it into the tip of her sword, and closed it shut. Power and energy automatically enveloped the blade, pulsing outwards and enveloping Estelle’s whole body, her body lighting up like a beacon in the darkness. Power swarmed through and sparked across her sword’s sheath, as Lucifer closed in on her.

On the balcony, shaky hands reached the keyholes. Unanimously, the Pride inserted the keys into the gate’s lock, as Abraxis’ giant hand reached out to smother them.

“Estelleeee!!”

“Everyone!!!”

]“WIIIIINNNNN!!!!!!”

“DIE!”

You can't live without the fire
It's the heat that makes you strong
'Cause you're born to live and fight it all away
You can't hide what lies inside you
It's the only thing you've known

You'll embrace it and never walk away
Don't walk away

Estelle’s sheath exploded as her Magitech Sword burst outwards from the sheer power coursing through and bursting without, its speed as fast as a rocket. Estelle’s hands gripped the handle. Her body turned. Her arms swung. Lucifer reached out.

The keys turned.

Don't walk away
Don't walk away
Don't walk away

The world was bathed in a brilliant shining light, the thunderous black clouds above and the catastrophic energies of Abraxis swept apart and destroyed.

Estelle’s Magitech Sword sliced diagonally through the air, cutting straight across Lucifer’s passing body… leaving a terrific gash across his body and severing his forearms.

“No… no… fathe…!”

Lucifer’s body tumbled and collapsed into the wet ground, shining with the reflection of the morning sun’s rise.

Estelle staggered forwards, her body heaving and falling, the wild energies contained in her sword dissipating. Her legs buckled and gave way, and she fell to her knees, using her sword to support her body up. She breathed heavy.

“She did it…” Moira stared incredulously. “She… she actually fucking did it!!”

“We did it…!” Dylan smiled happily, himself and the others all collapsed upon the balcony, overlooking a smouldering forest opening itself up to the morning sun, devoid of a terrible dark god threatening to destroy all life as they knew it. They had done it. They had brought forth the morning. They’d won!

Estelle lifted her head back, staring directly at the sky above. A beautiful blue shade filled with light and life. She stared back over her shoulder, looking towards Lucifer, and seeing his body remain still. It was over, she had won, and –

“RAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Estelle clamped her eyes shut and roared as loudly as she possibly could. They had done it! They had done it! They had done it, done it, done it!!!

And then Estelle’s Magitech Sword shattered, and her body started falling to the ground, her face filled with horror at the fragments of metal tumbling to the ground.

She fell into his arms, who gripped and embraced her tightly.

“You did it, Estelle.” Marcus smiled. “You won.”

“My mum’s going to kill me…”

Estelle fell into a deep sleep.

The sun shone brightly.