[IC] Dead topic.

[LookingGlass]

After complying and following the group to retrieve fresh water and leave this tainted forest Hitori felt a presence that made his hair stand on ends before witnessing the Massive Hobgoblin arise, it was in that moment that something clicked inside Hitori. He had seen this before...somewhere....he couldn't quite remember but this situation seemed far too familiar...Oh well, best not to dwell on such thoughts right now. He however did Notice the Randy person was trying to head back to the wreckage of the ship and stopped him, "Not today Mr. Randy, Today we help slay the beast and earn our keep." He said with a Smile as his Limbs lengthened to their "proper" size and he manifested his Scythe.

While the rest of the Crew was preoccupied with the Hobgoblin, Hitori stealthily sneaked behind the Rancid Beast while it was being distracted by the Rats, Cassius, and the Wylde One. With his Gem he saw varying weak point in the Armor and took his opportunity. With a Cleave of his Scythe he Took the Hobgoblins Forearm and giggled with Glee as he watched it gush with the horrible ichor that flowed through its veins. "We aren't done just yet Sir Hobgoblin, the Emerald Mother will take you back into her all consuming embrace." He Revealed a Small Seed Pod covered in Spines and Rushed toward the Creature to implant it into the wound, dodging blows that came his way.

Once the Seed had been implanted into the Oozing stump of the Hobgoblin Hitori got the Fuck out of the way as Vines began to grow from the seed and bore their way into the Howling Beasts Body, slowly draining its life force bit by bit and Redistributing it to Hitori and others in the group to help perk them up a bit. It wasn't much but hopefully the Green Magic would give them a slight advantage over the creature.

[CAS1006]

Cassius felt more at ease with the beast being poisoned, but the girl Karn was being quite annoying... The only ones that seemed to be of help was Wylde... The spell she used worked like a charm, the smoke and water created a steam that helped block the Hob goblin's view as it rose to the air. "That is exactly what I expected..." Cassius set the sword into the ground. Dren's hat trick was great too. Blank scratched open the armor... and with the plants, it seemed like the armor was about ready to fall off entirely into scraps of metal. "Ifrit... Give me your protection." There was a mirage of flame around Cassius, not that anything was actually burning.

"As you command." The mirage around Cassius was that of a large beast; a shade with large horns that were outstretched like antlers, the maw seeming to open as flames erupted from it's sharp teeth. There was a grin, his embers he had for eyes glinting happily. Cassius entire attire burned away, smoke hiding him, as his attire was replaced by a Skeletal chassis that endowed his body, bone like gauntlets and boots, even his helmet was changed into a form with horns like Ifrit's, yet they hugged close to the helmet. The clothing was a red velvet fabric, yet it was tattered and torn, the torn edges had a blazing effect; embers really. Yet nothing burned when touched... Cassius had daggers of ebony in his hands. "Ready to go..." Cassius set down the blade Blank had, and rotated in place for a moment. "Can you withstand this?" He spun rapidly as the ebony was sent flying into the torso like a spring projected bolt from a high tension crossbow. The result was an explosion that shattered the armor. "Bullseye!" The daggers reformed, yet rather than throw another set, he wanted to try something else.

"Garnet, channel your magic into my weapon, please?" Cassius got on one knee as he aimed his Rifle up to the head of the Goblin.

"Allow me to assist you Mr.Svent." Garnet channeled her circuit around Cassius' weapon, a glyph of flame at the barrel.
"Get ready, now go!" Cassius pulled the trigger as the steel was endowed with the power of the earth and flames of destruction. The destructive force pieced the right eye of the hodgoblin to fall on it's back, it whaling in pain.

"Niiice!" Blank grinned, jumping forward with his broadsword, stabbing it into the heart like region, it pierced but it wasn't enough. "Karn! The neck! Get the neck!" Cassius called out seeing as she was near the other side of it.

"Mr.Dren, could you blast the steel with lightning? You could help stop the heart perhaps." Garnet muttered as she turned to him.

[CadenGallic]

"Of course I can, your highness." Dren glanced toward the princess at her question. Together they were quite easily handling this beast, the combined flurry of varying attacks, the quick movements of the cat lady, the fire containment from her ally, that bizarre growth from Hitori and added onto that Cassius and Blank's work, they were safely stifling this stumbling beast.

And Dren by now just wanted to finish the thing off, pointing his cane at it as it channeled his magic. "Begone, filthy creature." He commanded as lightning burst from his staff in a brilliant jagged strike of white light, striking the beast in the side and riddling its body with coursing volts, the metal conducting and circulating the beast with the electrical current.

[Silver Fox]

Karn constantly kept smashing her fists against the Goblin, dancing away with ease with any swing it tried before striking again like a constant barrage. While keeping up with the insults. Overall though, the group was handling it pretty quickly. Watching as the Hobgoblin fell over while the gentlemanly mage zapped it, her ears flicked toward Crossdresser as he ordered to go for the neck. Her emerald green eyes flicked toward him, giving a nonchalant grin as she shrugged with a mild smirk on her face.

"Mhmm maybe if you say please dearie Crossdresser." The feline mused but went toward Blank and the Hobgoblin in a flash. Not really wanting her crewmate to get pummeled while that close to the creature with his sword stuck in it. Her hands grabbed onto the Hobgolins head, and with a swift harsh movement, snapped it in a quick almost 180 degree angle. Emitting a quick, but sickening 'crunch snap' sound. Green eyes blank, void of emotion.

"My, what a snapping success." The feline mused, ignoring the familiar feeling that thudded her chest. It was dissatisfying. Yet exhilarating. Quite the nuisance.

[CAS1006]

"Can you please cease with the jokes just aaaaa bit? I mean we alll could have died easily..." Cassius removed his helmet, his hair seemed to be somewhat dancing like flames... and then he saw a reflection from Blank's sword. "Either I have a good hair product... or my shit is on fiiiiire." Cassius received two face palms. Both of which are from Blank and The Princess.

"Mr.Svent... Please... just don't do that again..." Garnet exhaled.
"I fucking love this guy already... he is getting just as bad as you Karn." Blank gave a pitiable laugh.
"Joking aside, that was spectacular... But here is where I ask the favor of... Dren... Would you kindly collect these metals? They can be used for other synthesizing... Like... reinforcing weapons... And I get the feeling someone is going 'Wuuuut'. Which... is understandable... And..." Cassius looked to Karn, crossing his arms.

"You know what it is. The mixing of chemicals and steel... With the mixing of blacksmithing. My point is..." Cassius gave a rather stern look. "This is not even the start of the adventures any of you are taking... And... Blank... I want you to go back to Baku and stay with him... Which is the most selfish thing I can ask of you..." Cassius took a breath before walking forward to a down hill slope of what looked like a waterfall. This was where they'd find the spring.

"You're damn right it is... You're not making much sense at all to me, and you... bring all that up... Like it will be important... Granted it was more interesting when you seemed... ya know...? More fun... Less of a straight to the point and straight to having fun just a few moments ago..." Blank flicked his blade before following rather closely, he watched Cassius shake his head.

"Please, just go back... I don't want to see someone I care about die trying to save me." At this point Cassius crossed his arms... Stepping into the water, he held a flask out for himself, filling it with the water that seemed very aquatic in terms of the color it gave off, it was an azure type of color, yet the healing properties were so powerful, he could feel it through his skeletal like armored hands and boots...There was an easy feeling. It was enlightening to him to some degree, a ball of tension being ironed out.

"You can't ask me to stay back after hearing I could save you..." Blank kicking through the water, the waves sinking to the shins. He held a bottle to the falling water from the fall. "It just would go against me, watching someone die because I was told to stay back. Hearing about it even... It is just wrong..." Blank exhaled before he took notice of Cassius' expression of grief.

His eyesbrows furrowed up, the lips of his slightly quivering. "Is there nothing good I can do for anyone...?" Cassius sat down in the water, the spring water splashing around him... Blank placed a hand on his shoulder. He saw the teary eyes of his.

"You did plenty good. You got us on a path of a healing spring none of us probably never would have found... You gave laughs and smiles so far to the boss and I, and... Karn will warm up to you... But she can be prickly... And... You do have influence over a situation. More than you think. Even if the Princess did not follow us, I bet either the boss would have, or even just... anyone really. Granted, your choice of words is..." He smirked, waiting for Cassius to interrupt him with the word he was looking for.

"Robust... Rude, insensitive, uncaring and non-discriminant?" Cassius felt how drenched he was.
"Hmmm... I would not say 'insensitive'. You have a habit of considering doing what you feel is the right thing... You stormed off to try to kill that Goblin... Which takes more guts. A lot more than I'd have... Well, normally... Though I notice you to be... inexperienced in many ways..." Blank chuckled. "You're not terribly bad or great... But a above average... What I am trying to enforce is, your choice was kind of empowering. Everyone joined together to fight that... It's beautiful to see people from all around of different cultures uniting for one idea, even if they can't see the catalyst for it..." Blank stood up, helping Cassius up weather he wanting to be helped up or not.

Garnet was catching up with him. "Mr.Svent. Is... There anything else we should be looking for here?"
Cassius took a breath. "A giant plant that controls the Forrest. Believe me when I say this is really the time to start a fire when... We meet it... But be prepared for a running sprint... When we are done with it."

"Please don't do this..." Cassius turned to Blank. "You're the only friend I ever had that showed me any meaningful emotional difference... In my work place, we don't really get the ability to just... Be friends really. It is just 'Get this done.'. They want results... not feelings. And... I normally aim for those results."

"Fuck that, you deserve a more free life then that." Blank shook his head profusely. "You're unhappy there, and you're struggling to even hold that nature here... I might have just met you. Like yesterday. You seemed to struggle to have fun..." Blank grinned.

"I can't be selfish here though. That will lead to bad results for everyone." Cassius shook his head as he looked to Garnet.

"And what if I said being selfish has it's advantages? I showed you how to use a sword. Sure, you did okay for a stage performer, but... I selfishly showed you how, because I wanted to. I did not have to do anything. But I did. Because I wanted to. Isn't that why you're here...? So stop being hypocritical." Blank patted his back.

Cassius merely looked down shamefully. "I only came here because I wanted to help everyone I could... I had a vision of kingdoms at war... And many faces... Faces this lot has yet to see, yet ones I know that I have not met... But can only describe as... Daunting. My... Sole reason was to try to help if I could." Cassius exhaled.

"Selfish and noble..." Blank grinned before looking to the general direction of the group.

[CadenGallic]

"A wonderful performance." Dren toted slightly with a brush of the brim of his hat, his summon fading as his clothes and cane retook their normal, more pristine appearences. In his head, Dren heard the familiar voice of his chattering little sidekick.

"We did real good there huh? I made a good debut! I bet everyone's really impressed, oh! Do you think you could introduce me, Mr Rache? Pleaaaaaaase?" a squeaky and annoying voice echoed around his head.

"Do be quiet." Dren chastised him mentally. "We're in company, even if they know i'm talking to you, I don't want to go showing you off whilst we're in the middle of dangerous territory. Besides, I have work to do."

"All work and no play Mr Rache! Just give me a chance to say hiiiiiii!" The rat insisted as Dren began to try to tune him out for the time being, his left eyebrow twitching instinctively, as it did so when he was annoyed.

"Yes, I can do that. I need to do some collecting anyhow." Dren rummaged inside his coat and flipped a leather bag out, going around and collecting up the bits of metal and slipping them into the bag. Once he was done, he went over to the spring and took a pair of flasks out of his sleeves, filling both up with the water. And once that was done, he began whooshing around the area, picking at some grass here, snapping up a mushroom there, placing them into a secondary bag and slipping that back into his cloak. The first bag, with the metal inside, he returned to Cassius.

"I'm all thumbs with smithing, sir. I'll trust you to transfer this to the right person... or just keep it, either works." he said before he handed over the bag and made his way back toward the wreckage. Now that he had the right materials, it was time to get to work. He'd need to bust out some old classics if he was to keep this group afloat for god knows how much longer they'd be out here.

[AwesomeZero5]

Randy was briefly stopped by Hitori and knew not the reason why. Even the brief mention of slaying the beast seemed rather ineffectual or pointless to get himself particularly involved in this fight. It strung and even irritated to some degree that it was assumed that Randy was thought to need to ‘earn’ a keep despite his previous or perhaps still current occupation of maintenance of sorts. Keeping things, together and functioning properly to a degree. Focusing on such and more of the results of what had occurred instead of the rest of the chaos unfolding, was rather saddening. He felt more of longing to simply return even more so than he did before. There was likely nothing he could do to save anything now but, what else was he to do? What else was he capable of beyond at least trying again to keep himself occupied? There was an odd feeling of insanity and departure from reality in it but that was not discomforting.

The battle continued to unfold in front of Randy’s eyes. The slight amazement and impressive works of the combatants and what appeared to be magic was either gone or dying quite rapidly in his eyes. He was beginning to lose vision of it or the things around really. Attention and plans were much more being turned inward and inspecting thoroughly for something or anything that could possibly be done or used. There were a few ideas that came to mind but none were viewed as, specifically necessary or perhaps even that useful or obtainable to begin with. Although it would be something, and might be similar to some outer inspirations of ideals. They were, unlikely but it was something.

Maybe it would be a courteous idea to announce his departure back to the wreck of his old job. On the other hand it seemed everyone was busy doing something and he would have likely slipped away unnoticed with the exception of the one person who had stopped him from walking away in the first place. The creature was dead, or appeared dead enough from the rest of group’s efforts. Hopefully that would be more something to dwell on along with dealing with getting out of the forest rather than Randy disappearing for a while. He simply started to slip back toward the ship quite quickly before hopefully anyone else noticed that he was even there. There was something about a giant plant controlling the forest and that was about as much as Randy caught before quickly trying to slip off. If the supplies survived well enough there would hopefully be a welding torch or arc somewhere around perhaps like a bunch of other junk that was around.

[rivaan]

The enemy had fallen for quite a while already when Wylde finally sheathed her rapier. She had almost expected more dangers to show up, but it seemed for now that was not the case. When the blade was finally completely into the sheath, it gave a very clear metallic sound. She smiled, it meant the blade was in a near perfect condition, which considering their location was grand as there was no smithy nearby to fix it in case of need.

She had heard some of the discussion between Blank and Cassius and frowned.” Life lived only for others, is not live.” She said with a shrug of her shoulders and slightly disapproving voice.” The desire to help is all fine, but when said desire is the only thing you act upon all the time, something has gone wrong. Besides helping, what do you plan to do?” She asked Cassius in the end.” What are your plans for the future? Defeat your rival, build a nice home, find love, get rich? Just what do you plan for yourself?”

[CAS1006]

"Heh... I'm not going to chastise you for showing some to any... concern at all... But my goal requires me to be as selfless as possible." Cassius composed himself as he rotated his shoulders, cracking them. "And... It might not be living the way I would have wanted to... To be care free and just... enjoy the simple things..." Cassius took a breath as he pointed to the water under them.

"So... There are the kingdoms we know... And the ones we would never associate with, we being the Continent of mist... Also known as Alexandria as a whole in the older times... But I'm not about to give a history lesson and difference in thematics." Cassius stepped away from Blank, but closer to Wylde. "There... is a hidden Kingdom... One that... Hides with it's madness and pride, yet no one can hear their cry..." Cassius frowned... In fact this did not improve his expression at all... He seemed more bitter the more he talked about it.

"I'll just say the outcomes... A War is going to happen no matter what we do... Alexandria was already... persuaded even before a certain visitor gave his reading. The power... Of Suggestion can level cities as you know." Cassius looked to the soldier. "My wish, is to prevent that. I don't want to see others fall at that suggestion. But to obtain what it is I wish to do as a member of my race? It requires a tolerance and an esteem I have to wear... Even if it isn't what I want." Cassius paced in the water.

"Fact is...? I can talk about this all day, all night, write entries for the department to look into from a desk, but all I am doing at the end of the day is sitting down, making minimal salary just to have another meal. We can agree that isn't doing too much with my life..." Cassius grinned at his reflection... From Wylde's view she could see where he was going with this. "But... Out here, I can sacrifice the life I had to work against that future. I plan to fight the future. The one that is written." Cassius went back over, sitting down in the water. "My end goal in life...? I can't answer that. I might not even get to that." The water's reflection showed a familiar sword of Alexandria- a sword that felled a hundred men in single combat.