Psyker Landshark

Iris Ascendis

Getting it down in writing that I'll have something up tonight.

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Ranbu no Izayoi

Everything became so much clearer at once. Of course Valheim hadn't stopped at just Bahamut. And now they were facing a demi-Leviathan within its greatest domain. Short of the ship capsizing, this was one of the worst possible situations for the Kirins to be in. Izayoi grit her teeth and raised her sword as one thalassic serpent came crashing down towards her and Galahad.

The samurai clutched her uchigatana with both hands, prepared to meet the watery construct when Rudolf came crashing down upon it, clad in the same shadowy darkness that Izayoi had vaguely remembered saving her life back in the desert. His dagger and darkness plunged into the skull, breaking the spell apart into water at the same time Robin savaged the one assaulting her with the opposing element.

Galahad took the opportunity to launch Izayoi into the air, and she adjusted quickly, taking in the view of the battlefield as she rose. Two serpents down. One had retreated into the water with Eve and Esben in tow. Deeply concerning. Miina's lightning assaulted that one in particular, and so Izayoi shifted targets towards the final sea snake, plunging down in its direction as her Wind materia infused itself into her blade, Ciradyl's performance ringing in her ears.

Blessed with the advantage of falling momentum and Ciradyl breaking the limits of what one could usually do with aether, Izayoi crashed through the final snake with a downward slash meant to cleave skulls. The Eidolon's projection dissipated into ordinary water much the same as its compatriots, and the Mystrel landed on deck as Neve's Medica began to mend the wounds of those still on board.

Meanwhile, Esben's rifle toss and Eliane's return fire began to scythe down what pseudo-Dragoons were left until only three remained, frantically boosting and weaving out of the way of the Household Guard's shots. Thankfully for them, Eliane's chaingun clicked empty, having run out of its limited ammunition supply. Even so, Valon frowned as he picked himself up from where Galahad had nearly kicked him off the ship's deck, now bereft of a spear in his hands. He drew his side sword and leapt up atop the ship's mast, surveying the situation. An intake of breath.

"Right." The turncoat decided to himself before raising his voice. "Anyone still alive, we're pulling out! I'm calling in the gunship!" His free hand sent a small burst of Fire magic up into the air with the aid of a materia orb embedded into his armor, serving as a flare to call his air support in. The Valheimr airship drew close to the ocean surface, and Valon leapt straight onto it as his remaining subordinates joined him.

"Siren, fall back! You have our package, get it on board! And Galahad," He shot his former friend a mocking grin. "I'll be wanting my spear back, next time! Don't go losing it before we meet again!"

"You've not attained victory yet!" Izayoi roared up towards the gunship before leaping up to the edge of the ship. "We must retrieve Eve and Esben!" She stared down into the sea where Miina's electricity had surged down towards, raising her katana with both hands.

At her peak, Izayoi would have had no doubts in her ability to split the sea. As she was now...? Wind surged around her blade. It didn't matter whether or not she could. Only that she must.

"I will provide an opening! Cover me, then capitalize upon it!"

The winds around her sword strengthened, beginning to rotate. Izayoi's Time materia gleamed as she invoked it next, speeding the gale's rotation with Haste, the hurricane-like blade beginning to intensify.

"Are you idiots going to gawk, or shoot her? I'm not the one holding a gun!" Valon barked at the trio of assault troops left, who promptly raised their rifle-axes and began to draw a bead on Izayoi, opening fire.

Izayoi leapt from side to side while still charging the attack, trying to evade the incoming gunfire as best as she was able. This was why she never used this technique in actual battle: it simply took too long to prepare outside of an opening gambit! Trying to maintain both of her materia at the same time was providing enough of a strain as it was, slowing her pace to the point where she'd need the aid of her comrades if she didn't want a bullet or five in her back.

After a few more moments, the winds around her sword sped to an acceptable level, and Izayoi halted in place.

"I can guarantee you but a few seconds! Save them!" She yelled towards the rest of the Kirins before bringing her sword down to release the gathered winds. The ensuing wave of air pressure tore a trench straight through the top layer of the ocean, passing next to Siren, Eve, and Esben and stripping the former of the comfort and protection of water around her. The three started to fall, but nature already began to reassert itself, the sea walls already crashing back down to fill the void of ocean that had been displaced. If any among the Kirins were going to make a move, it had to be now.

Iris Ascendis

Iraleth Kyrios

Iraleth smashed through the bulkheads, taking care to not bowl over any guards in the way. As she flew through, however, her Adapa pinged. She read.

Northwest, on the third floor. At least she hadn't burned through that much Essence on nothing, then. Iraleth was already in the northwestern quadrant of the Iris Record, by her reckoning. The ceilings weren't as reinforced as the bulkheads were. And this talk of a magical darkness that wasn't Ciara's? What, did she have a collaborator-

The imp.

Her eyes narrowed beneath her Ethos's helm. Damn it all, every single one of Iraleth's mistakes was just coming back to haunt her today, weren't they? She raised her shield above her head, stretched her wings of light out, and took off straight upwards, smashing through the ceiling once, and then again.

The Inheritor emerged directly in the midst of the fight, light Essence already forming on the tips of her wings as she took a second to survey the situation. And it was one of the longest of her life.

Davil, half dead and with a crossbow pointed at him. Chunji, with Ciara in tow. Ciara, fleeing from the other source of darkness, trying to rescue Davil. And the shrouded figure itself...

Memories of that one night a decade ago came back unbidden. Ciara's magics had tipped Iraleth's suspicions. But this...? This was Umbralism. In an instant, Iraleth shifted her aim from Ciara to the mystery man. Magic bolts surged forth from the tips of her wings of light, aiming to scythe through the shadowy lizards as Iraleth raised her sword and shield.

"Keep moving!" She barked down towards Ciara. "We'll settle our affairs later!" Iraleth charged full bore towards the Umbralist, brimming with radiance.

Was this a mistake? Should she have finished Ciara off when she'd had the chance? Maybe. But the darkness in front of her couldn't be ignored or set aside for even a moment. This was what she'd trained over half her life for. Light surged around her sword.

"Ignite! Intensify! Purge!"

The light surged into radiant flame, and she swung, sending the shockwave out horizontally in an attempt to catch both the Umbralist and his remaining shadow lizards in the same arc.

Iris Ascendis

Working on it tonight, actually

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Renar Hagen

Alone? How curious. The good duke managed to slip away from the crowd at his very own gathering? Poor manners from a host, really. This sort of social gaffe was something Renar wouldn't expect from the man. Either he'd had some sort of particularly important business going on, or he'd already been ensorcelled at this point. Just more subtly.

"Your time is appreciated." Renar nodded to the servant before turning with a swish of his cloak and stalking back into the main hall.

"Sir Aglan," He stalked forward towards the knight in question, keeping his voice low. "Whom would you believe to have the most knowledge of the duke's dealings among the manor staff? Has anyone gone through his personal records yet to search for a cause behind all of this? His son, perhaps?"

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Ranbu no Izayoi

To Izayoi, the only thing worthwhile about the byplay between Galahad and the traitor dragoon was that the former seemed to truly have no idea about the latter’s betrayal. As the two Edreni separated, the samurai took her opportunity to intervene and leapt forward, barreling straight into Valon from the side before he could reengage with Galahad.

”Ergh!” He grit his teeth, hurriedly bringing the haft of his spear up to try to ward off Izayoi’s series of strikes. ”Fast…but…!” With the barest hint of an opening, Valon used his superior strength to shove Izayoi away from his position, quickly catching his breath from having to fend off two warriors in quick succession.

”...Not fast enough.” He concluded with a chortle, twirling his weapon around once more. ”You know, I didn’t believe the handlers when they said you’d gone to the dogs. By the stories, I should be dead by now, even with the bit of help I’ve gotten. And speaking of, you’re feeling it, aren’t you?” Valon chuckled as Izayoi narrowed her eyes, her movements ever so slightly slowed by the Siren’s call. His laugh didn’t last long, overshadowed as it was by Ciradyl’s song in response. One by one, his men started falling, over half of the dozen pseudo-dragoons he’d brought dying in quick succession before he had to hurriedly make a long vault away from Eliane’s field of fire as the first few bullets pinged against his plate, grazes drawing blood.

”Oh for the love of-” He sighed, raising his free hand to his mouth to let out a loud whistle. ”Can’t even last long enough for me to have my fun. Assault unit, regroup! Form up and fire from range, take out their cannoneers so we can bring the airship in closer!” His remaining five men did as he bid, keeping well above the fray as they aimed down, a fusilade of fire bringing down several of Bikke’s men manning the guns. Their escort airship began to close in as the assault dragoons shifted their fire to both Eve’s wings and Ciradyl, aiming to literally clip their primary target’s wings while subduing the most annoying supporter on the field. All the while, Izayoi scowled, looking to Galahad.

”They are out of my range, even with magic. And where is the boy-” Valon’s voice cut her off, shouting across the field to the point where he could be heard down below.

”Right, Siren? If you’d care to help at any point in time? Mare Imperatrix, release your restraints! Tides unending!”

Rumbling began to come from the ocean, shaking all those on board…

Iris Ascendis

@Nanaya Oh yeah, permission to have Iraleth catch up and act this round? I'm assuming it's implied from the post, just double checking.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Renar Hagen

He'd thought that the situation would have lost its humor by now, but Renar just couldn't resist taking amusement in the inherent comedy of such a person of influence debasing himself like this. He didn't exactly have much to contribute here, not being versed in magics like Gertrude or having a connection to the fey itself like Fionn, so Renar contented himself with observing the situation for now.

The king's own court mage being here wasn't much of a surprise, considering the Duke being a member of His Majesty's line. Still, it was something to keep an eye on. Trying to make inroads with the man at the current moment was ill-advised, considering all of them were here to fulfill an actual task. Something to keep in mind for later. At the very least, Renar could take the time to see what made the man tick.

Renar stayed on the fringes of the gathering, wondering to himself for a moment. If this were him, how would he have taken advantage of the situation? There was always somebody looking to profit from a crisis like this. One only had to consider the correct angle...ah. He nodded to himself for a moment before stepping out of the hall briefly and flagging a passing servant down.

"My good man," Renar casually slipped the servant a handful of coin. "No doubt you know that we're here to investigate the duke's...condition. Tell me, does he have any political rivals or anyone who stands to benefit from the poor lord's sudden befuddlement?" He'd already ruled the son out. The man had the perfect chance to rule in his father's place by deeming him invalid, but as it stood, it seemed Thedric's child had made no moves in that regard.

SPIRITUM

Kalina Kovalic

Kalina couldn't even have half a moment to enjoy the sight of Ivan getting what he deserved before Morden had to butt in and express an opinion. She narrowed her eyes in displeasure, telepathically responding while listening to Ivan squeal.

You're right, sorry. That's my bad. I should have stabbed him instead. Second, he's not a civilian, he's an auxiliary. And last, I don't care what else he is besides incompetent. That's grounds alone for worse in wartime.

Her stare intensified into a full on glare as Ivan tried lie after lie. Even if Kalina didn't know Ivan as well as she did, the sheer logical inconsistency of his excuses was a red flag.

"Dad isn't the one with imperial contacts. I always suspected you were dealing to them on the side, too."

He's selling all these on the black market, I guarantee it. Take everything we need. Dad and company won't miss what they were never going to get in the first place.

Then Gerard handed Kalina the gunblade, and her eyes widened as she read the inscription.

Etched on the blade, in the old tongue of the eastern regions, read:

To my little Lina.

She lifted the gunblade, testing its weight and heft. Finely crafted, intended for battlefield use, and fit perfectly in her hands. Though not without a few decorative flourishes.

"He didn't have to bother getting the flowers..." She murmured under her breath before returning her stare to Ivan. This had been meant for her. Her father had never mentioned a word of it, so it must have been intended as a surprise gift. Ivan...

"We do go back. Long enough for me to think Dad should've had you shot years ago." Kalina said flatly, looking Ivan dead in the eyes. "This just confirms it." The tip of Kalina's newly-acquired blade came plunging down towards Ivan's throat. One clean motion, no hesitation.

I'll cover up the evidence before we leave.

Warhammer 40K: His Angels of Death

Strike Cruiser Tenacity of Sigismund

The Karia Crusade emerged into realspace with minimal issue, its ships' Gellar Fields holding steady throughout their voyage on the tides of the Warp. Aboard the Tenacity of Sigismund, a lord of the Astartes poured over a tactical readout of the current void situation, barking orders as the Striker Cruiser's escorts stayed in formation around it.

"Commsman, get me open channels with the Navy and any Space Marine detachments in the theater. Battlefleet Trecentis, do you read? This is Marshal Hartmut of the Black Templars, arriving in-theater with ground and void reinforcements. Requesting any and all tactical information on these unknown xenos, over."

Had this been a known enemy, there wouldn't have been the need for hesitation. The order to launch boarding torpedos and engage in the void would have been given already. But nothing in the Templars' long history of battle had any information on these new xenos. Not an unheard-of situation, especially among those dedicated to the Eternal Crusade, but it still merited some amount of caution.

Was that supermassive abomination above Tergatus Magna a living ship like those of the Tyranids, or an entire leviathan soaring through the void? One could be boarded and its inhabitants fought. The other was simply asking to waste the Emperor's currency on fruitless actions.

"To all servants of the Emperor in-system, we are the Karia Crusade, and we bring the Emperor's wrath upon these foul wretches. In the name of the Emperor and Dorn!"