vietmyke

Tales Of Endoroth (A Slice Of Life MMO Roleplay)

@AwesomeZero5 I think the ranger is a decent level, or we'd have noticed when he partied up. Then again, maybe he had someone powerlevel him, and doesn't know as much as he should.

@shylarah

The ranger is inting our promos! He's running it down mid! Somebody stop this man

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Galahad Caradoc

---

The White mage rejoining them was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise. They'd not traveled together long, but fighting together had a rather uncanny ability to bond comrades together. Her absence had been sorely noted, not just in the fact that they lacked a dedicated healer, but also in the sense that it had happened so quickly. The Grovemasters had called her back, but of her own accord, Neve had found a way to rejoin them, and none too soon, though perhaps there was some irony in the fact that they were heading back towards Drana Asnaeu.

Her welcome was filled with tears and happiness, Galahad had half expected there to be some animosity in the fact that she'd missed out on some of their conflicts, but at the very least he'd heard none spoken aloud– at least within his earshot. Some time later, after everyone else had managed to make their introductions and welcome-backs’, Galahad managed to pull her aside to a quieter part of the deck, by the aft of the ship.

”I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times by now-” Galahad chuckled, for what felt like the first time in ages. For a moment, it looked like the Dragoon was about to spring forward, but instead Galahad put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a familiar, friendly squeeze. ”It's good to have you back.”

Out of everyone that Neve wished to see again, Galahad had been the face that she wished to come across the most. Although their time together was as fleeting as a blue, summer wind, she couldn’t help but feel that a bond had steadily mounted between them. It was amusing, to say the least– he was a dragoon, an Edreni soldier who had spilled blood, while she was a woman whose whole existence was based around the concept of peace, tranquility, and admiration for the planet they lived on. She didn’t know whether it was because of his easy-going nature or his sense of humor, but Neve found it easy to get along with the man, and she was more than delighted to see him approach after a long day aboard the ship.

”I am more than happy–” the blonde began with a smile, only to flinch in surprise once he reached out towards her. She felt his heavy hand squeeze her shoulder gently, and Neve once again found a warm smile return to her lips. ”I’m happy to be back, Galahad. Believe it or not, I’ve missed spending time in your company, along with Izayoi’s.”

She reached up towards his hand, laying a cold palm upon the back of his hand. A sadness shadowed her bright gaze as she averted her gaze towards the dull horizon. ”I’m sorry I had to leave. I should have stuck with the Kirins. You needed all of the help that you could get, and I…” Neve murmured, her voice drifting off in the wind. Her fingers squeezed his hand tightly, hoping that she could convey what she wished to speak. The hard stone in her throat had prevented any other word from leaving her lips.

”Your talents would've been a great boon to us in our recent trials– your missing was definitely noticed” Galahad said softly, the soft breeze guiding his eyes towards the horizon as well, ”But you're here now, and that's what matters.” He reassured her, the smile on his lips almost hidden by the whipping of his hair in the breeze. ”I don't imagine the Grovemasters were exactly easy to defy. I suppose I'd know a thing or two about that- my own family situation and all.”

”I only regret that we're taking you back to Drana Asnaeu.“ He said with a light sigh, ”After you worked so hard to get away.”

”Not to worry though,” Galahad chuckled, resting his hands on the guide rail as he leaned out over the passing waves beneath them. ”We've only just reunited– I'll not let the Grovemasters take you away from us again so easily.”

What Galahad said was a massive understatement. There was no denying the Grovemasters. They had the final say in whatever she said, whatever she believed, whatever she wanted to do. If she had asked for leave from Brightlam, they would do little else but shame her and lock her away to focus on honing her magicks. Yes, she was a white mage– but in their eyes, she was little else but an apprentice who had much more to learn. Why spend it traveling the world and aiding a motley crew of soldiers and rogues, even if their Mother had abandoned them because they were so sinful and cruel.

Her smile strained slightly at his last statement. ”Unfortunately, what you say is easier said than done.” Neve said, laughing lightly despite her troubled words. ”The Grovemasters are delightful people, really, but… they are as stubborn as you can imagine. They will be less than amused to see that I escaped their watch, and if they wish, they will certainly isolate me from everyone else. Unless,” she laughed again, more jovially this time, “the Kirins decide to ruffle their feathers a bit.”

”Maybe we lose the white cloak– at least while we're in Drana Asnaeu. I think Edreni blue would suit you.” Galahad joked.

”If we're good at anything, I think it's ruffling feathers.” Galahad laughed, ”I bet they'd back off if we sicced Izayoi on them. Or Eliane. Maybe not Eve. I have no doubt they'll try to isolate you, and they'll fail all the same.” It was a grim thought, the idea of using force– or at least the threat of force on the Grovemasters. Galahad didn't necessarily think of them as bad folk, by nature they seemed to be a peaceful lot, though perhaps to peaceful for these not so peaceful times. Perhaps it was arrogance on his part, but the Kirins, as far as Galahad was concerned, had a higher calling at the moment. Surely bringing balance back to the continent was worth breaking a few rules and ruffling a few feathers while they were at it.

”If I may be so selfish to say, I think we need you more than they do.” Galahad said, a bit more seriously now, ”If we're lucky, they'll understand us. If not… Well, it's always easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.”

Galahad’s sincerity had caught Neve off guard. She had forgotten how direct he could be, even though she had not spent much time away from their group– or maybe it was the way he spoke about the Grovemasters that had shaken her. It wasn’t as if she disagreed; knowing the Kirins, there would be little else she could see happening other than Izayoi or someone else confronting them. Yet, in the midst of the storm of uncertainty and worry that clouded her thoughts, she couldn’t help but feel… happy? Happy that the Kirins had her back, despite the chance of them making more enemies. Her smile became more lax, more warm.

”It makes sense,” Neve said, her grin only growing further. ”The Grovemasters have always preached about the power of forgiveness. I’m sure they’ll understand if we trespass on some of their boundaries. Especially if you speak to them, Sir Caradoc.”

”Oh, of course. I'll have you know, I have an excellent track record with figures of authority at the moment.” Galahad chuckled sarcastically. His chuckle slowly faded as he turned. He offered Neve a faint grin as he reached out, his hand lightly patting the top of her head. ”But we can worry about that when we get there. And- just Galahad is fine.”

Galahad pulled the shorter woman into a more or less amounted to a bear hug, the stress and anxiety of the past few weeks shedding off of his frame in moments. ”You've been sorely missed, dear friend.” Galahad said softly, as he placed the white mage back down on the ground.

The knight reached out to pat the top of Neve’s head. She giggled softly, allowing him the gesture; it reminded her of her father, who used to stroke her hair when she was little and bombarded him with silly questions. His motion soothed her, but just as she was about to pull away and ask him something simple like if he had eaten yet or had he gotten enough sleep recently, he pulled her straight back in– literally. The white mage blinked in momentary alarm once his arms wrapped around her in a tight hug, falling limp within his embrace.

It was… warm.

Neve wasn’t sure what to do at first. She blinked a few times, then found her body acting on its own whim. Her arms wrapped around him, though definitely not as tight as his. ”I promise,” she murmured, pulling away from him at last. Her eyes scanned his as she nodded, as if she affirmed her own words. ”I won’t leave your side again. Not until we can all rest easy and not have to worry about the Blight ever again. I promise.”

”I'll hold you to that.” Galahad replied quietly, ”Er- by which I mean, we- like as the party, will hold you to that.” Galahad quickly corrected himself, the tips of his ears already starting to burn red like cherries, as he recused himself with a cough and a half step back before gesturing for the two to head back in.

”Oh, since you're back. I was hoping you could take a look at something.”

“ … So long story short, I jumped headfirst through some floorboards and… “

Regalia

Very interesting!

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Galahad Caradoc

Ranbu no Izayoi

---

The journey across the waves had been quiet and uneventful thus far, a welcome reprieve from the Kirins’ rather hectic adventures across Osprey. Even with how chaotic life on a pirate's ship could be, at least the early morning found the deck a rather quiet place. The waves seemed to have calmed themselves for a moment, and while men still shouted shanties as they moved about on the deck, the place was quiet, at least relatively, and one of the crew men had even made mention of a rather large school of fish passing by the ship. Galahad hadn't had much in the way of time to engage in his hobbies since he'd left home what seemed like a lifetime ago. It seemed Etro had provided Galahad with the perfect for him to finally attempt to recompose his rather tattered patience.

Though perhaps the spirits were fickle deities, as Galahad stepped out onto the deck to find none other than Izayoi already having occupied his chosen space. He'd not been avoiding her, per say, they were for all intents and purposes, cohorts in this quest, but it'd be a long stretch to say they were friendly. Still, she'd likely heard him before seeing him, and his pride wouldn't let him give up such a prime spot with his tail between his legs.

”I hope I'm not interrupting your solace.” Galahad said as a way of greeting her, his tone even and softer, now that they were no longer jumping from battle to battlefield. He took up a place next to the mystrel, though still a decent distance away and began setting up his gear, a small pack sitting in between the two of them. ”Of all the things we've fought for thus far, I hadn't imagined I'd have to fight for a good fishing spot as well.“

”Hardly.” Izayoi afforded Galahad a brief nod as he set up near her. ”There’s no solace to be found on this shipful of pirates, regardless.”

Indeed, it wouldn’t be long before more sailors arrived on deck to start another day of belting out sea shanties as they worked.

”Hopefully, between the two of us, we can catch enough fish for a decent meal tonight. I tire of salt pork and hard bread already.”

She hadn’t exactly forgotten Galahad’s occasional snipes towards her, but considering the chance she’d personally killed his brother was extremely high, Izayoi had largely been letting them slide. Still, at least he seemed personable enough today.

”I thought I loved pork.” Galahad agreed, ”But after being on this ship, I'm sure I could die happy without eating a piece of pig again.”

The quiet fell in, perhaps somewhat awkwardly– save for the ever present chanting of sea shanties- as their fishing lines flew into the water, the inevitable waiting beginning. Setting down on a stool he'd swiped from one of the cabins, Galahad reached into his pack and fished out a small knife and a half carved chunk of wood. This particular chunk was possibly a chair leg in a previous life, but was slowly taking the shape of a small chocobo. Within a few minutes, the deck between his feet began to cover with slight wood shavings as the small knife began to slowly coax the chocobo out of the chair leg.

”Supposedly, fishing is not unlike dragon hunting.” Galahad murmured idly, ”Setting bait to lure, patience, things like that- I guess, ignoring the fact that fish usually don't try to eat you.”

”I'm not sure if I really buy into that.“ Galahad scoffed, ”I just like the quiet that usually comes with it.”

”All hunting is the same in principle.” Izayoi replied, contenting herself with gazing out over the open sea as she waited for a bite. ”In practice, rarely so. Though I’ve only hunted a dragon but once, I would agree that comparing it to fishing is merely being reductive.”

Perhaps in response to Galahad's desires for quiet, his line suddenly grew taught mid-carve. Normally he'd have enough time to set his knife down and grab the rod, but not so this time as the rod nearly flew out of the crook of his arm, the length of it bending as though it threatened to snap.

Izayoi glanced to the side at the commotion, watching with interest as Galahad began to struggle in his suboptimal position. That lasted for but half a moment as she realized that any missed fish was a net negative for everyone overall, herself included. With a sigh, she set her own rod down and was at Galahad’s side in a single breath, seizing the rod from where he’d tucked it into his arm.

”Ordinarily, I would watch you struggle.” She murmured through grit teeth as the fish fought hard against the line. ”Not so when this is the difference between a palatable dinner and more godsforsaken ship’s biscuits.” Izayoi began to reel in, giving a bit of slack in the line so that it didn’t snap.

”Never took you as the type to think with your stomach.” Galahad grunted in reply, finally able to stash his knife and take control of the rod. Whatever other quips Galahad mightve had were quickly silenced as he found that this particular catch required quiet concentration he hadn't quite expected. Perhaps fishing was more like hunting than he cared to admit. As the fish broke water and began to lift, it became quickly apparent that it was heavier than the line was capable of supporting. ”Hold it steady.” Galahad said as dove back into his bag to grab his knife. ”Can't believe I'm about to use martial abilities for a fucking fish.” he grumbled before leaping off the side of the boat, using a railing to swing himself over at an angle.

There was a heavy thud as Galahad collided with the fish– and then the side of the boat. A half second later, there was the sound of boots on wood and the Dragoon was in the air again, up and over, back onto the deck of the ship, with possibly the largest tuna he'd ever seen in hand. Almost comparable in height to Eve, Galahad looked quite proud of himself, and opened his mouth to say something to his own credit before the giant sea creature flopped, a powerful fin smacking him in the head and sending both man and fish crashing onto the deck.

Despite, or perhaps in spite of present company, Galahad couldn't help but laugh, the first genuine laugh he'd had since they left on this journey, if just because of the absurdity of it all.

”...Snrk.” Izayoi couldn’t help but let a snort loose upon watching the tuna smack Galahad in the face. Nevertheless, she composed herself quickly and moved to help Galahad up, the tuna flopping helplessly on deck.

”A finer catch than any I’ve seen. That beast would keep a small family fed for days.” She eyed the behemoth of a fish with no small amount of hunger, her eyes lingering on the belly.

”Regardless, that was an…inspired fishing technique.” Izayoi passed Galahad’s rod back to him, going to pick her own back up.

”Hah,’inspired’. I'd rather not let it be known that I had to use dragoon techniques to do in a fish. “ Galahad said as Izayoi helped him up, the chuckle slowly leaving his lungs. ”It was a fine catch though, and I am thankful for your assistance.”

”A family of four perhaps, but perhaps the Kirins for only a night, if we feast on this beast the way I believe we will,“ Galahad's eyes had a twinkle, a rare sense of boldness and pride outside of martial discipline. A simple thing, but perhaps needed after their struggles in Osprey. Before he could celebrate their victory more, Galahad paused, realizing something.

”Wait a moment. Did… Did you just laugh at me?“ He asked the Mystrel samurai incredulously. ”I didn't know you had it in you.” Galahad chuckled again, ”First beaten by a fish, now slain by words. What an odd day.”

”At you? Of course.” Izayoi nodded, noting a bite on her line. ”I am entirely capable of finding humor in things. It simply does not happen often. And you are welcome.”

”Could've fooled me.“

It was to her disappointment that she reeled her fish in much more easily than Galahad did, plucking a moderately-sized grouper off her line. It would have been respectable on any other day, but next to Galahad’s monstrous tuna, everything else paled in comparison. Izayoi’s ears flattened slightly against her head as she dropped the grouper into the bucket, but she baited her hook and cast her line out once more.

”I confess that I still find it difficult to wrap my head around the scale of the priest’s words. I had not been focusing upon them overmuch until now.”

”He more or less told us we're responsible for the safety of the world.” Galahad agreed with a nod, sitting down by the massive fish as he jabbed his blade into it to end its struggle. ”Or at least just the continent- and everyone on it. Hard to put in perspective when you really think about it.”

”We're less than a dozen. A veritable group of misfits from all walks of life. Sometimes I wonder if we'll really be able to pull it off– and without killing each other in the process.” Galahad scoffed. ”You'd think the end of the world as we know it would be good motivation.”

Galahad paused, quiet for a moment of contemplation. ”Last we spoke, you said you had little to live for. Do you still feel that way?“

”...Perhaps I do.” Izayoi murmured quietly, her tail curling. ”But it is irrelevant now. So long as the priest was not speaking falsehoods, our mission takes precedence. Accomplishing what Cid desires incidentally guarantees Valheim’s demise. So long as I have my opportunity to slay that witch Reisa, I will be satisfied. Why do you ask, anyway?” She fixed Galahad with a stare.

”Concerned that I may retract my standing offer?”

”Mostly curiosity. I've yet to find a reason to doubt your convictions.” Galahad admitted, with a grunt, knife cutting into the large tuna as he began to clear out its innards. ”But with everything that's happened lately, and with Hien and Ciradyl back in your life. I was curious if your perspectives have changed at all.”

”When we first met, you walked like a woman with a death wish, and to an extent you still do.”

Izayoi stayed silent for several moments, naught but the sound of the waves, the sailors, and Galahad’s knife filling the air. When she finally did speak, her voice was downcast.

”...Once this is all finished, Lord Hien can stand upon his own two feet. Without the need for her sword, Ranbu no Izayoi’s presence would serve only to overshadow and undermine his authority. As for Ciradyl, she and I will always be among the closest of friends. But we lead vastly different lives. What makes her happy in life will not apply for myself, and vice versa.” She laughed bitterly.

”They do not need me, Caradoc. I can come to their aid should they call, and check in upon them, but I cannot be a constant presence in their lives should I wish the best for them. Fret not, though. I still have every intention of fulfilling my promise. The only difference is that should we succeed in our goals, I may not let you win after all.” Izayoi revealed the last part with a crooked smirk.

”If we both make it out of this alive, I think I'd give you a solid run for your money.” Galahad retorted, ”You may not have a choice in whether or not I win.”

With a grunt, Galahad pulled the rest of the innards out of the fish, tossing them into a nearby bucket as he did. ”I think you're wrong though. They might not need Ranbu no Izayoi, but I think they might still have need of Izayoi.”

”Provided we all actually live through this, anyway.” Galahad chuckled, as he began to heft the great tuna. ”Hey, stow the rod and help me with this. This one was as much your catch as it was mine.“

The Things We Fight For

---

"Aw, Howie, I like her. She's fun~" Sabine said to her fellow pilot, obviously referring to Selene, despite the Constellation still being well and truly still a part of the conversation. "That one too- I love a pair of big, strong arms." The pink haired pilot said about Rudis, "Does that make me sound basic?"

Any confirmation or denials about how basic Sabine mightve been were quickly thrown to the wayside as the Commander's attack was approved, the orbital strike rolling in like thunder and lightning from the heavens. It wasn't the first time Sabine had seen an orbital bombardment, and it wouldn't be the last, but Sabine always enjoyed the occasional combat fireworks display. Though the fireworks did mean it was time to go.

"Sucks to be the poor fucks that have to deal with that mess." Sabine snickered as she quickly broke down her hammock and began packing away her gear back into her mech with practiced efficiency. "Give me a holler if you want a lift!" Sabine called to the Constellations as she climbed into the White Hare's open chest cavity and disappeared within, the door closing moments later, sealing her within the darkness.

Settling in her seat, Sabine flicked a few switches before buckling herself in, the inky darkness of the cockpit giving way to the world around her as the cockpit flickered to life. The walls of the cockpit formed a seamless 360 degree display of the world around her, her helmet glass filling in for some of her HUD elements, as data scrawled over the rest of the screens. Sleek, modern, intuitive, with her years of experience and a control system perhaps tailor made for her, at some point in time the White Hare had eventually started feeling like a second skin to Sabine, her hands falling naturally onto the controls and augments automatically syncing to the systems.

"Good luck boys~" Sabine's voice echoed through both the local tacnet and the mech's external speakers as the White Hare kicked up a mechanical foot and flashed the moving infantrymen a peace sign.

---

It was wishful thinking to hope that they could avoid all the aberrants in their path- not that Sabine in particular wanted to anyway. A more rapid strike with just mechs and Constellations mightve had a chance at slipping through, but with infantry and vehicles, they were moving at the rate of their slowest units. It wasn't long before they were set upon by by a wave of Aberrants.

"Don't blow everything just yet fellas." Sabine's lilting voice crackled over the squad net, the muzzle of the White Hair's beam cannon flaring as she put down some suppression fire. "There's still a royal bitch out there."

Normally, a horde of pawns wouldn't have been an issue, but the Knights that had dropped them off seemed to be sticking around, Sabine ducking into cover as a burst of laser fire streaked past her and into the impromptu foxhole of a trio of unfortunate infantrymen. Howie was quick on the draw, vocalizing Sabine's thoughts before she had a chance to say anything.

"Just admit you like watching my ass when I fly by." Sabine drawled over the squadnet, and while Howe couldn't see her face through the polarized faceplate of her helmet, it was easy to tell she was winking. The proverbial ass of the White Hare was already lifting off the ground as Sabine kicked off into the sky, its limbs folding in as she switched to flight mode. The thrusters flared bright blue as the machine screamed into the sky, rocketing through the formation of Jetsams, sonic boom disrupting their flight path. Her helmet was forced into the back of her seat as the cockpit struggled to deal with the sudden increase in G-force, Sabine relying mostly on her peripherals and her own sense of spatial awareness to keep her hands on the controls, pulling into a stall turn to send her careening back down towards the irritating knights.

Sabine banked her mech, taking herself on a collision course towards the first Jetsam she saw. At the last moment Sabine pulled up hard on her controls, and triggered her unit's transformation sequence again, the aerospace fighter shifting back into a bipedal mech in time to collide with the Jetsam feet first, as though she were on a mech sized skateboard. The White Hare's thrusters flared as Sabine forced the Jetsam to turn with her, putting it between her and another Jetsam. She planted the barrel of her beam cannon against the surface of the Knight and fired once, then twice, the high powered beams punching through one knight to hit the second.

Sabine barely had time to savor her kills when a warning appeared in the corner of her vision, laser fire scraping across her mech's armor as she instinctively kicked off the knight she'd been riding and strafed to the side. The attacking knight screamed past her, the White Hare shifting back into flight mode to give chase. The nose of her mech flared as Sabine pressed down on the firing studs, a stream of bright blue bolts flying after the Knight as Sabine chased it down.

"Howie! Give me a burst of 20s, 2 o'clock high." Sabine called out, her voice like syrup over the tacnet, her mech quickly passing a firing solution over to his Vickie.

Tales Of Endoroth (A Slice Of Life MMO Roleplay)

Rathello

---

At least for the moment, the dungeon still felt like relative child's play. Rathello saw no need to go all out on a basic encounter- especially not this early into the dungeon, and rather contented himself to just keep his Intimidating Presence up while punching the marrow out of the skeletons. Frontlining was somewhat different in ToE, at least compared to other MMOs. In most MMOs, how much damage you took was based on your stats- and to a degree this was still the case, when it came to evasion, you literally had to use your body to duck and dodge out of the way. Stats could effect how fast you moved, but if you tripped yourself up, you'd still fall, and your reaction time was still the same as it was in real life.

Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Rathello juked and jived, dodging what hits he could, while tanking which ones he couldn't or didn't feel like. Perks of having a good healer was that so long as he wasn't entirely reckless, with his natural regen stats, he'd basically stay fully topped off on health the whole fight. His fist flew like lightningbolts, literal lightning coursing through the bones of the skeletons as his gauntlets made impact. An uppercut took down one, and a flurry of jabs and crosses took out a second before the rest of the party finished wrapping up.

"Ah, over before it started." Rathello commented as they did their post fight routines. As expected, Elian worked well with him. Claudia and the death knight fit well as well. The ranger had an attitude problem, not that he was necessarily wrong, but it didn't particularly help. "Backliners," Rath was mostly addressing Goibnu the newest to dungeon raiding, but used the broader term as to not single him out, "Remember to keep moving around, even if you're not the active target. Even just a little bit keeps you from being a sitting duck. My Aggro draws most of them, but some of the guy later on can get tricky- the ones with bows or ranged weapons especially like to go for static targets.

As the others began to check out the room for loot, Rath seemed more than content to just plop himself onto the floor, letting what slight damage he still had regenerate naturally. "If anyone spots any ores, let me know! Otherwise I'm gonna rest my legs."

Tales Of Endoroth (A Slice Of Life MMO Roleplay)

Hey sorry, I think it's my go! Had a busy weekend, but I'll get something out tonight!

The Envenomed: Military Science Fiction Deniable Operations

ECHO DOMAIN - PLATFORM #2884

The mass of Echo's endoform was already waiting for the rest of the squad in the armory, as the slowly filed in. Seemingly having already begun preparations, a semi-rigid duffel bag was mounted to his back as though it were an infantryman's waist bag, and as well as a number within easy reach all across its shoulders, chest and legs. Already they were filled to the brim with supplies Echo believed they would need for the operation. Cutting and demolition tools, emergency rations for the organics, energy cells, multi-spectrum trauma-kit, and plentiful ammunition for Echo's weapons of choice.

At the Endoform's feet were a series of smaller saddlebag style pouches to be thrown over each squad member's attending microform, the Endoform casually chucking each over the backs of the microforms as they approached. These too were fully loaded, primarily with the essentials tailored to their particular squad members. Spare ammunition for their particular weapons, emergency first-aid kits for their specific biology, replacement armor plates and emergency rations. Syringe rounds for Alice's rifle, energy cells for Salvator's gear, grenades for Kleo. King's microform in particular didn't have much in is saddlebag, mainly because Echo was unsure what physical supplies it actually required.

"Notification: Coming through." The Endoform announced as it moved past Salvator and the support team member he was speaking to. Echo could vaguely tell that the support team was attempting to be antagonistic, though not outright hostile- or else Echo would've put them down. It did not particularly understand the purpose of such conversation, nor did it particularly care. The term 'hazing' came to its many minds, but the understanding of the definition was elusive at best.

"Notification: This platform shall be responsible for maintaining communications over long distance. Request: Reduce unnecessary use of communication networks for optimal performance." The large frame monotoned as it approached another set of workbenches. One of the microforms attended and Echo quickly went about making field modifications to its new weapons as well.

Close quarters and the risk of sudden depressurization meant that the autocannons would likely be staying on the Warform as opposed to be carried by the Endoform, so its recently procured weapons would have to fit the bill. Both had their stocks and sights removed- as they were unnecessary, and the scattergun was mounted to its forearm, its firing method slaved to one of the Endoform systems for hands free firing. The rifle was mounted with a heavy duty carry handle, and had its barrel replaced with a considerably thicker and heavier barrel for sustained fire. The magazine was replaced with a sealed belt that fed directly from an ammunition pack mounted to the Endoform's back.

"Notification: Platform preparations complete."

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Galahad Caradoc

---

The exit from Tane's stronghold was a fairly simple business, all things considered. Most of the remaining thugs had routed, preferring to loot and flee rather than stand and fight. A reasonable, if somewhat cowardly choice of action. All in all, no major injuries sustained by any of the Kirins, and for better or for worse, they were all back home- with perhaps some additional cargo, specifically the gun Eliane insisted on returning with. Galahad could only imagine what she planned to do with it, but he supposed it was better in their hands than the enemy's. That only left one last thing to deal with.

Ciradyl.

In the moment, Galahad was enraged by her apparent treachery. She knew exactly what their stakes were, and why they were going, yet choosed to ignore them all for the sake of her vengeance. It felt something akin to a miliary tribunal, the way they were all arranged around the meeting table. Some stood, others sat, Arton broke the table. Galahad, still in his armor, sat in one of the chairs spared by the young swordsman's wrath, a hand nursing his temples as he idly watched his helmet roll off the broken table and clatter to the ground.

Of the lot of them, Izayoi certainly new Ciradyl best, and was the most direct in her questioning. Was it true, and why? Luckily for them, Ciradyl was rather forthcoming with the truth. Galahad's initial response was much like that of Arton's, if unspoken. She was a traitor, at the very least untrustworthy. If Galahad had been the man he was a year ago, he'd have executed her on the spot.

But, his perspective had changed in the past few months, dramatically, in no small part due to the fact that he'd been deemed a traitor by his own father. Esben broke it down for them, but political matters were never something Galahad had much of a mind, or patience for. It was days like this when he longed for the relative simplicity of the hunting lodges in Midgar. No reasoning or motives to decipher, just find a dragon and hunt it. These days, nothing was so simple anymore.

At the end of the day, Ciradyl's reasonings, motives and justifications made sense. Galahad had long since accepted the fact that working in the background often meant making unsavory choices so that others wouldn't have to get their hands dirty. Such a thing even reared its ugly head when Galahad was a part of Edren’s military. Dragoons by their nature were highly mobile, highly deadly shock troops able to reach far behind enemy lines. He'd be lying if he said every fight he engaged in was glorious or honorable. It appeared that such black operations were universal wherever you went: Edren, Skael, Osprey- wherever there were people, there would be a need for this type of work. Ciradyl truly looked like a broken shell of the woman they'd met just a little while ago. It wasn't as though he had a say on what happened in Osprean lands to Osprean people either- Izayoi seemed ready to absolve her of her deeds, and even Miina, who was the wronged party in the case of the Kirins seemed to pity her. Though it didn't necessarily mean Galahad had to like it.

"Sometimes I forget who I'm sitting next to." Galahad scoffed darkly as Izayoi compared her own actions against Ciradyl's. "But she's right. Many of us have had to make hard choices," his eyes flickered over to Rudolf, "or choices that have haunted us. I can understand the motives, respect them even, but that is not what concerns me at the moment."

"Tonight, our goals were practically the same. If you were so desperate to take Tane's head, you could've told us and I'd have gladly handed you the blade, after we finished interrogating her." Galahad's eyes fixed her with the same piercing glare he'd put onto Rudolf nights before, harsh and cold. "We're of vastly different backgrounds and walks of life, but we're all working together. At the very least we should be able to help each other out. It's not as though we cannot band together to aid in the goals of one of our number- the fact that we worked with you to help Izayoi free Hien is living proof of that. I'd hope you think one of our own was worth such consideration as well. The fact of the matter is: tonight you betrayed us, Ciradyl. I for one shall not forget that, anytime soon."

Galahad stood and shook his head, ready for this to be done with. He scooped up his helmet from it's place on the floor, and settled it into the crook of his arm. His gaze returned to the silver haired bard, softening by a hair. "At the end of the day, in the case of the Kirins, we still got everything we came for, interference or not. If Miina holds no ill will towards you, I might not approve, but I will not object."

"Whether or not you find your penance is up to you. Do as you please." Galahad said with a callous sigh, turning away. "I've had enough of you for one night. I'll take my leave."

SPIRITUM

Gerard Biserus

Justices barriers had barely gotten up in time to block off the resulting explosion. A few beams of energy and waves of heat escaped from the gaps as the barriers cracked against the pressure, but the vast majority of the explosion was focused on what was within. There was a bright flash of light, a roar of pain and panic, and a cloud of smoke to obscure the insides of the impromptu barrier bowl.

Not that Gerard had much time to focus on all that. He'd barely pulled himself back up to his feet when Kali dumped the man at his feet. He would've questioned the rare oddity that was Kali requesting something, but his thoughts were very quickly interrupted as Collette pointed up and past his shoulder, a slightly toasty Silje flying through the air. While toasty was not an abnormal descriptor for the bombastic battle mage, flying was. With little time to check his surroundings, Gerard caught and threw the nearest object he could towards the girl to break her fall with a wave of telekinesis. An open crate flew from the ground in front of the RV and caught Silje midfall, a small poof of packing peanuts flying out of the box as the small WARDEN fit neatly inside. Perhaps not a 'soft' landing, but at least she didn't crash into the pavement beneath her.

Hooray for multitasking. Gerard grumbled to himself as he slowly let the Silje-box sink back to the ground, turning his attention to the man Kali had dropped in front of him. The man, all things considered, wasn't badly injured at all, save for a sizable lump on his head from where he impacted the pavement. Gerard murmured a quick spell as he grabbed some of the nearby mist and began pushing it into the man, forcing his body to speed up its own natural healing. Healing magic was a bit iffy with non-WARDEN types. WARDENs and other Mist users could handle the amounts of mist put into the body via healing magic, regular civilians? Not so much- Gerard could heal him, and in this case the man's injuries weren't severe, but too much too fast and the man would start feeling the symptoms of Mist burn a lot faster than they did.

As the smoke cleared up and the barriers disappeared, what was left was an empty dome, the ground carved up as the giant landshark had apparently dug itself back into the ground. Cooked bits of landshark meat, fangs, and bone were splattered about inside the barriers, denoting the severity of its injuries, but there was no sign of the shark itself save for a large hole in the ground. A wide tunnel continued for almost a hundred or so meters before Justice could sense the landshark finally stop moving, likely succumbing to its injuries.

"Fuck me, that was an exciting start to the morning." Gerard grumbled as he picked up a fang the size of his hand. Harder than steel and with razor sharp edges, the thing was practically a dagger. Even after chewing through a steel and aluminum vehicle, not a single scratch could be found on the tooth. With a slight shudder, he tossed it lightly towards Justice. " Good call on the barrier, imagine getting hit with this as shrapnel."

Ivan's eyes slowly opened, blinking for a moment before he shot up with a start. "Holy fuck I'm dead! I'm dying! Leg's fucked- I'm a goner. Done in by a fucking land fish! I can't believe- oh I'm okay." Within an instant, the shock on Ivan's face was quickly replaced with the toothy grin of a conman's smile. His face bore the expression of a grateful buffon, though his eyes remained sharp like a hawk's. "Ah! I've been saved! Thank you good sir, I owe you my life! Should you need anything just say the word, and I, Ivan Vorokov shall..." The man's voice trailed off as his eyes scanned the group and spotted Kali. "...provide."

"Fuck."