VitaVitaAR

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

On one hand, the fact they'd been spotted was definitely no good.

On the other, it meant that she didn't have to try and be stealthy anymore.

Robin took a deep breath, her thin blade singing as it swiftly left its sheath, cleaving the thin air. The inferno that Eve had created was certainly wasn't something she was adept at crossing.

However---

Light lined the edge of her blade as Robin broke into a sprint. There were still those out of reach who could open fire.

It was her goal to deal with those opponents before they could.

Indeed, without any sort of direct protection, flames posed a difficult challenge.

However, that didn't mean they were impassable.

Robin's foot hit the wall, and the girl carried herself upwards, using her momentum to sprint along the sheer surface. It was an exhilarating sensation, as she heard as surprised shout from the thugs ahead as they tried to adjust their aim.

Too late, of course.

Robin leaped from the wall, angling her sword down and in and cutting one of the men along his throat, sending him to the ground and spitting red. As her boots hit the wooden floor, she straightened, the sparkling lights on her blade glowing brighter.

At this close range, she could likely kill another opponent, but it would be difficult to avoid their fire or stop them from firing at her allies.

And so---

"Oh Light, be unleashed!"

It was a simple command as she clicked her sword upwards, the sparkling glow suddenly erupting outwards and towards her enemies. It wasn't damaging, and really she'd only figured out how to do this for the sake of making her entrances more exciting.

However, it also served pretty well to stun opponents, especially those who were using guns. Even if it only blinded them for a moment, that was a moment where they couldn't take aim.

And a moment was all she needed!

Lunging forward towards a stumbling gunman, she thrust her blade through his chest and pushed him back in the same motion, sending him into one of his fellows.

Reborn in a Fantasy World, This Time I Shall...!

Smithy

"We leave."

Simple, straightforward, and to the point. We have supplies. We have some weapons, at least. The dagger I've got now is better than nothing.

Staying here is the worst idea we could possibly have. The supplies are already scattered and many of them are likely unuseable. It's just plain madness to hang around in an undead-infested city.

Aside from that, given the likely nature of the world, it's probable we'll find places that aren't ruins filled with monsters. I doubt this is a FromSoft Game world, after all.

"The longer we stay put, the more likely it is that those undead will come back this way," I continue, "And then leaving becomes a lot harder. Right now is out best chance to make it to the walls and get out, then put some distance between ourselves and the city."

This is a substantial settlement, and while it's definitely run down I doubt the roads have been destroyed too.

"There's probably roads leading away from here, and some kind of indication of where they go. So our best bet is to get out and try to get to the next settlement over."

Hopefully, it'll be in better condition than this one. There was definitely some sort of battle here that lead to this outcome, but if that was something that specifically targeted this city or also affected the other nearby settlements I can't be certain.

There's really only one way to find out, and that means leaving the city as soon as possible.

@RolePlayerRoxas@PKMNB0Y@Aku the Samurai

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

The Church

The young girl fell silent again, but at the very least she seemed less concerned. Perhaps Lewa's reassurance really did convince her he wasn't going to just rot.

Though at the same time, the idea of 'decay' having lead to those strange creatures was still a concerning one. Certainly, it couldn't be any ordinary process that caused it.

The Church was indeed packed, and not simply with worshippers. In places like this, where the healthcare was substantially better then what those on the lower end of society could achieve at home, it only made sense to seek the aid of the church.

It appeared that was just the case today.

It appeared that those who were ill were all suffering from similar symptoms. Lethargy, extreme physical weakness and difficulty breathing, and some signs of bleeding from the nose or mouth in the cases that looked more severe.

While the Church wasn't packed to the brim, it was still quite crowded with those who were suffering from illness. While most of them appeared to be older, or children, it was clear the disease was affecting all different age groups.

The small blonde girl slowly, quietly eyed those who were suffering without another word.

After a few moments, a pretty but somewhat tired-looking young woman with green hair in blue and white robes approached, a lightly-decorated habit on her head.

"A... golem?" she questioned, hesitatingly, before her eyes fell on the girl, "... Has she caught the sickness as well?"

She paused and took a closer look.

"No, that's not it... wait, is she---..."

She caught herself off, addressing Lewa directly now.

"Who sent you?"

@Lugubrious

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

For Robin, this was uncharted territory, so to speak.

She knew the importance of staying hidden, she knew that this was their best option for achieving their goal. She wasn't sure how she felt about assisting pirates, but at the same time they didn't seem to be evil people and the owner of this mansion was involved in outright crime as well.

When it came down to it, it was totally unfamiliar for her. But regardless, to accomplish their goals, to strike against Valheim and do everything they could, this is what they had to do.

It just wasn't something Robin knew how to even approach. So, when Esben took out the first two guards, all she could really manage was dully slipping inside.

Maybe once they got deep enough into the mansion she'd have a better idea of what they were doing. Right now, it felt like she didn't even know how to help.

Then again, maybe simply being quiet was helpful right now?

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

Heir to the Konpaku

"Miyamoto... Musashi?"

It wasn't the first time she'd ever heard that name. Though the Konpaku style of swordplay differed, certainly, her grandfather had told her about an ordinary human with extraordinary skills as a samurai. One who wielded two swords, not dissimilarly to the Konpaku school.

Niten Ichiryu.

That was it, wasn't it?

But the Miyamoto Musashi she'd learned about was a man. The one she faced now certainly wasn't. Was this a similar situation to Toyosatomimi no Miko?

Actually, what was that situation in the first place? She didn't really get it, but it was obvious the Prince Shotoku talked about in legend was definitely not a woman, so---

Aah, that was way too much to think about right now! Especially when she considered they were definitely from different worlds to begin with. Maybe the Miyamoto Musashi from that world just was a woman?

It wasn't important. It wasn't important right now at all.

Youmu took a deep breath.

"I heard about you when I was learning from my grandfather," Youmu said, doing her best to put that initial confusion behind her, "You're not the same as the one I learned about, but that's definitely the same name and the same style of swordplay."

In Gensokyo, it wasn't exactly impossible she could run across the legendary samurai in some form. It would hardly be the first time someone from the past appeared. She'd never really thought about it until now, but it was never an impossibility.

But she hadn't expected it here.

If she wanted to hone her skills and live up to Grandfather's expectations, what better opponent then someone like Miyamoto Musashi?

Placing one hand on Roukanken's hilt, Youmu slid one foot back. In the same motion, she drew the longer of her two katana in her right hand, its blade glittering in the daylight.

And then she was moving. The cobblestones beneath her feet shook. The air whipped past her.

Even injured on a spiritual level, she could do this much.

Her opening attack was a swift downward slash with Roukanken. But in the very same breath, Hakurouken left its sheath in her left hand and lashed out towards her opponent.

@PKMNB0Y@Raineh Daze

---

The Bookstore

"Mmm, just arrived?" mused the hooded woman, cocking her head as she spoke. Her tone indicated she was clearly intrigued by that notion, though exactly why was anyone's guess. "And looking for information on a goddess, as well? Surely, you've come to the right place. The capital's resources are far beyond anywhere else you might have visited, though some knowledge is seemingly out of the hands of shops like this."

She paused for a moment, as if considering her last words, before continuing.

"Still, if you're looking for information on a goddess, then maybe a book on theology would serve you best. Lavielle, was it..."

The cloaked woman turned towards the shelves after a moment, scanning then briefly with her unseen gaze before reaching up to grasp one particular volume that was nearly out of her reach, let alone Rayne's.

"Perhaps this one might be of assistance?"

All that could be seen of the woman's features, even at this angle, was a smile.

The book, entitled 'Ancient Divinities and those Who Worshipped Them', seemed to cover gods who were revered in the distant past. Was Lavielle really one of these deities?

It was somewhat coincidental that the cloaked woman and the book in question had been in just the right place to assist the newcomer, but perhaps that really was just mere chance.

Regardless, she offered the volume to the halfling.

"I'm afraid information on ancient gods like that is a little scarce, but I believe this book might have what you're looking for."

@DracoLunaris@PKMNB0Y

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

The air was torn apart by the dragon's slamming claw. Moments later, so was the earth.

Fanilly's life narrowly escaped the same fate, rolling along the ground, plate metal clanking as she tried to recover.

There was no more time to plan. They faced this dragon, all of them together. Whatever plotting she had tried was difficult to maintain in the face of such an opponent.

Display valor?

She pushed herself off of the ground, gripping her glinting sword in both hands, now.

Valor.

Display valor.

She had no time to try and construct a new plan. No time to try and issue detailed orders.

Her knights were already engaged. She faced the dragon at close-range.

Was this a failure? Her failure? Had she left them with nothing but the choice to 'display valor' in hopes of the best?

These sorts of thoughts ran through the Knight-Captain's mind again and again.

They'd passed the other tests. Her plans, even if met with difficulties, had worked.

Was a foe like this the limit? Had she simply been lucky?

Fanilly's grip tightened. Inwardly, she cursed herself. For the failure to think ahead more clearly, for the failure to escape the dragon's assault more quickly without assistance. For her pounding heart, hammering with fear in her chest at the mere sight of such an incredible enemy.

It was pathetic, wasn't it? What kind of captain was she?

To simply break down in the face of any opponent, after trying so hard to keep it together. That wasn't the actions of the Knight-Captain of the Iron Roses. That wasn't the worthy demeanor of any leader. How could she even claim to hold that title if this was all it took for her willpower to shatter?

What could she do now?

How could she help her knights? How could she lead them to victory?

Was there any way?

Show valor. That's what the dragon demanded. That legendary Thrinax wanted from them.

She had to show valor. Was that all she could do now? Was that it? Unless---

That was the very goal of this final challenge all along? Faced with an impossible foe, a true dragon, one of the mightiest beings in the entire world, the friend of Prince Erion himself.

To show valor and succeed against an enemy that was overwhelming.

That was how she could lead her knights to victory now. Even in a situation where all her planning fell apart against an enemy like this, that was the only way.

Perhaps at times like this, all one could do was hold a prayer to the sun and moon in their heart and strike true.

Her heart was still pounding. Despite knowing death's impermanence in this place, she was still frightened.

Fanilly planted one foot forward, raising her blade, the hilt gripped in both her hands.

"Iron Rose Knights, strike! Wound him, and seize victory!"

They already knew this. They were already doing everything they could to grasp that future. But Fanilly had to say this not just for her knights, but for herself.

The enchantment on her blade surely greatly increased its power. But even so, attacking where the dragon's scales were sturdiest was a mistake. There was no denying that.

Ducking low, the Knight-Captain broke into a sprint, towards the dragon. Either she would draw his attention from his other attackers, or they would draw his attention away from her.

All they had to do, in the end, was wound him.

Get beneath him, plant her blade against his scales, and thrust---!

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

@Taka: I wanted a draft or at least the details of a whole bio, because I already see some things that don't really work here.

For one thing, he's fairly directly copied from a canon character, which I have to say I'm really not a fan of for original setting RPs and especially ones taking place in a setting I've worked on for so long.

This character as he's currently written simply doesn't work in this RP.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

@Taka: I asked for you to heavily discuss it with me to hash out any details, and you never really did.

I wanted to see you actually write up the backstory before you moved forward with anything approaching this idea, because it's crucial to actually make it make sense with already-established characters and Fanilly's character and backstory as well.

This, too, you never really did.

There was a reason I wanted this, so I could look at what you had in mind and detail and tell you what did or didn't work, especially since he would be one of multiple characters involved in Fanilly's training. One of her trainers already exists in the RP, so you'd need to be coordinated with that to work.

There's also stuff here you didn't mention to me, which is why I wanted you to give me a more completed bio to look at and talk about.

From Realms Beyond — An Isekai Crossover RP (Now Accepting)

Heir to the Konpaku

"Ah-"

Youmu blinked, taking a step back, her phantom half wavering behind her. Someone hadn't seen her? Surely she wasn't unnoticeable, it wasn't as if she was trying to be sneaky!

Not that the young half-phantom was particularly talented in the ways of stealth even when she was doing her best.

Regardless, she quickly took a step back and had to quickly catch herself at least until the woman's hand came to rest on her shoulder. No small amount of indignation rose in her heart when the woman mentioned her height, a scowl crossing her face. Her height... her height didn't matter at all. To bump into her and disparage her height...

However, all of that took a backseat in her mind when Youmu realized what kind of person had just walked into her.

To begin with, it was clear to anyone trained in any sort of battle that the way she carried herself, the way she reacted, was just slightly different. A quicker response, even if she hadn't been watching where she was going. That alone might not have confirmed it in Youmu's eyes, but the way her stance shifted when she took note of the Roukanken and Hakurouken on Youmu's back and hip---

She didn't need to see that she was armed to know that this was a swordswoman.

But that wasn't all. Youmu hadn't seen anyone in any familiar styles of dress in this world, until she met this woman. Her features, too, marked her as from somewhere like Gensokyo, or the nation outside the barrier, at the very least. Of course, Youmu only had the absolute faintest awareness of that world.

But she felt fairly confident this woman wasn't from this one.

"It's fine," she began, "She's just rec-C-cute?"

Youmu's cheeks colored almost immediately. It wasn't exactly common for her to be called cute by a random stranger, or even those she knew. With one exception, at least. To say it was unexpected would be an understatement, and for a few moments the half-phantom found her composure shaken.

"E-er, well, th-that's besides the point..." she half-mumbled as she averted her eyes, before clearing her throat and trying to push aside and residual embarrassment, "It's simple. Those who are trained in how to wield a blade can recognize one another, can't they?"

Putting aside the obvious fact they were both carrying a pair of katana to begin with.

"I don't think either of you are from this world, are you?" she asked, "... Er, at least, I'm pretty sure you're not..."

She inclined her head towards the swordswoman after a moment's pause, realizing there wasn't exactly anything marking the little blonde girl as foreign when compared to the other people in the streets.

"Because I'm not, either," she continued, "My name is Konpaku Youmu, heir to the Konpaku school of swordplay and servant to Saigyouji Yuyuko-sama."

---Ah.

They almost certainly weren't from Gensokyo, even if the swordswoman was definitely from another world. Would her introduction even give either of them the slightest flash of recognition?

She couldn't worry about that now!

There was something more important to discuss, after all.

"---And if you want to challenge me, I'll accept."

It was only natural for a Konpaku to take the opportunity to display their training. But more importantly than that, she also wanted to try and regain use of her phantom half. While allowing the spiritual wound that had been inflicted on her to heal was important, so was stretching her muscles, so to speak.

Facing new opponents would also help her grow more experience. Grandfather had told her as much very clearly.

And, perhaps most importantly of all, meeting and interacting with more people from different worlds would maybe make her path back to Yuyuko-sama's side just that much closer.

@PKMNB0Y@Raineh Daze

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Suddenly the dragon was there.

She knew he'd been in pursuit. It was impossible not to know. But suddenly the enormous creature's claws were flashing through the air as his bulk slammed down.

Fanilly threw herself forward as soon as she hit the bottom of the hill, hearing the earth tearing apart behind her from Thrinax's mighty blow.

Her heart felt like it was about to tear its way free from her chest. She had to shake the pursuit and regroup, but on her own... how? How did she do something like like that? She had to think, in the scant instant she had before Thrinax renewed his assault, she had to think.

Her sword wasn't particularly useful for this purpose. There was no way she could damage him notably with it from this angle, even with the blessings. They would need a more concentrated effort in order to strike the dragon and wound him. And besides, if she could do that then the challenge would already be over.

No, it was clear she would have to do something, anything, else. Something that would shake the dragon for at least a few moments, either to give her an opportunity to escape to cover or for her knights to join her.

Their win condition was to wound the dragon, however slightly. Thrinax had to do everything he could to ensure that didn't happen, so---

Turning her body, Fanilly tossed her sword into her left hand and drew her knife with her right. She didn't need to hit. She just needed it to seem possible that she might.

The Knight-Captain drew her arm back and threw it.

The Dragon's head was a large target. A nick on the gums, the eyelid, or even the eye would be a loss for Thrinax, so at the very least he'd likely rather move his head even a little to ensure that it missed or hit his thick scales, wouldn't he?

It's what Fanilly hoped.

She was already running.