VitaVitaAR

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

A sound something like the ringing of a bell and the scraping of steel rang out through the forest.

The darkness seemed to shatter.

The gnawing hunger lifted.

All at once, the Gannek's gut split wide open from the blow, gushing forth blackness and spraying it onto the earth. The split ran further then the blade, running the whole length of the long-bodied creature, its flesh peeling backwards as the contents of its entire body seemed to issue forth.

There were no organs, or even any sign of bones or flesh beneath its skin. Rather, nothing but shadowy bile seemed to flow from its body.

Its head had parted from its neck, spiraling into the air.

The dark feeling of the gluttonous monster's presence had faded in an instant.

The Gannek was dead.

Its body peeled back further, twisting inside-out as it did, fading from black to grey as the shape of its limbs withered and grew less distinct. It suddenly seemed weightless, carried into the air as if it were a shed feather able to be drawn along by the slightest breeze, grey now fading to white as the entire contents of its form now lay on the forest floor.

Soon, the white too, faded, the Gannek's corpse breaking apart and scattering as ash, blowing in the wind.

Its severed head landed nearby, and it too was already withering, flesh desiccating and eyes shriveling. Much like the rest of the body, it suddenly seemed empty and formless, as if it were nothing but skin. Soon, it too had faded to grey, then to white, and then come apart in the wind.

Aside from the black bile splattered across the ground, there was no other lingering sign of the Gannek's existence.

---But that wasn't all.

Within the black bile were scattered fragments of bone, creatures that had been devoured by the monster and long since dissolved into the ichor that filled its body. There were chunks of unrecognizable matter, as well, likely the remains of other unfortunate that had been consumed.

Slowly, the aessyr on Gerard's shoulder raised her small face from his fur collar.

"I-it's... i-it's all gone...! I... E-Enfys!?"

She was on her feet, now, calling out for her friend.

Dame Yael lowered her sword, scanning over the muddy mess the Gannek had left behind. With a groan, Sir Caulder had gotten to his feet, one hand placed to his helmet.

At first, it looked like there may be nothing alive remaining within the black fluid.

But then---

A tiny figure, bile clinging to her form. Her wings drooped, the flower petals composing her dress faded and in some places seeming to have already melted away.

She wasn't moving, but on a close inspection there were signs she was breathing, merely unconscious.

The Knights had beaten the monster.

---But perhaps they still weren't alone.

@Eisenhorn@HereComesTheSnow

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

The rest of the world had faded away.

The sliver of starlight pointed at the tender flesh of the man's throat, her eyes fixed upon him as her fingers wrapped tight on the hilt of her blade.

Robin's heart, long since having adjusted to combat, was hammering.

Edren.

Captain.

She fought like their captain.

These were robbers, highwaymen, and yet they claimed that she fought just like their captain.

Her hand wavered only slightly, and yet the tip of her blade was nearly piercing the foremost of the robbers' throats.

What did it mean?

That question repeated itself in her mind over and over again, bouncing back and forth against the confines of her skull. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind that their fighting style was the very same as her own, however degraded it may be in their hands. And they, too, had recognized it.

There wasn't a thought of theatrics in her mind.

Her Old Man couldn't have taught these people, so who? There was no way such a thing could happen.

So who?

Who was tainting the style her Old Man had taught her by teaching it to the sort of people who would rob, and steal, and hurt innocents?

Who would do such a thing?

"Who is your captain?" she asked.

"where is he? When did he teach you?"

The edge on Robin's voice was practically enough to slice the man's throat on its own.

@Psyker Landshark@vietmyke@HereComesTheSnow

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

The sound of tearing flesh an a metallic screech filled the forest.

The Gannek's small eyes had shifted to focus on Sir Rolan for only a moment. And it was in that moment that the force of Sir Gerard's thrust sent his improvised spear through the monster's flesh and penetrating deep into its skull. The scream it released was unnatural, just as every other sound that left its awful maw, but this time it was mixed with gurgling and spitting as black fluid spray from within.

Despite the fact that the treelimb had most certainly entered the spot the Gannek's brain would have been located, the creature's response was not that of one who had been forced to recovered from damage to its brain. It thrashed, more black fluid spilling from inside of it and a foul scent filling the air, but even considering its regenerative abilities there was little indication whatever manner of brain it had was almost certain destroyed.

But that didn't mean that Sir Gerard's gambit hadn't paid off.

Torn flesh twisted, writhing like worms, as it tried again and again to seal but could only flow around the massive improvised stake. The gluttonous abomination may not have been completely immobilized, but it was unable to mend its body with such a thick tree limb piercing through its skull.

The black fog billowing from its back had been disrupted. Little by little, cracks were peaking through the darkness once again, thin slivers of light able to reach down to the floor below in a few spots.

But the Gannek was still able to attempt retaliation.

The arms extending from its mouth, which had fallen slack for a few moments, had risen again. Bonelessly, they twisted their way around the limb in Sir Gerard's hands, wrapping around it and squeezing, both attempting to crush it or pull it from his grasp and reach for the knight.

Sir Caulder was struggling to rise quickly, having escaped serious injury but been knocked senseless when he was sent flying by the Gannek's swiping limbs. Dame Yael had attempted a swift advance, but had to cut here way through three of the Gannek's legs in order to try and reach the open wound in its belly.

Still, this was their moment, their best opportunity was now---!

@Eisenhorn@HereComesTheSnow

The Elder Scrolls IV: Cyrodiil

Did she just say what I thought she just said?

I pause for a moment, trying to process what I just heard. Certainly, magic can defy all sorts of expectations with the many ways in which it can be applied. But the fact she just casually mentioned walking over the lake---

I can't have heard that correctly, could I?

Obviously, the route over the lake would be the most direct possible path. There's no denying that. But until this very moment, I didn't think it was even within the realm of possibility.

To be honest, I still don't think it's within the realm of possibility.

"Er, I know some of the basics... enough to light a fire and heal some light injuries," I manage to respond, regardless. It's really only the most practical spells I was taught when I was helping around the forge. How to start a fire, and how to deal with light burns, cuts, or scrapes. I don't think I'm particularly stunning, but it is magic and it's something I can do.

"Excuse me, but did you say walk over?"

I had to have misheard her, right?

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Wood split and cracked. Under the blow of Sir Fleur's greatsword, the downward slam of Sir Renar's poleaxe, and the thrust of Sir Fionn's blade had split wood and sent cracks running through the creature. Sir Renar, in particular, had managed to create such an impact that the entire serpent's frame seemed to rock, lurching downwards for a moment before stabilizing itself, its body twisted oddly from the wide gash that Sir Fleuri had managed to inflict.

Somewhat less fortunate was the fact that the wood beneath the bark and outer layers that had split was fresh, with green fibers running through it. This meant it would be stronger, but the damage that had been inflicted clearly indicated that it was possible to carve into the wooden monstrosity.

---However.

It was strange how little it seemed to react to the damage...

Fanilly hadn't the need to administer direct orders, for her knights had practically already read her mind. Sir Fionn's rush, Sir Renar's leap, and Sir Fleuri and Dame Tyaethe's charges did exactly what she would have asked for.

The monster was huge, and unknown, but surely it could only attack a single target at once. That meant that attacking the enormous serpent from multiple angles was their best option.

"Tch," Arken took a step back, raising his staff skywards, "It's very likely this creature is a creation of the Moonlit Queen herself. Do you hear that heartbeat?"

It was impossible to miss, echoing through the forest like that.

"There's a fae-crafted heart, deep inside its body," he continued, as the serpent seemed to ignore its current attackers, raising its enormous head and directing its green, glowing eyesockets towards Fanilly and the two mages, "Destroying that would destroy the entire construct, but we have to be able to reach it!"

Fanilly nodded, her eyes running up and down the creature as it raised its head back. Was there a thin point? Some way they could be able to access it more effectively---

Damn it, it was going to attack again!

"Dragonstar!"

The shouted spell name came from beside her, Lord Arken's staff projecting a circle of brilliant purple light that suddenly flashed red and made the air itself vibrate as its bloody glow illuminated the entire clearing. A beacon of magical energy was sent hurtling upwards, aiming directly for the tree-serpent's head.

It struck dead-on, wood splitting and cracking and breaking apart, splitting down the middle with a resounding crack!

The massive wooden serpent's upper jaw had been split entirely down the middle, its enormous, sinuous form rocking backwards for a few moments.

But of course, the heartbeat hadn't ceased.

The edges of the ragged tear in the serpent's head twisted into points, gnarled wood manifesting new rows of razor teeth, its upper jaw splitting into a pair of new mandibles as it renewed its attack.

Arken was already moving. Fanilly followed, putting an arm around Gertrude and pulling her in close immediately without even thinking, hugging her to her body and yanking her along with her as she dove to the side.

Maybe it wasn't necessary at all. Maybe Lady Gertrude would have easily escaped on her own. But the fact was that ensuring the nearest person's safely alongside herself hade been the first thing on her mind.

The enormous wooden serpent's triple-jawed head was sent slamming down, crashing to the spot they had once occupied and gouging chunks of earth up.

Fanilly shot to her feet. The damage to its head hadn't even slowed it down, a spell that produced enough power to split its upper jaw was barely even acknowledged. But it hadn't fully reformed for a reason, had it?

She wasn't the strongest. But good leverage, a strong thrust---

She could at least do enough damage for this.

Fanilly braced herself, clenching her teeth and wrapping her hands around her longsword, then stepped forward and sent the tip forward. It struck firmly, splitting the wood as it hit and burying deep, widening the initial crack she had made in the side of one of the serpent's two upper jaws.

Just as swiftly as she'd struck, she stepped back, yanking her sword from the wood---

And as she did, the edges of the crack she'd created twisted outwards into a new set of snapping jaws, briefly reaching out towards her until she stepped back out of range, as the serpent's head began to raise.

It could change its form on the fly, adapt to the damage, but it couldn't mend it---!

The same was happening across its body. The edges of the gash rent by Sir Fleur pointed and stretched, opening wide into a new maw on the serpent's side and threatening to snap at the knight.

The wood stretched upwards, winding into grasping claws to try and latch onto Sir Renar, and Sir Fionn. But the damage they had done remained, no matter how the serpent twisted its own form.

"Do as much damage as you can, it can't mend the damage!" called Fanilly, "Try and find where the heartbeat is loudest!"

If they could expose it, someone could do enough damage to end this monster---!

@Raineh Daze@Psyker Landshark@Crimson Paladin@Octo

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

"I---Very well, Sir Gerard!"

Dame Yael nodded, swiftly disengaging from the creature a swiftly as she could manage and darting to the side.

The Gannek's unnatural voice came again, shorter this time, when it's limb was pierced by Sir Rolan's strike, twisting its body to attempt to reach with one of its many limbs but falling short of the other knight.

"Thanks!" grunted Sir Caulder, who had been moments away from the monster attempting reaching his head. But his axe was still tied up, those grasping limbs forcing him to remain in place despite the strength he poured into his arms. He could neither wrench it free, nor push through the Gannek's strength in order to make a disemboweling blow. If he released his axe, he could switch to his sidewarm, but the sword simply wasn't made to inflict the deep cuts required as swiftly as he needed to.

But if he didn't do something soon, the situation had every chance of worsening.

As it turned out, it was a decision he wouldn't have to make.

Dame Yael's sword flashed, skewering one of the limbs gripping Sir Caulder's axe through its joint. The monstrous creature shrieked again, its awful, unnatural voice ripping through the forest as its grip slackened.

This was all that Sir Caulder needed.

With a roar, he yanked the axe free from the Gannek's grasp, and sent it slamming down----!

It cleaved through dark flesh, black ichor and an unspeakably foul, decaying scent filling the air. He'd hit his mark and cut clean into the Gannek's side!

Only to be met with a powerful slap, striking him and lifting him off the ground entirely, sending the knight hurtling back. While his army would likely protect him from serious harm, the wind had been knocked out of him.

The Gannek's belly had been cut, deep enough to send black bile and other unsavory fluids spilling from within. But it's sinous, serpentine body had twisted, avoiding being entirely split.

Still, the damage had been done. Unlike its wounded eye or limbs, the injury to its belly was not healing anywhere near as swiftly, oozing foul-scented darkness.

With one of its limbs grasping over the wound, the Gannek attempted to pull back and wrench itself free from the branch jammed deep into is gaping maw.

It was impossible to miss the fact that the area seemed to be growing darker, and the gnawing, hungry sensation deeper in the stomachs of the assembled knights. While no physical symptoms would arise, the sensation of aching hunger was growing stronger.

It was said that the presence of a Gannek could make one feel as if they hadn't eaten in days, some measure of the endless gluttony of the monster being conferred to those around it.

Slits opened along the creature's back, looking like dozens of little mouths flanking the bones of its spine and belching forth black mist. The darkness said to accompany such a monster was said to come swiftly, after all.

It was likely attempting to blind its opponents.

@HereComesTheSnow@Eisenhorn

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

---It didn't make any sense.

These were highwaymen. Robbers.

Certainly they weren't as elegant. Certainly they weren't as lethal. Robin, who had spent so much of her life practicing her skills, honing both her theatrics and her talent for defeating enemies to the sharpest point she could manage, was able to recognize as such at the sight of a single swing, as her blade met the blade of one of the bandits with the scraping sound of metal against metal.

They weren't honed to the same point that she was, for one reason or another.

But she recognized every motion, every block, every thrust and slash.

This was the very same style she had been trained it. Her first reaction, when she drew her blade and immediately parried one of their opening strikes in the very same motion, had been disbelief. Or perhaps that it may have been a mere coincidence. There was no way that these highwaymen had learned the very same style of swordplay as she had.

And yet---

Undeniable truth had come to stare the girl directly in the face.

No matter how much less they focused on theatrics, these men fought with the same method as she did.

That didn't make any sense.

She'd learned from the old man. He'd taught her. She'd never seen him teach anyone else. And she certainly had never seen him teach the sort of people who would rob from others.

He wouldn't. Of course he wouldn't.

So who could these men have possibly learned this from?

The sound of blade on blade rang out once again. This time, Robin caught her opponent's blade and guided it upwards, striking again as she brought her weapon low and putting it through the man's sword-arm.

These men robbed from the weak on threat of death.

But she had to know. She had to know where they learned to fight.

In the very moment she rammed her elbow into the man's face and sent him to the ground, clutching his injured arm and knocked senseless, she was caught by the attack of another of their number, attempting to take her while she was preoccupied.

---Even if you fight just like me, I'm still better!

Steel rang out through the alley as she forced the attacker's blade aside, and this time swiftly pierced his throat with a thrust. While he'd hoped that his angle and the opportunity he'd seen would take her off guard, instead she'd responded quickly as to turn the situation around on him.

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

"..."

Immediately upon citing the corpse, Kaku Seiga's eyes narrowed.

Perhaps much more surprisingly was the fact the dead girl was moving. Rocking side to side, as if attempting to get up without the use of her arms.

A faint 'uuuuu' sound could be heard from the body. The fact she was facedown muffled it, but it was still audible.

The blue-haired necromancer was almost immediately by her side, her hands on the corpse's shoulders and pulling it up. Rather then looking at all decayed, despite her pallid features she was completely intact. That and the fact she was sniffling slightly, even as her arms stuck out stiffly in front of her, made for a surreal sight.

"Nyan-nyan..."

The undead girl trembled, her eyes watering.

"They took my orders and pushed me down now I don't know what to doooooo..."

"Tch. There there, hold on a moment..."

Reaching into her clothing, the necromancer produced a paper talisman and swiftly attached it to the jiangshi's forehead.

"It's a good thing I always keep a spare on me. Who did this, Yoshika-chan?" Seiga said, as she placed her hands beneath the undead girl's armpits and hauled her up to her feet.

A vacant expression crossed Yoshika's watery eyes for a few moments, and after a pause that would make one question if she had somehow fallen asleep she finally spoke.

"Intruders! They went inside!"

It was likely Seiga was hoping for a more specific response, but that wasn't what she received. Still, rather then expression irritation, she merely ran her hand through the jiangshi's hair before returning her fallen hat to her.

"Then I'll deal with them. Unfortunately, there's little time to introduce you to my guests, though at least one of them already knows you," she said, glancing back and gesturing towards Sanae and Rayne.

The jiangshi stared at the pair for a few moments, recognition appearing on her pale features after a few moments.

"Kochiya!" she declared, rather brightly despite her prior mood, "And... another!"

"I'll introduce you all later," Seiga declared with a wave of her hand, "Follow me. I have some rats to take care of, but then I'll be able to alleviate your symptoms.

---

Heir to the Konpaku

---The timing really can't be any worse.

When it comes to people in Gensokyo, there's not very many I can say I find truly uncomfortable to be around. I might dislike someone, or I might want to avoid them for one reason or another(not that I would lose to them in a fight).

Kaku Seiga is one of these few. Her very presence is discomforting. Every word out of her mouth is discomforting. If I had a choice to avoid entering in Senkai, I would have taken it.

Not that I can't defeat her, but just from the fact I don't went want to interact with her in the first place.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'm not going to have any choice in the matter.

Kaku Seiga, a furious expression on her features, has just entered the senkai with her jiangshi in toe.

"Just what do you think you're doing?! Trespassing is bad enough, but doing that to my darling Yoshika---!"

My hand immediately drifts to Roukanken's hilt.

If I can cut her out of the air fast enough, I won't have to deal with her, right?

@DracoLunaris@FujiwaraPhoenix@Raineh Daze

The Elder Scrolls IV: Cyrodiil

It I didn't know any better, I'd definitely be thinking this has to be some sort of strange, surreal dream at the moment. It honestly only keeps getting stranger. A bottle of expensive wine? Why not, at this point?

And yet no cups. It's not like I can be picky, or that I want to be, but downing a whole bottle of wine doesn't seem like a good plan when reality already feels like it's going to knock me off my feet.

Where did she get this, anyway? The bottle alone is like a an art piece. Not an incredibly expensive one, but as far as wine bottles go that would indicate a high price. It's definitely not the sort of thing the average tavern has at the ready, at least.

"E-er..." I take a deep breath. This is seriously overwhelming.

"Chorrol, I need to-erk," I shake my head. She introduced herself, and I should do so in kind, "Vivienne. My name is Vivienne."

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Arken sighed heavily at Sir Renar's words.

"I can certainly tell," he commented, "I hope her capabilities are making up for her eccentricities."

Fanilly inhaled deeply. Their enemy had yet to make an appearance, but was almost certainly present. Would it attack? Would it simply continue to observe? Whatever it was was lurking out of sight, certainly. Did that mean it was stalking them? Or was it some form of scout, employed by the fae? They couldn't even be entirely certain that it was related to the Moonlight Queen. Or, for that matter, even the local fae at all.

Fae weren't the only creatures that dwelled in the deep of Brennan forest.

How did she respond? What tactic did she enforce? Their formation was already arranged to best defend those who were unable to engage at close range, so at the very least they were as reasonably prepared for an attack as they could be given the lack of knowledge that they possessed about their potential opponent.

That, combined with the stark atmosphere of this area of the forest---

She inhaled again and parted her lips.

"Iron Roses---"

There was a groan from the forest.

It wasn't the sound of a beast or man. No creature could pass such a noise from their lips.

It was the echoing creak of moving branches, of wood scraping against wood.

The trees---

The trees marked with faces were moving.

Immediately, Fanilly drew her sword, the flash of steel and the sound of sliding metal piercing the atmosphere. In a way, the revelation of their foe had relieved the tension.

"Prepare for batt-what?!"

Fanilly's eyes widen, her mouth falling open.

Certainly, the trees were moving.

But they were being dragged along. Pulled up from the earth, near-black roots winding together as the faces upon them melted away. They split and twisted, branches binding themselves like the individual fibers making up rope, forming a continuous shape of gnarled bark and intertwined limbs and roots.

Fanilly could hear something like a heartbeat echo through the forest as more and more trees were pulled free from the earth to join the forming shape.

A serpentine head formed, shards of razor-sharp splintered wood filling its maw as its jaws slowly opened, rising upwards and snapping the branches that formed the canopy.

The massive wooden serpent rose above them, jaws opening wide, an unearthly green glow serving as a simulacrum of eyes.

"Th-that's...---"

What in the blazes was this?! Fanilly had heard plenty of eerie stories of presences in Brennan, but she'd never heard of anything that sounded like this!

And it was poised to crash down upon them.

"Iron Roses, disper---"

Damn it, it was already bearing down, mouth open wide!

Did they even have time to---

"Threefold Barrier!"

A purple light erupted from mid-air, expanding into a set of three disc-shaped constructs of light. They resembled magic circles, angular patterns marking their formation and arranged as a stack.

The tree-serpent creature crashed against them. The first immediately shattered, fragmenting into pieces, and Fanilly could see cracks run through the second.

But it was sent reeling back, buying them even a little time.

Lord Arken's staff glowed brilliantly. He must have been the one who cast the defensive spell.

Fanilly took a deep breath. Her heart was nearly slamming against her breastplate, beating almost at the same time as the enormous heartbeat that filled the forest around them.

But she had to give her orders. They had to destroy this monster, whatever it might be!

"Break formation!" she called, "Spread out so it can't target us all at once!"

Despite having no idea what kind of creature this was, at the very least she knew that remaining clustered together was no use against such a huge creature.

Fanilly was already running.

"Lord Arken, Lady Fiadh, Sir Fionn, do you have any idea what this thing is?!"

---

The Gannek's maw seemed to gape wider and wider, more pitch black arms reaching from inside its body---

But Sir Rolan's bolt struck true, piercing one of its white eyes.

The sound that left the monster was unlike those made by living things. An unearthly, metallic screech that seemed to reach into the very bodies of those around it and shake their bones, reverberating through their ears. It sounded more like a blade being scraped along stone then anything a living creature should be able to produce.

Its lengthy body twisted as it attempted to look in the direction of the attack, the bolt already being pushed out of its body by its mending form. However, it was unable to locate Sir Rolan, due to Sir Gerard's efforts. The branch ramming deep into its mouth clearly took it by surprise, and it could do little to swiftly reach to its body being yanked along with it, its underside quickly exposed as it was pulled away from the slowly-dying tree.

Even though it had been taken by surprise, its shadowy arms were still crawling along the branch in an attempt to reach out towards the bold knight.

"I'll support you!" called Dame Yael, her slim-bladed sword leaving its sheath and skewering one of the monster's hands in a single motion, forcing it to retreat back into its maw at least temporarily.

Sir Caulder didn't need to be told what to do. His heavy axe raised up over his head, and was sent careening towards the monster's exposed belly to split it open and spill its insides---

Only for it to be caught by two of the creature's legs. Each of its feet were shaped similarly to human hands, and unfortunately despite its maw being preoccupied it still had awareness of other attacks.

Gritting his teeth. Sir Caulder slammed one foot forward, pouring his strength into his arms, but the Gannek's physical power was impossible to ignore despite its spindly frame.

And worse, one of its legs was reaching for the knight's head---

Meanwhile, the terrified aessyr had buried herself as deeply into the furs as she could possibly manage, trying to disappear entirely.