VitaVitaAR

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Wasn't this supposed to be a simple trial---?!

Robin sprang back, her fingers wrapping around the hilt of her spada and drawing it, edge smoothly singing as it left its sheath.

---Her mind was far more clouded then it had been when she'd joined this party, but now wasn't the time for her to be distracted by that.

Why was Leviathan attacking? Why was she so enraged? Had they been told something incorrect, something wrong about how they were meant to go about the ritual?

Or had something been tampered with?

It didn't make any sense to her.

But no matter how many more doubts she had gained, she still wanted to be a hero. No matter how much her heart was pounding, that desire still lingered within it.

And if this was deliberate injustice, then didn't it make sense to strike back even harder?

How did she begin to strike back, though...?

Robin took a deep breath. She wasn't exactly trained in how to fight such large enemies, but inevitably facing such creatures was part of being a hero.

And now the fairies were saying something was wrong.

Also, there were fairies, which was a little much to try and wrap her head around, but at the same time that meant that the ritual had been done correctly and yet the Serpent of the Whorl was still enraged.

It didn't make any sense. What was going on?

Ah---

She just had to act, now!

Taking a deep breath, Robin sent a pulse of mana through her blade, sparks alighting along it as she took a firm step forward.

Her swordplay wasn't that of a hero It was that of... of...

Nevermind. She could still try to use it like she was a hero, couldn't she?

Her blade thrust skywards, erupting into a sudden bolt of light aimed towards Leviathan's eyes. It wasn't damaging, but hopefully it would at least stun her---!

The Elder Scrolls IV: Cyrodiil

At least the food is good. The price would be kind of much to me just a little while ago, but it's hard to too bothered by something like that after what I've experienced today. So instead, I'm just happy it tastes good and fills me up properly.

This really is something the mage's guild should be dealing with. But they haven't done so. And if they haven't, the least I can do with my newfound freedom and allegiance with one of the most ridiculous mages I've ever seen in my life is try and take care of it while I have the chance, so there's no more risk of anyone getting hurt. Or of more people's bodies being abused after death.

---Lannessa is happy I accepted, at least. I guess it makes sense that she would be.

Wait, but...

"Mostly... on my own?"

I look back towards the cavern. I'm not particularly well-equipped yet. I guess I can do some magic, and it'll probably work plenty well against undead just as well as it does lighting up firewood.

But at the same time---

I take a deep breath.

"Er, really, I... I guess."

I've made it this far, haven't I? The assassins were probably more dangerous than undead would be, so the necromancer themselves is the biggest, most real threat.

"R-right, how to approach this..."

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

For a few moments, the fae lady's expression was unreadable as she regarded the knights.

Did she dislike the idea of interfering with her elder sister? Did she consider it an insult? Was she perhaps considering how to send them away, or worse, to punish them for what she perceived as insolence?

For those scant few moments, as an eerie stillness filled the natural, unnatural fae glade, the future was impossible to predict.

Whatever span of time the silence occupied, it felt like an eternity passed.

And then---

It was broken.

A light, musical-sounding laugh filled the air. It grew louder, as the fae lady bent forward, holding her stomach.

She was its source.

The refined, beautiful fae could not help it, now, bursting out into laughter as she leaned back, completely incapable of containing her amusement. It carried on for several moments, the lady's laughter reaching its peak before slowly falling.

She wiped a tear from her eye with one elegant finger.

"Ah, forgive me, children of men," she said, taking a deep breath before continuing to speak, "I could not help myself, your reaction was far too amusing."

Her neat, straight hair had become somewhat disheveled, and she took a moment to brush it back and tidy her appearance before she spoke again.

"You misunderstand me. I do not take offense to your desire to interfere with my elder sister's affairs. In fact---"

She leaned forward, a smirk crossing her beautiful face.

"---I am intrigued. She stole the wits of one of your nobility, you say? How unsurprising, she has utterly dreadful manners."

The fae lady crossed her legs, leaning back.

"I shall gladly assist in your mission. That elder of sister of mine deserves nothing less."

What had begun as a simple scouting mission had seemingly paid off. The fae lady's relationship with her older sister appeared to be rather difficult, which was only an asset when it came to securing her assistance. Given her treatment by the other present fae, it was quite likely she was powerful enough to help penetrate the Moonlit Queen's fae realm and seek audience with her.

@Eisenhorn@HereComesTheSnow

---

The strange tree that had formerly been their enemy stood towering over the clearing, the faint breeze lightly rustling its leaves, and the star-like blue flowers that adorned it. Despite its newborn nature, it looked all the world as if it had stood there for centuries.

Fanilly had found her eyes on it once more. It almost seemed luminscent, but the sense of danger had entirely vanished. This had to be by design by the construct's creator. Fae did dwell out in nature, so maybe it was the product of a desire to simply return what was taken, in a way? The serpent was made from the trees nearby, after all.

The Knight-Captain tore her gaze from the new landmark.

"Lord Arken, er... is this the right place?" she asked. While the presence of a construct of considerable might such as that certainly implied they had found the right location, there were other fae in this forest. Fanilly just wasn't sure.

"I'm certain, at least. I doubt there would be any others, not with that niyar's assistance," he responded. He was regarding the tree quietly as well. Even if Fanilly herself couldn't truly sense it, she was certain something like that had to be putting off magical energy even if it wasn't a threat any longer.

She turned towards the others. Sir Renar had a point, it wasn't as if they could just go forward without any plan at all.

"I suspect we'll have to rely on Lord Arken, Lady Gertrude, and Lady Fiadh's direction in hopes of locating another fae who might be able to assist," she commented, not having any other guess at a possible solution. Now that they'd found what was most likely the location of the Moonlit Queen's fae realm, it was for the best they regrouped before continuing their search, however.

Before that---

"Er... I would ask if you were alright, Lady Gertrude, but I think..."

Fanilly trailed off. She'd tackled Lady Gertrude without thinking very much, in an effort to try and get her out of danger as quickly as possible. She didn't really know how well a mage like her could handle defending herself without much warning, but helping her had seemed like the right thing to do.

"I think you've already answered that question."

The fact she was yelling at Sir Fionn like that meant she was probably fine.

@Psyker Landshark@Crimson Paladin@The Otter@Octo@Raineh Daze

The Elder Scrolls IV: Cyrodiil

It's difficult to have any kind of coherent response after I've managed to walk on water. It wasn't something I'd even considered as a possibility, even when it came to powerful magi. I figured they would just have some other method of crossing bodies of water. I think most of them do, in fact.

Walking on the surface of the water was just something I'd never even begun to consider. And yet, somehow, I did it. Against all odds.

Maybe this isn't necessarily a dream, but some kind of delusion. That would explain so much.

And yet, somehow, not enough.

I don't even question it when the heat suddenly dies down from her magic. That's a parlor trick compared to what I've already seen. It's pretty clear to me that logic has firmly been sent flying out the window and off into the distance, perhaps never to return. I can't help but wonder if it's having a good time, where ever it may have gone.

The inn is a little more normalcy, at least, though the nord woman who confronts us---

Aaah, a necromancer? I...

...

I have something I need to do. I know that much. And my brain is practically scrambled from everything that's been going on. From one surreal, impossible tragedy to a stream of surreal, impossible magic, everything feels a little distant.

"... I... I guess it's not as if a necromancer should be allowed to do whatever they please..."

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

The forest was silent, as the Fae woman inclined her head to the side and quietly listened to the words of the Knights before her. Sir Caulder and Dame Yael hadn't quite expected Sir Gerard to take the lead in explaining things, but nevertheless they didn't stop him.

Perhaps they thought he was doing a good job, or perhaps they wanted to gauge the fae woman's reaction before trying to elaborate. Or perhaps it was both.

The only show of any sort of reaction before Sir Gerard and Sir Rolan finished speaking was the slight narrowing of her eyes at the mention of the 'Moonlit Queen'.

It was hard to tell way she allowed their words to hang in the air for quite some time once they were done with their explanation. Perhaps she was deep in through, or perhaps her silence was simply to make them worry. When it came to the fae, it was difficult to tell what their motives could be at times.

After a pause, her lips parted.

"The Moonlit Queen, you say?"

There was the slightest edge to her tone that hadn't been there before.

"Such a title is one favored by many of our kind, Children of Men," she began, "You worship the Lady in the Moon, but for us it is the moonlight itself that we adore. To be illuminated by moonlight, even when its pale face is not visible, is considered by many fae to be a symbol of status."

The resplendent woman leaned forward.

"In this forest, there is only a single fae of the Unseelie Court who has taken such a title. She is the only one who both desires it, and has the power to dissuade any others from trying to assert that they are so illuminated as well. She doesn't approve of those who try to take it for themselves, nor does she approve of many things that do not go her way."

Her sapphire gaze fixed firmly on Sir Gerard's gold, now.

Perhaps it was a prelude to what she was about to say. To gauge the way in which the knight who had taken the role of explaining their cause would react to the words she would speak next.

"This forest's Moonlit Queen is my elder sister, Children of Men."

@HereComesTheSnow@Eisenhorn

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

Heir to the Konpaku

That's---

That's not true at all! It was an idea we'd all agreed on! In the first place, it's not as if I feel particularly bad about entering Kaku Seiga's place of residence. Wasn't she stealing it from someone already? Certainly, they were already dead, but that's beside the point! It was still taking ownership of a mausoleum that didn't belong to her in the first place!

---It had been my idea to disable Miyako, but I'd specifically done it in a way that wouldn't harm her. Even if she could be mended from even the worst injuries.

I could have just cut her in half. It's not like that would have killed her, after all. It wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

---Putting all that aside, there's no way Yuyuko-sama would possibly agree to those conditions! Especially when it's a request from the Wicked Hermit Kaku Seiga!

"Yuyuko-sama would ne---"

Suddenly, the jiangshi has flown ahead of the others. Her talisman has been restored, and she's looking down at Fujiwara-san, Suguru-san, Carol-san, and myself.

"Stay out of the mausoleum!"

Her shout is loud enough to echo off the walls.

"..."

We're already in the mausoleum, though---

... Nevermind.

"Yuyuko-sama would never agree to that!"

I'll assert it firmly. She shouldn't even try it.

---Right?

"So you didn't create that... thing, but instead it came from beneath the city?" Carol comments, looking as if she feels nothing about asserting I was the only one at fault, "That doesn't bode particularly well... hmmm."

@DracoLunaris@FujiwaraPhoenix@Raineh Daze

---

The Scarlet Devil

"Tch---!"

If I hadn't been weakened, that cave-in wouldn't have mattered to me at all! I would have easily broken my way through it! Damn it!

Fists tightly curled at my sides, I can feel my wings flapping lightly, unconsciously, in an expression of my irritation.

Stupid, ugly, unpleasant undead, lurking in a stupid, unstable underground passageway! Whose idea was it to go lurking in such an unsightly place, anyway!?

And if you're going to use undead, at least try and make them aesthetically pleasing!

I hope the dumb idiot who was behind this got themselves crushed. It would serve them right.

"Hmph."

I fold my arms, turning away from the others in annoyance.

"Well, since we obviously can't explore that route anymore, I suppose we'll have to return. It was a really ugly, stupid tunnel anyway."

---Not that the aesthetics necessarily mattered when it came to figuring out what happened, but still!

I don't bother waiting for the others. I'm going to lead the way back to the guild whether they're ready or not.

@Drifting Pollen@Lugubrious@Rezod92

The Elder Scrolls IV: Cyrodiil

"..."

At least I can swim.

Even though she's clearly able to do it, it's not as if I can wrap my head around the idea of doing it myself. Whatever kind of mage she is, I'm certainly not.

To put it simply, I can't say I have confidence in what I'm about to attempt. But it's not like I'm about to drown.

Honestly, getting soaked in lake water would hardly be the most unpleasant fluid I've had all over me recently.

At least I'm going to try, no matter how little confidence I have. I have an idea of what she's trying to describe, it'd be worse if this was my first lesson in magic.

I inhale deeply, and close my eyes---

And take a step.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

The longer they walked, the odder the forest seemed. It was difficult to tell if this was simply a portion of the forest that was particularly affected by fae magics, or if they had, at some point, strayed into one of the very fae realms they had been tasked with trying to infiltrate.

They air seemed odd. A slight tingle on the skin of the assembled knights, though not a wholly unpleasant sensation. Rather, it almost evoked the feeling of the summer sunlight, on a particularly clear and fresh day. The foliage seemed greener, here, but also somewhat strange. It was as if it had grown in an arranged fashion, two rows of tall, white trees flanking their approach as they were lead by the fae hunter.

The trees were broken, now, by figures of equal height to the hunter. They were cloaked in black, standing out in sharp contrast against the white trees surrounding the path. What features they possessed were shrouded, but in their hands they gripped spears that appeared to be hewn from the same darkness as their cloaks.

It was difficult to tell how long the procession of armed fae was.

But at its end was a throne of wood. Not a throne carved from wood, but a throne grown from wood. It was a single, continuous piece, rooted to the spot and adorned with leaves that grew from it naturally.

Most striking was the figure seated upon it.

She had fair skin, and was nearly as tall as the hunter and the cloaked figures, herself. Her near-black hair was straight, pouring down her back, and she was possessed of fine, elegant facial features and blue eyes. Emerging from her forehead and parting her bangs, were a pair of horns that appeared almost as if they were grown from dark wood.

Her body was possessed of a generous figure, clad in flowing, shimmering robes of greens and blues, and she cocked her head lightly at the approach of the hunter, the knights, and the aessyr.

The hunter swiftly knelt.

"Faolan."

The female fae on the throne spoke in a clear, firm voice, addressing the hunter.

"You bring before me children of men. While I bear no ill will towards them, I do wonder what your intention is."

Dame Yael was the first to kneel. Sir Caulder followed quickly after, deferring respect to the fae lady in the throne.

"My lady," Faolan replied, "These children of men slew the Gannek that threatened to devour our little sisters."

A cry of "it's true!" could be heard, from Aithne as she continued to embrace the slowly-recovering Enfys.

"I thought it best to grant their desire to meet you, my lady, in light of their deed."

The fae lady cocked her head once more, bringing her hand to her chin.

"Is that so? How interesting," she commented, "Well then, why did you wish to meet me, children of men? If it is a frivolous desire, I may not appreciate it. Or perhaps, I shall be impressed by your boldness?"

A smirk crossed her lips.

@HereComesTheSnow@Eisenhorn

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

The air itself sizzled.

Sir Fionn's efforts had paid off.

The brilliant light tore across the clearing and cleaved apart the wood that remained in the path of the serpent construct's heart. For a moment, it was exposed, then fully ripped free of its confines. Indeed, the branches composing the serpent had twisted inwards, gripped the throbbing, green mass shaped much like a human heart, and thrown it free from the body in an effort to escape its fate.

But its response was far too slow.

The magical energy hurled forth from Sir Fionn's blade struck it squarely and tore it cleaning in two. For a moment, it was suspended in the air, cut apart by light, as its own energy faded and the emerald tones dulled.

Then it came to pieces, shattering like glass.

The upper half of the massive serpent twisted for a moment, suddenly sharpening into an innumerable number of points and raising upwards---

Only to be blasted open, torn apart by Lady Gertrude's efforts, her Dragonstar shearing through the wooden serpent's flower-like upper body and bringing its final attack to a an explosive halt, splitting open its form and sending its halves bowing sideways.

Fanilly lowered her blade, taking a deep breath.

"... Good work," she said, after a few moments, though she did not yet sheath her sword. While the enormous construct had been defeated, something still felt incredibly strange in the air. She couldn't simply let her guard down, she had to be ready to move, to issue commands, "It appears to be dead, but---"

"The magical energy hasn't faded, you know," Lord Arken interjected, his staff raised "Simply because the construct isn't moving doesn't mean..."

He trailed off, lowering his staff.

The wooden serpent was no longer moving. The green light had left it.

However---

Life hadn't.

Portions of its body had twisted free of the mass, rooting themselves back into the earth as they once had.

Branches that drooped suddenly seemed sturdier, spreading, green leaves sprouting from the split and torn form.

New greenery covered the wicked gouges left behind by their assault, a verdant, living, yet bizarrely-shaped tree now standing before them.

As its branches raised and life returned to them, small buds appeared. Their petals parted all at once, as if the knights were watching the natural spectacle unfold sped up hundreds of times.

The great, strange tree that had moments about been their enemy was now covered in innumerable white blossoms.

"... It's faded," Lord Arken commented, finally, lowering his staff, "At least, insofar as can be expected in a place like this."

It was strange, really. Despite the enormous serpent having been a foe of considerable danger, now it was simply a strange, yet beautiful centerpiece to the clearing that perhaps held the entrance to the Moonlit Queen's realm. To Fanilly's eyes, it almost appeared as if they were looking upon a tree covered in stars. She didn't recognize the flowers. Did they exist anywhere else?

"... Now that the guardian has been dealt with, presuming we've found the location, now all we need to do is find assistance so we can get inside," the Knight-Captain said, after a scant few moments of silence, "Given what's left of the serpent, I don't think we should have a difficult time finding it again."

With that being said, she still wasn't certain about how they'd locate a fae or a group of fae able and willing to let them enter the Moonlit Queen's fae realm.

But they were far closer now then when they'd started.

@Raineh Daze@Psyker Landshark@Crimson Paladin@Octo@The Otter

---

Silence filled the forest, as the tall fae hunter's initial response was merely to silently regard the knights in term. His green gaze traced along their forms swiftly, taking in each knight and lingering somewhat longer upon Sir Gerard's face.

But they lingered longest on the tiny shapes of the two aessyr, Enfys now managing to weakly return the tearful Aithne's embrace.

"---I see. Then I must thank you again, children of men," the fae hunter responded, "For preserving the life of our little sister."

He paused for a moment, clearly to consider Sir Gerard's request. By now, his stance had become casual, the bow still in his hand but held low and at his side.

His eyes narrowed briefly at the mention of a 'Moonlit Queen'.

He was silent for a considerable amount of time.

"While I would have enjoyed the hunt, you actions to bring the abomination to its end warrant consideration," he said, at last, "While I am among this forest's protectors, I am not the one you must speak to."

He turned, beckoning towards the deeper forest with his free hand.

"My lady shall hear your request."

@HereComesTheSnow@Eisenhorn

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

"It's been better, but I'm fine," Sir Caulder gave a metallic grunt, one hand to the back of his head. Indeed, he seemed to have righted himself well enough, and didn't appear to be struggling with standing. While his heavy visor made it hard to tell where he was looking, he was definitely facing towards the unconscious aessyr in Sir Rolan's grasp.

Dame Yael let out a sigh of relief, and stepped away to help check their surroundings as quickly as possible.

The awake Aessyr didn't need to be told any more. With the hum of her wings she swiftly left Sir Gerard's shoulder, fluttering towards the prone, tiny figure in Sir Rolan's hands.

Her sings fluttering, she hovered just above the other girl, reaching out towards her.

"Enfys! E-Enfys!"

For a few moments, the unconscious aessyr didn't appear to hear her. Perhaps her condition truly was that severe, due to being trapped inside the Gannek's body.

But then---

A tiny, faint noise, barely audible to the Sir Rolan, came from the prone figure.

"Nnng..."

Enfys slowly opened her eyes. With all the grime still clicking to her body, it made her bright blue irises stand out all the more intensely.

"Enfys---!"

The first aessyr's hands clutched at her chest, tears appearing in the corners of her eyes.

"... I stink..."

Those were the first words out of Enfys's mouth as she stirred slightly, a few faded petals falling from her dress. Without another moment wasted, the first aessyr wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her tightly.

"... Ah... Aithne, you'll stink now too..."

The first aessyr, Aithne, did not appear to think this was a reason to let go. Despite her tiny size, her sobbing was quite clearly audible, now, as she simply held Enfys closer.

"Sir Gerard is right," Dame Yael commented as she approached the nearby foliage to check for any unwanted observers, "It'd be best if we returned swi---"

She was cut off with a gasp of shock as the figure silently stepped from the trees.

He had appeared entirely silently. He had been completely invisible just moments prior.

The figure was tall. Incredibly so, perhaps nearing nine feet. His skin was blue-grey, with darker interweaving patterns running down his shoulders, back, and chest. He wore little clothing, save for a fur hanging from his waits to preserve his modesty, exposing his toned arms, chest, and waist.

His hair was wild, dark, and hung past his waist, framing a slender-featured face with a sharpness that could be described as both handsome and beautiful, his eyes a luminescent green. But his least human features were most certainly the sharp, many-pointed antlers extending from his forehead.

There was no denying the man was fae.

From his shoulder hung a quiver full of black arrows, and in his left hand he clutched a great bow.

"... Children of men," he began, his voice firm and seeming to fill the forest, his eyes cast over the assembled knights, then fell upon the black stain that was all that remained of the Gannek.

He inclined his head slightly towards the knights.

"You have slain the creature I hunted," he continued, "But I do not begrudge your success. It devoured life and sought to feed upon my kin. For this, I thank you, children of men."

@HereComesTheSnow@Eisenhorn