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General Labyrinthite

They were still testing out his newly acquired abilities and, admittedly, Labyrinthite was grateful for the man's enhanced vision. While his own eyes were sharp, they still paled in comparison to the perfect night vision Wolfeite's new eyes provided him. "I suspect we will encounter many and I do not think they will be friendly." It could go either way at this point, most of the youma the general had encountered had been pleasant enough if you respected their rules in their realm.

They were servants of Metallia, but they were more wild than her agents, more likely to do as they saw fit than to listen to her words. The deeper they went, the more volatile those youma became, the harder to control and the more deadly they were.

Labyrinthite could not help but wonder what they would find that kept them from bone they sought. He had to garden last time, beat some plants into submission, had to smooth talk his way out of a shitty situation and draw a picture of one of the creatures he'd accidentally walked upon. He would be lying if he didn't say that he hoped that whatever trials they had to do, it involved more combat than anything else. He was good at that, could direct and formulate attack plans quick enough.

He could even talk his way out of things well once he got going but -

He was not an artist nor a gardener and he hoped neither task would be called upon. Those were thoughts for later, they had a task to do and it was time for him to take Serpierite down with him as Wolfeite had already departed. He reached for her, tentative and polite making sure not to grasp her anywhere inappropriate. "This will only take a second," he promised, then, sure his grip on her was secure, he teleported them down to the bottom next to his half-youma captain.

"Stay close, I recommended engaging only when necessary."

Teleportation. A gift granted to those who survived their time as a lieutenant in this war. A gift that came in handy as Captains and Generals alike made their way safely to the ground leaving behind handfuls of lieutenants to make their own journey down the cliff face.

Climbing appeared to be the safest bet. At least that way they could have some control over where they stepped. The group that had chosen to do so found the foot holes were strong, though not well placed for people not willing to stretch to reach them.

Below, all was quiet. In the shadows, things stirred however nothing moved towards the group coming into the graveyard. That is until the rock sliding actions of Lt. Marcasite knocked just the right rocks lose to send some of the larger ones heading towards the closest pile of forgotten bones. Stones bounced of the in all directions until one hit the pile just right causing it to shake and crumble to the side!

Stirring up dust and providing enough noise to call attention to their position, their eye sight would be blocked until the dust settled.

However when it did, maybe it was not for the best as the group on the ground already would find that now, standing over the over turn pile of bones was a pack of six youma. Built to look like wolves, their size and muscle build was clearly twice that of a wolf on Earth. Their heads appeared to lack fur or any sort of covering but the center one who appeared to have a have a bone shield over the flesh of his head. Scavengers feeding off the decay of the dead.

Twelve glowing purple eyes gazed back at them. In silence at first until the shift of others climbing down the cliff face turned the alpha’s gaze upward.

With a howl like nails on a chalkboard, the five predators on either side of the alpha leapt from the pile and moved towards those agents on the ground. Growling, dagger like fangs glaring with claws to match, they held their position until one was smacked on the nose from the actions of Lt. Raspite climbing.

It snapped its jaws and lunged forward towards Wolfeite, Labyrinthite, Xenotime, Marcasite, and Natrolite Behind it, the other four followed each taking a shot at the flesh of an agent on the ground. Teeth bared they snapped at the bodies before them.

Above, the agents who had not made their way down the cliff face would be able to see all that was going on. Their comrades had found a pack that claimed this place as their own and were none too happy to see uninvited dinner guests. To race down and help or to stay in the safety of the upper levels of the cliff? Save your own skin and fail your ruler or dive head first.

Say...was something moving off in the distance of the graveyard? Still a long ways off to make out anything but a white form that appeared to have shifted. Only those on the cliff could see if and that was if they had been staring right at it when the movement took place! Blink and all was still!

Benitoite.

Having found out just what their mission was, what they were to retrieve, he couldn't help but the feeling of deja vu which hit him. He'd done this before, different place and different great youma mind you, he'd helped gain apiece of a greater youma before and helped bring it back to life. Would they be doing it again? Would he gain some memory from this greater youma also? For now he didn't say anything and limped along with the group, not about to seek help to keep up - not that he needed it. He was doing his best to put his shorter, and injured, legs to work as he hurried along. He dared anyone to say anything to him, smile, stare, laugh, or even whisper about him - he would hurt them. He was in no mood for anyone to look down on him tonight, they had a task to accomplish and he was well aware of his injured state and could honestly not care less about it. He wanted to get this task done so they could seek vengeance against their enemy. As it seemed no one was bothering him about his state, or doing anything which would set the General off, he was content to limping along and keeping his eyes on the shadows and the youma hiding within them.

He might not be able to see them all but his senses told him they were there - told him they were not alone. Some were obvious but others, many more, were not so obvious and he wasn't sure which was more dangerous.

The walk was long, and a lot for the ashen blond to take, but he kept silent and din't complain. He managed to keep it together till they reached the cliff. Peering over he sighed. "Sliding down is the only option it seems." He mumbled to himself, not at all liking the idea. As he stood there looking over the edge he hardly noticed others from other littler groups but he did notice his fellow General and took note of what he was doing - good idea.

Watching others go first the General stood silent to see what would happen. Taking note of how others got down, what worked and what didn't. He was injured and not keen to just go diving in on the decision making part of things, he was not going to risk his health further nor was he going to risk the two Lieutenants and cat with him. So he stood waiting and watching, a hand up to keep his two lieutenants still, as he observed and made a decision. "Teleporting could work, but I'd rather not teleport you both down there. I can't be as precise as I'd like to be and the ground is a littered mess." Of bones and now officers. No, he didn't like the idea even if it was a simple one - too simple. "We'll climb down, it won't be such a bad thing - a test of strength." He said shrugging his shoulders as he went to remove his uniform. He didn't need it getting in the way of things, and to be fair he had considered yanking off the cape and coat earlier as both were rather burdensome and unneeded. They were a great way to grab him and yank him about, more a hindrance and risk than anything else really.

As youma were seemingly called up, due to a pile of bones being disturbed, he sighed and shook his head. "I might like the rift...but youma protect greater youma remains. They will fight and challenge you for them...and considering those youma look like wolves it could just be a territorial thing but it could be a mix, plus a possible general dislike for people disturbing them." Shaking his head he raked his fingers through his bangs and tugged on them - hard. "We might as well hurry our way down and help. I am not teleporting into that mess." Not a chance in hell was he teleporting himself and the other three down into a fight.

It was when he looked at his group that he finally noticed the corrupted senshi they'd picked up - well that was new. "Let's get down there. We haven't an option." They were not going to fail and they were not going to leave people down there to handle those wolves on their own - he wouldn't permit such.

With his uniform lightened considerably he moved toward the edge and sat himself on the ground and slowly scooted to the edge, dangling his legs, and turning around he slowly started the climb down - hissing as his leg warned him of how much a bad idea this was - and he told it to shut up. He honestly didn't care if his leg protested or if it simply buckled and sent him falling toward the ground - he was not about to remain out of the fight and leave others to fend for themselves. If he was doing this those others had better be, he was watching above him, rather than below, to make sure he was being followed.

[black]Corrupted Valeria.

Walking for an hour in heels was torture and at some point, in order to avoid the pain it would cause her to do so she had taken her heels off. Barefoot she didn't have to worry about too much though the rocks and broken stones were a pain to deal with and did hurt she wasn't worried about stepping into unknown gooey things or anything disgusting. She did however keep looking around at the moving shadows so had jumped when a big hand had landed on her arm and brought her toward a group.

She had been rather lost, keeping to the rear of things, and when she had gotten over the near heart attack the others touch had brought her she realized she had seen him before. She also had seen that cat about his shoulders before. she'd seen them both during that big battle - the invasion. She wanted to ask how he was but she also didn't want to break the silence which had fallen over the place so kept silent and continued to walk till they reached the cliff.

As she was part of a group now, something she was glad for, she didn't just jump into things but she didn't shy away either. She stuck to the big mans side and waited till the little General was done with watching others and finally spoke. It seemed they had to act, as she had also noted the youma which had turned up down below. "Of course." She said to the comment about going down there. As the tiny General went to head down there she too did, tucking her heels down the top of her bodice so they stuck up and it looked very odd and uncomfortable. They were not being kept because she intended to wear them at all tonight but rather in case she could use them as a weapon - as she might have to do. She didn't know how her magic would work on a youma and she was limited, something which right now she didn't like the idea of at all.

CAPTAIN PROUSTITE

The first time Proustite met Moonstone she caught him in the Traitor's Hall with his pants around his knees, mooning Charonite-in-crystal-finery.

'He was an a*****e,' she'd said. In a tone of voice that suggested to Proustite she felt Charonite deserved to look at one for a little while.

He stared when they found the edge of cliff, dark eyes following the line of the horizon. There were a great many bones. Thousands of years of death congregated in one spot, and that was just--

"Excellent!" Proustite declared, as though they hadn't been asked to find a needle in a haystack, "Let's just grab one of them and crystallize the s**t out of it. We can get Thor to carry it back."

He gestured at Titan, smiling, as everyone else disappeared over the ledge. Big as a horse and hard as a ship, Wasgo loomed behind him. Proustite pretended not to notice when a great glob of drool landed on his shoulder. He fished a slice of pepperoni out of his jacket, and fed it to Moonstone's youma with a familiarity that had started out about survival and then become a weird sort of friendship.

Sounds from below.

Proustite made a face like a spoiled child. Snarling. Howling. Those sounds never meant anything good. He opened his mouth, probably to whine, but whatever he was about to say was cut off by an inhale of surprise when he felt himself seized suddenly by the collar of his jacket and lifted off the ground.

"Wasgo." Proustite forced a careful patience into his voice. "Wasgo. Put me down."

But Moonstone sat astride her wooden beast, weapon in hand, and at her bidding, they were headed over the side of the cliff-- Wasgo sliding down with Proustite dangling from between his teeth, frantically searching his pockets for more pieces of pepperoni.

General Jarosite

Oh hell yes. He summoned his cutlasses, feeling their weights in his hands. One spun to be reversed gripped, while the other pointed out at the dogs. He'd kept back, briefly but now, now he charged head long into the pack.

This was his purpose. Fighting. He wsan't good at leading, he wasn't a very good officer, but he could kill s**t. It wasn't a very fullfilling purpose, but it was damn effective and no one could accuse him of hiding in his living room ignoring the Negaverse.

Jarosite slashed at the nearest wolf-youma with one cutlass, quickly followed with the reverse gripped one.

Lt. Serpierite

The feeling of teleportation made her shudder, wishing it was a more pleasant sensation. But for the benefits they reaped, it wasn't a difficult ordeal. What proved difficult was the actions of the cliff climbers that stirred up the youma's anger. At first, it had been quiet. This task seemed too easy.. she was paying attention to the General's precaution with half an ear. The action, mildly disrespectful, certainly wasn't due to the general but borne out of necessity to keep a close eye on their surroundings.

A few dislodged rocks turned into a torrent, making the young lieutenant groan. It didn't take a high IQ to realize that the laws of nature wouldn't work in the favor. The sounds of rocks tumbling, and a dust cloud billowing caused Serpierite's senses to be temporarily impaired. She held up her arm to shield her eyes from the dust, and to clear her vision to regain her vision. When six wolf youma surrounded them.. Serpierite tried her best not to let her fear cripple her movements or coherency in thought. They were large, and certainly fearful.

Zircon had wedged herself between the General and her.. out of concern? Duty? She didn't have time to think about it, taking care to avoid a youma's attack. It helped that the youma wasn't concentrating on her, as much as her companions. But the older woman's presence had given the lieutenant the time she had needed to respond. And she didn't hesitate in believing Zircon's message, vague in the context of things -- but enough information to prove vital to their survival. And she had no reason to lie, correct? It certainly didn't benefit her, it would only put the entirety of the group in more danger if she chose to lie. And besides, it wasn't an unreasonable assumption that something else existed amongst the ruins.

Jumping upwards high into the air to avoid another attack, she realized that she could not stay close to General Labyrinthite (despite his orders) as staying directly in the fray would prove to endanger them both. Her movements were not only due to the abilities given to her by the negaverse. No, combined with her years of acrobatics, she had no trouble avoiding them with grace. Catching onto a particular ledge, she held herself suspended to view the commotion.

She could have stayed there, in the safety of the height. He had even instructed her to engage only when necessary. But hiding in the safety of the rocks, when they had helped her to this extent left a distasteful feeling in her mouth.

Finding the right moment, she didn't hesitate to materialize her wooden sword and descend upon the head of the wolf-ish youma; using the gravity of her fall to add to her power behind the strike. Her battle skills didn't lie in brute strength, unable to compare to those like Wolfeite or Titanlåvenite. Had it been, perhaps the monster would have been knocked out in the first strike. No, her skills laid in shallower but precise and consecutive strikes.






[quote="Ivynian"really slight mention sorry!!

General Xenotime

Typhoon wasted little time in teleporting down to join her, and she tipped her head to watch him, an expression lost somewhere between amused and bored resting on pretty features. "But what would I do with the rest of my time?" She bit back, teeth flashing in a quick grin before she was turning her attention back up to her lieutenants. One, Prehnite, looked to be seeking aid from an eternal senshi. Since he wasnt hers, she didn't mind the short cut. In fact, she approved of his resourcefulness. But that wasn't the lesson for the other two, whom she'd not so subtly pitted against each other.

They had chosen differing routes. Natrolite had picked slower, but safer. A Unexcepted turn for him, in Xe's eyes, showing a capacity for forethought she hadn't previously considered possible for him. Marcasite had chosen the quicker, more direct path. Neither was wrong, and they both made it down minutes apart. It wasn't a race, but a test to see what they would do.

Ah, but of course, things had been running just a little too smoothly. The mounds of bone shifted under foot, some crumbling altogether, and from within emerged a pack of wolffish youma. There was a brief moment where they did nothing but stare aggressively at the intruders, then cue, and they were leaping into action.

Here, at least, the general didn't have to worry much over her charges. They had all proven themselves capable fighters. For the best, since one of the youma had set its sights on the general herself. It charged, razor teeth gnashing, and Xenotime summoned her weapon in a flash of steel along her arms. Meeting the beast head on, one hand grabbed at a bald ear, the other was rocking forward in a powerful uppercut aimed at the things twisted naw.