It took Before less time to arrive at the cave than he normally would have. Mostly in thanks to the attachment contained within the message, his time in Deus had him hone his skill of being able to read maps. Do or Die seemed to be the usual method of teaching and since he hasn't died yet, it was a method that obviously worked for him!
Then he actually got there and wondered what sort of Do or Die thing he was going to have this time. Dwight's explanation of things brought him to an all-time high then promptly knocked him back down a peg or two (or five) 8C This sounded like one of the weirdest promotion mission he'd ever heard of, but that might be because he didn't go around asking the other trainees and Hunters what they had to go through.
"Hey, sure, imma go take a nap, ain't like I wasn't put to prolonged sleep not too long ago~" he joked, then turned to those with him. "G'luck with you all!" he cheered, though his gaze lingered on Ofelia and barely registered Melvin. Ami got a wave and a thumb's up from him, though.
He moved on over to a cot, and downed the small cup of liquid quick as you please. He rested his head on the pillow and when his eyes closed, it wasn't long before he was out like a light.
Rown
OwO LET'S DO THIS!!!
Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:53 pm
Ofelia was pretty prompt in replying as well to the message, mostly because she had her phone tucked into her bosom rather than a pocket, and she arrived at the cove just in time to hear the basic explanation. She looked at the group who'd been assembled with a smile. They were all people she knew and liked and she was going to greet them only to be stopped as one of the trainees seemed to have a seizure.
This was all unnerving and at least Before seemed eager. Ofelia could only mid to what he said as she moved to a cot next to him. When he drank whatever it was she slowly followed and laid down, unsure of what came next. Of course she was soon asleep and ready to dream....or whatever it was they'd be doing. Her sole relief was that Before was there and so she allowed herself to drift away.
It was almost instantaneous, Before's opening of his teal eyes to find himself surrounded in darkness and just as abruptly falling. For the time it took for him to plummet, the impact wasn't as painful as he expected. And when he saw the floor beneath him shift into stained glass, the Mist seemed to know whose presence he was in.
Three items appeared before him and without even thinking, Before reached for the Shield.
The Shield
"A protector, eh? Always useful folk to have around, taking the brunt of attacks as the warrior gets the real work done. Good on you!"
It was almost like having Vanna with him, the edges distorting into spikes, and the presence of his partner made itself felt in the back of his consciousness. Warmth, and strength, and protection cocooned him. He smiled, idly wondered how the others were doing, whether he would catch up to them, and whether he would be needed to aid them.
Steps appeared, beckoning to the Mist, and because he knew this was all a dream, he did not question their appearance.
The stairs lead up and onward until finally another disc appears, featuring the noble profile of a king, sword held high as others kneel before him. As you step onto the platform, small vibrations begin to fill the air a new voice murmurs silkily, "Failure is not an option, but success may cost you everything. Are you willing?"
Sinister, inky figures form and surround you, their clawed hands slashing through the air.
Battle! Weapon HP: 60 Sword: Roll 2 d20 (subtract 12) for your damage! Shield: Roll 2 d10 to defend from the auto attack. Subtract 8 for the amount of damage your defense causes! Staff: Roll 3d6! If the first die is 1 or 5, they hit one target. If the first number is 2 or 4, they hit up to two targets. If it's 3 or 6, they hit up to three targets. The damage done is the second 2 dice - 4.
Roll 2 d4s! This is the amount of enemies that attack you!
2-4 enemies: they have 20 HP each! They auto attack (hit or miss) for 10 damage! 5-6 enemies: they have 15 HP each! They auto attack (hit or miss) for 6 damage! 7-8 enemies: they have 12 HP each! They auto attack (hit or miss) for 3 damage!
If your weapon breaks, you must go back down and grab one of the other ones. This gives you three chances.
Huni Pi rolled 2 10-sided dice:
5, 4Total: 9 (2-20)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:53 am
When Before marched down, he was immediately assaulted by four shadowy creatures! He brought the shield up to his face, beaks and talons and razor-edged wings raining down upon him. With grit teeth, he swatted them away, and the dangerous gleam in their eyes promised they were far from over.
Rather than to simply wait for his opponent to come to him, Before took the proactive approach and hurled his shield at the gathered cluster. He heard an ear-piercing keen as the spikes embedded themselves in one then promptly returned to him in a ricochet. He grinned, chest puffing in pride and delight. He wasn't doing as badly as he thought he'd be!
HP: 40/60 Boss HP: 68/80 Damage: 11
Huni Pi rolled 2 10-sided dice:
9, 9Total: 18 (2-20)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:55 am
Since the tactic worked the first time, Before repeated the attack and downed his first shadow creature! Whether he was supposed to use his shield that way was questionable but hey, he should be given points for taking initiative right?
Either Before's aim was getting crappier the more times he did this, or those shadow things were getting smarter about it. Before was at the point of his life where he was more willing to claim it's the latter.
HP: 20/60 Boss HP: 54/80 Damage: 4
Huni Pi rolled 2 10-sided dice:
5, 3Total: 8 (2-20)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 6:58 am
In this particular instance, it was definitely Before's fault. When he spun to hurl the shield, he lost his grip and it clattered to the ground. Oops 8CCCCC
This time around, Before finally learned that maybe he shouldn't have been flinging his Shield around like he was Captain America. Maybe if he'd just let those things come to him, the battle might have turned out differently and he'd have won. Instead, his shield broke.
HP: 0/60 Boss HP: 54/80 Damage: 0
Huni Pi rolled 2 20-sided dice:
6, 13Total: 19 (2-40)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:02 am
As the shield fractured, Before heard himself scream, fearing the worst had befallen his partner. But she was still there, her presence assuring him that she wasn't going anywhere. Though the temptation to leave was great, Before had decided it was time to stop running. He glared at the shadowy creatures then raced back up to retrieve the Sword. As the Voice remarked with amusement, Before was already rushing down the steps and came out swinging.
It was only after the shadow beasts put distance between them that Before took notice of his new weapon. The hilt showed spikes similar to the ones lining Vanna's edge, and the gleam of the runes were of the same hue as the ones etched on his wheel. She was still with him. He smiled.
The beating of wings drew his attention and Before cleaved at the direction they came from. He felt the blade connect with two forms, effectively downing his second shadow. He wondered if he should have started out with the Sword and then went with the Shield but... nah, Before was Before and anything vaguely Vanna-shaped would be his first choice.
HP: 40/60 Boss HP: 32/80 Damage: 15
Huni Pi rolled 2 20-sided dice:
15, 14Total: 29 (2-40)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:06 am
Through the flurry of beaks and talons and razor-edged wings, Before hacked and slashed. Though the balance and the heft of the weapon was foreign to him, he was doing surprisingly well with it. And when all was left was just the one creature, Before felt affirmed that he belonged to Mist. He adapted and adjusted and he kicked a**.
"C'mon, c'mon, I dare you!" Before taunted, swinging his sword haphazardly in an attempt to lure the last shadow beast within his range. It dive-bombed him but he managed to move out of the way in time and still managed to nick it.
There may have been a proud and cruel grin plastered on his face at this point. If only she could see me now...
HP: 20/60 Boss HP: 10/80 Damage: 5
Huni Pi rolled 2 20-sided dice:
14, 11Total: 25 (2-40)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:08 am
Part of Before would have wanted to keep playing with the creature but as it hadn't done anything personal against him, he figured there was no reason to prolong this any longer. He arced the sword diagonally, and dealt the finishing blow. He half expected some sort of victory fanfare to play as he twirled his sword about before resting it across his shoulders.
Ofelia awoke inside an area alone. She looked around for Before - for even Ami or Melvin, yet none of the three she'd arrived with where in her sight. It made her nervous and unhappy; Ofelia greatly disliked things like this because she didn't enjoy being alone when others were nearby. It forced her to bite her lip in unease and as soon as a voice lifted into her head and objects started to appear she was so tempted to drop down to her knees and hide.
It wasn't an option though, she needed to gather a weapon as the voice said, and so her hands reached for the Sword.
The Sword
"Oh, a fellow warrior, hmmm? Perhaps one day you might be as strong as I!" The voice begins to laugh jovially, "And he says I have no sense of humor."
Ofelia didn't like how that sounded or made her feel...but slowly the sword she grasped faded onto her knuckles into the familiar form of Rue. It...was empty though, there was no voice or presence or anything that would allow the redhead to claim this weapon as her companion.
But then, faintly, there was a thrum she knew well enough. It weakly pulsed at the back of her mind and Ofelia raised her hands to her mouth. Rue was there, wasn't she? Even the hatred her weapon spewed would be welcome in a place of sorrow and silence.
So it was time to go on, to move forward, and as soon as Ofelia did she spotted enemies in the distance. They were coming faster, closer, and she raised her weapon up. Even in dreams Ofelia would always fight.
