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 Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 6:56 pm
[Enoh and the NPCs only, por favor]
Sicily stood out in the gardens, flickering body facing the oncoming twins and Jorianth and unwilling to take her eyes off him for a moment. The man alone was bad, but combined with the trickery of the twins, Sicily wasn't taking any chances.
Osrit stood beside her, eyes narrowed to small, tiny slits. He was small, but he had an arsenal that the higher ups definitely knew about. He had been 'born' in the in between. He had advantage.
Of course, he was sure that Sicily was crazy and they were going to get their asses handed to them if Sariban got off her lazy a** and heeded the flare.
...Where on EARTH was Criantor?
The atmosphere was tense and while nothing was said on the side of the light for the moment, the silence was warning enough.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:48 pm
Jorianth, of course, was already out in the garden when the light creatures started to arrive. Just outside the perimeter of the garden, a massive number of shadow spirits stood in silent witness, almost a solid wall of creatures that were just itching to try and leech whatever energy they might off of any losers of this battle. If the light spirits were lucky, the crowd would keep their distance and not take any steps to interfere in the battle; if they were not, some of those collected might prove to be pawns of the higher-ups, and might act to give their masters an advantage.
"Hey, I'm here, are we ready? I'm he-OWW!" Emerging from the hallway at last, Criantor had barely started in the direction of its comrades before its foot caught on a heavy chunk of what was once the garden door; it might have recovered its balance, but its dignity was injured nonetheless as it grabbed at its foot and stooped over the stubbed toe. "Aaaagh, who put that door there....?"
"Ah, and the last of our fierce opponents is collected, I see," spoke Jorianth, tone scathing at the light-spirit's obnoxious whining. "Before we begin this, I believe you have a promise to keep, Sicily."
"Thae, hurry!" The little light spirit's voice was far sharper than the tone it'd taken when speaking with Xerk, but that was little surprise. This wasn't a little one it was speaking to, now, and the lives on the line weren't its own. This situation, the spirit was in control of; at least, until they got back to the HQ, they were.
If they EVER did.
A bit of a growl entered its voice now, annoyed with its friend's apparent sluggishness. Granted, it wasn't really so much that Thae was slow in any way, as the light spirit itself was simply very swiftfooted. Still, it was disgruntled to have to afford any patience; "Come on! I can see it from here!" it urged the other spirit on, trying to get them to speed up their pace.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:57 pm
'I'm coming, I'm COMING!" Came an irritated reply. Thae always thought itself to be pretty fast but...when it compared itself to this little spirit, it felt so very sluggish and so very useless. Right now, Thae was moving as fast as it could, but...apparently that wasn't enough.
"I-I'm TRYING!" It panted, and it appeared to try harder. It worked, but for a moment...and that was enough to get Thae to match the other spirit's swift pace. After a moment of searching, it too caught sight of the headquarters.
"I-Is that it?" The tired spirit panted out, though the hint of excitement in its voice made pushing its limits seem worthwhile. A ghostly hand had pointed down towards the creature-shadowed building, and those gathered around it.
"How in the BETWEEN are we going to get in there?!" It cried out in desperation; some of those creatures looked like big nasties, and it didn't want to get hurt by big nasties while trying to help!
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:10 pm
"Criantor," Sicily said tiredly, "The door has always been there. Now be a dear and..."
She was cut off by Jorianth's words and her eyes lifted to look at him. She could feel the light spirit's presence and if she could just wait a little longer...
"Indeed, I did give you a promise. But the last of us have not arrived," she murmured, "There is one more that needs to come. I am waiting."
Osrit almost raised a brow at his lady's words, but wisely kept his mouth shut. Sicily had her reasons for anything she did and if she said there was a fourth, there was a fourth.
The twins finally clunked their way behind Jorianth and stood there looking quite bored until they caught the last words from the light spirit.
"Hey!" Narcus exclaimed, "That's not fair! Four against three? What are you trying to pull?!"
Sicily raised a brow, "You know as well as I that Sariban could show up at any moment. Will you deny me my backup? You may not be fair most of the time but you DO have honor. I know that much."
Her gaze narrowed in on Jorianth, "I know you."
Please hurry, you two!
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:49 pm
The clawed shadowmancer frowned. A fourth? There were no other light spirits of suitable power to assist in a battle like this, he was quite certain. His connections extended far throughout in between, and he and the other higher-ups had always been very careful to track and kill any growing threat.
Whoever this fourth was, they would have to have slipped under his radar to be of any benefit to the upcoming struggle. Jorianth did not like having a situation he could not predict the end to, and any opponent that he did not know the measure of their strength....
"Now, Sicily, that was hardly in our deal," he protested grimly.
Surveying the mass gathered around the HQ, the light spirit hesitated. Trying to plunge through the crowd could be risky; even if they were to both charge together to fend for each other, they could be sapped Down a level before they made it through. And what help would they be, then?
"... I'll make a first pass," the little spirit decided, "and try to lead off as much of the group as I can. I'm sure none of them will be quick enough to keep up with me, so it's a pretty safe bet. Then you blast through and head into the building. Sicily was there, last I saw, so none of them should dare to follow you in."
This was a tricky plan, a little risky... but it was doable. The two spirits hadn't lasted this long without being able to fend for themselves in the cannibalistic realm, and they were more than capable of barreling through a plan like this.
Never the sort to ask for permission, the spirit simply made a grimace of a smile as it figured its course of action. "Are you ready?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:53 pm
"Perhaps not, but I believe you've gone back on deals before. Five minutes, Jorianth. If the fourth has not arrived by then, we will continue." Sicily was a woman of her word, and that much Jorianth had to know.
It was impossible for the woman to smile with her beak but if she were able to, one bright, innocent smile would be sent over to him. Instead, the empath simply smiled at him with her eyes.
...Please hurry.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:06 pm
Thae listened to the other spirit's plan. "...You'd do that?" Thae hadn't been told the whole story, it didn't know the situation outside and inside of the headquarters...all it really knew was that there had been a call of help, and it felt honor-bound to answer it. It hadn't realized their spirit would be on the line for it, though!
"Well...Guess its too important to avoid." Thae theorized quietly, then settled into a ready pose. Not like it had a choice in the matter anyway. It knew this spirit, and if this particular spirit was going to do so much, Thae had no choice but to follow. It worked that way.
"Becareful, you fool." Thae said almost affectionately. "But, I'll see you when this is all over." It was a promise; Thae made its personal philosophy to never finalize anything...it was a sure way of coming out of anything perfectly. Turning its attention from the other spirit, Thae stared into the shadow wall of those damned nasties.
"I'm ready."
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:25 pm
"Two minutes," replied Jorianth blandly. After all, it wasn't all that painful for him to wait a short while; to his mind, he had just as much to gain from the stalling, if not more. Sariban might show at any moment, particularly if she caught wind of the impending showdown. With her assistance, he was fairly certain, the light creatures would be forced to either cut and run, or else face destruction. For such rewards, how could he not run the risk?
Criantor couldn't keep its yap shut any longer. "So, uh, this fourth. Who're they, huh? Is it, is it someone I've met, or is it like, someone superpowerful and new, or is it like... like something else, or what?" Cri didn't like the idea that it didn't know something, especially something that must be so darn important if Sicily were willing to risk waiting for Sariban to show in order to have their assistence. Why hadn't she told the spirit about it before, anyway?
Was it... was it.... "... DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND," Cri suddenly accused, trapped between horror and fascination. That must be it! No wonder Sicily was willing to wait for him, it was like, true loooove! Aww, that was sort of cute, really... wouldn't win the fight, but it was awfully cute anyway. Cri hadn't known Sicily to be the sort.
"You as well, foot-dragger." The teasing felt like it had fallen flat, but the little spirit would rather make a lousy crack than risk leaving on a too-sober note. They'd both need to be in as high spirits as they could; otherwise, sanity might set back in, and they'd realize what a stupid plan it really was.
For lack of a better one, though, the spirit was off. As it drew near the malingent mass, it began to sheer off, aiming its pace more parallel than toward the gathered spirits. Its energy was slight enough that the lone charge drew little attention as it came nearer, but as it reached a point as near as it dared to drift to the collected shadows, a few began to notice it. A few, but not enough....
Then the little spirit lit up like a shooting star, its form smearing as it dashed alongside the spirit wall. It was literally abandoning its energy freely; meteing out the portions so that it wouldn't come too near to dropping a level, it had just become a mammoth blip of energy on the radar of every spirit in the area, on par with the unhindered energy produced by a living being.
Almost as one being, the wall turned its attention to the easy target presenting itself, and the free energy left in its wake. The little spirit might as well have had all of Hell on its tail- there would be a similarly final price to pay, no doubt, if it slipped up now. The great number of pursuing spirits, however, were more than enough to create an opening for Thae....
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:36 pm
That name, that stupid name!
Thae made a promise to survive, and it made a silent threat to anyone who dared to snuff out the "life" of that light spirit. Why? Because once this was over, Thae was going to smack it for that crack. It wasn't slow, damnit!
The spirit waited, trying to keep its energy as low as possible so the other had a chance to draw away. It only had to wait a second or two of course, and once it saw an opening, it dove. No turning back now! Thae moved as fast as it could, to a speed that would made the other proud of it.
Thanks to the little light spirit, Thae was able to comet its way into the Garden, diving towards Sicily purely by chance.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:37 pm
Sicily was normally a very calm, soft spoken spirit. Unfortunately, as much as she loved the light spirit, Sicily was becoming highly annoyed with Criantor.
"I don't have a boyfriend," she said quietly, "And no, you do not know them." Hopefully that would hold off the spirit's question.
Osrit, thankfully, was remaining quiet and glaring quietly at the twin shadow spirits that were glaring banefully back at him. Neither understood why Jorianth was making such an allowance.
"Come Oooon," whined Arisin, "Let's get this started already! Why are we waiting? Why are you giving her an advantaaaage?!"
"Shut up, you idiot!" Hissed Narcus, "Don't question Jori!"
Arisin gawked. His brother had used Jorianth's forbidden nickname. Oooooooooo he was in troooouble.
But the little spirit lighting up was just what Sicily had been waiting for. Just a few moments more and the second spirit would be able to arrive and take the butterfly's spirit. Just a few moments more... THERE! THERE IT WAS!
The locket was ripped from her neck and torn open before being tossed into the air, "Two minutes are up. Here's your promised locket!" she shouted toward the (likely) distracted Jorianth.
Neveah's spirit was released for the taking. It wasn't HER fault that the light spirit was right there....Her eyes twinkled innocently.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:51 pm
Something was being thrown! Something was...ooh!
Reaching out, Thae took advantage of its comet-like dive, reaching out with a ghostly hand to make a grab for the spirit on instinct. A released spirit was a spirit for the taking, an first come first serve, in this world. Neveah's spirit was now Thae's, and the butterfly's essense, her conscience, flooded into the little spirit's body.
The jewel on the spirit's forehead started to glow a soft blue, which was strange for this world of monotone; but the effect was only momentary. Confused, Thae eventually skidded to a stop, finding a rather accidental position just behind Sicily.
After pausing for a few seconds to stare at Sicilys back in a bewildered manner, Thae's ghostly eyes widened. "I-I think this spirit is defective..." It murmured, as if sick. It was starting to feel...heavy, as if some strange force was trying to pull it into the garden below. Sicily threw a defective spirit?!
"Uhm...Help! Please!" Poor Thae was trying to not succumb to this strange pulling force.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 9:56 pm
Jori.
The nightmare spirit slid a cold glare down to Narcus, the air around him literally growing darker as he regarded the other Big-Up.
Jorianth depised friviolty. He hated it when people did not take things seriously, but more than that, he was downright enraged by the thought that people did not take him seriously. Jorianth had, more literally than not (and pardon the pun), clawed out his niche in this realm. He had faced the bottom-most layers of in between on more than one occasion, and climbed back Up to lord it over all the weaker spirits. He had learned the meaning of death and shunned it; he had forsaken regrets and humanity.
Jorianth was a name to be feared. It was not, nor ever would be, cropped down to sound like the name of some pathetic mutt on the street. And he would tolerate that from no one, not even his own allies.
"And what," he began slowly, his voice a drawl and his eyes daggers, "was that vile thing that you just let roll over your tongue? I daresay, if you do not look after yourself better, you might just find yourself--"
His eyes grew wide, and the shadowmancer whirled around, dropping off in midsentence. The soul, the precious soul, his guarantee to winning this battle- out of reach?! "Betrayer!" Screeched the slighted spirit, lunging forward to try and grab for Neveah's energy. That b***h, that back-stabbing b***h! It was his! So intent was he on the goal, he didn't even take note of the other light spirit approaching until it was too late.
The soul was gone, and the spirit fled behind the disgusting woman that had seen it taken from him. Jorianth's face drew into a picture of righteous fury as he straightened himself out to face the light spirits. "... Dear twins, I believe there is no more waiting to be done," he grated through his teeth. Extending one hand dramatically, he spoke in a booming voice- "Kill them, and kill the little thief. Leave the woman for me!"
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:14 pm
Arisin wasn't stupid. He may have normally followed his brother everywhere and kept his mouth shut, but this was not a normal situation. Jorianth was pissed, and the energy around him was definitely NOT something he wanted to be around. Abandoning his other half, the shadow spirit took steps backwards and hopefully in a small pocket of safety.
Narcus stared down Jorianth despite the fact he was quite literally shaking in his proverbial boots. He wouldn't let it show, however, he had much too much pride for that.
"I said," he began, ready to repeat the offending nickname, "J--" Abruptly, he was cut off when Jorianth was and silently watched the rage that was no longer directed in his direction.
Oh thank god.
=====
Sicily simply reached behind and patted the spirit, "No spirit is defective. You are simply...Coming to life. That spirit was not yet dead before it was snatched."
Neveah hadn't died. Or, rather, her SPIRIT hadn't died. But now, it belonged to Thae. She would begin to soldify soon, though it'd be less painful if she didn't struggle, "Don't fight it."
Her attention fully on Jorianth, the woman took a step forward and with a simple twist of her hand, fifty or so conjured light creatures took off, headed straight for Jorianth and forming themselves into what appeared to be sharp throwing stars of light.
"I am no betrayer!"
If she hadn't been planning it the entire time, she would have felt insulted.
Osrit, sensing it was time to fight moments before Jorianth spoke to the twins, immediately took on the form of a particularly powerful wizard that had finally passed to a final death. Jorianth would recognize the form well.
He was the one that had dragged Jorianth down to the first level for a second time.
=====
That was all that the twins needed. Or, rather, all that Narcus needed. Arisin was busy hiding in the shadowed crowd. Narcus was more deadly, anyway. One hand shot out and a scimitar appeared, "This should be fuuuun," he murmured, advancing on the small, annoying Criantor.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:37 pm
"That's funny, you act an awful lot like one," Jorianth hissed back, whipping a claw upwards. Like a massive vine uprooted, a mammoth shadow ripped out of the ground, intersecting with the brunt of the attack and sending the light-stars tumbling upwards, into the recollecting mass of shadow spirits. It seemed the greater number had given up on the chase; perhaps drawn back by the promise of the fight, or else found themselves too slow to keep up with the light spirit, or- dare it be suggested- having already torn the thing to shreds and taken their fill of its energy.
Criantor, meanwhile, was sizing up with its own opponent. Beaming to Narcus (and not entirely figuratively so; the little thing seemed to be shedding an unusual amount of light), Cri chimed up with happy agreement- "Fun? YEAH! Let's have fun!"
Clapping its hands together in front of it, almost as the gesture of prayer, it tilted its head slightly to the side and smiled. Small, constant waves of light began to echo away from it; as the light washed over the shadow spirits, they found their movements becoming more and more forced, like trying to walk through quicksand.
Crossing one of its feet to touch the ground behind the other, the light spirit maintained its hands in that posture as it took a few spirited steps backward, leading Narcus on. The closer that the shadow spirit got to Cri, the less Cri's time magic would work on it- and, should Cri part its hands, the magic would disappear altogether. As a team player, its best contribution would be to simply try and evade Narcus's attacks and keep the other shadow spirits slowed, and count on the other light creatures to make short work of the fight so that it didn't fall to injury.
It worked with most fights, anyway.
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Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:40 pm
"I'm WHAT?!" Thae shrieked, though it was unclear whether or not it was a shriek of terror or of glee. Coming to life?! That was both YAY and NAY all in one sentence! Life meant...Life! But Life meant it couldn't hit the other little spirit like it had planned to. Regardless of the whole being alive again issue, not having to worry about being eaten in this realm...Thae had a few spirit friends it didn't want to leave behind. The thought was quickly shoved out of the way though; it had no choice but to come to life, now. Thae was just going to give into the changes, when ---
Kill the little thief.
"WHAT?!" Thae shrieked again. It had only just started coming to life, and it was going to get killed again? OH HELL NO. Though it was steadily falling towards the gardens, Thae gave itself completely to the change. It couldn't get caught between life and Spirit; it was one or the other, and it was damned if it didn't try to live at least once more.
By the time Thae had solid feet to hit the ground with, the once-spirit looked identical to Neveah; sharing every single physical trait the woman possessed before the soul was ciphoned out - including scar-like glashes lacing its face and throat. However, this was only momentary. With a thin cry, Thae's new body started to tremble once, before undergoing rapid changes in appearance. The butterfly wings went from full to slivers to disappearing completely, its hair changed colours and lengths and styles, its eyes changed shape, colour and position...anything that could determine one character from another was undergoing spazztic changes as the Doppleganger's newly aquired form tried to sort out what was and was not the appearance it should take as a base. It had Thae's and Neveah's traits to sort through, along with the countless traits of those Thae had fed on in the past. There was one thing that stayed the same however; and that was the gem in the middle of its forehead.
"W-what do I do now!?" Thae desperately cried to Sicily; the changes didn't hurt, they were more or less only disorienting. Certain traits had stopped moving however, having been chosen as fitting for a base. So far, it was only angled aqua eyes and a tall, willowy figure that had settled.
It was staring at Sicily, but it was not blind to the battle that was starting to rage around them. It had a newly aquired form...a rather fragile new form, thanks to the changes...and thanks to that, it was a sitting duck, practically begging to be killed. If anyone could save it, or tell it how to save itself and this precious new form, it was Sicily.
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