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Post by HungryHunter on Aug 15, 2017 19:52:28 GMT
Angles so sharp you might cut yourself. White so bright and clean it hurt the eyes after too long. It was through this ghost of a location that Ariana wandered. Perhaps she was the ghost herself. Nobody really seemed to notice her wandering the halls, always focused on their little tasks. And like a ghost, she was tied to this place. She couldn’t leave the grounds for a second. She sat on a wide white windowsill, watching more white clad acolytes coming into the compound over the xeric hills. For whatever reason, the compound was growing more crowded. More people to walk around with glassy eyes and ignore her, yaaaaay.
She rolled off the window and landed on her feet, wincing at the jolt of pain in her abdomen. She had been feeling funny all day, like she had a stomachache. But she also woke up with blood on her sheets this morning. “Are you alright, Ariana?” Warden asked. He was across the room, seated in a wicker chair. He had seemed more relaxed since they came here, especially recently. “Just a tummyache.” She patted her stomach and tilted her head at Warden’s reaction. His eyes were lighting up, like he had waited all year for Christmas and it was finally coming. “I don’t think that’s what it is, Ariana.” He stood and looked into her eyes. “Yes, I can see it.”
“See what?”
“You’re becoming a woman. You remember what I told you about that?”
“Uh… about how babies happen? This is what makes me able to have them.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t wanna have babies!”
“You don’t have to. This is just a change. When it’s over, you’ll be like Leora or Haruko. An adult.”
“Really!?”
“Yes, really. You just have to be strong for one day. It’s going to hurt, but you’ll be all grown up afterwards. Can you be strong, Ariana?”
Ariana giggled and flexed her arm. “I’ll be really strong! Can we call Haruko after this so I can go to her place?” “Of course. After this, you’ll never have to come here again.” Warden nodded. “Really!? This is the best thing ever!” Ariana bounced up and down in her excitement and hugged Warden tight enough he nearly deformed like squeezed clay. “Yes, Ariana. It is.” He smiled, looking into her eyes, where the faintest streaks of white were wiping away her brown irises.
3 miles away
A man in red leather crouched at the summit of a hill, sniffing the air with an upturned nose. He displayed utter calm, at least until an unfortunate scent reached his nose. “FUCK! FUCKING FUCK, IT’S HAPPENING!” He screamed, kicking at the hill. He let out a long hiss, slicking back yellow spikes of hair as he calmed down. He grabbed an old cell phone, ancient enough it still flipped open, from a pocket in his jacket. “Eve, it’s happening. I smelled it. Yes, I’m sure. Well I’m recommending we have the whole region nuked. We can’t arrange that? Fuck you. Make arrangements! I’m picking up more activity. I don’t think you’ll need to call everybody in…” Huntsman sniffed the air more. Familiar scents. He had met those here. Didn’t like them. He grinned. Whether or not the world ended, he would have a ball at the very least.
Only a small, two lane road lead past the House of Eternity, with only a single gravel path breaking off to lead up the hill to it. It was of course white, every inch looking like it was freshly painted just the last week. A few pillars stood on a patio in front, and in back a white picket fence guarded a perfectly trimmed garden. Trees grew there, carved into symmetry, in the midst of rings of blue tulips, all trimmed to a single head sticking straight up. Around the house were nearly a hundred men in white body armor, armed with assault rifles of the same color. They unwaveringly watched the hills around, nervously shifting in anticipation.
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Post by TimePuppy on Aug 17, 2017 14:04:30 GMT
A day ago
It's been several months now. Ariana was still gone. Arthur had contacts all around the world, a natural side-effect of being a well traveled hidden worlder. Yet all the favors he pulled and all the money he offered couldn't find one damn girl! She vanished alongside her guardian. Arthur didn't know what happened to her, but he was sure she couldn't be dead. He trusted Warden. He knew the man could keep her safe, if a little bruised. But Arthur was still worried. They weren't in Germany, Japan, the US, Canada, France, Argentina; they vanished without a bloody trace!
And then a few minutes ago one of his contacts called him. He hadn't found Ariana. But, from the information he had on the girl and her guardian, he thought it would be worth reporting. A mysterious mansion filled with mysterious people and surrounded by mysterious occurrences. The signs of a cult. Cults were a strong indicator of Demon God presence. Demon god presence meant that Ariana could be around. And these guys were in Mexico. Arthur thanked the person and said the money would be wired to their account soon. If they find anything else, they should call him again. He'll check out that lead for now. Of course, the reward for a lead wasn't a great as for finding the girl. But if he did find Ariana in the mansion, he would send the rest of the reward.
Arthur told his daughters the situation. As expected, Loveline demanded to come. Arthur agreed she should. Ariana was her friend. Plus, even if they didn't find Ariana, a demon god would still probably need several people to take down. in fact, just him and Love probably weren't enough, at least not without incurring some serious damage. Hazel offered to come along as well. For this, arthur shook his head. She was still too young for something this dangerous. Of course, she could still help. A while ago they developed a strategy. Using her butterflies, Hazel could keep an eye on a large portion of the battlefield and inform Arthur or Loveline about anything they couldn't see themselves. Hazel nodded, slightly disappointed that she would be staying behind again. After all, she was physically stronger then Loveline anyway! But the role of HQ wasn't that bad. She could still provide some offensive support with her butterflies as well.
If Hazel was staying behind, who except Loveline could Arthur take with him? The answer was obvious. He dialed the number on his phone. It took two and a half repetitions of the dialing tone for her to pick up. "Yo, Ruko..."
Now
Arthur stood on a ledge overlooking the mansion. He was wearing his standard battle gear: a pair of trainers, black jeans, a white shirt, a red tie and of course, the black long coat with a front-facing wolf head drawn in blue lines on the back. with one hand, he was cooling himself with a hand fan; his enchanted coat could only do so much to deal with the heat for someone who was weak to high temperatures. With the other, he was looking at the mansion with a pair of binoculars. Loveline was right next to him, watching the place through her own binoculars. Haruko was nearby as well and Arthur had offered her binoculars as well.
After examining the place for a while, Arthur put away his binoculars. "Alright, are we ready for some hands-on investigation?" Loveline nodded and looked at Haruko. A dozen black butterflies flew past the three of them and spread out to get a good amount of constant surveillance on the place. Hazel could contact them all mentally through small green gems Arthur and Loveline strapped to their ankels, one of which they had also offered to Haruko while they were coming here.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Aug 18, 2017 2:31:34 GMT
Leora needed to take a few deep breaths when Compassion finished explaining the situation to her. [Leora, I know this is tough for you.] said a voice full of tenderness. Sometimes she believes that she could hear the voice of her late caretaker when she communicates with her sustainer. It often comforted her during the more difficult aspects of her role. Especially now when so many lives are at stake. However the one her heart is most concern for is Ariana. The sweet child deserves to be happy and safe. Not to be the harbinger of the end times. So many people will be coming after the poor thing now. [But I'm sure you will know what to do when the time comes.] Afterwards Compassion sent her away. The world for an instance becomes bright before the light fades away. Now she stands on a ledge with a view of a scenery she had a vision of the night before.
As she stares at the white mansion she could sense the girl she needs to find. At least she hopes she finds a girl when she reaches Ariana. For now she already found some friendly faces. Leora smiles and offers a small hand wave at the small group. Just seeing people who care about Ariana's wellbeing here is making her feel better. "Hello Hello," she said in her usual high pitch greeting voice. "Its sooooooo good to see everyone." Without waiting for anyone's permission, she proceeds to hug her fellow Gem girls and Arthur, while offering words of encouragement in their ears. As she pulls away the group will be able to notice her outfit much better if they had been temporary blinded by her appearance. Leora isn't wearing a dress like usual, but instead wearing a white camouflage army outfit. It contain many pockets, with the inside pocket of the jacket weighing heavy with her gem. And where the badge would normally be has been replaced by a classic peace sign.
She looks down on herself and finally realizes what she is wearing. Compassion normally doesn't alter her attire without asking first, but she suppose it has been done for a good reason this time. "Let's all do our best to save Ariana."
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Post by Vapovile on Aug 20, 2017 2:28:12 GMT
Standing next to Arthur was a familiar pink-haired seamstress. The bags under her eyes were strangely more noticeable than normal, Haruko's demeanor seemingly less professional compared to her usual appearance. This behavior wasn't easily seen though, Haruko accepting Arthur's binoculars and looking at the area of attack. "Yeah, let's investigate this place Frosty." She stated, giving a small reassuring smile. She had received Arthur's phone call and immediately made plans to go with these two to see if Ariana could be found. Her history with Warden and Ariana was a strange one; meeting the two alongside a time traveler, leaving them behind...only to come back later to rescue them while being called 'demon gods' poured in from seemingly hundreds of different worlds. After the aforementioned grand escape, both Warden and Ariana seemed to have gone missing, much to the worry and annoyance of both her adopted children; Kate and Cosmina. Haruko still didn't like the idea of Loveline being with them...but Arthur was her parent, not herself.
Before they could get down to the location, the group was suddenly joined by another alumni to the 'Warden and Ariana Rescue Team', Leora. Haruko accepted Leora's hug, letting go after a few seconds. "Hello, Leora! I see you dressed for the occasion. I must say, whomever designed it is good with asthetics." She commented, admiring the stitchwork. Haruko herself was wearing her normal attire, but modified to suit the warm weather climate of Mexico. Her usual purple button-up shirt was replaced with a simple thin purple t-shirt, with her black pants being replaced with a pair of shorts of the same color that stopped just above her knees. Her normal black jacket that held her knives was replaced entirely; Haruko opting to wear a flowery white skirt instead that had many sections sewn in for the different types of wires she had, as well as many knives to use should they be necessary. Haruko was planning to use her gem girl powers should the threat become too great.
"Anyway...just don't do anything rash in there, we're just investigating right now, ok?" She noted. Great...now both Loveline and Leora were here. One a kid, the other a sweet girl who couldn't harm a fly. Haruko hoped they wouldn't turn into liabilities on this trip.
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Post by RedLenai on Aug 31, 2017 22:07:58 GMT
It had been a week since he had arrived in Mexico, under the mission of rendering his services, covering one of the sectors of the city to bless the homes of believers and protect them from the evil spirits, because of the faith of the believers who requested the service last year and now was being fulfilled. The young priest was drying his forehead with a handkerchief while he walked the streets, once he could increase his position he would request a change in the design of his "summer" uniform.
At his side there was Chloe, his guardian who was in the form of a wolf. Sure, people won't disimulate and more than one has approached (or ran away) to ask what race of dog was her, to which Thomas responded that it was a cross with wolf, but that she was the sweetest pet in the world.
He wasn't bothered about talking to people, but he was bothered about blessings houses, every room should have a prayer recited, a few drops of holy water, that the mistress didn't want the holy water to wet the wallpaper, that the man said that he was very young to be a priest, that the children interrupted his work so he would plat with them. He loved childrens, but arriving at the end of the month and be broke was the worst nightmare he could imagine.
Finally the last house in the area he was designed was a mansion, he complained a little, already knowing that mansions were big enough... with many rooms, with many everything. Feeling tired, hot and his feets feeling a little sore. Slow jobs weren't his thing at all, he prefered to be in action. Running and feeling the adrenalin in his body. He was about to start walking the hill when, quickly, the wolf positioned herself in front of him, telepathically, telling him what her nose had detected in a few moments ago.
There is a group of people in that place, it's smell is not trustful... I smelled as well another group of people, they are less compared to the ones in the house - She said while staring at the boy, a wolf was not the most convenient form to protect a child, but she had to respect that Thomas needed to do his job, despite of that, she wouldn't leave him unprotected and alone - We must check who is the people that are near the house, something seems wrong about that place and this people seems to know about it
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Post by HungryHunter on Sept 1, 2017 6:09:57 GMT
"Alex is all you could get!?" "Garo won't do a mission like this." "Tell him I'll eat his kid if he doesn't!" "I'll stuff a grenade into you if you even think about it." "Hah! I look forward to the day you try! What about Falken?" "I couldn't reach him. He must be busy." "Amai?" "Too unreliable in a team." "What about that other demon you had blackmail on?" "I can't find her on short notice." "The new hire? Becky?" "I have a special task for her. Hopefully it'll help." "And the HWIC?" "You really are scared if you want them involved." "Yeah, fuck off. Seriously, why didn't you call them?" "A big organization like them isn't right for this. Too much protocol. Usually good for preventing casualties, but this time shooting first and asking questions later is exactly what we need." "Well, I guess we're all going to die then. I just want you to know I regret never killing most of the people I know. Especially you." "At least you'll get to watch me die, meatbag." "Watching isn't half as fun as doing, bolthead. I thought you would know that."
Huntsman's snarl and Eve's mocking tones ended when they topped the hill and began down another. "Lots of people beat us to it. I smell... Haruko, Arthur, some adolescent, one of the idiots from Ireland I had to keep alive on Arata, with, ugh, an angel, and... oh, she smells hot." Huntsman picked up on Leora's scent, new to him. She had something special in her scent, something he didn't recognize. He always loved surprises. “Keep focused. What is there closer to the house?” Eve demanded. She would get a look soon, but the moment they topped they were in eyeshot, she knew they would be spotted too. Perhaps they already were.
“Humans. Lots. Inside… shit I don’t recognize. That’s always a fucking great sign, isn’t it?” Huntsman’s manic grimace seemed set in his face. Inside was a terror beyond anything he had ever felt. He had forgotten what fear even felt like after so long laughing at the idea of death. It was like a little red spider that just wanted to hide in a corner and put a web between itself and the world until it died. “Alex, if we survive this, I’m going to celebrate by killing you.” He cackled, a hollow and harsh laugh that sounded like a dying clown. “And why are you going to kill Alex?” Eve asked, containing the urge to smack him for threatening his team mates. She knew it was a coping mechanism. She also knew she’d have to stop him from actually doing it.
“I don’t like looking at him and also he's ugly.” Huntsman explained as they came to the top of the next hill and they found the group. Eve nodded to the others. "How much do you know about what's going on?" She asked them. Huntsman laughed again. "They don't know shit! I envy them, honestly." The light of madness was shining brighter than ever in his eyes. These bright blue eyes met Leora's and the smile seemed to become just a little more real. "I believe you're the only one I don't know here-" He glanced at Loveline and Chloe. "That I can conceivably give a single shit about on my last day, anyway. I'm Huntsman. Who are you?" His sense of smell wasn't wrong. She was hot. There was just such a pleasant feeling to her. The kind that left a lovely hole in the world when they died.
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Post by TimePuppy on Sept 2, 2017 8:36:31 GMT
Arthur, Loveline and Haruko were first joined by Leora. Arthur's mood suddenly darkened. If the godlike Leora was here and talking about saving Ariana, that could only mean one thing.
"No, Haruko. This isn't just an investigation anymore. Now we know that Ariana is more then likely in there."
Arthur got closer to the edge and bent down into a runner's get set position. Before he could hurl himself at the problem though, more people showed up. First a young man and his pet wolf who Arthur never saw before, which slightly vexed him. He didn't have time to be meeting new people now. This was serious business and he needed people he knew could crush some bones when push came to shove.
Unfortunately, the second set of newcomers were exactly that sort of people. "Huntsman... Eve..." This settled it...
How much do you know about what's going on?" Eve didn't dance around the subject with faked politeness. Arthur could almost appreciate that dedication to not wasting time, except the fact that she was wasting even more time by asking unnecessary question.
"I know that Ariana's been missing for month and now I'm 100% sure that this is where she is. That's all I care about." He anxiously tapped his foot on the ground. "Eve, now that we're dealing with Ariana again, I hope you're not here for an overdue rematch because I'm not going to be messing around this time." A giant icy broadsword appeared next to Arthur and stabbed itself into the ground. Arthur pulled it out by the hilt. "And if you're not, say so and let me go recklessly charging in already."
Not sharing the sense of urgency Arthur had (they were heroes, they always won in the end so there wasn't really a need to rush), Loveline was more preoccupied by Huntsman's rudeness. "Rude!" She let feelings be know and pouted. How dare he call her uninteresting?
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Post by waybig1010101 on Sept 2, 2017 20:56:21 GMT
Alex didn't care for the Huntsman's comments, especially since he is too busy trying to figure out the meaning of his most recent nightmares. Every since he has been offered this mission he continues to have the same dream over and over again. Yet when he first dream this particular dream he was already familiar with it. For he had already experienced the same exact vision when he was working on another job at Tiānchí lake. Even after witnessing the same images a dozen times over he couldn't comprehend the vision fully, but he knew its significance the first time he saw the vision. He knew that they can't afford to fail today, and he will be willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Once he reaches the others he stops focusing on the nightmares and begins to examine the group. -A lot of them don't look very useful. Maybe at best they can be use as meat shields, but most likely they end up being hindrances.- His eyes scan each individual as he evaluates them until he spot Leora. Something about her commands his attention. He couldn't look away and just continues to stare at her. Just judging on appearances she seems to be weakest link in the group, but there was something specific about her that truly baffles the gruesome hunter. -Is she wearing a peace sign?-
"Arthur," Leora said as she places her hand on his shoulder. "I know how strongly you want to save Ariana, but fighting among ourselves is only going to be counterproductive. And heading in there recklessly isn't going to be help her out either." She didn't consciously try to use her powers, but without meaning to she begins to cast a calming aura around herself. She turns to face Huntsman before answering his question. "Leora's the name," she finished with one of her legendary smiles. She would normally have talked more to someone new, but she is currently focusing on diffusing the hostile situation here.
She redirects her attention to the Wild Hunt leader. "Eve-." As Leora looks at her she couldn't help but sense her internal suffering. What do you plan on doing? She wanted to ask, but instead says, "-I'm glad to see you again, though I wish it were under different circumstances." Addressing the whole group now she continues to say, "Regardless of the what happen in the past, we all need to work together now. Otherwise none of use will have a future. And that includes the people we care about." She turns around to face Arthur and whispers to him in a quiet plead, "Please. I know it's difficult. But I also know that you are strong enough to make the right choice here."
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Post by Vapovile on Sept 4, 2017 23:50:12 GMT
Almost as if someone had made a call, several more people began to show up. First there was this boy with what appeared to be a wolf...then both Eve and Huntsman followed by a strange old man. The situation was quickly devolving into hostilities, though luckily Leora jumped in to begin the process of calming people down. She quickly stepped in front of Arthur and frowned at him. "No, this IS still an investigation. We might have a lead, but no solid proof yet. And stop trying to pick a fight with Eve while you're at it." Haruko said as she looked directly at Arthur. She wasn't about to let them turn into some vigilante justice group and start attacking what could be innocent people just living in this house.
Turning toward Eve and Huntsman, she continued. "And YOU-" She directs her attention toward Huntsman. "-don't insult us for no reason. If we're going to work together, we don't need bad blood between us." Clapping her hands together, Haruko motioned the group toward the house. "Now if we are done trying to destroy our own team, can we please address the actual mission; investigating this house to see if Ariana is around?" Pausing for a moment, Haruko continued. "Let's get this out of the way now. Eve and Huntsman; what information led you here? And you two." She glanced at Thomas and Chloe. "Who are you and why brought you here? My name is Haruko Miyata, you might know me from my work as a seamstress. We're here to investigate this house to see if our friend Ariana is inside." She offered her hand for Thomas to shake when she was done introducing herself, seeing if he'd do the same. This group was going to be a nightmare to work with if this meeting was any indication.
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Post by RedLenai on Sept 10, 2017 23:22:21 GMT
Thomas felt the tension in the air, even if he tried, it was hard to catch the chat that the other were having. When he heard Hunstman's words he tilted his head a little, he never saw that men in Arata.
I'm sorry sir, but I don't recall meeting you... despite I'm not from Ireland but from Austria - The young priest said in a gentler tone compared to the rest, he didn't knew about Huntsman's masculine appareance, he remembered the name Eve Harper but still he wasn't sure to approach the woman even if it was to thanks her again for helping them hiring the bodyguards... also, to apologize again for the incident in said island.
Chloe by other hand ignored all of them, there wasn't anything that could reach her attention. She lied down by Thomas side, just observing them with her purple eyes and keeping her white tail still, she recognized the Iron Maiden's voice and the Huntsman's smell. When she glanced to Arthur and saw the icy broadsword she snorted, what a childish reaction to threat someone. Leora by other hand seemed to be someone with their feet on the ground, with a cool interaction between the woman and the short man.
In the moment Haruko introduced herself, Thomas reached her hand and hold it gently, shaking it a little.
Nice to meet you, Miss Miyata, my name is Thomas and I'm 18 years old... I-I work at one of the headquarters of the Vatican, in Austria. I was doing my services blessing the homes of believers in this area as citizens requested this service last year. - He stopped a little, to breath a bit and he added - They called me since there wasn't so many people in here... it was a little weird but long story short, I was going to the last house of my list... but it seems the situation must be a little different from what I've expect-
In that moment, Chloe began sniffing Haruko, making sure she wasn't a menace for Thomas or her. She growled a little and returned to her "owner's" side.
I-I'm sorry, Chloe is a little overprotective... She can be rude sometimes, guardian's stuff haha - The boy said nervously
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Post by HungryHunter on Sept 11, 2017 2:18:46 GMT
"You are not running in there without knowing what's going on! Ariana's in there all right, but this is not a rescue mission! Ariana is... is..." "Hitting puberty, which will cause her to die and unleash a fragment of a demon god which has been lurking inside her for her entire life, waiting for this moment. When unleashed, she will have a brief moment enjoying her time outside her cold, desolate universe before her presence causes our entire universe to become cold and desolate, which is kind of funny I admit. The solution is we need to off the kid before she's done releasing the Bringer of Winter, which will be in anything from 12 hours to fifteen minutes. But hey, since Eve and I can't even touch her and all of you are cowardly little shit suckers, so Leora, let's just fuck behind that hill so we'll get frozen doing something fun!" Huntsman took over when Eve trailed off, ending with a dazzling grin of slightly sharper than average teeth.
"That's it. If you're not willing to kill her, don't get in the way of the people who are. Do you hear me, Arthur?" Eve glared down at the short man. I don't like you, but I believe you want what's best for Ariana. "I've been staking this place out. I knew it was that fucking cult's hideout." Huntsman explained to Haruko. "From the Vatican? That's great! I love irony, and a little Popester getting killed by a god is up there!" "Huntsman, would you calm down? We need people to understand the gravity here. We're talking about killing somebody we all love!" "Trust me, it's a mercy. Right now she's probably screaming her head off. I've seen avatars turn. It's not pretty even to me." Huntsman shrugged before looking back to Leora. "So, how about that offer? It's better than dying soaked in blood because some unknown entity tried to slurp out your brain but had a poor understanding of anatomy that lead to it instead causing massive kidney damage!" Huntsman spoke like he had seen the scenario listed.
"Knock it off! We need a plan! And again Arthur, you'd better listen to me! We need to get inside. That's the easy part. I have plans for everybody outside the building, but inside is harder. We don't know anything about the layout or where Ariana will be. We're going to split into groups to cover as much ground as possible. I will lead one team and Huntsman the other. Nobody argue. He's an idiot, but he's also an expert." Eve attempted to bring some order to the chaos, but things were still clearly out of hand.
Ariana could barely lift her head. It was like when she had the flu, but she didn't feel like she was going to puke. She just felt chilled to the bone. Despite that, her white dress was soaked with sweat. She uncomfortably shifted on the stone table they had set her upon and heard a crunch. Confused, Ariana looked down at where the noise came from and found her that the sweat on the end of her skirt had frozen and she had just broke some of the ice shifting.
"What... how am I that cold!?" She yelled. "It's okay, honey. It's because you're Sapphire Sea. Your powers are becoming available to you even without your gem." Warden hugged her in his warm arms, but swiftly they were as cold as everything else. "Sir! We have confirmed intruders! They're just over the closest hills. What should we do?" An acolyte ran up to Warden. "Not in front of Ariana!" Warden yelled, setting Ariana down to push the man to the hallway. "Intruders? Warden? What's going on!?" Ariana yelled after him.
"Are my children included?" Warden grumbled to the cenobite. "Yes, sir." He responded, nervously eyeing Warden's arms. He had heard of horrible things Warden did to beings that beings who displeased him. Of course they weren't done to flunkies like him, but they were done. "The drone then. Bomb them before they cross the ridge. I don't want them anywhere near us." He growled. "Yes sir!" The acolyte turned and ran to do Warden's bidding. "It's alright Ariana, we just have a little security issue. Our friends will deal with them now." Warden smiled, warm and genuine. Everything about be just okay.
Becky knelt in the center of the lobby. She was in simple torn jeans and a stained green t-shirt that declared "Don't blame me, I voted for Nader!". She had found it in a dumpster this morning. She would rather wear nothing, but if she had to wear clothes, they might as well be free. She was in the center of a pentagram drawn with pool cue chalk, each point tipped with a different offering. There was an obscure Pokémon knockoff, an unopened pack of Magic The Gathering Cards, a "Don't Break the Ice" game, and a jazz album more obscure even than the Pokémon knockoff. Only the point before her lay unoccupied.
Gingerly, she took a red die from her pocket. It had a fuzzy texture. Of course it did, it was for her. She was fuzzy and red. She whimpered deep in her chest. She didn't want to do this. She knew exactly what lay ahead of her. Would he demand her to return in exchange for helping the world? Tears gathered in her eyes. It wasn't fair! She had already spent so long being tortured by him! Why did she have to face him again to protect this world, with its trenches black as night, with lions whose eyes were orange like the setting sun, with its wonderful skinny friends who hugged her when she cried? To keep them alive, she might have to never see them again, and that hurt her more than anything. She rolled the die and it landed on the final point of the pentagram. One. Unlucky. With a noise like dice being rattled in a cup, she was gone, the offerings taken with her.
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Post by TimePuppy on Sept 12, 2017 7:42:27 GMT
Then I'll rip the fragment out and smash it to a pulp! Arthur couldn't say that, as much as he wanted to. If they have anywhere between 15 minutes and 12 hours, they should hurry up instead of having this pointless discussion.
"Fine." He hefted the sword to his shoulder and went back to the edge of the cliff. "Just hurry up and get ready. I'll carve us a path inside."
"Wait, wait! You guys want to kill Ariana! Dad, they can't do that!" Loveline said.
"We'll save the world, Love."
"Dad, please! You can't! She's still a kid!" Love begged.
"The world needs saving, so we'll do it. I swear as a follower of Wolfenhardt." Arthur said.
"But... But... Fine. Fine, I'll help you." Love finally realized that Arthur had no intention of killing Ariana. He wouldn't invoke the name of the Child Goddess if he wanted to kill a kid. They'll find another way to save the world. One that doesn't involve killing a poor girl.
"Oh, right," Arthur said, "Once we make a hole, my daughter can send butterflies ahead to scout out the place. We might not have schematics or full coverage, but she can tell me, Love, and Ruko what's coming up so that should help prevent ambushes."
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Post by Vapovile on Sept 22, 2017 14:52:04 GMT
Vatican? Sounds like this man had some degree of importance after all. However...getting him roped in this situation could be bad. Haruko looked at the wolf with a puzzled look as it sniffed her and returned back to Thomas's side. "Pleasure to meet you, Thomas. While I admire your mission...I think you should just leave this to us. It could get dangerous." She tells the priest before listening to the others. Ariana is going to somehow freeze the universe within fifteen minutes...or several hours? While Huntsman wasn't the most trustworthy source...Haruko had to admit that it wasn't too far fetched from what she's seen of demon gods so far. Haruko gave Huntsman a glare as he talked to Leora. "Would you PLEASE shut up already? If you're not going to be helpful, then get out of here. We'll deal with this either way. And yes; if we can possibly avoid it, I do not want to kill Ariana." Haruko tells the group.
With Eve's plan to separate into two groups, Haruko turns toward the Wild Hunt leader. "I would like to make a small change to that plan. You lead one team, Arthur and I can lead the other. No offense; I don't trust his leadership." Haruko says, glancing at Huntsman. He could be on their team if he wanted, but not as the leader. "Let's decide the groups. I'm with Frosty. I assume Loveline is as well." She gave a small thumbs-up to the illusionist. "Anyone wish to volunteer for either group here?"
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Post by waybig1010101 on Sept 23, 2017 4:46:27 GMT
As Eve explains the situation to them and Huntsman offers his solution, Leora could suddenly hear the faint whispers of a past memory: SISTER IN COMPASSION. WHEN THE TIME COMES, KNOW THAT I WILL BE THERE, WAITING FOR HER WITH OPEN ARMS. -Sweet sister in compassion forgive me. For I plan on making you wait a while longer.- Before Leora could reply to Eve's plan, Arthur cuts her off. She takes a moment to study his body language, and immediately realizes what he is doing. She desperately feels the urge to persuade the members Wild Hunt to reserve their solution as their last option, but knew they have no time for such a discussion. For now, she will need to focus on reaching Ariana, and then they will do what they can to save her. "I'll be on Eve's team," she stated with a surprising amount of determination.
Maybe her choice will surprise some here, but others will realize her reason for going with Eve, just as Alex did. If Arthur and Haruko's team finds Ariana first, Leora doesn't have to worry. Judging by their interactions, it is clear to the gruesome man that she trusts the short people. Which is why she wants to be with Eve. Her decision is pretty much a clear message that she fears what the Wild Hunt leader will do if she manages to find the target first. "I hope you can see what's happening here," he whispered to his fellow deity hunter. After uttering those words the man remains silent as he doesn't have a preference on who's group he joins. He simply plans to do what needs to be done, regardless who is with him when the moment to act arrives.
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Post by RedLenai on Sept 25, 2017 22:35:32 GMT
I’m so sorry Miss Miyata but I have the order to report and interfer with situations that are average the pacific range – The young boy said firmly and pretty serious, he really wanted to do his job.
According to the endless voices around him, and the mixed feelings of anxiety, worry, love and frustration, he couldn’t do less despite offering to help. A young lady with a horrible fate… Why everybody just gave up? “God closes a door but opens a window” He couldn’t believe that there was just one solution to the problem. Depending on the house, there could be a chimney, it seemed more difficult but it was an exit too.
Maybe I can’t get on the shoes of everyone, but every life deserves to be saved and have a place in this world – He said, this time to everyone with a firm, still nervous voice – There must be a way to save the girl and kill the demon – The young priest said, despite his childish appearance his emerald eyes showed his determination.
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Post by HungryHunter on Sept 28, 2017 2:42:45 GMT
"If every life deserves to be saved, why are we killing demons?" Huntsman mocked before Eve roughly pushed him to stand with Arthur and Haruko. "You're on advisory duty. I'd prefer you in charge, but I don't have time to argue with these two." Eve gave Arthur and Haruko a quick glare as a reminder that they were doing the wrong thing in her mind. She doubted they much cared. Stubbornness was an ingrained feature of short humans as far as she could tell. "And that means you and the wolf are coming with me." Eve didn't sound especially enthusiastic when she pointed to Thomas. She didn't know anything about this kid or his pet. They didn't look that useful, and she already had Leora, who wasn't a combat asset at all.
"It's not a wolf, it's an angel." Huntsman informed her. "Hey featherhead, did it hurt when you fell from heaven? Cause you must have fucked up your face pretty bad if you're disguising yourself as a glorified dog to hide it." He gleefully mocked, sore about being ignored by Leora. "Huntsman, back off. Your team will be going through the second story window and searching that floor for her. Mine will head in through the first floor, and with luck, pick somebody up on the way. Alex, you're with me." Eve checked her watch. Given who they were dealing with, she knew either Becky had failed or he was just making them wait for fun.
Becky stood in a forest of neon. That was no turn of phrase- she was literally among trees that glowed in bright neon colors. The ground, if there was any, was a featureless black abyss, so the lights seemed to float in nothing. She did a 360 degree check of her surroundings with her eyes and ears. There was nothing but more abyss behind her. In front, there was a massive pyramid, glowing yellow, among the trees. Lacking any other landmarks, she walked forward. She had spent uncountable eons in this realm, but she had never seen this place. It didn't surprise her. It was an entire universe, after all, and the Master could alter its contents at will.
As she approached the pyramid, it impossibly remained the same size in her vision, effectively shrinking until she stood before it and it was only as tall as her. She glanced around, but still, there were no other landmarks. She hesitantly reached out and touched it. Instantly, the ground she was on began to spin, nearly throwing her back before she extended her hair to grab onto the pyramid and pulled herself tight to its surface. She shut her eyes against hurricane force winds and only opened them when the winds stopped. The trees were gone. She was now on a massive roulette board. The black spaces were the same abyss that the forest floor was, the red spaces washed out and dull, the color of old blood. "Well, fancy you coming here. Did you want to be my pet again already? I would love that." The voice came from everywhere, even though his face was right above her, a silver mask with a tangle of horns like roots off the bottom of a tree. "No. You know why." She accused.
"Always so concise since I gave you speech. Yes, I do know why you are here. I loved the offerings by the way. You really know me. And it follows that you know what I'd want in return for my help of course." As he spoke, various cages lowered from the darkness, chains trailing upwards until they just faded into nothing like the black above was a tangible smoke. In each was a playmate, one of MOG's eternal toys. Some of them were alternate versions of people she knew. She screamed when she saw an Alexis, and realized to her horror that Alexis recognized her as well. "No!" She yelled. She couldn't come back. She saw the broken looks in the eyes of his victims here. But she couldn't leave the world to die. Luckily, she knew all of MOG's buttons. Even with her limited speaking skills, she could hit them with precision.
"Protect your playground." She said simply. The Master scowled. "I have trillions more." "Leora. Me. Friend likes Chase." She continued her broken sentences. "Leora will survive, and so will you if you stay here. And I'm sure the Spirit will forgive the loss of one or two of his own toys." "Bet on that." Becky waved him her die. His eyes focused on it like a cat on a laser pointer. She knew he couldn't resist a bet. "Well, I do think maybe it's in my best interests to help your universe, but let's bet on what the price is. Over 3, you come back to me. 3 and under-" "She goes home." Becky pointed at the Alexis playmate. "All of them go home." She waved at the rest of the playmates. The Master looked shocked for a second and there was a deadly silence, like that on a mountainside at risk of an avalanche.
Finally, he laughed. His jaws seemed to stretch wide enough to swallow the entire roulette wheel and it sounded like dice being rattled in a can. "Exciting! High stakes, baby! You know how to gamble, girl! Roll it!" He demanded. Becky raised the die. Such a tiny thing to determine so many fates. It seemed like another of his sick jokes, but she knew he would keep the deal. He always did. She rolled it slowly in her palm. She couldn't stop shaking. The little cube was getting soaked in her sweat. She wished she wasn't wearing clothes right now. They always felt so horrible when she sweat. But she would be going back, and no clothes ways apparently too much for the people of her world. Yes, that's right. She was going back. She threw the die and the wheel spun again, sending it wildly clattering all over. Wild jazz played and neon music notes and aces danced overhead.
Becky didn't even know where the die was when the wheel stopped, but MOG was on it like a kitten pouncing on a feather. His delight didn't fade and she thought the worst. He held it up in two disproportionately small fingers that jabbed out of the shadows to show off the result. 3. "Double or nothing? That was too great not to do again!" "No." "Damn! Well, let's save us a universe then."
"Either way, we can't afford to wait." Eve mumbled to herself and walked partway up the last hill. "The moment we step over this hill, we will be in the middle of a storm of bullets and artillery and who knows what else. I hope you're all ready, because this is going to suck." She managed a smile that vanished when the shooting suddenly started early. She turned and rushed up the hill to see what was causing the commotion and her jaw dropped. The people around the House of Eternity were under assault.
There were men and women dressed as rock musicians, lighting the plains ablaze with nothing more than their voices. All of them had bare chests disturbingly cut up to resemble a bloody mouth. There were shrouded figures, cloaked in grey, swinging soul-metal scythes that killed all they touched. There were gardeners, commanding the grass to come to life and strangle the soldiers. Eve even recognized a few of the strange altered women from the Primal Roar's avatar's harem, rushing in with claws and fangs. And among these and many more factions were the Master of Games and Becky.
Eve wanted to cheer, but she didn't have time. Among all the good news was the very bad news of the drone that had just flown over their position. "Everybody move! It's the bullets or the bombs!" A few seconds after she called for this and ran, the drone dropped its bombs and annihilated the spot they had been gathering. Thankfully, the hill absorbed most of the shrapnel. Huntsman ran past her, waving for his party to follow. "Oh, fuck yeah! Now it's a party!" He declared, tubes protruding through his wrists as he ran, and he sprayed acid over the closest soldiers, not caring which faction he soaked. "Becky! Over here!" Eve called and the young woman came running over. Her outfit had been changed by MOG, so she was now wearing a blue suit with a black coat and a derby cap over her wild red hair.
"You're with my team. I could use your firepower. Stop staring at Arthur. I don't know what your deal is, but we can resolve it afterwards." She noticed Becky looking funny at the short ice mage, but wrote it off as just her being generally strange. However, Becky would be recognizable to Arthur. She had of course changed since he last saw her. She was vastly taller and shockingly hairier, fuzz curling off her knuckles and even her chin. Her limbs were now even lankier and more leanly muscular, giving her an ape like build. But much of her was the same. She still had her big nose between her forest-green eyes. Her face still had the same general shape. And of course, that mane of red hair was instantly recognizable. "Hi." Was all she could say. She didn't remember his name. She hadn't heard it after she learned the use of words.
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Post by TimePuppy on Sept 29, 2017 19:23:01 GMT
Arthur didn't pay much attention to the sudden appearance of the allied army and he didn't care about where they came from. Eve didn't even finish the order to move and Arthur already hurled himself into the fight. He flew in like a missile and started swinging his sword left and right at anything in white body armor before the rest even joined the fray. Loveline followed after Huntsman with dragon paws instead of hands, taking care of those who avoided his acid spray. It didn't take long for her to see a familiar face in the crowd.
"Becky?!" Love exclaimed.
Arthur heard the familiar name and turned around to see the hairy girl. He was surprised. She changed a bit, but not too much. Sure, she was taller then him now but she was still clearly Becky. She greeted him and Arthur had to smile despite the havoc around them. Then he noticed that MoG was also in the crowd.
"Becky? What are you doing here? He didn't... Capture you again, did he?"
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Post by Vapovile on Oct 3, 2017 14:53:36 GMT
It looked like Thomas wasn't going to be convinced to leave, so Haruko let out a small sigh and looked at the priest. "Alright...just be careful I suppose." Why did this priest care so much about someone he hadn't even met? Judging from the results of the team split-up; it was only Arthur, Loveline, Huntsman and herself in the group going through the second story window. They seemed to have the most powerful people at least. Her thoughts are soon put to ease when seemingly an entire army appeared out of nowhere and began attacking the building. "Wha...how?!" Was all Haruko could say before running after the rest of her team. This was supposed to just be an investigation!
Haruko tossed three small explosive knives at the the people in the white armor. They would not fatal explosions, but would likely knock out most people they hit. The seamstress soon skidded to a stop when Arthur began talking to a strange ape-like girl. "Kinda busy here, Frosty! Can this be postponed?!" She says, running past Arthur and tossing an explosive knife up at a second floor window. The seamstress then leaps up and grabs the bottom of the balcony below the window, pulling herself up and walking through the window with 4 explosive knives ready for anyone guarding the window.
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Post by RedLenai on Oct 19, 2017 23:28:28 GMT
Thomas simply followed Eve's orders, although a small laugh escaped the boy's mouth as he noticed the tension between Huntsman and Chloe. Although he understood the consequences of annoying the angel of chaos, testing her patience would also be part of her learning.
"The demons are nothing more than the vestige of the souls consumed by the hatred and the sins that accompany them, they no longer remember to have been human and they have become searchers of the limit that is related to the morality and the humanity" He thought to himself even though he knew that he was denying the existence to another being... no matter how dangerous and cruel their actions were.
However, the bullets and bombs didn't wait. Calculating the division and preventing his new companions from being affected, the young priest pointed the bombs with his idex finger while the wolf prepared her power.
Chloe... Bark! - In the moment he ordered that, four pentagrams appeared big enough to tolerate the weight of the animal, who hopped in them to get closer to the target. A sound wave expanded from the animal's mouth, focusing it's impact linearly to cause the bombs to explode in mid-air, at lower distance greater impact force.
Once she returned to her owner the boy added - Chloe, I need you to absorb the sound and shoot it to the ground! - While three pentagrams appeared around him, the size of these began to diminish as they multiplicated, forming a three-layered armor of the color of light.
Once Chloe had absorbed the sound of the bombs and much of her surroundings, she recharged her bark again and shot it to the floor, raising a curtain of smoke within a radius of 50 meters. Thomas extracted from the sleeves of his uniform two pins that in a fraction of seconds had been transformed into two Colt Peacemarkers, the young priest opened fire against the individuals in white armor, pointing at the articulations in order to immobilize them.
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Post by waybig1010101 on Oct 20, 2017 16:59:32 GMT
Leora gasps in shock as a battle emerges below. Unlike Arthur, the vessel of compassion is extremely interested in learning where this sudden army came from. "How-" Before she could even finish asking her question, she spots the answer among the emerging chaos. "Master of Games," she whispered underneath her breath, surprised that the Demon God is proving his assistance in this situation. A moment later she hears Eve's warning of the incoming bombs. Yet even with the warning, she couldn't move fast enough to evade the approaching explosives. She quickly vanishes inside the smoke and fire of the bombs as they bombard the hill. A few seconds later as the drone finish its first bombing run, a wide eye and out of breath Leora runs out of the smoke without so much as a wrinkle on her outfit. A soft blue aura slowly dissipates from her body as she rejoins the others, while gasping for air as her heart beats fiercely against her chest.
"Is . . . everyone . . . alright?" she asked as she examines her companions. The gruesome hunter remains silent as he too baffle by the oddity standing before him to speak. However with one quick glance Leora notices shrapnel sticking out of Alex's arm. "Oh, no!" She rushes towards the ghoulish man and without hesitation places her hands over the injury. Before Alex could shrug her away he suddenly feels a strange, but pleasant sensation as the pain emitting from his arm disappears. As she removes her hands, Alex's body begins to feel vigorous. "There, all better now." she finished with a smile. Alex didn't know what else to say but an awkward, "Thank...you." He then turns around and walks away. After gaining some distance, he takes a moment to look at his arm and reflect on the kind gesture he just received.
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