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Rayo
Exalted Player
Posts: 485
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2003 7:21 pm

Post by Rayo » Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:05 am

<<Flash mail!
To: Freedom Fighters
From: Zan

Alright, I can see you guys now. And, as you guys can see yourselves, I'm sort of a corpse at the moment. Anyone who can change that...it would be much appreciated.

-Zan

Flash mail! Ended>>

The Thunder Anklet made a small clank as it snapped back into place; the Ninja Anklet was for special circumstances only. The magician had finished gulping down an Emperor’s Soul, needing the full SP restoration more than ever. With no energies for casting spells, his speed charm fading, and a lack of teammates in the area, it had been a forced necessity to utilize one of his recovery items. Now, moments after moving back out, Zan was calling for aid. His plan had failed to yield desirable results but that didn’t mean the wave master didn’t have other responsibilities to attend to.

Rayo had seen which direction the team had bounded off in, so catching up wasn’t going to be quite as painful as it finding their separated party members before. Surely the path would be littered with an above average number of bodies and mutilated pieces, but that didn’t seem to change the number of monsters roaming about. A whipmaster and another of the Earth Mages were fighting directly in front of him. The knight was making a brave effort to take it down, but the constant flow of boulders dropping down didn’t leave the soldier much of an opportunity to switch into an attacking mode. Simply wishing to clear the path, the lightning mage called out one of his standard favorites.


“GiRai Rom!”

Within the time thunder ceased to crack, so too had his enemies been brushed away. With tired feet beating the path still, the mage carried himself past some knights fending off a pair of the giants. The magic user was tempted to offer a helping hand in taking them down, but rejoining the others took priority over wasting time here. Remaining as close to one of the buildings as possible, the caster edged past the battle, forcing his way through a Juk Rom that had encompassed the entire area.

A batch of insects now blocked the path through the street, hanging over the corpses of a handful of knights. Probably wounded slightly, none of the darkness bugs gave much of an outward sign of significant damage. Twirling his staff as he continued to charge, Rayo readied for a swift strike to clear his way.


“Lanceor Ch!”

Three of the four were taken out instantly, but one seemed a bit more nimble. Perhaps sensing the danger, it had lunged up before the summon had time to appear, landing on top of the wizard as all of it’s friends were dealt with. Bending his legs, the player released them, forcing the creature off of him for the moment. With a single swing aimed at it’s head, the insect might be stunned long enough that wouldn’t follow up with another attack so quickly. Unfortunately the bug was a bit faster, nearly vanishing from his line of sight as it circled him, batting the boy down with one sudden strike.

As a PhaRai Don dropped down nearly on top of darkness insect, the thunder mage was glad for being knocked away, taking only indirect damage, and from a lightning spell no less. Still, it’s mark was left, being a level four spell made up some of the difference from his defense being aimed nearly completely towards that element.


“…La Repth.”

Once healed, Rayo got up again and continued towards his destination, rounding another corner and finally spotting the team he had purposefully separated himself from only a little while ago. His eyes darting left and right, the sorcerer rushed past Reinier and the others as soon as the ghost was located. Not everyone would have reusable revival capabilities, and it would be necessary more and more as this battle continued.

“Rip Maen!”

Tired and plenty beat up himself, the caster slumped down to his own knees to rest, counting heads as he went. Zan, Zhao, Dien…the whole front flank was accounted for. Ryok, Reinier, Canti…all of the back as well. Hijinx, Phoenix, the blur that was probably Nall, and…Cypher? The name seemed familiar but the wave master discounted that for now, more satisfied that the only name missing was Nighthand. Speaking loudly enough that just about everyone should be able to hear him, Rayo reported on his luck with the escape route.

“From what I’ve gathered, the knights don’t have any type of escape planned…at least none the grunts know about. Kamui isn’t guiding any sort of retreat, so there isn’t any for us to take advantage of.”

ooc:
This Post:
Knights: 1 / 40
Controlled: 0 / 30
Reborn: 0 / 30
Mages: 1 / 20
Insects: 3 / 30
Giants: 0 / 10
Imps: 0 / 30

Total:
Knights: 44 / 40
Controlled: 35 / 30
Reborn: 36 / 30
Mages: 16 / 20
Insects: 30 / 30
Giants: 9 / 10
Imps: 27 / 30
Rayo
Lv.47 Archer 745HP/311SP
Bell, the Silver Grunty of Thunder
Skills/Spells-Shocking Arrow of Voltage(30), Arrow of the Burning Stars(10), MeRai Rom(40), Rai Kruz(10), La Repth(20), Rip Maen(40), MeRai Kruz(20), GiVak Kruz(20), MeRai Don(20), Rig Saem(15)
Weapon/Armor/Book-Golden Royal Bow/Thunder Torque, Thunder Cloak, Able Ring, Ivory Greaves/Thunder Magic
Wishlist: YL Fukuoka, Stormlore, Winter Stone, Silver Grunty

ryok
Elevated Player
Posts: 70
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:38 pm
Location: Unknown

Post by ryok » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:01 am

-Ryok ran through the group that had temporarily taken off ahead to secure Zan’s location while he daydreamed. He stopped when he had arrived at the ‘back’ of the group. Which was really the front at the time because of the direction in which the group was moving as a whole. Pulling his blade from its sheath he took it up above his head and held it horizontal to the ground. The point was aimed for the easiest and most unsuspecting target. The dull sound of cracking bones echoed throughout the group as ryok tore his blade from another imp’s skull. Another electric jolt ran through the Demonic Blade and shot up into his arm. He closed his eyes. His body shook momentarily as the electricity flowed through him and then dispersed into the ground. He pulled the blade up and out the top of the small creatures head.

-Then spun around, his blade ready to catch the unsuspecting creature in a sneak, counter-attack. The blatant presence of the imp was given away by its shadow and slight flapping noise of its wings. The blade caught the imp at the waist, perfectly. Putting his foot out he slid to a stop yanking the blade back out of the open wound the slight shock coursing through his body. He moved through it after readying himself for it this time around. A yellow glyph appeared under him. He started pulling his blade back his movements becoming slow as the bolt came from the sky and struck him. He fell to the ground, head spinning. Opening his eyes the world around him twisted and tilted. The imp unleashed another. The glyph appeared and disappeared faster this time. The bolt struck him sending his head another whirl, and burning his skin. Smoke poured heavily off his shoulders as he turned on to his thigh and rolled over another glyph appearing where he had been. He pushed his shaky hands into the ground and slowly stood wobbling back and fourth for a moment. He pulled the Demonic Blade back and poked his right hand a few times as he tried placing it in its case. Finally sheathing the Demonic Blade he pulled the Light Giver off his back. The blade’s tip hit the ground; his motor functions still not back to normal. He turned another imp casting Repth on the one he had previously wounded. He pulled the blade above his head and let it come straight back down. The blade cut the inattentive creature vertically, in two.

-Turning from the fallen imp he looked back toward the attacking monster. His eyes widened, he pulled the light giver off to the right side. The tip of the blade scraped the ground as he tried hopping out of the way of the next glyph. His body slowed down as the bolt struck his free, left arm and leg. His feet hit the ground the bolt of energy instantly dispersing into the ground. His head rung with pain, his arms numbing. The feeling of pins and needles shot up his leg as he took a step forward; his arm not moving on command. He started at the creature, walking through the tingling sensation. Spinning the blade on its tip and he ran until the blade’s weight caught up with him. He almost fell backwards, and yanked his arm out of its socket. Stepping again he dragged the blade forward with one arm. Sparks jumped from its tip as he gained speed, and regained feeling in his left arm. Each new glyph appeared just behind him as he picked the blade up off the ground in both hands. He stopped in front of the creature using his momentum he yanked the blade forward. Pulling the blade around like a baseball bat he swung cutting the monster horizontally, in half.

-The ground shook, small pebbles on it teetered back and forth as a loud thumping noise got louder and louder. Ryok, relieved that he had gotten through the imp ordeal, placed the Light Giver back onto his back. He placed his hand on his Demonic Blade, and then became aware of the loud thumping noise that got louder, and louder. He turned ripping the blade from its sheath. Holding it down and across his body he placed his right hand on the back of the blade. Then he took a step back, all of it happening within a second or so. He shut his eyes and was launched backwards as the club of a Giant smashed into his blade. The blow forced his back leg into the ground, the cobble crushing under the power. He flew back skidding across the ground until he came to a stop. Only minor injuries compared to what he would’ve received is he hadn’t raised his blade in time. The Giant chased after him, only giving him another few moments to stand. He jumped and rolled as the club hit the street. He refrained from pulling another health drink out. Sheathing his blade he sprinted toward the recovering creature. He turned his shoulder toward the creature as he jumped toward the arm with the club in it. The fiery blade cut its arm off in a single swipe. Landing he spun awaiting a counter attack with its remaining arm. It didn’t come instead it straightened and reared back. Ryok was to focused on its arm to see its leg. By the time he did notice it there was no time to react. The foot plowed through him and sent him into the closest building. His head rung as he stood trying to guard against the creatures next attack. He fell over as its arm swung over him.

-“I won’t use a damned Health Drink.” He protested waiting for help to come to his side…

Killed:

Knights: 0 / 40
Controlled: 0 / 30
Reborn: 0 / 30
Mages: 0 / 20
Insects: 0 / 30
Giants: 0 / 10
Imps: 3 / 30

Total:

Knights: 44 / 40
Controlled: 35 / 30
Reborn: 36 / 30
Mages: 16 / 20
Insects: 30 / 30
Giants: 9 / 10
Imps: 30 / 30


(OOC: Finals suck! O:< *Goes to Bed*)

Image
Ryok| Lvl. 27| Heavy Blade| Demonic Sword| Kagayuzen| Fire Bracer| Suzaku Fiery Pants
Karin| Kannon| Miu Lei| Vak Rom| Vak Don| Dek Vaks| Ap Vaks
Skill Drain| Death

Wish list:Black Sharp Angelic Wings| Time Headband| Unique Weapon

Hijinx
Exalted Player
Posts: 591
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2003 11:28 pm
Location: New look, check it out!

Post by Hijinx » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:56 am

"Hijinx to the rescue!"

With a cheering shout, she was off, moving fast towards the giant as it plowed Ryok through a wall. While his situation was undoubtedly grim from his stand point, the fist-fighter was more interested in making an impressive entrance, so the high ground would undoubtedly become necessary. A quick hop put her on top of an insect's head, which in turn led to another jump to the roof top as a giant bolt of lightning vaporized a half dozen creatures on the waterfront where she had recently been. The smell was unpleasant at best, and was regarded with an up turned nose by anything that passed the area. Fortunately for Hijinx, that area was well behind her, and she was currently sailing over a gap in the roof tops as she approached the giant. Jumping as it started to lower it's arm, most likely to squash a badly damaged Ryok, she reared back and braced herself for the impact with it's eye.

The blow struck home with the intended purpose, forcing the hand back to protect the owners vision. However, having put so much power into her strike, Hijinx was forced to improvise by redirecting her movement around the creature's head, catching it hard with a knee in the back of it's large head before swinging herself in an arc to the ground. Laughing pleasantly, she swirled around a staggering foot and kicked hard for the inside of the knee. Her attack landed fairly well, the enemy had been driven to a kneeling position and was taking a relatively decent chunk of it's health. Of course, some of the damage had to have come from the battle with Ryok as well, but she didn't plan on being picky right now. A rebound off a wall got her up to the Frost Giant's face again, letting her deliver a vicious knee to the forehead as the hand finally moved away from the damaged eye. With a crash and a bellowing scream, it toppled backwards onto it's icy back. One more hit would do it in, and she knew exactly how to finish this one off...

Jumping up the rubble of part of the building, Hijinx took a backwacks leap, somersaulting grinning as she twisted in the air.

"Banzai Drop!"

The attack was a blatant elbow drop, and resembled something you might see in an old wrestling match. Still, health was ripped out of the monster, which concaved from the strike before bursting into data. Hijinx laughed happily as she dusted her clothes off and turned around, walking up to the wiped out ally and leaning over to look him right in the eye, even though hers were closed. A friendly smile crossed her face and stuck as she put her right index finger to his forehead.

"Repth"

Standing up straight and cracking her knuckles while the healing took effect, she offered Ryok a hand.

"Better get up or they're gonna do all the fun stuff without you!"
Hijinx the Lucky Former Rabbit
Level 35.000 Fist Fighter
Equip: Fist Guards, Wyrm Hide, guard cap, Snow panther, silver bracers
Item: 5 ressurect, 2 antidote, 10 healing potions, 6 Emperor's Soul, 3 Raging Earth, 5 Ice Floe, 4 Gale Breath, Knights Bane, 10 Speed Charms
Money: 1103gp
"The problem with life is there's no back-ground music."

User avatar
Dien
Exalted Player
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 1:59 am
Class: Blademaster
Location: The "Who's Online List," Stalking People...

Part II

Post by Dien » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:06 am

(OOC: Sorry for the delay, been having a little bit of difficulty with the new computer – hopefully all that’s resolved).

Aside from the stab delivered to Rayo’s victim, Dien had been pretty much able to watch the action as the rest of the Freedom Fighters delivered blow after blow after devastating blow to the monsters that had been fresh-delivered to the root town. Basically, after the two zombies he’d managed to kill, he’d been able to easily sit back and let everyone else do all the work. While the rest was nice, he hated it. With these people whose abilities far surpassed his own, even if he was of their level, he was powerless to do anything: useless as far as the battle was concerned.

Oh sure, he could hand out a few healing spells and other aps – Lord knows the value of a white mage in a fight. There was just one problem: he wasn’t a mage. Something about his class in The World made him uncomfortable casting too many spells, whether it was the low amount of SP he was given or the sword in his hand that called for him to do something more than sit back and watch fireworks go off as a result of his word. It was why he’d chosen a heavier class in the first place: he liked being in the action, and being able to wreak lots of damage at close-range.

Reinier’s descent into the circle was a relief to say the least, because at least that said that to that point, both he and Zan had managed to survive. Granted, that left the werewolf alone in the midst of the chaos out there, and it was a given that his circumstances had been far worse than Dien’s. So, then, what was the plan? Before he could even attempt to ascertain this for himself, the normal ping of a flashmail arriving greeted his ears, and he plucked the letter out of the air in front of him, quickly opening it to read its contents:
To: Freedom Fighters
From: Reinier
Subject: Finding Us

Currently, it's Rayo, Dien, Canti, Zhao, and me. We're off looking for Zan, at the moment. If you follow the dust storm, the stronger it gets the closer you are to us. We're going to get together and plan our escape... somehow. We're all traveling to the back of the city, so start heading that way.
So, as a group that he happened to be in the center of, the five – no, the seven of them were somehow moving to find the estranged partner that had been given Dien in this chaotic attack. The blademaster nodded, smirking to himself as they began to move again. Sure, he mused, we’ll just waltz over to him through this torrent of man-eating things, pick him up, and then figure out some way to get out. Hell, he wasn’t even sure they could get out anymore. His attempts at remedying the elites’ codes had proven to him that there was nothing he could do to get through them without logging out – and even from there he wouldn’t be able to get back into the server without even more hacking. I could be done, but the timeframe he’d have was little less than absurd for it.

Then, through the midst of the fighting, piercing all of the other sounds of the field, Dien heard it: that one sound that had saved him only seeming hours before. A howl. THE howl. Instantly his eyes shot over the crowd, looking to the source. Snout sticking high into the air, and an imposing figure standing strong in what bulk had been given, Zan’s silhouette penetrated the sun’s rays over the building on which he stood. That was their goal, and that was where Dien was going. Quickly he changed out swords, calling for his Zanzamas again for its time-keeping abilities.

Ap Do!” he said, letting the spell take effect in his tired body. Sure, he’d been resting, but that was the bad part about this beta version he played: just like in real life, too much activity led to exhaustion, fatigue, and just an actual drain of energy. Even when he woke up in his chair, he’d be wiped out and have to sleep it all off. The effort put into clearing the tower was finally beginning to catch up with him, and manifesting itself painfully in his legs, arms, and everywhere else. It felt like he’d just gained about eighty pounds, and he fell forward, the Ap spell having done nothing for him. Move, dangit! he begged, his hands holding his body off the ground as the SP spent slowly withered to nothing.

Shivers ran throughout his body, crying for relief – for rest and relaxation as sweat beaded along his forehead. Just a little more, he tried, attempting feebly to coax his body in to movement, just give me a little more! There was the option of simplifying the controls, the option of killing the feedback this body was pouring into his brain and making control a simple matter of “go forward, turn right, attack, use spell,” but the alterations alone would be killer, and who knew what kind of effect that would have on him later if he was going to share the fates of these players.

The solution is simple,” came the tell-tale voice, “log out now. Save yourself from this trouble, and from being trapped.

You just don’t get it, do you?” Dien said, somehow finding the energy to rise again, “I can’t leave these guys behind.” The entire world had stopped around them. Knights frozen mid-swing, imps halfway through the transformation from orb to humanoid, a giant in a position that should have left it toppling over onto the undead knights who’d somehow been charmed into attacking it.

Oh really?” he asked, finally revealing himself once again, “see, here I thought you’d convinced yourself you were just going to leave as soon as this whole ordeal was over.” The man walked through the body of a knight who’d fallen to his knees, stuck in the last pieces of his life after having been slain by whichever opponent had done him in.

Wings became visible, still folded to his back to avoid getting in the way – not that anything could. The golden poncho over his shoulders sat in the way he’d seen it the very first time, along with those same bright red pants. Still, his eyes held hatred, though more concealed and less frightening than before. Dien knew this character’s strength, and knew how to shatter it.

I may, but I’ll be back if I do,” the blademaster replied, putting Souleater away and walking towards the man, “you’re counting on that, aren’t you?” The man was silenced, for once. Dien’s lips curled into a smirk as he shook his head, knowing this man had no more power over him.

It won’t end,” he said finally, “even if you put down the game and walk away forever, you won’t get rid of me – you can’t have that kind of power.

No, probably not,” the player replied, walking towards the man who tried to hide the fear that was beginning to fester beneath his skin, “But I figure that, so long as you have no weapon, you’re as good as gone. Now, leave, and don’t come back.” The fire in this opponent’s hair seemed to die down, if only slightly; he had no sword. For a moment, he tried to stay, but Souleater was ripped out of its sheath across his stomach, causing his entire figure to dissolve at once into a swirling mesh of black smoke that quickly dispersed itself around the area.

Immediately time came back up to speed, and the blademaster looked around, sensing the presence of his Ap spell once again. So it hadn’t worn off: this was good. Deep down, he was still empty, still tired, but he refused to let his mind believe it. He had a friend to save, a friend to make things right with. Somehow, he knew he had to talk with Zan again, away from all this action and warfare, and he fully intended to make it to that place.

Dien! Get Down!” Without a thought for who’d called his name, he dropped quickly to the ground, his hands slowing the impact of his head with the cobblestone to almost nothing. Over his head, he heard the sound of a monster being impaled by a swiftly-shot arrow. Cacíd? The body of an earth mage dropped on top of him, promptly disappearing into thin air as he turned over.

No time for questions,” she said, grabbing his arm, “just come with me.” He whirled the arm around, relinquishing her grasp as the group began to move on without him.

No can do, I got a friend to save,” he said, beginning to turn around, “but it was nice seeing you again.” He started to walk away to join the group he’d just met, until he heard the sound of a bow being pulled tight behind him.

Look, Dien,” she said, “I know you’re a “light hacker” and all that, so I’ll only ask this once.” The blademaster turned around, looking at the woman he’d met so many months ago. “Are you in league with the people who are attacking this server?” Her knight’s uniform was stained in blood and torn in several places, but overall it seemed to fit her well. Before he could respond to her inquiry, she tilted her bow to the right and let loose a shot that whizzed right past his head, impaling another of the mages behind him.

Well, I’m not a Knight, he said, switching to his Brave Sword and launching it directly past her ear in an effort to impale another mage, “but I’m not attacking the server, either.” His sword bounced off the orb the creature was riding on, causing the monster’s path to shift and the sword to get stuck in the cobblestone. Cacíd’ bow was strung once again, this time aimed at Dien.

As much as I’d like to believe you,” she said, “as long as I’m under Kamui’s employ I can’t very well let you go.” Her bow snapped, and Dien winced, holding up his hands and re-equipping the Brave Sword. The arrow bounced off of it at an angle, becoming instead stuck in the cobblestones of the city’s roads. Her eyes grew more furious, but before she could string another arrow, the low-level sword was at her throat, the tip of it just eager to cut through it.

Move one muscle and you’re a zombie,” he said, looking her in the eyes, “I trust you still have some sense in you, even after joining the Amazonian’s tribe, so listen up. There’s a lot more going on here than you know. There are-” His eyes widened at that, and he quickly pulled the Brave Sword away, tackling the archer to the ground. Almost as soon as they hit the cobbles, an excruciating pain shot throughout his whole body, breaking just about every bone from his mid rib-cage down and crushing his full weight. He cried out in pain as his skin tore, muscles and bone being exposed to the dirty air of Mac Anu. Blood was seeping out of every orifice, including the new ones created by the giant.

When he finally managed to open his eyes, the remains of his arms still wrapped around the archer, he could see the shock in her face – not only at the pain of the impact, but that Dien had saved her. He smiled weakly, the World beginning to blink in and out of red.

Dien, I…” she managed before coughing up blood, which landed in his face, “I don’t know what to say.” He’d stopped breathing, and he could feel his pulse growing weaker and weaker, his heart having less and less blood to pump with every passing second. The pain of this encounter was unreal, far beyond anything he’d ever experienced before. His head collapsed, slowly coming to rest on hers.

Ola Repth.” The cool waters of the spell washed over him, and he could hear his bones snapping back into place and the flesh of his body mending as the spell finished. Her body was being repaired as well, but then the damage there hadn’t been so severe. The two of them lingered a moment, before remembering that they were still enemies of one another in a fight that was being interrupted by a greater evil.

Think you can handle this guy?” he asked, standing up next to her and looking at the giant who’d since moved on from crushing them. The black-haired archer stood as well, brushing off the uniform as best she could, new tears in it from where the jagged edges of Dien’s bones had saved her from most of the impact.

Not alone,” she replied, sighing and picking up her remarkably still-intact bow, “he’s a bit bigger than anything I faced in the caves; I could use your help.” He was already on it, having equipped Zanzamas again and the rare Heavenly Bead Tiarra.

Rig Gaem, Ap Do, Ap Do,” he called, launching the Ap spells onto the both of them and the blessing onto his former clanmate. At once, Dien took off, charging straight for the gargantuan in a relatively suicidal manner and drawing its attention. He would need all the luck he could get from this, and he downed a Warrior’s Blood and a Hunter’s Blood. The Giant turned to face him, not paying any attention to the archer who’d darted off to its left. With a rawr that could be heard throughout the town, the thing lofted its club into the air and slammed it down on the charging blademaster.

A quick roll-dodge to the left (yay KH reference!), and the shockwave from the club’s impact sent Dien into the air. Taking full advantage of the Ap Do, the blademaster landed, dashing the rest of the distance to the beast while activating a Mage’s Soul on himself. He leapt into the air, and called out his strongest sword’s elemental attack:

Gan Slash!” The copper strikes of his blades delved a deep X into the beast’s chest, sending it reeling back in pain, the element having dealt it more damage than the actual skill. Dien landed, and from his right, he heard another arrow strung in its bow.

Flaming Arrow of Inferno!” the knight called, sending the powerful arrow blazing towards the monster’s head. A massive hole was carved in its skull, burning a hole straight through between its eyes. It fell backward, collapsing on top of a couple imps who were unfortunate enough not to see its demise so near. Out of protest, they shocked the thing, but it didn’t do them any good, as they died. Dien chuckled as the behemoth’s body slowly faded into the air. Just then, before either of the two players could react, the balcony Cacíd stood on gave way, careening down with her to the ground some 20 feet below.

CACÍD!” he shouted, already knowing it was too late for the player, but running towards the rubble anyway. Her arm stuck out of the debris limp, and before he got there he noticed it starting to twitch and move unnaturally, trying to unbury itself as best as an undead could. He pinched his eyes shut, a tear falling out of one of them and down his cheek. Granted, he knew she wasn’t gone for good, but it still sucked to see a friend die. Gritting his teeth, he stabbed his Souleater into the rubble, hearing a gargled and distorted cry before the arm stopped twitching altogether. A moment of silence, and he knew he had to move on again.

Dien, snap out of it, came the familiar voice, and he nodded, standing up, if you don’t move fast, you’ll never catch up. She was right, but there was some indignation in him now, some more fuel for his internal fire. He was tired, yes, but he could fight now. With some kind of a fierce cry, he ran, hurdling over bodies and assorted pieces of them scattered about over the road behind the Freedom Fighters who had begun to move again. So what if he had been useless – at least he could hold a flank if there was nothing to hold against.

Killed this post:
Giants: 1
Knights: 1
Controlled: 1

Overall:
Knights: 45 / 40
Controlled: 36 / 30
Reborn: 36 / 30
Mages: 16 / 20
Insects: 30 / 30
Giants: 10 / 10
Imps: 30 / 30
Image
Image|||Level 35 Blademaster (+200 EXP)
Wishlist: EXP, Ends of Earth, Armor with Status Effects

Phoenix512
Exalted Player
Posts: 304
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:42 pm

Post by Phoenix512 » Thu Jun 15, 2006 9:33 am

After hearing Rayo saying that the knights have no escape route planned, Phoenix realized that there were only two choices left to do. It was either fight or hide. Fighting would just kill us eventually. So that leaves only finding a place to hide. At that point, there was only one place Phoenix could think of going to hide for now. He immediately spoke to Rayo about the sudden idea he had.

“Rayo since we can’t escape anytime soon, how about we regroup back towards the hideout? It can give us some time to think on an escape plan without worrying about massive hordes of monsters and knights trying to kill us all. I’m going to try to clear a route to the hideout or at least check if it’s still intact.”

Phoenix broke off from the rest of the group and headed towards the hideout. He would normally take the rooftops to get to the hideout but that wasn’t an option since most of the buildings have been in various states of disarray along with the fact that some of the members cannot exactly jump to the rooftop as easily he could. The first group of enemies that Phoenix encountered was four zombie knights. He switched his sword to the Singing Blade since they had a fire element attached to their unholy resurrection. The zombies weren’t particularly quick on killing Phoenix which he took this slowness to his advantage.

The zombies were lumbering around with their wounds still showing along with some of their limbs that look like they were about to fall off. They were slow to engage their weapons at Phoenix when he charged at them and jumped into the middle of the group of four. “REVOLVER!” The basic physical skill allows Phoenix to get all four zombie knights all at once and targeted their necks as decapitation was the best way to kill off a zombie along with fire but they had a strong affinity towards fire. Luckily for Phoenix, the zombie knights were rather weak and didn’t get much of a boost in terms of strength and defense. After the zombies losing their heads, Phoenix continued on towards the hideout with blazing speed.

Phoenix was thanking himself right now that he could alter his own gravity without causing him pain. Otherwise he would be in deep trouble right now with the pain along with more injuries from being unable to finish the battles so quickly without the said ability. As he got closer to the hideout, he sees what’s left of the non-controlled/zombie knights fighting against the monsters which he did not want to get involved at this point. Phoenix just thought to himself that they were fighting for a lost cause at this point. Their leaders are too stubborn to admit defeat and retreat from the city. This stubbornness will cost them everything eventually as they must not believe in the line of “Who retreats now will live to battle for another day.” Even now, the knights still try to fight against us even as we’re hackers. I guess they’re too blind to notice that the monsters are attacking us as well. At least, Kamui and the others are knocked down a peg or three after this incident.

Phoenix got into visual range of the hideout and noticed that it was still intact for the moment along with a group of monsters standing in front of it. Those monsters consisted of four Earth Mages and a couple of Darkness Insects. They have not noticed Phoenix approaching them until he got closer towards them. The two Darkness Insects managed to catch Phoenix by surprise and restrain him so he could not move his arms. The Earth Mages were ready to cast four GiGan Dons at Phoenix which would kill him very easily if all of them connected. At that moment, Suzaku emerged from her disguised form and breathe fire on the Darkness Insect who got Phoenix’s right arm restrained. The fire attack gave Phoenix enough of a distraction to deal with the other Darkness Insect restraining his other arm. He took his sword in his right hand and stabbed the Darkness Insect on his left arm in the stomach.

Phoenix was now free and did not have much time to stand around as four giant boulders were about to impact on the area. Suzaku flew away from the impact zone as Phoenix who managed to avoid most of the blunt of the impact but still receive damage from it as he crashed into a nearby wall. An unexpected positive of the attack was that it killed off the two Darkness Insects. Phoenix slowly gotten back up from the attack which he noticed that Suzaku was engaging the four Earth Mages with her fire breath. He switched back to the Menhir Sword and took advantage of Suzaku’s fire breathing attack as he ran behind the Earth Mages. He ruthlessly slaughtered the four Earth Mages from behind as they were focused with the bird in the sky.

The Master of Gravity managed to save the hideout from being destroyed at the moment but he had to get back to the others quickly as the path he cleared will not last for long. Suzaku returned back to her disguised form as she need to recover a little bit more from using her fire breath attacks. He rushed back through the path he walked moments ago but suddenly, a whip wrapped around his right wrist and was shocked by it. Phoenix fell to one knee with the whip still wrapped around his right wrist. The whipmaster revealed himself to Phoenix and said, “You hackers should died a horrible death for bringing the destruction of Mac Anu. I’m going to kill you by sending shocks through my whip and enjoy hearing you scream.”

Phoenix screamed in pain as the whip transmitted 10,000 volts of electricity to his body. The second attack forced him to be on both knees now and trying to gasp for air. He spoke to the whipmaster Knight. “You may think that I have to do with the destruction of the city but you’re so wrong. I don’t really care if you believe or not but have you noticed that the monsters are attacking me and some of the hackers as well. You’re part of a losing battle. This city is finished and escape is the only option left. Since I doubt you’re just going to let me go and live, I have to use my powers against you to survive.”

Phoenix targeted the whipmaster’s right arm with his gravity powers since he was holding the whip with it. Being unable to hold up his right arm, the whipmaster lost control of the whip as Phoenix was able to yank away the whip away from him. Phoenix summoned the power of Gan Crack which the whipmaster did not have any time to move out of the way of the rocky sword. The sword’s strength took almost of the whipmaster’s health which Phoenix just slash the whipmaster one more time to make him another corpse.

The blademaster cast La Repth on himself to heal from the electro-shock along with the previous injuries from the wall impact and a few cuts from the insects while being restrained by them. Once again, the spell could not remove the physical scars from his body along with the lingering pain from using his gravity powers. Phoenix was feeling more of the pain from using his gravity powers even though he’s been using them sparingly. He’s been able to ignore the pain better and better through his training of his powers but using them more and more in a short period of time will cause him unable to block the pain any further. After the short one minute break, Phoenix was able to reach back to the others without any further trouble. He spoke to the others immediately after reaching them, “I managed to clear a route to the hideout but I don’t know how long it will last though. It’s still intact but there’s some damage around the surrounding buildings due to me fighting off some monsters nearby. I suggest we move now.”

Phoenix waited for the others to decide on a course of action and looked around the city once more. Mac Anu, the once glorious Aqua City. Now it should be called the Ruin Aqua City with canals filled with blood. When I get to say goodbye to the city forever?

OOC: Since Hijinx didn’t put the counter on her last post, I’m adding another frost giant killed from her post.

This Post:
Knights: 1
Controlled: 0
Reborn: 4
Mages: 4
Insects: 2
Giants: 0
Imps: 0

Total:
Knights: 46 / 40
Controlled: 36 / 30
Reborn: 40 / 30
Mages: 20 / 20
Insects: 32 / 30
Giants: 11 / 10
Imps: 30 / 30
Phoenix
Level 48 Blademaster
Equipped Skills: Vak Revolver, Gan Revolver, Dek Vorv, La Repth, Juk Kruz, Rue Kruz, BiVak Rom, GiGan Zot
Other Skills: Rue Kruz, Rip Synk, Rip Saem, Crack Beat, Rue Slash, Ani Slash, Gan Crack, Gan Revolver

Wish List: Phoenix's Fire, Gold Necklace
EX-Spheres: LV 3 - Overdrive, LV 3 - Curative, LV 3 - Elemental Breath

User avatar
Zhao Xun
Elevated Player
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 3:09 am
Location: Wherever I'm needed.

Post by Zhao Xun » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:55 pm

Mac Anu was being destroyed, slowly but surely. The city could not withstand a war of this magnitude. By the time this battle was over, it would be nothing but a pile of rubble.

My home....

After meeting up with Reinier, Rayo, Dien, and Canti, I could do nothing but simply follow them while wordlessly gazing at the devestation of the once beautiful city. Several times one of them had to grab me to hussle me along, as I would simply not be able to tear my eyes away. It was like seeing a car accident... I didn't want to stare, but somethign inside me forced my eyes towards the utterly decimated buildings and streets.

I couldn't take it anymore....

--------------------

A blade flashed out of pure darkness, darkness where there had been bright sunlight only moments ago. How had the world around me changed so quickly? Was I still in Mac Anu? Or had I been taken somewhere? The pain from the attack wiped the question from my mind, but I got a response nontheless.

"Both."

A second strike came at me, this one cutting deeply into my chest. The first had merely struck my shoulder, but this second strike caused me to double over in pain. How had I become so weak? This was a battle of minds, was it not? And mine was the stronger! What was going on?

"It's not quite right to refer to this as a battle of the mind, Zhao. Though that is part of it."

"Wh... what do you mean?"

"This is a battle of souls. And yours has just been dealt a crushing blow... leaving mine the stronger. It's like they say, opportunity knocks every once in a while... and I answered the door. Now give me back what's rightfully mine, and let me fulfill my destiny!"

I couldn't give in... I just couldn't! I had to-

A third and fourth slash, one to each arm, cut me off in mid-thought. A fifth and final slash, this one running down the left side of my face, brought me to my knees.

"Game over, Zhao."

--------------------

A stinging blow to the back of my head brought me to Mac Anu slightly sooner than expected, but not before my business was accomplished.

"Hey, wake up!" came a voice from behind me. I looked, noticing that it was neither Dien nor Canti, though they were indeed there. Damn, they might recognize the signs... oh well. I'll make do. I shot a black-eyed glare at the player, though I wasn't sure if it would have any effect. He seemed like the type who would just shrug it off. Regardless, I was anxious... my blades had been out of my hands for far too long.

I wanted blood.

Breaking away from the group for a moment, I looked for a target. I cared not for what they thought of my sudden departure... after all, I'd kill them all sooner or later. What did it matter how they saw me? I laughed inwardly, knowing that their foolish concern for "friends" would keep them from eliminating me whenever Zhao was in control. Idiots. He would probably beg them to do it too....

I wiped all such thoughts from my mind as my eyes locked onto a small group of the controlled knights. They seemed like decent opponents, not too difficult to take, but also tough enough to allow me some fun.

I pounced on them with a ferocity and speed I'd never felt before... Zhao had done well in my absence. The new power he'd gained for our avatar allowed me to take better advantage of my natural agility and strength, things that were severely limited back when we had been in the tower. The new limits were so gorgeous, I almost lost myself in the joy of them, but I managed to bring myself back down to Earth before I was actually in range of my foes. Checking the weapons they wielded, noting that I had two wavemasters, a heavy blade, and a long arm to deal with.

Should be simple enough.

I lunged at one of the wavemasters with such animal intensity that only the fact that he wasn't controlled by his own will saved him from recoiling. Against normal foes, I probably could have bought myself plenty of free hits through intimidation... it was really too bad that I couldn't pull that off here. Ah well. I'll just have to do things the old fashioned way. My blades tore into him at a speed I had never fathomed before... and I grinned as his blood covered both my blades and my tunic. I would clean it later, but for now, I relished the power I held once again. The wavemaster died before any of his allies could move to check me.

Now, however, I had to contend with three targets. Thinking quickly, I decided to destroy the other wavemaster first, as he would drop the fastest and probably be the biggest pain in the ass if left alive. However, the problem would be getting through the other two in order to hit him. Then again, I was a twin blade. Speed was everything.

That decision was one of the few Zhao made that I agreed with.

Leaping upwards, I waited for them to make the obvious move. The wavemaster moved out from underneath me, and the long arm prepared to skewer me on the way down. The heavy blade was ready to finish me if I didn't die from the spear piercing my gut, spilling my blood all over the street. Good plan, really. Too bad I had something better.

Knowing that any movement in the air would have a minimal effect, I gave myself a good bit of time to prepare before I was ready to execute my insane maneuver. The spear hurtled upwards at me faster and faster... and then I spun. Using my own weight, I inverted myself so that I could reach the spear. Grabbing onto the shaft, I spun, kicking the heavy blade out of the way before he could react, then released the shaft and landed in front of the wavemaster. A quick series of six strike brought him to the ground, and I then whipped myself around to destroy the heavy blade before he could get back into the fight.

"Rai Rom! Rai Rom! Rai Rom!"

It worked. The three spells, striking the heavy blade's notoriously weak magic defense, not only knocked the warrior back down but took most of his HP away as well. I made a quick dash to him, getting stabbed in the side by the long arm on the way, and finished him off. I simply shrugged off the pain of the spear blow... after all, it was only one attack. I rushed the long arm and poured the last of my SP into my final attack.

"Staccato!"

He fell.

I licked the blood from my blades, then turned to find more fools to prey on.

----------------

Killed this post:
Controlled - 3

Total:
Knights: 46 / 40
Controlled: 39 / 30
Reborn: 40 / 30
Mages: 20 / 20
Insects: 32 / 30
Giants: 11 / 10
Imps: 30 / 30

Lord Canti
Exalted Player
Posts: 300
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 3:58 pm
Location: In da' plains of hell, natch.

Post by Lord Canti » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:12 pm

(There was sort of a quiet now, as the waterway area in which Canti was watching was now devoid of the actual Twin Blade himself. An Imp came down this way, looking around for something to cast spells on. There was a Twin Blade here, but where was he now? Canti wasn't around... The Imp finally decided, after looking around a bit, to got attack someone else in the group.)

*FWOOSH!!*

Imp: Meep!

(As soon as it turned its back on the water, a thorughly-soaked form leaped right out of the canal behind the Imp, brandishing a pair of Dark Blades. His black eyes were like holes to oblivion, and the Imp just didn't stand a chance, not for this surprise attack. Canti's descent of swinging blades was without mercy, and most enjoyable. However, there comes a time when all good things come to an end. Suddenly, and without warning, the bottom fell out of his stomach and he fell to one knee, panting as if exhausted. What...was this? His eyes, cast upon the ground, noticed something. A subtle change, growing more distinct. He hadn't expected something like this now, not right now. It was something that only he saw. The ground went like static, then faded back to normal, then out again. His vision blurred and he knew what was happening. It had started ever since he saw what he saw in the tower. A red-brown haze of static and distortion of graphics filled his vision. In Canti's headset, Mac Anu was no more. He was still there, still where he was left sitting, but he was also somewhere else. He didn't know what this was. The haze was like a malfunction, but...it said things. This time, however, something different was happening. He didn't feel so well, and he thought that maybe...the haze came because of that, instead of being the cause. He felt sick, and his head hurt. There are darker things in The World, he was told. But...what?)

To begin,
A nameless fox calls out to a raven with bloody wings.
The dusk reigns over the horizon, killing those who live for the light.
Somewhere, an eagle has lost its kin and a hydra fights with its own heads.
The tornado spins faster and faster with each revolution.
And then...


*WHOMP!*

"That'll teach you, hacker-scum."

(He'd fallen over, attacked from behind by a Fist Fighter who was with a Long Arm and a Heavy Blade. They were Knights, of course. Who else was dumb enough to think he was a hacker? He didn't know code from Kibbles N' Bits. This was no laughing matter, either. He'd just been blindsided. Canti began to pull himself up, though he was hunched over and his head hung low.)
"Oh look. He wants more. I guess I'll- Huh?"

(The Twin Blade twisted his head to glare straight into the Knight's eyes with a smile on his face. By his expression, he looked deranged. The Fist Fighter lost his temper when taking in that look and went to punch Canti's lights out. The Twin Blade's somewhat awkward position changed then, as his hand whipped out and pulled the Knight in by the wrist so he could stab him in the chest with a Dark Blade. There was some blood. Canti didn't notice. The Knight was surprised for a second, and then threw his other fist at him. For that, Canti backed away, twisting the arm that was held into a bad position. The Knight grunted at this, wondering why this was happening. He had strength on his side...but didn't realize that Canti was using leverage and stress-points to hold him that way as he kicked him in the hip-joint and then, even more unbelievably, took advantage of the way the Fist Fighter hunched over to bite his exposed neck. His sudden shout of surprise didn't last long, not as his throat was severed. The Twin Blade stood up and stared at the two other Knights, who were shocked at this display. They thought this stuff only happened in anime. Canti's gaze was cold, but his mouth was smiling again. Then, the Long Arm doubled over as he was kicked in the solar plexis. Long Arms had cheap defense. Canti leapt right over him and used a Dark Dance on the other one, the Heavy Blade. His HP was drawn low and he attacked Canti with his sword. He defended, and again, and then right after a weapon change, the sword was caught between the knives of a Fuse Blade, which Canti used to twist aside the weapon and skewer him with the other, twisting that inside of the Knight's body until he heard something crack.)

"SHIT!"

(Ah, the Long Arm just noticed. That was fun. He was kind of stumbling away, cautiously, realizing now that he was alone and frightened and in the middle of a warzone with a Twin Blade who seemed to have gone 8 bananas short of a bunch. But that was okay... We're all friends here, right? Canti put on a nice grin and took off his Fuse Blades. A Dark Blade came and sliced at the wrist that held his spear. Such a shame... He dropped it. His other hand shoved the Long Arm forcefully into a wall.)

Canti: Heh heh heh heh heh... Don't be afraid...

"D-D-D-on't be?"

Canti: Of course not... There's nothing to fear... I'm the Holy Warrior... Eh heh heh heh ha ha ha ha ha haaa!!!

(And that haunting tone combined with the look on his face, the blood in his teeth and spattered on his body in all this horrible strife that was the war in Mac Anu caused the Long Arm to scream beautiful screams of terror...right up into Canti mashed his throat into a pulp with his knife, reducing it to a pathetic gurgle as the body collapsed before him.)

OOC: Three Admin Knights... One Imp...

Total:
Knights: 49 / 40
Controlled: 39 / 30
Reborn: 40 / 30
Mages: 20 / 20
Insects: 32 / 30
Giants: 11 / 10
Imps: 31 / 30
Last edited by Lord Canti on Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I'll have a doozy of a sig later, I swear. It'll reflect ".hack//CODE" an' everything.

Hey look! A profile! It's got items and stats and things! Cool! If it isn't fully up to date, it will be, so don't worry 'bout it.

Reinier
Awakened Player
Posts: 164
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2004 4:49 am
Location: UNKNOWN ERROR, please try again later
Contact:

Post by Reinier » Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:30 pm

“Taimat!” The dragon’s ears perked at the sound of his name being called out. The dragon hovered in the air, looking down through the dust cloud to Reinier, attempting to grab his attention. “We’re going to find Zan! Do as you please! If I need you, I’ll call!” The dragon nodded, and went back to what he was doing. What he was doing, of course, was raining fire down upon all the monsters and people alike, causing all sorts of havoc just for the hell of it.

Taimat flew down to the ground, his right paw smashing a poorly placed Earth Mage, who had been trying to speed by at the last second. Taimat looked behind, to notice three zombies rushing towards his flank. At the last moment, he took to the air, propelling himself backwards and behind the zombies. He landed, swishing his tail around to clear whatever stood behind. He rushed forward, and leaped upon the zombies. He clawed upon the two zombies on the outside, shoving them to the ground, and clamped his jaws around the middle zombie.

The dragon clasped his jaws tighter and tighter, and eventually pulled away from the pack of “living dead.” He opened his mouth, letting the head simply slide out of his mouth, and on to the earth. The other zombies leaped up to their feet, having been freed from the dragon’s paws, and rushed the dragon once more. The dragon spun around, smacking his tail in to the incoming foes, and sent them flying to a conveniently placed Giant in mid swing. The zombies were hit by the club by such force that one of their heads flew off as they were sent flying in to a building. The headless zombie simply splattered against the wall, but the other, who was most likely a Heavy Axe zombie, collided with the wall. With the impact of the zombie, the wall came tumbling down upon him, crushing him instantly.

Taimat flew over to the Giant, which was in the middle of stepping on the head of one of the Admin’s Knights, and began to shoot fire upon his head. The giant began to react violently to the flames, swinging his club every which way, blinded by the constant stream of fire. Hoards of monsters flew through the air, smashing against the ground, walls, and even other monsters. The giant let go of the club mid swing, and it soared through the air and managed to hit the dragon.

The beast roared as it plummeted from the skies, and landed on one of the darkness insects. The giant stomped his way towards the dragon, who struggled to his paws. He smashed his tail in to the ground, crushing the insect’s head, as he stared in to the giant’s cold eyes, still on his approach. The dragon reached deep down, and shot out the last of the fire in his stomach towards the giant. The massive beast let out a groan as it fell to one knee, then the other, as the flames continuously bombarded him.

The stream of fire died down, as the Giant fell face forward, landing on an imp. The beast neither groaned nor growled no longer, as it had been slain by the flames. Taimat let out a growl of a chuckle and collapsed, using all his being in that last attack. The dragon gradually glowed gold, with hints of almost firefly like ashes flying off. In a puff of golden firefly smoke, the dragon vanished.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Reinier let out a groan as he fell to his knees, grabbing his heart. The others were busy tending to their own devices, killing mainly. The roars of fighting all around was enough to deafen even the most sturdy ears. The flame haired boy gripped his chest, wondering where the vast amount of pain had come from. He looked down to the ground, and noticed something out of the ordinary. The sword had brightly shown a golden hue, and flashed a bright light before the handle changed in to that of a dragon’s head. Taimat had returned to the sword.

You okay?

I’ll manage… I was winnin’, too, but those Giants are insane… took everything I had in a last ditch effort to kill the fucker. I just need to rest a bit… your memories’ll be a nice movie for me while I rest.

What the fuck? I didn’t say you could go there!

No reply from the dragon.

Well, if he managed to take down a Giant, I guess his reward can be a dull movie like my memories…

Reinier looked up and around at his battered friends, and didn’t like the looks of what he saw. Everyone had been accounted for, except for Nighthand, but he could handle himself. Then, Reinier heard the most dim-witted statement ever, plan wise. “I’m going to try to clear a route to the hideout or at least check if it’s still intact.” The statement had come from Phoenix. Reinier gradually came to his feet, sticking out his hand and trying to get words together soon enough to stop the man, but to no avail. He had already left.

Reinier fell back to the ground, landing on his butt, and holding his sword. His breathing had grown more uncontrolled, as it felt like something had been siphoning his life. “Taimat you son of a bitch…” Reinier managed to say, knowing full well that the dragon had now been using Reinier’s life force to sustain his own. He looked over, and saw Zan struggling as well with the vast amounts of monsters which seemed to just attack in waves.

Reinier came to his feet, and pulled back a few paces to avoid an oncoming attacker. He trailed his sword along the back of the Knight’s neck, not killing him, but taking him out of commission. He wandered over to the lycan, and called out, “So uh... remember that whole ‘I’ll take the left and you take the right,’ thing? I don't think that’s working’ out so well anymore... Wanna switch?”

Zan eyed the crimson-haired warrior and bared his teeth in jest. “How about you take the left and the right, and someone lets me take a nap.”

“That was my idea... Tai’s already out of commission, and he’s leeching off my life for awhile... So, I think you should take the left and right for awhile, while I take the nap.”

“Tai's a lazy little bitch. How about we both sleep and let the newbies work double shift?” The whole thing sounded odd coming from Zan. Not because of the context, but because of the simple fact that each word he spoke was harsh and guttural and not even close to really sounding human. Such was the bane of the form.

“Would YOU trust the newbies watching our backs while we sleep? I sure as hell wouldn’t. Tai is a little lazy, but he took down a Giant. He deserves some sleep, I suppose.” Reinier spied Phoenix in the distance, and let out a groan. “Hold on… I gotta go talk to that crazy kid…”

“You make a good point. Dien...perhaps. But the rest I wouldn't. And even Dien is cutting it too close. Looks like we have to manage to get the hell out of here. Soon. Oh, sure. Stab him for me.”

Reinier let out a chuckle as he wandered over to Phoenix just in time to hear him say, “I managed to clear a route to the hideout but I don’t know how long it will last though. It’s still intact but there’s some damage around the surrounding buildings due to me fighting off some monsters nearby. I suggest we move now.”

“Really? Cleared a path? Cus I just see a huge mass of monsters in and around your ‘clear route.’ It’s a nice plan ‘n all, going to the hideout, but lemme name the golden reasons why we’re not.” Reinier spied around him to see none of the people exactly moving closer to Phoenix to follow in his death march. “For one, the Elites could be waiting for us there to slaughter us, which as much fun as it would be dying… Wait, it wouldn’t be. Next, even if they don’t know where the hideout is, they could simply follow us and kill us. Wouldn’t that be fun?” Reinier paused, catching his breath.

He felt winded just yelling at the player, something odd. He pulled out a Health Drink, and popped off the cork. He downed the drink instantly, and tossed the empty glass at a nearby zombie. “Okay, now, let’s just say that we somehow make it back to the hideout undetected, and somehow make it inside alive. I give it less then twenty minutes before everyone’s zombilified or under Xenobia’s control before they start bashin’ down buildings before they hunt for us. Though it would be a short hunt, because they know where the hideout is. The zombie Reinier had thrown the bottle at had wandered over to Reinier.

Reinier jabbed the zombie in the neck, grabbed him with his left hand, and pulled him over to the side before stabbing him in the spine. The zombie was shoved down to the ground, still connected to the sword. Reinier looked up and yelled, “You’ll never be a leader if you don’t take everything in to consideration before moving, your ignorance and lack of care could get us all killed one day, Phoenix. THAT, my friend, is why Nall and Nighthand run the show.” Reinier pulled his sword out of the zombie’s back, and turned his back to Phoenix, not caring to hear his rebuttal.

He managed to wander over to a kneeling Rayo. He threw down his sword, yelling, “Damnit, we’re fucked!” He sat down near the Wavemaster, and looked over to him with a smile. “End of The World, my friend. Got any last things to say? I can’t think of a way to get us out of here... I think all we can do is sit back, and hope Raine and Sheena can rip us out of here like the last time…”

“Whether Nall or one of the others can...only time will tell. Still, would you be satisfied to let things end as they are right now? Are you willing to die? I'd prefer tackling all of the Elites right now instead of just saying ‘we did our best’ or something like that,” The man replied. He paused and thought for a moment, and spoke back up. “...Nall's necklace, the one Nayru had, who has it? That got us away from the admins before as well as from Yamiyo itself…”

Reinier pointed to the passing blur of Nall, and said, “He has it, and the Cape of Deceit. I haven't even seen Nayru, thankfully. I don’t want to die with that talking rat’s voice in my head…” Reinier paused, still thinking, and finally said, “I was actually thinking of running up, kiss Xenobia, and say, 'Thanks for everything!' Perfect way to die, don'tcha think?” Reinier let out a chuckle as he said this, letting out a groan as he clutched his ribs in pain.

“Isn’t it too early to think about dying? Despite all the battling...we still haven’t lost anyone. All things considered, we’re not that bad off.”

“Yeah, but look at us... We’re all clumped together. Imagine if Royce or Garaa wandered over here. We’re dead. Game over, thanks for playing The World. I’m normally an optimist, but man... Everyone we kill just comes back stronger. We might as well enjoy ourselves... Wanna go for a swim?” Reinier looked over to Rayo, asking the question in all seriousness.

“Only if we could hide that way...but with all the lightning flying around it could be worse in there than up here,” Rayo replied. Reinier thought for a moment, watching everyone fight, and came up with his reply.

“Yeah... maybe after this is all said ‘n done, we’ll come back and swim some. Get a bathing suit or three... we could make a party outta it…” Reinier chuckled a bit at his thoughts, and voiced them. “I betcha the Admins’ll make some lame ass event where the people clean and rebuild the city, when everythin’s said ‘n done.”

“It’d certainly make a better cover up than some possibilities. The lack of access now could be explained through event preparation and such. I wonder what they’d do about the bodies though…”

“The cover up could be that a huge battle happened, and the Admin TOTALLY didn’t mess up and lose said battle. The bodies are special effects, made just for the realism of why the city is in ruins. The people use whatever they can get their hands on to rebuild the city. It's so perfect…” At this point, Reinier’s Sand Shield popped up, protecting him from a foe. With a bit of concentration, the shield shot out from the middle, becoming a spire. The spire went through the head of an attacking controlled knight. The knight fell backwards, dead. The conversation continued as if nothing happened.

“...Oh look, giants with giant clubs. Time to focus Reinier,” Rayo said, noticing the Giant. That was what broke up the conversation, sadly.

“Yeah... uh... You can have’m. I’ll go take on that hoard of walking locus... people... Things…” With that said, Reinier popped to his feet, grabbing his sword.

“There are three of them...not the best to take on alone. Besides, the one on the right is making rude gestures at you.”

“I think I can live knowing that the computer generated AI was making rude gestures at me. The middle one just winked at you, I think it likes you.”

“...That thing is clearly looking at Zan...clearly.”

Reinier let out a laugh as he made his way towards the one on the right which was making rude gestures at his direction. He slashed through the hoards of cannon fodder in his way, survival being the only thing on his mind at this point.

So much to kill, but not enough time to do it…

At least you’re not the one watching lame ass memories… What a bleak and sad life you’ve led

No answer from Reinier. No point in arguing the truth.


=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The Kills:

Knights: 2
Controlled: 1
Reborn: 3
Mages: 1
Insects: 1
Giants: 1
Imps: 1

Total:

Knights: 51/ 40
Controlled: 40 / 30
Reborn: 43 / 30
Mages: 21 / 20
Insects: 33 / 30
Giants: 13 / 10 (Someone didn’t add correctly for the Giants, I was going to say something’… but eh, this is easier)
Imps: 32 / 30

OVER KILL
Image
Image
Reinier's Wishlist: Sakabatou|Sharktooth
Abraxas' Wishlist: Complementry|Summon
The Hack's Wishlist: Wall lvl 2

Phoenix512
Exalted Player
Posts: 304
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:42 pm

Post by Phoenix512 » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:40 pm

After Phoenix made his previous thought about the ruined Aqua City, he notices that Reinier was talking to him. “Really? Cleared a path? Cus I just see a huge mass of monsters in and around your ‘clear route.’ It’s a nice plan ‘n all, going to the hideout, but lemme name the golden reasons why we’re not.”

Reinier looked around the area before continuing with his speech. “For one, the Elites could be waiting for us there to slaughter us, which as much fun as it would be dying… Wait, it wouldn’t be. Next, even if they don’t know where the hideout is, they could simply follow us and kill us. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Reinier took a Health Drink to catch his breath while Phoenix just stood silent waiting for him to say more things about what he thought of his plan along with him playing around with a zombie. “Okay, now, let’s just say that we somehow make it back to the hideout undetected, and somehow make it inside alive. I give it less then twenty minutes before everyone’s zombilified or under Xenobia’s control before they start bashin’ down buildings before they hunt for us. Though it would be a short hunt, because they know where the hideout is.

Phoenix had enough of Reinier’s pessimism along with him having fun with a zombie knight and was about to say something when he spoke again. “You’ll never be a leader if you don’t take everything in to consideration before moving, your ignorance and lack of care could get us all killed one day, Phoenix. THAT, my friend, is why Nall and Nighthand run the show.”

That last statement just made Phoenix very angry at Reinier but could not get a word in as Reinier walked off and talked to Rayo. Stupid little punk ass. What does he knows about how much I care? At least, I’m trying to get everyone out of here alive unlike him who just kills like a damn madman and only cares about his werewolf partner since he’s like him too. Hey, what’s this now…

Phoenix was overhearing Rayo and Reinier’s conversation which bought some insight on the two men. Great, Reinier has already admitted defeat and hopes that Raine and Sheena would save our asses from this mess. I haven’t admitted defeat yet. I’m very tired of hearing people that my plans are stupid because they have a high chance of failure. If we’re going to die, I rather do it trying to escape to live for another day than staying here where death is almost absolute.

After seeing Reinier running off to kill some Darkness Insects, Phoenix made his way towards Rayo and spoke to him. “Hey Rayo, I’m not liking Reinier’s attitude right now. He shouldn’t be giving me advice on how to be a leader after hearing him say that we’re all going to die now and that the only chance of survival is that Raine and Sheena can save our asses. I refuse to have my fate hang in the air by someone else. So what if there’s a high chance of failure in hiding in the hideout or using one of the Elite’s Chaos Gates to escape. I rather try to do something where there’s a chance of survival than standing here and waiting for near absolute death. Also if we don’t do something now to get out of here, we won’t have enough energy to try to escape if we do have a safe plan of escape. Sometimes you don’t have the luxury of marginal risk for plans. It’s all or nothing at this point. I don’t mind if someone has a better plan of getting out of here with minimum risk but I don’t think nobody can see such a plan at this point. One more thing about what Reinier said to me earlier that you should think about, He mentions how Nall and Nighthand run the show. I guess he forgot how Nall was the one who bought him into this twisted world with a promise of rare items. Nall is only a leader because of his sheer power. He doesn’t trust people that well. Right now, he’s providing support all over the city but not really directing orders to the rest of us. Nighthand is doing the same thing as well. We are basically alone right now without someone to guide us at all. I’ll give Reinier credit about how I’m not a leader at all but I know that. I been trying to protect people throughout my time in the World and usually fail at it but telling me I don’t care at all is so far from the truth. That’s why I usually fight with Nall since he doesn’t usually trust us with what he’s thinking.”

Phoenix took a moment to rest his vocal cords before talking once again. “I thought about heading back to the hideout by myself but that would wrong now. I’m going to stay here with the rest of you guys even though I don’t like some of them. Just think about what I said about there’s a high chance of death in all escape plans but there’s a small chance of survival in them though. Staying here has 99.9% of certain death.” Phoenix got into a stance with his sword pointing towards the hordes of enemies as the others were nearby him ready to fight as well. I guess the others are too scared to try to escape that staying here is considered to be the safe option. I really need the others to escape as well since I can’t really escape on my own. Suzaku, it looks like we probably going to die here but I will fight until the very end.

This Post:
Knights: 0
Controlled: 0
Reborn: 0
Mages: 0
Insects: 0
Giants: 0
Imps: 0

Total:
Knights: 51 / 40
Controlled: 40 / 30
Reborn: 43 / 30
Mages: 21 / 20
Insects: 33 / 30
Giants: 13 / 10
Imps: 32 / 30
Phoenix
Level 48 Blademaster
Equipped Skills: Vak Revolver, Gan Revolver, Dek Vorv, La Repth, Juk Kruz, Rue Kruz, BiVak Rom, GiGan Zot
Other Skills: Rue Kruz, Rip Synk, Rip Saem, Crack Beat, Rue Slash, Ani Slash, Gan Crack, Gan Revolver

Wish List: Phoenix's Fire, Gold Necklace
EX-Spheres: LV 3 - Overdrive, LV 3 - Curative, LV 3 - Elemental Breath

Rayo
Exalted Player
Posts: 485
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2003 7:21 pm

Post by Rayo » Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:42 pm

The wavemaster finished listening to Phoenix’s frustrations and simply stood up. The hideout wouldn’t be safe…but neither would going through gates altered by the very hackers the group was trying to escape from. There weren’t really any options the mage wished to indulge in. Wait here by the group and die, that would fail. Wait with the group in the hideout and die, it might take a little longer but the result wouldn’t change. Go through the gates and end up who knows where…if they even functioned that is. The players could very well be locked out from even using any of the gates to begin with. What a damper that would put on the escape plan…assuming they could even force their way up to one of the traditional exits. Those that weren’t trapped by the game could potentially try to leave, but that would further doom those who could not, and the ‘normal players’ had already made the decision to stay. Any of them could disconnect anytime they wanted at the moment. Defeating the Elites might bring about an end…but tackling all six at once would be perhaps too much for them to handle. Still…

“Now isn’t the time to argue about who said what…we can have a little sit down chat once we’re out of here and aren’t battling for our lives. The hideout won’t get us out…it’s the same as being here. The gates are controlled by the hackers…but there is one for each Elite, is there not?

I know it might seem suicidal…but at this point I’m willing to just take a stab at bringing down an Elite. Either it might normalize a matching gate…I’d pray there would be a visible sign…or we just go and knock down the next one. Sure, there are a few hundred monsters under there control here. The administrators are helping to keep them busy, so why not take advantage of it? I do know if we can kill all six…the hacker threat will be over.

From there the administration can conceivably be dealt with…if we make it that far, right? My SP has recovered enough to allow me a reasonable offense…I’d vote for Xenobia. If we stop the control…then the knights will last longer and that’ll aid us by their distraction.”

Phoenix gave his reply, offering some aid in the upcoming attack that might even be their last if luck turned the other way. Or rather, continued to roll that way because luck wasn’t on their side for this fight, not at all.

“If we're going after Xenobia, I suggest that we should try to conceal ourselves from her sight to avoid being control ourselves. How about Klive? If we take him out, the zombie knights would be gone but the problem with that is that we don't know his powers well enough. I don't mind if we go after Xenobia or Klive but I want to get some payback on Xenobia for what she did to me earlier. I'm sure wolf-boy and dragon-boy would like fight Xenobia as well.”

Rayo nodded, noting Reinier’s position out front and made a call to everyone to be ready to take out the target once they were rid of the immediate threat. Turning towards the Frost Giants Reinier had already started to attack, the magician leveled a hand at them, hitting the whole unit with Dek Raio, lowering their resistance to his coming barrage. Raising his staff to the sky, the lightning mage summoned Lanceor original form, letting his wolf run rampant through the pair of insects on the way to the giant triplicate. Crouching down at the very end the thunder beast leapt through the titans to deal some substantial damage. It wasn’t enough to actually bring them down, but that was only the beginning. Rai Rom rained down from the sky, three times in total. The lumbering monsters had yet to fall…though they were clearly close to extinction. Reinier and Phoenix appeared like a flash from Rayo’s angle, slicing through what remained of the monsters and leaving their graying corpses as the only reminder they ever once stood.

Rayo moved on to catch up with them, making a motion for others to follow as well, but not forcing anyone to if it went against their wishes. The wave master had spoken loudly enough that the other players right around them could hear his plan, and there little time to waste convincing everyone to try it. Following Phoenix’s suggestion, the attackers weaved through the crowds, much easier with the blades of the swordsmen up front moving the opposition to the side. Soon they were close, just within range for any magic that could be aimed against the hacker. To avoid Xenobia from overhearing, he sent a short flash mail to those who came.


<To Offense,

We’ll only get so close before she notices us and given my current SP, I only have one good shot left before I’m empty again. I’ll give her a good blast from the front, why don’t you go around and hit that hacker from the side? Multiple fronts are something I’d like the Elites to deal with for once, instead of just us.

Rayo>

Waiting a moment, the lightning mage ran parallel the casting point, remaining to her side instead of being directly in her field of view. Selecting his spell, the wizard steadied the Great Elite with both hands, aiming directly at the Elite and the roof Xenobia stood on. Even if the attack failed to deal damage, the fall should give the others an opening.

“Lanceor!”

ooc:
This Post:
Knights: 0 / 40
Controlled: 0 / 30
Reborn: 0 / 30
Mages: 0 / 20
Insects: 2 / 30
Giants: 3 / 10
Imps: 0 / 30

Total:
Knights: 51 / 40
Controlled: 40 / 30
Reborn: 43 / 30
Mages: 21 / 20
Insects: 35 / 30
Giants: 16 / 10
Imps: 32 / 30
Rayo
Lv.47 Archer 745HP/311SP
Bell, the Silver Grunty of Thunder
Skills/Spells-Shocking Arrow of Voltage(30), Arrow of the Burning Stars(10), MeRai Rom(40), Rai Kruz(10), La Repth(20), Rip Maen(40), MeRai Kruz(20), GiVak Kruz(20), MeRai Don(20), Rig Saem(15)
Weapon/Armor/Book-Golden Royal Bow/Thunder Torque, Thunder Cloak, Able Ring, Ivory Greaves/Thunder Magic
Wishlist: YL Fukuoka, Stormlore, Winter Stone, Silver Grunty

Zan
Exalted Player
Posts: 206
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 10:28 pm
Contact:

Post by Zan » Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:59 am

Flashmail!
To: Offence
From: Rayo

We’ll only get so close before she notices us and given my current SP, I only have one good shot left before I’m empty again. I’ll give her a good blast from the front, why don’t you go around and hit that hacker from the side? Multiple fronts are something I’d like the Elites to deal with for once, instead of just us.

Rayo

Flashmail! Ended


Zan couldn't believe it was happening again. He was only seconds away from staring down one of the most disturbingly powerful people to exist in The World. Once more he felt that wolven fear choke him, his orange-amber pupils widening and constricting in subtle convulsions as he fought the cowardice down. When he had conquered it, when his form had steadied and his eyes had focused, he knew the hell that lay before him. This wasn't going to be like Jett. Hell no. Not once had the lycanthrope ever directly attack the man. Him, Reinier, and the rest of the Freedom Fighters that had attended simply played distraction while him and Nall ran the big game. As stupid as it was, as much as Zan knew his bloody, pulped fate lay before him...he knew what he had to do. Like Rayo, the werewolf didn't want to die with his tail between his legs. He didn't want to simply stand there and be engulfed in their power and their presence. Zan was tired. Zan was burned out. But...he wasn't broken.

The fight with Xenobia would probably do such and the Heavy Blade was okay with that. To protect Dien, to protect Canti, to protect Zhao...to protect even those that did have hacks on their side...Zan would walk into that ring of fire without a flinch in his heart. With Rayo's attack initiating the chaos and Zan knowing full well that he had but seconds to get his own attacks under way, he swallowed down the rest of his doubt and scanned with hyper-focused eyes around the battlefield. There had to be something he could use, something that could aid in Xenobia's distraction. The werewolf doubted heavily in the Freedom Fighters' abilities to actually defeat her, but perhaps they could at least relinquish whatever influence she had over the Hell on Earth they were experiencing. That alone might not lead to their escape, but perhaps it could open up some opportunities to the ones that could get them out of this; Nighthand and Nall. When the glow of his eyes captured the common sight of a burning building, one in rubble and ruin, Zan knew how he'd start this out.

With his Ap Do and Ap Vorv out of fuel and his SP at a reasonable amount, Zan called upon the duo of strengthening spells once more. The former was already overclocking his healing systems, but he had no other chance. He had to come at Xenobia with all the will and power he could muster. There was no holding back. Using his newfound speed in conjunction with that same naturally impressive aspect of his Garou form, Zan bolted to the building that had caught his attention and heaved a two large flaming chunks of jagged wooden debris and heaved it at the woman without breaking a sweat. After the building, that didn't phase him. It was a similar tactic he had used on the great bird they had fought on the mountaintop with Jett, but it was only the beginning. Plank of wood after flaming plank of wood was hurled at her, the lycanthrope switching off at times with the broken shards of metal frame that had once held the building strong. Large, overturned chunks of cobblestone weren't ignored in this barrage of objects; each and every thing he tossed hurled with the full force of his lycanthropic capabilities.

When nearly all of the normally portable pieces (for him, anyway) had been chucked, some still on their way in flames to meet Xenobia, Zan drew the last Warrior's Blood from his inventory and downed it without a second thought. Once again the sensation of molten steel burned down his throat and settled in his stomach, dispersing raw amounts of power through his veins. With the ability to toss buildings now coursing through him, Zan felt his danger level, both to her and himself, double. Would he throw another building? No, such a thing would leave him crippled and useless. But he would do it in fragments, great pieces. Hefting one of the walls of the toppled building on top of his palms and above his head, the entire thing barely in one piece and ablaze like the rest of the structure, Zan heaved it at Xenobia with all of his might, muscles burning with the strain of it but staying in one piece. With only one more wall left on the building, that one also on fire but more completely, the lycanthrope ignored the burning of his flesh as he gripped the piece and sent it flying right behind its brother.

With his stamina rapidly depleting, Zan cast Dek Vorv on the Elite woman he had his eyes on, rushing to the side of the building she stood on and her flank in turn. There was little likelihood that his weakening spell had even hit her, but amidst the distraction of his other attacks he hoped it had. Pumping strength into his legs, he hunched down, only to spring forward with all of that stored energy uncoiling and launching him to the top of the structure. Zan had little left to do except simply charge and attack her, letting loose the fury and insanity that a full embrace of his Beast could offer. He wouldn't lose control, no, but he'd come to just this side of doing just that. Calling out his Flame Sword to his hands, willing it to the eight and a half foot long slab of sharp steel that he could, the weapon ignited and waiting to taste blood...the werewolf charged. Focusing not on tactical spots, Zan simply heaved the weapon on the woman time and time again; putting all of his natural strength and the strength the Warrior's Blood had gifted him with in assaulting the Elite before him. His doom was close, he knew, and he would go down swinging. Using the last of his SP to attempt a beat down on Xenobia with a Vak Drive, Zan felt his vision begin to shift.

The werewolf was overworked and underpaid, in a sense, something all of the Freedom Fighters could associate with. Yet, he had to keep going, had to persevere. If not for his sake, then the sake of all the others. Zan didn't claim to be a hero, no, but he would strive to do everything he possibly could to ensure the safety of their numbers. Switching the Flame Sword for nothing, leaving him barehanded, Zan began to simply assault her with his claws. Whether or not he hit, the Lycan couldn't tell, all he could focus on was trying to hit the points that would cripple her the most; a blur of his nails raking towards her jugular, another attack aimed at her hamstrings, another at the veins at her wrist, yet another towards her stomach, etc., the list going on and on. Whether or not he was successful in landing a hit, whether or not he would be nothing but ash in seconds, Zan kept on. The energy in his body was sapping quickly, a supernova of speed and strength coming to a point where they'd soon burn out. For now he was a blur of dark brown fur and menacing claws, gnashing teeth, but he knew he couldn't keep up. Even with his powers of healing on overdrive he knew the Elite would soon claim his life. He could hope against it, with all of his will, but hope was a waning thing.

All he could hope to do was fight.

--------

This Post:
Knights: 0 / 40
Controlled: 0 / 30
Reborn: 0 / 30
Mages: 0 / 20
Insects: 0 / 30
Giants: 0 / 10
Imps: 0 / 30

Total:
Knights: 51 / 40
Controlled: 40 / 30
Reborn: 43 / 30
Mages: 21 / 20
Insects: 35 / 30
Giants: 16 / 10
Imps: 32 / 30
Lv. 50 Heavy Blade
Wishlist
Special: Levels, GR Sendai, PL Sakai, Darklore.
W: Tonosama Sword, Mineuchi, Jundachi.
A: Samurai Helm, Able Hands, Rare Greaves.
I: Holy Sap, Treebane, Cooked Bile, Nightbane.
EX: Elemental Summon (Lv. 2), Overdrive (Lv.1), Elemental Attacks (Lv. 2), Enhance Dark, Elemental Breath (Lv. 2).

User avatar
Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Post by Nighthand » Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:50 am

In retrospect, it might not have been the best idea he'd ever had. After all, who would really be insane enough to jump into the center of the only cleared spot in the entire battlefield and yell at the top of their lungs, “Come and get me”? Well, besides Nighthand of course. Most people who knew him well, knew that he would do just such an action. He was known, somewhat, for being foolhardy, and yet somehow coming out on top. He died a lot, sure, but he came back stronger for it. Death in combat simply made you aware of your mistakes, in this World. That is, save for one sole exception, that being death by the hands of the Elites. They kill too quickly and too easily for anything to be learned from their battles.

Nighthand was quickly surrounded by the press of the enemies, monsters and knights alike. Though some, here and there, hesitated to go into the circle of death that had just appeared in their midst, many more charged recklessly in. His blade swung in great arcs, monsters flying this way and that, diving out of the way or being thrown by the impact of the massive bar of steel. Flames licked his arms, the heat from the blade practically bursting from its surface and making the blade even more deadly. The monsters weren't a challenge to him, except for the giants, and they only should they get lucky and catch him off guard. He kept a watch for them, though, so they couldn't sneak up on him in the press of bodies.

Still, now and then, a monster would get a lucky hit, and he didn't have the SP left over for a repth. He was getting tired, getting worn down. It was getting really, really close to time that this war had to end, at least for them. His thought more and more left the battle at hand and focused on escape. Hah. Him, running from a battle... If it weren't for the rest of the party, and his responsibility to them, in all likelihood he would have stayed to fight to the end. As if he could beat six elites and four admins. HAH. Simple bravado, overconfidence, arrogance. He might kill one, perhaps, before he was killed. Not the simple death, either. His deletion, his end. Not even Unbreakable could save him from the combined wrath of the masters of this field.

Finally, Nighthand took the blow, the straw that broke the camel's back. Was that even the right metaphor? He didn't know. All he knew was that the pain was suddenly more than he could bear and still fight effectively against these masses. These endless masses. He jumped, as high and as hard as he could, and opened his wings to their fullest. Up he rose, and up he flew, up into the smoke and the clouds and the lashing of spells. Up above the reach of all save the most vigilant of wavemasters. The occasional spell erupted around him, but lost in the clouds and the smoke as he was, there was little they could do to have accuracy to their attacks.

Suddenly he broke into a 'clearing' of sorts. A place where the smoke billowed around a clear path of sky. A place where two other figures stood, seemingly on nothing, sending spell after spell crashing to the ground below. Tritoch and Kelvin. The one admin that might be on their side, given time, and the one admin who would never be more than a berserker attacking them.

Nighthand entered the clearing more fully, and felt the air solidify under his feet. So. They weren't actually floating, but had placed an invisible platform up here for them to stand on. Smart, really; it allowed them to see their targets, but acted as a shield from any up-coming spells. He furled his wings back tight against his back, and approached.

”Kelvin. Tritoch. Do you see now what we fight?”

”YOU! What are you doing up here? TAKE YOUR ALLIES AND BEGONE!” His wand glowed, and he directed it at the heavyblade. Lanceor took form in the air above the Wavemaster Three, the terrible shape of the dragon rising to crash down on him.

”I AM IN NO MOOD FOR YOUR GAMES, TRITOCH.” Nighthand shouted. He reached out and gave the spell a twist, one he didn't use often, one that simply broke the spell. It was incredibly difficult to pull off, even more so with the infection and the instability in his powers, but that didn't matter. Not now. His will forced it into working, ignoring the pulsing fluctuations in the Twilight of his character. The Lanceor fell, diving for him, and passed right through him. It dealt no damage, now. The spell that had cost the Lord of the Three the SP to cast had been rendered nothing more than a pretty, and harmless, graphic.

Before the wavemaster could let off another spell, Nighthand was in front of him, glaring into the man's twisted and insane eyes. ”Do yourself a favor and busy yourself with the battle below. Unless you want me to alert my so-called friends to your location. I could care less about what you think, Tritoch, nor that you don't believe me. You and I both know I can beat you at your own game, and you and I both know you have bigger things to worry about.”

Tritoch's eyes flashed through a dozen emotions. Hate and anger, rage, fury, contempt and arrogance. Fear, suppressed with more anger. And finally, realization. Submission. The wavemaster knew Nighthand was right, at least that he had bigger things to worry about than the heavyblade. Without a word, but with a glare that spoke death, Tritoch moved off through the clouds, quickly disappearing.

”Not many can handle Tritoch like that. I agree, though; we do have larger problems than you at the moment. Who are these six, what are they doing here? How do they have the gall to attack a root town and to do it while we're stationed here?

”Shocking, isn't it Kelvin? Those are the hackers, the real threat to the world. Myself, and Nall, and our little band has been fighting them. We've killed two of them. That's why they're here; because we are. They're here to kill us. You're just a bonus on the side. They don't care about you or your powers; you're nothing to them.”

”We are far from nothing. You have yet to see the full extent of our powers.”

”You forget, Kelvin. I have been around these hackers more than you have, far more. I can tell you now that you, too, have yet to see the full extent of their powers.”

Kelvin looked at him, then downwards. The battle was as thick as ever. One significant change had taken place, however. Tritoch had attracted to them attention they did not need. His descent from the clouds had allowed one watchful elite to see where they were, the one shining spot in the darkened sky. Rugudorull's cry could be heard even from on high.

”DEMONIC PULSE! SUMMON INNER DEMON, RAIKIRI!”

Where once had stood a blacked-cloaked man, his raven beard reaching to the ground, became a frenzy of terror. ALL of the monsters nearby scurried away. The very words, the voice, shook fear through their digital hearts, and they knew they must escape or die. Rugu's hair stood out everywhere, gripped in a massive burst of static electricity. His earrings, the Earrings of Raikiri, were glowing bright. A pulse of invisible force knocked everything around the hacker to the ground, everything loosing footing in the force of the transformation.

Then, standing in the center of the devastation, stood Raikiri, the demon of thunder. Fifteen feet tall if he stood at all, with great tattered wings. His face was twisted and evil, eyes glowing deep red, fangs dripping with saliva. He had two horns atop his head, which twisted slightly downwards and conducted electricity like the rest of his body. Scaled all over, with black fur on top of some places, his body was heavily muscled. His arms were long and bulged with more muscle then necessary. His hand's were as normal as possible, except for their massive increase in size. Silver, spiked gauntlets outfitted his hands and most his arms. His leg's also bulged with muscles, but they were shorter on him then they would be in proportion. His feet were large hooves, which were armored in silver spiked boots. Around his neck, a silver, spiked choker was in place.

With a roar that shook the ruins of the town, Raikiri launched himself into the air, hurtling directly for the place where Nighthand and Kelvin stood. Kelvin's eyes widened a fraction, but his confidence was unshaken.

”Go, now, if you can. Get your party out of here, if you can. I've set scripts in motion since these players arrived, wearing away at the blocks they put in place over the town. It should be a help to you.”

Nighthand studied the Admin, seeing the man's sincerity. While Kelvin might not believe their story, at least part of it was proving true. The heavyblade just hoped that the admin wouldn't pay for this with his life, now.

Nighthand backed off the clouded area in time to see Raikiri arrive. Kelvin stood his ground. His wand, formerly a simple brown wooden shaft topped with a red jewel, transformed. The wood was coated with a white surface, smooth and uniform. The jewel pulsed once and turned golden, emitting a faint light.

”So, you're a thunder elemental, are you hacker? Then taste of darkness!”

The wavemaster directed his staff and great pulses of energy flew from it. Nighthand's eyes widened now, watching. The Admin didn't even bother casting spells. His wand simply converted the SP into elemental damage. Blast upon blast shook the demon as he flew, but Raikiri laughed. Thunder arced from the demon's hand and solidified into a whip, the one known to them as the Million Volts.

Nighthand dove through the clouds and was gone, Kelvin's scream fading into the sky.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Tritoch watched in horror as the demon flew past him, utterly ignoring him. Why was he being so left out? What was it about him that they all saw fit to ignore?

”I WILL NOT BE IGNORED!”

Great wings arched out from Tritoch's back, his form still stationary in the air. Wings of Yellow, Red, and Blue. The skies crackled with thunder, more than Raikiri's presence would have caused, and while it certainly wouldn't help Kelvin, Tritoch didn't care. The flames Klive had called forth were intensified, and a hot wind swept the town. Despite the heat, chill snow began to fall from the skies. The combination of elements Tritoch preferred.

The Wavemaster three, his great wings of energy sweeping behind him, found the perfect target for his spells. One of the s-called leaders of the group stood on the ground, amidst a pile of corpses she could not have possibly killed. The woman in black, the one who had emerged first. He directed his falcon-winged staff at her.

”LANCEOR PHA!”

The great dragons formed on either side of Tritoch, his own special skill taking place. Doubling the spells. That was the hidden power that had served him best in the fights with Asgard and the rest of his troupe. Twin Lanceor Pha's shot from their position to the ground, on top of the woman.

The woman who seemed to flicker and disappear.

”Remember the name Royce, Tritoch. Remember it is I who killed you.”

Royce, poised in the air mere inches from the Wavemaster Three. She leaned in and, almost lightly, placed her palm on the admin's chest.

”Ultima.”

Tritoch's eyes widened, first in shock, then fear, then pain. A burst of light filled the sky, and Royce returned to the ground. Of Tritoch, there was no sign.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Balmung was having a hard time himself. Nothing had been this challenging, this damaging, this tenacious, since the One Sin. Perhaps even that was child's play compared to what he faced now... What he faced now in one man.

Leave this game, hacker! Leave or I'll be forced to kill you here and now!”

The skeletal face of the man he fought, the single golden eye that watched his every move, was twisted in humor, the grinning death's head.

”Ssssilly Balmung. Even if I wanted to, I cannot leave thissss game. It issss far too amussssing. HAHAHAHA”

Balmung sighed. Reason was useless against these hackers, and against anyone in this god-forsaken town. Looking beyond the hacker, his heart was filled with sorrow. The beauty of Mac Anu... destroyed. The buildings were rubble, there was nothing as far as the eye could see but combat and death. Mac Anu truly was forsaken by god, now.

The blademaster, the Descendant of Fianna, dashed forwards once again, his blade tracing a complex pattern in the air as it flew for Melzas. The hacker laughed again, the bitter, hissing sound enraging the admin. Their blades met, parted and met again, and again and again. Every move Blamung could make, despite having the faster class and the speed advantage of Ap Do, was matched. It was like the heavyblade of his opponent was always there, always where his blade would be. Like Melzas knew his every thought, his every plan. Strike after strike was dodged, blow after blow met nothing but metal.

”GiRue Crack!” The blademaster cried, and the heavyblade was hit.

Or at least, he seemed hit. His hand had left his heavyblade, and come up, and... stopped Balmung's blade? The blademaster yanked, trying to loose his blade from the hacker's grasp, but he couldn't.

A shriek from the sky caused Balmung to raise his gaze. A speck fell, growing and resolving into human form. It was followed by a darker shadow in the sky. The human landed on the ground without the benefit of something to slow him, and landed nearby. Balmung gasped to realize it was Kelvin. The fellow Admin screamed in pain, and screamed again as Raikiri landed on top of him, hooves crushing the wavemaster's arms. His hands reached down and picked up Kelvin as a man would a doll, and a few great flaps of the wings and they were airborn again and gone.

”That issss not your fight, Balmung.” Melzas said, and Balmung looked back. ”Ssssaturnsss Ringssss!”

The hacker's finger traced circles in the air, each resolving into a ring of dust motes. The motes grew and formed snow, then ice, then full rings of ice, hovering in the air. Melzas smiled in a death's-head grin, and tapped each ring in turn.

Balmung screamed to match Kelvin as the razored rings sliced through his arm, ripping it from his body. The shoulder was instantly numb, frozen with cold, and the severed arm still grasped the blade Melzas held. Melzas's sword was nowhere to be seen. The hacker tossed the arm and sword away, and moved like a flash. His arm reached out and grabbed the wrist of the blademaster, who had been about to cast a spell with it. A squeeze and a snap and Balmung was left with one broken arm and one severed. Melzas laughed again, and kicked, sending Balmung crashing into a pile of rubble. The remains of what had once been the weapons shop shuddered and fell like a landslide, burying the admin.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Kamui was seeing her worst played out in front of her. Her knights were turning against her, hackers had overrun the town, and there was nothing she could do about it. She slaughtered monsters by the hundreds, no, by the thousands, and yet they still came. Try as she might, though, she was unable to damage one of the chaos gates. All her admin powers were useless to do a thing to the gates, the hackers, or even the monsters. They refused to be deleted. All of them. What was going on?

In her rage, she braved the fires of the clownish-looking elite. Flames licked her skin and she shuddered, knowing their source. Hideous hackers... She dashed through the fire, quickly centering on the hacker himself, standing calm and wielding the fire as though it were his weapon. She didn't pause, didn't slow, as she ran full-tilt for the hacker. Her spear slashed at his unwary torso, but the blademaster's sword was up and blocked the spear easily. She vaulted, flipping over the hacker's head spinning and landing on her feet some distance on his other side.

Again without pause, she ran for him, her spear thrusting out. His blade rose again for a block, but she twist herself and stopped, spinning around and going for a swipe across his back.

The red-dressed hacker calmly reached out and grabbed the shaft of her spear, holding it tight.

”You should play elsewhere, little girl.” He said, tossing her aside.

Enraged, she climbed to her feet and charged again, her spear aimed for his gut. The strike was driven by all of her rage and pain, all of her humiliation. Normal players would die just looking at it. Unfortunately, Klive was no normal player.

”INFERNO!”

The hacker's hand burst into flames and a huge wave of fire erupted from it, engulfing Kamui. She bore the pain, the fire, knowing it would die out like any other spell.

But it didn't.

It grew and grew until it was more than she could bear. She raced from the fire area, the few knights still alive and under her command watching in awe as their leader, burning alive, ran past them and up onto the bridge.

Two giants were guarding the bridge, but she didn't stop to kill them. She ignored them completely. They, however, didn't ignore her. They turned as she raced by and slammed their clubs where she was. Where she would have been, that is, if she were fighting and not fleeing. Their blows landed on the bridge, and it crumbled, it's already damaged surface finally collapsing. The giants toppled and fell with the rubble. Kamui's scream echoed through the town before it was cut off in a hiss of flames, taking an unnaturally long time to quench themselves in the water.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Nighthand witnessed all this from the air, and knew then that their time was gone. He hit the ground running, heading for the group, only to find them split once more. Some were fighting monsters still, while others...

”Haha, silly little freedom fighters. Attacking me was perhaps your worst move, you know. I've been watching you.” She had successfully dodged the spell from Rayo, the lanceor being of little concern to her. Her Treeweaver jabbed into the ground, and vines rose from cracks in the cobbles; perhaps the only life in that deadened city. The vines shot out like Reinier's spires, jabbing in to Zan's thrown blocks and directing them to the ground. The smaller debris was dealt with easily, and the larger chunks as well. Finally the largest chunks flew at her, and the vines reacted differently, forming a mesh to catch the great blocks. These she simply tossed aside, to crush the various fighters of the armies under their weight.

Zan's following Dek Vorv didn't take hold, nor had he expected it to. Effects rarely did anything to the elites. Her spear was pulled from the building she stood on, and it went up to simply parry the attacks Zan threw at her. Attack after attack was met with the firm stop of the Treeweaver.

His final skill had a bit more decimating an effect than he'd intended; She blocked it, and the force of the blow landing on an immovable object shattered the building they stood on. Vines protected the pair from the rubble, however, and they landed unharmed in the rubble, Zan not even noticing as he continued his clawed assault.

”You see, in watching you, I've seen that you have your own weaknesses. You're protecting people. And so I grant you the ultimate curse... To fail! AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!”

Xenobia abruptly let the Treeweaver fall, loose in her hand, and let Zan's attack come. He swung for her head, and she stepped forwards, her hand touching the werewolf's cheek ever-so-lightly, a caress that meant more than any he'd ever felt.

Zan stopped, frozen in his assault, then turned to face the group. He roared and leapt from the rubble, racing past Rayo, past Phoenix, to find the one he'd claimed as his own. Dien suddenly found himself under the same ferocious assault the lycanthrope had intended for Xenobia. The blademaster fell, crying out in pain, and Zan stopped. His control was gone. He was left to himself now, knowing what he had just done, and how powerless he had been to stop it.

Xenobia wasn't done, however. She seemed to take a single step, but was suddenly in front of Rayo. The wavemaster's wand rose to ward off whatever strike would come, but she merely laid her hand on his, and he too was hers to command. Rayo turned, without a word, unleashed another Lanceor. Zhao might have felt the odd prickling on his skin of the charged atmosphere before he was destroyed, but it wouldn't have given him the warning he needed to escape.

The long arm mistress of nature reveled in her command, and released Rayo. Another step and she was in front of Reinier. A touch to him send him flying, under his own power, to search out Canti. The twin blade noticed his ally in the air, and was almost comical in the way he reacted in disbelief at the twin spires of earth that shot from the ground, impaling him.

As if simply having fun, the long arm didn't release her control, but rather had the winged warrior fly himself into the ground before letting him to his own devices. Smashed against the rubble, Reinier didn't even seem to mind that he'd just killed off one of his own, so concerned was he with the damage he'd taken to his face from the impact with the oh-so-cruel world.

”Stop this, Xenobia!”

”Oh, so nice of you to join us, Nighthand. Just in time for you all to die.”

Nighthand stood on the edge of the semi-clear area Xenobia and the party occupied. He threw out his cloak, running fingers along the lining and pulling scrolls from their pockets.

”I won't let you continue this! THIS ENDS NOW!”

”How right you are.” Nighthand's eyes grew wide and he spun, but too late; Garaa's mace slammed into him from the side, sending him crashing into the rubble. Nighthand rose, staggering, but Garaa was already there, the mace slamming him back into the ground.

The group, seeing their strongest and their brightest so easily defeated, began looking at each other. How could they win against this kind of opposition? Was it even possible? Were the deaths of Kuja and Jett merely flukes? How had those two even died? It was Nall, all Nall. The blademaster wasn't even here anymore, was he? Where was he?

”You may have beaten me once, Garaa, but not twice.” Came Nall's voice, as if on cue. His blurred form passed by the great demon that was the darkness elite, and a line of blood appeared on the elite's chest. Another and another joined it, and Nall shouted the words of his skill for a final blow. ”RUE CRACK!”

At the calling of the skill, Garaa's laughter filled the area. The form Nall had so easily assaulted disappeared, melting into the shadows around the rubble. Nall crouched, pulling Nighthand's battered body, still with a couple points of HP, from the rubble crater. A dash and a blur, and Nighthand was left in the care of the few gathered fighters remaining. Nall stood at their head, then charged again, where Garaa had reappeared.

Garaa leaped into the air, his mace held high above his head. Nall looked up, eyes wide, and dashed away. Or rather, would have dashed away, except that the shadows he stood in were like superglue. He couldn't move. He strained, and heaved, and shouted with exertion, But to no avail.

”Once more you perish, Nall!” The demon cried as he descended, his mace slamming into the blademaster. Nall was crushed to the ground, and the entire town shook. The rumbling continued, deep into the foundations of the city.

Massive forces were at work, as Garaa pulled his mace from the hole it and Nall had sunken into. The rumbling grew, and a massive CRACK! Shook the city. Or rather, what little was left to it. The cobbled road split apart, a yawning chasm forming in the center of the town. It stretched from end to end, from chaos gate to outer wall. A rushing roar filled the air as the river drained into the new hole, mixed with the screams of those caught as they fell in.

”You cannot have them, Garaa! Nor can you, Xenobia! Not now, not ever!” Yarthkins and Lanceor appeared in the air, one slamming into Xenobia and one into Garaa. The two seemed unhindered, but they didn't attack again, at least.

Raine stepped from the alleyway and, without another word, held her wand up high. A beam of sunlight struck it from a break in the clouds, and it was reflected everywhere, like a massive fractured mirror. When the light cleared, the Hackers were alone as could be. Surrounded by their armies and their defeated enemies, the regrouped. Garaa checked his hole in disgust, finding Nall gone with the others. Somehow, they had escaped.

“Retreat!” came the call, and the knights fled as well, a myriad of golden rings falling over them as they logged out of the game. Klive and Xenobia released their controls, and the remaining knights disappeared. The monsters were banished and the chaos gates destroyed, the original one slowly pulling itself back together from the pieces. The autoscript ensured that the only thing pristine after this would be the gate.

”Next time, Nall. Next time you'll be ours.” Muttered Royce, as the elites gated themselves out, their monstrous minions fading to dust as the sky began to clear, a new day breaking over Mac Anu's broken spine.

(ooc: we're poofed. New thread, and new quest, coming tomorrow probably. Until then, you can read and re-read and realize just how much of a challenge we're up against, when any one of the elites could manage this much destruction alone. Sweet dreams. ^__^)

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Nighthand
Master of Games
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:23 pm
Class: Bladesmage
Location: ...Tracking...please wait...

Post by Nighthand » Sun Jun 18, 2006 7:12 pm

Rewards below include "A Saga's End" and "Saga's End Two"

Nighthand --> + Smiling Blade, + Absorber, + 3 Fireball Storm, + 3 Dark Traitor, + 3 Gaia's Spell
Zan --> + 3 Levels, + Newt Necklace, + 3 Health Drink, + 1 Warrior's Blood
Rayo --> + 2 Levels, + Stormlord Rod, + 2 Hermit's Blood, + 2 Sports Drink, + 3 Mage's Soul
-----> Rayo's Golden Orb begins to glow faintly blue...
Reinier --> + 2 Levels, + Stonecrusher, + Blessing of Terra Armor lvl 2
-----> Taimat Gains +1 Ex Level
Phoenix --> + 2 Levels, + Green Guard, + Ex Sphere Lvl 1 Enhance Strength (Ap Corv)
-----> Phoenix's Golden Orb begins to glow faintly red...
Ryok --> + 2 Levels, + Sonic Blade, + 3 Health Drink
-----> (Don't forget to convert Hidama to the current pet system, the ex-spheres, else I can't reward spheres or ex levels)
Dien --> + 3 Levels, + Glitter, + 2 Warrior's Blood, + 2 Health Drink
-----> Dien's Odd Relic becomes... Wyrm Scale!
Canti --> + 2 Levels, + Bloody Twin, + 2 Health Drink, + 1 Mage's Soul
-----> Canti's Unknown Relic becomes... Dante's Blades!
Hijinx --> + 2 Levels, + Black Tonfa
Zhao --> + 2 Levels, + Ceramic Anklet, + 3 Health Drink
-----> Zhao's Strange Relic becomes... Masterblades!
Cypher --> + 2 levels, + Heavenly Sword
-----> Cypher's Golden Orb begins to glow faintly white...
Asgard --> + "Pat on the back"


Good job on keeping up the pace, guys, let's keep that up for good.

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