MISSION: THE DIE IS CAST, PART 2

[ximilian]

● ● ● M I S S I O N   1 1 . 2

THE LEDE • WHEN THE TOUGH GET GOING • THE GOING GETS TOUGH • THE HATCHET • FYI

// INTRO. THE LEDE  

Dawn breaks over the court in grey skies, clouds drooping sadly over the horizon, as Finn (and whoever he has managed to get to train with him that day) arrives at the Knights’ Guild… and meets the beaming face of Jun Shortaxe. It is clear that the depressing weather is not dampening his spirits.

JUN

I’ve got great news!

His voice booms brightly over the Guild’s courtyard, but he seems to think better of the volume as his next words are quieter, only for the Orbers to hear.

JUN

We’ve found a lead. Alena, the Great Mulgrowe, and I. I hear they ran into some of your party, too, and so they were eager to help as well. Anyway — between the three of us, it wasn’t too difficult. Gather everyone on the plains outside Harsby, we’ll meet there tomorrow morning.

And indeed, when the next day comes with the sun finally peeking out behind the veil of clouds, it is not only Jun waiting for the Orbers but also Alena Ironspear, decked in full armour, and the Great Mulgrowe, hooded and deep in conversation with a bird.

When it seems that all Orbers are present, Jun urges his horse forward and raises his hand in greeting.

JUN

Well met, everyone! Some time ago, I was tasked by one of your own to find the heirloom that we nearly had in our grasp years ago. All of us had determined to never try to find the thing again… but if it’s to help my best friend, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do! So we set to work. And we believe we have a good lead.

Next to him, Alena nods.

ALENA

Yes. I have consulted Rahiel, the Saint I serve, and the nature around South Naelor is unsettled. The stones of Fort Gorlouch groan in pain, feeling an evil that has not been there before.

The Great Mulgrowe nods below his hood, eyes slowly opening. He pulls back the fabric to reveal the scaled countenance of a dragonborn druid.

THE GREAT
MULGROWE

The creatures speak too. They tell me they fear what resides in South Naelor and I do not blame them. To give them back their lands, we must seek this presence out.

When next Jun speaks, it is with a gravitas that he seemed to lack before.

JUN

So. That is where we’re going to head. Now… some of you may have heard that South Naelor is the former home of Ellia Roundtree. Whether we will encounter her there… I don’t know. You have given us hope that if she does have the heirloom, she didn’t do what she did out of malice. But just in case… be on guard, all of you. It will take several days for us to get there, and because a group this size would attract too much attention, we will go as three separate groups. Those of you who want to ride along the roads, you’ll come with me. Those who know the wilderness, go with the Great Mulgrowe.

ALENA

And the rest of you, you’re with me. I shall teleport us to Rahiel’s temple on the southern coast, and from there, we will journey to the Fortress.

JUN

Right! So get ready everyone… and let’s go hunt an heirloom!

Hopefully you were ready to leave at once, as the former members of the Songbird Brigade don’t wait for long — it is within the next few moments that the group is split up into three, with each party heading off to their separate directions.

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// PART I.WHEN THE TOUGH GET GOING  

After some quick decisions on who to go with, and some even quicker good-byes, the groups are all ready to go — and so, with Jun, Alena, and the Great Mulgrowe wishing each other good luck, they each take their newly-formed party and get ready to travel: Jun by the roads, the Great Mulgrowe out in the wilderness, and Alena with the aid of Rahiel’s temples and teleportation.

1.0   Those following Jun Shortaxe will find that the roads that lead from Alydhion to South Naelor are well maintained, so whether you are on horseback or have chosen to put your feet to good use by walking, there won’t be too many rocks in your shoe by the end of the day. As you travel, you may hear Jun humming to himself, in a tone that’s actually not bad:

Close the door,
Follow the road

Rich or poor,
Your troubles unload

The path will take you
Stronger it will make you
The adventure that awaits!

So close the door,
Follow the road

Rich or poor,
Sing with me this ode

To whatever the fates
have in store for you!

The tone of the travelling song is catchy, and perhaps you'll want to join in (and learn another song that the illustrious commander of the Ximilia has composed).

As the road is long and darkness falls quickly in the evening, you are required to make camp — so find a good spot on the side of the road, set up your campfire, and spread your bedding around… or, if you’re not a fan of staying under the open sky and watching the stars, you can always try and find a thicket of trees to stay under, or a cave where you’ll be safe from any sudden downpours.

2.0   The journey through the Forests of Gha’har throws you into the middle of wilderness, away from the comfort of roads: instead, the Great Mulgrowe will lead his group through thick bushes, over fallen tree trunks, and under the canopies of the tall, old trees of the forest whose presence seems almost oppressive. There are moments when you may look around and feel as if everyone around you has disappeared; moments when the trees rustle above you with a quiet, menacing sound… only for it to be broken by the trill of a bird, or perhaps a druid friend among your party, settling the trees once more.

Eventually, you will hear it: the unmistakable sound of water. From behind the trees, you see the river gleaming in the sunlight like a silver snake, twisting this way and that as it flows towards Naelori Lake. This means that you have finally made it out of the Forests, and traveling by the riverside is a nice change in scenery… at least until you’re required to cross the river in order to make it to South Naelor. Well — better be ready to get your feet wet, or figure out an alternate way of crossing the river with dry shoes!

3.0   Whereas Jun and the Great Mulgrowe lead their respective groups immediately towards South Naelor, Alena takes hers back to Harsby; the reason for that becomes apparent when right outside the borough, a beautiful temple surrounded by flowering vines comes into view. It is the temple of Rahiel, and Alena explains to the group that she is only able to teleport so many people from one temple to another — and the one closest to the ruins of South Naelor lies at the mouth the Gulf of Ifyln.

It is almost as soon as everyone has stepped inside the temple, its walls decorated with paintings of the Seven Sisters, that Alena claps her hands together and a golden light envelopes you… and the next moment, you smell the sea air, and feel the cool breeze blowing your hair. When you open your eyes, feeling a little disoriented, you see the steep cliffs that line the coast from the open temple.

The cliffs don’t persist for long, though, and Alena quickly leads the group to the shore, where a small ship awaits them: just large enough to fit all of them below deck, you best hope you’ve got those among you who know how to raise the sails and steer the ship through the tides… and lower the anchor when it’s time to stop for the night. At least you’ll have a cosy rest in the ship’s cabins, or on the deck watching the stars.

However, don’t get too attached to your little ship: soon enough the river becomes too shallow, requiring you to make the rest of the way on foot.

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// PART II.THE GOING GETS TOUGH  

However, the journey to S. Naelor isn’t without its challenges. The skies above might seem to darken one day, the heavy clouds splitting at their seams to let out a torrential downpour. You and your group might also stumble into the wrong place at the wrong time, not uncommon for many parties that travel through (and across) the boroughs. Whether by foot or on horseback, it would be wise to keep your senses alert and your weapon close. A battle of some nature is never too far away.

4.0   Past the crest of gently rolling hills you might hear the sudden rapid stomping of hooves against dirt as a party of bandit orcs on horseback appear, their shrill cries meant to scare and alarm you. Seek a place for cover or meet them with full force, weapons at the ready — if you’re traveling with Jun Shortaxe, he won’t be far behind, expression steeled into one of strength and determination. Within the thick, lush foliage of the Forests of Gha’har, if you’re traveling with the Great Mulgrowe, you may encounter winged bat-like creatures in the trees that squawk and cry as they fly out to attack you. Mind their sharp claws and sharper teeth — and anyone with the ability to communicate with creatures might want to utilize their skills to placate the flurry. Finally, steering the small ship on the river past Rahiel’s temple may seem quiet at first, but past the temple’s walls and emerging from the Gulf of Ifyln, winged kelpies appear to have caught wind of your group’s presence. Alena Ironspear will fearlessly lead the charge but she’ll need your help to keep the winged kelpies at bay and continue your journey northwards to Fort Gorlouch.

5.0   Along the way, whether through grassy plains and grey skies, the darkness of trees and thick foliage, or the sandy coast and the salty ocean waters, some of your party will experience some obstacles and immunities specific to their chosen race and form. Unnatural phenomena and sudden spots of darkness and flame appear to pop up like a presence following close behind.

If you suddenly become shrouded in a strange, thick fog, you’ll hear haunting voices and see visions of malevolent creatures all around you. You might try and swing your weapon forward as the voices command you to defeat every last creature trying to crowd in on you — but only your human party members will see what you can’t and will need to snap you out of the presence currently trying to control your mind, persuading you to attack your own friends and fellow crew.

While there is no shortage of dangers to be found no matter what path you travel, it might seem that there is something intentionally challenging your journey through South Naelor. While it is easy enough to take up your weapon against a stray bandit or wild creature (to some degree, anyway), it is much harder to cast off an avalanche of boulders from the nearby cliff edges, or to catch a fallen tree trunk that aims to block you and your path. Call on the orc-kind in your party to help, as their superior strength will allow them to swat boulders away like flies, or catch heavy tree trunks in mid-fall.

Some of you might find when you try to start a campfire, either during the day or the evening, for warmth or for cooking, that the flames might appear to grow hotter and larger than usual. Keep the fire going for too long and you’ll be (un)pleasantly surprised by the sudden voracious appetite the flame has for the measly kindle you have collected. It spreads and seems to grow into a predatory form that can only be challenged by those with an immunity to fire. Your tiefling companions will be able to tame and put out the fire before it does any more damage than singe your bedroll and turn your dinner to charcoal.

In the evening when the last of the daylight has disappeared past the horizon, the darkness may feel thicker, even blacker. For most of you it will seem difficult, almost impossible to see; you won’t even be able to see your hands before you. Only the dwarves in your group, possessing dark vision, will be able to decipher your surroundings and guide you to a safe place to wait out the darkness before it passes. (And thankfully, like a passing shadow, it won’t last for too long.)

Even your Brigade leaders appear to be having difficulty at moments. It will be more important than ever to chip in when you can and keep your fellow team members afloat as you trek through this perilous part of the journey towards the fortress. But one thing is clear at least: you’re getting closer.

6.0   It isn’t difficult to guess that the path to South Naelor is one less traveled — the dirt road is crude and beaten down by wagon wheels, hoof-prints, and feet but there isn’t much else around for miles. Aside from the random attacks from bandits and hungry creatures, and the strange happenings, there are also the natural elements to contend with.

Windstorms, rainstorms, and the changes in temperature (generally warmer in the day, cooler during evenings) are common in this part of the land being situated between the ocean waters and too far away from the shelter of Ffuren and the Jolnora Peaks. The plains experience heavy monsoons of rain at times, and with trees so far and few between it can get cold in the nights. The tides can rise, taking in a large part of the beach by the coastline, making it too easy to be swept into the water if one is not careful enough. Rain isn’t uncommon in the Forests of Gha’har either, and may require brief moments of shelter under the large leaves of the trees to escape getting soaked. The best thing to do during these moments is to find a cave or shelter of some sort and wait it out, catch up on some sleep, or once again go over your plans for when you arrive at Fort Gorlouch.

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// PART III.THE HATCHET  

They say that it’s more about the journey than the destination, but sometimes it really is a relief to arrive where you want to be. The gates to South Naelor appear on the horizon in the form of long stone ramparts and large towers. Only ... these gates appear to be in serious need of repair, the walls partially broken, chunks of stone missing, and wooden posts hacked in half, leaving crude sharpened points directed at the sky. S. Naelor appears to be a court that had once seen better and brighter days, and it isn't hard to think that the court of Alydhion itself might one day see a future like this one. It is unclear whether this once majestic court had always been in decline or if this is a more recent event. Whatever the case may be, there’s only one way to find out … it’s time to ride forward.

7.0   The travels might begin to feel like they’re taking a toll on you but you and your party finally arrive — and in mostly good spirits, too. South Naelor as it stands feels nothing like the court of Alydhion, which seems so vibrant and alive by comparison. If anything, it is a court now mostly in ruin, an artifact in the history of this world. Over the centuries, nature has reclaimed some of the built structures, and rivers have carved wide canals through the land, connecting to the Gulf of Ifyln. Without needing to be told by your former Songbird Brigade leader, you might already begin to feel the prickle of goosebumps along your skin, or the hair rise at the back of your neck. It’s that sensation of expecting something dangerous that will keep you alert as the three groups converge just before Fort Gorlouch. The Great Mulgrowe bows his head in Alena and Jun’s direction, and Jun nods, opening his mouth as though to address the crew at large.

But just before he can speak, deep and guttural growls fill the quiet air from somewhere within the old fortress walls followed by the sudden blinking of bright light as though there are doors opening and closing to let these unwanted guests through. Claws frantically click and scratch against stone as the lanky greyish-white furred creatures, long-limbed and snarling with venomous teeth, rush out to meet the teams.

Alena’s eyes widen as she swears under her breath.

ALENA

May Rahiel help us all.

One of the patchy-furred beasts rises on its hind legs atop one of the half-battered ramparts and howls into the sky, commanding all of its brethren. One does not need to be a druid to understand their message: they mean to attack, and they mean to kill you.

THE GREAT
MULGROWE

Beware that the Dremnin do not bite you. One touch of that venom, and you forfeit your life in this realm to the unknown beyond.

Next to the Great Mulgrowe, Jun squares his shoulders, a determined look in his eyes.

JUN

Come on, have heart! We’ve faced these beasts before! Right now what’s important is that someone, anyone, makes it into the fortress to see if the heirloom is there. I’m going to stay here and fight. That’s what we promised to do, isn’t it? I'll hold them back for as long as I need to... and as long as there's life in me.

As if in response to these words, without hesitation, Alena seems to compose herself as though falling back into the old habits of their former party. She turns towards the Orbers, gripping her sword tightly in her hand.

ALENA

Come. We need to keep going.

The moment Jun hangs back to stand his ground, the Dremnin start to crowd forward, followed by all other manner of beast: some recognizable, and others that are unfamiliar, like a new kind of beast this world hasn’t seen. You’ll have to fight your way through some of these beasts to keep moving forward in search of the heirloom as Jun takes care of the brunt of it from behind.

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F Y I

• The events in this log take place during the month of February. The team will return to the station by the end of February.

• If you have questions about any of the prompts or the mission in general, please direct them HERE.

• A voting post regarding the conclusion will go up on February 10.

• And finally, your soundtrack for this log: ♪ ♪ ♪

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Comments

kazuma asogi | ota | 🎵 on the road again 🎶 with jun shortaxe

[karumic]

[ 1.0 | a ]

[The day they set out, Kazuma finally resolves to attempt his personal mission, with a twist: he's already said his (very obvious) lie, and so now he's resolved to say nothing else at all for the 24 hours required to complete the task. That still counts as speaking only lies, doesn't it? He sure hopes it does! Regardless, he's a lot more practiced at staying silent than he is at overtly lying, so this feels like a more comfortable compromise.

For him, anyway. For you? Hope you like charades! For his own convenience, Kazuma won't be initiating conversation much on this day (and anybody unfamiliar with him may simply mistake him for a quiet brooding type, but so it goes), but any question asked of him will receive only a sharp gesture, a wordless shake of his head, or--if the topic is a bit more complicated than that--he's found a small notebook and quill somewhere, and is willing to write down simple responses if need be.

Yes, this is a pain in the ass for everyone involved. At least it will only last for 24 hours.]

[ 1.0 | b ]

[Only a day or two into the journey, Kazuma wakes up to find his pocketwatch gone.

It's not that he needs a pocketwatch, necessarily, but this one in particular was given to him by Mikotoba for Christmas--while they were both on the station, which means it will likely be impossible to replace. Not that he would even want it replaced--it's the principle of the thing, that Mikotoba would be thoughtful enough to gift him something like that, and embossed with the Asogi crest. Yet another thing Yujin has done for him that he didn't have to, and now Kazuma's gone and fucking lost it.

In the grand scheme of things, it isn't that big of a deal. Kazuma hasn't even had it for more than a month or two. But losing it has him in enough of a panic that he practically destroys his side of camp looking for it: shaking out his bedroll, emptying out every one of his packs, turning his tent inside out. Of course it's nowhere.

It leaves him sitting on a tree stump in the moments before they all set out for the day, running his hands through his hair in frustration, utterly crushed. It's such a minor thing, really, but it makes him feel so... disappointing, that he can't even keep track of this one thing that someone did for him out of pure generosity.

Eventually, he has to accept that it's simply gone. And it'll put him in an absolutely dire mood for the rest of the trip, so enjoy that.]

[ 5.0 | a ]

[Where is everyone?

The fog comes down suddenly and thick; just as suddenly, Kazuma seems to find himself quite alone. Whoever he was traveling with before, he now simply can't find through the soupy mist. But there are shadows, just out of reach of his arm or his sword--accompanied by the sounds of gnashing teeth, of claws against earth and stone, of hot wet breathing just out of his line of sight. Behind him, but when he turns there's nothing there.

And there are voices. Urging him to attack before he can be attacked, to kill the things surrounding him before they can gut him first before he can even react. Or worse, kill the people he'd come here with, that he's since lost in the fog. He can't ensure their safety as lost as he is, but while he's surrounded by enemies he can at least take the initative--

No, he needs to be smarter than this, doesn't he? He knows now that magic factually exists and that it can play tricks on the mind. He's learned his lesson, he can't just go swinging wildly however he pleases--but then he feels the hot breath on his neck, hears the hungry growl of a monster just behind him, hears the singing urge of a voice saying kill it--

--and he turns and strikes with his sword in a blind panic.]

No!

[Except, of course, whoever is behind him isn't a monster at all.]

[OOC note: If you would like to have your character be injured from this prompt, I am fine with minor injuries being assumed without discussion. Major injuries are also not out of the question, just please discuss it with me first because Kazuma will feel really bad about it!!]

[ 5.0 | b ]

[At least here's something Kazuma can do right: it's hazardous, traveling these winding paths through the wilderness and by cliffsides, but as much as Kazuma isn't fond of his strange new body it at least gives him the strength and reflexes to intervene when the time comes.

It's easier than he expects, to simply catch a boulder falling down the cliff face before it squashes a wayward bystander. Most likely it's a lot more harrowing of an experience for whoever was about to get squashed. Kazuma does his best to offer a reassuring smile before placing the boulder innocently out of harm's way. If you really listen, you might almost feel like there's triumphant music playing faintly somewhere.]

You're not hurt, are you?

[ 7.0 ]

[Fighting monsters is different from fighting humans. The instinctive, life-and-death exchange of motion between two creatures desperate to survive is similar, but this time Kazuma doesn't need to hold back against them. He doesn't stop to think about how that makes him feel, and instead lets himself simply fall into the flow of the fight. It is not up to him that the monsters do not run when injured, and simply continue to throw themselves at the party to be slaughtered, regardless of how many of them have already fallen. Killing them is the only choice any of the orbers have.

And that's enough for Kazuma for now. There's no bloodlust in this situation, only the defense of himself and his allies, in their attempts to accomplish a goal. That's what he tells himself. And with his brain turned off, it's easier than he'd expected to simply--parry, counterattack, dispatch, and he's had enough experience by now with ambushes to avoid injury to himself, despite the best efforts of the monsters. It's going surprisingly well.]

On your left!

[As he calls out to an ally, the monster's head is easily separated from its shoulders with a decisive swing of his sword. He simply nods in acknowledgment to his party member; no thanks are required. He's getting a little cocky. Of course, this leaves him open to an attack from the side if he isn't paying enough attention...]

[ wildcard ]

[Hit me up via PM or at cerebrah if you would like me to write you a closed starter or to plot something else!]

1.0 | b

[swordandshield]

[Said sentimental pocketwatch safely hidden away within one of Felix's secret inner pouches, the mercenary walked up to the young adult in distress as Kazuma sat on the tree stump.

As they were heading out towards what felt like the final leg of this mission, Felix had realized he hadn't completed his personal goal yet. He had gotten caught up in gathering intel and completing side missions that kept him occupied. So if this was it, he needed to get his goal done sooner rather than later. And he had seen the perfect opportunity when he'd noticed Kazuma cradling the pocketwatch carefully one evening.

That night, he crept over to the kid's stuff and went through it until he found the watch. He gazed at it for a second in curiosity but the item held no real interest to him other than a means to an end (or new beginning as the case may be with his regret) and so he slipped it inside his vest and stealthily made his way off. And that was that.

Until the morning where Felix watched Kazuma go through his things in desperate frustration. It was a good thing the mercenary was busy getting his own things together so that he could keep his face straight and not give himself away too early in the game. But there was an amusement deep down in Felix trying to make its way out. He resisted.

But still found himself approaching the young man later after the desperate search. Felix's face was a carefully constructed mask of sincere concern as he wandered up and spoke.]

Everything okay? Couldn't help but notice something seemed off this morning... you were kinda a bit of a whirlwind there for a moment.

[karumic]

[Great. This is exactly what he needs, concerned interference when he's already in a bad mood. And Kazuma already has doubts about how "sincere" that concern really is, though he has no reason to do so aside from how Felix seems to naturally set his teeth on edge.]

Yes. Everything is fine.

[It doesn't sound convincing at all--rather, Kazuma hopes it's injected with enough venom to demonstrate to the guy that he really isn't in the mood for a conversation right now. He doesn't even bother looking up.]

[swordandshield]

[Whoo boy, the kid was pissed. Felix kept the smirk off his face and out of his voice, both still conveying the sympathetic concern now doubled down due to the troubling response.]

You sure? Maybe one of us could help you out with something? [a beat] Doesn't have to be me, I can go get one of your friends over here discreetly.

But maybe it'd be easier to tell someone less close? Just trying to help a teammate. Tell me what to do.

5.0 (A)

[bindsthedead]

I'm all right!

[Although that was close, and Sabriel can feel her heart hammering in her chest. That was too close.]

It feels like even the geography is hostile out here.

[Which is... almost reassuring. If it feels like some force is trying to deter them, they must be getting closer to the orb.]

[karumic]

[As soon as he safely replaces the boulder, Kazuma turns to Sabriel with some concern.]

Is that possible?

[Normally he'd assume hyperbole, but considering the kind of place they're in... he hadn't considered the land itself could be manipulated with magic.]

[bindsthedead]

To reshape the earth with magic? Certainly.

[Although such spells are mostly used for construction, rather than lobbing boulders at people. And Sabriel knows it might just be paranoia, but...]

Perhaps it's nothing, but we seem to be encountering far more obstacles since we set out.

1.0 | b

[coordination]

[ One dragonborn took note of that frantic searching quickly, keenly watching Kazuma as he tears things apart. Yzak decided to tag along with this group since it's where Sabriel wanted to go - and after the injuries she sustained, he wants to do his best to keep her safe so it doesn't happen again. He doesn't want to lose anybody else if he can do something about it.

When the sun begins to rise and the group prepares to continue on, he steps up to the stump Kazuma is seated at. He doesn't bother to hide his footsteps, because he's not trying to be sneaky. Nor is he the type to beat around the bush, either, when he speaks. ]

We're about ready to head out.

Did you find what you were looking for?

[karumic]

[He's accepted by now that the watch is simply lost and isn't coming back. It doesn't exactly make him feel better about the situation, but it at least has dulled the panic into despondent resignation. It's enough that he manages not to snap at Yzak's question, anyway.]

No.

[He runs a hand through his hair one last time before heaving himself into a standing position. That's really enough said about that.]

It's gone by now. I'll pick up my mess. [He clenches his jaw and nods at the dirt.] Thanks.

[coordination]

What was it you were looking for?

—we're still packing up, too. So I figure if it's something small enough to miss out here I can at least keep an extra eye out for it while I grab the rest of my things, if it happened to end up near me or under some of my shit.

7.0

[asymbiotic]

[There's a deep scratch on the side of his face, blood soaked into his cloth armor and dripping off his short sword, and Chuuta is really not a good fighter at all. But he's alive, and doesn't flinch at the spray of blood from the decapitated monster.]

Thanks. [He says, a little out of breath. And... then, there's a split second. A split second where he almost takes a step to get in between that slashing claw and Kazuma's unguarded side. But... he doesn't. He steps back instead.]

[karumic]

[Distracted as Kazuma is by asking after Chuuta, the second monster catches him by surprise. Not terribly, thankfully--Chuuta's step backward alerts Kazuma to the presence of something next to him, and with the split-second forewarning he's able to twist to the side to avoid most of the damage. The claw still manages to graze his side, and it's enough to knock him off balance.

He drops to one knee with a hiss of pain, one hand over the wound and the other still holding his sword. The monster is regrouping after its failed lunge, slinking back for another with a horrible rattling growl.

He can defend himself still, but he's at a bad angle. If the monster goes after him again before he can recover himself, things could get dicey. But with the monster's focus still on him (a good thing, as far as Kazuma's concerned; Chuuta doesn't seem like he belongs here), it's the perfect opportunity for Chuuta to either stage a counterattack himself or make a run for it... if that's what he wants to do. His choice.]

[asymbiotic]

[Allow a fellow teammate to get injured instead of you.

That's enough, that has to be enough.

Chuuta steps between the dremnin and Kazuma, raises a hand, and summons a blast of fire. The air fills with the smell of burnt fur and cooked flesh, and the monster falls. A few more get caught in the edges of the spell, and stumble back, badly injured.]

Are you okay? [He asks, glancing behind him as Kazuma recovers.]

5.0 | a

[heroooic]

Whoa!

[Finn jumps out of range of the blade's strike, stagger-stepping a few feet before he can appropriately size up his attacker. Through the fog, it was easy to imagine the orc in front of him was just another bandit... but it's a brief mistake. Unlike the others Finn encountered in this mist, he was still in control of his mind. And his mind would recognize that cool haircut anywhere.]

Kazuma, hold up--it's me! [Finn heaves up his sword, blocking Kazuma's next strike with the resonant clang of metal-on-metal.] Finn! You gotta snap out of it, bro!

[karumic]

[Kazuma startles back immediately, both from the sound of metal when he wasn't expecting it and from Finn's phantom voice.]

Wha--Finn? [He whirls, frantically trying to find the source of the voice without losing sight of the monster--with the fog as thick as it is, he doesn't want to swing blindly and risk hitting Finn on accident.] Where are you? Get out of here!

[heroooic]

[The command in Kazuma's voice isn't exactly new, but the frantic edge to it certainly is. Finn drops his sword out of the lock, immediately sidestepping whatever counterstrike Kazuma might have planned. New and unsettling lack of control or not, Kazuma trained with his blade religiously. Finn wasn't looking to get into a swashbuckle with the guy. Footwork was going to have to do the trick.]

What? No way, bro! [He counters, petulant, jumping into a duck in anticipation of Kazuma turning towards the sound.] Stop trying to kill me, I'm rescuing you!

5.0 | a

[spikedbats]

[ What a time to not be human. It's not like Steve could have predicted this, and to his credit, having the half-orc background has come in handy so it's not like he feels like he made a really bad mistake.

Also there's the fact that in the moment, he has no idea anything is wrong, that he should suspect anything sinister at play. Or maybe he does suspect something is wrong, only he misjudges what it is exactly. Because he feels a foreboding deep in his very core, and there's something, a voice in the back of his head telling him to be on his guard, that something is coming, something hiding in the fog.

He's no stranger to fear. He's been in the Upside Down, has nearly died from the monsters there, so if he can survive that, then surely he can survive anything?

He never sees the sword coming. ]

What the fuck? [ He gasps out as he's nicked on the side of his face, nothing too gruesome, but enough to catch him off guard and cause him to lash out blindly with his greataxe.

Only there's something about the fog, and something about the monsters that transports him back to that godawful place. It's not quite right, they're not quite the same, but Steve's mind is too scrambled, too overwhelmed to recognize that the horrid beasts don't resemble the Demogorgon that killed Barb, that would have killed him if he hadn't the help of Nancy and Jonathan. ]

No, no, please, no, not again.

[karumic]

[Kazuma doesn't hear Steve's panicked babbling. He doesn't hear much of anything, except for the voice in his head singing to kill it. The swung axe just barely misses him, and he has to stumble back a few feet to recover.

Something... something about this doesn't seem right, the monster isn't moving correctly for some reason, but he doesn't have the time to stop and wonder about it--the monster is here and he needs to kill it now. It's imperative.

And yet, he hesitates. The feeling that something isn't right is only getting stronger, despite the ringing in his head insisting otherwise. Is the monster... afraid of him?]

[spikedbats]

[ Nothing about this feels right. There is something wrong, so very wrong, but Steve can't quite put a finger on what that could possibly be. It doesn't occur to him that this might all be in his head.

Under normal circumstances, Steve would grip his weapon, would stand tall in the face of danger and accept whatever fate he is apparently owed. But these are not normal circumstances. This world is anything but normal, and although Steve has a little bit of magic at his fingertips his mind is to garbled to even think to call upon any of it, even if it's to protect him.

In the end, he shields himself physically, using his arms to cover his face and braces himself for whatever attack is coming. When it doesn't come, when all that is left is a voice in his head taunting him, he thinks for a brief moment of running. Could he really run, though? Even if he escaped whatever it is that's hunting him, trying to kill him, he'd still be stuck here, they all would until that damn orb is found. He needs to get his shit together and press on, but that taunting voice won't let him. ]

Shit. [ He reaches for his greataxe and slowly, cautiously, rises to his feet. ] If you're gonna try and kill me then get it fucking over with.

7.0

[shadysided]

[That side attack is duly noticed, Kazuma. As a beast makes a lunge for the man, Ziggy's already got an arrow cocked back on her bow and has fired it with more ease than she'd started this mission with; the joys of constantly shooting at kites with her laoshi, you know. The arrowhead strikes the creature as it opens its mouth to bite for Kazuma's apparently delicious-looking scalp, and soon punctures the back of its throat and comes out the under side halfway.

Look out, buddy, it's toppling over your direction.]

... On your left.

[Translation: I appreciate you saving my ass, here's a token of that.]

[karumic]

[Kazuma jerks back on instinct as soon as he sees the thing come for him, but it wouldn't have been fast enough; it's only Ziggy's arrow that keeps his head from being torn open.

He only barely manages to stumble out of the way before its body crushes him instead, and the shock of both near misses is evident in the way he can only say shakily:]

...You have good aim.

[Maybe he ought to brush up on his archery. He'd thought he was good, but he's only used to solitary targets...]

[shadysided]

A lot of people have good aim if they're close enough.

[Which is to say, she's not quite confident enough in her shooting to full-on gloat about it. Still, Wuxian is a great teacher, and she's glad she'd gotten a lot of that practice in.]

Are you okay? This has been a lot, and you look — newer.

[... she's bad at keeping track of new faces. just terrible.]

7.0

[evasives]

[ the un-humanlike shape doesn't throw cassian so much - he's from space, there are numerous species out there - but the lack of blaster does. it's not that he needs one, per se, - he can make anything a weapon and he's already spent some time practicing with the spells he picked out for himself in this world. he just misses it, but he'll get over it. ]

[ kazuma hits the creature before cassian does, catching it neatly before it strikes him, but it leaves kazuma's side open in return. without saying much to acknowledge it, cassian casts shadow blade, pulling it out from the shadows at his feet and swinging the sword down at the beast before it slams in. ]

this is so late i apologize rip

[karumic]

[Kazuma is bracing himself for impact when Cassian emerges with his immaculate timing. That's... way cooler than his regular old sword? Unfair. Kazuma doesn't let it bother him for too long, or rather he puts it aside for now, because the monster is staggering back but still not defeated, swinging around to bear against this new threat with a howl of anger and pain.

Well, a regular sword is still effective, and with the creature thoroughly preoccupied with Cassian's surprise appearance, Kazuma is able to duck underneath its swinging arms to slash at its legs. He can only hope this will disable it for long enough that Cassian can land a killing blow.]

zero worries!!

[evasives]

[ he knew he had to pick at least one offensive move, and shadow blade seemed to fit the vibe he was attempting, which wasn't that far off from how he usually functions. ]

[ cassian does not, however, know how to use a sword with great skill. swinging and slashing in basic motions are one thing, so he's grateful when kazuma makes his move. his sword isn't going to last forever, so he moves in and thrusts the blade into the creature's chest. he might not know swords but he knows vital organs! ]