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broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-01-2026
On a list of things to accomplish for the day, Deimos had set out in the early morning to glide over the Bay, thunderbird wings extended on chills and the vague thermal rising up out of the sea. Otherwise, he devised portions out of his own power, moving and maneuvering along the wind with nothing more than determination set in his brow and intentions clear. When his gaze honed in on the darkened pieces of the shore, he dove, long, sleek body unbothered, before finally descending upon the blackened sand, shifting back into his normal, calm, and composed figure.
Belial followed soon after, the peryton quiet for once on their scouting expedition. Trailing alongside rather than above, the Sword didn’t want to set any precedence or alarm, even a hint that they were nearby, in case the animal they were tracking caught the slightest indication of their presence. He gave a long, then sharp exhale, before long strides made indentations in the dunes; pondering whether it’d be an easier inclination to draw his invisibility cloak over them, or merely go forth, maul the beast once they found it. Instead though, he wrinkled his nose, narrowed his gaze, and moved towards the icier edges, boots and strides making quick, light work; but upon one step, he heard a crack in the formation, some yards and distance away – evidence they weren’t alone.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-01-2026
Hard black sand barely shifted beneath Liam's feet as he strode idly along the Bay on Halo's southwest coast. If he were to bend and run the sand through his fingers, he assumed that it would be like handling cold shards of glass rather than the soft grains of, say, Torchline. Even in Longheat, it was cool on the tundra, boulder-sized deposits of ice languishing on the dark shores around him. He could see a sheen of liquid water on the surface of those nearest him, melting in the sun that had turned warmer climes blistering.
Two dragons rode upon his shoulders. Only a little over a season old, the pair were each the size of a large kitten. By Liam's estimation, they might grow to the size of housecats - but that was just his best guess. He had, after all, seen many dragons grow during his tenure as a Dragoon, but their sizes and shapes had ranged so greatly that it was difficult, these many years later, to recall the details with any accuracy.
Primrose - the green dragon, slightly smaller than her brother - leaned forward, eager to see all that there was to see on the snowy beach; Vale, his scales a burnished shade of brown, was more reserved, observing from a stoic position on the opposite shoulder. Both were quiet. They had been instructed to be careful out here, so far from civilization. Liam was all too familiar with the dangers that lurked upon the ice, and he wasn't about to risk his companions any more than he had to by virtue of simply coming out here.
And why was he here, when his heart remained in the Greatwood with his partner? The past season had been lovely, after all - a quiet, happy season spent with his lover, enjoying the quiet life. But there was something missing, despite their joy, and this season, Liam was determined to figure out what it was. Perhaps it was that he sought some higher purpose, some direction to which he could apply himself. And while he wasn't sure he'd find that in Halo, it had seemed a reasonable place to start. Especially when there was always work to be done in the ice and snow.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-02-2026
His eyes narrowed when it became apparent that whatever was lurking behind him was a person. Analytical to a fault, his mind already started churning possibilities before he could even see who it was. Only a few of his own cohorts would be amidst the Bay, and given that he’d already informed multitudes about his intended whereabouts, unless they were intending to assist in the tracking and hunting, he couldn’t fathom why –
His gaze widened and he loosened a snort when he recognized the Accepted crossing amidst the blackened sand. The dragons also looked slightly out of place, and he had to remind the peryton at his side to not immediately be either obnoxious or loud, even as the carnivorous deer stirred, wings unfurling, desperate to get a closer glance. Instead, the Warden shook his head, tilting it as he shifted his gaze over his shoulder, then continued walking, not wanting to lose the trail. [say]“Liam – what brings you out here?”[/say] And before the inquiry could come his way, he tossed the rumble back across the plain. [say]“I am tracking an ursur,” [/say]as both a warning and a clue that danger lurked very close at hand.
And if that wasn’t apparent enough, a roar, not so distant, engulfed the area, echoing and bounding off the snow and dunes.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-03-2026
The dragonlings and their bonded noticed Deimos and his companion at about the same time. Prim, ever the extrovert, flapped her little wings excitedly, though she resisted the urge to trill a hello. On Liam's other shoulder, Vale observed, steadfast and quiet, though curiosity sparked in his dark eyes. The soldier was unsurprised to find Deimos out here. After all, Liam had heard the very same rumors of an ursur in these parts and had come to help find it. Having faced one before, he'd set out alone - but he was glad of Deimos's presence all the same. It would be much safer to hunt one together than alone.
So waving a hand, Liam waited until he was closer to speak, so that his voice wouldn't carry and give away their location. [say]"Deimos,"[/say] he said by way of greeting. [say]"I heard there was an ursur out this way. I'd like to help, if I can."[/say] At just that moment, a not-so-distant roar sounded over the bay. Liam looked up warily, his hand going to the sword at his waist. Prim hissed at the sound, weaving her little head back and forth, but Liam quieted her with a quick scratch beneath her chin. [say]"What can I do?"[/say] he asked then, perfectly happy to defer to Deimos's leadership.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-04-2026
His brows furrowed minutely at the news; mostly out of frustration, some strange communication that would need to be addressed when he returned home. [say]“Glad you can help,”[/say] he nodded, all business a moment later. One glance towards Liam’s sword had hm pondering, keeping his sigh at bay. [say]“Do you have anything with a longer range as well? If not, I could make something,”[/say] preferably the quicker the better. Having faced many an ursur, he didn’t particularly like the idea of close proximities, where one slash of a claw could leave devastating marks. His magic would be able to keep multitudes of shields and assaults within the impending battle, but even the Sword could acknowledge he couldn’t be everywhere at once.
The roar echoed again, and he knew they were running out of opportunities, and his gaze went to the companions. [say]“Make sure they keep themselves out of its reach too.”[/say] That warning was clear; he certainly wouldn’t be sending Belial anywhere except for at a grander height, to witness and spy from other angles; the only loss he intended today was the bear.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-05-2026
There was the slightest hesitation, which Liam chose to attribute to an element of surprise that someone would be daring enough (or, perhaps, dumb enough) to come out here and attempt to help with an ursur rampage. But then Deimos was welcoming him to the hunt, and he nodded. [say]"A bow,"[/say] he said, reaching around to pull the weapon from his back, then drawing and nocking an arrow. [say]"Nothing special about it, but it'll do."[/say] Procuring a long-range weapon with a bit more bite was on his list of things to do, but he'd yet to venture back to a shrine to ask for still more from the gods than they'd already given him.
Nodding again, the soldier acknowledged the warning with a grim smile. [say]"They'll stay out of the way,"[/say] he promised, reinforcing the words with a silent command to his companions to do just that. Small and adolescent though they may be, they were capable of following simple instructions, particularly when it was clear that their bonded meant what he said. [say]"They'll take flight as soon as we're ready - don't want them to give away our location until you say so."[/say]
RE: broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-06-2026
Calculations were already settling around his mind after the surprise; intentions of protection in Liam’s parameter, and annihilation in the other section of ursur decimation. His gaze went to the bow, and he released a long breath, not coating it into a sigh, and nodding. [say]“All right. We can head this way,”[/say] he jutted with his jaw, towards the direction of the roar, the call striking out again and echoing along the Bay. [say]“And use part of the rocks for cover.”[/say] At the very least, given the formation of the peak, the gentle roll of the snowy knoll that could provide ample amounts of support, and might delay an inevitable swing of the bear’s attention.
His strides were careful, purposeful, efficient, stepping through the blackened sand and powder on quiet decibels; intending not to give away their position immediately, especially before they even got towards the beast. The peryton followed along nimble, hovering over the ground, and he only ceased once they’d reached the stones, and could duck down behind the outcropping.
Taking another sharp inhale, he peeked over the top, briefly, noting the periphery, the distance. Estimating about twenty yards away, it was certainly well within his magical range, but he wasn’t certain on Noah’s capabilities. [say]“Let me know when you are ready.”[/say] They could fire off simultaneous shots initially, before Deimos likely would have to posture more defenses.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-06-2026
Once more, Liam nodded, agreeing to the plan and following along after Deimos. The two men picked their way through the black sand, using the boulders and ice dotting the landscape for cover, until they reached an outcropping atop a knoll. Liam peered over the top, making note of the same things as Deimos: the proximity of the ursur, the things he could use for cover, and so on. When he ducked back behind the rock, he gave a silent command to his companions, who slunk into the shadow of the boulder and settled there. Prim pouted, but there was nothing for it; Liam would not budge on his insistence that they stay out of harm's way.
The ursur roared again. Liam ignored the way it rattled his bones, focusing instead on nocking an arrow to his bowstring, breathing deeply to settle any nerves that might affect his aim. This wouldn't be his first time going into battle, though, and he knew that once the fight started, adrenaline would be an ally he could count on to sharpen his mind, though he'd have to be careful not to be overconfident. When he was ready, he nodded to Deimos; at the other man's signal, he stepped around the edge of the outcropping (just barely, enough to aim) and loosed a shot for the ursur's shoulder.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-07-2026
While Belial went still and invisible, Deimos concentrated on their efforts. As Liam’s arrow flew, the Sword loosened his incantations, combining them into multiple elements flaring to life. The archer’s armament missed, however, just briefly whizzing over the top of the ursur’s back – and it growled, attention rumbling towards the ping of the serrated object hitting the ice. Permitting, however, the Warden’s assault to go unseen until the pain was already there.
Fire and Air erupted over its figure in a torrent of damage. It was a short-lived victory though, because as most hunters within Halo knew and realized, the cretins would never stop until they were desecrated. Armed with malicious wounds and a fur coat seemingly burnt, it altered course, lumbering towards them with viciousness in its heart and ire in its gut. [say]“Get down,”[/say] Deimos ordered. There’d be no use shielding the man if he was letting himself be in the direct line of sight.
--
[say]Deimos uses:
Air manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control the air. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action
Magic: Tailwind | adds additional air magic damage at mastered level on a successful hit when Deimos uses his air magic.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Other
Magic: Gale Winds | Adds additional air damage at basic level on a successful hit when Deimos uses his air magic.
Type: Grey | Rank: Basic | Cost: Other
Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action
Ursur: 1108/1406[/say]
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-08-2026
Liam's arrow went wide, inspiring a brief, low curse; at Deimos's order, he quickly ducked behind the rocks. His heart pounded in his chest, but as adrenaline surged, he found his focus sharpened. The ursur roared as it lumbered toward them; the very ground beneath Liam's feet seemed to shake with the force of the beast's ire.
Nocking another arrow, Liam paused, waiting for further instruction. It was obvious that he was outmatched, and he had no desire to forfeit his life. Deimos, though - now there was power. Air and fire had torn into the ursur, doing what Liam could only assume was a fair bit of damage. His bow and arrow seemed meager in comparison. Still, if Deimos told him to fire again, he would.
---
Liam hides behind the rocks and any shield Deimos offers.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-09-2026
Deimos was grateful that Liam, at the very least, could listen and follow directions. Too many times he’d worked alongside those who believed their plans were more feasible, when they were simply much riskier. Lives were so easily lost out amidst the Tundra, or mostly anywhere in Caido, that the simplest of measures, like using defenses, were much more reliable than forcing themselves into a semblance of danger they couldn’t handle.
Whether or not that applied to Liam at the moment was irrelevant; he ducked down behind the rocks, and the Sword prepared. As the ursur rumbled and toiled, he steeled his resolve, snagging at his incantations and loosening a threshold of earth around them. Like a rocky, frozen shield, it loomed in front of both Accepted and Hybrid, so as the bear went to strike, its paw would only meet hardened terrain. It roared again, and Deimos unleashed another layer of potent Air and Fire simultaneously, maintaining all three threads of magic with a long breath.
[say]“If you want to fire from here, I can create some holes,”[/say] he uttered to the archer, manifesting clear spots in the defensive wall where he’d be able to launch safely behind.
Ursur: 810/1406
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-09-2026
As a soldier, Liam had never really aimed for leadership; he'd excelled at following orders, and those habits were what sustained him now. Though he had found a fair bit of independence in the Greatwood, he still understood when to defer to someone more experienced or capable, and in this, Deimos was both. So Liam ducked behind the rocks and waited, arrow nocked, as Deimos built a shield that separated them from the ursur.
Later, he could be amazed and awestruck at the man's power, but for now, there was only a cool efficiency as he aimed for one of the aforementioned holes in the shield, loosing an arrow and hoping that this time, it would find its mark. Then he was down again, out of the way, as he pulled a new arrow from his quiver and silently cursed his lack of proper weaponry or ability.
---
Liam fires an arrow through a hole in the shield, then ducks out of the way again.
RE: broad edged and sharp - Deimos - 01-10-2026
The bear thrashed; paws striving to dig into the solidified earth, but Deimos held his ground. Strength funneled into the masses of rock and debris, and he took more than a few deep breaths as he could feel the shield rocking under the ursur’s might. It stayed firm, and he pressed his marks back into the beast; the fire unfurling from his incantations, the air contorting it around, so it stuck and stayed against the fur. The smells of burning flesh extended but he honed every ounce of concentration and effort into the might, the scorch, the maelstrom.
Liam would end up causing the beast pain too. The close-ranged shot allowed for quick, sufficient access to the cretin; the arrow digging deep into its shoulder. [say]“Good shot,”[/say] Deimos nodded, figuring the Accepted would do it again; pin-cushion potentials lingering. Despite all of this pain and suffering though, the ursur didn’t relent.
Ursur: 492/1406
RE: broad edged and sharp - Liam - 01-12-2026
The ursur roared and thrashed against the rock shield that Deimos projected into existence. Fire flared, directed by streams of air towards the beast, setting flesh aflame and searing the air with its heat. The scent of burning ursur filled the air, but Liam did his best to ignore it. No matter how unpleasant the smell of singed fur was, it meant that their tactics were working, and for that, he could only be grateful.
His arrow landed in the ursur's shoulder, and Liam grinned briefly, pride flaring that he'd managed to find his mark this time. When the opportunity arose, he nocked a new arrow and leaned to find a new hold in the shield. He aimed and loosed, then ducked back down. [say]"Damn thing's sturdy,"[/say] he muttered. [say]"I'll give it that."[/say]
---
Liam fires an arrow through a hole in the shield, then ducks out of the way again.