[PQ+] [SE] tearing open the sky

Elizabeth

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,

A soft whisper of sounds crept across the field, drawing her attention. When Deimos confirmed hearing it, she looked around for a possible source. All she saw were the same patches of grass and snow, uninterrupted by any spots of purple nonsense. Certain that she had no idea what could be causing the noise, she just nodded her head and continued to listen closely. 

If what they were hearing was actually the foxes, then she didn't know what might drag them out of hiding. They were probably just waiting to ambush the group. From what she knew of foxes, the only thing they loved more than making trouble and chaos was food. All animals liked food, right? So with that in mind, Elizabeth rummaged through her bag to find a bundle of jerky that might be tempting. With a smile, she showed it to the others and threw a few pieces on the ground before waving the rest to spread the scent. 

---

Elizabeth pulls out some food to entice the foxes.

and what you do
are in harmony.

Hotaru

Open up the gates, I feel close enough to heaven
To go, to stay, to leave, to pray

Equally reluctant, Hotaru follows in their wake at the back, keeping an eye on their retreat and contentedly using her shorter stature as an additional excuse. If she had some smaller form to entice the foxes with then perhaps she might have shifted to do so. Unfortunately, even her falcon form - despite being a bird that might have enticed predatory tendencies - is far too large and more commonly a predator against the foxes. Though she wonders if it matters at all to them now that they’re void-infected. Would they even be dissuaded?

Shifting into her Komodo dragon form instead, the Valkyrie lingers near the legs of her compatriots, tongue slithering out to taste the air and see what Deimos’ efforts - and Elizabeth’s offerings - are accomplishing. Perhaps she’ll be able to tell if the foxes are taking the bait by their own scent moving. She’s glad the sun is still in the sky given this shift has poor nocturnal eyesight, and she moves her tail through the snow and tundra greenery to imitate a reliable sound of animal movement to strengthen what Deimos and Elizabeth are luring with. 

- - -

Ru shifts into Komodo dragon form and moves her tail for a believable animal movement noise to combo with the smell and food attempts. She uses her shift’s scenting capabilities to see if it’s working to warn of any approach.

But I guess they didn't like my confession
I know it's just a bad religion

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Food was always an eternal option for creatures, void-infected or not. Elizabeth 's enticement seemed to have worked like a charm, combined with the bewitching movements of Hotaru ’s tail, and the sudden compelling of the Sword –

And there they were.

Rustling from all around, ordinarily one might be irritated or vexed that the group suddenly found themselves surrounded. However, the size of the foxes, along with the amount of distractions unfurling around the, would give the hunters some ample opportunity to strike – but likely only the first chance, before backlash occurred.

Deimos whispered, a low rumble, certain Ru would catch the accord and with Elizabeth close at hand, he wouldn’t have to worry about her not being able to hear. “Aim for any of them,” and each would follow suit - though he immediately began to build an icy shield around their team.

--

The group has successfully lured in four void foxes! They’re currently distracted by the food! Hit whichever and however you can to make the first move!

Fox One: 75/75
Fox Two: 75/75
Fox Three: 75/75
Fox Four: 75/75

DEIMOS

Elizabeth

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,

The whispers got louder as the purple fur slowly emerged from the snow like daisies. It sent a chill down into her bones, causing her to freeze for a moment, taking in their sparkling lavender figures. They moved as a unit, whispering silently to each other as they approached the food. Elizabeth held her breath, waiting for Deimos's instructions.

When he finally spoke in a hushed tone, she nodded her head, wracking her brain as to how she might assist against such formidable foes. Her arm reached up to grasp her staff in thought. The movement of the fabric caused a friction that tickled her instincts and called to her magic. Maybe...

Looking down, Elizabeth pulled her sleeves over her hands and began rubbing them together. It generated warmth and a subtle hum of static electricity that elicited a quiet excitement in her. She didn't know why she hadn't thought of it before. It was so simple! With a smile and a widening of her stance, she lifted her hands towards the foxes, urging the sparks to develop into the more powerful level of lightning. Then she released it on the Void creatures. Although she focused on the back figure, she hoped to spread her electricity enough to stun the others.

---

Elizabeth uses her coat to generate electricity before directing it at the group of foxes, but focusing the brunt of the attack on the farthest fox (Fox 4).

Lightning manipulation: Can manipulate lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius. Control is excellent
Type: Dark | Rank: Upgraded

and what you do
are in harmony.

Hotaru

Open up the gates, I feel close enough to heaven
To go, to stay, to leave, to pray

Hotaru can sense them coming the moment they shift their paws, and though Komodo hearing is pitiful it’s sufficient to catch Deimos’ instructions. Something she could have anticipated in her sleep after so many years fighting at the Sword’s side. With her tough scales and venomous bite at hand, the Valkyrie remains in her current shift and lies in wait only until she’s reasonably confident of her chances.

Closing the distance in the swift lunging run of the form she inhabits, Hotaru feels venom flood her mouth as she tries to get her teeth in the fox closest to her. Sharp nails reaching to shred and hold, she balances with her heavy tail just in case she fails and needs to catch herself to initiate another attack attempt.

- - -

Ru stays in her Komodo form and lunges at Fox #3 to try and gouge with her claws and get a venom-filled bite to land somewhere.

But I guess they didn't like my confession
I know it's just a bad religion

and the only solution was to stand and fight

And as promised, they began their assault.

Hotaru and her venomous bite lunged for her first victim. While there may have been predilections before about the foxes, there didn’t seem to be any now, as the little beast howled and hissed with the pain. It might take another round for the poison to take hold, but in the meantime, it flailed in her jaws, striving to scratch and catch at her tough scales.

With Elizabeth ‘s newly discovered skills, the snap and spark of incantations managed to zip towards the fourth fox, but only snagged and burned at some fur - a potent, singed smell permeating the area. In response, some of the creatures scattered, veering wildly as the targeted fox made its disgust known with a vicious snarl and a lunge of movement.

Only to be abruptly halted by the Sword’s defensive and icy shield, slamming headfirst and immediately faltering to the ground. The rest of the void brethren were treated to a barrage of icy shards to follow in their wake.

—

All three have made hits! Keep at it!

Fox One: 50/75
Fox Two: 50/75
Fox Three: 40/75
Fox Four: 0/75

DEIMOS

Elizabeth

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,

An excited sense of newfound pride emanated through her body as the lightning leapt from her fingers and towards the fox, only to fizzle out weakly. Elizabeth grimaced with embarrassment but steeled her resolve as the creatures leapt into action. The one she'd targeted was obviously pissed at her and rushed headfirst in their direction, fangs bared and snapping. In a bit of a panic, she rubbed her sleeves together again, trying to prepare an interception, but knowing that she didn't have enough speed or experience doing so. Luckily, Deimos was her saving grace. As his icy shield came up around them, her worries were quickly eliminated, the fox crumbling to a fuzzy purple heap in the snow. 

Sighing deeply, she continued to prep her next attack as she said a quick "Thanks" to the Warden. However, she didn't spend too much time considering what could have happened, instead focusing her magic on another target. She didn't want to hit Hotaru as she wrestled with one of the vicious animals alone, so Elizabeth turned to another one nearby, letting her lightning zip towards it, more intentional and confident this time. 

---

Elizabeth targets Fox 1 with her lightning!

and what you do
are in harmony.

Hotaru

Open up the gates, I feel close enough to heaven
To go, to stay, to leave, to pray

Part of the reason she remains in her shift is precisely because it’s easier to release those threads of human attachment and reluctance that might have otherwise made her hesitate. This shift in particular is armored in mind as well as body. There is nothing but the hunt now, and as her prey shrieks and thrashes she merely tightens her powerful jaw and thrashes in return to try and break or disorient.

Her only restraint in her animal form is the inability to target widely or indiscriminately. The Valkyrie retains enough human forethought to be aware of that, and to try to keep herself and her prey as confined to one space as possible so that her companions don’t risk catching her in the crossfire. If she needs to adjust her approach and shift back to utilize her weapons she’s sure Deimos will tell her if she doesn’t notice it herself.

- - -

Hotaru continues to attack Fox #3, thrashing it and waiting for her venom to work while keeping movement as minimal as possible to limit friendly fire risk.

But I guess they didn't like my confession
I know it's just a bad religion

and the only solution was to stand and fight

Beyond Deimos’s shield of ice, the foxes attempted to retaliate, snarling, growling, uttering echoes of unappealing trepidation. Some snapped at the cold beacon, while others clawed, all for naught as it remained just as steadfast as its maker. Another round of shard and pinnacles carved through, hitting Fox Two with far more force than the others.

This time, the snap of coursing lightning from Elizabeth did the trick. More than fur and hair blistered, smoldering through the beast and leaving very little left coursing through its  entity.

Hotaru was wise in her attempt to minimize friendly fire and keep at the already wounded target. Fox Three had already begun to struggle in the coursing poison, and the fight was leaving it quickly, swiftly, so much that the Valkyrie would soon find it limp in her jaws.

—

The foxes are still blocked by Deimos’s ice shield and the hits are flying!

Fox One: 30/75
Fox Two: 10/75
Fox Three: 10/75
Fox Four: 0/75

DEIMOS

Hotaru

Open up the gates, I feel close enough to heaven
To go, to stay, to leave, to pray

The death throes are imminent. With ice everywhere and various attacks being flung she manages to retain her steadiness and grip at the same time to decimate the target in her jaws. Though it goes limp she can tell there is still life within it. Whether it’s through primordial senses or some other sign, she won’t cease the onslaught until the deed is done. It would be merciful to ensure it doesn’t suffer if her venom and bite alone were not already so devastating.

Thrashing one more time to try and swiftly end the vain struggles, Hotaru does not release her grip until she knows the infected creature is assuredly dead. Only then would she consider seeking out another target - hopefully without crossing attack paths with one of her fellows. 

- - -

Hotaru continues her assault on Fox #3 to ensure it’s dead before she considers another target.

But I guess they didn't like my confession
I know it's just a bad religion

Elizabeth

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,

Her confidence grew as she watched the lightning hit its target with more effectiveness than before. Despite her increasing comfort with her skills, the snapping teeth just outside the ice gave her pause once more. She shifted slightly closer to Deimos, taking solace in his protective proximity. 

Elizabeth noted Hotaru's progress with her fox, admiring the way her Komodo dragon form made quick work of the creature, immobilizing it within her jaws. She hoped her abilities were just as powerful one day, but that would take practice and this was the perfect opportunity. Rubbing her hands together once more, she let the electricity spark to life and aimed her hands to be a conduit to their zapping strikes. Then Elizabeth released the magic at the fox closest to her. 

---

Elizabeth uses her lightning again to target Fox 1!

and what you do
are in harmony.

and the only solution was to stand and fight

They were persistent and resolute in their actions; a systematic replay much the same as before. Only in this interim, their opponents were much weaker, and it only took the bright streaks of finality to ensure the demise of the foxes, one by one by one, felled in some distinction. Hotaru and the vicious snap of her jaws, Deimos and the consistent peal of icy shards, and Elizabeth with her plunge of lightning.

When all was said and done, Deimos snorted, wholeheartedly and earnestly impressed with their efforts. “That went well,” and he shrugged, as if uncertain what to have expected beforehand. “We can clean these up too,” which meant most likely he was going to set them all ablaze.

Checking in briefly with Belial, who had since spotted the ursur from above during their fight, it was with a long, but contented sigh, to discover the beast was not void infected. That left them a choice. “Belial has found the ursur, but it is normal.” He arched a brow, surveying both fellow hunters. “I say we have done enough for today, but I will take your thoughts.”

—

The foxes have been slain! Help clean up and decide whether to continue hunting or to go home.

DEIMOS

Elizabeth

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,

Elizabeth smiled as each fox met their demise in one way or another. She turned her grin to the others, extremely proud of all the efforts and overall impressed with her newfound source for lightning. Her magic might not be quite as useless anymore!

At the mention of the peryton, she looked up cautiously, watching as he continued to circle overhead. It was a relief to hear that the ursur wasn't infected. Enough life had been ended today and although she was happy for their effective clearing of the Void, there was a sense of mourning for the foxes. It brought on a level of exhaustion. 

As Elizabeth made her way towards the corpses to begin gathering them, she shrugged her shoulders. "I wouldn't be opposed to making our way back." She didn't want to hold the others back if they wanted to continue, but she was ready to drink a warm cup of tea and curl up with a book. 

---

Elizabeth starts cleaning up and suggests they head back!

and what you do
are in harmony.

Hotaru

Open up the gates, I feel close enough to heaven
To go, to stay, to leave, to pray

Hotaru drops her prey and ambles away, content to remain in her scaly form for a while longer to revel in the hindbrain delight of the devastation. Only when the cold begins to settle in as Belial scouts out for the Ursur and returns positive news - or as positive as any Ursur sighting can be depending on your personal abilities - does Hotaru shift back to human form. That shift is better suited for Torchline, but it was enjoyable for the brief time afforded nonetheless.

Glancing around at the gore in the snow, Hotaru tilts a smile toward Deimos, clearly encouraging him to set it all ablaze. It’s not within her power any longer, but even if it had been she knows he enjoys it enough to not take the opportunity away. She does however help isolate the bloodstained snow so the void can’t try and spread in any direction even with a dead host. Who knows, right? “I’m content to end the hunt here.” With bloodlust sated for now, she doesn’t mind following the collective lead. 

- - -

Ru cleans up and agrees to head back.

But I guess they didn't like my confession
I know it's just a bad religion