Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
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It's a relief to see that physical attacks work. Though they need to speed this up. The fight at the gate has only grown louder and Sah fears for their allies. Especially since so many of the remaining dragons had flown over there in a hurry.
Hotaru's plan might work but the other Abandoned isn't so sure. "Good luck!" He calls as he raises his sword once more. Hopefully Ru's magic will work. But if not, maybe they'll have two octopi. Or maybe a more useful creature will appear.
Regardless, Sah tries once more to stab dragon one with his sword. And once more he keeps his magic inactive, no matter how wrong it feels to do so.
~
Sah tries to stab dragon 1 with his sword again. (Once more not using magic.)
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Electrical Sword | Using Sah's own elemental magic, this sword has the power to electrify those it hits. (Made by Deimos)
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Upgraded level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
I think there for I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
11-05-2022, 03:17 PM (This post was last modified: 11-05-2022, 07:23 PM by Honey.)
ROAR
Oh now that is clever. And technically yes, this is an environmental effect, and it is absolutely hindering you Hotaru. Know what? Go ahead and have this one.
Hotaru readies her lightning, blasting it out towards Dragon 2, and not only does she hit the thing - she ruins its gods damned day. Such is life when, for whatever the reason, the reptile fumbles a dodge roll seems to stand there and just let her at it.
Can anyone say overkill? The dragon can't, because it's very, very dead.
Perhaps feeding off Hotaru's massive success, Sah is also able to skewer Dragon 1 with his sword; it lets out a keening shriek and blasts a breath of icy shards at the Wild Thunder. It misses.
Welcome to the Halo PQ+. The Fangs of collapsed and a horde of white dragons have flown blindly into the mist, finding themselves in the Citadel.
To ensure that nothing is missed, please include a summary of your actions at the bottom of your post, including the description of any magic/items/feats that are being utilized!
1Dragon 47/115
2Dragon 0/115 (killed by Hotaru for levelling purposes)
Sobbing loudly and recklessly, the chill of Halo hardly even registers in Flora's mind. Whether or not her convulsions are because of the cold or if it's the shock of Enzo's death is unclear as she hunches over her twin's lifeless body. "MOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM" She wails as her fingers clasp tightly to Enzo's blood-soaked shirt.
It's still warm.
Glancing up, mascara tears tracking down her cheeks, Flora doesn't see the corpse of a dragon. She doesn't see it's companion, nor the Citadel, nor Sah. She only sees Hotaru. Her Mother.
"M..M...M......MOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM."
Flora...cries!
Torchline: Torchline has taught you to survive her weather and her terrain. Once per PQ/PQ+/KQ/Drop, you can 'shrug off' half the damage from ONE non-lethal attack. (In order to use this ability, you must put a clear note in the bottom of your post immediately following the attack you want to 'shrug off').
we are just bodies of the faithful stacked dozens by the roadside
This time her magic lands, and Hotaru watches with a dark satisfaction as the dragon crumples, life ended swiftly the moment her full power is at her fingertips. Just in case her luck doesn't hold, she turns to the dragon Sah is contending with, and shoots an ice ball at it in hopes of assisting the Wild Thunder considering his close quarters.
That's when everything goes to hell.
A tangle of bodies and colors suddenly appears in the middle of the chaos, and the most bone-chilling scream is rending the air amidst the crackle of lingering lightning and furious draconic rumbling. Hotaru spins on her heel and sees -
sees
Gods how she doesn't want to. Blink. Just blink, Ru. It's not there - it's not - they're not here-
They are, Ru. Here they are. Your babies - held in Remi's hands, see? So tiny, little fingers and toes, all ten for each tiny bundle - you counted them yourself, you see, touched your finger to every little digit to ensure they were real. Red-cheeked with life and crying, crying, crying.
Only one is crying now though, why is that? You know you just heard them both moments ago.
Moments ago. Just a moment - you looked away for a moment, Hotaru.
Your fault, your fault, your fault, your fault.
It feels like the world slides sideways beneath her feet, but even if it did, it cannot stop her from running. Nothing could ever hope to stop her. No, no, no, no, her head screams in steady beat to her heart which beats cruelly, inexorably onward - because she knows, before she even makes it to Flora's side, that another heart is not.
She throws herself on top of her children, a protective blanket of flesh and bone that had not done nearly enough, that comes too little too late. They are so big now, so big she can't wrap her arms fully around the both of them - can't protect them, one was left too far out, you didn't shield them both. But they are both so tiny and fragile in the crook of her elbows, a matching set, a legacy continued on with the hopes of being better.
Why did you ever let them out of your sight, Hotaru?
She reaches her arms to cradle them both back to her bosom where they always belonged, "I'm here, I'm here baby," and her voice cracks clean in two; because Hotaru is not Remi. She is not a demigod, she is not all-powerful, she is merely a woman who has clawed power into her greedy hands and loved until it burned her cells to ash in a suicidal mad-dash to the finish line. She is the one Flora chose to come to, to make things right, to fix the worst wrong that could ever happen. But she can't fix this.
She can't fix this.
And she can't look away.
Blink, Hotaru.
But she can't. It's her baby, her boy. Her first and only son. Even bloodied and motionless he is still beautiful to her, as beautiful as he'd been squalling and waving his tiny fists at the world. How could she ever be cowardly enough to look away, when these are his last moments? How dare she be selfish, now, at the end? The Valkyrie has had a lifetime to be selfish, to be greedy; but never - never - has Hotaru been selfish above her children.
Not even selfish enough to cry, because Flora is still there. Still in her arms, beneath her torso, hidden under the span of her body like kittens cowering beneath their mother's belly. Hurting. Hurting so very, very badly, in a way Hotaru never wanted her to feel - a pain she knows too well, a pain she knew she'd never be able to bear a second time, and now she can see that agony in her daughter's eyes and she has failed. "Stay down, close your eyes," she commands through numb lips. The world competes in her ears, wishing to end entirely, and yet forcing her into awareness, reminding her there is danger around that still threatens the one child that remains. Danger that she must destroy, because she can't lose Flora too.
Did you really think things had changed? That you could have your babies?
Oh, Hotaru.
You can't outrun this kind of curse.
- - -
Hotaru shoots an ice sphere at Dragon 1 then runs to shield Flora with her body when she appears.
Type: Light | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Elemental Projectiles | A small bag with an unlimited supply of incredibly dense spheres of ice. Best when used with a slingshot, but can also be thrown. Will not melt while in the bag.
HOTARU
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
There isn't even time to celebrate another successful hit. The young woman appears, clutching a mangled body whose features echo her own. And that single word. Mom. It's all Sah needs to know to grasp the situation. These are Ru's pups. And one of them is dead. Clearly crushed and incapable of being resuscitated. And although Sah has never met them, never even seen them, he grieves the fallen boy as if he were his own. Because Enzo is Ru's and Ru is pack.
As Hotaru runs to her pups, Sah turns to the dragon with a full snarl, grief and sorrow channeling into raw wraith. He trusts Hotaru to protect herself and Flora. He just needs to kill this damn thing so that they can flee to safety and have a chance to grieve.
Hotaru's magic had worked in her last attempt, so the younger Abandoned tries to emulate what she had done. Calling upon his lighting with unmatched urgency, he tries to bring the volatile element to his side one more. Because lightning is unforgiving, and although Enzo's killer isn't present, this dragon will have to bear the force of Sah's revenge.
Once he thinks he's got it, Sah lets his lightning loose.
~
Sah tries to shoot the last dragon full of lighting.
Lightning manipulation: Can create and control Lightning. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Upgraded level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Mageglass Necklace | A pendant made of mageglass. Will amplify the magical abilities of Abandoned by one level. (Basic becomes upgraded, upgraded becomes mastered, and mastered adds on additional basic damage)
Halo has hardened you against her weather and her terrain. Once per PQ/PQ+/KQ/Drop, you can ignore an environmental effect that would otherwise hinder you (rough terrain, cold, wind, etc). (In order to use this ability, you must put a clear note in the bottom of your post immediately following the effect you want to ignore). (Ignoring the mist that's affecting magic.)
I think there for I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
Hey, listen. It's okay - you're distracted, I get it.
Hotaru flings an ice sphere but - understandably this time, perhaps - it goes wide of the dragon. Just in time for Sah to try his hand at a little magic!
Which... also misses. Again, this can probably be explained away by Flora's sudden appearance and all of the death and grief, but... well, there's still a dragon right here, guys.
Maw opening wide, it unleashes a raging blast of icy cold right at the Wild Thunder; you might say it's showing him how it's done, if you think about it.
Welcome to the Halo PQ+. The Fangs of collapsed and a horde of white dragons have flown blindly into the mist, finding themselves in the Citadel.
To ensure that nothing is missed, please include a summary of your actions at the bottom of your post, including the description of any magic/items/feats that are being utilized!
1Dragon 47/115
2Dragon 0/115 (killed by Hotaru for levelling purposes)
Flora's shoulders shake with the sobs she is trying to restrain. Even now, drowning in her own grief, a part of her mind is still mindful of the way this whole situation looks. She's sure that no one is actually watching her, and yet she can't help it. It's the only thing she knows how to do, and gods Enzo would kill her if she let him look ridiculous even in death.
in death..
Something hollow and phantasmic claws at the back of Flora's eyelids as she squeezes them shut. Maybe if she dies here too...maybe she should die here too, and then...and then..?
"..please, please, please..I don't want to do this without you.." She whispers into Enzo's hair, clutching him tightly.
Flora cries!
Torchline: Torchline has taught you to survive her weather and her terrain. Once per PQ/PQ+/KQ/Drop, you can 'shrug off' half the damage from ONE non-lethal attack. (In order to use this ability, you must put a clear note in the bottom of your post immediately following the attack you want to 'shrug off').
Flora also has with her
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Plumage | Three iridescent feathers capable of being used as projectiles. Razor sharp, they will recall themselves to the user's palm at will up to a range of 30ft.
we are just bodies of the faithful stacked dozens by the roadside
Curled over her children, she is a far more dangerous presence than the dragon could ever hope to be, and as Sah’s attack fails she snarls. The weapons belt on Flora’s hip is unmistakable. She remembers a floral-scented letter, ecstatic words overflowing like shimmering iridescent bubbles, a tale of a visit to a shrine…
Ru slips her hand into the weapons satchel, and lifts onto her knees just enough to take aim, eyes glinting with a rage that chokes out the grief, the loss. Anger that has sustained her for so many years. Anger that has bridged the gap between the deaths and losses of so many children, lovers, partners, friends. Anger that has twined with a stubborn, mulish survival instinct - one that twists even further now, tethering her to this life only by virtue of her last surviving child beneath her. She lets the feather fly, unaware of its recall but uncaring at the moment. Wanting only to pierce the soft spot behind the elbow on the beast that threatens the tattered remains of her family.
- - -
Hotaru takes one of Flora’s daggers and throws it at the soft spot behind the dragon’s front leg.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Plumage | Three iridescent feathers capable of being used as projectiles. Razor sharp, they will recall themselves to the user's palm at will up to a range of 30ft.
HOTARU
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Sah snarls at the dragon, enraged at his own failure and the reptile's audacity. He brushes some of the residual ice off his shoulder before lunging forward and attempting to stab the dragon again. Clearly something is amiss with Abandoned magic and the grief that wells in him is clearly also affecting it. So, although it feels a bit odd to use his sword without its normal coating of magic, it's likely his best bet.
Gods, this slow battle grates on his nerves. All he wants is to kill the fucker and then get Ru and her pup to safety. If either of them goes down, Sah isn't sure what he'll do. But it won't be pretty.
~
Sah goes back to trying to stab the dragon. (Not using magic).
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Electrical Sword | Using Sah's own elemental magic, this sword has the power to electrify those it hits. (Made by Deimo
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Upgraded level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
I think there for I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
More ice and debris rains down around the huddled group, but they are lucky enough not to be caught by it. Overhead, the keening sound of dragons continues to fill the air, eerie in the mist.
And as for their dragon in particular? See, Hotaru, this is what happens when you use very good quality (read: Mastered) weaponry. The feathers might not feel like much, but as they are thrown and strike true, they pierce the reptile's pale scales and send a plume of blood rocketing into the air in their wake.
It's barely holding on now (poor dragon), and if Sah can just... just... oh, well. Shit. It really seems to have his number, given that it scrabbles back away from his attempts to strike it. But if there's one good thing about that, it means that as the dragon attempts a return swipe at the Wild Thunder, it too is unsuccessful.
Welcome to the Halo PQ+. The Fangs of collapsed and a horde of white dragons have flown blindly into the mist, finding themselves in the Citadel.
To ensure that nothing is missed, please include a summary of your actions at the bottom of your post, including the description of any magic/items/feats that are being utilized!
1Dragon 2/115
2Dragon 0/115 (killed by Hotaru for levelling purposes)
The cold begins to nip at Flora's knees where they press into the chilly cobblestones below. She'd been dressed for Torchline weather before this, and though the barrier above kept the Citadel a comfortable temperature, it was no tropical beach.
Gods, her arms and stomach were still warm because...
..well because Enzo was still warm.
'..please, I'm so sorry. I'm sososorry. We can go back, we can go to the Haven. We can still hide." The words burn at the back of her throat and whatever she thinks will release inside of herself by speaking them instead tightens and coils until she can barely breathe.
Flora continues to do nothing.
Torchline: Torchline has taught you to survive her weather and her terrain. Once per PQ/PQ+/KQ/Drop, you can 'shrug off' half the damage from ONE non-lethal attack. (In order to use this ability, you must put a clear note in the bottom of your post immediately following the attack you want to 'shrug off').
we are just bodies of the faithful stacked dozens by the roadside
Flora’s begging shatters her heart. She doesn’t even know if her daughter can go to the Haven, if it would even open up for her. But what matters right now is eradicating this remaining threat.
One step at a time.
Don’t look down yet.
Just kill.
The feather returns to her hand (she hopes, if not there are other) and she readjusts her grip in a brief breath before she lets it fly a second time. Targeting the same wounded spot with a cruel ferocity. Die, she commands inside her mind, with a fury the dragon could never have earned on its own.
- - -
Hotaru throws another feather at the same spot behind the arm on the dragon.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Plumage | Three iridescent feathers capable of being used as projectiles. Razor sharp, they will recall themselves to the user's palm at will up to a range of 30ft.
HOTARU
Hotaru has a passive magic that makes her glow with an internal golden light; it makes her appear youthful and her hair seems to look like moving sunlight. Can only subtly illuminate dark spaces.
Sah lets out a growl of frustration at the dragon, "Can you just die already? Or leave?" As Hotaru sends another feather, the Abandoned aims for the opposite arm that Ru is aiming for. That way if the dragon dodges her attack, it will hopefully dodge straight tint the line of fire of Sah's.
Just one more hit and this fucker will go down, so Sah puts all of his focus into stabbing hard and true. The screams and cries from the gate have grown quieter but it only sends anxiety through him. This needs to be done, now. Who knows what else is happening in the Citadel, or who else needs help. And Ru and her pups. Gods. He can't think about them at the moment. It's only distracting him.
~
Sah tries to stab the dragon and aims for the opposite leg that Ru is aiming for.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Electrical Sword | Using Sah's own elemental magic, this sword has the power to electrify those it hits. (Made by Deimo
Type: Light | Style: Defensive | Level: Upgraded
Starmour | Beautiful lightweight armour that glistens faintly with starlight. This item blocks physical damage at the wearer's Upgraded level. Requires a 2 post cool-down between uses.
I think there for I am, But what if all I do is bleed?
