[Story] Fog and Shadow

[Aethyrium]

Robyn Banks

S T O R Y T E L L E R
November 12th, Morning (~8:12am) | Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Next Post: 5.21.24 | Maria, Koko, Bri’elle, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta
Before dawn had a chance to paint the sky in hues of pink and orange, Robyn emerged from Ettinus’ office ready to tackle the assignment given to her - of course, she wasn’t going to be doing it alone. Today, she was going to be taking her team on a little outing. She rode the elevator down to the third floor and, at nearly five in the morning, let herself into Swagger’s dormitory - a privilege of being the team’s mentor. Normally she - and most of the mentors - avoided such things, but she expected them all to be asleep at this time. Robyn peered around the room and made her way to the sleeping room, where one by one she gently moved to wake everyone up. “Get your things. We’ve got something to do.” It wasn’t an emergency situation, everyone was allowed a chance to actually wake up, put themselves together. Everyone was given a good morning, and a promise that she’d explain once they were on their way.

So before most of Hammer was up, Swagger left the academy. They went to the landing, boarded a transport, which strangely - after a brief exchange between Robyn and the pilot - took them not to the tower, but all the way to the south and to the river access. Leading them to the pier, where the water glistened under the awakening sun, Robyn spoke with a man from the OES. It didn’t take long before she had secured them a boat - a zippy pontoon-like watercraft with the name ‘Ripple Rider’ painted on the side. It was easy for everyone to board, and because the Ripple Rider was meant for moving small cargo loads up and down the river there was plenty of room for everyone, even if it lacked comfort amenities. “Koko,” Robyn lifted a hand and gestured for the girl to come with her. Taking her to the controls, Robyn turned the boat on and began explaining the controls to the girl, knowing full well that she was going to be crazy for this. She maneuvered them away from the dock and into the river, and then started down it. Once she was confident that Koko could handle it she turned it over to her and then gave her a look, “Don’t make me teach Bri’elle instead.” She winked.

Stepping around the console, Robyn joined everyone on the flat, “Alright everyone, good morning again. Thank you for joining me on this delightful dawn river ride.” She grinned, “We’ve got a mission, and we’re going to be doing this one together.” Reaching up, she plucked the hat from her head and gestured down river while running her other hand through her hair, “There is a village called Gaoden down this river, it’ll take us about three hours to get there. A friend of the headmaster, Tazun, is a builder who has been looking at creating a flood gate at Gaoden. Something that would secure the river, and help prevent Hollow from swimming up it from the ocean.” It wasn’t a terribly common occurrence, but it was far from unheard of.

“Apparently, however, Tazun is worried about the safety of the area. If his reports are to be believed, he says there is marauder activity around Gaoden. So our mission is to make contact with Tazun, find out what he knows, and then deal with the problem. If we’re lucky, we’ll be back before anyone has a chance to miss us.” She set her hand back on her head. “If there are marauders, they’re probably from the Shadow Crane clan. They’re not a particularly large group, but they benefit from strong leadership. Vexar the Silent used to be where you are, but instead of becoming an adept, he left Hammer and Onyx altogether. He was a prized student of Professor Swain, and a master strategist.”

Flicking her wrist, one of her pistols ejected from up her sleeve and she caught it in her hand with practiced precision. She held the gun up and ran her other hand along its side, “If we have the opportunity to apprehend Vexar, we should take it. He belongs in Azkaban, and without him, we believe that the Shadow Cranes will quickly fall apart.” Robyn pointed the gun forward and stared down the barrel, “This isn’t like fighting Hollow. These are people. But remember that marauders aren’t just people who have chosen to live outside society, they’re people who have chosen to live in opposition to it. They’re enemies, not innocents.”

[Lyrical]

Character Name: Bri'elle "Bri" Whitewater
Date | Time:  November 12th, Morning (~8:12am)
Location:  Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Wearing:  full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Maria, Koko, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta
It wasn't long after Robyn came to wake her that Bri was full kitted up and ready to go. As always, she had her gear laid out, uniform set up for maximum efficiency - Bri was ready in a flash just like her training taught her. Then they were out of the academy, swiftly made transport and found themselves a short time later on a zippy pontoon like watercraft known as ‘Ripple Rider’.  She was quiet, it was really early in the morning and there was a mission ahead of them, or maybe a test, it was all the same thing and Bri took them all with the same level of determination and focus, meaning nothing less than a hundred percent every time. She glanced around at team SWAGger, nodding if she made eye contact, or giving a half smile if it was warranted. But her focus turned to eyeing the shoreline and looking ahead at what was to come.

<Robyn teased Koko by saying,> “Don’t make me teach Bri’elle instead.” She winked.

It caused Bri to look at the controls and she wondered if she'd even be able to see over the dash but soon Robyn started addressing everyone...

Bri made her mental notes as Robyn went over the details: Gaoden village -> Tazun -> building a dam to stop Hollow -> Shadow Crane clan -> led by Vexar the Silent (master strategist) / apprehend

Bri said to Robyn, "If Vexar won't surrender should we wait for your order before we use deadly force? And are the Shadow Crane clan our primary objective here or is it just us securing the dam regardless of the resistence?"

[VVitch]

Character Name: Maria Rex-Astra
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Combat Gear
Tagging | Mentioning: Bri, Koko, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta|
Maria had overslept a little, needing the wake up from Robyn. Once she quickly pieced toether what was happening she blinked herself awake, hurried to pull her gear together and put on her serious face. With minimal input she remained a quiet presence, listening to Robyn with interest and intrigue at both the task ahead and the way the other woman approached the members of Swagger. It was nice to see how others might handle things, especially someone she admired like Robyn.

The boat was an unfamiliar turn but at least she could trust Koko at the controls, giving her a smile and nod of encouragement. Hopefully her shimmer wouldn't end up needed to spare them all a boat wreck. Three hours on a boat like this was a long trek, Maria mentally did her best to start settling in for the trip. Gaoden was a village she had heard of but she'd never visited before. It would be interesting to see it, even if she was furrowing her brows already at the thought of watery foes. At least she would be very literally in her element.

The mission laid out made sense. Meeting Tazun was a simple first step and they would be going from there. It was relaxing to have Robyn to lean on even if Maria was quietly making an effort to use this as a chance to learn. Coming up against a former squire was new to Maria, enough to make her blink and think what it might take for her to go rogue, to be a villain out there with squires hunting her down. The idea seemed far-fetched enough that she dropped it quickly. Not one to worry about today.

Robyn made a point to highlight that they were fighting people, like them, not hollows, and Maria was quick to nod. She'd been insistent that they be non-lethal before and that wasn't about to change. Unless Vexar was killing people she wasn't going to try to kill him. "Is he a killer. Vexar. Or the Shadow Cranes. If not we should stay non-lethal. Just knock him unconscious. Right? We're not executioners," Maria threw out her questions, and thoughts, at once, both to Robyn and a little to Bri. In her eyes there were a lot of steps between resisting arrest and lethal force. Though, she kept her tone light and tried  to assume Bri was just checking what Robyn's call was.

[Amarlo]

Character Name: Mugi Stone
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Wearing: long johns, black winter leggings, no longer quite white high tops, fluffy purple sweater, Iris jacket, black overcoat, insulated (work)gloves, Suga', mostly empty duffle bag
Tagging | Mentioning: Maria, Bri’elle, Koko, Aurora, Hulta(Cinnamon roll), Robyn, Storyteller, open |
Mugi wasn’t the easiest to wake up. Not in the way that she fought for sleep but more in the way that she fought awake. Even the gentlest touch had her jolting awake with a sharp gasp and wide eyes. It almost always seemed to go that way, and that morning wasn’t any different. The plus side was that she woke up sharp as lightning. Unfortunately she always had a mild heart attack in the process. Not that she showed it past that initial two seconds. After that, used to her own bullshit, she simply sat up and got about saddling up. The only true sign was how long it took for her to regain some color.

After that she drifted along after the group listlessly, only briefly whining about needing coffee once or twice. She could go on for days without food, but coffee was literally the lifeblood of the crows and she was bleeding some of her last drops. Whether she received her beloved drink or not, Mugi still managed to make it to the river boat in one piece. It was only then that a touch of excitement blossomed in her belly. You see, Mugi had never been on a boat before. As a matter of fact, she’s never even left the walls of Onyx.

Everything past those tall walls was just endless forest and armies of hollows in mind for the longest time. It wasn’t until Medina became a part of her life that she learned there was…more. At first she didn’t believe the old hag. She thought she’d been teasing her. Even so, it activated that wild imagination of hers. Vesper was just one more confirmation of a world that existed beyond – and Mugi loved to explore. Naturally that meant that Mugi was situated near the front end of the boat, leaning over the border rail to stare forward with hungry eyes.

She chose not to comment on the questions being called. Anything she had to say was grim at best. Mugi’d already had her fair share dealing with criminals. She had very little mercy for those out to hurt, kill or not. If this Vexer guy was such a tactician she had no doubts that he and his have taken lives. Whether by accident, by design or as a result of. Still, it would be interesting to know their crimes in more detail.

Mugi’s dual toned hues narrowed back at the lot of them over her shoulder. ”If any of them so much as touches my cinnamon roll I’m killing them all.” It wasn’t so much a warning as it was a statement of pure fact. A fact which was doubly true if she hadn’t had coffee by then.

[Rainbae]

Character Name: Koko Gero
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Faded Blue Leather Trench Coat, Goggles, Crop Top Turtle Neck shirt and Low Rise Combat Pants. 
Tagging | Mentioning: Maria, Mugi, Robyn, Team SWAGger |
Note: Mischief and Mission
Robyn's attempts to gently wake Koko all ended in failure until eventually the woman had to bonk the snoring girl on the forehead to finally wake her from her slumber. She groaned loudly at being woken up and practically rolled out of bed. As she rolled the project she'd fallen asleep working on last night flopped off her stomach where it'd been resting and clattered to the floor into the endless pile of clutter that surrounded her bed. It took the girl a moment to realize what happened before she just smiled a guilty look at her mentor.

Her hair was an actual disaster scene and she didn't do a whole lot to fix that as she began to prepare. With no real rush Koko lolled around sleepily as she got ready to leave. She considered staying in her pajamas and just throwing her trench coat over top but opted to instead just don the cleanest clothes that reached her hand first when opening her drawer. Slipping everything on she checked her vitals and staggered after the rest of the group.

Koko leaned heavily on Maria as they walked, still barely awake and not happy about being woken up early. As they walked across the dock towards the boat Koko pulled out a small foil pouch from her jacket and tossed it to Mugi. It had a pull cord on it like a grenade and a small spout at the top. She mimed pulling the cord to her tiny team mate and once she did the pouch flared with a burst of red arcanite. Instantly the bag was warm to the touch. Koko then mimed drinking from the pouch. Hot coffee awaited Mugi inside mixed with the exact amount of sugar and milk she ppreferred. She smiled dumbly and sleepily to the other girl, giving her an ‘ok’ hand sign with her thumb and pointer finger.

Koko couldn't help herself as they made their way up to the boat. Waiting a moment for Robyn to be busy with one of her teammates boarding and sure none of the OES officers were watching she tapped her wrist a few times and crouched down beside the boat. She brought a finger up to the lettering that spelled ‘Ripple Rider’ as a small sprayer extended from her finger. Very quickly Koko painted a large ‘N’ over the first letter to make it the ‘Nipple Rider’. She was trying to hold back her laughter as Robyn called for her and she quickly scurried over to the controls of the boat, giving Maria a devilish smirk as she passed.

She’d never driven a boat before but caught on quickly as she did with most things like this. She tested the speed control a few times feeling the weight of the boat shift. She wanted more than anything to just floor it and try some drifts in the water but Koko had learned at her time at Hammer that when Robyn made a threat like that she was serious, even if it was playful. She kept the boat steady and even employed a bit of her shimmer to keep them from skipping over some bigger waves.

Koko was focussed on driving as Robyn spoke but tuned in considerably as she mentioned a dam being built. That intrigued her considerably. She wanted to meet this Tazun way more now. Her attention waned as talk of marauders followed. She hadn’t fought many people before but Koko didn't think much about it. She wasn't going to just blindly follow orders but if Robyn's judgment was that these people need to be zapped she trusted that. Her mentor hadn’t strayed her wrong yet.

“Shadow clan huh? Well I got gifts for yall then. A lil gizmo I been tinkering and toying round with. Here catch yall.” Koko tossed a small ping pong ball sized spherical object to each of her teammates over her shoulder. They all had a small button in the top of them and were mostly made of hardened glass. “Let's just say with these puppies once you press that button there ain't gonna be much shadow left in the room, ya hear?” She gave a small thumbs up and a goofy grin before turning back to the controls. She glanced sideways at Robyn for a moment before stepping on the gas and speeding them up a bit…just a bit.

[Aethyrium]

Robyn Banks

S T O R Y T E L L E R
November 12th, Morning (~8:12am) | Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Next Post: 6.1.24 | Maria, Koko, Bri’elle, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta
When it came down to it, Robyn erred on the same side as Maria. She had no issue killing if the situation warranted it, and she definitely wasn’t one to need much provocation. In games of combat, if they wouldn’t stand down, she wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. It just wasn’t her first option. Usually. “Apprehension is ideal, but,” Robyn twirled the gun in her hand and with a simple flick, locked it back up her sleeve, “I’m not going to shed any tears if he ends up dead. Don’t give him the opportunity to use your mercy against you, or the rest of the team.” If that meant killing him, well, so be it. Robyn looked at Maria, offering a half smile, “We’re not, but we’re also here to stop this project from being interrupted. If the choice is to kill him, or let him escape, then pull the trigger. Who knows what he comes back with next time.”

As to whether or not he was a killer was harder to answer. “If you’re asking if I have ever seen him, or his followers, kill, then no.” But Robyn wasn’t really convinced that killing was the only thing that justified killing. “But their actions have directly led to the deaths of others. They’re like any marauder tribe, they prey on people to survive themselves. Even if they don’t swing the blade, they’re just as liable.” Which brought her back to Bri’s, also difficult to answer question, “If we’re lucky, we’ll just be chasing shadows. Right now our only objective is to contact Tazun and hear what he has to say. If there’s evidence that marauders are involved, we’ll go from there.”

Robyn quietly chuckled at Mugi’s contribution, looking forward to her and then over to Hulta. It was good to see that kind of protectiveness in the partners. She felt good that her team seemed to be working out so well. That wasn’t always the case, she knew, and things could have been much worse. Even though it had only been a little more than a month, she was proud of Swagger and how they had progressed. She was just about to say something when Koko decided to offer some light to everyone. Robyn watched as the little spheres went whizzing across the boat, curious about them. She didn’t have much experience with a tinkerer, but she imagined it could only help the team in the long run - even if she was probably taking the dramatic name of the Shadow Cranes more literally than needed. “We’ve got a couple hours, so, enjoy the ride.” She made her way back to Koko, leaning against the little stand behind the piloting station, and peered ahead.

They were less than a mile out of Gaoden when they entered the dense fog cloud that prevented them from seeing the village that should have been right there. Robyn signaled Koko to keep going despite the visual impairment, but not far beyond the edge of the cloud it was thick enough that they couldn’t see to the front of the little boat anymore. That all but required them to slow down. Robyn took over piloting as they got even closer, as the only one with any actual knowledge of where they were going - for all the good that was going to do. “We should be close.” It was less than a minute later that Mugi saw the dock they were about to smash into, and only through her warning did they avoid an actual crash.

She cut the engine and squinted toward the shore and the town. Things felt weird. Not just for her, but everyone. The air was still. It was eerily quiet. The only noise was the flow of the river and it sloshing against the shore. And there was a heavy, coppery scent hanging in the air. “Something’s not right. Swagger, fan out, let’s figure out what’s going on.”

R E C A PThere are 5 general locations people can move toward. You can move as a group, or in any division that you’d like. In your posts, please indicate which location your characters end up heading for - they may not know that’s where they’re going, but it’s just to indicate who encounters what. The locations are:

Village Square
The Bridge
Tazun’s Abode
Supply Shed
The Watchtower

[VVitch]

Character Name: Maria Rex-Astra
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Combat Gear
Tagging | Mentioning: Bri, Koko, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta|
Robyn's answer worked well enough for Maria. As long as she wasn't here as an executioner, she was happy. And to her mind, indirect or no this man still killed people. Just as her mother did through her greed, even if not with her hands. Maria nodded. "I agree. Just as liable," She affirmed, backing up her mentor's sentiment just to make sure everyone knew she was on-board and not going to hold back if it came down to the wire. If this man was making calls that got innocent people killed he had to be stopped.

Despite the slightly intense arrival Maria trusted they would remain just fine, serene as she accepted the gift from Koko and only finally tensing up when she sensed what Robyn did. This place was far too still. Stiller than was natural, even. There weren't any birds. Maria narrowed her eyes, looking for them. They'd flown away from something, clearly. There wasn't even any song to be heard. Already her hands reached up and back, drawing her strangely formed blades and setting foot on the shore as she found herself nodding in agreement with Robyn again.

"Alright. Koko, you can use your shimmer to get you and Roar up the watchtower, see if you can see anything. Bri and Hulta, get to the village square and try to find anyone you can. Mugi, Robyn, let's see if we can find Tazun," She directed everyone. Even Robyn. It was nervy, but she went for it. Maria wasn't barking her orders, simply speaking in a firm but level voice as she eyed each teammate while calling what to do. It all made sense. They needed to fan out to figure this out fast but going solo was too much of a risk.

With that, she beckoned to the pair she'd asked to follow her and then eyed Robyn. "You know where Tazun lives, right? That's why I needed you with us. Let's head straight for him," She requested, ready to fall in line behind Robyn now as the other woman actually knew where they were going. Everything else was simple, the watchtower clearly visible and the square of a village this small always easy to find. All the while she listened for anything but the sounds of the river but her ears were found wanting.

[TheFluffyOne]

Character Name: Hulta Elderfond
Date | Time: November 12th | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy > Gaoden
Wearing: Dark brown combat trousers, green t-shirt, holster and heavy boots.
Tagging | Mentioning:  SWAGger, Maria, Mugi, Robyn, Bri|
Hulta had been strangely quiet. Perhaps it had been a late evening, so she felt tiredness wracking through her body or maybe she was still coming down from a early morning sugar high. Truthfully, she was letting the task sink into her pores. Multiple small silly questions buzzed in her mind. Why would people not want to protect the many? Why would Vexar join Hammer and then leave? Why would people fight against this society? The questions were all ground into dust under her mental boot. This was not the time for stupid questions. Questions that were so easily answerable, yet the answer seemed to float from her clutches.

The situation didn’t feel simple. Yes, there was a main task in it all but these were people not Hollows. Taking her bottom lip between her teeth, she tore at the skin on her lip as she forced herself to look outside. Maybe people would think that she just watching the scenery. When they settled into the dock, Hulta stood and waited for instructions. When the door opened, there was an eerie calmness that echoed from the town. Her nose scrunched lightly at the smell and followed the others out the craft.

Maria’s instructions cut through the silence and Hulta snapped her attention to their taller leader. Village square. Find anyone we can. Hulta nodded once and glanced at Bri. Slipping the staff ends from their placement on her back, her fingers wrapped tight around them. With a mock salute to Maria, Robyn and Mugi, Hulta started to trot off towards the village square. She knew that Bri would keep up with her with ease. Hulta slipped easily into observer mode and scanned every inch of the area that they jogged through. Every alleyway was glanced down for people, animals, movement, anything. Just something.

There were no clear signs but from what Hulta knew about towns this size, the village square was normally central and closest to a town hall. Scanning the horizon for large buildings, Hulta struggled to select just one building that could be the important central one. It was the sound of fluttering fabric that caught her attention. Slowing, Hulta raised one of her staffs towards Bri as they crossed over cobbled streets. With a gentle jerk of her head towards the creator of the noise, flag scraps of bunting draping across the streets. Perhaps a festival was planned or maybe even the village left them up year-round.

Conveying her interest with a silent bob of her head and a knowing look, Hulta suggested that they inch closer to the bunting. Hopefully, they would lead to the village square where Hulta was certain that everyone would be sitting safe and sound. The silence was creeping over her skin and she wanted to break it, call out or speak to Bri. But there was something knotting in her stomach that screamed at her to not be stupid. If things were this quiet, there must be a reason.

[Rainbae]

Character Name: Koko Gero
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Faded Blue Leather Trench Coat, Goggles, Crop Top Turtle Neck shirt and Low Rise Combat Pants.
Tagging | Mentioning: Maria @VVitch, Roar @CurvyKitten, Team SWAGger |
Note: Mischief and Mission
Koko bristled as she jostled with some of the steel plates on her hips. They felt uncomfortable suddenly, like they weren't set properly. Koko had learned long ago that meant something wasn't right. She knew her implants were installed correctly, it was when they felt like they weren’t that she got worried. Even for the normally chipper girl things felt tense and she held her tongue as they pulled into the dock. Bounding up on the dock she took stock of the place. It was a rather small town all things considered and Koko wondered how people could live here and not constantly fear hollows, let alone marauders. She didn’t really think much of this mission all in all though. Even with her poor powers of perception she could tell everyone else was worried about fighting actual people yet Koko found herself to be strangely calm. She worried for a moment if there was something wrong with her for that reason but leveled that at the moment it didn’t really matter. If meant she was more ready and willing to take out a bad guy then she was fine with that.

“AyeAye chief Mares! I’m thinking we could get a real good looksie at what in the heck is goin’ on ‘round here from there. Maybe we do something ‘bout this here fog too, ya hear Aura?” Koko reached for her friend’s hand and then pulled herself in against their chest in a spin like she was salsa dancing. “I hope you ain’t fraid of no heights now. Need my dance partner to be up and ready to tango, ya dig?” She made the silly gesture both because Koko simply was that way always but this time it had a bit more intention to it as well. She wasn’t really sure if Roar was freaking out or not but she wanted to break the ice that seemed to be fridgidly clinging to everyone in Swagger at the moment. She elbowed her temporary partner lightly behind her with a smirk and a stuck out tongue and then turned to make her way off towards the large tower that stuck out above the thick layer of fog hanging on the town in the distance.

As they walked, Koko's boots radiated sonar out across the streets of the small village. She hoped they’d be useful in detecting anything nearby although something told her that a group called 'the Shadow Clan' probably were a bit more stealthy than that. Never a fan of silence Koko really wanted to break the quiet and make some kind of small talk but she was that dumb and so she instead just focussed on making her way towards the tower. She scanned all she could with her goggles as they moved, slowly forming a projection of a map as they made their way through the streets. Not only would getting to the tower be useful for them for scouting reasons but it would let Koko have an aerial view of the town so she could provide even more info to her team.

As the pair reached the base of the tower Koko could smell and taste the salt in the air. The sound of waves crashing was louder here than even at the docks from earlier. Wind swept over the shoreline and rustled through her wild hair. What was described as a watchtower was really a tall, wide lighthouse that towered over the rest of the town. It sat close to the water’s edge just beside a sheer cliff that dropped down to the rushing water below. The squires had been made to climb a small incline to get here as the building sat atop a small hill as well, adding to its height even more. The light up top was currently unlit and the glass looked dirty, like the thing hadn’t been used in some time perhaps? It was hard to tell from the ground. Koko glanced at Roar and gave a thumbs up and a quizzical eyebrow.

“One ticket going up for our valued customer?” Koko said in a mock telemarketer voice as she bounded over and slinked an arm into Roar’s, locking them at the elbow. The moment she got the get go from her teammate she would activate her shimmer and have the two of them float on up to the top of the lighthouse.

[Lyrical]

Character Name: Bri'elle "Bri" Whitewater
Date | Time:  November 12th, Morning
Location:  Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance | VILLAGE SQUARE
Wearing:  full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Hulta
The dense fog bank enveloped the boat and crew, as it descended on them it seemed to Bri like everyone grew tense. The shroud of dark mystery soaked her pores in dread. Goosebumps ran up and down Bri's pale flesh as cold adrenaline began to course through her veins. On reaching the eerily silent dock the orders were handed out, squads of two formed with Hulta and Bri headed to the village square.

Hulta took point and the pair silently travelled deeper into the village, headed to where the square should be. The coppery smell in the air made Bri's nostrils flare. Blood. They said nothing but moved in deeper and deeper until the first alternate sounds were heard like the gentle rustling of bunting flapping away in the ever so slight breeze - if you could call it at a breeze at all - it was far to still overall. Hulta brought them up short then redirected the pair towards those sounds. Bri wondered how good an Elf's hearing was, she had barely caught the sound before Hulta had it triangulated and they approached.

Soft padded footsteps of the women stopped, as the pair started to look around at what had drawn them in... Bri broke the silence by finally drawing her weapon from it's sheath, as it fell free she gave it a sharp tug, a sort of motion like you would give to pull the chord on a chainsaw; the sword clicked and whirled as it's parts transformed into a rifle in the next moment. Bri took a knee, raised up the weapon and began to scan around.

[Amarlo]

Character Name: Mugi Stone
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance --> Gaoden
Wearing: long johns, black winter leggings, no longer quite white high tops, fluffy purple sweater, Iris jacket, black overcoat, insulated (work)gloves, Suga', mostly empty duffle bag
Tagging | Mentioning: Maria, Bri’elle, Koko, Aurora, Hulta(Cinnamon roll), Robyn, Storyteller, open |
Mugi caught the silver pouch with a blink, peering between it and the woman that threw it to her. At Koko’s gesturing, the sleepy crow reluctantly tugged at the cord – hesitant to realize what it might be. When it flared with heat, the poor woman nearly dropped it with a jolt. Thoroughly spooked, she was still hesitant to drink whatever was in it. She sniffed it, vaguely recognizing the subtle scent wafting through the straw. Her eyes widened. C-coffee?! Mugi caught the straw between her lips and drew enough for a tentative sip.

Koko was a goddess...

She might actually save lives with this thing! Did she have any idea how much violence could be avoided if this became more widespread? Come to think of it, maybe it could even cure the hollow…

By the time they entered the fog, Mugi found herself perched up on the bow of the ship where she just happily enjoyed her hot coffee. She may or may not have asked Koko if she had any more at one point, but eventually she was back to perching on the bow once more. Which was also where she received Koko’s second gift. “...These got bang or more just flash?” She asked, glancing back at the woman warily. Her statement was pretty ambiguous, if you ask me! Were the shadows gone because they blew up or gone because of light?

“Stop the boat! We’re about to hit a dock!” She called from where still perched. Only to be forced to hold on for dear life as the boat quickly went in reverse to halt itself as sharply as possible. It nearly sent her flying from the rail and right into the water. Thankfully there was no early morning bird bath for her today!

The fog was honestly the most unnerving thing about this. What if it was an ability attached to a hollow? Mugi licked her lips, dual hues flitting to Maria as she split everyone into groups. Group not consisting of their squadmates. Alarm bells went off in her head, widened hues briefly drifting toward Hulta as she made sad heart eyes at her. Were they trying to separate her from her Cinnamon roll because of what she said earlier?

“Just so ya know, I’d kill them fer touching any one of us.” She decided it was imperative to point out as she joined Maria and perhaps Robyn. She was interested in this Tazun individual, but somehow she felt Koko might understand whatever jargon he had to say better. Still… If he could design something like that damn, maybe there were other useful contraptions he could come up with?

Regardless, she was almost worried their team leader was trying to keep an eye on her! Maria was soft hearted. It wasn’t a bad thing. In fact she kind of liked that about her. It also made her worry about her survivability. So naturally, just like with Hulta, Mugi would have to take it upon herself to keep her safe! “Or do ya perhaps like me somethin’ special?” She decided to tease the other Silenus with a crooked smile and a flutter of her long lashes.

[CurvyKitten]

Character Name:  Aurora "Roar" Torvoe
Date | Time: |  November 12th, Morning (~8:12am)
Location:  Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Wearing: full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Maria, Koko, Mugi, Bri, Hulta
A boat, it had to be a boat! Roar groaned as the team all piled onto the beat by the shore. Their stomach was already turning as their boots made contact with the wooden planks. They growled a bit knowing what was coming as one hand came to their stomach. 

Muscles clenched as the boat started moving, but Roar still tried to pay attention to Robyn's explanation of the situation. But the fact that they were going to be on the boat for three hours was what stuck out to them the most at first. Shaking their head, Roar tried to focus on the mission debrief and not on the churning of their stomach. Catching the small little gizmo Koko made Roar was quick to stash it away on their person. Knowing damn well how handy Koko's inventions could be, they wanted to keep it handy. 

Marauders, great those broots were going to be interesting. Most of those types usually came off as stupid yet determined and greedy. So this should go off with a bang! The fact that they were heading into a creepy ass fog of doom was probably not fine...yea totally fine. 
Once the boat docked Roar was quickly to get on the feet and to the shore. A deep breath slipping free as their feet made contact with solid ground. "Thank the gods." they smiled and looked over to Maria as she started to give out orders. "Right, on it." they nodded and smirked at Koko, "You ready love?" Roar asked and shook their head, "Heights, nah never bothered me before. Now that boat," they pointed a thumb in the direction of the water line. "Now that I can do without." they snickered a bit, yet still put a hand on their stomach. "But yeah, let's get on it." 

They moved with purpose through the fog till reaching the tower. All the while Roar's senses were on eye, like s spidey sense sending out feelers through the air. Danger was thick like the fog, but for now all seemed calm. Which worried Roar for sure. Still as they stopped at the bottom of the tower they smiled and locked arms with Koko and nodded, "Ready when you are."

[Aethyrium]

Robyn Banks

S T O R Y T E L L E R
November 12th, Morning (~8:12am) | Gaoden Village | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Next Post: 6.7.24 | Maria, Koko, Bri’elle, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta
Gaoden, typically alive with the morning stirrings of its rugged inhabitants, now lay beneath a thick shroud of eerie silence. It was as though the village itself held its breath, suffocated by an oppressive stillness that even the bravest sounds dared not disturb. The usual hustle and bustle had vanished, replaced by a profound quietude that swallowed any attempt at noise whole, consumed by the dense fog that hung like a spectral veil over the landscape. This fog, denser than usual for this hour, crept through the narrow village lanes like phantom tendrils, rendering visibility to no more than an arm's length ahead. It clung to every surface with a damp persistence, lending an otherworldly quality to the already unfamiliar surroundings. Amidst this unnatural hush, a peculiar scent lingered in the air, redolent of copper and decay. It coated the tongue with an acrid taste, leaving behind an unsettling sensation that seemed to seep into the very fabric of the village itself. A palpable unease loomed over Gaoden. The air was heavy with foreboding, as though the very atmosphere itself held its breath in anticipation of some unseen threat.

* * * * *

Maria & Mugi at Tazun’s abode…

Robyn raised an eyebrow at the instruction, recognizing its boldness yet understanding its necessity. She knew it wasn't the right moment to challenge Maria's attempt at authority, especially not in front of everyone. Besides, the directive aligned with Robyn's own intentions - she had planned to find Tazun anyway. With a step, she disembarked from the boat and followed the small dock into the town. She positioned herself strategically between the two girls, ensuring she could keep a vigilant eye on both. The thick fog and the accompanying stench that engulfed the town added to her unease as the others vanished into the murky haze. Despite this, Robyn trusted her team’s capabilities. She had confidence in each of them, knowing they were well-equipped to handle the challenges ahead. Although Maria’s pairings seemed unconventional, they didn’t raise any alarms for Robyn. “Staying,” She corrected Maria, Tazun didn’t live here, he was just staying here, “And vaguely. Should be…” Her eyes narrowed - finding anything through this was hard, but if they had just come off the dock it would be, “This way,” she gestured.

They moved cautiously through the thick fog until they nearly collided with a row of houses lining the edge of the square. The oppressive silence, more than the limited visibility, made Robyn's nerves tingle. It shouldn't be this quiet. Even the homes, typically which should have been bustling with life, were eerily still. "It’s one of these," she said, pointing to the house on their right. "Check that one, I’ll check here." With a hand on the railing, Robyn ascended the three steps to the first house. She paused at the door, turning back to her companions. "And be careful. Something…" She scowled, the unease clear in her eyes. "I don’t like this."

The home the girls entered was a modest, single-story structure. As they crossed the threshold from the dense, suffocating fog outside, they could finally breathe freely again - the fog had been so thick it felt like drinking each breath. Inside, the home was plain and unadorned, furnished with only the essentials. It lacked any personal touches, and there were clear signs of hurried movement: chairs pushed aside, a table slightly askew, and a few scattered belongings that hinted at a hasty departure.

The sound was unmistakable, coming from beneath them.

Quickly, they retraced their steps through the entry-living space, their eyes scanning the floor for any sign of a hidden entrance. In the right corner of the room, they discovered it—a well-concealed trapdoor. The latch was designed for a pry bar, but anything thin and sturdy could be used to lift it.

* * * * *

Koko & Aurora at the watchtower…

Gaoden's defenses were modest but practical. The village was encircled by a spiked palisade wall, sturdy enough to deter most threats. There were two main entrances, each designed to funnel intruders into narrow passageways where they could be more easily managed. While the wall wouldn’t stop determined attackers, especially if they decided to scale it, it served as a crucial first line of defense. The watchtower stood as Gaoden’s primary sentinel. Positioned on the far side of the village, just beyond the palisade, it provided a strategic vantage point overlooking the expansive plains. On clear days, the tower offered an unobstructed view of the surrounding area, allowing the guards to spot any approaching danger well in advance. However, today was different.

Scaling the watchtower was straightforward, especially with the aid of Koko's shimmer, although it would have been manageable without it as well. Standing at about twenty-five feet tall, the tower comprised three levels: the ground floor, a middle platform, and the upper nest. The structure was open on all sides, except for the nest at the top, which was partially enclosed by half-height walls. The roof of the tower extended wider than the base, providing effective shelter from the elements. Constructed entirely of wood, the watchtower wasn’t particularly imposing, but its design was functional and efficient. The upper nest housed the most critical feature: a large, beacon-like lamp that could be accessed from within.

Hopping over the wall into the nest was straightforward. Once inside, they found that the dense fog persisted, as the nest was open to the elements. As they moved forward, something wet and sticky suddenly dropped onto Aurora’s forehead. It was warm and trailed down her brow in a slow, sickening manner. Instinctively, she reached up to touch it, and when she pulled her hand away, her fingers were stained red with fresh blood.

And upon looking up, she’d take notice of a long icicle spear embedded - or so it seemed - into the ceiling. A small river over the blood ran down the ice, dripping into a puddle she was now standing in.

Meanwhile, Koko hadn't taken more than three steps when she felt a strange, gritty crunch beneath her foot. Crouching down to investigate. She realized she was standing on a thin line of red arcanite powder. Not far from her, another puddle of blood gleamed darkly against the wooden floor. Following the trail cautiously, Koko's gaze was drawn to a horrifying sight. A man was skewered by jagged shards of ice, his body gruesomely nailed to the nest wall. His lifeless eyes stared vacantly, and a large red arcanite crystal had been brutally stuffed into his mouth, serving as a grotesque wick - the tower had been rigged like a powder keg, primed to explode at any moment.

* * * * *

Bri’elle & Hulta at the village square…

Regrettably, the thick veil of cloud rendered any attempt to discern the details of the village square futile. Beneath their feet, the ground lay unpaved, a quagmire of mud and uneven terrain. Evidence of past traversals dotted the landscape - the faint impressions of wheels etched into the earth, serving as silent testimony to the comings and goings of the villagers. With each step, as they ventured deeper into the heart of Gaoden, a palpable sense of unease enveloped the girls. There was a presence lingering in the mist, elusive yet unmistakable. Shadows danced on the periphery of their vision, obscured by the spectral shroud that veiled the surroundings. The sensation of being watched bore down upon them, accompanied by a disquieting awareness of malevolence lurking in the unseen depths.

Then it happened.

A faint, almost imperceptible whistle sliced through the air, a ghostly harbinger of impending danger. It sliced through the thick mist like a silent predator, its trajectory aimed squarely at Bri. Yet, honed by instinct and sharpened by survival, she reacted with lightning reflexes. With a deft twist, she summoned her blade, wielding it not as a weapon but as a shield against the unseen threat hurtling toward her. Metal clashed against metal in a symphony of discord. The darkened kunai, propelled by unseen hands, glanced off Bri's improvised defense, its trajectory altered just enough to spare her from harm. With a muted thud, it vanished into the enveloping fog, plopping harmless into the mud.

A mere distraction it seemed, orchestrated to divert their attention from the true threat looming in the shadows. From the opposite direction, a looming presence emerged, its form obscured by the same darkness that birthed the kunai. With a dreadful inevitability, a colossal blade, its dimensions rivaling Bri's own, swept forth in a seamless, almost soundless arc, aimed directly at Hulta. The impact was bone-jarring, a collision of titanic forces that reverberated through the very core of her being. Had it not been for the protective barrier of her Soul, Hulta would have been rent asunder, her form cleaved in twain by the sheer force of the blow. Yet, even with the safeguard of her Soul, the onslaught proved formidable, its ferocity causing the vibrant green of her essence to flicker and wane, draining into a brighter, more urgent hue of yellow as she staggered under the weight of the assault.

Before Bri could react, before her muscles could obey the urgent command to turn and confront the assailant, the threat vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, swallowed whole by the enigmatic fog that enshrouded them. In its wake, only the echo of retreating footsteps lingered, their passage obscured by the thick miasma that enveloped the scene in an impenetrable shroud.

Then, from the depths of the fog, a voice emerged, deep and menacing, its timbre laden with a cruel amusement that sent shivers cascading down Bri's spine. "I thought I got all of you," it taunted, the words dripping with malice. "Thought I killed you all already," the voice continued, now drifting ominously from Bri's right, the same direction from which the kunai had originated. It was a disconcerting display of speed and agility, the unseen assailant seemingly omnipresent, always one step ahead. "Did you tell your loved ones goodbye?" the voice jeered, punctuated by a chilling chuckle that echoed through the fog like a macabre symphony.

[Lyrical]

Character Name: Bri'elle "Bri" Whitewater
Date | Time:  November 12th, Morning
Location:  Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance | VILLAGE SQUARE
Wearing:  full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Hulta
The tendrils of fog lapped at everything like the dark waters of a tumultous ocean and other than Hulta, Bri could see nothing. Brushing past buildings and following the ruts of carts carved into the mud was the only clues they had that they were even going in the right direction. Once they had established their location, they listened in silence. Something was out there, in the fog, beyond the veil.. Then the whistling sound, Bri drew her blade into a defensive posture out of instinct blocked the metal kunai that clattered off and thudded into the ground off in the distance.

No need to tell Hulta there was danger, she would have heard it too... but in that same moment a giant sword came crashing down onto Hulta with an executioner's intent. She survived the blow but barely and it was gone just as fast.

There was an ominous voice in the fog speaking of foul deeds and menacing threats...

The point of Bri's sword was sticking in the dirt from where she had blocked the kunai, then with a swift kick she brought the blade up to a point and used her Shimmer to hyper speed her way at the source of the voice. The blade splitting fog like it was a jet plane aimed at the general location of her target.

((If there was no target at the location, Bri will use her speed to retreat back and call out to Hulta that she missed.  If her attack strikes she will yell out her success. Also as a means to let Hulta know where she is in the thick fog.))

[CurvyKitten]

Character Name:  Aurora "Roar" Torvoe
Date | Time: |  November 12th, Morning (~8:12am)
Location:  Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Wearing: full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Maria, Koko, Mugi, Bri, Hulta
With the aid of Koko's shimmer the trip up to the nest of the watch tower was easily accessed. No need to take the stairs or enter from below, which was probably a good thing. Because of what they saw upon entering the watchtower.


Roar stopped as soon as feet made contact with wood upon hopping over the small wall into the nest. Then this thick, sickening icker of blood and nastiness spilled upon her forehead. The feeling of the cold fluid trailing down her face was beyond disturbing. But Aurora remained quiet as they wiped the foul liquid from their face. Ice cold to the touch, thick and congealing, yet there was no mistaking the dark red stain on Roar's fingertips. "Shit." The word was barely a whisper that passed by her lips before they turned to look over to Koko.

It was then they spotted the rigged body, it might have been rigged to the door that led up to the nest. Which meant it was good that they had shimmered up to the new location. Slowly Roar walked over, steps easy as they moved over the arcanite. In fact they moved in more of a shuffle motion. As they moved Roar reached for their com device and sent out a quick message, "Watch out everyone there are traps. Crude arcanite bombs for sure, maybe more. They are using the people to make the bombs." Roar looked back to the body and started to study it carefully in an effort to understand it more.

[TheFluffyOne]

Character Name: Hulta Elderfond
Date | Time: November 12th | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy > Gaoden
Wearing: Dark brown combat trousers, green t-shirt, holster and heavy boots.
Tagging | Mentioning: Bri|
Hulta had been strangely quiet. Perhaps it had been a late Hulta strained to hear something. Anything. The trundling of carts, footsteps, a whisper, a painful groan. Anything. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to concentrate on listening, but the rush of her rapid heartbeat was overwhelming. Maybe she could see something if they got above the fog. The words were on the tip of her tongue as she turned towards Bri. A smile on her lips as she tried to keep optimistic about everything. Pausing, she felt like she had heard something. The ghost of a whistle. Was someone out there asking for aid? Something flashed from the fog, aiming at Bri. Her blade shield caught it and Hulta felt relief flood through her chest. Before she had time to even take a step towards Bri, another attack hit.

Hulta tried to raise a hand to defend herself, but it was too late. The gigantic blade was above her, cracking down through the first petals of her soul barrier. Hulta could only watch as she felt each outer petal start to disintegrate, flickers of green then yellow floating around her. Her knee harshly hit the muddy ground. Hulta’s head hung forward and one hand was clutching her shoulder. Even if her soul had protected her from being split in two, she was still feeling the effect of it. Her shoulder screamed, already she could sense a deep wide bruise blossoming under her skin.  Her staff was flicked out and dug into one of the spaces between two stones. Hauling herself to her feet, she let out a winced hiss of pain as she nearly toppled forward from her first attempt.

“Bri…” Hulta tried to slot the staff again between the stones. Her call was easily dwarfed by a voice that cut almost as deeply as the previous weapon. ‘Killed you all already’ Hulta snapped her attention around to the new placement of the voice and gritted her teeth as pain pin prickled through her torso. Up. Get up. Hulta pushed herself to standing, relying on her staff more than she would like to. Bri split through the fog, and it closed like a curtain behind her. Holding onto her staff, yet partly hunched over, Hulta made a mental note of where Bri had sped to.

The voice had grated through her. But it was hidden. Hidden foes were difficult. Hulta tried to hum but she felt her shimmer flicker then falter. Bri had aimed for the last placement of the voice…so Hulta turned to where it was when it told them they had killed them all already. “Coward.” The word spat from her lips like sickly sweet venom. Another hum and her shimmer strained to life. Wrapping air around the staff as she moved back one step then two from the fog. “Hiding in the fog. You coward!” Her voice carried this time, growing in volume alongside the pin prickling rage that formed in her chest. With a wide sweep of her staff, she sent the bundle of air ribbons out to the fog.

Not intending on actually attacking, the ribbons had just enough weight to move the fog. Clear the path. Remove the curtain to hide behind. A familiar voice echoed in the back of her mind. Angry foes make easy targets. Her own rage dulled under the weight of the pain in her shoulder. “Must be a small soul to rely on such an attack.” There. That would be something. Another crackled hum left her lips as she started to wind another ribbon of air around her staff.

[VVitch]

Character Name: Maria Rex-Astra
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Combat Gear
Tagging | Mentioning: Robyn, Mugi |
Maria caught the little look in Robyn's eye but brushed it off. Then, she echoed her. "Staying," Maria affirmed, in an attempt to make it clear she got the message. It had been her mistake and the details mattered, she knew that. Then, a nod as she fell in line. As Mugi teased, she smiled but didn't laugh, "I like all the team, you know that." The comment brushed it off, a little, but she didn't mean anything by it. It was just her way of keeping them moving and focused on what could get very serious very fast.

As someone with sharp senses, and an attentive nature, Maria hated the fog. If it had been out in the woods, or somewhere prettier, she might have found it a marvel of nature. Here, though, it was deeply inconvenient and more importantly deeply uncomfortable. Even her ears weren't picking up anything that they should have been, which affirmed for her that something was wrong here. "On it," Maria replied as Robyn took her turn to give commands then nodded again. "Me neither," She agreed, not liking the situation any more than Robyn did.

Despite her discomfort she pushed inside the house, finding the indoor environment more comfortable than usual. Ordinarily Maria was more confident outdoors but with her senses and breath back she felt better here. Maria frowned, examining the state of the small home and glancing to Mugi, "Looks like they fled." That begged the obvious question 'what from?'. It could be anything, though. None of them could see anything on the way here. No sense in wondering, just investigating.

For a while, nothing could be seen and Maria was about to call that they should move on and find Robyn. Then, a cough made her freeze and narrow her eyes further. Maria snapped her head a few times, scanning the room and listening for anything. The sound came from below, though. Luckily now that she was seeking it out it didn't take long to spy the trapdoor. Maria looked to Mugi and paused, having already begun to reach for one of her sabres to pry it open. "Maybe we try talking?" She suggested, then calling out into the void, "Hi. We're squires here from Hammer, and we're here to help. Can you hear me?" It sounded awkward and stilted but it was hard to talk to a disembodied cough. The last thing Maria wanted to do was use a weapon to break into their hiding spot if their home had been invaded already.

[Rainbae]

Character Name: Koko Gero
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Faded Blue Leather Trench Coat, Goggles, Crop Top Turtle Neck shirt and Low Rise Combat Pants.
Tagging | Mentioning: Roar @CurvyKitten, Team SWAGger |
Note: Defusal
Koko froze as she felt her foot compress the crystal shard below her. Any harsh movement from her and the Arcanite would surely begin to react. Her eyes were the only thing she dared to move as they followed the line of dust up to the body and the large crystal in the corpse’s mouth. She thanked every god she knew of that she hadn’t already set off a chain reaction with the casual step she’d taken earlier. She weighed her options for a moment. Even just retracting her foot could cause enough friction to set something off. Which was an immediate trip into the bottom of the river for her and Roar most likely. Probably in everyone’s least favourite kind of boat, a casket. Deciding on a course of action she turned towards Roar and gave a hand sign for them to step back a bit.

Koko leaned down slowly and untied her boot. After that she carefully and lightly began to activate her shimmer on herself quickly becoming weightless. At the same time she also activated it on her boot giving it the opposite effect. It was a tricky maneuver to manage. It took a lot of focus for Koko to use her shimmer to reduce and increase gravity at the same time. Even more than that she had to measure the force she put on the boot so that it was no more and no less than her own. But with a trap like this you could never be too careful. Koko had more than sustained more than enough burns and scars in her life to know how fickle Arcanite was at times.

She held her boot down like a foot steadied on a landmine and slowly slipped out of it as she drifted upwards. Once she was mostly clear she turned to Roar. “I reckon they got more of these scattered ‘bout. Seems a bit too intentional to be just a one off. Call it in while I try to defuse the damn thing won’tchya pretty please?” Koko’s voice was uncharacteristically tense as she stared the body down now more closely. It really was a gruesome sight. Koko wasn’t one to balk at gore for the most part but even she could tell how grim of a death this surely had been.

She got to work analyzing the trap and its component parts. If there was one thing Koko was good at making it was traps and as such she took her time trying to ascertain if this one was more complex than it looked on the outset. If she found nothing too awry she would begin slowly defuse the thing. Taking care not to blow her and Roar sky high she would first try to deal with the payload itself, the larger crystal jammed into the deceased’s mouth. Once she got that disconnected she would try and figure out some intention behind the thing. Why had they trapped this place in particular, and how were they hoping to have caught their prey. If successful Koko would slip the large Crystal into her jacket, always nice to have another tool to help her out later. Wiping the sweat from her brow Koko then stood.

“Well, with ‘at just ‘bout done and dealt with I think we can try and get done what we came ‘ere for eh?” At this point Koko made her way to the edge of the tower on the town side. She pulled her goggles down as she began tapping her wrist in the familiar fashion. She scanned over what she could see of the town through the dense fog, which was not much in all honesty, but still she had the projection system in her gloves take in the information. Deciding that she wasn’t going to get much more useful information like this, Koko turned around and pondered the large beacon at the center of the tower. “Wonder if we can get this puppy up and shinin’ any time soon. I’m thinking she might help us cut through this ‘ere fog a bit. Let’s take a look further in, you lead on Aura. But heaven’s above be careful.” Koko slipped her boot back on as she waited to dive deeper into the tower.

[Aethyrium]

Tazun

Momotsu Zazuba

S T O R Y T E L L E R
November 12th, Morning (~8:12am) | Gaoden Village | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Next Post: 6.12.24 | Maria, Koko, Bri’elle, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta
Maria & Mugi at Tazun’s abode…
As it turned out, the decision to announce themselves and try to discuss the situation proved to be an unexpected blessing. Mere moments after Maria wedged her blade into the trap door and called out to whoever was below, Mugi's phone rang. The caller ID displayed Aurora's number. At that instant, any chance of subtlety was lost. Mugi answered the call, and Aurora's urgent voice came through: “Watch out everyone there are traps. Crude arcanite bombs for sure, maybe more. They are using the people to make the bombs” Double unfortunately, the timing of Aurora's warning couldn't have been worse, arriving precisely as Maria completed her task and pried open the hatch to establish contact. However, there was a stroke of luck - there were no bombs!

At least, not yet.

There was a moment of silence as Tazun absorbed the words. He mulled them over before speaking, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and hope. “Squires? F-From Hammer? Ettinus sent you?” His relief was palpable as he sighed audibly, almost jogging towards the light filtering through the trap door.

Tazun was an older man, balding, with bushy grey hair wrapping around the sides and back of his head. He wore small, round glasses that framed his bright orange eyes, which peered up at Maria with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. As he studied her, the tension in his posture seemed to ease slightly. “You came… You really came. He…” Tazun's voice trailed off, his initial relief quickly giving way to panic. His eyes widened in alarm. “You’re in danger. We’re all in danger. We must get out of here. The screams… They stopped, but it hasn’t been that long.” His voice trembled with urgency as he made his way to the rickety ladder. With each step up, his body shook, betraying his fear and desperation.

Scrambling out of the hidden basement, Tazun barely managed to get to his feet. His legs wobbled beneath him, and he leaned heavily against the wall, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His wide, terrified eyes scanned the area until they landed on Mugi. Relief washed over his face as he realized there was another ally present. “Oh, thank goodness. There’s two of you. He…” he breathed, his voice laden with exhaustion and fear. His shoulders sagged heavily against the wall, the weight of his ordeal apparent in every movement. “There was no warning,” he continued, his voice cracking, “He just… Erupted from the fog and sliced that women into two…”

He swallowed dryly, “I heard him call my name… He came for me. He came to end me.” And this information differed from the mission - Tazun had worried about the safety of the potential bridge, but there had been no indication that he was a target. That changed everything.

* * * * *

Koko & Aurora at the watchtower…

Aurora swiftly dialed Mugi, the sole communication device within reach, to initiate the alert for the teams. Meanwhile, Koko, in a remarkable display of resourcefulness, managed to unboot herself without triggering a catastrophic chain reaction within the trapped tower. As Aurora completed her call, intending to notify the remaining members of their team, she was immediately summoned by Koko for assistance. The situation demanded her immediate attention; Koko had identified a detonation device, its design deceptively simple yet it’d make a neat pyre of destruction if it went off. Disarming it safely was imperative, but Koko alone lacked the necessary number of hands. After a tense but ultimately successful effort, the detonation device was rendered inert and Koko was one red Arcanite crystal richer.

As Koko turned her attention to the task of tending to the beacon, Aurora reached for her phone, intending to complete the vital process of alerting their allies about the bombs. However, as she poised her finger to dial Bri's number, a sudden sensation of foreboding swept over her. A peculiar chill creeping up her spine. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on the phone, her senses on high alert. Yet, before she could comprehend the danger lurking beneath her very fingertips, a surge of searing heat engulfed her hand. The transition from cold to scorching agony was instantaneous, catching Aurora off guard. A sharp, excruciating pain erupted from the center of their palm as a spike of ice materialized beneath the phone, shattering it into fragments. In the blink of an eye, a second spike emerged, driving downward with merciless force. The impact was staggering; Aurora's soul faltered, its vibrant hue fading to a pallid yellow. The icy shard plunged through her palm and emerged from the back of her hand.

“You shouldn’t have come here.” a voice, gentle yet laced with an undertone of uncertainty, pierced through the dense fog. Its origin obscured by the swirling mist, it carried an unmistakable warning. The air crackled with the subtle feel of elemental energy, a telltale sign of active Arcanite nearby. The very essence of magic seemed to permeate the atmosphere. As the fog thickened on the upper level, it took on a life of its own, swirling and undulating as if guided by an unseen force. The once-stagnant air now pulsed with an otherworldly energy. “It’s not safe here,” the voice continued, its plea tinged with a hint of desperation. With each passing moment, the tempo of the swirling mist intensified, a silent warning of the power concealed within. “I don’t want to have to hurt you.” the voice urged, “He won’t know, if you leave now.”

* * * * *

Bri’elle & Hulta at the village square…

Bri whipped through the fog. It whooshed out of her way, and then collapsed in like a cloak behind her. She traveled several meters, blade thrust forward, but came into contact with nothing. She was fast, but the source of the sound had already been on the move. For a moment, she was alone in the fog - and she had left Hulta alone as well. The elf’s voice carried out. Calling their attacker a coward. Bri was back at Hulta’s side at nearly the same moment that she whirled around and swung her staff, sending the ribbons of air to blow a path through the fog. They pierced it, blowing away the curtain… But not revealing their attacker.

But he did laugh at them.

The word "Coward." sliced through the thick fog like a blade, sharp and accusing. There was a sudden rush of movement behind them, a fleeting presence that seemed almost tangible before dissipating once more into the swirling mist. "What do you know of cowardice?" The question hung heavy in the air, a challenge thrown from an unseen adversary. But before it could be answered, danger descended from an unexpected angle. A blade, glinting malevolently in the dim light, descended with terrifying speed, aimed directly at them. Reacting on instinct, Hulta and Bri moved as one, their weapons interlocking in a desperate bid to deflect the lethal strike. The impact reverberated through their bones as the force of the blow threatened to overwhelm them. Hulta's staff and Bri's blade strained against the weight and momentum of their assailant, a foe obscured by both the fog and the sheer ferocity of the attack. Not only was the blade thick and heavy, it must have been long, because even parried, the hilt and the attacker were too far to make out. With a terrible grinding of metal on metal, the attacker jumped back into the fog, pulling his back straight away.

“Are you so eager to meet death head on?” Another dark chuckle. “I’ll start with the little one.” He was on their left. Probably. “Cut her from kisser to cunt.” The blade lashed out again at an angle, spinning from above, he had jumped. It was all they could do to get out of the way. The fog rippled, twisting the movements, but not yielding. It would take much stronger forces to disperse it meaningfully. “Once I’ve had my hands inside of her… I’ll come for you.”

A sudden rush of wind, sharp and unexpected, whipped through the dense fog. Though small in force, it was enough to carve a tunnel directly ahead of them. For a brief, surreal moment, the fog parted like the sea, revealing a solitary figure standing approximately fifteen feet away. The figure's presence was both commanding and sinister. "But I'm going to take my time with you." The words were deliberate, almost taunting. The man, Momotsu, stood tall, just shy of six feet. His height added to his imposing demeanor, made even more menacing by his attire. He was clad in unsaturated, earthy colors that seemed to blend seamlessly with the environment, enhancing the illusion that he was part of the fog itself. His eyes, however, pierced through the gloom, locking onto them with an unsettling calm. As quickly as it had appeared, the tunnel of clear air began to close. The fog crept back in, reclaiming the space and shrouding Momotsu once more. He did not seem concerned that they might launch an attack. On the contrary, his demeanor suggested a quiet confidence, almost as if he were inviting them to make the first move, relishing the prospect of the confrontation that lay ahead.

[Lyrical]

Character Name: Bri'elle "Bri" Whitewater
Date | Time:  November 12th, Morning
Location:  Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance | VILLAGE SQUARE
Wearing:  full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Hulta
Bri had missed and returned to Hulta's side, her teammate's attempts had also been fruitless. The voice taunted them and attacked with savagery that took the pair to fend off. For a moment they were able to see the attacker - a large imposing sinister force. As the fog closed in around him again he taunted more from the shadows making vile threats of violence against Bri.

Bri snarled at the taunts then whispered to Hulta, "You got this. He's coming for me, I'll take the blow, you counter attack at the same time. We have to slow him down. Let him hit me." She didn't know if he could hear them even at a whisper and she had other plans, if it looked fitting to do, Bri's actual plan was to rely on her soul to protect her and also simultaneously attack. She braced herself and waited for the opponent to come for them once again. Shuffling step, she moved almost back to back with Hulta, enormous sword braced on the ground in front of her ready to slash out - no stabbing this time... They needed to hit this person and slow him.

Breathing slowly, she inhaled and exhaled a couple times to lower her heart rate and get her cortisol levels under control. Swift and precise... not hurried and wild.

[VVitch]

Character Name: Maria Rex-Astra
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Combat Gear
Tagging | Mentioning: Robyn, Mugi |
"Squires, and our mentor," Maria immediately replied as she looked Tazun over and saw he seemed to be unharmed, beyond being understandably shaken. That was something at least. For all she could, she kept up a brave face as she beckoned Mugi closer. Clearly there was peace with Tazun, at least.

As the man warned of danger Maria nodded but couldn't help feeling his rambling was leaving them under-informed still. "What are we in danger from?" Maria queried in response to his rambling. He climbed up, leaning and Maria tensed ready to catch him if he fell. "More than two," She assured him, then taking in the information he gave. Someone, male, had arrived and whoever they were they weren't showing any mercy. Neither would Maria, then. There could be none for a person like that.

It became clear the attacker was after Tazun in particular. That was enough to have Maria draw her sabres. "Stay with us. We need to get to our mentor, Robyn, then find the others," She spoke before turning to Mugi and continuing, "Can you stay here, keep Tazun safe? See if he knows anything that might help. I'll get Robyn, then we'll keep moving," Maria asserted, briefly speaking as though Tazun wasn't there in favour of being direct with Mugi, before heading for the door quickly and moving for the house Robyn had been investigating. "Robyn?" She called out, softly enough to try not to let it carry too far but trying to get back together as soon as possible.

[TheFluffyOne]

Character Name: Hulta Elderfond
Date | Time: November 12th | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy > Gaoden
Wearing: Dark brown combat trousers, green t-shirt, holster and heavy boots.
Tagging | Mentioning: Bri|
A loose curl danced away from her face as Bri returned to her side. Instantly, she felt a little more at ease knowing her squad mate was with her again. Her shoulder prickled with pain but she kept her staff raised. Prepared for another swooping attack. She hadn’t expected the voice to respond. To repeat the taunt. Hulta’s chest rose and dropped dramatically as her eyes snapped around the fog. Looking for anything to cling onto. To tell her where the next attack would come from. Just in time, they managed to raise their joint weapons to protect themselves from the next attack.

The chuckle coated her skin and Hulta snapped her attention to her left. The words that left the enemy made her stomach twist. She was used to playful taunts from other champions as they practiced. This was different. This was malicious. The words that slithered through the fog were not taunts but promises. Wind caught her hair and its force sliced through the fog. Wide amber eyes landed on the figure that seemed to blend into the buildings.

Sliding her staff around to resting against her shoulder, Hulta stared down their foe. The staff gave her some small semblance of support, all fear trickled from her face. She had her target. “Such a gentleman.” Hulta retorted, leaning more into Bri as the fog lapped around the figure. Leaving only those piercing eyes before they were swallowed as well.

Sharp whispers cut through the silence as Bri instructed Hulta to attack while she took the blow. Let him hit me. The confident mask cracked as she looked at her smaller companion. Hulta knew that protesting would fall on deaf ears.

Resting her back against Bri, Hulta slotted her staffs free. A whistle cracked past her lips as she sprung her shimmer to life. It wrapped around the ends of the staff and Hulta bent. Sacrificing a few morsels of her soul to bring the hum around her staff ends into a loud crescendo. Flipping her right staff handle, she caught it and sent the air wave out.

Rupturing the still of the fog and providing a miniscule pocket of vision. But that wasn’t the intension. No. It was a timid lash out to bring the tiger to them. Tempt him to make a move to attack her smaller companion. Her left staff end vibrated with energy as she prepared. As soon as the blow came to Bri, the razor sharp air wave would be sent towards the fog.

[CurvyKitten]

Character Name:  Aurora "Roar" Torvoe
Date | Time: |  November 12th, Morning (~8:12am)
Location:  Onyx Prairie - Hammer Academy | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Wearing: full kit
Tagging | Mentioning:  Maria, Koko, Mugi, Bri, Hulta

 Aurora tried to get out the word to their teammates but only managed to get Mugi. They could only hope the bat cutey would pass on the message. Sound off, spread the warning, and keep in touch, that was important here. Once that was done Koko drew Roar's attention to a fucking arcanite BOMB! The damn thing was rigged to have gone off on anyone that may have come through the doors most likely. Thankfully they had another way in. 

Koko was already in it though, her mind running a million miles an hour. She had it easily deconstructed within her mind. She just needed another set of hands, sadly though those hands had to be Roar's. They half smirked and stepped forward. Steady hands reached forward to work as directed. Only doing what Koko told them to do. And after a few tense moments, they had the bomb unarmed and disassembled. A long sigh of relief slipped free as Koko pocketed the red Arcanite. 

With that dealt with, Roar wanted to try and get in contact with their team again. But as they gripped their phones something happened. It was quick but cruel. Roar knew something was up before it happened. Their senses well toned and trained told her something was dangerous. But that bit of information only gave them so much. By the time Roar realized what might be happening it was too late. The pain took over their senses as blood erupted from their right hand. 

An ice spike exploded through their right hand, causing them to drop what was left of the phone. Their left-hand moves to grip hold of their right arm. Roar's knees wanted to buckle but they managed to somehow find the strength to remain standing. Grinding their teeth, Roar growled in anger as the voice filled the area around them. Their eyes scanned the fog-filled tower as the mist around them seemed to come alive. 

The mist swirled around them, pulsed almost, with an energy that seemed all too alive. Now Roar wanted to curse, wanted to scream and smash something or someone. But at the moment that wasn't possible, and even if it was, should they? They took several deep breaths and sidestepped to close to Koko,  "We are here to help the people of this town." they said through nearly clenched teeth. "I'm guessing that isn't you, or your friend. So maybe you should be the ones leaving." Roar forcibly yet smoothly suggested. Roar asked the cold of the ice-penetrating their hand burned, how does ice burn?! Roar grabbed hold of the base of her phone where the ice was connected, closed their eyes, and pulled. 

Clenched teeth stifled the scream that might have broken free as they dropped the ice onto the floor beneath their feet. The ice shard shattered into a million blood-soaked pieces as blood dripped down to the floor. Roar pulled a med wrap from her utility belt and began wrapping their hand. "Why are you here anyway, why take this town...these people?" Roar tried to keep the person talking. "What's the game here?"

[Aethyrium]

Tazun

Yukiku Yuha

Momotsu Zazuba

Robyn Banks

S T O R Y T E L L E R
November 12th, Morning (~8:12am) | Gaoden Village | Urban & Aquatic - Water Resonance
Next Post: 6.17.24 | Maria, Koko, Bri’elle, Mugi, Aurora, Hulta
Maria & Mugi at Tazun’s abode…
Mugi, stuffing her phone back into her pocket, did not seem particularly sympathetic toward Tazun and his shaken state. It was probably for the best that Maria was trying to lead him through the gauntlet of questions, because the little crow was just as likely to slap him until he shaped up as she was to be understanding. More likely, actually.

“A man… A demon.” He quivered in response. Whatever had come for them had shaken Tazun to the core. “A blade as big as a man. He… H-He didn’t even hesitate to start killing them. Like a butcher. And the fog… The fog followed him like a cloak.”

Following Maria’s lead, Mugi swung Suga around in her hand, twirling the heavy mace like a baton before dropping it over her shoulders, behind her neck, and lounging her hands over it. She peered at the old man, gave Maria a familiar ‘if I have to’ look, “I’ll crack him like an egg.” Her eyes lit up mischievously, and she flashed him a grin, “Kidding, kidding.” She glanced at Maria, then gestured with a nudge toward the door, “Just try not to forget about us.” Beckoning Tazun over, she started leading him back into the house, away from the wall. “So, who would want your balls on their mantle?” Maria heard Mugi inquire as she stepped outside…

* * * * *

Koko & Aurora at the watchtower…

“Then you’re too late.” The disembodied voice replied, “There are no people left in this town to help.” There was a quiet, still pause while Roar backed up and began to wrap her wound. Unfortunately, it wasn’t an actionless time. Beneath the feet of both girls, spreading silently across the entire floor of the top of the watchtower, a thin sheet of ice spread from a sourceless origin. “There is no game. Only the mission.” It crept beneath their feet - not a problem, until they went to move. “I’m so sorry.”

He’d given them the chance, but he couldn’t risk it any more. Yukiku came sliding out of the fog quickly - very accustomed to fighting on the slick surface. He used it to gain momentum, and while she was occupied, he came up on Roar. She had no guard up, and he was quick. Not particularly strong, though. None of his rapid series of blows was overly rough, but in combination they were a lot. Precision strikes tapped in quick succession against pressure points, each a painful jolt that slowed her responses. Each a push that caused her to take a step back until she hit the guardrail they had come up over and over to land on this floor. Yukiku hit her in the jaw with a strong, upper palm that tipped her right back and sent Roar sprawling over the edge and tumbling down back toward the ground.

Yukiku turned, pulling himself into a tight stance as he faced Koko after the surprise assault. Faint lavender eyes peered at her above a mask. They were… Sad. A little dead, even. Sorrowful. “Run. Please”

* * * * *

Bri’elle & Hulta at the village square…

The fog closed around him. He was gone again. Braced. Ready. They didn’t come. His lips curled into a vile smirk. They were afraid. He wasn’t. Momotsu dashed forward. He didn’t raise his blade, he swung it low and up. The blade sank into the earth, carving through it like it were butter. It went deeper and deeper as it swung from behind him to the forward. The attack, because of the unusual angle, was virtually impossible to defend against. But it left him open for that counterattack that Bri’elle had wanted. And he had underestimated their cohesion, their grit. If she were going to hit him, she needed to take the opportunity.

It was a devastating trade of blows.

Momotsu’s blade came up and threatened to do exactly what he had claimed - though, in reverse. The heavy weapon tore up through the earth, so smooth it didn’t even send pebbles flying. It cleaved up Bri’elle’s front. If she were a person, it would have been over. The blade would have cleaved her in twain. Instead it cut up her front. It buried past the defenses of her Soul. The blade cut a line up her body, from stomach, up her neck, and off her chin. Deep enough to sting, and ooze blood. It hurt. But it wouldn’t be the end of her. It would heal in a few days. Her Soul, however, took the brunt of the damage. It absorbed the attack, screaming in silent anger as the bright green drained rapidly to a yellow, and then sunk even further into sickly orange before the attack was finally done.

And there was her chance. Their chance. As Momotsu’s blade rose into the air from the followthrough, he was open. Bri’s counterattack was as merciless as she hoped. The blade sliced through the air and caught his flank. His Soul rattled, the green energy sparked around the wound point, and her blade dug slightly into his side. The power of Hulta’s Shimmer enhanced with a bit of her Soul ripped into Momotsu’s barrier, which sparked green as the tendril of razor wind dug into it. It passed through, enough to tear through his coat and clipped his chin. He wasn’t done, but they had made a solid show of damage to his Soul - especially considering the disadvantage they were working under.

He brought his blade down and it clanged, loudly, against Bri’s weapon. He shoved it away and shoved himself back into the cover of the fog, disengaging with them. His laughter grew farther away, and moved. He was circling them again. “Mmmmoooohhh.” He purred for the girls loudly. “They all died so quickly.” Momotsu paused off to their right, somewhere vaguely behind them, “So easily. You’re not from here.” His laughter barked, almost mad. Deranged. “Show me more. Die boldly for me. Make me bleed, we can share that, before you're gone. Are you ready now?”

* * * * *

Maria outside the homes with Robyn…

Robyn’s house had been slightly larger, but also empty. So she had been able to go through it fairly quickly. She was just stepping out onto the porch when Maria came up looking for her. “Hey,” she said with a little grimace and a shake of her head, “Not in here.” Robyn slightly sighed and squinted past Maria into the fog, “Any luc—”

She stopped herself as she jerked her attention into the unseen distance. The heavy clang of metal on metal - a clash between weapons, she couldn’t mistake it. That close it had to be Hulta and Bri’elle. Which meant that it was Bri’elle. Her eyes widened. “Bri!” She shouted, only to hear the chilling voice of Momotsu taunting them. This damn fog was a problem. Robyn reached for her opposite wrist, “We’re not alone. Here,” pushing up her sleeve she revealed a bracelet with twelve small arcanite crystals attached and pulled both white ones. She all but shoved one into Maria’s hands, “To hell with this fog.”

It had been a nuisance before, but if fighting was happening, it was a much, much more severe problem. But it was also too much, she was fairly sure, for her to expel on her own. It was everywhere, and so dense. “As big as you can make it.” Robyn pushed her Soul into the crystal and tapped its energy. She ignited it and called forward the latent magic within. She wasn’t afraid to expend the crystal, so she ignited more and more, until she felt she had all the power it could give primed, and then looked at Maria. Once she was ready, Robyn let it go, in sync…

[VVitch]

Character Name: Maria Rex-Astra
Date | Time: 12th November | Morning
Location: Hammer Academy
Wearing: Combat Gear
Tagging | Mentioning: Robyn | Bri, Hulta
Back outside Maria was relieved to find it only took a few moments to find Robyn. In unison with her mentor she reacted to the unpleasant sound of metal on metal, hearing that voice and gritting her teeth. Instinct told her to rush toward it, to join the fray, but she was occupied by the call Robyn made, a wiser call. She was offered arcanite but already caught the plan and shook her head. Blue suited her better.

Fishing a blue Arcanite crystal from a tight pocket at her chest, she felt the eb and flow of the energy calling to her. The more she let her soul rush into it the greater each wave of energy was. Quickly, her shield was gone and a part of Maria felt that palpable vulnerability but shut out the worry to maintain her focus. Now was no time for that.

With a nod, Maria confirmed the command. With almost all of the blue crystals she had, Maria let the natural currents take her soul and use it for a new purpose. Pulling the water in the air around them together. She'd never attempted something so big in a time of such need but she committed wholeheartedly, synched with Robyn.

The Arcanite activated and in a wide area around Maria and Robyn the vapor in the air, all that moisture in the fog, was drawn together to turn to droplets of rainwater. It was an odd sight, and feeling, that single sudden rainfall. One sheet of water, falling all together across the small town, not enough to drench but certainly noticeable as the air was cleared of fog.

"Let's get to the others," Maria quickly suggested, trying to get a better look at the battle up ahead and now once more readying her sabres after she had sheathed them at her back to use the Arcanite. Between her and Robyn they had done a great deal to clear out the sightlines, which helped her feel more comfortable but the very real threat to her teammates still had Maria tenser than she'd have liked.