Chapter 23
The ampitheatre is a slaughter ground, dead viera and fiends lie all over but the day is mostly the parties, four Viera retreated back into the structure beneath and the AMS Dao has been moored in place and a gang-plank extended. Captain Farquan looks around the mess then glances at Raziel as Alliandre comes up beside him and looks around, she shakes her head and drifts back aboard the boat as the Captain Speaks. "Well Raziel this seems as good a place as any to moore up and wait for your return. I take it you'll be going in after them for that Keystone you are searching for?"
Marduke is making his way off the ship still holding a hand to his head from a headache. His free hand holding a glass of water only to look around and sighs. "What a mess." he offers and shakes his head walking over to Raziel, "At least four got away, appeared to be casters of what kind but not sure which exactly. They didn't cast anything. They were prepared for us to." Looking around again, "something tells me there is more deeper."
Thaylorn has done rather well cleaning any mess of the battle off his armor and weapons and has probably checked any fallen Viera for any extra supplies or anything else that may be of assistance to the group, in particular maybe keys. "They were probably the ones that ended up bringing all the beasts, less all Viera can order them around." The Imp chimes in from where he's standing with the others, "So there might just end up being more later." He adds with a small sigh.
Mordecai stands off to the side a bit, quietly reloading his weapons with his remaining ammo... Having used up quite a lot during that battle really, so he likely will need to go back on to the ship for a bit to resupply. Looking up at the others then, glancing from each one, he decides to suggest just that, "Let's restock ourselves, and then see what's below this place."
Raziel stands admist the carnage, his eyes closed as if in meditation. However he nods to the captains words. Flicking his eyes open once again the man looks around and then back to Marduke, "likely so.. and if not they will be setting traps to keep is from entering the place that they're protecting. More traps.. this was one but... expect it to get nastier.." There's a nod to Mordecai, "restock and come back then, we better put a move on before they get things too nasty ahead."
Jenna wipes her sword clean on the pelt of one of the slain wolves, and slips it back into the scabbard on her belt once she's satisfied. Her pistol is carefully reloaded before being likewise returned to the holster on her leg. "Hell of a fight," she comments. "At least hte next part will be close quarters, so hopefully we won't have to worry about being swarmed." While the burmecian speaks, she wrests a bow from the fingers of one of the slain Viera, and stocks up a quiver with as many good arrows as she can scrounge up. "This is kinda primitive, but it'll do for me. I'm ready to keep going."
It doesn't take long for everyone to restock and prepare and have any wounds seen to by Alliandre's healing magic, the sun imp says she'll stay on the Airship however and await their return. Then it is a simple matter for the party to follow the Viera into the structure beneath the Ampitheatre. The openings in each tier lead down into a circular tunnel that runsa round the length of the chamber then radiates in to a central stairwell that winds down past several landings, access points to other tunnels on different levels of the ampitheatre. Then after they pass the lowest tier of the ampitheratre the stairway becomes narrower, winding down into the rock. It is damp and dark and dingy and the echoing drops of water splashing on stone is the only sound in this dark place.
Marduke just looks a bit grumpy as they start on their way down, offering a comment over to Jenna, "You have any idea how long Chlaal is going to be grumpy? Pridful dragon he is..." Shaking his head as his words trail off, but not really explaining further then that as he keeps his eyes sharp and actually smiles a bit, "Oh so much nice and cooler in here!" Pausing a moment and hmming, " Eyes looking to Raziel, "Thoughts on this?"
"Wonder if they put on plays or something up there." Thaylorn murmurs while the group heads down into the tunnels surrounding the ampitheater, the cooler damp air allowing him to avoid casting his cooling aura for the time being. "I doubt fiends would enjoy them much though." He adds with a smirk as he move swith the others "Any clue if we'll find what we need down here?" Mordecai keeps to the front of the party as they enter the tunnels... Not so much to lead, but because he's holding that sawed off shotgun of his in one hand, so it'd be a bad thing for him to be behind someone. However, considering he's also brandishing a large Bowie knife in his other hand, he probably doesn't want to use that scattergun too often, considering gunshots that to be VERY loud in confined spaces. His eyes keep scanning infront of him as he walks, keeping an eye out for traps mostly, but he still responds to some of the comments behind him, remarking, "If by plays you mean forcing hapless travellers to fight eachother to the death." Raziel hesitates and then frowns a little bit before making a quick move with his hand and a little flame bobs up overhead to help provide a little bit of light. He shakes his head to Marduke, but spreads his feathers a little bit, letting some of the cooler air sink in before snapping them closed once again. "I've no idea frankly, we are just following those who fled. Frankly I have little more knowledge than any of you just now. Lets continue."
Jenna shrugs her shoulders, falling into a spot near Mordecai, since he was the one who asked her to come along in the first place. "Ankle's buggin' me," she mutters, pausing a moment to adjust the metal brace around her leg. "Buggering thing." She walks with an arrow knocked on her newly purloined bow, and perks her ears up to listen for... well, anything. "So, when we meet up with the viera? any plans? Or just variously fill them up with bullets, arrows, that sort of thing?"
The stairs wind down for about five minutes and then come to an end in a long corridor, at the far end of the corridor a large archway can be seen and inside of it a large stone chamber. Four figures can just about be seen standing on a large raised platform at the far end of the room all looking toward the doorway and waiting.
Marduke frowns and stops as he notices the four figures. He hmms a moment and glances to the to Raziel, "Well boss, seems we have something big and nasty in there. Maybe a few protects or shells." Shaking his head as he glances back and frowns a bit and moving to stay near the back of the group more. "I lost one summon, but I still have two more. Jenna, I think filling them with holes is the idea, they tried to have us killed after all."
"Maybe, you'd think they wouldn't just be waiting for us all the way in there, if that even is them." Thaylorn mutters as he squints to see past the arch some ways away "Less it's another big sort of trap." He adds as he follows the others, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword once more in preperation for what may come ahead.
Mordecai pauses as well as the four figures become apparent, and then starts letting his eyes carefully wander over what he can see of the big hall, looking and listening for any signs of what might be waiting for them in there, aside from those waiting Viera. Meanwhile he rumbles out quietly, "They attack, we fight... And considering we took out at least half their tribe upstairs, prepare to fight."
Raziel's brow lifts a little bit as he seens the four on their platform. The man frowns slightly and he starts looking around for traps immediately while moving forward. His wings start glowing though as he mentally readies a spell, though doesn't release it. Quietly he mutters, "we've done this before. There's no reason for them to stand and wait, but for us to blunder into a trap. Keep a close watch and keep your weapons trained on them." In agreement with Mordecai. "Sorry 'bout your dragon," Jenna murmurs to Marduke, "But he seemed like the best way to get down." She draws her bow, aiming it at one of the four figures and keeping it that way as she advances with the others. She moves her feet as softly as she can, albeit with a bit of a limp. "Well," she murmurs. "Give the word, shoot or wait. Maybe they want to talk?"
The Viera don't do anything, just look back at you waiting atop their podium, watching you all, waiting. Behind them it is easy enough to see for everyone except Thaylorn is a small pedestal, sat atop that pedestal is a hexaganol object made out of blue stone and inscribed with strange runes. They make no move to approach you or attack or speak, they are just waiting.
Marduke glances to Jenna and offers a smile and a whisper, "Oh it is ok, it was a good idea. Just remember, in his view, he allowed you to ride him." A touch of humor there then his face glances back to the viera and he frowns again noticing the stone. "Interesting, to far to see what the runes may mean though. Mist madened, who knows what they are planning." Glancing to Raziel then the others, and moving to keep up with the group as they advance. "Raziel, sense any magic?"
"Marduke, see if you can protect us before we can get up there, I'll handle magical barriers." Thaylorn remarks softly as he keeps his eyes forwards, although not being able to see much there isn't much more to say. Instead the Imp begins charging a Shell spell to protect the group from magical attacks, mote of energy radiating from the creature as he casts his spell.
A glittering barrier of pink light engulfs everyone with a faint chiming sound, one of the Viera flicks her head and stares at Thaylorn then settles back in to just watching everyone again. You page, "The stone is heaped with Kharma, GOOD Kharma it radiates YEs ness" to Mordecai. Mordecai's gaze seems to linger for a long time after he spots that strange stone... His pupils visibly narrowing to anyone who might be able to see. But then he manages to tear his eyes off it again, and the man pretends he didn't kind of zone out there, letting his eyes shift towards the Viera once more as he calmly steps forward, seeing that glimmering shield erect itself around him and the others. And starting to prepare himself for an attack the moment they're wide out in the open.
Raziel hesitates as the shimmer comes into play and he nods to Thaylorn quietly before moving forward, apparently having not seen any traps. After a moment's hesitation the man speaks up, "all of this need not have happened. We did not wish to harm your people, but that stone behind you is something which we have come to aquire and must due so by the demands of the spirits."
The burmecian sidles up beside Raziel, pausing a moment to blink as the pink barrier shimmers into being around her. Jenna leans close to the Aygel, dropping her voice to a murmur. "'Borneth sleeps below me' is inscribed on the stone." The former soldier straightens, and pulls back her arrow once more, gazing down it as she aims at one of the viera. "I'll be impressed it talking works," she adds. "But it's worth a shot. So to speak."
One of the women steps forward and looks down at Raziel, "You attacked first, our pet was inquisitive, it was looking, you attacked it. We retaliated and now a day of doom is upon us all. Prophecy is fullfilled, our sanctum invaded by outsiders, foreigners with no care for nature." She jumps lightly off the platform and lands, "Now we have picked one of you to face oone of us. Your champions against those of us who remain. You will face us one by one in honour and if all four fall then we relinquish the stone of Borneth. If not then the curse of Exodus shall befall you all in this place and at this time."
Marduke crosses his arms as he listens not offering anything. A touch of a frown as he considers and glances to Raziel, then back to the stone and the Viera. "No, you retaliated because you were confident in our deaths. A attempt at killing, there was no honor in that. Now you offer a honorable fight?" Clearly not liking this at all. A glance to Raziel though as he waits for the leaders choice in the matter.
"There's no use talking about who started what now, their minds are fully set on the idea that we attacked them first." Thaylorn remarks softly as he listens to the Viera speak towards him, the mention of one on one combat bringing a frown to his face in turn. "Are you to do battle with them, then Raziel." He asks towards the Aegyl.
Mordecai's mouth twitches into a brief scowl as he listens to the challenge and the responses around him, before speaking up loudly himself, his deep voice carrying well, "We attempted to call truce and were attacked all the same. Your people's genocide is on you. Our kharma was not changed for the worse today." And he raises his large knife to point the blade directly at the Viera who spoke, sending a message.
Raziel opens his mouth to respond then closes it once again. The man frowns a little bit before stating merely, "we have a differance of opinion on what constitudes inquisitiveness, but a test of champions.." He looks over at those with them gauging their responces before he looks back once again before he takes a step back, "if you wish for champions to step forward then." He puts a hand on Mordecai's shoulder and another upon Jenna's, "then here they are. If you want me to take up that title then I too would step forward."
Jenna relaxes the bowstring, and returns her knocked arrow to its quiver, before dropping both on the ground beside her. "If there's a call for champions, I ain't answerin' that with a borrowed weapon," she comments. She draws her pistol and her sword instead, and tilts her head to cast a grateful glance in Raziel's direction. "But I'm a soldier, through an' through, an' if there's a call for champions... well hell, I'll answer it." She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "Best be makin' yer choice," she adds, gazing up at the approaching viera. "An' make it wise-like."
She laughs softly and shakes her head as she regards Jenna, "She is no challenger, she is a thief and a liar, a dishonourable cur, deserter." She hasn't come any closer just stood at the bottom of the platform. She does regard Mordecai then and looks him up and down. "You speak wrong Kharma master, you broke Kharma by coming here, by daring to disturb Borneth's Tomb but you I will accept as a challenger and should I fall then the next of us shall step forwards." She draws two large boomerangs and faces Mordecai waiting for him.
You page, "Is ok don't feel bad I checked my notes I had a References Re: Jenna nayway, they can all see that she is a deserter, its a Viera spiritual thing so they'd all refuse to challenge her as it is." to Raziel.
"Wrong!" Jenna pulls back the hammer on her pistol, and levels the weapon at the boomerang-wielding viera. "I'm a woman wrongly framed and convicted of a crime I ain't committed, fightin' against all the odds the world can pitch at me to live me life the right way. You call me a thief, a liar, a deserter?" She snorts loudly. "Then I challenge *you*. Either come and face me, or be accounted a coward and eat your words, if you can't find the pluck to take on one burmecian bitch, 'specially after hidin' behind a bunch of fiends, vieran whore."
Mordecai glances sideways at Raziel as the hand is placed on his shoulder, and he starts to lower his knife again... Only to hear the 'lead' Viera speak, adressing him as the chosen champion. He actually snorts a bit then, and starts to slowly step forward... Fixing his pale gaze on the Viera as he responds in kind, "Then may Lord Tonberry take issue with me when we're done here... But for now, I accept." And as he walks, something odd starts to happen... Tendrils of darkness reaching up from the man's own shadow, curling languidly up his legs and steadily going higher, until swirling all around him. Upon which they start to slowly solidify, parts of it even changing color to a dark crimson... Taking the shape of a long, sweeping Great Coat, a wide brimmed hat, and a dark burgundy shawl covering the bottom half of his face. The top half disappearing in pure darkness, aside from two pinpricks of crimson light where his eyes would have been.
She ignores Jenna's speech and moves her boomerang, "I have made my challenge, yours has no place in this hall. Kharma balances, Prophecy shall be fullfilled and I will not face the deserter." She watches Mordecai change and then she bows to him when he is about four feet away from her. "So be it... Prophecy is met," and hurls one of her steel tipped boomerangs right at Animus as the Esper finishes his emergences.
Remaining tendrils of shadow trail behind the man, bleeding off his newfound appearance, when he rather swiftly launches himself to the side as the Viera throws her Boomerang straight at him! The man, if he can still be called that, landing in a smooth sideways roll, somehow keeping possession of his hat throughout, and then coming right back up to snap his shotgun towards the Viera in retaliation- Even the weapon's appearance having changed, its wood darkened to a rich ebon, and intricate engravings now apparent along its metal parts.
She sways as she is shot at, the buckshot peppering her shoulder, she grunts and catches the Boomerang as it returns and at the same time she lashes out with the other. Not throwing it, just unleashing a crackling wave of electrical energy at Animus as he moves across the stone chamber. There is no dodging the creeping tendrils of electical energy, it hurts like hell but Animus is not bothered by electricity!"
Charging forward after his shot, the man seems to barrel right through the blast of electricity, not slowing down even as it crackles off him. And he attempts to close the distance then, limiting the space for her to use those boomerangs in... Sprinting pretty much straight for her, and appearing as if he might actually be planning to shoulder smash right into her.
Animus' charge however is dodged, she spins out of the way and brings her boomerangs down onto his back, the metallic edges like razors cutting through the cloth of his cape, slashing into his back nastily as she leaps away to safety.
Animus can be heard grunting loudly as those razor edges slash into his back, and stumbles forward, attempting to get out of range from further melee attacks and chalking the recent attempt up to a bad call... Soon returning to the tried and true method of sending a load of buckshot out towards his foe, attempting to spin around and do just that in time, before he finds another boomerang wizzing towards his head.
The Shotgun goes off with a boom, she is too close, it takes he square in the face and she crumples backwards, her body a lifeless shell as she sprawls out on the floor her boomerangs clattering to either side. Still Animus is in a rather bad way, the gashes down his back are deep and could be fatal if not seen to soon. The esper staggers onto his knees as up on the platform the three remaining Viera confer and then one of them steps forward and jumps down lightly. "I challenge the Servitor of Leviathan..." She calls out, "Let the imp test his mettle against me."
Having seen Animus's battle, Thaylorn can't help but seem a little hesitant when another of the Viera steps forwards and calls him out to battle. Sighing he merely shakes his head and steps nearer towards the middle of the room. "If you wish, just go a bit easy on me okay?" The Imp remarks with a large grin as he moves into action, trying to get the first move in so to speak...That move would be nothing more than gathering energy to himself for the time being though, his hands outstreched as almost if he was grasping at the air itself, trying to pull the water of the jungle from the air to his aid!
The air in the room is suddenly dry and crisp and quite refreshing for everyone else after the heavy humidity of this jungle ruin. The reason is the huge sphere of water that now engulf's Thaylorn, its energy crackling and discharging into the imp as he rises into the air and moves to meet his challenger! It's going to be one hell of a battle between mages as the Viera summons the spirits and power of the Earth to her side in defence! Best hold on people it's going to get messy with this much magical energy on the loose!
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