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Post by Raem Kichishima on Sept 10, 2009 21:39:57 GMT -5
What? Whaaazzzat?
Oh, are we back on? Shit! Wait, wait! Let me get the script...
...Damn it...
...Ah ha! Here we are.
Ahem.
Raem eyed the two people extensively. He realized that he had been doing so much analysis on Altair that he had completely forgotten his newest charge. As the blind girl looked to him, Raem met her dull-colored eyes with his intellectual ones.
He hadn't really given any thought to this girl at all, actually. True, she possessed seemingly inhuman senses when faced with danger, and the way she spoke was proper and rhetorical. But his main concern was the vigilante Altair. He was the one the universe seemed to expect the more trouble out of.
The girl spoke properly, as if she learned the language straight from the most royal English dictions. The way she stood was prim and straight, like there was a board of wood attached to her back. Even the way she moved was practiced and proper, the kind of walk only those of the most ancient and noble classes knew. It was obvious she came from a very proud heritage. And the way she wore her sword also spoke something. She was a warrior, no, a knight. A knight in every sense of the word. The girl knew it, and she didn't care who else knew. In fact, she wanted everyone to know.
She was also concise and to the point in the way she spoke. Completely rhetorical. One who is made to play judge. It was obvious she was bright and educated. Raem came to the conclusion that she must've been brought up as an heir or something, or at the very least her parents were extremely proud and wealthy.
And going by the fact that she had an appointment with the lord of this town, it was plain that she was also very important.
Raem knew of several houses that brought their kin up this way, usually rich, important people. The kind you'd imagine wearing fancy suits and dresses and going to dinner parties. However, very few of those also trained their kin in the art of combat. It was obvious from seeing how the girl withstood that drunk man's attack that she was practiced at defending herself from an early age. No, she was meant not only to defend herself, but to fight in an all out battle.
There were only a couple of rich, proud, combative houses that came to Raem's mind. Just which one of those this girl was a part of had yet to be seen.
He already knew what she wanted when he looked back at him. She wanted an opinion out of him. She wanted him to speak.
Normally, if you asked Raem something like this, he would just give you the blankest stare you could possibly imagine and shrug in the most anonymous way possible afterwards.
But this time. Well...this was a special situation. Eh, not really. Just call it a sense of whimsy...
"...This vigilante isn't really any of my business," Raem said.
Since you rarely hear Raem's voice at all, let's describe it a bit, shall we? The tone he used was monotonous, plain, and devoid of really any outward emotion but gentleness. It was a quiet voice, one you would hear in a library coming out of the mouth of a young boy trying to whisper while still wanting to be heard. Yet, there was obviously an undertone of cutting intelligence ready to well up from underneath. It said to it's listeners "I may play the fool at some points, but I can assure you I am not one."
"what he does with his time, he does it without my concern," he said, in that quiet, gentle, intelligent tone, "however, if I should ever catch such a man with his blade raised to the sun ready to chop someone down, especially if that person was me, then I would have no choice but to act."
"Though I do understand he must have his reasons for what he is doing, the fact of the matter is killing is killing. Whether for peace or power, riches or justice, death is death, and it does not discriminate between the good and the bad. Just because you have your sword held high and fight in the name of justice and peace does not mean you get to decide who lives and who dies."
True, this last paragraph might have had a tang of spite in it. Specifically towards the one targeted as the vigilante.
After this, Raem was silent once more. Impatiently, he began to tug on his new charge's hand again to signify they should get going.
All the while, in the dark shadows, he knew there were those that watched his every movement.
***
In the dark shadows.
A man with white hair and sunglasses stood against the wall.
A man and a woman enter the room.
"Did you find Raem?" The man asked.
"Of course we did," said the other man, who was wearing a paper bag over his head, "what do you take us for?"
"~Remmy's got some new friends~" Said the woman in a sing-song voice, "~He doesn't wanna hang out with us anymore! Phooey!~"
"It's not like Raem to deviate from the plan," the white haired man said, "what's he thinking?"
"It seems he got caught up in that vigilante character's business," said the other man with the paper bag. If one listened to the raspy quality of his voice, one would think he was grinning maniacally as he said it.
The white haired man snorted.
"~I think we should go and play a while with Remmy's new friends!" Said the sing-song girl, as she sat down and swished her legs back and forth as if she were only six, "~They look fun! That vigilante guy looks kinda cute...~"
"We have no time to be fooling around," said the white haired man, "the last thing Crimson Lotus needs is another "Hilde Incident" in Tully Village. The mission was get in, get out. Simple."
"It would have been, if Raem had stuck with the plan and met us at the right place," said the paper bag man.
"~Oooooh! That Remmy! Holding that blind girl's hand like that! How dare he cheat on me!~"
The girl said in a pouty voice.
"Raem's not your boyfriend!" Said the paper bag.
"~Of course he is! He just doesn't know it yet!~"
"Why would you even want him, anyway?"
"~Hehehehe. Underneath all that heavy clothing, he's actually kinda cute!~"
"....YOU'VE SEEN HIS FACE!?!?!"
"~More than thaaaat~"
"...WAIT! YOU'VE SEEN HIM...!!!!"
"~Uh huh~"
"HOW!?!"
"~What? Raem doesn't catch everything you know. Hehehehe...~"
"Enough of this. We're going to proceed with the plan. Get into position at the lord's manor. Raem will meet us there."
So spoke the white haired man.
"What about Raem?" asked the bag head.
"He already knows we'll be there," said white hair, "I'm sure his mind is already think of ways to use the situation he's in to our advantage."
"~That's Remmy for you!~"
"We'll continue with the plan. Once Raem gives us the signal, we move. And remember, this mission is supposed to be quick. In and out. No funny business."
White hair especially gave a glance at the girl.
"~Awwwwww. But I want to get to know Remmy's new friends!~"
"NO...FUNNY...BUSINESS."
The girl slumped her shoulders.
"Move out. Let's go."
So the members of Crimson Lotus moved out of the room single file through the only door.
Leaving the horribly disfigured and rotting corpses in the room finally alone to rest.
[4/4]
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Altair Eleison
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4845]
"You'll be gone soon enough."[A1i:3]
Posts: 48
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Post by Altair Eleison on Sept 11, 2009 22:28:03 GMT -5
I sighed, knowing that there was no official way to prove it. Well, by myself. I didn't have the documentation. That was all with Caterina. However, I did have the member stamp. Rolling up my right sleeve, I revealed the familiar phoenix tattoo, that looked like it was made of henna. It was black and stamped on the inner side of my upper right arm.
Running my left hand over it, I tried to feel a different texture, if one existed, but I couldn't tell any difference. So how exactly was I able to prove what I said...? Sighing, I kept the sleeve rolled up and thought for a second. It seemed there was no way out of this. "I don't have any official seal, other than my member stamp. And I don't feel any difference on my skin, where it is, so I doubt it'll prove anything to you."
Looking at them both, I let the boy's words sink in. What did they know of me anyway? Especially him. He had no right to criticize me. Of course, if I took major offense to that, then I would definitely have proven myself to be a vigilante. And I'm not denying that I am. But if they knew I was, they would probably not let me go alone. If I proved otherwise, I might get my freedom.
"I completely agree. No one has the right to choose how someone lives and dies. I did lie about my name, but that is because I've heard of this guy before. He does look similar to me, and his name is Dusk. So, if I use his name, a lot of people don't question it. And since I know it's the same scenario, I tried it. Apparently he didn't buy it." I sighed, looking off to the side.
"Anyway, if you'd like to come with, I feel no need to stop you, but I just was letting you aware, that this lord isn't exactly trusting of people..." Of course, he wouldn't be, when he feared I'd be coming to kill him. Would you, if you knew a vigilante was coming after you? I know if someone was after me, I wouldn't be very willing to trust people with weapons! If nothing else, I had my magic, which I could use to buff my fist and legs, rather than my sword, like I usually did. I had never actually tried it, but it would work theoretically, right?
Regardless, it was decided that we would go to the lord's building together. I really hoped this wouldn't come to haunt me. "Well, if we're ready, let's get this show on the road." I said, walking past the two of them, heading towards the mansion. The gate looming overhead, like the mouth of a monster set to devour us...
...wow, that sounded pretty ominous, didn't it?
[5/4]
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Corina Lucifer
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4795]
The light of the Morning Star guides me.[A1i:1]
Posts: 22
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Post by Corina Lucifer on Sept 12, 2009 1:00:10 GMT -5
So indeed, the old saying reigns true. That for every person in the world, there exists a double. Not an exact twin, by the face alone, but the similarities would be striking. At least, that was how I remembered the saying to go. It is useless to take note of an adage that would be of no use to me. I cannot see. Perhaps somebody else out there would be able to use it.
I heard this man, who had yet to introduce himself, pass us by. Whether it is Dusk, or Altair, or whatever his true name happens to be, that can be left out for investigation later on. He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. But that is understandable. He has an appointment with the lord, and this little incident has made him tardy for it. Another interesting affair was the lengthy speech made by my silent new guide. That he could speak with such conviction despite his tone, truly gives credence to another old saying.
The quiet ones merely keep shut the floodgates of speech. Once opened, words befitting a thousand dialogues spill forth. They gather in the mind, and the throat. Waiting. Waiting for that opportune moment of freedom, when their master is urged to speak his mind. Either by their own efforts, or by the works of those on the outside. That is at least, my humble opinion of this silent guide, who treads in heavy clothing. Silent and stealthy as he may be, but there are some elements that become audible once every now and then. Perhaps a brushing of weighty fabric against the dirt, which would otherwise go completely unnoticed by the average person.
And an average person is somebody I am not.
How much further was it to the lord's manor? I could not tell. But a fact that was now apparent to me, was that it was located at the top of a hill, what with the ground steeping ever so slightly beneath my boots. The rest of the climb was not something I would call pleasant, but a Knight such as myself is accustomed to this kind of inconvenience. A mere trek up a mound of earth is nothing worthy of complaining about. Perhaps some of my pedigree who are forced to do so on foot would whine, a direct result of their being so inured to comfort that the very thought of having to traverse a hill without a carriage irks them greatly.
For the consolation of you who sympathize with these irresolute members of high society, I would just like to say that the hill was not so steep as one would imagine a hill. The climb did not take much time, either. This would at least tell me that the residence was at the very least, on the outskirts of this town, if not within its boundaries. We had not left the street, as to the feeling of cobblestone. From this, I could conclude within good reason that the path up the hill was paved. However, it is worth noting that having a paved walk up a hill is more stressful to the body than climbing one of dirt.
The hardened surface reflects more energy than it absorbs. Much like a punch being returned to you, this kinetic energy thus deals more damage to your body, reciprocal to how tough it was. I am however, not a physicist, and cannot explain these ideas in the proper detail outside analogies that were taught to me in my childhood. Put simply, that is why it is far more advisable to strike a puddle of water with your bare fist than it is to strike a castle's wall.
Our little group stopped at what I assume to be the gates. It is quite amusing, actually. We have known each other these past few minutes, and have already gone through some mishaps together, and yet we have yet to exchange names. While I would like to have one of those as soon as possible, it is rather unlikely, given the circumstances we are presently in.
Judging by the conglomeration of breaths that I could hear, there was a large group of individuals standing in front of the gate. A quick estimation of the distance of each relative to myself, indicated that they were standing in formation. Guards. It was a rank - width, to those unfamiliar with such terminology - ten men strong, with a file - depth - three deep. That totalled to thirty guards positioned directly in front of the gates, as if preparing for some sort of armed confrontation. With what? This Vigilante Altair that I have heard of?
Surely, then, he must be quite dangerous and determined, to have such a host of guards waiting for him.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
A standard challenge by any guardhouse manning any secure location. I honestly care not for counting the number of times this familiar speech has entered my ear. I gently freed myself from the hand of my guide with a bow of gratitude for his assistance and stepped forth. "Dame Corina of the House Lucifer stands at your gates."
"What business do you have here, Dame Corina of the House Lucifer?"
That response did not sound so inviting. Not in the slightest. Still, I continued. "I wish to have an audience with the Lord of this manor, a short enquiry as to the authenticity of a guild I am prospecting to join. My companions, on the other hand, are here for an appointment that they have set up prior." I could not be certain about the silent one. But the man who allegedly resembles the vigilante Dusk, at least told me of having one.
"The Lord will not be seeing you, or your companions, Dame Corina. He is preoccupied at present."
"If this is related to his distrust of people who keep and bear armaments, then I shall disarm at this gate and surrender my weapons to your custody." Outside persuading them with my tongue, this was the only way, as I see it right now, to gain entrance to the manor. I reached for my sword, still within its scabbard, and stood it on the ground before me.
Suffice to say, I was taken aback by what followed. "The Lord will not be seeing anybody, Dame Corina. Take your companions and leave."
Just what was the meaning of this? They were not even going to entertain us for this short while? I could not understand. What reason did they have to be so unwelcoming? I withheld any further response until I could think of something that would work. This should not take too long...
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Post by Raem Kichishima on Sept 12, 2009 9:14:11 GMT -5
Are you serious? Do you really expect us to believe that? Granted, it seemed to be a passable explanation for the blind girl, but not for Raem.
As learned and powerful as the blind girl was, she was being painfully naive at this moment.
'Does she honestly believe he's telling the truth?' Raem thought.
It was obvious he was lying. First off, the chances of someone looking exactly like you, enough like you to be your twin, is staggeringly unlikely. Second, why would you take the identity of a vigilante that you know is dangerous? To up your street cred? And in a hostage situation? You could have died because of that mistake.
Finally, the drunk man already named the vigilante as Altair. This person claims the vigilante's name was Dusk, and that his name was Altair. If that wasn't completely obvious enough, here's something to reinforce it. The drunk man, no matter how drunk he was, was obviously trained to do his job. Even intoxicated, he was able to take a woman hostage (albeit a blind woman) and keep the two of them off. He reacted with a calmness befitting of a contract killer once he saw his target, and he acted the way he thought he should.
The drunk man was a professional. It was obvious. And professionals don't forget names and faces, and they don't make those kinds of mistakes.
I used the word "obvious" a lot in that paragraph. Is there a reason? What do you think?
Did this Altair honestly take Raem and the blind girl for complete idiots?
Raem fought down the urge to speak again and went along with it. Why not? Anyway, it's going to come as a complete surprise when he finally reveals his true nature.
As they walked up the hill, Raem wondered if Jaffar, Amy, and Nestor would get the signal correctly. He had been calculating how to turn this situation to their advantage for quite some time now. Going off the intelligence he had gathered (that he was supposed to bring to them earlier this morning, but then got sidetracked with this) he knew that the lord's manor was one of those typical rich guy mansions that had multiple back doors and windows for assassins to enter unnoticed. Was Jaffar going to take one of those? He couldn't be entirely sure. But what was certain was that, now that he was at the point of the mission, the man in the spotlight, he would have to create the opening for them.
But a question that weighed on Raem's mind more heavily was this one: How in the world was he going to get these two people he was traveling with to safety?
Altair could probably take care of himself, but what about the blind girl? How would she get away from this mess Raem was about to create? How was he going to make sure neither of them got hurt?
Before he knew it there wasn't any time left. They had reached the lord's manor.
Raem counted at least 30 guards. The courtyard was big, and filled with topiary masterpieces. The manor was just as Raem saw it last night. Factoring in the size of the manor and how paranoid the lord must be to assign so many guards to the front, Raem noted that there must be at least 10 or 20 more guards inside. The lord, seeing how afraid he was, must've boarded himself up in his study.
'A Lucifer? Really?' Raem thought. Well, that would explain alot. Raem didn't know the Lucifer house, but he knew of them. They were a very distinguished house of "mage knights" with a proud lineage and ancient practices. Not to mention powerful. The fact that this girl was one of them spoke volumes about her already.
For one, she was a mage.
It was already established that Altair was a mage. His tattoo and his word was proof of that. A mage was far stronger and had more abilities than an average person. Even though it didn't mean they were all powerful, if you pit a mage against one of these guards here, chances are the mage would come out on top. Even the lowest ranking mage had a better chance then an average person in a fight. So it was no wonder the lord was afraid. This, and the fact that miss Corina Lucifer was obviously an outstanding mage made the decision just a little bit easier to make. Just a little bit...
Though Raem hadn't really assessed Altair's abilities as a mage yet, he found that he didn't have a choice in what he did anymore. The mission had to go on, and Raem wasn't left with any other option.
Stepping back and grabbing Altair's hand, he placed Corina's hand in his had whispered to him in the most frighteningly serious voice imaginable.
"I know you're the vigilante," he said, "but like I said, I don't really care. Something's about to happen here, and I don't want to see you two get hurt because of it. Take miss Lucifer and get out of here for now. Once we're done here, you can do whatever you like with the lord."
Raem's eyes met Altair's with extreme ferocity. In case Altair's eyes didn't get the message, Raem re-stated it with his cuttingly intelligent voice.
"I'm trusting you."
Raem turned away from his companions. He knew that miss Lucifer had heard what he said, and he knew he didn't have much time. The guards were already talking amongst themselves and giving hostile glances at his group, presumably Altair.
He knew the other members of Crimson Lotus were already in position. They just needed their point man to give the signal.
No time left. Raem sighed.
Then, out of nowhere, a horrible wailing scream, like that of a banshee, erupted from Raem as his body seemingly exploded into a pitch black mist that covered the entire front end of the courtyard. The light of the sun was immediately suffocated into oblivion. It was as if the world suddenly ended, and everyone was cast into an alternate dimension where there was only darkness as far as the eye can see. You couldn't even see your hand in front of your face. When you breathed, you took in a cold, wet substance into your lungs that threatened to suffocate you from the inside. Your suddenly drenched in something cold and disgusting. All the while, there this low, metallic sound resonating through the air. Like metal was crying out in pain. It enters your ears and sends chills up your spine.
Raem was not immune to any of these feelings, but he had gotten used to them. In the pitch black darkness, while the guards were confused and panicked, he melted into an amorphous shadowy puddle of ooze and advanced forward.
If one listened closely, tried to make it out past the sound of metallic tears and fought the urge to throw up the darkness seeping into your lungs, one could probably hear the sounds of 6 sets of feet moving forward into the manor, and the sounds of guards quietly being slaughtered.
(Abilities used: Serial Pitch, Serial Velt)
[5/4]
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Altair Eleison
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4845]
"You'll be gone soon enough."[A1i:3]
Posts: 48
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Post by Altair Eleison on Sept 12, 2009 14:15:45 GMT -5
I was willing to fight my way through this guard wall, to get to my target. I had already brought my hand down, onto the hilt of my blade. However, it seemed the cloaked boy wanted to handle that too. Feeling a hand thrust into mine, I looked at him leerily while he whispered in my ear. I'm sure all of that got transmitted to the blind girl, so I didn't even wait.
"Do whatever you have to..." I was going to join them, actually, until he blinded the whole area around me! God damn it, I couldn't see an inch in front of my face. Of course, that wasn't a disadvantage to the blind girl. I hated to do it, but I was going to rely on her, instead of have her rely on me.
"Miss Lucifer..." I said, leading us back a few steps. "I think you need to be our eyes..." Instead of waiting for her to question it, I closed my eyes tightly. "For, at this moment, I am quite blind. He used some kind of darkness magic." I opened them, still seeing nothing. Or at least, I was sure I had opened my eyes. I really couldn't tell.
"And I'm going to assume, due to your blindness, that your senses are heightened beyond anything I can do..." I felt my eyes widen, though my line of vision didn't grow at all. Well, as far as I was aware! I had a theory, about what I could do. Of course, after a quick run down of my magic skills, I realized I had no real way to focus on my hands. My sword and my legs yes, but no buffing magic for my hands. Since this was a magic, surrounding us, I could have always used wind to blow it away.
...in theory, of course. I wasn't sure if that was even possible with this type of thick area-based magic. It had definitely brought about something I needed to do in the future: learn a buffer magic that could be controlled with my hands. Maybe even something specifically to cancel out other magics. Wolf Burst, Fury and Charge were all offensive. ...wow, I really wish I had some kind of support skill now.
Now the family name Lucifer had been heard by me before. It was pretty well known. That meant she really was some kind of knight-mage, if she really was a Lucifer. But, could this blind girl do anything to help me? Only one thing but to ask...
"...perhaps, you could use some magic that will clear away this blackness, Miss Lucifer?" I said, quietly, still trying to see by desperately closing my eyes tightly and reopening them.
...nope, nothing....
[6/4]
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Corina Lucifer
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4795]
The light of the Morning Star guides me.[A1i:1]
Posts: 22
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Post by Corina Lucifer on Sept 14, 2009 7:43:04 GMT -5
Just as the right words began to form, my - usually - silent guide whispered into what I am assuming, is the other man's ear. Accusative, for one. But direct to the point. Not to mention, bearing startling news. So that meant, of course, that my earlier supposition was correct. This man is dangerous. So is the other man, Dusk or Altair, whichever his name really is. I froze as something reminiscent of smoke entered my nose. It was painful, cold, and made me want to wretch. But I have been through much worse. This pain is nothing, compared to what other things I experienced.
Behind the screen of metallic wailing, I could hear it. Footsteps, coming from three separate directions. Swift, methodical. Eventually, weapons were drawn, and were just as quickly unleashed on the confused guard detail. The guide had now disappeared into... something I could not quite explain through hearing alone. But I heard a distinct, creeping. Not too different from what I would imagine a puddle of mud to be doing if it wanted to get somewhere. What was this, really? I could only guess it was some matter of assault by an unknown guild. Likely, it was a dark one.
I had to act. Had to stop them from what they were doing... This was breaking and entering, accompanied by murder. No, scratch that. This was no mere murder. This was a massacre, the slaughtering of people in a way so indiscriminate as to make it no different from the butchering of cattle. And yet I could tell, from the way they moved, that I was not in any proper shape to fight. No, the numbers were against me this time around. Even if my companion agreed to fight them, we would be outnumbered two to one. Additionally, he was blinded by this smog and would be no better than bait to these who seemed accustomed to it. Lastly, he may not have been suffering from the ill effects it brought to the lungs, but I certainly was.
There was no plausible way, no matter how you analysed the situation, that we could possibly do anything to save these guards. Much as it pained me to do so I could only stand and listen to their muffled deaths. With the thought of how useless I was at the moment, something my father had once said was further reinforced. It was a foolish idealism to think that you would be able to save everybody you came across. Regardless of what power you possessed, people were going to die. As a simple example aside from what I was experiencing at the moment, even if you could save the world from destruction, crime would continue even while on your watch. Murder would proceed in the malicious way it always has.
I have yet to hear of a magic that allows a person to be everywhere at once. This is why guilds exist. Where one man suffers, the group makes up for his weaknesses with their own strengths. Sad as it is to admit it, the world is imperfect. A perfect law with imperfect implementation can only do so much, but that is all we have. That is why we strive to achieve the maturity that is needed to understand. Though the world is flawed, and life herself is an unfair maiden, it takes a truly dedicated, a truly strong, upholder of justice, to do what is right because it is the right thing to do. Your individual actions may not make a large difference at the beginning, but every little good deed is a drop in a potential ocean of such acts.
Swallowing my pride, I held fast to Altair's - let us assume that his name is Altair for now, as it is more convenient to do so - hand. "I must apologize, but the only spells I am learned in are combative." What would I do with a spell that provides illumination, or casts away darkness? For one such as myself, it is pointless to do so. In retrospect, however, I realize that it would be quite suitable in operations involving team activity. Unless of course said mission required stealth and the use of the cover of darkness, but that is another matter entirely. Perhaps if I find myself in the employ of a guild, I can develop one in due time.
The Knights of Teppelin were individualistic creatures, as it were. At most, they would ride in units of two or three, but only very rarely. They believed that the strength of each individual Knight was sufficient for any situation. Indeed, that was the case for the best of that esteemed corps. Dame Leang, the Tigress, was notorious for being capable of cutting down even a fully-armoured opponent with a bamboo sword. I had only been graced with an opportunity to spar with her once, but that single instance was all I needed to determine that the stories surrounding her were most likely true. The boon in speed that was provided by the lightweight weapon's material... was unlike any I had seen before.
"But that will not be a problem." I could tell that these mysterious raiders had already dispatched with the guard detail and were well inside the mansion by now. Perhaps, there was still a way to get my appointment and defeat them in peak condition. "Keep your hand in mine, and allow me to lead you through this suffocating morass of darkness." The advance was slower, as there was absolutely no visibility. This was different from the seeing leading the blind. This was the blind leading the blind. And it would be well for the leader to take care lest they both fall into a pit. I was fortunate, however, to be used to this condition. Those long treks in between towns were a fruitful exercise in the use of my sense of touch quickly enough so as to feel the way without falling too far behind.
I prodded. Tested. Inspected. We traversed a field of corpses, contact with each stiff body sent a familiar chill up my spine. These were once human, and require our respect. I gave my silent apologies to those fallen whom I had stepped on during the trip. To be fair, it was not long to the front door of the manor, once we had gotten past the open mass grave. As expected from any noble dwelling, the path was clear as was possible. The main component of slowing down one as myself was obstacles, you see. When passing a main road, my trips were quick, due to the fact that my sense of direction had adapted to my lack of sight. As long as a way is straight, I can follow down its general direction.
My boot met the threshold and told me of the thick carpet. Already, my imagination was painting various hues onto this plush construction. A royal crimson? An elegant Pacific blue haze? Perhaps a homely off-white? There was no time to think about that. There were more important matters to deal with, such as the capture of the people who so efficiently stormed this house. I turned to Altair. "You have not told me of the lord. His reputation is something I am unfamiliar with... For this I will trust you to be honest, that you will provide me with knowledge that you swear to the Morning Star is true. Tell me that he is a righteous man, and we shall strive to save him from these assassins. Tell me that he is corrupt, and we shall work together to submit him to the proper authorities, that his trial be swift and just."
[6/4]
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Post by Raem Kichishima on Sept 14, 2009 13:04:33 GMT -5
It takes Serial Pitch about 5 minutes to disappear in the day time. In 5 minutes, the dark mist cleared, and the entire bloody scene was put up on display for all to see. Armored bodies, bloodied and mangled in the most catastrophic way, were lying on the ground in the most horrific display of brutality this peaceful town had ever seen. Faces were slashed, limbs were separated from their bodies, etc, etc. I think you get the picture. And yet, where were the culprits? Why, inside the manor, of course. Already finishing up the last of the enemy offense. It was plain that this wasn't just a battle. No, far from just a battle scene. Heck, this wasn't even a war zone. This was a coordinated, fully planned attack. Jaffar, Amy, and Nestor were the muscle, Raem was the brains. Victory was completely assured. Why? Because Raem knew that in order for total victory, total victory, to be achieved, a strategist needed three absolute elements. Those were as follows: Fear, Surprise, and Intimidation. You must break your opponent, before you engage them. If this is done, then it doesn't matter how many troops you have, how much supplies you have left, if the opponent has the home field advantage or not. Four mages were able to completely exterminate a military battalion 55 men strong and lay siege to a manor that could easily be the size of a small fortress. On top of that, none of the invading force suffered any casualties, or was even wounded. Why? Because of those three elements of battle: Fear, Surprise, and Intimidation. If any one force has control over all three of these elements, then that force's victory is completely ensured before the battle even begins. Every tactician worth his salt knows to seize these elements first, before anything. And he was worth his salt, and much, much more. A miniature sonic boom jarred Raem out of his thoughts. The blast of sonic energy completely vaporized the door in front of them, turning the wood into dust and the dust into nothing. In the dim light of the room, Raem could see Jaffar smirk at a cowering old lord huddled up in the corner. Before the poor man even had the chance to plead for his life, Jaffar turned him into dust with another one of his "Sonic Resonator" attacks from his gauntlets. A deep red mist, the remains of the lord, wistfully whirled around the feet of the Crimson Lotus members as they entered the study. Raem heard Amy sigh behind him. "~Why can't I be a sonic mage?~" she asked, in a playfully disappointed voice, "~It looks like so much fuuuuunnnnn.~" "Raem. The vault." Jaffar said. Raem, without saying a word, pointed to a nearby book shelf. Jaffar nodded. The white haired man went up to the bookshelf and put his armored hand right in the center. Then, in a split second, he slammed his palm into the shelf and it turned into dust, and the heavily fortified vault behind it turned to dust. "~Wooooooowwwwww~" Amy said, "~That's a looooota jewels.~" "And it's all ours..." said Nestor, the man with the paper bag over his head. "It's the guilds," said Jaffar, "this money goes to the funds of the Crimson Lotus. We only take what we need, leave the rest behind. I'm sure some taxpayers would be glad to have their money back." Seizing a manor, killing a lord, and taking the spoils wasn't really was Crimson Lotus was about. But seizing a manor from a corrupt lord and taking only what the guild needed, then it was sort of alright. Raem had known this particular lord was corrupt. The mission here was to take money from the stores and give whatever was not needed back to the townspeople. Usually, Crimson Lotus only deals in killing off dark guilds, but this was an exception. Mostly because the guild needed more funds and usual contract jobs were starting to dwindle. Dark guilds aren't funded by the Mage Council, after all. "Let's start loading up. The carriage should be here shortly," Jaffar said, "remember, ONLY TAKE WHAT WE NEED." "~Of course, of course!~" Said Amy, whom the comment was directed at. As the rest of his guild members began their plunder, Raem began to walk out the door. "Where's he going?" Asked Nestor. "To keep a look out," Jaffar said, "in case we get more visitors." "Are you should he can handle them? Raem didn't even lift a finger to fight when we took this place." Jaffar gave Nestor a wry smirk. "He may not look it, but Raem is a powerfully skilled mage. He can handle anything that comes out of the front door. The only reason he's still a B-rank is because he fails some of his missions on purpose." "In reality, he's as powerful as any mage in this room. Maybe...even more so." "I can see why you would think that," Nestor said, "his timing and coordination of this attack was completely flawless. I haven't seen such fool-proof planning in a tactical strike since "Third Eye" Partridge. We were able to take out a full battalion men and take this place in less than 10 minutes in broad daylight! And not even a scratch on us!" Jaffar spoke again, but only to chastise Amy for trying to sneak some jewels into her pocket while he wasn't looking. Yes, Jaffar knew, more than anyone, how powerful and dangerous someone like Raem could be. In fact, if he wasn't so soft, if he let go of regret and his reluctance to kill, chances are he would be the best candidate for the position of Guild Master after Helical Shughart. 'If Raem ever became like one of us, became an assassin, a killer, that's someone I wouldn't want to fight,' Jaffar thought. And this is coming from the man who can turn things to dust with a single touch. While his comrades continued to quickly plunder the former lord's treasure stores, Raem Kichishima stood outside in the middle of the great opening hall. A faceless figure silent as stone, guarding the only entrance to where his teammates were. And waiting, just waiting, for someone to try and get past him. Oh, and just so you know, here's an image reference so that Jaffar, Amy, and Nestor don't look like faceless figures. Jaffar: i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk203/insane_in_the_membrane123/Anime%20and%20Manga/Rurouni%20Kenshin/YukishiroEnishi3.jpgAmy: i144.photobucket.com/albums/r191/Lil_Terra/Battle%20angel%20alita/BattleAngel-Gunnm-Alitaminiskirt.jpgNestor: i16.photobucket.com/albums/b37/I_MyKoL_I/Guilty%20Gear/Faust.gif[6/4]
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Altair Eleison
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4845]
"You'll be gone soon enough."[A1i:3]
Posts: 48
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Post by Altair Eleison on Sept 14, 2009 15:33:35 GMT -5
I was about to respond to her question about the lord when the darkness returned. I winced, stopping dead in my tracks and covering my eyes with my left hand, shading them, while my eyes readjusted to the light. After a few seconds, I was able to bring it down, seeing the carnage. "Miss Lucifer, the light has returned." I said, wincing at the sight that had consumed my eyes. It definitely was brutal. Faces, arms, legs, chests, and various other body parts were cut, on the fifty-odd men, lying lifeless in the courtyard.
I took over the lead, stepping over bodies and begrudgingly moving motionless limbs, so the blind lady I was now escorting wouldn't trip over them or force herself to trip, by feeling for the corpses. I walked towards the main door, after getting through the now vacant courtyard, which was still open and made sure the girl was with me.
"To answer your question, though, Miss Lucifer. This lord has stolen a vast amount of money, from the people of this town. The poorest people, no less. I had an appointment, to retain the money. However, it seems like someone has beaten us to it." I looked at her. "I was going to give him a chance to give me the money. If not, his judgment would be very swift and very just. Five starving households, and withholding payment? The penalty would be just as equal. So, with five starved people, trying to feed their children and going without themselves, and near death, would be that. Death. It's morbid and dark, and I don't want to do it but, it has to be done..."
I sighed. "You may not agree with it, but it's not like anything is going to change if someone doesn't initiate it. 'Quae non prosunt singula multa iuvant', what alone is not useful helps when accumulated. It's what I believe in, and why I do it." I sighed again, looking down, as we finally reached the main doors. "I may sound like I'm trying to justify murder, and I'm not. I'm just saying my beliefs..." I had another thought, which was cut off, as we reached the open door and saw the hooded boy standing there. I stopped again, abruptly, probably much to the shock of the girl I was guiding.
"Oh, I see it went well." I said disdainfully, narrowing my eyes at the boy, releasing Miss Lucifer's hands. "I don't see the need to kill these men. They have not been at fault. In fact, if you had let me talk to the lord, myself, I would've made sure only he had been killed. I can't guarantee no one else would've been injured, but just one casualty."
Since it was pretty much in the open, to these two, that I was the vigilante, I didn't see the point of prettying up my words. "I'm going to take the leap and assume the lord is dead too. I really hope he didn't try to negotiate the return of stolen money." I untied my katana's hilt from my belt, and held the strings with my left hand, tightly. "Because, if so, I have to turn my blade on you and any partners you have. Unless, of course, if he is dead and you left the money, then I will let you live. But be forewarned, our next meeting won't go so key, if that's the case."
I put my right hand on the hilt of my blade, keeping my eyes in a tighter narrow, my eyes in a full-blown glare. My blade made a slight clicking sound, against the hilt, obviously alerting the blind girl, that a battle might begin. And hopefully, this boy would just pass it up. I really didn't want to hurt someone who did a part of my job, for me. And if they left the money, then I was willing to let them go safely. For this meeting...
And this meeting only...
[7/4]
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Corina Lucifer
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4795]
The light of the Morning Star guides me.[A1i:1]
Posts: 22
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Post by Corina Lucifer on Sept 16, 2009 1:08:19 GMT -5
The painful sting of personified darkness in my nose was eventually replaced by the foul stench of death as Altair announced that the fog had been lifted. Blood, freshly spilt no more than a few yards before me, and done so in a matter of seconds. I could not react. I had wished to, and yet, I could not. Though my heart burns for my inaction, my failure to salve this guard detail, my rationale reminds me once again that any attempt to do so would have been in vain.
As a knight, it is important to distinguish courage from foolishness. Attacking an enemy with superior power and numbers as part of an overall strategy intended to defeat him, despite the high chance of being overwhelmed by these advantages of his. That is courage. Mounting a frontal assault on your foe with no plan in hand, while in an inferior fighting condition, believing yourself to be courageously defying the odds. That is foolishness beyond any doubt. Always weigh the possible outcomes of your actions. Will throwing your life away in a losing battle make any difference? Or will retreating to a more secure fortification and saving yourself for a future, more winnable encounter?
This was perhaps, the only thing that had stopped me from trying to interfere with the massacre. I had no plan. I was being suffocated by a smoke-like substance that may or may not have been toxic in nature. My only seeing companion was blinded by this same smoke. Needless to say, it would have been pointless to fight back then. But what about now? Now, there was no such darkness clouding his sight or my other senses. Furthermore, I had been able to determine, or at least, make an educated guess, on the capabilities of one of the guide's companions.
Some form of magic that manipulated vibrations. Minuscule booms channelled through solid matter in order to disintegrate it. The professional level of application had muffled the sounds that such things would normally generate, but my acute sense of hearing was able to pick them up. Still muffled, but audible enough that they could not be mistaken for figments of the imagination. There were several other factors to insert. These I pondered, even as Altair had explained his views.
There is one problem that I see with such an approach. It is the wrong kind of counter-agent. Unnecessary, and as he himself admitted, morbid. The system already has a built-in solution to corrupt officials. If one is able, then why not approach the proper authorities to file a complaint? The objective inspector will not defend the accused, nor will he necessarily sympathise with the accusers, but he will seek the truth. Once the truth is determined, he will make his move according to what has been prescribed by the word of law.
Just as every little drop of water that falls into a rain bin helps sustain the life of an outdoors-man in the wilderness, every single grain of salt that is added to a cake in place of sugar makes the cake taste worse. With the exception that a person prefers salty cakes to sweet ones, but that is another matter entirely that is irrelevant to the point of the analogy. To make it clearer, let me replace the salt-instead-of-sugar with a more visibly disturbing example. Adding drops of urine to a dirty drinking pond will not cleanse the pond. It will only further degrade the water's drinkability. It takes pure water to wash away the dirt that has accumulated. Rain that cleanses the pond by overflowing it and in the process, forces the dirt out.
I listened as Altair conversed - so far without response - with the silent guide, who stood quietly before us. Was he standing guard, perhaps? It was difficult to say. And with his motionless stature and virtually inaudible breathing, I could not say where he was, exactly. I could, however, tell that the vigilante intended to fight against these assailants if necessary. I cannot say that my assessment of these people was anywhere near perfect. It was but a short reading of their earlier demonstration of skill, and was lacking in many departments.
However, the odds have at least, improved. I said earlier that courage must be distinguished from foolishness. This, however, must also be balanced with one's devotion to the causes of righteousness and justice. As a result, all these considerations create an unsteady tightrope upon which a knight must carefully tread lest she fail her oaths in the process. This massacre and my inability to stop it conspired to place a heavy burden on my shoulders. If there is even a slight chance of success, then for the sake of protecting others, I must grasp it.
"There is a fine line between devotion and foolishness. As a knight it is my sworn duty to take action against deeds such as this." I prepared my sword. "However, the odds are very much against me, and it would be foolishness to throw my life away in a clear-cut defeat that will amount to nothing. Much as my pride and ideals demand that I do otherwise, the best I can do within the bounds of realism is invoke a parley. That you allow the people to the money that is rightfully theirs. In exchange, I shall defer my blade for this one instance."
[7/4]
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Post by Raem Kichishima on Sept 16, 2009 7:43:29 GMT -5
"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools."
As Raem suddenly spied out of the corner of his no-face two figures approaching him that he knew well, this quote by a famed and wise scholar suddenly crossed his mind.
Here was another one:
"At least two thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity, idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of religious or political idols."
This one quote I believe sums up the whole situation:
"After a foolish action comes remorse."
'Seriously, were these two SO IDIOTIC THAT THEY DIDN'T HEAR A WORD I SAID!?!'
The sentence above passed through Raem's thoughts, and he was able to stop it before it reached his mouth.
'Did I not put it clear enough!?! Should I have made him sign a contract!?! What the hell!?! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?!?!?!'
Another sentence that was, fortunately, shot down in the fields of his mind before it could reach the great Wall that was his mouth.
Raem is usually one who can suffer fools with dignity and sophistication, but this time around it was a little bit too much. He had given Altair a very simple order. To make sure himself and miss Lucifer were safe. That meant hiding in a shop, or perhaps taking the next carriage out of town.
'But what does he do? He goes and BRINGS HER AND HIMSELF TO THE EPICENTER OF THE ENTIRE BLOODY MESS!!! Yes, why not? Lets bring the blind girl out to the house where 3 psychopathic killers who were able to kill a battalion of 55 men are plundering treasure in the next room! After all, I've got a sword! I'll just kill them all and be done with it! Is that right you LONG HAIRED, MOUTHY BUFFOON!?!?!?!'
'IDIOTS! THEY'RE ALL IDIOTS! AM I REALLY THE LAST INTELLECTUAL MIND ON THE PLANET!?! WHY!?! WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN TO ME!?! I'M SURROUNDED BY COMPLETE MORONS!!!!'
Suffice to say, the sniper that patrolled the wide-open fields of Raem's mind was really on a roll today. Not one word make it past the wall of his teeth and out into the real world.
Quietly, still not moving or saying anything to his two-
'IDIOTS!'
Um...I know you having an episode here, dude, but can you please let me finish?
Quietly, still not moving or saying anything, and having fought down the urge to bash his head against a nearby marble pillar until he lost consciousness, Raem regarded his two former companions with eyes intense and full of pity for the stupid.
These people. He wasn't even sure why he tried to reason with them. They were so blind by their righteous ideologies that they failed to grasp the full dangers of their situation. Did they even know what Jaffar was capable of? Did they even stop to consider that they could die today? Altair definitely didn't. Judging by the way he spoke, full of foolish confidence and idiotic resolve, he thought he held all the cards. This guy, Altair, who has never killed anyone before in his life, wants to barge in on a group of psychopathic killers who were trained to be assassins, who's only trade in the world deals with death. Being willing to die for your beliefs was one thing. Blatantly throwing away your life for them was another thing entirely.
'He honestly thinks he can kill Jaffar,' Raem thought, 'let alone Amy and Nestor. At the same time. I can't believe such stupid people exist.'
His eyes regarded miss Lucifer in a snap, with the exact same kind of remorse for fools.
'You went along with it,' he thought to her, 'your no better. You may look sane and rational, but in reality, your just as stupid as he is. Did you ever even think to consider what might happen to Altair? What kind of knight are you? What kind of knight doesn't even give a thought to their comrades in arms? About their safety? What kind of noble protector are you?'
With all these unspoken words in his mind, it was no wonder Raem didn't have an ulcer right then and there.
For the first time since the two entered, after a long period of silence after Altair and miss Lucifer had stopped speaking, Raem sighed.
He turned around slowly, silently, to the passage hall behind him. There were two great red-wood doors that Raem specifically stopped Jaffar from destroying. Down this hall and to the left, up the stair case would be the lord's study, where this allies were still taking their plunder.
Far enough for them not to hear the battle that was about to commence.
The carriage would arrive in 7 minutes. If Raem could at least hold them off for that long, then perhaps no one else really needed to die today.
He took the great red-wood doors by their brass handles and shut them with a great clunk that echoed through the room.
Then, producing a key from his heavy sleeves, he locked the doors so that no one, not even himself, could get into the next hall.
The key disappeared into his sleeve again.
He turned and faced his opponents.
Raem wasn't a complete fool, unlike his two friends here. He noted the room was wide open, that, aside from corpses lying around here and there, it was going to be a straight up fight. But that didn't mean he wasn't prepared. That didn't mean he didn't have information, knowledge, that he could use against them both.
For example, just by looking at their weapons, Raem could deduce the overall styles of swordsmanship the two practiced. Altair used a katana, a sword developed in the East Islands somewhere between the 5th and the 6th century. A thin, two handed sword that was forged using the folded steel process. The blade was single edged and slightly curved, with the center of the curve having the most cutting power. The point tapered off to a tip that was suitable for thrusting attacks. The katana was also thin, and somewhat lighter than most conventional swords of the time.
The emphasis of the katana is fast cutting and slashing attacks. The thinness of the blade, curvature, and two-handed style compliment this. Most conventional katana wielders focus on this when they fight. Fast movements, strong stance, and powerful two-handed slashing and cutting movements.
From this, Raem deduced that Altair was probably a swordsman who relied on speed and power to get him through battles. Studying Altair's build, strong, somewhat thin, and lanky, Raem also deduced that he was quite flexible in combat.
Now, what of miss Lucifer?
Clad in armor, wearing a long, two-handed double-edged sword at her side. This type of sword was heavier, due to advances in plate armor and chain mail. Miss Lucifer's kind of sword was probably developed to withstand a great deal of damage in order to break through armor and such. Also coming from the fact that she wore heavy armor, Raem deduced that she must be an exceptionally strong swordswoman despite being so small. After all, that sword and that armor was pretty heavy.
Raem already knew both his opponents were mages.
Even still, going with the facts he had deduced just by observing them both, and taking into account his surroundings, his super-computer mind began formulating a strategy that would suffice to take them both out without killing them.
Silently, Raem raised his right hand and bade for them to begin the battle with a gesture that said: "Come."
[7/4]
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Altair Eleison
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4845]
"You'll be gone soon enough."[A1i:3]
Posts: 48
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Post by Altair Eleison on Sept 16, 2009 15:11:32 GMT -5
I narrowed my eyes even further, clenching my teeth. Did he really want to fight us? Even if he had allies, in this courtyard, he was alone. And outnumbered. Two experiences swordsmen-mages, held the advantage over a single pure-mage. In both speed and power, we would hold the advantage over any spell he could cast. Not to mention the fact, he had used a magic (if it was him, which I had a feeling it was, based on his warning), then he was highly taxed. No matter how good of a mage, he used a lot of power to sustain that for an extended period of time.
I unsheathed my blade and tossed the sheath to the side, holding the blade in my right hand. "If you really want to fight us, I have no problem. But I don't want to fight you, if you just swear to leave some of the money. I don't want to hurt you. I don't agree with what you've done, besides the fact you did my job for me." I brought up my left hand, pointing it at him, all fingers extended.
"But, if you're so keen on fighting two trained swordsmen, far be it from me to ruin your excitement!" I took a few steps forward, the blade held parallel to the ground, in my right hand, hoping not to fight him, merely because I just wanted this task to be done and over with. As far as he knew, I had never killed someone, but that is far from the truth.
So far, to date, I have killed seven corrupt officials, for various reasons. The first, was a very similar case to the official they just killed. However, this was going to be my first vigilante act, in my home village. I didn't want people, like Katia know what I was doing. I really didn't want to let Raine or Caterina know what I was doing.
So, I had killed corrupt officials, while on missions with Raine. Or on journeys with Caterina. And to date, the number was seven. I guess in cold-blood. It was murder, but righteous murder. And number eight, if this boy was wanting to fight me and Miss Lucifer in tandem, was going to be cold-blooded, but not for my righteous reasons.
For the reasons that he challenged me, and to get rid of the smell of blood, in this courtyard, he would become number eight!
...unless he backed down...
[8/4]
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Corina Lucifer
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4795]
The light of the Morning Star guides me.[A1i:1]
Posts: 22
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Post by Corina Lucifer on Sept 28, 2009 5:17:52 GMT -5
As expected, the floodgates remained shut. Instead, what I heard was the sound of something wooden, something heavy, in all likeliness a door - double doors, more likely than not - shut with a loud creak. He was still in the room with us, silent as the grotesques that I imagined to be standing outside this mansion. It should be noted that the word grotesque, when used as a noun, refers to the classification of statues that gargoyles belong to. As the name implies, they are quite bizarre, revolting in some cases. The difference between a mere grotesque and a gargoyle is that of functionality; the former is but a decoration, while the latter is used as a roof drainage system.
But enough of that.
Explaining simile is something that does not bear much importance outside enlightening those lacking insight to the meaning of its use. A plain reassurance that my grammar is in its proper place, and that I am not using an adjective as a noun. Though certainly, it serves its purpose, it has little to do with what is happening at present. That is to say, that I am standing several feet away from a dangerous hitman, who just shut the doors and challenged us, in his own silent way, to duel.
I need not speak any further. He has decided that we are a threat to his little incursion. No, allow me to correct myself, as to what I have witnessed of his companions. We are a mere disturbance, a mosquito standing on the arm of a giant, awaiting annihilation. The giant has three of his four fingers preoccupied, and is making use of this last one to try and swat us. It may give you the impression that we are being underestimated, but I must remind you that this is nevertheless the finger of a giant, not that of a normal person. It is best to refrain from underestimation at this point.
Review. What do we know about this silent guide? First off, he is part of a group of highly efficient killers - I would go so far as to say assassins - clearly set out to perform some form of deed, likely assassination, on those dwelling and guarding this mansion. Second, he is, quite obviously enough, not one to speak his mind, unless he is prodded or feels an undeniable urge to do so. Third, he is capable of using a form of magic that materializes darkness.
Point number one: judging from the efficiency of his companions, and the timing of which they executed the raid, he is every bit as experienced and skilled as they. This man can in no way be underestimated, lest I wish for my own demise this day. Point number two: this silence is a mask that renders him unreadable to me. I can only tell so much from movements. Possibly, level of skill, reaction time, average movement speed, but these are results. I have no way to gauge what lies within, outside that one earlier occurrence, which tells me that he has a calculating, intellectual approach. That is most likely factored into his combat methodology.
Point number three: this solidified darkness is thick, not so much a curse as it is an embodiment. It does not seem to have that many harmful effects other than to slight those with sight - not a problem for me - and irritate the lungs - something I can adjust to given enough exposure. It is furthermore best to assume that he has more spells up his sleeve, given his capabilities. It is these wild cards that I must be prepared for.
This is not so much a duel of enemies as it is a duel of ideals. I must admit that I cannot condone Sir Altair's approach to life. There are procedures to the execution of justice. One cannot simply take life as they believe must be done. It is the unnecessary letting of blood. There are better ways to punish a corrupt official, ways that allow the problem to be solved in an organized, timely manner. Killing the lord would have temporarily done something, yes. However, one must look forward to see the possible consequences. The authorities may not have realized he was corrupt, and merely removing him from the picture with no trial and presentation of evidence will lead to the vigilante's arrest and worse. Thus, creating more problems than before. In the bigger picture, he may evade arrest, and continue on his misguided quest for justice, but the authorities will become more conscious and enact some edict or another that will make life worse for the people.
And that is but an example. This other man, on the other hand, kills as part of his livelihood. Whether it is for some misguided ideal, human greed, or some matter of mental curse, I cannot tell. That is what makes this encounter with him most difficult. I know not what lies within his heart. And if I do not know what sits at his very core, I cannot reason with him. Judging from his actions, he has already shut the door to negotiation.
I tipped my sheath to a drawable angle, and clenched my right hand into a fist. "If that is your response, then it is clear. Parley is not an option for you. Regardless, I have two possible choices. To fight, or to retreat. I sense, however, that there is a reason that you have isolated yourself from your comrades, and challenged us singlehandedly. Whether to prove the superiority of your prowess in battle, to take the credit of our demise for yourself, or to save us from a greater threat, are mere conjectures I have considered."
Magical force began to gather in this fist, the invisible purple illumination on a wavelength invisible to human sight. "The only certainty I can perceive, however, is that I will find my answer through locking my sword with yours." I raised the fist and opened it in his direction, the invisible violet radiation condensed into a ball suspended before my palm. "By the Morning Star, I accept your challenge!"
It was a swift motion, a twinkle in the night sky. Within a second, I had released the orb, sending it towards the silent guide, drawn my sword, and dashed forward like a runner at the go signal, to position the point at his neck. If done correctly and with the proper timing, this match should conclude before it even begins in earnest. He should choose surrender over decapitation... But much as I had hopes, I had to keep my self grounded in reality, and prepare to counter a counterattack.
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Post by Raem Kichishima on Sept 28, 2009 10:12:26 GMT -5
Well, after a couple day's hiatus, it's finally begun. Truth be told, I was worried. The carriage might've arrived already even before we got the party started!
But enough of that. Raem's been waiting patiently for this all along, so I might as well give you all a run down on what he's going to do about the knight with a sword that's charging him.
Actually, Raem didn't expect that kind of tactic from miss Lucifer. A full-frontal assault was more of Altair's thing, he figured. Plus all that tension that was building up between the two...you'd have thought he would strike first. But eh, it doesn't really change much in the lieu of things.
Quickly, Raem gathered up his magical power and transfered it into his hands. Then, with that familiar wail, that same pitch black mist exploded out of his cloaked figure.
Only this time, the effect was different. Instead of covering the entire area, the black mist shot out in a stream in front of him. A straight line of darkness that went from one end of the room to the other.
This stream of darkness was aimed directly at miss Lucifer, so if she didn't move out of the way, she would be caught in the blast.
Raem had already disappeared into the darkness. Running surprisingly fast in order to catch Miss Lucifer's blow.
Now, what exactly is the logic behind this move? What could Raem possibly hope to gain from running into the enemy's blow?
How about the fact that he knew the perfect way to counter virtually all swordsmen-type moves?
Sounds suspicious? Well, here's the skinny.
Raem, as you would know, if you read the profile, was a traveler for the better part of his life. Even though he was a skilled mage, and he hung out with other skilled mages, that doesn't mean danger just left him alone every now and then. Bandits, pirates, robbers, all those kinds of things are a constant plague on a traveler's minds. And most of these dangerous people are, in fact, non-mages. And what do non-mages use instead of magic? Weapons. Swords, axes, spears, even guns.
Now, Raem being...well...Raem, simply destroying them with magic wasn't enough. After all, as skilled as he was, there were actually non-mages out there that could have killed him once or twice.
So what could be a better was to defend yourself than by studying the enemy? Over the course of his travels, Raem has done extensive research on all the weapon-based forms and styles. Swordsmanship especially. He read books, went to schools, even practiced a few moves himself.
So, taking all this knowledge over the years, he had found the perfect technical counter to all swordsmanship styles.
Want to know what it is? Well, for the sake of Rping, I guess I have to explain it regardless.
The basic cuts of a sword, no matter what style you practice, are the following.
1.) Vertical strike. The cut that goes straight down and splits the enemy in half from the head to the toes.
2.) 45 degree diagonal strike to the right. This cut enters the enemy's left shoulder and exits his right side.
3.) 45 degree diagonal strike to the left. This cut enters the enemy's right shoulder and exits his left side.
4.) Horizontal cut to the left. Basically a swing. This cut slashes the opponent in half from the left to the right, separating his upper and lower halves.
5.) Horizontal cut to the right. The same thing as the previous, except the opponent is cut in half from right to left.
6.) 45 diagonal cut upwards to the left. This cut goes up instead of down, and enters the opponents left side and goes up to the right shoulder.
7.) 45 diagonal cut to the right. The same thing, except the cut enters the right side and goes up the left shoulder.
8.) Horizontal cut upwards. This cut enters the opponents groin and splits him in half going up to the head.
9.) The normal thrust attack.
Any attack in any form of swordsmanship always ends with one of these cuts. A downward slash, no matter how you fancy it up, is a downward slash. A horizontal cut is always a horizontal cut.
Now, some styles have different variations of the thrust, which makes for additional cuts. But rest assured, Raem has already factored these in.
But yes, these nine cuts are the basic fundamentals of any form of swordsmanship. Every beginner has to learn these nine cuts in order to become a swordsman. Even second-rate swordsmen know this.
But what can Raem do with this knowledge? A lot.
Since all attacks in all forms of swordsmanship have to end with these nine cuts, all the stances in swordsmanship have to comply. If your going to attack horizontally, then you have to have the proper stance in order to prepare for it.
By watching the stance, the positions of the sword, and the movements of the opponent's body, Raem can predict where the attack will land using the fundamentals of swordsmanship against the swordsman.
In short, as soon as Corina Lucifer took a stance, Raem already predicted what move her sword was going to make, and thought of the perfect counter attack.
In a swordsman, the knowledge of the nine basic cuts is used to initiate defensive maneuvers by predicting where the opponent's sword will be. In Raem, it's the exact same thing. With the knowledge of the nine cuts, coupled with the physical prowess he has as a mage, Raem can predict every cut Corina Lucifer makes before it happens, and counter attack accordingly.
I think you're beginning to see why Jaffar thinks of Raem as he does. The fact that Corina is a swordsman while Raem isn't should be an advantage on Corina's part. But Raem, with his superior knowledge, has turned the very fact that she is a swordsman into her disadvantage.
So yes, that also puts Altair at a disadvantage against Raem, doesn't it?
Now, many mages would have stopped it at that and gave it a rest. But not our Raem. Oh, no. He's just getting warmed up.
While he didn't know what kind of skills miss Lucifer was capable of in terms of magic, his general knowledge of the Lucifer house told him that they pass down their magical arts from generation to generation. Therefore, it's more likely that Corina uses the same magic as her predecessors, which has to do with the various manipulations of light.
Even though Raem didn't know exactly what kind of light, and what kind of manipulation, his super-computer mind told him that he should best be prepared.
So that was the reason for throwing that stream of Serial Pitch out there. Since Serial Pitch is designed to cast an area into complete darkness, even suffocating the existing sources of light, it was the perfect counter to Corina's light magic.
In addition, this stream of black mist leveled the playing field. Before, it was two against one. But now, if Corina was still in the black mist charging forward, chances were she could probably see in the mist herself as Raem could. But Altair couldn't, so he had no way of attacking and knowing if he was going to hit Raem or Corina. Raem and Corina could see in the mist, but Altair couldn't. Therefore, while the two grappled in the stream, with Raem hopefully coming out on top, Altair would be lost.
What would happen if Corina just exited the mist? Well, that's a tactic for another post.
Using Serial Pitch before had already weakened his magical power, so Raem couldn't use it to it's full capacity.
Usually, Serial Pitch blankets the entire area in darkness, but Raem has learned to use this ability in a number of ways over the years. Concentrating the magic into a stream that created a barrier of dark mist around him was just one.
What? He likes to be flexible with his magic. Wouldn't you?
So yes, as soon as Corina Lucifer attacks, she'll find a huge, disgustingly long hand made of darkness ready to intercept her strike at the hilt, so as to take away the power of her blade in a grapple.
[8/4]
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Altair Eleison
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4845]
"You'll be gone soon enough."[A1i:3]
Posts: 48
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Post by Altair Eleison on Sept 30, 2009 3:19:50 GMT -5
Wolf Charge! I focused the wind around my legs and kicked up, holding my blade in front of me, as I rushed towards the darkness controlling boy. Of course, that was before he had darkened the area, but assuming he was still in front of me, I kept the focus going and closed my eyes, preparing for any kind of impact. But it never came....
At least, not on another human. Because in the darkness, that was the surroundings and my closed eyes, I felt my left shoulder hit the wooden door, and stopped, releasing the wind around my legs. Feeling around for the handles, even though he had closed the doors, I tried to push it open, theorizing, that in his tired and over-exerted state, that his darkness was easier to break through. The light from a chandelier would be able to work, since I assumed the wall was well, a wall for his skill. The proverbial boundary of darkness, as it were.
I pushed and pushed, and nothing. So, I went to my next try. Wolf Fury! The wind focused around my hands, as I slashed at the door five times, getting progressively faster. I hit the same spot (presumably, my eyes were still closed after all) five times and hesitantly opened my eyes, a flash of light blinding me.
Success, I had broken through. Using the slashes, as a grabbing point for where the doors were weakened, I pushed again, and separated the days, the small beams becoming a curtain, that blasted through the darkness, right by me. Turning around, my back to the light, I smirked, their silhouettes, being made out now, as I tightened my grip on the sword.
I can see you...Eight... I thought as I charged the wind around my legs again, kicking off the ground and rushing at him, not losing my focus on the boy, whose back was currently to me, as he tried to face-off with the blind girl. Wolf Charge!
[9/4]
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Corina Lucifer
ORACLE PHOENIX
[M:4795]
The light of the Morning Star guides me.[A1i:1]
Posts: 22
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Post by Corina Lucifer on Oct 1, 2009 22:10:22 GMT -5
I smelled it. That same oozing shroud from earlier. A disgusting aggregation of various unnamed magical energies that simulated the pitch blackness of the night. Not that I could justifiably describe it myself, but from second hand description, and from what I felt, it seemed to be the case. The antithesis of my family's art and soul. Darkness incarnate. But there was something different about this mist's quality. Something that I could not quite put my finger on until it was almost literally in front of me.
I rolled to the left and out of its way, still confused to a lesser degree. The slightest hint of something cutting through air found its way into my ear. The ink was solid. Or at least, had enough density to be temporarily so. This was an inevitable feature of his ability to forge darkness, no doubt. Like a shadow, only as manipulable as any puppet with its strings intact. This mist that he exuded was malleable enough to become an extension of his person, a weapon with a range that could only be limited by the size of the area it blanketed.
I skidded to a stop, still facing in my opponent's direction, and heard Altair's sudden burst from what sounded like a practice run on the double doors. Why in the Morning Star's name he would do such a thing is beyond me. However, it could not have been something so wasteful as mere practice. Something had been done, something that I could not so quickly comprehend. At least, not until I smelled it.
The odour of the mist was fainter than it had been mere moments before. It was still present, yes. But now, it would seem as though it had dissipated somewhat. I suspect the earlier door stunt was somehow connected to this, and I would not be surprised at all, if it was the cause of this weakening in the darkness. I pulled that revered ancient sword, Danwyn, behind me, gathering potential energy as one would in a spring.
The next step was a basic manoeuvre, which most of my training consisted of. Every fighting style consisted of a set of basic moves, each one having a specific purpose. Depending on how one wished to fancy his or her combative system, these basic moves would be ordered and adjusted accordingly, forming the building blocks for whatever have you. The speed and force may be increased or decreased, but a downward diagonal slash is still that. The same can be said of a lunge.
The secret of successful swordsmen was to never depart from the basics. To master the basics is a fundamental edifice in one's training. You can stack up as many combinations and psychological elements as you wish, but to depart from the foundations of swordsmanship is a trap brought about by arrogance and hubris. Those who elevate themselves above the basics fall not long afterwards. I should know. I once faced an opponent who was like that.
He claimed to be the greatest swordsman in the world. I had no idea who he was, but his voice will forever be etched into my mind, brash, arrogant, and consistently taunting. His condescending approach to women did not help his case any. Who was he to mock a swordsman for her gender? It is not whether a person bears children or sires them. It is their skill and proficiency with the blade that established their right to respect, or lack thereof. Suffice to say, his basics were off. He was too focused on flying around and performing ludicrous stunts that were highly inefficient.
In the end, I defeated him, earning his ire and a vow of retribution, nothing else. I still do not know what his name is, having cut him off when he attempted to introduce himself. Perhaps that was one of the few times I had lost control of myself. I almost lost to him, had I not regained my rationale and exploited the weaknesses of his overly flamboyant technique. Yes, the memory of that day is as fresh as a newly-baked apple pie.
As with anything else I had trained against, I lunged at this as of yet unnamed opponent, recalling how I never knew who that arrogant man was. Life is full of ironies, is it not? If he repels, I shall manoeuvre yet again to turn the tables to my advantage. I must make good use of any divided attention, any openings, that might appear. Something deep inside was telling me, however, that this match was not going to be that simple...
[9/4]
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