"Alright guys - give me at least 60 feet of clearance from him, preferably airborne!!" Tam calls out as he gets ready to take another shot."Okay." She takes flight, speeding away from Keaton so that Tam can take his shot.
"Alright guys - give me at least 60 feet of clearance from him, preferably airborne!!" Tam calls out as he gets ready to take another shot."Okay." She takes flight, speeding away from Keaton so that Tam can take his shot.
Ninja'd!
Tam waits until just after Aananda and Kannic have gotten clear, then rapidly sends three shots at Keaton.
Tam waits until just after Aananda and Kannic have gotten clear, then rapidly sends three shots at Keaton.
As Tamrin's first shot begins to strip away magic, Keaton's form blurs, then dissappears altogether.
As Tamrin's first shot begins to strip away magic, Keaton's form blurs, then dissappears altogether.
Tam sighs as the stands get electrified where Keaton just was.
"Kannic, can you see any magic auras that might be Keaton? I don't know if he 'hopped' again or did something else..."
Aananda looks around, scanning for concentrations of mites.
Tam flies over to where Ryo is standing, hovering about 20 feet away.
"Ryo....you still with us, man?" he asks, watching for any more little surprises from him or from Keaton.
Tam sighs as the stands get electrified where Keaton just was.
"Kannic, can you see any magic auras that might be Keaton? I don't know if he 'hopped' again or did something else..."
Kannic looks around the are to see if Keaton is still around, or if he's gaseous. He reloads his pistol.
"Tam.. behind you!"
The timely warning, almost not heard, saves Tamrin from feeling the draining touch of Keaton once more. Now standing in front of Ryo, shadows form around him, creating large swarms of bats and a small pack of wolves. Electricity cloaked in a dark aura crackles in his hands, and the runes on his skin glow morbidly as they create a familiar mist. So entranced by the amount of power he is wielding, Keaton doesn't notice Ryo rise shaking to his feet behind him, cold determination in his eyes...
Keaton begins to issue commands to his creatures, but stops as a red blade erupts from his chest, right where his heart would be. Surprised, Keaton looks back to see Ryo's right arm has become the Guardian card's sword.
"But.. I took your cards, your power..."
"You thought the magic was in the cards? You wer wrong.. little brother. The power is in me.."
Ryo smiles, and shakes his head.
"Goodbye Keaton, I'm going to mist you."
The sword, which had entered Keaton's left side, now leaves through his right. Even as he smiles at the lame joke, Keaton's body begins to blur and dissolve, the resulting mist flowing into the bottle Ryo holds in his left hand.
Ryo stands for a moment, shaking, before his legs give out. He stretches out his arms to try and halt his fall, but the sword which had cut through armor and dead flesh just a moment ago is no help. It shatters, leaving nothing but a bloody stump just above where his elbow should be. From this angle, it's easy to see the multiple bite marks on Ryo's neck...
"It's.. over."
Tam flies to the side, loading a shell as he spins around and sees the confrontation between the brothers unfold. He lowers his Caster only after Keaton's body is completely absorbed into the bottle and said bottle is sealed.
Ryo stands for a moment, shaking, before his legs give out. He stretches out his arms to try and halt his fall, but the sword which had cut through armor and dead flesh just a moment ago is no help. It shatters, leaving nothing but a bloody stump just above where his elbow should be. From this angle, it's easy to see the multiple bite marks on Ryo's neck...
"It's.. over."
Tam swoops down and starts putting pressure on the arm before Ryo bleeds out.
"GUYS!!! We need to get him medical attention NOW! I'm going to try and get him down," he yells out as he tries to carry Ryo back to the skimmer outside the coliseum.
Kannic rushes to help. He tries to take the flask from Ryo, to stow in his belt of pouches for safekeeping. He frowns at the bite marks on Ryo's neck as he helps carry him to the skimmer.
Kannic rushes to help. He tries to take the flask from Ryo, to stow in his belt of pouches for safekeeping. He frowns at the bite marks on Ryo's neck as he helps carry him to the skimmer.
Ryo grips the bottle tightly, his already pale skin becomes even paler under the strain.
Kannic rushes to help. He tries to take the flask from Ryo, to stow in his belt of pouches for safekeeping. He frowns at the bite marks on Ryo's neck as he helps carry him to the skimmer.Ryo grips the bottle tightly, his already pale skin becomes even paler under the strain.
As they get Ryo to the skimmer, Aananda will jump into the driver seat.
"Hang on, Ryo. We're gonna get you to a healer as fast as we can. If either of you guys have a healing potion, now would be a good time to use it on him."
She'll pause only long enough to make sure that everyone is in the vehicle before she speeds ahead. The speed and crazy steering in order to avoid hitting people and buildings are nausea inducing.
Kannic rushes to help. He tries to take the flask from Ryo, to stow in his belt of pouches for safekeeping. He frowns at the bite marks on Ryo's neck as he helps carry him to the skimmer.Ryo grips the bottle tightly, his already pale skin becomes even paler under the strain.
Kanninc tries to pour a potion of Cure Serious Wounds down Ryo's throat, amidst the jostling.
A bit of color returns to Ryo as he drinks the potion. He lifts his arm to look at the stump.
"Note to self, no more turning my body into a focus.."
The skimmer careened to a stop in front of the temple. She wasn't even sure who it was a temple for, but they'd been here before to buy supplies to fight the vampire, so maybe they would have some way to keep Ryo from turning into one too.
From this angle, it's easy to see the multiple bite marks on Ryo's neck...[/i]
Once Ryo is rushed inside, the preists don't ask any questions and just get straight to healing him. The potion Kannic gave him allows them to stop worrying about further blood loss, but the sheer amount of lost blood surprises them. Working fast to bring him out of shcok, the small infection in his neck wounds is obliterated and forgotten. An hour passes before a weary looking acolyte walks over to Aananda, Kannic, and Tamrin and tells them Ryo will be alright, though they can do nothing to return his arm to him. By answering a few questions, it is easy to determine the entire temple belives this to be just another of the strange animal attacks...
From this angle, it's easy to see the multiple bite marks on Ryo's neck...[/i]
Once Ryo is rushed inside, the preists don't ask any questions and just get straight to healing him. The potion Kannic gave him allows them to stop worrying about further blood loss, but the sheer amount of lost blood surprises them. Working fast to bring him out of shcok, the small infection in his neck wounds is obliterated and forgotten. An hour passes before a weary looking acolyte walks over to Aananda, Kannic, and Tamrin and tells them Ryo will be alright, though they can do nothing to return his arm to him. By answering a few questions, it is easy to determine the entire temple belives this to be just another of the strange animal attacks...
"Well that's a small comfort at least," Tam mutters to Aananda and Kannic as the acolyte leaves them. "Ryo's secret isn't out of the bottle. Literally."
"I'm doubting they're going to let him leave the temple for a while, so I'll set up here and keep tabs on him if you two want to go get some rest. I don't think we'll have any more trouble from the other two that were with Keaton, but just in case..."
Once Ryo is rushed inside, the preists don't ask any questions and just get straight to healing him. The potion Kannic gave him allows them to stop worrying about further blood loss, but the sheer amount of lost blood surprises them. Working fast to bring him out of shcok, the small infection in his neck wounds is obliterated and forgotten. An hour passes before a weary looking acolyte walks over to Aananda, Kannic, and Tamrin and tells them Ryo will be alright, though they can do nothing to return his arm to him. By answering a few questions, it is easy to determine the entire temple belives this to be just another of the strange animal attacks..."Well that's a small comfort at least," Tam mutters to Aananda and Kannic as the acolyte leaves them. "Ryo's secret isn't out of the bottle. Literally."
"I'm doubting they're going to let him leave the temple for a while, so I'll set up here and keep tabs on him if you two want to go get some rest. I don't think we'll have any more trouble from the other two that were with Keaton, but just in case..."
"Sure. I'll see if I can get a room at the Merry Minstrel 'til we know. Then, I'll be working my way east. Maybe south." he shrugs
Noticing the questioning looks on their faces, he adds "In my business one has to stay mobile. The locals get their feathers ruffled too easily."
Noticing the questioning looks on their faces, he adds "In my business one has to stay mobile. The locals get their feathers ruffled too easily."
Tam nods slowly, then smiles.
"I understand, believe you me. Go get some rest."
Noticing the questioning looks on their faces, he adds "In my business one has to stay mobile. The locals get their feathers ruffled too easily."Tam nods slowly, then smiles.
"I understand, believe you me. Go get some rest."
Aananda stretches. "Guess I should probably at least try to grab a catnap before work. I'll just stop by and let Mr. Thorg know I'll be a little late this morning."
She seems a little less hyper than usual, but that's the closest thing to any sign of fatigue."I'm really glad Ryo is gonna be okay. Ummm, about his arm.....I think I can build him a mechanical one pretty easy. Do you think he'd be offended by that? I don't want to upset him..."
"I'm really glad Ryo is gonna be okay. Ummm, about his arm.....I think I can build him a mechanical one pretty easy. Do you think he'd be offended by that? I don't want to upset him..."
Noticing the questioning looks on their faces, he adds "In my business one has to stay mobile. The locals get their feathers ruffled too easily."Tam nods slowly, then smiles.
"I understand, believe you me. Go get some rest."
Aananda stretches. "Guess I should probably at least try to grab a catnap before work. I'll just stop by and let Mr. Thorg know I'll be a little late this morning."
She seems a little less hyper than usual, but that's the closest thing to any sign of fatigue.
"I'm really glad Ryo is gonna be okay. Ummm, about his arm.....I think I can build him a mechanical one pretty easy. Do you think he'd be offended by that? I don't want to upset him..."
Tam rubs his chin.
"I don't think he would be. We can always ask him when he wakes up and gets out of here though, just to be sure."
"I'm sure Thorg won't mind you getting some rest. As fast as you work, it's not like things will get backed up any time soon," he says with a grin.
"I'm really glad Ryo is gonna be okay. Ummm, about his arm.....I think I can build him a mechanical one pretty easy. Do you think he'd be offended by that? I don't want to upset him..."
"I'm really glad Ryo is gonna be okay. Ummm, about his arm.....I think I can build him a mechanical one pretty easy. Do you think he'd be offended by that? I don't want to upset him..."
Tam rubs his chin.
"I don't think he would be. We can always ask him when he wakes up and gets out of here though, just to be sure."
"I'm sure Thorg won't mind you getting some rest. As fast as you work, it's not like things will get backed up any time soon," he says with a grin.
"Okay, well, I'll see if I can round up the parts at least. That way it will take me less time to build when he decides he does want a mechanical arm." ^.^
She waves and heads out, walking back to Thorg's shop. She pops her head in and says something about needing a nap before heading to the shed and falling unconscious on a pile of rags next to her hoverbike. She wakes up a couple of hours later at her usual high energy level and breezes through the day's work before heading over to the scrapyard to collect some parts for Ryo's new arm.
"Okay, well, I'll see if I can round up the parts at least. That way it will take me less time to build when he decides he does want a mechanical arm." ^.^
She waves and heads out, walking back to Thorg's shop. She pops her head in and says something about needing a nap before heading to the shed and falling unconscious on a pile of rags next to her hoverbike. She wakes up a couple of hours later at her usual high energy level and breezes through the day's work before heading over to the scrapyard to collect some parts for Ryo's new arm.
Tam waves back as she leaves. Once both are gone, he heads to Ryo's room, pulls up and sits down rather heavily in the nearest chair and lets out a long sigh.
"Helluva night," he says quietly to himself, rubbing his eyes as he pulls out his spellpad to start re-memorizing.
At one point during Tamrin's self-appointed vigil, he notices the usual sounds of the temple fade.. just before he feels something wash over him. He is asleep before a man walks into the room and places two books on the bedside table. He leaves just a silently, and the temple returns to normal.
Kannic takes a room at the Merry Minstrel. The room is fine but the food and ale is nowhere near the quality of the Juggling Dwarf. At least to dwarven standards. He sighs and goes to bed. At some point in the night he awakens, but keeps very still. His darkvision reveals no one, but he knows he's not alone. The tricks he leaves in place when he sleeps have not been triggered.
"About time you woke up. I've been here a good five minutes."
"By that, I'll take it that I haven't been marked for death. What is it that you need? We've trapped the slayer, so people will soon return to their routines, leaving their homes and lowering their guard. That should be a good thing, yes?"
"Not for me to say. They're very angry with you, you know. Letting newcomers in on our secrets so easily."
"They've already said as much. I know I have to leave. Is there something more?"
The voice in the darkness chuckles, "There always is. There is an estate in the south with a very dangerous person. She is the wife of the Duke, and has gotten a little too aggressive with her plots. You are to set her back a few steps. The details are in this packet. Do this and maybe you'll be redeemed."
"My crime was not that...", Kannic starts to say to the suddenly empty room, sensing that his 'guest' is already gone.
He rolls over and goes back to sleep, leaving the packet where it was dropped.
At one point during Tamrin's self-appointed vigil, he notices the usual sounds of the temple fade.. just before he feels something wash over him. He is asleep before a man walks into the room and places two books on the bedside table. He leaves just a silently, and the temple returns to normal.
"ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."
Waking up when sun crystal's light fills the room, Ryo looks over at snoozing Tamrin. He checks to make sure the door is closed before he tries to wake up Tam, make a point to keep his gaze away from what's left of his arm.
"Hey Tam. Tamrin! Wake up and tell me I didn't do the stupidest thing a Cardcaster can do."
Waking up when sun crystal's light fills the room, Ryo looks over at snoozing Tamrin. He checks to make sure the door is closed before he tries to wake up Tam, make a point to keep his gaze away from what's left of his arm.
"Hey Tam. Tamrin! Wake up and tell me I didn't do the stupidest thing a Cardcaster can do."
Tam's eyes open and he shakes his head.
"Whawhowhere?"
Tam's eyes open and he shakes his head.
"Whawhowhere?"
"Well, at least I didn't have to call for ice water. Please tell me I didn't try to use my arm as a focus."
"Tam, did you fall asleep again?"
Tam looks around for a minute, remembering the last thing that happened before he fell asleep. Then he notices the books on the bedside table.
"Those weren't there before I fell asleep", he says, pointing at the books, "and things got real quiet right before I did. Guess somebody has a strong sense of privacy..."
"And if by 'focus' you mean turning your arm into a glowing red crystalline blade, then yes I guess. Oh, I need to give this back to you also," as he hands Ryo the Gate card from his photo book.