"Allies of Madness..?" Ryo asks the retreating Keme. Then it clicks: the Hunter Clan that was after Ephebe in the Hunt! He's in among the people in the tunnels so fast he leaves an after-image behind. A card flashes through the air and suits of armor start appearing out of no where to start attacking the Shadowstrikers.
"I don't know how you got here without me noticing, but you are going to regret it!"
Fei had decided on a change of venue this morning, as he was most eager to greet a true sunrise. He was at a high point on the roof of one of the Academy buildings when the sun crested the horizon and bathed him in its warm glow.
He could hear and see below the reactions of the students who had come outside to witness the event. It pleased him to see so many embrace the dawn with wonder and curiosity, and humbled him as well.
After a breath to process the information, Phaezeriel contacts Enre and Fei.
::Enre, Fei, Sorry to intrude, but Krays asked me to contact you and inform you that Ephebe has been abducted. Please join me in the cafeteria. If you would like I can put the three of you in contact.::
The young monk is shaken out of his fleeting reverie by the message intruding into his mind. He quickly makes his way down the side of the building and heads into the Cafeteria.
"What has.....happened...?" he says with great confusion at the scene unfolding in front of him.
The telepathic connection to the real Vai is filled with panic, terror and sadness. The reply that comes to Ryleh is slightly histerical. ::Help me! Help help hel-:: And then the connection is violently cut off, as if Vai had been knocked unconscious... or worse.
Ryleh laughs. It is not a reassuring sound.
::You think you can bargain with me? You understand nothing. Your research is already behind ours and done with such wasteful means. Look forward to finding out exactly what I mean.::
Ryleh's teeth ground into the simulacrum crunching through flesh and bone.
"I found her. Send the Champions as soon as you can." The usually spectral fire that Lysander wields flares hot enough to scorch the floor as he takes the incredibly stupid White Flame travel method. He turns to sand the instant he's in the net and then back to his normal self when he's out. He lashes out at the Champion of Madness with strands of flame immediately.
As teeth crunch through the bone, the illusion dissipates, leaving behind only an ice statue, which would've born the likeness of Vai save for the crunching it just received.
Enre, can we trust that person? If so, can I teleport you to these other Champions?
::Fei, where are you? Ephebe has been kidnapped and someone just came talking to me and Enre about Champions. I think more fecal matter is headed for the air circulation device. I will take you to Krays if you will tell me where you are.::
::Jiminy, where are you? Are you in trouble?::
"Mr. Khassar! Miss Professor Reading! If this is related to saving the planet, then I am honor bound to help. This planet has protected the most defenseless of us for countless years; I think it is time for us to pay it back. I came to this school to learn the human customs of diligence and courage, but I am not weak in strength."
"If I could be of assistance, is there anything that I could do to help?"
::Fei, where are you? Ephebe has been kidnapped and someone just came talking to me and Enre about Champions. I think more fecal matter is headed for the air circulation device. I will take you to Krays if you will tell me where you are.::
"I found her. Send the Champions as soon as you can." The usually spectral fire that Lysander wields flares hot enough to scorch the floor as he takes the incredibly stupid White Flame travel method. He turns to sand the instant he's in the net and then back to his normal self when he's out. He lashes out at the Champion of Madness with strands of flame immediately.
Chan effortlessly pulled up a wall of stone between himself and Lysander. He can be heard chanting what sounds like a summoning spell on the other side.
::JAMES!:: she mentally bellowed. ::Chan is this mysterious madness that Ephebe has spoken of. Thanks to the acts of a blue dragon named Aegythrax he has captured Ephebe. Apparently we can be of no help in retrieving her though. This Aegythrax has also captured Vai. For what he has done, He. Will. Pay. Gather what equipment is necessary. We leave in five minutes or less.::
Jiminy immediately drops what he's working on.
"Fi..."
"Whatever it is I'm going with you," she said, looking determined.
"I know," he said with a smile. "Help me put together the stuff we'll need."
::Phaeze, I'm not in danger, but Ephebe is and so is Vai. We can't help Ephebe, dammit, so we'll have to leave that up to those who can. But we can help Vai. And also crush an arrogant blue dragon sunnuva...nevermind, I can't think of anything bad enough....You in?::
"Mr. Khassar! Miss Professor Reading! If this is related to saving the planet, then I am honor bound to help. This planet has protected the most defenseless of us for countless years; I think it is time for us to pay it back. I came to this school to learn the human customs of diligence and courage, but I am not weak in strength."
"If I could be of assistance, is there anything that I could do to help?"
"Actually....I have no idea what is going on. Umm....I'm just going to send a message to the vice principal now. I believe that's who's in charge when the Headmaster goes off half-cocked?"
Ori took out a piece of paper which folded itself into a small bird and flew off in search of Keaton.
::Jiminy? I was told by a very dusty person (the brief description is accompanied by a mental image of Keme) that I need to be with you "when the next piece of crap hits the fan." Given what is happening with Ephebe I assume that is now. Where are you?::
Fei, are you one of these champions that the dusty person (again accompanied by a mental image of Keme) spoke of? Turning to Enre Enre, do you need help getting to these champions?
::Jiminy? I was told by a very dusty person (the brief description is accompanied by a mental image of Keme) that I need to be with you "when the next piece of crap hits the fan." Given what is happening with Ephebe I assume that is now. Where are you?::
Fei, are you one of these champions that the dusty person (again accompanied by a mental image of Keme) spoke of? Turning to Enre Enre, do you need help getting to these champions?
::Phaeze, did you not hear me? Look, leave the Champions to their own devices. They're trying to mount a rescue mission of their own. Now get to the workshop immediately. We're heading out in less than five and Grandma is not in the mood to wait for stragglers.::
::I am inbound, should I bring Fei?::
::No! I'm pretty sure he's with the other group. They'll need his help I'm betting.::
::....besides, I think we're mostly going to deal with minions. Grandma is coming with and she sounds pissed.::
Good luck Gentlemen. Bring Ephebe back!
Phaezeriel casts expeditious retreat and tells his map of the school to lead him to the workshop where Jiminy can be found, then flies there at top speed, the tiny silvery dragon clinging to his back.
Fei, are you one of these champions that the dusty person (again accompanied by a mental image of Keme) spoke of?
"I do not know what you are..."
::I am inbound, should I bring Fei?::
::No! I'm pretty sure he's with the other group. They'll need his help I'm betting.::
::....besides, I think we're mostly going to deal with minions. Grandma is coming with and she sounds pissed.::
Good luck Gentlemen. Bring Ephebe back!
"...talking...about...?" Fei tries to reply as the quasit flies off at speed out of the Cafeteria, leaving him looking at Enre confusedly.
[Blink]
"What is going on?"
Aananda woke up the rest of the way, convinced now that what she was experienceing was not a nightmare.
::Mother, what's going on?::
::There isn't time to explain. Vai was taken by Aegythrax. He left a simulacrum in her place. The simulacrum betrayed Ephebe and led her into a trap set by the person trying to kill her all this time. Who turns out to be your dead brother only not so dead after all. There is nothing we can do to help her. Don't argue. You're more vulnerable to his mental attacks than anyone. We almost lost the last time against him because of that if you'll recall. Lysander has gone after Chan and Krays is assembling a group to follow. We have to trust that they will succeed. In the meantime, I am going to go kick the snot out of an arrogant blue dragon. I'm taking James with me. You may come as well if you wish.::
After getting the image of where to teleport too, Ryuzo heads to Krays...he goes to gather his allies...
Krays>::Phaez, you got everyone? I'm...::
Ryuzo>Appears in a crowded kitchen next to Krays
"Uhh Hi, Krays. Keme told me to come get you, and..." He constructs a perfect illusion of Chan;s location "...give you this. Keme, or Hope is letting the headmaster know of some other danger, while we go tackle Madness' champ."
Krays>:"Any luck finding Darkness or Love?"
Ryuzo>:"Errm, no..."
Krays>:"Ok then. Let's go. The others' should be bale to find their way."
Ryuzo>: "Right...err off we go?"
They both buff up and port to the location Keme gave them
Jim continues working in the workshop, having worked long after everyone else had gone to bed. Remembering he has class, he begins to pack things up, having made a lot of headway, and, while not done, the homunculus he made to help him while working can now move under it's own power. He stows it away in his chest, and moves to the cafeteria to get some of the "food" he'd been becoming accustomed to eating.
The hulking metal figure known as Jim enters the cafeteria, and gets a sizable meal, at least comparable to that of Krays or Ephebe, if not surpassing theirs. As he sits down to eat, it appears that he's got something on his mind, as he eats very quickly, and sometimes pauses to do some mental calculations mid-bite.
Very well.
Jim sees the others gathering (ie Enre et al) and can only assume these are the others he was to meet with. I've been told to accompany you. How may I be of assistance? I was told that I'm now the Champion of Creations? I'm not entirely sure what that means....
A little figure scurries about the school, its form obscured by an overlarge black robe.
Vakkler enters the cafeteria, still dragging the umbrella.
Arriving at the workshop, Phaezeriel flies up to Jiminy
I am ready to go, what are we going after?
Enre looks at Fei before saying " Seem like the Champion of Madness got Ephebe. The Champions are the only ones who can save her it seems." Turning to Jim "Champions work for some high power to farther their goals.I am guessing yours talked to you recently? You are now part of the club." He than says "Lets go save the day I guess." Enre say something again before his armor seems to change again this time making it seem as a part of him now than just armor, he than raises his head to the air breaths in before putting a hand on Fei's and Jim's shoulder. He than begins to speak and they fade out.
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Vai awakens after troubled dreams... she opens her eyes to see a dark ceiling above her, not the ceiling above her dorm room. Panic immediately fills her and she tries to sit up, only to find she is naked, strapped to a table. This is a nightmare! Wake up! WAKE UP! "Hello, halfbreed." The draconic muzzle of Aegythrax comes into view and Vai screams and struggles against the straps, tears already welling in her eyes. "Those straps are magic, you aren't going to break free of them. They also block any spells and transformations, so don't bother with that either." The draconic face of her captor smiles his wicked curved smile: "You didn't seriously think I'd let my prize experiment go did you? It was all to see what you are really capable of. And from what I saw.. quite a lot." Tears are flowing freely now, and despite Aegythrax's words, Vai continues to struggle meekly against the bindings. She says through sobs: "P-p-please, Lord.. I wuh-was so happy."
"Your happiness does not concern me, whelp. Did you honestly think everyone at that school was on your side? The amethyst.. what was her name... Aananda? She is a fan of my research, and wanted to see it in action. And that quasit? A servant of mine. Why do you think he cast that spell to protect you from detection just before I could take you away? They've all been lying to you, poor little thing. But now, it's business as usual." When Aegythrax says "business", a certain pleasure crosses his face, and he strokes a claw across Vai's naked body.
"You're lying! it's a nightmare... it's a nightmare..." Vai finally ceases struggling, instead simply cries, repeating: "It's a nightmare" like it's a mantra.
Aegythrax leaves Vai alone for a while, tending to things around his lair, but the mantra continues, "Silence before I give you a real reason to cry you pathetic girl!" Aegythrax roars.
::Stay strong. Help is coming.::
"Ryleh!" Vai exclaims, her body filling with adrenaline, she calls back desperately, throwing all her emotion into the telepathic bond. "Foolish girl!" Aegythrax whips Vai with his tail, and consciouness leaves her.
Enre looks at Fei before saying " Seem like the Champion of Madness got Ephebe. The Champions are the only ones who can save her it seems." Turning to Jim "Champions work for some high power to farther their goals.I am guessing yours talked to you recently? You are now part of the club." He than says "Lets go save the day I guess." Enre say something again before his armor seems to change again this time making it seem as a part of him now than just armor, he than raises his head to the air breaths in before putting a hand on Fei's and Jim's shoulder. He than begins to speak and they fade out.
I see. Well then, I'd best make the most of being a part of this "club" and "save the day."
The Shadowstrikers moved unnaturally, actually turning gaseous for short periods of time to avoid the attacks from the suits of armor. They make no sound at all. A wiry older man stepped forward and glared at Ryo.
"You're in the way. Didn't we already show you what happens when you're in our way?"
"Yes." Ryo replies as he rolls up his right sleeve. "You should know that's the reason this is going to be very therapeutic for me."
A card pops out of his metal arm and sticks in the tunnel wall, creating two more walls to close the tunnel off and prevent escape. Ryo rushes at the old man and swings at him enough power to shatter boulders.
Chan effortlessly pulled up a wall of stone between himself and Lysander. He can be heard chanting what sounds like a summoning spell on the other side.
Chanting a spell of his own, Lysander calls down a pillar of fire on the other side of the wall even as he calls for protection from the White Flame.
Chan effortlessly pulled up a wall of stone between himself and Lysander. He can be heard chanting what sounds like a summoning spell on the other side.Chanting a spell of his own, Lysander calls down a pillar of fire on the other side of the wall even as he calls for protection from the White Flame.
15d6
1d20+17
The flamestrike doesn't cause the chanting on the other side of the wall to even falter. Something is starting to rumble underneath the floor.
Ryo doesn't even flinch as the blade slices into him. For that moment, the man is solid enough to hold a blade. Ryo's eyes flare as a card appears in his hand and he unleashes it's magic.
Fire fills the corridor a split-second later, followed by another wave of flame almost immediately.
"Mr. Khassar! Miss Professor Reading! If this is related to saving the planet, then I am honor bound to help. This planet has protected the most defenseless of us for countless years; I think it is time for us to pay it back. I came to this school to learn the human customs of diligence and courage, but I am not weak in strength."
"If I could be of assistance, is there anything that I could do to help?"
"Actually....I have no idea what is going on. Umm....I'm just going to send a message to the vice principal now. I believe that's who's in charge when the Headmaster goes off half-cocked?"
Ori took out a piece of paper which folded itself into a small bird and flew off in search of Keaton.
To Ori "A good idea. I'm pretty sure that he will initiate homeroom procedures again. I'm going to the infirmary to help set up for the inevitable casualties."
To Jen the Cat "Maybe it will be best to stay with Miss Reading. If you ask the school to show you how to get to where you want to go it will show you with arrows like these." "Useful to know because sometimes the rooms get moved. Be careful, and I hope to see you both later."
The flamestrike doesn't cause the chanting on the other side of the wall to even falter. Something is starting to rumble underneath the floor.
Lysander tosses down a small tan cube and starts running around the wall as sand begins to cover the floor and the air becomes hotter.
Krays will call out
"I can get us through the wall...get near me."
He will touch those that gather, making them ethereal, for 16 rounds or until they cancel it.
Enre looks up at Ephebe, than towards the man summoning fire and sand, Enre than looks at Krays "Would rather stay solid".
"Fine! Get Ephebe out of that net then, while we handle Chan, please!"
Ryuzo accepts the ethereal from Krays, and moves through the wall to confront Chan