Map & Compass [IC]

[TheQueensGuard]

Omen Bridger
Sunderlake Isle
Mentions: @fish-writer @Sketching101 @ItariChan @Desert Bee

All Omen wanted to do was eat in peace. When Sasha introduced his as 'the grump' he grunted and glanced down at the girl. He was used too her quips, so it didn't bother him. He moved along when Willow pointed out an open spot with a study stone-table with several seats circling it. Following through, Omen sat with his meal and began too eat. When the rather loud footsteps belonging too Addrick approached the table, Omen looked up to the man and disregarded him. He had killed big men before, and if this horned giant meant to cause trouble he'd kill him too.
When Addrick mentioned something about a system, Sasha spoke up before he did. He sipped on some water, glancing from Sasha over to Addrick before sighing. Sasha made enemies just as quick as she made friends. Regardless, Omen wouldn't have played into whatever system this guy offered. Still, Omen remained quiet as he let Sasha do most of the talking. A second man sat beside Addrick, who then preceded to call him Obrin.

"Omen." He corrected, glaring at the man before setting aside his now empty bowl. It wasn't the mispronouncing of his name that annoyed him, but that the man had the nerve too underestimate Sansha while he didn't look like much of a fighter either.
Looking to Addrick, Omen finally spoke up. "Ain't no peasants here. No nobility either. You forfeited any claim to whatever throne you had a chance at getting when you were imprisoned. We're all prisoners now." He glanced over to Sibur too, not forgetting her noble status. The noble folks might not have liked it, but that was the truth in Omen's mind. Sure some might've been treated a bit better, but in the end they all were still caged like animals.
"Besides, I don't like nobles. Systems either."

Omen finished off his cup of water and sat back in his chair, waiting too see how the horned man responded.
​

Amélie Octave
Sunderlake Isle
Mentions: @Kat @Polaris North

As Amelie watched the prisoners be released into the courtyard, she made sure too avoid being near the cart Silbur was held up in. She tapped her foot impatiently with her arms crossed, bored of the mundane work as she thought about things. "Miss Octave?" She straightened up and turned too the man, half expecting the man too shout an order at her. "No need to be so stiff. My name is Jacques Lumoise and I'll be taking you around the prison." He extended his hand for her too shake, and she exhaled with a relaxed smile, shaking the mans hand. "Please call me Amélie, Monsieur Lumoise." A soft french accent was hinted in her voice as she spoke, already preferring this mans company too the Templar's that had been on the ship. "Thank you, but I have no ill intentions, Prince General Thibault has already warned me of that." She went inside the prison, allowing Jacques too walk beside her. He began showing her around the prison, but it wasn't long when a prisoner moved in front of her. Managing too stop right before she bumped into the woman. Amelie frowned some, slightly startled, but her expression softened some. "No harm done." Looking over the prisoner, she took note of the collar around her neck. That meant so was a polymorph. "Just watch your step in the future." She added before glancing over to Jacques. "Are all prisoners this formal?" ​

 

[Sketching101]

Sunderlake Isle - Prison​

The large man seemed quite calm up until the moment Sasha finished talking. With a silent snap, Addrick's knife broke off from its handle. As he seemed to be about to get aggressive, Iosef chimed in. Regaining his composure, the man's focus turned to the latest newcomer. "Dei Allinari," he spat out. A twisted grin emerged on his face, wiping any hint of princely grace he might've displayed before. "How are your whore of a mother and treacherous scum of a father doing? Are they on their way to the hangman yet?" His attention finally turned to the pirate captain. He watched the man with the smile ever present on his face. "Oh, well. That's unfortunate," he said, as he got up, knocking down his chair. Magic started wrapping his body. "This seems to be a good opportunity to make an example--" Before Addrick could finish his sentence, Theo pushed the stew from the table with the tips of his fingers, and launched it at the man's face.

Addrick's concentration seemed to break, as the magic dissipated a split second before the warm dinner hit the man's face. For a moment, he seemed more disgusted than enraged upon realizing what happened, with the bowl stuck to his horn. That moment passed as quickly as it came. "Oh, sorry about that," Theo said with a wide, childish smirk. "You were getting so hot-headed, I thought you could cool do--woah!" The stone table cracked and the ground shook, before vibrating with a strong pulse like a drum, throwing everything up with pieces of stone flying around. As Addrick threw up the earth, his magical barrier didn't rematerialize. The area around the table were hit by a shockwave along the ground, tossing tables over, and sending people flying. A few screams shrieked from the sidelines of the new clearing. A few guards quickly ran up along the top of the walls to put a stop to whatever trouble was brewing, only to stop and turn away when they saw the prince.

@TheQueensGuard @Polaris North @ItariChan @Jess Incognito @Desert Bee @fish-writer

Addrick/Royalty Theme

 

[Polaris North]

Willow Howst​

Interacting with: @Sketching101 @TheQueensGuard @ItariChan @Desert Bee @fish-writer
Mentions:
Location: Sunderlake Isle, Prison
​

Willow had only wanted to enjoy the dinner in peace and perhaps explode what they could explore in the prison. She had no intentions of breaking out, not without a solid plan form Omen. She wanted to talk to the guy she vaguely recognized among the unfamiliar faces. But, such was not to be as a tall man with horns sat down and was definitely threatening in every sense of the word. Obviously already placing dominance over them. Commoners, he had called them. His voice was already grating to the ears. At least the princess - Silbur - wasn't as haughty as this man right here. She still was but not as infuriating as this one right here. Willow let out a sigh as she continued eating, paying the man no heed as he continued to speak. Addrick Beaureve - 13th prince. No wonder, the Enian royalty always did have the same holier-than-thou attitude as if they had earned their right to some sort of position and not only just by merely being born into the role.

Sasha's comeback was surely appreciated, Willow felt better at the very least. It'd certainly wipe that grin off the man's face. Willow had seen far more intimidating men than this prince. She wondered if he'd keep that haughty attitude when they drop him in the middle of the Ithyan wilderness with no one to help him thanks to his attitude. Before anything else could happen, someone had slid up to them - called them peasantry and Willow had to suppress another sigh. Great, another one of those types. Apparently, prison doesn't erase their need to hold themselves above others. It was suspicious how he knew their names, and Willow kept his face in mind.

And yet, another noble came into the fray but this one's presence was way more tolerable. Silbur's words were biting and Omen's follow up seemed to solidify it. Willow didn't even have to speak her mind anymore, all the cards were on the table. In the end, they were all prisoners here with no power of the outside world. Collect as many people inside as you want but the Templars still won't be inclined to bring you out.

Willow's face turned into a scowl as the man spoke, regarding Silbur's parents with awful words. As if he was more legitimate than her. His magic started to strengthen, far more than they were able to create. Willow prepared herself before watching in shock as a bowl of soup found its way to perch upon the prince's face.

"Ah." She turned to Theo who had thrown the liquid projectile and shook her head, but there was an unmistakable smile on her face. However, Addrick's magic only increased as his rage boiled over. With what magical energy she can summon, she threw up a shield at the last moment to prevent the shockwave from throwing them off their feet, covering Theo and Silbur - regrettably not able to summon enough for Sasha and Omen but she knew they could handle something like that with ease. "For a prince, you sure do have a very short temper." Her eyes flickered towards the wall where some of the guards were peeking over but doing nothing. Nothing? Huh... odd. Willow brought a hand to the collar and noticed that the prince didn't have one as well. "Won't even fight on even footing, now isn't that a surprise." She grumbled sarcastically, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Jacques Lumoise​

Interacting with: @TheQueensGuard @Kat
Mentions:
Location: Sunderlake Isle, Prison​

Jacques gave her a smile. "Then you may call me Jacques, Miss Amélie." Her accent was pleasant to listen to and it seems like she wouldn't be as hard headed as some of the Templars he had the displeasure of working with. He just hoped he was right in that assumption. "Very well then, I will take your word for it." There were certain consequences to harming one of the royal blood even within these walls. Foolish as it might seem, their position still seemed to have sway inside a prison. It's how he was sure that those he knew within would have an easier time than the... less fortunate to have ended up in the prison.

The tour so far had been mostly uneventful. A few guards acknowledged their presence and gave them a greeting while others merely nodded. Their tour was soon interrupted by Maka, though something seemed a little off about her. Amélie remained friendly and courteous, however, which put Jacques at a more relaxed state. He let out a small chuckle and shook his head. "Not all." His eyes then went to Maka. "And not always." Placing a hand on Amélie's shoulder, he was about to introduce them when there was some commotion in the clearing where the prisoners were supposed to be eating dinner. He let out a huff.

"What's happening now?" He grumbled to himself as he turned away from them and proceeded to the clearing, giving Amélie a gesture to follow. When they reached the clearing, he could see Prince Addrick standing before the newcomers, magic radiating off of him. Jacques let out a heavy sigh and pinched his nose. "Of course it's the prince." Jacques turned to Maka for a second, regret in his eyes for only a moment before he turned to the guards who were still watching and waved his hand - dismissing them.

He lowered his voice for only Amélie to hear. "Perhaps you can already tell, but royalty such as Prince Addrick have certain... privileges others don't." They could easily stop the fight. He knew they could. Jacques would be willing to step in. Unfortunately, he cannot. However, he looked over the fight once again only to realize something. "Ah, is that not Princess Silbur?" This was... problematic. He supposed watching over this fight would be for the best. He had to prevent anything from happening to either royalty. Though, he cannot deny that he was very curious in what the newcomers had in store within them.

 

[The Wanderer]

Arthur

One second, everything was fine and dandy. He was eating food, sitting on his lonesome for the most part. Then shit hit the propeller, someone was sending waves of magic out, knocking stuff about and people being sent flying.

And from looks of it, it was from someone without a collar, and due to the lack of intervention from le guards. Meant that person was very, very, very important. Arthur would bet on said person being royalty or perhaps a relative of someone who worked here at the prison. Not a good combination. At all.

What made it worse was the fact that Arthur had a feeling that retaliation would end in severe beatings and/or locked in the type of cells that saw no light and you'd be left in for days. Only let out after your sense were ravaged and sanity fleeting. And truth be told, Arthur was in no mood for that. He'd get up and go over to check on those who were knocked over from the wave of magic.

"And as if prison wasn't bad enough." He'd mutter to himself as he helped up someone who had been knocked over.

 

[Jess Incognito]

ARTURO LEONE

Arturo felt suddenly vulnerable. Multiple of the new group passed by and seemed to eye him with varying levels of friendliness, indifference, and disdain. Compulsively, he looked down at himself as if checking to be sure he'd remembered to pull on his trousers that morning.

Like the rest, he got in line and took his rations to a table not too far from this new group. Despite feeling vaguely offput by the large fellow, he found himself rather interested in this group. They seemed to know one another, they were staying thick. Typically the new ones tried to sink into the masses wherever they could without leaving a wake - as he had done also.

He studied this new group from several tables away as Addrick himself waltzed up to their table. Arturo likely stared too long, but there was enough activity within the group that it seemed not to matter.

"And so anyway, I says to 'im, Horace, ya can't just sit 'ere an' mope about yer cell all day," a nearly toothless man entertained Arturo's table with an anecdote. He hadn't really even noticed the others sit down, but here he was across from the storyteller, who seemed to be looking for full audience participation.

Beyond his shoulder, the group seemed unimpressed with the large, horned tyrant. "Yes, yes," Arturo half-heartedly waved the storyteller on so that he would stop looking at him.

When he looked back, Addrick's face dripped with slop-of-the-day. "An' d'you know what he does then?" his lunch-mate asked, looking around the table. Art made eye contact, wholly confused by his split attentions. "What? I don't f-" As he struggled to find words, the table's edge slammed into his stomach and flew over him as he fell aside into the dirt. He felt for a moment that he might vomit, but the impulse quickly subsided into sharp pain.

He reached for his glasses and hurriedly affixed them once again in time to see the guards on the wall turn away from the situation.

Even on the ground, he was entirely engrossed in the unfolding scene, though many moved away to gawk from afar.

 

[TheQueensGuard]

Omen Bridger
Sunderlake Isle
Mentions: @ItariChan @Sketching101 @Polaris North

Omen was just as thrown off as Addrick by the bowl of soup thrown in his face. He expect that thing out of Sasha, but didn't take Theo as the sort to pick a fight with someone triple his size. The distraction did give Omen enough time to brace for the shock wave Addrick sent off. Though Omen managed to the initial shock wave, the combined force of magic and stone table knocked the captain too his back. Standing, Omen felt blood trickling from his forehead where a rock had cut it. Looking for a weapon, his frown deepened as he realized he wouldn't have his sword. Snatching up a piece of wood and half of the knife the prince had been using, he started to bark orders.
"Theo, keep his attention. Willow try and make sure he doesn't kill anyone. "
Omen called out to the Troubadours, already trying to form a strategy. He glanced at the princess, unsure of how she could be of help, before turning away. He turned to Sasha, giving her the wood and twisted piece of metal. "Carve out a knife on that and use what magic you can to create it."
As Sasha summoned the blade, Omen took it in his hand and felt the weight of it. Flipping it in his hand too make it easier too stab, he circled behind Addrick trying too stay behind rubble and other prisoners too keep out of sight. Stalking closer before breaking into a sprint, Omen used a table too leap into the air, his intent on stabbing Addrick in the neck before something tackled him from the air.

Rolling on the ground, Omens felt fangs bury into his forearm as a cat-like creature growled lowly, holding him in place as the red-haired woman from the ship stood over him, a sharp blade inches from his throat. The cat released his arm and gave a low growl towards Addrick, where Omen spotted a bird digging it's claws into the giants shoulder.
​

Amélie Octave
Sunderlake Isle
Mention: @fish-writer @Polaris North @Sketching101

As Amelie followed Jacques, her mind was already on Silbur. Was she hurt by the shockwave? Had she already started picking fights with other inmates? She came to a halt, her eyes trained on Addrick as the magic flowed around him.
"Perhaps you can already tell, but royalty such as Prince Addrick have certain... privileges others don't. Ah, is that not Princess Silbur?"
As Jacques spoke, his words fell on deaf ears as Amelie started too walk towards the fight. Her eyes were fixed on the princess, who seemed still unharmed but dangerously close too the fight. "Excuse me Jacques." She called over her shoulder as she drew her blade. She wanted to just grab Silbur and get her away from the fighting, though that would likely get some suspicion on her part. Instead, she decided too play the peacekeeper role.

She murmured a spell, the air beside her shimmering a dull green light as a cat-like creature the size of a large dog and a hawk appeared beside her. "Kite, distract the giant one. Do try and not leave any lasting marks. Ravage-" Amelie pointed towards the pirate captain with her blade. "-fetch."
Kite flew towards the giant, swooping down from behind clawing at his horns before latching onto his shoulder. Meanwhile, Ravage reached the pirate at the nick of time, tackling the pirate as he lunged off a table. Standing over him, she pointed the blade down towards Omen and placed her boot on his shoulder. "Quit fighting prisoners." She called out as she looked over the other prisoners, her eyes hesitating on Silbur before resting on the prince.​

 

[junebug]

The horror of the scenario– tables flipping people upside down, rocks cutting into people's facing, and magic– magic being used in the heat of the fight, Maka found herself at a stand still. She didn't want to get in trouble if she decided to help, so perhaps she stayed where she was at, she wouldn't face repercussions like the others might. When the bird attacked Addrick, Maka found herself giggling at the scene before she realized she was just another prisoner. Maka immediately tried to suppress her laughter and glanced away.

Maka composed herself for a moment's time and her head swung back around. People were hurting. She rushed over to one of the men- the one with the glasses- and grabbed him by the arm. Whether or not he decided to get up was his choice; she just wanted to help and at least save him from further damage to his glasses and possibly him. The scenario was getting scarier and Maka intended to remove herself and this man away from the situation as soon as possible, back to Jacques and the woman named Amelie.

"Get up, get up!"

---

@Jess Incognito @TheQueensGuard @Polaris North

 

[fish-writer]

Silbur Dei Allinari
location: Sunderlake Isle Prison​

So Addrick recognized her, and well enough to insult her family. Face contorting into a furious snarl at the words, Silbur forced her magic through the metal wrapped around her wrist, forming it into a blade as she dropped it into her palm. Before she could form words or a better grip on her makeshift knife, however, one of the Ithyans flung his stew onto the horned prince, startling the rage from her and provoking a peal of decisively unladylike laughter. She continued laughing as the shockwave ruptured the table, sending a small crowd of prisoners around them flying.

"You have my thanks," Silbur said to the other Ithyan, an unrestrained grin on her face, quickly recognizing the magical shield she had conjured. Light dancing in her eye at this unexpected source of excitement, the princess strode quickly to a nearby table, jumping up onto it with jubilant grace.

"Treacherous scum?" she called, her voice a taunt. "Were you describing yourself, your royal highness?" Silbur spat out the title, sardonic and mocking. "The Ithyan was correct. You need to cool off." Reaching down, she seized another prisoner's bowl and flung it at the horned prince. The shadow of Captain Bridger stalking towards Addrick caught her gaze, and she laughed again, this time grabbing a slice of meat off a plate and flinging it at his thirteenth highness, heedless of the grease now dripping off her fingers.

But a familiar feline arrested Captain Bridger's powerful attack mid-leap, provoking a cry of dismay from Silbur. Even the sight of a hawk harassing Addrick wasn't enough to alleviate her disappointment. She had really been looking forward to seeing the prince get stabbed in the neck. Scowling, she scanned the area until she found Amélie, the Knight's sword drawn on the pirate captain, her green eyes on Addrick.

"Quit fighting prisoners."

Petulantly, Silbur picked up a plate of peas and threw it at Addrick, albeit half-heartedly. The little green vegetables scattered everywhere as the plate bounced off of one of the prince's horns, a few of them ricocheting off Amélie and Captain Bridger. "Is this how it is now, Amélie?" the princess asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but the words came out too hard, hinting at the ache in her chest.

interactions: Addrick @Sketching101 , Amélie @TheQueensGuard , Willow @Polaris North
mentions: Theo @Sketching101 , Omen @TheQueensGuard ​

 

[Snowflake]

~~Martin Cortez~~

It was easy to see the bigger picture when one was so detached emotionally from their situation. Most of the folks here were furious because they got caught and isolated. Martin was one of the cooler heads and instead of aggravating the big kahuna of the place he quietly kept to his meal and observed. The issue, of course, was that he was just another dragon. Like the fair Princess, this horned fella would get all sorts of privilege in here. Such fair treatment, even in exile the royalty is still royalty. Suppose you can never really kill a dragon, just exile it to a place where it doesn't bother you.

When the spells and tables started flying Martin grabbed his bowl and backed off. He leaned against the wall and observed. The way people fight, the kind of abilities at their disposal, the weaknesses and strengths. If he was to last in here he would have to learn it all. With such limited brainpower, he won't be able to use the full extent of his abilities and even his healing would be slowed down if he gets hurt. Well, it was what it was, hopefully, he could make a deal and get out of here sooner rather than later. There was work to be done.

He kept shovelling the slop into his mouth hole and was just eating it without taste swallowing almost mechanically. Shockwaves, barriers, summoned beasts. Such flair and style, he would be jealous if he didn't prefer to stay out of a spotlight. In the middle of all that chaos, he had finished his bowl and was eager for more. While everyone was distracted with the chaos he served himself a bit more then went back to a spot by the wall to just continue watching.

 

[Sketching101]

Sunderlake Isle - Prison​

"You upstart little…!" Addrick flailed around, until he grasped the bird by its feet, and with inhuman force, slung it to the side, ripping a chunk of meat from his shoulder with its claws. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he glared at the woman who stepped in between him and the newcomers. His feral glare soon dissipated as he stood up straight once more, blood still pouring down his shoulder. "Hm. Have it your way. These brats won't see the end of the month anyway," he said. A slender, diminutive woman floated down behind him, her long tail curled around her hip. She laid her hands on the man's shoulder, and with a flash of light, the wound disappeared. She also didn't seem to have a collar, along with several others who were now standing around the clearing made by the giant's rage fit. "Enjoy your time left in this little playground," he said, and gestured to Jacques. "The goddess will come asking for your soul before long."

The scene dispersed quietly, as though people were used to this feeling of dread. Over the next few weeks, none of the newcomers would catch a glimpse of the prince or the rest of the collarless mages while inside the prison.

~Three weeks later~​

As time came once again for new prisoners to be brought in, and older prisoners to be disappeared. Among the prisoners that were called to be taken away were all of the prisoners that were brought in the prior month, with the exception of Silbur Dei Allinari. However, she had disappeared the day prior, along with Martin Cortez and Theo Russell, who had disappeared in the night. In each of their places, the Templars found shattered collars.

@The Wanderer @Jess Incognito @Desert Bee @fish-writer @TheQueensGuard @Polaris North @ItariChan @Snowflake @Kat

Sunderlake Isle - The Bottomless Pit [12:00]​

Just north of the prison, on the eastern bank of the island, the prince sat atop the tower known as the Bottomless Pit. He sat with his legs dangling down the so-called bottomless pit that pierced each and every floor of the building, and went on and on, such that the only thing visible at the bottom was a black void. Pinned to the concrete by two large, hollow suits of armour were the missing prisoners, Theo and Silbur. Theo's face was shoved roughly into the ground, oozing blood, while Silbur's wings were stretched and pinned down with a pair of swords. Sat in a chair by the furthest wall from Addrick, across the hole, was the shadow broker himself, Martin Cortez, flanked by the short, floating woman. Addrick remained perfectly quiet, ignoring whatever would be told to him.

After hours had passed, Addrick stood up with a satisfied grin on his face. "Well, now. It looks like the rest of the party has arrived," he said as one of the vehicles that had brought them to the prison floated up to the top floor on Martin's side, turned around, and opened its doors, revealing inside three of the prisoners meant to leave with the Templars: Iosef, Omen, and Willow. "Ah, dearest, loyal Iosef. How glad I am that you are safe," he said with a feigned relief. "And the rest of you, my friends. I believe we got off on the wrong foot. But worry not, I am not without mercy." The gigantic man stood up to his full height and walked over to where the hollow knights were. "I think there might yet be a way forward for us. I'm willing to let you lot join my merry band of mages, and remove your collars, if you so wish. All I ask in return is fealty." He made a dismissive gesture with his hand, and kneeled to grab Theo by the neck. As he got back up, the knight backed off. "Sadly, this does not include my dearest sister and this child here." He unceremoniously tossed Theo down the hole. For the first few seconds he was visible, he hit the wall and then fell straight down until he was too far to see. He kneeled beside Silbur, raising his hand as he had before to give the gesture. "What say you? I'm sure you are all itching to feel free again, hm?"

@Desert Bee @fish-writer @Polaris North @TheQueensGuard @Snowflake

Sunderlake Isle - ??? Chapel Interior [14:00]​

"--lcome, brothers and sisters."

A soothing, inhuman voice roused the prisoners from their slumber. "Arthur Wilhelm, Asena Lloyd, Alexandra Petrovna, Arturo Leone," the voice echoed. "Rejoice, for the day you may return to our great Goddess' embrace has come." As the four would start coming to their senses, it became clear that the source of this voice was a priestess of the Church: Clockworkers whose primary purpose was supposedly to guide people along the teachings of Ydran. The last thing the prisoners would recall was being loaded into a vehicle similar to the one they were brought to the prison in. They were all on their feet, as though they had been sleep walking the whole way. They seemed to have been marching to an altar when they were suddenly jolted from their strange trans.

The priestess stood in front of them, the light shining in from behind, through the stained glass. She appeared to be hovering over the ground, but her robes obscured the ground underneath her. "Dearest siblings?" Her voice somehow sounded irritated.

While the prisoners still had their collars on, they felt a familiar presence they hadn't felt in some time. Magic.

@ItariChan @Jess Incognito @The Wanderer @Kat

Sunderlake Isle - ??? Chapel Interior [13:55]​

Eco, the four armed Templar from the ship, had his arms raised, with a thread reaching from each hand to the prisoners as they marched forward. "Thank you, Child of Ydran," said the priestess. The threads detached, but the prisoners remained docile. "We will guide these lost souls to the Goddess." Eco gave a courteous bow. He turned to face Jacques and Amélie. "We best come back once the Priestess is done with 'em," he said. He slowly pushed the gigantic gates of the church and marched out. He went over to stand next to Elle, who had come with them to the church, but as always, waited outside. They had been later than usual in delivering the prisoners for their "cleansing" that day, since half of the prisoners had disappeared after they started moving them, but most of the guards knew what this meant. Up until that point, Silbur's disappearance was also kept under wraps, especially hidden from Amélie.

@TheQueensGuard @Polaris North

 

[Desert Bee]

Sunderlake Isle, the Bottomless Pit [12:XX] - Iosef vi Faust

Mentions - Theo Russell @Sketching101 ​

Iosef leaned back against the sky carriage's wall-corner, arms folded, and concentrated blank faced on not throwing up. Something about horizontal movement didn't sit well with his head or stomach. Or maybe the cold pit in his gut was about being transferred out from the prison. Things had finally started to make sense at Sunderlake, the routine of it all. Wasn't much thinking required in routines. It was good, essentially. That respite had only been for a month or two, but the end of said respite was only partly his concern.

He glanced up from his nook in the spacious enough transport, eye blinking between the only other two inside, their short and giant silhouettes offsetting the other: Willow Whatsit and Owen Badger. Of all the people from Sunderlake Prison Iosef could have been stuck with, these two might have been the least likely to shank him. Sensible as a peasant could be, the pair tended to keep quiet and keep to themselves. No, the issue was there were only thee people in this carriage including Iosef.

That number was too low for a normal prison transfer. Which, in all likelihood, meant...

Iosef coughed, cleared his throat. Whatever happened, happened.

The thought did nothing for the ball of ice in his stomach.

When the motion kept to a shuddering stop, its doors auto-opened to a chamber and Iosef rolled his shoulders, kept sleeveless arms in pockets to continue his bored facade. This was not a prison transfer, not at all.

The floating woman with waist-tied hair was yet floating next to a chair with a dark haired man sitting with his back to them. Even from this angle, it was simple to see it was Cortez and his delightful jawline. And across the room was the vanished prince himself. Is this where Addrick has been holing himself up?

Addrick's friendly words were as hollow as the ones Iosef's tended to be. Particularly empathetic, a subtle whimsical leer, and a polite smile that utterly contrasted his dark eyes. Iosef made absolutely sure he was the last out of the transport.

When he emerged into the room after the Owen and Willow, Iosef was able to see more of the chamber. Or rather, the lack thereof. Welling the center of the floor, a sizable stone pit leered downward until Iosef's eye glazed from the height distortion and darkness took the rest. Shadows. Inmate talk had mentioned something of a Bottomless Pit in passing. He wondered if this was it.

Across the hole, however, a pair of full-plate knights whom had a sense of emptiness about them were pinning down another pair of familiar faces. The peasant who had thrown food at the prince, glasses pushed up to his forehead where his bleeding face was held down by a steel gauntlet. The antagonistic butterfly royal impaled to the stone by the swords in her wings.

Iosef rolled his shoulders again, stretched similarly to a cat and took a expeditious glance about the room to check for anyone else. It was just Addrick, his knights, the Floating Woman, Cortez, princess, and the three peasants. The knights were pre-occupied with holding down two already while Addrick had a bottomless pit between himself and Iosef. The Floating Woman was the nearest danger, but Cortez was a unknown variable. The man was too professional to give Iosef lenience if he wound up being on the prince's side-

That's when Prince Addrick picked up Theo by his throat, the boy gasping and bleeding, and tossed him like one would a finished cigarette. He slapped into the pit wall, the sound of bone meeting stone, and peeled back to fall and then he was gone.

"What say you?" The horned prince asked, calling back to the one-sided conversation he'd been having. "I'm sure you are all itching to be free again."

Iosef's eye was glued over Addrick's shoulder, intent on the cobbled wall. Refusing to look at the abyssal execution he had just witnessed. Blinking a few times he came back into himself, realized he was in a tower surrounded by denizens. A brief moment of fear, anticipation washed over. If he acted now, he could shadow travel down and down. Find the man. He had been able to pull individuals through his portals before, but at this velocity it might be difficult-

He stopped. Why the hell should he bother with this man, this idiot peasant.

Iosef stalked forward, shoulders slouched, hands in pockets to the side of the pit where no one was immediately behind or beside him. He kicked at the floor, sent a few flecks down the hole. "Idiot scum," Iosef murmured. "Couldn't restrain yourself, could you. Given the first opportunity, you immediately latch onto the most idiotic thought that meanders into your brain. Tch."

He looked up, cocked his head to the side and let his bangs hang down. "I say its about time, frankly."

Step one was getting his prison collar removed. Addrick seemed able to accomplish that. Afterwards, well...

 

[Snowflake]

~~Martin Cortez~~

His plan seemed to work just fine. Staying out of everyone's way and not stepping on any toes was the right choice. Things were bound to get out of hand quickly and he was always the pragmatic one. Still, he didn't like that the 'Prince' took an interest in him. Doesn't matter now anyway, no one can call him out on being a hypocrite anymore, he lost all his reputation and his goals were slightly different now. The Prince would be a useful tool for a time. The tricky part was making sure it wasn't the other way around. It was time to sow the seeds of cooperation and yet there never seemed to be a good chance. Martin waited, patiently, there was nothing else to do but wait.

In a way, his patience was rewarded, as for how... Well, it was less than optimal. Animated armour and weapons, two fallen prisoners, one big asshole and one tiny floating healer. Surely there was more to the tailed woman than just healing. Martin could almost smell the way she watched over him with laser focus, just waiting for him to make a move. He instead remained seated. There was nothing to be gained from fighting blindly. Definitely, the prince was a cocky fuck who was unworthy of his loyalty, but the same worked in reverse. Underestimating the Prince's intelligence would be a grave mistake he felt. With the collar gone it was now possible to make the most of his innate magic. It didn't look well. The two were out too quickly and brutality was terrorizing. Hopefully, the princess and the kid would be fine.

A carriage arrived and more people poured out. Familiar faces that he only casually glanced at before being distracted by the theatrical execution of a young man. He restrained his emotions, buried them behind cold-hearted logic fueled by his mana. "Captain Bridger, I suggest you restrain your young friend or there may be more unnecessary casualties." He turned towards the girl with a stern look. "And you restrain your emotions, this isn't a fight you can win. You don't even know what you're up against." He hated the words that were coming out of his mouth, he wasn't that cruel by nature but he needed to seem that way. Any hope that the young woman might have of getting revenge or risking her life would be wasted. The other man... Iosef, he did it so naturally. He probably felt that way too. Perhaps it would help quell Willow's rage. It needed to be crushed or restrained until later. More than anything he hated that he was playing the game that the damn 'dragon' wanted, that the kid was likely dead and the princess was likely to follow. No matter, in time an opportunity would present itself. Until then. Patience.

@Sketching101 @TheQueensGuard @fish-writer @Polaris North @Desert Bee

 

[junebug]

The last few weeks had been eventful at times, but also terrifying. Since she'd saved Arturo from the mess and the new prisoners had somewhat acclimated to their situations, tax day came around again and again. Maka had given up most of her crystals and herbs for the sake of food and comfort that was slowly fading in and out of existence. Maka made new friends and talked on various topics that kept her temporarily comfortable and away from the horrors of the situation, even if for a little bit. They wouldn't die, they would find a way out. She knew there had to be something better out there.

Maka continued her lessons as needed, constantly giving and receiving love and guidance from the children. She taught them well, though in the back of her mind, she knew that soon, she would no longer be here anymore and the children would no longer see her. Manifestation was a powerful tool though, so she prayed for a better world, a better change than what Ydran had given them. The day came once more for prisoners to be let go and Maka had prayed hard until her knuckles turned white, she'd prayed hard before the day came, but nothing good seemed to come of it.

Maka remembered distinctly being loaded into the prison vehicle, but after that, her vision had been wiped out, and now, she stood inside the church at the Temple of Ydran with magic floating around. Her heart tightened to see the church ruled by mad women and men. Ydran taught love and acceptance, not judgement and destruction. Maka took a deep breath and sank into the feeling of being free, even though she technically was not. She closed her eyes as the clockwork spoke, irritated of her existence. She disliked the clockwork as well— she called her by a name no one knew her by, except Jacques, and even then, Jacques had made steady efforts to call her by her new name, Maka.

"This place is so painfully familiar, yet it feels so miserable. They've ruined Her, they've ruined the power of Ydran with their clockwork and falsified teachings. She is so much more than they make her out to be. I can't believe they'd do such a cruel thing to Her."

 

[Itari]

Things were quiet after the incident with Addrick. Sasha regretted getting on his bad side. The woman who had healed him had no collar, which meant that becoming friends with him might have been a good idea. It seemed to be too late for that now though, as Addrick had mysteriously disappeared after the incident. Things soon fell into a daily routine, until one day, Sasha had woken up in the morning to find Theo was missing. Before she could find anything out though, she had been drugged. When she woke, Sasha was dismayed to find that she had been separated from Willow and Omen. Of the people she was with, she only knew Maka well. The others were people she had seen around the prison and knew by name, but not much else. She looked around her. They appeared to be in a church. Which was confusing. Why would they bring them to a church? Next to her Maka was complaining about something.

"I'm sorry, why are we here again?" She looked at Maka, "When they say 'return to the goddess's embrace' or whatever, does that mean they're going to kill us?"

 

[TheQueensGuard]

Omen Bridger
Sunderlake Isle
Weeks Later...
@Sketching101 @Snowflake @Desert Bee @Polaris North

After Omen's previous encounter with Addrick, he had been expecting some sort of retaliation coming in the next few days. After a week, Omen was still on edge but it wasn't a pressing matter. The second week his thoughts went from focusing on not being killed by one of Addricks goons, back to thinking of a way out. When the Templars came for him the third week, he had expected him and the other prisoners were finally getting their punishment. He was loaded into a cart with two familiar faces. Omen was on good terms with Willow. Her and Sasha got along, so she seemed like a good person. Iosef on the other hand had called Omen, 'Obrin'. The sea-captain didn't forget.

When their cart came to a stop and the three were brought too the top of the Bottomless Pit, Omen gave a somewhat tired sigh. Seemed Addrick would be getting his revenge. Theo looked roughed up and near death. Silbur too didn't seem to be fairing too well either.
I think there might yet be a way forward for us. I'm willing to let you lot join my merry band of mages, and remove your collars, if you so wish. All I ask in return is fealty.
Omen blinked, clearly surprised. Before he could have a chance to process this, Theo was thrown down into the pit. Omen didn't look away, though his frowned deepened. He had liked the kid the short time he had known him. Captain Bridger, I suggest you restrain your young friend or there may be more unnecessary casualties. Martin said, making Omen's eyes glance up towards him. His frowned turned to back to a more neutral, understanding expression. He took a step forward, his eyes now on Silbur. Truth be told, she may had been the one noble he some-what tolerated. Still, he wasn't about to jeopardize his best chance at freedom for her. If he got his collar off, there would be a better chance he could get Sasha and him out of here.
"Fine."
He said, looking up from the winged princess to the horned prince. He pulled on the collar.
"I'd be glad to get this off me."
He glanced back towards Willow and nodded his head towards the prince, hinting at her to do so as well.
​

Amélie Octave
Sunderlake Isle ~ Chapel
Interaction: @Polaris North
Mentioned: @fish-writer

Amelie nodded and followed the four-armed man with Jacques at her side. She hadn't been paying too much attention, and was rather going through the motions as her mind was elsewhere. Gently grabbing Jacques arm to slow him down, Amelie glanced towards Eco as he made his way too Elle. "Jacques" she began, looking towards the man with a slight look of concern. "Have you heard about the missing prisoners?" She tightened her off-hand to a fist "You don't think they'd be foolish enough to try and escape, do you?" While several prisoners had gone missing, Amelie was only focused on the absence of the princess.
She did well too separate herself from the princess after their brief encounter with Addrick. She saw the pain and betrayal in the young girls eyes when she called her out by name. Amelie didn't respond to her then, and decided it would be best to keep her mouth shut. She would have to wait until she could help Silbur out when she knew of a way too get the collars off. Luckily for her, Jacques was directed to teach her Spectromancy. While it covered a broad range of abilities, most important was how it was used in the collars to limit the magic of it's wearers.

Before Amelie was taught how to dispel the enchantment, the princess hadn't went missing. She wasn't seen since the prior night, and when Amelie went to check her cell this morning it was confirmed she was missing.

​

 

[fish-writer]

Silbur Dei Allinari
location: Sunderlake Isle Bottomless Pit​

Silbur shuddered in heavy silence, her throat hot and raw from endless screaming, numb by now to the swords in her wings, though each movement of breath sparked fire down her nerves. Half-conscious, her thoughts drifted aimlessly, somewhere apart from her body, her eye seeing but not taking in the blood seeping from the Ithyan's face. It had felt like days had gone by, trapped here with the most infuriating companion, who had sat through her blistering invective without any reaction. She'd screamed at him, insulting him and demeaning him, until she'd noticed the tears streaming down her cheek, and she'd fallen silent, realizing with cold despondence that she was terrified. She hadn't spoken since, unable to pick up the pieces of her shattered confidence in the unforgiving silence.

Then, Addrick stood, and her gaze snapped onto him, the cocky smirk on his face reigniting her rage. This was unacceptable. Growling low in her throat, she turned her attention to the swords in her wings and the armour restraining her. The swords—they were too painful. Silbur couldn't even sense the metal past the screaming, shredded gossamer. But the armour was a possibility.

Addrick was speaking, and the sound of his voice was like oil on the fire of her hatred. A vehicle had arrived, and when he opened the door, she recognized the three prisoners who stepped out. Captain Bridger, the companion of the man trapped beside her, and the pest from her first encounter with the prince. As Addrick babbled on, Silbur tuned him out, taking as deep a breath as she could without crying out, and closed her eye, drawing on her aerothurgy, as much as she could access.

There wasn't a lot. This damn collar, she thought, gritting her teeth. Still, they were near the coast. She could feel the electric charge in the air. Normally, Silbur's strategy for magic was blunt, heavy-handed, and powerful, and she hadn't had to worry about fine control or precision often since leaving the academy. It was an unfortunate oversight on her part, and she struggled to recall the skill she needed.

Luckily, Addrick was droning on and on, giving her time to channel charge into her body, little by little. The prince approached, and dread welled up inside her—if he touched her or the armour holding her now, he'd get a sharp but harmless static shock. But no, he was reaching for Theo. Silbur carried on, hoping that she'd get enough time to build up enough electricity to at least stun Addrick, to give her the chance to sink her fingers into his eyeballs. Someone needed to give the insufferable caricature of a man what he deserved, and she desperately wanted to be that person.

When Addrick flung Theo into the pit like so much garbage, however, her stomach dropped, focus shaken, and electricity arced, small and brief, over one of the hollow knight's gauntlets before she regained control. Silbur had thought she'd become desensitized to the torture of the Ithyan, but watching his body descend into the void proved her wrong, and she had to purposefully even out her breathing. She'd liked him. He'd thrown stew at Addrick. He was nearly perfect in her eyes.

Perhaps she could find his body and give him a proper funeral, if by some stroke of supernatural good luck her slapdash skeleton of a plan to electrocute Addrick (or even divine intervention; she would accept help from anywhere at this point) got her out of this. As she quietly drew in more electricity, Silbur noticed Captain Bridger's eyes on her. Hope flared, but only for an instant before the princess quashed it. Their arrangement had been purely business, and she knew the situation was stacked against her. It stung when he listened to the criminal from the airship and agreed to Addrick's terms, but she held no grudge, though this was partly because she was too focused on the small amount of magic at her disposal to be properly angry with more than one person at a time.

"I also wouldn't mind losing this collar," she said, her voice brittle and hoarse. "Perhaps grant your sister a dying wish?" The request was made with half a sneer, the words as saccharine as she could make them. At the very least, Silbur wanted to greet death as she was, unbroken and unafraid. And maybe Addrick wouldn't be able to resist the challenge, and she could decimate him with a lightning strike, or even better, turn into a bear and eat his stupid face.

interactions: Addrick @Sketching101
mentions: Theo @Sketching101 , Captain Bridger @TheQueensGuard , Willow @Polaris North , Iosef @Desert Bee , Martin @Snowflake ​

 

[Polaris North]

Willow Howst​

Interacting with: @Sketching101 @TheQueensGuard @Desert Bee @Snowflake @fish-writer
Mentions:
Location: Sunderlake Isle, Bottomless Pit
​

Apparently, the guards were going to let the prison fight go - and the prince had said something ominous about the goddess claiming them or some stuff like that. Nevertheless, everyone was dismissed and they went back to their own thing. Willow had followed suit and tried to settle into the prison as best as she could, not having the opportunity to meet with that familiar boy from earlier.

It had been sudden when Theo, Martin and Silbur had disappeared all of a sudden. Panic had risen up within her because she knew that something was definitely wrong and the guards didn't seem to know anything. The next thing she knew, they were being dragged off and placed inside a transport. Omen and that other boy - Iosef was his name, she thinks? She stuck close to Omen, trusting him more than Iosef.

Though, imagine Willow's surprise when the transport had opened up to Prince Addrick standing before a chained up Theo and Silbur and she could see Martin on the other side. But her eyes were drawn back to Theo - barely even registering Prince Addrick's voice. Was this where they were all this time? Getting beaten up? Or at least, Theo and Silbur were. She could barely restrain herself from charging right through and trying to attack the prince. Even she knew that was a horrible idea. But still - to see Theo in such a state, and to some extent she felt the same rage for Silbur. They didn't interact as often and she was a noble, royalty even, but she was sort of better.

The prince was talking. Something about the collars being removed if they work for him. That's one way to recruit people, and it is less than desirable. There was something inherently weak about a person who can only convince people to work for him by using their less than desirable status.

The next thing she knew, Theo was thrown into the hole and had turned to the hole and nearly ran for it but knew that she couldn't create anything that would pull him back. Not without that stupid collar. But there was something she could do - the prince- she could- it would be so very easy-

Martin spoke to her directly, telling her to calm herself. She looked at Omen who seemed appeased. She looked back at the pit, then to Silbur, then to the prince, then back to Omen. He had walked forward, glancing back to her to signal her to do the same. Bow down to someone like the prince? Willow wanted to tell him no, Willow wanted to tell him that she couldn't by her honor to do that. But this was Omen who hated authority and nobility. He had a plan, surely.

Willow looked down at the ground and took a deep breath. Right. She walked forward as well and looked up at the prince. "You got a deal, just take this damn thing off." However, she kept herself close to Omen and her eyes went to Silbur for a moment before turning back to the prince.

Jacques Lumoise​

Interacting with: @TheQueensGuard
Mentions:
Location: Sunderlake Isle, Chapel​

And so the goddess had chosen them.

Jacques couldn't believe it really. He had talked with plenty of prisoners but there were few that he had remembered from his younger years - Arturo and Maka. But this time, they were to be... cleansed and prepared for the next step. Half of the prisoners that they were transporting were... taken elsewhere. Some even disappeared. Jacques had a wild guess on why they were taken. In any case, the ones they were leading to the church only had one of the newer prisoners - Sasha.

He wondered if this would be Amélie's time to learn the next steps of Spectromancy. Jacques was glad to be the one to be assigned to teaching Amélie. She was a good student, he had to admit, and she seems to still looking out for Silbur. Of course, he wasn't sure if it was just his hunch or if it was actually happening.

Jacques faced the priestess and gave her a nod. They call it cleansing by the good word of Ydra - Jacques doesn't believe in that anymore. However, this was how they were prepared. Looking at the prisoners for a moment, a passing regret, and he began to follow Eco out. However, he felt Amélie's hand on his arm and he looked at her, slowing down to match her pace.

"I have." Jacques responded. Part of those that disappeared was, after all, Princess Silbur herself - among those that had defied the prince. Because of his general position, his knowledge about the positions of the prisoners were usually up to date. He looked at Eco and Elle and then turned to glance back to make sure no one was listening before slipping the arm Amélie was holding to place it on her back to urge her forward. "They wouldn't dare. The collars would inhibit far too much of their abilities for them to properly device a plan of action. You see, the collars are nearly impossible to remove unless you have one of the Templars to remove it for you, and even then not all would be able to remove them." He kept his voice low and they were beginning to approach their fellow Templars.

"I don't know where they are though."

 

[Jess Incognito]

ARTURO LEONE

INTERACTIONS: @Kat @ItariChan
MENTIONS:

Arturo felt his body moving, or being moved, rather, as the activity was all disconnected from his thoughts and his thoughts disconnected from understanding. He could only observe the scene from within his body, which felt like a hard mask - disincorporated.

"I can't believe they'd do such a cruel thing to Her..."

His head swiveled, like a metal joint breaking through a rust patch and in that moment his body became his own again. Looking to each side, he noted the other faces almost beyond recognition now removed from the daylight of the prison yard. Everything was out of place and ominous in the color-streaked light of the stained glass.

"Does that mean they're going to kill us?"

The two women murmured to themselves in the row ahead. His glasses sat crooked on the bridge of his nose, but under the gaze of the clockwork priestess, he couldn't bring himself to straighten them. Her stony form stood menacing before the small, involuntary congregation.

"I never heard of a clockwork set to the task of human sacrifice," he said, only hoping his passive observation was the correct one, which resulted in a less than comforting tone of voice. Arturo reached out to touch Maka's shoulder from behind, as if to be certain it was no dream. The roughness of the tunic was familiar beneath his fingertips and very much of the waking world.

"Do you know this place?" he heard himself asking in a low voice, still dazed, as if the clockwork wouldn't be able to hear it. He knew of the woman's devotion to Ydran and hoped of anyone, that Maka knew what was going on. Art could make out no human forms beside their own in the low light of the nave.

 

[Sketching101]

Sunderlake Isle - The Bottomless Pit [12:05]​

"Oh, sister dearest, that is just precious," Addrick spat out, wrapping his fingers all the way around her neck. "No time for such ceremonies, I'm afraid. Your lord brother is a busy man after all. All I can give you..." The swords plucked themselves out of her wings, just as the prince tossed the princess up into the air. "... is a clean fall."

The man turned back to the other prisoners as Silbur vanished in the distance down the pit. "Splendid!" He clapped his hands together gleefully, and started rubbing them together. The hovering woman floated over toward Addrick over the hole. As she came into everyone's full view, her strange, rigid movements became clearer, just like those of the empty metal knights beside the prince. Her hands shot forward, and with a flick of her wrists, their collars popped off. Strangely enough, the well of magic within each didn't return surging, but rather it gradually started to return. However, their polymorphy had returned in full. From across the hole, Addrick stood on the edge of the tower with a smug grin. "You will each make fine additions to my little collection of mages. I am quite glad you decided to join me of your own accord. This process can get ugly if the subjects resist." The vehicle that dropped the group off flew up behind Addrick, opening its doors to reveal two more mages inside, moving just as unnaturally as the floating woman. He quickly stepped in as the woman in front of them appeared to charge her magic, as the hollow armours readied their swords and shields.

The Prince's Puppets

@Desert Bee @fish-writer @Polaris North @TheQueensGuard @Snowflake

Notes

Everyone can use much more significant magic now, and next turn, everyone will be able to do magic with 0 suppression

Sunderlake Isle - The Bottom of the Bottomless Pit [12:07]​

The fall took only a couple of minutes. It certainly was not a bottomless pit. As a well lit surface grew more and more visible in the distance to the falling princess, the air grew heavier and heavier. It was as though she was falling further and further in water, as it pushed her up with more and more intensity. Just as her fatal fall was slowing down, a surge of power returned to her. Before she could appreciate her rekindled magic, she fell on the floor flat on her back, with just about enough force one would fall if they were pushed to the ground at a playground.

Theo was sitting across from her, his back leaned against a pillar, his hand tightly pressing against his side. The gigantic corridor they'd fallen into was strewn with them throughout, with globe-like sources of light hanging. There was practically no rubble around them, even though the hole they fell through was clearly not intended to be there. There were, however, a couple of smudges of rotten flesh and bones, crushed into a paste. Some distant clanking noises echoed in the halls, along with a soft mechanical hum. "Ah… You're not… Hm." Theo stared at Silbur, looking almost disappointed. He glanced up at the hole they fell through, wincing. "I suppose climbing back up is out of the question."

@fish-writer

Notes

Silbur's magic has returned, even though the collar is still on. The collar would feel like any other metal now, so she would be able to just get rid of it easily.

Sunderlake Isle - ??? Chapel Interior [14:03]​

"Worry not, siblings," the priestess said with a soothing voice as she emanated magic. A form started to rise from behind her, with a crying visage masking the mechanical whirring of turning cogs. The looming figure's body, reaching up almost to the ceiling of the large chapel, resembled the most common depictions of Ydran in art, as a beautiful figure with four arms holding a staff. "Ydran loves all her children, even those who stray from the path." The figure spread her arms as if to take them into her embrace and slowly started getting closer, moving almost ethereally over the floor, even as the priestess remained still at her pedestal. "She will correct your course."

Ydran's Embrace

@ItariChan @Jess Incognito @The Wanderer @Kat

Sunderlake Isle - ??? Chapel Exterior[13:59]​

As the Templars were walking away from the chapel, some commotion started to sound from one of the nearby barracks and the ward for the prisoners waiting for their "cleansing". Normally, the newer prisoners would have been brought there to wait their turn, but every now and then something like this would happen where new prisoners would bypass those waiting for their turn if there was a "problem" with them. Elle was up front in the group, talking with Eco, as the four armed Templar kept rambling on about his exaggerated exploits. It was well known that Eco embellished his stories, but Elle seemed quite interested in what he had to say.

With the chime of the two o'clock bell, the commotion slowly started to escalate. Just as it did, Elle's eyes rolled up, and she simply collapsed mid-sentence. "Hm? Bit yer tongue?" Eco said jokingly. After not getting a response, he nudged the young woman with his foot. "Oi, get up." As she remained unresponsive, the mild commotion in the prison ward nearby turned explosive. The doors of the prison flew open with a ball of fire bursting through. The prisoners started sprinting out, but no more than a couple of them got away without being cut down by the guards. The flurry of magic ended as quickly as it started. After a moment, Eco turned to Jacques and Amélie. "'Ey, Jacques. Maybe go check on the ones we dropped off. Wouldn't want any trouble for our priestess."

@TheQueensGuard @Polaris North

 

[junebug]

Maka was petrified. Everything Ydran had done to make the world a better place; they'd trashed it and transformed her abode into a devil's lair. She swallowed hard at Sasha's question. Yes, she wanted to say, but she could not find her voice. Yes, they were going to kill them, but not without a fight. She could not stand for this, let Ydran crumble under the weight of the clockwork's deceptive nature. Arturo's touch on her shoulder made her flinch for a moment before his familiar voice entered the atmosphere. She breathed a sigh of relief. His hand was somewhat comforting; she placed her hand on his and squeezed it tightly. They would not die.

Her gaze burned with a blaze and the golden-orangeish birthmark along her arm began to glow brighter and brighter as a beautiful depiction of Ydran rose behind the priestess. She smiled a little and turned to face the priestess, eyes locking with her, "Arturo, Sasha, we are not going to die today. We will correct the clockwork's path. They have shamed Ydran and degenerated her into something she's not. Ydran loves all her children, even those who are unique in their own way. Will you both stand by my side in this fight?"

---

@Jess Incognito @ItariChan