Modern Fantasy Clash of the Gifted IC

[Crono]

OCC: OPEN SIGNUPS - Modern Fantasy Clash of The Gifted

Valk Moradin has one minute left.

He delivered his little speech with as much gusto as he could deliver. He was happy, overjoyed even, his dream was leaping beautifully into reality with the approval of everyone. His eyes stung with camera flash, his ears rung with cheering. He was joyous in this pain, Justice had leaned down and granted him a chance, he had succeeded. He had brought these people up and into the city to save it, Valk had won. Later when people would be frantically flicking through pictures of him they would see miniscule, joyous tears on the ends of his eyes. Thrusting forward his arm he summoned his heroes and he would introduce them by name when they came out.

Valk Moradin has 45 seconds left.

Back beyond the curtain, the people were rushing around even faster, making sure everything was pretty and safe. Someone said, "That's your cue. Get going." There were large men and women in black suits all over backstage, Valk's bodyguards, and for the time being: yours. Two were flanking Valk, one was with you all at the curtain's edge. The dwarf flicked her chin at the stage with stony seriousness. Those who accepted the offer were given runes that would amplify their words to the crowd, but warned to keep it short.

Valk Moradin has 30 seconds left.

 

[Viral]

"Davison Hines!"

Davison 'Dave' Hines sighed, and took another swig of his flask.

Of course, the flask was not filled with alcohol, but sugar water. Davison drank a positively ungodly amount of it, hence his canteen of sorts. Then he lightly set it on the floor just off-stage, so he'd remember to pick it back up afterwards. He clasped his webbed hands together and smiled, though it wasn't the most convincing of smiles. "Well, team, let's have at it, shall we?" He said, though in reality it was mostly to himself. Then he strode onto the stage, waving a hand to the crowd and smiling broadly (more convincingly than before).

"Hello, Grand Doma!" Dave said, his voice projected by runes to the crowd. "As introduced, I'm Davison Hines, and I'm proud to be serving you, now and tomorrow!" He waved again, then took a slight bow to thunderous applause. He felt a small adrenaline rush go through him. He'd been an actor before - his Illusion font certainly helped both on and offstage - but this type of applause was entirely different. People didn't simply like his performance, they looked up to him. Probably not the smartest thing, but still exhilarating.

Before this, he'd been talking to Ethan about this assignment, or rather they'd been reading each other's thoughts.

Are you sure you're ready for this sort of assignment? Ethan had 'said'.

Dave had snorted. No. But I'm taking it anyway.

You know, if you can't protect these people, even while you're under fire, then trying to protect them will just hurt them, really.

Thanks for your confidence in me.

No, no, man, believe me, if anyone's gotta do it I'd say you, but... Ethan sighed. Are you ready for it? Like, mentally.

And Dave had said yes, even though he was still nervous. So here he was, on stage, surrounded by titanic applause, and he couldn't back out now. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[MYTH*]

Hands decorated with two rings offered a moderate clap, silent against the show Valk Moradin had just performed. If there was ever a man to be a candidate for showman of the year, it would be this stalwart protector right here. A gentle but insistent hand tapped the back of a charming man with a dull radiance. If not for being put directly in the light than Jero would have shied away from attention. The dark-skinned man wore a bright pink dress-shirt, finely pressed with a black vest worn over. A yellow tie knotted tightly against his neck. Jero's golden earrings sparkled softly below his dark-blue hair.

Slowly the demi-human left the backstage, being escorted by Valk Moradin's guard. A polite but distant smile washed over his lips.

Jero offered a polite wave to the crowd and to all watching afar. However, his eyes quickly avoided everything. Instead of anyone, in particular, the demihuman sighed and looked far into the back. Finding a dark spot in the center of the walls, his eyes remained fixed there. Waiting like a patient statue, eventually, Jero would follow along with his teammate.

Cough cough "Salutations comrades." His voice light and smooth, offering a hint of distance and base. "I am Mister Kubii. It will be a pleasure to serve you. Please support us with your enthusiasm, patience, and faith." Quick, short, and easy. The normal Jero conversation. Bowing in a similar fashion to Davison, the other difference was that Jero went for his pipe while he head was down.

Damn, he needed a smoke soon. His nerves were going crazy!

 

[Snowflake]

"Look at the fucking crowd, bet you half of them have no idea why they're here and are just bobbing their bobble-heads at whoever exudes the most charisma." Rose was busy peaking in between the curtains at the crowd, she didn't have a microphone or anything she planned on staying silent. She was dressed in black leather shoes, black dress pants, white shirt and black vest. Her hair was combed over and tied back in a pony tail. The outfit did not suit her at all, yes she appeared seemly but her demeanor was that of someone that is bound to tear the outfit up or otherwise ruin it. When her name was called she sighed, straightened her back and walked out with confident strides and a simple smile on her face.

When she reached her spot next to her teammates she simply nodded at the crowd and stood up straight looking serious her hands joined in front of her as she looked at Moradin. This whole thing was a farce, a show for the public. He was the great man that will cure the city of crime by getting young people to fight the criminals. How revolutionary it was to even think of the idea of using Gifted folks to fight other Gifted folks, it could've only been thought up by a mastermind of tactics and politics. Oh and of course no one here was acting as they usually would. Rose bit down on her tongue and remained calm staring ahead at the crowd thinking how hilarious would it be if she just teleported someone's clothes away, maybe even her own and then see which of her teammates stare the most. Alas it was not the time nor the place and she simply restrained any desire or thought that was in any way disrespect able.

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

no-lightbox

'Mini' - Minaerva Black from The 81st Street Mission

<~~~★~~~>
​

Emerald eyes stared out at the crowd, wide and shining. She was hunching down a bit and peering out from behind Rose. The thumping in her chest was now thudding in her ears, and now going at the speed of a machine gun that recently downed a cocktail made of methamphetamines mixed with lighting bolts. This was like no entrance to a performance she had ever been in before. This was something completely new and earth shattering to the little mixed-breed girl; the crowd was freakin' huge.

Rose had just muttered neath her breath and the green skin girl's black eyebrows slanted away with much concern. There was much she wanted to say to her bud but... something in her told her to keep her trap shut; Rose would be Rose and if she wanted to show her thorns there was no stopping her.

Instead she went with her traditional getting all amp 'd up before the show routine.

"Gonna kill it, guuurl," she said with some serious sass and pointed towards the redhead. Before every performance, once someone said that and pointed, that would signal for another in the performing troupe to toss in a fist bump with one hand then high-five/interlock fingers with the other, pull each other close and press foreheads together and with all their heart, they would respond with--

Her human pal just marched off when her name was called; some kind of smile painfully plastered upon that pretty human face.

"Hell yeah, gonna kill it with fire..." the tusked female hinted at a small smile as she responded to herself then took a shallow breath. A long exhale she let out with a sigh. Then something sparked in her eyes, a glint brighter than the normal shine of those emeralds. There is that moment as a performer when you know, you just soooo know that this is it. This is the moment. Time to drink it all in and get lit. This. Is. The. Moment. All eyes on me.

~My turn. My time.

Long-lashed lids snapped shut over her big green jewel-like eyes, she then lowered her chin, took one last gut-check breath and held it. She could hear the raucous applause for her teleporting sister-in-arms. A hand with fingers curled like a claw, miming clutching Rose's hand she held up. Soon it would be her turn. The emcee Valk cleared his throat. They were about to say it. Her name. The hot breath of her exhale made the machine gunning fear in her heart go sit in the corner and just shut the hell up.

~My turn. My time.

"And now..."

"We gunna' Burn this mutha' down--"

"...Minaerva Black!!"

"--Whoooosh...!" Minaerva threw her arms wide as she opened her yearning eyes.

Like a daemon discovering the only exit out of hell, she whipped off her shoes and socks, leapt at the Dwarf, snatched the vocal increasing rune stone right out of her hands, launched herself into the air and out through the curtains. Upon landing she tossed up the stone, did a roundoff into a tuck flip and leapt up once more, reaching for the rune stone. A millisecond of panic clutched her heart when she bobbled the stone, but settled in once she caught it with her other hand. She landed upon her knees and slid along the stage and with liquid ease she came to a stop into a standing position.

She was half and inch shy of five foot and maybe 107lbs sopping wet, maybe. But as she strut forth towards the edge of the stage, she seemed like she was 100 foot tall and as massive as a roaring jumbo jet. "Yeah!! What is gooooood, G-Doma?! Yayuh! I am Minaerva Black but most people will know me as Mini from the 81st Street Mission... represent!"

A hearty cheer set her up with some momentum and she took it. A little wiggle in the hips, a little giggle at the lips, she sauntered across stage in her outfit that was very not unlike the very same formal outfit Rose wore. She had no idea what else she was going to say, but this crowd was buzzing and expecting something more from her as she paced about. And as she paced, her cherished ancient Dwarven forged chain went link by link through her fingers till she pinched that ancient yet flawed link-- "Aa-ight then..."

One sleeve pushed up then the other. A snap of the chin and her twin ponytails whipped off from her shoulders. Slowly one small green hand raised and pointed at the crowd. " So. So, this is it, err'body. This is the moment you've been waiting for..."

~My turn.

A single breath she took beore immediately thrusting her hand above her head, pointing skyward. "That's right... you know what time it is...?"

~My time.

Thunder exploded as a lightning bolt shot from her fingertip and into the heavens high above.

~Whoooosh.


"...It's time to believe in something again."


And the crowd. Goes. Wild.

Mini could not help but pantomime dropping a microphone before throwing her arms wide open and backpeddalling towards the others. A huge tusky grin she tossed those in attendance before shining them on with a wink and a nod.

A pause she gave as she realized the magnitude of what she had done; she had controlled her lightning burst. She did! But what did she do to get herself to-- oh there was no need to think about that now...! It was time to amp it up with the rest of her on-stage crew.

"Daaaaayammm, D-man!! 'Sup, J!! Awww yeah, Rosée!! Hey girl, I did it! I made lightning and it was sooooo awesome yayuh! Lit!! Man, I'm so proud of me, I could just hump myself-- twice! Uhh! Mini! Do me up! Uhh! Uhh! Cuz she in BEAST-MODE RAAAWRR!!!! Yeah, that's right, Operation: Go BOOOOM!! is now in full effect, bitches! Wut!!

...Wait... is this thing still on...?"

<~~~★~~~>​

 

[Gabriel Heartache]

Charlotte adjusted her cuffs repeatedly trying to hide the pink bracelet on her right wrist. She wore a black dress shirt, all buttoned up except the collar but it was hidden by a red tie that fits perfectly around her neck. Her shirt was tucked out of her grey trousers it made her look slightly larger than she really was. An exasperated sigh escapes her mouth, she was done fiddling with her cuff but clearly, the bracelet was still in view at least from her perspective. Her eyes narrowed at it as if glaring hard enough would make it disappear. Her next move was touching the back of her head, her hair was now only shoulder-length as opposed to their original length, all part of the professional look apparently. She clicks her tongue readied her arm to her side. The curtains were about to open, she couldn't help but turn her head slightly to view the bodyguard at her side. Her shoulders tensed up before facing forward again.

The curtains flew opened, the intensity of the lights was so bright that Charlotte had to cover her eyes with her right arm. She squinted but slowly lowered her arm as her eyes gotten used to the brightness. She took a step back and her whole body shook momentarily at the number of people that had suddenly appeared in her view. She stood idly as her soon to be teammates go on stage one after the other. Charlotte waited for her turn, all they needed to do was wave at the crowd or say something. Her fingers fidgeted and her feet were slowly grinding the floor to oblivion. Her movements stopped however as she looked to her right and saw the green-skin taking off her socks and shoes. A tinge of disgust protruded from her otherwise blank look as she continues looking at the animal. The scene that followed could only leave Charlotte with a dumbstruck look. "Maybe I should've died.", she mumbled softly under her breath.

It was her turn next, the crowd was still going wild over that thing's performance. "…Charlotte Reiner!" That was her cue, she walked with steady footsteps onto the stage and lightly waved at the crowd impassively. Her eyes were distant scanning for something before giving out a sigh. Before proceeding towards where the rest of her jailors stood. She balled her hands into a slight fist before shoving it in her pockets as she lightly shook her head and stood next to the green beast.

 

[FrozenDreams]

This is not gonna bode well for me.

The high elf pondered to himself as Valk gave his speech to the citizens of Grand Doma. He knew about his relationships with the citizen of the city, he knew that once he would go out there, all hell would break loose and the people would boo him off the stage, wondering what the hell was wrong with Valk for hiring an elf from that estate that Rinion currently runs, especially his son of all people. To be honest, at first, he wasn't too keen on joining this group as his infamy with the citizens was at a all time low. But the more he thought about it, the more that this could be a step towards lowering the bigotry and racism with his race.

As the high elf watched his team members go out one by one, giving their small speech about themselves, he wonder how his father would handle his speech. He was already nervous another, but he wasn't a very talkative person and doesn't inherit his father's charisma. The rune that was implanted on him would help him be less socially awkward and help with his words, but how much would it help with the crowd. Well, at least he looks like a sharp dressed man.

Wearing a white longcoat with a black vest and a white shirt underneath that that feels rather snug and relaxing. White dress pants and even some earrings, he would think that this would help him look professional to the crowd and show his seriousness to his goal, but knowing them same old crowd that berated him and his family, this won't do a single bloody thing to help him.

His thoughts were interrupted by one of the members giving out quite a shocking introduction. this girl was a mix breed, but had one of the most bubbly personality he has ever got to see of the group. He felt a bit relaxed, seeing how she was able to make the crowd go wild with her performance. He felt positive that his introduction would go well enough that some people would be happy to see him work hard to make the city a better place...

...What a joke. It would only go downhill from here.

As soon as Valk said his name, the whole building went quiet, dead quiet, like someone alone in a foggy forest, with a monster lurking around the trees, ready to give the pounce at any time. Faelon started to have second thoughts about this, everyone knows who he is, the son of the most vile elf of all time, enjoying his hundreds and thousands of dollars (or in that case, gold) and laughing as they live a luxury life as they suffer in this crime ridden city while he performs the most dastardly crimes in his home. They knew Rinion, they know his son, they know no bounds of evil they wish to spit on him and his family.

One of the bodyguards standing behind Faelon nudge him as he stood there in fear. "Is everything okay?" The bodyguard looked at Faelon as he saw the fear in his eyes. He knows that atmosphere has gotten dark and he seems to understand his position a bit. "Try to make a good impression, even if everyone hates your guts, while they might have different opinions on you, if you show them how serious you are in your job, people will think differently of you." He smiled and gave him a pat. While this didn't him feel much better, he was right. First impressions are everything and if he did a good job, maybe he could make something happen.

With a deep breath, Faelon walked out to the stage and stood beside Valk. All eyes were on him as they waited for him to say something. Faelon felt a bit hesitate and the crowd sees this so well. He didn't know that to say to the tense crowd that would involve in him being shunned. Faelon closed his eyes for a bit.

Focus Faelon, don't try to show any weaknesses.

"Umm...my name is Faelon, And as you know, my family may not have the most greatest relationship to its citizens of the city for a very long time." He closed his eyes, thinking about his family, and how they would support him, no matter where he would go to accomplish his goals and dreams. He cleared his throat and looked at the crowd with a serious tone in his eyes. "However, I am not here on their behalf, I am here to help make the city safe and make it enjoyable to live in again. I will do whatever I can to make this happen, even if it costs me my life." He felt like he was channeling his inner father there for a minute. But it was probably thanks to the rune placed on him to help with his speech.

The crowd broke into a murmur. Arguing among themselves about Faelon and his speech. Needless to say, the crowd's reaction was...kinda expected.

"Really? He let that ELF in to the group?"

"He probably joined in order to continue his father's evil schemes."

"He thinks he's doing the city a good service, but he's just doing it in order to make his family look good. What a sellout."

"That elf is a failure, he won't do anything good to help this city one bit!"
"Really? I don't see YOU doing anything about this problem either."
"YOU WANNA DIE GNOME?! 1V1 ME OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW!"

Faelon tried to held back his sadness through his face, it was EXACTLY what he expected...although with no booing, so perhaps it wasn't all too bad. Before he loses it, he bowed down and replied with a soft "Thank you" before taking his place beside the smaller girl. He could only close his eyes and grit his teeth as a small tear silently fell down his cheeks.

 

[TreasureSniper]

Raiyen stood at the back of the others as he waited for his cue while also observing how the other members of his team introduce themselves. He would say good luck to each of them followed by a thumbs up. He made sure to specifically tell Dave to "break a fin!" but is somewhat worried that he took it the wrong way. Out of all the members of this team, Rose was the one he knew the longest due to their previous escapade of hunting "The Chill" gang. Raiyen wasn't too surprised about her choice of introduction since it suited her personality. He was a bit surprised that the half-djinn is able to continue smoking for such an extended period of time without any negative effects. "Could it be the half-djinn physiology?" Raiyen thought to himself as his eyes shifted to his next teammate. He was caught off-guard by the sheer amount of enthusiasm contained within the introduction of his green-skinned teammate. He couldn't help but chuckle a little. Just before Reiner's turn he could hear her reaction towards the little green one. "I guess somethings never change" he thought to himself. "Well, that went much better than what he did in practice." he thought as he watched the elf awkwardly stutter in the first few seconds of his introduction.

"And lastly, Raiyen Karazawa!"

And with that Raiyen walked forward towards his desginated spot on the stage. He was wearing a tan peacoat with black buttons, striped black and white tie, black trousers, and black gloves. He figured that it would be better to appear to the public with his normal civilian wear rather than his usual crow costume which had an ominous vibe to it.

"Greetings citizens of Grand Doma. As a member of this organization, I, Raiyen Karasawa, solemly vow to serve the public trust, protect the innocent and uphold the law. We will work hard to meet and exceed your expectations." And with that Raiyen gave a dignified bow and his signature confident smile. Shortly after that he deactivated the voice amplifying rune and whispered "Good job, buddy!" to Faelon while also giving him a thumbs up.

 

[Crono]

Valk Moradin had ten seconds left.

He was ludicrously sure their introductions would be great. He knew Dave was on the softer spoken side and found his words concise and direct. He was slightly annoyed by Jero's mid bow smoke, given the cloud he had left backstage was still there. Rose hated being told what to do, so Valk was fine with her remaining silent and not doing anything absolutely terrible. Mini was the first real worry, her performance was excellent but the stone she stole was for communicating with backstage. Luckily the guy in charge of the messenger runes was paying attention and switched it to the amphitheater before anyone noticed. The dwarvish woman was fuming, but didn't say anything. Valk had hoped Charolette would have spared a smile for the crowd, but it was far better then her informing them of her rather strange beliefs or history.

But when Faelon came on, oooh... Valk was fine with what he said, proud even, but the crowd pulled no punches. He offered him a thumbs up, matching a male bodyguard from backstage. Luckily Yen leveled things out. Valk wound up a final applause for the whole team, his glow returned. He opened his mouth to explain the full nature of what the team would be doing.

Valk Moradin had no time left.

A sound like a electric fizz and a pop came from his smiling head. His eyes rolled up and his body went limp, dropping heavily to the ground. Silence took the crowd. The bodyguards nearest to him immediately began shouting and feeling him for a pulse. Many more guards rushed to the stage, backstage was chaos. The same extange was being screamed between different pairs of people "I TOLD YOU TO-" "I DID!!!" Then the floating lights all flew into his body, exploding with wild arcana. All that was left of Valk was scorched flesh and steel shrapnel, both of the bodyguards near him looked badly injured.

And then all hell broke lose.

All of the guards were sent tumbling off the stage, as if the ground had sharply tilted under their feet. The crowd was screaming and running into each other. Massive letters of crimson flame appeared in the sky with a huge symbol.

HAIL TO
THE UNSEEN KING

LIBERATE YOU
FROM REALITY​

Some, thing faded into view on the stage. It was a miasma of dull colors and shapes in a vaguely humanoid form. The only parts of it that did not shift were the red pinpricks of light that seemed to be eyes and a red crown hovering over its head while rotating. It lurched over to face the team, menacing white noise emanating from its body, its surroundings were slowly becoming surreal, blurred. It reached toward them, somehow radiating violence with this gesture.

 

[Viral]

Dave looked out at the crowd, smiling still, when he heard a fzz pop kind of sound. Then Valk dropped to the ground, dropping like a marionette with its strings cut loose, just like how Davey had heard dead people standing did.

Then Valk exploded.

Davey stumbled backwards from the blast, covering his face. He felt something sharp cut through his skin and clothes, and something embedded into the web between his thumb and pointer finger. He fell, landing on his ass, but otherwise uninjured except for whatever was currently splintered into his waist. He scrambled backwards, horrified. Valk, the man who had persuaded him to join this team, was dead. And exploded.

"M, m, my g-god," he stuttered out. Then he stood, and promptly fell again as the stage seemed to tilt. The words HAIL TO THE UNSEEN KING emblazoned themselves across the air, and suddenly something manifested on the stage. Something, something humanoid but nowhere near any of the races Davey knew.

So, of course, Dave ran.

Dave scrambled back to his feet, projecting a second illusion of himself running to the right while he ran to the left. However, he was so scared and shocked that his illusion-work was sloppy; the second Dave was not very convincing, looking more like a vague approximation of a generic merperson than Dave.

What happens if you die on the job? What will I do without you, bud? Ethan had asked before Dave had left.

I won't die, Dave had scoffed. Besides, if I do, you'll be fine.

No. I really won't be, Ethan had said, serious. Come back, you hear? I don't want you showing up at my work.

Well, Ethan, Dave thought. Looks like I should've left this up to someone else. And he ran.

 

[Snowflake]

Rose watched wide eyed the surreal image of her boss falling to ground, the chaos that ensued afterwards as the guards went to check on him and people started to panic and shout. She was speechless and quite a bit angry. As the image of a labyrinthine eye formed against the sky she leered at it as if staring into it and it staring into her. With the explosion and flash of arcana she raised her hands protecting her eyes and then taking a combat ready position, one leg in front of the other hips relaxed and turned to the side a bit. Standing to attention she scanned the crowd and surroundings for anything and anyone suspicious, someone not panicking and moving with purpose. It wasn't necessary.

A form came into view in front of them, she stood in front of the group barring her teeth angrily at the figure like a wolf protecting the pack. With the corner of her eye she saw Dave bail somewhere. Shithead could've been useful. She thought to herself as she readied a bolt of arcana and sent it flying at the crowned form with reckless abandon almost entirely sure it was just a form of illusion. However she didn't plan on taking chances. She was ready to start teleporting all over the place, taking her friends with her if need be. Arcana danced across her fingertips like tiny blades jumping from one finger to the other. "Who the fuck are you, asshat!" She hissed at him unafraid of his form and being.

There was no time to look back and see who was behind her and who ran, she hoped Mini was there, if everything went to shit she could just ask her to fry the whole damn place. Even if everyone ran it would be fine, might even make it easier for her to Blink away. Somehow she saw this more as a message than an attack. She stood firm, unwilling to let some flashy display terrorize her, she could be facing down the Devil itself and she would still grin at it and fight if she had to. When she joined this task force it was to do these things exactly. She chose never to be afraid when she took the job.

 

[Gabriel Heartache]

Charlotte's eyes widen as Moradin fell to the floor. She felt as if her heart stopped beating. Before the shock sets in, instinctively she crouches, her right arm thrust out in front of her at an angle slightly above her head with an open palm. She places her left hand on her chest that begins to glow dimly. A gentle cool light emits from Charlotte, the end of her hair floats slightly with her eye glowing bright blue. Just like in the training drills as well as her own. She didn't focus at all to the chaos of the crowd in front of her or to the mayhem of the backstage crew and guards but instead, let her muscle memory that she had earned over the course of her training take over.

"Water shell!" She shouts informing her team. The light she emitted burst into a radiant blue.

A large sized sphere of water began materializing above them then it begins to quickly swirl enlarging to protect the whole of the team. Albeit, it was too slow to stop some of the incoming sparks and shrapnel that exploded from Moradin. Her eyes fell towards the one man that actually believed she had hope and now she couldn't feel his life force anymore. The burning red eye in the sky felt like it was taunting her, it was always like that someone or something always there waiting to destroy her fleeting peace. A momentary lapse in her concentration causes the shell's surface wobbles showing signs of falling apart at the seams but Charlotte clenches her palm and the water stills. The bolt of magic from Rose went through the shield with ease. The shell stands firm covering their front and side in an almost 100-degree angle. She grits her teeth and narrowed her eyes to the threat in front of her before turning to Raiyen. Charlotte nods at him giving him the signal.

 

[Boo Girlie BoomBoom]

'Mini' - Minaerva Black from The 81st Street Mission

<~~~★~~~>
​

Mini's Initial Reaction

As if on cue, a molar complete with a ragged, red and stringy nerve ending that was dangling from one of her ponytails fell to earth and clacked onto the stage surface.

All she could do was stand there; unblinking, immobile. The only thing moving on her was the trembing of her lower lip and twitching of her left ear. She was frozen in the pose she had just struck for the news media AIRS (Arcanic Image Relayer System, basically camera live feed for all the eager viewers with properly tuned gear).

Her hip jut out to the left with a hand propped up at the top of her little round butt. The other hand held its index finger out and poked into the spot just neath her lower lip. Those lips were excecuting a perfect duck imitation whist her right eye winked close; chin lowered in that 'd'awww... just too cute' angle. And so there she stood frozen in that pose; unblinking, immobile.

And in that pose was she covered in the blown to bits remains of her boss, Mr. Valk Moriden. The blood, guts. metal, gore and all other manner of bone, teeth, hair and skin of someone whom she once looked up to, sprayed right across her face. Finally she exhaled-- which was more of a shuddering whimper actually.

The little thing was barely a shadow of that girl that strut her stuff all over the stage, puffing, posing and preaching. In about 4 seconds that lower lip would stop its trembing and the incredible force of a single wail would errupt from that small face with big mouth and unstoppable sobbing and inconsolable crying would ensue.

But 2 seconds before she let out that incredible wail (quite possibly turning into a blood curdling shriek), a sudden move from beside her interrupted said wail.

no-lightbox

The unthinkable just happened: Davey had just abondoned them.

The mind numbing realization was like a sobering slap across her face; Mini's head even snapped back a bit. Slowly her little body turned to watch her Merperson pal bolt away running. "Two D-mans...? Wait... wut...? D-man...? Hey! Yo! YO, D-MAN!! Where ya goin' bruh?! D!! HEY!! We're supposed to be a team, D!!! We stick togeth-- naaawww dammit, Davey...!"

Mini crouched down low to launch after him, propelled by the power of her Wind Font-- then that light. That awful, awful red searing and soul-wrecking light. The mixed-breed girl gasped and any desire to go after Davey was now inert. She turned back and saw Rose launch wicked arcanic bolts right through the clear liquid barrier at that thing... that awful, awful thing.

After another shuddering whimper, Mini scampered up behind Rose as her human pal tossed all sorts of piss and vinegar attitude whist questioning the intruder with the searing red eyes. Yes, she had Rose's back, but she knew in her heart of hearts the shameful truth. As of now she was near Rose because if it all went to hell, the teleporter would be the quickest means to escape. ~Some hero... Minaerva, you coward...!

A couple of headshakes she gave then she took a gut check breath. Once her mettle steeled, she raised both hands up and swirled them about as if she were rhythmically starting up a dance. But instead of breaking out her moves, she did a single pirouette and suddenly the air began to swirl and pick up.

"Eye of the Hurricane!!" she cried and a spinning cylinder of air rocketed away, just inside Charlotte's water dome with speeds in excess of 300kph, serving as a secondary barrier. Her hands kept up that rhythmic motion as she glanced over at the others, and spoke softly at them.

"Rosée, Mel'o...! J...! Raiyen..! Pattern Beta. Let me know when you want me n' Miss C to Stop n' Drop 'Em, you guys...!" even though she just spoke low, the others would hear her voice just fine since the Wind carried her words over to them loud and clear.

Pattern Beta meant that any attacks physical or Font based could pass through in the gaps in her barrier during the preset timed gap intervals which they were all trained to memorize. Stop n' Drop 'Em was when the barriers would Stop and combine into a single blast to Drop the target.

"C'mon, D... come back, bruh. Don't let us down... just come on back..." she muttered.

Another breath she took and her heart calmed down a touch as she anxiously waited on what happened next.

 

[TreasureSniper]

Raiyen was momentarily stunned by the sudden collapse of Moradin before shifting his focus towards the balls of light that were headed towards his body causing an energy build up in that area. Seeing this instinctively shielded his face with his left arm while he summons one of his blades with his right hand using the an emergency teleportation rune placed on his watch. He would teleport his other gear to him but that would require more time. As of this moment, he had only a few runeballs and his sword. His defensive action however was unnecessary because both Charlotte and Mini were already shielding the entire team with their water and wind barrier respectively.

As he recovered, amidst all the chaos he could see that Dave was running away as well as an angry Rose screaming at a dark cloudy figure.At the same time he also noticed that the Charlotte turned her head towards him to give a nod. Raiyen understood the gesture and promptly tossed five high explosive runeballs into the water barrier for their combination attack. The wind barrier would strengthen the attack by increasing the speed of the water while the explosive runeballs amplifide its impact damage. Raiyen swiftly ran his left hand across his blade to activating an enchanmet that was prepared before hand causing the sword to promtply radiate a purple aura. "We can mourn for the dead later." Raiyen thought to himself. Despite their conflicting views on certain subjects he was rather fond of Volk Moradin.

"NOW!" He screamed, signaling his team to unleash their attack while he swings his blade sideways from left to right as he shouted the name of his own attack. "DIMENSION SLASH!" . By enchanting his blade with spacial energy he is able not only able to increase the range of the slash by carrying its sharpness and properties to a range longer than the physical weapon, but also amplify the cutting power of the sword by allowing it to bypass certain objects due to the attack's interdimensional nature. The downside to this powerful attack is that it most likely can only used once per battle since said enchament is only good for one attack and takes a while to prepare. His attack was then followed by the Stop n' Drop 'Em attack which would cause the explosives balls to detonate upon impact. How effective it is towards their new adversary remains to be seen.

 

[MYTH*]

A gentle breeze passed Jero's face and blew his hair back the moment before Moradin...expired. The event was horrifying even to Jero. Was all that even necessary? Why was Valk the target of such an attack? Someone must have been waiting for the announcement to go live. Strike fear into the hearts of all those watching. "Damn it all to hell!" Jero shouted as Charlotte and Mini raised both protective shells. "Inauguration day is getting too festive for me." Bitting down on his pipe, the Gensie took in one last drag. It was deep and long. Slowly the smoke emitted from his body started to fill their safe space.

As Jero examined the mysterious figure, he could not determine it's origins. "That's a first." It could be an illusion, a fire trick, or a hologram produced a small number of ways. Whatever, whoever, it was had to be connected to Valk's fall. "We'll get 'em. But also..." The half-Djinn's eyes shifted to the people running around off stage. The innocent, the pedestrians. If they are going to do what Moradin expected them to do than the citizens had to come first.

Mini, Rose, Rayien. Jero smiled only slightly as they were already coordinated in their frontal attacks. Being the elder of the group he thought he'd have to take care of coordinating. Thank goodness Mini was outspoken. And pretty smart. "Minaerva, Rose, Raiyen. Continue with the Pattern Beta. Remember to keep collateral to the minimum. Executing Gate!"

Shooting off the ground like a running, Jero rushed the wind and water shells using his wind and fire as propellants. When breaching the water his trajectory altered and he flew up over the red figure. Arcing over it and landing off stage. "Everyone remain calm and evacuate orderly! Do not trample or shove!" Who was he kidding?, no one was going to listen to him.

Turning back to the figure, Jero began to conjure a wall of intense fire that reaches twenty feet high. Gate was meant to be an elemental shield preventing an enemy force from pursuing civilians. Or at least be used until they evacuated. Jero's variation caused the flames to solidify, mimicking a chain-link fence. The wind would blow through in an attempt to keep the figure from even approaching the wall of fire.

 

[Mook-LandStrider]

Sitting behind the scenes Katalina had become used to treatment such as this. While she didn't question her motives of joining the team, she did question the people she was going to serve. Taking a breath she rubbed her eyes before leaning back in her chair. Closing her eyes she began to let her mind roam. After a short time the woman began to fall asleep.

Eyes opening suddenly the noise suddenly changed. The scent of blood was in the air. Blinking several times she sniffed the air again. Standing up she heard a detonation and the familiar noise of wet flesh. Putting her hands to the side of the curtain she brushed it aside. The full extent of what happened hit her. Looking around she tried to find their boss, but soon surmised through the gore that their boss was now... everywhere.

Counting those that remained they were short one dave. "Did dave blow up?" Katalina asked finally speaking. Curiosity began to get the better of the woman. She seemed wholly interested in the ethereal figure. Not sure how to assist those around her she decided against engaging. Perhaps the best support was observance. Stopping suddenly flames erupted close to her causing her to fall backwards onto her back.

Looking up into the sky she saw the message. Unsure of its meaning she crawled away from the fire before getting onto her feet. Breaking from her fascination with the figure the groans of two people caught her attention. Moving to the guards she kneeled down next to them both. "It will be okay." She spoke softly. Placing her hands onto the first guard she began to concentrate. Mending his body she brought him to a stable condition before turning her attention to the other guard. Doing the same she felt her mind reel.

Coughing several times she refocused herself before placing one hand on each guard. Now that they were stable she could focus on bringing them back. Eyes igniting a cold frost blue she focused outward. Wounds mending and bruises disappearing she heard them both begin to cough as they regained consciousness. Rising up the blue light coming from her hands brought the men with her. At this point, they were aware of what was happening once more. With both guards on their feet she smiled "Welcome back to the world of the living." Katalina spoke before letting go. "Now get to safety."​

 

[FrozenDreams]

The sudden blast caught Faelon off guard, not realizing what has happened since his introduction and now. Looking around his surrounding, the atmosphere felt much more darker than during his introduction. His mentor was dead, as nothing but a charred corpse remains of his first friend outside of the manor alongside the wounded bodyguards that surrounded him. He wanted to shed a tear for him, but now is not the time. The words appeared on the sky, a cryptic message to not just the people. but to those within Faelon's group.

A shadowly figured appear, his eyes giving off a unnerving feeling to Faelon.

What the...I don't remember seeing anything in my books at all? Is it even a humanoid of any kind?

What was this being? Was it an actually person or was it something else on its own? Faelon could only wonder what kind of magic was used for this. Was this a summoned creature or was it a person infused in the most foulest stench of magic? While he stood there, the team hesitantly prepared their fonts in a well thought manner, both Mimi and Charlotte put up a defensive shield while the others charged their fonts up for any attack.

Pattern Beta.

A rather defensive tactical plan in which the defensive users would put up an instantaneous shield would lower their shields at the second everyone would release their attack at the same time. While Faelon could use his ice magic to create a wall of ice around the team, he couldn't melt it on his own without using his fire powers to slowly melt it, which is why Faelon would be in the attacking position.

Taking off his jacket, Faelon would reach for his bow that was hidden underneath his coat and pulled it into position. Taking an arrow from his quiver, Faelon stretched the thin thread on the bow with his arrow. Once it was stretched all the way, Faelon used his font to infuse his arrowhead with his fire font, engulfing the arrowhead in bathing fire. Once the signal was given, Faelon would shoot his fire arrow at the shadow's right shoulders, hoping that the fire arrow would badly burn his right shoulder and make it harder for...whatever that thing is...to use his right arm to attack.

 

[Crono]

The thing spied Dave without missing a beat. It's left arm stretched forth with startling speed until it was hovering a short distance above his head. It remained there, dispite the merman's movements, and its three triangular talons descended down until they touched his noggin. Dave would feel something like three knives slowly piercing his skull, although no such penetration was occurring. Right in his ears he heard it, a all too familiar electric fizz.

The bolt of arcana tore into the creature's body like a bullet through fabric, ripping and stretching it. However the portion that was hit swiftly stitched itself back together. In reply to Rose's question a chorus of voices, all young and male yet slightly varied, clamored from its body. "Liberator
ChampionKINGMasterHeroUnseenUnheard
Unknown." They muttered more words that failed to really answer her question until Patten Beta was launched. The bodyguards threw in much of their own magic from the ground they seemed incapable of pulling themselves off of. Needless to say the right side of the stage was completely decimated by these attacks, however when the smoke cleared the anomaly was utterly unfazed. Now the collaboration of voices all laughed loudly, ripping its claw to the side and sending out three red slashes at Mini, Rose, and Jero.

If they hit they would rap around their bodies like slap bracelets. Rose would feel and think as if she was on fire, Mini would believe her weight was quadrupled, and Jero would lose all feeling in his arms and legs. The projectiles have slight homing and are encroaching at a medium speed.

Jero and Rose have would be able to spy a teenage boy in the crowd. He was alone and not moving like the rest of the masses. His eyes burned with a violet, crimson light. His expression was plain, his eyes unmoving from the stage.

 

[Mook-LandStrider]

The voices, those voices echoed in Katalina's mind. With the guards now safe she turned towards the entity. Taking a breath she waited but their attacks didn't seem to do anything at all. The stage was devestated and that was putting it nicely and all their work seemed to be for nothing. If the other's couldn't harm it, did she have a chance. Thinking on it she began to tear apart their attacks. They were physical in nature.. if it was ethereal it wouldn't be bothered in the slightest by those attacks. Making up her mind she stepped forward.

Moving towards the entity she was nearly hit by the entitys response to her team's attacks. But, it didn't respond to her own actions. Did it attack them due to them attacking it? Was it sentient? The voice sounded muddled, distant and uncohesive. Curiosity rising and with it not focusing on her Katalina took the oppertunity to try and figure out if it truly was there. Stepping carefully around the destroyed part of the stage she did a small circle around it before backing off.

"And unto the tyrant." Kat mumbled raising her hand and directing it towards the entity. Blue light erupting she began to strike at the entity itself. While not doing physical damage, she began to drain the energy of the entity. Tilting her head she seemed to be feeling it out before turning her hand and began to target the tangibility of the entity. If it was alive, she planned on weakening it as much as she could. She hoped that her actions would help her team mates, possibly forcing the entity to drop its attack and release any of them effected from their mental burden.

"I hope this will help, I am going to try and sap its strength.." Katalina said as she continued her channeling. "It stitched itself together before. Try again, it may not have the energy to repair the damage we cause. Or, perhaps we can force it into reality." She knew what she was doing was... bad. But, it was this or risk being unable to help them at all. She was who she was and she had to accept it. It was this or nothing and she wasn't going to let them risk their lives while she stood helpless and dumbfounded.​

 

[Snowflake]

What started out as a simple small bolt of arcana to test if the thing was just an illusion evolved into a fully blown attack that erased half of the stage but left the creature unharmed. The choir of voices, the way it reacted to arcana, Rose figured it had to be some sort of manifestation or conjured being. Seeing Dave get nabbed and mind probed she learned not to approach the thing with threw any idea of teleporting the thing away right out the window. Of course her teammates were more than ready to drop as much power onto the thing and now that it seemed like it did nothing it took a chance to attack.

Eyes wide at the incoming projectile Rose reached back grabbing Mini by whichever part she could and with a quick thought teleported them outside of Jero's barrier. She was so used to teleportation it didn't even throw her off balance as their entire beings were sucked into the pinprick sized hole and then ejected somewhere else. She landed feet on the ground with a crouch letting go of Mini in case she had to hurl. Teleportation was incredibly disorienting and Rose wasn't sure just how used to it her teammates were. Going after Jero to try and get him out of the danger zone was her next plan but spotting something unusual she let him take care of himself, after all he was the eldest here so he should've known how to avoid that attack. Rose turned on her heel with a toothy grin, smirking at the teen. "Unseen my ass!" She said as she teleported in the middle of the crowd wrapping her arms and legs around him and then teleporting back in front of Mimi. Well that was the plan at least, hopefully nothing interfered with it. She wanted to throw him on the ground in front of Mini and give him a good punch to the gut to either knock his air or lunch out, whichever got him out of his trance would work. "I think he's the conduit!" She said her hair coming undone as she lost the scrunchy somewhere in the chaos.