Euthora-Roul ~ Kel en Miir

Stiria's gaze quickly shifted toward the distant roar. One of their kind locked in the heat of battle––from the looks of the massive beam of light that grounded it, a skirmish that was much more serious than the one the Ethereal Guardian and the others had found themselves in. Although she could not tell for sure, it seemed to her the massive dragon would be on its last legs. Not that she planned to help it, of course. The thought did occur to her, however, that seeing it finished and taking out the creature––most likely a man––responsible for its demise killed meant she could take the territory for her own. Or at the very least drive these others away from what would be her den.

The Ethereal Guardian beat her wings hard against the air. "If peace can be broken so swiftly there are greater powers at work here," she declared harshly, eyeing each of the other dragons coldly. She beat her wings some more, rising higher into the air and drifting toward the distance. Her amethyst colored eyes hardened on the mountainous wyvern that had crumbled under the pressure of her magick. "My fate shall not be carved in stone," she stated fiercely, as if the larger dragon's stood for the very element, as if it had bound her. And with that she was off, cutting through the sky where she belonged.

 

Ira allowed her roar to die out at the request of the Firedrake who then introduced himself as Chaneak. She thought little of the strangely attired dragon until something he'd said sunk in. A Holy drake? Way cool! I need to know everything about this. Her intended interrogation was put on hold when next the Mountain spoke. The Coralwing was growing rather fond of the older dragon, called Akensken, especially the parts where he praised Ira. "Yeah sorry again for earlier. I can get a bit ahead of myself." Never mind rightful ownership, territory was not a good reason to end a dragon's life; not these days.

With the procession of introductions, Ira instinctively looked on the third dragon, fully anticipating the routine to be completed. Stiria. The wyvern certainly showed reservations and looked an awful lot like a someone who'd come up short after a long hunt.

The Coralwing's attention was instantly drawn toward the sounds that heralded the scene her eyes soon beheld. A struggle of some kind between a dragon and an unknown threat that escalated rapidly when the dragon was struck and fell. Was that light it'd been hit with? Ira's anger toward the atrocity was fueled further with her curiosity regarding the abilities of the assailant. To add further the Wyvern Stiria offered a pair of comments before racing off; which only confused the Coralwing. Did she insult Akensken? That must have been what she'd done, it was the only answer. With increased beats of her double wings, Ireísed followed after Stiria.

 

Chaneak took a moment to soak in the peace of the situation, as the dragons calmly acknowledged one another. As he expected however, it did not last long. The gauntlet on his arm began to rattle slightly. The chains within began to squeeze him tightly and batter his arm. The weapon was a tool of fate, and like a weather vane, it could only handle so much of its own element before it began to shake about aimlessly. Something important was about the happen, that much could be assured, but the aimless rattling of his armament told him nothing more. So he stood there, with a terrifying feeling of prophecy for the following seconds.

To his relief, he heard a roar in the distance. Whatever was transpiring was not targeted at him or anywhere he would be caught in the crossfire. But deep in his gut he knew he couldn’t let that remain the case. Whatever was happening was important, and he would be remiss not to investigate it. If the chain of fate was so major as to shake his arm from all the way over there, it could even be something that he had a personal connection to. He glanced around at his newfound acquaintances and wondered if there was any way he could convince them to tag along for his protection. By the time he did, one of them was already taking off.

"If peace can be broken so swiftly there are greater powers at work here."

She knew too then; Maybe not in the same sense that he did, but she was clever enough to catch on to a greater sense of importance. As the coralwing followed her, Chaneak breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he would not have to argue this point. What came next was a sight that would likely distress those who have been flying their entire life. Chaneak awkwardly leapt off the ground, folded his quilt over his back, and flapped his wings desperately. Once he was properly airborne, he was able to fly as normal. His flight wasn’t impaired, but there was already a look of exhaustion on his face.

 

Their attention is captured. A ruckus rises to the west, the frustrated cries of a distant dragon breaching the canyon's walls. Seconds later, a great pillar of fire erupts into the sky from the same direction, and even from their inopportune vantage point down in the valley, the quartet of drakes can spot one of their own kind taking off, clearly trying to escape-- but quickly getting brought down by a radiant attack. For a moment afterwards, it seems like all four of the gathered dragons are considering whether or not to investigate the tumultuous incident; the Armored Wyvern spends the time cursing humans (for surely they must be the culprit here) and wondering if he would merely make another, easier target if he approached the clash weakened as he was. Surprisingly, the first among them to take action was the Stellar Wyvern, who Akensken hadn't failed to notice was named Stiria. She rose higher into the air, turned around, and spoke to them with the bitter voice of winter. Explicitly gazing at Akensken, she stated, "My fate shall not be carved in stone," and then tore away torwards the site of interest. Any malicious intent in the sentence rolled off the mountainous drake, though he found it curious that she was so quick to talk about fate.

Without further conversation, however, he and Ireísed took off from the canyon floor. The elder dragon wasn't surprised by the Coralwing's willingness to investigate the conflict, but nevertheless felt gratified on seeing her take action. Glancing down at the valley they were leaving behind, Akensken was mystified to see the Firedrake taking flight after them-- and blundering while doing so. The Armored Wyvern suppressed a condescending chuckle at the sight; he had to admit, the oddly-garbed dragon was due some respect for joining them. Akensken had thought the Firedrake would cower at the apparent scale of powers that were clashing in the distance. Attempting to keep any trace of disrespect out of his voice, although unable to resist making it sound partly like a joke, Akensken called back to Chaneak, "Do you need help flying?"

 

Ah, flying was truly where she belonged. Her larger wings set a rhythmic beat as her second pair maintained a casual drift; a Coralwing Glider indeed! There was no truer sense of freedom than that obtained from the skies. It was easy to lose herself to openness, the wind brushing across her body like a cool current; water of course being her second favorite. It was land she despised. Hard, binding and unrelenting. But of course, Ira had not much time to enjoy herself, for in no time at all she was upon the scene. The dragon she had seen cut from the sky was not here; only more humans. "These vermin again."

Ira starts in cell C9.

 

Chaneak eventually clamored down from his journey through the sky. Tellar made a hollow ringing noise as it impacted with the earth. It was hard for him to tell if it was still reacting to a chain of fate, as he was winded from keeping himself float with his atrophied muscles.

Perhaps more importantly, there was something more deserving of his attention. “Vermin,” the Coralwing called them. Chaneak didn’t mind humans so much himself. He had many dealings with them in the past, as his strength is comparable to theirs, and their equipment is often much better. Tellar would not have been built without the help of human tools and research, though Chaneak would not readily admit that. These humans were too far gone however. Killing dragons was something they most likely saw as their duty. Chaneak dusted off Tellar’s brass and took an aggressive stance. Usually he would be running at this point, but for the moment he found himself with the blessing of some extra firepower. He would not strike a guess as to how long it would last.

(Chaneak starts at cell E9)

 

Akensken starts in F8.

The air was still as they flew, as if the world around them was holding its breath in suspense of the scene going on in the distance. Their group progressed in silence, which was punctured sporadically by the cry of the drake at their destination. Akensken gazed at the location with a steady expression. A silent will was etched into his features, expectant eyes divulging his command to fate: a sentiment which echoed inside him an hour ago, and yesterday as well, and would echo still in him tomorrow and the next day, continually resonating until the carnage and conflict between humans and dragons saw resolution. It was a prayer that Akensken found often went in vain, but the tired hope was worn into him as thoroughly as the scars in his hide and the weariness in his muscles; three words that carried with them the weight of innumerable lives and countless losses. 'Not another one.'

Abruptly, a spear of ice hurtled by. The mountainous dragon refocused, and discerned the source of the projectile. Below them was gathered another quartet-- this one, a group of dragonslayers. The magic-users among them were clearly prepared not to allow them passage. Impassively, Akensken descended with the other dragons and readied for another quarrel with the humans.

 

Four humans this time. Two of which weren't even garbed in human protective material. These hellspawn bred like vermin and spread their filth like a plague. Survival instincts demanded she play it safe; sticking close to the other dragons for security. Perhaps even avoid the conflict altogether with intimidation tactics. But Ira would have none of it. The Coralwing had suffered too much from these cur and was no longer willing to shy away. They would pay with their lives and Ira would be the harbinger of their demise.

With the deepest roar she could muster, the Coralwing charged ahead, trails of light marking her path.

Ira moves to C6. Ira casts Piercing Heart on Valter. [8+1] 9 Light Int damage x2!
-10 MP, 28/38 MP

 

{Akensken uses Trigger Command: Break the Wall! on the Wall Cell (F7).}
--Indomitable as the Crag: 1
{Akensken moves to E7 (F8 - E8 - E7).}
--Indomitable as the Crag: 2

Once more they found themselves in confrontation with humans. Akensken found he didn't have as much passion for this fight as he had displayed in the previous one; death is an overpowering taste which one can easily get sick of in a short amount of time. Even taking into account his hatred for humans, it was something else entirely to say that the Armored Wyvern wished death upon them. Delivering it unto them himself was also a completely different matter, and wasn't something he was currently eager to get around to. From up above he had spotted a reflective glint nearby, though. Taking a moment to hunt for treasure or something of the sort interested the older drake, and if he assumed correctly, rearing up on his hind legs and forcing the stone wall before him to crumble with an earthen whine-- like so-- should reveal the source of the shine.

And indeed it did.

Heaving a bit of a satisfied sigh, Akensken noticed Ireísed closing the distance between them and the group of dragonslayers and vehemently attacking one with her glowing magic. His body was already moving his hulking frame towards the conflict before he could finish the thought; 'I should be guarding her.' With a glance backwards, he spoke to Chaneak. "Maybe you have interest in unearthing what I found, eh?" As the mountainous dragon headed towards the burgeoning battle, one could observe that, again, rocks and soil were rising from the ground to gather on his chest and form a defense, nevertheless failing to conceal the proud brass crystal lodged therein.

 

Chaneak scowled as he watched the Coralwing charged ahead of the group. There was no logic in throwing herself into battle like that. It was hubris. The same disgusting hubris he had seen crumble his plans and kill his allies in the past. The same common mistake that gave Chaneak pride in his name. Knowing we would be tasked to fight the same opponents, he wondered how much sympathy he had for such a person, who clearly thought herself better than others. Better than vermin, as she thought of them.

Thankfully, before he had to decided what he wanted to do about it, his attention was drawn away from his outrage. It was the armored wyvern, who spoke to Chaneak before heading off to guard Ira himself: "Maybe you have interest in unearthing what I found, eh?" The question wiped Chaneak’s expression away into a bright grin. The old rock had been digging around for treasure before the human fighters got here. It wasn’t the treasure that pleased him so, he was happy to see that there was someone else in his hastily formed pack who could think beyond the enemy right in from of him. “Yes sir!” Chaneak firmly barked back, with an ounce more respect for the wyvern than before. “I’m well equipped for these sorts of things.”

Without a word more, he hobbled into the sky and landed atop the sparkling mound. With a fluid motion upon landing, he fluttered his quilt about with his wings, until a handful of small silver tools fell off from it. He quickly grabbed them as they came and fiddled with the chest for what could have only been seconds before he pried the thing open and leaned inside…


(Chaneak moves to F7)
(E9 > E8 > F8 > F7)
(Chaneak used Trigger Command: Open on the Chest)

 

The humans scrambled into what must have been a practiced formation. Bunched and working together in a cohesive unit. Ira couldn't help glancing back to see where her backup was, the one's she'd forgotten about in the heat of the moment. The boys were... breaking rocks. And Stiria? The heck was she doing? Did none of them realize what was even going on!? She wanted to call out to them; bring them to their senses. Someone needed to take charge of this directionless group and right now it seemed the Coralwing was the only one up for the job. But then again here comes Aken now. Ah, he'll take charge of the situation for sure, she had just been a little hasty is all-

Pain cut across all trains as something cut through scale, flesh, muscle and even striking bone from the sound of it. Wait, no, that sound was a strangled roar of pain. From Ireísed. The human had landed a powerful strike on the Coralwing, splattering himself, the ground and Ira with hot blood. There was no time to react to the shock, however, as some kind of arcanic flame scorched through Ira's resistant scales, searing flesh. The pain. Oh the pain. It was blinding. It was... infuriating. It was empowering. Hatred welled up inside as the light resonated a darker hue to signify her sanity's drop in coherence. Everything was instinct. Fight or flight? Her body demanded flight, recoiling and withdrawing for a more advantageous position; her mind however, sought revenge. To fight.

Ira casts Piercing Heart on Zeyorn. [8+1] 9 Light Int damage x2! Ira moves to C9.
-10 MP, 18/38 MP

 

Stiria moves to C6!

Stiria casts Raze on Aytrix! 8 Int Damage! Applies 1 stack of Raze! [-5% Spr for Five Turns]
Remaining MP: 22/30

The ethereal void lashes out at Aytrix's energy! 1 Piercing MP Damage!

Stiria had arrived on the scene and suddenly everything began to rapidly. Although she had wished to defy the fates it seemed as though those very fates would turn against her further. Before she could make the slightest movement she felt an eerie grip at her wings and she could practically hear their cackles––she could not move for the moment. The very idea lit a fire in the pit of the Ethereal Guardian's belly. She let out a low grumble before roaring suddenly and bursting forward to take Ira's place on the front lines. A scathing beam of purely unnatural energy tore through the air and darted for the mage which Ira had not struck. With any hope her attack would weaken him so that a counter would be difficult on his part.

 

{Akensken moves to D6 (E7 - D7 - D6).}
--Indomitable as the Crag: 3
{Akensken casts [tip id=1 content=Creates a Mound Cell after a delay of 1 Turn, which has an Indefinite Duration. Mound Cells passively increase the Damage Output of Ally Units Occupying them by 10%. Range: Self (Cell the User is Occupying) or Adjacent. 4 MP]Earth, Arise[/tip] on C6.}
--Indomitable as the Crag: 4
--MP: 11/15

The humans quickly advanced forward in a compact and stable formation. Akensken grimaced as they soundly retaliated against Ira, punishing her for her aggression. In the span of two attacks, the Coralwing had already been thoroughly rebuffed; one more hit and she'd surely meet her limit. The Armored Wyvern knew his thick hide could take much more abuse than the less tried scales his new companions bore, but as he drew closer to the battle, he was reminded of the downside of his durable skin; his body's build made him slower than all of his companions. Akensken let out a low growl as he realized he wouldn't reach the vanguard as quickly as he had thought. All he could do in his current position was provide support.

To his relief, Ira recognized the danger she had landed herself in and, after launching a quick attack, retreated. "You should take better care of yourself," Akensken called after her, concern evident in his rugged voice. He had no desire to see a kind, young dragon like the Coralwing meet her untimely end because of recklessness. To his chagrin, however, the Stellar Wyvern, Stiria, took up Ireísed's position within moments. Akensken knew she couldn't be much more durable than the wounded Coralwing, and commented to her in the same tone he took with Ireísed, "You should be careful, as well. We need not take such risks here."

 

The accuracy of his predictions were painful. By the time Chaneak had turned around, the coralwing and been burnt nearly out of the sky and was fleeing from her once valorous position. He wished at that point that he could have been wrong and had her show him up. It only got worse from there though, as the second female rushed out front in her place. A visible smoke could be seen as the literal fire in the dragon raged.

The Stellar Wyvern was making the same mistake. She however, was making it worse. She made no attempt to finish off the prey as a sensible hunter would do; she chose to pick a fight with the human wizard in his full vitality. As a magic user herself, she was picking the bigger fight. Even in her spell's attempts to break down the magus’ resistances, there was no way should could finish off this opponent in reasonable time. Had she done this as revenge for the lightbringer? Most likely not, Chaneak thought. Was it because she felt adept at fighting other mages? Perhaps, but even that much would be telling of her personality. She no doubt did it out of the same pride that just spat out her shambling kin.

Without much ceremony, Chaneak appeared behind the Ethereal Guardian, having had marched over as soon as he saw things were going awry. “Focus” He spoke in a sharp, serious tone as he raised his instrument to the page in front of her prey. Without another instant a bright flash carried through the sky. It’s shape spiraled around the trail of Raze’s beam, and disappeared in an blink, like a flash of lightning. When it connected to the knight, it engulfed his armor in the rippling gleam of lightning, keeping its spiraling nature as it surged through to his flesh. The spell lit him up like a beacon, as if to prove his point. “Pick them off.”

“These idiots think we’re the prey and I don’t need you girls feeding that notion.”


(Chaneak moves to C7)
(F7 > E7 > D7 > C7)
(Chaneak used Seli Atiri on the Valter)
(20/30 MP)
(7-2 = 5 Total Int damage!)(Armor causes the effect to double!)(10 Total Int Damage!)

 

Stiria moves to B7!

Stiria casts Raze on Gautier! 8 Int Damage! Applies 1 stack of Raze! [-5% Spr for Five Turns]
Remaining MP: 14/30

The ethereal void lashes out at Gautier's energy! 1 Piercing MP Damage!

The men had focused on her. First a heavy slash which tore through her scales and pierced her flesh and then a blast of frigid wind. Stiria held her ground, eyes gleaming with ethereal energy as she sent another beam flying. It did not, however, strike the mage––as much as she would have liked to, the strange Firedrake had a point. It made much more sense to pick off the armored man for his metal casing did not shrug off her magicked advances as easily as the cloth the human mage wrapped himself in. He would fall beneath her might and that was all Stiria cared about. Chaneak's role in the matter was of little importance as far as she was concerned.