This Dream 【RP Thread】

A surge of imminent doom had clutched at Ebrethiel's heart as he saw--amid the blur of the girl twisting and avoiding attacks-- the gun point at him. When he heard the shot, he braced for tearing, inhumane pain; and only heard himself snort derisively as he processed a much lesser result. 'Demons can't be hurt by such mundane weapons!' Ebrethiel thought defiantly, watching the Gunner slip further away.

'What can I do that can hurt her, though? She completely avoided my spear... could I summon another Python?' As the demon was about to get in position to attack the Gunner, a figure shimmering in white swooped past. With an amount of exhilaration, Ebrethiel watched what was apparently a boy with rabbit ears as he assailed the Gunner rapidly. Grinning, Ebrethiel moved several paces behind the bunny-boy and sighted down the Gunner. 

{Ebrethiel moves to B6 (D6, C6, B6)}

Extending his hand, palm facing down, over the ground again, Ebrethiel connected an instinct with his new tie to the Underworld; an instinct brimming with a sense of dominion and intent to shed blood. 'By the command of Ebrethiel,' the boy projected, feeling as if using some kind of ceremonial grammar would help the effect, 'let a Python surface to serve chaos and I.'

A successful, bloodthirsty smirk broke across Ebrethiel's face when the ground was forced again, pushed apart by the advent of his demon peon. The macabre, skeletal serpent greeted it's master's  palm and continued winding around his arm. Ebrethiel raised his opposite arm, fingers pointing forward, at the girl who fascinated him. Despite her allure, she demanded a battle-- and Ebrethiel was inclined by demon honor to comply. No respectable hellion could refuse a fight.

"Only the girl," Ebrethiel hissed to the Python as it crossed his body. "The boy... is an ally. Now, Lunge!"

{Ebrethiel attacks [Gunner] using Python Lunge; (T-Ability Vicious Zenith applies) 5 Corporeal Damage, 10% Variance. Cost of 6 DP, attack counts as Demo Peon.}
{Ebrethiel DP: 14/ 20}

 

Sekhmet snarled as she felt the sting of the fire engulf her, although she laughed as the effects were much less than the gunner had surely intended. She smiled as the fire remained on her fur, burning her further, the pain seemed to be fueling her-- giving her more power and rage she could utilize.She pinned her ears back and bared her teeth -- She was really going to enjoy gutting that little girl.

Sekhmet, if at all possible, got even more angry. She panted, as she listened to her surroundings. She could hear the others in the background, giving their nest attempts to bring down this little annoyance they had run into, causing her curiosity to get the better of her for a brief moment.

She looked around, noticing the others-- especially the girl who kept making what appeared to be rabbit spirits. Useless... She thought. It was clear to her that the rabbits allowed for faster movement, however Sekhmet did not believe in lesser creatures allowing the strong to become stronger. If one was to improve, they would have to defeat an equal, or even their better-- however Sekhmet was sure she had no better... and of course this 'Gunner' couldn't come close to being her equal.  She cut off her train of thought, knowing she would have to focus her attention if she wanted to win this fight.

She made an attempt to shake off the flames; but to no avail. In a smooth motion she snapped her axes together again, forming the bow she immediately placed on her back. She saw the girl behind the tree, what kind of cover was that to provide? Surely Sekhmet could sunder it with one good chop. However Sekhmet had another Idea, an eye for an eye you might say-- And the eye of Ra certainly wanted to get even... "You will not go unpunished!" She said over the other sounds of battle. She felt her power surge. feeling that she needed to release more than just physical energy. She needed to get even, she needed... fire.

[Sekhmet moves to C4. (D3,D4,C4)]

Now Sekhmet was sure the girl couldn't hide, she was about to be roasted bitch-- no question. "I'll burn you alive you little whore!" Sekhmet cried as she gave a quick burst of speed around the useless palm tree. She balled her paw into a fist, bringing it forward in a punching motion, only to release it into a palm striking pose. "DIE!" Sekhmet's paw let off a forward explosion, giving a bit of recoil, sending a jet of flames at the gunner.

[Sekhmet attacks! {Gunner} Using Heatwave; 6 Corporeal Damage Chance for burn. Cost = 9DP]

{Sekhmet DP 11/20}

 

It hit! Lillian couldn't help but clap her hands together lightly in happiness. She wasn't sure why she felt so bouncy but it might have been a side-effect to the spell Rina had cast on her. Her elation didn't last long, however, as a bullet suddenly embedded itself into her side. Lillian released a startled hiss at the shock of pain that sparked through her being and she instinctively reached a hand toward the wound.

Her fingers stopped inches from the injury and the brunette quickly shook off the haze of pain that clouded her mind. She was fine. It wasn't even life-threatening. Besides, she wasn't the only one that had been hurt. Ebrethiel and Sekhmet had been attacked too. Even with her slight animosity toward the lioness, Lillian bit her lip in slight anger. Right now, they were all allies and she didn't like to see her allies hurt.

[Lillian] moves to [D-4].

Now within range, Lillian raised her rod, trying not to grimace at the pain that raced through her from the action. She attempted to ignore it, taking in a shuddering breath to keep her mind focused. She didn't want to miss. Slowly bringing her rod back, the star at its tip glowing, Lillian swung, sending a blast of yellow light at the girl. The two lights orbiting her suddenly froze and, in response to her action, sped forward as well. The three lights hurtled toward the girl and Lillian clutched tightly to her weapon.

[Lillian] attacks [Girl]! 6 Fnt Dmg. Two Starlights are used! 3 hits!

But that didn't mean she was done yet. Raising her rod once more, she almost faltered but forced her arm to stay still. Slowly, carefully, she began to draw onto the air. With the star figure still glowing, yellow lines emitted from its tip and lingered as her seal took form. Starting from the bottom left, up to the middle top, back down to the bottom right, diagonal to the middle left, straight right to the middle right and, soon, as she connected the last line back to its origin, her star mark was completed.

Wasting no time, she swung her rod and the mark flew, spinning and growing smaller until it forced itself onto the skin of the girl's face.

[Lillian] activates her S-Ability: Star Mark! A Star Mark is attached to [Girl]! All damage dealt to [Lillian] from [Girl] has been reduced by 10%!

Her attacks finished, Lillian wasted no time in taking a step back. As she moved to take another, she hesitated. She didn't want to retreat, not when so many others were moving forward. But, as she was now, there really wasn't much else she could do. Not to mention, she didn't think she could take many more hits. Her hand flinched from her wounded side and she shivered. She hated pain.

But if it meant one less person got hurt, then she would gladly accept it.

[Lillian] moves to [E-4].

 

Arkai cautiously shuffled his way towards the young gunner girl. Making sure he was prepared for any attacks that might come his way. As he moved steadily forward, he kept an eye on the actions of the others.

The women with the blast glove seemed to be summoning bunnies, a rather innocent seeming power to be calling upon in a combat situation, but it seemed to be working wonders nonetheless. The boy and his… pet?… seemed to also be calling upon a spiritualist power. Perhaps they were related? Were these truly the subconscious powers Arkai innately seemed to assume they were? The demonic boy and… another pet?... seemed to be calling upon something as well, an inner ferocity.

None of these abilities seemed like something Arkai would be able to call upon. There was one other person though, someone calling upon the stars. He felt this may be the example to go on, but he didn’t feel as if he could achieve anything so far away from the girl herself, as she moved unpredictably around the battlefield. He decided to hurry his pace a little to catch up with her. Perhaps he was terribly overthinking this, but last time he neglected to do that his entire squad walked away without any body hair.



Arkai moves to G5 (H6, H5, G5)
Arkai sprints!
Arkai Moves to F4 (G5, F5, F4)

 

She really was lecturing them. Lillian would have been offended if she wasn't so interested in the explanation. She was also in quite a bit of pain. Unfortunately, it didn't seem she had enough energy to call on the stars to help her again. She winced, gently touching the wound on her right arm. She would have difficulty attacking now. Then again, attacking didn't seem like a good idea. Even with the protection the furry creature gave her and her Star Mark, Lillian didn't think she would be able to take another assault. For now, she would retreat and see if she could regain her connection with the stars.

[Lillian] moves to [D-9].

Luckily, Rina's spell was still in effect. Falling back as far as she could, Lillian released a shuddering breath. She had a very low tolerance for pain. But being distracted now wouldn't do her any good. They were still in battle and she was useless the way she was now. Closing her eyes, the brunette focused, calming her mind and body in order to harness the power of the Dreamflow. Slowly, carefully, she took hold and guided it as if it were a lost child.

[Lillian] initiates Reflow! 30% Flow is Activated! Active Flow: 30%
DP: 8/25

She could feel it, the power flowing into her. Soon, she would be able to call upon her own power once more. Opening her eyes, Lillian clasped her hands, her rod held between them, and began to pray. Just a little more. Just a little more and she would be alleviated of her pain. Well, some of it at the least.

[Lillian] begins to cast a spell!
Cast Time: 0/1

 

Hands clenched in the pockets of his hoodie, Ebrethiel simmered a little in equal amounts of frustration and admiration. For one thing, the girl had taken a direct hit from his Python peon, but had shown minimal duress for it... and yet, on the other hand, she had looked so cool when she dodged the attacks directed at her-- jumping effortlessly over the bitch's wave of fire, Ebrethiel noted smugly-- and in the same movement, retaliated! She even took anything that did hit her without any complaint...

'She's the goddam enemy. I need to defeat her to gain power,' Ebrethiel reminded himself. Forcing a growl at the girl, who had impressively and gracefully launched herself over the nearby tree and even performed a few cute acrobatics in mid-air, the demon pursued his target. 'There must be something I could do to make my attacks stronger, though,' Ebrethiel fumed. He slowed and halted at the torment and considered himself, having halfway closed the distance to the Gunner.

{Ebrethiel moves to D5 (C6, D6, D5)}

'Anything works harder when used to it's potential,' Ebrethiel mused constructively. Several thoughts followed of coercing his next Python to attack like it goddam meant it, but the ruthless manipulator in the young demon knew that wouldn't actually make anything stronger. 'To make your minions more effective, you gotta' use them effectively,' he reasoned. 'I have to know them...'

Ebrethiel bit his lip and closed his eyes, stretching his consciousness along his new tether to the Underworld. Submitting his wakefulness to the occult sentience, he wandered down a distinct tangent.

'Something to help in battle...'​

A mental sense of inundation crept up on him-- an instinct of dwelling in a deep, watery abyss. 'I don't care about demons and their amphibious tendencies right now!' Ebrethiel shouted scathingly, disdainfully withdrawing from that branch of the connection. Impatiently, he clarified to the primitive, dark introspection.

'I seek knowledge on demons, and how to utilize their ferocity'​

After a short pause, he felt his mind guided downwards, past, and yet further into, savage feelings and belligerent emotions. Waves of bloodlust racked Ebrethiel's consciousness as he was pulled further into the background of demons. A potent mass of wisdom came into view, the introverted area now writhing with infernal essence. 'The Lemegeton,' Ebrethiel recognized, a thrill of closeness to the demon world surging through him. Intent on the ability to conquer, the young demon dipped his consciousness into it.

{Ebrethiel activates S-Ability Lemegeton. Damage of B-Abilties involving Demon Peons increased by 15%. 3 Turns left. 2 Uses left.}

 

Sekhmet wasn't interested in a lesson from the little girl, constantly in her playful mood. It was really starting to get on the goddess' nerves. She regretted that she didn't get a chance to see the girl get fried to a crisp, however Sekhmet didn't put to much faith into her 'magic' anyway. She decided instead that she could have much more enjoyment if she were to decapitate the girl, keeping her head as a decorative bowl or something- she didn't care, Sekhmet just knew the head was better off on the floor than attached to her pathetic body. I can't let this whelp show me up... Sekhmet thought angrily.

She looked around at the others, still not gaining any respect for them whatsoever, however they were 'helpful' in aiding Sekhmet's slaughter of this girl. Sekhmet knew of course, that she missed only because of sheer luck, that was, that the gunner had intended to dodge a different attack, and happend to leap over her flames instead.

She looked to the demon-boy, feeling obligated to say something, seeing as they had something on common - anger. "The angrier you get, the harder you swing. Remember that... you little bastard..." What was that in her voice? It sounded like a motherly tone. No, that couldn't have been what it was, it must've been misheard over the sounds of battle, clearly.

She ominously drew her bow, snapping it in two once more, letting the handles slip slowly into her paws. She stood for a moment, holding them by her side. She breathed heavily, her chest puffing. No Duat for you, little bitch... Her paws tensed, tail twitching, ready to strike.

Now!

[Sekhmet moves to E3. (D4, D3, E3)]

Sekhmet stared into the girls eyes, feeling an overwhelming urge to tear them out as she spoke. "Ha, I love a challenge!"she said as she brought her axes up. "Tell you what, you start running so I can stab you in the back!"

Sekhmet Attacks! [GUNNER] 5 Phy DMG.​

She twirled the axes around her skillfully before swinging hard with her right paw, aiming for the jugular. Instantaneously, she hooked with her left, aiming for the legs. "Fucking die!"
​

 

Now was the moment of truth. The gunner girl was finally within range. Arkai stopped in his tracks and paused for a split second. He still had no idea what he was doing. This kind of void of information would surely be is doom in most situations, but what this girl even a threat? She was talking quite calmly throughout the battle, encouraging people as if she was some kind of playschool teacher. Either way, she was harmless enough that no one seemed to be seriously harmed, despite being far outskilled.

Arkai quickly attempted to will up an attack, but as before, it didn’t really seem to come intuitively. Then the girl spoke. "Just don't direct your will towards the Dreamflow itself. Never works that way. Focus on yourself instead." Was this perhaps the major error? Such cryptic and vague advice typically wouldn’t be very useful, but this wasn’t a typical world.

Arkai considered what his power here truly was. He knew innately that he had an attunement to plants, but what else did he know of himself that was more immediate? With the distraction of the ongoing battle, all he could make out in the short time he allowed himself to think was that he was slightly hungry. With that, a juicy red apple appeared in Arkai’s hand. At least, that’s what it appeared to be. Arkai looked at it and quickly realized its true nature: Another hypothetical illusion, this one masking a spell of destruction.

Arkai tossed it, not really caring to think too deeply about what it was. He felt that with the nature of this power, such pondering would be time wasted on a hopeless cause. The apple flew in an arc towards the gunner, throwing It’s mush everywhere on landing. For an instant during the contact, the illusion cleared and the apple residue took its true form, a burning flame.


Arkai casts Ignition Apple!
(6 Base Fnt +20% + 10%) 8 Fnt – 2 Cog = 6 Total Damage!
Chance of burn!
20 – 10 DP! 10/20DP Total
Conservative activated!
20 – 9 DP! 11/20DP Total

 

[Lillian] is Reflowing! Active Flow depletes by 10%! Active Flow: 20%
DP: 11/25

She could hear them again, the gentle twinkling of their light. Light giggles and soothing whispers filled her mind as she released her clasped hands, her rod floating in front of her, and allowed their presence to wash over her. Lillian had never realized until now how much she had been missing. With her power returning, she once more felt like a complete entity.

[Lillian] moves to [D-6].

Opening her eyes, Lillian was surprised by the scene before her. In the time it took for her to call upon her Dreamflow, the gunner had assaulted most of her allies for a significant amount of damage. Though the girl was clearly more experienced than they were, it was astonishing to see her go alone against their seven. However, the gunner was getting weaker and it was only a matter of time before she fell.

[Lillian] is casting a spell!
Cast Time: 1/1

Quickly, her eyes swept over the field once more. There were many injured, she included, but the most severely wounded was the canine entity. Lillian quickly made her way over to the creature, her rod floating after her. Once by the winged being's side, Lillian took hold of her rod with her uninjured arm.

"Stars, grant thee thy Blessing!" she whispered harshly, swinging her weapon awkwardly, but with confidence, in the creature's direction. Yellow light shined as it sparkled and glittered around her target's body. Though it died down a moment later, it left behind two rings that hovered and swirled in a whirling motion.

[Lillian] casts Astral Blessing on [Kip'yaia]. [+8 HP Recovered]. Increases target's Res by 10%.
MP: 2/25

"Are you alright?" Lillian inquired, her words coming out in a rush. Again, the voices had died down and the loss of energy made her feel weak. Add that to her loss of blood and it was clear she wasn't doing very well. There was a thin line between dream and reality and here, that line was blurred. Lillian hid a wince as she lowered the hand holding the rod. She needed a moment to rest.

 

Sekhmet gritted her teeth in a mixture of frustration and pain, the fire kept burning her, but leaving no visible marks on her coat whatsoever; she was still coming to terms with this strange place. She watched as the Star Child cast some sort of spell aimed at the little blue - whatever... It made contact, and seemed to heal its wounds. The deity knew if she didn't heal herself that she would lose her edge. However, she had an image to keep. Sekhmet does not simply 'heal' she thought selfishly

She gazed at the sun angrily, wondering why she didn't have this 'full potential' she was supposed to have. "Give me your power already dammit!" Sekhmet shouted, looking at sky - there was no sun - Sekhmet lowered her gaze to her own paws slowly, as if she had undergone a moment of realization. "I don't need Ra... all the power is within me... The deity clasped her paws together, parting them slowly, revealing a small ball of glowing light - a miniature sun, if you will... "Give me strength!" she said confidently, dispersing the ball into pure essence around her, it managed to dull a little pain - oh who was she kidding, it didn't do shit. Sekhmet gave an unamused look to the Star Child "I'm not cut out for this 'healing' bullshit..." She held her hands up, and tried again - thinking that maybe if she did it a second time, it would be a little more substantial - to no avail. "I fucking hate all of you..." she muttered to everyone, although with the heat of battle, it would be hard to hear.

Sekhmet uses B-Ability: Healing!
Sekhmet uses B-Ability: Healing!

Sekhmet recovers 6HP! Healing has 3 counters left!

Sekhmet HP 18/30!

 

Sekhmet gritted her teeth in a mixture of frustration and pain, the fire kept burning her, but leaving no visible marks on her coat whatsoever; she was still coming to terms with this strange place. She watched as the Star Child cast some sort of spell aimed at the little blue - whatever... It made contact, and seemed to heal its wounds. The deity knew if she didn't heal herself that she would lose her edge. However, she had an image to keep. Sekhmet does not simply 'heal' she thought selfishly

She gazed at the sun angrily, wondering why she didn't have this 'full potential' she was supposed to have. "Give me your power already dammit!" Sekhmet shouted, looking at sky - there was no sun - Sekhmet lowered her gaze to her own paws slowly, as if she had undergone a moment of realization. "I don't need Ra... all the power is within me... The deity clasped her paws together, parting them slowly, revealing a small ball of glowing light - a miniature sun, if you will... "Give me strength!" she said confidently, dispersing the ball into pure essence around her, it managed to dull a little pain - oh who was she kidding, it didn't do shit. Sekhmet gave an unamused look to the Star Child "I'm not cut out for this 'healing' bullshit..." She held her hands up, waving them in distaste. "I fucking hate all of you..." she muttered to everyone, although with the heat of battle, it would be hard to hear.

Sekhmet uses B-Ability: Healing!

Sekhmet recovers 3HP! Healing has 4 counters left!

Sekhmet HP 15/30!

 

Rina winced in pain as the shot hit and went right through her, but for some reason, there didn't seem to be any wounds. Whatever the case, she needed to get a bits away from the girl, to rest. She quickly ran to the side, and then backwards a fair way, so that she was out of range. With a sigh of relief, she thought about getting back some Flow, but the spirits whispered to her that now was not the time for that. The battle was almost over, and it would be better for future events, if she held back from doing something now. She returned to attention, as she watche her companions continue their battle.

Rina moves to D4.

Rina uses C-Skill: Sprint to move to B4.

Rina's D-Skill: Dreamflow Regeneration proceeds to take effect.

 

"Well that worked. I guess." said Arkai, with a large amount of disdain and impatience. He was not pleased with the random and nonsensical nature of this world. He would have much preferred to have everything far more structured. He longed to have a structured squad with formal battle operations. The battle that lay before him was nothing but chaotic nonsense.

Is it even ethical to ignite a young girl? Arkai thought to himself, in a brief moment of amusement as he marched forward to the gunner. Of course, at this point he cared very little for what the world might think of his actions. "I appreciated the crash course ma’am…" he said in the calm, respectful tone one would more normally expect to hear from him. "…but I absolutely despise this place, and I would like to wrap things up as soon as possible."

Being completely unconvinced that she would listen, he stopped to conjure another apple in his off hand. It looked rather tasty, being the kind of perfect red one would only find in a cartoons. Arkai sighed and flicked it towards the gunner, not bothering to take proper aim. He probably wasn’t going to get the chance to eat anything that good looking for a while. Considering the setting, it’s questionable that he would get anything to eat at all.


Arkai moves from F4 to G3. (F4 - G4 -G3)
Arkai casts Ignition Apple!
(6 Base Fnt +20% + 10%) 8 Fnt – 2 Cog = 6 Total Nature Damage!
Chance of burn!
11 – 10 DP! 1/20DP Total
Conservative activated!
11 – 9 DP! 2/20DP Total

 

A macabre sense of knowledge fertile within him now, Ebrethiel resurfaced from the occult introspection just in time to see the object of his fascination bombarded by a searing apple. 'The hell is happening now...? Oh, whoa! That's gotta' hurt!' And apparently, it really did. Feeling particularly derisive despite his intrigue towards her, Ebrethiel grinned in a twisted fashion as he recognized the Gunner girl was closing in on her own demise. Even through the pain, though, she loosed a barrage on her opponents and retreated a fair distance. A pang of frustration rose within the demon boy as she moved distinctly out of his range. 'She just won't stay still! Come on, I want one last crack at you before the others finish you off!' And with that rather devilish determination, Ebrethiel rushed forward.

{Ebrethiel moves to F4 (D4- E4- F4)}

"You had to run so far away?" Ebrethiel called to the enemy, somewhat mockingly. Muttering a few curses, he took an opportunity to glance around at everyone. He let out a surprised, cynical bark of laughter at Sekhmet's sudden outburst directed at... the sky? 'The bitch has lost it!' Ebrethiel chuckled. 'Do any of these people actually know what they're doing?'

Come to think of it, what was he doing at the moment? Ebrethiel groaned again at the distance the Gunner maintained-- how the hell was he supposed to attack her? 'Might as well prepare shit if I can't do anything else this turn...' the demon concluded. As an inconvenient reminder to how new he and his companions were to this strange world, he realized there wasn't much he could do. 'Damn it all. Guess I'll just... go with the Flow?' he mused, recalling the Gunner's instructions on "Dreamflow".

Ebrethiel shifted his attention inwards again. He felt his consciousness drawn towards that bond again; the intangible connection he had very recently acquired to the Underworld-- or whatever one would call a realm filled with demons. Just brushing minds with the oddly wakeful essence made Ebrethiel feel more powerful, and more vicious. Relaxing into the infernal, enveloping feeling, Ebrethiel made an effort to also focus on himself, per the Gunner's previous advice. Something natural drifted through his being-- a force native to the world he now walked on. A satisfied smirk drew across Ebrethiel's face.

{Ebrethiel initiates Reflow. 10% Flow is activated!}

{Active Flow: 10%
DP: 16/20}