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by Imperialisium » Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:26 pm
by Luminesa » Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:31 am
Imperialisium wrote:The fighting outside the Church was a blurr as Anna and her forces held a perimeter by sheer brutality and firepower. The corrupting, frenzied, blood thirsty influence of an Archduke of Hell driving the denizens of Los Angeles to insanity. The Rothai wove like painters with their blades, creating grisly artwork using only red; while the Black Legion laid down withering firing lines. Anna herself was a display of destructive power. Leaving a bloody charnel path wherever she went. Meanwhile, John and Nikolai, The Templars, and the others battered their way through the entrance of the church. Kicking a cultist back through the heavy doors with a resounding thud Nikolai stepped into the Church and grimaced. The interior just as demonically corrupted as the exterior crowd. John and the rest stormed in after. Dispatching the last cultists in the main entrance rooms shortly afterwards.
Then silence. Well, silence for the interior. John checked his ammo and moved cautiously. Nikolai watching his back with a short sawed off shotgun.
"Pretty silent in here guys," mused Nikolai. The group moving further into the Church. Reaching the main assembly hall were most of the services of the Church would have been held. It was eerily silent. Even with the gunfire and cries of the outside it seemed dull. As if some unseen force was smothering the audio of the outside environment. A rattling of chains and both John and Nikolai snapped their weapons up. Their eyes witnessing the grisly horror dangling from the chandelier. A corpse, hung upside down on a wooden cross, throat slit but body long drained dry. Held to the wooden cross by nails and fish hooks. A ghastly scene that was at minimum a hateful, spiteful, mockery of what this Church was supposed to represent.
Pattering of flesh on stone and the group could feel the air in the room chill. A shadowy figure dove into their midst. Nikolai was hoisted up and thrown bodily a dozen meters. While two of the Templars were batted aside. Spinning to a stop the group laid eyes on this new opponent. A human figure with black eyes, sickly yellow irises, and red pupils. Skin bulged with reddish veins and a stomach churning feeling of corruption could be felt. A man possessed. This was no cultist or frenzied crowd. This was a Demon ensconced in Human flesh.
The figure grinned, exposing yellow teeth, and with snarling fists dove for Alexei and Morri. Nails elongating into horrible claws.
by Morrdh » Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:41 pm
by Luminesa » Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:50 pm
Morrdh wrote:Morri
Even in her dire wolf form, Morri grimaced as they entered the defiled church and laid eyes upon what was contained within. She felt repulsion when she saw the...thing that was waiting for them, a thing that oozed corruption. It reminded Morri heavily of the numerous fomori she'd fought, humans infected by evil spirits in the employ of the Wyrm called Banes. The source of infection was different here but the principle remained the same, which didn't make it any less dangerous.
The thing snarled and charged them, Morri stepped forward and began to change as she did so. She rose on her hind legs as her torso and limbs bulked out, her form changing to be bipedal as her own claws lengthened and sharpened. Though she wasn't all that fond of her Crinos form, there were times when it was useful like now. It mean losing some of the agility afforded by her other forms, but it more than made up for it with sheer brute form.
With a howl she shot her arm out, aiming for the creature's side. Her intent was to throw it off-balance, partially to make it vulnerable for a follow-up attack but mainly to keep it away from Alexei as much as possible. Morri knew she stood a better chance off going toe-to-toe with the creature than the Inquisitor did, but even for her it was going to be a tough fight.
On your left! Came a voice inside her head, one that Morri instantly recognised as the pack's other Ragabash Cal. Still playing up the trickster aspect of their mutual Auspice, Cal was actually moving round to Morri's right as a shimmering blur to help outflank the demon thing. Anyone other than Morri probably would've looked to their left, thus making their opponent look in that direction to help distract them but she and Cal knew how the other worked. Lashing out at the demon again, she simply replied in her head. Yer late.
Oh you know, traffic... Cal responded as he lept at the demon from behind, his own claws slashing at the creature's back.
by Morrdh » Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:48 pm
by Kingdom of Irhk » Sat Jan 23, 2021 7:51 pm
Morrdh wrote:Morri
Morri co-ordinated her strikes with Cal, taking it in turns to lunge out of the shadows from random angles to try and keep the demon-thing on the back foot. Their link through the pack's totem made this possible, it also allowed them to do so with no actual spoken words. Both made repeated slashing attacks on the thing, dashing past and lashing out with their claws as they did so. It was hard to tell what, if any, effect they were having on the creature that was no doubt infused with unholy resilience.
Morri heard Alexei call out, though the nature of the Crinos form made it next to impossible to make a verbal response other than grunts and growls. But nevertheless, Alexei had a point; Where was Connor?
Oi! Grandpa! She called out to the pack leader through the totem. Where the feck are ye?
by Imperialisium » Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:02 pm
by Morrdh » Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:27 pm
by Luminesa » Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:00 pm
by Luminesa » Sun Mar 28, 2021 5:52 pm
by Luminesa » Sat Apr 03, 2021 4:24 pm
by Morrdh » Sat Apr 03, 2021 7:04 pm
by Imperialisium » Fri Apr 09, 2021 9:04 pm
by Luminesa » Sat Apr 10, 2021 1:44 pm
Imperialisium wrote:The Church
The Demon was indeed a threat unaccustomed to the attackers. But it was not invincible and certainly not the most powerful of its kind. For the walls of the Abyss were only fractured, cracked, in certain areas. Which only small essence could seep through and escape to Earth. A large saving grace for Earth, for the walls of the Abyss are what keep the greater forces which go bump in the night contained. One such being would be Belial, Earthbound, Archduke of Hell among other lofty titles. But to his cultists he was the Great Devourer. And from his ravenous hunger would he consume the fallen world and reshape it in an image of bless for the faithful followers of his own personal adherents.
So as they slashed, assaulted, and used other more arcane methods of attack upon the Demon its defenses weakened. The body it wore opening with weeping wounds and trailing entrails. A grisly afterthought being that the person possessed felt every injury, saw every action, but could do nothing as the Demon laughed. Realizing it would be beaten in time but its part in all this finished. As it was slain by the hail of assaulting persons waged against it. A black plume of smoke and brimstone crackling with noir energy erupting from the now definitively dead man's mouth. A cackle on the wind as the Demon fled.
The Crypt
The blinding light which erupted into the room did indeed blind the cultists in the room. Their yells interrupting their solemn chants and dark prayers. Mikhailov's assault fortuitous in that not one, not two, nor three, but four cultists were slew before any resistance could be offered. A futile one, cultists were not trained soldiers, merely the pawns to their dark overlord. Their fists and fire arms inaccurate. Their daggers untrained. The last cultists in the crypt slid from Mikhailov's wet blade with a sickening squelch.
How unseemly of you, Sorcerer.
The voice was deep, imposing, like a hot knife plunged into Mikhailov's skull.
I see you. Mikhailov. I see your past, and your future, for you are ultimately apart of an uncaring Universe.
The dark miasma above was expanding slowly. The hole wide enough for dark vaporous clouds of Belials essence to seep through. A dark visage of grotesque hunger flashed into Mikhailov's mind. I can bring back all you lost, Mikhailov, all you wish to gain. All I ask in return is for you to finish the prayer. As if on que a dark bloody page landed gracefully onto the altar beneath the miasma. While scenes in Mikhailov's mind struck with all the force of a bolt of lightning. Wants, desires, regrets undone. A vision of what could be.
by Parcia » Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:40 pm
by Imperialisium » Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:08 pm
by Parcia » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:12 pm
by Morrdh » Wed Apr 21, 2021 5:30 pm
by Luminesa » Thu Apr 22, 2021 5:46 pm
Imperialisium wrote:Holding The Line
The fighting outside the Church was a frenzy of rounds zipping through the air. The occasional detonation of a grenade, and the screams of frenzied combatants and those seeking to hold the perimeter. Anna was a blur of vitae powered fury. Uniformed or civilian she cared not whose vitals decorated her blade. The sun, masked by the thick haze of pollution and blazing fires, generating black intoxicating clouds, allowed the Rothai freedom of movement even during daylight. The vampiric warriors hacked and slew their way through scores of crazed Humans. While the disciplined ranks of Anna's Black Legion gave withering fire into any who dared approach. But it was a battle that could not go on forever. Legionnaire casualties were beginning to mount and for every Demonhost slew a toll was paid in vampiric or human life.
Belial's seeping influence, corruption, had turned many into crazed insane abominations of bloodlust and Jonah gluttony. More than once scenes of utter depravity would be displayed amidst the fighting. Of cannibalism in back alleys. Of wanton arson and destruction setting shops and homes alight. Neighbor turned on neighbor, or joined the ravening hordes as the dark power of an Earthbound about to break free seeped into the very conscious of Man and Woman.
But not all of it was without malign intelligence. Indeed, the corrupted National Guard shot back and even displayed what passed for tactics. Forming their own packs, for coherent squads and platoons was too generous, that assaulted positions with a modicum of methodology.
Even as Jonah held his portion of the perimeter with courage and stubbornness characteristic of his personality. Inflicting a literal killing field upon the foe. It only served to attract more attention. Even when supported by Anna's troops and various Templars they were out numbered and forced closer to the church with every minute. Even with Anna's skill in sorcery she was tied up dueling three Demons wielding their own sorcerous powers against her. Making her unable to stop the sudden display of spraying gunfire at Jonah's position. But, it was not the rounds of machine guns or rifles that did the deed. It was not the rocket propelled grenade fired by a pack of National Guardsmen that conducted the loss. Jonah weathered them all. It was the simple shot of a high powered sniper rifle. Even as a fireteam of Knights Templar moved to support Jonah, led by Gabriel Montferrat, who would witness with sorrow first hand. In momentary eye contact as the side right eye and back of the head of the valiant Ogre exploded in red ichor. Did Jonah have a realization? Of this final moment and the shouting of Gabriel who was trying to move towards him amid the torrential firefight raging around them. Even as he was pulled inside the church by a pair of Legionnaires. Even as the one eye could see, if Jonah's visual functions still were processing, the Legionnaire shake his head side to side to his compatriot while speaking into his mic.
The Crypt
Belial screamed, a horrified wailing bellow of rage, at the insolence displayed by Mikhailov. The Abyssal fracture began to recede. The ritual broken and unfinished. But the wail continued. The psychic backlash striking Mikhailov with all the force of a freight train as Belial lashed out in revenge. By the time the fracture closed Mikhailov was not standing. The psychic backlash having burst a blood vessel in his brain. Inducing a sudden and violent embolism. A sight that the others in the church would see upon approaching in their chase into the crypt.
The Silence After
A pulse rocketed from the church. Doubling over, barreling others into the pavement, as Belial's psychic might gave one last torrential burst. Demons screeched and scattered in all directions. Their human hosts sheltering them from the hostile environment of Earth as they fled. The scores of crazed Humanity near the church simply collapsed, comatose. Those further afield found themselves waking as if from a deep, vivid, nightmare. Those fortuitous souls that had resisted the vile corrupting power of Belial would witness a sudden, as if at the drop of a dime, stop to the world gone mad around them...
by Imperialisium » Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:33 pm
by Morrdh » Wed Apr 28, 2021 9:50 pm
by Luminesa » Wed Apr 28, 2021 10:40 pm
Imperialisium wrote:To An Unlikely Faithful
"Aye, seems so," responded Reynolds to Morri.
"I am indeed with you," came a sudden voice from behind the group. John, Reynolds, and the Templars turned as if thinking another foe lay in wait. Weapons at the ready. Only to rest their gazes upon a handsome blond man dressed in a white tuxedo. A simple scarlet bowtie gird his neck under the collar. His short skin fade blonde hair accented his piercing ice gray-blue eyes. Twinkling like distant stars in the night sky. There was a radiance about him, a certain solar flare, as if his mere presence bore light into the dark cavernous dwelling of the Angelus Temple crypts. Bathing the horrendous scene in stellar contrast.
"Who are you?" said John darkly.
"A bit of a cliché throwaway line, don't you think?" said the newcomer. Though, the words were incredibly aloof in tone. As if he weren't actually speaking to anyone in the room, or at least no one in particular. John, however, kept his hand gripped on his pistol as he aimed down the sights at the man's chest. Ideally, he'd put three or four rounds centre mass before the newcomer could draw his own weapon. Whatever that may be.
"I won't ask again," warned John. Some of the other Templars pointed their own guns at the man. As if the trio would form an impromptu firing squad.
"Guns are a bit useless against me. But I appreciate the enthusiasm. I, however, don't mean you all any harm. If I did all of you would be quite dead minutes ago." The aloof tone remained, bordering on even polite. As if the weapons raised at him were not even there. "I am here to see if the deed was actually done in time. Seems such. But your friend...," the man took several steps forward to come next to Mikhailov and Alexei, "Your friend won't make it, even with your belief in your faith, its not quite how the game works." Kneeling down those ice-blue eyes stared into Mikhailov's own glassy pair. An expression of curiosity on the man's face. If he even was a man, "After all, the Reapers are already on their way for you."
"Can't you save him?" Another voice entered the room. It was Anna. Her armor and sword drenched in the gore of her victims.
"I might," replied the man nonchalantly.
"Lucifer. He overcame Belial's corruption is that not enough." More a statement than a question.
Lucifer exhaled slowly, turning his head to look at Anna in the eyes, "Hmmm, I always did have a soft spot for the sacrificial lambs..."
A hand reached out and touched Mikhailov. The crypts erupted into blinding white light. Mikhailov and Alexei would awake at the nearest hospital. The rest would come to their senses, that they were standing outside, around the body of the fallen Ogre for whatever purpose had also been snatched and placed outside by whatever power Lucifer had unleashed. As for the eponymous man in the white tux, there were no sign. Only the flickering fires of a wounded city and its distraught, confused, population.
by Luminesa » Tue May 04, 2021 1:55 pm
by Imperialisium » Tue May 04, 2021 9:27 pm
by Morrdh » Wed May 05, 2021 7:23 am
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