The Phoenix Wedding (IC/FanT/Signups)

by **Phaenix** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:27 pm

Alegeharia wrote:
Malik:
(Image)

“Aw fluff…” Malik huffed raising the shield to block the brunt of the hit flying back with the momentum instead of fighting it, he regained control and landed a few feet back. He stared at the large creature, “what in gods name is that?” He thought, as he rushed towards it but shortly stopped jumping back again. Wait… something was off again. Fluff it, he jumped and started to flap upwardly rising in the air, he summoned several celestial swords, the grew in size and intensity.

Malik started raining down celestial swords onto the creature floating back down to the ground, he needed to be careful, he could only do something like that one more time before resting. As the swords came raining down, he used the one in his paw to slash around the ankles. He moved quickly less he get stomped on.

Aither:
(Image)

Aither nodded, barely understanding, opening the door and stepping in looking around and sighed, “Phaerix is under… Attack….?” Aither waited for a bit to see if something would happen before rejoining the dwarf. “ok… Now what?”

Imperial Palace, Tower of Battle

Brorgar smiled when he heard the Legatus shout, and turned to Aither.
"Looks loch it worked. We better-by th' ancestors, whit is 'at?!"
Brorgar looked out from one of the tower's windows at the darkness spreading over the palace. Though dwarves were resistant to magic, he had a feeling that if he touched the darkness, something horrible would happen. Snapping out of it, Brorgar looked back at Aither.
"We better gie it ay haur. Ah dornt hink these windae can hauld back 'at blackness."
Brorgar's fears were confirmed when the windows began to crack against the tide of darkness.

by **SF n F** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:45 pm

"I didn't expect that illusion to hold her for long," Damnage said with a cursory bow, "but this is ridiculous. Her rage is fueling her mojo, and it's gotten out of hand.

"Channeling that much mojo is normally too much for a 'no--human body. I don't know how long it's going to last, but it won't be more than a few days--not that it's much help in this situation. The first thing we've got to do is starve her. She's using mojo like it's going out of style. Just keeping her distracted should weaken her--but I can only distract her."

Damnage hoped he was right about that. If he wasn't, then maybe she wasn't that far off in ignoring him as a threat.

And that was when, unbidden, he turned to face the wrath of a dragon made of living mojo.

Well...this was a dragon, so why not give it what every dragon wanted.

Damnage extended his hand and it just seemed to fly in around the balcony: a knight on a winged steed. If he had trusted himself as a mage, he might have pitched a consumption spell into the middle of the thing, so that when the dragon took that inevitable bite out of Sir AintReal (rhymes with "ain't we all"), instead of her eating the spell, the spell would eat her. He just doubted he could pull it off. So he made Sir AintReal completely nebulous. Any solid object would only pass right through him. If Damnage was lucky, he could make it appear to move fast enough to dodge...but it was just a matter of time.

He cast a final glance at Titus. "I hope you've got one hell of a Magus Corps--pun intended."

by **Alegeharia** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:47 pm

Phaenix wrote:
Alegeharia wrote:
Malik:
(Image)

“Aw fluff…” Malik huffed raising the shield to block the brunt of the hit flying back with the momentum instead of fighting it, he regained control and landed a few feet back. He stared at the large creature, “what in gods name is that?” He thought, as he rushed towards it but shortly stopped jumping back again. Wait… something was off again. Fluff it, he jumped and started to flap upwardly rising in the air, he summoned several celestial swords, the grew in size and intensity.

Malik started raining down celestial swords onto the creature floating back down to the ground, he needed to be careful, he could only do something like that one more time before resting. As the swords came raining down, he used the one in his paw to slash around the ankles. He moved quickly less he get stomped on.

Aither:
(Image)

Aither nodded, barely understanding, opening the door and stepping in looking around and sighed, “Phaerix is under… Attack….?” Aither waited for a bit to see if something would happen before rejoining the dwarf. “ok… Now what?”

Imperial Palace, Tower of Battle

Brorgar smiled when he heard the Legatus shout, and turned to Aither.
"Looks loch it worked. We better-by th' ancestors, whit is 'at?!"
Brorgar looked out from one of the tower's windows at the darkness spreading over the palace. Though dwarves were resistant to magic, he had a feeling that if he touched the darkness, something horrible would happen. Snapping out of it, Brorgar looked back at Aither.
"We better gie it ay haur. Ah dornt hink these windae can hauld back 'at blackness."
Brorgar's fears were confirmed when the windows began to crack against the tide of darkness.

Aither:

Aither eyed the darkness, and raised a paw, “Interesting, It appears my magic is being dampened here, if anything I could slow it down with some counter necromancy but I wouldn’t be able to stop it any better than the window..” He looked over to the dwarf who was backing up and nodded. “All right, lets get going then, we shouldn’t tarry.”

by **Shwe Tu Colony** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:30 pm

Phaenix wrote:Emperor Titus looked at the creature that had saved him...

Elijah's free hand glimmered with the glorious pink of Psytronius, of those researcher-mages who swore to prevent such incidents as now. "Well, I'm no fan of deaths." He snapped his fingers, and his energy flowed to his Dolls, surrounding them in two rotating bands of rune-covered pink as his commands were relayed in a silent stream to each of his Dolls. "Nor am I a fan of soul-munching," Elijah continued. Murmurs of "as you wish," "agreed," "understood," came variously from them, and pieces of string wove themselves between his fingers. The Dollmaker spun his umbrella-cane. "That's Sekka's job." Distant pulses of magic supported him from elsewhere, alongside the rage of someone else, someone who was infuriated at the needless sacrifice of so many souls. Indeed, it seemed that several forces were observing Elijah and Caleb with great interest — friends and acquaintances of theirs most likely, waiting to see if the Dollmaker needed any aid.

The royal therapeutic Doll extended strings from his hand, and the giant jester puppet behind him and the prince Doll both imitated that movement. From there, those Dolls and Elijah threw their hands out, and the strings connected to one another and the other members of the Psytrine party, amplifying the weight and will of the souls so that they would hopefully be less apt to be snatched away. Yet, there was more to their connection: magical energy channeled out from the strings' sources, enhancing the energy and abilities of those they were connected to beyond the initial finger-snap of the Dollmaker, which had already improved them.
"Strike," the vanilla-scented Doll said as she unleashed a volley of magical shots. After that, she and the rest of her aromatic cohorts fired out simple orbs of magical energy at the dragon, and their respective scents flooded into the area. In the darkness of it all, their beautiful fragrances were an encouraging beacon of light, reminding one of the life that one was defending and fighting for, whether one was enamored with the found-again amber, the dreamy musk, the nostalgic cinnamon, or the sociable jasmine. However, they added some defensive options, too; the vanilla- and jasmine-scented Dolls released gasses to protect the fragrant Dolls.
They were not of Elijah's universe — they were the Fragrance Series, his inheritance from another realm. Though far from the deities and other artifacts of their realm, they still had some weight to their strikes.

Next came the purple-clothed guardian, who immediately rushed towards the new dragon and pounded the ground at her feet, followed by a reckless assault-dive as he attempted to strike her with a wooden club. Under standard circumstances, his strength would've been enough to perhaps break a wall; now it was far stronger, but would it be enough to damage the dragon's feet? Yet, despite his rushed assault, there was a substantial willpower burning within him, a fatherly wish to protect the soul of one he loved. Considering that and his leap just before, he was My Father's Suspended Wishes; the guardian of a boy long dead, whose soul had been distributed elsewhere, including in Caleb, who was still providing the platform for the Fragrance Series. Indeed, Caleb was quiet, afraid almost. Little strands of string ran out from him to each of his allies, but he refrained from attacking. Still, though, a sort of danger and mystery came off of him beyond his usual uncanniness, a sort of air that resembled a child's imagination that could very well manifest itself in horrid ways...
Caleb was holding back.

Nonetheless, the others seemed very much willing to pick up his slack, with the giant golden guardian taking the vanguard of the main party. From there, he raised the hand that carried his club and his mouth-torso roared. Bright blue auras surrounded and dissipated over all of his party; should they be struck, the light would shimmer and reflect, or at minimum reduce, the impact. However, that Doll had more than just that to offer: whenever there was an attempted attack, he would use his club to try to swat it away, using his larger body to amplify his strikes. After that, he would return to in front of his group had he been dragged too far out, and if it were to fail and an attack made it through, he would likely shudder as though himself injured, and it was clear that he was sharing the impact.
He was My Glorious King, an unselfish knight who had put himself in service of Elijah.

Last were the women and the piece of paper. Neither did much — the ghost-like dolls of the former floated around, scanning the field for activity, and relaying it back, though admittedly that likely wasn't much since they were engaged with an enormous dragon. Some darted in and out alongside the paper, perhaps trying to identify weak-spots or merely being a distraction.

by **Phaenix** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 7:03 pm

Shwe Tu Colony wrote:
Phaenix wrote:Emperor Titus looked at the creature that had saved him...

Elijah's free hand glimmered with the glorious pink of Psytronius, of those researcher-mages who swore to prevent such incidents as now. "Well, I'm no fan of deaths." He snapped his fingers, and his energy flowed to his Dolls, surrounding them in two rotating bands of rune-covered pink as his commands were relayed in a silent stream to each of his Dolls. "Nor am I a fan of soul-munching," Elijah continued. Murmurs of "as you wish," "agreed," "understood," came variously from them, and pieces of string wove themselves between his fingers. The Dollmaker spun his umbrella-cane. "That's Sekka's job." Distant pulses of magic supported him from elsewhere, alongside the rage of someone else, someone who was infuriated at the needless sacrifice of so many souls. Indeed, it seemed that several forces were observing Elijah and Caleb with great interest — friends and acquaintances of theirs most likely, waiting to see if the Dollmaker needed any aid.

The royal therapeutic Doll extended strings from his hand, and the giant jester puppet behind him and the prince Doll both imitated that movement. From there, those Dolls and Elijah threw their hands out, and the strings connected to one another and the other members of the Psytrine party, amplifying the weight and will of the souls so that they would hopefully be less apt to be snatched away. Yet, there was more to their connection: magical energy channeled out from the strings' sources, enhancing the energy and abilities of those they were connected to beyond the initial finger-snap of the Dollmaker, which had already improved them.
"Strike," the vanilla-scented Doll said as she unleashed a volley of magical shots. After that, she and the rest of her aromatic cohorts fired out simple orbs of magical energy at the dragon, and their respective scents flooded into the area. In the darkness of it all, their beautiful fragrances were an encouraging beacon of light, reminding one of the life that one was defending and fighting for, whether one was enamored with the found-again amber, the dreamy musk, the nostalgic cinnamon, or the sociable jasmine. However, they added some defensive options, too; the vanilla- and jasmine-scented Dolls released gasses to protect the fragrant Dolls.
They were not of Elijah's universe — they were the Fragrance Series, his inheritance from another realm. Though far from the deities and other artifacts of their realm, they still had some weight to their strikes.

Next came the purple-clothed guardian, who immediately rushed towards the new dragon and pounded the ground at her feet, followed by a reckless assault-dive as he attempted to strike her with a wooden club. Under standard circumstances, his strength would've been enough to perhaps break a wall; now it was far stronger, but would it be enough to damage the dragon's feet? Yet, despite his rushed assault, there was a substantial willpower burning within him, a fatherly wish to protect the soul of one he loved. Considering that and his leap just before, he was My Father's Suspended Wishes; the guardian of a boy long dead, whose soul had been distributed elsewhere, including in Caleb, who was still providing the platform for the Fragrance Series. Indeed, Caleb was quiet, afraid almost. Little strands of string ran out from him to each of his allies, but he refrained from attacking. Still, though, a sort of danger and mystery came off of him beyond his usual uncanniness, a sort of air that resembled a child's imagination that could very well manifest itself in horrid ways...
Caleb was holding back.

Nonetheless, the others seemed very much willing to pick up his slack, with the giant golden guardian taking the vanguard of the main party. From there, he raised the hand that carried his club and his mouth-torso roared. Bright blue auras surrounded and dissipated over all of his party; should they be struck, the light would shimmer and reflect, or at minimum reduce, the impact. However, that Doll had more than just that to offer: whenever there was an attempted attack, he would use his club to try to swat it away, using his larger body to amplify his strikes. After that, he would return to in front of his group had he been dragged too far out, and if it were to fail and an attack made it through, he would likely shudder as though himself injured, and it was clear that he was sharing the impact.
He was My Glorious King, an unselfish knight who had put himself in service of Elijah.

Last were the women and the piece of paper. Neither did much — the ghost-like dolls of the former floated around, scanning the field for activity, and relaying it back, though admittedly that likely wasn't much since they were engaged with an enormous dragon. Some darted in and out alongside the paper, perhaps trying to identify weak-spots or merely being a distract.

Elijah: Amplify Doll power, channel energy to Dolls, connect and weigh down Doll souls
My Saccharine Prince: Amplify Doll power, channel energy to Dolls, connect and weigh down Doll souls
Vanilla Fragrance: Shot-volley, major orb-shot, defensive gas
Musk Fragrance: Moderate orb-shot
Amber Fragrance: Moderate orb-shot
Cinnamon Fragrance: Minor orb-shot
Jasmine Fragrance: Minor orb shot, defensive gas
My Father's Suspended Wishes: Assault dive, reckless attack
My Glorious King: Shield to reflect/resist first strike, defensive swatting, damage share
My Scout: Inspecting with dolls flying in and out
My Endless Domain: Inspecting by flying in and out
Caleb: Providing platforms for the Fragrance Series

Imperial Palace, Tower of the Sun

As the dolls attacked the dragon that was once Antoniae, Titus observed. Every time the dragon was struck, a wound would appear, but would be closed quickly. The dragon seemed to grow more powerful the more the dolls fought, and it almost sliced the large golden one a few times. Titus decided that he'd prefer to die in battle, than to be crushed being an observer. Raising his sword over his head, he charged the dragon and struck it's foot. The dragon screamed in pain, but the wound did not close. Instead, a gush of darkness came out of the wound, steaming on the ground. Titus looked at his sword, which was still flaming, and turned to the guests.
"Fire! Use fire! Magical or mundane, use fire!"
The few remaining Keirch knights grabbed torches and shoved them into the dragon, which screamed and gushed more of the steaming darkness. Titus hacked at the dragon's leg, eventually cutting through it and causing the dragon to fall. With its head vulnerable, Titus charged, only to feel something grab his leg. Looking down, he saw a small, red demon. Which was biting his leg. Titus easily dispatched it, but looked to the direction it had come from. Praefectus Dexsius had not merely stood by. He had gotten to work opening a portal to a literal hell. Demons of all sorts spilled out and attacked the knights and nobles, while in the distance, a gigantic titan, larger than even the dragon, was slowly walking towards the portal. Titus turned to Damnage and pointed at the portal.
"We must not allow that titan to exit the portal! You kill Dexsius, I'll deal with the dragon!"
Titus turned, expecting the dragon to still be on the ground. But a claw through him against a wall. Looking up, he saw the dragon had regenerated, and that it was smiling.
"Always a fool. Do you think yourself a hero from a story book? That false knight kept me distracted, true, but now you have my full attention!"
The dragon grabbed Titus in its claw and began to squeeze.
"I will crush your body, then your soul."
The dragon said. Titus had almost given up hope the the dragon dropped him. Duke Friedger had shot a flaming arrow right into the dragon's eye. The dragon quickly retaliated by slicing Friedger to bits. Titus was enraged. His subjects were dying for him, and what was he doing? Nothing. Almost bling with rage, Titus didn't notice the flaming wings on his back. The remaining nobles gasped in surprise. For while the Great Phoenix may be a god of restoration, it is also a god of rage, and it had bestowed its blessing on the Emperor. Titus lunged at the dragon's chest, sinking his blade deep into its flesh, trying to find its heart. The dragon took to the skies, attempting to throw Titus off, but eventually, Titus pushed his sword into the dragon's black heart. It let out one last scream, and fell from the sky into the Palace Courtyard. Titus leapt off the dragon's corpse, then fell. He was unable to move his left leg or his right arm, as they were both horribly broken from the fall. He looked up, and hoped that the portal was closed.
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Legatus Synistor sliced through the Rhodari's head and looked back at the palace. Whatever was happening there, he hoped that Legatus Maursus would send him reinforcements. The first wave of Union soldiers had been repulsed, and his men had established fortifications at the harbor, but the wave of Union soldiers never ended. And to make matters worse, a Union airship was spotted heading towards their position.
"Za Úniu! Smrť do ríše!"
Synistor sighed. The Union seemed to be using mostly Rhodari, who in the legatus' mind were barely more than savages, but he froze once he heard the second battle-cry.
"Meiyo no tame ni! Shōgun no tame ni!"
He looked at the newest craft to land at the harbor. They bore red sails with a white lotus flower on them. Sayoni ships. And charging up the beach were hundreds of the elite Sayoni Ken-nushi, sword lords. Though a few fell to Imperial guns, most made it to the Imperial fortifications. Expertly deploying grappling hooks, the Ken-nushi clambered over the walls and began to slaughter the Imperial legionaries. Imperials, though heavily reliant on their rifles, were no slouches when it came to swordplay. But the Ken-nushi cut through the Imperial lines like butter.
"Fall back! Fall back and gun them down!"
Synistor yelled. If he had been given the the Seventh or First Cohorts, his order would have been followed to the letter. But these were not elite legionaries.These were recruits or untested soldiers. They threw down their weapons and ran, most being chased by the Rhodari, who would want their skulls for cups. Synistor cursed and turned his horse to retreat, but fell, an arrow in his chest. The Ken-nushi who had slain him walked up to his corpse and took a lock of his hair to add to his Kirubureido. He then lifted his sword and yelled in Sayonese.
"To the palace! Let us show these barbarians true warriors!"

by **SF n F** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:01 pm

"We must not allow that titan to exit the portal! You kill Dexsius, I'll deal with the dragon!"

That poor, brave, wonderful man! He had a faith in Damnage that the demon did not have in himself.

Damnage was probably the best illusionist mage that there ever was, but when he tried to cast a spell that actually influenced reality, he was a bumbler. In the Abyss, he had been an embarrassment: he could barely cast a fireball. All this time, he had been using illusions to trick others or make them behave as if he actually had some real control, but he knew that, when the illusions ran out, he was a lightweight, and probably nothing even close to a match for Desxius.

It was then that a glove-clad hand came gently down on his shoulder. Looking up at it, Damnage found that it was attached to a thin, blonde-haired woman with brightly-colored, glittery clothes and a pair of rose-colored glasses hanging down from a silver string around her neck. And two fluffy, white wings.

"Sister...Auramula...?"*

"Hey, kid. We thought you might need a hand."

Aurumula was the Patron of Charity, and if anyone could claim to have a heart of gold, it would be her.

"But you can't interfere in mortal--." Damnage began.

"Does that," she spread her hand at the portal, "look mortal to you?"

"N--no."

"Hell no! It's a full-on demonic incursion! And we have every right to pick it up and put. It. Down. So stand back, mister! The cavalry has arrived!"

And as Damnage watched, an Angel wooshed in from above. This one was much faster than a mere winged angel because, in addition to having wings, it was...jet propelled.

Damnage knew this Angel too. This was Brother Flatus, the Patron of Patience. Once, he had been an Avenging Angel, but he had changed careers. He didn't just set down either. When he came in for a landing, the force blew everything in the portal off of its whatever-served-for-feet. As he landed, the skirt that he was wearing--and no one ever laughed at him for it--turned funnel-like, like the end of a rocket engine.

On Damnage's other side walked a tall, lanky Angel, with a ring of decidedly...fractal flowers in his blonde hair. He wore a dress shirt over a loincloth, and carried a calculator in his hand. This was Brother Mandlebrot, the patron of EXTREMELY unlikely events.

“Hello, thweetie,” he said. “Don't look now, but we have something for you!”

Damnage gave Mandlebrot a questioning look. “We're feeling thhooo charitable, we jussst thought, how would you feel if, jusst for one time, all your magic worked...?”

“Why...that would be...awesome!”

“Good. Now you go get 'em, tiger. RrrrUFF!! I'll just make a little alteration in the probabilities of the universe and...get it started with—we all know what my favorite word is!”

Damnage nodded.

”OOPS!”

And Damnage felt the whole world pivot around him. Somehow, he could feel that, for a short time, his non-illusion magic would work almost as reliably as his illusions did.

Centuries of crawling were buttled up inside of him. And now he got to let them all out in five fun-filled minutes! AND he had backup!

At first, the grunt demons thought they could merely use their superhuman speed to avoid the cracks that appeared in the earth, emanating out from where Brother Flatus did his thing. But the cracks were magical, and followed them no matter where they went. You could hear each one cry out as it was sent packin' back to where it came from. "Wahh!" "Oooo!" "No...no...nooooooooo!"

Which left the Titan...and Brother Flatus and his Avenger. As it roared, the Angel unleashed something that caught in its throat and set it to wheezing. Flatus looked at it. "We can still do this the easy way," Flatus said.

The Titan growled--and then was itself knocked off of its feet by a mighty blast of something that wasn't quite air. In a moment, Flatus had turned around and showed he world why Damnagecalled him "fatrsalot" by blasting the demonic creature back through the portal it had entered this realm through.

Then another Angel stepped up. He, too, was tall and lanky, but all of the hair on his head was shaved off, and he wore a monocle in his left eye. This was Brother Chronicity, the patron Angel of Inconsistencies in time. As the Titan turned to retrace its path out of the portal, Chronicity turned an hourglass that he wore around his neck. "Sorry, old boy, but you just didn't get there in time. Your window has closed."

And the portal disappeared, Titan and all.

As all that had happened, Damnage had advanced on Dexsius, blood-curdling smile on his face.

This time, it wasn't going to be an illusion. So Damnage started with something that the had wanted to cast for as long as he could remember. He got to about twenty paces from the 'noid and launched a fireball. No ordinary fireball, this. If deflected, it would alter course to home back in on its original target.

And just to complicate things, Damnage stamped the ground in front of him and set it moving like it was a wave of water.

He waited to see what Dexsius would make of it.

OOC:
* Yes, that's as in "Aura of Mula."

by **Shwe Tu Colony** » Sun Aug 02, 2020 1:24 am

Phaenix wrote:As the dolls attacked the dragon that was once Antoniae...

"Elijah," Scout said after the first attacks, "she's healing right back up. Nothing's going to happen if we keep this up, and I'm not detec—" Her spiel was interrupted by Titus's information, and Elijah nodded, looking at the immense dragon with a sort of amusement. "Fire, eh?" He shrugged. "I don't think I got any of that. You folks got any of that?" He gestured at the knights who had grabbed the torches, then looked back at his Dolls. "Don't think any of that will work out, if I'm gonna be honest."
"I got it, Elijah!" He shuddered in the air as his limbs came in towards his chest, and though his ribbons remained stable, the Vanilla-scented Doll looked back at him, concerned, and for now the Psytrines stopped their attack for a few seconds as they awaited Caleb's "got." Distantly, a throat song or some sort of string instrument reverberated through the area, followed by a sort of crashing of metal sheets. Then, came a woman's song-yell, a nasally, primal cry of power like a melodious screech against the background din of her song. Eventually, Caleb burst out, his limbs disintegrating into writhing masses of ribbons as percussion played behind the woman's song, who was now backed by a few other singers. His fabric fell to the floor, readjusting themselves into a portal frame, and inside of that little dark hole was a shallow layer of water.

Even despite the roar of the battle, the steps of water within could be heard. Out came a shirtless, muscular man, his chalk-covered face covered by a black band over his eyes, his movements ethereal and gentle despite his intimidating appearance. He swung a burning cylindrical flail in each hand, and his masterful dexterity with them was apparent. "Ah, the thief," Elijah said, evidently familiar with the man. "Been a while since I last saw him." The newcomer looked towards Elijah, and a hint of a smile appeared on his otherwise focused expression as he swung the flails about, creating a fierce display of fire around him. After a few seconds of that, he thrust his flails upward, the cylinder-ends going up and down, and a life-surging passion enveloped Elijah's party, another reminder of life against the soul-eating despair of the regicidal empress. With his mysterious work complete, the man faded away as a small cloud of fire, and soon enough, flames enveloped the clubs of My Glorious King and My Father's Suspended Wishes.

Caleb shuddered again; this time, his right hand's fabric mass split apart and a yard of it flew to the foot of the dragon, landing, cutting themselves and stretching to create another portal that burst into a moderate fire — nothing terribly strong, but it would have likely done a thing or two. At the same time, a flicker of fire arose within a volley of Fragrance-series orb shots lobbed towards the dragon, and the aged paper flew away, back towards Elijah.
"You know," the Dollmaker said as he examined Titus fighting. "I think he's got this figured out— no wait..." He looked to where the Emperor had pointed with a twirl of his umbrella-cane, and a vague sense of shock came over him: his mouth was agape, but his eyes looked quite bored. "Well, isn't that a problem?" He reached into his pocket and took a bite of a candy cane. "We ought to help deal with angry cousins from Parfuhmerie."
"Elijah, I'm detecting something big coming through, and..." Her ghost-like dolls wove here and there, scanning the field and evading most strikes with their great speed. "I'm reading something... angelic."

"Well, isn't that convenient." Elijah watched as the jet-propelled one landed. "We best support them." He grabbed a finger string between his thumb and index, and My Father's Suspended Wishes leapt back from the dragon, then to the portal, where his burning club became a whirlwind of fire. Any strikes, assuming he did get hit with his impressive speed and violent strikes, would easily create a gash in his fabric form, but the torn strings would snake down, off of his body, and cover the ground in a layer of purple. Those Demons who stepped on the layer would find their feet tangled by coils of durable string, and they would soon thereafter be smashed by a wishful club.
"Fragrance series," Elijah said, "do your best not to debuff our divine allies, yes?"
"Of course, Elijah." The vanilla-scented Doll nodded, and she and her cohorts fired additional volleys of burning orb-shot at the invading demons. As they prepared another flurry, Caleb jolted up, and the platforms shuddered with five yelps. "Fractal!" the Doll yelled, pointing towards Mandlebrot's flowers with a childish excitement. "I think he's going to—" He paused, and his shivering eye glimmered with joy — though unable to make use of that blessing, he could nonetheless tell that something special had happened.

"Elijah," Prince said, "this has been a really weird wedding."
"Certainly!" He ate the rest of his candy cane as he watched his Dolls: the Fragrance series was helping with their orb-shots and aromas, Mirror and Prince were still bound to the other Dolls, Scout's ghost-dolls were flying here and there, King was defending them, and Domain was weaving in to cut a Demon or two and soaring right back in. The Dollmaker's smile hid his relief, for he had been concerned that the dragon's soul-eating despair might well ruin him and his Dolls. Rather, the great beast was already dead, and the angels were well on their way to clearing the portal. Indeed, he felt a tad useless, but he at least didn't lose any Dolls.

When the portal closed, Elijah pulled his hand back, and Wishes followed. "Prince, Mirror," Elijah said, gesturing to the two of them, "get ready to fly."
"Yay!" Prince said as Wishes grabbed both of them. "I love flying." The larger Doll aimed towards where Titus had fallen, and threw both of them, with Mirror's jester-puppet flying behind him. After a few seconds of flight, Prince tumbled onto the ground in front of Titus, shaking his head and smiling as he looked towards the injured man. "Hiya," he said as glowing string formed between his fingers, "I'm part of Elijah's group. This won't hurt, sir." He bent down towards Titus's body, and the Doll stretched out his string-bonded fingers, putting them around Titus's arms. The strings glowed for a moment, and then went through the emperor's arms; he would be able to feel the strings working inside his body, grabbing and stitching together the damaged pieces and using magic to connect and heal them.
Behind Prince, Mirror landed with a much greater grace. "Good to meet you again, emperor," he said, his great harlequin-puppet behind him. Versus the childlike Doll, that young man was more reserved, and as he sauntered towards Titus, there was a reassuring aura about him. "Here's hoping me being a Doll-slash-construct won't bother you any," he said as his puppet floated forward, a ball of green energy in his hands. Once over Titus, the puppet fired the ball out as a stream of life-giving energy, further healing the emperor's injuries alongside Prince.

Phaenix wrote:Legatus Synistor sliced through the Rhodari's head...

Scout turned to the harbor, frowning. "Elijah, I'm picking up some yelling. I think we've got another problem." A few of her ghost dolls sped towards that area, and after a swift scan, returned. "Yup, we've got company."
"Delightful." He walked over to the edge of the balcony, looking down at the courtyard. "Heading to us, I assume?" Scout nodded. "See, I'm still not terribly sympathetic to slavers, but I've a feeling that whoever's coming in won't distinguish." He tapped his umbrella-cane on the ledge, gesturing for his entourage to come forward. "So! Caleb, if you'll do the honors."
"You've got it, Mr. 'lijah sir." The Fragrance Series hopped off of his back ribbons as their platforms fell away, and once Caleb landed, he skipped towards Elijah, aiming his arms over the balcony railing. After a moment, they unraveled, and a purple slide of fabric blasted forth from where his hands had once been. "A slide?" the Vanilla-scented Doll said. "Rather unfi—" She stopped as she watched the youngest pair of her little family slide off, that being Cinnamon and Jasmine. After them came the long-haired red-and-black Doll, who pulled on her counterpart's arm. "Ah, Musk, don't you think that's a bi—"

"Nonsense. Now, hold on!" She dove over the slide, carrying her twin with her, the fellow's bird cage trailing behind them. With the last of her cohorts over the edge, Vanilla looked at Caleb. "I can't believe you," she said, ruffling his hair. "You're just a little ball of mischief, aren't you?" With that, she too went over the slide, followed soon thereafter by a shrunken My Glorious King, his golden body a sharp contrast against the night. Domain simply flew down on the wind, and Wishes leapt, leaving just Elijah and Scout. "Would you like me to stay up here for my safety, Elijah?" she asked.
"Hmm... I don't think that'll be necessary, My Scout. You can just stay at the back of the courtyard, and I'm sure you'll be fine." He gestured to the slide. "After you." She obeyed, though her bland frown remained, and soon enough Elijah was coming down as well; only Caleb remained on the balcony as he rebound his hands. When that was done, he snapped himself in half at the waist, his torso opening into a mass of whipping ribbons that dropped to the floor. Then, like some ungodly hybrid of centipede and spider, he vaulted over the railing and climbed on the wall down. Once in front of Elijah, his body shuddered, and then snapped itself shut, with a few bits of ribbon still leaking just outside of his body for a moment after.

"Caleb, you stay back with Scout. Scout, watch over us from the sides and make sure they aren't trying to outflank us." She obeyed, and her ghost-dolls flew out, surrounding the perimeter in little scanners to inform her of the enemy's approach. "King, hold the main entrance. Fragrance, if there's a rampart or vantage point near King somewhere, get on top — I'd say make a murder hole, but I don't know if our host would be fond of us punching a hole in a gate roof like that. Wishes, get out there and start wrecking. Domain, same thing." The purple-fabric Doll nodded and jumped to the roof of a building nearby the palace courtyard, waiting for enemies alongside Domain, who acted as an early warning system by flying about and telling him if anyone approached. Once a target was in range, he would leap down and smash into them, beginning his reckless assault. "Prince, Mirror, keep healing if he's still not up; otherwise, make sure we're all topped off."
The Dollmaker twirled his umbrella-cane, then pointed it skyward and opened it. Pieces of string fell off from the edge, and these extended, snaking along the floor and connecting to each of his Dolls. Though it was a little silly, looking at the Dollmaker resembling a jellyfish, it was clear that his magical energy extended out from him to each of his servants, restoring some of the power amplification that had been present at least earlier.

by **Alegeharia** » Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:05 pm

Malik:

Malik flapped rapidly out of the way, up and over the castle dropping onto the roof hiding his wings again, he clambers over the edge and slides down the roof stopping at the edge looking over the balcony, he was blown back the darkness sliding up the roof, it burned to touch being a creature of light, thankfully however he knew some shadow magic and started to try to manipulate the barrier. “Dang”, Malik thought, if only Aither was here, he was the adept in fire and necromancy…

Aither:

Aither eyed the darkness, and raised a paw, “Interesting, It appears my magic is being dampened here, if anything I could slow it down with some counter necromancy but I wouldn’t be able to stop it any better than the window..” He looked over to the dwarf who was backing up and nodded. “All right, lets get going then, we shouldn’t tarry.”

Vincent:

Vin falls from a random portal, and looks around, he was confused, back in the strange land of this world, he eeped and started trembling when he realized that he was dumped in front of towering beings and all-out war. “S-somone help me!!!” He yelled; his voice barely louder than the chaotic noise

by **Kalmarnavia** » Wed Aug 05, 2020 10:48 am

Argalaic awoke to the feeling of the wind whipping his face. How he had fallen unconscious when the Emperor fell, who was to say. He had recovered his senses enough to feel he was some way up in the air.

Styrax had taken to flight and was high above the Palace, circling. Argalaic looked down as the enormous black dragon which had somehow been conjured by the dark arts loomed and wrecked havoc. He knew Styrax was smaller, this beast would give Gravalax a run for his money. Darkness was enveloping the castle too.

The smart thing would be to flee. Abandon Don, his knights, Malik. Run for home. That would be the smart thing.

With a high whistle, Argalaic had Styrax break off her circle.
We did demand a challenge...

Styrax climbed, higher and higher into the sky until the giant dragon was but a pinprick below. Then, she twisted round, and dived. Down and down like an angry red spear she soared, wings tight to her body.

Then, about two hundred feet above the air, she roared
Her wings sprung out, and fire pouted forth from her jaws as she soared overhead, bathing the fallen black dragon and most of the roofs of the Palace in blinding flame.

On the ground

Dontas had fought his way inside. Ser Jace was dead, Ser Gerold missing. Don hacked and slashed inside to avoid the coming dark, following the strange doll maker's path at first before finding a torch of his own. He looked around when suddenly, over the booming, ethereal death throes of the black dragon he heard a familiar roar. He booted open a door and threw himself to the floor. He knew what was coming.

by **Alegeharia** » Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:13 am

Malik:

Malik jumped back, the darkness seemed to increase in size slowly as it overtook the balcony and some of the roof, just then his gauntlet started trilling a impact warning into his comm piece and he looks around, confuse, then up; “oh no…” Malik thought and started making a giant blue glowing shield with his celestial powers as he started flying as fast as his wings could take him.

Aither:

Aither shook the drunkard, did he pass out standing up or something? He huffed, and picked the man up rushing down the stairs, he looked around and quirked a brow as the grand hall started shaking, it felt warmer… Something was coming and he needed to get these people out, so he set the tapestries on fire. If anything, direct harm should break whatever spell kept them calm as he rushed towards the door. At the main entrance he stopped then turned yelling; “there is free gold out here for everyone! Also, a pie to chuck at the emperor!” He resumed running from the palace trying to get a safe distance finding cover behind a wall getting his own fire magic ready in case he would have to diverge any blast away from them.

Vincent:

Vin spotted Aither high tailing it, he never seen such a sight but decided it might be good to just follow his brother and started to rush towards them getting in the protective field with Aither, using what little support magic he had to help increase the effectiveness of protection.

by **SF n F** » Wed Aug 05, 2020 1:16 pm

As the Dragon Fell, the Nonexistent Knight flew straight into the nearest wall and, just like that, disappeared.

When the hellspawn were defeated, the Angels disappeared. All except for Brother Chronicity.

There was only one bad guy left to be accounted for: Dexsius. And Chronicity looked at Damnage. As he did, he clutched the hourglass on the rope around his neck and Dexsius became frozen in time. Farther away, Damnage could hear the sounds of battle, indicating that there would be other complications when these were dealt with. And not all of the current complications were dealt with yet.

"You should kill him," the Angel said. "Orders from the Emperor."

"You know that's not our way," the turned Demon replied. "I've vowed never to kill again, and I intend to keep that vow. Let him go, Chronicity. Give him a fair chance."

Chronicity loosened his grasp. Dexsius' head spun 'round. It was obvious that he knew what Chronicity had momentarily done.

Damnage looked at the 'noid. "In the name of Emperor Titus and the rule of law," he said, "YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!"

Going through the back of the undemon's mind was how this would play out in the regional politics. If people saw a horned, tailed demon taking Dexsius down, it could be the worst kind of publicity for Titus. This way, with the law having its chance, they could get a better control of the narrative. Even if it was by a diplomat from hell, it wasn't bloody murder, and it could have some measure of public consent. Rather than being killed outright, Dexsius could get himself a trial. Damnage wouldn't have to be his executioner, in the public eye.

by **Phaenix** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:13 am

SF n F wrote:As the Dragon Fell, the Nonexistent Knight flew straight into the nearest wall and, just like that, disappeared.

When the hellspawn were defeated, the Angels disappeared. All except for Brother Chronicity.

There was only one bad guy left to be accounted for: Dexsius. And Chronicity looked at Damnage. As he did, he clutched the hourglass on the rope around his neck and Dexsius became frozen in time. Farther away, Damnage could hear the sounds of battle, indicating that there would be other complications when these were dealt with. And not all of the current complications were dealt with yet.

"You should kill him," the Angel said. "Orders from the Emperor."

"You know that's not our way," the turned Demon replied. "I've vowed never to kill again, and I intend to keep that vow. Let him go, Chronicity. Give him a fair chance."

Chronicity loosened his grasp. Dexsius' head spun 'round. It was obvious that he knew what Chronicity had momentarily done.

Damnage looked at the 'noid. "In the name of Emperor Titus and the rule of law," he said, "YOU ARE UNDER ARREST!"

Going through the back of the undemon's mind was how this would play out in the regional politics. If people saw a horned, tailed demon taking Dexsius down, it could be the worst kind of publicity for Titus. This way, with the law having its chance, they could get a better control of the narrative. Even if it was by a diplomat from hell, it wasn't bloody murder, and it could have some measure of public consent. Rather than being killed outright, Dexsius could get himself a trial. Damnage wouldn't have to be his executioner, in the public eye.

Imperial Palace, Tower of the Sun

Dexsius casually deflected the fireballs, but was surprised when they redirected towards him. Dexsius looked at Damage and smiled.
"Well well. It seems you've won. Those beings closed my Gate, and you've got me trapped. But I will not rot in some cell."
Dexsius raised his hands and shouted.
"My Lord, your humble servant Dexsius requests entry into your realm! Your servant also requests that entry be provided quickly!"
The darkness that had been surrounding the palace was diminished due to Styrax's fire, but gathered around Dexsius and spirited him to his master's realm.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legatus Maursus led his legionaries through the palace and was prepared for the worst when he arrived at the Tower of the Sun. He saw dead guests and nobles, and a creature with the tail of a scorpion. Wordlessly, Maursus' legionaries secured the walls and a handful followed Maursus to the creature.
"Demon, you are under arrest for the murder of several nobles and foreign dignitaries. What have you to say for yourself?"

by **SF n F** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 7:06 pm

Legatus Maursus led his legionaries through the palace and was prepared for the worst when he arrived at the Tower of the Sun. He saw dead guests and nobles, and a creature with the tail of a scorpion. Wordlessly, Maursus' legionaries secured the walls and a handful followed Maursus to the creature.
"Demon, you are under arrest for the murder of several nobles and foreign dignitaries. What have you to say for yourself?"

Damnage couldn't help but laugh. He'd been through this so, so many times before. He was familiar with the kind of "master" whom Dexsius had prayed to. They tend to take a dim view of even the most minor of failures--especially when something as low-level as himself brought it about with such relative ease. Damnage would have been willing to wager a tidy sum on Dexius suffering a punishment that would make rotting in a cell look like a dwarfen beer party. The fireballs all detonated when Dexsiud left, but that was OK, Damnage had wanted to see some fireworks for a while, and these didn't disappoint.

Then there were the guards. When Maursus had asked if the undemon had anything to say, he was only kidding, and they both knew it. All they had to do was take one look at his horned, tailed, winged body and their minds would be made up. Since his mojo was still working, though, maybe he could have a little fun with this. Damnage raised his leg and got ready to put them on their backs with another rolling wave of enchanted ground. Not to actually harm them, mind you, just so that he could escape. And then he felt the universe subtly shift again as Brother Mandlebrot's spell wore off. What a dolt Damnage had been. OF COURSE it wouldn't last any longer than Dexsius did! But it was too late to stop the spell from jinxing. All that Demnage could do was utter

'Ohhh sh--!" BOOM!!!

as the ground beneath his foot exploded, launching him ten feet into the air.

Actually, this wasn't so bad! His demonic constitution allowed him to survive the blast intact, and got him airborne. The ceiling in that place had to be 40 feet high. He spread his wings as he took to the air and turned invisible. But, still, he couldn't help but say a few things to Marsius. He was starting to like the truth, so he decided to tell it--with a little evidence thrown in for extra measure.

"Look no farther than that spot on the floor," he said, moving his hands to indicate the spot where Dexsius had been spirited away. "That's the last known location of the real killer. He left via magic portal. Any mage worth half a mug of ale can confirm that."

As Damnage spoke, magic signs with little arrows appeared over the ground where Dexsius had stood.

"Portal," said one. "Black Magic! YIKES!" said another. "HALF a footprint!" said a third. Looked like the work of Sister Envox.

"Talk to Emperor Titus. He sent me here.

"And ask yourselves this, gentlemen: if I'm responsible for all these deaths, why am I not lifting so much as a single finger to harm any of you now?"

By then his foot had wrapped around a ceiling beam. With any luck, they'd either succumb to one of his illusions and open a doorway out of there, get called off by Titus or just wear out and leave him an opening. Either way, he wouldn't have to feel the "kindness" of them patting him on the back with blunt instruments. The night was young.

He just hoped no one noticed that his feet were smoking.

by **Zhenshiwa** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 11:15 pm

Ozymandias escorted the Empress and Princess through the city with the aid of the Honor Guard, having left the palace as quickly as they were able. The fighting in the streets was growing more intense, so the group had taken to moving through back alleys while making their way to the harbor. The Empress had spoken little since their departure, all the better as Ozymandias was hoping to keep their movements as discrete as possible. He'd already signaled the ships in the harbor that they would be making their way there, he only hoped the vessels would still be afloat by the time they arrived. With the arrival of so many enemy soldiers, and now what looked to be airships in the sky, the full technological might of the Imperial Zenshiwanese Navy would surely be tested...

The Harbor

IZN Enduring Dawn

"Hostile surface contact! Bearing two-one-zero! More soldiers are landing in the city! Should we engage?" Shouted the chief gunnery officer aboard one of the two Armored Cruisers that had been deployed to keep the threat of a Leviathan at bay. Now, it seemed, the threat had transcended from below the waves to atop them, and further more in the sky above. The Captain of Enduring Dawn, Surabaya Isoroku, stood at the bridge window with his binoculars raised to his eyes, a sword affixed to the belt of his blue officer's uniform.

"We've no idea which forces are hostile and which are friendly." Isoroku muttered quietly, casting a glance out the window at the two other Zhenshiwanese ships that had yet to fire their weapons in anger. "I believe the threat of causing a diplomatic incident has long since been eclipsed... The Divine Spirit has yet to signal the Empress aboard, we must assume she is still in danger. All vessels attempting to land forces or otherwise invade therefore are threats to her life." The Captain shook his head, quietly lowering the binoculars to hang on their strap. "Target any ship that attempts to make landfall, and engage those already at the shore... Air batteries will standby to engage the airship." The Captain turned to look at another man on the bridge. "Run up a signal flag for to the Imperial Forces, ask them for clarification as to whether we should engage the airship..."

"Aye, sir!" The men responded dutifully, leaving the Captain to turn and face the approaching battle with a gristled scowl. Fighting pirates off the coast of Josai was one thing, but these would be the first shots fired in anger so far from home... The honor of the Imperial Navy rested on this battle, and it was a battle he intended to win. Enduring Dawn gradually swung about, presenting a broadside so that all of her guns might fire to starboard at the encroaching fleet. In addition to a pair of twin mounted fourteen inch naval rifles, one mounted fore and aft, each side had a bevy of secondary batteries, ranging from eight down to four inches, not including the guns intended for air defense.

Enduring Dawn was a floating fortress of steel, deisgned to be the most lethal ship ever laid down within Zhenshiwanese waters... Now she would face her first foe from beyond the horizon. The main turrets gradually trained out to two-one-zero, right at the oncoming ships bearing a white lotus sail.

"Weapons trained on the nearest target, sir!" The Gunnery Chief announced, his voice trembling with excitement as his finger grazed the firing mechanism at his station. Captain Isoroku smirked quietly at the man's enthusiasm, raising his right hand with a slight flourish before dropping it to his side. "Commencing barrage!"

The man pulled back on the mechanism, sounding the salvo buzzer throughout the ship before four massive explosions erupted from the main batteries. From these gouts of flame hurtled four large spinning High Explosive shells, as Armor Piercing seemed a poor match against their current target. The secondary batteries began firing of their own accord, peppering the enemy fleet with a withering fusillade of shellfire. The other Zhenshiwanese Cruiser, spotting the attack, soon joined in the struggle... Though this time it seemed more focused on shelling the invading forces attempting to land on the beaches or otherwise breach the land defenses. How effective either would be, however, was up to the fates to decide.

At the dock, IZN Divine Spirit had sent forth her force of ISLF troops from the gangplanks, out into the city to face the fighting. With one goal in mind, bolstered by devotion to the Empress and the Empire, they would recover their beloved Imperial Family or die trying, and slay anyone that dared to stand in their way, insofar as they were able.

by **SF n F** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:55 am

"Dahlink!" KASMOOTCH!!!

"Look, lady, I don't know what--."

"Dahlink!"

Auntie Bertha was quite the hit! It was difficult to take arms against someone whose only thought was to shower you with affection, and harder still to fight one when any weapon brought to bear against her just went right through. Not really being there had its perks. She was, after all, just another of Damnage's illusions.

The guards trying to keep Damnage in the room had long since learned that the image of the "demon" hanging from the ceiling beam was yet another illusion. He kept it there anyway--even made it flap its wings and belch loudly a few times--just to annoy them. In the old days, this was when a cloud of some verminous insect--could be anything from flies to hornets depending on what mood he was in--would come in through the nearest open space and annoy them even more, but Damnage was more merciful now, so they were butterflies--velvety blue butterflies, made to look beautiful to 'noids--this time. This did not change their effect on the 'noids in the room. It was such a distraction, in fact, that one of them even forgot for a moment that he was about to receive a

KASMOOTCH!!!

It was then, when all hell broke loose (pun intended), that Damnage walked to the nearest door, popped the locking bar off of it and, still invisible, took those three steps that made him free! In a moment, he was airborne; in another, he had made all the illusions disappear, smiled and waved to the guards from the air. A quick bank left to dodge their friendship offering--crossbow bolts--and he was invisible again.

And then he was loose on the world!

by **Phaenix** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 3:13 pm

Zhenshiwa wrote:Ozymandias escorted the Empress and Princess through the city with the aid of the Honor Guard, having left the palace as quickly as they were able. The fighting in the streets was growing more intense, so the group had taken to moving through back alleys while making their way to the harbor. The Empress had spoken little since their departure, all the better as Ozymandias was hoping to keep their movements as discrete as possible. He'd already signaled the ships in the harbor that they would be making their way there, he only hoped the vessels would still be afloat by the time they arrived. With the arrival of so many enemy soldiers, and now what looked to be airships in the sky, the full technological might of the Imperial Zenshiwanese Navy would surely be tested...

The Harbor

IZN Enduring Dawn

"Hostile surface contact! Bearing two-one-zero! More soldiers are landing in the city! Should we engage?" Shouted the chief gunnery officer aboard one of the two Armored Cruisers that had been deployed to keep the threat of a Leviathan at bay. Now, it seemed, the threat had transcended from below the waves to atop them, and further more in the sky above. The Captain of Enduring Dawn, Surabaya Isoroku, stood at the bridge window with his binoculars raised to his eyes, a sword affixed to the belt of his blue officer's uniform.

"We've no idea which forces are hostile and which are friendly." Isoroku muttered quietly, casting a glance out the window at the two other Zhenshiwanese ships that had yet to fire their weapons in anger. "I believe the threat of causing a diplomatic incident has long since been eclipsed... The Divine Spirit has yet to signal the Empress aboard, we must assume she is still in danger. All vessels attempting to land forces or otherwise invade therefore are threats to her life." The Captain shook his head, quietly lowering the binoculars to hang on their strap. "Target any ship that attempts to make landfall, and engage those already at the shore... Air batteries will standby to engage the airship." The Captain turned to look at another man on the bridge. "Run up a signal flag for to the Imperial Forces, ask them for clarification as to whether we should engage the airship..."

"Aye, sir!" The men responded dutifully, leaving the Captain to turn and face the approaching battle with a gristled scowl. Fighting pirates off the coast of Josai was one thing, but these would be the first shots fired in anger so far from home... The honor of the Imperial Navy rested on this battle, and it was a battle he intended to win. Enduring Dawn gradually swung about, presenting a broadside so that all of her guns might fire to starboard at the encroaching fleet. In addition to a pair of twin mounted fourteen inch naval rifles, one mounted fore and aft, each side had a bevy of secondary batteries, ranging from eight down to four inches, not including the guns intended for air defense.

Enduring Dawn was a floating fortress of steel, deisgned to be the most lethal ship ever laid down within Zhenshiwanese waters... Now she would face her first foe from beyond the horizon. The main turrets gradually trained out to two-one-zero, right at the oncoming ships bearing a white lotus sail.

"Weapons trained on the nearest target, sir!" The Gunnery Chief announced, his voice trembling with excitement as his finger grazed the firing mechanism at his station. Captain Isoroku smirked quietly at the man's enthusiasm, raising his right hand with a slight flourish before dropping it to his side. "Commencing barrage!"

The man pulled back on the mechanism, sounding the salvo buzzer throughout the ship before four massive explosions erupted from the main batteries. From these gouts of flame hurtled four large spinning High Explosive shells, as Armor Piercing seemed a poor match against their current target. The secondary batteries began firing of their own accord, peppering the enemy fleet with a withering fusillade of shellfire. The other Zhenshiwanese Cruiser, spotting the attack, soon joined in the struggle... Though this time it seemed more focused on shelling the invading forces attempting to land on the beaches or otherwise breach the land defenses. How effective either would be, however, was up to the fates to decide.

At the dock, IZN Divine Spirit had sent forth her force of ISLF troops from the gangplanks, out into the city to face the fighting. With one goal in mind, bolstered by devotion to the Empress and the Empire, they would recover their beloved Imperial Family or die trying, and slay anyone that dared to stand in their way, insofar as they were able.

Outside the Imperial Palace

Legatus Maursus, after failing to apprehend the creature, went to check on the Emperor. As he walked to the corpse of the dragon, he stopped in his tracks before falling to his knees and bowing, far more than the traditional noddiing of the head to the Emperor. Titus stood atop the fallen dragon, sword in hand and fiery wings spread.
"Your Imperial Majesty, y-you have wings!"
Titus looked behind him and smiled.
"It appears I do, Legatus. What is the situation? Are there any other threats?"
Maursus stood, but kept his head bowed in respect.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. Union forces have landed at the harbor. Legatus Synistor and three of the Second Legions cohorts are holding them back, but I would suggest-"
The Legatus was cut off when he heard screams and gunfire from the gathered legionaries. He drew his sword and turned to see the horde of Sayoni and Rhodari crash into his lines. He raised his sword and yelled.
"First Cohort, fall back! Fifth Cohort, fill in the gap that the First Cohort leaves! Artillery, reposition and fire at will!"
As the elite First Cohort fell back to their firing position, the battle line stabilized, with screams of pain and the smell of gunpowder spread out amongst the line. The First Cohort expertly shot any Union forces who attempted to flank the Legion, but a few Sayoni, led by a Daiken-nushi, or a Great Swordlord, approached Maursus and Titus. The Daiken-nushi stepped forward and spoke perfect Common.
"Barbarians, we have slain your warriors and destroyed your boats. Surrender, and Shōgun Ishinomaki Atsuyuki, in his infinite wisdom, will give you an honorable death."
Maursus stepped forward and brandished his blade, ready to die for his Emperor, when Titus flew in front of him.
"I have a counteroffer. You and you Union friends leave my city, and I won't send your remains back to that pitiful island you call home."
This enraged the Daiken-nushi, who charged forward with a yell. Titus swung his burning blade, and the Daiken-nushi, expecting his sword to block the blow, died with a look of surprise on his face when the blade cut through his sword and his body. When their leader died, the Sayoni behind him fled, as they were merely Yari no otoko, and had no qualms with fleeing battle. Titus was about to fly to the battle to assist his legionaries, when an arrow struck his shoulder. Titus fell, unconscious, as Maursus looked for the shooter, he noticed a single Ken-nushi with a bow. After moving Titus to safety, Maursus moved to join the battle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Off the Coast of Phaerix

As the crew of the airship witnessed the destruction of their landing craft, the South Durikadi captain turned to the Gozari qayid.
"Seems we'll hae tae barnie th' Zenshiwanese efter aw. Ur yer men ready?"
The qayid turned to his squadron of twenty elite Balid Alraaqisat commandos.
"Are you ready to purge the heathens and send them to the depths of Aljahim?"
The commandos raised their scimitars and shouted.
"Yes, Qayid Ghassaan!"
Ghassaan raised his scimitar and yelled.
"Biaism alwahid!"
His men shouted in response.
"Almawt lilwthniin!"
With that, the commandos jumped down onto the deck of the IZN Enduring Dawn, using magic to land without injury while the armored airship above them opened fire on the other Zenshiwanese ships with its fifty milometer guns. The Gozari then engaged the crew of the Enduring Dawn, seeking to capture the boat and trigger a war with the Empire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Streets of Phaerix

Five legionaries approached the fleeing Empress, wary of her Shadow.
"Ma'am, let us escort you to Legatus Brittanicum and the rest of the Legions. We can direct your vessel to meet us there and get you to safety."
Before the Empress could respond, a nearby house exploded as a large humanoid, at least thirty feet tall, ran through it. The legionary who spoke turned to the creature, before be grabbed and crushed in its massive hand. The rest of the legionaries, to their credit, turned and fired on it while one shouted.
"It's a Jotur! Aim for the eyes! The eyes!"
As bolts harmlessly pinged off of the Jotur's skin, the massive being swung the club in its hand, killing the legionaries before it turned to the Empress and her followers.
"Those who consort with the Empire will die. I will squeeze the life from your body, and then I will devour you,"
The Jotur's voice rumbled the very ground the Empress and her retinue stood on, as the Jotur moved to grab the Empress.

by **Zhenshiwa** » Thu Aug 13, 2020 2:56 pm

The Harbor

Captain Isoroku sighed quietly, signalling his men to make their way to the armored conning tower. Sealing themselves within the thick metal capsule, originally designed to defend against hostile shell fire, they would continue to lead the ship from there. As the ship was at battle stations, the hatches and doors leading below decks had been sealed to prevent a dragon's fire from possibly igniting the powder magazine. Awaiting the commandos on the deck of the ship were the gun crews of the ship's secondary batteries, the primary battery areas being enclosed below deck. The secondary batteries ceased firing on the hostile landings for a time, as their crews drew swords from scabbards and faced the commandos.

Meanwhile, the second Zhenshiwanese ship had taken note of the brand new target that had decided to make itself the primary threat. Diverting its attention from the landing forces to face the annoying mosquito that was the now apparently enemy airship. Diving Spirit, no longer able to simply wait at the docks and absorb gunfire, instead pulled away from shore with its own batteries stirring to the fight. Two furious Armored Cruisers moved to bring all possible guns to bear on the enemy airship, the 50mm shells were being easily deflected by the ship's armored belt and deck, though the same couldn't be said for crew above deck... Hence, the need to swat the airship from the heavens. A whale boat was lowered as Divine Spirit moved to engage, so that if the Empress arrived she would at least not be halted and stuck upon the shore.

It took some careful navigating, but the ships were able to bring some of their more cumbersome 8inch guns to bear in addition to the dual purpose 5inch guns. The main turrets, designed for long range bombardment, had little difficulty raising their barrels to meet the steep angle required to target the enemy overhead. Several signal flags ran up in the more traditional Zhenshiwanese code, virtually impossible to be understood by outsiders, that they would constantly maneuver and circle beneath the airship... Spoiling its aim as best they could whilst maintaining their own constant barrage of fire. If it went overland, they would line up in broadside and hammer it without mercy, regardless of whether it fell upon the city below. The city was of no longer of concern to the Imperial Navy. As far as the three ships were concerned, Phaenix and Zhenshiwa were likely already at war.

There would be a great deal of wounded to deal with if the airship maintained its constant fire for too long, hopefully one of the dragons that had originally kicked off their call to battle stations would see the marauding blimp as a tasty morsel and aid in its destruction.

Ozymandias quickly pulled the Empress out of the grasping hand of the 'Jotur', drawing his sword and looking the beast in the eyes.

"We are not allies of the Empire, and we were not aware of their heinous nature until today..." Ozymandias declared at the creature, tightening his grip on the hilt of his blade whilst the Honor Guard and Shikinami also drew their swords. "The Empire's fate is one of its own making, this much would be clear to even a blind man. We've had no part in their wrong doing, and thus we've no quarrel with you. Allow us to pass freely..." He quietly rolled his shoulders, using a free hand to free the cloak that covered his impressive form and let it fall to the ground. "You've a choice as to what you will be seen as by our nation... Enemy or bystander. Choose wisely."

by **Phaenix** » Thu Aug 13, 2020 3:55 pm

Zhenshiwa wrote:The Harbor

Captain Isoroku sighed quietly, signalling his men to make their way to the armored conning tower. Sealing themselves within the thick metal capsule, originally designed to defend against hostile shell fire, they would continue to lead the ship from there. As the ship was at battle stations, the hatches and doors leading below decks had been sealed to prevent a dragon's fire from possibly igniting the powder magazine. Awaiting the commandos on the deck of the ship were the gun crews of the ship's secondary batteries, the primary battery areas being enclosed below deck. The secondary batteries ceased firing on the hostile landings for a time, as their crews drew swords from scabbards and faced the commandos.

Meanwhile, the second Zhenshiwanese ship had taken note of the brand new target that had decided to make itself the primary threat. Diverting its attention from the landing forces to face the annoying mosquito that was the now apparently enemy airship. Diving Spirit, no longer able to simply wait at the docks and absorb gunfire, instead pulled away from shore with its own batteries stirring to the fight. Two furious Armored Cruisers moved to bring all possible guns to bear on the enemy airship, the 50mm shells were being easily deflected by the ship's armored belt and deck, though the same couldn't be said for crew above deck... Hence, the need to swat the airship from the heavens. A whale boat was lowered as Divine Spirit moved to engage, so that if the Empress arrived she would at least not be halted and stuck upon the shore.

It took some careful navigating, but the ships were able to bring some of their more cumbersome 8inch guns to bear in addition to the dual purpose 5inch guns. The main turrets, designed for long range bombardment, had little difficulty raising their barrels to meet the steep angle required to target the enemy overhead. Several signal flags ran up in the more traditional Zhenshiwanese code, virtually impossible to be understood by outsiders, that they would constantly maneuver and circle beneath the airship... Spoiling its aim as best they could whilst maintaining their own constant barrage of fire. If it went overland, they would line up in broadside and hammer it without mercy, regardless of whether it fell upon the city below. The city was of no longer of concern to the Imperial Navy. As far as the three ships were concerned, Phaenix and Zhenshiwa were likely already at war.

There would be a great deal of wounded to deal with if the airship maintained its constant fire for too long, hopefully one of the dragons that had originally kicked off their call to battle stations would see the marauding blimp as a tasty morsel and aid in its destruction.

Ozymandias quickly pulled the Empress out of the grasping hand of the 'Jotur', drawing his sword and looking the beast in the eyes.

"We are not allies of the Empire, and we were not aware of their heinous nature until today..." Ozymandias declared at the creature, tightening his grip on the hilt of his blade whilst the Honor Guard and Shikinami also drew their swords. "The Empire's fate is one of its own making, this much would be clear to even a blind man. We've had no part in their wrong doing, and thus we've no quarrel with you. Allow us to pass freely..." He quietly rolled his shoulders, using a free hand to free the cloak that covered his impressive form and let it fall to the ground. "You've a choice as to what you will be seen as by our nation... Enemy or bystander. Choose wisely."

Off the Coast of Phaerix

Qayid Ghassaan cut down a Zenshiwanese sailor and turned to two of his commandos.
"The crew has fled to that tower. Once we finish off these sailors, prepare the charges and breach tower."
One of the commandos looked at the tower and sighed.
"Sir, it will take most, if not all of our charges to blow a hole in the conning tower. Is it really worth it?"
Ghassaan placed his hand on the commando and nodded.
"It is. To destroy the Empire, this is worth it. Those men in there are merely collateral."
The commando nodded and grabbed several breaching charges, his partner doing the same. Ghassaan motioned for the rest of the commandos to clear a way to the conning tower to allow the demolition crew to plant the charges.
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"Keptin! Enemy ships hae hidden under th' airship! Yer orders?"
Captain Randorlig Stormblade turned to the crewman and smiled.
"Under th' ship, ye say? Weel, 'at means their in prime bombin' range! Deploy th' wyrm-bile bombs!"
The crewman nodded and turned to two dwarves in leather armor.
"Deploy wyrm-bile bombs!"
The two dwarves pulled several levers, and a hatch on the airship's underside opened, releasing several bombs that glided towards the circling ships before detonating above them. Green fire fell onto the ships, which would tear through steel if not put out. The green fire that touched the water hissed, and went out. Stormblade laughed.
"Those pathetic things they caa ships'll be naethin' but ashes at th' bottom ay th' brine in nae time!"
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Phaerix

The Jotur laughed, inadvertently causing a burning building to collapse.
"Is that a threat? I am Klolfur ap Tribarg mach Cruwzus, Warchief of the Jotur, and I have lived for millennia. You are complicit in the Empire's crimes since you failed to slit the Emperor's throat and burn this city to the ground as soon as you arrived. I will crush both of you, but that pretty thing," Klolfur pointed to the Princess, "she will entertain the Union soldiers. They've been away from their precious spouses for so long, I'm sure they're thank me for giving them such a beautiful gift."
Klolfur raised his massive club and prepared to smash both Ozymandias and the Empress.
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Outskirts of Phaerix, Legion Camp

Troops scurried around the camp, hauling shells to the artillery situated on the hill, centurions rushing to give orders to their men, cavalry delivering reports on various situations. Legatus Brittanicum sighed. The harbor was lost, along with most of the lower city. The Sixth Legion had halted the Union advance at the Merchant District, but a large force of Sayoni and Rhodari had managed to attack the Imperial Palace itself. To make matters worse, the foreign ships in the harbor and been attacked by a Union airship. The Legatus had already sent messages to the nearby Fourth and Twelfth Legions, but they were a day away. The Orientalem Fleet was on its way, but they were more than a week out due to pirates in the East. The Legatus grabbed a bottle of Keirch whiskey and took a swig.

by **SF n F** » Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:33 pm

Skies Over Phaerix

Damnage banked to the left and took another look. He was starting to tire and would need to land soon.

The situation had gone from bad to horrendous in an awful hurry. Not only was there a foreign invasion, but they had interspecies mercenaries!

The Angels had charged Damnage with keeping some semblance of order and preserving life. He hoped that he had shown proper obedience by acting to relieve the pain of Emperor Titus' rebirth--and paid the price for it. He had no sooner disentangled himself from that arrangement than he noticed another act of regicide that would probably occur without his intervention. He regretted having left behind a very powerful Marionette Mage without so much as a single word of conversation. The mage would no doubt have been very interesting to speak with. He had also needed to leave Malik, the fledgling lycanth/angel, behind. Times were hectic.

He had not actually met her, but Damnage could recognize the Empress from his previous dealings. He also had no trouble recognizing the giant that was about to let her friends know what good little boys they were by patting them on the heads with a club that could knock down a building. He came down on the rooftop of a nearby building--just out of reach--and became visible again.

"Is that a threat? I am Klolfur ap Tribarg mach Cruwzus, Warchief of the Jotur, and I have lived for millennia. You are complicit in the Empire's crimes since you failed to slit the Emperor's throat and burn this city to the ground as soon as you arrived. I will crush both of you, but that pretty thing," Klolfur pointed to the Princess, "she will entertain the Union soldiers. They've been away from their precious spouses for so long, I'm sure they're thank me for giving them such a beautiful gift."

"Ummm, Damnage here," he called from the rooftop, wings spread. "Lowly Ambassador from the Etherial Realm. Thing is, I'm pretty uppity, though. I used to be a demon, and I can still kick ass with the best of them. Because I work for the Angels now, I'm going to give you the chance to turn around and--."

The undemon was interrupted by a huge club hitting the corner of the building he was standing on, causing it to collapse. This wasn't fast enough to keep him from leaping back into the air, but it did accomplish one thing that he particularly loathed: it shut him up.

From the air, he launched yet another of his illusions: he blackened the whites of the creature's eyes. He did not expect the blindness illusion to last long--he was running out of stamina, and the mojo was usually the first thing to go--but the beauty lied in what he could do in the meantime.

As he flew over the Empress' de facto guard, he called out instructions:

"Don't just stand there," he said, "bring that thing fire!"

He didn't have time to finish what he had started, though. He was too busy landing next to the Empress.

"Forgive me," he said, executing a low bow, "but I could carry you back to your ship if you would allow such a lowly thing as me to touch--."

A shadow passed over him, and the whole game changed.

There was a dragon in the skies over the city. Dragons were noisome. They had a mojo sense not unlike Damnage's own. They could see through most of his illusions. This could make them extremely dangerous.

And now Damnage was in a really foul mood. He had been shut up twice in two minutes.

by **Zhenshiwa** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 2:15 pm

The Imperial Navy

"The ship is on fire!" Proclaimed one of the men standing near the ship's speaking tubes, peering out the thickly armored tower door whilst the fire alarm bells began to blare. They hadn't been hit too badly, given their positioning and quick reactions of the helmsmen, but there were still a few flames burning away the wooden deck slats outside. Nothing the Damage Control teams couldn't handle. Captain Isoroku shook his head, once again securing the conning tower's heavy steel door. It had been designed to deflect shells much like those fired from his ship's main guns, as well as to survive against the dragons that occasionally hunted the sea surrounding Josai... It would hold against most anything thrown against it. "We've been boarded, they're moving along the lower gun deck towards the bow, I think they mean to take the bridge!"

"We've put off our ISLF detatchment..." Isoroku grumbled, turning to glance at the rest of the room. "There are still many barriers between them and us, their numbers are few and they remain outside..." He frowned mournfully. "If the boarders cannot be stopped by our men in the next minute, Signal Divine Spirit to target our gun deck with their smallest Anti-Dragon armaments for two full salvos... It will mean the deaths of many of our country men, but this ship must not fall into enemy hands. May the Star Maker's forgive me..."

Several flags rose from the mast of Enduring Dawn, fluttering in the wind, their colors dampened by smoke and shrapnel holes. Meanwhile, on the deck, the Commandos were coming upon an emplacement intended for Dragon defense. Two strange 3in caliber guns, mounted together on one open turret... They were not, however, pointed upwards at the airship from whence the boarder's came. They had instead been lowered to completely level and turned to face the encroaching party. Four men sat upon the strange contraption, their white uniforms stained with soot and sweat. They were joined by a party of damage control men, holding a fire hose, that had been combating the flames from the earlier bombs... This too was now turned towards the oncoming foe. At their head, a lone NCO with an eye patch and wielding an ancestral looking sword... A blade that he directed at the commandos. He had seen the signals run up, and knew precisely that this would be the fight of his life. If they failed to stop the boarders, it was likely he and his men would not live to see sunset.

"Death or victory! No retreat! No surrender!" The NCO roared hoarsely, spittle flying forth from his bearded maw.

The fire hose poured open, spraying with blistering intensity at any commando that drew too close... Meanwhile, the Dragon Gun roared with furious hatred. Two barrels, each firing canisters of razor sharp flechettes, typically considered too inhumane for use against 'soft targets', roared as one. A cloud of smoke and fire obscured the deck, but the fire hose maintained its furious furor all the same, just in case the commandos had somehow survived the devastating barrage. It would, at the very least, help to clean up the mess.

The other ships, meanwhile, were continuing their unceasing punishment of the airship. The main batteries of Divine Spirit barked their mighty retort whilst her damage control crews focused on fighting the flames that they too had endured. They had been hit slightly harder by the fire, but as they had no boarders to contend with, they could focus more readily on containing the inferno. The shells that flew forth from the main guns were 'High Penetration' rounds, typically intended for use against particularly large sea monsters or dragons that frequented Josai's shores. Here, it was hoped, they would do the job against the enemy airship. Gradually the Imperial gunners were concentrating their fire on where they believed their foe's powder magazine to be... A lucky strike there would end the enemy's day in one glorious explosion.

"You dare lecture us on the vile nature of the Empire, and then threaten such a wicked thing against the Crown Princess?" Ozymandias stated gruffly, tightening his grip on his blade. "Your hypocrisy is as blatant as your foul appearance." The man watched as Danage suddenly swooped down, interrupting the Jotur before it could attack. Seizing the opportunity, he drew his hand crossbow and directed it straight upwards. Pulling the trigger, an orange tipped bolt sailed upwards above the rooftops... Bursting forth with a brilliant flash of color and fire, easily seen by the ISLF. With the Jotur blinded, Ozymandias sheathed his sword for the moment and hurled several of his throwing knives at the creature's eyes and face. "Get the Imperial Family to safety, outlander!" He shouted to the demon-turned-angel that had been so rudely interrupted... "It is time that the Imperial Shadow do what it does best."

Ozymandias took off running towards the Jotur's arm with a speed not typically associated with a man of his considerable bulk. With a might grunt, he leaped onto the large appendage and scrambled up along its arm, dodging its blinded attempts to knock him loose with a fair bit of effort, until finally he'd reached its neck. The honor guards, meanwhile, sprinted for the Jotur's ankles with their swords ready. Without mercy they began hacking at the rear of the beast's feet, seeking to cripple it, which would hopefully force it to its knees. Drawing his dagger with one hand, Ozymandias attempted to stab the blade directly into the Jotur's eyes. If that failed to kill it, he would go for the neck... Giants were uncommon in Josai, but enough of a problem to warrant extra training... Hopefully this maneuver would carry over to whatever this monstrous being was.

Meanwhile, the burst of color overhead had been seen by the ISLF troops fighting their way through the city. Their numbers had been reduced somewhat, but regardless of losses they charged towards the site of the flare with their weapons at the ready. Clamoring over rubble, shouting furious battle cries, they would soon face whatever threat dared oppose the Empress... The Empress, meanwhile, had come to a disheartening conclusion. The outside world was far worse than she'd imagined... Zhenshiwa's forces, while formidable, would need even more bolstering if it were to maintain a distinct battle advantage... In that moment, waiting to be pulled away by a strange person she'd never met, she knew. The age of isolation had ended, and with it, the age of peace as well. Their nation would need a warrior to lead them... They would need Shikinami.

"If it is between my daughter and I..." Fuyutsuki said as quietly as she could to the reformed demon, praying her daughter would not hear her. "You must save my daughter. I only ask that if you must leave me, that you take my life... I will not be made captive, as that miserable wretch threatened to do to my daughter. Guide my soul to my ancestors..." She glanced in the direction of the palace. "And not to that murderous witch that calls herself 'Empress'."

by **Phaenix** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 3:22 pm

Zhenshiwa wrote:
The Imperial Navy

"The ship is on fire!" Proclaimed one of the men standing near the ship's speaking tubes, peering out the thickly armored tower door whilst the fire alarm bells began to blare. They hadn't been hit too badly, given their positioning and quick reactions of the helmsmen, but there were still a few flames burning away the wooden deck slats outside. Nothing the Damage Control teams couldn't handle. Captain Isoroku shook his head, once again securing the conning tower's heavy steel door. It had been designed to deflect shells much like those fired from his ship's main guns, as well as to survive against the dragons that occasionally hunted the sea surrounding Josai... It would hold against most anything thrown against it. "We've been boarded, they're moving along the lower gun deck towards the bow, I think they mean to take the bridge!"

"We've put off our ISLF detatchment..." Isoroku grumbled, turning to glance at the rest of the room. "There are still many barriers between them and us, their numbers are few and they remain outside..." He frowned mournfully. "If the boarders cannot be stopped by our men in the next minute, Signal Divine Spirit to target our gun deck with their smallest Anti-Dragon armaments for two full salvos... It will mean the deaths of many of our country men, but this ship must not fall into enemy hands. May the Star Maker's forgive me..."

Several flags rose from the mast of Enduring Dawn, fluttering in the wind, their colors dampened by smoke and shrapnel holes. Meanwhile, on the deck, the Commandos were coming upon an emplacement intended for Dragon defense. Two strange 3in caliber guns, mounted together on one open turret... They were not, however, pointed upwards at the airship from whence the boarder's came. They had instead been lowered to completely level and turned to face the encroaching party. Four men sat upon the strange contraption, their white uniforms stained with soot and sweat. They were joined by a party of damage control men, holding a fire hose, that had been combating the flames from the earlier bombs... This too was now turned towards the oncoming foe. At their head, a lone NCO with an eye patch and wielding an ancestral looking sword... A blade that he directed at the commandos. He had seen the signals run up, and knew precisely that this would be the fight of his life. If they failed to stop the boarders, it was likely he and his men would not live to see sunset.

"Death or victory! No retreat! No surrender!" The NCO roared hoarsely, spittle flying forth from his bearded maw.

The fire hose poured open, spraying with blistering intensity at any commando that drew too close... Meanwhile, the Dragon Gun roared with furious hatred. Two barrels, each firing canisters of razor sharp flechettes, typically considered too inhumane for use against 'soft targets', roared as one. A cloud of smoke and fire obscured the deck, but the fire hose maintained its furious furor all the same, just in case the commandos had somehow survived the devastating barrage. It would, at the very least, help to clean up the mess.

The other ships, meanwhile, were continuing their unceasing punishment of the airship. The main batteries of Divine Spirit barked their mighty retort whilst her damage control crews focused on fighting the flames that they too had endured. They had been hit slightly harder by the fire, but as they had no boarders to contend with, they could focus more readily on containing the inferno. The shells that flew forth from the main guns were 'High Penetration' rounds, typically intended for use against particularly large sea monsters or dragons that frequented Josai's shores. Here, it was hoped, they would do the job against the enemy airship. Gradually the Imperial gunners were concentrating their fire on where they believed their foe's powder magazine to be... A lucky strike there would end the enemy's day in one glorious explosion.

"You dare lecture us on the vile nature of the Empire, and then threaten such a wicked thing against the Crown Princess?" Ozymandias stated gruffly, tightening his grip on his blade. "Your hypocrisy is as blatant as your foul appearance." The man watched as Danage suddenly swooped down, interrupting the Jotur before it could attack. Seizing the opportunity, he drew his hand crossbow and directed it straight upwards. Pulling the trigger, an orange tipped bolt sailed upwards above the rooftops... Bursting forth with a brilliant flash of color and fire, easily seen by the ISLF. With the Jotur blinded, Ozymandias sheathed his sword for the moment and hurled several of his throwing knives at the creature's eyes and face. "Get the Imperial Family to safety, outlander!" He shouted to the demon-turned-angel that had been so rudely interrupted... "It is time that the Imperial Shadow do what it does best."

Ozymandias took off running towards the Jotur's arm with a speed not typically associated with a man of his considerable bulk. With a might grunt, he leaped onto the large appendage and scrambled up along its arm, dodging its blinded attempts to knock him loose with a fair bit of effort, until finally he'd reached its neck. The honor guards, meanwhile, sprinted for the Jotur's ankles with their swords ready. Without mercy they began hacking at the rear of the beast's feet, seeking to cripple it, which would hopefully force it to its knees. Drawing his dagger with one hand, Ozymandias attempted to stab the blade directly into the Jotur's eyes. If that failed to kill it, he would go for the neck... Giants were uncommon in Josai, but enough of a problem to warrant extra training... Hopefully this maneuver would carry over to whatever this monstrous being was.

Meanwhile, the burst of color overhead had been seen by the ISLF troops fighting their way through the city. Their numbers had been reduced somewhat, but regardless of losses they charged towards the site of the flare with their weapons at the ready. Clamoring over rubble, shouting furious battle cries, they would soon face whatever threat dared oppose the Empress... The Empress, meanwhile, had come to a disheartening conclusion. The outside world was far worse than she'd imagined... Zhenshiwa's forces, while formidable, would need even more bolstering if it were to maintain a distinct battle advantage... In that moment, waiting to be pulled away by a strange person she'd never met, she knew. The age of isolation had ended, and with it, the age of peace as well. Their nation would need a warrior to lead them... They would need Shikinami.

"If it is between my daughter and I..." Fuyutsuki said as quietly as she could to the reformed demon, praying her daughter would not hear her. "You must save my daughter. I only ask that if you must leave me, that you take my life... I will not be made captive, as that miserable wretch threatened to do to my daughter. Guide my soul to my ancestors..." She glanced in the direction of the palace. "And not to that murderous witch that calls herself 'Empress'."

Imperial Palace, Grand Foyer

Nobles and servants alike shrieked at the sudden combustion of the tapestries, and ran for the door. Several guards stationed in the Foyer also fled, but to find water to douse the fires. The small amount of darkness left was destroyed upon touching the royals' protective shield.
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Phaerix

Klolfur ap Tribarg mach Cruwzus roared in anger. That he had let that puny Damnage blind him was bad enough, but the fact that he had been called a hypocrite by a human enraged him. He kicked back at the two honor guards slicing at his feet, not that they had been doing any harm, since a Jotur's skin was impenetrable. But he felt a dagger push through his eye, and Klolfur knew fear. If it had gone any deeper, it would have pierced his brain. Desperate to stop another attack, the massive Jotur leaped, arms spread, towards the direction of the Empress and the Princess, hoping that Ozymandias would jump to their rescue and stop stabbing at his eyes.
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Off the Coast of Phaerix

Qayid Ghassaan had managed to raise a magical shield in time to block the spray that had come from the dragon cannons, but none of his men had survived. He turned to the gun crew and removed his mask.
"I have done all I can in this life to serve the glory of Alwahid and the Union, and I thank you for a glorious death. However," Ghassaan shot a flare into the sky and then put his scimitar to his wrist and sliced, "I cannot allow the mission to be compromised."
As Ghassaan fell to the floor, dying, a massive ship, five times the size of the airship, appeared from a cove. While it had only minor anti-air weaponry, a massive opening on the ship allowed one to see hundreds of smaller craft inside. Ten of these ships, about a quarter of the size of the Zenshiwanese ships, sped out, armed with a single armor-piercing cannon and two fifty milometer guns, the ships opened fire on the Zenshiwanese. Meanwhile, the airship's hull was pierced, but luckily the munitions had been spared. Crewmen were already at work repairing the hole, but Captain Stormblade was furious. His beloved Sky Wyrm had been hurt, and he would see the perpetrators punished.
"Crewman!"
Stormblade shouted to a nearby sailor, who promptly snapped to attention.
"Prepaur th' copters!"
The sailor nodded, and ran to notify the copter pilots. Dwarven copters constantly seemed like they were about to explode, but these single rotar flying machines packed a deadly punch. Armed with armor-piercing chain guns, the copters slowly descended, with no fear of being shot down, and laid into the ships below.

by **Shwe Tu Colony** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 3:41 pm

Phaenix wrote:Legatus Maursus, after failing to apprehend the creature, went to check on the Emperor...

Outside/Courtyard
"Hmph. Largely unfortunate we couldn't capture him," Elijah said, glancing towards Caleb. "I don't suppose you can do anything about that?"
"I can try." The Doll levitated a few feet off of the ground and shuddered next to Scout, his hands and legs decomposing into writhing masses of ribbons as they snaked through the air, converging in front of him and creating an ovular portal frame with a background wall. His head tilted down, his shivering eye trembled in its little hole, and a long, star-speckled ribbon descended from his mouth like a tongue as he made a choking sound.
Then, everything reverted, and Caleb fell onto his feet as nebulous holes were in the scene around him. "Nope, sorry Mr. 'lijah sir. I don't think it'd be safe."

"Elijah, we've got some enemies approaching," Scout said. "I'm scrambling my dolls, gonna see if I can find anything else." With that, a few of her ghost-like dolls zipped away into the sky, noticing the little speck of Captain Randorlig Stormblade's airship. Two soared just underneath it as nothing more than a white dot against the black night, then flew upwards so that they were just touching the bottom of the airship; if necessary, they would be able to easily weave away from most single-round shots, though flak and the like would give them some problems. Assuming there was none of that, though, the dolls would float towards opposite sides of the ship, hiding away from crew members' vision by diving underneath the curves of the vessel, or at least moving erratically back underneath if there were no such blind spots. For the crew, though, they were just some weird doll that they hadn't seen before, attached to some distant magical signal perhaps traceable to the courtyard.

Another of Scout's dolls detected Warchief Klolfur, whether by the rumble of his voice or the destruction of a building, both of which were unlike the simple havoc and din of battle of the smaller humanoids. It approached and slipped over to a nearby roof, staying some distance away to avoid the battle as it observed. Meanwhile, a fourth doll took a corner-roof just behind the giant; again, both dolls made no effort to hide the source of their signal.
The repositioning of Scout's reconnaissance was all simultaneous, all within the span of perhaps half a minute, and once they were in position, she spread her fingers in front of her hat. "We've got an airship and a giant," she said. "The giant's harassing some fancy-looking ladies — I think they were a part of this party — and the airship's attacking some other ships. The naval ships and the ladies' entourage look pretty similar, so I don't think they're the ones that need to be attacked."

"Very well." Elijah watched his other Dolls: My Glorious King was helping hold the way in, his giant golden club perhaps swatting enemy troops into the air, where the Fragrance Series's distracting aromas were stronger and where their orb-shots would easily reach their targets. Elsewhere, My Father's Suspended Wishes had slammed himself behind the enemy, the road heaving upward from the sheer force and creating a circle of torn earth that may well be difficult to climb. Pieces of purple fabric tore off of him when he landed as well, and these pieces snaked out until the bottom layer of the circle was coated in a shallow pool of wriggling strings like a pot of worms, and any foes who landed inside the pool would find that these strings could swiftly slip between the cracks of their armor, into microscopic pores or beyond fabric meshes. Then, like hundreds of worms, these strings would unite together, embed themselves into these garments, and begin to increase their weight, so that they would now be vulnerable to the leaps and strikes of Wishes. If he deigned to spare them, the strings would gradually expand across the body, creating a fabric coating like a mummy's. When it came all around them, it would constrict violently inward.
He had presumably blocked only one path, though, and the strings were short-ranged — one would have to fall into it before anything could happen, assuming one was stupid enough to try to climb the stone wall and not try for some other path. Yet, Wishes was not one to stay around: once the pool had accumulated over the span of some ten seconds, he would leap again, this time into the midst of the enemy's backline, where his flaming club would toss and shatter them, and where any strikes, be it gun or sword, would be swiftly repaired. Even so, where there was injury, the strings would fall to the ground, coiling around nearby ankles to slow their movements near Wishes. When they fled, he had no qualms about following, no matter how damaged he was.

When he saw them run, Elijah opened his mouth to speak, only to find Titus unconscious. "Prince, Mirror, heal our emperor. Domain." The aged paper flew towards the guilty Ken-nushi, and upon identify any exposed vulnerable spots, she would soar again and again, side to side, in front of him, effectively trying to paper-cut the fellow to death. If the Ken-nushi was too well-armored, she would immediately begin the process around her target's neck, flying around and around, wearing away at the armor like a well-sharpened blade until the neck was reached, then the skin, then the throat. Should the fellow decide to run, Domain would easily follow, and she would be able to evade most attempts to grab her because of her sheer speed, appearing as little more than a blur of yellow. If she was picked up, her postcard would still not tear easily, and even so, Caleb would immediately react, deconstructing his hand and firing a mass of ribbons at him to capture her opponent and set her free.

Elsewhere, Prince and Mirror approached the unconscious emperor. "Must be poison," the former of them said as glowing string formed between his hands yet again. As he sandwiched the arrow and shoulder between his hands, the strings would fade into Titus's body as he attempted to extract the arrow. At the same time, the puppet floated towards the emperor, hand glowing with a green ball of life that became a stream of energy. As Mirror's puppet did this, he would pull out a glowing cylinder, which he would open out, revealing that it was a tablet. This he placed over the victim shoulder, trying to scan for what sort of poison it could be — something foreign, or something familiar?
Next to Elijah, Scout perked up. "Bad news. Airship's sending assault team down, and I'm detecting something big coming. Some sort of carrier. Truth be told, I think we should leave."
"Perhaps, perhaps." Elijah held his chin with his hand, his umbrella-cane still on the floor, nonchalant despite the intense danger. "But I think Hermes-Hina will be able to save us if we fail, so I'm not worried."

by **SF n F** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 6:34 pm

Damnage listened to the old ruler's speech, and could only voice one thought.

"BOOOO-RING!" he exclaimed. Their faces went blank. They were not used to criticism. "Why do the old fashioned thing when you can give 'em a little--heh heh--razzle dazzle?" He lifted his hand.

The building next to him changed instantly. Gone was the jagged collapsing roof on an old stone tenement, and in its place was...a bakery...and candy shop...with a sign on its side that read..."Just Deserts and Suckers"

When one leaps into the air, one gives up the choice of where one is going to come down. The giant had started as if it were going to land feet first, but that was before Damnage saw what it was doing. Picking up an old clothesline that he found on the roof next to him, Damnage quickly took to the air and strung it between two chimneys. As the giant soared through the air, it caught fast against his ankles. It didn't know whether to try to strike at Damnage or at the Empress and her daughter. And that was when the roof on the bakery turned into...a giant, fruit-filled pie. And there was a sign under it that became visible as it launched. It read "SUCKER!!!!" And that was what the giant landed in face first.

"Raspberry crumb," he said to the old lady as he landed, "so that I could give that crumb a great big raspberry." As he watched, it started to slowly lift itself from the sticky mess of the giant pie in its face. Very slowly. Slowly enough that one would wonder how a pie that was only an illusion could cause it that much hardship. "But not to be overly disingenuous," the demon added.

The illusion dropped. What the giant had in fact landed face first in was the jagged roof of a half-collapsed building.

Damnage extended the palm of his hand and a bright yellow line formed down from the building they were on.

"Follow this line," he said, "and let's not talk of death. None of us is going to die today."

"Use whatever rope you can find," Damnage called to Ozymandias. "Pin it down!"

by **Kalmarnavia** » Tue Aug 18, 2020 9:59 am

Aragalaic had flown high above the city after dousing the roof of the Palace in flame. Stryax swooped around, shrieking in fury as some and explosions pierced the air. Arge spotted the disaster befalling the Empress's fleet in the harbour, as the airship continued to stubbornly remain airborne as a ships closed in from the sea and strange flying machines joined the fray. His face hardened. The Empress and Crown Princess had been kind, and decent, and good-hearted. And now these enemies of the Emperor seemed set on sinking their fleet.

"Oest, noia. Oest a la batalla i a la victòria."

Styrax roared, beating her massive red wings, and swooped down towards the harbour.
She dived from on high, swooping through a hail of bullets with a high-pitched cry as some found the soft spots between her armoured scaled. A few rents opened in her wings as she opened her massive jaws and bathed the enemy ships in flame. Arge kept as low as he could- Styrax was largely impervious to things like bullets and smaller rockets, but he most certainly was not. His great dragon climbed parabolically out of her attack on the ships, and turned on the blimp. Her eyes glowed white-hot, and fire poured forth from her maw.

Inside the Palace

Dontas had done himself real damage, he discovered as he weakly pulled himself off the floor. Or the fire had. Or the partial collapse of part of the palace. The room he had taken refuge in was largely aflame, as was a considerable portion of the Palace. Blood poured from a massive wound on his head, his right arm was useless, and his left leg screamed with pain when he moved. People were fleeing the flames, dousing the flames, shouting...he wasn't sure what, at the demonic creature that had seemingly saved the day. The sky was dark with smoke, his vision blurred.

He...he had to get out. He looked around for...for a horse, the wheelhouse, anything. Nothing. Only flames, and the creeping, spreading darkness in his eyes. So cold. So very, very cold.

The floor was warm, as he landed upon it. So warm. Cosy.

He was tired now. Sleepy. He would sleep, he decided. It would all be better if he slept.

by **Phaenix** » Wed Aug 19, 2020 10:46 am

SF n F wrote:Damnage listened to the old ruler's speech, and could only voice one thought.

"BOOOO-RING!" he exclaimed. Their faces went blank. They were not used to criticism. "Why do the old fashioned thing when you can give 'em a little--heh heh--razzle dazzle?" He lifted his hand.

The building next to him changed instantly. Gone was the jagged collapsing roof on an old stone tenement, and in its place was...a bakery...and candy shop...with a sign on its side that read..."Just Deserts and Suckers"

When one leaps into the air, one gives up the choice of where one is going to come down. The giant had started as if it were going to land feet first, but that was before Damnage saw what it was doing. Picking up an old clothesline that he found on the roof next to him, Damnage quickly took to the air and strung it between two chimneys. As the giant soared through the air, it caught fast against his ankles. It didn't know whether to try to strike at Damnage or at the Empress and her daughter. And that was when the roof on the bakery turned into...a giant, fruit-filled pie. And there was a sign under it that became visible as it launched. It read "SUCKER!!!!" And that was what the giant landed in face first.

"Raspberry crumb," he said to the old lady as he landed, "so that I could give that crumb a great big raspberry." As he watched, it started to slowly lift itself from the sticky mess of the giant pie in its face. Very slowly. Slowly enough that one would wonder how a pie that was only an illusion could cause it that much hardship. "But not to be overly disingenuous," the demon added.

The illusion dropped. What the giant had in fact landed face first in was the jagged roof of a half-collapsed building.

Damnage extended the palm of his hand and a bright yellow line formed down from the building they were on.

"Follow this line," he said, "and let's not talk of death. None of us is going to die today."

"Use whatever rope you can find," Damnage called to Ozymandias. "Pin it down!"

Phaerix

Klolfur growled in anger and pain. Though nigh indestructible, Jotur still felt pain, and landing face first onto a building was quite painful. Yet he was blind with rage. He would not allow those ants to escape alive. Mustering all his streangth, Klolfur pushed himself up and grabbed a building, hoisting it over his head.
"That is it. You will all die here! Let the last thing you hear is my name, Klolfur ap Tribarg mach Cruwzus, greatest Warchief of the Jotur!"
With that, Klolfur bunched his shoulders and threw the building, debris raining down as it flew towards Damnage and the Empress' retinue.
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Off the Coast of Phaerix

Captain Stormblade looked at the dragon that was attacking his ship and laughed. The hull was immune to fire, and the balloon was protected by net launchers that would attempt to snare Styrax if she got to close. Leaning over the side, Stormblade laughed and taunted Styrax and Argilac.
"Whit dae we hae haur? A wee cheil an' his lizard attackin' mah ship? Ah hiner yoo're ready tae pay fur dirtyin' up mah bonnie ship!"
Stormblade laughed once more, and returned to piloting the ship.
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Outside the Imperial Palace, Phaerix

Titus awoke with a start, the poison being purged by the Dolls and his amplified healing. Groggily standing, he nodded his thanks to the Dolls and looked at what appeared to be his attacker, who was barely managing to fight of what appeared to be a piece of paper. Raising his sword, Titus shouted to the Ken-nushi.
"You there! Come fight me, man-to-man!"
The Ken-nushi took one last slice at their attacker and looked at Titus, removing their helm.
"Whoever said I was a man? Do you savages truly have no warrior women in your pathetic army?"
Slightly taken aback, Titus regained his composure and smiled at the female Ken-nushi.
"Ah, our women do not take to the field of battle dressed in armor, true. They tend to prefer magic and intrigue to one-on-one combat."
Titus brandished his flaming sword at the Ken-nushi and prepared to charge. The Ken-nushi, however, grabbed onto a rope that dropped from the sky. Smiling as she rocketed upward, the Ken-nushi spoke once more.
"Perhaps we will meet once more on the field of battle, savage. Until next time!"
Cursing, Titus looked around to see the beleaguered legionaries sigh with relief as the Union forces seemed to retreat. Titus was about to head back to the palace to assess the damage when he heard a legionary take up a cry.
"Phoenix chosen! The Emperor is Phoenix chosen!"
The cry soon spread through the Legions, with shouts of, "Phoenix chosen!" and, "Long live the Emperor!" echoing through the streets.
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Grand Foyer, Imperial Palace

Guardsman Aulus Plautius Cenaeus rushed with a magus over to one of the last flaming areas; the Grand Foyer. Holding a bucket of water, Aulus put out the last of the flames and looked over to the magus, who was bent over a man in armor.
"Fat lot of help you were! I had to put all these flames out al-"
The magus raised a finger to silence Aulus, who skulked away. The magus then began healing Ser Dontas' wounds with magic, saying, "Sir knight, you must wake up! Wake up!"
She kept repeating that over and over as healed Ser Dontas.

The Phoenix Wedding (IC/FanT/Signups)

OOC: Repost for Conciseness

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