Graterras Chapter 2: A Second Chance [IC]

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Odin found himself entrapped in with the beast, in a tomb of stone. His wounds didn't allow him to clear in time, he figured one of the Earth Templars did this to prevent massive damage to the Militia, and there was no way they could have seen him down there with the Beast. He made his peace, it would be time to see his son soon. He held no ill will towards the one who had sealed his fate here. The Beast exploded. The Earth Shelter came quickly apart, adding to the the shrapnel of Bone Shards. A seemingly Human Rib bone, pierced Odin's Heart, a few chips also cut into his skin. He lay bleeding on the ground. Pieces of Earth Crushed Legions of the dead, but also some of the militia protecting their beloved town. Brass screamed in horror, as his own element destroyed countless lives, he quickly sent pillars to catch some of the Earthern Shrapnel, but it was too late, most of the damage was done. The Battle Field stood still, silent save for the screams of the wounded and dying. Orpheaus, found Odin dying on the ground, he had lost sight of the Dwarf not to long ago. A feeling of sorrow washed over him. Odin had told him some of his struggles before the battle. Orpheaus wasn't content to let the Dwarf Father's Fight end here. He removed his gauntlets, and placed his hands together, He would use the Lay on Hands, the most powerful ability of the Paladin. He first removed the Bone from his chest, he knew he would quickly expire. He then used the Lay on Hands. A Soft Golden Light came from his hands as he placed them together. He placed them on either side of the wound, taking all of Odin's Injuries for himself. He layed back as a bloody hole opened in his chest. Odin was still passed out. Orpheaus smiled, He had saved him for now, but now he had to save himself. Healing magic was always effective 100% of the time, this is why Orpheaus took the wounds unto himself. This way he would guarantee the Dwarf Father's Life would be saved. He now clapped his hands together, as a white light enveloped his hands. It could be seen for miles around in the darkness. He placed his hands over the hole in his chest as he willed it closed. The very sinew and flesh began to knit itself back together, but whether the spell would hold yet was unknown to him. He lay there still for a moment, but the undead started to prod around their position. He didn't have much of a choice, he needed to defend Odin, they would surely know he was alive. He drew his sword. "You Beasts fight me, I will not rest until every person here is safe from your evil, I fight for those who cannot, I also fight for those that aren't meant to fight. The Dwarf over there was meant to be a Father, Until you vile beasts forced his hands. MARK MY WORDS, I WILL PURGE YOU FROM THIS WORLD VILE SCOURGE!!!!!" He held his ground, knowing to much movement would undo the healing magic for sure, he hoped one of the heros was nearby.

Jupiter watched Brass, He stood there still, probably not able to believe what happened. "Brass if you need to go into the fight, do so, I have the wall handled." she said. He looked back at her, always thinking she a strange one, but a strong one. "Thank you, Lady Jupiter, I trust you to hold the wall." He said, a sorrow in his voice. Jupiter felt the sting in his words, though she knew they were not aimed at her. She didn't exactly know how he felt, but seeing what happened with the Earth, it would feel like if Nemesis Tried to save her own life, and Failed. "Take Nemesis with you, I know she will fight by your side." with that The Giant Bird swooped down, and landed next to Brass. She would have been looking into his eyes had her own worked, but Brass still felt like she was. He simply nodded. He leapt up into the air, creating pillars of finer particules of Earth, that would be strong enough to leap from, but soft enough they would fall back into the Earth as he stopped focusing his magic there. Nemesis Flew beside him. The Two Giants sped towards the Battlefield, Ready to destroy those that opposed them. They headed for where the Golem had exploded.

[Chevaleresse]

"Not while I'm breathing!" Xavier leapt at the undead surrounding Orpheaus, riding a massive wave of flame.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"ONDA DI LUCE" Orpheaus shouted, as he flung a wave of light from his sword. It cut one of the Skeletons down the middle. "Thank Bahamut you showed up, I would have been a goner otherwise." he said to Xavier as he flew into view.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

"Jupiter... Wasn't that... Do you remember a dwarf being called to the front lines?" came the suddenly small and hoarse sounding voice of... Helzebeth?

Where the infernal monstrosity stood earlier had been an explosion of black flame, bones, and stone. The ranger's blood froze as she vaguely recalled Odin being assigned to the front lines. Steel that had shown in her eyes seemed to melt into uncertainty and fear. The bow in her expert hands shook and quivered along with its wielder.

Hunter had not shown himself to her, but she could at least still feel his heartbeat, pounding a bit faster than hers, naturally, as well as his hunger and being on the verge of desperation. Humanoid beings, however, could not possibly have a similar connection except, perhaps, aided my magic.

The arrows flew onward, but in her panicky state of mind, the half-elf could not concentrate on combat.

Hunter nearly tumbled into the ground with his momentum and the sudden loss of weight as the Kenku alighted. And was pelted by stone. He drew on whatever he could to dodge most of the shrapnel at least. The wolf was getting hungrier and hungrier and even started to grow weary. If he couldn't at least get something to eat, his more feral instincts would start kicking in...

[Chim]

A piece of the earth hit Sigurd in the back while he was running. He felt how the air left his lungs as he fell on the ground and tumbled towards the forest. He got back up and grasped for air. His back felt sore but he didn’t find any serious wound. Well, since I’m not wearing any armor, Aelia must be protecting me. He thought with a smile. Time to get back into this fight!

Sigurd looked around for a moment and saw Orpheaus and Xavier surrounded by skeletons. He started cutting and slicing his way back to help them out.

[Ragnar]

Akuma was pretty nearby from the scene where the Golem exploded. He shelter himself with his wings, covering his body against the earth shrapnel hurling towards him. He tumbles crashing and hitting the dirt, He seems to be shaken from the blast. The birdman gets up and saw a bunch of lesser enemies charge towards him. Everything was slow motion in his sight, His head was busted right open as it bleeds due to the force of the impact, Akuma can smell the faint of his own blood as it drips through his bird-like face. His eyes gets a little biddy and his senses heighten. The smell of his own blood hungers the Kenku into a bloodlust. The bloody kenku was dangerous at this point, Akuma's vision turns red and ready to serve a can of whoop ass.

He swings is hammer with brute force within radius shattering most of the skeleton's ribs with one blow casuing them to fall into the ground. Akuma mightily tramples on the skulls of his fallen enemies just to make sure he finish the job. His bloodlust was not satisfy. He saw the group of skeletons around Orpheaus,Xavier and Odin. He leaps into action spreading his wings, Attacking from the enemies from above. The bloody Kenku takes a full swing in the air as he comes crushing down on the unsuspecting foes, Stomping on a few skulls. Akuma swings rapidly demolishing the undead around him, pieces of bones and marrows flies through the air with every blow the Kenku delivers. He glance at Orpheaus for a moment with his eyes filled with fiery rage. The birdman sprinted to the next group of enemies and wrecking them with his hammer. Akuma was all over the place.

.

[Notus]

What... Marcus stood still for a moment, then shouted in rage. "ODIN!"

He started towards the center of the destruction, seeing Orpheaus work his magic on the dwarf maybe there was still a chance for Odin and the Victonari if they could ward off the undead untill they finished healing. Ignoring his own pain from the Golem's blow, he started fighting alongside the other heroes, enveloped in flames and more ferocious than ever.

[Flux]

Nero watched as the dwarf fell. Orpheaus rushed in, performing some kind of healing on the fallen soldier. Nero wasn't sure if much could save him at that point, but he knew little of a Paladin's abilities. Soon many of the others rushed in to help protect the dwarf. Nero frowned as he turned back to the battle around him.

Focusing that many people in one spot will only draw their attention. The dwarf won't be helped that way...

Still, he wasn't about to voice those thoughts, nor did he have time to. He spun his sword around, cutting the skeletons around him to pieces.

If the dwarf was strong enough to live on, he would. If he was too weak, he would perish.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Shit." Said Orpheaus, as he moved he felt the magic starting to undo. Fighting the undead was taking it's toll now more than ever, as his wounds began to reopen. They hadn't yet, but he felt it, the tension on the skin. "I am in deep trouble here friends. But we got to protect Odin."

The Dwarf Father now started to stir. He touched his chest, where the hole was, noticing it was gone, but the blood still remained. He heard the din of a battle right above him, knowing he wasn't dead. He didn't know how he survived, but that wasn't important. He stopped moving as a Skeleton stood over him, though it was occupied with the fight and not even paying attention to him. He Leapt up, Placed one Hatchet on his hip bone, and the other on his collarbone. He twisted, tearing it's torso from the lower half of it's body. He rushed to get clear, joining the Heros and Orpheaus.

It was about this time Brass arrived. The Giant Landed. A big boom as he did. and on his shoulder (the only shoulder that would ever be big enough for this to happen.) landed Nemesis. "Looks like I made it, here's to a good fight!" He said, His eyes glowing. It was no time to dwell on what had happened, It was now time to smash his enemies.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

More skeletons fell, and at a faster rate. Helzebeth wasn't just giving out orders anymore, but firing frantically at any skeleton that she noticed was gathering at a certain area, near the smoldering crater that the infernal golem had left. Odin must be there. What appeared to be pure light, and a glitter of gold, indicated the presence of Orphaeus as well. She focused her eyes a bit more, trying to locate Hunter. Where was he? The gnawing hunger felt like acid tearing away at her insides-- it was his hunger she felt, and it made her nervous. Jupiter had mistaken him for a Dire Wolf. No, she was not mistaken. If Famine had his way and dominated Hunter...

"Jupiter. Jupiter, my sister, I have to get Hunter, and quickly," she said, in a somewhat panicky voice. "He may be my friend, but even he cannot repress the beast that he his for so long without food. It seems that he resisted taking the village's livestock during lunch." The ranger was beating herself up mentally. She should've called him to her, tended to him, but instead trusted that he could find food on his own. The approach of the Undead Army must've been what held him back from escaping the village somehow, or that the gates were too firmly shut. Either way she felt that she must act immediately and bring food to save him from going mad.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Go to him, I can handle the walls. I am sure he is in the heat of the battle though, be careful sis." Jupiter said. "Brass went too, but I am sure me and Dru can handle the walls."

Brass clapped his hands together."Bulwark!" A slab of stone formed on his arm the shape of a small buckler. He know tapped his walking stick on the ground. "Maul!". With that Solid rock wormed it's way up the staff, It created a giant hammer made of Stone, well wrought and ornate, though those were most likely Brass's touches. He then stomped his Left foot, while pounding his chest with the shielded arm. "Cuirass!" A suit of Earthen Armour began to envelope the Huge Victonari. He looked like a mountain standing on the battle field. His movements were slow, but deliberate, it was obvious this was his all out fighting form, unlike the one they saw him using at the Bridge. "Let's Rock." Brass said a smirk on his face. He dashed into the line of foes. "Nemesis, take flight! Attack those that I miss!" The Bird seemed to nod before taking off of his shoulder. He barreled trough the enmy line, toppling many of the skeletons. He smashed one with his Giant Rock Hammer, grinding it into dust. Nemesis grabbed a few by the arms, wrenching them out of their sockets. Then Picked them up by the Skull and dropped them from on high. The Skeletons would shatter, their bones rolling everywhere. "We are close to the Death Knight, I can feel his presence by the way the Earth revolts."

Similarly, Sigurd could feel it in the winds. It had to be Lady Aelia warning him of a nearby danger. They had a cold, lifeless feel to them, that only a Templar of the Winds would be able to feel, and not just think it was your average Winter Breeze. It was a dark Omen of what was to come.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

The half-elf nodded, biting her lip. "Thank you." She dashed down the stairs as quickly as she possibly could, into the village, towards where the fenced livestock should be, to slay a healthy lamb. Mentally, she tried to reach out to Hunter, trying to convey a feeling of urgency-- normally, it would send him running to her.

Hunter panted and wheezed a bit. Stones had pelted him from the explosion, and he had still been keeping at it, trying to hold onto his sense and reason, differentiating friend from foe. The fact that he'd apparently forgotten to save the dwarf-father was eating away at him too-- guilt and hunger feasted on his mind.

That and a new, more ominous presence could be felt in the air. It reeked of death. It reeked of lifelessness and misery. Somewhere, inside him, he sensed panic and distress-- Helzebeth? In a haze, and with his strong legs-- that had begun to shake-- he ran towards the wall, without caring who or what he rammed into on the way. Desperately he hoped he was injuring more skeletons than humans.

[Chim]

Sigurd had made it almost to where Orpheaus was, when he saw Odin getting up. He was unable to see the dwarf earlier from his previous location, but that would explain the behavior of some of his companions. Sigurd respected Odin and felt relieved that he was save, when he suddenly started to shiver. An unnatural ice-cold wind was wrapping around him, like it was trying to strangle him. It carried the feeling of death and made Sigurd nauseous as he froze for a moment. He heard Brass saying something about the Death Knight but most words were lost in the deadly wind. Sigurd knew the giant Victonari was right as he yelled a warning towards his companions. “Guys, we’ve got company!”

[Ragnar]

Akuma still blinded by his bloodlust, the birdman ignores the pain and continues to hammer away into what seems to be an endless army of the undead.The Birdman is still attentive to his surroundings,some how heard Sigurd's warning. Akuma soars above and landed what seems to be a pile of bones and commanded the Miltia to advance.He lift his hammer up high and release a bird like screech war cry and pointed out the rest of the skeleton warriors. He just stood there in that mount as the Miltia charges the fewer number of the undead. Akuma keeps a sharp look out for this 'Death knight' on the battlefield, anticipating his arrival.

[Notus]

Death Knight or whatever, I'm just glad I can have my flames again. Time to get my count up!

Marcus was completely immersed in the heat of the battle now. His back still hurt from the blow he had taken (note to self: never let your guard down near an Infernal Bone Golem), but the adrenaline of the fight helped him forget it. Now that he wasn't holding fire back he started to use a ranged combat technique, throwing a barrage of semicircular flame waves towards the enemy field to clean the lesser undead off.

[Flux]

"We are close to the Death Knight, I can feel his presence by the way the Earth revolts."

Nero fought with renewed vigor upon hearing this. His task could soon be completed here. He would slay the Death Knight, for his own sake and for Steele's. He cut through the skeletons that approached, slowly making his way forward. He would trust in his sword for this battle; Illusion magic was of little help in an all out battle like this, and Steele had warned him that it did not work on the Death Knight anyway.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

From somewhere came an ethereal voice. It was obviously the Death Knight to Nero and Odin, as they had heard him speak before. "Hmmm, so I see you are still alive Spellblade....what was your name again? Eh, it doth not matter. I seeketh to challenge you to a duel if you are still alive. Though you may not believe it, I am a man of honor, and I believe we should finish what we started. I promise....no tricks"

((in case it isn't clear, he is talking to Nero, though it should be obvious.))

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

Where was Hunter, and what was taking him so long? Carrying a fat sheep on her shoulders, Helzebeth made her way towards the gate. It was quite a run, as the nearest pen she ran to was one by the marketplace, situated towards the center of the village. She ran-- as fast and as hard as one with a fully grown sheep on their shoulders could-- towards the walls. She hoped he could-- wait, what was that voice?

Hunter tumbled among the footsoldiers-- mostly human, now. He could feel that his master had something for him, and the sense of anxiety wouldn't go away. Still, guttural growls rumbled from down low in his throat as he forged on through the sea of fighters. Just then, a voice boomed over the dying plains, but Hunter didn't care much for it. He was starving, and if he couldn't get a bite soon... These people were starting to look delicious, more like prey than ally...

[Flux]

"Hmmm, so I see you are still alive Spellblade....what was your name again? Eh, it doth not matter. I seeketh to challenge you to a duel if you are still alive. Though you may not believe it, I am a man of honor, and I believe we should finish what we started. I promise....no tricks"

Nero stopped in his tracks upon hearing the words. This was the chance he had been waiting for. The chance to get his revenge and defeat the Death Knight. He did not care about the outcome of this battle. He originally hadn't even cared about surviving. But now... something had changed. He wanted to survive long enough to defeat the Death Knight, the one who had bested him, and beyond that to defeat the Gentleman. For the first time, he had a goal in life; a reason to live. He thought to the Death Knight's challenge. His rage was driving him to accept the challenge; telling him that he would defeat the Death Knight and get his revenge.

But hadn't Nero always considered himself a man of logic? He hadn't believed in the gods before the incident with the Gentleman because he had had no proof or evidence that they existed. Similarly, his rational side told him that this was not a battle he could win on his own. He looked to the side, focusing his gaze on Orpheaus and the others. Surely they would have heard the Death Knight's message and known who it was directed at. They were probably having their own qualms about what his choice would be. He retreated back to his thoughts as he split apart a skeleton that had approached. Could he really trust in a team? A team that he had only known for so short a time? He had always chosen to be alone; to worry about himself and himself only. But again, his logical side told him that there was strength in numbers. Rather than recklessly rushing to the Death Knight, wouldn't the rational choice be to approach in a group? As he had said many times before, there is no honor in battle; only the victor, and the defeated. A group would have a better chance, simple as that. As much as he disliked the idea of group battle, he would need to survive here to ever have a chance at defeating the Gentleman. Even if that was the sole reason for his decision, it was good enough for him.

A sly grin broke onto his face. But he wouldn't decline the challenge. He was an Illusionist: a trickster. And that was something that would never change. He would accept the Death Knight's challenge, but this time, it would be on his terms. It was time to turn the tide of battle, to strike at the Death Knight when he would least expect it. Nero jogged over to Orpheaus and the others.

"Surely you heard what the Death Knight had to say. I do not intend to decline his challenge." he paused, the same sly grin coming over his face. "However, this will not be a challenge on his terms. I would ask that you listen to my proposition; a proposition that we would take the battle to the Death Knight, rather than laying ourselves at Death's door."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"What do you have in mind?" Orpheaus said, putting his chin in his hand. He rubbed it in a inquisitive manner, wondering what the Illusionist had up his sleeves.

"What ever your planning it best be good. I think we only got one shot at this lad." Brass aid, his gravelly voice crackling. "But I am up for it." Nemesis landed on his Shoulder again, seeming to be in agreement, though it was hard to tell without her master here.

"Aye, I will follow you Nero." Odin said, a grin on his face. "Besides, I have got a few bones to pick with these guys." He spun one of his hatchets around his index finger. It must have took considerable skill. He placed it back into his waistcoat, along with the other one he held. They joined their 3rd Brother for now.

[Flux]

Nero began to speak, his voice taking on a colder, more calculating tone.

"I would suggest an ambush upon the Death Knight." He looked at the members of the group. They were all more than capable of completing what he had planned. He continued.

"The Death Knight is likely the strongest foe we'll encounter here. I can attest to that myself, having battled him and narrowly surviving, all thanks to Steele. It is well worth directing our attention towards such a foe. As you know, the Death Knight has offered me a personal rematch. I, for one, would like to use this opportunity to end him. Being an Illusionist, I do not intend to fight him "fairly." There are only two sides to battle: the victor, and the deceased. Honor means nothing at the end of the day."

He waved his hand dismissively.

"But this is all besides the point. I will approach the Death Knight alone, giving him the impression that I have come to accept his challenge. Once I have initiated conflict, I will slowly bring the battle towards the point where our strongest warriors will lie in wait. Then, we attack from all directions. With our combined might, I doubt he will be able to survive our onslaught."

He stopped, allowing them to take in what he had said. After a while, he turned to Orpheaus and Brass.

"The two of you would best know a place to set up such an ambush. You have been here longer than Odin or myself. Is there such a place around?"

[Ragnar]

Akuma trash his way through the battlefield aiding the Miltia, pounding heavily and mercilessly on the undead with his hammer, gaining the upper hand against the wave,The Kenku decided to calm down and let his trance subside, not letting his rage consume him completely early on at this point, for desire something bigger to satisfy his bloodlust. Akuma went back to the group and heard Nero's plan.

"Aye, the miltia is in position Orpheaus, we lost some few good man along the way as we advance." Akuma said with a bit of grief. "I'm not sure how long they can fend off the enemy, we must end this now." Akuma reports to the Victonari.

The birdman turns his attention towards Nero "sounds like a plan trickster, i may not be able to bend reality, but i can sure lay waste to this death knight as he feels the wrath of my hammer, count me in." Akuma was eager about this fight.

[Notus]

Marcus heard Nero's plan and then voiced his thoughts, clearly displeased by the idea. "I for one don't like to fight dirty, Illusionist. The man - or thing, whatever. - asked you for a duel, and a duel is about honor and skill. Even that Death Knight seems to take this into consideration." Marcus did like winning, but to his straight forward Knight mind, using these artifices to achieve victory was unforgivable.

Edited July 21, 2014 by Notus

[Chevaleresse]

Xavier made his way over to the group in time to hear Marcus's thoughts on the plan. "I'd have to say I agree, if it wasn't for one factor. That Death Knight is setting up an obviously unfair fight. It's to his advantage to fight us one by one. While I agree that the use of such trickery is distasteful, I believe it is the best way to eliminate this abomination." A thought struck the Cinder Knight after a moment. "I mean no offense, Nero."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Aye, protecting the village is a little more important than honor right now. This Creature, however doesn't intentionally set a unfair fight, he doesn't seek to cheat...he however does know that Nero probably doesn't stand a chance on his own." Brass said, placing his hands on the top of his Hammer. He leaned forward a bit, placing his head on his heads, a ponderous look on his face. "It will still be a tough fight even with all of us here to fight him."

"Indeed Brass, I too must say we need to use this plan. I am not sure I can even take on this threat alone, even if it weren't for the state I am in." he said, holding his hand to where the hole was in his chest. It was healed now, but it still thrummed with a dull pain. "Death Knights aren't normal undead, they are more sinister, created by a Knight horribly butchering his oath on his own volition. They are cursed, and most of my abilities don't affect them. I can't turn them like other Undead as they are created by a curse. So, I don't have any extra tools we can use. Also, we are not sure where he is, he was using some kind of spell to project his voice here, so we are going to have to wait until he tells us where he wants to fight you."

"So, Spellsword, what is you answer?" the voice came again, seemingly from right in front of them. Though nobody was standing there. The Death Knight laughed to himself after cutting off the spell, he cared not for the answer, now that he heard their plans. Having used the Ventriloquism spell he issued the challenge, but he also weaved a Clairaudience spell in the same area, that could receive sound from the area as if he were hearing it himself. "So they are afraid of me? Or at least some of them are....good. I like when my prey fears me, it makes them all the more fun to kill.

((just to be clear, after the Death Knight asks for the answer, he cuts off the ventriloquism spell, therefore afterwards he is no longer projecting his voice, so you wouldn't be able to hear him after that point.))