Horizon Walkers (Game Thread) Dead

[hiei82]

"Not a whole lot. I can't make them go away, if that's what you're asking. But I can make them feel a lot better, I can give it a kiss and your whole body will be filled with pleasure for some time, and then you won't think about the pain anymore." Des said, smiling. Kes looked at him for a moment before saying anything. "Do demons just make up powers as they go or... ?" she asked, stating at him incredulously.

"Do you want me to show you?" Des asked. Kes wasn't exactly sure what to say to that. On the one hand, pain helped keep people sharp. It taught her limitations when she was in the arena. On the other hand, they were - for the time being - out of battles so there was little reason to subject herself to pain that would drain her over time. In the end, Kes nodded and said "As long as it won't dull my senses then yes."

What was the worst that could happen really?

Kes took in the information that the elf had lived in turn. It seemed unlikely, but then she'd just finished beating up people who'd learned to throw lightning at their enemies so who was she to say what was and wasn't possible. "I do wonder why she'd be angry. We helped her escape and we didn't exactly have time to carry her to safety after she was "killed"."

Nettil then added another point. "Do you want to see your friends alive? Because if they are, we need to locate them, and get off the island." This too caused Kes to nod. "Indeed we do; any idea on how to do either of those? If need be, I'm sure we can secure a boat somewhere though I suspect a Horizon Gate would be our best bet."

 

[DarkRawen]

"Do demons just make up powers as they go or... ?"

"No, I don't remember the details, but I was made with this ability. It's... difficult to explain, it's a natural attribute of mine." He tried to explain it without going too much into the detail.

No need to make it too complicated, after all.

Besides, then he might have to explain what he could remember of being created, which was mostly that he was the same size as now, that he needed to sleep a lot, and that one of his kind had taught him how to feed and have sex. It was all rather hazy, though, so many years ago.

"As long as it won't dull my senses then yes."


He smiled warmly, and raised her hand, choosing what seemed to be a sort of deep, yet fairly harmless cut. "It won't. And you won't regret it," his eyes seemed to glimmer with a deep orange color for a short moment, then he wet his lips, and kissed her. It allowed some of his spit to enter the wound, but he chose against taking her vitae, it would be dishonest, after all, and he wanted Kes to like him. It took some effort to resist, but he simply closed his eyes.

As he kissed her hand, a pleasant feeling spread from her hand to the rest of her body. A warm, soft and alluring feeling. It wasn't the strongest or most overwhelming feeling, but it was a distinct one, and it would linger for a while, making her forget about her cuts.

Des took a step back, and examined her. "How about that? It's nice, right?"

"She's alive. Specialized in Ice magic. There's a large scar where a gash from the pike is. You can't miss it."

"Oh." He wasn't sure whether to frown or be happy, on one hand, she had still survived. However, for some reason she was angry with them now. Even him? Or even, because of him, perhaps she really blame him for taking some of her vitae.

I certainly hope not.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Wonderful ..." Lucia sighed as she shook the water off her "Well, even in full armor I can fly, so I have a way down, but that's not optimal for ever one else." She said "Besides, 'out' likely means 'down' and down means 'into the enemy reinforcements', cause your stupid if you think more aren't on the way up right now."

 

[Josh123914]

The silence soon ended as some of the military staff bickered over the current state of affairs. Some hypothesised the northern army had trickled slowly from the proxy war with the Hellentines, or how they disguised themselves as civilians in the elven boroughs, Or
how their scout was dead in the water, along with their fleet (with reinforcements several days away), how all bridges off the island are either destroyed or taken by the enemy, or the destruction to several forts dotting the cityscape have left the guards scattered and in disarray.
A select few had papers regarding other generals, city states and civil servants, along with contingency plans if the worst comes to pass, and none in the court were to escape.
The Empress meanwhile stared out her panorama of windows, watching helplessly as a segment of the metropolis became engulfed in flames, before Lucia brought her back to focus.

"Well, even in full armor I can fly, so I have a way down, but that's not optimal for ever one else. Besides, 'out' likely means 'down' and down means 'into the enemy reinforcements', cause you're stupid if you think more aren't on the way up right now."

"Don't worry about that, here." She then handed Lucia one of the seeds. "I have a way down that is secure, but physically leaving the Tower complex could be dangerous."

She then climbed her steps into her room, which was surprisingly modest compared to the lavish tour they had received up until now.
"Follow me up here when you're ready."

Raj followed her closely behind, with Gi hesitating for the other two, "Wherever you go, I'll go." she promised.

------------

"I trust her, for now atleast. She's sent people to die, but I doubt she realizes she had when she was sending them. I don't think she'd purposefully kill us. If something happens we'll deal with it then but if you don't trust her until then just don't put yourself in a position to rely on her."

Dalrel was reminded of the fate of his original party all those years ago, and felt a pang of emotional guilt at Kyras' explanation, as a change to his regular pain in his side. "I see what you mean... I suppose I'll keep my distance. She shouldn't be an enemy..."


"If a pike couldn't kill her and she's an ice mage how do we intend to? I've seen her sort shatter people and are we sure facing a mage with a potential thrall in toe I the best idea, not that I mean any offence but these magic users are tricky."

"Apparently you burn her." Dalrel called over, thinking how you would kill one that can recover from deep stab wounds. "Then again, we could always just avoid the witch, considering she has more ambitious concerns at the moment..."

"What did you do to piss her off anyway?"

At that, Nettil was offended. "I didn't do anything. We disturbed her and her army's hiding place." she sighed loudly. "Probably for the best, who knows how many more troops she could've harboured in those catacombs."

As the group neared closer to the Plaza, more and more buildings became damaged, with dead bodies strewn on the main street, forcing them to retreat to the alleyways. In nearby streets, they could hear fighting, with plumes of flames and ice shards shooting into the air, with debris and the loud crash of collapsing buildings following.

The ominous silence wasn't just from the dead however, as Dalrel noticed eyes peeping out of the corners and tall-storied buildings, usually accompanied by bows or a palm of fire.
After more meandering, the shadow of one of the Towers was cast over them as afternoon turned to evening, and the sky became more orange. Upwards of one hundred refugees had packed into a space between tall untouched buildings, with barricades set up to defend the cul-de-sac from an army that would have considered the holdout too much of a hassle to deal with.

Of the hundred or so crammed into the area, all demographics appeared to be accounted for. A few families with squealing children here, a couple ex-soldiers and mercenaries there, and what was quickly approaching the group was a healer angrily hauling a cart of belongings behind her.
Beads could say alot, about how three of the seven present left her and her assistant to their fates, or how she lost Cisk and had to carry on without him, but not here.
"I won't even rant." Beads began. "The people here are planning to storm the Towers." she stated bluntly.

"One of these alleys leads directly to the Plaza. The veteran over there needs a crack team of fighters to storm the plaza and defeat the novices there. I think many of their best and brightest are busy subduing what they think are relevant threats..."

she stared at the group, assessing them (disregarding for the moment that at least half of them were Walkers), before popping the question to Zuria. "I saved your life.. You owe me-- and the city. Are you and your friends up to the challenge?"

 

[hiei82]

"How about that? It's nice, right?" Des said. At first, Kes hadn't felt anything other than the slight pressure and moisture on her skin. However, as the "kiss" had continued, she felt a strange feeling begin to appear. The "tickling" feeling spread from the wound down her arm to her hand and up her arm on to the rest of her body.

She didn't have any words to describe the feeling. The closest parallel she could think of was the strange warmth after she'd had too much to drink after a battle in Liem, but even that didn't do it justice. It was a warmth and salve in a way alcohol had never been. The pain was gone yes, but because it had been replaced by... pleasure? After testing her muscles, she pressed on a wall to confirm she could still "feel" it correctly. She could, though it was different.

If it affected anything, it was her mind. Her anger was diminished substantially as she subconsciously wanted to... escape into the feeling she supposed. Regardless, it gave her a clarity of thought she rarely had. She was mildly concerned that without her anger she'd be less useful in battle, but she doubted the feeling would last into a fight.

She came out of her thoughts just in time for Nettil to speak. "I saved your life... You owe me-- and the city. Are you and your friends up to the challenge?". Kes nodded. "Tell me where you want me to deliver my fist an I shall remove the threat." she said, her voice somewhat higher pitch than before due to Des's strange power.

From there she turned to Des and answered him. "I cannot describe it but... yes, it's "nice"."

Spoiler: OOC

Why do I get the feeling that Des's power is gonna provide one hell of a hangover? >_>

 

[DarkRawen]

"I saved your life... You owe me-- and the city. Are you and your friends up to the challenge?"

Des rubbed his neck. He really wasn't a fighter. However, Kes seemed to be eager to fight, and Beads had saved Zuria. Finally, he nodded, hesitantly.

"Yeah, okay, we'll do what we can."

I really don't want to keep fighting.

Of course he didn't want to, it was silly. What if he died? Sure, these mortals deserved to live too, but... but his lifespan was so much longer. He was practically immortal, as long as he stayed out of fights. However, Des looked to Kes, and smiled. It wasn't the first time he had done something stupid for a woman, and it wouldn't be the last.

"I cannot describe it but... yes, it's "nice"."

"That's good," he replied. "I could make it a lot stronger, but... now's not the time nor place. And it would make the others uncomfortable," he teased, before pulling his dagger out.

"So, who do we... hurt?"

Spoiler: OOC

Nah, don't worry. It's just crazy addictive, like any sort of pleasure is . Not to worry, though, she didn't get nearly enough for that to be an issue. Even with sex it normally takes a couple of times before they become that addicted.

 

[Josh123914]

"Tell me where you want me to deliver my fist an I shall remove the threat."
"Yeah, okay, we'll do what we can."
"Okay," Beads said, relieved at their willingness. "Come on then, while we still have daylight."
They were led past other fighters through a small passageway, and up to the barricade. They were at least two metres off of the ground, however if need be they could vault over the top of it.
From the top of the barricade you could see the whole Plaza. The Towers lay directly in front of them amidst a sky turning blood red, with the collapsed tower sprawled over a significant portion of the west side of the area, while to the east was the raging fire, and in the centre were large stone statues, including the obsidian archway.
Some people were handing out food, while a merchant was offering steel plated armor, staffs, arrows and axes.
Dalrel hobbled over and bargained for some bandages for his knee and side. "Can someone help we with these?" he called out.

"The invaders won't expect an assault here and now." Beads said in an attempt to educate the group. "You lot would be the initial strike team. After you deal with the token force of guards, we can pour in and secure the perimeter. Does this sound alright?"

------------

The Empress led the four of them into her frilly penthouse and threw back a large green curtain that revealed a modest lift. "The shaft extends all the way down to the base of the Tower." She gave Lucia a long look, nodding her to get in the elevator. "Keep that seed on you for as long as you can. We can open it from here." the Empress then unceremonially ripped one of her necklaces off, handing it's black shard-like stone to Gi. "Slot it into the archway below. Do that, and you will be able to save my citizens."

She stood back and smiled, ushering them into the lift. "I hope to see you all soon. Even you, my quiet scholar" he said, pointing to Alex.
And at that, the lift descended down. Further and further. Light splintered in from each floor in small slits through the doorways. After a minute of silence, Raj broke the silence. "How are we meant to get past the guards?" he asked. "Who knows what's down there? we may eve-" suddenly they jolted to a halt. The lift became wedged between the ground floor and the floor above it.
They were left suspended , with a thick ceiling / floor about chest-high separating the ground floor and the quieter second floor.
The lift wretched violently to the side, knocking off bits of its wall and floor in the process, and slamming Raj out.

He landed with a thud at the base of the shaft, and only had moments to haul himself behind a pillar before one in a squad of a half-dozen guards went to investigate the thud.
"shit." Gi stated bluntly, looking up to the other two. "Now what?"

Spoiler: Options

You can nod in approval of Beads, but if need be you could also stock up on whatever you need one last time, OR help Dalrel with his bandages.

As for Alex and Lucia, your options are either to drop down and try to save Raj, risking a fight with a few guards. OR, leave him by climbing to the floor above, and leaving the Tower that way.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Can someone help me with these?"

"Sure," Des replied, and walked over to Dalrel, before helping him as best he could, having some skills in bandaging people. He kept listening to Beads, though he found himself less and less eager to reply. Apparently every lady in this horizon expected one to fight random people. That really didn't tend to be what Des did, it wasn't romantic at all. He only wanted to be nice.

I'll follow the others.


"The invaders won't expect an assault here and now. You lot would be the initial strike team. After you deal with the token force of guards, we can pour in and secure the perimeter. Does this sound alright?"

He nodded, grimly, looking at Kes as he did. She could rather clearly see that he didn't want to be part of a "strike team".

"Yeah, if the others are ready, then I am as well."

 

[hiei82]

"The invaders won't expect an assault here and now. You lot would be the initial strike team. After you deal with the token force of guards, we can pour in and secure the perimeter. Does this sound alright?" Beads said.

At the words, Kes couldn't help but smile. She loved the brief quiet before battle. The blood and adrenalin pumping through her veins, the quickened breath, the awareness of everything around her. It was when she felt most alive.

However, it was because of this increased awareness that she noticed Des hesitating. Personally she didn't understand why he wouldn't be excited but she knew her's wasn't the reaction most felt. "You can remain here." Kes said rather forcefully, adding "We can deal with this." If he had doubts about fighting, it was better he not fight. Battle required concentration

Kes didn't wait for a reply however. The moment they were given the go ahead, Kes took off. She kept pace with Zuria so as not to spoil the element of surprise. That lasted until Kes saw the "token guards". Thereafter, it was all out war. While Zuria paused to speak, Kes was not so kind. Already in a rage, she unleashed her aggression in a terrible roar and a full speed charge into the thick of it.

 

[Josh123914]

"The Champion of the Stharn asks you if your convictions are worth dying and if they are who's first."
The two soldiers stared at Zuria, then looked at one another and began to discuss the situation.
One of them occasionally looked up every few seconds to Zuria and her blades, then back down to the other soldier.

After the third or fourth head tilt, he heard the roar, and pushed the other soldier to the ground as a way to protect them from the charging Kes.

Other soldiers heard the roar as well, and made their way to the secluded corner of the plaza.
A bolt whizzed past Zuria's soldier, with a crossbowman shouting in the distance at Zuria and Kes. "Keriamas iskigarra!" The soldier mouthed.


"Sure,""Thanks, here I was thinking the others had forgotten about me." he said smiling.

"Yeah, if the others are ready, then I am as well."
"Me too," he called out.

"Well you'd better hurry," Nettil shouted. "Zuria and Kes are already over the barricade!" she called, peering over the rampart and watching the situation unfold.
Nettil then jumped over the rampart herself. Three soldiers approaching from the right caught her attention, and so she erected a small pillar from the ground between her and them, readying her knife.

Beads on the other hand was much more stressed. "Whatever shock value you would've had is gone now, just secure that Arena."
Beads then motioned to the walkway up to the barricade.
"Oh, and don't set fire to anything on the way out" she warned Kyras specifically.

Dalrel could only be amused at how quickly the plan had disintegrated. "After you." he said to Des, getting up with the fresh bandage.

 

[Lunar Templar]

"Now what?" Gi swore

"Get to the above floor, I'll get Raj" Lucia said as she started to go down after Raj. Lucia worked her way our and droped down, though much quieter the Raj had, she still made some sound. "You ok" she asked quietly, though she could hear some one, leisurely making their way toward them, 'Figures' she thought as she drew her sword and readied her self to lunge at who ever was coming.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Thanks, here I was thinking the others had forgotten about me."

"Hm?" Des replied, as he did the finishing touches on the bandage. He tilted his head as he heard Dalrel speak, then smiled carefully, uncertainly, as he did. "No, of course not, no one has forgotten about you, but we've been doing other things. Freeing slaves and such," he muttered, keeping his eyes on Kes as he spoke. When she spoke to him, Des felt conflicted.

"You can remain here. We can deal with this."

He wasn't sure what to reply. His expression made it clear that he'd like to say yes, sit back for a while, wait for the killing to be over. Not run away, of course not, he couldn't run from the group, and especially not Kes. But hide, stay safe from all the bad stuff, and keeping his conscience clean.

But if something happens to them...

He knew that he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.

"No, I'm coming," he said, as he steeled himself. He wasn't afraid, simply not fond of unpleasant things. This certainly would be unpleasant. Before he knew it, she had gone ahead, following directly behind Zuria.

"Zuria and Kes are already over the barricade!"

"I know," Des replied, and took one last breath of hesitation, before he followed, running to keep up with the two women.

I can do this.

So he told himself as he ran.

I mean... I've already taken the life of a mortal, what is twenty others?

Not to mention, had he killed any of the slave guards, or simply left them bleeding? Everything from back then was still a blur, those actions were simply instincts he was unaware of that he had.

 

[Anti-American Eagle]

Time blurred for Kyras as the group moved through the streets. People carried on in the streets as their homes were burned, people were organized, plans were discussed...

Eventually he was pulled out of it and he started to focus again. Kes had charged off and Zuria had followed. He was being talked at he thought by the one woman he hadn't caught the name of "Oh, and don't set fire to anything on the way out." Why she was concerned about that he wasn't sure.

Kyras shook his head and made his way up the walkway. He looked over the area ahead before jumping down into the area the others had made their way into. Two of the soldiers looked at him as they looked at the others, and charged.

Kyras drew his sword and readied himself as they approached. First one underestimated him and was parried before being slashed, causing him to back away as the other attacked. The second one saw what happened and attacked more cautiously.

 

[Josh123914]

"Get to the above floor, I'll get Raj"
Gi nodded, brushing some short ginger strands of hair from her brow before hoisting herself and Alex to the floor above. She found a set of shattered windows that (after a few metres drop) would put them in the Plaza.
She took the opportunity to look around. In the centre of the Plaza stood the large black archway, as well as a few marble statues. Gi clutched the black shard she was given.
"That's our way out of here." she stated. She then noticed the debris of a collapsed tower cutting off their right, and a skirmish happening in the distance between some footsoldiers and other warriors. "Recognize anyone?"

"You ok?"
"Yes, I'll be fine" Raj told her, reaching for his staff as the soldier moved closer to them. He was only a few metres away from the stone column that was their hiding spot, "Now what?" Raj grunted, while a few of the other soldiers jeered at the lone one who had strayed from the group.

When Dalrel and Des dropped down, they didn't know who to concentrate on, be it Zuria and the archer, Kyras' and Kes' charging into danger, or Nettil's struggle against 3 of the enemies.
Dalrel tried to tell Des something, but it was drowned out by the deafening low hum of a horn by some sort of leader in the distance that carried a spear. So Dalrel just pointed to her and ran off, chucking a few flames her way.

------------

The wind was biting against them, but they pushed onwards. Onwards and upwards towards the higher floors.
When they finally reached the end of the aqueduct, she busted open one of the windows, and dragged with her some of the water. If there was to be a fight ahead, she would want some ammunition.

A cold chill ran through the room, causing a hush in the already tense room.
"What was that?" The blond general asked to the silent court. The faint bang came from the floor below. "It was probably nothing, but let me check." The Empress was leaning against a bannister and responded. "Take half our guards if it will make you feel any safer about the draft." The General made a token smile, then had 6 guards follow him out of the court.

 

[DarkRawen]

Des was unsure of what to do when he got there. Dalrel tried to tell him something, but it was drowned out by the sound, and quickly he found himself alone, not in danger, but without a clue about what he was supposed to do. In his mind, he tried to figure out who needed his help the most, but failed to do so.

It felt like he stood still for several minutes, though it was closer to a couple of seconds. Then he went for Nettil, because she was the closest one. He felt a cut on his neck but it barely hurt, as he was far too sturdy for a mortal blade to cut through his skin that easily.

Grabbing two of the enemies, he paralysed them before they got the chance to act against him, and went for the third guy, blade unsheathed struck into the mortal's side. He shuddered as he watched the blood flow, and stepped back.

"Are you okay?" he asked, before looking at the two people on the ground. "If you don't mind... please take care of those two yourself." He touched his neck, he was bleeding more than he had anticipated, although it was barely a scratch to a demon like him.

 

[hiei82]

Kes slammed the head of one of the guards into the ground with a resounding, squishy, satisfying crack. A moment later, Kes grabbed the guard's body by his arms and began spinning it around her to build up some speed. A few moments later and the former-guard was flying at a group of two guards a short distance away. Right behind the flying guard was Kes; her hands bloodied, her mouth in a wide smile, and her eyes alive in the blood-rage.

Kes was aware that the others of the group were around her somewhere, though she'd long since lost sense of exactly where and any idea that it mattered. As she drew close to the other two guards, she pushed off the ground with all her strength, propelling herself forward and up over their weapons. As she came down, she pivoted such that her arms were forward and her profile was minimized. Once there, she caught the pair of guards by their heads and squeezed. Her forward and now downward momentum carried her through, pulling the guards to the ground before her and cushioning her fall. There, she proceeded to slam her fists into them relentlessly until their movements stopped.

Those that ran might live. Those that fell to their knees, their hands over their hands in surrender might live. Those that still thought they had a chance would not.