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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 25, 2022 13:01:56 GMT -5
After a long sojourn west across Charon, Kamille and Bellighul found themselves deep into the swamplands of the Marshflats. Following the large acidic trail via horseback, their Nightmare Steeds covered much ground over a short time. The pair had recently rested at the edge of a large cypress swamp, witnessing as the small ponds had grown acrid in the Elder Ooze's wake. It was a fearsome beast. They had promised the scholars some days before not to kill the ooze. Bellighul resented the idea but knew Kamille would do her best to keep the promise. He would follow her lead.
The reins of his steed held tight, as the Mages galloped deep into the treacherous environment. A mistep of the horse could send it crashing into the mud, decaying matter or now acidic pool. Eerily, there was the absence of birds or other wildlife. A small herd of deer barreled several yards out in front of them, fleeing from something. Mischief was scouting high above the tree line, giving them much needed reconnaissance as the trail was growing difficult to follow.
"Kamille." Bellighul announced, his eyes fixated far ahead. "Prepare yourself..."
What seemed like a large hill blurred by the shadows and shapes of trees between them, was a writhing Ooze of a strange green hue. Inside it, floated a number of fallen limbs and bones, moving about in its amorphous gullet. Dissolving.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 26, 2022 7:09:39 GMT -5
The swamp hated her, and the feeling was mutual. There was where she found for the first time the Blood Lily, the beautiful flower that only bloomed with a drop of blood, under the light of the full moon. A beautiful flower, with a glorious scent that was capable of inducing the most horrible nightmares. Their steeds covered much more ground than their legs could, even more in the treacherous landscape of the swamp. The mare was specially annoyed, whether by the fumes that rose from her smoldering hooves pounding the mud and brown water - or because she felt the presence of the Elder Ooze.
They slowed down as they approached, and as soon as the huge blob of ooze was in sight, Kamille let out a disgusted grunt. Surely, there was a limit to these researchers curiosity... she understood their thirst for knowledge, but she wasn’t sure she was willing to go that distance if it was only for her own curiosity... over slimes.
The Witch quickly dismounted, knowing her mare wouldn’t hesitate to charge forward should she feel threatened, tying her to a nearby root to close in the remaining distance on foot. She approached the Necromancer, using the cover of the trees to avoid drawing the attention of the elder ooze towards them for the moment. Kamille often considered herself to have a strong stomach, but the sight of small animals and limbs inside the huge blob being digested made her feel... uncomfortable. She whispered to Bellighul:
"How do you think we should approach it? I'm willing to give it a fight until it retreats to its cave, but the "not killing" part will be challenging..."
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 26, 2022 18:04:17 GMT -5
The Necromancer pressed his pallid hand against the rough bark of a tree, leaning forward whilst having cover. He gazed upon the creature, pondering how such a being could have come into existence. He thought only sorcery could have designed such a monster. Perhaps he was right. He put his hand on the shoulder of Kamille once again. Whispering in her ear in regards to her previous question.
"The scholars requested it alive. I only see folly in this logic. Yet, if we can subdue it...we may end its rampage. You tell me what you want to do when the time comes Kamille."
He thought for a moment, ruby eyes seemingly empty as he pondered.
"You are the strongest, I know your power well. I'll distract it and you assault from the rear. I..." He looked at her, a slight smile on his face. "I will be just fine."
Thus, Bellighul launched himself from his position, grabbing the reins of Prospero and forced his foot into the stirrups. With all his strength he hoisted his leg over the saddle quickly. Propelling the Nightmare steed with quick flicks of the leather, the horse obliging. The thunder of its hooves through the muck, weaving between trees skillfully. He was not a knight, this Sorcerer, but was uncanny in his fearlessness.
The horse crossed the path of the great Ooze, which in reaction, hurled an amorphous limb in his direction. Slamming into a fallen tree, causing the rotting bark to hiss and steam from its vile touch.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 27, 2022 7:07:29 GMT -5
"What? What do you-?"
Kamille didn’t agree to that, but before she could contest, Bellighul was already mounting and galloping away. For a moment, Kamille froze as she saw him being attacked by the ooze; the creature didn’t waste any time hurling in his direction an acidic pseudopode. She shook herself out of it.
The Witch Blinked, vanishing from where she stood in a whoosh of stardust, only to reapear several yards away from her original position. She choose to approach the opposite side as Bellighul was, so that when the ooze turned to face - to face? There was nothing like a face in this horrendous blob - the Necromancer, she would have the opportunity to strike from its back.
Mana pooled and swelled around her, taking the shape of dancing fire in her palms. She wanted to start strong - the temperature rose up in haves centered around her, even when she had alrrady launched the Massive Fireball. The huge ball of fire exploded on the ooze, making it writhe and shake, acrid and acidic fumes rising from it. The elded blob was quick to turn to the new attacker, squishing out of its depths a strong stream of dark acid her way.
Kamille was quick to raise a Sand shield before her, the golden sands that materialized soaking up the acid and protecting her for now. But when the shield was down, the blob was already on its way to try to engulf her, welling up in front of her to attempt at devouring the Pyromancer.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 27, 2022 9:51:40 GMT -5
Prospero powered its way through the swampland, it's dark rider standing in the stirrups, clinging to the reins with one hand. The terrain giving Bellighul plenty of cover as he and his mount weaved through the trees to encircle the mighty foe. Kamille had lit up the area in a bright orange-red hue, as her fireball struck the creature. Though, it turned its attention now towards her, a slight few seconds of reprieve for the Necromancer.
Thus, Bellighul guided his steed back in the previous direction, rearing the creature as he did so, balancing himself with his free hand. On the same hand, he utilized Summon:Possession, calling his Harvest Reaper. The grim scythe reflects the flames that are cindered on a nearby tree, as the Ooze touched it with its scorched form. He swung the great blade at the acid burned tree struck by the pseudopod, which was greatly weakened as the acid disolved the wood within. The scythe blade howled like a screeching phantom in the silence as it tore into the cypress. Powered by the movement of his horse, it ripped into the tree rather well.
The cypress snapped, its weight causing it to flex and moan as it descended down in the direction of the slash. The Ooze was soon bludgeoned by the falling tree, pinning it under. But its amorphous nature allowed it to writhe back, displacing the cypress into the pond and mud. Squirming, as the pseudopod launched out at Bellighul, who leaped from his horse to dodge. Prospero bellowed in pain as the acid was upon it, and slammed into the ground with tremendous force. Half burying it into the soft ground. Bellighul, looking at his steed with eyes aflame, rose to his feet and hurled a Chromatic Blast of ice at the creature.
The ray of frost striking it soundly in its center of mass.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 27, 2022 11:09:55 GMT -5
Prospero's cries of agony made her heart sink, and for a moment she was thankfull she had the foresight to tie Despair's reins before approaching the ooze. No doubt, if she hadn’t done so, the fearless mare would be upon them in no time, stomping and kicking away at every and any foe. Mischief, who had been so quiet this whole time, started to caw frantically.
The ooze made a disgusting, squishing sound as the tree fell over it, its dark acid trying to eat away at the bark of the tree. It seemed to hold it down for a moment, making it slower, but given its slimy nature, eventually it started to slither away from the tree too. Then, Bellighul used his Chromatic Blast turned into an ice spell, and this gave her an idea.
Once again, Kamille started to prepare a Massive Fireball, but midway through the spell her intense focus shifted the nature of the spell - what once was fire, soon became a ball of frost air and shards of ice. It wasn’t something she was used to doing, so it took her more time than her usual spell. But once she released the frost bolt upon the creature, it shattered upon collapse, spreading its frost on its surface. The ooze writhed, but its movements wee much slower and heavier. Kamille shouted at Bellighul.
"If we manage to freeze it, it will take longer to recover and go back to normal!"
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 27, 2022 11:54:42 GMT -5
Bellighul was limited in his capabilities reagrding Ice, something he hoped to change in time. The lure of Cryomancy had slowly called to him in the night, but felt as if it was a second persona. He struggled with himself, his inner duality. Kamille had seen both sides of him recently. His ferocious and egotistical ways, along with his inner kindness and playfulness. Yet, in this instance, it was Bellighul, commander of undead and destroyer. He rushed forward as Kamille shouted through the swamp, the spread of ice upon the Ooze as Bellighul fired another Chromatic Blast, likewise a ray of Ice. However, be drew out his Spirit Guardian activating his Spirit Shoud. Magnifying the blast to be twice as powerful so long as it was within ten feet.
However, he had to be closer. His boots soaked to the knees as he crossed it with all his strength. The blast was blue-white, shards of ice spraying from the central beam. Frost engulfing the side of the massive Ooze and driving it back towards a large pit. Kamille's attack was still working and his own further slowed the monstrosity down.
But it was not weak enough to be struck without repaying.
A pseudopod struck out from its lowest point, rising from the cover of the pond. His Spirit Guardian hastened and shielded the Necromancer as the large acidic form rose and struck it. However, the force of it carried Bellighul upwards, his Guardian dissipating from the impact. It had spared his life. Yet, would not spare him the fall.
The Necromancer fell some fifteen feet, crashing into the shallow pond. A branch, once hidden, shot a limb through his shoulder and projected outwards in a spray of blood. The acrid water, turning darker.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 28, 2022 8:54:39 GMT -5
It was working! It was-
"Bellighul!"
The Elder Ooze was not done with them yet, and while Kamille was preparing another spell, she saw the beast strike the Necromancer. The Witch couldn’t be sure how much damage the Lord of Ghouls actually took, but she saw him flying back and landing on the ground and remain still for a moment. Her heart sank and blood fled her face, the sudden lightheadedness threatening to disrupt her focus.
Bellighul, she thought as the feeling of a cold hand squeezing her heart pressed at her chest.
Once again, her Massive Fireball was turned into a giant ball of ice instead, revolving and twisting with cold air and ice spikes. With more urgency than before, she released the icy spell upon the Elder Ooze, and that seemed to be enough: the once wriggling, aggressive and massive ooze stopped moving, the combined forces of their spells turning it into a huge ball of frozen glob as the ice spread all over the surface.
But Kamille barely had time to register how effective her spell was: once it was released, she abandoned her cover and ran for the Necromancer.
"Bellighul! Bellighul, are you okay?"
Her voice was shaking, her smooth elven features twisted into an expression of worry and fear, pale, with tears gathering at her eyes.
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 28, 2022 13:29:00 GMT -5
Her words rang in his ears lightly, though he conciousness faded in and out. Vision blurred and his chest heavy. He couldn't breathe. He mustered whatever strength he possessed and lifted himself from the shallow pond. A large splash ejected upwards, as his body, once covered in acridic rancid water, now took in a deep breath. Water poured from his mouth, he coughed vigorously. However, a snapped limb, spike like and gnarled, hung in his shoulder. The pain was sharp, wincing, knowing well not to remove it without more aid. Blood loss was already beginning to become dire.
His vision still blurred, he heard Kamille's voice ring in his ears again. Looking quickly in all directions he saw her face, blurred but obvious. The giant ooze, several meters away, was still as a large hill. Covered in a layer of creeping frost. "I've been dead once, Exalted. I believe this is not the day I return to the grave." He said chuckling, though coughed vigorously after.
He attempted to rise but could not find his footing. Pressing his hands deep into the muck beneath the water he was able to roll over and onto the bank of the decaying leaf matter.
He looked to Kamille, eyes narrowed but with a slight smirk. "I believe I have had enough of Oozes for a lifetime. Perhaps, our next adventure does not include a gelatinous ball of acid?"
His nightmare steed, injured, limped over to his position, its skeletal face nuzzled his injured shoulder, using its strength to nudge him several times. Bellighul's arm reached up and over, petting Prospero about the crown of its head. "Another victory, dear friend." He spoke to Prospero softly, in attempts to ease it's worry for its dark master.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 28, 2022 17:59:04 GMT -5
His words didn't seem to do much to make her less worried. She didn't even check properly to see if the elder ooze was completely frozen and ran straight for Bellighul. Her blue eyes were wide and glossy with worry - she had taken care of worse wounds before, but still, to see Bellighul hurt like that hit her differently. He was there only because of her. He got hurt because she dragged him along through that maddness.
"Bellighul... I'm gonna need to take this piece of wood off... It will hurt, and it will bleed. I will stop the bleeding, but it will hurt a lot... Please, hold on."
She had done it before, more than once. She had tended to wounds worse than that - but that felt harder now than before. For a moment, Kamille made Prospero take one step back, just to give her some more space. She positioned herself behind Bellighul while keeping him sitting straight.
"Keep breathing... Do you know a poem? Recite me a poem, I want to hear it. Try not to move... Hold on..."
The poem was to hopefully keep him focused in something else and keep talking, so she could know if he was about to loose consciousness. The trunk was larger than an arrow, and probably wouldn't come out with one pull. Kamille took out from her satchel a small flask with a dark green, thick liquid. Without much ceremony, she tore Bellighul's shirt just a bit, just so she could pour the strange liquid at the edges of his wound, both from the front and in his back. The liquid seemed to numb a bit his skin, but its effects were only superficial. Still, when she grabbed the stick, Bellighul would feel a sharp, irradiating pain as she slowly pulled it out, every second of it being more painful than being impalled to begin with. And, when she was half way through it and she realized he started to bleed more heavily, Kamille held her breath and made one, big pull. Sometimes, the sheer pain wound be enough to make someone faint - even more coupled with the blood loss. But alas, after a bit of wiggling and a big pull, it was out - and then blood flew.
With more than a hint of urgency, she pressed one hand on his back, directly on the wound, and the other on his chest, the same way. First, it would seem as if she was trying to stop the bleeding merely by pressing on it, but the truth became apparent soon: her touch became hot, as a contained flame pressed against his skin, burning it in an agonizing moment. The blood would stop flowing eventually, but only after too much pain and distress, his wound cauterized over the course of a minute or two that felt like hours in hell.
"Bellighul, are you with me? Stay with me, please..."
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 30, 2022 11:55:54 GMT -5
"A soldier's skull, A weaver's loom, a galleon's hull, a hero's tomb, all these things, fortune brings..."
Bellighul recited the lines slowly, propping himself upwards so Kamille could begin removing the branch, he breath beginning to labor. Muscles on fire. Bone, scraped. Digging his heels into the soil, attempting to remain still. Hands clawing at the ground around him as he spoke loudly, between clenched teeth as the final tear sounded and blood poured from the wound. He did not faint. Though, his sight began to leave him. Iron willed as he was, he spoke again.
"I'm here Exalted. Worse wounds have befell me..." Just then, he could not contain the scream. The sound of his skin sizzling in the swamp easily muffled. He lost consciousness for what seemed like forever, in reality for a mere number of seconds. He awoke to Kamille's voice again, his shoulder burning horribly. Surely, a scar to remember.
The Lord of Ghouls could not find the strength to rise upwards, content on the soft litter.
"Perhaps, you have another potion, Kamille?" He said coyly. Ever ready to curb any sense of weakness.
It was then, finally, the scholars began to march through the swampland, calling out to the pair of mages. They had followed them on horseback, but maintained distance from the inevitable conflict.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 30, 2022 12:18:01 GMT -5
Kamille was focused on her job of healing. She had always liked the task, had the stomach for it, but never had the healing magic - so she had to resort to other, more conventional methods for healing.
Painful ones.
The Necromancer's scream still ringed in her ears, and her vision was clouded by unshed tears she didn't even realize she had. She seemed to realize he was fainting and kept calling out, already pulling out a healing potion. She needed to close the wound first by cauterizing it before offering the potion, or else he could have died of bloodloss first. When he woke up again, mere seconds before, his head was lying in something soft and warm.
With a hint of nervousness, she chuckled at his comment, with the potion already at hand. It would soon become evident she was craddling his head on her lap, taking one hand to his scruff to gently raise his head so he could drink the healing potion she offered with the other. Kamille barely acknowledged the presence of the scholars that were finally approaching, dedicating all her attention to the Lord of Ghouls.
While the Major Healing Potion would work its wonders and restore his wounds over the course of the next few minutes, she knew the bloodloss would have him weakened for a moment.
"You are mad...... Warn me first, next time you decide to pull something like this...."
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Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Oct 30, 2022 15:05:24 GMT -5
"I'll keep that in mind Kamille...but how will I be the 'kinight in shining armor' if I am cautious?" He snickered, a small trail of blood escaped his lips. Yet, the Major Healing Potion had already begun to work. He stared upwards at her, locking eyes. His recklessness equaled her inquisitiveness. Often, Bellighul behaved more like a warrior than a sorcerer. His background amongst the nomadic horse peoples of Zeinav ran strong in his veins. He was honor bound and fearless. Placing Kamille into a constant position to tend to his wounds. Though she anchored him, her eyes were the calming sort and made him think of more than himself.
Her lap was a fine resting place, his wound shrinking quickly, the blood loss and mind numbing pain subsiding. Though, as his lips parted to say something, the scholars had arrived.
"Wonderful! Simply wonderful!" An older voice sounded. Robes drenched in disgusting water and soil. He marched towards the frozen ooze quickly, not saying anything to the two mages who allowed such an experience.
However, his grandson, a fellow Kamille had healed not long ago and approached quickly. A smile upon his face and excitement, nearly jumping about and laughing.
Bellighul, now sitting down, covered in dirt, blood and acid tattered robes murmurred. "I suppose a 'good job' is about to be said...'thank you for nearly dying'" He whispered loud enough for Kamille to hear but out of range for the researcher.
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Post by Lady Kamille Verlithax on Oct 30, 2022 17:19:30 GMT -5
The young man approached, seemingly barely aware of their struggle to keep from dying. Yet, despite all the hardships, Kamille found they got to resolve the issue quite quickly - certainly the two mages had enough tricks up their sleeves to solve a lot of problems on their own. Once again Kamille gave out a nervous chuckle as Bellighul mentioned being a "knight in shining armor".
Kamille seemed about to answer when the young man approached and ruined the moment.
"Ah! You did a wonderful job here! This will certainly allow for us to study it! Of course, ice! Its metabolism will be slowed down for days now, depending on how much time the magical ice lasts... we can even cut it down into pieces to get samples...."
He went on to rant for a moment about their methods, but Kamille seemed to have enough. She rose from her position once Bellighul had taken all of the healing potion and had sat up. What hardships Bellighul went through, it was so she wouldn't need to go through herself; so while he was covered in muck, blood and ooze, she was not. Kamille tried to help him up, taking care of not pulling him up from his wounded arm.
The young man was still watching them closely, and now he offered them a letter.
"My grandfather wrote this. He said you can take it to Lloyd, I know you're a friend of his. He described how you to helped us and signed it, vouching for you two. Grandpa said Lloyd keeps some interesting stuff hidden from people he doesn't trust. We are hoping this is enough of a reward for helping us."
Kamille seemed only slightly interested in that, but she politely thanked the young man and took the envelope, putting it away in her satchel. The young man hesitated a moment, looking at Kamille first, and then at Bellighul, before taking his leave. The Witch sighed, once again turning to the Necromancer. With much care, as to not cause him pain, she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer into a hug, planting a soft, gentle kiss on his cheek.
"Knight in shining armor indeed.... Let us find a place to rest now... We deserve it..."
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