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Post by Vikram on Feb 9, 2023 5:10:15 GMT -5
The hand grasps the cleric that had attempted to save Vikrams life. It's golden sheen slowly dissipating to a freshly replaced appendage. Collar firmly in grasp, Vikram uses the last of his energy to throw the cleric back towards the door.
"Run..." Is all that can be muttered as he collapses back, pulses of radiance beginning to seep from his body faster and faster. A large beam of light explodes from his chest, up all the way to the steeple of the temple. Refracting against the scattered prisms of glass and crystal, the radiance explodes in a cavalcade of brilliant light, shining the temple like a lighthouse in the cold morning mists. An auralike barrier begins to descend from the crest of its spire, slowly encapsulating the entire building in a soft yellow glow. Several Golden Army guardsmen evacuate before the area gets sealed off, including Father Lucien, But several guards and civilians alike become trapped inside. The banging on the golden wall elicits small pulses of light from both sides, but little headway is made to crack the barrier. The night sky coalesces to form a sort of beacon, seen from all across the city, a signal of trouble to come.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 9, 2023 15:56:43 GMT -5
The scared body of the cleric crashes into a few of the guards, toppling them over. Leandros grits his teeth to redraw his halberd, holding it out at Vikram or what was once Vikram again. "Go, get back to the streets. Set up a perimeter and keep the area safe. Alert the Martial Academy and see if they or the guild can send anyone to help!"
Guards nervously look between each other as the lion roars out his orders, seeing the sigil on his cape they recognize he is a noble. Still scared, the orders are followed as footsteps start to fade away and the distant rabble of crowd control can be heard.
The light scatters along the broken glass between them as the only sound in the temple now is their bated breaths. Those who were unable to leave huddle in the corner, hoping and praying to Solaria that they would be saved.
Cautiously, Leandros circled a bit to put the civilians at his back to hopefully keep whatever is happpening from reaching them.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Feb 10, 2023 18:24:47 GMT -5
Few and far between are Astrid's visits to Sol City. She's gotten in trouble with the guards enough times to steer clear of the place most of the time. When she needs to visit the Martial Academy and find missions for the Fighter's Guild, she makes exceptions and keeps as low of a profile as a half-dwarf child mercenary with a hellhound can.
Hearing a chorus of heavy, armored footfalls approaching quickly from behind, she spins around, hands half raised in preparation for being reprimanded by guards. To her surprise, they continue past her though offer curious glances. They're in a hurry, and when guards are in a hurry, it means there's trouble.
"What's goin' on?" she asks after them, turning to keep pace.
"There's trouble at the Temple!" one of them shouts. "A madman with powerful magic has gone rogue! Stay clear of the area! We're off to seek backup from the guild!"
"I'm from the guild!" Astrid declares. "Point me ta the temple!"
"Kid, no, go t-"
"I'll find it meself!" With that, Astrid darts off with Spicy Pawsage in tow.
Running as fast as her little legs can carry her, Astrid arrives at the temple just as a brilliant blast of light erupts inside. The guards try to stop her, but a well-angled cast of her dashing spell puts her over their heads, skidding to a stop on the ground behind them. She pulls on her goggles and bursts into the doors, looking around for the source of the trouble and sees Leandros with his halberd ready for Vikram.
Wait...
"Vikram!" Astrid shouts. She jumps into action on assumptions. Vikram is a friend, and if there's trouble, he must be fighting this other knight! "Get back!" the girl shouts, her war hammer flying into her hand while she draws her battle hammer and charges Leandros.
Sun Sparked Goggles (immunity to blinded) Bullet Dash
Pets: Spicy Pawsage (Dreadsnout flavored as a hellhound)
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Post by Vikram on Feb 11, 2023 17:33:22 GMT -5
The warrior charges the knight, an unexpected turn. The entity within him reels at the divisive nature of misinformed conflict. As the light tapers off, Vikram's eyes slowly blink open. He sits up, the knight before him squaring off...and...Astrid? No, what was she doing here, this was terrible.
"Astrid! No!" He shouts, scrambling to get to his feet. His strength was sapped, and he could feel the presence gnawing at his consciousness. It would not be long, until... no. He had a chance to prevent his friend from making a mistake. It would have to be quick. The moisture from the air gathered in his right hand, forming a small icicle axe, as his other hand grasped the shredded silk adorning his shoulder. The last thing he remembered was the slice from the knight, and yet, he was fine. Weakly, he tossed the axe at the ground between the knight and the warrior, creating an icy patch to hopefully throw her off balance. He would hate that the last thing he saw her do was get in trouble with the law once more. And that was it, A last act of defiance threw his internal moral compass askew, that was all it took. He fell once more, face first, unconscious.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 11, 2023 20:36:17 GMT -5
Leandros is about to speak and stop the young woman, but whatever vestige of Vikram is left in there interjects between them. He looked past her seeing Vikram slumping and falling over. He immediately collects himself from his stance and pulls the halberd back.
"Your fight isn't with me." Leandros seems to disregard the fact that she had just been charging him. The chaos of battle and the situation at hand were certainly a lot for everyone and she didn't have the full extent of what was going on.
The knight comes around the axe, carefully stepping over the ice, and approaching Vikram. He kneels down to look over the man, flipping him onto his back to keep his airways free.
"Something has over taken your friend. Look at the destruction happening in this temple....There hasn't been much that has been able to get through to him and break this madness, but a trusted friend's voice might help. Can you find out what's started to trouble him?"
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Feb 14, 2023 21:40:52 GMT -5
When the axe creates a pocket of ice between her and Leandros, Astrid looks over at Vikram only to see him collapse. "Vikram!" she shouts. Leandros doesn't seem interested in fighting. Something's going on here. The half-dwarf immediately rushes over to check on Vikram with Leandros close behind.
"Vikram? Vikram??" she calls, worrying over him. He looks like he's been in a fight. So does Leandros. "What's happening?" she asks, looking at Leandros as he turns Vikram over, and the man explains as much as he knows. Something has taken him over? Caused all this destruction? "H-He's a bit of a showboater, but he wouldn't have done alla this," she says.
The last time Astrid saw Vikram, they had just finished an excruciating fight in the pits, and something happened to him then too. And he mentioned...
Astrid's face pales as she recalls one of the last things the turbaned adventurer said to her.
"Astrid. If you...see me not quite myself. More magician than man, I need you to find a man named Zarius and bring him to me. Worry not about it for now, just...a thought."
How could she not have worried about that!? Zarius isn't here, it's just her and this other guy, and something is definitely wrong. With Vikram turned over, Astrid notices the golden light starting to seep from his wounds and orifices. Is this magic what he was worried about? It has to stop!
"Vikram, wake up an' explain what's goin' on!" Astrid grabs the Seeker and gives him a little jolt with her lightning, just enough to shock his system in hopes that it will bring him back to consciousness. The golden light thrashes out at her, and something within the halfie suddenly lashes out in response. It's as if the magic controlling Vikram suddenly vanishes or rather... is consumed. There's no telling what happened to it, and Astrid doesn't even realize she's done anything.
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Post by Vikram on Feb 15, 2023 11:00:12 GMT -5
Air flows in as a gasp brings him back to reality. A shock? Astrid? When did she get here? What's more, his headache was gone. The girl sat nearby, looking as though she had seen a ghost. He sat up on his elbows, the clarity hitting him all at once. It was gone! Thank the heavens, Insollah! Wait... Sol was gone as well. The barrier outside flickered slightly as he came to his senses. "Is...Is it over? Have you defeated it? Astrid...What are you doing here? No matter... I must apologize, to the both of you. The clarity of mind I am granted in this moment, has not been present for some time now. I must thank whatever the cause is a million times over. There was...I fail to find the words to describe it outside of a "Presence" within me. It reached at the edge of my consciousness and peeled back the layers of control over my own self. A million praises to the both of you, for having saved me."
Exhaustion was the first thing to catch up with him. The glow from his wounds slowly flickered away as the magic within him was absorbed by some outside force. The energy exerted over the last few days without sleep and constant wariness was eatting at his decorum. Tears welled up within his eyes, slowly trickling down his face as he sobbed quietly. "I...have never been as afraid of anything. I would rather die than be subject to it's whims once more."
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 15, 2023 18:58:23 GMT -5
Although he isn't quite sure what had just happened with Astrid, he is relieved to see that Vikram has seemingly come back to his senses. Leandros offers the man a hand to help him sit up just a little bit, watching over how he seems.
"We are both just glad you're well, regardless of the circumstances under which we met, I did not wish to harm you, but something strange had happened to you....I would still like to have some healers look at you...both for your injuries and just to make sure nothing is lingering."
He offers a gentle smile over to Astrid, "We can handle introductions once your friend is well, but your arrival is well-timed. Thank you." Leandros would stand and offer to help Vikram to his feet if The Seeker felt well enough to travel.
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Feb 15, 2023 23:16:38 GMT -5
It's a great relief to see Vikram coming back to his senses. Astrid lets out a sigh, but the man seems so exhausted. Whatever's been affecting him has taken a heavy toll.
"What's this thin' affectin' ya?" she asks, looking him over. "It... It seems like the same magic from the fightin' pits. Ain't that yer magic?" As far as she knows, Vikram's always had some kind of golden magic, something she assumed has been granted to him as a gift of Solaria, similar to how Cantio's light magic is golden in color. Is this something different?
Leandros catches her attention, and she gives him a little nod. "Aye, fer now, I'm Astrid," she says before looking at Vikram again. Something tells her this respite won't last forever.
Vikram's tears and next words cause her stomach to drop. It's a deep fear, one she hasn't felt since the last time he was so grievously injured in her presence. "W-Wha? Y-Ya'd rather die?" she stammers. "N-No, that's probably not- We can help ya. We're already helpin' ya."
She doesn't know that the power holding the heavenly magic back won't last forever
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Post by Vikram on Feb 16, 2023 1:26:10 GMT -5
"No, never entirely mine. It was more something that crept its way into my life like a marionette slowly being strung by the limbs. It feels as though the strings have been severed for now, the relief is incredible" He expressed, gathering himself a bit as he wiped away the few tears that remained. He grabbed Leandros's hand and pulled to his feet with a grunt. He bent over to collect his sword from the discarded hand laden with rings and jewels. Using it as a sort of walking stick, he found his bearings whilst holding onto the two for support. For whatever reason, it seemed as though he still was unable to catch his breath. They walked to the entrance of the cathedral, deep gouges pitting the doorway and walls nearby. The golden barrier still stood strong, the guards attempting to to beat it down having made little progress.
"Sir Aurthurian, Is the situation contained?" The Guard captain asks from outside, his voice slightly muffled. "We've made no headway in finding a way to break in, are you all alright?" The barrier flickered once more, getting brighter and brighter with each pulse. Vikrams breath quickened as he began trembling in the knights arms.
"No...No no no! It's coming back, I can feel it! Dont let it take me, Dont let it take me please." Ripping himself from the support of the armoured warriors, and stumbling back within the temple. Grasping his eyes, the light could be seen bleeding through his fingers as he screamed. "End it! I dont want to go back! END IT, KILL ME PLEASE I BEG OF YOU" He shouts at the pair as the few civilians left inside the temple cower behind the altar.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 16, 2023 6:53:30 GMT -5
"It seems as though things are calming down....when the barrier drops, attend to the civilians in here, we can take him to a proper healer." Leandros turns to start leading Vikram off when the man pulls away, the fear taking him over again.
How is this happening again? His madness seemed cured, why is it back so soon?
"Hold on to yourself Vikram, whatever this is fight it. You're far too clever a man to go out like this!" It was a desperate and ultimately futile attempt to encourage the Seeker to try and will his way through whatever was happening.
Part of Leandros knew they really didn't have any other options beyond ending him, but the naive and hopeful part of him wanted Vikram to pull through, wanted to avoid taking a life if at all possible. This was a no win situation, there was no good solution to the current predicament. He checks on Astrid with a side glance, she seems young and friendly with the man. Did she have any other last ditch ideas?
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Feb 18, 2023 2:02:25 GMT -5
Astrid gets back to her feet, worry still on her face mixed with relief. To hear that Vikram has been struggling with some outside force for so long… It sounds miserable. How has he managed all this time holding it back? Now that it’s taking him over… Astrid feels the dull buzz of unfamiliar magic in her fingertips. Will this last long enough for Vikram to get help?
Seeing the man struggling to walk, she hurries over and slips herself under his arm and helps him walk toward the doorway. If anything, they should get him to a doctor or at least out of the city in case something happens again. The barrier never does fully fall, merely flickering in and out of existence ahead of them. That makes her worry, but she’ll hold him up as long as she needs to.
Then Astrid notices the barrier getting brighter and more opaque ahead of them. Vikram’s breathing quickens, and he pulls away, stumbling and holding his eyes.
“Vikram?? Vikram, what’s happenin’?! We wanna help!”
The magic is coming back. It pours from his eyes, and the dull buzzing in Astrid’s fingertips fades. The moment it does, the severed connection between this entity and Vikram snaps back together, and the man screams desperately to be put out of his misery. No! They have to do somethi-
As Astrid reaches out for him, a violent pulse of golden magic erupts from Vikram and sends her flying back across the room. Her ears ring, and she’s dazed from the impact. Her double vision sees the old man clutching his face and retching in agony. Is there anything they can do to save him??
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Post by Vikram on Feb 18, 2023 16:55:36 GMT -5
The light erupted from his body like water rushing from a cracked pot. It’s essence like a beacon in the dim glow of the barrier outside. It poured from almost every inch of his body through his eyes, mouth, and seams of his skin. The sheer energy emanating from his body threw the young warrior across the room as he grasped his face in searing pain. The screams echoed throughout the hall from the man suddenly stopped as his body went limp, still standing. A moment passed, small twitches from his limbs and head gave an eerie feeling until the light from the barrier rebounded back towards the center of the room. Fully illuminating the man in a pillar of light, Golden wings peeled themselves from his back, shredding the top robes of his Sukh and revealing his chest and a golden tattoo of crossed scimitar now glowing on his sternum. The wings undulated slowly, bringing Vikram ten feet in the air, still limp like a puppet being raised on only a string. A deep voice filled with odd reverberations that were only amplified by the surrounding temple slowly became apparent. Not necessarily directed at any one person in particular, but more of an address to all present. “Your judgement has come. Despite your trials and tribulations, your failures to uphold the ideals of those above wear you like a crown. Punishment for your crimes is forthright. I am sorry.” With little hesitation after the end of his statement, the wings of the angel spread wide. Vikram Held his sword out to the side, and began to swoop low directly towards Leandros, aiming to kill. Angelic Light: Double Damage to Evil Beacon of Light: Wings (1/3) Holy Avenger: Light Damage Scimitar: Silvered, Magic Blocker
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 18, 2023 21:05:37 GMT -5
Leandros does have to shield his eyes as the first burst of lights start to pour out from Vikram. Whatever was happening now was beyond what any healer could do. As much as it did pain the knight, killing was never a good solution to any problem, Leandros knew it had become the only option.
"Astrid!" He calls as the half-dwarf is suddently thrust backwards, his attention quickly snapping back to whatever this being was. A hard and serious expression took over his face as it leveled its accusation.
"A creature that puppets another for its own vain desires has no right to speak to us about judgement and failures." As Leandros speaks some of the light starts to gather around his armor as well, seemingly covering him in even more armor but this set radiant like justice manifested.[1]
Leandros once again spins his halberd in hand was the being swings low, the flurry of the blade easily sending Vikram's aside.[2] Quickly following up the parry, Leandros would keep the momentum going and try to swing the axeblade into the man's back as he is pushed to the side.
1. Spirit Shroud 2. Shifting Block
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Post by Lady Astrid Stormstone on Feb 19, 2023 20:39:36 GMT -5
Things are so bright. Leandros and Vikram seem like blurred shadows in the light. Astrid grimaces and fixes her goggles over her eyes again as she gets to her knees. With the world tinged in red, the shining beacon that is Vikram is something easier to look at. She watches in horror as his limp body is lifted then puppeteered and steered to attack the knight! This can't happen. What are they supposed to do??
Leaning on her hammers, Astrid gets to her feet, and the magic of her armor starts taking effect, giving her an afterimage. Maybe two heads are better than one! Maybe they can hold Vikram down and bring him back to his senses! Astrid manifests magic within her and snaps her fingers, summoning forth a perfect copy of herself. The two of them look at one another, nod, then charge toward the fray.
"Whatever you are," Astrid shouts, "let go of me friend! His body don't belong ta you!!" She and her replicant both throw themselves at Vikram as Leandros pushes the man off-kilter, each of them attempting to grab Vikram's feet and drag him down to the ground by force with their brute strength.
Sun Sparked Goggles - immunity to blinding effects Diplopia Armor - creates after images, making it difficult to target the wearer Replicant - duplicate! Bull's Strength
Weapons: War hammer - spellblade bond (weightless, electrified, returning), pale ice, heavy Battle hammer - silvered, ice rune, weapon tether
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