Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Crescent Isles
634 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Shitakibo on Jul 7, 2023 0:04:55 GMT -5
Taki busied herself tending to her home, fixing the odds and ends that needed maintenance. As she was setting the last of the shutters for the windows on one building into place, she heard the sounds of hoofbeats approaching from the road to the harbor town nearby. After putting her tools away and wiping off with a damp rag, she headed towards the gate to meet whoever was approaching.
"Welcome traveler, how may I help you this fine day?"
"You are Shitakibo yes?"
"I am."
"My mentor needs your help, he is a mage and artisan in Darkveil who was working on a unique spell that has gone awry."
"What kind of spell?"
"One that could make art come to life in a fashion, but there was a mishap in it's casting and he was drawn into the painting he was working on. Now he's trapped, hunted by a pair of Minotaurs that were the subject of the painting."
"Very well, I shall make myself ready and leave for Darkveil. Feel free to take a rest with your steed in the guest house by the stables."
"Thank you, there will be another when you reach the studio."
The messenger produced a map of Darkveil City, one building marked with an X. She gathered her things, sent Rina to have Hanehiko make ready and went inside to have a quick snack and gather her gear. Once ready, she saddled the Celestial Manta before checking on the messenger. Once she was sure they were fine, she instructed the others to keep watch on the place and see the young apprentice off safely.
Leaping onto the saddle, Hanehiko took flight with great sweeps of her wide glittering fins and they headed out over the seas towards the Ashlands. Hours later, they arrived in Darkveil City just as the sun was starting to set. She tucked the reigns into the saddle and gave Hanehiko a pat before heading towards the gate, instructing the manta to stay close to the city and not bother anyone. Walking into town, it took her a moment to orient the map before finding her way to the studio in question. Someone she'd not met before stood beside the doorway as she was walking up.
"Well met stranger, are you also here to investigate the painting mishap?"
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
27
Renown
Half Sylvan/Half Human (With a tail)
40 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Yuki Sakoda on Jul 8, 2023 9:15:13 GMT -5
As Taki arrived to the studio, a half sylvan/half elf was standing beside the door way, leaning back against the outside wall with one foot propped up behind her. She had long black hair with dark blue curly tips and friendly blue eyes as she smiled at the person who greeted her. She had her arms crossed under her generous breasts as she wore a revealing white tube top that also showed off her rock-hard abs. She also wore a pair of blue shorts, but that was barely noticeable with the oversized grey coat that was tied around her waist. She also wore a pair of black calf-high boots. In one hand was a long cigarette holder with a cigarette at the end of it that she tapped with her index finger to let some ash fall to the ground before uncrossing her arms and pushing herself from against the wall. The last thing to note was her long fluffy tail that was resting in place behind her on the wall, now started to sway back and forth as someone got her attention.
"Greetings! Yes, I came here as quick as I could, but I heard more were possibly on the way, so I just waited outside in the meantime. I'm Yuki." She greeted with a polite wave or extended her free hand, depending on the vibe she got as she then raised her eyebrows up a little. "This will be interesting to see for ourselves. I doubt I could solve how to get this person out, unless it involves having to enter the painting ourself and fight off the pair of minotaur that are haunting this individual, but that's just me jumping to conclusions." She lightly chuckled as she took one long drag from her cigarette holder before pulling it from her lips and exhaling the smoke into the air as she pulled the cigarette apart from the holder and smothered the cigarette out under her boot and put the holder away in one of the side pockets of the coat tied around her waist as she then gestured to the door. "Shall we go in and investigate?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Crescent Isles
634 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Shitakibo on Jul 9, 2023 0:31:51 GMT -5
"Shitakibo, or Taki if you prefer. I imagine, based on what was described to me, that will indeed be the case... we'll have to go into this painting, upend the beasts or distract them in some way, and rescue our mysterious artist." She wasnt' quite sure what to think of this particular person, though the smell of burning tobacco made her nostrils curl a bit but she tried not to let it show. The young elf seemed eager, but Taki pondered just how much experience they might have as an adventurer.
"Let's begin." She said politely, pulling a key from her pack and opening the door. Once Yuki was inside, she locked it back and placed the key in a drawer full of other various implements as the messenger had asked. Hopefully the man would be back before their journey ended, though if they were successful it wouldn't matter too much as the proprietor would be free of their mishap. She took a look around, noting the various easles, stands and art supplies strewn about. The studio had a large set of windows to one side, with heavy curtains and other various lights strewn about in what seemed to be no order at all. On the walls near above the cabinets were works of art of various subjects, though all were clearly created by the same person. She walked about, her footfalls silent on the well made wooden floors. In a corner of the open area was a chair, a set brushes and other painting tools and jars of paints. On the easle across from the chair was the painting in question... She watched it carefully, the sillouettes of minotaurs in a forest of some kind moved about... what sort of magics could have done this...
"Yuki, it's back here... and somewhat unsettling." She said, doing her best to try to understand what the spell had done to the painting, and it's artist.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
27
Renown
Half Sylvan/Half Human (With a tail)
40 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Yuki Sakoda on Jul 9, 2023 9:08:57 GMT -5
As they entered, Yuki went walking in the other direction, figuring splitting up to investigate wasn't a bad idea seeing how there were no other occupants present. While the one half of the room had all sorts of arts and easels scattered aside, the other half of the room was nice and organized. While there was no windows on Yuki's half of the room, the walls were torchlit and there were book cases a safe distance away. On her corner of the room, there was a desk with a open book that Yuki strutted over to take a look at. She was able to deduce that the writing must have been from the artist as there was a drawing in the book as well.
In the book at first appeared to be some mad ramblings, but then she was able to make out that it wasn't just random words, this was verbal components needed to cast a spell. She then heard Taki call out her name as she picked up the book and walked over towards Taki. "I believe I found the spell needed to enter the painting. It's best we take this with us in case we need it to get out." She then stared at the painting and could see the silhouette's of the minotaur's moving as she appeared awestruck. "How often do you get to see something like this." She whispered, but then smirked. "I see how our artist has managed to keep hidden. Do you see him? Apparently he's got a few tricks up his sleeve." She mentioned as she pointed up one of the extended branches on one of the trees and at first glance it appeared like nothing was there, but then there was some outlines that didn't look like they belonged as the artist knew some other spells and apparently was able to camouflage himself. "I was only able to notice that because I seen movement as if something was breathing there." She then looked over at Taki, "So do you have any experience fighting minotaurs?"
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Crescent Isles
634 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Shitakibo on Jul 9, 2023 18:35:38 GMT -5
"Not Minotaurs directly, but I've tussled with things of roughly the same build and shape. I can say that our best bet would be keeping out of their reach and taking care to avoid any charging attacks. Much like dealing with an angry bull, though much smarter and with fists as well as horns." She responded, taking a closer look at what the young lass was pointing out about the painting and spell as she did. The spell was an unusual design and she agreed with Yuki they would probably need it to get back out.
Walking over to the painting, she did her best to steady herself. It wouldn't be terribly difficult to adapt her own magic to the spell, though it might take her a few tries to get it to work. Trying to envision the spell's intented effect would be a challenge, as the idea it represented was far outside her own creativity. Pondering the function also drew a new curiosity to her mind. What disciplines did Yuki subscribe to? Was she a magically inclined individual or a martial one? Perhaps a mix of both, or a focus on utilitarian abilities and supporting others in some way. There was only one way to find out.
"Yuki, do you have the talent with magic to cast this spell? I'm fairly sure I would have to go through a good bit of trial and error to adapt it to my own understanding, but I'm happy to defer if this makes sense to you."
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
27
Renown
Half Sylvan/Half Human (With a tail)
40 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Yuki Sakoda on Jul 15, 2023 8:03:59 GMT -5
"Ok, that was the impression I was getting, maybe we can lure one into colliding into a tree, the big ones look sturdy enough?" She questioned as she looked towards the painting as the pair of minotaur continued to patrol. She then looked over to Taki as the female shaman asked about her being able to cast the spell that would put them in the painting. "I've only got a little bit of experience in the air domain, so I'm not sure if I could cast this properly, however let me look it over." She mentioned as she was close to the painting and her back was turned to it as she looked down at the book and started to go back and forward with the pages, skimming it over.
As she was reading the pages suddenly one of the Minotaur's came from the side of the painting with the painting now looking like just a upper body only piece of art as the Minotaur twisted to look towards the whoever would view this piece of art. It appeared to look like it realized there was a rift between this painting world and the world Yuki and Taki exist in as suddenly it shot it's arms forward, which suddenly escaped from the painting as it's big hands ended up grasping Yuki by the sides as she looked up with a gasp of alarm as her tail straightened out behind her in shock. She then felt the Minotaur start to pull her towards the painting as Yuki with her free hand that wasn't holding the book, reached out of reflex to grasp Taki by the forearm as with a fierce pull they were both yanked into the painting now.
Once inside the forest like settings the Minotaur immediately flung Yuki to the side causing her to go flying a few feet as she dropped to the ground with a pained grunt and rolled with the momentum until she was able to get her feet back underneath her as the book was now out of her hands in between the minotaur and herself. She rose up with her fists clenched as she grimaced a little. "Ugh! I guess that solves getting in." She mentioned as the Minotaur that originally flung Yuki aside now glared over at Taki, who was now the closest target while Yuki looked over in the direction of the second Minotaur.
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Crescent Isles
634 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Shitakibo on Jul 24, 2023 16:58:04 GMT -5
Feeling a grip on her arm, Taki only had a brief moment to process what was happening before she and Yuki were dragged into the painting. She rolled as she was flung off by the force of the minotaur's throw, coming up with a huff as she skid to a stop. Without hesitation, she summoned Keta and Ryu, her spirit guardians manifesting near both herself and Yuki. Close enough to the minotaur that had pulled the pair in, it was enveloped in the debilitating aura of the Guardian and seemed to slow to a crawl. The monstrous creature still swung it's weapon, a heavy greataxe that showed signs of vicious battle. Taki sidestepped the strike, Ryu moving with her as they slid around to it's flank.
The minotaur released it's grip on the haft of it's axe, then tossed a wide sweeping kick low. Had it not been slowed and weakened by the Guardian aura, the attack could have easily caught the shaman off guard. As it was, she still had to rely on all her reflex and movement training to spring over the sweeping kick. Ryu just barely managed to throw themselves to the ground, slithering under the attack by a narrow margin. As the pair prepared for the next attack, Taki summoned a pair of glowing Flame Sprites.
Each one wasted no time, targeting the minotaur before her with lances of flame. The creature tried to throw itself out of the way, but the Guardian's aura empowered her magic. A sly grin crossed her features as the creature stumbled, sliding across the ground with a pair of scorch marks burned into it's fur.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
27
Renown
Half Sylvan/Half Human (With a tail)
40 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Yuki Sakoda on Oct 3, 2023 17:01:31 GMT -5
Meanwhile Yuki's minotaur was unarmed, but that didn't mean it was the weaker of the two. She noticed the Bull rush at her in an attempt to charge her and she was only able to just hop to the side in time to avoid being trampled as the Minotaur skid to a stop. As the bull's back was to her, she leapt up and planted both of her feet into the bull's back to cause it to stagger forward, lowering it's head down as it's horns got stuck in the thick tree in front of it as it started to push with it's hands against the tree as Yuki rose back up to her feet and snickered at the Minotaur's situation.
She then looked over at Taki's battle and was awestruck seeing the shaman's abilities in action, noticing the woman's guardians and summons working on whittling down their opponent and keeping guard of their summoner. She then turned back to see her Minotaur free itself and swing it's forearm towards her in one fluid swipe. Yuki brought her arms up in time but grunted out as the impact was enough to cause her to hop on her feet and skid back as she grunted in pain and shook her arms. "Pssh, I've fought tougher at the bars of Dragon's Cradle. Show me what you got." She taunted as she charged at the creature, she then closed her eyes for a brief moment and concentrated as she opened her eyes back up. She then leapt towards the creature and with a upward flow of wind that caused her hair and jacket tied around her waist to and the nearby bushes to flow as a gust of wind hit the area, her foot appeared to step on a burst of air as she pushed up even higher, going into a twist as she used her step of the wind to leap and twist herself around to land with her body pressing into the minotaur's upper back as her hands grabbed the bull by the horns as she began to ride this minotaur during her battle.
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Crescent Isles
634 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Shitakibo on Oct 9, 2023 22:14:00 GMT -5
As the mass of minotaur began to pull itself off the ground, Taki wasted no time in seizing the opportunity. With a gesture, a wide beam descended from the sky to press the beast back down into the ground, causing sharp cuts that quickly froze over. The frigid beam left a frozen statue of a beast behind, struggling to pull itself off the ground. With a sigh, Taki turned to check on Yuki and her endeavor to conquer her own foe.
The shaman nearly burst out with laughter at the sight of the young woman riding the minotaur. Shaking her head, she looked about to find their charge. Unsure where to look at first, Taki tried her best to consider where someone might try to hide. Reaching out with Geomagnetic Sense didn't help, since this place wasn't natural either. With a frustrated sigh, she decided it best to shift forms and take wing. Shifting forms into a Snow Owl, she took flight over the area and began to scan from the sky, keeping watch over the battle between Yuki and the second beast. As she was leaving the area, she instructed her guardians to support the lass. The pair quickly made their way over, keeping a distance that allowed their aura to debilitate the minotaur and buff it's impromptu rider.
|
|
Adventurer
IS OFFLINE
27
Renown
Half Sylvan/Half Human (With a tail)
40 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Yuki Sakoda on Oct 10, 2023 21:32:39 GMT -5
As Taki flew off to scan there area for the nearly invisible artist they were sent to rescue, Yuki still had her own battle she was dealing with. She tried to continue setting a record for Minotaur riding, but a sudden jerk of the Minotaur to the left forced Yuki to lose her balance as her body swung more towards one side of the Minotaur's body. This allows the Minotaur to curve it's arm back around the side of Yuki's body as it continued it's side jerk in the opposite direction now. This and the combination of swinging the arm that was now hooked around Yuki's body caused Yuki to yelp out as she now found herself pulled breasts to pecs with her opponent as it securely clamped it's other arm around Yuki's gorgeous figure as Yuki's hands now pressed against the Minotaur's shoulders.
"Ooof, hi, want to talk things over?" She asked before the Minotaur snorted and flexed it's powerful muscles, squeezing Yuki's body as Yuki looked like a doll that was one at a fair and being cuddled by an adult sized owner. Yuki's arms fell to her sides as she looked up into the air and groaned out in pain by the sharp squeeze as she shut her eyes tightly and gritted her teeth, tensing her body up trying to avoid her bones being crushed by the incredible pressure delivered by the hulking creature.
As things were looking grim for her she noticed the pressure eased up a little bit, opening her eyes she noticed Taki left some friends to help her out. The flame sprite's debilitating aura helping to weaken the creature as Yuki sweat from the proximity of the flame sprite, however it was a good heated feeling, as if relaxing in a sauna. She still wasn't in the clear, and if the Minotaur continued with it's bearhug, Yuki could still end up finding herself crushed to death.
It wasn't easy to move her limbs, with the tight grip of the minotaur causing Yuki's muscles to spasm as grunts and whimpers escaped from her lips. However she was determined not to let herself be defeated on this quest. Her twitching arms slowly rose up as she pinched her middle fingertip to touch the tip of her thumbs as she lifted her hands up to be level with the Minotaur's eyes. She then closed her eyes and grunted out a few words before she flicked her middle fingertips forward as if the opposite of snapping. She she did a gust of air blew Yuki's hair back briefly as a burst of wind shot out from her middle fingertips, a puff of air the size of bullets bursting from her fingertips and burrowing directly into the minotaur's eyes as a burst of fur from the back of it's head exploded outward. The minotaur immediately released Yuki, who dropped to her knees hugging her own ribs as the Minotaur collapsed backward to the ground, dead from a pair of air bullets entering the eyes exiting through the brain. Yuki then rose to her feet and looked to the flame sprite. "Thank you friends." She mentioned, letting out a relieved breath as she looked around for Taki, but then noticed the book she brought in as she jogged over to it to pick it up and straightened some pages out and wipe off the book in case they needed it.
|
|
Mage's Guild
IS OFFLINE
28
Renown
Crescent Isles
634 POSTS & 0 LIKES
|
Post by Shitakibo on Oct 11, 2023 17:31:02 GMT -5
Her Guardians each nodded their own thanks, then returned to Taki shortly afterwards. She was scanning the surroundings when she noticed a crack in the rock, a bit bigger than a person but too small for a minotaur to squeeze into. She banked into a wide spiral and descended to the ground, hoping Yuki would notice. Landing on the edge of the chasm, she shifted back to her normal form and started scaling down into the darkness. As she picked her path down, she left Lights illuminating the path she'd taken. A few minutes down and she spotted the frayed end of an old rope on the opposite side, then hopped across the opening to inspect it. It had broken, and recently, due to something heavy coming to a sudden stop.
She sighed, knowing it could mean their charge was gravely injured or worse. Instead of picking a careful descent, she chose haste. Sticking a Light to the wall, she decided to borrow a technique she'd observed certain mountain animals using to overcome similar terrain. She hopped back across the chasm, letting herself fall quite a distance before catching on the cliff face. She left a Light each time, before turning and making another leap. Five jumps later and she reached the bottom of the cavern. She had to be almost a hundred feet down, staring up at a jagged crack in the rock and earth lit by tiny motes of Light.
This was no time to admire it's beauty, she turned and scanned her surroundings, carrying a Light in one hand. She didn't have to search far, the man was only a few yards away from where she'd touched down. A partial length of rope lay coiled haphazardly across his legs, his clothes torn and bloody from the numerous lacerations he'd gotten on the way down. Worse, while he was breathing, his pulse was thready at best and his lips were cracked with dehydration. After giving him a quick examination, she looked up the chasm and decided it would be best to put his body back together elsewhere... plus getting him out of this mess might be unsettling with what she had planned.
Pulling a length of rope from her own pack, she untangled the man of the old rope that had failed him before fashioning a crude harness that would hopefully not exasperate his injuries. She carefully moved him into a more open area before climbing back up the wall a short distance to give herself room. Her form changed again, this time becoming a strange cross between spider and scorpion known as a Cave Fisher. She scooped the man and harness up carefully in her newly formed pincers and headed back towards the surface...
|
|