The Bandit King | Page 8

• 010 HP
• 55 EN

This was death. This was dying. This was why Anthony was for compassionate euthanasia for all creatures. No one should have to suffer through the agony that was millions of tiny claws slashing through his muscles, pulling at his tendons and crushing his bones. It was getting harder to breathe and his vision was blurry, first in focus and then out and then in. His mouth was full of cotton and his thoughts were a mishmash of things that he couldn’t put his finger on.

And in his ears, he heard a tiny chime. It was a pleasant sound, really; a tender bell struck by a small and delicate hand. It was a warning, his brain finally told him and, as his vision came back into focus, he peeked at his health. Not good in the slightest. His heart thundered behind his rib cage and he forced the adrenaline back, forced the stale air to pass into his nostrils and slowly stream out of his mouth.

He had to get his heart rate under control.

It was the voices that grabbed his attention, pulled his failing body to his legs and allowed him to shuffle, zombie-like, nearer to them. Zeus was on his knees, his body broken and bloody, the half of his arm still attached to his torso dripping precious crimson fluid. What was left of the color in Emil’s face immediately vanished. A cold sweat broke out upon his upper lip and across his forehead. He felt faint, dizzy, and nauseous all at once. His hand instinctually went out as if to steady himself, but there was no for him to fall against.

In the last moment, his balance returned. Vivian’s words echoed through his head, his single good eye squinting to bring her into focus. It glanced to each of them in turn, rested a moment and then settled on Zeus. Aye, they had agreed that they wouldn’t be killing the Hero Lord.

We must stop the bleeding, Emil voiced, his once smooth and cultured words now holding a hint of pain, the dregs of agony that spiraled through his lithe figure slurring his speech. His steps were mere shuffles forward as every movement of his body exploded into his brain with discomfort. He was not long for this simulated world.

His hazy glance landed on the boy who stood protectively over Zeus, ready to smite anyone whom came in range. So, Emil began to slowly remove his robe, some of the singed fabric falling away as it settled on the ground. He took a few steps forward, a wince contorting his masculine features, a frustrated huff of air forcing itself past his lips. He would not give into this.

He settled in a kneeling position to the side of Zeus and began to rip his robes to shreds, the more useful pieces of fabric stretched out before him while anything that looked even mildly not right he threw away.

I’m going to tourniquet his arm, he told the group as another wave of vertigo struck him. He gritted his teeth and pushed through it, forcing his fingers to work faster while trying, in vain at the current moment, to keep his heart rate steady. Slow pumps, steady breaths; perhaps it would do nothing but save mere seconds of prolonged life, but, right now, those were precious seconds that he needed.

The Mage’s attention turned to the rags that Endilix had already prepared and found them in much better condition than the few strips he had gathered from his garment. He winced, tying them together, before pulling out his water skin and fitting the cap between his teeth. He grunted, gave a pull, felt another rush of light-headedness sweep through him and shook his head. The heady scent of vodka wafted from the container.

Vodka, like most alcohol, is a natural disinfectant. Emil’s voice was far off and almost robotic in a way as if he were reading his words from a book. His hand upended the waterskin over the fabric, drenching the combined bandages in the clear liquid. It can easily kill may germs and works in a pinch to keep wounds and equipment clean from infection-causing bacteria.

Creating a square out of one section of Endilix’s rags, he hesitated a moment before pressing it against the stump where the rest of Zeus’s arm would’ve been. Gonna hurt, he whispered, while thin green and black veins peeked out over the collar of his silken shirt and invaded his slender cheeks and throat.

That done, he used another section of bandages to tie off Zeus’s arm just above the elbow, his tourniquet quick and tight. It was something to be proud of, really.

I’ve never had a chance to try this on a person, he told the rest of the party, his lips cracked and bleeding even as he offered a very small smile. It’s all textbook and memory, not actual application…until right now. This last one can go on the abdominal gash unless Lady Vivian wants to cauterize the wound.


Action Summary: Ripped up his robe and combined it with Endilix's rags to make makeshift bandages, drenched them in vodka, and used them to disinfect the arm wound before applying a tourniquet.

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Tracker​

 

• 135 HP
• 25 EN

"I...did it," Iván muttered to himself, panting. He couldn't help but grin at the accomplishment. Despite everything that had happened, despite the Queen's sudden transformation and counterattack, despite his earlier less-than-stellar attempt at a phantasm spell, all of which reducing his confidence to ashes, he was still able to come back from all his doubts and fears and help take out the Queen for good. "It's over."

No sooner had those words escaped Iván's lips did he finally feel the intense emotional and mental exhaustion they all had gone through at the course of this quest. He instinctively held the arm that suffered the most for him before falling to his knees, wincing and twitching and grunting. Compared to the others, he knew he was still a bit better off. Zeus had taken most of the punishment, after all, with Iván having distance on his side. Endilix wasn't probably feeling better as well. The man had died, and although he was brought back to life courtesy of Lucia's goddess, that event would've left a mark, even if just a tiny hint of trauma. Of course, Iván had never died before, so he wouldn't know. It was just logical that way. Those who were in the thick of the battle would've taken the most hits. He might be in pain now but at least he wasn't...

"Portia?"

From out of the corner of his eyes, Iván saw what seemed like Portia's head on the ground, close to the Queen's corpse. Scratch that, it didn't just seem like it was Portia's head, it was most definitely Portia. Iván grimaced as he forced himself back to his own two feet. Dragging himself across the floor, he made his way to Portia's unconscious body. He dropped down to the ground, eyes glued to her face. Iván remembered how she bravely, stupidly climbed on top of the Queen's head, fighting it off to keep everyone alive. Memories of their first time meeting flooded his mind. They weren't that good of memories but still. Portia was one of the first Players he'd ever met. Encountering her again after all this time and on the same team meant something.

Iván carefully cradled Portia's head against his closed legs as he sat and placed his index and middle fingers against his temple, activating Investigation Mode in an attempt to make sure she was still with them. He sighed in relief as his worst fears were allayed, "Oh, thank you... You're still here."

His gratitude was interrupted by Endilix's threats. It was only then that Iván noticed how close they were to Zeus, what remained of him anyway, Endilix, and Aalam. While Aalam looked like he was still in top shape, as healthy as anyone who's gone through all of this could be, Zeus appeared like he was all but ready to go. Endilix sounded desperate in his attempt to help Zeus, and likewise as he threatened anyone who'd still have the energy and motivation to actually see to their mission's success, to finish the job. But Iván knew the truth: Their job was done for when Vivian and Lucia betrayed them, two of their strongest veterans. The pair's betrayal would be what he would tell the Aristocracy when they ask him to explain his failure. It was the truth. Nothing else.

Iván ignored Endilix and the others and focused all his attention to Portia. She was still unconscious. He wondered if he should do anything to wake her up, if he should wake her up. Maybe if he gave her CPR? Did she even need CPR? Iván put two fingers on her neck. That was what people do to make sure people were breathing, right? Crap, why was he doing that? He wasn't a doctor. Not in the game, not in real life. Maybe he should just do CPR. That could help. Iván sighed, "Might as well," Iván pinched Portia's nose, lowered his coat's exaggerated turtleneck to reveal his face, his lips, and moved closer to Portia's mouth.

Action Summary: Iván goes to rescue an unconscious Portia with CPR, ignoring everyone else.

Tracker​

 

• 44 HP
• 15 EN

Seeing how things had played out, Lucia couldn't help cracking a sly grin. This sort of thing was what made the game so exciting. Being able to save a legendary figure from a heinous scheme. To be able to showcase and display true 'power', yes, it was only when she could have that kind of delight and feeling that she could feel she had changed from that boring and monotonous real her on the other side. "Hehehe..." She couldn't help a sweet and melodious giggle. "--Hehehe... HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Her sweet giggles turned into melodious laughter, uproarious and delighted. From some angles, people might even be suspicious that it might be deranged laughter, Lucia was just far too thrilled. When had things ever gone her way in the past? When had her goal ever been achievable? It was a rush of emotion, a rush of hope-- She could change, if it was in this game world, she could be 'special'.

Her mood slowly mellowed once more, the elation slowly passing, after all, they were still in a risky situation, should anyone decide to attack in this critical moment, they would have lost something really special. Trying to approach Zeus, her warm smile remained as she joined Emil and Endilix. "I'll take care of the healing from here. I don't have much left, but it's a worthwhile trade. Just make sure he gets to the surface okay?" She asked, gesturing with a hand, clearly intending to use Spirit Magic still. Her hand signals were clearly unsteady, despite her excitement and her sudden composure, she was not in good shape, but even so, so at least had hope, warmth inside after a long while. Lucia however was very aware of just 'how long' she had. Looking at her health and energy, she gestured with a hand quickening her speed even with how unsteady she was, she chose to make use of Blood Pact to offer more.

Using healing skills from the Spirit Magic tree, she used spectors, wraiths and other ethereal undead to support and heal Zeus's body with that eerie lavender light. "Live-- Keep living, take some disciples, show them the path, help them follow in your footsteps, help them brave their own path. The newbies need a hero like you to show them the way, Savannah needs someone great to show her how a warrior achieves real 'power'." She spoke, letting Blood Pact drain her health in exchange for healing prowess as she began to use her spell. She felt herself growing paler from the exertion, but her grin and smile remained just as bright, even if she died from healing the legendary figure, she'd still be delighted.

If she died though, she wouldn't have time to get her advice off of her chest. Turning her head back towards the rest of the group, that welcoming expression on her face as she spoke. "Listen closely, all of you. Stabbing monsters for XP will only get you so far, licking the boots of some Duke or King will only allow you so many options. If you want fun; Search for adventure and possibility in everything. If you want power; Learn from Legendary figures and Deities that exist in this world. Ignoring a great chance just to complete some job-- missing out on the fun that comes from chasing after their deeds, the power they still have to offer... Losing figures like these is a travesty. We can come back but these powerful people, who have the knowledge and skills to teach us to be transcendent... They don't have that same chance. If I die trying to heal him, I can only hope the next time you're given this type of job-- the next time you're faced with this choice, you understand the consequences of your actions. You all might be satisfied with what you have... but I still have a long way to go before I join the ranks of those like Zeus, until I reach that point, we still need people like him to show us the way." She offered, hoping to get everything out just in case the unthinkable happened.

Action Summary: Spirit Magic Healing with Blood Pact Support. 11+10+15

Tracker / Roll​

 

• 10 HP
• 35 EN

That would've been a great speech in a book or something, Madison mused to herself as she leaned against the cool, rocky surface of the tunnel-turned-war-zone. The metallic tang of blood, the crisp stench of magic, and just a whiff of vomit filled her nose, giving her a temporary distraction from the overwhelming ache of her near-corpse.

Nothing about this evening made sense to her.

The piss-poor amount of support that the Bandit King had to offer, the plan the others came up with, the busty, crazy woman's attempt to tear the group apart, the fucking ants--

Not the mention the dedication that a few members of the party had towards their supposed target. As if he were something more than that; as if he were a real person.

That's what troubled her the most.

This was supposed to be a game; nothing more. A neat little mission to learn how bigger groups and quests work. Sign up with a guild, tag along with some veterans to kill some NPCs, get some sweet loot and experience boosts, climb the next rung of the ladder through association, and move onto the next one.

Something in Lucia's words resonated with Madison, something she never really saw in the crews she ran with in other MMOs. There was a sort of... sense of importance and idolization that she had when referring to Zeus, as if he were something more than a pile of zeroes and ones wrapped up in a mountain of muscles, lightning, and ORA-ORA-ORA-ORA-ORA!!!

As emotional and verbose and--to Madison, anyway--completely out of touch Lucia's speech was, it did make her think.

Murking slime and wolves and other scrub-tier mobs in Brisshal? That was getting her nowhere, fast. Growing stronger by the week instead of by the day. Barely clutching enough cash to get the gear she really needed--speaking of... After today? Definitely abandoning the #NoArmorChallenge.

If the novice really wanted to be like the others who she helped take down the queen ant, she'd need to step up her game. Get out of Brisshal. Stop eating at the kids' table, and cozy up to some veterans. Make friends, get to know some other like-minded individuals. Research some of these other "Legendary" figures, or the deities that the people of this world worship. See what they might have to offer her. Perhaps they'd give her the rush and the release she'd been looking for.

Terrasphere was turning out to be something bigger, something more than she had ever expected. And she'd make her mark on this world yet.

Just as long as she never lost sight of the fact that it's only a game.

But first, something had to be done about this unbearable pain wracking her body.

Barely able to open her palm menu, let alone read the friggin' thing, the witch scrolled through her list of available spells. It was then that she finally remembered that she had access to Nature Magic. "There's gotta' be something here."

The words that lazily splurted out of her mouth were instead, "Thrz gutto be somthin' her..."

Good lord, it was difficult to move. Her body was just not listening to the commands her brain was giving them. Several of the shards that pierced her were still stuck in her flesh, each breath she drew slightly aggravating the wounds. She didn't dare try and remove them; she'd probably bleed out. And that wouldn't be good, not in the state she was in.

Heal up, purge this poison, then worry about 'em.

Maddy's gloved finger pressed the glowing text of one of the spells, selecting it before sliding down and accidentally scrolling the screen a bit. While she could feel the life leaving her body, she could still reach out mentally and touch the flow of mana that coursed through her. Knowing that she had enough energy to cast another spell or two, she set about her task.

The first time she tried to mumble the incantation, nothing happened. The syllables just rolled off her tongue and into the cold air of the tunnel to no effect. Second time was the charm, though.

Thin tendrils of vines grew from the hard-packed dirt and stone of the wall at her back, wrapping her in their cold embrace. Madison took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as the skin of the plant matter broke and began oozing a clear liquid. A slightly unpleasant odor filled her nostrils, causing her to sneer. But hey, a minor inconvenience for the chance to patch up a bit and get back on her feet.

Action Summary: Madison cast a spell to wrap herself up in vines that ooze a sort of healing sap.

3
Tracker / Roll​

 

• 18 HP
• 50 EN

With the combined efforts of the rag tag team, the Ant Queen had saw its last light. Its life force flickered with a final screech as it shriveled and died. Vivian felt the warm hands of her Mistress as she let the Witch Hat slip back on her head. A caring smile on her face, but Vivian was too absorbed in the event to really notice her Lover standing there. With a puff of exhaled smoke from her lips, the woman turned to look down at the burned and charred flesh of her right arm. She had to sacrifice a part of her body in order to call upon the Darkness Flame technique? She had no idea how she knew the name of that, it was just as natural as anything else to her, but she had never heard of it before until she unleashed the dragon.

Her right hand shook from the pain and her body was wracked with even more burns and scratches. In her confused state, she shrugged off the pain or what could resemble as such as her azure eyes widened. Zeus...

She ignored the limp feeling in her arm, and followed the others to the man who had give both his arms to help save them and to help decimate the Ant Queen. The woman had only one other thought on her mind and that was the Ranger, Aalam. Even after Zeus gave both his arms in favor of extra power so that they could survive this, would Aalam be so bold as to cast an arrow at a nearly lifeless man? One who could not defend himself? One who had given his own life to save theirs? Vivian paid back her debts, she might have been a hot headed feisty Bitch most of the time, but she too had some decorum.

She looked on as others helped bandaged the wounded Legendary Hero, Vivian stood behind the group, it didn't look like any of them were gonna cut through Zeus. Emil and Endilix tended to the bloody stumps of his arms while she stood and watched. Even Lucia, who had been most admirable in the fight would continue to risk her own life to help save Zeus. If this was important to her then...

"Step aside," Vivian said with a low voice. Her good hand moving towards the two individuals as she stood in front of the God like being, although she could see the bleeding stopped from the clean bandages she shook her head.

"We need to get him proper healing, hey, Zeus? You still in there somewhere? Thank you for coming to our aid, but it's not over yet. We have an assassin to deal with still. Hold still, Love." Vivian placed a hand upon the head of the Legendary Hero. Her warmth rushed to her hand as she called upon the elements of earth to wash over his body much like she had done herself once before. The fragments of earth moved like the wind, coating his body like an armor, against penetration as she used a familiar Stone Skin ability to buff Zeus. With the help of the others, this might be enough to help protect Zeus.

With her power flowing into Zeus to cradle his delicate body, she looked to the others and gave that all too familiar sharp grin, "Now you see the importance of Heroes. A man who gave his arms to see you all live another day. So greedy we are to take a job just because we are told to do so without even realizing the consequences of our actions. Make sure the decisions you make are the ones that you can live with. Now then, let's get the hell out of here."

Action Summary: Vivian uses Stone Skin on Zeus to buff him from any assassination attempts, mainly an arrow from a certain Ranger. Also to note it might help in staunching the bleeding of his arms as well in aid with the bandages produced by the others.

Tracker​

 

• 252 HP
• 22 EN

Aalam looked down at the man from the cover of his shadows, so this is what it looked like when a legend was about to die. It was interesting to see, Zeus had fought the good fight, he had managed to turn the tide of the entire battle and in doing so ensure that the most significant threat that was below the castle was taken care of. If the rest of the pride had in any way managed to take care of the Bandit king then, this piece of land would have just become a prime piece of property. There were too many people involved in this, and too many sides had here hands in this pot. He didn’t like it; there you have to be a follow up to this mission, he needs to find out some information and allow his name to die down for a bit. As of right now, he was known for his activities on the watch. It was casting him in the limelight and that was a place he did not like to be. There was too much that he didn’t know and that could not stay as it was, he would do any job, but no one, no one played him for a fool.


So he unequipped his bow and his quiver as he looked down and the man, he could just wait for the man to bleed to death. He had lost his arm, and his amour was shattered he body had to be broken. Even if they were able to get him out of the cave, there was no way that he would be able to move or even live as he once did. The man had carved his legend on the world of Terra; he was sure that the legend of the pride was started and maintained by this man. He was a person that you told children about to inspire them for the future; this was a man that proved to the world that you could be more than anyone thought of you. They had sent Aalam to kill a hero. This was the second time; the second time since joining Terra that he felt something other than the need to complete a job. He just felt tired. He had sworn to finish the job, there was no way around that, and his code did not give him away to avoid that. Yet he could not abandon the code it was that was all he was. So he sat on the ground beside the figure looking out towards the fight with the queen ant and the rest of his team. It seemed that the Goddess bless and turn the tide of the battle. They had killed the beast and be her in short order he had at best a minute at worst thirty seconds. Only thirty seconds to talk to a legend.


“Hum, looks like they finished your job and will be along shortly, I can guess that they would be doing their best to save your life. They will fail, however, and best that you could hope for is that one of them might be able to prolong your existence for a minute by pulling life from someone else. It’s a bit of black magic, but you know the end justifies the means. And from the look of them, they would go to any length you keep you alive. That is something funny to me seeing that we were sent her to kill you before you finished your mission; however, that must be a failure by now. Your pride would have finished off the Bandit King, and with the ant queen dead the land is now safe. You seemed to finish your last job but look like the queen might have the last laugh.”


Taking his flask out of his pocket and placing it in Zeus’ hand. “You have met the Goddess of death and saved the lives of most people in this area. So this flask I just placed in your hand it’s a way out, there is enough poison in there to end it all peacefully. On your terms and no one else’s. You lived your life as you saw fit you should be able to die as you see fit, it the best I can give you a peaceful and painless death. Whatever your choice it has been an honor, Zeus.” There were about seven seconds now before they found him and the rest swarmed around the man, and he had a rep to maintain. So he picked his weight back up and pushed it back in place. He would work through it he always did. Walking away from the man and the growing crowd taking off his stealth as he turned addressed the group. His bow and quiver back on his side, he heard there comment and advice and well they were warranted, but he still had to say one of his own.


“They are both rights in their way you know, options on how to live your life in Terra that is something that even I cannot disagree with, I know people who hate combat and spend their time healing the injured. So just exploring and trying to figure out as much as possible. However, the day to do those things is not today. I would kill the man right here and right now because I agree to do the job. I should not be surprised, that this is all your word comes to, that your heart could be swayed so easily.


You are young, so I will offer this advice you can choose the option that they provide for you and try and save the man. You are only betraying the worth of your name after all. I’m sure that the Aristocracy is above ruining a person’s name if they abandoned the mission because the felt sad for the person they were assigned to kill. All a person is their name. That what it boils down to and this right here is for most of your first mission the first thing you have ever down of significance in this world. Do you wish to sully your name on its first day out? The choice is yours for if I were to move to kill him, you would all kill me. Just remember unlike those two you are not a duchess in a kingdom with personal ties to its king or the duchess person attendant. You are just a Mary or John doe right now do you think you can take the same amount of shame to your names that those two can?”

Action: Pushes his flask into Zeus' hand and saying what he had to say to the group.

Tracker​

 

• 40 HP
• 15 EN

-80 fall damage

Falling was something she had left out of the equation while she executed her assault on the Queen's antennae. An event she hadn't properly prepared for until it finally happened, leaving her to collide against the floor once her plan proved to be successful, knocking her out almost immediately.

Once the fight was over, she found herself unable to open her eyes just yet, the pain making it so she couldn't move from her spot next to the Ant's corpse where she had landed until her friend came to her aid. At first, she couldn't tell who it was, even though the gesture was much appreciated from her part. With her HP being at its lowest point from all the fighting, plus the falling, it was only a matter of time before she regained consciousness and came back to see what the battle had left for them to do afterward. When it happened, she remained as still as she was able to, barely making out the figure looming over her and cradling her head in between his legs. She blinked a few times in rapid succession, dumbfounded as she beheld the features of the man leaning closer and closer to her face with each passing second. Portia, initially thinking it was another fabrication of her mind, shut her eyes again, ready to continue her little nap. That was until she realized she couldn't breathe properly.

Oh, hell no.

She sucked in a breath through her mouth as her eyes opened again, both her arms lifting to pinch the one preventing her from breathing through her nose. ''Get off me, Iván!'' In the light of what his actions were meant to accomplish, her tone alone was enough to indicate her companion that it might've been a better idea keeping his hands to his own unless he wished to see them harmed. Not knowing how else to push him away from her current position, she balled one of her hands into a fist and threw a punch at his jaw with what little energy remained, not expecting it to hurt much. As she sat up, Portia shuddered, almost like shaking off an invisible touch, remaining quiet as the group exchanged their words around a badly-wounded Zeus.

''It was about time we stopped the threats since I don't believe anyone here harbors any ill will towards him anymore. We owe him much more than we can count for saving our lives, and whatever he chooses to do, I believe everyone should respect it. Regardless, I do not think he will take the poison,'' she mused as she sat a few feet away from the fallen hero, gaze trained on the vial resting on his remaining hand. The girl eased into a more comfortable position on the ground and another grunt fell from her lips, clearly unused to pushing her physical limits as she had done during the fight. ''Even if you do... Thank you. Few are the people who would be willing to teach anyone about the basics of combat in the midst of battle, yet the experience as a whole was... invigorating. I found strength I did not know I possessed.''

For someone who was certain of the words they spoke, a twinge of doubt could be discerned in her sentences and in the long-lasting glances she threw at the vial of dubious contents. To him, someone who had fought and won many battles according to the rumors about his person, someone who had a sea of people who looked up to him and probably depended on him too, would the choice come easy? Would he choose to abandon all in his deteriorated state or would he push himself off the ground and spit death in the face once more? From what little she knew of the man, she hoped his answer would be the same as the one in her unspoken thoughts: a blunt and decisive no.

Action Summary: Portia punches @Iván Carl and sits next to Zeus, muttering words of gratitude as he faces the choices presented to him.

Tracker
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Endilix was glad that everyone had come together for this moment. They had saved Zeus, stopped a horrifying monstrosity that could have probably later destroyed the world or something, and overall succeeded in everything but what they came to do. Endilix didn’t care. He’d had fun. Sure, the Aristocracy might be upset. Sure, they wielded the power to come down on him like a sack of bricks and make him wish he had never logged into Terrasphere to begin with.

But that didn't matter, as the man helped Zeus up to a standing position. He had to use his Heroic Might just to help the huge man. He gave a laugh, wondering if anyone else in the party was even capable of helping Zeus up, let alone being his crutch, but it wouldn't have even surprised him if one of the ladies had Heroic Might or something. Either way, Endilix shrugged it off and pulled the man's remaining arm around his shoulder.

"Alright old man, enough grumbling about pain this, and pain that. We're all in rough shape," Endilix joked, a smile on his lips. How often did one get to take jabs at a legendary figure? Endilix figured he should enjoy it while he could. He would move with Zeus at a pace that the man could manage, but also move as quickly as possible. He wanted to get out of this literal hellhole.

Endilix wasn't really worried about who all decided to come with them. The only person truly on his mind was Lucia. A woman who not only had enough aspiration to dwarf the rest of them combined, but also one that Endilix thought he might be able to learn a lot from if she gave him the chance. Certainly others had interested him, but she was at the forefront of everything he had seen this entire day.

Endilix wondered if he would become a Lion. Probably not. Too goody goody for Endilix's blood. Endilix wasn't a hero. But it did make Endilix think of something interesting. "Hey Zeus," Endilix started, as he carried the man along towards his cubs, "you interested in training a man that isn't a part of your faction? I think I could learn a lot from you, but I think my path is going to take me down a different road than what you have planned. Hell, it already has. That's why I'm here and not there. But I respect you a lot. What do you think?"

 

After hearing him muster up enough energy to Heroic Monologue again, Madison quietly wished that Zeus drank the poison that Aalam gave him.

Feeling rejuvenated herself, she tore free from the vines that wrapped her up and rose to her feet. Her body still ached fiercely, but she was at least able to control it again. Some food, a week's rest, and a few pints of the good stuff would see her back to her old self.

Wordlessly, the witch fell in line behind the others, as she had done all day. Joining the Pride was out of the question for her--Madison had never really saw herself as the heroic type, especially with how insufferable some of these Good Guys could get. But she'd never turn down a drink.

 

Lucia flashed a knowing smile through Aalam's speech, the man had some to learn yet about reading people. For Lucia, who understood the despair and desolation it took to want to take that poison, a glance at Zeus's face was enough to know he wouldn't take that option. Rubbing a hand across her face, she tried to make her way towards Vivian, a tender smile on her face as she reached out for the woman with a gentle hand. "Come on then, we could use a good bath, some relaxation." Lucia offered trying to lean against Vivian with a content smile. It was a hard fought victory, but in the end they'd managed to preserve a legendary figure, against great odds.

Trying to support her companion, she glanced back making sure Sylvanas and Alice were okay. The knight was in the middle of bisecting the Ant Queen's remains. Alice's own remains trembled from time to time, evidence that the little girl was slowly coming back together. After a short while, the flesh would begin swallowing everything, like a chaotic pile of meat before compressing down once more. The little faceless girl once more standing, brushing off her cute summer dress before hastening her steps to catch up to Lucia. The female knight, like wise joining along behind.

With the support of her subordinates and with Vivian on one arm she felt better even if her health and EN were stagnating. The upkeep during peace times was fortunately essentially nothing. With the help of the little girl on her other side, she quickened her pace to meet Zeus at Endilix's side. "I do have a friend as well, she joined the Pride today to try and accomplish some heroic feats as well. I've been trying to help raise her into a proper champion alone, but I don't know much in the way of physical combat. If you ever find yourself in need of a good cub, I was hoping you'd give Savannah a chance." Lucia spoke with a mellow smile, her actions weren't simply for herself after all. Lucia already had a means of acquiring that special transcendent power through Synra, Vivian had Ahra and other means, Lucia didn't have to worry about that woman in the slightest. Savannah though, still seemed to be struggling with a means of growth.

 

"Bath and relaxation..." Vivian muttered, her face and hands covered in dirt and soil. Her pristine white skirt now a dark grey and matted down with bug juice and mud. She gave a disgusted look at herself, not to mention the burning sensation coursing through her entire right arm up to the shoulder. She winced as she was reminded by the pain and the power within her. That black fire...it was something she had done before, but this was a little different. It seemed more like sentient power and that voice inside her head. Who or what was that?

She didn't want to ask Lucia about it, fear that she might be going nuts or something. Perhaps she would just log out, get herself a nice bottle of wine and relax in the bath of her apartment, that is after she had her way with Lucia. The woman was tugged along, holding her up the best she could until the others found their way to their Matriarch. Sylvanas was still in decent shape and Alice was...well, she was gathering herself up nicely.

The Dark Witch allowed her burned arm to smoke from the fingertips, but she let Lucia go for Sylvanas and Alice to take over in helping her up, she seemed to wanted to talk to Zeus, but Vivian...she watched as the crowd disappeared with the others standing still as the others left her. She grabbed her Witch hat from off her head, purple hair moving with the shift of the wind as she looked to them.

"I'm never gonna be a hero, but I will not be a faded memory either. My journey...My story..." the woman looked at her right arm, blackened flesh and smoking from the embers of dark energy coursing through, "...it's just beginning. I did you this favor, one day you will pay me back for it." She tilted her head and walked away from the group, the Witch wanted to be alone.

 

Iván’s eyes widened as Portia’s fist slowly made contact with his jaw. Well, it wasn’t exactly as slowly as he perceived it to be. The punch was quick, perhaps an instinctive reaction that meant to thwart his attempt at saving her life. In Iván’s defense, he was just trying to help. In Portia’s defense, Iván was stupid. At least socially. Maybe Eli should have attended those emergency life-saving seminars instead of skimming the syllabus he picked up from some kid three years younger than him. He should really get out of his room more.

The bug-eyed illusionist caressed his face, at least the part that Portia caressed with her fist. He listened intently at what everyone was saying, most especially Zeus who didn’t seem to mind his near-death experience. Or technically death experience. This game was as confusing as it was cool. He turned to Portia, wondering if she would indeed abandon the Aristocracy and join the Pride. Would Iván do the same? Probably not. Zeus was loud. The Lions would probably be just as loud. Iván was not a fan of that kind of loud.

Iván picked himself up, back to his feet, and started walking away. He had no words left to say. At least, not to anyone in this room. Once he got back to the Aristocracy, however, he would explain that their failure was because of betrayal. He would not name names. Instead, he would question the Aristocracy’s failure to screen their own people. He was new. How would he have known anyone would be capable of treachery in that group?

In any case, he’d take pride in surviving the Queen’s attack, perhaps leaving out the part where Zeus had saved his butt. Someone else would talk about that, maybe Endilix, if he wouldn’t switch sides. Iván needed to shield himself from the Aristocracy’s wrath. Mentioning how the supposed enemy came to his aid would not help his stand. Mentioning how he was able to survive the Queen despite being new? That would bolster his own utility.

This whole Pride VS Aristocracy thing was grayer than it was mere black and white. Perhaps Iván could spend some time focusing on something else than the feud. He would still maintain his membership with the Aristocrats, they can call on him anytime, but maybe he can focus his attention elsewhere. Maybe those books he got from that strange alchemist would have something to inspire him.

 

A heartfelt chuckle moved past her lips as Zeus recited his reply to Aalam's option in the same manner she had only imagined he would: proud, confident in his goals and eager to see them fulfilled, much like a youngster. Portia rose to her feet as the group began to move in different directions. It was over, they could go home or whatever place offered them the solace they each sought, or they could remain and see what fate awaited them at the exit of the tunnels.

''About that...'' She remained close to those who were beside the man, giving voice to their thoughts as they chose to take him back to his faction. It wasn't in her to interrupt any on-going conversations, however curious she might get about the few details being spoken out loud. Opportunities, as she recognized them, just as the one he offered her. ''Oh, non,'' she replied to the invitation to the Lions' Pride with words that mocked his own, unaware whether it was the adequate time to even do such a thing. Heroic displays and being a hero wasn't an appealing idea in the slightest, better to give him a blunt answer than simply leaving it open in the air.

The invitation spoke far louder than any of her actions that fateful night ever did, bringing the white-haired girl into confusion as she considered each and every one of her choices so far. One thing was for certain, though, and it was the fact she didn't hold any purpose at the moment. Unsure, lost, doubtful, slowly picking up the pieces to form whatever persona she hoped her avatar to be, she lacked strength and skill of her own. She lacked direction, and from that spiral of confusion, she found herself unable to decide how to move past that point. ''I would like to join your training session as well, and I won't take a negative for an answer.''

Speaking with the confidence of anyone who had lived long enough to know what purpose to serve came as an easy feat to her, second thoughts be damned. It was true, she did not know what to do nor what her goals were, but she might actually try and become a stronger version of herself while she also busied herself trying to find her true calling. Perhaps it would come, perhaps it wouldn't. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt anyone if she just chose to enjoy herself through whatever means possible, and so did she decide to walk with Zeus back to the Pride.

 

Aalam took back his flask and screwed the cover back on to make sure he didn’t spill anything he was going that have to burn that thing later. The chance that any poison would remain was too high, and he would prefer is his drinks just burned with alcohol. He did not like this it was a job that he had failed, and he had failed when he was so close. All it would take was a knife through his throat or if they were unable to do that much simply smother the man. Hell if that simple act were too evil they could have just left, he would he bleed out here, and no one would have been the wiser to their actions.


It was the reason like this he hated working with people, who had a desire to be a hero. The world had enough of those, but it needed people who were willing to muddy the gloves. To walk through the blood to get the job down, he made sure to remember the name of every person that worked on this job with him. It would be good to know that he would be able to count on them to do things in the moral gray area to much light in them. However, he did find it annoying that the only people he would be able to count on to follow through is the Duchess and Vivian. He was sure that they were going to be the ones in the mission to cause it to fail, one was just too loyal to the kingdom and the other…. Well, the other was Vivan he was sure that she wasn’t faithful to anything.


For a second he considered following Vivian into that darkness and settling account right there and then, but as much as he would like to have a spot of fun. There were more important things that he needs to see to; he would get to her in time. They had a history that needed to be taken into an account after all; there was a proper way to do these things. He was a professional after all, and he had left emotions to get in the way during a job before he was not going to allow that to happen again. He had taken a risk than and did the foolish choice then, and it seemed he still wasn’t entirely over his morals. He would have to add an amendment to the code, and that is something that would take time. There was a duke that he would need to be checking in with though; the man would be upset that he was missing from the call to action. Damn, he needed a drink right now, but he was not about to because there were things that we might have to explain and it would be bad if he were trying to do that drunk. Throwing on his hood and putting on his cloak as he followed behind the group. He would have to look for the duke now; he already had an excuse ready. After he has settled that were was something he needed to look into.