Field Quest: Misty Ruins Finale: All Hail The King

    A portal sits there, giving view to an ominous castle, with its courtyard with fallen pillars and decaying plant life. Its massive doors that led inside, open, as if inviting any to enter.

A crumbled gargoyle's remains lies on the ground that once seem to overlook the door and other statues that lined the castle much the same. All in ruin.

    Those that are brave enough to get close to the misty portal will find themselves pulled in by an unseen force. Will find themselves in this place of devastation. For those that were here before know of what it could have been, for those new, they can sense a dark presence looming inside.

Once all enter though, they find the portal closing behind them with a loud thundering roar. The very sky crackles with crimson lightning that causes the sky to take on a blood-red hue for only a moment.

It would not be much longer after, do they see torches inside the castle light up with blue flames, leading them to the closed door inside the castle. It's once gold trim, now tarnished. Its ivory decoration, stained black. Even the hard wood looks old and beaten.

    Beyond these doors resides the throne room. Beyond these doors sits the king. It is best to prepare now or at least catch up those new to this strange, haunting place.

Each and every time that portal had opened, Kita had been there to face the strange land that lay on the other side. Each time, it seemed to sink more and more into chaos and destruction. Under most circumstances, the nerdy artist wouldn't consider herself someone to take on the role of a hero, but something about this place had gotten to her. Enough so that she stands here, one again, clutching her spellbook to her chest, struggling to gather her own courage.

"The King said that if we come to his land again, we'll have to fight him." She explains for those who haven't taken this particular journey before. "It seems he did everything to try and protect his daughter, but now all of this has turned dark, and now she is his prisoner and the land is crumbling around them all." It's a sad tale, and she isn't totally sure she has the right of all of it, but it is at least something.

"Right... be brave." She tells herself, then walks forward towards the portal. Courage is not one of her traits, but it isn't the first time that Kita has walked into danger since coming to live within Yamato.

    Merek was new to the place, which means that he waits for information. The man wears that dark attire he often does, with the beltcape along the waist, hood up. He nods a bit to people while he seems to think.

Goldenblade is here, having heard about the quest from one of the previous participants, and when she found it was open to anyone, she opted in. She follows along with the group, staying towards the middle because she's still kind of new to all this. She'll greet everyone, and introduce herself as Goldenblade to any she hasn't met previously, though looking around, she has met everyone before, hasn't she?

Well, VR can cure a lot of ills, but not stroke symptoms or alzheimers. Not necessarily meaningful to the kids here, but for oldsters like her, an issue.

BEFORE

Shaskur snoozes on a large tree branch, black cloth looped around it securing her so she doesn't fall. As she sleeps an unnaturally cold mist starts to seep from her bag. Shivering in the cold her eyes blink open, a moment later she has a dagger held in her hand as she looks around with wide eyes in confusion. Then a whispering voice can be heard, muted but somehow still clear.

"When morn rises on the coming day, the way will open in the fields. Defeat the king and see the true evil. For only you and yours may end this suffering. For death to the king, will break the binds of some and reveal the face of the other."

As the voice fades so does the mist, seeming to flow back into the bag at her side. Sheathing her dagger she rubs her eyes and yawns. "Even on my own I can't take an afternoon nap and not be interrupted." She grumbles as she starts to prepare for a short detour.

NOW

From the distant tree line Shaskur looks out at the portal - no one stands around outside it - perhaps she was the first here. Walking over towards it she plans to set up a small temporary camp to wait for the others, but she is surprised when as she nears the portal there is a sudden sharp pull towards it. Her feet lifting off the ground as she is sucked in wholesale. She instantly goes to grab the grappling hook at her waist but isn't fast enough as she passes through the portal.

And she comes through to the other side she tucks into a ball and rolls as she hits the ground. Then hopping up, daggers in hand she looks around. Then after seeing a few others, and the familiar face of Kita, someone she was expecting to be here. She lowers her daggers, "Oh. Yo, I'm glad I'm not the only one here." But she continues to peer around suspiciously.

Shiruba had hung onto that misted jewel, having played RPGs for more than long enough to know that the estoic items you get from one leg of a quest typically turn out to be important in some way later. It is good that she had, and that the ominous vision came when it did, because she had just been prepared to head off on other endeavours when it did. So she knew to put off that plan for a little extra time, let the Alliance know, and headed out to finish this trailing plotline.

At least this time there was no need to guess on when and where to find the portal. Thank you for that, ominous gemstone!

"What she said." Shiruba nods to the gathering numbers after Kita explains. "It.. almost seemed like a small part deep inside of him realizes what has happened, and this is the only way to end it because he's too far gone." She sighs softly. "He may of imprisoned her in that amulet... but I think it's also to protect her from what's to come. So she doesn't get in the middle of this... unavoidable event."

The wolfgirl tucked the tarnished gem back in her inventory, and drew her bow and arrow. "Here we go, into the breach once more."

    The one who looks like she could equally be a nurse or a martial artist, following Goldenblade at a short distance, has that look of concentration that means business: punchy, slappy business, handed out for free with revenue coming in in the form of piles of kicked butt. It may sound like a strange business model, but still, a business model it is. And when it works, it works.

    She proceeds cautiously, not startled by the unusual thunder and lightning (not after the first two times at least), her white staff (shaped like a caduceus) held forth as some sort of advance defense, ready to smack anything that moves, the gem atop it glowing faintly as she quietly hums some tune. Perhaps she's low-key casting some monster-detection enchantment? Or perhaps she's just humming to herself to concentrate and ward off fear.

    "I should really compose a theme song for our party one of those days," she announces, point blank. "I wonder if we can compose our own magical buffing songs, instead of just repeating the pre-made ones from the game... I'll have to ask Kaleido about this. I've heard something about his musical composition work in the Guild's boards, maybe-"

    "Oh, hey, look at all the people. Hi! I'm Uta," she says, noticing some faces she's never seen before.

Amongst those gathered, none of the faces are unfamiliar to Kita. Though she knows that this will likely be a first visit to this strange realm for a few of them. There is some look of relief at the sight of Shaskur and Shiruba, giving both women a nod. "It's good we have a few people who know what to expect here." For the others, she gives a sort of rueful expression, "Be ready for a fight."

The black mage has both baubles from their earlier visits dangling from leather straps at her side. She had kept them, incase they held some clue to whate was going on. The crackling sky is unnerving, but Kita steps forward, making her way towards the castle. "If anyone here is a tank or melee fighter, it might be best to go in first." She suggests, then motions towards herself, "Squishy mage, here." Then pushes her glasses up on her nose.

"I'm better in the back, throwing spells." There is an expectant look, hoping that someone else steps up to the 'front line' roles.

    Just before the portal closes, a motherly-looking gnome in heavy armor comes running up and diving through to land on her face amidst the group, just barely making it in time. Laying still for a moment to catch her breath, she heaves herself up and dusts herself off, clearing her throat.

"Ahem, er... Yumi, reporting for duty? I was watching some little ones, and only just got the notice about the quest. I'm a tank, I think? So, everyone can count on me to protect them. Okay?" she introduces herself, flashing a big gleaming grin only to jump at the sudden crash of thunder. After taking a moment to glance around and make sure everything's (relatively) safe, she breathes a sigh of relief and moves toward the front of the party, taking the first steps into the castle toward that closed door. "O-okay so, let's just see what's behind here..."

Instead of DRAMATICALLY KICKING THE DOOR DOWN, she just slowly and cautiously opens it, peeking her head around the corner to peep inside.

Shiruba has been here before, so the thunder is creepy but doesn't disrupt her too much. She was expecting it, and the place to be in even worse ominous shape than before. A bleak reminder of why they are here to put a stop to it.

She looks at the gathered group. "I think our front liners are also the newer people, so... Just be on your guard." She nocks an enchanted arrow in her bow to be ready. "I can lead us in as a scout, but at the head of the fight isn't my place. So you melee types be ready to move in once we're in the throne room."

Yumi goes to open the door in a SENSIBLE MANNER with caution. Shiruba pokes her head in after, ears forward and alert. Nothing else seems to happen though. "He didn't send knights to stall us?" Her tail twitchs, bristled like a bottle brush already. "That actually concerns me a little.... By no way to go but forward!" She scampers inside and heads for the throne room with a "This way" over her shoulder so none of the new people get lost on the way to final showdown.

    Uta perks up, looking excited at the prospect of having something to offer.

    "I am a melee fighter! I can do this!"

    She breathes in, and out, focusing, bobbing a bit up and down.

    Intense stare at the doors.

    She starts running staff held in front of her, the tippity tippity tippity tap of her feet becoming faster and faster and faster, as her stare foucses, burning with intensity, taptaptaptaptap-tap-tap..tap...tap...

    ...tap...

    ...tap.

    "Aw," she mumbles under her voice, having slowed down in reaction to Yumi's anticlimactic approach to gaining access. "I really wanted to kick that door down."

    "...I hope there is something else to kick down later on..."

    Merek would begin to follow with Shiruba when Yumi opens the door. He seems to be content to not speak a lot, he doesn't often. He does take a moment to draw both of his twin blades. The man nods a bit to the folk while he watches for anything.

Goldenblade nods to Kita, and after a moment of hesitation, she says, "I guess I'm what you call DPS?" She starts as Uta appears suddenly, but at the news that she's a tank, that comes as a relief. She knows what tanks are, they're fast and armored and have huge cannon mounted on turrets that can blast through obstacles. She nods and follows Shiruba in, preparing to take a forward role, that's where it seems she'll be needed. To Uta, she says, "Next time, OK?"

As the party starts to describe their roles Shaskur contributes, "I'm DPS, if you can keep his attention I will strike from the flank." And she twirls one of her daggers in her palm as if to emphasize the point. Her hood is up and her facemask conceals her face mostly, and also slightly dampens her voice.

As the party starts to move through the door Shaskur draws her second dagger, now with one in each hand in a reverse grip. As she moves through the door behind Yumi she slinks over to move along the wall. Carefully looking around to try identify traps or threats. Her black imp eyes dilating in the dark as her vision starts to adjust.

That look of relief lingers when others see to step up. Even if one of them is a complete surprise, arriving at the last minute. Kita bows her thanks to Yumi, then falls into place with the rest of the party. "I'm ranged DPS." She explains, lightly tugging at the edge of her witch's hat, shielding her stormy blue eyes in shadow.

"Let's watch each other's backs. With the portal closed, I'm not sure if our recalls will work or not. We don't want to lose anyone in here."

[[ Boss Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T12ygsp9Mvg ]]

    As the door open and the adventurers step inside. They find themselves standing in a massive room. Pillars that once held great beauty are now slowly crumbling apart.

The floor has dark, sticky liquid that has puddled and slowly dropping down from the ceiling above. Once cobwebs have become that of chains that gently clatter in the breeze. The once beautiful silk red carpet leading to the throne now in tatters.

Torches in the room turn on one by one, glowing with blue light. Dragon claw braziers line by two at each corner of the room, their flames also that of blue.

    Sitting on the throne, is a dark armored being. His armor with heavy spikes on the shoulders, at the elbow joint, and on the knees, along with on the toes.

The helmet shaped like a crown, and the eye slot is pitch black. His right clawed, gauntlet hand rests on the hilt of his dark, twisted sword that mist seems to slowly roll around. His other hand rests on the chair of the arm. The crystal that those who come before might be looking for, can be seen hovering above the throne; protected by some magical spell.

    Slowly the armored figure raises his head. Then he slowly stands, his metal cape sliding off his throne as he takes a step down. "I warned," His voice deep and rumbling. "That should you come once more. There will be only death."

His armored hand drags the sword's tip across the stone ground, as he takes another step down from the throne's pedestal to the main floor. "So prepare yourselves, adventures." His head looks up at them as two flaming red orbs for eyes gleam brightly and flash across the opening. "For this day you die!"

    With his last words spoken, the thunderous roar booms above them as the braziers fires explode upward becoming that of green fire, along with the torches. Red electricity dances across the chains and along the pillars. They way they came in, is now barred by a magical spell of flicking red electricity.

It's fight time!

    With only that slight warning given, the King seems to be the first one to make a move. His sword dances with crimson electricity, before he swings his blade outward, sending out an arch of magical electricity for the group.

To Avoid: +roll <evasion/shield>[with card] vs 8

    Merek looks to the boss when he sweeps to them, and lifts up a hand to call forth the shield, while it manages to take the strike. With that, he nods a bit with a little look to the party, making sure they are all alright, then he draws back both of his blades while he begins a chant to send a fireball into the boss!

Though the sight of the king is familiar to Kita, he is no less intimidating than before. The spiked pauldrons, the clawed hand, the twisted nature that seems to have become part of the man, leaves it impossible to imagine who he might have been before all of this. She steps forward, still holding her spellbook, "And we told you that we would be back."

The book flips open in her hand, settling on a page. Her fingers lay there, ready to call up her own dark magic in answer. That doesn't mean that Kita is immune to the effects around her. She flinches, taking a half-step back defensively as that roar booms in the room.

The next second, crimson electricity is sweeping towards them and she has just enough time to trace a rune in the air. When the crackling energy hits, it seems to go around her, as if there were a bubble that was keeping her from harm. Hints of black and purple linger in the air in the aftermath.

"You wanted to challenge me with flame last time. Let's see how you like it..." Kita extends her hand, a roiling dark flame forming there. Drawing her arm back, she launches it towards the King, splitting mid-flight and aiming to impact in three smaller impacts of magical energy.

Goldenblade dives clear of the arc of electricity heading toward the group. She's been through electrical safety classes enough times, she knows staying clear is important, so she hustles fast, diving past and circling around. That leaves her a bit out of position, so she dashes back in, alert to attack from the boss's back with her two swords, whirling as she stikes fiercely, hoping to be able to contribute to this effort.

As soon as the king is starting to walk forward Shaskur is already running to the side of the room, trying to use the pillars as barriers between herself and the king. As the magical wave of electricity washes outward Shaskur, leaps high into the air, curling into a ball as the magical attack passes just underneath her. Then opening up she lands gracefully on her feet, crouching down low to absorb the impact, twin daggers still held.

Continue to sprint around to flank she watches the king closely as the rest of the part engages, then also glances over to the throne area that he recently vacated. Did he still have the amulet on? Were there any other clues or important details that could be seen?

"You can kick in his butt," Shiruba replies to Uta to cheer her up/cheer her on as they approach the throne room. Nothing or no one tries to stop them.

Which can only mean the King is saving his power.

Sure enough, he's not very happy to see them. Or at least acting that he's not very happy to see them, Shiruba is pretty certain that's not entirely the case. To which she points back at the looming form with one finger. "You warned knowing damn well us 'heroes' would never listen! Someone has to clean up the mess the corruption has made here. So bring it on!"

Which the Tainted King does, unleashing a sweep of electricity across the room! Shiruba snaps her arm up from her point and whips up a surge of her own charged air around herself. It's like that staticy feel in the atmosphere you sometimes get just before a thunderstorm. Her charge disperses the arcs from hitting her.

Then she darts to the side, to get into position as the meleers move in on the king's form. She regrips the bowstring with her other hand and pulls back, angling her shot up a bit as frosty swirls ripple around the arrowhead. "Ice Rain!" And lets the arrow fly. In midair the arrow burst, transforming into a cluster of icicle-like projectiles to bombarding down on the Tainted King.

    Everyone else seems more eager to run in than Yumi, so she throws the doors open and hurries as fast as her little legs can carry her to get to the front lines of the fight. "Hey! Wait up for me! I'm supposed to be in front so I can protect you all!" she calls out to the others, only for the King to make himself known. Taking up a defensive position, the gnome puts her shield between herself and the King, whose lightning dances across its surface but otherwise leaves her unharmed.

"Phew, that was close. Anyone hurt?" she checks, glancing around, then as she sees nobody's taken any significant damage yet, she turns her attention toward the boss and grits her teeth as she unslings her mace. Swinging it in a circle above her head, she charges in to aim a blow at the King's ribs- if he even has any. She's not sure. "I got here late so I don't know what's got you in such a foul temper, but if you touch one hair on these cubs' heads, I'll show you why they call me Mama Bear!"

    Uta smiles back at Shiruba "I'll be more than glad to perform some percussive maintenance on this monarch's buttocks as soon as-"

    Warning! Incoming attack!

    Uta notices, and thrusts her staff ahead to meet the lightning bolt head-on. The massve electric arc crackles, while the Martial Arts Nurse looks down and away, perhaps to avoid being blinded by the intensity of the light, her arms and legs, despite her best effort at keeping them in a grounded, stable stance, begin shaking harder and harder as the intaken energy slowly pushes her backwards. It is a lot for her to take, and every passing moment the sheer energy comes closer and closer to overwhelm her, especially since, at the end, the staff itself starts crackling, small red lightning bolts forming and dissipating along its length and around her bare arms.

    But she holds.

    Panting, shaking, taxed by the experience but still standing, she looks back up, straight at the king.

    And starts singing.

    Her staff, still charged up and crackling red, lights in sync with her song, different notes illuminating different sections in different colors. The interference with the king's electricity, however, occasionally causes the whole staff to glow red, or various normally red electric discharges to be colored differently in accordance with the song's melody.

    With the last note of the crescendo and a spin in place, the staff is jabbed at the king once again, discharging its energy back at the source.

    The Tainted King stands before them, before he can draw his sword to the ready, Merek's fireball comes rushing and slams against the King's armor, with a brilliant flash of red. The flames dancing around the armored plating.

Kita then makes her declaration and his red, glowing eyes gleam brightly. There is a rumble, but no words. He sweeps around, his claw hand extending as he seems to disperse her magic across an unseen barrier. This leaves an opening that Goldenblade can take advantage of. Her blades slash into the armor of the King before he can move around to defend himself against her.

The armored being takes a step back, only to step into the path of Shiruba's raining ice, that clashes against his armor. The group can see his HP bar drop ever so slightly. The raining ice was enough to almost cause him to take a knee, which was the opening for Yumi to slam her mace into the armor. The impact leaving a mark, as the Tainted King slides with the force, before he gets a taste of his own medicine it seems from Uta.

    However, the king is not down, as he then swing his blade for Yumi and Goldenblade. On the third swing, he slams the blade down to the ground, which sends debris from the stone floor toward Shiruba. Uta, and Kita.

To Avoid (Yumi & Goldenblade): +roll <evasion/shield>[with card] vs 9
To Avoid (Kita, Uta, & Shiruba): +roll <evasion/shield>[with card] vs 10

    Meanwhile...
Shaskur finds nothing of note, she can continue to search and hope to find something, but its a ticking clock till the Tainted King perhaps figures out she is not with the others.

Squinting her eyes in displeasure Shaskur nears the slowly crumbling throne ready to leap behind it if danger came her way. The amulet had to still be somewhere, she wasn't going to give up quite yet. After a quick investigation of the throne once she arrives she looks back to the ongoing battle, continuing to squint as she strains to notice any unusual details as the King is knocked backwards and twists when he unleashes sword strikes on the party.

The fact that her magic is dispersed so easily is enough to raise a bit of frustration in Kita, the girl's fingers clenching into a fist. She bites back a curse, flipping between pages, trying to find a different avenue to take against his powerful defenses.

Of course, this means she is looking downward when the blade hits the ground. She looks up, gets a complete deer-in-the-headlights expression, and then sweeps her hand out in front of her. A blast of air magic throws her backwards, managing to allow her to escape the damage from the debris, but also causing her to stumble and lose her balance. Her hand reaches out, catching herself from falling fully, then gets back to her feet.

"Okay." She looks down at herself, then takes a couple of quick breaths before her eyes turn steely as she looks towards the King. Her fingers move quickly through the air, tracing out a series of runes which then vanish. They re-appear on the ground in front of her, creating a summoning circle. What rises out of it is a huge bat-like monster, who creels at high volume before spitting out a ball of dark magical energy launching it at the King's feet.

    Merek would look to the fight, then notices that the debris is coming at the party. He maneuvers through while he tries to bring up his shield of light, though even while he does the strike hits Shiruba. "Ah," he notes. The man doesn't seem to be the kind to talk a lot, while he nods to the woman. Then he places the blades up while he begins to chant, "Ol Repth!"

Goldenblade continues to attack from the flank, but now the boss is attacking her directly. Her defensive skill is not as great as she had hoped, trying to avoid the boss's weapon, but misguessing the trajectory and diving almost right into it. She rolls away and regains her feet, but her HP bar shows that she paid the price for that.

"Gah, got to concentrate," she mutters to herself, squaring up and attemping to slip into position to deliver a counterattack. She thrusts both blades into the creature, hoping to continue to damage it, to make it pay for smacking her around so badly. The pain's muted, but there, but pain's no stranger and doesn't slow down Goldenblade, who fights on with perserverance.

    Yumi is not used to fighting bosses like this, so she's using every bit of concentration she has to keep an eye on everyone else, only barely noticing the Tainted King's sword in time to raise her shield for another block, deflecting the blade as it passes mere inches from her face. She then spots him going after the other members of the party, and that just won't do!

"Hey, you LISTEN to me when I'm TALKING to you! Put that sword down this instant or you're grounded, young man!" she says with her most authoritative Mom Voice, uncaring whether the King is actually younger than her or not as she swings her mace toward his sword arm, aiming to weaken his blows for a while if she can.

Crud, the King is trying to turn this into a bullet hell as well! Shiruba bolts to the left, bolts to the right... and still gets clobbered as the upheavel of debris also disrupts the surface she was using to propel herself from. Shrapnel from the floor pelts the huntress, knocking her for a bit of a loop as she staggers before recomposing herself. "Guess I zagged when I should of zigged," she growls under her breath and shakes her head. Merek steps in and casts a bit of healing magic over her to take the sting away. "Thanks!" Teamwork is a blessing.

This time she doesn't actually nock an arrow from her quiver, the wolfgirl pulls the bowstring back seemingly empty. Only for the runes adorning the arms to glow as she does, and an arrow composed entirely of arcane energy forms with the action. Then is fired, sent howling towards the mighty tainted king.

    "I'm not hurt! I think?", Uta replies to Yumi, just before seeing the incoming spray of Debris. "...Not yet, at least?", she yelps.

    This is going to be hard to dodge.

    In her defense, she does make an attempt, leaping sideways, rolling-

    ...and getting pelted over and over by a fusillade of rocks and stones and who knows what else the debris consists of, each impact flashing red against her body, docking from her HP bar, and, somehow, the impact sounds resulting in the beginning of of Chopin's Funeral March (Piano Sonata N.2 in B Flat Minor Op 35), dramatically sped up because of the rate at which rocks are hitting (polyphonically at that, thanks to the wonders of multiple bits of debris hitting at once!)

    "...I've been played..."

    She props herself up with her staff. "You know what I have to say about your attacks?"

    She resumes a fighting position. Knees bent, feet firmly planted on the ground, stance lowered. Her left fist is pulled at her hip, while her right hand, holding the staff horizontal, is extended forward.

    Intense stare.

    The staff begins spinning. Faster. And faster. And faster again, until it's a blur, a blur spinning the air in a vortex, which bursts out with elemental violence towards the King.

    "...I am not a fan!"

    Kita summons a giant bat monster, which sends in turn a dark ball of magic at the King's feet. The dark magic explodes, sending the Tainted King sliding back, this leads another opening for Goldenblade to take advantage of.

Her swords slashing into the Boss Monster's armor, before he can retaliate in kind, with a swing of his own blade at Goldenblade's direction! Then Yumi jumps in trying to grab the Tainted King's attention. Her mace slams down on his arm, the forcing making him stagger for a moment, but then he goes to swing his free arm around to back hand her away from him.

    The arrows come flying in as the Tainted King has his back turned to the ranged Adventurers. The arrows slam into the armored cape and explode, causing a dip into the Boss' HP. Uta's attack than slams into the king nearly knocking him off his feet. His armored boots drag across the ground, before he raises up his sword hand with a struggle and then slashes the wind in half to end the spell. Which causes the chains around him to rattle and flicker with that crimson red electricity.

Thankfully Shaskur goes unnoticed, but the king is close so whatever she is going to do, she better do it soon, because his gaze may notice her soon.

[[ Music Change: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFppStNpssI ]]

    After their attacks come in, the king rises up and brings up his sword around one of the chains. The blade braking the chain, as the charge dances around the sword. "KNEEL!" he roars out before swinging the sword at the back line. The chain goes flying out, attempting to wrap around them as the electric current follows along.

To Avoid: Goldenblade & Yumi +roll <evasion/shield>[with card] vs 11
To Avoid: Merek, Uta, Shiruba, & Kita +roll <evasion/shield>[with card] vs 8

    Shaskur spots the crystal that Aurora is a prisoner in. She can make out the ghost caught inside, seeming to be in a fiddle position and unmoving; Is she okay?

It is after the attack, does the King's eyes fall on Shaskur, "What do you think you are doing, little imp?" He rumbles lowly. Shaskur better move fast!

Goldenblade is paying much closer attention to her surroundings after getting damaged. Once bitten, twice shy, and when the chain comes her way, she pulls out all the stops and leaps high, clearing the incoming attack just barely. But a miss is as good as a mile, as they say. Or maybe 'close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and nuclear war'. This is none of those things, so she remains safe.

She counterattacks with heavy, hammering blows, first with one blade, then the next, raining them down just as fast and hard as she can manage on the boss's flank.

    Yumi lands that hit, and to her satisfaction it does seem to be making it harder for the King to swing his sword. "See there? Now maybe if you just drop the weapon, we can talk about your problems, and together we can find a solution that'll make everyone happy. Let's be reasonable adults about all this, okay?" she tries to say, but the only response she gets is a backhand from the King that she only *just* manages to take with her shield instead of her body, the force of it still sending her reeling back a step.

"Good to hear!" she also responds to Uta, flashing her a thumbs up before raising her mace above her head. Watery sickles begin to encircle the weapon, swinging along with it one after the other as she brings it down toward the King's armor, seeking to rend it so the others can have an easier time damaging him. "As for you, why don't you cool off for a bit? Er, um... SPLASH BRAVE!"

As the king swings both sword and chain, there is a moment where Kita simply freezes. Her eyes widen, and the chain slams into her, knocking her backwards into one of the walls of the throne room. A large chunk of the Imp's HP drops, her entire torso lighting with red where the damage is dealt. There is a moment where she has trouble breathing, trying to get air back into her lungs. When it finally does work, it comes in as a gasp, her hand coming up to her chest.

There is something that seems to snap in that instant, her eyes looking around as if she were expecting an attack from all directions. When she spots the King, she ends up scuttling along the ground, not quite able to get her feet under herself.

In her panic-driven state, she makes a couple of quick motions, then slams her hand onto the ground. Another summoning circle appears in front of her, the girl struggling to catch her breath. From the dark circle, a form begins to appear. This time, it is a large dinosaur, with small arms, feathers, and massive jaws. The difference being that there are places on the creature's form that are distinctly skeletal, the flash messing.

It roars a challenge, then runs towards the King, leaping up and using those jaws to try to bite through parts of the armor, seeking whatever squishy flesh might be underneath.

As Shaskur leaps up onto the throne, staring into the floating crystal above it, the magical barrier surrounding it. Inside the crystal she sees the form of the unmoving princess, Aurora. Last Shaskur had seen her the princess seemed awake and able to communicate - her current state was worrying.

Inspecting the throne closely she notices three gems that were glowing slightly, were they the reason the crystal was held in the magical barrier?

Then through the sounds of explosions and clang of steel on steel there was a chilling comment that drifted through the noise.

"What do you think you are doing, little imp?"

A chill ran up Shaskur's spin. Oh shit! Eyes quickly darting from the crystal trapping Aurora to those embedded in the throne, she made a snap decision. Darkness swirled about her daggers as she drove them down onto the crystals in rapid succession.

    Merek is taken in by the swing, and even while the flame shield lifts, the strike sends that whole energy into him, taking a bit of the HP Bar. He then looks about to that boss while he considers a little bit, then he sweeps a hand up while he begins to chant. There's a circle that begins to appear beneath Kita. She seems to be most worried about taking the hit. The mental wellness of the party takes precedence, "Fairy Healing!" he states then while he tries to heal the woman.

This time Shiruba is better prepared for the Tainted Kind's countertactic against ranged attackers. She charges a Wave Arte into one hand and crouchs to slam it into the floor at her feet. "Box Canyon Guard!" Three slabs of stone rise out of the floor, one in front of her and one on either side, knocking together to form walls. Essential she has indeed made a minature box canyon around herself.

The chain slams into the front, but not strong enough to smash through the heavy magic stone. It wraps around the sides, but the walls keep it apart and it wraps across the opening the back instead of catching the wily hunter from behind. The lightning that discharges is soaked by the rock and grounded out away from the hunter within.

As the sparks of current crackle down the stone surfaces Shiruba takes advantage of the opening in the back to slide under the chains and dart away, the formation collapsing after she's safetly clear and keeping the chain away from her. She drags out one foot to stop her skid, and kicks back off into motion. "Here comes the Howling Storm!" Even as she's running alongside the battle the hunter's swiftness is on keen display as she fires off two high impact arrows in rapid success at the King!

Granted 'circle-strafing' is more an action shooter tactic than RPG, but Shiruba has been a gamer long enough to know when to pull a few other tricks into play.

    The chain headed for Uta flies through the air, but the musical/martial/medical Spriggan is not taken by surprise: she dodges out of the way so fast to create a sonic boom, reappearing right next to Kita. "Don't worry, I will protect y-"

    ...whoops. Too late.

    She watches Kita with concern, considering her hoptions. To heal her, or to attack, to heal or-

    The imp! She has been spotted! Oh, no!

    "Your majesty!", she calls out to the King. Just because you're fighting someone it doesn't mean you don't have to be polite. "Please allow me to politely suggest to..."

    People who have seen Uta before might recognize the dark, oppressive chant. The staff darkens with the notes instead of lighting up in different colors, and Uta's figure progressively fades into a dark silhouette, a bubble of blackness growing around her, with tendrils of purple (smoke? Light? Hard to tell) seeping out of her body, whriting, in a nightmarish vision. Her eyes glow purple, her voice suddenly deeper, threatening, "Leave. Her. Alone."

    Her weight is thrusted forward, her hands pushing on, and the entire aura is discharged as a projectile of dark energy towards the king.

    Shaskur breaks the crystals and with a glimmer of an explosion, the magical barrier fades around the small crystal that is holding the Princess hostage in.

The crystal falls into the Imp's hands, but soon as it does, she can see a shadow looming over her. It wasn't too soon after, poor Shaskur finds herself being thrown for the wall with a loud, "RAAAH!" from the Tainted King.

His attention on Shaskur gives Goldenblade the opening she needs. Her attacks land firmly against the Boss Monster's armor. One blow after the other, giving him no counter to work with. This is also an opening for the other melee fighter Yumi, whose own swings make their mark.

    The Tainted King finds his footing though and manages to at last parry the final hits, moving himself back a bit, just in time to spot Kita's creature coming to run in. One he skewers with his sword to force it to fade away.

Kita's summoned creature, gives Shiruba the opening she needs to circle around the boss, knocking down a bit more of his HP, as he staggers a bit from arrow impacts.

Uta's dark aura slams into the King. It causes him to slide back and impact hard enough into one of the pillars, that the roof around him starts to crumble down. Slowly though he pushes himself from the pillar. Slowly he forces himself to stand tall.

    The group can see the damage to the armor is clear as day. Red, glowing cracks fill the armor. He looks ready to crumble into pieces and yet, the Tainted King still stands. He does not fall; At least not yet.

Then he raises his sword. The dark mist swirls around him, and around the sword. The dark liquid moves to him, the green wisps of fire swirl around like a dark tornado. The chains clatter, as red electricity flies around the room. It is not long before a loud, blood curdling roar comes from the Tainted King.

With his roar he swings his sword and the magical energy collected by the sword is swung outward toward the entire party. It is a massive bursts of fire, electricity, and sheer force to sweep them off their feet, then knock them all back.

To Avoid: +roll <evasion/shield>[with card] vs 11

Kita's eyes dart over to Uta, locking there for a second before she seems to snap back into the reality of the moment. "Shit, sorry." She still seems on the edge of panic, but manages to scramble to her feet, seeming appreciative of the Spriggan's aid. She notices the effect of the fairy magic, but in the next instant, before it can take effect, she is launched backwards by the King's massive attack.

She hits the wall again, this time sliding down to the ground, health dipping into warning levels. The edge of her vision goes slightly red. "Why..." She seems to try and form a question, but it never quite gets to her lips. Under other circumstances, she might have tried to flee, but she had made a promise to come back here and see this through to the end.

So, slowly, Kita forces herself back up to her feet. "Enough. This is enough." She wipes a bit of blood away from her forehead, staining her fingers red. This seems to spark something in her and she uses that blood to trace in the air. It forms another arcane circle, which she then uses her hands to combine, focusing the energy into a large ball of fire.

With a shout of defiance, she extends her fingers forward, launching the fireball towards the King's chest.

    Merek looks like he wants to protect Kita again, though before he can there is a sweep from that boss man that would bring him to needing to put his shielding up. He instead waits while it all begins to sweep along that rock formation which he takes up from the ground. When it finishes, the man stands up with a shift to draw what looks like a bow made with pure energy, and nocks back an arrow. "Light that night with that power of the goddesses!"

As Shaskur drives her daggers down into the embedded crystal the darkness seeps in and then seems to coil and claw within it. She drives the dagger down another time and the crystal cracks slightly, and the darkness explodes outward shattering the crystal into fragments.

With the enchantment broken the crystal holding the princess falls, no longer shielded. Shaskur reaches out and just as her fingers close around the crystal a looming shadow falls over her.

Then next thing she knows is the world spinning. And pain. Lots of pain. Her side has a deep glowing red slash mark telling tale of what transpired. She just has enough time clutch her fist with the crystal to her chest when-

SLAM!

She crashes into the wall. Falling to the ground dazed she tries to get up and run, to seek somewhere to hide, but the wave of fire crashes into her and she is thrown against the wall once more. Her head cracks against the stone and HP drops dangerously low. Still dazed she starts to panic.

    Yumi glances over to see Shaskur trying to fulfill some side objective- taking some crystals? Nevertheless, it seems like an important task as even the others are willing to keep the King's attention off of the rogue. Thus, maneuvering around the Tainted King to place herself between him and Shaskur, Yumi hurries to try and intercept his attack, only to be blown back by it against the wall behind the throne, eliciting a cry of pain.

Coughing as she stands up again, the gnome warrior groans and grasps at her aching back. "Oof... maybe I'm getting too old for this after all..." she complains, but has a little stretch and cracks her neck before moving in front of the wounded Shaskur and darting in to strike a quick blow at the King with her shield still raised. "If you wanna finish her off, you'll have to get through me!"

Goldenblade throws up a fierce block in a panic against the attack coming her way. By luck, it's successful, and she avoids the attack, another close one! But evade, she does, and she fights back with her blades, leaving concussive blows with her blades, bashing for all she's worth against the monster, her heavy blades sapping that monster's HP bar a smidgen at a time.

Yay Shaskur was able to get to the crystal and break it! And probably get whalloped for it, but those are the risks Adventurers take right? That's what they're here for. They knew what they were after, and the battle was reaching it's climax.

Especially when the Tainted King throws a massive tantrum, and a majority of the room at them. The wolfgirl keeps moving, managing to duck under some of the chains and skim past the debris. It's when a blast of the electrified fire slams into the floor next to her that the resulting shockwave blows her off her feet and Shiruba is send wheeling away admist sparks and flame. She hits the floor and tumbles hard. Exhales sharply and jabs an end of her bow into the ground to help push herself back up.

She's showing several of the red 'wound' effects like scratchs and bruises, but as her ponytail and outfit fur linings flutter in the whirlwind around them from the attack she gets onto her feet. Ears splay back and a snarl shows her sharper canine teeth, looking very much like an angry wolf. "I'm sorry, your highness."

She draws back an arrow, charging as much remaining magic into it as she can muster, runic script of bow and arrow shimmering brightly. "But for the sake of the kingdom you once protected.." Teeth gritted and brow furrowed, she aims through the tempest and fires the arrow.... which seems to have been overshot as it hits the ceiling. A flawed shot?!

No, that's exactly where Shiruba wanted the arrow to imbed itself. "This throneroom is going to be your tomb!" Large chunks like stalactites form from around the arrow and drop from above the King, like an Earth Pillar in reverse!

    Uta reacts in the blink of an eye.

    Staff flipped upside-down, she slams it into a crack in the ground, its tapering form making it look like a sort of lightning rod. She gets down on one knee, clutching at her weapon like a pensive knight would do with its sword, eyes turned downwards and off to one side, closed, chanting relentlessly.

    Musical colors, once again, dance on the staff, with associated polychrome swirling lights around it, as it absorbs the incoming wave of energy and electricity and disperses it into the ground, the sizzling, igneous luminescence shining through the network of cracks in the ground, the fainter the farthest one goes from the epicenter where Uta is, where the light is is downright blinding.

    That might be why she is keeping her eyes closed.

    Once the magical energy stops flowing, and the light has subsided, she opens her eyes again, looking forward, determined.

    "...ok, guys," she says, turning towards the party members behind her. "I am beginning to understand how this game work. I think I have figured out the king's weak spot..."

    With a resolute pull, she extracts her staff from the crack in ground, gives it a skillful spin, and points it forward like a lance.

    "He's vulnerable to being slammed into walls."

    "CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!", she exclaims before anyone can reply, heading straight for the Tainted King.

    Shaskur panics and then she can hear a weak voice, a weak woman's voice from inside the crystal she just took. "... Don't give up Shaskur... be strong... please? Please be strong..." If Shaskur was to look at the crystal, she can see the ghostly princess trying to get up as well. Trying to be strong too for her 'friends' she has made.

The Tainted King attempts to use his sword to slice the fireball spell coming for him in half, but the spell makes its impact and the monstrous king slides back.

Merek's own attack finds its mark, right in the same place as Kita, and before the King can recover, here comes Yumi landing in what seems like the final hit.

    Yet, the king tries to rise, only to be beaten around by Goldenblade's attacks. Uta's attack slams into him hard, sending him into another pillar, if not directly through it. He rolls along the ground and tries to rise. He tries to rise up at least to his knee. "... my... beautiful... daughter..." He whispers out softly. "... I am sorry..."

The crystal in Shaskur's hands starts to glow. He attempts to stand once more, but Shiruba's attack makes sure he doesn't even try to get back up. There was no words from the king, only the crumbling of rumble around him and the wisps of light that escape out.

The dark twisted sword resides where he is once the dust clears. A clear sky above, as the thunder gently rolls away. The room, slowly starting to show its true age. A place old and slowly falling apart. Rain droplets from the sky above gentle drip down through the holes in the ceiling above.

The adventurer's can hear the sound of what is maybe waves? Perhaps the ocean. It becomes a hint that this place may actually exist somewhere in Yamato!

Also with Shaskur, the imp may find herself once she tries to look, peering directly at the Princess who is now at last touching her face. Though it is a ghostly, cold touch, there is Aurora. "You-- came back for me..." She says with a soft smile.

    Yet, the beautiful ghost, with flowing hair that moves like in the waves, and a once beautiful dress torn in some places, quickly turns away from Shaskur, "Father?" Her eyes fall on the sword, then at the rubble, "Father!" It isn't long till the ghost runs over there, floating along the ground, to only find nothing at all.

As the rains start to fall heavier, the ghostly princess falls down to her knees. Resting there on the cold, old marble stone floor. "... father... I am sorry... This is all my fault... if I did not get sick... you wouldn't have listened to..." But whatever she wanted to say is hidden in ghostly wailing of tears.

    It was also not shortly after does a portal open, along with a chest to each of the adventurers that are here. There is also that sword. The dark sword the king used, that sits there. Perhaps-- a worthy weapon, if someone dares to take it.

    Merek looks to the discussion, and he is moved. To some this is all the game, to him it means a lot more. It is another world, a world worth protecting, while he looks to Shaskur, then to all the party. He nods along to Uta, while he pulls back the hood, which shows the nice dusky features while his golden eyes look to the weapon. He walks forward while he places a hand upon the blade.
    With dark magic the thorns begin to shift around a hand while he tries to draw it up. "Princess, I will take up the sword in your father's memory, and protect all which he protected."

Shiruba lets out a sigh of relief as the king shows no sign of getting up after the barrage of attacks focused on stopping him. "It's.. it's over." It's small, but already the room around them seems to brighten just a little, showing how long ago it really is. Shaskur has a bit of a Tender Moment with the Princess, who then runs over to mourn her father's departure. Thunder peels, and what is likely the first proper rain to fall in ages starts to do so.

But it is the sound of waves that gets the explorer's attention.

"Huh?" Ears perk straight up and swivel a bit. Then Shiruba runs to try and find an opening in the walls, window or otherwise, that she can look outside. She heard waves, and if it's possible this forgotten realm actually exists in Yamato's normal landscape and not just a fancy dungeon creation, she is going to want to find it!

But she needs to see if there's anything distinct outside that could be used as a reference point for future investigation to do so.

When the spell leaves her hands, that seems to be the last of Kita's strength and she falls forward to her knees, watching as the end of the King plays out in front of her. In the end, her head tips back, allowing the rain to pour down her face. It removes some of the lingering blood as she closes her eyes, just trying to catch her breath.

She can hear the pain from the ghostly princess. It isn't until Merek's words reach her ears that Kita opens her eyes again, white and blue hair hanging in damp rivulets arund her face. She just looks towards him for a long moment before pushing herself to her feet. "You're an idiot." Nope. She is not going anywhere near that cursed thing. "You choose to be stupid, you better be willing to handle whatever comes with it." And she leaves it at that.

The girl gets shakily to her feet, looking at the princess with a somber expression. It doesn't quite feel like a victory. The sound of the ocean reaches her ears though, and she comments softly to herself, "I wonder where we are..." She'll eventually check out the treasure chest, but not at first. Instead, Kita will wander idlely through the ruins, taking stock of the disaster that has befallen this place.

The princess's voice reaches Shaskur and her nerves steady somewhat, she takes a deep breath and opens her eyes ready to move, but before her is the princess, Aurora. Her ghostly hand causes a slight chill along her face, and she just nods when the princess comments about having come back.

And then Aurora notices her father, or what is left of him. As Aurora hovers over to him Shaskur looks on in silence. Her heart acks at the sight, and memories flicker in her mind. She holds a gloved hand up to her eyes as she bows her head. When she lowers her hand there is moisture on it.

Shaskur stands and slowly moves over to Aurora, the chest ignored for now. She tries to place a hand on the princess's shoulder, only to have her hand pass right through. "I'm sorry" she says instead, her head bowing once more.

    As the King falls, Yumi breathes a sigh of relief, putting away her shield and mace. However, now that the weather is clearing and sunlight and the sound of waves are filtering into the throne room, she sees the princess mourning her dead father. Joining Shaskur in trying to comfort Aurora, Yumi tries to pat the princess as well to just as little success. "There, there. It's not your fault. Nothing here is your fault."

She doesn't *know* that for certain, but that's beside the point.

    Uta looks down and away, rubbing the back of her head. She had just gotten to the point where she was developing a taste for slaughtering bosses, when suddenly you have to deal with the complications of having to face the emotional trauma of their next of kin, trauma for which /you/ are responsible.

    What do you say in circumstances like this? Life on Earth, even if involving the admittedly complex etiquette of XXI-century Japan, doesn't prepare you for the circumstances where you have to face a princess and apologize for killing her father in front of her while she was forced to watch hopelessly trapped as a ghost inside a crystal.

    Or does it?

    At the moment, Uta is too confused to remember.

    "It couldn't be helped," she murmurs, in a somber tone. "There was nothing else we could do. I am sorry for your loss."

    That said, she approaches Kita. "You scared me, there." A moment of silence, in which the ocean can be heard again. "Please allow me to help...", she says, and begins chanting a slow, soothing melody, which envelopes her staff in wisps of light and magical dust in pastel tones, which eventually depart to reach and envelope the Imp mage.

Goldenblade is panting slowly as things wind down, and she looks around to see if there's any other trouble. Looks like not, but she's not sure what -is- going on in the aftermath, so she just watches quietly, stretching her back and rolling her shoulders, more out of habit than need. That was a good workout. She peers at the ghost, but she seems to understhand it had to happen. Nothing more need be said.

    The Princess doesn't respond sadly to Merek or to Shaskur, she simply cries. As she does, more of the shape of the castle can be seen. Vines have found their way inside the building.

Shiruba's attempt to find something about this place, leads to the fact she can only slightly see into another room beyond the throne room, along with-- something maybe moving beyond the wall. Something undead is trying to stir awake-- or maybe it was just the wind playing with ancient fabric?

Kita like Shiruba finds that the throne room gives no visible point of where they are. Just that they are /somewhere/, that there is a portal that leads back to where they came from, and the doors, Oddly enough, to the throne room are closed. The only way really out is by the portal once more.

    It takes the ghost a bit, but she tries to smile. "He... was a good man... and.. I am starting to remember." Her eyes look around, before she turns to face those near her. Looking at each of them. "You all should go. Please. I-- I need time to sort out my memories and... mourn over my father in peace..."

Her hands clasp as she floats there just slightly off the ground. "Please go... before /she/ awakens.... Unlike my father, I... I can't bargain with her or... change her mind." Wait?! Her?!! "But, when-- when we meet again," The ghost tries to smile. "I promise I'll explain things the best I can."

When Uta approaches, Kita looks over, blinking some of the rain out of her eyes. "Sorry." She replies, and in that moment, most of the bravado that Uta might be used to from the girl seems to be gone. Instead, there is a simple, gentle sort of vulnerability there. A momentary glimpse beneath the mask that she wears around most people.

Her arms pull her spellbook towards her chest. "Bad memories. Sometimes they hit a little too close to home when monsters get up close and personal." Kita explains. "It's why Jurou plays a Justicar. To protect me. Guess I'm just afraid of dragging them into things like this."

Shaking her head, Kita still seems like something isn't quite right with her. But she remains still, accepting the healing magic. "Thank you. I'll be fine in a little bit." She offers Uta a nod, then seems to walk a bit of a distance away from the others.

Of course, that's when she hears the ghostly plea. "It's not over..." That's the conclusion she comes to. For now, though, Kita shakes her head, moves over to claim her prize from the treasure chest, and heads to the portal. She had a /lot/ to think about.

Shiruba huffs softly. She's not really surprised, the throne room was in the interior of the castle. There is the sound of waves at least, and knowing they are somewhere near water. Could even be an island of some kin--

--What was that? Did she see something move, or was it just the shadows? She would almost expect it was the latter.

Until the Princess speaks up. No name or anything, but the emphasis it was something -not pleasant- is enough. Shiruba can make a few educated guesses on what they have learned, but there is time for that later.

"Don't worry, Princess. We -will- back. Promise. You just stay safe in the meantime."

With that reassurance made, she grabs her chest and heads for the portal. She didn't miss it, just Explorer Things came first.

    Meanwhile...

As Merek reaches for the blade, he uses the dark energy to counter the blade's own darkness, but barely. He can hear whispers coming from it, but those whispers are hard to determine for the moment.

Are they whispers of ideas? Of sorrows? For now, they are only gentle whispers he can hear from the dark sword. Even as a little bit of the sun finds it that pierces the rain clouds. That light, that light refuses to touch the surface of the sword. ominous mist slowly rolls across the blade, with a blood red gem pulsing gently, like a heart beat.

Is this truly something he wants to keep? What power does it hold? Maybe it could be useful for the fights to come? All choices he has to make and make alone.

    Merek looks to the sword, while he thinks about it. It feels like an actual arcane whisper, as if this was real magic, that might just be something coded in. He does not know, he does draw up the weapon while he begins to lift it, dark energies from him beginning to shift to it while he finds a wrap from his pack, then he begins to seal the weapon in the material. Then he places that onto his back, while he takes one of those quest awards. That, he puts back into the inventory itself, while he makes a way to the portal.

Shaskur looks up at Aurora as she pleads for them to go. "If you can, try call me through the shards later?" She says questioning, not sure if such a thing will still be possible. She looks down at the crumbled armour, trying to find more words. "I will see you again, Aurora" and she looks the ghost in the eye, determination showing in her own.

Then moving over she collects the small chest item and tucks it under her arm. Then looking around at the others she says, "Thanks for helping out with this everyone. I think we've finally lifted the curse." But as she looks back to the princess as she knees over her father's remains she adds "But I don't think this is over yet. Clearly there is still more that needs to be done."

Then with a final look around at the party "I'm going to heed the princess's words though. Time to go." And with that she steps through the portal.

    Yumi is completely lost in all this, having not been present for the previous quests. But hey, she'll accept this as a victory. So, nodding to Aurora and taking her chest, the Mama Bear heads through the portal. "We'll return, don't worry! Everything will be alright, just give it some time, okay?" she reassures the princess.

    Uta knows that sometimes the best speech you can give is listening.

    And that is what she does. She listens to Kita. With respect, understanding, and silence. No further words are necessary. Not now. A simple. "You are welcome," is offered at Kita's expression of gratitude, and then leaves her to sort things out for herself.

    A similar treatment is offered to the princess. Silence and understanding, and respect for her need to process things. She walks towards the chest reserved for her, picks it up, and with a bow and a "Good bye and thank you, Your Highness.", she walks into the portal.

    While all this was happening, she also tried to focus on as many details as possible about the situation, the here and the now, anything to keep the memory of this moment vivid in her head, for later recall. It might help in locating this room.

    She focused. She focused on the smells in the air, the air on her skin, its temperature, its movement, its humidity, the sound of any animal (seagulls?) or monster, the rough angle of the sun...

    ...and the joy of a brain running without a hitch.

    A glorious feeling, that made her smile.

    Enjoy it, Uta. Enjoy it while it lasts.

        ... Sometime later ...

The night starts to fall over the castle and the ghostly princess starts to make her way for the doors, only to have them open before her.

Aurora quickly backs up, only to look at a dark figure in the shadows. Those golden eyes peer down at her. The figure is feminine in shape. Aurora furrows brow, "You! I remember everything! You won't keep me quiet and they'll be back!"

    The feminine figure laughs gently. "I am sure they will be, my little dear, but that is where the adventure will end for them. Now why don't you run along," She smiles and sharp fangs become visible. "For I have /much/ to do and many of /my/ soldiers to awaken with that /father/ of yours gone."

    "You-- you monster!" Then Aurora runs right through her and out the door beyond the castle.

    The feminine figure only looks behind her before she laughs gently and then laughs loudly. Her clawed hands extend upward, as skeletons start to rise, along with sleeping armored figures. "Rise! Rise my minions! We will feast on all those who /dare/ to enter here! Mwahahaha!!!"

        -- The End? --