Breaking The Chains

Mikage and Cyrus go to investigate what is up with all these undead. They find a patrol that has captured some travelers, but can they do anything to save them from a possibly dark fate?

(( Scene for Mikage & Cyrus. Posting this as a reminder to myself. ))

Helena Lethe
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

    This land is a fertile land. Not only in the amount of farms, but also in the routes used moving from town to town, to port to town, and back again. The trouble is that one such transport of goods did not come in on its schedule. A slowly growing problem in this part of the Ninetails Dominion.

On the road heading for where the wagons should be, there would be a faint cry in the distance, a woman's voice, "Let me go!" Soon even more voices. There over the ridge, as the morning light dares to bring sun to the land, are three robed figures. With them several armored skeleton forces.

    The undead were forcing the people to the ground that have had their hands tied behind their back. A few more using bolas to tangle up runners and knock them to the ground as well. Then for those who thought they have a chance, one of those robbed figures would move with great speed and stop themselves, seeming to throw them back toward the undead.

One of the robed figures does speak up, her voice commanding. "Let's hurry this along! The sun will be soon fully up and I grew tired of the mild interferences it brings in these operations."

Then a males voice speaks up, after he throws another lander to the undead. "Along with how it makes my skin itch. Augh!"

Then the last goes who just makes a hand gesture, "You are such a baby, Joshua. Man up already and /deal/."

    By the looks of numbers though, there was not that many armored skeletons here. Maybe about twelve to sixteen at most.
Mikage
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

Strange things were happening in the Ninetails Dominion, so it is no surprise that the New World Alliance would send someone to investigate. Mikage and Cyrus are not the first, and likely not the last, to stick their noses into the goings on. With the looming of another Wave of Calamity, it seems only that much more pressing to get some idea of what is going on.

Likely alerted by the delayed wagon, Mikage had decided to go take a more stealthy approach to the situation. She'd motioned to Cyrus, then slipped into the nearby turrain, hiding in grasses, behind rocks, or otherwise moving quietly, following the sound of voices.

"I think we might have found some of the trouble." She whispers into her chimlink. "Robed figures, armored skeletons. More than a dozen." She reports quickly. "They've got a bunch of Landers tied up."

After that report, she asks, "What do you want to do?"
Cyrus
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

Cyrus has joined along with this expedition against a bunch of Undead, wondering just what to think about this. He's been kind of going on the theory of a Wave of Calamity that didn't trigger right or something, because a 'wave of undead' definitely sounds like it's a bad time for everyone involved.

No doubt the Ninetails Dominion is already dealing with this matter as well - probably seeing to it in a different part of their rather enormous region of land. Not to mention having to keep the farms safe from other monsters. Luckily, their common folk are Cait Sith and Were Fangs out the furthest from the Root City - so they can usually take care of themselves more easily than Humans.

Cyrus has been sneaking best he can with Mikage, but he knows very well that for all the languid grace Snow Leopards normally have, he's too tall and too - loud - with all those potions on his clothing to really do anything reminiscing of Stealth.

"I mean, I am going to stop them of course. They may just be Landers. But you don't ever want to give Undead 'more army'." He answers her, and without any additional conversation to the matter, the youth sneaks a bit away from Mikage, before stepping off into the path and points at the robed figures which are... talking.

Which is rather unusual for monsters. He supposes undead are more likely to speak the same language as Landers though. "Stop right there!" He demands from them, taking a posture the likes of a chiding father. "For a mild interference has arrived!" Was that too obvious?
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

\     Soon as Cyrus makes himself known, one of the robed figures looks over. It is obvious as that figure looks over, it is the calmer of the three. Also her face is not that of a skeleton, but rather has flesh. However those eyes-- Those eyes are glowing, before she gives a fanged smile.

The other two at last also look over, and just like her, they also smile, before the not so commanding female looks over to the other woman, "Sister! Please let me have fun with this one. /Please/."

"Eve. No." She says firmly. "We have a job to do and these adventurers have already been proven to be crafty."

The one they called Joshua places a hand on his hip. "And besides, we /have/ these wonderful soldiers." Which he then snaps his fingers. At that point a three of the undead head right for Cyrus.

Eve huffs gently, "Meredith, you are /never/ any fun."

    Their armor clanking against their bone bodies as they move toward him. Though this does give Mikage an opening. There attention was fully on Cyrus, completely unaware that there was another with him.

==============================================================================
    <> No Attack
    <> To Sneak around: Sneaking (with card) vs 6
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Cyrus
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

Cyrus gives a bit of a nervous look between the trio right in front of him. They're talking in such a ... real way. It's kind of creepy really. Especially in the way they're talking about him, as if he's just some low level newbie Adventurer. No doubt there's some ego involved there, but it bugs him that 'mere Monsters' are talking about him like this.

As much as he's been treating the Landers like people, there's still that twinge of human superiority there. The youth steps back just a little, but he doesn't run. Instead, he grips two potions and lines up a very specific spot. See, these are Undead, which have a fantastic property normally of being weak to fire, but tend not to flinch from attacks!

As such, the youth grinds at the bone soldiers coming forward, and snags those thin potions between index and middle finger on both hands, before flinging them in a crossing arc, creating a splash of oil in a 'cross' shape right where the Skeletons are about to step, trying to create a crossing firewall with the full intent of consuming them in flames!

"I will not be talked down upon." Cyrus declares to the undead with a wild grin on his expression.
Mikage
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

There are moments where Mikage just can't quite fathom what is going on in her feline companion's head. She just stares after him as he goes and makes himself so publically known. At the very least, she can utilize it as a distraction, but it doesn't sit well with some part of her that he is putting himself at risk. "Damnit, Cyrus." She whispers.

So, Mikage moves around, trying to get behind the group of undead and their masters. She moves with quiet feet, trying to make sure she goes unnoticed. She sneaks up towards where the prisoners are being kept, trying to slice a few sets of bonds before they notice her. "Stay down. Run when I give the signal." She whispers in the ears of the Landers.
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

    The two of the skeletons get caught up in the flames, while a third races through and attempts to slash the blade at Cyrus, even while on fire; Though its HP bar is going down fast.

Meanwhile the three robed figures just watch, Meredith looking at her two siblings. "Get these people ready for transport out of here." She orders, completely and /utterly/ oblivious to Mikage who is slowly releasing each of the Landers.

She then looks at her two siblings once more. "And keep /him/ away from them, do I make myself clear? Or it will be all three of us who will not hear he end of it." Before she seems to just-- disappear into the ground.

    Meredith hisses at her brother Joshua, "You /heard/ her! You get to working on that! I have command!" She then turns her attention to three more of the skeleton troops. "Get him!" She screeches out.

It wasn't long till three more skeletons start to head right for Cyrus. Meanwhile though, as Mikage continues down the line, each Lander continues to remain still, not saying a word of confirmation toward her but very aware that she was setting them free.

==============================================================================
    <> Cyrus: Defend vs 8
    <> Mikage: No Roll Required
==============================================================================
Cyrus
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

Cyrus may look like a regular alchemist, but he's a well practiced raider. As the last Skeleton gets through the flames and steps forward, he uses that very same cane to halt the last skeleton, stabbing it to the forehead, crushing its skull and reducing its HP the rest of the way, before he swings his cane down like he were cleaning a blade, his gaze set upon the new trio approaching.

Walking at first, then moving faster, quickly rushing the trio, slamming his cane towards their head in order to make a nice resounding 'Clunk-Clunk-Clunk', before jumping back in an attempt to quickly throw a potion in the path of the skeletons, forming a sudden wall of thorns that try to grab hold of the soldiers.

However, the potion slips from his fingers a bit too early, and it goes sailing in an awkward sideways manner, missing the mark - the wall faltering and forcing Cyrus to backpedal quickly in order to avoid the retaliatory assault that was sure to come.
Mikage
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

Moving quickly, Mikage passes from Lander to Lander, trying her best to get to as many as she can before the robed figures turn their attention back to their captives. The fact that they are taking prisoners at all, is interesting enough. What purpose would they have? To be turned into more undead, seems the logical conclusion.

Not on her watch.

With one of them seemingly about to start loading up the Landers, it seems that this is the moment Mikage has to make her move. So, she backs up a bit into the grasses. Extending one hand outwards, she uses her own inner light magic to summon the etherial bow that she often uses in more tense situations.

The motion is quick as she rises to her feet, pulling an arrow of light, then drawing it back. "Now! RUN!" She fires the arrow at the same moment, the impact causing a flash and radiating wave of light aimed at the undead and their masters.

It is meant to possibly do a bit of damage, but mostly to blind them. Giving a moment for the Landers to get up and flee while the attention gets seized by herself and Cyrus.
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

    The Skeletons stay on Cyrus, swinging their weapons at him, even as his vial misses. Thankfully the one that /was/ on fire goes crumbling down disappearing into wisps of light.

When Mikage yells out 'Run!', that catches the two vampires attention, "What?!" They both say at the same time. They watch the human landers make a run for it, while Joshua quickly attempts to stop them from escaping.

Thankfully Mikage's flash bang of an arrow, puts an end to that as he yells in pain, "My eyes!!!" He then stumbles back before sinking himself into the ground.

Eve growls as she watches her brother vanish and then motions to the rest of the forces, "Deal with them!!" Before she too, sinks into the ground like the coward that she is.

As for the undead, they charge ever forward, but it probably won't be hard to take out these armored skeletons!

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    <> Free To Attack
==============================================================================
Cyrus
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

The youth ducks under one sword, then quickly palm-strikes against the hand of the second, before swinging out of the way of a third sword - which nicks him at the cheek and drains some of his health. All while smugly grinning at the two vampires - as they are forced to watch Mikage's handiwork.

"And here I thought you Monsters had gotten smarter." He chides the Vampires boldly, as he glances away quickly and covers his eyes, knowing Mikage's moves far too well at this point - having been her support for so long. Avoiding being blinded, he jumps onto the shoulder of one of the skeleton.

In mid-air, Cyrus spins, his longcoat fanning out slightly as he drops a foursome of potions onto the skeletal guards.

The moment the glass shatters, reaching 0 Integrity, it sends out a sudden shockwave of cold, right before icicles spike up around the skeletons' feet, trying to bury them in a large icicle mass. "Hah!" He calls out, landing a little ways away and touching a finger along his lips.

"They're all yours, my lady." He remarks, stepping backwards just to the side of Mikage, bowing slightly for her while putting his cane beneath his arm. He may be lifting his hat as well while doing this curtsy.
Mikage
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

"Move!" Mikage shouts, making sure to step forward even after the bolt of light is shot towards the strange, cloaked figures. It puts her between the skeletons and the fleeing Landers, meaning that they'd have to go through herself, or Cyrus, in order to re-capture their prey.

Having fought along side the Cait Sith for months, she knows how to play into his fighting style. So, when he uses ice, so does the Were Fang. She raises a hand skyward, closing it into a fist as a quick flurry of storm magic pulls moisture out of the air.

It hovers there for a moment before sharp, arrow-like shards of ice begin to hail down onto the skeletons, slicing through armor and scraping against bones.

At the same time, Miki starts to move, trying to close the distance between herself and Cyrus so the two can support one another better in the fight. All the while, keeping an eye on the Landers, making sure that nothing else is waiting in the wings to befall them as they escape.
Helena Lethe
Overworld - -44 - 11 - 0

    Sadly there would be no remark back toward Cyrus as the three vampires already exited stage left, well, one already left to do whatever /she/ as going to do, while the other two run away like cowards.

In this, the two working together started to make quick work of the remaining undead skeleton forces. Both having each others backs and it wouldn't be too much longer by, potion, arrow, and quick skills that there was no armored skeleton before them.

They also managed to free all the Landers, so by the time this fight was over, not a soul was in sight. At least that is the way it seems.

    Mikage would see it first however, while poor Cyrus was maybe wrapped up in the moment of victory over the undead forces!

There in the distance, someone was watching them. An armored figure with glowing red eyes. The undead horse he rode on, covered in armor with green flames for a mane, tail, and licking around the beasts hooves.

Those red eyes are locked directly onto her, before she saw him pull the reigns and no sooner than she saw him, he was then gone. At least whatever that was seem to have no interest in a fight. Weather that was good or bad would remain a mystery.