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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2011 23:36:32 GMT -5
Artemis stopped. And then he jumped. And then the room lit up in light.
He had been going on once more when a movement in the shadows caught his eyes. And once he backed up, taking his dagger out of the pocket on the side of his pants, suddenly the light of a hundred torches went alight.
The party found themselves facing thousands of goblins all herded in a single giant room. All of them had red eyes and were a mix of green and yellow. Their hands held a variety of weapons from short swords to battle axes. It was a single goblin though that stood out. He was the one who had held a short sword that had just missed Artemis's chest.
This ogre looked like the rest but around its belt it were two crystals, green and red. The group of the creatures stared at their party with curious eyes.
"What the hell?" Artemis thought to himself. He knew though that they needed those crystals. So before anyone could so much blink he acted. One moment he was next to Jean and Rowen, and the next he appeared in front of the goblin. His dagger found its chest in an easy thrust, while his other hand swapped the belt that held the crystals.
Once that was done he turned around and shouted, "RUN!" And as he said this the goblins in unison charged.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 18, 2011 23:50:49 GMT -5
Suddenly, the place became light. The light was so unexpected and sudden that Jean brought up an arm to shield her eyes from it. Squinting, she tried to blink the stinging pain in her eyes away. Once her sight had adjusted, she found little creatures looking back at them. There were so many of them, Jean couldn't help but look at them in wonder for a moment.
Were these the goblins then? Why were they all congregated here? Had they been expecting them or something? What had caused that hole in the castle or the damage outside to the huts and homes?
It didn't take long before she noticed one strange goblin from the rest of the bunch. Strapped to its sides were two of the crystals they were searching for! "The crystals!" she stated. As if having already made up his mind, Artemis reacted before anyone could say or do anything.
Stabbing the goblin with the crystals, Artemis took them and started running. As he did so, he shouted for Rowen, Lakari and Jean to run. No need for telling twice, Rowen and Jean turned tail and ran as fast as they could after Artemis. As they did so, the mass of goblins gave chase.
"Why am I always running from mass numbers of enemies?" Rowen said aloud to himself as he ran. This was the second time for him to be running from a large group of enemies. First the Heartless and now these goblins!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 0:04:30 GMT -5
Artemis, Jean, and Rowen had no trouble running. Jean was as fast as Artemis and he had enough durance to run for miles at a steady pace before even having to slow down.
It was thanks to this training that they stayed ahead of the goblins. But they continued on. Every time they rounded a turn or made a short gain, the goblins would be running at a stead place right behind.
The sound of their footsteps was like a stampede. And perhaps that was exactly what it was. For if any of them so much as tripped or slowed, those goblins would be on them like fried chicken. And Artemis didn't even know what that was!
Once they reached the end of the city, any hope that the goblins might give up such a pursuit was lost when the goblins began flooding through the gate. There was really only one option and that was to run all the way back to the entrance! Hopefully Red and the rest would be back at the meeting place. Otherwise... Well Artemis didn't want to finish the thought.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 0:17:41 GMT -5
Run, it was all that was their main mindset now. As they darted out of the castle, the goblins followed them closely behind. The killing of their friend seemed to have spurred the goblins onward. If anyone faltered, they would surely be over run by the goblins that pursued them so closely. It was thanks to the training Rowen and Jean went through that they were able to stay ahead of the creatures.
"Damn, damn, damn!" Rowen exclaimed as they ran all the way from the castle to the gates and still ran on. The goblins weren't giving up pursuit so easily. "Relentless little buggers!"
Jean just kept her eyes focused on the path ahead. She didn't dare look back in case she faltered. "I sure hope the others are ahead!" she stated.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 0:29:08 GMT -5
They reached the others quick enough. Red and the rest had been sitting in the main room that they had first split up in. Red had started a fire with some sticks he had gotten form outside. In fact he had just got the first settled when the whole cave started rumbling.
And just like that the fire he had worked so hard on went out. It was about that time that Artemis, Jean and Rowen appeared. "Why are you guys...."
Artemis didn't even let them finish. "RUN!" He shouted. And without a pause they ran right past the group of them.
Red slowly got to his feet. "Well that was rude.... Why do we need to...." As the first goblin appeared down the tunnel, Red watched another and then another come. And soon he spotted hundreds of them climbing up the slope of the tunnel that Artemis, Jean, and Rowen had walked down.
That was enough to spark Red into action. "RUN!!!" He shouted to any lurkers who had not taken Artemises advice.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 0:43:16 GMT -5
Dyne, Ryu and Sain were all hanging around the fire Red had just started up when the ground started shaking. "What's that?" Ryu said aloud. No sooner had he said it when Artemis, Rowen and Jean showed up. Where Lakari was, no one seemed to notice just then. Annalese, well, she was there just quiet.
When Red made to ask them, they just ran onward. None of them dared to look back as Artemis yelled at the rest to run for it.
"Why did he-?" Annalese made to say when goblins started showing up by the masses. Well, that answered everyone's question alright! At Red's beckoning, everyone ran at top speed for the exit of the caves.
Rowen, Jean and Artemis were all leading the way out of it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 0:52:21 GMT -5
Artemis was the first to exit to the cave. And he didn't stop at just that either. He continued running until the airship was once again in sight. That was the first good thing he saw all day!
Red was of course the last to come out of the cave. Everyone else was in front of them. He wondered if he should stop once he reached the light, but the sound of the goblins pouring out of the cave made him keep running.
Of course Red too had yet to ask the question just where was Lakari? By the time he got sight of the airship, the captain had the engines up and running. Red watched his friends climb up the stair case and into the ship.
Coming up last, Red slammed the door to the haul! "Fly!" He shouted to the captain. As the airship took to the skies, Red was finally able to lean against the wall in exhaustion. Everyone was breathing hard. "That had been too close." He had yet to realize that Lakari was missing. But someone else might.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 1:05:32 GMT -5
By the time they reached the outside of the caves, Jean kept running. Seeing Artemis heading for the airships, she couldn't help but agree with his choice. She didn't want to think the goblins would stop pursuing them the moment they got out of the caves, only a fool would think so.
Reaching the airship, Rowen couldn't help but collapse into the nearest seat. Gasping for breath, he remained slumped in it for a while. He didn't even have time to realize who was there and who was not.
Jean sat in the seat as well as Red had them take off.
"That was...unnerving..." she stated. Annalese looked like she wasn't bothered by the run. In fact, she merely wobbled in her seat before noticing something.
"Where is the old one?"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 1:14:58 GMT -5
Red froze. That's right. Where was Lakari? Glancing around he noticed too that the old man was missing. Turning to Artemis he searched for some answer.
Artemis seemed to have none to give. "Last I saw him he was in the cave with us.... But then when the goblins started chasing us. I don't know what happened after that."
Red looked to the others for some sort of answer. It seemed they didn't have any either thought by their confused looks as well. "We got to go back! We have to look for him!" Of course to do so would be suicide. There were goblins swarming over the island now.
At the moment thought Red wasn't thinking about that. Tears swelled in his eyes. They hadn't known the old man for long, but he was kind. And he had shown Red the way out of that weird place in the World of In Between. If not for him... Red might not even be here.
"Why does this always happen?"
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 1:23:11 GMT -5
No one seemed to have an answer for Red when he looked in Rowen's and Jean's direction. Jean slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry but like Artemis, after entering the goblin city, I didn't know where Lakari went when we got chased off." She hated to have to admit it but it looked like they had accidentally left him behind. The old man probably died. They had no idea what fate had befallen him except possibly death.
Annalese looked down at the floor of the airship. She knew the old man had seemed unhappy with her last time. He had helped her though. It was a pity that he couldn't turn her human now. Annalese would be a vampire forever it seemed. Little did she know that the offer Lakari made her in the past might've not ever happened anyways.
Rowen looked down at the floor then. He was searching his memory for Lakari but he could only remember seeing him when they had all entered that city. The old man certainly fell victim to something.
"I'm sorry, Red!" Jean said gently, placing a hand on Red's shoulder after she heard what he had said.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 1:36:53 GMT -5
The journey back to Midgar was filled with silence on Red's part. He didn't have anything to say. Eventually the tears did stop and once they had Red was left to his own thoughts. This never would have happened if they hadn't had to come back here.
Red blamed Silver for that. Lakari had died by Silver's hands not theirs. Red eyed Jean. He had full faith in her ability. But as he sat there he thought, "If Jean does not kill him, then I will. I shall be your avenger Lakari. That way you rest in peace."
It was all he could do for the old man now. There was nothing else. When the airship made land back at the airport in Midgar, it was Artemis who eyes him. His questioning look asked if he was doing alright. Red gave him a nod of reassurance.
"Better head to the slums." Red said, following Jean as she lead.
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If Lakari had been dead, all of the mind changing he had done on Sain and Artemis would have resorted back to their originality. Seeing as they had not, it was quite certain Lakari was not dead.
Lakari had left the party the moment they had entered the darkness of that castle. Lakari had known exactly what was going to happen and when the goblins torches lit, they saw not an old man but a goblin. A being of their own. He had watched as they all chased after Artemis. Their eyes were locked on those diamonds like a dragons on it's treasure.
With Lakari being left alone he let his delusional image drop. There was a very specific reason he had come here. Stretching his arm, Lakari was surrounded in darkness. An intense amount of dark and light energy poured from his hands as they disappeared into the floor of the castle.
Energy pumped from Lakari for what seemed like forever. In fact when it finally did stop, Lakari was huffing from waste of energy. He had known that what he was doing was going to take alot of energy. He hadn't expected to use that much. Still it would be worth it if he succeeded.
Lakari raised his hand and called out mentally to the creature had had tried to awaken. At first, when nothing happened, Lakari had thought he had failed. But when the earth began to rumble and a loud roar of the sort that Lakari had never heard before shook the cave, Lakari smiled.
Lakari was like a boy with a new toy as he watched the bones of a dragon burst through the earth, and resembled into a massive dragon skeleton.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 21:50:17 GMT -5
The whole trip back went in silence. Most were wondering where Lakari had gone and if he was truly dead or not. It really looked like the elderly man had died. None of them knew what really happened with him. None knew that he had just summoned the skeleton of a dragon and that it was now animated.
Ever since they came back to this world, things seemed to be in total disarray. First Midgar was in ruins in the slums, people were being executed and now they lost someone from their party. Jean didn't really know the elderly man for long even though he had traveled a good portion of their journey with them. Still, she could feel regret for not having tried to look around at her surroundings more.
By the time they landed, Jean climbed out and looked at the state of things. It was very depressing. Just when she thought the slums couldn't get any worse, they just did. It was all because of Silver's doing. 'Hopefully this will end this and I'll have my father back!' she thought.
She didn't need Red to tell her that they should start heading for the slums. She knew very well where they had to go. The problem was, she wondered if she was ready for it. Well, she had made the decision earlier that she would prevail. She had to be ready. As she clenched her fist, Jean knew that she wouldn't allow that snake creature to decide her's or anyone else's fate. She will fight and she will win. Jean refused to be that slime's queen.
Giving a nod in Red's direction, Jean started making her way through what was left of the slums in search for the old church. The mercenaries and Annalese followed them, unaware of the other presence that stalked after them as they went.
It didn't take long before they found the old church. Just like before, it still stood. No matter what it went through, the church seemed to prevail through almost anything. In her heart, Jean knew that she would prevail like that church. She would win this fight no matter what it took. Looking over at the others, she gave a nod before heading in, the others filing in after her.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 22:26:48 GMT -5
Thoughts of Lakari drifted away as they all entered the church. Red could feel the tension in the air. As Jean entered first, Red wondered if Silver would be waiting for them, or if they would be waiting for him to make an appearance.
It seemed there was no need to wait. Silver stood in the exact spot he had when all of this began. In fact it was odd because Silver had steal chains securing him to a chair in the middle of the room. It was the same scene that had occurred when they had first seen Jean's father.
Silver shouted and his voice echoed to Jean. "Welcome precious! I knew you'd be here any second."
From the questioning looks of everyone, Silver let out a creepy smile. "Well I can't let your father go and ruin things when I get out of his body now can I?"
Glancing at Artemis, Silver smiled. "Ah! I see you got the diamonds. Well if you'd be so kind to put the remaining crystal in the engraved spot in the belt and we shall get this show on the road!"
Seeing as Red had the remaining crystal, he handed it to Artemis. The teen gave him a nod of thanks and placed the remaining crystal in the empty slot in the middle. When it did the three crystals began to light up. And then something strange happened. One moment Silver was smiling, the next his body began shaking.
Then the air around him began to shift as she shook at the speed of light. And Red watched as a figure separated from Jean's father. And when it stopped Silver, in his entirety floated in the air above them. It looked exactly as it had before. A creature with a snake like body. But its head was different. Different because it had the head of a human but no face.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 22:59:52 GMT -5
The moment she stepped into the church, Jean felt like leaving already. However, she stayed put. She couldn't turn tail and leave. She had to be strong for her father and rescue him from Silver. It would be cowardly of her to up and leave. She was reminded of the first time they had all been here, before the mercenaries and Annalese had gotten involved.
Silver had her father strapped in chains upon a chair. Her eyes narrowed slightly when Silver spoke, calling her precious. It disgusted her to hear that word coming from Silver. In fact, anything that creature called her disgusted her.
When he explained that he couldn't allow her father to interfere, Jean merely nodded. This fight was just between them. As Artemis and Red put the crystals where they should, Jean unsheathed her swords. Her eyebrows furrowed as her father's body began to shake. Then, out came Silver from her father's body.
The curious thing about it though was the fact that Silver had no face on. "What the hell?" she stated, confused.
"That thing's got no face!" Rowen exclaimed.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 23:04:56 GMT -5
Red watched Silver in horror. What a disgusting creature! As it curled up, a mouth suddenly formed on the faceless head, but nothing else. "Why would I need a face. I wear so many after all!"
Red watched human like arms appear out of the snake like body. It was odd to watch because the arms were about as wide as the creatures snake like body. They were completely black in color and almost seemed like they weren't even real.
"Now I say we get this show on the road!" Silver's odd arms stretched into the air and two short swords appeared in each hand. And then the creature was flying through the air at top speed. As the creature narrowed the distance between itself and Jean the swords slashed one right after another.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 19, 2011 23:42:51 GMT -5
Everyone in the room pretty much looked back at Silver in horror. His true form was so grotesque that it was hard not to stare at him. Jean's eyes narrowed when Silver mentioned that he shouldn't bother wearing a face since he had so many. Unsheathing her swords, she got ready. No doubt, he'd get right into the thick of things soon.
After saying that, Silver began to grow arms out of his serpentine body. Each arm was the same length as his body. Due to their coloring, it was a wonder whether or not they were conjured or really his attached limbs.
Seeing him take out two swords, Jean gripped her's carefully. It was time! She gave her blades a twirl with anticipation. She was ready for this! Now was the time she could teach this thing a lesson for all the things it had done. "Likewise!" she said firmly.
With that, Silver charged at her and Jean brought her blades up to deflect his. Her speed since the last time had increased considerably.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2011 23:57:42 GMT -5
Red watched Silver go on the offense. Watching the serpent's attacks get blocked by Jean made his hope rise. It seemed to Red that their speed was matched. That was something that Silver didn't seem to like to well.
It was quite obvious by the frown on the creature's face. But the frown didn't last long. The creature had way to much confidence. If there was anything that did the creature in, that would be it.
After the first two attacks being blocked, Silver became serious. He struck again with one hand, all the while his body moved and slithered between Jean's lefts. At the same time his other hand attacked from behind. It was odd to watch a creature with such long arms. They almost seemed more like whips then arms due to their length.
Silver didn't wait to see if that attack succeeded though. His tail lashed from underneath Jean' attempting to attack her right between her feet as well.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 20, 2011 0:25:28 GMT -5
Jean could tell that her increase in speed didn't bode well with Silver. His hopes of overwhelming her speed wise were most likely dashed. After all, last time he had exhibited his speed she hadn't been fast enough then. If she had, she would have stopped him from possessing her father like he did.
Not at all pleased that both of his strikes were blocked, Silver's demeanor seemed to have grown more serious. It was strange how long his arms were. If she wasn't careful, he probably could use his free hands to do who knows what. 'If he tries, I'll cut them off!' she thought.
Using his arms to attack from the back and in front of her, it was getting difficult to block now. When Silver swung his tail upward, Jean was forced to twist in the air and roll aside before getting on her feet again as swift as a feline. Eyes glinting, she charged Silver and disappeared. Seconds later, she appeared behind him and aimed a downward strike at his back.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2011 0:35:32 GMT -5
It was Silver's odd body that allowed him to dodge the attack. As Jean's sword came down, Silver's body curved so that the blade missed only by an inch as it descended. Silver let out a cackling laugh, as he continued his fast movement and arced upward and behind Jean.
As the rest of his body followed in an arc in the air, his long hands stretched forward in a unified thrust by both arms. It was an attack aimed at Jean's back, but Silver didn't expect it to succeed. Not with Jean's speed. But the question would be, where would she dodge?
Silver knew he was taking a gamble. But one must always take gambles in such a game. Silver turned his thrust into a double slash to the right. With the way his body moved and the place his tail rested, to Jean's right, he expected her to dodge left away from him.
But he was hoping his changed attack and long arms would help him in such tasks. Red could only watch in amazement as the two fought. It was an odd battle, but intense as well.
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Post by Sprow on Sept 20, 2011 21:05:34 GMT -5
Jean didn't expect her first strike to land a hit. Only a fool would expect things to be handed to them like that. As if sensing the oncoming strike, Silver slid his serpentine body just narrowly out of the way. She had hoped though that she had caught him off guard but fat chance.
Retaliating to her initial attack, Silver made a double slash toward her right. Due to the fact his attack was going for her back from the right, there was no choice for her but to dodge to the left.
The fight itself was pretty intense. Jean didn't plan to use any of her special powers just yet until she saw a potential opening. It was difficult though. Silver's serpent body made it difficult but she wasn't going to give up now. Her father's fate, her friends' fates and her own depended on her coming out of this victorious.
Getting up again, Jean faced her carefully.
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