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Entry tags:
- !event,
- #dionys,
- #innocence,
- #xishen,
- abel nightroad: martyr,
- amos burton: lover,
- anduin wrynn: sovereign,
- barnaby brooks jr: lover,
- bruno madrigal: martyr,
- ciel: martyr,
- claude von riegan: seeker,
- dorothea arnault: celebrant,
- emet-selch: champion,
- estinien wyrmblood: firebrand,
- eustace: firebrand,
- father paul hill: martyr,
- han sooyoung: artisan,
- himeka sui: wanderer,
- howl: celebrant,
- jayce talis: visionary,
- jonathan crane: sovereign,
- kaeya alberich: lover,
- kim dokja: martyr,
- koriel xii (dextera): lover,
- kotetsu t. kaburagi: champion,
- liem talbott: champion,
- majorita: firebrand,
- makoto ("m"): firebrand,
- meteion: innocent,
- rand al'thor: martyr,
- ryunosuke naruhodo: champion,
- sebastian michaelis: celebrant,
- tartaglia (childe): firebrand,
- wrathion: seeker
EVENT #6: BY HEAVEN OR HELL
By Heaven or Hell
THE BURNING
Achamoth, as it turns out, is no stranger to public killings... the burning of two Pleroma, however? That's special. Abel and Himeka's upcoming execution date seems to be regarded by the city's populace as something akin to a holiday, with the upper crust of the social stratum fighting for positions of prominence in the festivities, including the best possible seats. It's been decades since any Pleroma have been brought to heel in Achamoth, and it would only be prudent to place yourself at the forefront of this exciting new trend. There's a sense of pageantry to it: ritualized ceremonies, public sermons, and strange religious 'décor' are all part of the process.The city is in the throes of these preparations when the two Pleroma captives are finally brought to a central square not far from the Citadel's front gates. Two burning pyres have been set up for them, about ten feet apart. While Abel and Himeka's bodies are chained to their stakes, their shards will be handed off to Silco, Ciel, and Makoto to be brought along separately. The set up of the execution is thus: while their bodies are ravaged by flames, their shards will be bound to an altar in advance of the pyre. Via a kind of alchemical 'fuse', the pyre being lit will trigger a reaction that will gradually result in a explosion on the altar just large enough to destroy the shard in turn. The shards will be bound in position with a series of jewelry-like metal prongs that could be pried away, but would take some time to do carefully.
As the Pleroma make it to the city, the sun will be setting on the 17th of Firaseri, with the execution about to be underway. The pyres will not yet have been lit, but are fully prepared. All Kenoma will be called upon to guard the city, with the warning that the Pleroma are mounting a raid to rescue their imprisoned comrades. For Kenoma both new and old, it's a time to test your mettle. Those that defend Achamoth valiantly can expect to be rewarded.
INNOCENCE ON FIRE
The city of Achamoth looms ahead, a seat of power in Horos in every fashion. It sprawls outwards, claiming the lands around it in a lazy confidence. The spires of the city grow up and up like a mountain, dragging the eye towards the Citadel. The walls that surround it are modest in height as if offering a challenge to any foolish enough to attempt to climb them. Who would? The Regent's eye is ever-present and the guard towers that line it like beaded pearls on a string are reminders that nothing goes in or out of the city without notice. Openings in the towers and the walls threaten the use of projectiles while dark, shimmering crystals float above with the quiet hum of protective magics. Only a fool would breach these borders.Initially, getting into the city unmolested will be a considerable struggle for the Pleroma. It's military is robust, its fortifications solid, and even without the Kenoma's added resistance, the sheer numbers could be considered insurmountable. Stealth could get them some of the way, but its sentries are watchful, and immigration is strictly controlled. With faith alone driving the Pleroma towards their goal it's fortunate, then, that something is there to answer their call.
Estinien will feel the presence of the Innocence Entity rise up in him again, and this time it is offering him a choice. He may utilize its power to save the ones he loves, while risking both the brutality of the Regent's defenses and the threat to his own soul by channeling such power. It will stand with him against the darkness, it says, if it is truly his will. Emboldened by the power of the Firebrand and his love for his comrades, it is no surprise that he accepts.
Light will flood the sky above Achamoth, an ethereal aura combatting the encroach of the night. From a great miasma of wings and flame, a colossal dragon emerges, coiling above the city skyline. Its luminescence rains down upon the city, and all Achamites exposed to it will be enchanted into finding the idea of committing acts of violence unthinkable, at least so long as no violence is brought against them in turn. With much of Achamoth's defenses having lost the will to fight, only the Kenoma will stand in the Pleroma's way as they penetrate the city, making their way to Abel and Himeka's pyres.
As the Pleroma forge ahead, this draconic being that was once Estinien Wyrmblood will guard from the skies, drawing the attention of the Kenoma towards it and it threatens to bear its might against the Citadel itself. Fortunately for the Kenoma guarding the city, they will know that the Regent has a plan. All they must do is hold off the beast long enough for the Regent to wield their own strength in turn. The battle against this creature will take place here, with combat rules being explain in this OOC post.
As the power of the Innocent washes over Achamoth, those of its Legacy, or those marked by its Promise or Touch, will hear it speak on the winds in a chorus of voices:
Aions of this new dawn... I have honored your choice... fight... if you will... and I will follow...
FIREBRAND RISING
Beneath the moon of Firaseri, however, the Innocent isn't the only force at play. Firebrands of both sects will find themselves spurred on by a rush of Legacy-based power, as if inspired by the tumultuous environment of an anti-authoritarian raid. How precisely this manifests will depend on which side they are fighting for.❖ PLEROMA
The Firebrands among the Pleroma raiders will feel a sense of vindication and rightness come over them, set as they are to challenge the Regent's rule. Their powers will be amplified during the battle, and those that witness them and are inspired may find their performance boosted. The nature of these enhancements is fairly flexible. For the Firebrands, the use of their regular skills and abilities may be amplified beyond normal boundaries, whereas those following in their wake may find themselves with usual endurance that allows them to push their their usual limits.
❖ KENOMA
The Firebrands of the Kenoma's inspiration is more complicated in nature, given their roll in defending Achamoth's status quo. However, they will find themselves bolstered while facing the pacifying might of the Innocence Entity. Firebrands will experience a natural resistance against any Innocence based attacks that would stop them from fighting, and will be able to use this blessing to rally NPCs that would otherwise be rendered useless to their cause, in defiance of the entity's command for peace. In general, they will see a boost in strength while fighting the raid boss in particular, unable to be deterred from their goals.
In general, all Firebrands will feel untethered by their regular inhibitions, fighting for their desires at all costs. Abilities intended to bind them or control their will, will be largely ineffective, and they will find shields both physical and magical particularly easy to break through.
QUESTIONS
Q: What is the best way for Pleroma to travel to Achamoth?
A: Akua and Estinien are both setting up portals from Godsblood to the outskirts of Achamoth from which to begin mounting the assault. Caitlyn will be providing a back-up in the case either of those portals go down.
Q: Can my character make use of the chaos and try to raid the Citadel?
A: They can try but there will be mod rolls involved for any attempts. NPCs inside the Citadel will not be affected the same way the NPCs outside in main area will be. We do not want it to seem like the Citadel is defenseless otherwise.
Q: If Kenoma cause damage to the city during the raid, how will the Regent feel? Will there be consequences?
A: It should try to be avoided, but the Regent will understand if there is collateral damage in battle as long as they aren't being careless about it.
Q: Is the "no-combat aura" completely incapacitating NPCs?
A: No, it is only stopping them from aggressing the Pleroma. If they or their property are attacked they will defend themselves, and are otherwise operating with a normal level of cognizance. Kenoma Aions can order them out of the area to avoid being hurt if necessary.
BOSS BATTLE:
Q: I would like my character to take part in the battle but want to limit the outcomes in a way that isn't too devastating. Is that possible?
A: We think in that case we would basically only be acknowledging the possibilities between the "The attack either misses, is ineffective, or it triggers a counter attack from the boss." and "The attack hits with moderate effectiveness, as determined by the nature of their action." range. So, you can't get taken out, but you also can only deal moderate hits at best. You could still trigger a counter attack from the boss, but the damage taken from that is more flexible and free form than the 1-5% zone. If you make an attack with this restriction just add a little OOC note to your initial attack tag.
Q: How can a support character engage in the combat?
A: If your character is providing support, you may team up with an attacker to submit a "group attack". This means that your character is putting their effort towards supporting that attacker character that round, and will not be able to submit their own separate action. In exchange, that attack will receive two mod rolls instead of one, and the attack itself will be based on the more favorable of the two rolls. (Sort of like rolling with an advantage in modern D&D.) We will make as many rolls as there there are character combining their effort and select the best of them.
If any character rolls in the 1-5% zone they will still be taken out, however. Click the link above for more information.
Q: Can my character take a hit for another character after a mod roll?
A: We would be willing to accept this in the case of the defender taking the hit for the attacker, which would mean that if it's a 1-5%, they would be taken out in the attacker's stead.
A: Akua and Estinien are both setting up portals from Godsblood to the outskirts of Achamoth from which to begin mounting the assault. Caitlyn will be providing a back-up in the case either of those portals go down.
Q: Can my character make use of the chaos and try to raid the Citadel?
A: They can try but there will be mod rolls involved for any attempts. NPCs inside the Citadel will not be affected the same way the NPCs outside in main area will be. We do not want it to seem like the Citadel is defenseless otherwise.
Q: If Kenoma cause damage to the city during the raid, how will the Regent feel? Will there be consequences?
A: It should try to be avoided, but the Regent will understand if there is collateral damage in battle as long as they aren't being careless about it.
Q: Is the "no-combat aura" completely incapacitating NPCs?
A: No, it is only stopping them from aggressing the Pleroma. If they or their property are attacked they will defend themselves, and are otherwise operating with a normal level of cognizance. Kenoma Aions can order them out of the area to avoid being hurt if necessary.
BOSS BATTLE:
Q: I would like my character to take part in the battle but want to limit the outcomes in a way that isn't too devastating. Is that possible?
A: We think in that case we would basically only be acknowledging the possibilities between the "The attack either misses, is ineffective, or it triggers a counter attack from the boss." and "The attack hits with moderate effectiveness, as determined by the nature of their action." range. So, you can't get taken out, but you also can only deal moderate hits at best. You could still trigger a counter attack from the boss, but the damage taken from that is more flexible and free form than the 1-5% zone. If you make an attack with this restriction just add a little OOC note to your initial attack tag.
Q: How can a support character engage in the combat?
A: If your character is providing support, you may team up with an attacker to submit a "group attack". This means that your character is putting their effort towards supporting that attacker character that round, and will not be able to submit their own separate action. In exchange, that attack will receive two mod rolls instead of one, and the attack itself will be based on the more favorable of the two rolls. (Sort of like rolling with an advantage in modern D&D.) We will make as many rolls as there there are character combining their effort and select the best of them.
If any character rolls in the 1-5% zone they will still be taken out, however. Click the link above for more information.
Q: Can my character take a hit for another character after a mod roll?
A: We would be willing to accept this in the case of the defender taking the hit for the attacker, which would mean that if it's a 1-5%, they would be taken out in the attacker's stead.
pyre lightning; the rescue.
those gathered in growing anticipation within the Citadel's courtyard beyond the gates, a teeming mass of Achamites hungry for the day's events are finally being delivered their long-awaited reward as Paul lowers the lit torch into the awaiting kindling stacked beneath one pyre... and then the next. the pair of Pleroma - still chained, bodies still bearing the signs of weeks of abuse - are left helpless but to wait as the lick of heat from the flames begins building at their feet - slowly at first, and then with growing hunger as its given life. it seems inevitable that as the fires strengthen, the lives of the Regent's captives will be snuffed out.
but Achamoth has been breached.
both Himeka and Abel are pulling, tugging at their chains where the skin is already rubbed raw in visceral need to be free; perhaps it is unsurprising to those that know either of them their concern seems to be for the fate of their companion rather than their own inevitable and gruesome end. the fire begins to dance, casting an eerie, haunting glow over those assembled here--
--but hope stubbornly persists even in such dire straits. even now, however hot the flames burn - the faith they will be saved persists in their eyes, in every fleeting glance passed between them.
and maybe that's when it happens-- when one of them sees you, and--
they knew it. they knew you'd come. ]
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Ryunosuke doesn't have the time to react much to the scene around him, though he's vaguely aware of a feeling of disgust coiling in his chest at the sight of the gathered, jeering Achamites. And then before the pyres themselves, there's an irritatingly familiar Kenoma, the sight of whom adds extreme annoyance to the mix of bad feelings he's got going on at the moment. He'd love to just bat that guy out of the way, if he had the power or the opportunity to.
...But the torch falls, and Ryunosuke drops that line of thinking entirely.
Nothing is more important than getting Abel and Himeka out of here.
He would be fixated on doing everything he could to help save them regardless, but with Estinien otherwise preoccupied, Ryunosuke's determination to fight twice as hard for the both of them hits critical levels.
Pyres catch astonishingly quickly, is what he's discovering now. Faster than he'd expect, even for something that's designed by its very nature to burn. Syr's invisibility holds long enough to get them there, and maybe even a few seconds after; to Paul's eyes in particular, it probably seems like part of the fire he's just set is doused out of nowhere, water appearing from thin air to splash over the smoldering hay and reduce the flames to smoldering cinders at the edges.
The mystery can only remain for as long as the spell does, at which point they all become visible. And at that one edge of the flames... There's a very outraged Pleroma putting the first cantrip he'd ever practiced to some good, practical use.
He's a little too preoccupied to actually speak to either of the would-be victims of this execution, so the first friendly words they'll bet to hear from their reunited comrades will have to come from someone else. But.
Hi guys.]
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I would get away from there, were I you.
[That's the most warning you're going to get, Ryunosuke; otherwise, his approach is quick and his intent is clear.]
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Thoma shoots Ryunosuke and the others a concerned look before glancing at the pyre. He just needs someone to buy him a little time, so he whispers– ]
The flames won't hurt me much once my shield is up. Take care of him and leave the bodies to me.
[ He could fight Paul himself, but then he won't be able to reach Abel and Himeka in time, and he doesn't want them to walk away from this with severe burns.
With his spear drawn, his own flames are already starting to flicker loose from his skin and surround him, their protective effect powerful but temporary. With one quick sprint, he zooms straight towards Abel and Himeka, letting his crimson armor absorb most of the heat. ]
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His ears flick up at Paul's warning, and he straightens up and whirls into a wild-eyed, battle-ready stance... Just in time to see the knives come out.
With a panicked gesture of a clawed hand, a shimmering gold bubble forms up out of mid-air as Paul sprints towards him, stopping the Kenoma in his tracks. For a split second, Ryunosuke almost looks shocked that it works, but then his expression hardens.
Paul wants him to get away from the pyre? Wings flared up protectively, he snarls his reply, sharp teeth bared:]
Not a chance in hell!
[He funnels all his focus into pulling off his most annoying new trick. It takes about 10 whole seconds, but unless he manages to pop the bubble, or Ryunosuke's concentration gets broken, Paul will feel himself become gradually more exhausted... Until he can no longer keep his eyes open, and he collapses into a deep, dreamless sleep.]
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And then consciousness fades almost as quickly as everything had set in, and... Well, at least the pyre will be less of an abject problem beyond this point.]
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And now he has an unconscious priest in a bubble.
...He doesn't have time to waste fretting over making sure the Kenoma is at least placed out of harms way, but he does make a token attempt. Barely. He kind of half tosses his bubble off to the side, not too close to the pyre but not so far out so that he'd be at immense risk of getting trampled in the ridiculous melee that's breaking out all around them.
Indeed, an abrupt reminder of just how dangerous the situation is happens when a stray shot of... something nearly gets Ryunosuke right in the head, as he turns to resume his desperate attempts to halt the spread of the fire. Hard to say what that 'something' was, he's not exactly in a position to investigate, but... He's pretty sure he sees one of Rands shields pop up at the last second to block the blow? Rattled, but not deterred, Ryunosuke sends out a silent thanks to his friend as he goes back to attacking the flames with his cantrip, trying to clear a path up to the stake. Pretty sure he at LEAST owes Rand a lunch for that one...
Between the cantrip and the contents of the waterskin he keeps on him for travels, Ryu somehow manages to make a rudimentary path up the pyre; he stands near Abel, tossing out as much water as he can manage to conjure at once and smacking out lingering cinders with his tail, heat searing scale and feather alike. Now that someone's close enough to hear, he kind of can't help but spout out some highly exasperated, very literal gallows humor:]
This-- This barbarism, who-- Who burns someone at the stake!? HONESTLY!!!
[HE'S SO MAD!!!]
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At least this method bought us some time.
[ If their heads had been chopped clean off, then there would have been no hope of rescue.
With Paul temporarily indisposed, Thoma's free to charge straight to the nearest pyre to him –Himeka's. His shield maintains itself as the flames flicker around him, helping reduce the damage significantly as he studies the bindings around her. There's nothing on him to actually douse the flames completely, so he tries to apply his shields around Himeka and himself just to protect the both of them and absorb the fire until their other allies can grab her free her from her bindings.
Before they can, it appears someone else is already joining them, a face he doesn't recognize at all, so Thoma is immediately on guard. ]
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The chains that bind the prisoners to the pyre are sturdy affairs, pulled taut against their bodies in multiple loops, the metal unyieldingly heavy and rendered painfully hot by the lap of the flames. Even lightly cooled as they are by the hurried application of water, they won't be easy to handle -- let alone with the strength of a normal human, and without some heavy tools on hand. With time Ryunosuke might have been able to dislodge them on his own, but time is a luxury he doesn't really have at the moment, is it?
Help comes from afar.
A tiny tremor works through the ground beneath his feet before there's a low cracking noise. The paving stones of the courtyard below the pyre fracture just enough for Ryunosuke to notice, and the heavy pins and weights mooring the chains and the pyre itself to the ground suddenly buckle, jostled out of place. The chains abruptly slump where they're still wound around Abel's body, too tangled to fall loose on their own, but they're suddenly given a great deal of slack; yanking them out of place to free their contents should now be an easily manageable task, especially with the way Abel's body weight now threatens to drag them out of place.
Does Ryunosuke recognize that tremor through the ground for what it is? Maybe he can recall it from that encounter back in Venera, back in the warehouse. Maybe Abel, too, can recognize that manipulation of the earth he'd witnessed from so long ago, though noticing those details through the chaos might be difficult, given the state he's in. And it only lasts a split second, anyway.
Gen meets Ryunosuke's eyes for only a split second from where he's standing some dozen yards away. Just long enough for the other to have recognized his face and connected the dots, maybe, though that wasn't his intention -- it was simply that he wanted to ensure Abel would be saved from the ravage of the flames. And the moment he sees those chains begin to slump, he turns away quickly and ducks back into the chaos of the battlefield surrounding the courtyard, slipping out of view. ]
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Paul is deaf to pleas, but in the end it isn't necessary. There are familair faces up on the platform now--Ryunosuke and Thoma and thanks to their efforts, the angry march of the pyre is put to a standstill.
Her attention is torn from where Abel is strung up and the man in front of her, but her gaze settles on Thoma as she lets out an exhausted, but bubbling and grateful laugh. Despite the litany of injuries that decorate her skin in a way that rivals her scales, her cut hair, the bleaching on her own scales--gods, she's relieved. ]
Your timing...is impeccable!
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and then, all at once -- there is a blessedly cool splash of water to
douse the flames, the rise of smoke that follows briefly obscuring Abel's vision and sending his eyes stinging and watering. but he knows-- he knows their allies have managed to pierce the heart of Achamoth at long last, that they've been saved.
they're here. they're here, and the next ragged exhale Abel heaves is one of sincere and unbridled relief, the surge of gratitude and warmth enough to momentarily dissolve the pain and weariness and maddening worry. they're here, and Himeka...
...Himeka will surely be alright. everyone can finally return home together with one another at their backs. everything is... surely... going to be okay, right?
he doesn't have much in the way of eloquent greeting to offer as he lays eyes on Ryunosuke, and then Thoma off to his side - Abel isn't sure which of them is guarding their bodies from the heat and agonizing flames with the shimmering haze of bubbles and shields, but he's grateful. he's sincerely glad for all of it, and a tired but decidedly thankful smile tugs at his lips. ]
Oh... h-haha, well-- aren't you a sight for sore eyes?
[ his voice is hoarse and weary, and he and Himeka both must look an utter mess - but not a single soul can refute how much this means to them in this moment. ]
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A quick glance in Abel's direction shows that Ryunosuke has things under control, and so he directs his attention to Himeka's pyre. The shield Thoma's placed around them seems to be doing the trick, but not knowing how long that can last, Dokja rushes forward. He slides to a halt when he reaches them, lips pressed together in a thin line as he nods his gratitude to Thoma before quickly unsheathing his sword. Lightning crackles around the blade as he moves behind Himeka to where the chains hold her still, and with an inhuman strength and a speed aided by the wind, he slices through the restraints.
And with that same speed, his sword returns to its sheathe as he moves to catch her in his arms. ]
Himeka.
[ They don't have any time to chat here, but he can't help the swell of emotions clogging his throat as he takes in her state. Everything about his expression betrays his distress as his gaze flickers to the many injuries littered across her body before finally stopping on her face.
He tries for a smile, something reassuring, but it trembles with an unspeakable effort. ]
Let's get you out of here.
no subject
in this moment, though —
he isn't even all the way up when he throws his arms out, weaves coiling around the chains still binding abel and snapping them like straw. another gesture dispels some of that smoke and immediate heat, cooling the air to something more easily breathable. easier to see in, as his eyes pull so wide, because there's dokja closing in on himeka off to the side, and in front of him is,
abel in the worst shape rand's ever seen him, and no wonder. he'd known to expect this, hadn't he? what's being done to abel and himeka? met with what do you think? he's had too many sleepless nights imagining the worst, and there's no doubt in his mind that the evidence writ before him comes from the like and much worse. it's a dizzying combination of misery and relief, but if himeka can laugh, and abel can smile, he can find himself tipping towards the latter.
he reaches out, hands settling carefully on abel's forearms, steadying, for just a second. just a confirmation: this is real, and maybe they both need that. or maybe this is another selfishness; but in the moment, he doesn't mind that. ]
Thank the Light, [ he murmurs, tremulous, even manages as a smile. then, he half-turns, says, ] Come on, [ it's time for a piggyback ride, okay, if abel can clamber aboard, and he's ready to help if and however much it's needed. he can't help fairly babbling in his relief, ] I've got you, [ and, ] You're safe now, I promise, [ because he will do anything, anything at all, to keep this promise, and ] We're going back, alright? Everything's going to be fine.
no subject
It's a relief to see you too, Father--
[Ryunosuke breaks off, his ears perking up just a split second before Gen's mini earthquake hits, picking up on the vibrations before the foundation around the pyre starts to crumble.
It does take him back to that storehouse, briefly; a thrill of alarm goes through him, and he braces, looking around for the source. The glance he and Takeda... No, he and Gen share, is a brief one, and for once Ryunosuke's expression doesn't betray much emotion other than mild confusion. But something warms inside him, and it's not just lingering heat from the mostly doused fire.
Like so many other moments gone by in this whirlwind of an invasion, he can't afford to dwell on it. Rand's here, and they need to get moving. They have their friends, but there's still their shards to worry about, and then an escape to deal with on top of that. Ryu keeps an alert eye out for any incoming threats while Rand gets Abel down... And though he's only half listening to their reunion exchange, it stirs him further. He's... So relieved?
...A roar from the Sanctifier jars him, and he feels his throat tighten with emotion, eyes flicking to the skies for a quick glimpse of the dragon. They're so close to having everyone reunited... But will Estinien still be himself when he comes out of this fight?
He must. He has to.
Ryunosuke looks to Rand helping Abel up onto his back, and nods seriously.]
...I'm right behind you both. I'll keep you covered.
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Thoma sags a little as he hops away from the pyres, his shields having long dissipated. He's lightly crispy himself but still in one piece, and he's sure he can find someone to clear off the worst of it once they leave Achamoth.
More importantly, he's just happy that Himeka and Abel are safe...r than they were seconds ago, but they're all still not out of the woods yet. They have to get those two checked out and escape the capital –in whatever order they can manage–, but Thoma will enjoy this small victory while he can. ]
Don't move around too much, you two. Reserve your energy until we can locate our healers. I ought to check back in with Lumine myself.
[ He'd briefly split off from her to help with the pyre situation and is now hoping she's not in a dire state, but knowing her, she's probably okay. He's already starting to sprint away as he calls out– ]
I'll meet up with you when we're ready to leave the capital!
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...Dokja!
[ She sounds almost breathless and it's not just because of the smoke.
She doesn't flinch when the electrified blade comes close, fully trusting her friends and all their abilities whether she's seen them before or not. When the chains break, gravity inevitably takes effect and Himeka falls forward. Luckily
despite her immense sizeshe's not very heavy and has enough strength left to grasp at Dokja's shoulders as she tries to right herself. ]You're alright?
[ That's important, even now.
She looks across the way, feeling lightened and lifted at seeing Rand there as well--Abel is down, free of the pyre as well. He's going to be okay. There are healers on the battlefield. Gods, they're going to make it out of here. ]
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...simply,
lets his head thud to rest at the other man's shoulder, arms loosely squeezing him in a hug. from this vantage point, he can see them - see Thoma departing, see Ryu at the ready, see Himeka now freed from the pyre, and Dokja...
Dokja, who had so recently lost his life, and yet... here and now, he's-- he's still...
...
Abel is bereft of his shard and cannot feel the reassuring warmth of the Pleroma nor his bond to his fellow Martyrs. but maybe Rand - and Dokja, too - can feel it all the same: the emphatic pang of grief and gratitude, of affection mingling alongside the steady beats of pain and bone-deep weariness. their friends had come for them - risked everything to march into the heart of Achamoth. Abel truly cannot believe what he's seeing, but--
they're here, and he's so, so glad.
he swallows hard against the lump in his throat and struggles not to sound like he's about to cry like a toddler (he may be about to cry like a toddler), ]
...Ah. A-ah, right, I'm... I am embarrassingly happy to see you, you know that...? Are you-- okay?
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He doesn't want to hurt her too. How could anyone want that? Himeka, who had only ever shown him grace and kindness and still does so even now, despite everything she must have gone through. There is cruelty and then there's this.
An unsteady inhale and exhale later, he nods. ]
I'm alright, [ he answers softly, jaw clenching with the effort to keep his emotions in check. The last thing he needs is to display how upset he feels in this moment, at both her state and Abel's. ] Here, get on my back. I'll carry you.
[ He's careful as he moves to help her, mindful of her injuries the entire way.
Glancing toward the other pyre shows him that Rand's had the same idea and... it's a weird feeling in his chest, isn't it? The relief that they'd managed to make it on time, but the anxiety of still having so much left to do.
As he drags his eyes across the stage, they linger for a moment on the box left between the stakes. ]
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dokja's right to watch thoma go, to keep a pulse on what's going on around them. the battle is still raging as intensely as ever, and they still have a long way to go before they're safely back in godsblood.
but rand finds his attention narrowing to the man whose head now rests on his shoulder, the motion wholly unexpected. a hug, now of all times...but isn't that only right? now, of all times, because light only knows what will come tomorrow, will come in an hour, will come in the next minute. he knows the worth of finding comfort where and when you can, and doesn't abel of all people deserve that? he winds his arms around abel, mindful of hurting him, but not so gently as to not feel present. it's as rand said: he's here, he's got him, he's safe now.
(and the Power thrums beneath conscious thought, makes a part of his mind and soul feel entangled with the world around them, aware of the smoldering hay beneath their feet and the beats of the dragon's wings stirring the air above and makes it seem impossible to him that he wouldn't notice an ambush. they can afford this moment.)
bond of legacy or no, hasn't rand spent his whole life before horos gauging peoples' feelings without the benefit of magic? and it isn't a hard guess now, nor is abel hiding anything. abel's choked voice makes his heart clench, but reassurance comes so easy. and so sincere, heady as the joy of reunion is. they made it here and stopped the burning, didn't they? what can't they do now? ]
I know, [ he says, a hand rising to the back of abel's head, and, cheerfully, ] you're usually embarrassing.
[ he shakes his head at the last question, but of course abel nightroad would ask that. of course, even — especially — under the circumstances. ]
Are you kidding? I've never been better.
[ and honestly? even — especially — under the circumstances, it feels like the truest thing he's ever said. ]
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[ Kotetsu waves to get the small group's attention before he comes to a stop in front of them. He'll hold out both hands and uncurl them to present Himeka's and Abel's shards to the two helping them. ]
We need these things, right? Here you go and get them somewhere safe, yeah? Yourselves too if you need a breather.
[ since you're all babies when he looks at you guys physically, it doesn't matter what your state physically is, he's gonna be worried. Just dad things. ]
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First thing's first. At Dokja's request, Himeka nods and gingerly rearranges herself. She's sore all over, but there's enough adrenaline in the moment for her to position appropriately and climb up onto Dokja's back. She hisses a little--putting pressure on her feet where the flames had gotten close hurts like hell, but it's bearable. She wraps her arms around his neck and shoulders, her tail coming up to curl around his waist as well.
Rand is there too--with Abel and gods it's good to see him well. He'd been hitting such a low place in his own confidence not so long ago. (Actually, how long ago was it?) But both of them had pushed through...
All these people here. For them.
A man she doesn't recognizes waves over at them. New Pleroma? She can't tell his attunement without her shard, but--
Himeka's eyes widen as they draw close, recognizing the oplascent stone in one of his hands and the stormy appearance of the shard in his other. ]
...You saved them! Thank you...
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it's over.
he's straightening himself and loosening his hold so Abel might finally aid his rescuers in getting the pair of them away from this nightmare; he can't help but give Rand a patented Embarrassingly Sentimental smile, this one flavored with hints of Misty Eye, complemented by weeks worth of grime and dirt and dried blood (among other things), but hell if it isn't as sincere as it gets. ]
Did you just... was that a joke I heard just now...? Maybe I'm dreaming after all--
[ but he has enough sense to get it out while hefting himself up onto Rand's back for carrying; everything... hurts, but he's riding the high of this reunion and he manages without any major incident, arms draped around Rand from behind. but before he can settle his head down again and breathe an exhale of long overdue relief--
--a stranger, someone Abel doesn't recognize makes his approach. it doesn't draw alarm from either of their Pleroma rescuers, so he must be an ally...? and all questions to the validity of that thought vanish once he finds his shard being offered in this man's hand - the sight of which has his entire chest swelling with genuine anticipation and gratitude-- ]
Ah-- how did you....?
[ these had been prepared for destruction, achingly close after being held out of reach for so long. --no; it doesn't matter. Abel and Himeka can figure it all out when they're safe and sound - and this isn't safe nor sound, in his opinion; he'll avoid the game of too many questions. yet his eyes carry a heavy pulse of earnest gladness and thankfulness as he stretches his hand to collect the gently luminescent purple shard bearing the appearance of a storm caught in a bottle.
...he's overwhelmed. they've risked it all to come here - friends and new faces alike, and the gravity of that doesn't escape Abel at all. ]
Thank you so much, I... all of you... I don't know how to-- even start, to...
[ ...thank you.
thank you. ]
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Dokja makes sure not to jostle around too much once Himeka's settled on his back, his arms coming around under her knees to support her, and he rises to his feet once he thinks she's secure. There's a moment of unsteadiness as he does, his own encounters on the battlefield wearing down on him, but he manages to steady himself quickly.
As he crosses the distance between pyres to reach Abel and Rand, he stops short in the middle. ]
Just one second.
[ He slowly leans down, mindful of Himeka and in keeping his balance, and scoops up the box laid on the stage. The edges seem a bit singed but its contents remain intact. He'll deal with this at a later time. For now, he joins up with the others at about the same time as Kotetsu's appearance. With a small nod toward the other man, Dokja angles his shoulder toward the opalescent shard so that it's easier to reach for Himeka. He doesn't want to touch it, memories of how it had felt when others had dealt with his own shard still fresh in his mind, though his expression darkens with more than just those memories.
There's something similarly precious stowed away in his own pocket, but one thing at a time. ]
Let's get you guys to the healers first.
[ He's barely paying attention to Abel's gratitude, too lost in staring at the myriad of injuries across the other man now that Dokja's close enough to see. That same ugly feeling from before twists in his chest, and he exhales shakily. Himeka, too, desperately needs the medical attention. He needs to keep it together for the both of them. ]
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it's over; it's over; it's over. they're going home. they are.
and as he turns properly to help abel climb onto his back, hold on to support his legs as they get situated, standing carefully, ]
I've told you. [ he 👏 can 👏 be 👏 funny 👏 but he can't help a more serious word of warning with, ] Just don't let go.
[ not that he thinks abel will; or that abel is in any danger of falling, really, even if he did; or that rand would ever let go, himself, or let him fall. he's got strength enough for this, and he has the Power where strength fails, and he'll rely on that to ensure their safe retreat. but he can't not say.
he notices dokja lean down to pick something up with a faint frown. but there's no time or room for dwelling, and he can always ask later. instead, he too moves closer to kotetsu so abel can all the more easily take back his shard. and if his own eyes start to burn, just a little, from the heartfelt thanks, from the sight of himeka so near for the first time in too long (and too hurt, but there'll be time for that anger later), well. it's himeka he looks to as he says, ]
We don't leave our friends behind.
[ he remembers, from their last conversation in godsblood. of course he does.
it's after that, once the shards are completely safely retrieved, that he looks to meet dokja's eyes, nodding. ]
Let's go.
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i'm sorry dokja
i'm (s)not 🤧
gently put my hands around prince's neck
also puts my hands around prince's neck
quietly tacks this on here 👁️
there is so much happening that he might have completely missed gen's minor involvement, an infraction so minor and yet so cavernous. the major differentiating factor is that he has worked alongside gen before — he saw the full, brutal extent of his abilities when they faced down estinen together, and he had witnessed the care and precision he could manage with them as well. so when he feels a faint, familiar tremor beneath his feet, one that wasn't from the pounding of boots or the clattering of hooves, he instinctually glances around for what he might be trying to accomplish. it's the subtlety of the quake that incites his suspicion, so faint that he might be able to trick himself into thinking he'd imagined it — with everything descending into heated combat, what use did minegishi have for subtlety?
and it's at that point he sees the buckle in the stones fastening the chains in place, keeping abel chained in place in his pyre. that spark ignites the dry kindling of his suspicion into a roaring flame; his eyes scan the crowd furiously, trying to catch sight of him, his thoughts painted in stark black and red, vivid and vengeful —
but he's nowhere to be found, and makoto isn't about to give up his position to go hunting for him. not yet, anyway.
later. later. grinding his teeth, he turns away. )