The Veldt

verseandrhyme​:

The healing spell that washes over Mitama is unfamiliar. Not in the sense that she does not recognize the spell for what it is. (Heal, and a fairly basic one at that, but it never does well to spit in the face of healing of any kind when it is presented.) Each spell is usually painted in wide strokes by those who casted it. A different mark, the flair of individuality.

Mitama does not recognize the caster, and so it is to her great surprise to see Eldigan, hand outstretched. She had thought the knight uneducated in the arts of magic. She nods her thanks in time for her attention to snap back to the battlefield.

The creature descends upon Petra in a great flurry of claws. Mitama’s eyes widen and she quickly gathers a proper physic spell in hand this time.

Mitama rolls a 20. Crit! 6 Health. Petra’s Health: 7.5/10

The spell radiates strength this time, and much of Petra’s wounds are soothed away upon contact as magic pours into her. Mitama lets out a sigh of relief as the strength of the spell is confirmed. She would not falter this time. She would not fail anyone this time.

“Would you all kindly mind killing this beast more quickly?” She whined. Fates could only guess when she would be granted a spell of that strength again. “I am exhausted enough as it!”

[ Antheia attack roll 1d20: 14; Hit = 1.5 dmg ]

𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝. Petra barely recognizes the cry of pain from her own mouth. Wearily, she glances up at her teammates and the beast. If her eyes did not deceive her, she’d say it was smiling almost, cackling even. 

          She could throw down her weapon and manage to crawl out of the way with what little strength she has left. It would be the safer option. No sense fighting when she could barely stand. However, that same voice from earlier speaks in her head. Move. It says. Move or die. Her teammates were giving it their all, so she could find it in her to manage at least one last hit.

[ Petra counter roll 1d20: 20; Hit = -3.5 dmg ] [ Petra HP: 1.5/10 ]

          Her legs feel as though they may collapse underneath her as she slowly begins to rise. Her sword had never felt this heavy, but she drags it along with her and towards the beast. Brows furrowed and eyes locked onto her target, she raises her sword up and swings it across its abdomen with her remainder might, slicing deep through it. 

[ Petra receives heal from Mitama; Petra HP: 7.5 ]

          Satisfaction paints a small smile on her face and suddenly she is standing straighter and taller than before as her wounds begin to stitch themselves back together more securely this time. Briefly, she looks to Mitama and gives a small word of thanks. The end was near indeed, but not for them. 

[ Petra attack roll 1d20: 9; Hit = -1 dmg ] [ Antheia counter roll 2d20 (Quick Riposte): 17, 8; Hit = -4 dmg ]

          While still motivated, she’s able to get in another hit, but not without its repercussions. The beast takes another plunge at her, almost revenge for the damage dealt, but she’s still able to stand. The beast was on its last legs, one last good hit may finally end it. 

[ Petra HP: 4.5/10; Antheia HP: 2.5 ]

It is clear now, where it wasn’t before, how the woman had been melting. She is dying, and yet nothing but raspy laughter and taunts come from behind her mask as she dissolves and sinks to the ground.

Eldigan can say nothing, only watches bewildered and perplexed. How triumphant she acts in death. After all she had wrought and ruined, brought to her end but still claiming victory.

The last of her disintegrates into the ground, and with her a final dark chuckle bubbles up from the sludge.

Antheia defeated

verseandrhyme​:

She had thought initially that the beast might ignore them out of necessity. A message still needing to be conveyed, some part of what might have been lingering and waiting to talk. That was why it had not rose to the bait of MItama’s attack. Petra’s attack proves that thought incorrect as the beast flies into a fury of limbs, lashing out at them with claws that seem to drip with magic ability. 

(The magic rushes past her and for a moment, it feels familiar. Mitama does not understand it.)

Antheia attacks. Hit! 3 damage. Mitama’s Health: 4.5/10 Mitama attacks. Miss!

The claws lash out at Mitama after finding purchase in her teammates. Mitama yelps as she stumbles back from them. The magic coating bites into her skin as it passes and it is then that the familiarity strikes Mitama into dumbness. Valaura. Her Valaura. Though not the same in function, lacking the poisonous bite she has felt herself administer time and time again, it is her own spell that the beast now throws back at her along with the flash of claws.

She is so shaken that the opportunity to retaliate slips through her fingers. When the shock has passed into fury that might fuel her, the beast has already turned to face the others once more.

Mitama grits her teeth. If the beast steals her own magic, then it will do poorly to attack with it again, even should she wish to so dearly to make it hurt. Magic still comes to hand, but the Physic spell is shaken in her own rage. It barely even manages to soothe some of the wounds that line Petra’s form as it makes contact.

Mitama exhales forcibly. Focus, fool. Father would lecture you endlessly in this state.

Mitama recovers 1 health! Mitama’s Health: 5.5/10 Mitama heals Petra. 2 health! Petra’s Health: 5.5/10

@petrykos​

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 head to watch Eldigan drag himself from the bath and attack. He leaves a deep gash in the creature’s abdomen, but even for his regained strength and agility, the creature doesn’t take kindly to threats of any kind and draws red. 

          Her whole body felt as if it had been sunk to the floor, weighed down by bags of sand, but watching the creature knock her teammates around like they were its playthings has her gripping the hilt of her sword once more. Move. A voice inside her says. As she begins to rise to her feet, she feels a warm and comforting sensation spread across her form and she looks down to see if she’s drawing more blood. Instead, her wounds are recovering, albeit slowly, and she sees Mitama in the corner of her eye. There was no giving up here, so she rises up shakily, sword raised and ready to strike.

[ Petra receives heal from Mitama; Petra HP: 5.5 ] [ Petra attack roll 1d20: 14; Hit + str 2 + armored blow (enemy) = -1 dmg ]

          Her sword cuts the beast’s limb, in a different spot this time, but the result is nearly identical. Sweat beads form across her brow. At this rate, she wonders how long they would be at it, even the other students were battling her and it all seemed almost futile.

[ Antheia counter roll 1d20: 15; Hit = -2 dmg + self-heal 0.5 HP ] [ Petra HP: 3.5/10, Antheia HP: 12.5/20 ]

          The beast’s claws dig into Petra’s side, ripping the newly stitched wounds back open. She groans and winces through gritted teeth, clutching her side. Meanwhile, her eyes were trained on the beast. Where she had cut it, seemed to repair back up. Not perfectly, but its sinew and flesh recuperated instantaneously. 

          Her breaths were unsteady and heavy. It was a matter of endurance at this point, she realizes. Who would win out, she wonders this as she watches the beast go after the other students. 

Suddenly, he recalls the Grey Tower and the study in its heights. How he had almost caused the deaths of Celica and Inigo, and the lesson he had learned while tending to their injuries.

Instinct wasn’t enough. Protecting from harm wasn’t enough. He must heal the damage already caused, lest he risk more.

After a beat,

he sheaths Mystletainn; focusing faith magic in his palm instead. It coalesces before he raises it towards the one already working tirelessly to heal them.

“Mitama!”

Eldigan casts Heal!

Roll [1d20] [7] +2HP

Mitama’s HP: 7.5/10

verseandrhyme​:

Though Mitama knew that beasts were loose upon the school, she had hoped the larger forms of the creatures that had bitten her would be the worst they stumbled upon. That surely, beyond those abominations, no greater creature could be looming in wait for them. They had determined that no Agarthan was present, after all.

The scene in the bathroom laughs in the face of every thought Mitama might have possibly had about the mystery before them. A great beast of a creature stands before them in the baths, towering over them and laughing with a taunting voice that strikes her as unpleasantly familiar.

So, they had gotten the Agarthan part wrong. Lovely.

Petra and her share a glance before Petra looks down at Eldigan’s frozen form. Where Mitama hesitates, it seems Petra does not, and Eldigan is slid into the baths as MItama lets out an undignified squawk of protest. If the creature, demonic in nature, was not aware of them before, it certainly would be now as Eldigan slides into the water and begins to defrost right by it.

It seems unconcerned though. Watching the other group. Taunting. Whatever it says is lost in the void, to Mitama, filtered through its rumble. They should leave. Every sane instinct, every bit of self preservation would have her leave, ensure that she survives, nevermind Celica and the others who bare down on it, nevermind Eldigan who stumbles about blindly in the waters, nevermind the students who…

Ugh.

Mitama rolls an 18. Hit! 0.5 Damage. (19.5/20) Target is now poisoned. Antheia rolls a 1. Miss!

Mitama grits her teeth and charges in towards the monster. As she moves, Valaura comes to her call. The light of the spell flashes bright against the tiled walls and floors of the bath as she launches the spell towards it. She can sense that the spell is as strong as ever. She knows that it flies, hits the mark, and that poison starts seeping in to the beast.

And yet somehow, the spell seems less effective than its usual strength. The beast does not even flinch, does not even react to the attack that bears down upon it. No, it simply continues to study the other group, keeping its eyes trailed upon each of their forms.

Well. How bizarre. “You could at least dignify with a response!” Mitama snaps. “I did not get bitten to be ignored!”

𝐀𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡. There was no guarantee they could safely and swiftly leave the bath without the beast noticing ( Though, it did not seem to notice a whole body being dunked into the bath, unless it did not care to notice with vulnerable prey within reach of its claws ). Even if they could, her conscience protested against leaving any teammates behind. No student needed to become a sacrifice to whatever this school had thrown at them so she unsheathes her sword once more, preparing for battle.

          The creature was like nothing she had encountered in Fódlan. Though it looked quite skeletal and thin, its size and strength was nothing to underestimate. She watches as Mitama attacks it with magic and she wonders what spots she could even attack. 

          Her body feels more nimble this time, she feels… stronger somehow. Using this newfound confidence to her advantage, she charges at the enemy with her sword that has become quite comfortable through the previous fight.

[ Petra attack roll 1d20: 11; Hit + str 2 + armored blow (enemy) = -1 dmg ]

          It slashes what could be considered its leg, a limb for certain, but despite the strength put behind it, it didn’t seem to make much of a difference to the beast. Brows furrow in an expression close to confusion and shock.

[ Antheia counter roll 1d20: 12; Hit + dmg reduc (enemy) = -1.5 dmg ] [ Petra HP: 4.5/10, Antheia HP: 19/20 ]

          While it did not seem to take notice of Mitama’s attack, it certainly noticed Petra as one of it’s claws scrapes her and smacks her off her feet. Groaning a bit, she sits up slowly, clutching her abdomen. Nothing she couldn’t overcome, but it would be a good idea to consider healing options. 

He trudges through the waters and up the tiled stairs, with each step his stride growing in strength. His knuckles grow white around the hilt, and he sees red as Petra is knocked to the ground.

Eldigan attacks

Roll [1d20] [18] Critical Hit. Base -4HP.

Antheia’s Armored Blow+ Passive: Unit receives -1 less damage from physical attacks

Total -3HP

Antheia’s HP 12.75/20

Adrenaline was pumping wildly through him now. He dashed in close for a deep sweep at her abdomen. But she is quick to return the strike. Despite his agility, her long claw like nails reach him easily.

Antheia counters

Roll [1d20] [9] A hit. Base -2 HP. Transmute is in effect, but Mystletainn negates the damage.

Eldigan’s HP 5.5/12

Antheia’s Siphon heals for 0.5 HP

Antheia’s HP 13.25/20

The claws dig in, slicing his coat and drawing blood, and as she retreats, he feels she has taken something with her. He clutches his side and sees how she draws back. Nails scratching along the floor as she chuckles darkly under her breath.

He was feeling the weight of his wounds now, but with each exchange of blows, Mystletainn’s light grows stronger, and he feels more in sync with its power.

verseandrhyme​:

Mitama is standing up after recovering her staff when first she hears it. A crackling noise that breaks the silence of her newfound solitude. Immediately, she tenses, anticipating the return of another frost ridden enemy. She whirls around with the staff raised. Finding Petra in the process of defrosting herself is unexpected. Mitama falters, staring at her classmate with open surprise. How had she managed to do that? Mitama’s own tests had determined the ice had no physical weaknesses, and Petra had not displayed the magical capabilities to somehow defeat it that way.

(Perhaps that was it? All students attacked so far, including Mitama herself, had been magic students. Perhaps Petra’s lack of magic had been what had saved her? But then, why was Eldigan still frozen? It made no sense.)

Petra’s praise jarred Mitama out of her thoughts. The girl blinked owlishly before nodding. She gave herself and her mind a shake for good measure. “Ah, yes. Thank you. I am…immeasurably glad to see that you are safe.”

Which just left their other problem.

Mitama frowned as she examined Eldigan. They could not just leave him here. With the outbreak, he was likely to be feasted upon before they returned. “Should we push him along?” Mitama asked. She hoped touching him would not spread the ice. “Would you mind assisting me with this? If we are able to bring him to the baths, he will be fine.” She would rather let Petra do most of the heavy lifting work, if she was honest, but she would generously take into consideration that the girl had just defrosted herself.

The path they walk is thankfully uneventful. About midway through, they even get a burst of energy that allows them to push Eldigan even closer to the bath. Though they do not make it the whole way before Mitama breaks off with a groan and rests against the wall as she catches her breath.

“This is exhausting! I know that he is frozen, but this too much…” Mitama falls silent and frowns to herself as she counts. “Oh, a haiku…perhaps not a complete waste of my strength then…”

@petrykos​

𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐩, 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐡 him along the floor, thankful enough that there were no surprise encounters on the way there, for none of them were truly in a state for combat. Surprisingly, the ice block glided smoothly across the waxed floor of the hall, it was just the weight that hindered them from moving any faster. There were little twists and turns as well, so between the two of them pushing, they make it a little more than halfway. 

          Petra lets up when Mitama does to catch her breath as well. Though, they were at the doorway when they do so. Earlier, some screams could be heard from inside the baths and she could only hope they were not to be faced with another dangerous foe in this state. Nevertheless, they simply had to keep moving forward. 

          “Let us not be delaying. Only a few more steps.” She moves before Mitama, begins the final push into the bath, motivation high to get him defrosted that she likely wouldn’t even notice if she was helping or not. 

          When they arrive, they couldn’t yell victory yet it seemed. There were bodies—or what remained of them—strewn everywhere. She recognizes a few students in passing from the party and the room’s stench of iron was difficult to ignore. Someone’s head is left on the floor, any color drained from it and the plank of neck bone peaks from the end. He looked too old to be a student, faculty perhaps? A shiver ripples up her back and through her shoulders. Right, they had come to do one thing.

          They stop right before the stairs descending to the bath. A few members from the initial group were here as well as an unexpected guest peaking from another room in the baths—a creature she hadn’t seen before and was nothing like what they fought earlier, much more grotesque and almost spindly.

          She exchanges looks between Mitama and the still frozen Eldigan. They could always push him so he slid down the stairs from this angle. He wouldn’t feel it until he hit the water, she assumes. It was unfortunate for him that he was frozen by a horrific creature only to be defrosted near another one.

He can finally open his eyes, and he finds himself underwater. His movements are stiff and stilted, but he breaks to breach the surface, gasping for air. Truly he was coming into this world the same way.

Water streams down his coat, and drips from his hair; and both cling to his skin. The temperature is pleasant, but it only makes him realize how much he shivers. When he finally can halfway catch his breath, he glances around through the curtain of his bangs. He is in a new place to be sure, but it is easy to make out as the bath house.

First he looks up, to Petra and Mitama. They must have brought him here, and he is humbled by the thought. Then, sidelong to the terrible scene unfolding. Mangled corpses strewn about the baths, with some ghastly creature confronting Celica, Merric, and Inigo. The creature is keenly aware of Eldigan’s presence, made clear by predator body language regarding him, but focusing on the prey at hand.

verseandrhyme​:​

As if enraged by the audacity of Mitama for attacking it, the creature riots and wriggles in the air. Petra takes a swing at it and suffers the consequences as fangs find their way into her flesh next. Mitama can only stand there uselessly as she too is taken by the same magical ice that Mitama had escaped before.

The both of them now…Mitama laughs bitterly. So this is how it is too be, hmm? Mitama gazes back at the eyes of the creature that face her and finds it looking at her. Two of them down and only she remained…the sound of chaos still echoed throughout the halls in all directions. There was likely too much still occurring for her to expect any of their number to come running to their aid. Were they all to fall here, they would likely end up the beast’s meal.

And it did not take a genius, after all their investigating, to determine who would be eaten first.

The beast lets out a cry before charging at her once more. Mitama fumbles her axe as she raises it to guard, but the creature’s mouth catches on the shaft of it and sends it tumbling out of her hands as it collides into her. Mitama lets out a slight grunt as she falls back onto the ground. Her axe slides out of reach.

Elder Mogall attacks. Hit! 2 damage. 5.5/10 Mitama counters. Hit! 1.5 Damage. 0/12

Mitama quickly throws her weight to roll onto her her hands and knees. The creature is still struggling to fly straight now, the poison affecting it enough to give her a moment before it attacked again. Valaura already peeks through gaps between her fingers as the spell comes without bidding. The creature steadies long enough for her to aim as she lifts herself onto her knees and launches it. “ Back to sleep now!”

The spell knocks the creature from the air and, much like its brethren, it shrieks and writhes for a moment before settling into the afterlife. Mitama catches her breath in the silence before grimacing painfully and pushing herself again to her feet. She should…the baths…they would be fine if she could get them to the bath she just had to…figure out how to move them both. On her own. While they were frozen solid.

…Mitama started by going to pick up her axe.

@petrykos​

𝐎𝐡, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝. 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐅ó𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 Fhirdiad, autumn felt more akin to winter ( she’d hate to be here during true winter ). Of course, she had tried to prepare for the weather prior to leaving, but she hadn’t anticipated being frozen. 

          When the whole team had regrouped, news that there was a way to defrost the ice, but it was less than ideal. With Eldigan and Petra frozen, Mitama had been left alone, unless by some cruel fate the creatures froze her too then…

          No, she would not die nor let anyone else if she could help it.

[ Remove all status effects assist card used ]

          Slowly, she begins wriggling her fingers still gripped around the sword and her toes in her boots. Faintly, there’s a crinkling sound. This monster’s magic was different, or maybe she just happened to be lucky. With the arm that was held up, she moves that first. The wiggling seems hopeless at first, but then, a large crack sound emerges and one arm is free. 

          Limb by limb, she bursts free from the iced cage until she is completely free and the rush of the room’s air warms her frosted skin. Her sword is once again sheathed now and a quick look around tells her that the creatures have been defeated. Her hands curl and flex by her sides, still trying to regain feeling. 

          “Good job,” she says to Mitama, then looks at Eldigan still frozen. Her eyes gloss over his state, no visible sign of movement. She supposed the longer one was in ice it would be more difficult to break out of which left one option. She glances back to Mitama. “To the baths then?”

He exists, in some middle state. It was what he felt in the space between the executioner’s axe falling, and him gasping for air as he awoke in Fodlan.

The next thing he feels is the frigid cold. The sort that seeps to your very bones. It starts at his digits, and by them he begins to find the shape of himself again.

His fingers, still curled around Mystletainn’s hilt. Up his arms, where the beast had bit him. Upward and upward still until he finds his heart, beating quietly, but not wavering. He tries to move his limbs any infinitesimally small amount. But with his protests comes an itching.

A skin crawling sensation where every ice crystal touches flesh. A pricking and crawling. As though the ice was alive and gleeful as it traps him. He writhes in the prison of his own body.

Time stretches on longer, and he tries to shift his attention elsewhere. Away from himself and towards what is beyond it. He feels movement, and through the ice encasing him he hears the muffled sounds of a blood curdling scream.

Hint: You hear a stomach curdling shriek coming from the baths area.

Red Team moves to P17

verseandrhyme​:

One of the creature’s turns its…many eyed gaze towards her. Mitama curses to herself. So much time spent fretting over the monsters’ hunger for magic, and she forgets so easily all the same. The creature’s attack is clumsy, swooping in and missing. Its tentacles flail behind it uselessly, grazing against her arm as it passes.

Mitama stiffens at the sensation. The spell comes unbidden as she whirls around and strikes, countering the beast’s attack. Valaura’s fangs bite in, poison seeping into the wounds left behind as the creature wails and wiggles.

Frost Mogall attacks Mitama. Miss! Mitama counters. Hit! 1.5 damage +Poison

She winds up for the next attack as the creature twists and turns in the air. Another spell, she thinks, though her axe might be able to tear through what remains of the beast…

There is no point to her thoughts and wasted seconds thinking. The creature finally steadies in air and faces her again. Unseen until now, just below it’s great eye, a seam splits to reveal rows of fangs and a tongue far longer than it had any right being slipping out.

Mitama’s body stops as she stares with wide eyes. Her injured hand throbs under the bandage in a circle of half moons. For a split second, she thinks she can feel ice creeping along her skin once more, though a quick glance reveals that to be false.

No spell comes to her blank mind as she fails to make any move.

Mitama affected by Terror.

@petrykos​

Her hand grips the hilt by her side. Retiring the bow for now, she unsheathes the blade and feels its weight in her palms, wrists, and arms. This had been a newly acquired weapon she hadn’t had much of a chance to test it. ( There was no time like the present. ) Petra charges forward at the smaller creature again.

[ Petra rolls a 1d6: 4; Terror does not activate ] [ Petra attack roll 1d20: 4; Barely hit + str 2 = -1 dmg ]

          Her blade scrapes it barely, but enough to slow its movements.

[ Frost Mogall B counter roll 1d20: 4; Miss ] [ Petra HP: 9.5/10, Frost Mogall B HP: 1.5/8 ]

          Another blast of magic is sent her way and she avoids it similarly, if not easier, to the first. The creature had several wounds and its accuracy was diminishing. It was getting tired, she thinks. 

          “It is almost there,” a sigh is released under her breath. In the next, she is encouraging her teammates. “Let’s end it with strength.”

It is more intimidating to be sure, but he does not falter in his attack. Another gash is lain across its hide by the Demon Sword’s wrath.

Eldigan attacks

Roll [1d6] [4] Terror does not take hold

Roll [1d20] [10] A hit. Base -2 HP

Elder Mogall B [7/12 HP]

The creature, sensing the end, grows messy. But beasts are always their most dangerous when cornered. It let’s loose an attack, and Eldigan easily dodges, but it prepares for a second.

Elder Mogall B counters

Roll [1d20] [6] Miss

Roll [1d20] [17] Critical Hit.

The creature almost remains motionless a moment. Simply glaring with its largest eye. But from its pupil, a crack forms. Splitting open its sclera to reveal rows of razor sharp teeth.

Eldigan watches, almost transfixed as the maw opens and a forked tongue slithers out. Drawing back before sinking every tooth into his arm. The bite is terrible, but much worse is the feeling of something cold and venom-like being injected in and rapidly coursing through his body.

He feels crystals form along his skin, and it spreads quickly from the point of contact. He can’t move his arm any longer, and his heart beats slower.

His flesh becomes encased in the Nevermeltice, and it creeps up his throat. The last thing he sees is where his eyes are trained on the sky.

-3HP

Eldigan’s HP [7.5/12]

verseandrhyme​:

The creatures descend upon them near immediately. Seeing them in their full sight, Mitama grimaces and ignores the way the bite marks on her hand still sting when she thinks of her encounter with the smaller version of the beast in the baths. So, they do grow bigger than they had encountered. What an unpleasant discovery to make.

The lantern sways as she takes the now familiar staff in hand. The beast launches itself into an attack against Eldigan, but the knight comes out of it relatively unscathed. It would be impressive, if Mitama was not already imagining the grief he was likely going to give her as he took the hit like it was nothing. 

Two beasts focus on them and Mitama scans them both as she tries to think about the best form of attack. Perhaps she could-

“Celica!!”

Mitama pauses at the sound of a shout that rings familiar echoes its way down the Academy’s vast halls. Her head whips around and in the distance, not too far yet, she can see another group of their own slaying their own monsters. A familiar head of red is on the ground. Mitama’s eyes widen for a moment and, without thinking the spell is already midcast as she turns and launches it off towards them.

Mitama rolls a 6. 2 HP! Celica’s health: 3.5/10

Mitama curses the weakness of the spell, but she spies Merric rushing over to their classmate. She will be fine. The mage is perfectly capable, and then have their own enemies to focus on.

Mitama turns back with a grimace to the battle at hand.

@petrykos​

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 closer. Its eyes moved in different directions, her own attempt to follow to see who it would attack first. Even if a shot landed in one eye, it still had many more to make up for its loss. Between the two that were in front of the group, the smaller creature seemed more sensible to knock out first. 

          Her groupmate moves first, momentarily awed by the way he handles himself in battle. Controlled movements that exerted just enough power to evade then cut through after. Another group was within earshot and her other teammate acts without hesitation. 

          The same could not be said for Petra, however. Thrown off, uncertainty travels through her as she grasps an arrow and looses it in the direction of one of the creatures. 

[ Petra rolls a 1d6: 6; Terror does not activate ] [ Petra attack roll 1d20: 5; Miss ]

          The arrow lands unceremoniously on the ground, missing the target by a hair. She exhales through her nose as she closes her eyes briefly expressing sour disappointment. She would just need to sharpen her senses better next time. 

[ Frost Mogall B counter roll 1d20: 8; Miss ]  [ Petra HP: 10/10, Frost Mogall B HP: 6/8 ]

          Despite not hitting it, the creature does not take lightly to this attack and fires back a swirl of frosted fury. She is able to avoid its attack, but now was no time to let her guard down either. The larger one charges at her with another, larger blast of ice magic.

[ Elder Frost Mogall A attack roll 1d20: 9; Barely hit ] [ Petra HP: 9/10 ]

          She has trouble evading its attack, but still manages only to be hit in the side. Nothing she couldn’t shake off. Motivation and focus back now, she loads another arrow.

[ Petra counter roll 1d20: 20; Critical + Shining bow heal dmg dealt + Mogall’s charm -0.5 dmg ] [ Petra HP: 9.5/10, Frost Mogall A HP: 11/12 ]

          And this time, it fires directly into one of its eyes. As the arrow is released from her, its magic spreads across her and she stands up straighter now. Though it came in handy, her sword weighs at her side still and for a moment, she wonders if she could make a better impact with that. 

Eldigan attacks

Roll [1d6] [5] Terror does not take hold

Roll [1d20] [12] Hit. Base -2HP

Frost Mogall B 2.5/8 HP

The beast returns the attack, and while Mystletainn deflects most of the onslaught again, he feels something else. A warmth filling his soul, making the cold cutting along his cheek feel like nothing but the brush of wind.

Eldigan receives the Joyous Lantern’s blessing

Frost Mogall B counters. Roll [1d20] [18] A hit. Base -2 HP.

Mystletainn’s passive is in effect. -1 HP magical damage.

Joyous Lantern shines on Eldigan. Grants -0.5 damage reduction.

Eldigan’s HP [10.5/12]

Swarm is in effect. Frost Mogall B attacks again.

Roll [1d20] [2] Miss.

Eldigan’s HP [10.5/12]

Despite their best efforts, the attacks persist. They worsen, if anything. By the next day they outbreaks have increased and more and more frantically the faculty attempts to abate the incoming flow of attacked students. What they have learned helps matters a little. Things can be delayed, students hopefully saved. Things seem to be swinging into a moment of rest to recoup before it all gets worse again.

The monsters no longer seem to want to wait in the shadows. Screams break across the school as students flee and attempt to survive beasts that sound much the same to what had bitten Mitama in the baths. It may or may not be Agarthan, they still do not know, but they quickly form teams and rush out to the halls. They have a goal now, at least. Something to stop.

The screams echo faintly (her own caretakers had been quiet when her deeprealm had been attacked. Muffled panicked wailing that they had tried to stifle as the Faceless had continues to attempt to break into their house. Her father had faced them smiling and laughing. It had been inspiring when she was young. It was infuriating to think of now.) as students continued to race away from the scene.

Eldigan and Petra…she does not know either well beyond their short introductions. It did provide some concern. The beasts had proven to have a hunger for magic, and Mitama had been given no impression that either of them had any talent at the art. Most likely, that meant anything they encountered would focus her…She truly did not want to get bitten again…

Another shout breaks her line of thought. She can worry more upon that later. The fates, if they were feeling benevolent, would surely grant her a sweeter death than that of being a creature’s meal.

“There must be something nearby!” She called out to the other two, turning back from her lead to assure their pursuit. “Do not dawdle now! The sooner dealt with, the better!”

          More students had been found in the same state, but if there were to be any light in this situation, there was a way to melt the ice. None of which anyone had previously tried which brings the question to mind: had this all been a set-up by the school? No, it didn’t make sense, any of it. 

          Split into groups once more, Petra attempts to steel herself with deep breaths as they make their way through the halls and through panicked students fleeing like timid deer. It isn’t long before one of the sources of terror presents itself and finds its next target, unluckily so. Aside from their names, she knew next to nothing about Eldigan and Mitama, but now was not the time to break the ice. They would have plenty of time getting to know each other when they’re thrusted in the throes of combat. 

          The creatures were nothing short of strange to look at. Long tentacles that spiraled out of its head ( questionably ) and multiple sets of eyes. She had no knowledge of what damage it could do at this point, but one of its strongest points was its sight; there was little chance of catching it off-guard, so charging head on may be their only move. 

          “It is looking like we are having no choice,” she says, her arm reaches to her quiver of arrows. “We need to act with quickness.”

He follows their lead, and breaks into a sprint towards the eastern halls. Before long, they come across the cause for panic.

These must be the creatures Mitama encountered, and he briefly recalls the book found in the spiraling study. Whoever inhabited that room was trying to learn about these beasts, but it brought them no closer to who may be behind it all.

What ever the reasons, these beasts are out for blood, and one jumps at Eldigan, sending off a flurry of ice crystals. Mystletainn pulses in her sheath, starved for the taste of battle, and so he draws. Deflecting the attack before beginning his onslaught.

Frost Mogall B launches a surprise attack on Eldigan. Roll [1d20!] [8!] A Barely Hit for -1HP. Swarm's effect does not take hold.

Mystletainn’s passive activates. Bonus Subtracts -1 from incoming magic damage.

Eldigan’s HP 12/12

Eldigan attacks!

Roll [1d6!] [4!] Terror does not take hold.

Roll [1d20!] [7!] A hit. Base -2 HP on Frost Mogall B 6/8 HP

Frost Mogall B counters. Roll [1d20!] [16!] Hit. Base -2 HP

Mystletainn’s passive activates. Bonus Subtracts -1 from incoming magic damage.

Eldigan’s HP 11/12