Dawn of the Third age/IC Logs/Session 29

Nomoe_Hideaki: In a flurry of blows Nomoe drives 'his' ash man back against one of the few walls still standing. Then - zing! - with sharp piece of steel from among the rubble he pierces through the creature's arm, pinning it to the wall right next to the shadows of unfortunate mortals. Zing! He nails the other arm to the wall.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Taking a moment to step back and look at his work Nomoe smiles coldly. "How do you like the feeling?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: Giving the creature a few seconds to appreciate its situation he steps forward again to reach into its chest where he saw Bright Snow expose some sort of heart within an ash man. And closing his fingers around it he crushes it slowly and without mercy.

@Lob: The avatar fell, almost completely hollowed out by Nomoe's blows and barely able to move, but still alive.

@Lob: It had managed to move a precious inch before Nomoe's hands closed around it's core.

Wandering: Wandering readied to leap at the nearest foe her claws ready to pierce the Ashmans body and carve deeply into its heart, she lept over to the fallen body vaulting over Nomoe to drive her claws into the chest and crush its heart.

Nomoe_Hideaki: frowns slightly as Wandering steps in to finish the job, but simply steps back to summon a piece of cloth from the air to wipe his hands without comment.

@Lob: As the heart imploded into ashes and screaming smoke, teh ground shook and the ash-man dissappeared into nothingness

@Lob: < I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS JUST DID, BUT OBERASHTI IS FREAKING OUT HERE!> Came to Wandering over the Bond.

@Lob: The other avatars suddenly came to a complete stop and stared at the location their...brother...other self(?) had been?

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods. "Well then, that seemed to work. Let's get to work on burning out the other parts of its heart then, shall we?"

Wandering: "Of course" Wandering said through her armoured lips "Oh and Brazen said that Obestashti isn't too happy about this one dying on him"

@Lob: Without crossing the distance, simply blinking to a different place, the two least damaged Oberashti-selves moved to the tops of buildings while the two more seriously damaged ash-men leaped in between the Exalts.

@Lob: "ANGRY ASH STYLE!" One on top of a shattered tower shouted with a stomp of it's void-black foot

@Lob: A whirlwind of ash blasted from it's skin and surrounded it, like a localized sandstorm.

@Lob: The other Ash-man whirled into the sand-storm and became one with it.

@Lob: "SMOKE DRAGON FORM!" Came from the cloud in a ringing voice like a gong

Bright_Snow: "This dragon has obviously not heard of subtly." Snow remarks

@Lob: "COME, EXALTS! MY HEART WILL REGROW, YOU SHALL NOT!"

Nomoe_Hideaki: gives the display an appraising glance. "I wonder whether he thinks that will help him."

Nomoe_Hideaki: He shrugs. "Not that it matters. We will just crush them regardless."

@Lob: The other Ash-men lowered into a wide fighting stance as one.

@Lob: The environment began to shake slightly

~Prototype: A crossbow unfolds from Pro's arm, and he takes aim at the heart of the sand-filled whirlwind. The sound of the weapon's action working is lost under the rush of wind, but the bolt flies toward - and perhaps into - the sandstorm. Then comes a thunderclap and a burst of light from inside the storm, as Pro channels one of his concussive blasts through the bolt.

@Lob: One of the Ash-men sprung up into the air and slapped the bolt out of the way and into the sky, where it exploded harmlessly.

@Lob: "NOT ONE OF THOSE TRICKS AGAIN, GUARDIAN OF THE CORPSE GOD"

@Lob: The Ash-man smacked it out of the sky, but did not expect it to explode like a sonic grenade upon impact, sending the single avatar flying down like a comet.

Bright_Snow: With a rush after the fleeing avatar, snow darts between the two Ashmen. Still laughing, her voice appears to come from all around as in this blasted smoke filled wasteland the light of her anima glares everywhere

Bright_Snow: As the thing plummets from the air, she appears like a wisp of her namesake, a torrent of pure white snow in a kingdom of ashes. Her singluar strike resounds with a crack as she disappears back into the swirl coloured light dancing through the remains of ruined buildings.

Lob: The black ash shape conflicted with the white streak as it left a crater in what seemed to be the remains of a street

Nomoe_Hideaki: As all eyes are drawn by Bright Snow's attack Nomoe flits unseen in the shadow of its echoes, his passing leaving no trail in the whirling ash cloud. The Angry Ash stylist avatar only learns of his presence when Nomoe starts vivisecting him from behind, carving open its form in quick slashes with two fingers to lay bare its heart.

Lob: Nomoe's hands meet the second Defending Ash-man

Lob: Although it's hands moved with Nomoe's in a blur that could only be seen by conflict between two geniuses, Nomoe's were slightly faster.

Nomoe_Hideaki: As a different ash man gets in his way Nomoe with annoyance settles for flensing that one's arms and hands.

Lob: carving deep furrows in it's skin and almost leaving it's heart bare to the world.

Wandering: Wandering tenses her muscles for a moment and then suddenly expoldes into a ferioucus attack the energy she built was released as she lunges straight for the chest of the nearest Ash man, the shear power of the blow easily blasting through its defences

Lob: The remaining Ash-man tensed up to do an overhead throw, using Wandering's momentum against the vicious Lunar. However, she struck with such strength that it was unable to calculate correctly, and she sent it sprawling onto the ground.

Lob: Nomoe's ears were assaulted by a voice from every direction, stuck within the whirling sand-storm.

Lob: "watch OUT!" it cried mockingly as the sand around teh Solar suddenly sharpened into a million razor-blades and cut into his flesh like a whirling iron maiden.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe's form blurs and seems to acquire a hundreds arms and hands as with unimaginable speed he spins, parrying every single sand-blade separately.

Lob: With that, the sandstorm shifted, as the thing in the centre leapt from the tower onto the ground, leaving cracks in the stone pavement.

Lob: Revealing it's brother.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Finally he comes to rest, the ground at his feet littered with deadly sand-blades. His anima blossoms around him, an aura of pale gold with small white feathers scattered through it.

Lob: It's body tensed and the air around began to buzz like a kingdom of invisible flies surrounded them.

Lob: Until finally it spewed out a massive hideous cloud of smog from every visible orifice, and some INvisible ones.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Seeing the other ash man ready to attack he shakes his head and disappear.s

Nomoe_Hideaki: Reappearing 30 meters away on top of a shattered building.

Lob: As it leered at Nomoe's retreat, it slowly sunk into the smog

Lob: Becoming invisible

Lob: Appearing behind Nomoe, the one that he had previously attacked seemed to float gracefully as it swung a leg as hard as Adamant at the Eclipses's neck.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe twists with inhuman speed and flexibility, catching the leg with both hands and swings the ash man past him with the force of its own attack to crash through the last remains of the building he's standing on, raising another large dust cloud.

Nomoe_Hideaki: *faint alarm /These ones are *good*./*

Nomoe_Hideaki: In the sky above Nomoe his anima coalesces into a majestic white crane.

Lob: nother got up from a crater caused by Snow, it's face a crumbling ruin. It looked at the Lunar and flashed around her, first a bullet-fast punch to her solar plexus, then it disappeared and lept at her from the side of a wall with a roundhouse kick to her face, ending with it suddenly driving a foot into the back of her crystal knee.

Bright_Snow: With three quick flashes of silver the lance in her hand darts out, each knocking the enemy back and off his stride. Her laughter however continues unabatted.

Lob: Finally, the ash-man that had been tackled by Wandering leapt upwards with a flip back onto it's feet.

Lob: Gathering up a melon-sized ball of black fire, it poured out it's rage against the Lunar faster then she could blink or move a muscle

Lob: The environment around them was becoming gradually less well-defined

Wandering: Wandering watches implacably as the fire ball races towards her, she reaches out a hand and stops the ball short of hitting her properly the fury of the flames is vented against the armour of her form, the plates glowing from the heat. Eventually its fury is spent

Wandering: the only sign of its impact the poping of cooling plates and the slight singe on her hand that is rapidly healing

Lob: The Ash-man lifted up from it's stance, expecting to see a scorched and agonized skeleton

Lob: It wore what could only be described as an expression of surprise mixed with lunatic frustration.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Nomoe considers his options with speed born of experience, though it has been some time since he's had to consider outcomes like being forced to retreat. "Enough of this," he says quietly. */We need to end this quickly. My next attack will be indiscriminate, but it will not harm you. Trust me./*

Bright_Snow: */A difficult proposition / amusement fills her mind / but not one that is to trying. /*

~Prototype: Pro's crossbow arm reconfigures itself in a whirl of clicking orichalcum to become a humming essence cannon, and he takes aim at what seems to be the main opponent among the ashmen.

Nomoe_Hideaki: */Thank you/ gratefulness /The alternative would be for you to seek a safe distance - 30 yards should suffice - though that might tip them off/*

Nomoe_Hideaki: Kicking off from the ruins the arc of Nomoe's leap carries him high into the air over the battle where for a moment that stretches long past plausibility he hangs as if pinned to the sky. His hands form a series of seals as his anima, already totemic, blazes higher and higher until it seems that a new sun has come to this sunless realm.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Old Realm characters burn themselves into the air in concentric circles spinning around him. Then Nomoe arrives at the last mudra. "Release," he says quietly. And all visibility is drowned out by an incandescent brilliance that comes down on the ash-men - and the various Exalts as well - like the All-Searing Spear of Noon itself.

Nomoe_Hideaki: An unknown timespan later as eyesight returns to usability only a smoking crater glowing red with molten stone and sand remains of this part of the already-broken cityscape.

Lob: A variety of screams of agony and fury can be heard throughout the crater that was the world of Oberashti's heart

Nomoe_Hideaki: Whether Nomoe is true to his word or not no one knows since - quite sensibly - everyone who can raises absolute defenses about themselves.

Lob: The air itself cried out incoherently

~Prototype: Prototype disappears into immateriality as the crashing wavefront of solar fire washes over him.

Bright_Snow: Snow stands stock still. The silver spear in her hands incandesent for a moment after the blast, no doubt burning to the touch. Her flesh and hair appear washed out, even compared to their normal pale selves, a white maiden on a white background, blinking to clear her vision.

Wandering: Wandering just waits as the blast closes on her, then her anima colacess around her into her spirit shape and smily bats the blast away from her "A little advanced warning next time perhaps Delbiartor Nomoe?"

Lob: <WHAT DID YOU JUST DO!?!!> Brazen called through the bond, evidently stupified.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Trailing white-hot flames and superheated air Nomoe descends on the stunned ash creatures among the glowing crater to destroy their hearts.

Nomoe_Hideaki: "My apologies, Deliberator Wandering. Commander." Nomoe inclines his head slightly. "I did not want to give these creatures any chance of scattering before me."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "You were all quite safe, you know," he adds after a moment. "Though I would not think of blaming you for not believing that."

Wandering: "Of course" Wandering returned the nod accepting his words and for the first time actually looking a little worried by the solar "It was just a startling display of power"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "In the event that it becomes necessary to use this technique again, know that my allies have nothing to fear."

Nomoe_Hideaki: Looking up from the now strangely mundane work of finishing off the hearts of the ash creatures Nomoe briefly glances over to Bright Snow. */It would never have hurt you, no matter what it may have looked like./ his thoughts have an apologetic tone to them*

~Prototype: "That's reassuring to know..

Nomoe_Hideaki: "I thought it prudent to end this battle quickly," Nomoe explains, watching the expressions of his allies. It's as close as he comes to admitting he was concerned about the battle's outcome.

Bright_Snow: smiles up at him. Before engaging in the grim work of crushing the hearts

Bright_Snow: As the last of the hearts are rounded up, Snow takes them in hand. With a rippling shimmer she takes the form of a river dragon and bites down on the lot simultaneously with a look of distaste. */What I must do, so that we can rid this place of such a menace / Disgust / Still he might be worth something to another./*

Nomoe_Hideaki: *appreciation, sympathy /I think I will look into alternatives for the future. It's hardly fair to put that burden on you alone./ thoughfulness /At least the shape might be useful at some point, I imagine./*

Lob: After the hearts were destroyed, the world TWISTED

Lob: and began to disintegrate, first into black ash, and then into mud, and then into dusty white NOTHING

Lob: It seemed like the entire world was gone, until a hole suddenly appeared and an arm the size of a warstrider burst in.

Lob: "COME ON, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" Came Brazen's voice from outside.

Wandering: Wandering turned as the arm burst in "It would seem that we are perhaps needed outside now?" she said carefully "should we proced?"

Nomoe_Hideaki: Controlling his movement through the white nothingness with customary grace Nomoe drops through the hole and outside.

Lob: "IT'S LIKE BEING IN MALFEAS OUT HERE! THE THINGS GOING ALL...FIVE DIMENSIONAL OR SOMETHING!"

Lob: As the circle tried to put as much distance between them and Oberashti as possible, the Greater Elemental Void Dragon thrashed and screamed in an apocalyptic voice that could be heard from one Pole to anohter.

Lob: It's folded and imploded and devoured it's own tail in an orgy of self-destroying essence that it had never been meant to possess

Nomoe_Hideaki: watches the spectacle through his All-Encompassing Sorcerer's Sight, fascinated

Lob: And it's scream as it simply folded out of existence would echo forever in this spot.

Lob: As they fell to the ground, the way to the city lay open before them, with Oberashti's filth wiped from the Great Maker.

Lob: "So...what the hell did happen in there?!" Brazen asked. "I tried to follow you in, but you just disappeared."

Nomoe_Hideaki: turns up the palm of one hand as if to say 'hell if I know' (which of course he'd never say out loud)

Nomoe_Hideaki: "We killed it."

Lob: brazen looked at where the dragon used to be the enraged screaming still in his ears. "Yeah, no kidding."

Bright_Snow: "And I acquired yet another disgusting form." Snow says moodily. "But you don't get to ride in this one."

Lob: "Oh I will truly weep tears of vitriol for that." Brazen responded

Lob: "I was just fighting the thing outside, well, more like I was just poking at it and swatting away it's laughable attacks!"

Bright_Snow: "Don't be facetious." Snow says sharply. "Inside was no better thank you."

Lob: "And then it started screaming even more and thrashing around and stuff. Then...well, that happened."

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods. "Well, that's one foreign dignitary murdered."

Wandering: "It was an intresting enough fight I suppose" said Wandering "Through after the first one died they seemed to loose heart as it where" she smiled slightly "And then Nomoe-san ended the fight"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "How about we see to the second one ... perhaps after an hour or two to recover our essence."

Lob: Brazen sat down on the ground, he actually looked tired.

Lob: "To tell you the truth, Nomoe-San, I think even I could do with a nap now."

Bright_Snow: "Yes unwise politically perhaps, fortunately I only came to explore and see the place. The politics can follow the dignitary for all I care." She pads over to Nomoe, back in her ture human form. "I think we all need sleep."

Nomoe_Hideaki: nods. "Anyone less powerful than us would have found their way abruptly ended here."

Nomoe_Hideaki: smiles. "I do wonder whether we will speak to the Divine Minister Ku again. I would have a few pointed question about his ... loyal? ... servant."

Lob: "Aw shit, that was his dragon, wasn't he?" Brazen moaned.

Wandering: "I'm sure that Ku will deny everything and say he is renegade or something" said Wandering "And if he does want to compain "Then Luna take him, we will deal with it" she sat down "But after sleep"

Nomoe_Hideaki: "And if his denial should prove false I don't think I'll have many reservations about seeing to his ... disposal as well."

Nomoe_Hideaki: "But yes, let us rest for now," Nomoe agrees, clearing an area beside him of the omnipresent ash with a sweep of his wide sleeves (which unaccountably aren't dirtied).

Bright_Snow: gently pushes on Nomoe's shoulders and gets him to sit. She then, in a fashion most unlike her, proceeds to curl up next to him on the floor and prepare doze. "Ku can rot." She mutters before passing out.

Nomoe_Hideaki: Hideaki lets himself pushed and sits down on the ground, spreading his robes out around him as a pillow of sorts for the two of them.

Nomoe_Hideaki: His anima still blazing around him he closes his eyes, resting in a sitting position.

Lob: Brazen lay down next to Wandering, although he took up more space then anyone else.

~Prototype: leans back against the leg of his warstrider and closes his eyes.

Lob: And they all eventually slept, under the creaking Autocthonian sky.