It's dragged ghosts here before. I don't know how long it was open for, then, but it'll close for a battle royal of the last ghost standing once enough spirits and demons have climbed in. The living shouldn't be here for it.
[ a glance from them, and back to the group of huddled travelers. an exasperated noise leaves him, but he leverages himself up with his hands on his knees, form still coming in, out, in, out. when it gets bad, all he is is just - a ball of flame. it doesn't seem to hurt, but he does seem to force himself back into a solid existence through sheer willpower. ]
If you can fight without a sword, you'll still do better than these ones. Just don't run off out of range of the people with 'em. C'mon. We're going to have to head towards the peak if we want to get them out of here, and you back to wherever you came from - you've already seen the city, right?
[ the whispers continue. they are still calling, the mountain still beckons, but... ]
Yeah, let's- let's stay together. If there's gonna be a battle royal of ghosts then we don't wanna get caught up in it. It's better not to let them think we're here for that.
[But Rin seems a little on edge now, and he keeps glancing around like he's looking for an enemy hiding just out of eyesight. Push through, get out, and go home. They can do that, right? Rin will keep them going, he won't leave them behind here.]
What happened in that city? It's clear this used to be a place where people lived, but then it seems this volcano erupted? But that does not explain the rats.
[He will take point with ghost man, ready to draw his sword.]
The - oh, so you got to see the rats. Figures. [ ghost man is nudging at the other survivors to get up, pulling a few to their feet when it's obvious they're more reluctant. the screaming and roaring and howling don't help.
the whispers get louder in rin's ears. ]
They're corpse eaters. The resentful energy of the Kiln has made them echoes of those who died in the city.
[Alisaie is going to also help the other survivors up if they'll let her! They obviously can't let them stay here. But like Rin, she's listening hard for anything out of the ordinary what do ur elf ears hear alisaie; maybe she can give them a warning if something's about to happen...
There are so many questions they should ask, yet so little time.]
[Rin seems to snap back to attention at that, and he sees the others helping survivors up. So he'll help them up too, time to get a move on!]
Who knows, people built cities around volcanoes forever. What matters is the people who survived. If resentful energy is building up, then that's all the more reason to not stick around long. Let's get going.
[ a pause, to think of an answer to alisaie's question. you'll all get the sense that he's frowning, even if his features don't stay in focus in your minds. ]
... time is hard to pin down, here. A while. [ but he passes someone over to rin while he's helping to get everyone up and moving, and jerk his head towards the burning glow of the peak. ]
Wasn't always a volcano. City came first. And the resentful energy came after - places of great calamity will always be full of the resentment of those that were slain, whether it was a natural disaster or the wrath of another.
[She has a response to what he's saying--"Calamities" are well known to Alisaie, and how their coming affects the world--but even as she opens her mouth to voice it, she stops in her tracks.
Because she hears a voice. And it's not a voice that she can ignore.]
Wait!
[She doesn't hesitate, standing and taking a few steps further up the path, tilting her head as though it will help her hear him more clearly.]
You can walk and talk at the same time. [ The kiln is calling but his patience doesn't help matters either. Not when he knows there's gonna be a fight.
Here goes three teens listening to this obviously friendly mountain. ]
[ there's something bemused, in your current mountain guide. but he rounds up the people and urges them to follow, to keep their heads down and their mouths shut. if they hear anything too close, they need to hide. but otherwise, he's full steam ahead like the rest of them. ]
You go running off and listening to the voices, here, you're going to get lost. Not sure why you'd be hearing anything if you're all alive. [ something goes sailing over head, and the path is splattered with red. don't pay it much mind - your ghost friend doesn't, besides a lip curl of annoyance.
Because he's alive, too. [Or at least, he'd better be.
Alisaie is absolutely following, striking out at a quicker pace than they'd set before. All of her attention is on the voice and the feedback she's getting from Taf, and she seems to be doing surprisingly all right... for now.]
[ Akira stops and stares at the splat for several seconds. He could and maybe he should but-the kiln is calling. They'll find out what awaits them in no time and what good would do it when they've already made up their minds?
He shakes his head and moves onward, bringing up the rear of the group. ]
[Rin had been distracted for a bit, but the splat sure catches his attention. He stares back at it too, only moving on when Akira starts to go too. So he'll bring up the rear with Akira.]
[ the volcano rumbles, and a chorus of screams and yowls and cackling laughter can be heard. it's opening, it's opening! it's truly opening! your feet will have to find purchase, your hands to steady you. keep watch of your daemons, and each other.
the rumbles shake and quake across the mountainside, and there's more smoke and ash pluming through the air as the fires of the kiln brighten from within. a terrible, catastrophic noise rattles you down to the bone -
and then, the earth opens up. your ghost guide shoots two hands out, grabbing hold of rin and akira - the closest to him - and shoving the other living humans out of the way. ] Fuck, move!
The hell!? [ It's kind of fitting a ghost would save him, really. He curses himself for being so out of it, but there's no time to waste and he turns to Rin. ]
Guess we're taking care of this. If there's anything I should know before were knee deep in whatever the fuck is out there, now's the time.
[Rin is quick to grab Rinkou, which is easy because she's in cat form right now. But then he's grabbed by the ghost friend and oh no their party members.]
Alisaie! Lawyer guy!
[But nope, they're siding down the mountain now.
And then they're surrounded, so Rin doesn't even have a chance to worry about them further. He hoists Rinkou up onto his shoulders, where she settles in while Rin gets his sword ready.]
If I have to use my fire, don't worry: I won't burn you. Just other things.
[His profile did say he was good at 'burning things' and 'not burning things', so.]
[ at least the slope eases somewhat, after some backsliding. your ghost companion is stuck having to wrangle the humans amongst you, swearing under his breath before righting them. they cling where they can, a cluster of lost lambs in this sea of misery and resentment. ]
Oh, God, please..!
Someone, anyone, save us! Please! Please let the Heavens hear me!
There are no gods here. [ grim, and with the implication of a sharp and bitter smile on his face, the ghost reaches to slap akira on the arm. ] If you can get a weapon off of one of these assholes, I suggest it, even if you can fight without them. I don't plan on dying for good on this shithole mountain.
[ a glance to rin out of one eye. ]
Light 'em up if you have to.
[ a ogre of a demon spots them, first, and comes barreling towards you. he's bringing friends, and they descend on the group of you - three rowdy boys and a group of a dozen humans in the center, trying to stay out of the way without becoming a meal. at least these are easier to hit than the rats. ]
That makes two of us. If you find a sword just shout. [ Sword training does little good without a sword, unfortunately. Either way Akira shifts his stance, then moves forward to engage as Nagako shifts into wolf form to circle in tandem. ]
The big one's mine! [ It really, really would make a whole hell of a lot more sense for him to take anything but the ogre, but Akira has never turned down a fight in his life. And though it's not often he fights opponents who are much bigger than him, years in the Underground can prepare you for almost anything.
Fisticuffs with an ogre is such a bad idea and there's no way he's gonna get out of this without some nasty injuries, but for now the blood coursing through his veins is probably enough. ]
Rin nods to their ghost companion, but he sticks the suggestion to the back of his mind. It doesn't seem like a good idea to use a trump card like that right away. Instead, he draws his sword and takes up a defensive stance, trying to remember the few training sessions he's had with Tsurumaru.]
Hey assholes! This is your only warning: back down, or I'll strike you down instead!
[Even if the situation is dangerous, he still has to give that chance. Maybe some will turn back? Rin is small, but when he's leaning into his more demonic features to intimidate he can be kind of scary!
He stands between the people and the attackers, but waits for the attackers to come closer first, letting them close the gap before he strikes out with wide swings. It's...not fully successful, men will get past him and to the survivors, but Rin is trying his best to drive off as many of these attackers as he can. Akira can have the ogre, Rin is busy.]
[ the ogre is... large, yes, but faster than you would expect something of his size to be. he has the booming laugh of someone large, and comes right for akira without hesitation. he's ready to fight. he's ready to bear down on this teenager that has found himself on the face of the kiln - after all, anyone here is prey. ] If that's what you want, little one!
[ it's enough of a distraction that he doesn't get past akira. around his fists are studded belts, and he does not hesitate to bring them down, a one-two strike. nagako helps to drive some of them off with presence alone.
rin fairs poorly, battered around a little before he can make a solid block, but not so bad that there are insurmountable losses. a scream cries out behind him, pained and terrified, as one of the travelers not of their own finds claws raked down their back while rin is preoccupied with a sword meeting his own. it bears down on him, metal grinding against metal - the wielder of the sword smells rank, like carrion. looks a little like it, too. slobbering drool drips down from their face, and sizzles when it touches skin and cloth.
another of the group is grabbed by the ankle with a long tendril of a limb, and the victim suffers smashing their face into the ground. but the tendril is ripped off with such violent force that the monstrous owner of it shrieks in pain and is drawn forward.
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[He says this while hefting up his sword onto his shoulder. Confident, cocky, and ready 2 fite.
Pay no mind to how he ran from the rats.]
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It's dragged ghosts here before. I don't know how long it was open for, then, but it'll close for a battle royal of the last ghost standing once enough spirits and demons have climbed in. The living shouldn't be here for it.
[ a glance from them, and back to the group of huddled travelers. an exasperated noise leaves him, but he leverages himself up with his hands on his knees, form still coming in, out, in, out. when it gets bad, all he is is just - a ball of flame. it doesn't seem to hurt, but he does seem to force himself back into a solid existence through sheer willpower. ]
If you can fight without a sword, you'll still do better than these ones. Just don't run off out of range of the people with 'em. C'mon. We're going to have to head towards the peak if we want to get them out of here, and you back to wherever you came from - you've already seen the city, right?
[ the whispers continue. they are still calling, the mountain still beckons, but... ]
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Yeah, let's- let's stay together. If there's gonna be a battle royal of ghosts then we don't wanna get caught up in it. It's better not to let them think we're here for that.
[But Rin seems a little on edge now, and he keeps glancing around like he's looking for an enemy hiding just out of eyesight. Push through, get out, and go home. They can do that, right? Rin will keep them going, he won't leave them behind here.]
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What happened in that city? It's clear this used to be a place where people lived, but then it seems this volcano erupted? But that does not explain the rats.
[He will take point with ghost man, ready to draw his sword.]
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the whispers get louder in rin's ears. ]
They're corpse eaters. The resentful energy of the Kiln has made them echoes of those who died in the city.
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what do ur elf ears hear alisaie; maybe she can give them a warning if something's about to happen...There are so many questions they should ask, yet so little time.]
How long have you been here, to know all of this?
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[LIKE HONESTLY.]
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Who knows, people built cities around volcanoes forever. What matters is the people who survived. If resentful energy is building up, then that's all the more reason to not stick around long. Let's get going.
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... time is hard to pin down, here. A while. [ but he passes someone over to rin while he's helping to get everyone up and moving, and jerk his head towards the burning glow of the peak. ]
Wasn't always a volcano. City came first. And the resentful energy came after - places of great calamity will always be full of the resentment of those that were slain, whether it was a natural disaster or the wrath of another.
[ be quiet. be quick.
the kiln is still calling. ]
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Because she hears a voice. And it's not a voice that she can ignore.]
Wait!
[She doesn't hesitate, standing and taking a few steps further up the path, tilting her head as though it will help her hear him more clearly.]
Farther--we have to go farther up.
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Miss Alisaie? What is it? Don't go too far on your own.
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Here, I'll go with her.
[And he's already going up the path towards Alisaie. The kiln is calling.]
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Here goes three teens listening to this obviously friendly mountain. ]
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You go running off and listening to the voices, here, you're going to get lost. Not sure why you'd be hearing anything if you're all alive. [ something goes sailing over head, and the path is splattered with red. don't pay it much mind - your ghost friend doesn't, besides a lip curl of annoyance.
it's louder, alisaie. do you follow? ]
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Alisaie is absolutely following, striking out at a quicker pace than they'd set before. All of her attention is on the voice and the feedback she's getting from Taf, and she seems to be doing surprisingly all right... for now.]
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He shakes his head and moves onward, bringing up the rear of the group. ]
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Miss Leveilleur, what are you talking about? Are you hearing someone else?
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[ the volcano rumbles, and a chorus of screams and yowls and cackling laughter can be heard. it's opening, it's opening! it's truly opening! your feet will have to find purchase, your hands to steady you. keep watch of your daemons, and each other.
the rumbles shake and quake across the mountainside, and there's more smoke and ash pluming through the air as the fires of the kiln brighten from within. a terrible, catastrophic noise rattles you down to the bone -
and then, the earth opens up. your ghost guide shoots two hands out, grabbing hold of rin and akira - the closest to him - and shoving the other living humans out of the way. ] Fuck, move!
[ alisaie and van zieks aren't so lucky, and rubble rolls down the mountainside, including that you used for cover.
you're left on the surface, surrounded on all sides.
get ready. ]
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Guess we're taking care of this. If there's anything I should know before were knee deep in whatever the fuck is out there, now's the time.
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Alisaie! Lawyer guy!
[But nope, they're siding down the mountain now.
And then they're surrounded, so Rin doesn't even have a chance to worry about them further. He hoists Rinkou up onto his shoulders, where she settles in while Rin gets his sword ready.]
If I have to use my fire, don't worry: I won't burn you. Just other things.
[His profile did say he was good at 'burning things' and 'not burning things', so.]
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Oh, God, please..!
Someone, anyone, save us! Please! Please let the Heavens hear me!
There are no gods here. [ grim, and with the implication of a sharp and bitter smile on his face, the ghost reaches to slap akira on the arm. ] If you can get a weapon off of one of these assholes, I suggest it, even if you can fight without them. I don't plan on dying for good on this shithole mountain.
[ a glance to rin out of one eye. ]
Light 'em up if you have to.
[ a ogre of a demon spots them, first, and comes barreling towards you. he's bringing friends, and they descend on the group of you - three rowdy boys and a group of a dozen humans in the center, trying to stay out of the way without becoming a meal. at least these are easier to hit than the rats. ]
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The big one's mine! [ It really, really would make a whole hell of a lot more sense for him to take anything but the ogre, but Akira has never turned down a fight in his life. And though it's not often he fights opponents who are much bigger than him, years in the Underground can prepare you for almost anything.
Fisticuffs with an ogre is such a bad idea and there's no way he's gonna get out of this without some nasty injuries, but for now the blood coursing through his veins is probably enough. ]
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Rin nods to their ghost companion, but he sticks the suggestion to the back of his mind. It doesn't seem like a good idea to use a trump card like that right away. Instead, he draws his sword and takes up a defensive stance, trying to remember the few training sessions he's had with Tsurumaru.]
Hey assholes! This is your only warning: back down, or I'll strike you down instead!
[Even if the situation is dangerous, he still has to give that chance. Maybe some will turn back? Rin is small, but when he's leaning into his more demonic features to intimidate he can be kind of scary!
He stands between the people and the attackers, but waits for the attackers to come closer first, letting them close the gap before he strikes out with wide swings. It's...not fully successful, men will get past him and to the survivors, but Rin is trying his best to drive off as many of these attackers as he can. Akira can have the ogre, Rin is busy.]
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[ it's enough of a distraction that he doesn't get past akira. around his fists are studded belts, and he does not hesitate to bring them down, a one-two strike. nagako helps to drive some of them off with presence alone.
rin fairs poorly, battered around a little before he can make a solid block, but not so bad that there are insurmountable losses. a scream cries out behind him, pained and terrified, as one of the travelers not of their own finds claws raked down their back while rin is preoccupied with a sword meeting his own. it bears down on him, metal grinding against metal - the wielder of the sword smells rank, like carrion. looks a little like it, too. slobbering drool drips down from their face, and sizzles when it touches skin and cloth.
another of the group is grabbed by the ankle with a long tendril of a limb, and the victim suffers smashing their face into the ground. but the tendril is ripped off with such violent force that the monstrous owner of it shrieks in pain and is drawn forward.
there are three of you, still. ]
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cw; mutilation, tentacles
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