The Power Inside

[Chicogal]

Diana was starting to feel the strain of her repetitive movements. She was tired, her legs ached. They had to push on. "Come on, Arthur," she muttered to herself. She hoped the boy would do his deed soon, however terrible it was. Her eyes briefly caught the wall of Tehgrimm Suda. Ceil was in there - she really did hope that he was alive and okay. They'd already lost Noland. Her eyes began to sting as she remembered his death. His sacrifice. She would not waste it. It would not be in vain, not in her case. For she was determined to live, and to help the people of her world. Even if they were against her in some respects. No, she was going to make him proud, and Ceil too (even if it seemed that he couldn't be made proud). She was going to continue fighting for them.

Edited July 30, 2013 by Chicogal

[DragonSpirit009]

Areo was slowly making progress of getting the Rat to move direction but it seemed to notice what they were planning. Quite a few fire summoners had surrounded it which caused the titan to form an ice shield around him. The ice were so thick that not even the fire attacks could break through. The only gap was the top where the Rat’s icy quills stuck out.

 

Areo was still not able enough to get closer due to the flying ice spikes but he could attack from the ground now. Seeing that the titan had blocked himself in for now gave the summoners a chance to come up with a plan.

 

“You there.” Bastian called out as Areo landed on the ground. “Get one or two earth type fiends here. We can dig a hole and blast him from under there.” The man nodded and quickly went in search.

 

“Keep him in his icy dome. We might get a chance to weaken him badly.” Bastian spoke to one of the older summoners.

 

~~

 

Drahual continued to dig holes on the back of the flying Louse titan. While more and more of the other summoners attacked the titan groaned in pain, sending electrical attack every now and then.

 

Imari looked at the situation but they don’t seem to make much progress. If only they had a bit more oemf then they could force it to the ground.

 

“Will be right back.” Imari spoke as soon as an idea popped into her head. With those words Drahual took to the sky in search for that certain person.

((FIY... Imari is looking for Khaine.))

[Fortune86]

Scowling and complaining Ceil allowed a medic to tend to his wounds. Normally he would have pushed the man away until after everything had been resolved, but the moment his mother had shown up he was fighting a lost battle. Odara had appeared and bullied him into accepting help, although she hadn't been able to persuade him to retreat to a safer place. With the wreckage caused by the earlier fight this part of the building was unstable, but Ceil refused to leave the room. He wanted to keep an eye on the battle outside the city walls.

 

As the medic dapped his stab wound with an foul smelling ointment Ceil kept an eye on the window. To his horror he saw a familar sight, The Horse, Titan of Wind, was whipping up a whirlwind. Even from here he could hear the screams and cries of Summoners and Fiends sucked into the tornado, knowing that very few of them would survive it.

[TotallyDrow]

Khaine was running through one of the earth trenches that a group of fiends had made earlier. At Certain area's the trench would lead to an underground bunker; used to shelter the summoners from the louse's attacks.

 

The lightning summoners had come to aide them in their effort to down the flying titan, which was much needed help; given how many earth fiends could fly.

 

Reaching an opening, Crixius bent down and repeated his long range attack, shooting multiple small rocks towards the titan.

[Chicogal]

Diana was looking over her shoulder as Rain slid to a whinnying stop. She almost tipped over her shoulder, but unicorn thrust her fore end back to keep her on. Diana looked ahead of herself, knowing there must be something. And there was. A huge whirlwind, sucking up Summoners and Fiends alike. Oh, Vundiha. She could feel the winds from here. She glanced over at the approaching Slug; it was a safe enough distance, if Arthur could hurry up. Besides, she'd probably be killed by the whirlwind anyway. That would be worse. Wheeling about, Rain screamed a warning. Then, they were off. Streaking past the Slug (a good couple of metres away as a safe distance), they hurried away from the dangerous attack. They just needed to stay away from that... Maybe it would suck up the slow moving Slug?

Edited July 31, 2013 by Chicogal

[DragonSpirit009]

Drahual landed not to far from where the Louse was attacking giving Imari a chance to slide off. She then started to run to one of the ditches the earth fiends created hoping to find Khaine. Drahual in time went to block several of the lightning attacks causing Imari to have a tingling sensation on her back every now and then.

 

“Khaine! Where are you?! I need you?” Imari shouted as she searched each shelter.

 

~~

Bastian was waiting on the ground while Areo went to assist with attacking the icy dome the Rat has created. He was looking around when the tornado not far from them started up. Some of the other summoners started to panic but Bastian tried to calm them down and told them to continue with what they were doing.

 

As he looked he notice a horse running a good distance away from it and the slug was also there causing a problem. He just hoped that Diana would stay way and safe. He and Areo could go and get her but with tornado might catch them if they fly.

[Fortune86]

Jyeh watched his nephew carefully. The boy was just standing there, apparently thinking it all over. It didn't matter if he agreed or not though, the boy was a damn nuisance. He'd have to go.

 

Hima twitched his head, looking from one approaching Fiend to the other. They were both at an equal distance from him, so it didn't matter which one he attacked first, he'd never be able to stop the other.

 

Arthur looked up. He had made his decision.

 

"No. Murder is murder."

 

"Kill him" said Jyeh.

 

Both the snake and the antelope shot forward to attack.

[TotallyDrow]

Khaine leaned against an earth wall, panting heavily. He had not been a summoner long thus his stamina was no where near as high as those in the military meaning he tired far more quickly then the others.

 

Crixius however had not ceased his attack, continuing to attack from a distance. Over the roars of the fiends and the louse as well as the sound of summoners issueing orders, Khaine could not hear Imari.

[Fortune86]

((Bump.

 

You guys have anything you want to do or should I just wrap this up?))

[Chicogal]

((I don't think there's anything more for me right now... <3 /prepares for soon inevitable heart breaking))

[Fortune86]

((Double post Chico

 

What about you Spirit? Have you got a plan you want to act out?))

[DragonSpirit009]

((You can end it if you want... Have a feeling Drow will have trouble posting if I want a part of my plan to act out thus I don't want to prolong it))

[Fortune86]

With two Fiends racing towards him Arthur only had a split second to decide who to attack. Option A, the Antelope, Option B the Snake. Either one was a bad choice as they left him prey to the other. He would be killed before he could stop the machine that powered the Titans.

 

So with death just a few feet away, Arthur decided.

 

Hima burst forward, ice forming in his wake. The sound of his paws smacking into the stone as he gained speed echoed through out the cavern. The two attacking Fiends were drawing close, but he shot past them both.

 

Jyeh's confusion lasted only a moment as he watched the ice Fiend deftly dodge both enemies. He realised Arthur's plan in an instant. Arthur had chosen Option C, Jyeh himself.

 

As the fire Snake and earth Antelope bore down on his Summoner Hima leapt and ploughed straight into Jyeh's chest, knocking him backwards. The leader of Tehgrimm Suda crumpled backwards onto the altar behind him and screamed as Hima ravaged his head and shoulders. Both of his bodyguards moved to help him, but they could not pull him free of the icy wolf, Hima was so cold they could not touch him.

 

Arthur fell to the ground under the weight of the attacking Antelope, but the blow was not as fierce as he had thought it would be. The Antelope's Summoner had become distracted by the fate of his employer and had tried to call it back to aid them, confusing the Fiend of earth. The Antelope turned, nearly knocking over the firey Snake and began to run back towards the altar.

 

Although the Antelope had raced away again Arthur was still in trouble. The Snake began to wrap its long body around him, burning and suffocating him at the same time. The young Summoner struggled desperately in order to buy his Fiend more time.

 

With the Antelope halfway back across the room Hima leapt growling from Jyeh to the altar beneath the machine. Tilting his head back he released a torrent of icy breath, freezing over the bottom part of the twisted metal and crystal above him.

 

When the Antelope reache him it made to knock Hima from the altar to prevent any more dmage being done, but the small wolf used the momentum of the Fiend's horns to fling himself into the air. Using another blast of icy breath he propelled himself higher until he hit the underside of the machine.

 

The explosion of the weakened structure was instantaneous.

~~~

 

The Titans were winning. Despite all the efforts of the several dozen Summoners doing their best to keep them at bay, they were slowly but surely drawing closer to the city of Tehgrimm Suda, leaving many dead in their wake. Dispair was setting in amongst the Summoners who were fruitlessly trying to delay them, but it seemed all hope was lost. The Titans were just too strong.

 

And then, without any warning, all eight Titans vanished. Even the Serpent and the Soldier, far away from the battlefield disappeared unseen.

 

~~~

 

Shards of metal, crysal and ice blasted across the room and caused the whole cavern to shake. The two bodyguards flung their arms above their heads to protect themselves, forgetting all about Jyeh.

 

As Hima hit the ground again his front paw crumpled underneath him. His back was badly skewered from contact with the machine and the echoing injuries from Arthur made it hard to pull himself to his feet. Panting hard Hima looked around and saw Arthur taking the lapse of attention in the Snake's Summoner to grab the Fiend's head and smack in into the ground with all the strength he had left. This got the Fire Summoner's attention again, but as he looked around he was pushed to the ground from behind as Hima attacked and aimed for the throat. The second he managed to rip it out the firey snake vanished, leaving a half conscious Arthur laying on the floor.

 

The Antelope and it's Summoner looked up at the wreckage of the machine and calculated the odds of victory now. Yes, he could take this opportunity to kill the weakened ice Fiend, or he could run away now while he had the chance. He opted to flee.

 

Jyeh, bloody and seething at having his plans thwarted ignored the remaining bodyguard as he ran away and pulled himself to his feet. Hima was just a few feet away. He could kill the blasted creature with his bare hands and Arthur would die with it. He reached out with both hands, inches away from the exhausted Fiend's neck when somethign sharp pierced his side. Looking down he saw a knife. Ceil's knife. But...how?

 

Jyeh slumped back against the altar as the life drained out of him. Hima limped away and joined his Summoner, who was propping himself up off the floor with one arm. He had picked up Ceil's knife as he retraced the way downstairs.

 

Arthur patted Hima's head as the ice wolf lay down next to him and then let his own drop to the ground. He really needed a rest. This seemed as good a place as any. Moments later Hima faded away.

[Chicogal]

Diana and Rain slid to a stop from their prancing and dancing as the Titans faded away. He had done it. Arthur had succeeded. A sudden grin melted onto her lips, despite the injuries all over their bodies. She let out a wild whoop, head tilted back to the sky, as Rain reared and pawed the air. With an ecstatic giggle, her fingers twisted into the blue mane. Winning. It was a fantastic feeling. They came down, pausing for a couple of moments. She just felt... Happy. A thought came to the suddenly hyper girl and Fiend; what about Arthur and Ceil? Were they alright? (Although, honestly, she was more worried about the latter). Making her decision, the bloodstained pair turned about and galloped toward the city.

Destruction and death lay in their path.

Bodies littered the grass, making Rain trip over them when not careful enough. Bloodstains. Patches of burnt foliage. Saturated soil. It made Diana's heart more heavy, but the thought that it was all over overcame these feelings. Panting, the two arrived by the gates of Tehgrimm Suda. They were locked, obviously. "THEY'RE GONE! YOU CAN UNLOCK!" she hollered. There was movement at the top, a guard looked down. After a moment he shouted back something about opening them and disappeared. Rain scraped the ground with her hoof, blowing anxiously as Diana's bright blue eyes scoured the door for any sign of opening.

Edited August 13, 2013 by Chicogal

[DragonSpirit009]

Imari was still looking for Khaine in the several earth shelters that she passed when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her stomach was in a knot and her heart was racing. Drahual had informed her of something that made her cry with joy.

 

“He did it.” she whispered stepping out in the sunlight from the shelters. There was a lot of debris, injured and dead people but the titans were gone.

~~

 

Bastian was waiting for his plan to work when out of the blue the Rat had disappeared along with the other titans. He knew immediately that Arthur succeeded in his mission. The question was now where might he be.

 

Bastian quickly called over Areo his dragon fiend. Climbing on they headed towards the city hoping that Arthur would be fine and that Ceil kept his words on staying put.

[Fortune86]

When the Titans vanished people were at first confused, but it soon turned to elation. Ceil could hear people cheering across the city as the news spread. Smiling he looked around, half expecting to see the white haired Summoner pop into view at any moment, but as the minutes slipped by he began to grow worried. Where was he?

 

Against his mother's protests Ceil left the room they had been using as a base and began to quickly make his way to the basement levels. He hoped against hope he would meet Arthur coming the other way, but as he drew closer the dark sensation in his stomach grew.

[Chicogal]

Diana looked up, waiting anxiously for the doors to be opened. In reality, it took about five minutes, but it felt like five hours. Endless possibilities ran through her head. Ceil not listening and going off to fight, dying. Arthur getting himself killed while trying to save them all. Jyeh stabbing Ceil in the heart… Once they opened, the pair galloped on, Diana panting so hard she thought she might throw up. It had just been like endless running. On and on.

 

The crowds were cheering around them, but she wasn’t celebrating quite yet. No. She had to know Ceil was alive before that. She couldn’t – couldn’t! – lose another teacher. Someone she’d only appreciated at the last moment. “Come on,” she muttered. They reached the door, and she just about leapt off Rain to open the door. They ran through together. There could still be enemy Summoners about, so Diana didn’t dismiss her Fiend. Her size had always come in handy – not too big, not too small. Eventually she swung herself atop once more. Just one more sprint. One more reckless run through the building.

 

They blazed past any who passed them, not allowing much chance of them attacking or blocking their way. One who raised his crossbow was met by a horn to the chest, before they were on their way again. The black-haired girl recalled the way there, coming to the spot where they’d left Ceil. He was nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t listened! Just about close to sobs, she tightened her hold on the blue mane, legs unconsciously squeezing the unicorn’s sides. Where, where-? “CEIL!” she yelled out with the breath she had left, before her middle collapsed slightly as she gasped for air. Please, just let him have moved from here. Please.

 

((She's not in the base room yet.))

Edited August 14, 2013 by Chicogal

[DragonSpirit009]

Imari was still on the battle field, helping a injured summoner. She decided to stay behind and help due to Drahual could easily carry multiple people to the healers. It off course didn’t stop her from wondering what was happening within the city walls.

 

~~

 

Bastian and Areo flew to the tower where they had left Ceil. They young boy quickly made his way through the opening Areo had made earlier. He could smell that someone had been treated here but that person has left. In fact the room was pretty empty.

 

((Chico... I’m not sure if they are in the same spot now? If they are I could amend my post a bit))

[Chicogal]

((Yeah, they are. Don't worry about it; I'll have her move on.))

 

Diana couldn't help the tears leaking from her eyes. She and Rain had gone on further from the room, searching for him, praying to Vundiha he would be alive. "Come, on. Please. CEIL!" she wailed, desperately trying to find her teacher. Rain was trying to pick up a scent or sounds, but her nose wasn't sensitive enough. And who knew who was making the noises? She decided to go on where Arthur had been. Perhaps he'd been stupid and gone to help Arthur. Sniffling, she sat tight as they made their way to the basement.

 

((He can hear her and follow if he wants. ))

[Fortune86]

When Ceil reached the door leading to the giant cavern beneath the city he saw several dozen men trying desperately to force their way through it. Knowing that he had no chance of taking them all on by himself, bot being able to summon Seth in these tight quarters, he decided to opt for a choice he really used. Talking his way through.

 

"Gentlemen?" he called out, getting their attention. "As you may or may not know, the Titans have been destroyed. That means anyone who had knowledge of their true nature and conception is going to be in a lot of trouble very shortly, and without any power or support to protect them."

 

He let the indications of this sink in for a minute and then stepped aside to allow a few of the faster thinkers run past. If the Titans really were dead then that meant that Jyeh's plan was a bust. Time to go before people started asking questions.

 

It didn't take long for the corridor to clear and allow Ceil passage down to the door. Touching the handle he could feel the chill of ice. Hima must have frozen it over from the other side.

 

Just as Ceil was trying to work out how to get through he heard a familar voice cryign out. Rolling his eyes in exasperation he walked back down to the far door.

 

"Diana! Stop howling like a banshee and get down here! I need you!

[Chicogal]

Diana gasped softly as she heard the very voice she wanted to hear. Rain turned on a dime, galloping to the entrance. The unicorn almost ran him over, but cleverly dodged to the side, and Diana leapt off. "You're alive!" she yelled, grabbing him by the arms and dragging him about in what was a circle for her and a pivot for him. "I thought you were dead! But you're- you're not!" Her hair was stuck to her forehead from sweating, sticking up in strange places, she was hurting all over, and she was absolutely exhausted. None of this detracted from her huge grin.

 

((Hope the pivot thing is okay? :3))

Edited August 15, 2013 by Chicogal

[Fortune86]

"Alright, alright, alright, now calm down. We still have work to do. And if you go pulling me about like that you will kill me" growled Ceil wrenching his arms free.

 

"Now get that bloody pony of yours to knock that door down. I want to see what is happening on the other side."

 

He nodded towards the door leading to the cavern. They couldn't wait for the ice to melt, not if Arthur was hurt. He also took in Diana's injuries. She seemed bruised and a little bloody, but otherwise in good health.

[Chicogal]

Diana didn't dare grab him back. "I'm not allowing you to die," she sniffed. For a moment she looked a bit deflated; more work? But quickly getting her priorities straight, she turned to Rain. "You heard him," she said, wiping at her stained cheeks. "Get that door down!" Water appeared from her horn, and it battered away at the door. A couple of hard knocks and the ice broke, hinges gave way. The door fell down. Rain steeled herself for more fighting, as Diana peered inside. Hold on, was that...?

Edited August 15, 2013 by Chicogal

[Fortune86]

The moment the door hit the floor Ceil was already hurrying into the room. As well as the huge altar in the middle of the cavern, right underneath the broken remains of a vast machine, were three forms lying on the floor. The closest one was Arthur.

 

Ceil instantly ran to the boy's side and kneeled down. Touching Arthur's neck he gave a sigh of relief to find a pulse. The young ice Summoner looked badly burned, but at least he was alive.

 

Ceil picked Arthur up, craddling him in his arms and looked around. As well as a man he did not know lying in a pool of blood was Jyeh. Ceil's eyes went wide with surprise as he recognised his own knife sticking out of the man's side. Arthur must have picked it up somewhere.

 

Turning to Diana and Rain he gently laid Arthur across Diana's lap.

 

"Take him up stairs and get him some help. There should be a few light Summoners wandering around. Get one of them to look at him."

[Chicogal]

Diana hurried next to Ceil and kneeled next to him. She could tell by his face that Arthur was alive. Glancing across, she saw a body of a stranger and... Jyeh. Dead. Relief fluttered in her chest, but not ecstasy. She couldn't take joy in death. Too many had died this day. There was a sudden weight in her lap, and Ceil speaking to her; she snapped out of her small daze and looked across at him. "Okay." Taking him under his arms, she struggled to lift him onto Rain's back. But she managed. The unicorn began to walk, and Diana took a couple of steps before turning around. Rain went on. "Ceil," she said quietly. For once, speaking quietly. Seriously. Sadly. "...What happens now?"

Edited August 15, 2013 by Chicogal