Exalted:End of an Era

[Takhesis]

Pheonix stopped her onslaught of Fire Bolts as the terror struck. Partly due to the effects and partly due to being aware of her personal Essence reserve dropping low. Though that did add to the fear - Pheonix didn't like the thought of drawing on peripheral Essence in such a setting.

 

Then Shaya's anima lit up the surroundings - bolstering her and renewing her determination to assist in battle. If Peripheral Essence was needed then so be it - though the enemy barges had stopped and held distance - which meant Pheonix was fighting on her less favored terms.

 

 

Web's fear came in the form of being lost - which was added to by the barge not making much headway. Doubt in her ability to guide them out came - though that was quickly banished by the Solar anima. If only due to the light providing a better field of vision - as an Abyssal, she was automatically classified as a Creature of Darkness - which meant Sol Invictus didn't support her directly.

 

 

[Not entirely sure Sol meant that Charm to assist his perceived enemies - so its the indirect bolster for Web - still works lol]

[Biologist]

The shadow recoiled. A terrible shriek of rage resounded throughout the caverns, shaking the foundations of the Labyrinth. As the mortals clamped their hands over their ears to try and block out the mind-rending sound, large pieces of black stone fell from the vaulted ceiling, splashing the black waters dangerously close to the little barge and making waves.

 

The light of the Solar with the image of the Unconquered Sun was Anathema to this realm, and the very cliffs shrank back in fear and pain, remembering the ultimate defeat at the hands of his Exalted.

 

Then, amidst the chaos, Web spotted a white line in the dark stone of the cliffs: The marble stair. Pointing it out to the group, the barge started moving again. Hanzo took up position next to Gun to add some strength and speed to their rowing and the barge sped towards the direction Web was pointing.

 

They reached a set of stairs made of the same white bleached bones as the barge, rising out of the waters of the River of Tears. When the barge bumped into the steps, the group leapt out of the barge as orderly as they could. Dust and debris still falling from the ceiling, the shriek still echoing off of the cliffs.

 

They bolted up the stairs, Web in front, leading the way, Shaya covering the rear as a final defence against whatever horror would come after them.

 

They did not stop running until the sounds were faint memories. They would hear it in their nightmares for the rest of their lives...

[Takhesis]

[i somehow don't think the Sleepers are asleep anymore... or if they are they just had a big nightmare.]

 

Web was glad to get up the Marble Stairs, though that scream still seemed to echo in her mind - at least it shut the whispers up or blocked them out. Now to get out of the main Underworld - after the Labyrinth it almost looked like home. Though Web knew until she'd worked out who and what she really was - no place would really be her home.

[Mistress of Whispers]

[i somehow don't think the Sleepers are asleep anymore... or if they are they just had a big nightmare.]

((I think so too.; we must have caused quite a bit of consternation. "The Exalted are coming! The Exalted are coming!" ))

 

Keeping her sword unsheathed, Shaya covered the group's retreat as they made their way up the marble stairs. She was not afraid, for she could feel the power of the Sun coursing through her, but she wasn't stupid either; eventually she would run out of Essence and then her light would dim. She hoped Web would find the exit to Nexus soon.

[Takhesis]

After the madness that was the Labyrinth, the normal part of the Underworld was easy to navigate. All Web had to do was find the small doorway that led back to Creation - in particular the one that led to a small almost forgotten mausoleum in Nexus.

 

Since the Underworld was a shadow 'mirror' of Creation - that meant locating the outside of the monument to the dead - and opening the doorway, hopefully without causing the death and decay leaking into the city.

 

Web had re-sheathed her dagger, at least the unit needn't fear her using it - though if Shaya asked she'd hand it back, so as not to threaten the spark of trust that she'd shown Web in allowing the dagger's return.

 

[Yep - which does mean they need a quick exit. And possibly avoiding the Labyrinth in the near future would be wise...]

[Biologist]

The Labyrinth was an ever changing and chaotic place. Only a few landmarks were fixed enough to stay unchanged and the River of Tears with the Marble Stairs was one such landmark. Web knew it would lead to the Hive - as all fixed pathways in the Labyrinth did. From there she could guide the group to the right doorway to the Underworld of Nexus.

 

When the group reached the top of the Marble Stairs, they heard a distinct buzzing sound. The last steps ended in a massive gate into a vast chamber that was filled with flying creatures vaguely resembling white rotting moths. The walls and ceiling were riddled with other gates, walkways and strange glowing and pulsing orbs. Maggots the size of large dogs crawled through the walls and wriggled on the floor. The faint smell of carrion and rot permeated the air. As of yet, the flying monstrosities ignored the small group.

 

Web knew this place. It was a hub for fast travel across Creation by ways of the Labyrinth for those powerful and brave enough to try it. The gate to the Eastern Underworld and Nexus was nearby and she quickly guided her charges through the buzzing chaos of the writhing mass of maggots. She knew the creatures - as repugnant and abhorrent as they were - would leave them be, but there could be other Abyssals using this place for travel as well...

 

She hesitated a moment, but then resolutely led the group through a gateway with strange symbols above it. Hanzo recognized it as a set of ancient runes from the First Age, spelling the name 'Hollow'.

 

As they descended a stair, the environment changed and the world became much more normal and much more sombre and dead. They emerged in a dead city, where ghosts hastily made way for the Abyssal and her retinue. Web quickly took them to the basement of a dilapidated building. It was a cramped space for the ten people and the air was stale and dead. Web knew that they were at the spot where the Underworld touched Creation: the Shadowland; but it was still night. Sunrise was not far off, though, and the transition to Creation could be...

 

A scream rose from the walls, high pitched and full of rage. It sounded as a choir of female voices and suddenly dozens of angry dead and rotten faces emerged from the walls all around them, followed by sharp taloned hands eager for blood and revenge...

[Takhesis]

[Oh lovely - I had expected the Angry Dead/Hungry Ghosts because of how that shadowland came into being. The Great Contagion...]

 

Web muttered a curse under breath as the dead decided to swarm. She then spoke aloud, while renewing her group defensive Charms - she hadn't actually dropped them, but it was worth the cost to make sure.

 

"Contagion victims... sealed away and buried alive out of fear." No-one needed to ask what contagion she referred to.

 

---------

 

Pheonix frowned at this, surely proper rites had been performed to stop the Ghosts rising. Though, she couldn't blame those that were buried alive for being angry.

[Mistress of Whispers]

Shaya moved to stand between the group and the ghosts, though she left enough room for Pheonix and Gunn to join the fray, and took up a defensive condition.

 

She felt a stab of pity for the ghosts: unlike the Ferry Man, they were not actively working for the Neverborn and, as such, were not her enemy even if she was theirs. Nevertheless, they would not let them harm her people.

 

All they had to do, was hold off until morning...

 

((Fivefold Bulwark Stance is a go!))

[Biologist]

They were surrounded. The angry dead advanced slowly, their corpus was as material as the Unit themselves. The cramped close quarters of the small cellar prohibited the use of the lances: they could simply not be levelled. The sound of swords being drawn filled the air and a crackling of Essence was felt by everyone being this close to powerful Exalts. Still, the Unit was battle ready and this at last was an opponent they could physically hit with their swords. Fighting ghosts almost felt familiar. Almost.

 

At last the ghosts attacked, blinded by their hatred and anger. As the group battled the ghosts, the Solars felt the Sun creep closer to the horizon. Just a few moments more!

 

((My apologies for godmodding the last bit of the trip through the Labyrinth (I realized that). I am still getting used to forum RP If I go too fast or take control of your characters, please, do not hesitate to tell me I went too far, so I can adjust my posts and apologize ))

[Mistress of Whispers]

Fending off the first angry ghost, Shaya risked a small glance over her shoulder.

 

"Web, it's nearly time; prepare to open the way. Once it's open: Lancers and Gunn to make sure it's clear, then Hare, Mouse and Tinker. Exalts go last: Hanzo, Web, Pheonix and I."

 

Briefly locking eyes with Pheonix and stepping forward (presumably with her Lieutenant), Shaya prepared to hold the ghosts while the others prepared their exit.

[Takhesis]

Web nodded, and started to prepare the way, being aware of the battle going on around her as well as the potential danger of the rift widening. So she was using the extra time before sunrise to reinforce the edges around the scar that they were about to open.

 

----

 

Close combat was something Pheonix understood. At least it was more familiar to her than the earlier ranged combat. Taking her customary position next to Shaya, Pheonix settled into her Martial Art stance - flame surrounding her limbs, ready to burn some ghosts.

 

[Arggh! Again with Web and her wound metaphors.... I think we said it was a 2% chance of widening the shadowland with all precautions in place?]

[Mistress of Whispers]

((A Dawn and a Fire, both ready for combat in their preferred style. I pity those ghosts ))

[Takhesis]

[Yep. Ghosts will not like it. So who wants to roll the odds for shadowland expansion? I looked the earlier odds up and it was 2-3% chance. Since there's a combat going on with extra Essence shall we say its the 3%? Simply as Essence does tend to make things interesting.]

[Mistress of Whispers]

((I rolled with an online roller. Result: 46. Unless you want to make the roll yourself?

screenshot.))

Edited May 20, 2013 by Mistress of Whispers

[Takhesis]

[That's fine. Looks like Web can cope with the extra power input from the battle when the time comes. Yay. No killing Nexus.]

[Mistress of Whispers]

[That's fine. Looks like Web can cope with the extra power input from the battle when the time comes. Yay. No killing Nexus.]

((Yay indeed. That would have been rather heavy 'collateral damage', even for Exalted ))

[Biologist]

The ghosts were no match for the Solar and her Dragonblooded lieutenant. They had been training together for decades, excelling in close quarter combat. Fighting back to back against overwhelming forces was what they did best. The mortals in the unit protected Web, so that she could maintain concentration, if any of the ghosts got lucky enough to break through their leaders' defence. Even Hanzo fended the ghosts off as best he could as a Lookshyan, even though he did not know any combat moves that he could augment with his Essence.

 

Then the Solars felt the glorious moment arrive when the Unconquered Sun rose above the horizon and bathed the world in His light. Even the others felt it when a change of atmosphere livened up the small cellar. It was also the moment Web finished her ritual...

[Takhesis]

The reinforcement done, all that remained for Web was to open the doorway back to Creation. Web concentrated and the doorway opened up. On the other side of the portal, the welcome light of the Sun could be seen.

 

As planned the Lancers and Gunn took point, and as soon as Web indicated the way was open - stepped through into Nexus. Well a graveyard within Nexus anyway. Behind them the doorway's edges flickered, and the monument that contained the shadowland was just visible behind the portal.

 

Web concentrated on keeping the Essence from the battle leaking into the doorway and the wards that kept the area stable.

 

[ummm, what was the clear signal, for the second bunch?]

 

------

 

Pheonix kept the ghosts at bay as best she could. At least it wouldn't be long before dawn chased the ghosts away. Web appeared to actually help in that respect - the dawn light leaking back into the area as she opened the exit.

 

Now with that light, the ghosts had to not only avoid attacks from Exalts but the small, but growing, patches of natural sunlight.

[Mistress of Whispers]

Looking over her shoulder, Shaya saw that the mortals had made it through. Driving another ghost back with her sword, she spoke: "Hanzo, get ready to leave."

 

After Hanzo, the order would be Web, Pheonix and herself. By now, she had expended so much Essence that she was in full Totemic flare and while she yearned for the Sun's warmth on her skin, and could indeed feel His presence right beyond the veil, she remained concentrated on the ghosts before her. She still meant them no harm, but she would not hesitate to kill them if that's what it took to get her people out of here safely.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Mistress of Whispers

[Biologist]

Hanzo got ready too leave. He had been fighting longer than any training session he had ever been in, so he was sweating and his muscles ached. Still he stayed and fought until his Chumyo gave to order to leave.

 

Then he retreated in as orderly a fashion as he could and at long last felt the rays of his Patron warm his back. He anxiously waited for the others to get through the portal, when he heard Tinker clear his throat: "Sir?" Hanzo turned around and saw a small patrol of armed and armoured men and women approach them with extreme caution...

[Takhesis]

Web kept the portal open and stable as, first the mortal members of the unit left the shadowland and entered Nexus.

 

Then the Exalts turn came around, Hanzo making a fighting retreat. Normally she'd be the last through to maintain the doorway for travelers that weren't able to create it themselves, but Web suspected that wouldn't be an option to Shaya - so she slowly fed a bit more power into the doorway.

 

"Ready?" She asked the remaining two Exalts. "The doorway won't last long after I step through ... so I should be last out - or you need to be quick."

 

----------

 

Pheonix waited for Shaya to make the call on the final 3 exits.

 

[i'm guessing one of Nexus's Mercenary units is coming? If so, Web will not be welcome....]

[Mistress of Whispers]

Shaya nodded in response to Web's warning.

 

"Pheonix first, then you." She didn't have to specify that she would go last; to Shaya, that was a given.

 

Stepping in front of Pheonix to cover her retreat, she called upon her last reserves of Essence to maintain her defensive stance.

 

 

((Shaya is in full totemic flare. How are the rest of the Exalt doing? Hanzo should be fine sine he's been fighting and he doesn't have any Charms for that. But how are Pheonix and, more importantly, Web?))

[Takhesis]

[Web hasn't expended a lot of Essence comparatively - but she did cover the group with a mass defense ability twice and she's fuelling the gateway + warding to stop expansion.... so I'd say Web's anima is showing at Bonfire level.

 

Pheonix expended her personal fighting the Ferrymen - so she's been drawing on Peripheral for the Ghost fight. Her Fire Anima is going to be similar to Shaya's - but not as bright and not in a defined shape.]

 

Pheonix nodded and headed through Web's doorway - with some misgivings about leaving Shaya and the Abyssal. Pheonix still didn't trust Web - though it made a change to not have to be the voice of reason between Shaya and one of the Black Exaltations. Which really wasn't Pheonix anyway - she'd be just as likely to start a fight as Shaya was.

 

Her anima was flaring brightly - so as soon as she was the other side, Pheonix made sure she wasn't standing near any of the mortals. She was aware of the problems her banner could cause the unprotected.

 

------

 

Web waited til Pheonix had passed through and moved away from the front of the portal before stepping through herself. Though Pheonix's Fire didn't really bother her - she didn't want to be caught up directly in it. Plus it bought Shaya more time to get closer to the portal - as well as give it a few more motes to keep it open after her transit across.

 

Her own anima was visible from the earlier defensive Charms, though the portal ritual was the greater cost with the added wards. Black shadow threads were visible in the air around her - though not as dark as they could be.

[Mistress of Whispers]

With Web safely through, Shaya exited the Shadowland last. She was greeted by the sight of her unit, Lancers and Gunnzosha at a ready battlestance, in a face-off with one of Nexus' guards units. All seemed on edge: her own people understandably so, after their harrowing journey through the Labyrinth, and the Nexians equally understandably, given that both Pheonix and especially Web were caught in a heavy Anima flare. The sight of Shaya, accompanied by the golden four-armed warrior in a radiant light behind her, did not help to diffuse the situation.

 

Sheathing her sword, she deliberately stepped between Web and the Nexian and gave Gunn and the twins the order to stand down. They were on Nexus territory and it would not do to get off on the wrong foot any more than they already had. Then she adressed the Nexian unit:

 

"I am the new Chumyo of Lookshy -" the title sounded odd coming over her lips, but if she didn't start believing it herself, no one else would either "- and am here to speak to the Council of Rivers. The Council of Nexus is informed of this."

 

"Because of the urgency of our situation, we travelled here through the Shadowland to win time. My -" she paused for a moment as she considered Web's position "- guide will now close the rift behind us. It is imperative that you allow her to do this without interference. After that, you will take us to our host."

 

She didn't look back to see what Web was doing, as she figured that the Abyssal was probably already sealing and checking the rift, and she didn't want to draw any more attention to her.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Mistress of Whispers

[Takhesis]

[Pheonix's anima would be familiar at least. DBs are the most common Exalt anyway.... whether they're liked or not]

 

Web had turned to face the exit, hoping it would stay open long enough for Shaya. Hopefully the Nexus Unit wouldn't attack while her back was turned.

 

Seeing Shaya had made it through, Web got to work closing the gateway. That was easier than opening it - though she still had to be wary of the wards.

 

She had indeed started the process of sealing the rift as Shaya was speaking to the Nexian group. It wouldn't take long to seal - but an incomplete sealing could allow the dead to escape at night.