The roar of thunder would drown out the sudden burst of animals that began to descend upon the army of marines. The heavens wept on the battlefield. Water began to fall upon them all. Melissa had already moved by this point, as Rigel charged for the boss, she diverted to join the animals. The marines stabbed wolves and stomped on bugs, they shot at birds that were too fast to hit. They didn't see her before it was too late. Birds seemed to part for her, as her blade of liquid death carved into them. It must have been a new experience, throwing of the trained marines, being assaulted by nature itself. They couldn't react to the sword because, they struggled to see it. With the rain rapidly falling, It would camoflauge the blade. Grasping their throats as her blade silently moved through them. She turned on her heel for the next one. Completing a beautiful dance that would end with death.
A shot rang past her, then another one. The sounds of wolves whimpering echoed. She had managed to already kill three marines in a short space of time, but the marines were regrouping, calming their intent. Eventually training would kick in. The thunder and lightning that followed set the scene. A bullet strafed over Melissa's right shoulder, she winced in pain, A wolf jumped and caught a marine in the dangly bits. Another turned their gun on it and shot it off. Melissa moved, bringing her blade upwards, carving through the marine who had taken the wolves life.
Ho-Ho stood awaiting, he did not make a move as he was about to be assaulted. Rigel saved him in time. The shandorian took a deep breath. Whistling the larger wolf at his side charged forward, intending to bring its large jaws down upon the foot of the kangaroo. While he himself drew the large spear from his back. With his muscles bulging he also aimed it at the opposite foot. "Return her" was the only words he spoke. "Don't take me so lightly" Hanusu screeched as she would also aim an attack. With all her might she punched straight upwards, aiming to clock the marine captain right in the jaw.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 13, 2020 21:42:01 GMT -8
Denji's formation had crumbled under the pressure of absurd enemies. Wild beasts moved in unison with shady outsiders and his marines were being overrun. These recruits needed a great deal of work still. Even some impudent whelp had tried to get jump on him. Denji was a marine captain, and it was up to him to reclaim control of the battlefield. Denji wanted to turn back and fight against the woman laying waste to his subordinates, but the Shandorian guardian would not be watching him passively.
The native's wolf was different from the other beasts, sprinting with no hesitation at Denji. He prepared a guard for it, but was then forced to handle the native's spear, and then the uppity priestess trying to get a lick in on him. The flies kept buzzing. "Those who step in the ring must be prepared to get hit!" Denji began to crackle with electricity, sweeping his arms out.
"Flash Aura!"
The electricity swept away from him in overlapping waves. Beasts of all kind were zapped and stunned, giving his marines the chance to retaliate. The priestess and the wolf, too, found herself stunned by the technique, giving Denji some brief reprieve. His technique would do nothing to stop the incoming spear, which pierced the muscle of his leg with little resistance. This guardian was strong. "Reset your formation! Tighter this time! Protect the wounded!" Denji would order his subordinates, collapsing into a more compact triangle behind him.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 13, 2020 22:38:00 GMT -8
Rigel was outside the range of the kangaroo's technique. His power only appeared more and more immense the longer he was in battle. To summon such immense power, command his troops and hold his ground against an opponent was evidence of his rank. A marine captain was nothing to ignore. Being tossed by Denji Kord's punch had pushed Rigel to the outer rim of the fight, giving him the chance to really think about his next move. His last punch was his strongest technique, and it only pushed the captain back a single step.
His attack couldn't just land against the hide of the mink. It needed to do more damage. One punch to break through the resistance of his body, and another to actually attack him. But, the mink was too quick. He didn't have the time to use two attacks. Rigel needed to pierce through him with a single strike. Without a blade. Figuring it out would have to happen on instinct. Denji Kord was locked down by a spear through his leg. Before the native guardian and the wolf could continue their assault on the marine, Rigel made his approach in the wake of the lightning waves.
Denji's focus was occupied by reorganizing his formation. Melissa and the beasts were a welcome distraction. Rain began to fall upon the fighting. Rigel moved through the incoming weather. Rain struck Denji, and Rigel watched the drops split upon on his fur. One dampened the fur and another splashed against it. Two hits acting like one, in quick succession. Rigel had to mimic those raindrops if he had any hope of putting a dent in this marine captain.
The pirate strafed towards the kangaroo's side, aiming his punches around the priestess trapped in the captain's pouch. Two punches working as one. Breaking through everything. "Cygnus Pluck!" Rigel's punch struck the mink again, pushing the monstrous marine backwards, "And... again!" Rigel tried to whip his back fast enough to attack again, but his punch was too slow. His successive technique was a total failure, and didn't deal any damage to the marine. Even if the idea for his technique was sound, his implementation was a complete failure. "Flash Cross!"
Rigel felt the drilling thunder explode on his body, and the pirate sailed off the point of impact once again. His power had yet again come up short.
The wolf howled in pain, the priestess screamed, birds, bugs and all fell. Melissa had been out of the range, but the rain that helped her....would also become a hinderance the more it felt. "Fucking Minks" she said. They had fought way too many minks for her liking. The electricity that they used was so powerful. "We might have bitten off more than we could chew" she said as she duct, bringing her blade to slice through another marines chest. Twisting her body she looked so feral. Her hand flickered as bullets shot towards the heads of the other marines. They may have had time to sort themselves, but that time was all it took for the bullets and the sword to do their tricks. Within what? ten seconds. The monsterous sea creature, now drenched in the blood of the fallen marines.
Some of them moved, perhap about half of the marines who fell remained breathing, the other half, their bodies lay limp. "W...wha" Melissa looked to them. Her hot headed feelings began to subside, now their was only the captain to deal with. Yet she was now frozen, looking to the carnage that she had unleashed. Her blade would slowly falter, the trickling of blood water danced from her body, being washed away by the rain. Her hands shook, her body violently tremmored. Within this fight, within the middle of battle, her stomach twisted, she had killed. She had done so with her mind her own. This....this hadn't been her. Anger had taken over her entire body and had spurred on her actions. She vomited. Falling to her knees, she simply looked at the fight between Ho-Ho, Rigel and the Kangaroo. She spurred her mind to quell, her stomach to unknot. Yet for now, the Mermaid was down.
Ho-Ho's spear retracted. He had been hit by the lightning though unlike his Wolf and the Priestess, he seemed capable of shaking it off much quicker than they could. He would spin his spear and bring it down and try to slash across the other foot of the Kangaroo. Clearly he was trying to take away the speed of the strange animalistic human. The priestess was down, she was no longer screeching or trying to hit. She looked peaceful. "GIVE HER BACK" Ho-Ho shouted, the first time his voice was raised. He released a loud whistle from his lips and the insects around began to spiral upwards, all combining into one giant malestrom of bugs. A second whistle commanded them to dive upon the Kangaroo.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 14, 2020 15:49:23 GMT -8
Denji was being outnumbered more and more. The beasts were focusing more of their strength on him than on his men. Denji leaped straight up, his immense leg muscles carrying him up and away from Ho-Ho's spear strike. From his point in the air, he could survey the land below, and found his men in tatters. The formation behind him had been entirely undone by some bloody figure, down in the middle of all of them. Whether she was resting or reveling, the captain couldn't tell.
Amidst the raindrops, he retaliated against the bloody warrior. As if the rain clouds had been given a direct order, lightning would strike down upon her. "Flash Weaving!" The electricity bounced across the sky on its way down, dancing from spot to spot and intending to deliver an attack like a cannon ball down onto the bloody warrior.
Denji would land on the wet ground, splashing mud and rainwater around him. The native was up to doing something again. Bugs were descending on the captain. His subordinates were all defeated. Three enemies still remained around him, and he was meant to fight this battle with a hostage in his pouch. There was a moment of resistance, but eventually, he surrendered. "Alright! Fine!" Denji would carefully pull out the unconscious princess, laying her down on the mud. "Let my men go and we'll leave this place! We'll stop searching for the Azure Orb! On my honor as a marine!"
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 14, 2020 16:01:27 GMT -8
Rigel was much slower to find his feet after the second attack. His tongue tasted weird in his mouth and his muscles weren't quite moving how he wanted them to for a couple moments. He needed to find his bearings. His name was Rigel Larrat. It was raining. A kangaroo had just smacked him for twenty meters. Melissa was kneeling on the ground. She must be hurt, or worse. Rigel ordered his legs to walk across the ground, making slow progress.
He needed to check on her, help her out if she wasn't okay. No enemies seemed to be making any progress towards her, until the marine captain jumped into the air. From the clouds on high, lightning began to crackle and descend upon Melissa. Rigel needed to stop walking. He needed to start running. His legs hesitantly obeyed. Mud tried to suck Rigel's feet down, but he resisted the desire to pause, to fall, to delay. He broke into a sprint. Melissa was about to take the attack with no guard. If she was already hurt, it could be fatal. The pirate couldn't risk it.
The arrowhead of electricity was within a couple meters. Rigel swung out his arms. "Cepheus Law!" Rigel swung Melissa, who was surprisingly heavy, across the wet field. He couldn't manage to get out an apology for being so rough with her body. If he was successful, then Melissa would be clear of the attack's detonation. Rigel would be its primary target. Whereas the marine's other attacks had felt like punches charged with lightning, this attack felt different. Heat and sharp feeling exploded across his body. Like razors racing across his veins and muscles, searing deep into his belly. The electricty jumped from his fingertips to the blades of grass, dancing across each one.
Something was smoking and it took the pirate a short while to realize that it was him. Pain throbbed and sang. Thoughts mixed and interrupted themselves. It was all jumbled and messy and agonizing. Rigel was so happy Melissa hadn't been hurt and so upset that he had been. Nothing but his conscience felt good. "Are you okay...?" he'd manage to say, oblivious to the negotiations behind him.
She was flying through the air before she knew what had happened. One minute she was staring at her hands, blood dripping from them. The next she was soaring. The ground hit her hard. She skidded with a screech and she felt her entire skeleton richochette within her skin. She looked up to see Rigel in her place, the scorched earth around him. Yet he turned to her, and after being attacked he was still caring about others. "Yeah" she said ever so softly. She had been knocked out of her own mind. She would push herself to her feet, painfully. Slowly limping over to Rigel she would help him up. Looking to the marine captain who was now attempting to plead for the lives of his remaining breathing men. The rain continued to pour down.
Back away, and don't even think about harming us" She said, acid in her tone. She looked at the Kangaroo. "Tell us all you know about the Azure Orb and why the marines are after it" she asked. She already knew that she could not take out this man, that now that he had taken the priestess from his pouch. He had just released some "dead" weight. Not only that but this meant that Ho-Ho would probably choose to take the priestess away leaving Rigel and her alone.
Ho-Ho watched. He whistled and the buzzing of the insects dispersed, the wolves that lived limped off to the wilderness while his own larger wolf took to the forest, though it could still be seen, watching and waiting. He swung his large spear upon his back and if the marine would back away from her, he would pick up the priestess. Though he would not leave, he would stay. He would back away though, putting a bit of distance between the duo and the kangaroo. Watching....waiting to see what happened next
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 16, 2020 12:15:56 GMT -8
Denji would scoff at the fishwoman's commands. "Do not threaten me or order me around, woman. I'll be taking my men and leaving. Do not step into my path." Both the dead and injured marines were examined by Denji. Those that had been killed would be placed gently into his pouch, carried along by his movements, while those with injuries would just be helped to their feet.
His outing had been a disaster, and relations with the natives would be tarnished by him being forced into taking the native girl with her. Earning their trust or subjugation would have to come about in a different way.
If Denji's gathering of his squad went uninterrupted by Melissa, then he would say one thing before leading their retreat back to camp. "Your faces are burned into my mind. If I see you again, in any circumstance. You will die. Your life is only spared today by my loyalty to my men." Their troop would leave the scene of the fight unless interrupted, in which case Denji would begin to attack with no mercy.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 16, 2020 12:37:18 GMT -8
Rigel would make no effort to interrupt the methodical retreat of the marines. His body hurt bad and the most cowardly parts of his mind were relieved that he'd no longer have to fight the kangaroo mink. He'd been struck by lightning three times and felt the burns start to settle across his flesh, the rainfall doing little to soothe that pain. The native didn't seem to be backing away as quickly, watching the scene unfold. If the guy came to consider he and Melissa a threat, then they needed to be ready to defend themselves. Rigel would rise to his feet to prepare for that possibility.
"I'm glad you're-" Rigel was going to say okay, but nothing about Melissa looked normal. The person she'd met at Java Island had been totally replaced. She still felt like the same person, but she was different. That person that had existed seemed to have evolved or been deformed. He caught himself staring but still struggled to look away from her. It's not that her appearance was too deformed to understand, but that it was such a departure from the woman that had been presented to him. Rigel struggled to reconcile it in any way but gawking. "Okay." Rigel finally put the priestess and her rescuer back in her sights.
"There's like a one in five shot that I'm totally hallucinating things," he conceded, stealing another glimpse, "but if you actually look like that, you'll explain things later, right?" Then wasn't the time for an explanation. Rigel needed to collect himself for what could be another round of fighting. His joke about his vision wasn't a total lie. His vision and hearing both buzzed from the effects of that electricity.
Captain Denji's threat didn't go unnoticed. The minkman seemed to be like a bar, or a level that Rigel hadn't yet exceeded. It was a wall that he needed to break through, like all the other kinds of enemies he couldn't yet defeat. It was another kind of threat that Rigel would have to surpass. Melissa didn't flinch away from his strength, but Rigel felt that pressure. He needed to catch up to her as well.
The rain had all but washed away her make-up, her white face, her tentacles, her scales, all glistened in the faling rain. She studied Rigels face as he gawked at her. She was used to it, she also didn't feel anger at those who were shocked by her true appearance. It was not there fault, she was beautiful in her own eyes but she understood this appearance was not for all. It was why she disguised herself so often. "It's not an interesting story, but yeah" she said with that same soft tone. She like Rigel had done nothing, said nothing as the marines retreated. She had seen the mans strength, she had not felt it, but she would not back down. Yet she was terrified of him. She would have fought to the death for sure, and she would have died. Along with Rigel. This man, this hopping Kangaroo was on another level. Thankfully, she did not murder his entire fleet, if she had........She shook her head. It was a little too much too think about.
"You two....Thank you. Come, for your aid you should be rewarded" Ho-Ho said as he slowly awoke Hanisu. "HIYAAAAH" the little girl shouted as she awoke. Striking Ho-Ho directly in the chin. As she opened and closed her eyes to allow her vision to adjust she would gasp. Ho-Ho did not react how ever, the punch doing nothing but seeming like a normal annoyance. "Hanisu, you should not run off like that. Come Cabal has been worried. We must return." Hanisu rose, though she seemed to now notice Melissa and Rigel still being there. "You helped save me?" she would bow. This was one thing Melissa liked about these people. The natives were not unresponsive to kind gestures, and they spoke the same as they did. Which helped a lot. "Your welcome....the marines took a lot from me, I didn't want them to do the same to you" "Come" Ho-Ho uttered as he took Hanisu's hand. Though she quickly managed to contort her hand free within mere seconds. She would run towards Rigel and Melissa slipping a hand into each of theirs if allowed. "COME, I PRIESTESS HANISU SHALL REWARD YOU.......when we go see my brother that is" she said the last part under her breath. "Feisty one isn't she?" Melissa said to Ho-Ho, whom just shook his head in part wonder, part annoyance.
If the duo would allow, they would be led through the forest. About an hour travel would have them come to a well covered canapy, moving this asside, they would be welcomed with a small tented village. Roughly eighteen tents were erected in a circle with the one at the back being much larger, each around a statue, of a man holding an orb. The orb was blue in colour. "Is that the Azure Orb?" she queered. "Nah, it's actually just a statue, the real ones at the....." she caught herself. "It's okay little one. best to keep your secrets until we've been given the okay right?" she said giving Hanisu's hand a little squeeze. Eventually the duo were led to the large tent. "Stay here. Hanisu let's go" and the two would vanish into the tent. What would befall them?
"I'm a mermaid" Melissa said as they waited. "The plague rain effected me like this....my mother was an octopus mermaid my father a shark, generally one of the races wins and the child is either one or the other...the plague rain decided differently and here I am...a hybrid of the two. Not much shark in my appearance though, just the colour of my skin. I was also cursed with these weak hands, brittle. Thats why I had to come up with my own way of fighting" she told him. About fifteen minutes passed and gave the duo time to speak. When Ho-Ho and Hanisu returned. They were allowed to enter the tent. In doing so the fires were lit and a man sat upon a chair. Large in stature, much like the smile he bore. "Hello, my friends, and first may I say, thank you for protecting my sister from those fiends" he spoke with a large booming voice, standing up, he bowed as much as his portly belly would allow him too.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 16, 2020 15:55:32 GMT -8
Rigel was surprised the native people were so receptive to their aid. He wouldn't protest their invitation though, Hanisu was a funny little girl, and her rescuer was wildly strong. They weren't like the deeply spiritual Pachwua or fierce and unpredictable Nova. Rigel was surprised when Hanisu went to hold his hand. He accepted it, but was embarrassed. In his physical state, it didn't feel as though he should be leading anybody. "Your knight in shining armor," he'd nod at the older native, "and Melissa here did most of the work," Rigel would assure her. "I'm glad you guys weren't hurt."
Rigel vaguely wondered if the girl was related to Ganon or Nova, the brother she spoke of, but the resemblances were off. Though they may be of the same group, it seemed the warriors in the tribe were vast.
While Hanisu and Melissa talked about the statue in the middle of their encampment, he would study the faces of the welcoming party. Most people were cold towards the two pirates entering their village. They showed their disapproval at their accompaniment plainly on their faces. It only made Rigel feel a bit out of place. The grace that spared them from pure rejection were Hanisu's hands, bringing them along into the small camp. She was more than just a precocious girl. Hanisu anticipated that reception and made a very clear signal that Melissa and Rigel were welcome guests. Nobody seemed particularly apt to refuse that.
Even after the natives left, their welcome wouldn't be tarnished because of the girl's smart thinking. Melissa was left to explain her situation in peace. Rigel listened patiently. It was much more tame than he'd anticipated. He understood that Melissa looked strange, or inhuman without her makeup, but still didn't quite understand. "A shark..." he reflected, "So that's why you're so strong, huh?" Rigel said with a smirk. "I don't know much about the rain plague, but I guess I kinda get why you'd want to disguise yourself." Rigel wasn't exactly sure what to say, out of surprise or whatever else. "Well, I'm just happy I know you better. Secrets are so boring, y'know?"
When Hanisu's brother approached them, Rigel would stand, bowing low. "We just got caught up in things to be honest," Rigel would say. "Both your sister and your warrior fought with great bravery."
"With my brethren telling me about your deeds. I have heard you are also interested in the Azure Orb. Normally we do not speak of it, a sacred treasure held at the Azure Altar deep in the forest. For centuries it has been guarded by the three strongest warriors. Alas, we have been unable to go to it and pray, for a creature has appeared. One that our people can not fight" he said looking down. "We could though?" Melissa said. "No that would be too much too ask" "Honestly, we aren't even sure what this Azure Orb thing is. We just wanna see what we can see and this temple thingy seems to be the funnest place on the island. So all we have to do is get there right? Or defeat some monster thans in its way? Seems easy enough" She would look to Rigel. "What do you think?" she asked him.
She would look back to the large man. "What does this creature look like?" she asked. "We do not know....it strikes from the shadows. It attacks when anyone bypasses the thresshold. We have marked it for those who wander to far, warnings. We pray to the spirits, we pray to all who can hear for the return of our warriors and safe passage to our temple. We would grant you our token, take this" The chief uttered. With that he would go to hand Melissa something, though his hand glided passed her to present Rigel with a single stone, upon it a mark. "It will allow you to pass, you are our friends. Show this to the warriors at the temple. You will be granted time. You will also be granted the right to take the trials"
"Trials?" Melissa asked. "Oh yes, but that is all I can say. Any more and it will become unfair. To get the temple....You must follow the darkest tree's until the river bends, their passed the swallowing pits of sand. he said. Melissa turned to Rigel. "are you following any of this?" she queeried, her eyebrow raised.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 16, 2020 16:45:50 GMT -8
The sudden influx of information sent Rigel for a trip he didn't quite land. He took the small trinket from the man, trying to listen as he wrapped it carefully around his neck. "Don't call it easy if they've been having so much trouble," Rigel scolded Melissa quietly. He wanted to help too, but knew the natives were proud. If they rescinded their permission then they'd be refused access to the temple. Melissa was correct about it seeming like the best place on the island to explore. Whatever treasures or mysticism was inside, it felt like everything wanted to keep Rigel and Melissa out. From the trials to the beast to the secrecy of Cabal.
It was certainly exciting. Rigel was already feeling the adrenaline in his body wash away the pain of his fight from Denji. "Fight some crazy killer beast, clear some shady native trials," Rigel rolled his head back and forth. "Sounds like it'll make for a good story. Besides, we're monster enough for some animal, don't ya think?"
"Don't take it lightly," the older warrior warned. Despite his apparent dominion over animals, even his voice shook it discussing it. "All the beasts of the island have feared it since its arrival. No trap sprung can catch it, and no collection of animals can make it leave the temple. I've tried to fight it and tame it several times." The wolf that fought at his side comforted the man, nuzzling his leg. "Something about the smell of the temple has attracted the beast, and until that animal consumes it the food that produces that smell, he will not leave. You face a difficult road in fighting the Devil Taker."
"I guess we didn't put on a good enough showing before," Rigel said. "I'm strong. Melissa's strong. We'll win." There was no uncertainty in his assessment of the situation. "Devil Taker is a cool name. If I win, can I be the Devil Taker Killer? No, that's too many words..." Rigel tried to muse up a different nickname, but was interrupted by Hanisu's laughing. The older warrior was mystified that the prospect of the fight didn't strike Rigel with any fear, and he gave up on trying to do so. "I don't mind a fight, Melissa, maybe we'll grab a snack for the road?"
"Seems like its settled then. We have directions right? We have everything we need...actually. Could we spend the night? I'd like to rest and I'd rather not drag this one up. He's been struck by lightning more times than I can recall this week" Melissa said, playfully shoving Rigels shoulder. "Are you not scared?" he asked. "Nah. Why would we be. One thing I'v noticed and no offence, is that your stuff is out dated. Spears and things, they won't pierce hides properly. We have people who can do things that you might not have seen before. And guns. Guns are always effective" she said. "Guns?" the man asked confused. So Melissa spent the time explaining the current technology to the man who would soon to believe they had landed in a world of witchcraft. She eventually left it at that.
With nothing more to really say. The chief, Hanisu and Ho-Ho led the two too a spare tent, big enough just for the two of them at a squeeze. "I hope you like being the little spoon" Melissa joked looking to Rigel. Her body was rather sore, she was in a bit of pain from being lobbed through the air but she couldn't complain. This young lad saved her from lightning. She would squeeze into the tent, provided with small blankets and pillows. "We should" she began before yawning. "We should tell Eadric something.......maybe when we get back" she said sleepily. It wasn't long before her eyes began to grow heavy, and the world of sleep would take her.
Post by Rigel Larrat on Jul 17, 2020 14:59:52 GMT -8
"As long as we get pointed in the right direction, we'll have your little beasty for dinner tomorrow," Rigel would assure them. He wanted to pay more attention to Melissa's explanation of guns and technologies of the modern era, but couldn't bring his thoughts into proper focus. Things only just made sense. It looked obvious to Hanisu, whose laughter brought him back from zoning out. He was relieved to hear their talks come to an end.
Rigel strongly considered not sleeping in the same tent as Melissa. He liked laying out under the stars, but the comfort of something more closely resembling a bed was pretty attractive. In the end, Rigel felt the other pirate would be insulted if he declined her invitation, given what he just found out about how she really looked. Rigel wouldn't want the fishwoman to think that he was turning her down on account of her species.
"There will definitely be no spooning," he would quickly protest, embarrassed at her joke. Rigel was totally uninterested in telling Eadric anything. "As long as we bring back something shiny he'll be fine, don't you think?" Rigel couldn't ask the question before Melissa had fallen asleep. Though he was exhausted and aching, the young man had more difficulty knocking out. The ceiling of the tent didn't help. Rigel reached up and poked through the material of the shelter, making for himself a small skylight towards the night stars. The sight was instantly calming, and he'd doze off until sunlight filtered through that same crack.