~bellatrix~ (reboot)

Okay, earthquake – new plan: LEG IT!
But – but what about -
We can’t win. Just... accept that and GO!

Tyrcestus whirled, the pirates following his lead as they all dashed towards the only way on, deeper into the cavern, as the rocky ceiling collapsed threatening to entomb them in solid stone forever more. Hexy, Vizard and Gizzard followed, the latter two shooting one last look of regret in Briarle’s direction before leaving her corpse behind. Brisk looked like he was about to fight his way through the falling rock to retrieve her before Hailbird put a hand on his shoulder.
“She is with her maker now.”
Brisk didn’t argue, following his brother while Stake politely escorted any remaining stragglers out as boulders the size of pigs cracked off his head. Luceforvis and Savvie looked at each other, nodding grimly, and as Jeru asked with mounting fear in his voice why they couldn’t go back for Briarle, they all left that place far behind them. Briarle’s body was quickly submerged in the dusty cave-in, preserved there for as long as time turned.

They broke through into a more stable area, the others behind them. Savvie’s group looked somewhat shellshocked, with the exception of Stake, and even the pirates looked horribly shaken by the experience. Vizard and Gizzard just looked at each other, lost as for what to do. Jeru huddled into Savvie’s leg. Brisk looked away. Hailbird was sad. Hexy looked outraged. Luceforvis looked murderous.

Of all of them, Tyrcestus didn’t say anything. Then he turned and walked up to Savvie, head bowed.
“I am so, so sorry.”

For a moment, Savvie didn’t say anything, looking at the repentant teenager with a carefully calm face. Then he reached out a hand, and placed it on the young man’s shoulder. “It’s alright. I forgive you.”

And Tyrcestus burst into tears, openly sobbing as Savvie let him rest his head on his shoulder as well. “I – I should have – should have saved –“
“I know, kid. I know. If she’s looking down, she’s not holding a grudge. She’s not the type. I promise.”
Martyris didn't say a word, knowing from experience what Tyrcestus was feeling.
Tyrcestus dried his eyes, stood up, mumbling slightly about dignity and leadership, before looking around. “Everyone... everyone else okay?”

 

A large rock hit Vixie in the head, as she walked towards the others. She fell, the rock causing her to transform back to her half human/fox form, and was rendered unconscious. Two pirates picked her up, and carried her out just as the cavern filled to the brim with rocks, and boulders.
The two men placed Vixie against the wall, in the middle of the next room, then sat her down.

 

At the last minute, I run out of the cavern along with the last members of the crew. Just as we make it out, it collapses behind us. That was too close. It looks like we all made it out, but for some reason, Savvie's team and some of ours seem...heartbroken.

Wait...

...Where's Briarle?

I sink to my knees when the realization hits me.
"No..."
I lower my head, trying to hold back tears.
"I...I'm sorry. I'm sorry, captain. I guess...I couldn't save everyone like you did."
I didn't think anyone heard that, but Leif comes over and puts his hand on my shoulder. He looks solemn, but he's doing a better job of putting on a brave face than I am.

"Come on, don't talk like that. We weren't even there for half the fight. There's nothing we could have done."
"But maybe...if we hadn't--"
"No. You can't start talking about "what if's" and "if only's" now."
Leif cuts Leon off with a stern voice, causing him to fall silent. Even if it sounded harsh, it was exactly what he needed to hear at the moment and Leif knew it.

I nod and get back up to my feet.
"You're right. This crew needs a captain...I can't start doubting myself now."
"Doubt never suited you anyhow."
"Heh...yeah, I know."
I walk towards the crew and call out.
"Listen up, everybody. I know we've been through a lot today. I know some of you might feel like giving up and others just want to take some time to mourn for our friends. But the sad truth is, we don't even have time for that right now. The only way we're going to survive is if we keep moving forward. Tend to the wounded, gather up our supplies and get ready to move out. I think I don't have to tell you that this cavern is becoming more unsafe by the minute. We need to get out of here as soon as possible or none of us will make it out alive. And if that happens...then everything we've suffered through until now has been for nothing. We can't let that happen. We won't."

----------------------------------------------------------

As the cavern collapsed in front of them, Mordred focused Apocrypha's power on himself and Trinity and in a flash of dark energy, both of them were brought safely to the other side. Mordred then sheathed his sword and stayed quiet as the crew regrouped and Leon gave his message to the crew. In the back of his mind, he was surprised at how much easier it was to teleport the two of them out of danger this time around. He didn't have time to wonder about it though as it seemed that they were going to continue on soon. He turned to Trinity and spoke quietly.
"That was relatively easy compared to last time. Are you alright? You weren't hit by any stray debris, were you?"

 

Karma calmly stepped out of the collapsing cavern, dust swirling around him as he came into the safer place. Before him were shaken and injured people from the event that just occurred.
He lowered his violin down, and looked for someone who needed help. His sight fell on a woman that appeared to be a fox/human hybrid.
In the meantime, I'll see what I can do while figuring out what is happening. Nobody is really going to pay attention to me at this time.
He strode to the unconscious Vixie, and knelt down to check her wounds.
Appears to be a head injury. Time to pull out the meds.
Karma slipped his violin onto his sling, freeing his hands for the work. After pulling away the hair and checking the wound, he saw that it was just a graze.
This will be simple.
He reached into his coat, pulling out one of his healing crystals. After crushing the tiny crystal between his fingers, he dusted the powder across the wound, causing the wound to heal rapidly. Karma dusted off his gloved hand, looking at Vixie through eyes that glowed violet from the Void contamination.
This woman reminds me of Her, the goddess I wish to reunite with.

 

Vixie opened her eyes, looking at Karma. "Thank you." She spoke softly. "You didn't have to do..." she paused; "whatever it was that you did." She stood up slightly. "Transforming back usually takes all my energy."
She looked around the room, then back to Karma. "You're here to help?"

 

Karma rose to his feet slowly and shrugged his shoulders.
Time to find something else to do.
With that thought, he walked away, giving a slight farewell wave over his shoulder
Where is that werewolf creature?

 

Name: Hallow
Sex: Female
Age: 16
Appearance: Raven hair, green eyes, pale skin with an unhealthy pallor and dark circles under the eyes. She has tattoos encircling her body reminiscent of vines and a dark bruise around her neck. She wears the garb of a priestess and carries a staff and equipment expected of an exorcist.

TLDR girl got hung, was brought back to life by a demon, became an exorcist, turned werewolf into a tiny wolf, ran into Karma.

The small village had sat largely untouched by the wider world and its advances. The inhabitants lived a quaint but peaceful life and enjoyed their small understanding of the world. This continued on until the larger world discovered their small village and sent their missionaries to tell the villagers how to live their lives. With this small contingent came a young sister named Mary Isles. She was sent to enlighten this backwards culture and bring them the gift of the true god. However what they found was a local shamanistic religion that welcomed what the newcomers brought with them. Mutual learning began in earnest and the missionaries became a happy segment of the villages population.

The only wrinkle in this plan was that the village operated under a matriarchy. This situation was ideal for Mary, as she was the sole Sister in the missionary group, but was a very literal slap in the face - on many occasions - to the Father presiding over the other missionaries. A man who was used to being in charge of those around him was suddenly placed second in line under a child. For her part, Mary did her best to keep the Father from being too upset at the situation, but it was inevitable in the end. The man had little tolerance for the concessions that Mary was making with the head shaman of the village. The two young women would meet in secret and discuss religious virtue and scripture then decide on how best to combine the two into one. Finally he could suffer no more and sent a letter back to civilization.

The militant arm of the religion arrived months later, charged the villagers for heresy, blasphemy, consorting with demons, and usurping the natural ways of mankind. The entire village and many of the missionaries were put to death, including Mary and the shaman Venicia. They were hung by their necks until dead and then their corpses were stripped nude and tossed into the bottom of a mass grave. The rest of the villagers were thrown on top of them until there were no more bodies. The grave was covered with a thin layer of dirt and the Father left with the soldiers.

This story begins, as many do, on a dark and stormy night...

Rain fell in sheets as though supplied by a waterfall from space. Lightning split the horizon in multifaceted slashes too bright to look at while thunder cracked the very foundations of the Earth. The sky reenacted armageddon while down below the burned ruins of the forest village decayed in its abandoned state. The wooden structures were no more, having been fully consumed by the hungry flames. The few stone structures had fared better but were now ruins facing the slow reclamation of nature. The mass grave had been dug up by countless animals and the delicious meat just there for the taking had been plundered incessantly. Beside it the gallows that had been used to punish the villagers was on its final legs. Somehow against every rational thought, the vertical truss that held the rope still stood with a frayed bit of rope at the end.

It was into this scene that the minor demon Enai made its entrance on the Earth. It meandered through the desolate clearing before coming to a stop by the grave. There it sat just on the edge and began muttering as foul wisps of its aura started penetrating the ground. It kept on with this for some time until a stirring was felt beneath it. With a grin it stood and waited for the following events to unfold.

An intense feeling of cold. That was the first thing that registered on the long dead mind of the awakened creature. Something was pressing in on it from all sides as the animal brain reinstated itself, causing the being to thrash and claw. Breaths came in ragged gasps as the little air quickly turned poisonous. It fought on, blind, lungs burning, fingers cut and bleeding. It kept on, it kept on going, forcing its way through whatever got in its way. Finally a hand burst through into a chamber that was colder and wetter than its current prison. With a haste that it hadn't known it possessed, the being broke through into the ruined village.

The rain fell in a light mist now as the nude woman climbed from the grave to lay at the feet of Enai. She gazed at the ground as she fought to get her lungs working again. For a while Enai was content to allow the wretched thing inadvertently groveling before him time to recover itself. But his anger was rising and he spoke well before it was ready.
"You have been granted a second chance, child," Enai said in a serene voice. The young woman looked up at the speaker and saw a man more beautiful than any that could exist. Even an elvish man, well known for their vitality could hardly compare to the one now standing before her. Her voice rasped in an unintelligible whisper.

"Your life was devoid of purpose, but now you serve a higher power. You shall conduct your duties without fail," Enai continued on with an irresistible tone of command.

"Hallowed be His name," the young woman finally managed to say and took as close to a worshiping posture as she could manage.

Now Enai wasn't a particularly smart demon but he was very vain and conceited. He took the young woman's actions as praise and undying loyalty towards himself. He produced a phial filled with a slightly milky substance and removed the stopper. The liquid within was the concentrated essence of a Ninth Circle Demon. He'd gotten it by his wits, experience, skill and his massive cunning. In actuality he'd just happened upon a high demon as it was slain by another of its kind. Handing the phial to the woman on the ground he ordered her to drink it and not spill a drop.

The woman took the phial in shaking hands but was careful not to spill any as she quickly drank whatever the angel had given her. She felt something perfuse her being, a warmth that began in her stomach and spread all over her body. The heat rose until it felt as though she'd burn to a crisp and then slowly abated, leaving her gasping but the sense that her body had been restored despite the lingering agony. She brought herself to her feet and stared up in admiration at her guardian.

Enai grinned at the fool human before him. He took her hand and lead her to the ruin of the church. "The elixir has restored you, child. But your body remains weak and in need of rest. The night is young still and you should rest in a more comfortable bed than the ground."

The night spent in the ruined church was long and pleasing to both of them. As the woman fell prey to her exhaustion, Enai left her alone knowing that she'd do her duty. He had no doubts about this human woman with how much she kept praising him.

The woman awoke the next morning refreshed and feeling quite well despite her interment in the ground. She clothed herself in the garments that the angel had left for her and set off in a random direction. She eventual began calling herself Hallow, after the angel that had saved her life. (She had named him as such as Enai hadn't given his name and didn't deny her when she called him as such.) She took up the life of an exorcist to life up to His second chance for her. She had an incredible ability for sensing the demonic auras and never knew that it was due to the demonic nature in her blood. It was this sixth sense that kept her alive and hunting for a few years. The summoning of the Great Beast called her immediately to the prison. She arrived to find a dragon taking off into the horizon and took a few moments to watch it shrink. Her next find was a bawling werewolf that smelled her approach and since her kind had long been hunted by Hallow's peers, the werewolf attacked her. It would have been a kindness to let the poor soul pass on, however she couldn't sense any true evil in the creature. A simple spell took the werewolf and reduced it to a non threatening form. The tiny wolf made a few surprised yips before allowing Hallow to put the small animal on her shoulder.

It seemed content enough to stay put for the moment anyway, so she continued towards the scent of the Great Beast. She ran smack into "Karma" and fell back onto her butt.

"My apologies," Hallow said to the strange man who smelt of something... different.

 

If Karma still had lungs, the wind would have been knocked our of him by the impact of the hit. He was knocked back a step, having been caught off-guard.
What the...?
Looking down, he saw a girl on the ground apologizing to him, with what appeared to be a wolf pup on her shoulder. He stood, looking down at her.
It is expected to be confused at this time.
Reaching down, he silently pulled her back up to her feet. Once back on her feet, he continued looking for something of interest.

 

"Maybe there was a good reason why I flashed myself so far ahead..." Sean thought to himself as he watched the cavern collapse. He was about to run in when he saw everyone fleeing towards him.

"I'm glad to see all of you safe and..... oh no." He couldn't help but notice that they where short by one pirate.

Zerron could tell that he needed to get out quickly or risk getting trapped. He caught a glance of Briarle's body on the ground. He stopped on a fallen boulder, wanting and getting ready to rescue her, but his mind was snapped back as more boulders started to fall. His mind told him ether choose to live or die here.
"That..... CRAZY JESTER! I'm gonna....." He yelled out of pure frustration as he knew what he needed to do. he propelled himself off the fallen bolder and created two jets of flames with his fists to help get him across the last 20 feet out of the cavern. He made it just as the cavern was closed off. He jettisoned himself into the group, his mind trying to grasp what had just happened. He cut off his flames and tumbled into Hexy on accident.

Sean ran over to Zerron and Hexy to see if they where okay. Sean was glad to see that Hexy was still there, but he could tell that she had a angry and outraged aurora coming off of her.

 

Hallow watched after Karma as he walked off. That was rather rude! She thought to herself with indignation. She went in teh direction Karma had come form and ran into Vexie.

"Hello there," Hallow greeted the vixen.

 

Hold on...
Karma looked back at the girl, realizing something odd about the pup on her shoulder. Turning around, he walked up to Hallow, and began to inspect the pup, feeling its muzzle.
Why do you seem so familiar? As if I just met this fuzzball.

 

Wolfette bit Karma's hand. Hallow turned around and took a step back in surprise at how close Karma was to her.
"Hello again," she said curiously.

 

"Ow!"
Karma yanked back his hand out of pain and slight surprise. His white glove took most of the bite, reducing the pain.
Well, seems I might have something to talk about now.
Karma pulled his violin up to his chin, and began to play. But rather than notes coming out, smooth words were made instead, a feat made possible by Karma's violin skills and the design of the Vocale Violin.
"Sorry about earlier, giving off the impression of being rude. Speaking now is a bit of a pain if the words are more than a syllable or two. That little wolf just caught my attention, somehow seems familiar. I am new to this place, not really sure where I am. Rather lost, you see. Where am I?"
He looked at the nearby Vixie, adding another statement.
"And to answer your earlier question with more than a shrug. I'm just trying to figure what's going on before I can really help anyone."

 

Vixie smiled softly and nodded her head once. "I can understand that feeling." She spoke warmly. "As for where you are, this is a prison of sorts." She looked over to the pair of ninjas then back to Karma. "They were tasked with both rescuing the Princess, and retrieving a blade. Both of which are within this vile prison."
Vixie looked at Hallow, then the small wolf on her shoulder, and smiled. "I'm the Priestess, Vixie." Her ears pointed towards Hallow.

 

Karma thought about what he heard from Vixie.
"I see. Well..."
He paused for a moment, before coming up with a disappointed response.
"...Crap."
Looking around, he tried to figure out which way the dragon rider went, and where the princess was.
"Do you have any idea where the princess is located? Or that dragon rider, perhaps? I feel a bit useless at the moment."

 

name: Donavan MacGregor
age: 26
sex: Male
appearance: a rough man with dark brown hair and a small beard, wearing a red/brown/black version of this without the hat

Spoiler: Donavan's captains robes

weapons: Large cutlass, pistol and various small bombs
class: Pirate/Scholar
creature/ability: Ability, Curse of the Sea: Donavan can grow gills and become half merman allowing communication/control of sea creatures, however the longer he is in this form the longer it takes to revert back. If stayed like this for too long he will no longer be able to revert back
Backstory: Once a young scholar by a different name, Donavan spent a large sum of his time studying history, be it fact, legends or lost treasures. Discovering one fable of the Blessing of the Sea he sought to claim and present this treasure to the world to earn his place in history. Confidant in his research to guide him, his fencing skills to fend off ruffians, and his hired ship to charter him there he set off. Donavan had found the treasure he was after but ill tidings followed not long after, pirates attacked sinking his ship, the treasure and him as well. Moments from a watery grave he made a wish of being like the fabled mermaids so he might live, the Blessing answered and gave him the curse of the sea, a black mark depicting the creatures of the ocean on his left arm. Saved from death, he was then captured by the same pirates the sunk his ship. forced to work he slowly began learning the life of a pirate. After several years and embracing his new self, Donavan managed to amass enough treasure to own his own ship and crew. Not forgetting his scholarly past he decided to name his ship The Regal Boar, and set out into the world as in search of riches.

 

Now out of the cave, Karma stood on a beach along with everyone else. He had met Hallow, and found it amusing to mess with the little wolf that stayed with her, and also a kitsune woman, who reminded him of a goddess he used to meet with but still loved, as well as having a soft tail to mess with. Along the way here, he had fashioned a decent casing to replace the one that had exploded in the cave. He even got friendly with some of the other people in the group, allowing them to get used to his odd habit of speaking with a violin and his odd methods of using stones, injections, siphons and filters to maintain his body. But in the short time he has bee with everyone, he has not removed his mask in front of them.
"Well, I'm not sure how important this princess is to everyone, but I personally want to go after her. I have nothing else to do, and it sounds fun."
Walking away a short distance from the group, Karma stood alone as he played more words from his Vocale Violin.
"Let's see a show of hands on to see who wants to do what. I choose to go for the princess."
He raised his violin, waiting to see the other answers.

 

The Regal Boar dropped it's anchor in the harbor of a quiet village. Donavan gathered his crew around for announcement "Alright lads and ladies we in port so have yer self's a fun time, but get yer work done fore I return and don't get caught" His crew raised their fists and cheered before all leaving the ship. Donavan walked into his cabin grabbing a create of gold and headed into town. Alright first the smith, need to work on fixing up the boar.

"Oye Smith, need some steel work ya here?" Donavan barked at the local smith
"What do you want outsider, I've got a lot of work so tell so I can ignore you" The smith banged on his iron work without turning to see Donavan
"Listen smith ye gonna do it, unless you are willing to pass on this gold" He dropped several large pouches of gold in front of him
"..." Eyeing the gold the smith turned to him "What do you want, and the orders name?"
"The order is Donavan for the Regal Boar, I need the strongest steel you can pound into 1 foot strips. Several hundred to be precise" A grin appeared on his face
"WHAT!!! That'll take weeks!!! Are you mad?!" The smith shouted at Donavan
"Quite actually and since you have taken my gold already I expect a job done Smith, my lads will be around before we leave so I suggest you get pounding or find some help" Donavan left toward the local tavern with his crate of gold.

Donavan walked into the taren and found a table to sit down with his crate of gold, he received several looks as he entered. the bar waitress came over to him.
"What can i do you mister? You look rather thirsty" She giggled while running her hands on the crate
"Let me try your rum sweetheart, and uh Hands off the merchandise." Donavan's tone changed to a cold one "Unless of course it means i could do the same to your merchandise?" Laughing at the now red faced waitress he paid for his drink and downed it in one gulp.
"Ahhhh yes this will do, I'll take all you have" Donavan pulled more gold out of the crate and set it on the table
"Wha-wha-what? I'm sorry sir you can't" "And why can't I? Gold not good here seems fine as i paid for that last mug. So I'll take every last barrel of your rum, deliver it to The Regal Boar, located in the harbor" Donavan finished speaking and waved for a mug of his newly acquired rum, putting his feet up on his chest of gold.