The kingdom of the Night

[nekoryuuha]

Ariana also took her leave after Raven & Melanie after seeing that the Commander had nothing more to tell them. This was going to be quite the team, she could already tell. "Zachary Leos... Ice Magic Specialist and rumored Jinx. General Raven, Longest surviving S-Class in the Guild. And Melanie...." she fell silent, looking at her left arm as a small group parted around her. Whether it was from respect or fear, she didn't know and no longer cared. Her claws clenched. "...this is my reality now..." she murmured to herself as she returned to her room, unlocking it and entering. She had precious little to bring with her. All she grabbed was a travel bag for food, a locket, and the burst remains of a ring before leaving again, pausing only to lock and seal her door before heading off to acquire some rations. She needed little else.

[Zorolo]

Zachary spun his spear as he placed it along his back and adjusted his armor with a silence crack of his neck. He headed towards the meeting place and simply sat there, waiting for the others. There was no doubt they'd be there soon... but he simply had no place he wished to go at the moment. Instead, he'd watch the people around him think. After all, he could contemplate their mundane life, knowing he was walking into another potential death that couldn't be...

[nekoryuuha]

((Kale had a post here last night, right? I know I was tired, but I wasn't hallucinating, was I?))

It didn't take all that long after Zachary arrived for Ariana to show up, the appointed time still some time off. After all, she didn't really have anyone left here that would miss her or be sad to find her gone or dead. She had only the mission.... and maybe Melanie. She hadn't really seen him all that much over the years, but best as she could tell, he'd at least kept his word to keep the true events of that night a secret from everyone. That was enough for her, for now. Looking over toward the still Zachery, a question came to her. "Hey, Zachary. I got just one question. Can I expect you to be as silent is the rumors say you are or are they just that? Nothing but rumors."

[Helbaworshipper]

(Yes, but he deleted it.)

[Zorolo]

In truth, they weren't rumors at all. In all of the missions he had been on, Zachary had ill spoken a word to anyone who wasn't dying or already dead. For this girl, perhaps she was already dead. What did saying anything solve for the fact that he had only ever seen death. In no battle or event he had been in had anyone but him survived... supposedly. He wasn't really sure, but those were the rumors surrounding him, along with the rumors that he didn't speak at all.

His eyes rose as his mask shifted and he looked at her. Anyone would have waited to hear his voice, but he said nothing and simply looked back at the sky.

[GamerKale]

((Didn't realize anybody had been up to see that. I figured Kai would have another post up today so I made it go poof. Oh well.))
"There is no call for such rudeness, Mr. Leos." Melanie stated as he and his master approached. "You are not dumb and the lady asked you a simple question. Proper verbal communication is important until you have learned your master's preferences and habits. Apologies, I mean your team members' habits not master's. I fell into an old presentation." He paused a second and turned to the aforementioned lady, "Hello, Ariana. You seem to be, fit." It wasn't a good word choice per se but he was unsure of what to say. Well didn't feel right, neither did anything else he could think of after he started talking so he just settled on fit, it was a solid neutral word.

[kai the pkk]

Raven: { he looks at Melanie}....your a real smooth talker arent you...Allright { he looks at the group} then Zachary...it looks like were going to have to get you to talk at somepoint its gonna be boring if your silent for the whole trip...now then I'm not sure who the commander wanted to place in charge of this mission but I do have 2 strict and direct order refuse to follow and I'll consider it disobeying a direct order from a superior officer...one cover each others backs if things get hairy retreat make sure no one gets left behind if you run off on your own...I'll kill you myself and 2 I won't forgive any of you if you die on this mission I'll drag you back myself if I have too understand?....if everyone gets it lets head out { he walks off towards the canel system} were gonna have to be careful the canals isnt so bad its once we get into the castle which is the hard part

[nekoryuuha]

Ariana turned to the butler with a smile, something found herself rarely doing all that much lately. "Melanie, It's been sometime since last we spoke. It... It's nice to see that you still seem to be you," she said to him, unconsciously clenching her transformed arm momentarily before looking back at Zachary. "And It's fine if he doesn't answer. I excepted silence and got silence. His words seem to be for the dead and dying. Something we're all rather familiar with already..." she finished as Raven declared the two rules he really cared about them following. It's not like she cared, since those were mainly the only rules she obeyed anyway the few times she'd worked in a team. "Fine, fine." And with that, she followed.

[GamerKale]

"Thank you sir." Mel said in response to Raven's comment. It wasn't sarcasm, a butler was never sarcastic with his master, it was simply the polite thing to say. He forced himself to return a weak smile to Ariana's. "Thank you for saying so Ariana. I do pride myself on my steadfast sterling appearance."

[Zorolo]

Zachary nodded at Raven after he finished explaining the rules. Those rules had been the same for every mission he had gone on, but it hadn't stopped the mounds of dead from piling up at his feet. The magus removed the staff from his back and spun it as he took a bow. The half-Undine moved towards the group and returned his spear to his back as he looked between the three. This was... peculiar... to say the least. He felt that these people... were different. They were... impressive. He wasn't sure how, but he knew they were mighty in their own right. Now they just had to get going.

[Helbaworshipper]

"I will be back in a few days." The Master spoke as he looked at the staff of his mansion. "I trust you all will keep this mansion in one piece and honor my rules while I am gone." The staff bowed as he left, leaving them back at the same position they were used to. The people returned to their duties as the transport carried the master towards what looked to be the castle in the distance. Fiorella led Aciano towards the room, holding the key up.

"I trust you'll give it to me when I need it." He spoke, remembering the Master's words. The woman unlocked the box, her eyes still neutral. He approached her, putting a hand to the one holding the key. "Is something bothering you?"

"Master's absence," She spoke in her usual tone, but he could tell her concern. "Master's absence is a bad sign."

"I understand, you don't want a repeat of what happened the past few times." He had been attacked and she had had to fight some of the servants off. Anytime he wasn't there to enforce the decision, some went rogue. Aciano gently held the hand, feeling the cold temperature of the key and her hand. "I can protect myself."

[nekoryuuha]

"Can you... I wonder..." Audia whispered to herself as she listened in to their conversation. Of course, she gotten to ...punish...the survives last time, so it wasn't all bad. Still, the curiosity of testing his statement almost made her come out when she felt the shiver of a command message come through the artifact within her. Her 'Master' was calling her for something. It was the only thing she hated about having bonded to Fear-in-Cube. The Artifact's old Master became her Master now. She'd never seen them, always getting orders from the Link, but she resolved to find out so she could tear them apart and have her own true freedom. But for now... "...bye..." and she was gone.

Ariana nodded back to him smiled again, but didn't answer, thinking about the mission ahead. It had been sometime since she'd been given an order to head to the canal. She doubted it would be the same as before. Especially with the strength of this group. Will, she'd just have to see. Getting in is almost always the easy part.

[GamerKale]

They ventured into the canal, after they had been walking for several minutes Melanie sniffed the air. "I smell, food." His eyes became hard as he unleashed a chi pulse and a pair of vampires that had been lying in an off hallway fell from their hiding places. The butler set the briefcase down and approached them. "Just some half starved vampires." He put his fangs to one of their throats and after draining what little blood there was ripped his victim's throat out and swallowed it before he moved on to the other one. As a rule, Vampires didn't drink the blood much less eat the flesh of other vampires, but the butler was hardly a normal vampire. As Melanie returned to the group, "I apologize for that unsightly display. I had neglected to eat anything today." He recovered the briefcase and turned to Raven, "They didn't know anything useful."

[Zorolo]

"Twisted beasts and mortal flesh. Fallen men and demon's pets. Crushers of the living dead. All of which shall lose their heads. I can't wait to make your bodies mesh," Monroe said as he stepped out of the darkness, an arrow of light piercing through the other vampire as it burst into flames. "Wild animals, in the form of starved vampires, are worthless. They've lost their strength because they were weak to begin with. If they are to continue existing in this world, they must become powerful. Too late now, but what about for you?" Monroe asked as he drew the string of his bow back as another arrow of light formed.

Zachary stepped in front of the others and held his hand out as he drew his spear and spun it. This man... his killing intent was... unreal... almost crushing. The air itself was filled with the sense of indiscriminate murder. He didn't hold even an ounce of it back, and it even seemed to make the air heavy.

"That mask... where have I seen it?" Vossler asked as he cracked his neck. "Hey, I recognize that guy!" he said, point at Raven. "You're that vampire traitor they tell stories about. They treat you like the boogyman. Oh, and that mask, I recall now! You're the guy who's witnessed the deaths of all his teammates and foes. I guess you're not so feeble either and..." he said, moving his finger to point at the butler and girl. "A servant and a girl. You two should run. I don't fight weaklings, you know. The world is built on the backs of the strong, and their job is to determine who has the most power. If you aren't strong, you can't rule, that's the rule," Monroe said as he spun his bow and laughed. "Now then, how about we see if you two can hold me off," the man said, his killing intent sharpening and focusing, pressing down now on the four of them like the edge of a sword slowly cleaving them in half.

"I'll let you start, I guess."

[kai the pkk]

Raven:......oh shut up will you { he just looks at the man as Ravens own killing Intent causes Monroe to back off a foot the feeling closes in on monroe like a Pedator sizing up its next meal} " The world is built on the backs of the strong and their job is to determine those with the most power"?....I don't like people like you though your pretty arrogant also you claim to know who I am...funny and I don't have the slightest Idea of who you are { he readies his sword} I don't have time to waste with you another mistake you made was thinking "the servant and the girl" were weak

[Zorolo]

Monroe's eyes flashed brilliantly as his killing intent sharpened further focusing totally on Raven. "Oh! Such brilliant Killing INtent. Sharpen it further, vampire! Your kind are truly much more worthwhile. I knew I was taking the right side when I heard about you! Those others don't mean anything to me. I just want to fight the strongest one in your group. Those others don't concern me."

Monroe paused as he noticed the other person watching him. "Hey, you hiding, you're on what I can subjectively define as "my" side, right? Go keep those others busy. This vampire's the only one who is actually worth fighting. He doesn't hide his fangs!" Monroe said as his body began to radiate slightly. It was an aura of any kind, per se, but rather... dim light almost. "Don't let me down. This whole world can't keep going until the strongest is determined!"

Zachary raised his arm as he looked back towards Melanie and Ariana. His other hand lifted up a piece of his mask so he could speak properly. "Don't... interfere. This isn't... our fight. A promise... between warrior..."

[GamerKale]

"Sir, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but for future reference. I don't mind people developing the misconception that I'm weak." Melanie held the briefcase behind himself and stood idly next to Ariana. Did she need his protection, certainly not, was she going to get it, of course. In part because well it was his duty, but mostly because he had already failed Audia as her friend once he wasn't going to fail her again by letting Ariana get hurt again. He almost had to stifle laughter at Monroe's fang comment, fortunately he could bite his tongue quite well and maintained a neutral expression.

[kai the pkk]

Raven: You talk too much!.....{his arm pulsates as soon as monroe blinks Raven is in front of him}SHADE MAGIC!....what I seek is complete darkness!...Hollow soul { shade magic strikes out at monroe and once Raven strikes out he clashes his weapon with monroes as he gets pushed back though the two continue clash in a flurry of strikes neither giving an edge as finally Raven strikes with his claw pushing monroe back and Raven begins to move faster than before}

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Crow: This feeling...its my brother...ahahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! so he's finally here! it took him long enough! { he emits a ominous Aura} Finally how long has it been { well than lets go greet out guests eh Jasmine?


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Raven:....{he senses his brother as his eyes change} I'll say it once more.... GET OUT OF MY WAY! { he emits a emmense pressure and only Melanie could tell that the reason Raven is upset because he senses his brother}

[nekoryuuha]

Ariana smirked slightly at Zachary's comment before a pulse from her left hand made her flinch. "Her..." She said as she moved from behind Melanie. She was here.

From behind Monroe, a giggle could be heard as a sapphire spell circle appeared. "13th Mechanism; 'Barbed Spiral Lance of the Black Knight!' Curse... Calling!" Audia shot past Monroe and Raven to meet Ariana's darkness-covered monstrous fist head-on, flipping over the Hunter to attack again only to have Ariana's follow-up deflect her attack. The circle formed again. "11th Mechanism; 'The Teeth!'" Near instantly, the lance became a Huge, serrated sword that Ariana deflected with a crimson, blood-like blade of her own. "My Love...! It's been so long... You too, Melanie..."

"Audia..." The Hunter was speechless as she unclenched her claws and stood ready as Audia smiled that insane, sadistic smile or hers.

[Zorolo]

Monroe smiled as his blades of energy held the sword and darkness arm of Raven off as he simply deflected wildly as the vampire continued to attack, becoming more and more vicious. Most people would generally admit defeat and back down. Monroe, however, was not a normal person. He was, instead, a follower of Yosuga. Finally, Monroe skid on his heels to a stop as he continued deflecting the attacks. "Even if your sword is strong. Even if you possess magic. Even if you are their greatest weapon..." Monroe said as golden energy began to seep from his skin and roll off in tendrils. A flash of light erupted as his blades finally stopped the attacks of the vampire, one of the light blades pointing at Raven.

Around Monroe, a golden figure with wings pointed a sword set exactly where Monroe's was. "You did well... but suffering is good... on the path of Carnage," Monroe said as the glow vanished and he leapt back. "Sorry about that, I'm not sure what that is. If you've got stuff to do though, I won't stop you," MOnroe said as his blade's vanished. "I'll just wait to fight you again, 'kay?" the man asked with an insane cackle.

Zachary stepped aside he looked at the woman. This wasn't his fight. They seemed to have their own business now. He adjusted his mask and remained silent.