[ Well, Blade is going to actually actively move to try to maneuver around that strike heading his way, sword coming up again afterwards for a strike at its legs again to further cripple its movement. After all, given where he's positioned, he can't quite see Mizuki coming.
But, timing-wise her maneuver definitely came after his strike considering his own speed, which means he wouldn't be impeding it any, keeping clear by default when she comes ramming straight into the monster. Which, well, is pretty huge, though...
[ Tokunaga's head is pierced by the bladed arm. Anise lets out a scream of pain when one pierces all the way through, and into her stomach!
... And the pain suddenly stops. There's a bewildered look at Metis, but she's back to focusing. Despite the pain, she doesn't let go. She keeps her hold on the doll with a white-knuckled grip...
But Mizuki comes to charge at the brute, and Anise realizes what she's trying to do. Tokunaga slams another fist at the creature and tries to slip free from the scythes impaling it before Anise can get taken down with it. ]
[ There's a combination of things happening here. Mizuki barrels right into the hulking monstrosity with a full momentum of strength and shoves it in direction of the ledge. The crippling attack to its legs has it loses its footing further as it dangerously topples backwards with the platform trembling with its loud cry. Tokunaga further adds onto it with fist slamming right into it, and its the final push to topple the beast over the ledge.
Its grip loosens and it's enough for Tokunaga and Anise both to be removed from its grasp, the monstrosity trying desperately to grasp at the platform but loses that hold and tumbles into the endless abyss below. The impending fall never comes through, instead leaving a silence behind.
Metis makes his way over to Anise first, that tether dimming as he draws closer and holds a hand out for her. ]
Is everyone alright? How do your injuries fare? [ To Anise directly: ] Come, allow me to heal you first, Lady Anise.
[ Take a quick breather for now, everything becoming eerie quiet. However, a look to the leftover disfigured humanoids show that like the bodies before also begin to get absorbed into the ground. ]
[ Mizuki casts only a brief glance to the leftover bodies; frankly, she'd prefer to pay them no mind, even if the way they sink into the questionably solid ground is... unsettling, at best. There's more important people to focus her attention on. ]
Definitely get her first.
[ Ugh... Anise got hit the worst. Thank god for Metis.
As Mizuki converges with the two, she reaches to slide off her broken helmet, making her own injuries clear as day; a series of deep gashes go down her face, the yellow in her eye... flickering? It's not unlike a light going on and off, and should anyone look closely, it looks more like her eye has been shattered rather than gouged into.
It's definitely giving Mizuki reason to pause, a quiet panic washing over her. ]
[ Blade suffered some wounds to his legs and arms, but not so much he can't move around; he is used to pain, and having heard the piercing cry Anise had given not too long ago makes it clear that whatever she suffered hardly isn't minor.
Either way, he keeps his attention focused on his surroundings, keeping an eye out for anything dangerous for a bit. Then, he temporarily focuses it on the others; Metis, who had been coughing up blood for a moment, Anise, wherever she happens to be standing now, and then, finally...Mizuki. ]
Hm. Your eye wouldn't be able to be healed by a normal spell, would it?
[ After shaking free of the creature's claw, Anise and Tokunaga crash to the ground -- Tokunaga cushioning the impact, then shrinking back to its original size. It now has a couple of holes in its face and blood staining the back of its head. A bit of stuffing pokes out, and Anise shoves it back in with her fingers before setting the doll back on her shoulders.
She climbs to her feet with some effort, and a hand immediately shoots to her stomach, where her spacesuit is stained red. Grabbing the offered hand, she nods at Metis. She's in no position to say no to priority healing.
But she looks over at Mizuki in concern. That eye looks bad... ]
[ Metis holds her steady, gripping her hand gingerly before that tether vanishes between them and Anise is unfortunately feeling that full effect of that pain again as it continues. However, Metis's free hand quickly comes to hover over her stomach as it emanates a bright glow.
The healing isn't entirely consistent though, flickering weakly but he heals enough that she isn't in any danger of bleeding out. ]
If you're all fine enough to keep going, I will not trouble you then. [ Even if he does not look as if he's pleased with that thought. A sigh, looking troubled. ] With how sporadic my abilities seem to be.. I may not be capable of fully healing you all even if I wish to.
[ Once he's done enough with Anise, he also looks over to Mizuki when Blade speaks to her. ]
Would you like me to try, Mizuki? [ Girl, your eye... ]
[ The flickering of abilities is noticeable even from his end, seeing the way the light dims and returns, like a broken lamp light on its last vestiges of energy. Fortunately, it seems that it isn't so terrible in its application. ]
...Whatever the case, we shouldn't dawdle for long in a dangerous place like this. If your eye needs to be healed, and the attempt can be made, it should be done.
[ Blade says simply and bluntly, before he takes a glance towards Anise, to see how she's holding up. ]
[ The tether vanishes, and Anise's whole body tenses. There's a quiet, strained gasp, but she saw this pain coming. It's intense, but she can bear it. She waits patiently for Metis to work that healing magic, and eventually, her breathing steadies and she relaxes a bit. ]
Thanks, Metis. [ A little smile for him! And she looks over to Mizuki, too. ]
I'm okay, Mizuki. You should get healed too, while we have the chance.
[ Metis takes a moment longer to look Anise over, make sure she's stable enough to keep moving and standing. A gentle squeeze of her hand before he lets go to approach Mizuki next. ]
Lady Anise is stable for now, and hopefully we can avoid any more dangerous encounters like that so it doesn't worsen.. but for now, let me try my hand at healing you as well.
[ Here here. Careful to hold her head steady as he brings his other hand to try and heal her eye. It does just barely enough to stabilize the injury but only a little bit, his healing magic cutting off. ]
...Afraid that is as much I can do. I apologize. My energy seems lesser than I thought it to be. [ His voice sounds with guilt. He looks over to Blade, because his earlier words ring true. ] We'll need to get you all proper healing back on the Eudora, for now Sir Blade is right that we should keep moving. Find any hostages and quickly make our way back to the ship.
[ Outside the opening that the hulking figure broke in earlier, the only other way is up the stairs leading further up. ]
[ Well, the gash on her face goes from bleeding freely to a little less so, but it does nothing for either the cracks or light in her eye. Mizuki exhales, a guilty air about her, before giving a nod lacking in much vigor. ]
You're right—let's go. [ With that said, Mizuki begins the trek forward once again, heading for the stairs. ] If you need any help walking, Anise, just let me know.
[ Hm...that's unfortunate, but they really got to move on.
So, right away when the healing is finished, Blade decides to not make waste on whatever time they might have. A hostage situation can change in a moment's notice, after all.
Though, he is beginning to figure how someone might have gotten into one here. Of a sort, anyway. He doesn't make any lasting conclusions without seeing more, after all.
The stairs being the obvious way forward, that is where Blade goes next, taking lead, and eyes focused on any threats ahead. ]
[ Anise watches Mizuki as the healing takes effect, but doesn't comment on the result. At her offer, she smiles in return. ] Thanks! I can manage for now.
[ She takes a few steps forward and pauses to consider the pain that each step brings... but then she continues, taking care not to cause any unnecessary strain on her wound as she follows the others up the stairs. ]
[ There's an air of concern from Metis, but there is not much more that can be done. They can only move forward. Mizuki strides forward, Blade moving the moment the healing is done, and so Metis waits until Anise herself starts to move and matches his pacing with her.
The small staircase takes them higher up, and as the group moves, they'll hear quiet whispers and murmurs from the walls as they do. Voices that are both familiar and unfamiliar. The feeling tugging at their minds, sharp and insistent, a sensation of being watched but... nothing comes up. No threats show up so far.
When they come to another clearing, they find themselves facing a split road. To the left is a coiling structure that leads them towards another set of stairs that seems to go downward to a different thinner spire. To the right has a coil that winds up upwards in a curling path but stops halfway of reaching that higher platform which from the distance looks like connects to a bridge. ]
Seems we have only one way still to go. [ To the left, the thinner spire. ] Mayhap we can find a way to activate the other path. ..Everyone faring well so far?
[ The air is oppressive the higher they go, unsettling. ]
[ Well, Blade is not going to falter due to the oddities still assaulting their senses, though if anything it sharpens his guard. He doesn't want to be surprised by anything else emerging from walls and the like.
He takes examination of both roads carefully before him, hardly halting either when going left. ]
I am fine. No need to worry.
[ Blade has not faltered any and he sees no reason to do so now—even with the oppressive feeling clinging to them. ]
[ To the left they go, the inside of the tower continuing to be eerie quiet. Not a single sound. Not even the occasional groan of the inner spires or structures. As they make across, they reach the set of stairs and soon begin to hear... whispers. Quiet murmurs. When they begin to descend their steps downwards, the walls around them closing the further they spiral downwards on these steps do the voices get a little louder. ]
Keep your guard...
[ A quiet reminder from behind the group, as Metis watches their rear area, the area dimming in light until it comes to an opening that takes them into a large "room" of sorts.
The area in here is large as the platform clearings before, however, the whole area from bottom to top is covered in the small dark ridges with that sickly purple membrane that stretches over it. Looking to the walls will show, despite the apparent dead end this room seems to be, they are not the only ones here. Held up in the walls, mostly submerged besides their head and hands show there are a few familiar faces just there.
For now, they do not seem to notice you but they do seem to be still alive as they occasionally mumble now and then, otherwise there's still a bit of the room to explore. A monitoring device off in the back right. ]
[ Blade hears the murmurs, strange as they are, and then of course Metis' caution that follows right after the sounds seem to increase in volume.
With Metis watching the rear, Blade sees fit not to look back, focusing on what's in front of him, and taking in their current environment.
He spots the familiar faces, the sight of one of them in particular causes him to take pause. ]
...Someone who is trying to distract us.
[ Blade simply says, though he can't help keep his eyes on the general direction of those 'familiar faces', even if he is also heading the same way Mizuki so happens to be. ]
I do not think it wise to ignore it entirely, Mizuki. Though, I do agree there is something that is toying with our minds.
[ There is sympathy in his voice, and clear concern, and while he mostly follows Mizuki and Blade both, he seems to maneuver closer to those held up. Looking over the flesh restraints that keep them enclosed and held up.
The device itself looks like a computer of sorts, but like the people, it has that sickly membrane almost fused into it and pulses as if breathing. The screen flickers on when it reads nearby life and the words on it ask for a password.
The one Anise looks to seems to stir a bit awake, and when their gaze meets her does she see an expression of fear. A frantic mumbling and they try to pull at the flesh that holds them up, the movement stirring Rodya nearby who groans out, calling out to the group, "Heeeyyy, if you're gonna try and do anything about... all of this.. you're gonna need to get to the Core." ]
...A Core? Within this tower?
[ An echoing rumble sounds throughout the spire, sending another mini-earthquake through the area and their unfortunate held up "friends" seem to receive the worse of it, twisting in their restraints with pained cries and frantic murmuring. "Need to.. go up, go up." While this happens, there's a sharper pull at all of their senses, cutting in the back of everyone's minds. Losing the feeling of themselves for just a moment. ]
[ There's a lot Mizuki could say and acknowledge in the next few moments—Metis' following comment, the device before them, what's said on how to proceed—but it's all cut short when suddenly, her mind goes blank.
It's as though an unseen force yanks at her very being, rendering her unable to think. ]
Ugh...
[ Absentmindedly, Mizuki drops her broken helmet, gripping at her head; there's no headache coming on, but it feels a lot like one might. ]
I'm going to snap every neck of the assholes who thought putting obvious imposters through this was a fun idea.
[ Blade hears the sound of Rodya's voice and whips his head back in that direction immediately.
The Core...he remembers those others mumbling something about that before. Not unlike a prayer, some kind of crazed mantra. His eyes fall to examine where one might slice those restraints through without cutting off a limb or two, then Rodya.
Not that it seems to matter much, with the sudden rumble crashing in through the area. It's jarring, hearing their voices like that, and then seemingly focused on a repeated set of words angled towards a certain direction. Not that much matters, because temporarily there is that disorientation, a sudden disassociation that is upon him, however brief. ]
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But, timing-wise her maneuver definitely came after his strike considering his own speed, which means he wouldn't be impeding it any, keeping clear by default when she comes ramming straight into the monster. Which, well, is pretty huge, though...
Hopefully the following adage is also true:
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. ]
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... And the pain suddenly stops. There's a bewildered look at Metis, but she's back to focusing. Despite the pain, she doesn't let go. She keeps her hold on the doll with a white-knuckled grip...
But Mizuki comes to charge at the brute, and Anise realizes what she's trying to do. Tokunaga slams another fist at the creature and tries to slip free from the scythes impaling it before Anise can get taken down with it. ]
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Its grip loosens and it's enough for Tokunaga and Anise both to be removed from its grasp, the monstrosity trying desperately to grasp at the platform but loses that hold and tumbles into the endless abyss below. The impending fall never comes through, instead leaving a silence behind.
Metis makes his way over to Anise first, that tether dimming as he draws closer and holds a hand out for her. ]
Is everyone alright? How do your injuries fare? [ To Anise directly: ] Come, allow me to heal you first, Lady Anise.
[ Take a quick breather for now, everything becoming eerie quiet. However, a look to the leftover disfigured humanoids show that like the bodies before also begin to get absorbed into the ground. ]
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Definitely get her first.
[ Ugh... Anise got hit the worst. Thank god for Metis.
As Mizuki converges with the two, she reaches to slide off her broken helmet, making her own injuries clear as day; a series of deep gashes go down her face, the yellow in her eye... flickering? It's not unlike a light going on and off, and should anyone look closely, it looks more like her eye has been shattered rather than gouged into.
It's definitely giving Mizuki reason to pause, a quiet panic washing over her. ]
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[ Blade suffered some wounds to his legs and arms, but not so much he can't move around; he is used to pain, and having heard the piercing cry Anise had given not too long ago makes it clear that whatever she suffered hardly isn't minor.
Either way, he keeps his attention focused on his surroundings, keeping an eye out for anything dangerous for a bit. Then, he temporarily focuses it on the others; Metis, who had been coughing up blood for a moment, Anise, wherever she happens to be standing now, and then, finally...Mizuki. ]
Hm. Your eye wouldn't be able to be healed by a normal spell, would it?
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She climbs to her feet with some effort, and a hand immediately shoots to her stomach, where her spacesuit is stained red. Grabbing the offered hand, she nods at Metis. She's in no position to say no to priority healing.
But she looks over at Mizuki in concern. That eye looks bad... ]
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The healing isn't entirely consistent though, flickering weakly but he heals enough that she isn't in any danger of bleeding out. ]
If you're all fine enough to keep going, I will not trouble you then. [ Even if he does not look as if he's pleased with that thought. A sigh, looking troubled. ] With how sporadic my abilities seem to be.. I may not be capable of fully healing you all even if I wish to.
[ Once he's done enough with Anise, he also looks over to Mizuki when Blade speaks to her. ]
Would you like me to try, Mizuki? [ Girl, your eye... ]
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It isn't long before it flickers out for good; the yellow fades out into a dull, lifeless grey. ]
No—Aiba, come on...
[ Worriedly, she turns to Blade, then back down to Metis. ]
—Wait, would that work? 'Cause if it will... [ a beat. ] I mean, at least make sure Anise is gonna be okay, too!
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[ The flickering of abilities is noticeable even from his end, seeing the way the light dims and returns, like a broken lamp light on its last vestiges of energy. Fortunately, it seems that it isn't so terrible in its application. ]
...Whatever the case, we shouldn't dawdle for long in a dangerous place like this. If your eye needs to be healed, and the attempt can be made, it should be done.
[ Blade says simply and bluntly, before he takes a glance towards Anise, to see how she's holding up. ]
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Thanks, Metis. [ A little smile for him! And she looks over to Mizuki, too. ]
I'm okay, Mizuki. You should get healed too, while we have the chance.
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Lady Anise is stable for now, and hopefully we can avoid any more dangerous encounters like that so it doesn't worsen.. but for now, let me try my hand at healing you as well.
[ Here here. Careful to hold her head steady as he brings his other hand to try and heal her eye. It does just barely enough to stabilize the injury but only a little bit, his healing magic cutting off. ]
...Afraid that is as much I can do. I apologize. My energy seems lesser than I thought it to be. [ His voice sounds with guilt. He looks over to Blade, because his earlier words ring true. ] We'll need to get you all proper healing back on the Eudora, for now Sir Blade is right that we should keep moving. Find any hostages and quickly make our way back to the ship.
[ Outside the opening that the hulking figure broke in earlier, the only other way is up the stairs leading further up. ]
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[ Well, the gash on her face goes from bleeding freely to a little less so, but it does nothing for either the cracks or light in her eye. Mizuki exhales, a guilty air about her, before giving a nod lacking in much vigor. ]
You're right—let's go. [ With that said, Mizuki begins the trek forward once again, heading for the stairs. ] If you need any help walking, Anise, just let me know.
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So, right away when the healing is finished, Blade decides to not make waste on whatever time they might have. A hostage situation can change in a moment's notice, after all.
Though, he is beginning to figure how someone might have gotten into one here. Of a sort, anyway. He doesn't make any lasting conclusions without seeing more, after all.
The stairs being the obvious way forward, that is where Blade goes next, taking lead, and eyes focused on any threats ahead. ]
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[ She takes a few steps forward and pauses to consider the pain that each step brings... but then she continues, taking care not to cause any unnecessary strain on her wound as she follows the others up the stairs. ]
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The small staircase takes them higher up, and as the group moves, they'll hear quiet whispers and murmurs from the walls as they do. Voices that are both familiar and unfamiliar. The feeling tugging at their minds, sharp and insistent, a sensation of being watched but... nothing comes up. No threats show up so far.
When they come to another clearing, they find themselves facing a split road. To the left is a coiling structure that leads them towards another set of stairs that seems to go downward to a different thinner spire. To the right has a coil that winds up upwards in a curling path but stops halfway of reaching that higher platform which from the distance looks like connects to a bridge. ]
Seems we have only one way still to go. [ To the left, the thinner spire. ] Mayhap we can find a way to activate the other path. ..Everyone faring well so far?
[ The air is oppressive the higher they go, unsettling. ]
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I don't suppose anyone knows how to fly? ... No? .... Yeah, didn't think so.
[ Mizuki exhales, already heading leftbound. ]
I'm fine. I'll keep going.
[ It feels horrid in here, but they're here to fetch those who are worse off. Even if it's a little more quiet than she would like now. ]
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He takes examination of both roads carefully before him, hardly halting either when going left. ]
I am fine. No need to worry.
[ Blade has not faltered any and he sees no reason to do so now—even with the oppressive feeling clinging to them. ]
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[ peering at the path, and trying to ignore the voices, the weird feeling... ]
I'm good! Let's try to get this done as quick as we can.
[ so they can get the hell out of here. ]
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Keep your guard...
[ A quiet reminder from behind the group, as Metis watches their rear area, the area dimming in light until it comes to an opening that takes them into a large "room" of sorts.
The area in here is large as the platform clearings before, however, the whole area from bottom to top is covered in the small dark ridges with that sickly purple membrane that stretches over it. Looking to the walls will show, despite the apparent dead end this room seems to be, they are not the only ones here. Held up in the walls, mostly submerged besides their head and hands show there are a few familiar faces just there.
For now, they do not seem to notice you but they do seem to be still alive as they occasionally mumble now and then, otherwise there's still a bit of the room to explore. A monitoring device off in the back right. ]
What is all of this-?
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What I want to know is who's trying to screw with us this badly.
[ Like before, there's no way these people could be the real thing. ]
Just... ignore them.
[ There's something else back there, anyway, and so Mizuki goes toward the device. ]
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With Metis watching the rear, Blade sees fit not to look back, focusing on what's in front of him, and taking in their current environment.
He spots the familiar faces, the sight of one of them in particular causes him to take pause. ]
...Someone who is trying to distract us.
[ Blade simply says, though he can't help keep his eyes on the general direction of those 'familiar faces', even if he is also heading the same way Mizuki so happens to be. ]
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Rather than passing by the faces, she stops to stare at them. Well, one of them.
There's no way they could be real... and yet. ]
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[ There is sympathy in his voice, and clear concern, and while he mostly follows Mizuki and Blade both, he seems to maneuver closer to those held up. Looking over the flesh restraints that keep them enclosed and held up.
The device itself looks like a computer of sorts, but like the people, it has that sickly membrane almost fused into it and pulses as if breathing. The screen flickers on when it reads nearby life and the words on it ask for a password.
The one Anise looks to seems to stir a bit awake, and when their gaze meets her does she see an expression of fear. A frantic mumbling and they try to pull at the flesh that holds them up, the movement stirring Rodya nearby who groans out, calling out to the group, "Heeeyyy, if you're gonna try and do anything about... all of this.. you're gonna need to get to the Core." ]
...A Core? Within this tower?
[ An echoing rumble sounds throughout the spire, sending another mini-earthquake through the area and their unfortunate held up "friends" seem to receive the worse of it, twisting in their restraints with pained cries and frantic murmuring. "Need to.. go up, go up." While this happens, there's a sharper pull at all of their senses, cutting in the back of everyone's minds. Losing the feeling of themselves for just a moment. ]
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It's as though an unseen force yanks at her very being, rendering her unable to think. ]
Ugh...
[ Absentmindedly, Mizuki drops her broken helmet, gripping at her head; there's no headache coming on, but it feels a lot like one might. ]
I'm going to snap every neck of the assholes who thought putting obvious imposters through this was a fun idea.
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The Core...he remembers those others mumbling something about that before. Not unlike a prayer, some kind of crazed mantra. His eyes fall to examine where one might slice those restraints through without cutting off a limb or two, then Rodya.
Not that it seems to matter much, with the sudden rumble crashing in through the area. It's jarring, hearing their voices like that, and then seemingly focused on a repeated set of words angled towards a certain direction. Not that much matters, because temporarily there is that disorientation, a sudden disassociation that is upon him, however brief. ]
...How do we get to the core?
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