ic Danger in the Lost World! (IC)

[Tiffany Korta]

Giang had beaten Blodeuwedd to the same conclusion by only a whisker, she didn’t like it be she had been taught that there was a time a place when a distraction was necessary. Plus she trusted that Karza could handle herself.

“Agreed let’s go.â€

She followed Giang onwards towards the Palace. They would still need the element of surprise so she tried to suggest way to improves Giangs stealthy movements.

 

“Try moving a little slower and placing your feet more carefully and with less force. Tread lightly and softly, I have confidence that you can do it.â€

[Ari]

GM

 

<"...And so we do anoint the sacrifice, who has stood forward to give themselves as homage to mighty Viracocha"> declared the captive Inca, the clean-shaven and dignified king struggling not to smile grimly despite the Serpent empress holding the smoking orb of fire next to his head, as the oil dripped onto Subito's hair and quickly began working its way down. The boy had been wrestled into a simple red robe and decorated in the sun-themed jewelry for the short march up the Mountain of the Sun, chained to four of the strange hooded creatures by his arms and legs.

 

Watching the oil slide down his nose, the muscular Puerto Rican teen asked "That all?]/color]" The empress nodded, her reptilian face alight with glee <"That is all, fleshy one. You may return to your cell, Chosen of Viracocha"> she added to the Inca, who nodded shortly <"Praise be that was all you wanted, I was worried you wanted to be told how to use my orb again"> he commented as he was led away, calling back to the teen before he vanished from the dark throne room <"Go quietly boy, nothing else to be done but to satisfy the Sun God">

 

"Good luck to you too!" the young paragon shouted back, hazel eyes glinting angrily, though a sharp tug on one chain silenced him as the group began making their way down the shining halls of the golden palace. The procession was headed by the empress, followed by the four hooded creatures with their captive, surrounded by eight Serpents in stolen armor and arms.

 

They had barely left the fifth passage behind when running feet pounded into hearing, and at a signal from their ruler the Serpents slunk out of sight, the empress whispering a sibilant prayer and twisting and shimmering into the shape of a trim, greying human woman.

 

Seconds later a soldier dashed into view, sliding to a halt before the empress and beginning hurriedly <"My queen! One of the Jungle Tribe was seen on the terraces, just one but I fear there might be more. It is as you said, the other nations rise against us!"> he bowed low. <"Ten shall chase them down,"> the empress declared after a gasp of feigned horror at the news, adopting a stern and wise look <"the rest must guard the palace and make sure nobody else gets in!">

 

<"As I live it shall be done"> the soldier replied instantly, jumping to his feet with a clatter of hidden metal before running back out of sight. The empress turned a cold eye, a round brown one that turned to gold slitted with black, as she remarked

 

<"It seems they are faster than I thought. Thus, they shall more quickly burn!">

 

And the procession melted back around them as the Serpents took off at a run.

 

---

 

The two girls easily snuck inside, the havoc created by Princess Kazra's diversion making any mistakes unnoticed as they slipped through the halls. Everything smelt of spices, and the wool wall-hangings and carpets blanketed most of the noise. After a few minutes of stealthily making their way, guided by the far-off sound of running, they stumbled upon a central room with no roof, the ten-sided gap in the ceiling(and the grate in the floor) suggesting it was supposed to be lit by the yellowing sun. As they did and started to get their bearings, the distant sound of several feet rhythmically hitting the floor started echoing back into hearing.

 

The problem was, it came from all around them.

Edited September 10, 2013 by Arichamus

[Thevshi]

Giang had done her best to continue on silently after Kazra had caused her diversion.  While the Asian teen was less than certain that she had improved any, at least any additional errors went unnoticed.  While in different circumstances she would have been interested in spending some time regarding the various artwork and decorations within the building, Giang instead stayed focused on their objectives.

 

When she and Cerys reached the central room, the Asian teen tried to quickly get her bearings once more before the sounds of approaching footsteps began to echo from all around them.

 

Glancing quickly around, Giang tried to move to a space that looked like it would not be somewhere that people would be standing or moving through, in order to try to wait and see what happened.

[Tiffany Korta]

With the sound of troop all around them Blodeuwedd only had a few second’s to decide what to do. The only disadvantage of both being concealed was that it was difficult to determine where the other person was, but the little time she had know Giang she knew the girl seemed to have her head screwed on right. Just in case she said in a loud whisper.

“As long as you keep still they shouldn’t be able to detect you, just keep out of the way until they all pass.â€

 

 

That done she made her way quickly up the wall and found a spot where she could comfortably watch what was going on around her. Her bodysuit altered it’s coloration to fit into the texture of the wall. Now all she had to do was wait.

[Ari]

GM

 

Mere moments after the two had concealed themselves against the wall, the small procession dashed inches past them. Subito was in the center of a ring of obvious Serpents dressed in Incan clothing, the muscular teen clothed in red and hauled along by the chains attached to his body, all but carried by the four strange robed creatures.

 

At the head of the party was the savage ruler of Serpentkind in the Lost World, the Scepter clutched in one claw while the other held an orb wreathed in flames. As she passed the two girls noticed her head dart back and forth like a hunted beast's, and somehow felt something pass over the room. Giang felt it most strongly, the air seeming to shimmer around the blazing stone in the Empress' left claw, and a feeling like the orb was somehow calling out...

 

In a matter of moments the reptilian fiends were past the Claremonters, dashing pell-mell down the corridor.

Edited September 27, 2013 by Arichamus

[Thevshi]

Giang watched with a great deal of concern as a group of Serpent People made their way by, leading a chained Subito along.  The Asian teen's eyes quickly shifted to the scepter held by the lead, apparently female, serpent.  That had to be what was being used to control the dinosaurs.

 

Waiting till the group made their way past, Giang focused on one of the Serpent guards towards the rear of the group, bringing her hands up in front of her as she sent a powerful blast of water flying at the creature’s back.  The twisting coils of water struck squarely, knocking the guard off its feet and sending it flying into one of its neighbors and knocking that one to the ground as well where both lay unconscious in a heap. 

 

The Asian teen shifted her weight in a defensive stance, preparing herself for the battle that was about to begin.

[Tiffany Korta]

As the trap was sprung Blodeuwedd dropped effortlessly from the ceiling as she did she swung Dyrnwyn in a wide circle, she had made to sure to position herself so as not to harm her companion in any way.

 

As sword made contact with the scaly serpent people she made sure to strike only with the edge of the blade or inflict minor cut’s while they weren’t human she didn’t want the deaths of any of them on her hands. Even though she was quite aware that they wouldn’t afford her the same luxury if the situation was reversed.

[Ari]

GM

 

Tsunami's out-of-nowhere attack had shaken the Serpent guards' nerves, weakened their formation, and Blodeuwedd's follow-up scattered them like nine-pins around the hallway. Leathery thuds resounded in the cramped hallway as the soldiers toppled and crashed, light wounds, sprains and minor concussions the only sign the attack had happened at all.

 

At once the four robed creatures following the Queen halted, and forming a silent barrier of wicked spears they prepared for the onslaught. In contrast to their comrades they were cool as cucumbers.

 

"Thisss changesss nothing" the Queen announced primly, tightening the knot holding a cloth gag over Subito's mouth. He'd opened it to call out something to Giang and Cerys, but the reptilian royal had seen the movement and snapped his jaws shut, tearing off a piece of his robe to silence him better "the ssacrifissse will be given, and order restored!" This done she kept him close, the fiery heart of Viracocha blazing in her hand.

[Thevshi]

The ease at which a number of the Serpent People were subdued was a good sign to Giang, though the Asian teen knew enough not to expect things to continue to go so easily, especially given the more confident demeanor of those that quickly formed a wall in front of the female serpent and the captured Subito.

 

Surrounding herself with a shimmering sheen of water, Giang shifted into a defensive stance as she prepared to continue to press the advantage.  But when her hands came up and she sent another blast of water at one of the remaining Serpent People, her target was able to dodge aside and the twisting coils of water streaked past to impact into the wall beyond.

[Tiffany Korta]

Still retaining her motion for the last attack she swung around to the remaining warriors launching off a series of throwing knives that followed her movements almost perfectly.

Not waiting for the knives to hit she was back up on her feet’s. charging towards them before at the last minutes tumbling over the warriors to land the other side of them, just before the knives found their target.

“It would foolish to continue this assault. Maybe you should consider an alternative plan of action?â€

 

She held her sword Dyrnwyn up towards them ready for any assault they had planned, the mystical sword glowing with an eerie magical flame.

[Ari]

GM

 

The darts spun with a dull whistling drone, flashing through the air and embedding themselves in the cloaked and hooded creature. When they struck it was with several noises at once; clangs of metal, tearing cloth and the echoing *chok* of wood, but the wet noise of breaking flesh was loudest and was trampled on the tail by the creature giving a great hissing whine of pain, staggering backwards and clawing at the knives that had snuck past its armor and sunk deep into its hide. The noise was hard to bear in the cramped hallway, and Subito winced and tried to cover his ears as the agonized cry rang out, but the Queen hastily grabbed his arms and held them to his waist with a free claw, the other tracing some kind of pattern on the crystal of Viracocha's surface, eyes fixed hatefully on the intruders.

 

The rest ignored their comrade's distress and wheeled about to tackle Blodeuwedd, jabbing and slicing with their spears as they did their level best to put a stop to the total defeat that was fast bearing down on them. Two struck wide, deflected by Dyrnwyn and simple ability, but the third, wisely, waited until the uncanny agent was recovering from the second sidestep before bringing their spear sweeping around and catching her in the side!

 

"We have the sssame thought, human!" cried the Queen as she raised the crystal high, the thing blazing like a lesser Sun and casting the hallway into sharp relief as it illuminated every detail.

"Watersssinger, feel the wrath of your beloved star! <Viracocha, consume!>"

 

And with those words a tongue of white-hot fire burst from the crystal, hurtling like a javelin straight at Tsunami!

[Thevshi]

As the white hot flames erupted towards her, Giang dove to one side, rolling along the ground an coming back up to her feet in a low stance.  She had managed to completely avoid the attack, glancing about to see that three of the Serpent People were pursing Blod.

 

Bringing her hands up in front of her, the Asian teen once again sent a blast of water streaking out at one of the serpents, hoping to get some of the pressure off the other teen.  However her aim was slightly off and the twisting coils of water jetted past the intended target to impact into the wall beyond.

[Tiffany Korta]

At the moment Blodeuwedd was a whirl of motion not staying still for a moment. her blade Dyrnwyn moved in tight circle trying to confuse the Serpent warrior that she was currently focusing her attention on, before she gave a series of shallowing yet hopefully debilitating cut to the warrior.

She mind was so focus on the task at hand because something was worrying her. Whilst she should be worrying about both Giang and Subito equality she couldn’t help but seem to worry about Subito more. And it wasn’t all because he was the Serpent Queens captive.

[Ari]

GM

 

The already belabored Serpent stumbed against the nearby wall, spear clattering on the ground as it fell from its claw, its armor cracked and split open by the flaming sword, with red blood beginning to flow from between its hard fingers. A faint whimpering groan escaped its hidden lips.

 

The rest dashed forward, shrieking hisses bursting out of their concealing hoods as they sought to avenger their comrade, but again most of their fast, powerful thrusts and swings met only air. But yet again one of Yig's Children held back, letting their comrades draw Blodeuwedd into a move she couldn't easily stop herself in before lunging and striking the agent between the shoulderblades!

 

Meanwhile, the Queen was struggling with Subito, who was desperately trying to escape for the first time. Managing to scrape free for an instant, he smashed his manacles against the stone wall with a resounding clang, only to growl furiously as they held! Laughing scornfully, the Serpent Empress dragged him further back from his schoolmates, raising the Orb and shouting "You cannot essscape usss that easssily! <Viracocha, sheathe us in your power!>"

 

At once the struggling human and triumphant Serpent were surrounded by a wall of white-hot fire that lit up the hallway!

Edited December 2, 2013 by Arichamus

[Thevshi]

Giang brought one hand up to shield her face some as the wall of white-hot flames leaped into existence in the hallway, keeping either her or Blod from easily being able to get to the Serpent Empress or Subito.  The Asian teen took a quick glance around, looking for a nearby source of water large enough to try to use to douse the flames.

 

Finding none handy, she turned back to look as Blod was engaged with the other serpents.  For the moment she seemed to be doing well enough so Giang focused back on the Serpent Empress and the staff she held in her hands.

 

Sweeping her hands out in front of her, the Asian teen sent a jet of twisting coils of water at the serpent.  There was a loud HISS of steam as the water impacted the wall of flames and continued on, but the blast went well wide of the intended target.

[Tiffany Korta]

Ignoring the blows rained upon her by the Serpent warriors Blodeuwedd continued to move around the room with a series or rapid fluid motions. As she moved she efficiently picked out the necessary spot’s on her target that she need to hit. Rather than worry about either of her allies she concentrated on keeping tack of the combat around her and effectively defeating her foes.

 

To that end she did a series of quick slashes toward the serpent person that was still giving her problems, she’d have a few bruises to content with tomorrow.

[Ari]

Shimmering with unearthly heat, the sword barely missed her target, instead cutting a divot out of the wall next to its head. Backpedaling with surprising grace for something encumbered by armor and swathed in heavy robes, the creature rejoined its comrades in the wall formation, eyes glinting with determination never to let them past!

 

Just then, the earth trembled, just a fraction. Tsunami felt it strongest but from the faint burst of dust and slosh of water from a nearby ledge everyone could tell it wasn't their imagination. The Serpent Queen's eyes widened behind her fiery shield, and she began hurriedly dragging Subito away with her despite his struggles, her voice beginning in a whisper "The mountain growsss impatient...I never thought it wasss ssso insssatiable. Viracocha!" she cried all of a sudden, raising the claw holding the orb up to a pale ray shining from the open roof that grew brighter and fiercer before their eyes, wisps of flame curling around her feet as she exclaimed "<Viracocha...give me your speed!>"

 

With a roar the fire burst out and surrounded her body and that of her captive, wings forming that swept her down the corridor in a cataclysm of noise and heat, racing out of the palace with a trail like a booster rocket! The flames exploded around the heroines and their enemies, the shock and concussive force smashing one bodily against the wall, setting alight two more, and only the last desperately slamming itself down onto the ground escaped the onslaught!

 

Outside, the Queen and Subito landed, the Serpent panting with surprise and glee that stamped itself on her monstrous head, for a few seconds not paying as much heed as she should have. That was all the chance the young man needed, as he leaped out of her grip and strained with all his might against the metal chains on his arms, face reddening as it groaned and stretched...until with a crack that echoed in the mountain air the shackles tore apart! He dropped to one knee, gasping but looking at his captor with a defiant gleam in his eye.

 

"Break that collar, boy, if you are so mighty. Or burn here before I drag you there" she pointed at the now-smoking caldera "I need only a living victim...not a whole one!"

[Thevshi]

Giang had tried to dive aside as the flames had spread through the chamber, but been unable to avoid the fiery blaze.  Luckily the layer of water that swirled around her helped brunt the flames, and she ended up only a bit singed.

 

Focusing back the scene around them, she noted the effect the flames had had on the other serpents, several of whom badly burned.  Clearly the Serpent Queen did not place too high a value on her servants' lives.

 

The Asian teen picked one of the remaining serpents that seemed least harmed and brought her hands up to send a blast of water at the creature.  But the twisting coils of water flew well wide of the intended target, striking the wall behind it and blasting lose bits of rock.

[Tiffany Korta]

Whilst most of her momentum was now gone, especially as she now had to focus more on defending herself, she still managed to swing Dyrwyn around in an impressive series of moves against her opponent.

 

It would be nice to be able to ignore the foot soldier and go help her friends out of trouble, but she knew if they weren't engaged in fighting her they would just cause them all more trouble. And beside she was confident that her friends were more than capable of getting the job that needed to be done, done.

[Ari]

GM

 

With flash and burst of white flame, the guardsbeast let loose a mournful howl and crashed to the ground in a jumble of broken armor and singed robes. Blood seeped from the hood, spreading on the floor in a thin puddle. There weren't many of them left who could even stand without trembling, either from the wounds the gliding jets of water or flaming sword had delivered or their mistress's flare of treachery.

 

One of them however, who had escaped both, drew itself up off the smoking floor and charged at the young agent! The spear was clutched tight this time, held close to deliver the maximum possible force, and for a second Blodeuwedd saw its slitted cats-eyes, glowing with hate like a fire within. It amounted to nothing though, the beast missing the swordswoman by a mile and stumbling to a halt several feet behind her.

 

Meanwhile

 

"Whelp!" barked the Scaled Empress, drawing back the claw that bore the orb of Viracocha, a globe of golden fire soon whirling above her "With a wave of my hand I can reduce you to asssh! The jungle tribesss, the new Rome, it livesss by my will! And ssso do you! Defy me further, and thossse below will sssuffer the penalty!"

 

She prepared the roiling the fire, her dead golden eyes daring the powerless paragon to call her bluff. Nailing him through the brain with helplessness.

[Thevshi]

Giang frowned as she missed another attack on the serpent guards. They needed to finish off these guards and get after the serpent leader who had escaped with Subito in tow.

Focusing one of the remaining guards, the Aisan teen took a deep breath, steadying herself. Then, her hands came up in front of her again and twisting coils of water shot forth. The powerful water blasts streaked through the air, slamming squarely into the serpent guard. The pressure of the blast knocked him off his feet and sent him sailing back to collide with another guard a short distance behind. Both were knocked flat, dazed and barely conscious.