In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
Post by Jagen Lavender♛ on Apr 14, 2022 17:36:45 GMT -5
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[attr="class","header"]Prologue
[break] Jagen's fingers trembled as his lavender eyes gazed upon an Azure Deer report--a report from the Forsaken Region. Time had begun to twist and turn, manipulated by an outside force. Asmodeus' wrath was now known to the world. The Archdaemon Jagen feared would return to haunt his memories, his waking moments of dread now walked his lands, manipulated his people. The Wizard King had one duty in this Kingdom; protect its people. Had he failed this simple task? Had the wound he struck upon the Lord of Time not been enough?
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Jagen...you're shaking again. Samson, the Wizard King's Advisor rested a hand upon his Majesty's shoulder. This was not only the comfort of an Advisor but the support of a friend. Dammit. It's only been weeks since the attack on Kikka and he's already making his play? I just thought we'd have more.... The former Purple Orca Captain ground his teeth to the root, nearly making them bleed. Time.... Tossing the report to his desk, papers scattered about the rugged stone floor. Worry began to well up in Samson's gut, anxiety for his friend and King. He had not seen Jagen like this. Even in the midst of the Daemon attack on the Capital, he'd remained composed. Yet here he stood, feeling like a young Knight helpless to stop the coming storm. Amid this discussion, a small red feline ran its soft paws across the desk. Curling up before its Master, Jagen laid a hand on the soft crimson fur.
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What's the plan? Samson held a hand over his eyepatch as a burning sensation in his prosthetic eye began to surge. Something was angering his spirit, but what? The purple haired cloth mage was visibly distressed but managed to recoil himself. The Royal Knights are in shambles....With Lydia out of commission, I've assembled a custom team. A look of surprise encompassed the former Shining General's face, which quickly turned into a question. This quickly? Who are you sending? Jagen slumped down into his chair, a balled up fist placed beneath his chin. His spirit companion began to crawl along the backside of the chair, running its head against his shoulders. I've decided-- There was an abrupt screech as the door of his office were blown open with enough force to nearly knock them off their hinges. Samson leaped to the ready, prepared to fight until he gazed upon the pale face standing in the doorway. Ardere...
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Is it true? Lydia is out of commission and Asmodeus is making his play? The Crimson Lion Captain spared no time in cutting to the chase, nor did he kneel before his Wizard King as he spoke. Jagen stood up from his chair, a sour look taken his maw. Ardere...you're supposed to be resting. You've only been discharged two days from the infirmary. The Divine Dragon stepped forward, grabbing at his side as a sharp pain shot through it. Put me on the team. He ground his teeth, blazing eyes fixed on his mentor. No. I won't have you going out there and getting yourself killed. Your wounds have not healed and you're not at one hundred percent yet. I'm sending Zaven in as Captain for this mission. There he will command Griswold and Hania. The Kasai stumbled forward a bit as a blazing white aura began to whir around his form. Memories of the attacks on the Elven Kingdom began to play in his mind, mingled with flashes of Silas' death. Ashford may be gone but his memories still had an effect on the Captain. You've been given an order by your Wizard King. Now stand down. Jagen held out a hand to Samson. Stand down Samson.
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I thought I had my Justice....my victory....but the fight is not over yet. I'll fight every one of the Arch-daemon if I have to. Until I can finally feel like we've won a damned thing... Ardere exclaimed with bandaged arms and trembling fingers, stitches stretched to reveal unhealed wounds. The victory in Aamon’s Tower if it could be called such, did not satisfy the fire mage. He didn’t feel like he’d won. He didn’t feel like they’d saved their Kingdom. All he could feel was sadness for what the Devils had done to this world. I understand your pain, Ard. But I'd be quite the poor Wizard King if I sent you out there to die. The Lion calmed his aura and his head as he looked his friend in the eyes. Then be a poor King, just this once. He took Silas from us....from me. This should be Lydia's fight but now it will be ours. Let me fight one more time. You and I were at the Forgotten Tower. If another Shatter is upon us then we can't afford to be careful. Too much is at stake. I don't--I don't want to die. I'm no old warrior looking for a good death. All of them have been taken by better men. I made a promise that I'd keep living. I don't know what Asmodeus' true plan is but I don't think it would care if I'm in a hospital bed or on the front lines. We'll all die just the same.
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Okay. Jagen sat back down, a hot breath escaped his chapped lips. My King...are you sure? The Wizard King nodded his head, so Samson stood down and looked onto Ardere once more. You're not the same kid you were in the Shining Stone Palace anymore. But you can't do this on your own. This may be your fight to fight but it is not yours alone to win. The Crimson Lion held his head back in humility. I know. I cannot do it alone. Thank you, Jagen. Ardere bowed down to his Father's former student, his now mentor and left the room. Whatever limp and pain lingered in his steps was now gone. Conviction was all he had to keep his legs moving.
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You're sending them a broken sword. Samson clutched his face tightly as the pain in his eye began to intensify. We're all broken swords. I have to hope we can still pierce the Heavens. I have to...
[break] Asmodeus trailed his rotten fingers across a wooden staff adorning a blood red crystal filled with immeasurable power. At the top of the Forgotten Tower he sat, waiting for the arrival of his challengers. He'd seen this coming so long ago. How could they possibly stop him?
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Something was different about the Tower now, as chunks of it orbited the throne in which he sat–it was not completely restored yet. There he looked with crimson eyes fixed on the horizon far beyond. From here, atop this misbegotten Tower he could see all. His gaze was focused on the Royal Capital from afar. Finally. The day has come. The Knights will knock upon my door and death will be all they find. I’ll soon complete my plans.
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Time is not linear, nor is it constant. Time is perception and if you can manipulate perception, you are a God. Around him sat his minions, seven shrouded creatures bowing to their Master. In their black hoods only red eyes were visible. One by one they began to fade away, returning to their domain. The Temporal Grand Magic Zone was vast, more vast than even the Knights knew. Asmodeus had spent a long time working to create it. A very long time.
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Staring into the void, the Archdaemon began to cackle. His mind had long since slipped into the vastness of Time, yet here he sat in his throne waiting to finally accomplish his goal. For too long had he waited to fix this world and rid it of impurities. A lonely daemon to a lonely throne, burdened with a purpose and conviction. A mask hid his face, much like his true form and purpose was hidden. There is a time and place for all truths.
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Time itself has begun to tear apart within the Temporal Grand Magic Zone. Nothing can be seen from the outside except a constantly changing landscape obscured by a red hue--a sort of force field guarding it. Our heroes have been dispatched by their Wizard King and are faced with one option; enter the Zone and uncover the secrets within.
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All around this field of Time magic an energy can be felt, unlike any mana of this world. Half of the grass on the earth is decaying, whilst the other half has grown to waist height. Animals that run through the rotten fields seem to grow older with each step. What source of power had Asmodeus acquired that allowed him to do this? This strength was unimaginable even for a formidable Archdaemon. The only way to find out was to enter.
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Echoes of the past and screams from their memories beckoned the Royal Knights to enter into this Temporal Zone. This quadruplet of Knights now held the fate of the Kingdom on their shoulders.
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A base camp has been set up for the Royal Knights to meet up at. Far enough away from the Temporary Zone for the effects to be minor, yet close enough to still keep an eye on it. A spatial mage waited in the Royal Palace chambers to transport them. This was their moment. This was their time to shine.
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(OOC: I will give you four days to respond to this first round. There will be no Asmodeus response until you enter the Temporal GMZ. If you take multiple rounds to enter, that is fine. Explore the rp to your heart’s content if you want.)
I don't know where the future[break][break] will take us,[break][break] But we will blaze it together.[break][break]
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[attr="class","ardereescroll"] Exiting the Office of the Wizard King, Ardere nearly crumbled against the wall. Coughing up blood into his hands, he stared down at the crimson ichor only to look up at a crimson dragon standing before him. It was Salamander in his smaller form, gazing upon his partner in concern. [break][break] I know. [break][break] Ardere… It was not often that the Dragon spirit spoke but he was worried. Ardere’s wounds had not fully healed. He could lie to Jagen but not to Salamander–the two were one. The wounds he’d suffered at the hands of not only Aamon but the Champion’s Mark itself were immense. He’d spent days in bed unable to move. While he was healing fast, he was nowhere near one hundred percent ready to go out and fight. He’d thought he was done with this fight, but too much was at stake to sit back. Whatever Asmodeus started those years ago at the Forgotten Tower was coming to fruition now. Another Shatter would destroy everything. [break][break] I know, but I have to. For Lydia. For Silas. Gathering himself, the Crimson Lion Captain went back to the Royal Healer. He stumbled his way through the halls of the Royal Palace until he found her. Leaning against one of the beds, the Noble took a deep breath. [break][break] You’ve reopened your wounds…this won’t last forever. I can heal you enough to get you out there but the rest will be on your own. This isn’t the kind of wound magic can simply get rid of. Only Time can do that. [break][break] Ardere chuckled to himself. Time eh? The irony. Taking another deep breath, he looked down to the Healer. Thank you. She nodded. After performing the healing spell on him, he instantly felt better. Unfortunately he knew this would not last long. He’d reach his limits in the Temporal Grand Magic Zone, this he knew. It was when and where he met that limit that mattered. However he chose to handle this moving forward was going to affect the fate of his friends. He could not be a liability to them. Whatever strength was in him, he called on it. Arms still covered in bandages, he tied his white hair up into a bun. Donning his Royal Knight cape, he did not don any armor this time. He could not afford to be weighed down by it. Just wearing the chestplate alone made it hard to breathe. [break][break] He could feel Salamander’s warmth in his chest, pushing him onward. He could do this. He had to. As he wandered into the main chambers of the Royal Palace, he awaited the arrival of his team mates. Here they were to be transported by a spatial mage to the base camp. Ardere cracked his knuckles, clutching his mother’s gift. Give me strength.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Zaven received the news of Lydia going missing…he knew that this was a dire circumstance, but he could do nothing about it…the Shadow of Dawn was even busier now than he was before. Now he was not only training his body for the giant tolls that would be placed upon him by his spirit dive, but he was also pushing himself to strive for greater unity within the Magic Knights. As a leader of a magic knight squad, a province, and now he was informed he was leading the unfortunate raid that was just approaching. [break][break]
He got the letter a week ago, and a temporal area had opened up once more…it was the signal that Asmodeous has made his move. Zaven was not going to let this go past him…there would not be another Shattering, the letter informed him to assemble with the Crimson Lion Hania Ravencrest and now the Black Bull Griswold. This was going to be an absolute shit show, but this was a shitshow that he now had to finish. He reported to the king and received his orders as a base was already established…however there was now a wrench thrown into these plans…Ardere, the captain of the Crimson Lions was now also to be a part of the raid…the Crimson King himself…Zaven knew he was injured from fighting Aamon, hell that entire team did not leave unscathed and now two of that team were now under his care. Zaven could only salute and nod, orders were orders and he was a soldier…a leader…he would not fail the kingdom. [break][break]
Zaven would seek out Ardere however, finding him at the meeting area for the Royal Knights he walked up to the Crimson King…one of his last remaining friends and he looked at him, meeting his gaze Zaven would shake his head. ”You do not need to be here Ardere…don’t give me any fucking bullshit about having to see this fight to the end for Silas either…You belong in the infirmary still and to gain your damn strength back so when I bring back this bastards head we can go have a damn drink and put this behind us…” He said, his anger was evident on his face. The Shadow of Dawn was angry because he could not lose another friend…a brother even, not by blood…but by bond. There were memories of before the Shattering event that he still shared with the man, and the last time the two were on a royal quest…they both learned things about their pasts…fucking screwed by this damn daemon…they both needed closure…but Ardere looked…he looked unhealthy. ”However, I know your stubborn ass will not stay away, and I am not in any mood to kill you to make you stay…so at the end of the day…at least remain behind me and allow me to do as I did before and be the sword and shield so that way Asmodeous can finally meet his end…promise me this Ardere. Or I will not see you go through this portal.” Zaven said as he knew that Ardere was stubborn and he acknowledged that he did not wish to fight his brother to make him stay, but at the end of his little speech…he told Ardere his stipulation for allowing him to go with the knights. He just hoped Ardere would listen.
It did not happen often that Griswold would find himself in the noble region, let alone in the royal capital itself. To make matters that much worse, he actually found himself heading towards the palace, which represented so many different things for so many people. For many, it was considered the seat of power for the entire country, a place that demanded a huge amount of respect from the nobles, commoners and peasants alike. It was a place that was meant to inspire some measure of fear into the enemies of the kingdom, both within and without. Yet when he thought about the increasing number of rogues committing violent acts across the country, Griswold could not help but feel like this monolithic structure had failed, that it was slowly coming undone at the seams. And while he had feelings like these fairly frequently, he felt like they were never as potent as they were now.
With the defeat of Aamon, part of him had hoped that it would bring about some change. That if people heard that someone like himself had been part of the group that defeated an archdemon, that maybe it would demand some more respect from the nobles towards the commoners and those of the forsaken region. For the longest time, he had heard stories about how some noble families, most notably the Silva, believed commoners to be their lessers because they did not have the same affinity towards magic or the same amount of mana that they did. That, and because they were not of noble birth, meaning their families hadn’t made a name for themselves in the wars of old that founded this country or hadn’t been praised around that same time, that meant they were worth less or even worthless in their eyes. Truth be told, all their victory had done was make Griswold look better in spite of being a commoner, and that was all there was to it.
It was only recently that he had learned that some of the individuals that had aided him, or had been aided by him to deal with some threat within the country had now fallen off of the wagon and become rogues. While he would not go as far as to claim that they had been friends, they were people Griswold had put some measure of faith in, as he did not believe bad people would risk aiding a magic knight if they had prior plans towards a criminal lifestyle. For whatever reason, they believed it was more beneficial to become criminals rather than to struggle, which seemed like a more frequently occurring phenomenon. Realizing that some people had very little to lose if they got caught, and had a great deal to gain from becoming a pickpocket, a burglar or even a killer for hire, it made him wonder how many more people he knew would stoop to the life of a rogue, or how many had been one ever since he met them.
Thinking that it might be time for him to get more serious about the people he let himself get involved with once this was all over and done with, the knight clothed in black made his way into and through the palace. As he had already been expected, none of the guards tried holding him up to ask why he had come, which was not altogether strange as there were plenty of people within the kingdom and outside of it that possessed magic that let them look like other things, or other people. While he was clearly not one of those people, Griswold would have understood if they had stopped him, albeit only momentarily to make sure he was who he claimed to be. Still finding it somewhat odd to have been asked for this particular mission since it had not been all that long ago that they had defeated an archdemon with the team that he had been on, it had been fairly strange to hear that Lydia had gone missing.
Wondering if maybe it had been related to the increase of rogue activity and the growing boldness of the demons, there was really nothing that could be done about it now. As he got closer to his destination, he could sense several familiar presences, some more so than others. And while Lydia being missing was one thing, Ardere being here after the beating he had taken in their previous engagement was likely worse. Even if he was the host to the Salamander, the fight against Aamon had proven that just having the Salamander on their side was not enough. So as he entered into the room and looked at those that had already gathered, the first thing he noticed was that all of the man’s hair had turned white. A simple observation given it used to be as red as the morning sun. Hearing how the two men were already going at it, Griswold saw no reason to interfere, choosing to stay out of the conversation and lean against a nearby wall.
Given the profanities that were thrown about, it seemed like he was not the only person here that had their reservations about Ardere joining the team, as he hardly seemed like he had healed up at all. As for Griswold, the amount of damage he had suffered had been superficial at best, which was mostly due to the sacrifice of his trusty black blade, as well as his incredibly dense mana skin. Aside from that, he had been training incredibly hard since their encounter with Aamon to the point where he felt twice as strong these days, and with a new sword to boot. For now, people knowing he was there seemed like it might be enough as he waited for any kind of instructions as to how they would be moving forward. That was, after people had finished giving Ardere an earful.
[attr="class","haniascroll"]It hadn't been all that long since the royal knights had been summoned to form and the exams to pick those knights worthy enough to be the vanguard against the uncertain future. Against his better judgement and much to his nanny's chagrin, he had gone to the exams to attempt to gain one of the coveted positions. He was in no way at one hundred percent as not but a few days beforehand had he mastered not only his partial but full spirit dives in quick succession. It had put untold strain on his body, but his mind had been troubled from that day, he had said something he never believed that he would have ever done. When speaking to Griswold whom he had invited to his family's estate as they could benefit from the training and explaining what he knew of each daemon he had called one of them lord.
He had no idea why he had done it, but it shook him to his core and he instantly sent a message to Lydia informing her that they needed to talk as soon as she could. He had also explained what he had done knowing it was better for it to come out beforehand and it be dealt with than it comes out from a third party or at a crucial moment. Needless to say, his sister wasn't best pleased by his confession but he confirmed to her that he was loyal to the kingdom and his family, the fact he seemed in a genuine panic about the subject showed he had no intention of turning and he was pretty sure that was what had kept his head attached to his body. Due to that, he tried to not mingle with people as much as he could and actually rest.
The problem was he had trained to take part in the exams and there was no way he wasn't going to do the duties expected of him. Getting to the exam grounds he found out that he was to face Valo Stark, he had met the fire mage once before during a mission just before the exams but after his training. Like him, he had a spirit partner but that was where the similarities stopped as they were as about as polar opposites as you could get in every other way. One thing was quickly apparent he was outmatched and though Asmostia didn't want him to do it he needed to go into his full dive just to keep up and overpower but at the end of the day, he was still in no condition to continue or to even keep toe to toe with the fire mage.
They both agreed to call it and they would have a match when they were on equal footing, as much as either wouldn't have liked to admit it there was a mutual respect between the pair and a rivalry that had likely been kindled. He didn't mind this so much, he wasn't too sure about the pyrefly. From that moment he had attempted to train but it hadn't always been easy, the Yuiee had opened their home to his squad so training could take part. It was there he had decided to challenge Ardere to take his sister's old seat as his right hand. It really wasn't a position he wanted to hold but alas the morale had lowered with his sister leaving to become a member of the Azure Deer and so this seemed the most logical course and so he would hold the position if he passed until someone else worthier took it or he died, whichever came first.
There had been far more than that, his captain and the first group of Royal Knights had gone to deal with Aamon, he did his best to make sure the squad was moving in the correct direction in Ard's absence. That being said other things had been brewing at that time. His sister had all but vanished while doing something with the Azure Deer due to this he had not only been dealing with this squad but the day to day stuff for his family as it was his duty as their heir. It had put a strain on the studious teen as he had to do a balancing act as well as pretend he actually could stomach people he found boring and bothersome because the dance of flowers and barbs never truly came to an end for a family like his.
When the first group finally returned they had all been worse for wear his captain more than most, he had been in the infirmary for a while under supervised bed rest because it seemed they knew just how bullheaded he could be. During this time he finally had to notify Jagen about his sister's disappearance it had been months and soon her group would likely be called upon, then he went to visit Ard, he explained the situation during a time he believed the man unconscious but little had he known that he had been awake and heard his words that would set the next set of actions into motion. He knew that Ard was close to his sister and he would want to know but he expected him to rest until he was fully healed, after all, a broken sword could only work for so long before it shattered.
It had only been a few weeks but he had gained information from the people he had requested to look for Lydia that something had been happening within the Forsaken Region. It was only a matter of time before the letter came to tell him that he was to go to the wizard king's office to receive his orders. To his surprise he heard heated words as he turned up, although he couldn't make them out, he closed his eyes and sighed as he moved forward seeing his own captain and Zaven. He paused for a moment and observed "I see you both have been brought in in lieu of my sister and others that couldn't attend?" he would finally ask when Zaven went quiet, his eyes going to Ard for a moment "your body is still broken captain if you push it any further it may shatter." It truly was as simple as that to him.
He had a pouch within his sleeve with any medicines he may need for his prolonged stay away from Winter, she was still trying to get him not to go, telling him just how bad of an idea this was given his health in general and how if things went sideways as they undoubtedly would there wouldn't be anyone who knew how to aid him. He was already well aware of that but he knew his duties to the kingdom came before all else and so if his life had to be snuffed out to bring back some sort of peace to the kingdom he would do it, he just refused to go down without fighting. "If you'll excuse me." he said walking into the Wizard King's office after knocking to find out what the hell was going on and if the two men had lost their minds allowing Ard to do something so reckless. When he got his answer he would leave and look at the three men he was grouped with knowing for better or worse they needed to make it work.
Rank & Element: Junior ¦ Light Class & Type: Relic ¦ Accessory (bracelet) Magic Specializations: Physical Reinforcement ¦ Healing Appearance & Lore: A simple bracelet made out of reinforced glass with an opalite charm dangling from it almost like a pendulum, that gives off a dull light during the day and a bright light during the night preventing any natural shadow from forming.
There is nothing of major historical importance or deep story into where this item came from. The white-haired heir of the Ravencrest family has suffered from terrible day and night terrors since he was young and still does to this day. When asked what is wrong he brushes it off telling people not to worry it was a condition he had. He will never go into the terrible things he sees, in fact, he personally wishes he could forget he quickly realized that his perfect memory was a double edge sword and at times he truly wished he didn't have it.
His elder sister Lydia was the first to realize that it happened more when he was in an emotional state or surrounded by darkness. She also realized that he refused to sleep unless every light source he could find was active or he would sleep outside under the sun during the day, this wasn't optimal as he was to be trained to take over the family if anything were to happen to Lydia. Still, there wasn't much anyone could think to do to help him as he refused to open up but even if they could that came with a different set of hurdles they had to get over. Hania earlier in his life wouldn't take things from people due to his treatment before being adopted.
It took a while but Lydia finally found a way to help her younger brother, she had a crystal made with light inside and told him to use it when he sleeps. She said it was hers and she just wanted to see if it would help. He was reluctant but she said it only had to be a few days so he accepted. Throughout those few days, he slept somewhat peacefully so it was clear that it helped but not enough, she could only guess that the light wasn't strong enough. She realized this would be fine for a normal child afraid of the dark but it was clear to the pink-haired woman that this wasn't a normal situation.
She personally designed what she believed would help him the most, she chose the materials, their appearance even the opalite that dangles from it. As the bracelet was being made she slowly started to imbue her own element into the glass beads and the opalite as the former was created and the latter was shaped. It took close to a year to complete but Lydia seen it as something that should be done slow and steady, this was to make sure that it was done right the first time and that no matter what it would be near indestructible for whatever he may face in life.
On what is now classed as Hania's eighth birthday after a certain incident happened, she gave him a box, within it laid the bracelet. He was told to keep it with him always as she would be there to keep the darkness at bay and watching over him so he could be at peace while he rested. From that moment he has always kept it with him even if he hasn't always worn it.
Type & Uses: Trigger ¦ 4 Uses Rank & Specialization: Junior ¦ Healing Mana Cost: 8 mana per trigger ¦ 15 recharge Range & Speed: 25m ¦ 10 m/s Stats Affected: +4 Control Description: The pendant starts to pulsate and hovers into his hand, holding almost as if it was a pen or calligraphy brush he writes the name of the person he wants to heal in the air as if he was writing on paper. It seems to stay for a few seconds before disappearing, the moment it does a gentle and warm light forms around the person in question healing them for junior rank damage. With the use of ammo rules, additional peoples names can be written per trigger. While under the ability of this spell it will actively attempt to cleanse any curses, debuffs, hexes, venoms, toxins or poisons that may afflict the uses as per the clashing rules. As this is only a junior rank spell it can do nothing but close minor wounds
Type & Uses: Flow ¦ 3 uses ¦ 2 cooldown Rank & Specialization: Junior ¦ Physical Reinforcement ¦ Healing Mana Cost: 8 ¦ 4 Range & Speed: 25m ¦ 10m/s Stats Affected: +2 Speed (wielder only) Description: Runes of light appear up the outside of the user's legs and arms this allowing them to move 2 m/s faster than they could naturally. The runes give off a warmth that is able to heal for junior rank damage, with the use of ammo rules, the wielder need only hold the pendant and speak a person's name to have it be able to heal them. While under the ability of this spell it will actively attempt to cleanse any curses, debuffs, hexes, venoms, toxins or poisons that may afflict the uses as per the clashing rules. As this is only a junior rank spell it can do nothing but close minor wounds.
Type & Uses: NA Rank & Specialization: Junior ¦ Physical Reinforcement Mana Cost: NA Range & Speed: NA ¦ NA Stats Affected: -- Description: In the beginning, this ability is inactive, it is only with the use and bonding of the item itself a deeper understanding allows the hidden secret left by a sister wanting to protect the younger brother they've treasured for close to thirteen years. This ability will become an imbued speed buff when it ranks to intermediate.
I don't know where the future[break][break] will take us,[break][break] But we will blaze it together.[break][break]
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[attr="class","ardereescroll"] Ardere's gaze was fixed upon his own reflection peering back at him. For a moment, the visage of a man with crimson tinted brown hair matched his own. This lasted but only a moment as all the remained was a pale visage, a white face with white hair. Who was he? Aamon's Tower changed all of them but was it for the better? [break][break] Suddenly Zaven's words brought him back to the present reality, their current dilemma. His old friend was unsurprisingly angered by his presence here. In truth it was never the plan--but so little of their original plan to fight the Archdaemon remained. Only a sigh escaped his lips as Salamander loomed behind him, watching with concern. It doesn't matter if we all die. Asmodeus is planning something big by bringing back the Tower. I'll... Looking to the Spatial mage as he prepared himself to open their portal, Ardere gathered himself. Conviction was the only thing keeping him standing but he would need to find something more out there if he expected to find himself useful to his comrades. I'll save my strength for the endgame. But even a broken sword I may be, you'll still need one to go with your shield. We're both going to make it out of that Tower again. I promise. [break][break] Salamander returned to the Lion's chest, where he remained a constant flame. The strength in the spirit gave him hope and power to move forward. He did not hesitate when the Spatial mage began to open the portal. We cannot afford to waste any time. So let's do this. A white aura began to shimmer around his form as he nodded to Gris and Zaven before he stepped through the blue portal. Arriving on the other side, he found himself in a base camp of sorts. Perhaps two kilometers away from the Temporal Grand Magic Zone, he could see the red mana spattered across the sky. There was a tingling sensation across his skin as every hair on his body stood up for a moment. This was unlike any Grand Magic Zone he'd ever seen before. [break][break] The Base Camp was reinforced with large stone walls supplemented with metal as dozens of Knights from every squad ran about. Peering out onto the horizon, he watched some trees grow while others regressed in age. What sort of Daemon held this power? Then he remembered; Asmodeus was no ordinary Daemon nor was he an ordinary Archdaemon. They'd fought once. Something he'd never forget. Today was not about him though--it was about their Kingdom.
Post by Jagen Lavender♛ on Apr 18, 2022 22:32:55 GMT -5
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[attr="class","header"]Prologue--Continued
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Jagen's pen elegantly soared across the pieces of parchment scattered about his desk, leaving perfectly formed ink in its wake. As his pen came to a halt, the door to his office was opened once more. Samson stood in the center of the office, arms folded. Told you. The Wizard King's Advisor was a good man, but a practical one too. He knew Ardere was one of their strongest Knights but he also anticipated at least one of the other Royal Knights would contest Jagen's decision. Admittedly he did not expect it to be Hania, nevertheless he let a sigh escape his lips before stepping to the side.
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I thought you'd have left by now, Vice Captain. Samson grimaced for a moment before sitting back down in a chair adjacent to a set of bookshelves in the Wizard King's Office. He knew where this conversation was going but he had to have faith in his friend. He knew the Crimson Lion Captain's pain. Samson once fought for a Kingdom he believed in and here he was in what was the Office of his greatest enemy, as an Advisor no less.
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I know what you're going to say but I've made my decision. I don't think he should be going but... Turning to look at the red cat gingerly walking across his desk, he began to rub his temples. Fate has other plans. If you can do me a favor, Hania. Make sure he doesn't do something dumb like get himself killed. His father and Lysander's spirits would haunt me for an eternity. Taking a moment to pet the crimson cat laying down on his desk, Jagen looked over at the painting of Nero on the wall. His predecessor had made a noble sacrifice for them, but that was not a sacrifice for the younger ones to make. He had to have faith that they would succeed, lest he fall to his own doubts and demons.
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Standing up from his desk, the Wizard King donned his fur lined cape. Beautiful and embroidered, it held the symbol of their Kingdom on its backside. Purple to match the squad he was once Captain of, and gold lined to match. Dammit. I should talk to him. Faith or not, there was a sense of attachment between Jagen and Ardere. He was his Master's son after all and his once best friend's student. The two were bonded in grief and in battle. It would be a shame to lose him here today. And in classic Ardere fashion, he is gone. Stepping out into the main room, he was too late. The Royal Knight had already left them. Looking back down at the cat rubbing against his legs, he sighed once more. Perhaps Fate truly did have other plans.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Zaven heard little in rebuttal from Ardere, and the fact was…he did not promise one damn thing…all that bastard did was talk a few words then got the show on the road. Zaven knew the consequences of this fight, he knew that Asmodeus’s arrival now meant that there was something bigger afoot, but Zaven just…he could not lose anyone else and with his hands shaking he looked at the portal before the doors opened once more and Jaegan stepped through them. Zaven did not say a word to the man, the Wizard King was strong…but so was the Golden Dawn captain and there was nothing more to be said as Zaven just gave a salute and then stepped through the portal and knew that he was going from the frying pan to the fire quite literally. [break][break]
On the other side he took a deep breath before scanning the horizon, this was the turbulent…grandiose creation of a new Grand Mana Zone. It was both breathtaking…and horrific as the implications it had on the land and the people and things inside of it. The base was reinforced by stone and steel, the knights standing guard were not reinforcements…they were practically builders and scouts…supplementary mages that relied on the more powerful mages to get the work done, but out in the field…vegetation aged and regressed constantly with some places standing still and it was hard to catch a pattern from his current viewpoint but he was there to lead a team and that was his only train of thought now as he quickly removed any fears, any ideas of revenge…he wiped the board clean as he waited for the rest of his companions to arrive from the portal. He looked at the worn out Ardere one last time but he did not say another word to the stubborn fire mage.
Feeling like the general vibe had been one of hostilities that initially came from a good place and were full of good intent, there was really no reason in getting involved. Since he himself had fought in the same place Ardere had not long ago and knew the kind of wounds he had sustained, and with Zaven making it clear how he felt, there was no need to pile on. So when Hania arrived at the scene, part of him wondered whether or not he should be saying anything. In truth, he felt like he should not have even been here to begin with, as he had not been selected to take part in this undertaking until the desired members either had to drop out or were removed due to the fact that they were nowhere to be found. Still finding it quite odd that someone like Lydia would miss an opportunity to fight against the archdemons, it was weirder still for them to just disappear.
Once Ardere and Zaven were done bickering, the time had come for them to pass through a portal in spacetime that was going to take them exactly where they needed to go. Magic knights often established a base of operations near areas where they were about to send a strike team, bringing along a spatial mage that could get said team there in a moments’ notice. They were convenient that way. As the aforementioned two passed through the gateway, Griswold and Hania remained on this side, along with the wizard king and his second in command. Feeling kind of awkward to be left there like that since he had never spoken a word to either of the two, he honestly did not feel like saluting anyone or making small-talk. Looking around for two seconds more, he raised his shoulders for a bit before just strolling his way through the portal so that he could put all of this behind him.
Appearing on the other side of the portal instantaneously, it was like stepping out and watching another dimension altogether in the distance. And he could know, he had done exactly that not that long ago. To think that this was a grand magic zone was in and of itself quite odd, as the ones he had been to were either incredibly vibrant and full of life, whereas the other was more or less in a state of perpetual night. While they both had their own peculiarities, they were not as weird and outlandish as this place. Creating the appearance as though time itself had broken, aging things up and back down randomly, it made him wonder what might happen as they made their way through the place. What would happen if one of them got hit and became an old man, or worse, became a child or even a helpless toddler. What happened if they got reverse aged all the way to non-existence?
Deciding to push these thoughts down and go with the idea that these people had that much under control, that was to say that they could shield them from these things happening before they could do what they had come here for. While there was still some distance between them and their location that they would need to cover, Griswold decided to wander around for a bit and get a better feel for the surroundings, as well as this camp that had been built by the kingdom. Soon, things were going to start popping off, and he was as ready now as he had ever been, realizing that a great deal of the training he had done, as well as the harsh lessons he had learned in the battle tower had been leading up to this.
[attr="class","haniascroll"]Hania entered the room and saluted as was expected though had remained silent as he waited to be addressed, however, it had seemed as if he had interrupted a conversation or more had entered as one had just ended to hear the words 'I told you so' coming from Samson. He already knew what that was about but didn't comment on it, his eyes remained on Jagen himself. On hearing himself being called vice-captain he let out a small sigh almost frustration. 'Why did I think doing that was a good idea again?' he asked himself internally 'because you wanted to fix something that was broken in your mind.' the words of Asmostia rang through their bond, it was a rhetorical question as he remembered why he did it. Many people would feel an overwhelming accomplishment to reach the position of vice-captain to their squad, it just made him feel uncomfortable.
It wasn't because he didn't think he was worthy of it because obviously, he was after passing his captain's test, there was more of a stigma to it for him he guessed. It was almost as if stepping into his sister's shoes as soon as they were off her feet and the expectation people had due to his sister's reputation. More than that though, he was used to getting compared to her, which bothered him greatly, he was his own person and should be treated as such. He even had to comment on it on several occasions to people. It was also one of the reasons he never introduced himself with more than his first name, he didn't want to ride on the coattails of his family but be recognised for his own accomplishments which was quite the task at times. Still, he had managed it to some extent.
"With respect, sir, is it too much to ask to be called my name and not my position?" his voice was as stoic as it had always been, he had made sure that no offence could be taken from his request. "Also, I would like to request you do not presume why I have come to talk with you." his tone hadn't changed, the undertone, however, did show frustration within it. "I entered to ask if there had been any news on my sister's whereabouts." he enquired, he knew that the letter he gained was because of the daemonic threat so now they had been called into action, but his sister was still nowhere to be found. It was unlike her given how his family were, they put Clover's safety even before their own family, wants or desires. It was troubling to him but he couldn't allow it to interfere with his duties and he knew this.
"I am not going to question a decision that wasn't mine to make." he stated simply "The consequences of such a decision are something you, yourself alone are going to have to live with for good or for ill for the rest of your life." he continued knowing this to be a harsh truth the man would have taken into consideration. "Also, it's not my place to tell a man or woman how they should feel about any situation." he paused for a moment thinking his next sentence through carefully "though dumb as it might be, everyone has the right to make the sacrifices they deem necessary for what they hold dear or to gain the closure they feel they need. It is truly as simple as that at least within my mind." as far as he was concerned it was an open and shut case he had no say in it.
"You expect me to prevent my captain from doing something dumb?" he asked almost as if he was being serious given the situation "He already did by going so I've already failed that request, is there anything more in the realm of reasonable possibility you'd like me to try to do?" he asked in all seriousness, he knew that he wanted to see Ard return and where he couldn't promise that it would be standing up, he'd make sure Ard would return one way or another. "I will make sure he returns regardless of what state that might be." was the best answer that he could give before watching as the man moved passed him to try to catch up to Ard to talk some sense into him he believed, just like that though he had missed the white-haired Kasai as he walked through the portal.
Hania merely followed and stepped in front of him saluting once more "I'll give him a reason to live if it comes to it." he said turning his eyes towards Griswold for a moment as he shrugged his shoulders and walked through "I see he hasn't changed." he commented before walking through the portal himself feeling it close behind him a few seconds later. His eyes went to Griswold "Remember when I was training with you? This was the one I referenced as the reason your family isn't as it once was." he said walking up to him, he knew the shattering was a well-guarded secret but it wasn't as if he could have pretended that it was all in his head when his entire clan was there one hour and gone the next. "It isn't a well-known fact and it's kept that way for everyone's peace of mind I suppose." he closed his eyes for a moment
"Sometimes, ignorance is bliss and being transparent can bring nothing but despair and chaos." he said opening his eyes and looking to the other hoping he'd understand even if he didn't agree with it. He couldn't imagine what would happen if the populace at large knew. He knew there would be fear, he knew people would start questioning their existence and that of those they knew. It wasn't something anyone wanted, he honestly didn't know how he knew some of the stuff he did and wasn't very open about it for a lot of reasons. He moved to the edge of the grand mana zone as if to inspect it "Going by reports none of the Azure Deer who have done reconnaissance here have perished, that being said they haven't gone as far as we will need to." he said turning to look at the other three. "So captains, how do you want to approach this?" he asked knowing that they wouldn't be able to stay too long on either side for obvious reasons.
Rank & Element: Junior ¦ Light Class & Type: Relic ¦ Accessory (bracelet) Magic Specializations: Physical Reinforcement ¦ Healing Appearance & Lore: A simple bracelet made out of reinforced glass with an opalite charm dangling from it almost like a pendulum, that gives off a dull light during the day and a bright light during the night preventing any natural shadow from forming.
There is nothing of major historical importance or deep story into where this item came from. The white-haired heir of the Ravencrest family has suffered from terrible day and night terrors since he was young and still does to this day. When asked what is wrong he brushes it off telling people not to worry it was a condition he had. He will never go into the terrible things he sees, in fact, he personally wishes he could forget he quickly realized that his perfect memory was a double edge sword and at times he truly wished he didn't have it.
His elder sister Lydia was the first to realize that it happened more when he was in an emotional state or surrounded by darkness. She also realized that he refused to sleep unless every light source he could find was active or he would sleep outside under the sun during the day, this wasn't optimal as he was to be trained to take over the family if anything were to happen to Lydia. Still, there wasn't much anyone could think to do to help him as he refused to open up but even if they could that came with a different set of hurdles they had to get over. Hania earlier in his life wouldn't take things from people due to his treatment before being adopted.
It took a while but Lydia finally found a way to help her younger brother, she had a crystal made with light inside and told him to use it when he sleeps. She said it was hers and she just wanted to see if it would help. He was reluctant but she said it only had to be a few days so he accepted. Throughout those few days, he slept somewhat peacefully so it was clear that it helped but not enough, she could only guess that the light wasn't strong enough. She realized this would be fine for a normal child afraid of the dark but it was clear to the pink-haired woman that this wasn't a normal situation.
She personally designed what she believed would help him the most, she chose the materials, their appearance even the opalite that dangles from it. As the bracelet was being made she slowly started to imbue her own element into the glass beads and the opalite as the former was created and the latter was shaped. It took close to a year to complete but Lydia seen it as something that should be done slow and steady, this was to make sure that it was done right the first time and that no matter what it would be near indestructible for whatever he may face in life.
On what is now classed as Hania's eighth birthday after a certain incident happened, she gave him a box, within it laid the bracelet. He was told to keep it with him always as she would be there to keep the darkness at bay and watching over him so he could be at peace while he rested. From that moment he has always kept it with him even if he hasn't always worn it.
Type & Uses: Trigger ¦ 4 Uses Rank & Specialization: Junior ¦ Healing Mana Cost: 8 mana per trigger ¦ 15 recharge Range & Speed: 25m ¦ 10 m/s Stats Affected: +4 Control Description: The pendant starts to pulsate and hovers into his hand, holding almost as if it was a pen or calligraphy brush he writes the name of the person he wants to heal in the air as if he was writing on paper. It seems to stay for a few seconds before disappearing, the moment it does a gentle and warm light forms around the person in question healing them for junior rank damage. With the use of ammo rules, additional peoples names can be written per trigger. While under the ability of this spell it will actively attempt to cleanse any curses, debuffs, hexes, venoms, toxins or poisons that may afflict the uses as per the clashing rules. As this is only a junior rank spell it can do nothing but close minor wounds
Type & Uses: Flow ¦ 3 uses ¦ 2 cooldown Rank & Specialization: Junior ¦ Physical Reinforcement ¦ Healing Mana Cost: 8 ¦ 4 Range & Speed: 25m ¦ 10m/s Stats Affected: +2 Speed (wielder only) Description: Runes of light appear up the outside of the user's legs and arms this allowing them to move 2 m/s faster than they could naturally. The runes give off a warmth that is able to heal for junior rank damage, with the use of ammo rules, the wielder need only hold the pendant and speak a person's name to have it be able to heal them. While under the ability of this spell it will actively attempt to cleanse any curses, debuffs, hexes, venoms, toxins or poisons that may afflict the uses as per the clashing rules. As this is only a junior rank spell it can do nothing but close minor wounds.
Type & Uses: NA Rank & Specialization: Junior ¦ Physical Reinforcement Mana Cost: NA Range & Speed: NA ¦ NA Stats Affected: -- Description: In the beginning, this ability is inactive, it is only with the use and bonding of the item itself a deeper understanding allows the hidden secret left by a sister wanting to protect the younger brother they've treasured for close to thirteen years. This ability will become an imbued speed buff when it ranks to intermediate.
I don't know where the future[break][break] will take us,[break][break] But we will blaze it together.[break][break]
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[attr="class","ardereescroll"] Ardere knelt down as his soft hands pierced the dirt beneath their feet. It looked the same. The texture was the same, yet the mana within it was different. All around them was a buzzing mana, enough to tingle against their skin. The Temporal Grand Magic Zone was no small feat, this was perhaps the most dangerous location in the world now--and they'd have to go in. [break][break] Beyond the red veil that shielded the Zone against their very eyes was a vast nothingness. No grass. No trees. Only the void. Ardere did not exactly know what to make of it, but he did know one thing; they would cross into an entirely different world once they entered. Flashes of the day they stormed the Forgotten Tower ran rampant within his mind. He'd lost more than a friend that day. He'd lost a piece of himself, something he'd since found in the comfort of those around him. If he died today, that would all be for nothing. Aamon would have died for nothing. Varisse would be trapped for nothing. Varisse....a part of his mind still ached for her. Memories of two wars began to blur. Was he remembered the Diamond War or the Daemon War? He could no longer recall. Perhaps he could repair his fractured mind before reaching Asmodeus. Time heals all wounds after all. [break][break] We don't have much choice. We'll have to enter the Zone blind. Turning back to look at it once more, he felt every hair on his body stand up. The Azure Deer reports also mentioned that it might not be the same size once we enter. For all we know, Asmodeus could split us apart from one another. This is basically one big fucking roll of the dice. It was admittedly frustrating for the Captain. They had no idea what to expect. It was far worse than Aamon's Coliseum. At least the host there was more predictable. Asmodeus was....a wild card among the Archdaemon. His true goals were still unclear to them, and the power he'd amassed was unknown to the mages. What do you think, Zave? Dropping the dirt he once clutched back down to the ground, he wiped the remnants from his palm against his pants. [break][break] Salamander began to stir in his chest--he could feel the temporal mana from the magic zone. It had begun to irritate the dragon to an extent. This primal daemon mana reminded him of a battle long ago. We've done it once, old friend. We can do it again. Placing a hand over his heart, Ardere left the big decision up to the Golden Dawn Captain. They'd been friends a long time. He trusted the shadow mage to make the right call.
There was no news of Lydia. Jagen could simply shake his head and lament the fact that he was sending the future of this kingdom to a battle no knight should suffer. Pierce the heavens, young ones. Samson sighed softly as he stood beside his Wizard King. The duo watched their hopes step through a cosmic portal in aims to fight an Archdaemon. They'd need more than luck. They all needed to pray now.[break]
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Good. They're here. Tip. Tap. His staff bounced up and down from the stone beneath his feet as he walked down from his throne and opened up a portal before stepping through. There with a wave of his hand, he opened a door in the Temporal Zone. Two massive gates slowly opened themselves. Even from the base camp, the mages could see it. Echoes of the past pierced their eyes as they were beckoned to enter. Asmodeus cackled. He'd seen this so long ago, hadn't he?
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Should the knights choose to enter the doors to the Temporal Zone, they'd walk through the veil into a void. Here, there was nothing. in the vastness of time and space they found nothing at all, except for Asmodeus standing perhaps ten meters away from them. He looked different, older. The Archdaemon was clearly leaning on his staff, yet there was no weakness to be found. His muscles pulsated with dark mana that emanated murderous intent. Crimson eyes fixed on the Ravencrest, if the knight met his gaze he'd see the Devil himself looking back. As his gaze shifted across Zaven and Griswold, he noticed Ardere. Arching an eyebrow, he seemed both surprised and happy to see the Kasai. Out of all of the timelines....this was not the one I expected. But this is a prize nonetheless, a prize indeed. You, the one who defeated the Champion. Here you stand now before me, a fractured shell of a man. I wonder what you will bring to the table in the stead of your former Vice Captain.
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Lifting his staff from the ground, he held up a hand. Red mana began to pulse out from his fingertips, burning through the void like a blood red flame. If the knights tried to move closer to Asmodeus, they'd find themselves standing right back where they started. We've come a long way since the Tower, haven't we? He said in his raspy voice, directed towards Zaven. The difference is, this time I will succeed. I will remake the world. I will fix it--cleanse its impurities. By the end of this, you will be grateful. But first, let Lucifer have his way with you. If you prove yourselves worthy opponents in this, then I will reward you with a peek into a beautiful past and perhaps a view into a wondrous future. With the snap of a finger, the void they were standing in began to peel away from the canvas of space and time. You have no idea how long I have waited for this. No idea at all. Asmodeus himself began to turn to ash and fade away into the scenery. They did not have much time to gain their bearings as the world around them began to change, shift into a field of faded grass and dirt. This was no ordinary landscape, it was a battlefield. Standing behind them was the Royal Capital and before them was a Palace--a Shining Palace. [break][break] They'd been transported somewhere else, to a very special location; the Diamond War. Dozens of meters away, the explosions rippled throughout. Mages fought and bled together until the bitter end. Asmodeus' voice echoed throughout the area. Humanity. Daemons. They’re all prideful beings. But there is a cost to pride, an ultimate cost. Some are more prepared to pay the Piper than others. Watch as your leaders lay down their lives. Could you do the same? It was exactly as Zaven and Ardere would remember it, except this time the Crimson Lion got to watch what happened outside the Palace. In the distance he saw a familiar face donning a scraggly red beard and battle scars. Before them stood the Captains during the Diamond War, fighting against the Shining Generals. High above them they could feel the movement of the Shining Stone Palace. Behind them they could feel as the former Wizard King Nero utilized all of his magic to protect the Capital from magical cannon fire. It was a Hellscape, a Memory, a look into the past.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Hearing those words, they rang out in his mind first…that they did it before, and they could do it again. Zaven remembered that event VERY differently and he sighed to himself and nodded. ”We remember that event in two different accounts…I died and came back as I held the stairs and did not allow any daemons to bite at your ankles…you watched Silas die. Issue is I came back and he was lost. For me this is all about putting this bastard into the ground so that nobody else will remember him…” He said this solemnly as he knew his reasoning was a bit flawed, but he had a capable team with him and they could overcome any challenge together, and that was the exact thought going through his head after he spoke. The other two mages joined the front and were able to get a look at what lay before them. As he was about to speak about what to do next, the archdaemon made its move. [break][break]
His entrance was as grand as the mana zone he erected and his speech…he did not care that they were there, but he focused on Ardere and was goading him…something that Zaven would not stand for. ”Just you wait you fuck, I will make sure we all get to you and you get what is yours.” He was angered, his powerful aura spread out from his body, he was no longer terrified of daemons…he had become numb. Asmodeous continued as he pointed his staff towards Zaven and spoke in that tone of his, it was like nails on a chalkboard to him as his eyebrow twitched. ”As I said before you pompous ass…your fate was sealed the moment the four of us arrived. Our shared pasts will lead us to a glorious future…one where you and the other daemons do NOT belong.” He was ready to lash out at that moment, but he could tell…this was some kind of trap, and the mages here…he had to not endanger their lives. Then a simple snap, a gesture to signal change, to show one had the upper hand…a sign… [break][break]
He remembered this place, the words of the archdaemon slowly became a mumble as Zaven could see the Shining Stone Palace, the invasion of the Diamond army, the Shining Generals…the captains versus the mana beasts and their own nemesis. He grit his teeth as he remembered this moment. It was just after the captains, royal knights, and other mages entered the floating fortress. The wizard king Nero, was projecting his entire stock of mana and power, they were here for a reason…they had to fix this. ”Ardere, this is…exactly as I remember it…there is a reason he sent us back…We have to figure this out…” He remembered the fear of nearly dying in his fight…he remembered killing countless mages, he remembered doing…horrible things. His sanity was strong, but his convictions only made his anger swell.
Wandering about the camp for a bit, it did not seem like the people here had been encountering a whole lot of hardship. Or rather, they all seemed unharmed in the physical sense. Sure, one might argue that being stationed next to a newly formed magic region housing an archdemon would do a number on someone’s psyche, though that was the kind of thing they might be able to let go of once the team of royal knights finished off that same archdemon once and for all. Whether they would be successful however remained to be seen. The fact that this particular team packed a lot more fire power than the previous one, Ardere did not seem up to the task, while this team had likely been assembled the way that it had because this particular archdemon was either more powerful or a more tricky opponent than Aamon. But as he knew next to nothing about him, he parked that thought for later.
When Hania brought up a memory from a very different time in his life where he still did not believe in werewolves, vampires or demons, writing them all off as old wives tales, he knew quite well what had happened to him in the past. How his family and home had disappeared, cleansed off of the earth as though no building had ever been built there. At the time, it had more or less been mentioned that demons had been the cause of it, though it hadn’t made a whole lot of sense to him. In fact, the fight against Aamon and his many demon lackeys had been an eye opener for him, allowing him to get to know various types of demons and learning that they were in fact, very very real. So when it was brought up that the archdemon they were chasing right now was the cause of, or rather, the start of all of the hardships he had faced so far in his life, it brought about a certain level of anger that got swept back about as soon as it surfaced.
“I see… thank you for informing me about that. Sooner or later, that monster will get what is coming to him, though I see no point in letting this knowledge rattle me into rushing in blindly. At least not until I actually stand face to face with that thing, at which point I guess we’ll see what happens.”
As he spoke with Hania, his hearing picked up that Zaven and Ardere were still conversing with one another as though no one else was in the room, which was odd considering there were four royal knights here, surrounded by a lot of others. Clearly having a lot of old hurt that needed addressing, he did not want to be the one to tell them to break out of it and inform them that they had a job to do. For at the end of the day, while they were all royal knights, two of them were Captains while the other was a vice Captain. As such, he imagined all three of them knew quite well what was at risk here, as well as being capable at leading, so much so that someone like himself would not need to point out a thing. Once they began moving forward, making their way towards the new magic region, it was not long before they were sensed and almost instantly responded to. Speaking to all of them, some more than others as he himself was not named, it quickly became clear to Griswold that this incursion had now begun.
Appearing within a black void that formed as soon as they entered the boundaries of this new zone, the visage of this demon, as well as the manner in which he spoke was as different from Aamon as night was from day. Making claims regarding a ‘lucifer’ and a statement about how he would reward them with a vision into the past or the future if they proved themselves worthy enough as opponents, Griswold just scoffed at the notion. He had not come here to play games, but if it was a fight that this thing wanted, a fight was what it was going to get. In truth, he did not care at all for all of the things that he said as it did not involve him, having no idea what kind of tower he had even been referring to. Then, with a snap of his finger, the dark surrounding them began to peel away, making place for something entirely different as they were taken elsewhere. And in that moment, something Griswold had been pondering on was proven to be true.
For when one managed to manipulate time, they managed to manipulate the space around it as well, or so he had deduced. And now that they were taken to what seemed like Clover, there was a massive palace to be seen. Then in an instant, his ears were starting to get flooded with the sounds of clashing weaponry, spells being fired and people and objects alike exploding. Trying to keep up with this sudden influx of stimuli, his head almost rotated from side to side like an owl as he took in the sights of something he had never experienced before in his life. This was war. They were on a battleground that would decide whether one or the other army would be the victor, and whoever owned the palace was more than likely to be the aggressor. If this were to be the diamond war he had heard mentions of, it seemed like them being here now, with some of them being here ‘again’, could have dire ramifications for the timeline.
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