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Post by GX1997 on Mar 29, 2015 20:21:48 GMT -6
"No, just consider what we already know. Obviously they're far more cunning than we ever imagined. This place is very well hidden. They didn't leave any clues as to their location. And even now, it's so hard to see any traces of life within that fortress. Everything, including the way they've manipulated this area as a way to hide and to defend themselves... They certainly don't want to be found. And they'll most likely go to great lengths to be prepared in case they are ever found. If you go in there alone, and they even begin to suspect that there are others nearby, they'll hunt you down, but not before they find us. They'll have strategies to search this forest and the valley, and they'll know the terrain well enough to know where every possible hiding spot is."
"And while it is unlikely that they could pose much of a threat to you, if this scenario happens, they'll find us, and then they have leverage to use in order to subdue you, Vincent. And they will capture us when they find us. We may be capable fighters, but Irving and I would be at a huge disadvantage. They'll drastically outnumber us, they'll surround us, they'll be better armed than we will, and if they so choose to use it, they can use the element of surprise to their advantage. We would be sitting ducks," Elia said grimly.
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Post by Neo on Mar 29, 2015 20:35:53 GMT -6
A wide grin spread across Vincent's face. "It seems someone was paying attention to my lessons after all," he says proudly. He turns to Irving. "And do you have anything to add? What would your first move be?"
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Post by empireoffire on Mar 29, 2015 20:59:29 GMT -6
Irving grunted.
Well, since you appear to be the great and powerful guy that you seem to be, how about you go and tear the place apart on your own while Rosetta and I go somewhere far enough where they won't find us and drink tea in the meantime? Why was I hired when she knows you, anyway?
"You can take point while the two of us watch your back", he suggested. "If it's 'unlikely that they could pose much of a threat to you' you can take them down while the two of us stay about a room behind. That way we won't be easily ambushed out here in the wilderness and be captured as hostages. Plus we can watch for others coming after you from behind, like if there's a party returning at the worst time, or hurry in and help ya if there's a Type-1 or somethin' inside.
I'm just saying, if I'm gonna be lookin' out fer possible surprise attacks, I feel better being be in a room or hall with limited entry points in there than wait out here waitin' to be jumped from nine different directions at once.
...Of course, worse case would be if there were some of 'em hiding out here right now, listening to our every word, ready to pounce when we split up."
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 29, 2015 21:54:54 GMT -6
"I agree with letting Vincent lead once we get inside, but I think we could possibly stick closer together, especially if... Especially if we use their own location and habits against them," Elia said, holding her chin and turning to survey the valley again as she thought.
"See how much sunlight the valley blocks out naturally? Well, I imagine it's even darker at night, especially on nights like it will be tonight, since the moon is completing it's cycle and is about to enter the new moon phase again. There should only be a sliver tonight at the most. That would leave several locations in the valley pitch black. There's still a chance that a particularly skilled lookout could see something moving if they wer aided by magick, and I'm sure they'll have at least one watching the valley at night. Vincent can make illusions of darkness, but they're too dark to blend in if there's any moonlight in an area. A lookout would notice three clouds of darkness moving through the valley, and our cover would be blown. But if we're already walking through areas where the darkest shadows naturally exist, they couldn't possibly tell if it got darker in those areas."
"So that takes care of how to get inside unnoticed. Once were are inside, things will be a little trickier, but considering the habits they already display, I think they'll once again be working in our favor. If they already avoid using any sort of light in areas that can be seen from outside during the day, they'll use even less light at night, making it easy to move unseen through the interior without being seen. It won't be easy to find our way, but if we stick very close together, at least we won't get seperated. It will be just a difficult for those people to move around at night as it will be for us, so that's just extra assuarance that most will be asleep, or at least very deep in the fortress. So if we can just get far enough inside so we can't be detected by anyone else outside, and find a good place where we could defend ourselves in a fight, then all that would be left is to let them come to us, whether because we choose to alart them and force them to search for us, or because we allow them to find us in the morning. Either way, if we set it up right, it could be our best chance... I can create small amounts of light to guide us as long as Vincent is using his illusion. And even in a fight, we could make it so they can't see us, but we can see them from whatever little position we choose to use in order to defend ourselves."
Elia then looked to Irving, and studied his weapon. "Your weapon can be used for ranged fighting, correct? And it's more advanced than a crossbow? If we could find a place inside the fortress with say, a long corridor, and we could set up a one way illusion so they can't see us, but we could see anyone in the corridor... Would that be an ideal scenario for you to use that weapon? Vincent could face any enemies that are at close range, as you suggested. I could use support magick, and some ranged magick as well to help buy you time between shots. This is basically what you had in mind with your plan? It's the most sound tactic for the battle that I can think of, and I support it wholeheartedly. And if you have other ideas for how I could use my magick in the fight that would ultimately be more beneficial, I would very much like to hear them. You're the one with experience fighting, not I, so I value the tactics others have learned and proven firsthand."
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Post by empireoffire on Mar 29, 2015 22:13:48 GMT -6
We ignoring my thing about being eavesdropped? Okay.
"The one-way illusion thing is okay with me", said Irving, "but the thing about my weapon is that it makes a loud bang every time I shoot and you can usually see lights that the weapon and the... what's the word... projec-til? Yeah, the projec-tils make a light after shot, so they'll eventually figure out what's going on if the illusion isn't completely perfect."
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 29, 2015 22:32:15 GMT -6
"Well, as long as the illusion stays in place, I know that at least the sound shouldn't be a problem. At it's worst, all it would do is draw more of them into the corridor, where they would be easy prey," she said as she went back to studying the valley.
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Post by Neo on Mar 30, 2015 2:09:28 GMT -6
"That could definitely work," Vincent agrees, nodding in approval. "But maintaining a perfect illusion for any extended period of time will significantly reduce my effectiveness in combat. As long as we don't come across any mages in the lower Circles, I should be fine. But if we do come across a Type 4, 3, or 1... Then I may be forced to dispel the illusion in order to deal with them. Unless, of course, they're about as strong as fresh-off-the-block apprentices. In that case, feel free to completely disregard my previous statement."
He grins slightly, though a small shred of worry could be seen behind his grin, if one knew where to look. Vincent turns to briefly study the valley as well, searching for the best approach come nightfall, and as he does so, he projects his thoughts into Elia's mind.
Forgive my intrusion, Yekiri... But I need to speak with you in private. There's something about this whole thing that seems off to me, but I can't place what it is. I want you to promise me you'll follow my orders to the letter in there... No matter what that order may be. If I tell you to run, and leave me behind, I need to know you can do it.
His eyes finally spot what he was looking for; a narrow crevice carved into the rockface, like a jagged scar, on the mountain opposite the bandit stronghold. It looked just big enough to fit them, if they entered one at a time, and it wasn't that far away. It was also camouflaged quite well, in that way only nature can, and would make an excellent defensive position, even if the bandits know about it. The only thing they might have to worry about is the cave's stability...
"You don't have to worry about ambushes, or potential eavesdropping, Irving. If there was anyone nearby, I would have detected them before we even entered the valley. And no one is using magic to listen in, either. That too, I would have detected immediately. But even so... I don't fancy staying behind this one rock, out in the open, until nightfall."
He points to the crevice he found. "Look there. You would only notice it if you were looking for it, and I'm almost certain that leads to a cave. I'm going to go check it out."
Before either of his companions can object, he literally melts into darkness before their very eyes, essentially becoming invisible to all but the most advanced magic; unless you already knew he was there, even the best trained eye would skim right past him.
Vincent quickly moves across the valley, keeping low to the ground and staying in the shadow of the mountain, until he reaches the crevice. He slides himself inside with only minimal difficulty, and discovers his hunch was right; it did indeed lead to a cave, and one of considerable size at that. He returns to his companions as quickly as he left, having been gone barely a minute.
"I was right," he says, stepping out of the shadows. "It leads to a rather sizeable cave. I think it's safe to assume the bandits know it's there, but unless they get wind of us, that won't matter. I can safely cloak all of us in shadow, so we can reach the cave unseen, but I'll leave the final verdict to you two. Do we wait out here, or in the cave?"
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Post by empireoffire on Mar 30, 2015 2:50:32 GMT -6
Again, why am I here when he can do everything?
"I'd feel better in the cave with the entrances easier to guard and stand watch toward, answered Irving. "I feel vulnerable here in the open."
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 30, 2015 14:59:45 GMT -6
"I already wanted to find someplace where we could hide and not be found, so I'm in favor of using the cave for shelter," Elia said.
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Post by Neo on Mar 30, 2015 16:14:42 GMT -6
"Good, we're agreed then," Vincent says. "Make sure you hold your breath for the first few seconds. And that goes for the both of you. The first time Shadow Travelling can be a bit... Jarring."
He waits for them to nod, before using his powers to cloak them in shadows. The world of light fades away, revealing a gloomy world of grays and bleeding shadows, a world completely devoid of all color and substance. For the untrained, and those who were used to the world of light, the world of shadows was like a suffocating bog; merely walking in it took considerable effort. But for Elia, he imagined it must be even worse, with her being a Type 1...
Vincent temporarily forces his concern aside, and leads his companions into the cave. For them, it probably felt like it took hours to reach the cave, such is the nature of the world of shadows. But in reality, time was shortened, not lengthened; it only took a few seconds.
Once inside, Vincent immediately brought them back into the world of light, and went to Elia's side. "Are you alright?"
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 30, 2015 16:56:52 GMT -6
Elia was struggling to process the shifts between light and darkness. Being in the shadow world was particularly hard for her, and she felt like she was choking, unable to get any air at all. And even now that she was back in the light she was still in pain, as if she had been holding her breath or maybe even drowning. Her face was ashen, and she seemed faint.
"I... I will be. I just need a few minutes to rest," she said, then after a minute of thought she spoke again, nearly drifting off to sleep, and likely not even fully aware of what she was saying, "Yeah, I just need a few hours to rest, then I'll be fine..."
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Post by empireoffire on Mar 30, 2015 17:40:54 GMT -6
Irving stumbled around as he looked for the cliff wall for support. He got enough of his bearings straight to see Vincent going straight to asking Rosetta if she is alright.
You know, I've seen that sort of behavior between a "customer" and the "merchandise" before, so I think... I think I'm gonna...
Irving stumbled to a corner behind a stalagmite and vomited, the effects and nausea of the shadow travel catching up to him.
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Post by Neo on Mar 30, 2015 17:58:13 GMT -6
As Elia nearly collapsed into his arms, he softly shushed her, and gently picked her up. He carried her to the back wall and gently set her down, propping her up against the wall. He then took off his cloak and draped it over her like a blanket. "Rest now, Yekiri."
He then turns to Irving, who was busy puking his guts out in a corner. "You're more resilient than most," Vincent says thoughtfully, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Most mages without the proper training, even Type 2s like us, are hit much harder by their first experience in the Shadow World. Although, admittedly, most aren't affected nearly as much as my poor student. In hindsight, perhaps travelling so soon was a bad idea. We'll have to wait until you both recover."
He sits down next to Elia, and sighs. "You should rest while you can. We'll begin the assault at midnight."
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Post by empireoffire on Mar 30, 2015 18:19:56 GMT -6
Once he was done, Irving coughed and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.
I'm fine. Thanks for asking.
Still not completely re-orientated, Irving stood back up.
I'll stay out of yer hair for a while, then.
"...I'll just go watch the entrance", he said dully. "...Just in case."
He trudged away toward the entrance to the cave; remaining out of sight from someone looking at the cave from afar, but able to see anyone poking their head inside. He took a seat on a small rock and put his ryfel on his lap.
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 30, 2015 18:29:53 GMT -6
"Is it okay for me to be really scared about the fight? I can't shake this sense of foreboding that I have," Elia asked, clearly troubled.
The last time I got into a fight, I lost control, and then the time before that too. And when I fought Alucard as well. The fight against Alucard ended so badly too... If something like that ever happens again, I won't have anyone nearby to heal me. Then what? Maybe never be able to walk again?
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Post by Neo on Mar 30, 2015 18:39:37 GMT -6
"Of course it's okay," Vincent quickly reassures her. "I'd be worried if you weren't at least a little scared. But this is different from before. You're different now. And I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 30, 2015 18:53:30 GMT -6
Despite Vincent's attempts to reassure her, Elia felt he still hadn't answered the question that plagued her most; was she the only one who was scared? If she wasn't the only one, she thought she might feel a little better. Or at the very least, she wouldn't feel weak and alone.
"Are you scared? Is Irving scared?"
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Post by Neo on Mar 30, 2015 19:07:07 GMT -6
Vincent closes his eyes and gives a light laugh. "Fear isn't a weakness, Yekiri. It's proof that we're alive, and that's something to be cherished. You can turn that fear into your strength, and use it to drive you forward. You, of all people, can do that. But to answer your question, yes, I am scared. Only priests and fools do not feel fear, and I am neither."
What he didn't tell her, is that he was scared not of the coming battle, but of losing her.
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Post by GX1997 on Mar 30, 2015 20:08:48 GMT -6
"Please, be careful during the fight."
With nothing else to say, Elia finally drifted off into a troubled sleep. At first she simply dreamed of darkness, but then of people who seemed to represent darkness itself, which worried her far more. With such nightmares she would have already forced herself to wake up, but she was too deeply asleep by that time. Eventually she found relief from the nightmares, but only for a few moments, because afterwards she begin to see memories of her fight with Alucard, bringing back all of her fears...
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Post by Neo on Mar 30, 2015 21:24:57 GMT -6
Vincent could sense Elia's distress, even in her sleep, and it pained him greatly. He pulled her close, and tenderly laid her head in his lap. He whispered everything would be fine- which he truly believed- and then looked up towards Irving, leaving a single hand buried gently in Elia's hair.
"Tell me, Sir Mercenary, where do you hail from, if you don't mind me asking? We don't see many mercenaries around the Jorkun peaks, and the few we do see aren't nearly as armed as you. Most are barely better than common brigands, in both skill and manners. But you appear to be a different sort, and for that I am grateful."
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