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Post by Neo on Jun 15, 2015 21:24:12 GMT -6
He bows his head respectfully. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to pry. I was only curious."
Years ago? Hmm...
He remains silent for a few moments, then says, "It will be a bit before we reach Ambrosia, Eden. Why don't you try to get some rest? I'll wake you when we get there."
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 15, 2015 21:36:16 GMT -6
"I'm not tired, actually," Eden said.
Why are the swords so interesting to him? And... why was he able to move them?
"I've been wondering about something. You're interested in these swords. Why is that? What do you know about them?" she asked nicely, a rare thing.
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Post by Neo on Jun 15, 2015 21:57:15 GMT -6
"What makes you think I know anything about them?" He countered, raising an eyebrow and turning back to her. "I was merely curious, that's all. It's not often one sees such beautifully crafted blades."
She's being nice... What made her suspicious? There's no way she could suspect something just from my curiosity... So what am I missing? What does she know that I don't?
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 15, 2015 22:15:20 GMT -6
"That's funny... Would you say that you believe in coincidences, Orion?" she asked.
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Post by Neo on Jun 15, 2015 22:25:19 GMT -6
Wow... I haven't been backed into a corner in a long time. Especially for a reason I don't know. I'm kinda impressed.
"No," he answers honestly, his calm smile completely unfazed. "I don't believe the universe is that lazy. Why do you ask?"
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 15, 2015 22:43:55 GMT -6
Eden made a sound that seemed to be a scoff, but she was actually quite amused. "I saw you looking at the swords with overwhelming curiosity shortly after we first met. You haven't done a very good job of hiding the fact that you've been dying to ask me about them. And now you're asking me about the swords, because you probably assume that I'm more likely to open up about them now. All of this, on its own, is not suspicious. But... I happen to know just how peculiar the swords really are, and how I've been the only person who is able to even lift them. But when I think back to that moment when I first woke up in the inn, the swords were there, and I knew that meant that you had moved them."
If you can tell me something about them, then I'll tell you how I came to own them.
"So this brings me to my point. You know that they're not normal swords, which is something you shouldn't have realized because to you, being able to lift them, have never seen or experienced any of the things which indicate that they are abnormal. And I don't believe in coincidence either. That's how I know that you have prior knowledge of these swords and their... quirks. And should you share such useful knowledge with me, I would find myself in your debt, and might be willing to answer the questions that are plaguing you with a burning curiosity in order to repay my debt to you."
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Post by Neo on Jun 15, 2015 23:08:24 GMT -6
Now... How do I get myself out of this one? I'm not... Quite sure I trust her enough to reveal the truth, but charming my way out of this isn't going to work, not on her... Ah, wait... I have an idea. Time to test my acting abilities, then.
"They were forged by an old friend of mine," Orion answers quietly, a very distant look in his eyes. "He was the son of a legendary blacksmith and enchanter, and he inherited his father's skills. Or... So he thought. He worked for weeks straight, with no rest, to create what would be his 'masterpieces'. However, when he finally finished... He discovered that his masterpieces were barely better than his father's normal works. In his anger, he threw the swords off the peak of a mountain. This was... Five years ago, maybe? So, imagine my surprise, when I find you with these same swords, and learn that they actually contain considerable Magic Energy, and are far sharper and more well made than when I last saw them."
He takes a deep breath, and appears to think for a long moment. "Actually... Now that I think about it... It might be because of the kind of magic he used to enchant them. How much do you know about the enchanting process, Eden?"
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 15, 2015 23:12:08 GMT -6
"Not very much," she said.
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Post by Neo on Jun 15, 2015 23:36:03 GMT -6
He nods. For a Wizard who wasn't an Enchanter herself, that was perfectly understandable. "Enchanting is the process of infusing magic into weapons, armor, clothes or other items. Essentially, it's the process of creating Holder Magic. It's a bit more complicated than that, but that's the general idea. Now, most Enchanters infuse only Caster Magic into a weapon, after the fact, when the original weapon is already forged. But my friend... He wanted to create an artifact to rival the artifacts of legend and lore. So he infused his own Caster Magic into the swords while he was forging them. He infused other Holder Magic into them, something that's almost never done. But most shocking of all... He tried to infuse Lost Magic into the swords. I don't know what kind, but according to him, that's what ruined the swords... So he thought."
Orion reached over to briefly touch the fire sword's hilt, and for a moment, the emotion on his face was real. It was his own. "And yet... It appears he was successful after all."
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 15, 2015 23:39:09 GMT -6
"Apparently you were," she said, revealing that she wasn't fooled by his attempts to mislead her and claim that he wasn't the one who forged the swords.
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Post by Neo on Jun 16, 2015 0:26:35 GMT -6
Orion merely stared at her for a long moment. He didn't know what to say, or how to feel, or what to think, and that wasn't like him. The confusion was evident in his eyes, and for that one moment, he was truly vulnerable. All of his many masks, his charm, his façades, his false smile, everything, for that single moment, it all vanished, leaving behind an empty shell of a man who understood only pain and suffering. Suddenly, he was a boy again, watching his entire world burn down around him. Then, it all came rushing back like a flood, and a vast darkness and terrifying anger could be seen in his eyes.
The moment passed and Orion swiftly composed himself, like nothing happened. He turned away and leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes.
"That knowledge is far more dangerous than you know," he says quietly. "Secrets are secrets for a reason, Eden Perreault. Sometimes, even if you know better, it's best to play along. Some doors just aren't meant to be opened."
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Post by Neo on Jun 16, 2015 16:43:57 GMT -6
Orion was guarded and distant around Eden for a while after the incident on the bus, but it wasn't that long before he opened up again and was back to his normal self. He did want her to trust him, and, oddly enough, it was almost... A relief that someone knew something about him. It meant he didn't have to hide everything from her, or lie to her about everything, and that lifted a heavy weight off his shoulders.
They didn't spend nearly as long in Ambrosia as he originally thought they would. It was kind of a shame really, because he really did enjoy Eden's company, and he would have loved the chance to wander around the city and just see the sights with her. But he was on a job, and so he kept that desire to himself. Maybe some day.
They found the ingredients he needed easily enough, but tracking down an Abnormality proved even more difficult than he thought, which was saying something. The various Magic and Warrior Guilds he and Eden visited were open and friendly enough, but no one had anything more substantial than rumors. Orion was almost ready to give up and use his last resort option, when they finally found something. By pure luck, he and Eden were discussing what they were going to do next when they passed by a fellow travelling Wizard. The Wizard overheard, and told them of an extremely large Behemoth he saw on the plains just east of Elmsdale Forest. From the look on Eden's face when Orion asked the man to describe the beast, it was safe to say this was the same Abnormality that nearly killed her before.
It took them only a couple hours to reach Elmsdale by taxi, and from there, they set off into the familiar forest on foot. Soon, the wide open plains beyond could be seen between the gaps in the trees, and in the distance, they could see an oddly shaped dark red and black mountain, rising high into the sky. And the mountain appeared to breathing. The Behemoth.
"Is that the one you fought before?" He asks Eden quietly.
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 16, 2015 17:00:55 GMT -6
"I'm not sure. I would have to see if it has wounds matching the one I fought. But I really don't think there could be a lot like it in such a small area," she said quietly, showing a little fear for once.
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Post by Neo on Jun 16, 2015 17:15:10 GMT -6
Orion nods, and smiles reassuringly. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. You aren't alone now."
He moves closer to study the giant Behemoth, but still sticks close to the treeline. The beast was truly massive, with a long spiked tail, large four-clawed paws almost like a cat, and a huge horned head. He could sense a rather large amount of Magic Power in the beast, but thankfully, it was asleep. A plan began to form in Orion's mind.
"You stay here," he tells Eden. "I'll lure it back into the forest, which will greatly restrict its movement. As long as we stay out of its range, we'll be fine. Stick to the trees and keep moving. I'll take point and keep the Behemoth's focus on me, while you provide support. Ready?"
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 16, 2015 17:19:43 GMT -6
"Ready," Eden confirmed with a nod.
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Post by Neo on Jun 16, 2015 18:10:54 GMT -6
Orion nods back, smiles, and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. Then, he walks out onto the open plains, straight towards the sleeping Behemoth, his smile vanishing. Once he's about halfway between the forest and the sleeping Abnormality, he stops. For a moment, he does nothing. A sudden wind sweeps across the plains.
Then, Orion's hands move like a blur, and a split second later, a giant silver magic sigil appeared in the sky above him. "Come forth, treasury of the Demon King. Rain down your divine hellfire upon mine enemies. Gate of Babylon, activate!"
Countless glowing weapons of pure light emerged from the portal and shot towards the monster, turning into piercing beams of light. The beams collided into the Behemoth with tremendous force and exploded on impact, resulting in a giant explosion of light, fire, and smoke. The Behemoth roared in agony and rage, and Orion lingered only for a moment, just to make sure the Behemoth saw him. Then, light magic burst from his hands and feet, propelling him into the air, if a bit awkwardly.
This is going to be tricky. I haven't flown in quite a while.
Despite the awkward liftoff, he managed to swiftly right himself midair, and turn back towards the forest. The light from his hands and feet enveloped him, changing to a silver aura, as he remembered how to control and conserve his magic. It's because I haven't fought at full strength in so long. My body is a bit sluggish. However...
He rocketed back towards the forest, flying low to the ground, as the earth shook and trembled from the Behemoth chasing him. ... I've always been a quick study!
It roared again, unleashing a massive shockwave that kicked up a windstorm and knocked him off balance. It took him a few moments, and he nearly crashed, but he managed to catch himself in time, just barely.
"GO! Scatter!" He yelled to Eden, as soon as he was in shouting distance. "Just make sure to stay in sight! We'll split up, and flank it from both sides!"
He reached her a few seconds later and banked left, while Eden went right. The Behemoth crashed into the trees mere moments later.
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 16, 2015 18:56:41 GMT -6
"Hey, listen, if I tell you to do something, just do it. It means I've seen an opening or something to avoid while divining, okay?" she called.
Might as well start this battle with an advantage.
Once she was near the behemoth's back Eden stopped, then put her hands together as she focused. After a moment she pulled her hands apart and held them as if she was holding some sort of sphere, then made a tossing motion towards the monster as she called out her spell. "Water Spirit's Mirror!"
The behemoth was encased in a large bubble, suspended in the air. Eden jumped into the air and used a small amount of water to jump again in midair and propel herself high up above the bubble trapping the behemoth. Shortly before she began to descend she twirled and directed herself so she would land on the bubble, and once again manipulated water, this time to slow her descent as she landed. The interesting thing about the bubble was that it was not easy for a monster to break out of it, but any outside force would pop it, except for the caster, so she was able to safely stand above the monster. She touched her palms to the surface of the bubble and began to divine.
So we won't have trouble right away, but within the first two minutes of the fight things will pick up, making it a crucial time for us if we're going to gain the upper hand and slay the behemoth...
Having learned all she could from that and knowing that she had to do something she drew her blade that was enchanted with ice magic. She held it horizontally with one hand on the hilt and placed the other about an inch away from the blade itself, channelling the magic energy contained within, until finally she pressed it against the surface of the bubble, freezing it solid.
"Orion, stay sharp! In roughly a minute and a half it will start fighting with all its might. Our response will likely determine the outcome of the fight, so be ready!" she yelled as she jumped back to the ground and cleared the way for Orion to attack, having bought him enough time to prepare any spell he might use. "I only froze the bubble, not the monster, so it won't take much force to destroy the ice and set it free. You'll have a brief opening in which it will be bewildered and highly vulnerable. Make it count."
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Post by Neo on Jun 16, 2015 19:35:29 GMT -6
"Acknowledged!" Orion called back, in a military tone that was rather surprising from a priest.
Orion's magic power suddenly spiked, and three magic sigils appeared around the frozen Behemoth, one on each side and one above it, and a fourth, larger sigil appeared on the ground beneath it. "O Divine Light that circles through the heavens, gather here and now, in this place and time, and unleash your glory upon the world. Grand Cross!!!"
Beams of light exploded from the four sigils, creating a massive cross that lit up the sky. The Behemoth roared, but it's roar was drowned under a storm of light, water, and ice. It crashed to the forest floor with a sound like thunder, gravely injured, smoke pouring from its body. It tried to stand, but its legs buckled and it collapsed again. Orion landed on the ground himself, unsheathed his katana and calmly approached the beast, walking right up to its head. It growled and snapped at him, but it could barely move.
"It will be quick," Orion says quietly. He raises his katana to strike, when the Behemoth's gaping maw suddenly opens wide. His eyes widened as he noticed a faint orange glow, just before the Behemoth fired. He was barely able to react in time, bringing up a defensive wall of light, but the massive blast of fire easily shattered his hasty barrier, sending him flying backwards into a nearby tree, his sword spinning off in a different direction.
A strange, ominous aura of darkness suddenly enveloped the Behemoth, and it effortlessly rose to its feet, roaring in rage. The mighty roar conjured a shockwave that dwarfed the one before.
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Post by GX1997 on Jun 16, 2015 20:00:34 GMT -6
"See what I meant!? Now... Water Spirit's Mischief!"
As Eden cast her spell all the water and ice that had scattered over the battlefield after Orion's attack rapidly heated and evaporated, creating a large amount of steam that enveloped the behemoth.
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Post by Neo on Jun 16, 2015 21:00:20 GMT -6
Orion groaned as he rose to his feet. His clothes were smoking, but still intact, and he was going to have some nasty bruises and a really sore body in the morning, but thankfully, his barrier had saved him from any serious harm. Damn, that stings... We need to end this quickly.
The Behemoth bucked around wildly in the thick steam, snapping blindly in random directions, and Orion seized the opportunity. Magic sigils appeared around his hands, and a single large sigil appeared beneath the Behemoth. "Demon Cage!"
Chains of burning white light shot up from the ground to bind and ensnare the Behemoth, forcing it to the ground. It thrashed furiously against the spell, and the more it did, the more the chains dug into its skin. The beast howled in agony.
"This won't hold it for long!" He called out to Eden, a bead of sweat dripping from his brow. "And those two spells took a lot out of me! We need to end this now, or we might be in trouble! Are you ready?!"
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