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Post by Vyt: Down, but Not Out on Nov 22, 2008 21:31:53 GMT -5
His hands already full of his own energy, Cat Assassin could even feel the weight of his power from both hands. "This will be a big blast. Watch out for any debris," he warned Celestial before bracing himself for the jump. The height of the ceiling did not give him any reason to put more energy below his feet, luckily. He could jump normally and still be able to reach the ground from below.
"Here goes!"
Cat Assassin brought his hands together above his head and took off, piercing his way through the rocky soil. His energy was so concentrated that it left enough room for Celestial to follow with her large dragon wings. It was such a shame that he can only use barely a quarter of that power whenever he fights; his mentor warned him of the burden this ability gives off to his balance and coordination when too much is used.
Satisfied that his action had created a big hole through the ground, Cat Assassin made it a point to step aside for Celestial. It was only then that he realized he was standing on the center of a crowd.
"Oh Felicity," he sighed.
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Post by Kat on Nov 23, 2008 7:25:38 GMT -5
"Mister, why am I here? Why is your... friend... angry at me?"
The Leader put down his sandwich. He knew that sooner or later, they would start discussing her powers and pretty much everything else about her; a child of her age, pure human or no, would definitely be that curious. He sighed, and tried to choose his words carefully. A wrong one could spell trouble, but at least there was Lireo to help with damage control. But still...
"Don't worry about my friend. She will not do anything unless I tell her to. Forgive me; I was unable to stop her." He gave Lireo a look that clearly said, "Play along and say sorry."
Taking his sandwich again, he added, "You are here because you have a very special talent, and we are always looking for those who are gifted. As you probably know, we are perfectly aware of your power to converse with souls. It is not something normal. You, Cylak, are very special. And we, the Mageri, are constantly on a quest for magical knowledge, and you can help us. Please, tell me more about your power."
He gave Lireo another discreet look that told her to keep quiet about the Mageri's principles on non-humans and powers that messed with nature. Cylak did not have to know any of that...for now. Besides, as long as he played up all the good parts, he could convince this strange cow to join the Mageri, and there would be no trouble.
* * *
There was a cat. A biped cat standing in the middle of their Hall. Some of the Mageri whispered among themselves, a few were about to panic when their calmer comrades stepped in, and others got ready for battle, all sorts of weapons at the ready.
Evandra tried her best to keep her cool. The Leader trusted her, and she couldn't let him down. Thankfully since his office roved about the headquarters of the Mageri, it was highly unlikely that he could be found.
She passed the net holding Slothbird to Castor and gave him hushed instructions to lock the doors. Then she raised her hands, creating a glistening silver lasso and hurling it towards the cat, hoping to grab and interrogate him properly before all hell broke loose.
The Leader should have nothing to worry about.
* * *
Kat thought for a moment as she paused before the doors of the library. She wondered how everyone else was doing, so she decided to send Celestial a telepathic message.
Cele, this is Kat. I hate to break into your head, but what's going on over there? Things have been quiet so far, though the Manor managed to detect a bit of...prying.
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Post by Celestial on Nov 23, 2008 8:51:44 GMT -5
"This will be a big blast. Watch out for any debris," Cat Assasin said, focusing his energy. Celestial nodded, creating an air shield around herself. She watched Cat Assasin prepare to jump and readied her own wings so she could follow him.
The blast was more than she expected for sure. Cat Assasin shot up like a bullet and as soon as Celestial was sure there were no more rocks falling, she took off as quickly as she possibly could, leaving the rubble and dust behind. Using air magic, she propelled herself faster and faster up the tunnel.
It was too fast. She shot out of the hole and only an air cushion prevented her from hitting the ceiling and passing out. Yet she got a good view of the crowd gathered around Cat Assasin. They were looking at him with confusion and hatred. It seemed there was not a single one of them who was in any way an animal, only humans. If these are the infamous Mageri... Celestial did not want to think about it.
One of the people below raised her hands and created something silver, a lasso, that she threw at Cat Assasin. Celestial did not think twice about it, this was where the instinct of her dragon side took over. It was an aggressive move against her friend.
"Oh no you don't!" Celestial screeched and sent a gale-force burst of wind that knocked the lasso away from Cat Assasin. She landed in front of him, magic ready in case anybody else tried to attack them. A thought stirred in her brain thought but it was not Overlord's, this was a stranger pattern.
Cele, this is Kat. I hate to break into your head, but what's going on over there? Things have been quiet so far, though the Manor managed to detect a bit of...prying. the thought said. Celestial breathed a sigh of relief that it was Kat and not an aggressor. Quickly she relayed a message back.
Kat, you've caught me in a bad time right now, I've stumbled right into the metaphorical viper's nest. Look for Overlord, he is still in the Manor looking for you and he has the mindmap she said to Kat hurriedly, preparing for any other attack the Mageri might throw at her and Cat Assasin.
Overlord hurried. He had intercepted Celestial's message to Kat and knew that time was off the essense. He flew quicker than he did previously which admittedly wasn't fast.
He found Kat in the library at last. Overlord landed on her shoulder and began giving Celestial's message to Kat via her mind.
Kat, Celestial and Cat Assasin went to a cave that is beyond the woods, north-west of here. It is man-made and it is where the Mageri are he told Kat, showing her the map too. He hoped it would be enough.
((Yeah I made up the compass direction. Correct me if I'm wrong. ^^))
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2008 9:07:43 GMT -5
Bettyming had decided to stay, and was staring out a window. She had heard talk of someone "watching" them, and since the situtation could be disastrous if anyone's guard was let down, she was watching for anyone... suspicious.
"I haven't noted any activity... however, it appears that the wind is blowing somewhat hard outside."
((I have no idea what to do.))
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Post by Vyt: Down, but Not Out on Nov 23, 2008 10:03:39 GMT -5
Cat Assassin simply smiled when one of the humans around him let out a magical lasso straight towards him, and watched as Celestial came from behind to take it off-course with her magic. He was expecting the dragoness to be at her highest degree of awareness or instinctive response to any danger, and that calmed his mind down a bit. The cat would not have to worry too much about her, he thought.
Despite the initial hostility, Cat Assassin took the time to nod his head down. His brief glance at Celestial told her not to attack just yet, as he was hoping these were not the ones who abducted Cylak."I'm sorry for the mess around here," he looked at the ridiculously large hole he had created from below before continuing. "I and my friend are simply looking for someone. I hope you can help us out."
Cat Assassin was then on the act of pulling something out of his coat. Whether this would lead to another act of hostility was up to his audience.
------------------------------------
Cylak looked curiously as the Leader took the time to think. "You are here because you have a very special talent, and we are always looking for those who are gifted. As you probably know, we are perfectly aware of your power to converse with souls. It is not something normal. You, Cylak, are very special. And we, the Mageri, are constantly on a quest for magical knowledge, and you can help us. Please, tell me more about your power," he spoke out with as much sincerity as he wanted to have.
The souls were already reluctant to let Cylak expose the fact, but even they did not know half the story of how she got the power to communicate with the dead. Dead silence kept them mum for quite a while before Mana spoke up. "Cylak, if you truly wish to trust this man, then I have no right to stop you from telling him everything. I just hope you know the consequences of your actions."
Cylak looked at Mana's direction and gave her a quick nod.
"I will tell you, mister... But please promise me that you won't use it for bad?" Cylak pleaded. "The last thing I want to see is someone taking advantage of me..."
Her voice somewhat trailed off in depression. It was the first time she felt heavy upon saying something.
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Post by Kat on Nov 23, 2008 11:51:10 GMT -5
Kat, you've caught me in a bad time right now, I've stumbled right into the metaphorical viper's nest. Look for Overlord, he is still in the Manor looking for you and he has the mindmap
Whoops. Looks like Celestial was in the middle of some action. But before Kat could figure out what to do next, another message interrupted her thoughts - she recognized this voice as Overlord's, and as he spoke, she could visualize a map of the woods...and a cave that was most definitely important.
Kat, Celestial and Cat Assasin went to a cave that is beyond the woods, north-west of here. It is man-made and it is where the Mageri are
There was no more time to tell anyone else where she was going. After mentally telling the Manor that she would leave in the fastest way possible, she turned on the spot and vanished in purple smoke, following the trail of Celestial's and Cat Assassin's auras.
* * *
Evandra cursed as her lasso was thrown off course. First, a dragon appeared from the same hole and seemed to be capable of air magic. What next, a two-headed giant vampire bat with the power to travel through time and space?
"I and my friend are simply looking for someone. I hope you can help us out."
"You are in no position to ask for our assistance! Mageri, as your current superior, I order you all to attack! Take them all alive as much as possible!" she screeched, her lasso shifting into a whip. When she cracked it, a wave of silver energy blazed toward Celestial and Cat Assassin...
...and was deflected by a shimmering purple shield. It veered towards the doors and shattered them into fragments of wood as Castor and Pollux dived aside helplessly. Evandra screamed, "You idiots! When I say attack, I also mean you! The Leader does not tolerate cowardice!"
Kat coughed, waving the last of the smoke away from her as she appeared in front of Celestial and Cat Assassin, glowing staff in hand. "Sorry, I nearly teleported too far. Good thing I followed the auras."
* * *
"I will tell you, mister... But please promise me that you won't use it for bad? The last thing I want to see is someone taking advantage of me..."
The Leader smiled. "Why would I use such a talent for bad? We, the Mageri, always strive to improve our standards of living. We gather magical knowledge in order to harness it and use it to our advantage, so that we can make this world a better place." He paused, deciding that perhaps it was about time he played his trump card.
"You know, we have been looking for a young...girl...like you. As I've said, you could help us. Perhaps you are interested in joining the Mageri? We are an elite organization of mages dedicated to shaping the world into something much, much more beautiful."
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Post by Vyt: Down, but Not Out on Nov 23, 2008 13:18:51 GMT -5
"You are in no position to ask for our assistance! Mageri, as your current superior, I order you all to attack! Take them all alive as much as possible!"
That was not a nice reply, Cat Assassin thought. But then again, so was their entrance. The lasso from earlier had been transformed into a whip and was once again heading straight towards him, but he simply watched. Somehow, his instincts told him to stay put.
A purple magical shield stopped the whip from hitting its mark. Cat Assassin looked behind and saw Kat now present in the midst of battle. "Sorry, I nearly teleported too far. Good thing I followed the auras."
"Nah, it wouldn't be able to touch me anyway," Cat Assassin grinned as if insulting Evandra indirectly. At least he had the decency to face Evandra after saying that. "You'll have to do better than that, missy."
Without hesitation, Cat Assassin charged off towards Evandra, but keeping his speed at a slower rate than he'd usually do. Facing an unknown opponent, he wouldn't want to get caught in a surprise.
----------------------------
Cylak smiled upon hearing the Leader's reason. Still a child in terms of mindset, she would be easily persuaded by promises and never had the doubt and insecurity any adult would have. It was the same reason she joined Krytos in the first place.
"You sure are very kind, mister! Making the world a better place... That sure is hard work," Cylak praised him. Everything he said inspired her to do her work as a soul seeker. She returned to munching her half-eaten cookie but a second later she faced the Leader again, this time with a different expression than before.
"Make sure you're saying the truth, human. We will be watching..." Cylak spoke with that horrible mixed voice once more. It was only after then that she reverted back to her basic form, losing all the marks around her body.
"Sorry about Regna, mister. He hates humans," Cylak apologized with her usual tongue-outside mannerism whenever she was sorry.
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Post by Celestial on Nov 23, 2008 13:41:18 GMT -5
Celestial was on guard against any hostile attack. She doubted Cat Assasin's request would even be considered, if these were the Mageri. Anybody who tries to lasso you is not a friend. She kept her magic warm and her wings outspread in case any of them tried to attack.
"You are in no position to ask for our assistance! Mageri, as your current superior, I order you all to attack! Take them all alive as much as possible!" one of the Mageri shouted. Celestial groaned. It was times like these that she hated being right. The lasso turned into a whip which swung towards them. Celestial was about to block it with a shield when another, purple shield came up. The Dragon Mage turned to see Kat here.
"Sorry, I nearly teleported too far. Good thing I followed the auras." Kat said and Celestial grinned.
"It's good to see you Kat" she said, sure that Kat must have gotten the message from Overlord. Celestial watched Cat Assasin charge towards Evandra. The fighting was all well and good but they needed an escape route in case the going started to get tough or boring.
She took off into the air above the crowd and headed for where the doors were. They seemed locked but it was probably nothing an explosive spell would not solve. Besides, she was sure that both Kat and Cat Assasin would be able to take care of themselves.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2008 14:43:39 GMT -5
((I'm really sorry. I could not get a computer at all yesterday. Let's just say that Slothbird just kept pecking and scratching at the net, and I'll write what happened to Mundus.))
"Oy, where are you going?"
Mundus stopped for a second, then continued towards where the Leader was. He needed to relay this message. A loud crash distracted him once more. He turned around to see a ninja cat jump through the floor, be lassoed, then a dragon mage save him. He was too far away to start fighting, and his fighting skills were not perfect as it is. He needed to let the Leader know that there was a ninja in the hall, and that more were on the way. He realized that the Leader's office was never in one place, and he had never tried to teleport to such a vague area before. But he had to try. He whipped out his compass, and tried to teleport outside the Leader's office, where ever that might be. With a pop, he found himself outside a door. He took a breath to calm himself, and knocked.
((Slothbird and Hunter post later.))
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Post by Kat on Nov 23, 2008 21:35:29 GMT -5
"Hard work?" The Leader chuckled. "Yes, I must admit, it is..."
Then Cylak suddenly spoke again, her voice much more different; tainted, if that could describe it. Tainted with another aura intensifying as she warned him about telling the truth. Though he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stiffen, he kept his composure.
"I assure you, I am telling the truth," he answered pleasantly, though his tone had a sharp edge to it, especially on the last word. But when Cylak returned to normal, apologizing for Regna - one of the souls with her, apparently - he nodded.
"It's all right. Don't worry about it, and I'm sure she can hear me. Now then, would you like to join us...pledge your allegiance with the Mageri?"
* * *
"Oh, I'll do better than that, all right!" said Evandra. Her whip changed again; this time, into a crossbow. She fired magical bolt after bolt at the ninja. "I am the second-in-command of the Mageri, and I will bring you down!"
Meanwhile, Kat created a pair of flaming purple wings and soared toward Celestial, dodging blasts from the other Mageri and retaliating with some of her own. Though she created a fireball that headed for Evandra, the woman simply shot at it, and as the arrow touched the fireball, they exploded, and Evandra returned to targeting Cat Assassin.
"Cele! The doors are open! We should go and look for whoever Cat Assassin's looking for first!"
* * *
"Mundus, wait up!"
Althius ran toward him, but a crash made him turn around to see what was going on. He gasped - the other Mageri! Then again, he only saw a dragon and a cat; they would be outnumbered and taken in for questioning, which would be the least of their problems. The redheaded mage couldn't help but laugh at this. Silly illegals.
Standing close to Mundus, he was accidentally swept up in his teleportation spell and crashed at his feet. They stood before a door.
"Where are we?" Althius asked, picking himself up.
* * *
The Leader looked up from where he was having a rather engaging conversation with Cylak. He glanced at Lireo. "Do please open the door for me?" He knew that the knocker was definitely part of the Mageri; no one else would be able to track his roving office down.
By asking her to open the door, he made sure she and the prisoner would not be left together, knowing that if they were, Lireo would definitely use that opportunity to torture Cylak again.
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Post by PFA on Nov 23, 2008 21:52:43 GMT -5
"Watched?" PFA didn't like the sound of that. Who would be watching them? And why?
But before she got the chance to voice this thought, Kat was already teleporting off, without even as much as a warning as to where she was going. This worried PFA. What would be so urgent that Kat would teleport away so immediately?
"Do you think the others are in trouble?" PFA asked whoever was still there to listen. A part of her wanted to go out and help, but the other part reminded her that she was supposed to stay here with Omni and the others. Though if Bettyming was staying behind, then maybe...
PFA, you know Omni wanted you to stay here, her logical side protested. Do you really want to let her down? I mean, you haven't even really got the chance to see Omni lately, what with all the war and stuff...
But... Uncle...
PFA paced around restlessly as she pondered this. This was quite a dilemma for the ninja. To stay, or to go? Either way, there were risks, and she wasn't sure which one sounded worse.
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Post by Omni on Nov 24, 2008 0:06:01 GMT -5
"Do you think the others are in trouble?"
Omni paused to think about that. "After watching Kat, Cat Assassin, and Celestial in battle, I wouldn't be too worried. In the meantime, we should get ready to prevent as much trouble as possible. I personally, was thinking on working on learning new spells, training a bunch of mages in them, maybe giving a few battle tips from what I know… or setting up duels for people to learn themselves, through experience." Another pause. "I should figure out how to do a Manor-wide announcement, might make things easier."
----------
The shady character stuck to as many shadows and blind spots as possible while moving toward the manor. Once at the walls the character began searching for something.
It's still here! How convenient. While it wasn't visible, the character smirked, then began making a way in.
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Post by Vyt: Down, but Not Out on Nov 24, 2008 6:10:46 GMT -5
"Pledge? Allegiance?" Cylak giggled for a bit. "You use funny words, mister. But if you want me to help you, I'd be happy to do so," she innocently smiled. She helped herself to a bite out of another cookie before continuing. "Mister, what would my soul-contact do to help you? I don't see how talking with the dead can help..."
Curious for the same thing, Mana's spirit hovered beside Cylak to listen.
---------------------------
"Oh, I'll do better than that, all right! I am the second-in-command of the Mageri, and I will bring you down!"
"So she's the second-in-command," Cat Assassin pondered. "If she's second-in-command, then the real leader must be somewhere else. Perhaps with Cylak."
All of that thinking was done while avoiding the bolts fired at him. Being a cat was very helpful to him in dodging projectiles targetted at him; the well-known instincts of his ancestors had been constantly improved for thousands of years before him. "Seriously, you're second-in-command? You don't even know how to anticipate my movements, my blunt-eared friend," he continued to taunt.
The distance between Cat Assassin and Evandra had exponentially decreased without both of them knowing. "My, you'd better switch to something sharp," he warned her as he spun around for a roundhouse kick towards her side.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2008 21:21:44 GMT -5
"Where are we?"
Mundus turned to see... Althius. He did not realize that others could be absorbed in his teleportation spell without his knowledge. Something to keep in mind. "We should be outside the office of the Leader. I have some news for him."
Mundus heard footsteps behind the door.
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Post by Kat on Nov 25, 2008 4:46:12 GMT -5
Evandra was caught off guard, and her whip flickered away to nothingness as she was kicked aside. By an illegal, no less! She gasped, clutching her side.
"Believe me, I have something sharper," she snarled. A silvery sword grew in her hands, and she made a series of chopping motions that would hopefully cleave her enemy in half.
* * *
"We should be outside the office of the Leader. I have some news for him."
"Would this have anything to do with the illegals who just burst in?" asked Althius. "And I hope this is really the Leader's office. I haven't been around long, but everyone tells me that it's really hard to find his office; it's always in a new location. He's practically the only one who can keep it in one place...when he wants to."
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