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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 29, 2023 15:52:46 GMT -5
 Styx
Styx stared at Lane as the girl seemed to soak in what she was insinuating, and she smile at her reaction. The horror and disgust at the idea, and Styx just loved hearing it, "selfish?" the girl then laughed, high-pitched giggles that seemed to be fueled by Lane's words, "is that what we call self-preservation? Taking what you're owed? It would be selfish to waste the effort Hermes put into your useless husk."
Her red eyes glimmered with mirth, locked onto Lane as if reading the girl, trying to tear her apart. "But to answer your inquiry, dear, I am plenty capable of doing whatever I must to survive."
Survive. That told a lot more about Styx than what most of these idiots would presume.
"You and I aren't very dissimilar, we both were chosen by messengers, and we both are stuck in a limbo," her words were pointed, but she stared at the river now instead of Lane, letting the water lap around her feet as she looked it over, "and you...remind me of something...someone."
Blue hair, bright smile, laughter and friends. Who, who, who? It was hurting her head to even think about, and her gaze lost it's focus as she stared into the waters, seeing her own dull reflection in them. If she blinked, she could almost see a different girl there, one more like Lane.
"But we're very different, you aren't willing to do what you need to do. Just like the powers Hermes gifted you, all you do is run away."
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 29, 2023 16:39:45 GMT -5
Theoβs mind spun in a merciless spiral as he gazed at the mounds of bones. The stench of rot was enough to make his eyes water, but the worst part about it was the emptiness. Ariella was nowhere to be seen. It was a troubling sight, especially with the flecks of broken metal and what looked to be fresh blood.
Clank.
The silence was broken by a clattering behind them, and the young man hurriedly turned to face the noise. A battered shield lying in the dirt where theyβd arrived from. Ariellaβs shield. Followed by the shield was Ariella herself, and her condition was horrid. She was covered in injuries and not moving.
βHey-β Theoβs words escaped his lips, but he was cut off by Chiara calling her name and running forward. He wanted to run with her but his legs were frozen in place, refusing to budge. Deep down, instinct was stopping him from getting closer.
Shaky fists balled up, he threw his head around to see where the beast was hiding.
βWhatβs the delay?!β Theo shouted into the darkness, his voice cracked in an attempt to add power to it. It was weak, he couldnβt focus on making his words convincing while his brain was running in so many directions. He wanted to flee, he wanted to help Ariella, he was even angry. Too many thoughts to keep track of.
βStop hiding and show yourself!β
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 29, 2023 16:55:16 GMT -5
 Luka Ravina
Luka walked behind the others, her eyes weary. Her comms were oddly silent, she hadn't said a work to Luci or Cleo, and it seemed they weren't saying anything either. All too afraid of what may come.
As she came upon the area she sent Ariella, she saw the door hanging slightly open, like it was stripped straight from a horror movie.
Her eyes scanned for Ariella, hoping the girl would come out from some corner and go 'boo!' or something, but Luka knew Ariella wasn't like her. She wouldn't do something like that.
She heard the clatter behind them and didn't freeze, instead she turned, weapon drawn and raised before her, her face settling into a deadly glare and her hands tense around her dagger, so tight her knuckles turned white.
Fenrir wasn't there though, but the shield Ariella had was, all broken up. So was Ariella. Luka's mouth opened in shock, and she took one step closer before thinking better of it. These people's lives were being entrusted to her, she had to lead them safely. They had to get Ariella out of here, but Fenrir or whoever was out here obviously trying to lure them. They couldn't afford a fight, they didn't even know if Ariella was alive.
Chiara ran to the downed girl, though, and Luka went to grab the blonde, though her grasp was frail and Chiara easily escaped, leaving Luka staring after her and taking hesitant steps toward her. Theo's voice caught her attention though.
She turned to him, taking another step closer to him, away from Ariella and Chiara. His anger was palpatable, she could feel it, and it sent a chill through her, leaving her halfway between him and the injured girl, her eyes wide as she shook her head, "Theo, don't."
They didn't have time to fight, they had to get out of here. If Theo got Fenrir to come out, then Ariella would be left without help. They'd all be in danger. They were already in danger.
However, Theo's anger was understandable. She held her hands out in a placating way as he shouted into the darkness, her focus on him, eyes wide and frightened, but it did no good. His command was given, and she felt a dawning horror wash over her. Guess they were doing this then.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 29, 2023 17:05:11 GMT -5
Lane shook her head at the other girlβs words, spoken with that giggle but so dangerous in their content.
βLook, Iβm angry that Iβm supposed to be dead. Of course I am. My friends have no idea that Iβve spent these last months mourning a life Iβm not going to get to have.β Lane began, voice going thick βBut never for a second did that make me think Iβm entitled to take someone elseβs life just to buy some extra time.β
To do what with, really? Why would she be any more entitled to that time than anyone else? Why would she deserve it any more than anyone else?
She took note of the language the girl used. Survive. What exactly was Styxβs situation? Whatever it was, like Lane she too was in some sort of limbo. That much was obvious. But as for the intricacies of Styxβs position, Lane did not know them.
And a messenger? Lane couldnβt understand. The only messengers she was aware of were Hermes and Iris and somehow Iris didnβt seem the type to have an exiled champion. Though maybe that was judging a book by its cover somewhat.
βSurvive? Messenger? What do you mean?β Lane questioned, but moved on, βLook, Iβm done debating ethics with you. My friends are in trouble and Iβm more worried about that than my own stupid soul.β
And she was. Yes, part of her wanted answers about her situation. But mostly she had travelled to the underworld in hopes of finding some way to help her friends. To protect them from the exiled, to find out if there was a way she could help free them. She didnβt know but she had sensed her answers were there.
Her decision on whether or not she was willing to commit a whole murder, in her opinion, should not be any of Styxβs business.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 29, 2023 18:12:18 GMT -5
Chiara was, generally, known for her level-headedness. Logical, to a fault even. The very last time sheβd faced Fenrir sheβd been far more in control than this and she hadnβt even had a weapon. But this? This was not one of her finest moments.
Recently, everybody knew Chiara hadnβt been getting much sleep with her long research sessions at the library. What she hadnβt told everyone was that when she did sleep, nightmares of Fenrir stole any peace she might hope to get. Those sharp fangs, those red eyes. The terror of him had imprinted on her far more deeply than she could have ever expected. Sometimes even during the day, just going about her business she thought she felt his breath on her skin. There was a reason sheβd refused to join the last fight at the slightest thought Fenrir might be there.
Heimdallr didnβt help, things bleeding through from her guide about Ragnarok, the utter destruction he foresaw. Fenrirβs involvement. That only added a new flavour of terror.
So yeah, when it came to Fenrir her usual level-headedness had gone entirely out of the window.
She realised her mistake even before Ariella called out. With her enhanced eyesight she didnβt have to get much closer to see it wasnβt Ariella at all. In fact, she wasnβt sure why she ever had thought so but her fear had taken over her. Her stomach dropped with the instant realisation that she had been drawn into the open. It was already far too late.
She didnβt have time to be grateful that Ariella was, in fact, alive.
The next thing she knew, her arm was in a very familiar but no les excruciating pain. Fenrirβs teeth tore into her flesh as he shook her. Hard. Chiaraβs head rung, vision spotting and going dark at the edges. Even when he stopped for a moment and swung her more gently, she couldnβt really get her vision to focus on anything.
It was the very same arm heβd targeted before, which it had to be said did not make for a pleasant feeling either.
Chiara was helpless for the moment, unable to use her weapon and suspended painfully 13 feet above the ground. And possibly, maybe, a bit concussed.
So not too bad, really.
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 29, 2023 22:01:48 GMT -5
Lukaβs attempt to stop him landed on deaf ears, with the only thing snapping him out of his mental haze was Ariellaβs shouts. Theo took pause, blinking as he looked to where the voice came from. Sure enough, Ariella hurried over towards them from a distance away. Looking between her and the corpse in front of them, it soon dawned on him what was going on.
Unfortunately, too late it sank in.
One moment Chiara was running towards the corpse they thought was Ariella, the next she was dangling from the jaws of the giant wolf. Fenrir. He showed himself. Great. Just as planned.
What wasnβt planned was the chill that ran down his spine when faced with the creature again. He reached down to grab his sword, but his grip was weak and it nearly tumbled out of his shaking hands. Obviously something had to be done but what was he supposed to do? Any wrong step and Chiara loses an arm. Or worse.
βAriellaβs okay, you arenβt afraid of the big bad wolf, you can do this.β Theo muttered assertively under his breath. He repeated the phrase over and over again, his voice becoming more confident each time he said it, and soon the fear he felt was pushed to the back of his head for the moment.
It wasnβt rare to see him psyching himself up like that, but it was obvious he put some of his charm magic into it, albeit unintentionally. It was temporary, sure, but if he wanted his words to hold any weight, he couldnβt be distracted.
Theo pointed his sword as Fenrir taunted the both of them, βWould you kindly set our friend back down on the ground?β His voice sounded unnatural, and what could only be described as βcustomer service voiceβ. Sickly sweet, ingenuine, but still containing a level of magic that was hard to comprehend.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 29, 2023 23:51:41 GMT -5
Luka Ravina
Luka turned rather quickly back to the scene when she heard Ariella shout, her dagger in hand, but the scene was already unfolding in a terrible manner. Ariella was...well not good, but at least she wasn't a corpse?
"Well thatβs perfect, I thought we were running out of nightmare fuel for a minute there," she grumbled under her breath as she saw her friend in the grasps of the giant wolf, again.
Part of her sarcastic comment was also because Chiara was very obviously scared and Luka panicking would not help. Her eyes narrowed on the wolf, her hands clenching on the dagger of hers and her umbrella hooked into her belt. She started taking steps forward, last time she faced him, she was a scared girl who could only turn into a snake at times of fear. Now she could summon flames and turn into other creatures, albeit not under her control.
All the while, Luka could hear the panicked questions in her ear about what was going on. She made sure to answer who exactly they'd run into by addressing the monster in question.
"Fenrir," she stated, looking in concern at Chiara and back at the wolf. They had to find a way to get her down without her losing that arm. Luka could almost feel a phantom pain in her arm, as if the wolf was tearing off her arm and not her friend's. Her right hand clenched into a fist, and she looked slightly behind Fenrir at Ariella, moving her head slightly to the side as an indication to be right behind Fenrir. If Theo could get the wolf to drop the girl, maybe they could work on distracting the wolf, and Ariella could try to retrieve Chiara? They were the two injured, Luka could only hope that if Ariella could do that, she'd get them back to the Pantheon.
While doing the slight head and eye motion, she kept speaking, "you know, you've got some f*cked up issues," she commented hotly, making sure to not get too close. He'd taken a good bite of Chiara because she unknowingly got close, Luka didn't want to do anything close to that. She treasured her limbs, thanks. "Seriously, whatβs your obsession with arms? Thatβs the same one as last time! Do you have an arm fetish?
It seemed the quick commentary was enough for Theo to get his confidence up. As he said his command, she prepared herself for her next move.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 30, 2023 0:15:56 GMT -5
Styx
"Life, shmife," Styx replied, giggling some more, "if they're gonna die, why does it matter anyways? Just do what the Guides did and go find some poor soul who won't be missed and you got yourself some juice for a while!"
Her smile turned absolutely demented at that, throwing her hands out in a grande gesture, "or find some other poor unlucky soul who should be dead and take care of them. It doesn't really matter in the end, Miss Sherwin, everyone dies except those who are willing to fight to live. Who are worthy of it."
Her spiral seemed to cut off when Lane started questioning her. She poked her chin slightly, a rather childish move, thinking to herself. She seemed slightly confused that Lane didn't understand, but then let off a more genuine laugh, faking wiping away tears, "wait are you kidding me? You're even dumber than you look!" the tease was cruel, but the girl very obviously wasn't done, "Hermes isn't the only messenger God, doll."
Giving an impassive face, Styx suddenly turned and made sure to lock her red eyes right on Lane's, staring for a good while before a wicked little grin came to her face.
Did you think I just looked your ugly, dumb friends in the eyes for fun? The words were said, but Styx never opened her mouth, and no one but Lane would hear it. Styx punctuated it with tipping her head, as the champion of Arke, I can make a direct link with the minds of others by making eye contact.
The mind-speak seemed to cut off then as Styx looked away, right at the river before them, staring back at her reflection as if she didn't even recognize it. Lane was getting boring with all this worry over her friends. Worrying was such an annoying emotion. Why waste your care on others?
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 30, 2023 9:01:33 GMT -5
Irene laughed half-heartedly at Dillonβs comments about Zeus, βYeah, heβs a grade A 4sshole, but Iβm not concerned about his opinion of me.β What he thought meant absolutely nothing to her, and honestly the guy ended up being the cause of most of her problems. No longer would she be caught in his power trip.
Unfortunately it couldnβt be as simple as that. With Zeus gone, she no longer had her powers and couldnβt set foot into the Pantheon. She was supposed to be a leader but here she was, completely cut off from the rest of them. There was nothing she could do, but itβs not like she did much to begin with.
At the start she got chosen as a leader because she spoke her mind and ended up being the loudest in the room, but what had she done since? Get into a grudge match with that Atticus person, fight with her ex Guide, and keep quiet while River got sandbagged by half the leaders for daring to make a mistake. In this mission she hoped she could at least do something, but instead of protecting the two, she ended up needing to be protected herself.
βWhat a lousy leader I turned out to be,β Irene laughed, but there was no amusement to be heard, just exhaustion.
Thankfully the topic changed, and she just crossed her arms while holding the now empty glass. βDillon I donβt need a verbal cushion if this is important, so just say what happened? Are they okay?β
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 30, 2023 9:36:06 GMT -5
Dillon nodded at her first comment. He understood what she meant; the real concern with this situation was her inability to go back to the pantheon and do all the things she should be able to as leader.
But he objected strongly to what she said next.
βYou are not a lousy leader.β he assured her βYou couldnβt be a lousy leader if you tried.β
He truly believed that. Irene was a great leader. Dillon was the one who had been directly involved in the Liver breakup. He might have suggested a less extreme option like the couple taking a break, but that didnβt make it any better. He had still been meddling in a coupleβs relationship when he had no business doing so. If either of them was a lousy leader, it was not Irene.
At the change in subject though, Irene made it pretty clear that she didnβt appreciate Dillonβs attempts to soften the blow. Fair enough; she just wanted the raw truth. He respected that. Still, he shifted slightly. He did not look forward to having to tell her.
He sighed, trying to mentally prepare himself to get this news out. He could already imagine how Irene would respond; Dillon himself had been worried sick since he heard the news, as much as heβd been worried for Irene after what happened to her.
βWell, I donβt have all the details.β he began, to preface what was to come βI think Enzo just got off the phone with Cleo so he might know more. But from what I understand the exiled ambushed everyone on the mission and kidnapped some of them. I donβt know how many, but I know Naida is one of them and River got away with serious injuries.β
He knew the most about the other leaders what with being in the leadersβ chat, but he didnβt know yet who of the rest of the group had returned home. The news he had was bad enough already.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jul 31, 2023 1:29:03 GMT -5
Fenrir turned his eyes to Luka and stilled. It was like rage was radiating off of his body when he heard his father's voice intermingled with the moral. Words came to his tongue that he couldn't say aloud because the girl was still in his jaws. In retaliation he sunk his teeth in deeper her bicep and glared at her.
He saw her eyes shift and look towards the disgusting girl that had shouted a warning before his attack. He had thrown her off into the distance hoping she'd either be too injured, too far, or both to join the fight again. She was a problem with that strength of hers.
He didn't turn his head to look behind him. He simply watched the Loki Champion's eyes, watched how she inclined her head for where the greek champion was to stand behind him. He couldn't tell exactly how close she was with her being upwind from him but he was aware she was there. Waiting just as everyone was.
He didn't take his eyes off Luka. Not even after the syrup and pine boy spoke his command in a sickly sweet tone. His ear flicked and he huffed out a breath through his nostrils before flicking both ears, agitated. With a low growl he slowly lowered his head until it could not go any lower and stopped. His eyes slid to Theo's and stared at him. Hatred now mixed in with hunger for the boy.
He dropped Chiara a comfortable two feet from the ground but did not rear back. He stood over her, falsely protective. Daring Chiara to run, daring them to help her, daring them to tempt him.
"Your fear is palpable," he spoke, his voice rumbled in his chest and came out darkly as he stared at Theo.
Feet slid in the mud as hands grabbed Chiara and lifted her up. Ariella had managed to sneak up on the wolf this time, slid under his, grab Chiara with one arm and start running towards the rest of them. Her heart was still beating in her ears as she yelled at them "Go!"
The sudden movement had Fenrir rearing back in surprise for merely a second before snarling and snapping his jaws at Ariella. Her first instinct reaction was to toss Chiara towards Luka and Theo, hoping they'd catch her or be close enough to get her that they could make a run for it.
Then she turned and grabbed his teeth. She was fast enough to just prevent the large dog from taking everything from her shoulders and up. She pushed back against the threat of his closing jaws and yelled from the strain against not only her own strength but her shoulder.
Her body screamed in pain as she tried to push him back. Get him away from her friends and from her.
"Hold strong. This is nothing!" Heracles encouraged in her mind. In some was it was helpful. In others it was a distraction. He kept going saying things like "You've held back worse!" and that she's come a long way.
The sharp pop in her shoulder indicated she has not.
Ariella yelped in pain and dropped to one knee, losing the strength to stand on her feet. Loki's child took it as an opportunity to push forward and sink his teeth into her left shoulder, grazing her face with one of his canines as he did. She could feel a tooth graze her collarbone. She could the sting of the cut on her face.
But, she refused to scream. Instead, she pried his teeth from their purchase and forced his mouth to open wide again. Stubbornly, she kept Fenrir from devouring her with nothing but the fear of him getting to her friends and the sheer will to live.
Shifting so that she was prepared to move, Ariella counted gently to herself.
3...
2...
1!
She let go of Fenrir's teeth and rolled to the side as his jaws snapped shut loudly. Getting back to her feet she Wrapped her arms around the Wolf's muzzle and forced his mouth to stay shut. Which meant as he lifted his head, she was going with him.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 31, 2023 7:19:53 GMT -5
Chiaraβs pain got even more exquisite when Fenrir bit down harder on her arm, the growing pressure feeling like it was threatening to crack the bone. A cry from her rent the air, but most alarming was what happened immediately afterwards. A sharp pain like an electric shock, and then a total lack of feeling. She heard her sword clatter to the ground, the iron grip sheβd desperately tried to keep on it finally failing.
Thankfully she didnβt have to endure it much longer, because thanks to Theoβs intervention Fenrir dropped her fairly low to the ground. She struggled to her feet, one arm around the bloody wound. She dared not look at it, even if she had been able to see straight at that point, but she could feel the warm sticky blood. She could smell it, more than anything.
Her vision was still swimming after the shaking, her head still pounding, but she was aware enough to realise that she was standing in the shadow of the giant wolf. Fenrir looked for all the world like a dog protective of a favourite toy - or food.
Chiara did not like what that analogy made her.
Her injured arm was weak. She could move it, but she had very little sensation in it and was barely responding to her attempts to make it move. The thing was useless, or very close to it, for the moment.
She had time to grab the sword sheβd dropped, diving to grab the thing almost as soon as she was standing and oriented. She released her injured arm so she could grip her weapon in her uninjured arm. It felt unnatural in her non-dominant hand, she noted. She hadnβt made enough of a point to train with her non-dominant hand in case something like this ever happened - that would change if she survived this.
If she wasnβt making it out of this, sheβd be damned if she went out without a fight. Or at least without a weapon in her hand.
She knew that her initial panic had not helped anything. She needed to channel her fear into focus and determination, if she could. Get it to work for her rather than against her. It was easier said than done, granted, but if she was going to have a chance of making sure she and her friends survived she needed to try. Where was the girl who had taunted Fenrir, called him Fluffy? Where was the girl whoβd fought this wolf with only a sharpened bone?
She had to find her again.
Sheβd barely had time to get to her feet and retrieve her weapon (much good it would do her anyway) when she felt strong hands grabbing her. Ariellaβs steadying grip got Chiara out of Fenrirβs way, but the blonde didnβt get an opportunity to thank her friend.
Fenrir began to snap at Ariella, unhappy about her trick, and Chiara felt the other girlβs hold on her change. She knew what her friend was going to do, but had little time to adjust or prepare before she was flying through the air.
If she had been disoriented before, she was very much so now. She knew she must be heading towards Luka or Theo, but she had no idea which. Her brain was still a little foggy, her vision hazy, and her balance had been questionable from the moment sheβd stood up. In other words, while airborne she barely had any idea which way was up.
She was putting a lot of trust in whoever was at the other end to make sure she didnβt crash to the ground.
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 31, 2023 7:59:56 GMT -5
Irene raised a brow at Dillon disagreeing with her personal assessment, and leaned back, the corner of her mouth raising into a smirk, βThanks, I guess.β While his words did little to change her mind, she felt it was better to just accept them and move along. It wasnβt a discussion she wanted to get into while there were more important things going on.
Important being the understatement of the century.
Hearing about the kidnapping, Ireneβs face contorted into a scowl and her grip on the glass loosened until it slipped out of her hand, clattering on the ground. The sound filled the dead air after the boyβs explanation, and the broken shards scattered across the ground.
βThey. Did. What?β Irene couldn't hide the anger she felt at the situation. Much like a flash of lighting, it was directed at one thing. The Exiled. The gods sucked, she could agree with that, but why take it out on the rest of them? What would kidnapping a bunch of their people even accomplish? It's not like any of them asked for this.
The thought of the Exiled just reminded her of that Atticus boy, how he only had a grudge on her because she just-so-happened to have Zeus as her guide at the time. With someone like that hanging around, taking their anger out on them instead unfortunately made sense. He was too much of a coward to take it up with management himself.
βTheyβve talked about what weβre going to do, right? How are we going to get them back?β
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 31, 2023 8:58:18 GMT -5
Ireneβs anger was about what Dillon had expected. Heβd felt furious when he found out too - and worried, and afraid, and guilty all at the same time. He jumped a little when her glass smashed, despite the fact that heβd been expecting it. Her rage was palpable.
He would sort the broken glass in a moment; he was sure heβd seen a dustpan and brush outside and heβd use a towel to mop up the liquid too. This conversation was too important to derail so he could clean it up right at that second.
βI think they are already talking about planning a recon mission on the base so we can plan a rescue.β Dillon explained βI promise you getting the others back is all theyβve been thinking about since it happened.β
He might not know much about the details, but he knew at least how worried the remaining leaders were. But he knew it might be little comfort to Irene; for who knew what the exiled were doing to those they had prisoners? Were they being hurt, tortured? Were they even alive?
βListen, Enzo and I will stay with you until youβre able to go back,β he assured her, βbut I think Cleo and the other leaders need to know about the situation here.β
Not only that, but they needed to understand more about what was happening back at the base. Maybe there was something they could do to help, even if they were stuck in Italy.
Mostly he was saying that because he thought whether or not Ireneβs situation was shared with the other leaders should be up to Irene, not him. Heβd learned all too well the pain that could come in meddling in the business of others.
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 31, 2023 9:53:39 GMT -5
Trying to talk down a giant beast had to be one of the most nerve wracking experiences Theoβs had in a while. Someoneβs life was on the line and any mishap could result in Fenrir ending her life there. Didnβt help that Lukaβs jabs angered him enough to bite down on Chiaraβs arm even harder in response.
βPlease donβt do that,β was all he could muster to the leader before the wolfβs gaze landed on him. Their eyes locked for a moment, with Theo not daring to pull his eyes away out of fear that it would be over in that second. Thankfully for him, his command took hold, Chiara was set down. Her arm looked bad, but she was still alive. If he wasnβt so tense he probably would have collapsed from the weight of that.
βYour fear is palpable.β
βThank you,β the young man replied, both to Fenrirβs words and to him βreleasingβ their friend. His brain refused to comprehend what the wolf said to him, likely to stop him from shutting down all together. Heβd had enough of that clearly.
The next thing they knew, Ariella swooped in for the save by grabbing Chiara and tossing her over in their direction. Luka seemed to have the catch handled, so Theo kept his attention to the taller woman. They had to go, yeah, but what about her? Ariella was barely holding her own and was the most injured out of all of them. Would she even be ok?
Theo took a couple steps back, lowering his sword and looking down at Luka as if to ask what they were going to do. She was the leader after all.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 31, 2023 11:07:54 GMT -5
Lucien was not liking what he was hearing.
The boy sat anxiously in the leadersβ meeting room with Cleo, listening with a frown. He drummed his fingers against his thigh, not wanting to make too much noise by doing it on the table. He was trying too hard to listen to every little sound coming through the comms system.
He mostly let Cleo speak, too anxious to talk to Luka himself. He didnβt want her to hear how afraid he was for fear of making Luka panic. She needed Cleoβs calm demeanour in that moment. Or at least outwardly calm - though Lucien had known Cleo long enough by now to tell when they were feeling anxious internally. They had tells just like anyone else.
But soon he could hear first Chiaraβs panicked voice, then urgent conversation from Luka and Theo. And that was when everything seemed to go downhill.
Voices came though the intercom, shouting Ariellaβs name. Then more shouting, a pained scream. Lucien tensed. He could feel his heartbeat in his throat, the rush of blood roaring in his ears so much that he almost didnβt hear Luka as she said their assailantβs name.
Fenrir.
He didnβt need to catch much of the other conversation; Lucienβs agitation only grew. Those were his friends out there. The people he was supposed to protect, and he didnβt know how much longer he could take listening to this just happen. He was helpless here.
Luka was out there.
His gaze flicked over to his bow and quiver of arrows, which he had stored safely by the door just in case.
Another pained scream was enough to have Lucien rise to his feet. He did it almost without thinking.
βI canβt listen to this anymore.β he said, voice shaking βI canβt just sit here while theyβ¦β
He didnβt need to say anymore, and his throat was growing so tight he couldnβt finish the sentence if he tried. He didnβt even want to think about what might be happening to his friends.
Not while he could help. Not when he was the only healer. He alone could be any help with injuries what with Pascal having been taken.
βI promised myself I would never not be there again.β
After what had happened to River, after the kidnapping, heβd told himself heβd always be there when he was needed. Heβd never let anyone be hurt on his watch again. He had been reminded just how responsibility he had.
And the last thing he was willing to do was listen to his friends be hurt while he was cooped up in that room unable to do anything about it.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 31, 2023 12:54:20 GMT -5
Luka Ravina
The brunette was glaring at her guide's child with absolute disdain, her worried eyes flickering from Chiara to the wolf and back again. She winced at the effects her words had, instead of angering the wolf and causing him to target her instead or just throwing him off his game and distracting him, Chiara paid the price.
Then everything happened so quickly, a blink and you'd miss it. First Chiara was dropped, and like Luka had hoped, Ariella swooped in and retrieved the blonde right out from under Fenrir's nose. However, the wolf was very quick to retaliate, Luka didn't even get a chance to obey Ariella's yelled command to go before she was in the line of fire again.
Like in American Football, Ariella, like one of them quarterback people, took Chiara and yeeted her across the battlefield. Luka, reacting on instinct, started to run forward, a yelped "I got her!" escaping her.
She, in fact, did not get her, because she was approximately 90 pounds of spite and anger. What happened was perhaps a hilarious yet unfortunately timed clash of tiny humans rolling in a pile. Luka threw her arms out to catch, but when Chiara hit, she only had time too loosely wrap her friends in her arms before she was knocked out and they both went scattering to the ground, Chiara's weight mostly cushioned by Luka.
The air knocked out of her, Luka scrambled away for a second to gasp for breath and let off a cough, and she noticed that she also had a concerning amount of blood on her now, none of it her own. A painful digging into her back reminded her of her bag, and she threw it off, opening it and dumping the contents on the ground. "I got her," she mocked herself, picking up a band-aid and scoffing, before throwing it back down, "I, in fact, did not."
A quick glance at the field of battle showed that Ariella was holding off Fenrir on her own, and Theo was looking to Luka in guidance. She growled under her breath, irritated at the whole situation, contemplating what to do, though Ariella was running out of time.
Her eyes scanned the field of battle, thought through what had happened thus far. First they split up, Theo and Luka were together, but Ariella and Chiara were on their own. During that time, Ariella appeared to have been found and targeted by Fenrir. Then, when they went to find her, Chiara split off towards a decoy and was attacked. When Chiara had been rescued by Ariella and thrown to Luka, Ariella had been attacked again. The common occurrence here was one thing, each victim was separated from the group at the time of attack.
Looking between Chiara and Theo, Luka scuttered to her blond friend, taking some clothe bandages and doing her best to tie a tourniquet around the wound, before she looked back at Theo, "get yourself to Ariella and check on her. The two of you together is better than being alone."
Well, to do that, Fenrir had to be distracted.
Standing up, Luka placed herself to stand between Chiara and Fenrir, yelling out to get his attention hopefully away from Ariella and Theodore, "you seem really high strung right now!" she pointed out, "Iβm gonna need you to calm down, right now youβre at a sixteen, and Iβm gonna need you to be at like, a seven."
Getting slightly closer, she summoned a fireball to throw at him to try and get him away from Ariella and Theo. However, whenever she threw it, she realized it was only the size of a puny roman candle, and fizzled out like such, falling to the ground and extinguishing not even halfway between Fenrir and herself.
"Oh," she said intelligibly, "crap"
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Jul 31, 2023 15:03:08 GMT -5
Chiara was 5 inches taller than her friend, and also heavier. This was an equation which resulted in an unfortunate and painful (for both parties) collision ending in both girls on the floor.
Chiara stumbled to her feet for the second time since the start of that fight, pausing for a moment to get her bearings and get her vision straight. The sight that greeted her when she looked again at Fenrir was⦠nothing short of amazing.
Ariella was holding back the wolf with her own strength, though Chiara could see how in pain the other girl was. How injured she was getting. The scene was something truly worthy of Heracles and his champion, but Chiara was very concerned for her friend, especially after what Ariella had done to keep her safe. The other girl was only at that risk because Chiara had been stupid.
Then Ariella got lifted from the ground, holding the wolfβs mouth shut.
She wanted to help, but she quickly realised Luka had busied herself with tying a tourniquet around Chiaraβs injured arm. Good; that would at least stem the flow of blood for now. The other girl then was giving instructions to Theo, telling him to go help Ariella.
Luka had then put herself in between Chiara and Fenrir, and began trying to distract the wolf. The fireball she attempted to summon was best off not mentioned. The best Chiara could think to do was try and help her friend distract the creature, and the pungent smell of her own blood that still filled her nostrils gave her an idea.
How often did Fenrir talk about blood, and how it smelled?
The blonde stepped forward to stand next to Luka rather than behind her, not willing to take a total backseat in this fight despite her injury. And she held up her injured arm, bloody tourniquet on full view, for a moment. Perhaps if the wind was right it would even carry the scent.
βDoesnβt it smell good?β Chiara called out, not realising how raw her voice sounded from the screaming until that moment, βWhenβs the last time you ate well, Fenrir?β
Was this a risk? Yes, but no more than what Luka was doing. All she needed was to buy them a few seconds for Ariella and Theo. Now that she hopefully had the wolfβs attention, she lowered her arm back to her side.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Jul 31, 2023 17:19:38 GMT -5
With this disgusting girl on his face and forcing his jaws to remain shut, Fenrir was unable to focus on the other little gnats at his feet. He began shaking his head violently, trying his best to pry his jaws open and fling this thing off of him. But, despite her broken body, her hold was strong.
A snarl rose from his throat as he began pawing at his muzzle, trying to push her off. Get the girl to release him so he could use his jaws. Still, it was to no avail.
Ariella in the mean time was using not only her arms but her legs to keep the wolf's jaws shut. Hands desperately clawing onto bloody clumps of fur while her feet had to find grooves in his snout to keep hold. The wind rushed past her eyes as Fenrir swung his head trying to shake her off. Sheer force of will helped Ariella keep his mouth shut.
Her shoulder was hurting badly. But, it was a pain she could endure for a little longer. Just a little longer until they could get back home. They needed to get home. She wanted to go home so badly.
Fenrir sniffed and snorted like an angry dragon, pawing at his face and growing more frustrated by the second. His eyes caught Theo as Luka demanded he help the gnat on his face. But, the boy wasn't moving fast enough. Then his eyes landed on the chosen.
He's had enough of these games.
Planting his feet down, he tried once more to open his jaws. He was starting to gain leverage which meant this one on his face was getting tired. He kept struggling, kept trying to open his jaws in a loud snarl. Forcing the girl to lose her foot. Step one.
Dropping his head down, Fenrir swung his head to the side and smacked Luka and Chiara with Ariella. Successfully, getting Heracles' champion to release his mouth. He didn't boast in his freedom, he wasted no time in finding a new victim as the little champions tumbled over each other.
He snatched Luka by her leg tossed her up into the air and caught her again in his teeth. Fangs sunk into torso, thigh, calf inching closer and closer to breaking her bones. Crushing her into more than another collection for his pile. Glee, rage, hatred all swirled in his massive red eyes as he stared at her.
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Jul 31, 2023 19:56:06 GMT -5
βTo Ariella? What do you expect me to do?β Theo whispered in harsh panic, looking between her and the giant wolf she clung to. Fenrir thrashed about, trying to get the champion off of him, and the young man knew for sure getting too close would end up with him getting sent flying instead. It wouldnβt be good for either of them in that case. So instead he walked along the side, keeping his distance and watching the struggle with held breath.
There wasnβt enough time for him to react to Chiaraβs and Lukaβs distraction attempt when the wolf barreled through them with Ariellaβs flailing body. Theo was far enough away from them to have made it out of the attack, but the suddenness of it caused him to step backward, tripping on something and landing on his ass. Glancing at his feet, he saw a thin wire weaving through the ground to gods know where.
However speculation on his end was put to a pause when he saw Luka get tossed through the air and caught in succession. The champion of Loki dangled from Fenrirβs jaws, and Theo could feel a burning panic growing in his chest at the sight.
Ariella was badly beaten, Chiaraβs arm looked on the verge of falling off, and their leader wasnβt looking any better at this point. They were on their own for now, and it terrified him. Chances of survival were grim to say the least. Something had to be done or elseβ¦
No. He had to do something.
While Fenrir was distracted with Luka, Theo quietly got to his feet and brandished his sword. He held the blade in front of him for a moment before inserting it back into its sheath. He had one thing he seemed to be good at, so he better not f*ck this up.
βAlright, Theo, time to turn on the charm. Pretend youβre not staring at a man-eating wolf,β he muttered to himself under his breath, suppressing his anxiety to the best of his ability.
Suddenly, his hands slammed together in a sequence of claps that was loud enough for the entire clearing to hear. βA good show, I must say. Seems like we lost to the big bad wolf yet again. Congratulations.β Theoβs posture seemed unnaturally suave, as he leaned against his sheathed blade as if it were a cane. The fear at what he was trying to do throbbed in the back of his head, but he tried to ignore it the best he could.
βVery impressive I must say, but I am disappointed we didnβt get to hear much talking from you, Fenny. Whatβs a big bad beast without a choice few words to the helpless losers here Like last time, Syrup and Pine, really just sends a shiver down your spine, doesn't it?β Soon the young man pointed at Luka and then to the ground. βHow about you set that one down there so we can have a little chat? I donβt believe sheβs going anywhere in that state.β His final words were laced with that charm magic he was only just now getting used to.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Jul 31, 2023 20:48:53 GMT -5
Luka Ravina
Standing against the child of her guide was terrifying, and even Loki seemed to hold his breath for her, not that he had breath. After her failed fireball, her eyes went wide and panic settled under her skin. For a moment she felt like Chiara, like she had been given some ability to detect danger. Like a dawning horror rippling under her skin, that she was in danger.
The Chiara joined in and Luka realized she wasn't in danger, they both were.
"You're a f*cking idiot," Luka stated, bluntly, raising her arm up to try and fire another fireball at the wolf. He was looking at them, and she was becoming increasingly terrified. Raising her dagger, she took a step forward to try and shield Chiara somewhat from the wolf.
Didn't matter anyways, the wolf had a whole surprise in store for them. Using Ariella as a nunchuck, he took down both Chiara and Luka. The brunette took a fall to the side, jarring her arm slightly as she landed. However, it seemed she was in for an even worse surprise. Scattered on the ground with her stuff scattered about, the girl had dropped her dagger for a moment.
Her foot was grasped, luckily her boot seemed to cushion her skin, and her hand grasped out for her dagger she dropped, grasping it deeply in her hands and digging her other hand into the ground, fingers digging in, but it did no good.
Within a moment Fenrir had thrown his head up and released her, and for a short moment of serenity, she was flying. It was almost peaceful, the night sky. It reminded her of that night of the campfire, the moon hanging over stars, Lucien's laughter, Laurie and River's soft words.
Then she plummeted again, and at first it only felt like pins and needles, like accidentally stepping on a nail perhaps. Except, well, it spread through a concerning amount of her body.
Then the pressure was applied, it burned through both her legs, through her torso and sides. It felt like something she'd never felt before, and it brought out a raw scream that broke off when more pressure was applied, ending in a choked sound, like her voice had no more to give to show the pain. But then it seemed to ebb slightly, like burns spreading through every limb.
"Luka-" she could barely even hear her guide, her mind too buzzed by the agony and a sudden cold daze her body was in, "Luka, you've gotta get away!"
The witty reply she'd usually give didn't come, the only thing coming from her was blood, dripping from the wolf's jaws. Her palms were pressing weakly against the wolf in a struggle to get away, but her energy felt like it was depleting. She could barely hear Theo over the haze in her mind.
Even Cleo's words, spoken in her ear was going quiet, though they sounded comforting, like a coo. Last time Fenrir had her pinned, Luka was able to retaliate by turning into a snake. This time, all she could manage was a measly bit of heat in her palms, the smallest and weakest of fire, pushing weakly against her assailant. Even that wasn't something in her control, but a desperate push from her instincts to free herself, Loki speaking panicked in her mind.
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Aug 1, 2023 0:37:00 GMT -5
 Clementine Lester
For a while things had sounded rough on the youngest leader's side. The eldest among the two in the room bit their lip in concern, worried for the 4 Ascendants. At first it didn't seem that bad, just bones and creepiness. But then Ariella went missing, and they though they found her body, from the sounds of it. Cleo had been ready to leave the Pantheon themselves when they heard that, but had calmed when they heard the girl yell.
It seemed, throughout the fight, that Ariella had gotten hurt and Chiara as well, bad, from the sounds of it. Ariella was attacked twice.
"Luka, get them out of there," they commanded, though their words likely fell on deaf ears. The young leader was commanding her people, and it was obvious they were all doing their best.
But things seemed grim.
"Luka, what's happen-" as they spoke, a scream cut them off, not loud enough to belong to Luka, given she had the headpiece. Likely Chiara or Ariella, based on the presumed situation. Given Luka and Theo's conversation, it would appear to be Chiara.
At that scream, Lucien stood, commenting on how he couldn't just stand there. Cleo stood up, walking over and placing an hand on his shoulder, shaking their head, "you can't," they commented, voice edging on some panic as their hand tightened slightly as another thunk sounded through the mic, as if someone had hit the mic, it caused a loud disturbance, painful on the ears. Wincing, they glanced at the boy, "we can't risk it."
Luka was talking more on her end, commanding Theo to go get Ariella, who seemed to likely be hurt again. They swallowed down a lump in their throat, "if-when they come back, they're going to need you to heal them."
They winced at their almost mess up, but honestly, they had no idea. This sounded bad, really bad. Frowning deeply, they let go of him, shaking their head again, "if you go out there, and if something happens to you, then they're screwed."
The words were blunt, but honest. From the sounds of it, Chiara and Ariella were going to need help.
There was another loud spike in the mic, as if something had hit it again, it was silent for a few seconds after that, the screech reverberating, but then the sound was worse, like the thing was getting dragged on the ground. Looking at Lucien with concern, Cleo opened their mouth the question whatever was going on.
They had to cover their ears then, a loud scream echoing through the mic, close to the earpiece Luka had, absolutely terrified and agonized, before it went quiet.
Cleo realized what that meant pretty quickly, the scream was familiar too, and the silence was unnerving, and they glanced at Lucien before talking into their own mic, "Luka, hey, Luka, what's wrong?" they questioned, throat dry, and there was no reply but rustling, "hey, you're okay! You're gonna be okay."
As they were preoccupied with the boy and the injured leader, someone else came in, gaze worried. "I heard some commotion in here, is...what happened?" Guinevere had come in, seeing the state of the two leaders and frowning. She was immediately worried for her friends, especially Ariella. She had become close to both Ariella and Griffin, and the look on Cleo's face wasn't comforting.
"Is Ariella okay?" she questioned, blinking owlishly at Lucien's panicked state, and Cleo's concerned one, "are...are any of them okay?"
Cleo took a deep breath, and shook their head, "we don't know." |
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Aug 1, 2023 3:38:21 GMT -5
Lucien was agitated, filled with an anxious buzzing kind of energy. Adrenaline was coursing through him, the fear only growing stronger the more he heard through the comms.
He tried to focus on what Cleo was saying to him, the pressure of their hand on his shoulder, rather than what he was hearing through the earpiece. Whatever was happening, it didnβt sound good, and he couldnβt just block it out no matter how much he wanted to in that moment.
Apolloβs champion tried to swallow a lump in his throat, tried to quell the nausea in his stomach. Things had always just worked out for them in battles before, but he was terrified that eventually their luck would run out. Theyβd had far too many close calls, and this one? He didnβt like what he was hearing.
The boy understood Cleoβs points. He understood that he was the only healer, and they couldnβt put him at risk. Heβd even agreed to stay before for that very reason, told Cleo he understood. Still, none of that meant he was okay with any of it. It didnβt mean he was happy about being out on the sidelines just because he was the healer.
βI know Iβm the only healer!β he exclaimed, voice thick βthatβs why if something happens to them, if they-βhe swallowed again, unable to bring himself to say it, not even to think it, βthat shitβs on me. I canβt do that again, donβt you understand?
His voice rose from emotion as he said those last words, hand hitting his own chest as he spoke them. Cleo might have their own pressures within the leaders, ones he would probably never fully understand because he wasnβt in their position, but so did he.
He would have argued more if it werenβt for the scream.
Loud, terrified and pained. And unmistakeable.
Heβd recognise Lukaβs voice anywhere.
He called her name at the same time as Cleo, begged his friend to stay with them. That was his best friend, one of the few people in this place who understood him and probably the person most like him. Heβd never in his life met someone he had a stronger kinship with. He wouldβve launched a fresh appeal to go and help - in fact Cleo would have been lucky if heβd even asked this time - when Guinevere entered the room.
At the girlβs questions, Lucien just met her eyes and mutely shook his head, letting Cleo answer for the both of them. He didnβt think he could trust himself to speak for a moment.
βFenrirβ was all he eventually said, in response to Guinevereβs question as to what was going on.
His hands strayed to the dogtags around his neck. Riverβs dogtags, which he intended to return to the other leader when he wanted them back. His reminder of what he was responsible for, his reminder of what River had given for others. His reminder of what the leaders needed to stand for.
He wanted nothing more than to fill that wolf with arrows.
βYou canβt make me live with thatβ he said finally, not even sure he was even talking to Cleo as much as the room itself, voice a little steadier now βIf they donβt make it back and I just stood here Iβll never forgive myself.β
He knew that as the only healer, putting himself at risk to help his friends might be selfish. After all, if he helped some of the others but didnβt make it back himself he was ultimately putting more people at risk by leaving them without a healer. But it was a burden to expect him to live with the guilt if something did happen, to expect him to convince himself heβd done the right thing by not helping.
Especially after Halloweβen.
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Post by Nariku The Avaricious on Aug 1, 2023 10:29:45 GMT -5
Irene slowly nodded as she listened to Dillon explain the current plan. Recon? Not a bad first step but it still concerned her. The group that got kidnapped was already decently large, with people like Haleema and River taking the charge. What was stopping the same thing from happening again? Maybe if she had gone with them-
No. She couldnβt think that. Even if she could have been there, that would have left Dillon and Enzo all alone and the same thing could have happened anyway. Regret was only felt from her because the three were alive to feel it.
At Dillonβs proposal to stay behind, Irene shook her head, βAbsolutely not! Look, we donβt know how long this βbumpβ with me is going to last for, and we canβt have them down more leaders when thereβs a crisis like a kidnapping! I canβ¦ handle myself in the meantime.β For all Irene knew, the pantheon would be scrambling to figure out how to resolve this. Haleema was gone, she wasnβt sure of Riverβs status. If both her and Dillon stayed in Venice, the pantheon would be down to three-four leaders instead of seven.
βAlong with that, it's not their business what happened to me. They have enough to worry about already.β Unfortunately, the leaders still needed some kind of report on the situation, and making Dillon lie wasnβt going to cut it. Cleo was the designated lie detector after all.
βJust say the facts. The exiled were here but left, and the situation was uncertain. Iβm alright, things just popped up and Iβm sticking behind for an indeterminate time.β
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Aug 1, 2023 11:43:24 GMT -5
Okay, so maybe Chiaraβs attempt at distraction wouldnβt go down as one of her finest moments. Sheβd panicked and gone for the only sure fire way she could think of to get Fenrirβs attention.
Overall the teamβs little plan didnβt work out too well for anyone involved, it had to be said. Fenrir hit Chiara and Luka with Ariella, knocking Chiara back hard. The girl struggled once again to stand, before offering the hurt Ariella her uninjured arm to help her to her feet before picking up her sword for the second time that fight.
Before she had time to see if Luka was okay, Fenrir had the smaller girl in his jaws. Teeth sunk into her body and pressing harder by the second, more pressure. Time was of the essence if Luka was going to live.
Theo was already intervening, trying to charm the wolf into putting Luka down. It had worked once, and all Chiara would do was hope it would work again.
Chiara could be very little help, she realised this here. Her danger sense helped up to a point, but now they were in a fight it was very little use, not to mention how muddled it had been anyway with all of the danger recently. Her sensory abilities helped with judging the subtle changes in an opponent, which gave an advantage when predicting next moves in fights. With Fenrir? That again was only useful to a point.
Even if she werenβt injured, at this point she was a kid with a sword Fenrir would probably consider a toothpick and very little else.
But that was her friend up there, a girl whoβd saved her life in their very first fight together. Chiara could not just let this happen.
She had no intention of getting in the way of Theoβs charm magic, though. Not if there was a chance of it working. At this point, this was a fight to escape with their lives. Which meant all they needed was to get Luka safely away from Fenrir.
βYou were amazing there,β Chiara complimented Ariella quietly, before adding βDo you think you can be ready to make a portal?β
She knew Ariella was weak and injured, which was why Chiara thought it might be best if she tried to retrieve Luka this time.
The blonde sheathed her sword so she could use her uninjured hand; she was going to need it and the sword wouldnβt do much good in what she planned anyway. She grabbed the rest of Lukaβs scattered stuff as quickly as she could, stuffing it in back in the girlβs bag and slipping it onto her own back. Luka might need it yet.
Thank god she couldnβt really feel in her injured arm, she couldnβt help but think as she put the backpack on.
In the low light her strong vision caught a glint, which on closer inspection revealed itself to be Lukaβs dagger. She grabbed it, knowing it could make the difference between Luka surviving this encounter with Fenrir and not.
While the wolf seemed distracted by Luka and hopefully soon Theo, she prepared herself to run. Her arms might not work well and her vision was a little hazy, but she could hopefully still move at a fast enough pace, especially if the wolf didnβt notice her approaching. She was no Lane, and if the Hermes champion had been here this fight might have gone a lot differently with her speed to frustrate the wolf.
But maybe, just maybe, this could work.
She got as close to Fenrir as she dared, trying her best not to take the wolfβs attention from Theo. Her stealth could probably use a little bit of work, the girl wincing as her foot made contact with a bone and sent it skittering, but mostly she was fairly light and quiet on her feet. Sheβd be ready to grab Luka if the creature did put her down. But for the moment she did her best to catch Lukaβs attention without actually calling out her name, letting the dagger catch the light as a signal to Luka of her presence and an indicator of what she was about to do.
Holding the dagger in her uninjured hand, the threw it towards Luka as best sheβd could. Her accuracy was middling; she was no Lucien with his enhanced accuracy and she was throwing with her left hand. But she could just hope the weapon made it to its intended recipient - Luka.
And she prayed to every deity she knew for some good luck.
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Post by Ζ€Ξ±ΖΖΞ±Ρ β§ on Aug 1, 2023 12:30:36 GMT -5
Dillon shook his head when Irene suggested that Dillon not stay. He couldnβt conscience that.
βWe canβt leave you here on your own, with the kidnapping itβs too dangerous for anyone to be by themselves. Especially because Gwen knows weβre out here, which means the other exiled probably know by now.β he pointed out, tactfully choosing not to mention that Irene not having powers anymore made it even more dangerous, βI can go back to base as Iβm needed and the rest of the leaders can keep us in the loop. We can still help. But we canβt just leave you out here for an indeterminate amount of time.β
Going backwards and forwards seemed a fair compromise. It still allowed Dillon and Enzo to help at home while also making sure none of the trio were left alone in Venice at any point.
He understood her concern, with Haleema gone and Riverβs situation f currently unknown. But if she was left alone out here the exiled were bound to take advantage of that. Irene was tough, and strong, but isolation was too risky regardless. The exiled would take any opportunity they could.
He understood why she didnβt want him to explain everything to the other leaders, though. The details might come out eventually, but they wouldnβt come from him if Irene didnβt want them to. Besides, she was right. The others had enough on their plates in that moment.
βOkay.β he said βIβll go home, update the others and find out what is going on and what we can do to help. But I will be coming back as soon as I can, okay? And you and Enzo need to text me if there are any issues here. Would that be fair?
He hoped it was an arrangement they could agree on. He could do regular trips between the base and Venice and help in both locations as needed. Enzo too. He didnβt mind what happened as long as nobody was on their own in Venice.
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Demisexual
Leo
Surviving off Thai tea and Miguel O'hara
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Post by Leo on Aug 1, 2023 13:05:09 GMT -5
Griffin had wandered in after Guiney, standing behind her like a protective guard dog as she asked what happened to their friends. At first he was at ease with with the question. But the more the silence remained the more the panic started rising in him as he saw the faces of the last few leaders. His fear matching the level of fear they were probably feeling.
He looked between them desperately hoping for an answer about what had happened to their friends. What had happened to Ariella. If she was-
We don't know
"What do you mean you don't know?" he asked quietly. Then his voice began to rise. "What happened to them? Where is Ariella? Is she ok?" He asked accusingly. He started moving around Guinevere and approaching Cleo and Lucien. More questions coming shot out of his mouth as he glared at them angrily, desperately. Wanting a real answer.
He only paused when Lucien said he couldn't live with himself if they died. He started nodding and pointed to him. "We have to go out there! What if they don't make it back? We can go out there and help, the wolf can't take all of us!"
He looked between the leaders again then his eyes landed on the mic. They lingered there for a moment before deciding he wanted to go for it. He started leaning forward and reaching for the button to talk.
"I have to talk to-"
"Griffin, don't."
River was pushing through them and grabbing Griffin's wrist to stop him from pushing the button. Stop him from causing anymore panic than was necessary.
He was breathing hard, trying to catch his breath, like he had come running from somewhere. But, otherwise he was entirely stoic and presenting himself as calm. Looking up at Griffin he simply waited for the larger boy to settle down a bit and back up. Once he did, River merely glanced at Cleo and Lucien and pushed between them with the simple command of "Move."
With one final deep breath an exhale to steady his voice, he leaned in front of the mic and pressed the button.
"Luka," he spoke softly but quickly, careful in his tone so she didn't feel pressured during whatever situation she was in. He was staring down at the mic as he wanted for an answer. "I know you can hear me," he tried again. He had distantly heard her scream from a few rooms down. He knew something had happened. He just refused to believe it was her death.
Still when she didn't answer he felt his stomach do a flip. "You haven't made a joke so I know you're hurt. That's ok, you can do that when you get home. We're gonna get you home," He insisted. He thought about what he needed her to do. They couldn't see what was happening so they didn't know exactly how bad everyone was hurt. Which meant he had to assume it was bad enough. "First, I need you to toss the earpiece to someone still standing. We need to know whats going on. Give me a grunt if you can do that."
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Post by πππππ π¨ on Aug 1, 2023 15:43:01 GMT -5
Luka Ravina
Luka could hear the sounds around her, feel the grating nerves in her legs and in her torso when the giant wolf growled, could hear the panic from Cleo and Lucien, but she couldn't reply. She was too busy biting her cheek, mouth pressed into a thin line, blood trickling inside from the pressure. Her flames were sputtering out, and her gaze was blurring by the second.
For a moment she just stared at the ground in a daze, uncomprehending, but then she caught a glint from the corner of her eye. Chiara wasn't saying anything, but the light glinting was distracting. Chiara threw the dagger, and Luka reached a hand out. Her gaze was annoyingly blurry, and when the dagger arched close enough, she reached out with both hands, seeing a chance of survival, though it bounced precariously between her hands, before ultimately slipping through blood soaked fingers.
She reached out, but struggling increased the pain, and she stopped, hitting her palms against the wolf only a few more times as her breath picked up in panic, fingers grasping into fur.
Then she heard a voice she hadn't heard in a really long time, and she held her breath for a moment, almost convinced she was hallucinating.
"Luka, I know you can hear me," he said, and Luka closed her eyes, willing the pain in her head away. She hadn't even done anything to her head, why did it hurt?
"You haven't made a joke so I know you're hurt. That's ok, you can do that when you get home. We're gonna get you home," he stated, and Luka shook her head, like he was lying. Below she knew her friends were moving, Theo was trying to get this wolf to put her down, but it failed. "First, I need you to toss the earpiece to someone still standing. We need to know whats going on. Give me a grunt if you can do that."
"River?" she questioned, finally forcing enough energy to speak, her voice weak and wavering, she spent much too long comprehending his words, but nodded, though she seemed to realize after a moment that River couldn't hear a nod, "I-I can do that."
With her words, she took the earpiece out of her ear, doing her best to calm her breathing, though the pain and feeling of being trapped was terrifying her, along with the blood she could see pelting down to the ground, her own blood. Looking at the earpiece, she looked around for her target, her gaze almost laser focused on her chosen target. Ariella and Theo were distracting the wolf, it seemed, but Chiara was close enough. Using her strength, she took the earpiece and threw it in a pretty clear shot at Chiara.
Stuck in the jaws of the wolf, Luka presumed her struggle against him, pushing against his snout. Her voice was hoarse, and the panic eclipsed in the form of a shout, "Let. Me. GO!"
She had no part in it, but something hit the wolf's head, causing him to let go of her in favor of his own wound. There was a painful release, before gravity took a hold of her.
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