The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Red and Purple

[voidtreckermods]

Dawn Attack

It's been a busy few days of fighting demons, attacking keystones and fighting both on the demon and human planes. On the morning of day nine of the month of Kazoo a gate opens close to the base camp that the two teams have made.

It seems the demons have decided to focus on this unexpected threat, because it is a sizable force, with a number of the large demons. They march towards the camp with single-minded focus, the opportunity to stop these unwanted defenders taking precedence over their desire to destroy the city.

The advantage to the landscape being as ruined as it is, is that there isn't much to stop the lookouts from seeing this force headed towards them. A gate opening is not subtle. There should be enough time to make sure the defenders are ready.

Scouting Ahead

Once that skirmish is won those on the Red team will find their SCA's beeping, with an exclamation point far out to the east.

A group of demons is congregating at the location indicated. Investigate why, defeat the demons and close any gates nearby.

It will take a while to get there and there is plenty to do on the way for those that follow the exclamation point. Roaming packs of demons, gates to be closed. Exhausting work, especially for those going in and out of the demon gates.

Protecting the City

Once it is clear that these defenders are not going to be easy to wipe out, the attacks on the city itself get more frequent. The demons have changed tactics: rather than sending in large groups they open many small portals, sending small strike teams to harry and target individuals.

Some of the attacks are clearly meant as traps: they open the gates in or very close to the city, to lure the Voidtreckers in to where they will be affected by the spell. Ranged attacks may be useful here.

Comments

[subcircuits]

"It's easy to be optimistic when you're young and don't have any responsibilities," Devero says. "Carrying a burden-- especially a burden like yours-- means that sometimes you aren't free to chase your idealism."

Devero, you are thirty-four-- yet somehow, the words aren't just hollow platitudes or moralizing from him. Is it experience that lends him that quiet, sincere understanding of the choices Koumyou has had to make to protect himself, or just profound empathy?

Yes.

He shifts a little, opening up his side and offering his shoulder if Koumyou wants to tuck in close.

[runicfeathers]

The high pitched noise of distress makes Willow blink, raising an eyebrow at Vexen for making such a noise before brushing it off. She'll ask later what that was, for now she's focused on the reaction of the bot.

"Is... is it trying to comfort you?"

It doesn't look like it's attacking, not that she can immediately tell.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"No one on my world who doesn't do the job themselves seems to understand what it entails. As a Sanzo, watching people get killed is normal, even when those people are my friends. Even when those friends are fellow Sanzo priests."

After all, Genkai had inherited the Maten sutra and became Tenkai Sanzo. And Toudai had inherited the Muten sutra and became Goudai Sanzo. And both had died in a smear or an explosion of blood before his eyes. Not to mention the rest of the first squad who hadn't become Sanzo priests...

Koumyou takes up Devero's silent offer, scooting that much closer.

"The only reason I wasn't executed on the spot was because of my potential. I was valuable. But it was a near thing. I was given an exam; pass to live, fail to die. If the rest of the first squad hadn't come to my rescue to help me cheat, I would have died."

All the more reason to not want to watch them all die. But.

His world really was hell.

"To attempt to murder an instructor, even in that circumstance, even though I pulled back at the last possible second--"

Even though it was self defense...

"Now, I look back at that situation and... I'm not sure what I feel about it...? They were training us to become Sanzo priests. We kill. But everyone seems to think we protect our sutras with stern words and a shaking of a finger. Us, in our white robes and our heavy crowns, too pure and too holy to violate such an important tenant. No one ever seems to realize the amount of blood involved...

"But it was like I was a rabid dog they were deciding whether to put down. Over someone I wouldn't hesitate to end now."

[worthallthis]

Soldat gives a little wince. Given their lantern... yeah, they understand that. (No. Shut up, Asset.) "Your soul isn't bound to it, though, right? It's a temporary thing. I watched it disappear."

[xue_yang]

"You are my light, daozhang. You guided me back to the base camp without even trying. I just knew to come right towards you."

He grins as he closes his eye and rests there.

[worthallthis]

That's a lesson Soldat had to learn, themselves. How to know that support team is important, and how sometimes going out into the main fight might makes one a liability. A danger to one's team.

They sigh a little. "Ken, then. Sorry. I don't know what to tell you, there. I've never been a hero." No matter what Yondu calls them. "Don't even really like people looking at me too much. But if you're that worried about it. There's gonna be more missions. One every month. Might be your powers would be perfect for the next one."

[xue_yang]

Xue Yang doesn't have time to look at her expression, only noticing that she actually managed to listen to him as a demon goes down.

"See what happens when you listen to me."

That's about as much approval as she can really expect to receive from him. He isn't there to babysit her through a battle. Fighting is all about learning through doing. At least she is more useful then the brat that would do nothing more then hide and spy on him.

[xue_yang]

Xue Yang knows all about that kind of night life. Growing up on the streets meant it was hard not to. And even if he didn't really indulge in it himself that much. He had other interests.

"Much like the train." Go to bed when the train tells you or get forced into it.

[lucklessgege]

Xie Lian probably could handle most portals. It was the most convenient method of movement when it came to long distances. And right now a fast getaway would be useful.

"Ah..how lucky do you feel?" Because luck does play a factor in it as he pulls out the little pair of dice that Hua Cheng gave him.

[lucklessgege]

He feels the tips of his ears grow pink at what he says and tries to keep himself from growing too embarrassed by it. but the second piece does distract him.

"I really should try to get a sword...I imagine at some point I will have the points to do so." He hasn't really considered buying anything for himself before but perhaps this kind of purchase would be necessary to make missions easier.

"I am glad that I have San Lang with me to fight with."

[flatteries]

Look at his new little buddy vibrate like that. Maybe that means something is happening.. in there? Is that how these metal things work? Despite having seen robots during some of the missions, Inigo still feels a little unsure as to how exactly these things function.

But at the very least Inigo can understand that green light must be meaning something, especially when it's so specifically aimed at the ticket. He glances over at Roland - dad, why are you drinking now? - before looking over at Tidus instead.

"Do you think that's how he reads things?"

[bakegarasu]

"No. ... Well, it's inside there, but it's bound to my amulet." It's okay to tell Soldat that, right? He understands. He... trusts Soldat enough to not tell anyone.

Even if there's a weird feeling in his stomach at revealing something so critical.

[stardustofdawn]

"When you said that, I don't believe you at first. Now I do. We're here now...and you fought well."

He noticed Xue Yang is drifting off, feeling sleepy, so he closes his eyes, holding him in his arms, and follows in suit. "Sleep well, A-Yang."

[miseris_socios]

"... Maybe. Hopefully. ... I just want to be able to do more." His team isn't here, this new team is weird, he doesn't like this setup... but he also doesn't want the others involved in this. Given this place, it's entirely possible they'd lose control.

"At least these things aren't some of the worst things I've seen." They're freaky, but not on the 'existentially disturbing' level of Shadows or Persona.

[crimson_rain]

"You definitely should. The last mission doesn't require a sword. For now, just use me and E-ming, and we'll be your sword if the battle gets too rough to handle."

With a nod, he slowly wraps his around his waist, holding him close, and rubs his forehead against his. "I'll always fight for gege."

Re: Protecting the City

[mynameisallen]

"Yeah, though I am also not at all surprised at the numbers." Allen has had to deal with large numbers of Akuma so this wasn't exactly new either.

He used his cowl to move in closer to a few and used his sword to deal with a good few. "But this is what a battle can be like. The fight not stopping until one side wins in a sense."

[mynameisallen]

"It's either that or they think they can win with numbers alone, which is always a possibility some do think more is better."

Not that Allen actually believed that because Allen can handle huge amounts of AKuma back home alone and since then his fighting skills have only gotten better.

"But they really know nothing about us if they think that either." All said with a smile at the end.

Re: Panic on the Mission

[mynameisallen]

Timcampy wasn't sure who he could trust, but this seemed like someone who was on the train so it was okay to panic fly around them before flying off in what seemed like a random direction.

Re: what is resting

[mynameisallen]

"I am aware of that. I just like being of help, so sooner I can the better." Plus if he knew people get hurt and he could have done something he tends to always feel guilty afterward. He'd rather at least attempt to do something than nothing at all.

"Plus if this is meant to be the path I am taking, I need to keep going."

Re: Dawn attack

[creepyoldguy]

"Sounds fun, can't lie, but, here's the thing:"

He paused long enough to glomp, smooch, and dispatch a demon in a fiery snap of his fingers before continuing.

"I heard about getting paid for doing things. And that we can request shite. I want a mirror so I can contact Lyds and make sure she's living her best gothy teen life. Dunno if I'll get it, but, I figure it'll be hella expensive, so I need all the dough I can get." Beetlejuice hummed, bouncing on his toes.

"SO, if there's even a chance that you getting yeeted into a luggage container costs me points, I'm gonna have to avoid that. Capiche?"

Re: Dawn attack

[guru_clef]

"I have my network device here, and it does not connect to other worlds. Speak with the team leaders on the train, they compiled what we know. This is not the time or place for it!" Especially since he would have sent this guy to Nita... but... she was gone now.

Re: Dawn attack

[creepyoldguy]

"I need a mirror so I can do a little dark blood magic. Scry at the very least, but, I'd prefer to be able to chat."

He yawned, showing off fangs and striped tongue, before turning his attention a few demons that were closing in.

Re: Dawn attack

[guru_clef]

Hw growled and used Bending to create a pocket mirror in the air in front of Beetlejuice. "There. Take it and go so I can focus."

Re: Dawn attack

[creepyoldguy]

"I need a specific kind, half-pint. She has to have its twin."

He made no move to take the mirror, feeling a pang of annoyance for the first time since starting this conversation.

Re: Dawn attack

[guru_clef]

Then it would just drop.

"You will not receive any way to communicate with those left behind. It has been tried. Go. Away."