middleofsomewhere | The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Red and Purple

The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Red and Purple

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.

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"I find what the train forces on us to be a little annoying." Because Xue Yang is used to being out and about at night. A forced bedtime is just obnoxious...of Course he doesn't particularly like someone forcing him into anything.

"Nighttime is often the best time for a lot of things."

He smiles as he rests right there against him. He closes his eyes letting the meditation be a good transition into a nap. "I know we will be able to get through this mission and get back to the train soon."

Well, fuck. They're even more alike than originally anticipated, aren't they. Soldat sighs a little, lowers their voice, and says. "Yeah, that's. My life force is technically in this." They tap the strap for their lantern, hanging off their shoulder. "It's why the demon magic can't really hurt me."

They hesitate to call it a "soul", in part because "life force" is what Solis always called it, and a soul feels like an awfully person-ish thing. They're not sure they have much of a soul left, after seventy years of murder. But it's clearly similar enough.

He recognizes that motion as well and removes his hand, letting it fall to his side. The robot's behavior is interesting, and he steps back a bit, giving Vexen some room to move.

"Yeah, not me, either." The big upcoming demon battle will probably be close, but even that can't really stand up against the oncoming World Eater back in Beacon. The horde of horrible green-eyed spirits swarming towards the missile silo. The Chair.

They shake their head. "It's going to be tough, when we get there, though. In the morning. To the last gate." They already know there's going to be a hell of a lot of demons there, this time. And probably something more tricky.

It's fine, he still has a little trouble grappling with the concept of a soul, too. Let alone him having one.

"You carry it everywhere... I kind of had a feeling it was something special." He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. "... We should probably get going soon. Don't wanna miss the party."

"I know. I'm not worried." He probably should be. He knows he's going to have a rough time. He knows he hasn't really fought anything huge before, not like SEES did. But there's a calm over him, like when he was planning on confronting Aragaki. It's a cold sort of calm that's likely familiar to Soldat.

... It's also mostly dissociating, but it's not like he knows that.

Clef would love for that to happen. Say... right about now.

"....I'm going to name you Rage Master."

As usual, the demon's emotions turned on a dime. He wasn't going to sulk in front of someone new for very long, not when it wouldn't benefit him in any way.

"We'll return. This seems like a skirmish to me and the people here seemed to be overwhelmed. They just need some warriors to turn the tides of battle. It's not impossible for them to have their peace."

He will help with that, and he'll consider it his mission. "Sleep well gege."

"I already have a name. Clef. Now GO AWAY."

“...Rage Mage. Much better.”

Well, Timcampy was certainly making it easy to follow him; Raven keeping pace easily.

[ The clang of metal against metal alerts him that not all is well, and he barrel rolls out of the smaller demon's grasp when Prompto covers for him. But he can't breathe easy yet. He watches the struggle between Prompto and four others, but now that means they have two little ones at a time, quick and nimble on their clawed paws.

At the very least, Prompto's change of weapon sparks in him an idea. He parries more blows from the one that's gotten his attention while shouting across the field.

A quick glance at his watch reads 23:15. They've got time. ]

Swing 'em!

[ He parries again, but kicks at the demon getting too close, not enough to damage obviously, but enough that he can stammer it for room to slash a quick combo. Those were some tough scales. ]

Swing 'em my way, and we batter up! Get it?

[ Time to improv a duo-attack! ]

[ And to Roland's credit...he lasts all of ten minutes more than he had planned before the effects of the demon world are brought down upon him, the worst of the worst. The life draining magic of the black and white world possess him like a heavy fog, weighing every step. His SCA is beeping madly, the portal on the way out a few feet away. There's a small horde left, a few cuts on his arms and legs to prove the struggle was something that couldn't be helped, not even by his advantage. His head start.

So he runs with all his might, ready to make the escape; cradled by his ribs, a collection of daggers ready for him to present to the rest of the passengers. Three, all severed from demonic wrists. But not without its costs, his stagger growing worse by the second.

But the four left are so much faster than him here, even the big slow one that usually presents as the easy one to escape. It's taking everything he's got, Rannygazoo stalling as much as its helpers can, to close the distance back. The energy drain isn't a joke, and it's his foolishness that forces him to suffer now. His arrogance. He's always been though, even just a little.

One of them is able to catch up without warning, thanks to a decisive leap into the air. Roland screams, a sharp claw digging deep into his calf muscle, halting his movement. He's going to get overrun if he doesn't stand, his sword protecting his jugular as the demons come in for the kill. ]

Dammit...!

[ Except his heart that longs to return, the one that calls for the boy waiting outside; it reacts to this pain, this desperation. Coupled with the will to never give up, the tiny light higgledy Inigo lends him earlier in the mission emerges from the depths of his heart, flashing every demon in sight with a blinding Higgledy shine. It's familiar to Roland, a flash bomb of magic, but it's a two-fold effect; it halts the demons, hissing in pain at the surge of holy, but Roland too, is debilitated from sight. So he scrambles up without gracefulness, his sword disappearing back into his Arms Band, as he is granted a bit of a head start once more.

And as the sliver of color meets his vision, Roland knows who he has to ask now, who he must shout out for -

- a promise to fulfill, here, now, and in the days to come. Of course it's not going to end here. He was going to take Inigo home. ]

Pup!

[ Without another word, he shoots his gun out into the portal, the grappling hook extended as long as it's allowed. It may hit the ground by Inigo's feet...which is all the hint that he can give as he runs out of breath: pull him out, anchor the hook to something. Anything. Get him out! ]

[ He's visibly pleased at the senzu bean working its magic. And even though there's some level of urgency to be had, to return to the fight...in this space of the tent, he tries to calm the energy with his own practiced ease, nodding as soon as Ken finishes eating the legume and gripping his other shoulder encouragingly. ]

You're welcome. You're doing great. Thanks for all the hard work out there.

[ He repeats it, but it's something that bears repeating anyway. And Ken can take pleasure in the fact that Roland isn't the type of adult to want to be lied to, or to coddle when it's not what the situation calls for. He respects Ken, and did promise to look out for him if he can, when he can. ]

Take the rest. [ The other two slices of the bean are placed gently in his small hands, cupped for good measure. ] Keep it with you at all times, even when we're not on a mission. Heard it can keep you full for a while, even if it's been cut up like that. And look at what good it did for you, yeah?

[ Yes. He definitely needs it more than Roland. ]

[ Roland's periphery catches the brutality - the mercy granted - of a quick kill. He doesn't comment on it, doesn't commend it either. It's effective, but he only approves of violence when he knows it is the means to an end. He's always preferred peace and he has a feeling Soldat is the type to work on autopilot, not thinking, almost conditioned this way on the battlefield.

They did admit as much to Roland before, cutting up avocados, right? A prisoner of war...

He shakes himself from his reverie quickly, spotting another unit fast approaching. Two of each this time - two smaller ones and two other demons that follow their lead. ]

We have bogeys at three 'o clock.

[ But before that - ]

Hey, wait! Cut off the hand holding the dagger! I'll grab it.

[ A weird request, but his gun with the grappling hook is out, and the giant knight higgledy maneuvers its body to face Soldat, ready to support. From his vantage point, he has a good look at the field, and a great shot for his aim. ]

Nice one!

[ The attack works to moderate success, and it captures enough demons in the air for Roland to let the one stuck on his own gun go, waiting for Trunks's air strikes to come through before he runs across the field again. For a brief minute, Roland admires Tidus's strengths on the battlefield: he really did best with space to move, to make quick dashes and broad strokes that can disorient when needed. He smiles to himself, before his thoughts are interrupted with the one they couldn't manage to hit. An angry thing now, mad it was even caught in the crossfire, so it's time for a quick duel before they resume breaking formation.

Roland joins Tidus's side, his sword out in the ready again, poised up and in offense. This time they won't have Trunks's ki blasts to give them cover as the Saiyan circles around. ]

Got a plan? [ The ground feels like it could rumble with the force of their demonic foe's wrath aimed directly at the both of them. Somewhere in the distance, it's gathering the attention of a big one, its whip out in the open. Roland hums low. ] I've still got your enchantment.

[ Code for use me! ]

... Okay. I'll... I'll do that.

[He takes a few deep breath and looks down at his hands. The beans seem so small... but they did so much.]

You're... going to rest too, right? You've been running around so much.

[ Every second is passing by agonizingly slow. If not just because every second feels like one too much. Too much time for Roland to be in there. Inigo feels so close to just rushing in there himself, to find the man - his father - there, one way or another, and drag him out with it.

But just as that desire starts to swell more and more inside of his chest, there's the sound that can't be missed near his feet. Inigo doesn't even have to see it come out of the portal, doesn't even have to look down and see what it is. He's seen Roland use it often enough to know the sound, know that there's only one person that thing belongs to.

Roland is almost here. He's coming back.

Inigo's heart races, but thankfully his brain does the same. He grabs the hook out of the dirt, frantically looking around for something it could be anchored to. It's a chore in a landscape as destroyed and barren as this, but he ends up running to a sizeable rock nearby. For a moment he tests whether it's really not going to move, but it seems sturdy enough for the process.

So he doesn't waste more time. He hooks the thing around the rock, securing it as well as he can. It's Roland's hope of getting out of there, after all.

Despite not being sure if Roland can hear him - did he just hear Roland too, calling out to him, or was that a hopeful illusion? - Inigo calls out all the same. ]

Father..! I'm here, come on..! Hurry out!

The droid did allow itself to be picked up, curling limbs around Vexen's hands and vibrating softly as it was lifted.

boop beep boop boop
boop boop boop
beep beep boop
beep beep beep
beep boop
beep beep boop beep
beep
beep beep beep beep
beep
beep boop beep
beep

"Uh, well.." Demyx should probably turn her down, except he was exhausted and drained and really if he was listening to his desires, yeah, he would like that.

"Okay." He said, giving in. He got to his feet, stretching a little bit. He did feel better after that healing. "For a little while anyway."

"Uhhh, okay? What kinds of things work like doors?" Demyx asked, looking around for his eyes to be peeled.

"Is it keyholes?" That might be a strange question...

[ Prompto laughed at the suggestion. He wasn't Gladio, but these guns weren't just for show.

His Drillbreaker's pretty impressive too. With a grin, and admittedly only three demons left standing around him, one going down he slammed the machine into its stomach and swung with all of his might, sending it - not flying exactly - but its momentum sent it towards Roland. ]

One! [ He counted cheerfully and then swings the oppisite way to send the second. ] Two!

[ The Drillbreaker vanished and the handgun was back, and he put a bullet right between its eyes, point blank range. ] Three!

"Oh yeah? What would you do at night?" Prompto asked, because it seemed like the thing to do.

When he was in high school he had a part-time job in the evenings, but that probably wasn't what Xue Yang meant.

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The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Red and Purple

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