Day Twelve: Red and Blue (and all for reuniting)

[voidtreckermods]

Red: Final Instructions.

Six days since the fighting began the fighters seem to gain a sense of renowned optimism. Soon they tell each other. It has to be today. Even before dawn they are up and working, saddling horses, packing up essentials.

Just after first light, when the majority of the fighters are in the cave, Lena gathers them. “It will be today. Keep an eye on the northern sky. When you see the beacon it is time.” Her gaze moves to the strange, almost other-worldly warriors who had appeared at their time of need. “When the beacon lights the sky you get to the horses and you ride north. To Um’i’les. As hard as you can. Don’t worry about being chased. Don’t stop to fight. Just ride. This fight ends today.”

With that, slightly worrying pep talk she nods at them and activity resumes in the caves, preparing for what looks like it will be the final battle.

Blue: A choice

At first light, Kian leaves the circle of wizards and comes to speak to the small group of defenders on the tower top. “You should leave. The ritual is almost complete, we cannot guarantee your safety once the final phase begins.”

One of the other wizards, Myra also breaks from the circle. “We cannot guarantee anyone's safety if the final phase is interrupted, we need them.”

Kian glares at her and she glares back. It seems this is an old argument.

“You have done enough. There will be a very short window for escape. Once we light the beacon, we will be alright then. Please leave.” Myra looked like she was going to argue again but then just scowled and turned away.

“If this fails it is on you Kian.” Kian sighed and nodded once, face grim.

Blue: It Begins

Once Kian returns to the circle the final part of the ritual begins in earnest. Goblins continue attacking and for about an hour things continue like they have been all week. Goblin attacks, the ritual, moments of quiet, more attacks.

The low humming of the ritual intensifies and a light shoots up from the middle of the circle, cutting through the air. A beacon.

If they want to leave now is the time, but they best be quick because like moths to flames goblins rush the tower. More than before, all trying to get at the wizards, to stop whatever is about to happen.

Red: Ride. Ride Now.

The fighting is once again hard, the humans keep their eyes on the northern skies and it is mid morning that it is seen. A beacon pointing high at the sky. “Go!” The fighters all scramble, those not mounted find horses quick and begin a hard gallop. Northward.

The goblins seem surprised, some give chase, some fly towards the tower.

After about ten minutes the air begins to feel strange, like it is vibrating. Heavy, foreboding. They are no longer the only ones fleeing, all over the place animals are rushing northward. Rabbits, deer, even swarms of insects. All fleeing. Some of the goblins break off and start flying the other way, south, to where they came.

They might not notice, if they are galloping hard but the train emblems on their Safety Control Apparatus, which are usually green are flashing amber.

Blue: Thank you

Those of the Blue Team still defending the wizards they will notice the change as well. The wizards themselves begin to glow. Goblins are still assaulting the tower but when the air begins to vibrate they flee, flying off to the southern pass where they came from.

The wizards are disappearing into the light. They seem to glow and fade all at once, becoming one with the light. The train emblems are flashing ember if anyone looks down to see them. A voice rings in the air, Kian’s voice. “Thank you. Go. Now.”

There’s not much time. None at all in fact but hopefully Blue team remember their instructions and the trains last reminder. All passengers are to wear their Safety Control Apparatus and are reminded that emergency evacuation protocol is three short taps.

Three short taps on their SCA is all that is needed, a flash of light and they are stood, safe and sound in the luggage carriage of the voidtrecker express.

Red: Goblins fall

Provided they rode fast from the moment the beacon was lit about fifteen minutes later the air seems normal again. If they look back they will see the air behind them is shimmering, almost like a heatwave.

Then from the tower a pulse of energy, it drives upwards and out, a visible ripple. There’s a second. Maybe two. Anyone still in the area may notice their SCA’s flashing red now. Three short taps is all it takes to be whisked away to safety.

Because then the air ignites. Every rain drop turned fire, a blast of heat and destruction that only lasts about half a minute. But it is enough. It doesn’t damage any structures, not the tower that you can see, not the couple of homesteads.

It kills goblins though. Wolves too. In fact anything living in the area is destroyed, turning to dust.

They are quite far away but they will still hear and see the smoke of an explosion from the southern pass. A gateway destroyed, cutting off those goblins that escaped from returning here ever again.

Any goblins that escaped northward with the fighters need to be dispatched but once they are all that is left is to ride to Um’i’les.

All teams: Reuniting

Those of Blue (and any of Red) who evacuated to the train arrive at the fortress city first. They are dropped off out of sight and it is only a short hike to the city. They are welcomed as more evacuees and taken to where the others are.

The fighters and Red team arrive late in the evening, exhausted. They are likewise taken to the halls and reunited with the rest of the city dwellers.

It is announced that there will be a feast the next evening, to honour the fallen, pay tribute to the brave and celebrate the saving of the city. But for now those of Culin’e’ai and the Voidtreckers may rest.

(OOC: Just as a note if anyone happens to die in this finale they will wake up in a suitcase on the train on day thirteen so will not be reunited in Um'i'les.

Also if you want an NPC to show up in your thread just let me know here. Likewise if your character wants to do something outside of this framework that's absolutely fine! If it's something that you feel mods should be aware of let me know here or on the event ooc post!))

Comments

Red/OTA

[seawanderer]

The Ride

Any skilled warrior that's lived as long as Maglor has, knows to follow orders from someone who has more information. So when the signal comes, he makes sure Maedhros above all others is mounted on a horse and is with him when they start the hard ride north with the rest of those mounted. If he sees stragglers, he'll grab them up and shove them to the saddle before him, knowing he's light enough that his horse can handle two riders. And the song of protection and disguise he sings will grow louder, though slip through the ears of the natives to avoid being commented on.

Reunion

They'd won! The goblins and wolves were all dealt with and he's tried to wash off the worst of the grit of battle on the slower pace to the city for the feast. The glove Tony made him has held up well, but he knows better than to remove it just yet. Knows the scar it hides is bleedily angrily as the battle-light slowly fades from him.

Blue: Thank you

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis is there fighting of course. He'd had the choice to stay or go but he wanted to make sure this nightmare would be over for all involved. This included the wizards because they were the main objective of course. However, his thoughts were moreover on his team, every single one of them who had helped him, especially those not suited for combat. He'd made sure they were all safely now out of harm's way.

Thoughts then turned to Renee who'd been an immense help and he shook off the remains of a goblin from his Drain Lance. Hearing the low humming, the advisor had to shield his green eyes as the beacon went up.

Both his head and body go down to catch a breath and Ignis looked up. Seeing another huge horde of goblins heading towards this light, he briefly closed his eyes. He didn't know if the Six could hear him or not from where he was but he said a prayer for his friends here, his team and for the friends back home.

Twirling his lance in his hands, Ignis opened his eyes, crouched down and then leaped into the air, coming down onto a horde of incoming goblins. Once they were dealt with, he heard Kian's voice telling him to go.

Red | Open

[castintoflames]

Ride Now

It takes him more time than he would like to find a horse that is tall enough to bear him. Maedhros isn't heavy, but his legs are long and if he rides a horse that is too short, he will pay for it later. Then again maybe that is a better fate than whatever is coming.

Throwing himself into the saddle of a large stallion, he scans the immediate area for his fellow team members and, more specifically, his family. Sometimes one has to journey forth on faith alone and Maedhros grits his teeth, urging his stallion into a hard gallop.

Goblins Fall

He should have been whisked to safety. The moment the air ignites behind him, Maedhros breaks. He manages to throw his sword to the ground - lest he hack his allies to pieces - but he shakes in the saddle, breathing hard, his heart racing faster than his horse could ever hope to travel.

Fire. Fire all around. It hurts!

Reunion

He is paler than snow when he encounters the others. Speaking is difficult - if not completely out of the question - and there is a tremor that races up and down his body. Some food would do him good and the company of friendly souls. Maedhros's past is haunting him and it feels as real as anything else.

Reunion

[seawanderer]

Throughout the terror-filled ride, he stuck close to his brother's side. Helping search for a horse large enough by using the one he'd found to cover more ground. Then they're away, and Maglor keeps his horse at his brother's side. He holds onto his own sword through sheer force of will, knowing his brother's fear as his own. But it's better to stay armed, the last niggle of sense tells him, reminding him of Curufin's vision that might not yet have come to pass.

He raises his voice against the fire, drawing a shield around them and staying a pace behind and to Maedhros' right. Just in case.

Even when it's over, he hovers at his brother's side, humming softly to coax him back to sense. There's a cup of water waiting for when the tallest of them comes around enough to notice it. "Some water for your throat, Nelyo."

[castintoflames]

His eyes were wild when the flames appeared and he searched for enemies, ready to lash out with all his strength. Goblins were the work of Morgoth and if he could, Maedhros would have stuck his sword in that Valar's throat. Yet there was no one to fight and he ran his hand over his face, leaving a smear of blood on his cheek.

The voice barely broke through his senses, however he registered it as safe, at least. Somehow, likely thanks to the owner of said voice, he finds himself surrounded by the cheers of celebration. Maglor's image swims before his eyes - is he real? - and Maedhros registers how sore his throat feels.

Had he been screaming? He must have been... The water feels good and he drinks thirstily, gasping as everything settles around him.

[seawanderer]

They'd all been screaming. And singing, on Maglor's part. His voice is a bit hoarse too, but he ignores it in favor of standing in front of his brother, a break in the storm. Safe.

When Maedhros seems to register him and accepts the water, he steps close to wrap a supporting arm around his waist. "I haven't left your side," he will swear it every day he needs to.

"There is a basin to wash up not far from here. Let me guide you?"

[castintoflames]

His screaming hadn't been victorious - as his brother well knew. Yet if no one else heard him shatter, his pride won't be injured too badly.

He blinks and feels the pressure of the arm around him. Glancing down at Maglor, he cautiously touches his cheek, checking him for wounds.

What of you?

Speaking aloud is still difficult; his throat feels constricted.

[seawanderer]

He knows. And he accepts his brother's terror. But he's here, real, alive. They all are. Maglor nuzzles his brother's shoulder, not caring the clothe is covered in gore. If it helps sooth Maedhros from his panic, it's all worth it.

Then leans into the hand on his cheek, nuzzling the fingers as he stands still for the careful check.

'A few shallow cuts from claws and lucky strikes. We have both had worse.' He dutifully answers in kind, though adds in reassurance in his mental voice's touch.

Reunion~

[stealsyourheart]

"Yo, Maglor-san." A very tired, mud-covered Kaito waves at him from where he's sprawled bonelessly on a chair.

"You made it through ok I see."

The New Rescue

[runs_on_batteries]

Lena gave her pep talk- if you can call it that- and everyone else started to prepare to follow her instructions. Somehow it didn't sit well with Tony. After going to her and asking for more clarification, he discovered that beacon was the spell the wizards were doing that would destroy the goblins. Three of the train's children were part of that group. He knew Renee and Ignis would do their best, but it was only two against who knew how many.

He started with the red team, but he had a nagging feeling he needed to be at the tower. As soon as he saw the beacon, he He hurried to tell Maglor what he was doing and with a quick exchange of 'you be careful' 'no you be careful', he was off.

Flying toward the tower didn't take too long, but the power emitting from the spell was messing with Friday's signals. He saw swarms of goblins around the tower as he dove closer. The humming and light were difficult to navigate with, but he soon realized the goblins weren't swarming. They were fleeing.

Reunion w/a purple!

[sweetnessandfight]

He looks...like hell. Like he's seen the hells, all seven of them. If not more. Sarai notices Maedhros from across the hall, and pardons herself from whomever she'd been speaking to. She looks as if she's simply crossing it to reunite with a companion, but she's an excellent actress, when it comes to it. She pauses at a trestle table for only long enough to fill a clay mug with soup before she quickens her pace slightly to come to the elf's side.

"Don't speak yet, if you can even do such. Here, I hope this will help." She offers the steaming vegetable broth up to him--and when he takes it, she wraps her arms around his waist and hugs him. Normally she'd never be so forward, but Sarai feels as if this situation may just call for it...

Reunion w/a purple! (for you too!)

[sweetnessandfight]

Sarai looks more than a bit tired--no surprise there, since Purple has had quite the trek over mountain and bog the entire way. But she's cleaned up, and still has both her bow and her cane slung over her back. An interesting combination, perhaps, but it's one that's served her well.

She hops merrily (and perhaps with a bit too much energy still for one who's endured what she has, but Hydaelyn's Chosen are a tough breed!) over to where Maglor stands.

"I'm glad to see you made it back in one piece! Have you seen the rest of your family, yet?" Dread is here somewhere, of course--there's food, and the Roegadyn is likely availing himself of it. "I can get you some bread and soup if you like?" To at least take some of the duress off of the elf.

Blue OTA

[pleple]

It Begins

There's no running for Ple Two, and it was an easy decision, even as she encourages anyone who can't fight to get out sooner rather than later.

For her, combat is all she's good for. Running for the sake of her own life borders on meaningless, when she thinks about it like that. But she's running low on ammo, taking test swings of a short sword as the last wave of goblins approaches. Deep breaths. "Let's make this quick."

Reunion

...but the moment her task is clearly complete, it's tap tap tap. At this point, Ple Two is plenty banged up from the last bit of action, her weapons discarded and her torn clothing doing little to hide bruises and gashes on her body. All she really wants is to find someone who can give her a hand with any of that, because blood-soaked clothing, it turns out, is real uncomfortable even on just a few small spots. Small, harmless spots. It's fine. She's just a little woozy from the adrenaline.

Full Team Reunion | OTA to hang out with Reigen and Joss

[internetsexsymbol]

Reigen has not slept in...ok, it's only been a day, so not the worst thing he's ever done, but he hasn't slept since reaching Um'i'les, and the lack of coffee is making the hours feel a little longer. That, and the amount of stress and worry he's feeling about this whole thing. Not only are the others still in the city, but he also has Joscelin to worry about. The poor kid doesn't have any medicine or blood transfusions, so Reigen can only really hope that they'll be able to get back to the train before he actually dies.

After all the stress, it's a relief that people finally show up at the fortress to greet them. Anyone arriving at the gate will find Reigen with an exhausted Joscelin on his back to greet them. It's not like Joscelin can stand right now, and he's a light kid, so Reigen's ok with it (reason number whatever-he-lost-count that he is a great fake brother).

"Hey, you made it! Piece of cake, right?" Reigen says as if everyone including himself isn't completely exhausted.

[knifewithnoname]

For Peter

The goblin camp was quiet, quite a lot of them had gone through the portal to fight the humans. She was also quiet, she had been very quiet since they had been captured. Not talking at all, thinking. They had gotten into this mess and they could get out of it. But she hadn't come up with a good enough plan yet.

She glanced over at Peter, wondering if he was awake. Probably. She doubted he had even slept, she hadn't. Even if they hadn't been prisoners it was far too cold. Colder even than where they had been before, their breath turned to mist when they breathed.

It made thinking hard.

[hashtagparkerluck]

Peter isn't asleep. He doesn't sleep nearly as much as maybe he should and it's a pretty badly kept secret. But it is a secret because if people find out he's not great at the sleeping thing they'll ask why and that's not a thing he wants to talk to anyone about. So, now captured by goblins and cold, he's sitting with his head against the wall, eyes closed and trying to think of something he could do.

He could probably rip the prison/dungeon/whatever the goblins called it, door right off the hinges if he had to but that might get them shot. Which he'd survive, probably, but it would suck. A lot.

It's cold, and it's making him sleepy because he's not great at the heat regulation. That means he's not shivering right now so he can pretend like he's not cold. He lets out a sigh and pulls himself to his feet, dropping his cloak over Buttercup's head because she's obviously cold.

"So uh..." He starts, sounding casual, moving closer to the guard. "Since we're like.. being held against our will as hostages or whatever-I wasn't listening-mind telling us your Evil Master Plan? I mean Villains always have like a monologue about about taking over the world or about how people deserve what they get because of some sad sob story about something that happened in the past-so I'm all ears. Tell me all about your awesome and totally not stupid and chilche'd plan to take over the world."

[faithfulsupport]

Touching his glasses, Ignis healed himself up before taking on the new wave of goblins. Knowing he was the last one left as the wizards disappeared made him shake his head. He didn't want to think about any alternatives as far as what would happen.

Skewering several goblins and throwing them off of the lance, he briefly thought about pulling out his daggers and elementally enhancing them but now there was no time. Close range would push him beyond his already exhausted point.

When the last wizards were leaving, Ignis grabbed his sca but then the blast shook the tower. He had the damn thing in his hand but the part of it crumbled that he was standing on, forcing the advisor to go tumbling down.

[runs_on_batteries]

The force from the tower crumbling and needing to dodge debris slowed Tony down some. He knew he'd seen a flash of blond hair. He flew as quickly as he could, while knocking away other pieces of the tower falling overhead with his shield. One knocked him clear to the ground before he could shove it off of him.

"Friday! Scan! I know someone is here." He had a good guess who it was too. Unfortunately Friday's system was unreliable so it took him a bit longer than he wanted before spotting him. "Ignis!"

He hurried over to the fallen young man and saw his sca laying a few feet away. Plucking that up, he crouched over the unconscious form, touching his neck for vitals. As soon as he did, a wave of heat swept over them. Throwing his shield up, the spell erupted around them. Pulling Ignis as much under his shield as he could, he pressed back against the torrent force fighting to reach his own sca. The shield was starting to fail under the pressure. It was taking all of his might to keep the barrier up around them. Finding a little more from somewhere within, he reached his sca. Tap, tap, tap.

He hadn't used the feature on the watch before but he wasn't counting on it taking that much energy out of him. It might have been because he was teleporting two of them or he was just that exhausted from the week of battle, but Tony didn't get to see the result. As soon as they reappeared in the luggage car with his body protectively wrapped around Ignis' under his shield, he dropped to the floor. The shield vanished and his suit falls away, leaving both men unconscious on the floor.

[faithfulsupport]

He thought he heard Tony's voice but the man couldn't possibly be here. He had to be safely on the train with the others and not out in the middle of what now felt like nowhere. As soon as his dirty blonde head hit something hard, he was out and that was the last thing he could coherently register.

A terrible heat was thinly felt and Ignis was convinced a dragon had erupted over the city to finish the job that the goblins didn't. But the next thing he knew, was that all was eerily quiet. Green eyes blinked open with blurry vision at first. Remaining calm, he took a look around him without moving as things cleared up. There was some sort of weight on him too and realization slowly dawned as to where he was.

Everything on him hurt right now, but he could fix that easily enough as soon as he could get this weight off. Slowly Ignis turned over slightly then to see Tony curled around him protectively. What in the name of the Six had happened? The last thing he remembered was..falling. And now here they were on the train, safely away from the city. Tony must've saved him.

Slowly and painfully the advisor moved and lifted a hand to touch the older man's face in a silent thank you. Smiling softly at seeing the chain still around the other's neck, he spoke in a barely audible tone. "I suppose now I know what it's like to fall into your arms. However, now it's my turn to save you."

Reluctantly and carefully, Ignis lifted Tony's arm off of him and began to get to work on healing both of them.

[runs_on_batteries]

Once Ignis starts moving, Tony falls limply onto his back. In one hand is the adviser's sca. His skin is still hot from the wizard's spell that had radiated through the shield and armor, but for the most part he'd spared Ignis from getting burned. Unfortunately even with his wounds being healed, Tony doesn't stir.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis had done the best he could for healing. Tony's non movement bothered him but then again wasn't this a replay if how things had been back home before he left? Noctis had been out cold and had been oblivious to all around him and it had been up to the advisor to keep him safe.

That's when he sighed. Just like with the king, Ignis knew that he couldn't keep this man all to himself, he belonged to others. And as exhausted as he himself might be, he had to make the effort to try and get the older man into the medical unit aboard the train.

Getting slowly to his feet, green eyes took one last grateful look at the man on the floor before going out to find someone outside of the room to help. It wasn't long before Ignis located someone and the pair moved Tony gently and carefully to the medical carriage.

[dredefulchilde]

Joss has spent the last 24 hours in various stages of unconsciousness and semiconsciousness, and that doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon. He’s still poisoned, his body is still recovering from healing a dozen grievous and likely fatal injuries, not to mention five solid days without sleep.

It’s telling how utterly exhausted he is that he doesn’t even object to being manhandled like a child, borne on Reigen’s back. Reigen is an odd one, and a bit stupid, but he’s not a bad sort, really.

Joss peers out from over Reigen’s shoulder, looking for friends and comrades he hasn’t seen since before this whole debacle began.

[myblueskies]

That had been a close call! But Romeo had managed to press his watch, get back on the train and now had arrived in the city! He hasn't seen mister Ignis and he's a bit worried but he is distracted from his search when he sees Joss being carried.

"Joss!"

He runs over through the crowd as fast as he can. When he gets close his face twists in worry. Joss looks sick. Not as bad as when he nearly died but he still doesn't look well!

"What happened sir? What's wrong Joss?"

Re: Blue OTA

[myblueskies]

Tap, tap, tap. It's all it takes and they are back on the train. Teleportation! That's useful to know!

He sees Ple Two and notices that she is hurt! He's injured too, he thinks everyone was. Those goblins had been really angry! But she looks worse than he was, she fought a lot more after all.

"We're on the train!" He states the obvious, "There's a medicine room, I think you got to get some bandages and things because you look hurt!"

He wished he had learned Ginia's healing spell, but he hadn't. So they would have to rely on normal bandages.

[internetsexsymbol]

When a small boy about Joss’ age appears with questions, Reigen can’t help but hesitate a little. This is clearly a friend of Joscelin’s, so he’s probably aware of his condition, but Reigen still doesn’t want to scare the kid and mention that Joss had been shot, poisoned and might have almost died. Better be delicate with this.

“Oh, well...Joscelin had a rough time in the mountains is all, he’s still recovering from that. He’ll be fine, don’t worry! He just needs to rest!” Well, that and get more medicine once they’re back on the train.