Xanthos
Mercenary
Posts: 23
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Lycia
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Xanthos on Jan 19, 2017 18:54:52 GMT -6
"Long ago ..."
"Hold, it, hold it, hold it", shouted a voice as a young monk took a hard shove to the back. The force of the shove was far greater than the offender intended and the young monk stumbled forward and tripped over a rock. Falling face forward into the dirt the young monk gave off a soft groan as the man who pushed him began to scratch the back of his head. "Sorry about that", spoke Xanthos as he ruffled up his golden hair.
"What the hell was that for", shouted the monk in rage as he got off the ground!
"Well you were about to go into this long story about history and crap, and I really did not want to hear it."
"What", spoke the monk with confusion as he looked at Xanthos. Squinting his eyes the young monk realized he was no longer wearing his glasses. Reaching down he picked up the circular lenses off the ground and placed them back onto his face. However his vision was still blurred due to the glass being broken.
"Sorry about your glasses, anyway", spoke Xanthos trying to change the subject. The mercenary pushed forward in front of the rest of the group and walked toward two great iron doors that were built into the side of a mountain. On the outside words were written in the ancient dragon tong. The meaning was lost to your average mortal man.
"Your paying for these Xanthy", spoke the monk as he pulled out a tome and opened it. Inside was a hollowed out section where the monk kept a spare set of glasses.
"Sure thing take it out of my cut from the loot Seth", spoke the mercenary as he adjusted his crimson cloak. His steel Manica shinned in the new morning light. He wore a dark blue sleeveless shirt, a pair of thick slacks stuffed into a pair of steel toe cuff boots. On his back was a round shield and on his side was a Xiphos.
"If there is any loot", spoke a short orange hair maiden. She had sky blue eyes and hair that was cropped liek a bowl. Her left eye was covered while the right was left exposed. On her belt was the seven tools of the bandit along with a few knives for throwing. She carried a large back pack filled with supplies and had a book that she constantly read from, but never let anyone see, at her side.
"Well spoken Erina", spoke Seth. "Especially since ..."
"I don't what to hear it", shouted Xanthos! "The last time you began to ramble on about ancient text and scripture you ran off half the party. To make it worse once we got inside there was nothing but cobb webs and dust."
"Don't forget the old tomes", spoke Erina.
"Useless", spoke Xanthos.
"I agree as well", spoke Erina.
"Unwashed ignorant barbarians", shouted Seth. "I am pretty sure the rest of you all want to know what the door says right?"
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Ito
Myrmidon
But it's only me, and I walk alone.
Posts: 82
Affinity: Anima
Profile: -Link-
OoC Alias: Killtec
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Post by Ito on Feb 10, 2017 20:27:09 GMT -6
Ito cocked an eyebrow at the squabbles within their group. How are we supposed to do this well if we aren't working together well? That Xanthos man seemed especially impulsive, which didn't help at all. "Go ahead an read the door," Ito said calmly. Aside from the raised eyebrow, his face was unnervingly calm. Crossing his arms to listen, Ito looked at the door as the monk read it.
I wonder what's in there? Could it just be gold? Maybe more old tomes? Or maybe... something that could help me.
Ito wasn't quite sure what he needed help with, but he did know he was lost. The geography was rather simple to learn, but he needed to rediscover something. Was it a piece of himself? Was it some sort of companion to keep him company during his travels?
I guess I won't know until I find it.
While he listened, he checked his gear. Each of his armor pieces was in place, his sword by his side. For Ito, these were the only things he could trust in. His skills and abilities were the only things that got him by, and he wasn't about to abandon them to rely on someone else's. The entire reason he was on this expedition was for the possibility of testing himself, for the chance to learn more of who he is. Perhaps, he would find something to give him a direction.
For now, however, Ito was alone. Despite the party's company, he was disconnected. Ito was sure the only one that sensed this was Erina, but she seemed to be as good at reading people as she was at reading that book.
Once Seth would finish reading the door, Ito would speak. "Shall we go, then?"
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Xanthos
Mercenary
Posts: 23
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Lycia
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Xanthos on Feb 10, 2017 21:05:50 GMT -6
"By the Dragon's Dogma we who die guard the tome. There is no glory here to be hand. There is no treasure. Only death awaits those foolish enough to enter into the domain of darkness. Turn back and live. Enter and die." As Seth finished reading the door description a cold shiver ran down Xantho's spine. He did not want to read the door, not out of fear of scaring others, but out of fear of scaring himself. Xanthos was very superstitious. He never liked curses and the undead. However old ruins were a easy way to make money and Xanthos needed to eat. As a result the mercenary hound himself teamed up with these two adventurous souls very often. To be honest thought the adventure and money was not the reason he kept coming back. It was always Erina. If there ever was a girl who could tame Xanthos heart it would be hear, to bad she flat out denied him. Still that did not stop the creepy looking swordsmen. Xanthos and his iri purple eyes would always be there when they called for aid and had a blade ready to back them up.
"Sounds aminous", spoke Erina.
"Sounds like most of the help walking away", spoke Xanthos as he pointed to a few of the gathered people walking off. They gave a poor excuse about curses and undead. One man was even so bold to blame it on his wife not being home to watch her cooking. That excuse always tickled Xanthos a bit. The man in question was Dwarfson and following the track record Dwarfson's excuse was completely accurate. Xanthos was sure that his wife was the only women to burn down her home seven times in the same year.
"Yo cowards", shouted Seth as he waved his fist. His actions were futile as most of the men and women were already gone.
"Well it looks like it is just the three of us again. Worry not Erina, your trusty companion Xanthos will defend you with his fine blade."
"You need to learn how to count first before you try to defend me", spoke Erina as she shoot Xanthos down. She then walked up to Ito an pattered him on the shoulder. "You got some real courage to join up with us. While everyone else fled you stayed, you have my thanks. "
"What about me", shouted Xanthos.
"And Me", wined Seth.
"Oh shut up you two", chuckled the maiden as she marched up to the door. "You don't count. You two are a part of team Erina. It is your duty to explore the ruins and aid in the discovery of GOLD and knowledge."
"Why such a emphasis on gold?" asked Seth.
"I am sorry, but when did we become a team, and why is it named after Erina", chuckled Xanthos. He did not really hate the idea, but he would most definitely change the name. Not fancy enough.
"Onward to riches", she shouted as she darted off into the darkness.
"Hey don't get ahead", shouted Xanthos as he followed.
"Fool you did not bring any light", shouted Seth as he followed.
As the crew rushed into the darkness they were soon found themselves at a halt. Erina, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped and began to lean toward the ground. The rest of the group caught up to her and began to expect her actions. Curious and looking for a opening to add some order Seth called forth the power of his light magic. A single ball of light came up from his hand and illuminated the area around him. The light revealed that maiden's skilled handiwork. Using nothing but a knife and a lockpick, Erina had disabled a trap near the entrance of the tome. The mechanism if pressed would have caused some serious damage to the party. However Erina was a thief and spotting such traps was her main talent.
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Ito
Myrmidon
But it's only me, and I walk alone.
Posts: 82
Affinity: Anima
Profile: -Link-
OoC Alias: Killtec
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Post by Ito on Feb 16, 2017 21:41:38 GMT -6
Is it courage, or curiosity? Ito felt something... odd, when Erina came up to him. He didn't recognize the feeling, but he stayed calm and nodded knowingly as she thanked him for staying. It has certainly been awhile since I've felt that, but what was it? he quickly pushed the feeling aside, turning his attention to "Team Erina" as they discussed... whatever it was they were discussing. Ito wasn't paying much attention, but it seemed that the pretty girl had a thing for gold. Almost reminds me of Asri, but less dangerous.
Ito followed Erina inside, staying right behind her as the quartet entered the tomb. His sword was drawn, but Ito held a rather relaxed stance, not wishing to seem threatening but still on his guard. He stopped when Erina did, watching carefully as she seamlessly disabled the trap in their path. Even without the monk's light orb one could see in the passage, but it seemed as though Erina didn't need the light. Had Ito been leading, that trap would've had them all.
"Any idea how much further until the rest of us can find something in the light that Erina could spot in the dark?" The passageway was partially cramped, leaving room for only two standing shoulder to shoulder. While Ito didn't despise the passage size because it limited any potential enemy's options, it limited his too. Hopefully the room would open up soon as they continued on, traveling deeper into the tomb. Maybe he would get to meet whatever dead thing was guarding the place.
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Xanthos
Mercenary
Posts: 23
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Lycia
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Xanthos on Feb 17, 2017 15:58:45 GMT -6
"Looks like I save the day again", spoke Erina as she tossed her knife into the air and caught it. She then slipped it back into her belt on her waist.
"show off", groaned Xanthos as he moved around the trapped square.
"Don't feed her ego please", spoke Seth to Ito as he brought forth another ball of light. The shinning orb went ahead of the group by some feet and began to illuminate the darkness.
"There is nothing wrong with someones giving somebody a complement. Even more so when that complement is well deserved", gloated Erina.
"Whatever", spoke Xanthos. "We need to get moving. I want to get in and out of this place before nightfall."
"Agreed", timed in Seth. "It would be difficult as it is to find our way out. The night sky would only aggravate it even more."
"Not to mention I don't want to be in a creepy dungeon after dark", spoke Xanthos as he began to walk forward.
"Hold it big fella", shouted Erina as she grabbed Xanthos red cloak and pulled him behind her. "I am leading the charge on this mission. Not going to have you getting us all killed."
"Well then lead the way",retaliated Xanthos, and so the maiden did. However the speed in which she moved kind of bothered Xanthos. You would expect one who was moving though a trap infested dungeon to take there time and move slow. Nope, not Erina. The maiden hung close to the right wall and pretty much jogged her way though the first corridor. Every ten yards or so she would stop and then investigate a weird looking stone, but other than that she kept the group moving. After they reached the two hundred and fifty yard mark the tunnel seemed to widen. It was not long before the first sign of danger began to show up. As Erina moved to turn a corner she suddenly stopped causing the rest of the group to follow.
"Something not right", she murmured as she looked at the stone work. For Xanthos everything seemed to be the same. For her however there was a clear sign that a trap had been triggered. On the floor there was a stone that was slightly depressed in the ground. That stone should have activated some kind of trap, but the group had not been near it. The door was sealed before they got in, so how was the trap activated. Erina did not like the smell of this. However the maiden kept all of that to herself.
"Check around the corner", suddenly commanded Erina to Xanthos. The mercenary did not even bother to question her orders. He knew why she had chosen him to do the task. The warrior had raised his round shield up and took a quick step around. He held his shield high prepared to take the blow from anything that came speeding down the tunnel. To his amazement nothing came. Instead however he was faced with a brutal sign of the dangers of this place.
"What the...", spoke the mercenary as he stared at a body pinned to the wall. A single bolt stood in the chest of a decaying corpse. However the corpse was nothing like Xanthos had ever seen. It was kind of human. It had sharp teeth, that looked more like a predator. it had long claws on its fingers that were stained with blood. Its skin was a purple color and the smell coming off of it was a evil scent. Xanthos had not known it in the moment, but that was corpse of a remnant, a undead horror that wondered Lycia.
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Ito
Myrmidon
But it's only me, and I walk alone.
Posts: 82
Affinity: Anima
Profile: -Link-
OoC Alias: Killtec
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Post by Ito on Feb 20, 2017 20:57:26 GMT -6
"Nothing wrong with a compliment..."
Ito was simply astonished by the speed at which the girl carried the group through the dungeon with. Anyone else would've likely taken a long time, perhaps an hour or two, to travel the distance they'd gone in a few minutes. She seemed to carefully pick each trap out of almost thin air, deactivating them for safe travel through the thin hallway. Seth's light might've helped, but Ito couldn't be sure about it. After all, Erina had carried out her method with the exact same precision in the pitch dark setting before the monk illuminated the tomb passageway.
What is that?
Ito picked up a terrible, acrid scent when the pathway running deeper into the tomb opened up. It was right when Erina mumbled that something wasn't right. Following Xanthos carefully around the corner, using the mercenary and his shield as a meat shield for himself, Ito caught sight of the remnant pinned to the wall.
"I feel like I've seen one of those before."
Ito had spent a large amount of time in the Lycian territories fighting monsters, but he couldn't pin to his memory exactly what it was. "Seth, have you ever seen one of these before?" Ito turned his head slightly, enough to glance back at the monk while keeping the blood soaked corpse in his field of vision. "I think I've seen something similar before, but... I'm not sure what it is."
Did I see one of them when Luci was killed by monsters?
I can't... remember...
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Xanthos
Mercenary
Posts: 23
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Lycia
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Xanthos on Feb 22, 2017 8:46:54 GMT -6
"A remnant", whispered Seth. The acolyte was scared that his voice would travel. Unlike the rest of the mercenaries on this job Seth had spent a intense amount of time fighting and studding the beast. For your average mercenary in Lycia monsters are a constant source of work ,but human squabbles pay just as often and some times more. For Seth, a member of the Church of Light, this was his entire life. From the few missions and adventures he got out to have with team Erina the young acolyte spends most of his time studying monsters. They wanted to know where the beast come from; how can they be stopped; what is the best way to slay a specific type. All of these questions kept the acolyte and remnants in close proximity to each other.
"So why is a zombie inside of the tomb", shouted Xanthos. The acolyte gave him a stink eye and a concern look, but the mercenary ignored it. "Don't tell me that there was a breach and somebody else could have gotten the treasure first!"
"Or maybe the monsters where already here", whispered Erina. "This tome is really old and the words on the wall seem like a curse. Maybe ..."
"Do you think the monsters were sealed underground", interrupted Seth. "The creatures were not seen across the land till after ostia was destroyed. Maybe the destruction of that great city unsealed a underground seal and spread the beast across the land."
"Underground seal theory, yes", whispered Erina.
"Or we can go with my idea", scoffed Xanthos. "Some fool dug into the place, got the treasure and left. Then the monsters moved in afterward. Them coming in could be the reason why that one is stuck on the trap."
Giving off a long sigh Seth turned toward Xanthos. "Xanthos please keep your voice down. We know that remnants are inside of the structure. If..."
Suddenly a fearsome and low growl came from the darkness. A remnant, shuffled its way out from the darkness. It's body was covered in dusted armor. Looking at the armor style and the insignia it was clear that the remnant was from Bern. However it's style of armor had been replaced two generations ago. With a fearsome howl the creature suddenly broke out into a sprint and rushed toward the quartet with it's fangs and claws to bare. Xanthos took note that a strange liquid was dripping from it's claws. Something to keep a eye out for.
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Ito
Myrmidon
But it's only me, and I walk alone.
Posts: 82
Affinity: Anima
Profile: -Link-
OoC Alias: Killtec
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Post by Ito on Feb 23, 2017 14:17:23 GMT -6
As 'Team Erina' whispered among each other Ito stepped out from behind Xanthos, standing in the center of the passage. Staring dead ahead into the darkness, Ito held up his sword and entered a ready stance. Ito, eyes still locked on the passage ahead, spoke quietly in a firm tone. "Xanthos, stick with me. When those things attack, use your shield to make an opening for me."
Just then, a remnant hobbled into the light that Seth's magic provided. He'd seen it just outside of the circle of light when he'd rounded the corner. Ito tightened the grip on his sword as the monster charged, and he ran forward to meet it, expecting Xanthos to follow his impromptu stratagem. Ito wasn't sure how many times he'd have to hit the monster, but he was definitely going to dice it as finely as any decent chef would dice an ingredient.
Tak tak tak tak tak tak tak.
Ito's footsteps rang down the hallway, almost in sync with the undead Bernese's footsteps. He held his sword at his side, that when the time came he could swing for a parry. What's that liquid? Ito caught sight of the substance as it dripped from the remnant's claws. There's always something to avoid, isn't there?
Ito thought back to his wife's demise. I'm sure of it now. It was a monster similar to this that killed her. That took my dear Luci from me. I won't let another one of these take anyone else away from me. I'm better at this now.
As he stepped past the corpse pinned to the wall he swiftly decapitated it, taking one more step afterwards and holding his blade in front of him, preparing to lock with the monster that was sprinting at him.
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Xanthos
Mercenary
Posts: 23
Profession: Mercenary
Affiliation: Lycia
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Xanthos on Feb 23, 2017 16:54:27 GMT -6
It seemed like the old metal went to Ito this time. He had noticed the undead before the rest of the group did. Acting quickly the mercenary passed on some small instructions to Xanthos. If he was a more prideful warrior he might have taken offense to it. However Xanthos did not believe in such foolishness. This was a raid. If a person has a good idea then you do it. You don't have time to be arguing about stuff. Following Ito's suggestion Scar raised his shield and charged in. Ito deflected the creatures incoming attack. With it;s claw out of the way there was a opening for Xanthos. The mercenary charged in and slammed his shield into the beast's chest. The blow caused it to be knocked back and exposed.
"It is vulnerable strike now", roared Xanthos! The mercenary took a step to the side as Erina lunched two throwing knives forward. The two blades shot into the creature's knee caps causing it to buckle. As it made it's way toward the ground a bolt of light shot forward straight behind it. Not yet illuminated by the light another member of the undead race was moving into battle. The bolt of light it it straight into the head and took it clean off it's shoulders. The light however continued to do it's word denigrating the creatures body.
Another creature charged forward to strike, but it tripped over the body of it's own companion. Another one rushed around it and came to attack. However Xanthos, now in the rythum, moved in with his shield and sword at the ready. As the creature swung it's fearsome claw Xanthos lead with his sword. As the beast touched the tip of his blade Xanthos brought in his shield for a fearsome counter. Using the edge of his shield as a weapon Xanthos slammed the rounded edge into the elbow join of the creature. The blow pent both of the beast arm's slamming into the nearby wall. The attack left Xanthos a bit exposed, but he was counting on Ito to finish it off with a quick strike to the head.
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