The Assault on the Outpost

[Aryn Gentlepaw]

General Aisling O'Lane of the Crimson Empire led a small assault force to a secret outpost of Doncoutle located in crimson territory. Drucilla Fu Sheng and Relina Harem fought at her side, and together they managed to secure the outpost and hold it until the Crimson military arrived with reinforcements. Battered and bruised they returned home victorious, dealing a first decisive blow to Doncoutle's forces. This is their story:

[Event Log follows]

[12:20]  The portal would bring them far into Crimson territory, to a small forest on the outer edges of the mainland. The air is smelling foul, and there is also an eerie silent, as if all life has fled this cursed place. In the distance, between the trees, fire can be seen. Those sensible to magic and auras would notice a very malign presence coming from the building looming ahead. It reeks of demon and undead.

[12:23] Dru looks around, her blue eyes sparkling in the low light as she surveys the surroundings, she didn't speak. No point giving away their presence so easily. Though she made no move to advance yet, giving the others a chance to do as she was doing

[12:25] Relina Harem keeps low as she tries to keep her glowing tass crystals to a low dim, peering out from the trees to see who was there, she doesnt say anything yet
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[12:26] Aisling O Luain doesnt waste much time and hurries behind a thick tree to peek out at the scenery before them, her cool blue eyes taking in possible approach routes and also noticing movement from the front of the building. She d quickly glance back at her companions, letting them take charge and lead. Mostly looking to Dru of course, as the former Empress of Lismore.

[12:29]  From the building a sound like a cough could be heard, then a curse in a guttural voice and then in relatively broken common. "Drex, I got take leak. You stay." And then a massive shape is moving closer. And the stench does too. Sweat, musk, and some other unspeakable things.

[12:31]  The statue, presumably Drex would give a roll of his eyes, the sound of the stone possibly heard in the still air, "I had wondered what the smell was, you should go stop leaking" he would comment

[12:35] Dru moves carefully once that voice reached her sensitive ears, she moves around a little, keeping what little cover there was between them. If Aisling was not leading then she would, if allowed, as Guard Captain, take over. She would point to Relina to get her attention and point around to the left, asking her to circle that way, to Aisling she did the same but to the right. Perhaps they could take the first unseen, if the cover was good enough

[12:36] Relina Harem looks back to Dru for a signal, then slowly starts to circle around if the big guy was already taking a leak, trying to flank to Dru's left

[12:38] Aisling O Luain would hurry, after seeing Dru's signal, towards and behind the wall near the campfire, carefully drawing her blade. Waiting, tense.

[12:41]  The big brute would glance back at the other and just spit out a greenish gob, then proceed deeper into the forest, before leaning with one hand supporting him against the tree's trunk, while fumbling with his other at his belt.

[12:42]  Drex would remain still and nearly entirely motionless, slowly turning his head to scan over the area, but not spotting any intruders quite yet.

[12:46] Dru waits a little and then puts part two of her idea into action. Unlike the others she waded in in full view "Well hello there handsome" addressing the big green creature. The aim was to create a distraction so that Relina and Aisling could strike. She could handle big green...she hoped

[12:48] Relina Harem draws her lance and moves her paw over it as she hides behind the left tree. As soon as Dru spoke, she cringed a bit and channels an ice spell which will extend her blade

[12:51] Aisling O Luain waits for Dru to create the distraction before charging at the monster aiming a strike against his arm!

[12:53]  The big goblinoid creature freezes with a hand on his crotch and the other pressed against the tree. It takes a few moments until the realization makes its way from his eyes to the walnut sized brain. "OOOOOHHH!" he bristles up. "Intruders! Tiny make big fluffy pillow out of female bu-OWW!" He growls as the sword bites into his arm, greenish blood spraying over the floor. "YOU PAY FOR THAT!"

[12:56]  Drex would snap his head up as he hears someone calling Tiny handsome, assuming they were either blind, or it was a trap.Going for the latter, he'd move to briskly step up to the steps he stood next to, "Get your smelly ass here to stop them running around", he calls as he shifts into a ready stance with his blade

[13:00] Dru's eyes flick to Drex just for a moment, but no they had to get the big one down first "Watch your back" she would remind Aisling though, no sense her getting killed without knowing. As she speaks she pushes off with he back foot to close down the gap on the big green creature. She would aim to jump and push off the tree on the way, spinning with a kick at his head while he was distracted by Aislings attack

[13:03] Relina Harem would have requested Dru hold his attention, but as she saw they were going for an attack, she finishes her spell which extends her blade likely the size of the troll's neck and she makes a dash as quickly as she can as she raises her lance over her head and aims to slash tiny's head off "Ha!"

[13:04] Aisling O Luain grunts her acknowledgment to Dru and circles around to block the statue's path, trying to keep him from interfering while his big stinking friend was taken down. Well, hopefully taken down. Tiny sure looked like he could take a beating.

[13:06]  Tiny would roar in anger and turns around to raise his fist to deliver a devastating punch to Aisling, when... he sees a jumping bunny. "Flailing helplessly when she is just too quick for him to grab her, and then the kick hits the side of his head and makes even the hulking bruiser stagger back. Which unfortunately also means that instead of his head, Relina's enchanted blade misses the head and bites into his shoudler instead. "GRAHHHHHH!" Tiny howls in pain.

[13:09]  Drex seems to consider for a brief moment before stepping forwards towards Aisling, "Door's locked anyway.. Oi, Tiny! They said you have a small dick. So stop letting them stab you and prove them wrong" he comments. Once in range of Aisling he'd level his blade for a horizontal stab at her.

[13:12] Dru seems satisfied with the damage so far, she only hoped Aisling could hold her own just a little longer. The things head was clearly hard, but he had to have a weakness. So she aims for the thinner belly next. She puts her paws together and charges her ki, pressing her attack with a ki blast to the green git's belly

[13:16] Relina Harem pulls her blade free which breaks off half of it before she noticed Dru was preparing for something so to keep the big guy from stopping her, she swings the blade around to sweep for its let, hoping to make a deep cut

[13:17] Aisling O Luain tries to give them more time and launches an attack against the advancing statue, but to her dismay notices how utterly ineffective her sword is against the magical construct. And then the howl of pain distracts her long enough so that she cant dodge the stab completely, hissing in pain as it pierces into her side. Bleeding, she stumbles back, her blade held in a defensive position.

[13:20]  Tiny is frothing at the mouth now. They keep hitting him, stabbing and slashing and kicking, and he cant do much, they are too fast! He tries to aim a swing at the bunny, but he only manages to hit the tree making it splinter and break off, showing the enormous strength this brute has. And then the Ki blast hits his belly like a truck, and at the same time he feels Relina's weapon hit his leg, and the combined force of those attacks make the giant stumble and then fall onto his back very much like the tree it just violated!

[13:22]  Drex would keep up his attack as Aisling's blade proves ineffective, the statue taking a step forwards as it makes another stab at her, aiming for her leg this time to limit her ability to dodge. It would not react to Tiny's troubles, nor checking if he was even ok as it focuses on its foe.

[13:26] Dru steps past Tiny "Finish it" she tells Relina, Tiny was on his back and Relina had a good weapon to stab the big brute in a vital place. It would take two or three steps for Dru to be in position then and balling up another blast of ki upon her palm, which she flings at the statue's face in order to support Aisling. This was goin well, but it was better to finish this fast, so she split her focus to the most needy target

[13:28] Relina Harem moves her paw to her blade to reform a slightly shorter blade this time and she dashes for tiny and leaps to stand on it's chest and quickly bring her lance down to impale its neck like she tried to do the first time

[13:28] Aisling O Luain would prove in that moment, when the statue goes for another attack, why she has the nickname of "Ice Queen" among her fellow soldiers. She remains absolutely calm and focused, despite the bleeding wound at her side, waits for the right moment... to then roll between and under the legs of the statue, coming up behind him and kicking out at his back, before assuming a defensive position on top of the stairs gaining higher ground!

[13:31]  Tiny tries to swat at the passing Bunny but to no avail. He struggles and squirms in helpless anger bleeding like a pig already, and then a shadow falls over him as the blue manabeast towers above him and he stares into her face and the lance coming down on him. "NoooOoOo!" His scream gets cut short as the lance pierces his throat, a blood curdled noise, as the giant body twitches and spasms, and then... Tiny, who was just a few days away from winning the minion of the year award... dies.

[13:35]  Drex keeps moving as his attack misses its mark and Aisling manages to get around him, moving out the way of the kick. He identified 3 targets so far, and so he'd step further out into the open to avoid getting cornered. However, he would not attack this time and would instead speak, his weapon still held ready however, incase they dont listen, "Oh good, you killed the bastard..He should have a key in that cloth of his. With his death, you've freed me from the pact that forces me to fight you. You may pass"

[13:38] Dru frowns and says "Drop your weapon and move away.....if you don't you are dead" well surrender deserved a chance, but she wasn't stupid "Relina...see if you can find this key please" retaining a ready stance

[13:40] Relina Harem would do so even though she didnt trust the guard so she switched to a water spell to keep at the ready as she looks for a key in the cloth that tiny was wearing

[13:40] Aisling O Luain dodges the missed Ki blast in the last moment and then leans against he wall of the outpost for a moment, panting heavily, clutching her side and the wound. "Dammnit..." she mumbles.

[13:42]  Drex would lower his arms, "I would, except its part of me, I cant let go" he comments, taking a step away from them, glancing between them.

[13:43]  Tiny lies bleeding there in a slowly increasing puddle of his greenish blood. Relina, who is looking for a place where he could have hid the key, has a very bad suspicion as her gaze falls on the center of the stench coming from the humongous creature. There it is, staring at her in its brown eminence... the loin cloth.

[13:45] Dru huffs "Over there, drive your sword into that far tree and stay there" she orders "Now" her gaze flicking to Aisling "you alright hon?" she asks

[13:47] Relina Harem wrinkles her nose "Nothing..." she tries a little more to find the key and if she didnt find a key, shes going to take her frustration out on the statue....

[13:49] Aisling O Luain makes a grimace and looks at the blood spilling out between her fingers. "Bastard got me good..." she says quietly. "Anyone... got some bandages I can apply. I ll put them on and join you again as soon as I can... and good work. You are truly impressive warriors. I am honored to fight at your side."

[13:50]  Relina would indeed find the key under that loincloth. If she grabs it she ll hold a brass key with strange markings on it, that dimly glow. And she ll probably feel as if she d have to wash that hand for at least a week. In acid."

[13:51]  Drex would look to Dru as she tells him to embed his sword in the tree, and he had to admit it was a smart idea. And so he would take a single step towards the tree before suddenly turning and attempting to charge Relina, swinging his blade in a quick slash while her paws and focus were on Tiny's loincloth. "Fuck it"

[13:54] Dru gruffs as he turns "Fool" another ki blast charges in her paw and she tries to fling it at his legs to stop his charge, or at least stumble him before he got to Relina

[13:57] Relina Harem she found the key but unfortunately it was too late as she gets a singeing pain in her back "GHA!" she yelps out as she was slashed and tumbles over, but she tries to roll back over and ready her lance for something....

[13:58] Aisling O Luain's eyes widen as she sees the attack "Relina!" and with a pained groan she d charge from where she stands but will take a turn to get there!

[14:00]  Drex manages to dodge Dru's attack as he focuses on his target and lands his blow. He would then shift, rotating the blade to point down, as he'd lift his arms up and attempt to drive the blade into her. It left him open so there was a chance the others could interrupt, but he hoped to dispatch her quickly.

[14:04] Dru grunts once more "Shit" she rarely swore, and now she needed a good angle, she had to flank the stone being so she aims to run around to the left to get on that side of him, moving in sync with Aisling it seems

[14:04] Relina Harem makes a quick roll out of the way to avoid the blade and she now lets loose a powerful spray of water from her lance right at the statue, baring her teeth all the while

[14:07] Aisling O Luain would take just a blink of an eye to grasp the situation and move like a well trained team in sync with Dru, coming in from the other side and circling around the waster spell to get into the status back, aiming a swing against its legs. The blood infused blade powering up now as she fuels it with her own life energy.

[14:10]  Drex would grunt as Relina manages to dodge, feeling himself getting blasted by the water a moment later, the statue taking a step to brace himself as he tries to draw his blade from the ground. He would then swing round to slash horizontally at Dru as he attempts to step towards the tree next to tiny to try and avoid the flank

[14:15] Dru flicks her gaze to where Drex was coming at her and ducks at the last moment, really at the last moment. She winces and there is a splash of blood and a light thud as he slices off the top of her ear. She growls and would try to come back at him, shifting in close and balling ki once again in her paw. Not even lanching it she would try to swing it into his arm and maybe damage it. blunt force on stone might work

[14:18] Relina Harem continues to spray the rock statue with water until he was good and covered, though the pain in her back makes her buckle under "grrhh.." glowing blood starts to drip from her back

[14:20] Aisling O Luain curses seeing the fight turn so badly after the first grand victory. She d notice Relina charging her magic so instead of getting in the way she d try to make the way around Dru to try coming at the statue from the other side then! A nagging worry in her head after seeing her friend Relina receive such a blow. She is bleeding herself, but she knows... they do this and succeed or there would be worse things than death awaiting them.

[14:22]  Drex manages to dodge Dru's attack as she strikes at her, a slight look of concern on his face. He wouldnt attack for now, taking a step back as Relina continues to blast him with water, trying to put the tree between her and him.

[Aryn Gentlepaw]

[Continued]

[14:25] Dru had really had enough of this. She had two choices in attacks, and in this case she felt something far more flashy than shunkou was needed. She moves and cups her palms to her side, energy crackling between them almost instantly as she balled as much ki as she could muster in that small space. She only hoped the others would stop him attacking her if he dared to "You should have stuck your sword in that tree" she taunts him, hoping to buy time
[14:27] Relina Harem turns her attention to Aisling "Surround him" she speaks as she approaches around the statue as quickly as she can "Give up... Its over either her way or mine..."

[14:28] Aisling O Luain does as she is told and moves in to block his path to Dru should he attempt to attack or go for her. The wounded wolf snarling with cold rage, blood running down the inside of her thighs.

[14:31]  Drex would scowl a touch as Dru starts to prepare an attack and Relina calls out for him to give up. Taking a moment to look between them, he'd then comment, "Oh boo hoo, what are you going to do about it?" he asks, before stepping forwards to attempt to slash at Aisling's leg.
 
[14:35] Dru smiles just a little, the stone warrior should have attacked her, he might have had a better chance then she thought. With a loud shout she wrenches her arms forward as if they held enormouse weight between her palms and unleashes her attack . Hopefully Relina and Aisling would get out of the way "Hyaaaaa!" and a wide white hot beam of power fires from her palms right at Drex

[14:37] Relina Harem holds her lance out to add her own personal touch by touching the stone statue, if it connects a strong freeze would wash over and freeze the water that she previously sprayed all over the statue!

[14:38] Aisling O Luain jumps out of the way as she can feel the energy even from a distance singing her fur.

[14:41]  Drex wouldbe expertly blocked by Aisling's sword, who then jumps out of the way. "Ha, run you little.." the statue begins as the searing hot energy beam hits him in the chest and eats away at his stony insides in mere seconds. "What..." Stumbling back, he d slow down as on some parts of his body ice begins to coat him. Cracks start to appear all over his body, and then with a last glare at the intruders he d say in a grinding voice "Finally..." before he crumbles on the ground into some hot molten rock. Another key would fall to the ground as well.

[14:43] Dru pants deeply, that attack was never easy, but it had been necessary. She falls to her knees as sweat pours off her brow "Jus...gimme a moment" is all she says to the others

[14:46] Relina Harem grunts as the pain in her back comes back and she falls to her knees, panting for air "I think we all need a moment... Aisling, use the fabric from my mantle to bandage yourself"

[14:47] Aisling O Luain pants hard as well, clutching her still bleeding side, walking over to the others. "We... need to... press on... as long... as we still... have some fight in us." The warrior General looks towards the building that ominously looms ahead. She nods to Relina then and rips off some material from the mantle to bandage up her side. "Someone get the keys..."

[14:48]  While they were catching their breath, they would notice some sinister red energy flowing out of Tiny's body and disappearing inside the building. A constant red stream of essence as it was sucked in by some unknown force.

[14:51] Dru takes some deep breaths and would stand in a short time, she was fit at least. So she would walk then to grab the second key, though she noted that energy moving "Ais is right...something knows we are here. This isn't over yet....but I've still got a couple of ki blasts in me yet...and another trick up my sleeve" she says to the two of them "I should go in first" she adds

[14:56] Relina Harem would keep the first key as she looks down to her waist armor and takes off her chest piece quickly as she saw the red stream of essence which made her shiver "Damnit.. Ais, ill need a quick bandage... Their essence is being collected"

[14:57] Aisling O Luain looks at the stream and shakes her head. "It.... it must be the device. They must have bound their souls or something to it to power it. Or... it is just hungry. We need to get inside." She hurrieover to Relina then and starts wrapping some more strips of cloth around her, bandaging up the wound on her back. "On it..."

[14:58]  There is an ever increasing eerie presence getting stronger inside that building. The two huge doors look at the group of warriors almost tauntingly.

[15:00] Dru let Aisling deal with Relina's wound, her own. She lifts her long hair and just wraps it about her ruined ear. It was then she would move to inspect the doors. Daunting or not, Dru never shied away from such things, and it would be a good plan to inspect them as quickly as she could she felt
[15:02] Relina Harem looks back to Dru "Well get that taken care of after.." she says as she places her chest piece back on after Aisling bandaged her wound... She wasnt liking this one bit

[15:03] Aisling O Luain finishes bandaging her own wound and then slowly follows, sword at the ready.

[15:03]  Dru would notice quickly the intrinsic design on that door. It usually adorned the vaults of mage towers and treasuries. Meaning there would be some magically enchanted keys needed to open the door without causing alarm or stirring whatever was inside all at once. The doors emanate a coldness that feels unnatural.

[15:06] Dru steps up to the doors themselves and would indeed touch them "Well...either we use the keys or we break it down. I think considering how we fought the jeys are the best bet" she states "Unless either of you have a better idea....you see a keyhole? or two?"

[15:09] Relina Harem looks around for any keyholes and she takes her key "Aye lets use them." she tries to find something that would resemble an indentation or a key hole

[15:10] Aisling O Luain narrows her eyes. "I think... something is happening."

[15:10]  Maybe it is the blood of their slain foes still clinging to them, or just the fact that she holds the keys, but when Dru touches the ice cold doors, indeed two keyholes appear on either side of the door's wings. The red embers above the doors shimmering ominously.

[15:13] Dru takes her key and would try to place it in one of the keyholes and turn it. If it worked she would gesture to them both "Flank the doors, I want you to push them open...I should be able to take a surprise attack or two....that leaves you open to push through" she states

[15:14] Relina Harem inserts her key into the other keyhole and turns it before she steps aside to push the door open as requested

[15:15] Aisling O Luain nods "Got ya..." and readies her blade, then pushes against the door with her shoulder.

[15:16]  It takes a moment, but then the red glow above the door turns green as the keys fall into place. Magical symbols briefly flare up n the door and then fade again as whatever securing magic had been infused in that door turns itself off. When the door swing open, mist spills out, it is cold and damp and it seems to be clinging to them. The deserted hallway lies before them, eerily silent. There are... things.. inside that mist... half sunken bodies frozen in time, or so it seems. The stream of essence flows through the air and then seems to go up disappearing somewhere in the next segment's ceiling. Two doors could be seen leading to a room left and right. Some strange noises can sometimes be heard faintly from the right room. A thwacking sound, as if something hits a wooden surface. The stench of death and something even more foul assaults their noses.

[15:18] Dru steps in first and her nose twitches "Oh goddess no" she says "I hate this" she admits. Worse was that there was no attack, just the stench and the choice apparently
[15:20] Relina Harem ghasps a little after she spots the bodies and the stench hits her nose... She moves her paw over her stomach as she tries to keep from losing her composure

[15:21] Aisling O Luain wrinkles her nose and nods, then points with the tip of he blade to the corpses. "What in the Nine Hells..." She could not keep herself from growling, extremely tense now. She was a veteran soldier but she had never fought the nameless horrors of hell and the deathless realm yet.

[15:22]  With a sound of inevitability the doors close behind them. Now it is only them, and the hallway and the stench. For now. Again some strange noise from the right.

[15:24] Dru swallows but speaks without a waver in her voice "We will be fine. We are strong and all that is here is dead....." her ears, even with one ruined, could hear the sounds on the right "Sadly I can guarantee what we seek is through the hardest route. But I'm confident we can do this"

[15:26] Relina Harem lowers her ears "for now they are...." she mutters as she steps through the halls and over the bodies "Ladies we are catching but a glimpse of hell.."

[15:27] Aisling O Luain has to swallow hard, the stench getting to her too slowly. "Oh by the goddess..." she groans. "What... what now...?" She then tenses up even more as she sees Relina move. "Wait, no...!"

[15:28]  With a gurgling shriek the inanimate corpses spring to life as Relina steps over them and their decaying hands claw at her legs and their hungry mouths with their foul teeth bite at her!

[15:31] Dru takes a step back, unusually for her "Relina get out of there" it was all she could do to gather her ki yet again to blast at the nearest dead thing to Relina. Aiming at it's head though there was a tremble in her movements

[15:34] Relina Harem grunts as she was tripped by the bodies trying to grab at her leg and bite her. She quickly tries to scramble away and aim her lance at the gnashing mouths of the zombies, preparing to send a surge of electricity through it

[15:36] Aisling O Luain would growl in disgust as the hallway turns into a nightmarish house of horrors. She d edge closer to the area and grab the sword sheath from her back to hold it towards Relina. "Take it... there is something wrong with the floor." On top of all the other things wrong here.

[15:37]  Much to the group's horror not only the corpses would now start to claw themselves out of the ground, the floor in that area covered by the mist would also become soft and sand like, making it hard to move, making whoever stood there sink in further, into the waiting arms of the ravenous corpses. The head of one corpse would explode as the ki blast hits it and sends rotting flesh and brain tissue all over the place and probably also onto Relinas fur.

[15:41] Dru began to breathe in more panicy gasps "We have to get out of here...." and she steps only to sink a little "Get Relina out of there!" another step and she sinks. Her brain screaming at her to flee. She was starting, for the first time in her life, to fully panic

[15:42] Relina Harem looks back at the zombies and tries to kill one of them, but as soon as she jabbed her lance into one of their heads, she felt herself sinking "What the?... Help!" she cuts off the electricity and the blade of her lance and reaches it out for Ais "Use this!"

[15:44] Aisling O Luain would curse as she sees Dru sudden panic state "Fuck.. snap out of it, Dru! We need you!" There is an imploring tone to her voice, herself feeling quite sick right now at the sight and the stench of the rotting corpses. She d force herself to turn around again and move closer even if she felt herself sinking in. She d grab the end of the lance and then pull with all her might.

[15:46]  One corpse was down, twitching on the ground like a headless chicken. But the other one was still trying to gnaw Relina's leg off and clawing at her eyes. And... the third one... would free itself fully from its confines... and with a blood freezing shriek charge towards Dru!

[15:49] Dru tries to gather her wits at Aisling's behest but then this undead thing charges at her, and she totally freaks and flattens herself against the wall. Net she knew she was gathering ki, wildly and without discipline, and firing it at the thing. Though it went up instead to the wood and stone above.

[15:52] Relina Harem hangs on even though she was getting clawed at and she shakes her head as she felt like she was being smothered "GNAAAAAAAAGHH! Ais! Help!" she shouts as she felt like she was being eaten alive

[15:54] Aisling O Luain bites her lip and has to make a decision in the blink of an eye. She sees Relina, pulling her slowly towards her, and at the same time the zombie charging Dru. She hates herself for this, but right no Relina needed the help more urgently. The warrior wolfess keeps pulling on the lance with one hand, the other goes to her sword and starts hacking at the arms and head of the zombie attacking Relina!

[15:58]  Clumps of flesh would fly through the air as the blood enchanted sword bites deep into the rotten corpse's flesh. It would keep it from clawing out the feline's eyes or biting into her exposed flesh. "Almost..." Aisling groans. Meanwhile the ki blast would make wooden splinters and some mortar pour down, but other than that... and then the corpse is over Dru, rotting hands reaching for her neck to press down, decaying flesh pressing against her body and a mouth with needle sharp teeth opening wide....

[16:04] Dru seems frozen, the thing grabbed her and she went down. At least she did for a moment. Something seemed to snap in her and she would twist and try to pin the dead thing and suddenly she would try to slam her fist into it's face "Get off of me!" and another strike "You dirty" and another if not stopped "Fucking.....dead....piece...of...shit!" maybe she was working out some issues

[16:06] Relina Harem hangs on for dear life as she is dragged through the sinking wood, almost out, hoping that it doesnt solidify while she is still in it!

[16:07] Aisling O Luain would split the zombies head with a last strike and then put her sword aside to grab the lance with both hands now, pulling and pulling, until she has the blue cat in her arms!

[16:09]  Meanwhile the zombies face would cave in under those punches, bones and flesh crumbling under the assault, a deep groan coming from its mouth. Dru cant tell when its over, but the next time she comes to her senses, the corpse would lie motionless in her arms, the head a splintered ruin.

[16:13] Dru didn't seem to know when to stop in the least. She just kept pounding with ehr fists into this corpse. Broken skull and flesh likely becoming a mush as she hit it "Fuck you...fuck you....fuck you" tears streaming down her face

[16:14] Relina Harem comes up from the sinking floor and likely will plop out and stumble into Aisling's arms, covered in rotted flesh and blood

[16:15] Aisling O Luain hugs the blue at close and nuzzles her softly, despite clumps of rotten flesh sticking to her fur. "It's ok now, it's..." but then she d turn around and see Dru, a grim expression suddenly on her face, if it wasnt grim before. The war veteran knew trauma when she saw it. "Damn... Relina... we gotta snap her out of it. It must have stirred something really bad..."

[16:16]  With the last of the zombies dead the hallway would fall silent again, only interrupted by the soft smacking sounds while Dru mutilated the zombie. And the floor would return to normal again.

[16:18] Relina Harem huggles Aisling as she was thankful beyond words "You saved my life.." then she looks over to Dru with a worried expression as she walks over to Dru and tries to grab the arm she was using to punch the zombie "Dru... Hon... Its gone... Please let it go"

[16:20] Dru punches again, and again. The now solid floor likely splintering and mixing with the mush of the zombie head. She heard nothing "Fuck...you...f...f.." until Relina grabs her and she looks up at her. She swallows and tries to wrench herself free of her. If successful she would walk over to the wall and promply be violently sick. Though that wouldn't last long thankfully. She would pant then and utter "Let's go"

[16:22] Aisling O Luain nods weakly "You are welcome, Relina..." She follows her friend to the bunny, and tries to gently, but with determination, pull the corpse away from Dru. "Let it go... it cant hurt you anymore. Never again." When she sees Dru do what they all felt like doing for a while she turns away waiting silently, before nodding. "Yes... lets. I am so sick of this place..."

[16:23]  And in the hallway... only silence. And nothing more. Maybe a faint crackling from the ceiling further in. And sometimes strange noises behind the right door.

[16:24] Relina Harem would let go as soon as she got that look and lets Dru do what she needs to do... Hell she felt like hurling tass crystals right now but they had a job to do "Weve got one more enemy to deal with" she mutters even though she had clumps of flesh all over her "nghh my husband is going to freak...."

[16:25] Dru spits and rubs the knuckles on her hands, she was glad the skin was tough. But any of her easygoing nature seemed gone right now "I'm sorry" she says to them both as she walks toward the right door "As I said earlier....there is no way it's the easy way....this trip seems about facing fears....so lets make it a round trip eh?"

[16:27] Aisling O Luain nods and follows with a grim expression "As you said... a trip to hell and back. That Doncoutle certainly has some disgusting creatures in his service..."

[16:27] Relina Harem smiles a little as she seemed more determined "Aye"

[Aryn Gentlepaw]

[Continued]

[16:29]  As they step to the end of the hall way, the crackling sound becomes louder. And it is coming from above. Meanwhile the thwacking sound can be heard more clearly from behind the right door.

[16:32] Dru grits her teeth "Disgusting or not...we have to keep going" and she moves to grip the doors rung "Ready yourselves" and she tugs to try and open it, readying herself after if it swung open

[16:33] Relina Harem her ears flick again when she heard something crackle and she looks up and she ghasped "Ais.. Dru.. wait"

[16:34] Aisling O Luain readies hr sword, but she is also to late to say anything when the door swing open, although at Relinas call she d look up briefly and freeze. "Oh shit..."

[16:35]  Bile can be found chopping at some kind of disfigured meaty mass, hacking a few chunks off before sliding them onto the knife itself. He'd then move to a close by cooking pot that seemed to be bubbling over as the lid wobbles and softly clatters. Lifting the lid it would drop the chunks in, giving the liquid inside a quick stir with a spoon, before he moves to tend to two other bubbling pots on the messy worktable. "Out of the pot and into the fire, out of the pot and into the fire~ Once out, you know it is dire" it hums to itself. As the door opens it would not turn, "Want to eat, help cook. Cut the flesh, salt the wound, add to the pot. Then you may eat!" it instructs, waving its cleaver at one of the pots. It seems it was expecting Tiny~

[16:37] Dru doesn't even hesitate. She was done being scared this battle. She ignores the others and walks inside. her claws likely clacking on the wooden floor "Your guards are dead, your defenses destroyed" she says "It's over..this space is ours"

[16:41] Relina Harem "I only brought spare tass..." she mutters as she manages to follow Dru in, preparing to attack. Her greatest fear hasnt been tapped yet....

[16:41] Aisling O Luain glances upwards and says quietly "It has to be the device... we beed to break the protection it has. I am certain it is bound to the commander of this outpost." She then follows them inside. "Oh gods, not another hideous stench..." she groans as the smell of the kitchen and the demonic cook fills her nose.

[16:44]  Bile would stop cutting as it hears Dru's comment, seeming to think for a moment before it reaches to stir the pots and replace the lids, each pot smelling of some kind of foul liquid. "Dont care. No caring" it would state, "If want food, you cut the flesh, salt the wound and put it in the pot." it states, turning around to eye them, "three. Three! You each do this, then you eat!"

[16:48] Dru frowns "I am not hungry" she says before looking to the others "What do you make of this?" she might be leading but it dodn't mean she didn't care for what the others thought

[16:49] Relina Harem frowns a little "This one is likely a distraction... Either we bar the door or im going to cook this bastard right here..."

[16:50] Aisling O Luain shakes her head softly "What are the chances of him playing along? He is a demon... look at that hideous face."

[16:52] Bile looks to Dru, "Then out the kitchen" it states firmly before looking to the other two, licking its lips at Relina's comment, "Can you make me smell delicious?" it asks before looking to Aisling, "Eating or no??" it asks, before turning around to tend to the pots again

[16:54] Dru moves to leave, there was no need to antagonise the thing, it seemed mostly harmless "If you have something we can give it then it may be worth it. Otherwise we should press on"

[16:57] Relina Harem actually had a sinister grin on her muzzle and she chuckled as she gripped onto her lance more tightly "I can make you smell... delectable...." though she looks back to Dru and decides to press on "Aye lets bar the door"

[16:58] Aisling O Luain would cast the cook a long glance. "Just keep cooking if you know what's good for you." She then joins the others. "That leaves one room..."

[16:59]  watches Dru before smiling wider to Relina, seeming to be drooling, "Yes, yes!" it replies, moving after them as they close the door, breathing heavily through the crack in the door, "I'll remember your scent, come back when you are hungry. Cook me up nice. Yessssss~" it wheezes through the door

[17:02] Dru shakes her head "Well....it seems my intuition was wrong" and she would move to the other door. Ignoring the gross cook to open the left hand door

[17:02] Relina Harem actually now that she was out of that room.. "Why does he want me to cook him so badly?...."

[17:03] Aisling O Luain shrugs "Demons...." she mutters, as if that explains everything.

[17:03] Bile groans through the door, "Delicious~" it can softly be heard calling

[17:05] Dru gruffs "He doesn't need to die" and on she would walk, moving in to hopefully the last room with a lack of stealth. But still she was done being scared

[17:08] Relina Harem follows along

[17:09] Aisling O Luain readies her sword as they enter the room that seems to be something like an armory.

[17:09]  Zabrax meanwhile would be waiting, arms folded as he watches the door. "When you three are quite done, come in and put away your weapons on the rack to your right. The feline and the bunny, your first duty after you've sworn yourself to me is to guard the doors. The wolf.. I've got a polearm that needs polishing~" he states in one of those arrogant and confident tones of voices. The room itself was cooler than outside, another gentle mist descending gently down from the roof.

[17:13] Dru snorts "I think you are mistaken. No one here will be joining you" she says "Kneel on the floor and place your..hands...I guess..." they did look odd "On your head. Or so help us we will fight you...we will defeat you....this place will be taken by us" she glances behind her both sides "Right?"

[17:14] Relina Harem smirks a little "I say we feed him to his own cook. He looks hungry" she quips

[17:14] Aisling O Luain snarls at the demon "I ll show you some polishing right here with this..." She grips the hilt of her twohander.

[17:21]  Zabrax would let out a soft chuckle at that, "You all sound so confident, so sure of your abilities. Can you not recognise a trap, when you see one? Tell me, have you ever heard of extradimentional planes? Where laws work differently?" he asks, "Where an hour inside the plane, often marked by a doorway.. is equivalent to years on the outside? You are late, your war has been lost. And to the victor, the spoils" he states, motioning behind him where the three would see an illusion of someone they hold dear. Relina would see her family, their bodys torn asunder, Dru would see pikes with the heads of her own family on, all the way down the royal line. And Aisling would see her king, head bowed and knee bent as he crouches behind, in the pose of submission. "I ask you again, put your weapons away"

[17:25] Dru looked grim when she sees wha she is shown. She could fall to her knees but that was not her. She glares at Zabrax "If my family....I will start with you then all of those like you!" she says in anger. moving closer to him and aiming to pick up a nearby chair and throw it at him "No war is over until I say it is. Until my last breath fails in my chest!" oh she was angry now.

[17:27] Relina Harem lowers her ears as she saw her family "Ruk.... Kain... I...ke.." she mutters as she reached out in front of her, almost in a daze

[17:30] Aisling O Luain just growls in contempt "Nice try, demon scum, but do you take us for idiots? If your master had already won, you wouldnt be sitting here in that hidden outpost watching the moss grow on the walls. And I am sure your now dead companions would have already mocked us in the same way. Fool." She jumps onto a table, sword in her hand, ready to pounce!

[17:33]  Commander Zabrax lets out a soft chuckle as two of them advance, triggering the next step of his trap. Icicles would fall from the roof above Dru (first roll) and Aisling (2nd), the source of the mist likely the cool air, the roof covered in the icicles. Meanwhile, a spell circle would start to form around Relina as she freezes.

[17:40] Dru had not expected such an attack it seems so the sharp ice slams into her shoulder, yet somehow she stands, reaching up to tug the spear of frozen water free. her ears heard Relina "Relina. If they are dead you must fight to avenge them, if they are not you must fight to protect them. Now fight!" she hoped words worked with her where they had failed upon herself. Blood began to stain her clothing crimson "If that's all you have then you are soon to die" her head was swimming but she didn't seem to show it

[17:42] Relina Harem she seemed to not be able to hear the others as she starts to tremble "Levee... Amy.. Solarius.. Lyera.. Marianna..." sparkling tears flowed from her eyes as she was trapped in this somehow

[17:44] Aisling O Luain is about to lunge at him when suddenly she is under a hail of icicles falling from above. With a pained grunt she raises her arms over her head to protect it and tries to use the table as cover, trying to crouch under it. Her armor would deflect most damage but some of those sharp pointy projectiles would pierce her fur and skin, making her whelp in pain. Hearing Relina cry would make her dash out of hiding though, wrapping her arms around the other and pressing her close. "Relina... it is not real! Snap out of it! They arent dead yet, but if you dont get a grip you will truly lose them!"

[17:45] Commander Zabrax eyes Dru and gives a 'shit eating grin', "You say that, but you are afraid to take another step" he comments, chuckling as the circle around Relina begins to grow in power. "You are all powerless" he comments, watching as Aisling retreats, seeming content to watch and focus on the magic for now

[17:50] Dru looked at the icicle clutched in her fist and looks to this creature "I fear nothing" she says and then tries to rush him, and attack him no matter what hit her. The icicle in her paw she would aim to slam into the creatures mouth (or what passed for one) and into the back of it's throat

[17:53] Relina Harem soon felt Aisling shake her which snaps her out of it and she looks around as she realizes something and she tries to move out of the spell circle and guide Aisling with her "Watch out" and if she still had some time, she would cast another spell on her lance as she holds it up and starts to spin it, with each revolution, she would add more of her own mana to it as flames engulf the length of her lance and spread, searing hot flames....

[17:54] Aisling O Luain is relieved to see her friend return to reality, because right now it is a very painful reality. She jumps out of the spell circle forming and then makes room for Relina and her magic. Advancing again from the right side, using a chair to deflect icicles, like an improvised shield.

[17:57] Commander Zabrax gives Dru a smile, "Maybe you should" he'd comment, more icicles falling from the roof as she tries to rush him. More icicles would fall from the roof at Aisling. Moments after Relina gets out of the circle, a barrage of icicles would rain down inside it, before lightning would arc between them. It was very good that she had moved! As he opens his mouth once more, Dru would get in range to drive the icicle into its mouth, earning a surprised gasp as it staggers back, eyes widening

[18:03] Dru grunts as an icicle scraped down her back, opening her clothes and her skin, another slams into her tail and one more into her foot. More might have hit were it not for Relina's spell. But Dru still held the icicles and she pushed harder, moving an arm in agony to wrap around her enemy to try to stop him escaping. She didn't speak, she just did what she thought she had to...and she thought she had to try to kill him..apparently with a bit of frozen water

[18:07] Relina Harem expends more mana as she continues to spin her lance above her head, closing her eyes as she concentrates even though she was low on mana. The spell grows in size and temperature until it covers the whole ceiling "Im running low.. take him out now..." she struggles as her crystals start to dim a little

[18:08] Aisling O Luain would get battered hard by the falling icicles, and even though she had the chair raised as a shield, some of them would still find their way and get stuck in her arms and legs. Limping forward, bleeding from small wounds all over, she d growl her focus on the demon. She d try to slash at his ankles with her sword if she got close enough. She d hear Relina behind them and puts her last strength and effort into bringing him down with Dru.

[18:12] Commander Zabrax would wheeze as Dru drives the icicle in further, pushing him up against the wall as his creepy eyes roll back in his head. As he collapses, so does the magic he was maintaining, every single remaining icicle that covers the ceiling suddenly falling in a sharp rain of death. Thankfully due to Relina's efforts it simply becomes a cold shower that splashes over them all as their foe is vanquished. The illusions will disappear in the same moment too

[18:15] Dru pushes once, once more, and once more for luck until she is sure he is dead. Her breath catches in her chest and she coughs, withdrawing her paw and falling back. She was covered in blood, most of it her own "Well...that......wasn't meant..." she gasps out "...to be...that tough" and she laughs a little

[18:19] Relina Harem takes a satchel of tass crystals as she stops the spin for a moment to let the fire die down and she flops back to catch her breath "This is just the beginning...."

[18:20] Aisling O Luain would help making sure it was dead by impaling him on her sword, then supporting herself on the hilt, she slowly collapses to a knee and closes her eyes, panting, feeling her blood mingle with the water raining from above, wetting her fur. "By the gods... I hate demons..." She coughs and looks to her companions. "You... fought well. As soon as this device is disabled... my troops... will be able to port in and secure." After a moment of silence, she asks "Are you two alright...?"

[18:21]  From the hallway a crackling sound could be heard and then a humming that swells up in intensity before dying down again. The corpse of the demon commander glows strangely as another stream of essence leaves his body.

[18:24] Dru pants on her back "You'll need to..patch me up....bleeding a lot" she says "Think I might...pass out" she smiles a bit "Sorry...about the undead"