28 - The Hungry Forest (Final Battle)

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: At the heart of the mysterious forest lies a magical trap.
When: Nov 14, evening
Where: Within the forest
Summary: Working together, and with the (reluctant) help of some menaced cultists, the rescuers have pierced the wooden wall into the heart of the forest.






The sky is clearly visible here, but it’s an evening one – it’s taken the day to work their way through this far. Those with some astronomy knowledge will also be able to tell it’s a sky on Earth, and anyone who can climb up above the treeline will see a vast, mountainous and wooded area, with the lights of roads, train tracks and small towns glittering here and there. They're clearly not in the Heavens anymore. Somehow, in their journey through the forest, the rescuers have emerged onto the Near Shore.

An icy breeze is blowing, and although the vegetation is unseasonably green and lush in this clearing, there are patches of snow visible at the foot of some of the trees, hinting that they're fairly far up the mountain.

Rescues

The clearing here at the heart of the forest is vast, and five colossal sigils are etched into the earth, each one holding an incredible amount of power. It’s on these sigils, North, South, East, West, and Center, that the trapped gods and shinki can be found. Those unlucky enough to be at the Center sigil are bound by hypnosis, each staring at a firefly spirit that hovers before their unblinking eyes. These victims are still and unresponsive, and the spirits will need to be destroyed to free them. The firefly spirits can be harmed by both physical and magical attack, though they likely won’t stay still to let themselves be easily extinguished.

The captives trapped on each of the other sigils are around the edges of the clearing, entangled in vines, brambles or whatever other limbs the trees could provide to bind them to this place. Some may also be under the effects of the hypnotic fireflies if they’ve been particularly troublesome, while others who have fought less might have only those bindings needed to prevent them fleeing. Regardless of how tightly they're restrained, all of the kidnapped gods and shinki on all of the sigils look drained, the severity depending on how long they’ve been there. Some are merely tired-looking, whereas others are barely clinging to consciousness. Whether their power is being used to feed the spell or being stored for something else to come, one thing is clear – those trapped need to be freed before anything more can be done.

Sigils

Those sigils beneath each group of trapped gods and shinki are powerful constructs, brimming with energy and meticulously maintained by the cultists up to now. It’s the same power as what blankets the entire forest, but it's focused on each of those five points. They must be the source of the spell that's caused all of this.

If the spell is to be broken, the sigils need to be broken as well, but it’s going to take more than just scuffing out the etched lines to break the magic. Attacking with shinki in their vessel forms or using blessed water to wash away the magic will be most effective, but for those who didn't bring blessed water or don't have the energy left to transform, there's one other option. The clearing is lit by traditional paper lanterns hanging from the trees all around, and any object set aflame with these lanterns can be used to burn the spell out of the ground bit by bit.

The trees and any remaining soulless shinki are still furiously opposing the rescue efforts, the surviving cultists are continuing to work on maintaining the spell, and it will take time to fully destroy the sigils. However, as the sigils deteriorate, the effects of the spell will begin to fade, and characters will find it easier to access their supernatural powers to speed the process along. Gods' and shinki's powers (that is to say, the special power they gained as a god or shinki, rather than canon powers) will be as effective as a shinki or blessed water against the sigils.

But be careful. As each sigil breaks, some of the magic escapes, but some is captured by the remaining sigils. For the spell to fully disappear, all five must be destroyed – and quickly, because there’s only a matter of time before this power becomes unstable.

Comments

[boneofsword]

Ginia brought food and water. Do you need any? [Archer relays her message, sending her a smile in thanks. He's not going to drag away Caster just now, knowing his god well enough to stay in place. It's good that he does, since he guesses easily what Caster means.]

Mana transfer by touch, right. [it's not really a question, more in terms of explanation at Zelda's surprise.]

[futhark]

[ If only he was in better condition, he would absolutely love to help with setting the forest on fire. But given the one he's in, ability to stand up and not fall over would be an incredible improvement. He's definitely not whipping out a wicker man any time soon. Maybe even never again.

At this point, just keeping this hand up is an achievement, how annoying ]

That too- only if you're willing to give.

[ Ah yes, what a helpful and on point explanation, thanks, Archer. It's always so- clinical, really. But if there is no better alternative this will do. Caster planned to explain and ask her once the hand-holding actually happens. Because you know, small perks, holding hands and so on. ]

But mostly for good luck, before I go.

[ He can't let himself become a hindrance, but he would rather have someone stay and help those arsonist efforts than be hauled away by whole group. ]

[sageprincess]

[To say there is a very specific image that appears in her mind's eye at the phrase "mana transfer" would be something of an understatement, and it shows in the slight nervous twitch of her ears and the purse of her lips. She has half a mind to ask why her, Archer's right there after all, and was apparently willing enough to do an amateur blood transfusion until it was suggested that maybe bleeding out on a battlefield would be a bad idea. But petty bickering on a battlefield is also not a great plan, and so with a sigh she closes the distance.]

Don't be stupid.

[For good luck before he goes, honestly. Like her touch has ever brought good luck to anything.

But she pulls off her glove regardless and laces their fingers together. Closing her eyes, she concentrates, focusing on pulling the magic that runs in her veins to the surface as she's done so many times before, but it's-- more difficult, this time. The suppressing nature of the forest is still thick enough to give her trouble, and trying to push her magic into her hand is like wading through glue. But Zelda is nothing if not tenacious, and so she keeps pushing, her brow furrowing with effort, until gradually the triangular brand on the back of her hand begins to glow.

The magic held within the Triforce of Wisdom is practically infinite, its only limit being the amount of power her body can withstand wielding.

When her entire hand is enveloped in that holy light, she warns Caster through clenched teeth--]

Hurry up...!

[Even she can't do this forever.]

[futhark]

[ Look, handholding is serious business, he gets that. If not for the dire circumstances, it would be such a great thing to tease about. But Dire Circumstances are fully enforced, so it will wait for better times.

Caster tries to return the hold, but it's pathetically weak for a man of his posture, shows well how bad those last few days were for him. Without a proper contract there isn't much he can take- but with magic of this caliber and one being willingly given it is possible. His focus is on the flow of energy, on the warm golden light and how it rejuvenates him. He fans out his long fingers between hers and finally returns the grip, much stronger this time. ]

...that's enough. [ He releases a quiet breath and opens his eyes- his vision sharper, more focused. Even his voice is clearer, but he still feels- no, not tired, mortals get tired, it's like his bones were made of lead. But it's enough to start moving, even scrambling out of Archer's hold- if he was left without help, he could stand on his own.

Forget the fighting and magic though, as frustrating as it is to admit, he's still a dead weight to them. The best he could do is act as a distraction. ]

I think I could try and get back on my own but- [ He could try, he can't guarantee he will succeed- but as long as he gets out of this area he could hole and hide somewhere to lick his metaphorical wounds. But hey gotta put aside the tough face, he can't ruin this dashing rescue by accidentally dying somewhere on the side. ]

Ginia, Archer- sorry, I might need assistance of one of you

[ In other news, he's stubborn and dumb too. If one of them decides to help him back to the temple, he won't say no- but there is no need for both of them to do that, should they want to stay here and help ]

[boneofsword]

[Once Archer is sure that his god can stand without help he lets go. Pride he understands, sure, though another mana transfer will happen when they're conveniently out of sight.

He breathes a sigh of relief when Caster does look and sound more like his typical self. That aside, nothing will stop Archer from carrying him the whole way to the nearest shrine once the immediate threats are neutralized.]

I'm not letting you out of my sight right now, since someone has to ensure you won't expire on the way back. That aside, you have my gratitude, princess. [Archer inclines his head politely; there's no place and time for a formal bow.] Right now it's best to stay here long enough to ensure all those sigils are neutralized. Some god - Ebisu, I think, is helping those injured.

[unlucky7]

[There's a lot Ginia doesn't understand about the conversation of the last few minutes. The sudden need for blood, mana transfers; none of it makes sense in a way that's meaningful. But the time for an explanation isn't now and the important thing is keeping her god (and other present god) and fellow shinki safe.

Ginia uses up the last of her blessed water on the sigil before coming back to their side proper, keeping an eye out for any attackers in the area.]

I want to stay and finish this.

[She signs to Archer, counting on him to relay her message. It's contradictory to her orders, she knows, but she can't shake the feeling of dread. What if the sigil isn't destroyed? What if this is only the start of something bigger? Ending things now is the best way to keep Caster safe. But she's not completely uncaring about Caster's condition. It might not do much, but some food and water is better than none.

Ginia pulls out the sealed bottles of water and energy bars from her bag and offers them directly to Caster, making direct eye contact with him.]

[irishfriskey]

Ah, apologies!

[And in comes in the Lancer himself. He's been trying to locate the group of them for a while, but hasn't had any luck until now. If the leaves all over his body weren't indication enough.]

Sorry it took me so long... Archer, if you wish to stay here and help, you're more than welcome to.

[He can take Caster home just fine, thank you very much.]

Apologies for the delay again.

[sageprincess]

[That's enough, Caster says, and Zelda pulls her hand back with a gasp and holding it to her chest as though burned. Perhaps another day, in another place, she would have endured just a little longer to ensure that Caster would be able to sustain himself, but not in this forest. Even just doing that much has left her a little lightheaded, and as the shinki gather around their god and discuss what to do next, she pulls back to catch her breath. And... maybe for another reason, if she's being honest.

It kind of hurts to look at the four of them all together, really - a twisting in her chest that makes her feel a little hollow inside. As much as some parties might insist otherwise, it's painfully clear that she's an outsider here. And she hates it, that feeling, that twisting emptiness, because she knows she should be happy they've all reunited at last after this hellish ordeal, and that her friend is in the hands of those that clearly care for him deeply. She hates it, and so she pretends like she doesn't feel anything at all, turning away from the group once she's caught her breath, facing the chaos that is the north sigil once more.

She's not necessary here anymore, so--]

You can handle things from here. I will see you back in the Heavens.

[Who those words are meant to be for, exactly, is vague, and it doesn't seem like she intends to clarify things, as in the next minute, she rushes into the battlefield and disappears.]

sumanai, my ankle broke the pace

[futhark]

[ Caster did say he needs only one of them, so when Archer relies on what Ginia just said- if they can communicate with hands he really ought to get up to speed on that... someday. When he's not dropping half-dead; but let's get off the tangent - when he learns what Ginia just said he nods. ]

Go, go and good luck in your fight. [ Give them hell where he can't. Then Lancer joins them, and- ah, it's kind of embarrassing having to be rescued like that. But the only one he can be annoyed with is himself for falling for this trap, and then not being able to free himself. Which isn't a place to do so. ]

Hey, Lancer. [ He says as he starts helping himself to food Ginia gave him. Look, he's not in a position to risk breaking geis and fucking everything up again. So while this might be the worst possible place for the picnic, he's going to devour what he can as quickly as possible. Fortunately, there is Archer, the beefcake to lean on when you're not sure if your legs have enough strength to keep you upright ] I just need help of one of you to get back to the temple, I'll let you decide which.

[ He's not joining this argument. ]

Princess, you ha-- [ His attention shifts to Zelda, but it's too late. She says what she has to say and rushes away to continue the fight. Again, that disappointment strikes again, if the contract had worked- if it only. They would be fighting together, and he wouldn't need to fight the exhaustion that threatens to overcome him with every second. ]

Those of you who do stay here, can I ask you- to keep an eye on her?

[ Not the full guard, just dropping to see if everything is alright during the battle. Pretty please. ]

[boneofsword]

[Archer relies Ginia's message and has to stifle a chuckle when she offers food to Caster. Looks like she's aware of the geis and uses it to her advantage. Good job. He's not surprised to see Lancer, just relieved to see him unharmed. Now the only problem here are the sigils.]

Take care, Ginia. Lancer, it's good to see you. [even if he's not in a hurry to get rid of the heavy weight leaning currently on him.]

[Zelda decides to run away, and Archer can't blame her. There will be tim to talk later.]

I'll make sure Caster comes back home in on piece. You should destroy the sigils. [There's another reason Archer is loath to leave Caster in others' hands - he can see his god desperately needs mana, and he can offer mana transfer safely.]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia nods at Lancer when he joins them, glad to see him and well too. She flashes him a friendly smile before her expression turns serious again. She offers a light salute with her machete.]

I'll take down a few for all of you. And watch Zelda.

[It's an easy enough task. Protect the goddess, give everyone hell in the name of her god and exemplar. She grabs the remaining bottles of blessed water, leaving the rest for everyone else to use. If it's still there, she'll collect it at the end. For now, she gives her temple one last final smile before bounding off to join back into the fight.

This fucking sigil is going down and everyone involved with it.]

[irishfriskey]

[He nods back to Ginia, smiling to her as well. Before looking back at Archer, still with a smile on his face.]

I think you should handle the sigils. You are the archer, you'd be better able to help them out.

[He promised to keep an eye on Caster and failed this time. Right now, he wants to see Caster returned safely. That's why he has to do this.]

I promise to get him home safely.

[futhark]

[ Is this going to be a contest which of them takes him home now? Neither Lancer nor Archer seem to want to give that "privilege" away

Boys... ]

Either don't argue or... just get me to Ebisu, and return for me after you're both done with the sigils?

[ Both are set on being "useful" and he really doesn't want to choose one. But then destroying sigils is important too. ]