Flower Buds in a Sacred Place [E|P]

[Flower]

As Kuroi trapped the beast in a genjutsu, and it started seeing its skin falling off -- falling into a daze -- she would slash it across the hard exterior before floating back, and suddenly Set would cause stone to beginning piercing the creature. The beetle was suddenly richocheted with the volley of attacks and clacked its mandibles uselessly as it fell unconscious as well from the genjutsu. Barely alive but defeated. Kuroi walked up to it and brought the spear up to one its multi-faceted eyes.

The tip squelched as she probed it further in an attempt to kill the beetle, which let out a massive bellow. Down the pathways that led into this chamber, the middle one where the beetle had come from looked particularly appetizing to Kuroi. She took one more second to look over the nest and walk cautiously, assessing the scene and making sure that no more of them would jump out of the dungeon. There were all sorts of skeletons and bone fragments that littered the scene. Almost looks like a nice place, Kuroi thought.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 attack & will saves, +10 skills]

Tokens: 10 + 5 mission

[Titan of Stone]

"Gross..." Set quietly murmured under her breath as the liquids of the beetle oozed out of the wounds both had inflicted on it while the movements twitched to an end. Slightly paler from the experience Set floated a few inches off the ground so she wouldnt touch any of it as she followed Kuroi deeper.

The next chamber filled with bone did much less for her anxiety than the bugs to the point she stepped back down and pressed into Kuroi from behind hugging around her shoulders. "What next?"

[Christoff]

Mission Complete
35,000 paid

[Flower]

Name: "Is there something else down here?"
Rank: B
IIC Length: n/a
Difficulty: Hard
Objective: Figure out why it appears as if there is more to the dungeon, what else is down there, and annihilate any threats.
Description: Deeper into the dungeon it would appear that the beetle was not all of the predators put in place to stop would-be intruders. A juevenile fire lizard (very rare, underworld, 7% chance) has been set to guard the rest of the path and is unusually aggressive, upset with the confined space. Figure out how large the dungeon and is and a way out, while slaying the beast when you come across it.
Reward: 77,000 ryo plus Flower Tokens per event (13)

Kuroi felt Set's affectionate pull from behind into a hug and she smiled, pleased that she was at least putting on a good face. "Now we move on and find a way up." Really Kuroi wasn't sure. Rae's apprentice hadn't ever taken this path and knew not what was ahead. But Kuroi knew that there was supposedly another way in -- a back entrance of sorts that was less well guarded. The answer seemed simple enough, but Bitter Mercy crooned in Kuroi's hand wanting to be used. One simple shot hadn't been enough.

Moving down the corridor from where the spider came would lead to a door. The door was made of steel and didn't appear to be triggered with any seals or traps -- that the naked eye could tell. Kuroi went up to and acted as if she might knock. "Should I?" she asked playfully, while keeping her eyes open for anything unusual. It was likely that there was much more stationed down here to greet them as they got toward the entrance to the chamber. How far does it go? In particular she looked for any signs around the door, on the wall or ground, that she knew to be associated with any type of animal or beast. It would be useful to know if they were walking into the lair of the creature, even though the result would be the same.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 attack & will saves, +10 skills

Tokens: 11 + 16 mission
Creature Lore (underworld): 125
Roll success 7% or less
8tNdkyQF1-1001-100

[Titan of Stone]

"Eh okaaaaaay" The neko whined and proceeded to float while holding onto Kuroi's shoulders content with lazily being pulled along like a shadow. A low hum escaped from Set as she traced little patterns along Kuroi's skin as the demon played around.

Although every now and then she looked about her soul sight still likely to catch anything with an essence. Her stripes pulsing slightly faster while she stayed in contact with the little bat.

hIcn3QV11-100
1-100

[Christoff]

Mission Approved

[Flower]

Kuroi knocked on the door at Set's permission, beaming with excitement. The door banged loudly but there was no sound from the other side. Kuroi tried the doorknob and it opened easily, not locked whatsoever. As they entered the area, the two girls would discover a wide hallway at least forty meters in width. The cieling stood even higher, and there was no light like the rest of the dungeon. Kuroi's eyes adjusted slowly and saw that the hallway went forward for some distance. Kuroi went faster down the path, hoping to discover a clue to help them out along the way. She kept her eyes peeled, suspecting that there might be more creatures down here.

Sure enough, after a short time, two would come upon a pile of shells and exoskeletons -- seemingly from large beetles like the one that they had fought. Kuroi inspected the remains and looked around the area, hoping to find evidence of the creature if it was here. But the meal looked like it hadn't been touched for some time. Here, below the surface of the sand, it remained in good condition even as it started to decompose. Further down the hall, the two would come to a grand sort of stadium or arena. "Oh wow," Kuroi said, marveling around at the layers of seats and places for stands or lights. "I wonder who built all of this?" Spiders and rats crept along the floors, glancing at the unexpected intruders.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 attacks & will saves, +10 skills

Tokens: 12 + 16 mission
Creature Lore (underworld): 125

7% chance
MfRkEC2i1-1001-100

[Titan of Stone]

Set tilted her head as she knocked on the door, less giving permission and more not caring since she was technically hired as a bodyguard, kinda. Either way she stayed close looking around as they entered a hallway, one in stark contrast to the previous dungeon where as the previous hall looked dank and decrepit like one would expect, this now looked like a buried temple. "Hm... Watch for traps."

Set glanced about not having an eye for it but knowing these kinds of old things would often have spike traps and other things of the sort. The darkness now engulfed them and with a smirk Set playfully traced around Kuroi's shape hidden in the dark playfully feeling her up until they reached the next section which over looked a stadium. The sight may have been incredible, as Kuroi seemed to think, however Set simply glanced around expecting it to be some sort of sacrificial pit.

"Are you sure we went the right way? I don't remember the Secret of the Hidden Temple being in our contract ladybat." Set questioned lightly, not in an annoyed way but more... bored of nothing substantial happening. Her attention returned to the blonde as Set clung to her starting to hum to herself while they explored.

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1-100

[Flower]

Kuroi could feel Set flitting around her as the two of them entered the arena. "I know we didn't come here to find out thre grand, hidden secret but I mean come on. Aren't you curious?" As they stepped forward, a small platform on one of the stairs, well disguised and neither of the girls with trap-sensing abilities, would compress and activate. Without a moments hesitation, several arrows would soar from a compartment on the right (5 x 10 ap = 50 ap). Kuroi blinked out of existence as soon as she heard the sound and appeared three meters behind the spot. She trusted Set would be able to avoid it too, she did have control over teleportation rituals if nothing else but half-expected her to destroy them although they'd have less than a second.

"Seems that someone doesn't want us down here," Kuroi would say. Then she stared up and got a good look at the wide arena, which was made with old granite and had been weathered by drops of water, wind, and small lichens growing in the stonework. "There'll probably be more traps further ahead." Her blonde hair started to whip around her as Kuroi started to float six inches off the ground with her flight abilities. She suddenly noticed that on the other side of the chamber were three doors. Her eyes were peeled for anymore creatures that might be lingering in the old, forgotten battle pit.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 attacks & will saves, +10 skills]

Tokens: 13 + 16 mission
Creature Lore (underworld): 125

7% chance
tzlnx_Fs1-1001-100

[Titan of Stone]

The neko shrugged a bit as Kuroi questioned her interest in the discovery but she really had none. "I'm old, probably older than this. I find people more interesting, so many are unique."

Set hummed faintly while squeezing the blonde however in the same moment her ears flicked at the sound of scraping stone. As Kuroi disappeared Set sighed and her body flexed as the arrows attempted to pierce her. However those that didnt pass through her form would screech off her muscle before hitting the clattering off.

ZvptOSxv1-100
1-100
1-100
1-100
1-100
(3 hit)
Afterward the cat glanced back at Kuroi with a raised eyebrow having made a warning but let it go. Although she'd smack the blonde's butt as a light punishment when she passed. Set raised off the floor once more staying away from traps as she looked around.

1-100
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[Flower]

"Whoa," Kuroi said from her new position and looking at Krystal as several arrows passed through her and then some bounced off her muscles in various directions. "That did nothing to you." As they got further into the arena, Kuroi would continue floating six inches above the ground to avoid setting off anymore traps and soon they would be approaching the center of the stadium -- the battle pit -- and the three doors along its inner wall. One of them had inscribed on it the kanji for "Paradise," one had the kanji for "Purgatory," and one had the kanji for "Inferno." Kuroi stood looking from one to the other, trying to tell as much about them as possible as well as spot any clues to beasts that might have still been in the area.

All of the doors were made out of the same material and their kanji's chiseled in the same handwriting. Kuroi tried to use her Soul Scout to transverse the threshold and peak inside, but with no luck. "These doors are sealed such so that our chakra can't peer through," she said with a frown but having no idea which path might be the best. She waited to see which door Set would choose, if for no other reason then it would indicate something about her decision-making. There would be a deep rumbling throughout the walls of the stadium, and Kuroi wondered if something wasn't closing in.

Just then there was the sound of some loud bell. "The ceremony calling the Council members together for a meeting has commenced," Kuroi said, remembering the assistant's memories. It meant that they were slowly running out of time.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 attack & will saves, +10 skills]

Tokens: 14 + 16 mission
Creature Lore (underworld): 125

7% chance success
YfY|EmVu1-1001-100

[Titan of Stone]

Set raised an eyebrow when Kuroi spoke about her defense, it almost felt mocking as she just walked past her. A low grumble sat in her throat as she followed into the arena looking around as they came near three doors. Krystal couldn't read and Set's language was far older than whatever was scribbled on the doors. Regardless she neared the one marked as Inferno before touching the door silently.

As the rumbling triggered Set down on her feet and mimicked a stance from Krystal's memory and placed an open palm fingertips against the stone door as the rumble echoed through her. Then as the vibrations of the bell reached them she clenched her fist and rammed the force of her body forward shattering the doorway as chunks of stone went flying inside. She didn't know if they had another path but it felt good to break something since she wasnt able to flirt. A smile danced across her lips as she turned back with a bit of dust on her knuckles.

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1-100

[Flower]

Kuroi watched Set break the door with a cheer, even though she had seen her do the same to the one into the Council Chamber's lower floors. It was clear that this one was different than Valerys. Inside of the door marked Inferno, there was a short balcony that extended ten meters over the mouth of a large gorge that made up an enormous chamber. Stalagtites on the ceiling seemed to perch precariously more than thirty meters above, while the mouth of the cavern extended into the depths a very far distance. There was no doubt that this room led outside of the building and deeper into teh earth. It would be difficult to see what lay at the bottom of the pit, but a soft, red glowing aura seemed to suggest that it wasn't safe. The room stretched across for more than 100 meters.

If there had no been a bridge across, there was no sign of it now. Another door, this one with no markings and made of steel, sat on another ledge at the other side of the gorge. A small island of stone, five meters in diameter with several steep foot holds, sat in the center -- 50 meters from each edge. Kuroi looked down into the depths and seemed to swoon back. "Oh woo, that's strange. Set, my lovely, is this the type of place that you come from?" It would seem that she did have access to at least some of Valerys' memories.

Every so often a blast of air would hiss from the top of the chamber, pushing down on their bodies. Every two seconds, the air would blast and potentially knock them down if they tried to make it across (For Save 20 or pushed down 10 meters, 3x per round while flying or above the ground) to the island or the other ledge. "Any plans?" Kuroi kept her eyes peeled for the creatures that she assumed were close by. If there was anywhere they were likely to appear, it would be here.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 attacks & will saves, +10 skills]

Tokens: 15 + 16 mission
Create Lore (underworld): 125

7% chance
PK4d37tG1-1001-100

[Titan of Stone]

A faint blush formed across the demon's face as she got a cheer out of the blonde bat and she responded with a grin and a wink. As the two explored down the path and came to what appeared to be a destroyed bridge Set felt the wind push her down to where her feet touched the stone again. A noticable frown came across her face as she bent down picking up a few pieces if stone, debris from the door.

The demon looked over as Set made a comment, a smirk played on her lips as she hugged the girl from behind nipping her ear while red static danced over both rocks. "Maaaaaybe~ Treat me well and I could take you." Set purred and dropped one over the edge into the abyss. If the stone was destroyed then she could safely tell it was lava beneath, on the other hand shed wait for the interval between gusts to launch the second one towards the steel door.

When the stone struck the metal Set would warp them to the door in a flash of red while keeping her arms around the bat. "Or I may keep you to myself."


8CBpdiM81-100

1-100

[Flower]

Kuroi was whisked away across the abyss after the stone fell and was destroyed below in the pools of what must have been lava of some kind, and the other one hit the door -- marked by Set's abilities. "Oooo," she hummed as they stood in front of the next door. Kuroi would move to go through this one as well and the two of them would come to a stairway. The stairway led up into the chambers of the domed, government building it seemed. Kuroi stared up ahead, pushing her blonde hair out of her face. "So we're going to go up there?" At the top of the stairway was another door. One that presumably led to their opponents.

Kuroi sat still for a second and wove another set of handseals as the chakra ran throughout her body. Then she opened her eyes, in one, forceful second, as her genjutsu flooded over the area and around Krystal. She would feel herself suddenly growing even stronger as a Boost of the Warrior enhancement began to take affect. "There are all sorts of ways I could help you increase your power," Kuroi said looking Set over from top to bottom, "oh yes, I think so." Her baggy, black sweater jumped around on her torso as Kuroi started heading up the stairs. She threw out her hands as chakra rushed into them, filling them with an unseen attack. "Well let's go!"

SPOILER: Click to show

Boost of the Warrior [1/10 rounds, +8 attack damage]
Rank: "D"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: This Jutsu allows the recipient to tap hidden reserves of tactical knowledge through sheer mental power.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects 1 creature. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique lasts for 2 rounds per class level. This technique may be negated. Hester knew that he just had to wait for the right opening. How he knew this was unknown to him. He had never trained in the arts of war. Libraries and lectures were more his style, but somehow he knew what to do… This Jutsu allows the recipient to tap hidden reserves of tactical knowledge through sheer mental power. The subject believes in this so strongly that the effect actually manifests. Through use of this Jutsu the user is able to raise the Attack Damage of one subject by +2 per Class Level. (+8 Maximum)
Limit: Must know the Enchantment Perception.

Bands of Force [25 rounds]
Rank: "C"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: With a successful TaiJutsu combat maneuver the opponent is entangled.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Affects any 1 creature touched. The user is able to perform this technique on the target they touch. The duration of this technique lasts for 5 rounds per class level. With a successful TaiJutsu combat maneuver the opponent is entangled. It can also squeeze the target creature on the following round dealing 6 Armour Points of Crushing damage per Class Level. A target can negate this Jutsu by making a successful Escape Artist check in a half round movement (Extremely Difficult Difficulty + 5 per Class Level + 5 per Impeccable Will).
Limit: Must be a Shape Transformation Specialist.

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 will saves, +10 skills]

[Titan of Stone]

Set hummed quietly following Victoria as she made her way through the doorway and into what looked like a stairwell. With a quiet tilt of her head Set watched as the blonde began to cast some spell before feeling a wave across her skin and tested her arm watching her muscle pull taut.

An amused laugh slipped out before the blond twirled and began to head up. With little work Set flew up and hugged around her shoulders letting her carry her weightless self up the stairs while purring against her neck. "Mmm you smell good~"

[Flower]

As the two of them approached the top of the stairs and the door, Set wrapped around Kuroi's neck and floated weightlessly along. Kuroi blushed at the compliment about her smell, noting that Set would probably know pretty well if her sense of smell was anything like Krystal's. When they stepped through the door, which was unlocked, a voice from the other side would say, "Anise? Is that you?" Kuroi and Set would walk in upon a woman wrapped in a flowing white robe, sporting violet hair that fell around her face and two different colored face -- one red and one blue. She wore a purple dress underneath her robe but it could barely be seen beneath the layers of fabric. There was a pink rose in her hair. It was Rae, the Second Angel of Sukuinushi, at last.

Valerys hadn't expected her to be here, yet here she was. It wasn't part of the plan. Suddenly Kuroi's skin begin to shift and reform as she turned into Selyse again, the blue-haired, short girl that had walked through the desert with Set to get to Sukuinushi. As she transformed, Selyse would tell Krystal, "That's the one." Meaning, of course, that was the one they'd came there to find -- but it wasn't an assistant like they had suspected. The room seemed to be some sort of secret study or office, and there was no discernible way out that the average eye could detect. There were no windows and just a desk with some loose papers and trinkets. There were pens and ink for letters.

Selyse held her ground and waited for Set to move in with her taijutsu. Like in the desert, Selyse was prepared to react from afar and started forming a string of handsigns and relied on Set to cover her. The Angel reacted immediately and started to form her own set of handsigns. She was fast. Rae seemed to know that the enemy had somehow discovered her hideout. Her handseal speed must have been at least that of an S-ranked ninjutsu or genjutsu specialist. If she wasn't stopped, then Rae would attempt to put a genjutsu on the two newcomers before they could attack. But Selyse trusted in Set to stop her before that and carried on with her own genjutsu in response. Chakra rushed into her electric eyes.


Rae:

SPOILER: Click to show

Spots Before Your Eyes [DC 32]
Rank: "D"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: Any creature who gets caught within the area effect becomes blinded by multiple spots.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: A Mind-Affecting Technique. Affects several creatures where no 2 may be more than 10 meters apart. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique lasts for 5 rounds per class level. This technique may be negated. Cousin to the box of dots Jutsu. No creature is affected who is 1 Class Level higher than the user. Those who fail their save see their vision filled with brightly colored spots. The effect is akin to having been blinded by a light, but in a multitude of colors. Creatures so affected are blinded for the duration of the Jutsu unless they gain another save. Creatures who succeed at their save see the spots suddenly pop out of existence as quickly as they came into existence. Unaffected creatures can see the dots swirling before the eyes of those affected, but are in no danger themselves as the dots only remain with those who have fallen subject to the Jutsu. Of course, an unaffected creature could choose to disbelieve the spots and they would be gone, but that does not help the affected creature. This Jutsu does not affect sightless creatures.
Limit: Must know the Pattern Perception. Must know Box of Dots.

Selyse:

SPOILER: Click to show

Evil Eye
Rank: "C"
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The user focuses malevolent wishes through her gaze and curses someone with bad luck.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: Affects 1 creature. The user is able to perform this technique at a distance of 7 meters plus 6 meters per class level. The duration of this technique is instantaneous. This technique may be negated. The user focuses malevolent wishes through their gaze and curses someone with bad luck. The subject takes a -4 luck penalty on all Attack Damage, Saves, and -20 to Skill Checks. The Jutsu ends at the next sunrise, when dismissed, when a Cleanse Curse is performed on the subject, or when the user takes at least 1 Armour Point of damage from the subject.
Limit: Must know the Enchantment Perception.

Still Active:

Heroism [+2 will saves, +10 skills]
Boost of the Warrior [2/10 rounds, +8 attack damage]

[Titan of Stone]

As the duo crested the top of the stairs Set had already set about nuzzling and nibbling at Victoria's neck distractingly. However the sudden voice drew her red eyes up and Set looked over the woman curiously, she was pretty and exotic and if Krystal had met her she may have given pause in case they were related.

Set had no such qualms and as the woman began to weave seals The demon roared at her projecting a funnel of pressure and sound in an instant. Set then vanished from around Victoria's neck to reappear behind the angel with her muscles visibly rippling. Assuming she wasnt interrupted she would grab the angel in a bear hug while her body grew another size trapping her in the firm confine of muscle as the demon opened her mouth placing her fangs on the angel's neck in warning.

With her mouth on the woman's dark skin, Set's glimmering dark eyes looked to Selyse.

/ooc: sonic blast Aug, blink, all fours fire, expansion (akimichi), nom

[Flower]

Rae would try to finish her handseals and stop her opponents before the sonic blast pummeled her, but she was hit with it before she could even tell what was happening. Krystal disappeared in an instant, but Rae seemed to be on to her and used the Body Flicker technique to move out of the way as she reached out to grab the angel -- blasting her ten forward and closer to Selyse, and the door. Selyse wasn't able to finish her genjutsu, but instead readied her hands to attack at the woman's pressure points if she tried to run for the exit. Rae seemed to think better of it and found herself a bit cornered between the two assassins.

Her soul readied to protect herself, however, prepping a sort of barrier around her physical body in case one of them tried to attack her (Will DC: 28), and then she moved quickly into another set of handseals. This time Rae would be as quick before, using only a D-rank's worth of handseals, to cast an unknown technique and hoped that her soul would be an adequate defense while she took the offensive. Her body was already feeling some effects from the sonic damage, but fortunately she hadn't allowed the purple-haired opponent to get any closer.

Rae knew that she had to put an end to this here and now lest her attackers gain the upper hand. She put everything she could into the next attack.

SPOILER: Click to show

Body Flicker x1

Unknown Defense [Will DC 28]

Unknown Technique
- Unknown Enhancement

[Titan of Stone]

After getting knocked back away from the angel as she avoided the grapple Set growled low and in a series of quick arcane gestures willed the earth itself to rise up reducing the hall to a slit of space against the ceiling. The tight lock may have done damage but more to the point it would restrict the angel's movement as Set made more markings before splitting herself in twine. Unlike Krystal's though both now shone with dark crimson light that almost seemed to drip off of their skin.

In a silent look Set readied herself waiting for Selyse's signal to drop the earth and attack. When she gave the order the earth would drop back to where it was as the two demons rushed forward blending into a single spiraling drill.

OOC: Grand mobile earth core, soul split, heaven twin fang.