What rests beneath the sand... [EPIC]

[Wolf of the Falls]

OOC: noted, just went off assumption.

#00

The pedestal had an indention in the center that appeared to be burned in while marks in front of the burn seemed to resemble teeth marks. However, at the moment that would be the only meaningful information she would be able to discern from it.


#02

The piece of organ on the ground seemed to be about a foot of dried intestine, do with it as you will. Despite their blackness the claw's shine would reflect and the tiny dragon would catch the glint off them allowing it to leap up and bite onto the black flesh. However it would find the flesh dry and extremely resilient, a deep unamused groan would fill the room as the beast drew its arm back to look at the dragon with hollow eyeless sockets before whipping its arm to fling the dragon off against the wall.

With the dull light cast by the gadget the girl would make out the tall form of a monster, the lower half resembling a decaying horse while a human-like torso sat on it's back with their spines fused. Their bones and rotten flesh black in color while a faint blue glow came from the horse's eyes. Thick black ichor dripping from the bite of the dragon if it had managed to fling off the beast. However with the appearance of the beast a heavy disgusting stench filled the room like the smell of bodies having been rotting at sea for years.

#03

The skeletons watched the boy enter now transformed, but they could tell he wasn't dead like them. Slowly the bones convened as five semi armored skeletons that would rise to their feet approaching the boy, slow as their bones and weapons rattled, armed with swords and shields. Although at the back of the room seemed to be a metal skull without a jaw laying on the floor.

[Flower]

[OOC: I figured. Haven't exactly made the number-tag agents public knowledge yet~]

Valerys saw that the pedestal had indentation and teeth upon it, and wondered what it could possibly be for. It had to have some kind of function? She stepped away about ten meters from the device along with one of her pet dragons, having the other go up to it and stand on its hindquarters to sniff at the face and the indentation. Soon it would be nuzzling its snout against it to see if anything would happen or move. Meanwhile Valerys looked at the paths -- concerned that neither one of her homunculi had followed through with their mission. She held the polearm tight in her hand, casting away her fears.

If rubbing its snouth against the pedestal did nothing, than the dragon would attempt to bit at it with its first set of maelific maws in its mouth -- just to see what would happen. If there were any defenses or if it might make it work. Valerys prepared herself as she watched it happen as did the other dragon, in case it was a trap. It was seeming more and more that everything in her could be looking to trap her, based on the absence of her companions. If it seemed safe and not to attack the dragon, Valerys would walk forward and try one of her soulcaster techniques upon it -- Know Where.

She was suddenly able to see about a week into the past in six seconds, trying to judge if anybody else had used the object or done anything with it in that time. Of course, she would need to go further back in time if she wanted to really make out where this pedestal had come from. She peered into its essence, hoping there to find some of the answers to her burning questions.

---

#02 watched in horror as the dragon bit at the creature attacking her and then was thrown back, against the wall. She turned around, surrounding it in the light of her flashlight and giving her a look at the monstrous soul. She knew that she had to try to survive and ran left in the direction of the dragon, as it was getting to its feet as quickly as it could to run toward the evil horseman once more. It attacked with both of its maws, just hoping to get in enough damage to survive and get out of this room...

It did not seem like a hopeful endeavor. If the girl was able to get away while the dragon faced the beast, then she would begin quickly scanning the room -- hoping that there was some way to get out of this mess. There had to be some method to make the stone wall open back up? She just hoped that it was somewhere within this room...

---

#03 was horrified to find that the skeletons were able to see through his act. He was able to give into his demise, let himself die and protect Valerys from coming down this way, when he saw something in the back of the room. A metal skull without a jaw. He looked at the direction the skeletons were coming from, and ran for it -- hoping to reach it in time. He had no special skills or other ideas to help in this situation, but perhaps with a little bit of luck this metal skull would be more than just a trinket. And besides... either way it seemed he was going to die.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Greater Homunculi x3
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]
    Lesser Homunculi x2

Know Where
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: Trace where an object came from.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Target is 1 object. Range is Touch. Duration is 1 hour or until stopped. By touching an object user can get information from the impression a soul has left behind much like a finger print. Touch one object and the user enters a helpless state but the user can watch how an object found its way to where it is as if reversing time. Each round in the helpless state gives the user a week of information as if they were the object that the user touched. User can end this Jutsu in the same amount of time as performing the Jutsu.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

[Wolf of the Falls]

As Valerys used her soul to scan the area she would find that the pedestal had been locked in the floor for far longer than a week but that number would be indeterminate. The dragon however would find the faintest traces of scent on the stone structure. Although after a moment the dragon would find the scent traveled down both hallways.


#02

The sounds that escaped the creature's mouth would send shivers through the girl as it's body slowly turned to look while she ran to the dragon. Although as it tried to race forward and attack the horse's legs the humanoid would shoot its arm down with its wicked claws outstretched to grab and pin the dragon to the floor with an extended inhuman limb.

At this point the girl would've moved away from it ending up behind(?) the creature and on the other side of the X-shaped cross. Although a low hissing groan would fill the air as the creatures head snapped backwards as if it had been beheaded its eyeless sockets staring right at the girl. Slowly its other arm began to raise starting to aim towards her. However she would be able to notice something strange, the faint blue light cast from the horse's head which hadn't moved seemed to show the faint outline of the path she had entered from.


#03

As the boy saw the skull the skeletons had began to move in on his position with high pitched hissing escaping their skeletal bodies. However their blows would merely scrape the boy as he rushed past their numbers to reach the other side of the room.

As he reached the skull he would find it composed of a silvery metal with dark ripples spanning its surface(damascus). While it looked like a gaudy fancy skull, it did seem to hum ever so faintly with energy. The skeletons would now begin to move on him again but in the scraps along the corner of the room the young boy would find a blue sphere with a short length of rope extending from it. A bomb, one with enough time to probably light it, drop it, and run out of the room.

If only there was a source of fire within the room... Lit by a torch... a few feet to left of his position... If only...

[Flower]

Valerys continued scanning the pedestal with her soulcaster techniques, not actually desiring to know where the pedestal had come from -- more than that, she wanted to know what other souls, if any, had touched it in the past weeks and left the impression of their souls. She allowed herself to scan back another week, now going two weeks back, to see if she could determine any more information. It seemed that this area had to be relatively abandoned if no one had messed with the object in so long. She hoped that she was safe her, but her two pet dragons grunted and watched her as she continued on her mental journey. The thought of #02 and #03 never left her. Truly this was a haunted place.

---

#02 watched in horror as the creature pinned the dragon to the ground. It was unfortunate, but both of them knew their job. And besides, a homunculi never died forever...

The horrific creature would pin the dragon to the ground along the bottom of its scaly neck, right where the shoulders and the neck met. Given enough time, it would be forming a maw here as well -- right where the monster was grabbing him -- in six seconds the monster would find that its rotting hands would be falling into a regular sized maw that the dragon had formed on the bottom of its neck. Tearing apart at its fingers and attempting to hold the monster in place. Chewing away at its rotten, salty flesh. Meanwhile a second maw would be forming on its shoulders -- mirroring the one on its chest -- and would be about two feet long across the span of its back / upper shoulders. If the horrific spirit let go of the dragon even for a second to avoid the bite, the dragon would jump on it and attempt to hit it with its mouth and chest maws once again.

No option now but to tear it apart piece by piece. It hoped to distract the beast while #02 was doing its mission. She saw the path on the horses forehead and tried to get a good of a look at it as possible. Trying to memorize it. Still, she didn't know how this would help her get out and as she stood there -- cowering in fear -- she thought about what she could do. At the very least she could protect herself, and she too began to form the maws at her left and right palms. Then something occurred to her...

---

#03 made it to the skull on the ground and could feel something coming from it. Something powerful. He was trying to determine how to work it when he noticed a something laying on the floor... a bomb? And a torch not far away. As the skeletons came at him, in his own skeleton form, the boy suddenly shot toward the bomb to pick it up. As he did, he let out a roar, "Mwahhhghrghr" and his body began to bubble and transform -- the sound of his screams turn into the sound of chewing over the course of this round. His bones rattled and stretched as twelve maws began to cover his entire body. One at the nape of his neck, one diagonally across his face, one where his chest and shoulders met, one on the back of his right forearm, one on the front of his right forearm, same with the left side, one on his stomach, one on his lower back, one on his right bicep, one on the side of his left calf, and one on going up the length of his spine. They were varying sizes and shapes, appearing in his skeleton bones and opening up and chewing at the world viciously with their fangs. He did look truly vicious, looking a wriggling and chewing ball of teeth and bone.

His garbled body would be transforming as quickly as possible as he ran toward the torches, hoping that if any of the undead made it to him in time then he'd be ripping them apart with his mutilated body. If not, he'd just have to survive a few more seconds and get back up. It was unfortunate that they had made him resort to his most powerful technique, but yet -- here they were. As long as he could make it to Valerys, and possibly kill this ungrateful swarm, then he might call it a day. 

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Know Where
    Greater Homunculi x3
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]
            Dragon #01 x2 additional maws [+80 ap]
    Lesser Homunculi x2
        #02 x2 maws [40 ap]
        #03 x12 maws [240 ap]

Dragon #01:

Legion of Maw [x6 learned, x4 crafted]
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user can grow mouths on the body for offensive purposes. Know as a "Maw".
Special: ---
Drawback: The teeth of a maw can be broken with enough force, rendering the maw useless for the remainder of the fight. The maws the user can create is capped at 12. Maw cannot be used for techniques other than the ones found within the blood line.
Description: The main offensive skill for the Kedōin Blood line. With training the user can grow a multitude of mouths on the body, used for biting. These mouths will bite flesh viciously with teeth, and are at the complete control of the user. The maws grown may or may not have tongues and may appear to the user's desire. If a maw has bitten into something, they may command the maw to spit the matter out, or consume the matter over the course of 2 posts (the maw chew the matter, and user consumes it). A full mouth cannot perform any functions and inorganic matter cannot be consumed. When first learned, the user can grow 2 additional mouths within 1 post, to be placed anywhere on the body. Removing a maw takes 1 post. "Maws" may measure up to 10cm in length. The user may relearn this technique to obtain another 2 maws. Teeth cannot be larger than 1/8 the width of the mouth. A maw is strong enough to tear flesh, but cannot tear through wood.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. "Warped Visage: Growth of Maw" and "Shift of Organs (External)"

Malefic Maws [40 ap x4, 2 or 1 attacking (depending)]
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu (Supplementary)
Effect: Maws now bear fangs.
Special: ---
Drawback: Same drawback as "Legion of Maw".
Description: Picture With additional training, the maw grown from the "Legion of Maw" technique can be enhanced for deadliness. When learned, a maw grown can bear a set of razor sharp fangs instead teeth. The fangs tear into flesh far better than teeth, and can harm a foe by removing chunks of flesh away. Fanged maws also grip better than regular teeth, offering slightly more utility. These fangs can also chew into material stronger than wood, but nothing harder than stone. Fangs remain the same dimensions/amounts as ordinary maws, derived from the "Legion of Maw" techniques.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. Must know "Legion of Maw"

Maw Savagery
Rank: D, C, B-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu (Supplementary)
Effect: The size of maws increase.
Special: ----
Drawback: Enough body surface must be available on the user's choice location to fit an increased size maw. Same draw backs as "Legion of Maw". A single maw with "Maw savagery" applied to it is considered 2 active maws, instead of one.
Description: Picture The user can command the size of maw's to increase in size. With training, the cells of the body can manipulated in such a manner as to produce a larger maw; proportionally increasing the deadliness of every bite. The user can prep their bodies to provide a huge singular bite, tearing huge chunks of flesh in one swift move. When first learned, a maw can be grown to 30cm in length. When learned a second time around, a maw can be grown 60cm in length. When learned a final time, a maw can be grown to 120cm in size.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. Must know "Legion of Maw"

#02:

Legion of Maw [x6 learned, x2 crafted]
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user can grow mouths on the body for offensive purposes. Know as a "Maw".
Special: ---
Drawback: The teeth of a maw can be broken with enough force, rendering the maw useless for the remainder of the fight. The maws the user can create is capped at 12. Maw cannot be used for techniques other than the ones found within the blood line.
Description: The main offensive skill for the Kedōin Blood line. With training the user can grow a multitude of mouths on the body, used for biting. These mouths will bite flesh viciously with teeth, and are at the complete control of the user. The maws grown may or may not have tongues and may appear to the user's desire. If a maw has bitten into something, they may command the maw to spit the matter out, or consume the matter over the course of 2 posts (the maw chew the matter, and user consumes it). A full mouth cannot perform any functions and inorganic matter cannot be consumed. When first learned, the user can grow 2 additional mouths within 1 post, to be placed anywhere on the body. Removing a maw takes 1 post. "Maws" may measure up to 10cm in length. The user may relearn this technique to obtain another 2 maws. Teeth cannot be larger than 1/8 the width of the mouth. A maw is strong enough to tear flesh, but cannot tear through wood.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. "Warped Visage: Growth of Maw" and "Shift of Organs (External)"

Malefic Maws [40 ap x2 - 1 rank each]
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu (Supplementary)
Effect: Maws now bear fangs.
Special: ---
Drawback: Same drawback as "Legion of Maw".
Description: Picture With additional training, the maw grown from the "Legion of Maw" technique can be enhanced for deadliness. When learned, a maw grown can bear a set of razor sharp fangs instead teeth. The fangs tear into flesh far better than teeth, and can harm a foe by removing chunks of flesh away. Fanged maws also grip better than regular teeth, offering slightly more utility. These fangs can also chew into material stronger than wood, but nothing harder than stone. Fangs remain the same dimensions/amounts as ordinary maws, derived from the "Legion of Maw" techniques.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. Must know "Legion of Maw"

#03:


Legion of Maw [x6 learned, x12 crafted]
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: The user can grow mouths on the body for offensive purposes. Know as a "Maw".
Special: ---
Drawback: The teeth of a maw can be broken with enough force, rendering the maw useless for the remainder of the fight. The maws the user can create is capped at 12. Maw cannot be used for techniques other than the ones found within the blood line.
Description: The main offensive skill for the Kedōin Blood line. With training the user can grow a multitude of mouths on the body, used for biting. These mouths will bite flesh viciously with teeth, and are at the complete control of the user. The maws grown may or may not have tongues and may appear to the user's desire. If a maw has bitten into something, they may command the maw to spit the matter out, or consume the matter over the course of 2 posts (the maw chew the matter, and user consumes it). A full mouth cannot perform any functions and inorganic matter cannot be consumed. When first learned, the user can grow 2 additional mouths within 1 post, to be placed anywhere on the body. Removing a maw takes 1 post. "Maws" may measure up to 10cm in length. The user may relearn this technique to obtain another 2 maws. Teeth cannot be larger than 1/8 the width of the mouth. A maw is strong enough to tear flesh, but cannot tear through wood.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. "Warped Visage: Growth of Maw" and "Shift of Organs (External)"

Malefic Maws [40 ap x12 - 1 rank each]
Rank: C-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu (Supplementary)
Effect: Maws now bear fangs.
Special: ---
Drawback: Same drawback as "Legion of Maw".
Description: Picture With additional training, the maw grown from the "Legion of Maw" technique can be enhanced for deadliness. When learned, a maw grown can bear a set of razor sharp fangs instead teeth. The fangs tear into flesh far better than teeth, and can harm a foe by removing chunks of flesh away. Fanged maws also grip better than regular teeth, offering slightly more utility. These fangs can also chew into material stronger than wood, but nothing harder than stone. Fangs remain the same dimensions/amounts as ordinary maws, derived from the "Legion of Maw" techniques.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. Must know "Legion of Maw"

Maw Savagery
Rank: D, C, B-ranked
Skill: Taijutsu (Supplementary)
Effect: The size of maws increase.
Special: ----
Drawback: Enough body surface must be available on the user's choice location to fit an increased size maw. Same draw backs as "Legion of Maw". A single maw with "Maw savagery" applied to it is considered 2 active maws, instead of one.
Description: Picture The user can command the size of maw's to increase in size. With training, the cells of the body can manipulated in such a manner as to produce a larger maw; proportionally increasing the deadliness of every bite. The user can prep their bodies to provide a huge singular bite, tearing huge chunks of flesh in one swift move. When first learned, a maw can be grown to 30cm in length. When learned a second time around, a maw can be grown 60cm in length. When learned a final time, a maw can be grown to 120cm in size.
Limit: Kedōin Blood Line. Must know "Legion of Maw"

[Wolf of the Falls]

Even as far back as Valerys went she would find no activity with the pedestal. Although even the blood on the wall behind her had been dried and old far older than a month or two.


#02

The beast wouldn't flinch as the dragon began to gnaw on its hand to the best of it's ability slowly digging further into tits disgusting flesh while the thick congealed blood dripped into its maws. However once it's arm was aimed at her it would shoot forth lengthening like a frog's tongue narrowly missing her face and slamming into the wall behind her with a harsh crack of stone.

If she got around to it's other side she would see that the blue light didn't show a 'path' it showed the opening she had walked through. However it looked like a ghost itself now and vanished from sight when the horse turned to look at her a small sphere within its skeletal head casting the blue light. Although with every movement the human head would turn slowly to follow her movements the bones cracking and gnashing as it did so sounding like the spine itself was being obliterated when it did so.


#03

The skeletons faltered slightly as the boy roared and they would watch curiously as his body morphed forming the maws across his body. That alone gave the boy the few seconds he needed to move 5 feet to the torch. Now would he light the bomb or make a run for it?

[Flower]

Valerys cursed as she pulled away from the pedestal. "Well, clearly no one has been dabbling around here." She looked at the pedestal once more and then wondered if there was really anything that it could do for her? Or was she going to have to decide to go down one of these paths? She stood at the opening to the dark entrance, hoping that she could at least get her flashlight back if she could find #02, and stretched her arm out in front of her. Suddenly her soul scout would be back and she'd be interested to know if it saw anything in the room that she had not noticed before. It would go running down the hallway but would only be able to go 40 meters -- hoping to be able to see what had happened. Back in the room with the pedestal the dragons continued watching her.

---

#02 ran forward and screamed as the creature lunged its arm toward her, having barely missed her she ran up its length and hoped to counter the creature up close. She didn't have the same speed as Valerys, but as least as much as an A-rank shinobi. When she got close enough, the young girl would yell and jump to try to grab hold of the horses head, and the blue light that was being cast from it with the opening to the pathway, with her mawed palm. The other hand would attempt to swing around and grab the bottom of the horses jaw, also tearing this apart.

Meanwhile, the dragon continued to chew on the hand, increasing the damage that the beast was being dealt. It would also twist around its neck and atttempt to grab hold of its arm with its second maw -- inside of its mouth for double the damage and to increase its hold. Sure it still had the one arm, but #02 seemed to be confident that she had a plan. And the meantime, hopefully it wasn't too tough...

---

#03 made it to the torch and looked at the bomb in his other hand, the metal skull securely placed inside one of the larger maws that was formed in his upper chest. He started running through the pit of skeletons, his mouths chewing eagerly on his body, and he would wait until he was hit with the first attack. At this point he would be prepared, his hands close together, and light the bomb -- throwing it behind himself. His mouths which try to defend him and #03 would be willing to twirl and move to get the best grabs. He hoped to break free of them enough to be running for the exit as the bomb slowly sizzled away -- bringing the torch and skull with him.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Greater Homunculi x3
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]
            Dragon #01 x2 additional maws [+80 ap]
    Lesser Homunculi x2
        #02 x2 maws [40 ap]
        #03 x12 maws [240 ap]

Attacking: #02 (20 ap x2 = 40 ap) + Dragon #01 (40 ap x 2 = 80 ap) + #03 (20 ap x as many as possible = ??)

Valerys:

Soul Scout
Rank: "D"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User sends their soul out to scout for the user.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Target is personal. Range is the range of Searing Soul. Duration is 5 hours per Class Level. User lets the leash on their soul out some so it can explore and tell the user about what is out there. User can send their soul out in a range of Searing Soul. When the user uses this ability, the user is unable to move or make any movements. User's soul uses the same movements as the user. User knows what each other is doing and seeing. User is able to only take movements when the user reconnects with their soul ending this effect. Soul Scout cannot perform Jutsus. If a creature has Chakra Sight, True Seeing, they can see the user's soul as it moves about.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

[Wolf of the Falls]

OOC: sooooo apparently my post didnt happen... I wrote it last night then nada so bear with me this round, I apologize

Valerys+Soul Scout: no luck, blackness stripped all sight

#02: got the soul stone from the Nuckalavee, it turned to ash like Thanos told it to leave. #02 can now return.

#03: skeletons got bombed, #03 stole one of their swords in a maw, escaped but torch got blown out. #03 can now return.

again I'm so sorry for this but its already been a day since I wrote that last post and besides the bones (ha pun) I can't remember the details.

[Flower]

[OOC: Oh come on, it's no fun killing them if you skip the best parts -.-

But seriously, no worries. ]

Valerys was trying to scout out the area when she realized that she was having no luck. She brought her soul back to her body and reached toward her dragons, about ready to choose one of the paths and investigate for herself but then, all of a sudden, she heard a loud explosion from down the hall. It came from the path that #03 had taken and she was about to run down it to see what had happened when #03 came running up the corridor, having taken the time to transform back into his usual appearance although still covered in all of the deadly maws. Now #03 looked less like a child and more like a misfigured monster. It ran up to her saying, "I ran into problems..."

Just then #02 would also appear from down her pathway, having taken the stone from the horse and making it out of the room. Now that both of them had returned Valerys looked at them, surprised that both of them had made it -- plus the dragon who walked along now with two additional maws on its back. The dragon joined its two brothers while the girl set the stone in Valerys hand and merged back into her shoulder blade, becoming at once a part of her again. Valerys regained the memories and saw everything from down the dark hallway. She remembered it -- unbelieving. How haunted was this temple...?

#03 pulled something from the maw at his chest and showed her the metallic skull, which he gave to her and said, "I found this in the den. There were a horde of skeletons, but I took care of them." Valerys could see that from his many mouths and took the skull inspecting it. She debated if she should use her technique on this skull, but before she did she took it over to the pedestal. The three dragons and #03 followed her, looking at her cautiously as she set the skull in the middle of the indentation and the teeth marks. Wondering if it would cause it to do anything. If not, then she would try the soul stone next.

She still hoped that this pedestal would offer her some sort of answers, but didn't hold her breath -- preparing for her next moves into the temple if her ideas did not prove fruitful.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Greater Homunculi x3
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]
            Dragon #01 x2 additional maws [+80 ap]
    Lesser Homunculi x1
        #03 x12 maws [240 ap]

[Wolf of the Falls]

As the two homonculi both reached their master and presented her with the items a noticeable hole could be seen in one of the skull's temples while the markings glimmered faintly blue. However, when she absorbed each of them she would also be hit by the memories of the beast and the skeletons though they would be shrouded in black smoke, the same gnashing feeling from when the rotting beast moved echoing in her ears.

When placed on the pedestal Valerys would find that the teeth of the skull lined up with the marks on the surface. Although whenever it was left alone the skull would rock back so that it didn't quite stay where it needed to be. That changed whenever she slipped the blue marble into its temple and blue flame would emerge from the skull and it would snap up biting the pedestal and staying anchored in place which made a loud thud sound from deep underground. Slowly more thuds followed it, growing closer with each one until finally the wall in front of her slammed down revealing a path.

Upon inspection Valerys would find that the path lead down into the ground and a sudden rush of blue raced up to her. However all she would feel would be a cool breeze as the light had been blue flames that lined the stairs down to hell.

Will you press on? or retreat from this den of death and torment.

[Flower]

[OOC: Didn't absorb #03 yet :p ]

As Valerys put the skull on to the pedestal and the stone came into view, all of a sudden the wall in front of the group would come crashing down. A blue light would suddenly cascade over all of them and Valerys would look down -- seeing the vast entrance that laid before her. She held the spear out at her right arm, twirling it back and forth looking at it. "Alright." She put her flashlight back in her pack from #02 and had one of the dragons move ten meters ahead of her. She had #03 bring up the rear, ten meters behind. Meanwhile, a dragon stood directly next to her on her right and left sides. In this formation they would begin to enter the hallway and Valerys would look around, trying to pick out as much as she could.

As horrific as this may have seemed, to Valerys it was exactly what she wanted. Hellfire. Torture chambers. Death. Although preferrably not to herself and she felt confident that she could find a way to make that happen. As she began her descent into the hall, Valerys looked for any distinguishing marks or features that would indicate the creature that she was looking for. Although she had no reason to suspect it may be here, this had been her original mission and she felt that Sukuinushi was deeply tied to this somehow... As if they were leading her to something and had been for some time. If there were any Quetzalcoatl markings among the temple, she would have been able to recognize them thanks to her training in the creature's culture.

The dragons looked around at the walls as did #03, although they were less interested in markings or symbols and more interested in an attack. They guarded themselves, just in case something had been waiting for them as they entered this path. So far the temple had not seemed very friendly... Is it possible that these were the defiliers that the non-ninja had mentioned? She wondered to herself. If so, then it was her job to get rid of them. Although at the end of it she hoped to find one in particular that she could keep...

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Greater Homunculi x3
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]
            Dragon #01 x2 additional maws [+80 ap]
    Lesser Homunculi x1
        #03 x12 maws [240 ap]

Culture (Quetzalcoatl): 125

[Wolf of the Falls]

As the group descended the steps they would find more of the same, bloodied hand prints along the walls but no symbols or images. However after half way down the staircase a bone would fall a few steps further down the stairs. If any of the group looked up they would see innumerable spikes lining the ceiling all rusted with blood and most are with splintered bones stuck on them.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs they would find a wide open room dimly lit with a massive black blade stuck in the floor, red carvings spread up the blade while hundreds of strings with seals hanging from them were wrapped with the strings. However only the dragons that had stayed with Valerys and Valerys herself could enter. The others would all meet an invisible wall behind her.

Across the room was another path just like the stairs she had came from. Where would the Kedoin go from here? turn back, interact with the blade, or move on?

[Flower]

As Valerys got further into the entrance that stretched before her, she would begin to make out the sight of some ancient blade in the middle of the ground up ahead strapped by string to the ground with seals tied around them. It seemed that her Lesser Homunculi was unable to enter the area. Is this because I crafted him later? The blade had strange markings on it and Valerys eyed it wearily as she got closer, sending one of the dragons ahead of her to scope it out. She attempted to make out what was written on the blade. If any of the symbols were Quetzalcoatl or Shadowtongue related them she would at least be able to make out part, if not all, of it. She noticed that the path continued on ahead of her and would decide not to mess with the blade.

Although the pedestal had done wonders for her, there had been many other traps in the temple and she would leave the blade and go down the rest of the hallway -- deeper into the temple -- unless she discovered something about the blade that she just could not overlook. While she would have loved to set off some trap and be fighting a blade without a weilder, right now wasn't the time. She had bigger matchs to fight. Better things to fight for. The dragon would continue in front of her, making sure that it was safe, while one brought up the rear and one to her right side. If #03 was completely blocked from entering the room with the blade, then he would stand behind to guard them as long as he could -- before Valerys went out of range. If it could come along, however, then it would attempt to do so.

The deeper they went the more Valerys longed for the final answer. The question which she had just begun to ask: What's at the bottom? Skeletons, monstrous centaurs, and illusions of self-harm... sure. But she had only just started. She waved her spear in her right hand, making sure that she was prepared to use it. And with that in mind, her and the dragons / companions went deeper.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Greater Homunculi x3
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]
            Dragon #01 x2 additional maws [+80 ap]
    Lesser Homunculi x1
        #03 x12 maws [240 ap]

Culture (Quetzalcoatl): 125
Language (Shadowtongue): 47

[Wolf of the Falls]

Unfortunately the barrier held back the dragon that had ate part of the nuckalavee as well due to its contact with the dark spirit.

Although as Valerys descended the second path she would find rough, hewn stone, far less refined than the rest of the temple to this point, the steps were also larger though the path wasn't. After about 5 minutes of travel Valerys would reach the end, the stones ended and all that was before her was a black void. However she would begin to feel the stone around her shifting, with no one having reached this part of the temple in ages the stairs had begun to collapse, large blocks falling away into the darkness.

Before the woman could begin to escape a section of the roof feel from the stairs further up and sent the remainder falling down into the void. However after falling Valerys would find herself hitting sand, a little rough perhaps but relatively safe as the sections of stone fell around her. Where she was now was solid blackness in every direction, even the sand beneath her jet-black in hue. A faint sound could be heard in the distance like sand sliding.

"Why have you come?" A voice echoed around her, dark, ancient, piercing. Somehow, in her gut, Valerys would know if she messed up here it could mean the end...

[Flower]

As the ground began to open up beneath Valerys, she was preparing herself -- using her soulcaster abilities to suddenly set herself aflight. If she wanted to she could have flew back up to the stairs, but chose to loft down among the fallen debri, interested in what it was falling into. Unfortunately #03 and one of her dragons had fallen behind, meaning that she only had two now to protect her. They rallied at her side as she noted that she couldn't see through the darkness, even with her darkvision. She heard something slipping along in the sand and immediately prepared for a fight. But then, to her surprise and excitement, she heard a voice.

"Why have you come?"

Valerys floated just slightly off the ground (six inches), seeming a bit of a fairy warrior with her spear in her hand. As the being spoke, however, she would realize that this seemed to be very serious. As much as she wanted to play games, it didn't seem a wise idea here below the dark. "I've come to find the one who rules this temple," Valerys said, not entirely untrue although playing to her strengths, "and to learn what secrets you will show me. My name is Valerys Kedoin -- Faceless." She hoped that with this introduction she may charm the creature a bit. However, if it seemed unpleased with her answer she would try to use Charming Soul to make herself seem a bit more appealing. However, if it seemed to be neutral or hopeful toward her response then she avoid performing any unnecessary actions.

She wondered to herself what this creature could be. Was it the beast she had been searching for, for so long? Or some other trap that had been set for her? Either way, Valerys prepared herself to fly upwards in a moments notice or use some other technique to save her ass -- hoping that she wouldn't need to. Wanting to believe that she had stumbled upon great power... 

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Greater Homunculi x2
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]

Acting 170

Wings of the Planes [25 hours]
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: User gains the ability to fly.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Target is Personal. Range is Personal. Duration if 5 hours per Class Level. User taps into their adopted soul and takes on more of its traits. User's soul gains wings and it carries the user aloft. User gains the ability to Fly with Good Maneuverability.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster. Must have mastered Soulcaster.

Charming Soul [Will Save 21 negates, 25 hours]
Rank: "B"
Skill: NinJutsu
Effect: As Charm Monster Charm GenJutsu.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Target is 1 Creature. Range is 20 meters. Duration is 5 hours per Class Level. User tether's part of their soul with the soul of another. This bond makes the target friendly to the user. This Jutsu makes a creature of any type and size regard the user as its trusted friend and ally (treat the target's attitude as friendly). If the creature is currently being threatened or attacked by the user or their allies, however, it receives a +5 bonus on its Save. The Jutsu does not enable the user to control the charmed creature as if it were an automaton, but it perceives the user's words and actions in the most favorable way. The user can try to give the subject orders, but must convince it to do anything it wouldn't ordinarily do. An affected creature never obeys suicidal or obviously harmful orders, but a charmed fighter, for example, might believe the user if they assured them that the only chance to save the user's life is for them to hold back an onrushing red dragon for "just a few seconds". Any act by the user or their apparent allies that threatens the charmed person breaks the Jutsu. The user must speak the person's language to communicate their commands, or else be good at pantomiming. User can have only 1 creature under this effect at a time. A Will Save of 10 + (2 Per Class Level + Impeccable Will) will negate this Jutsu. Effects that resist or remove Enchantments also work with this Jutsu.
Limit: Must be a Soulcaster.

[Wolf of the Falls]

"You seek me though you do not know me. You are faceless yet peer into the darkness." The voice echoed again clearly unaffected as the sound continued.

"What do you wish to learn, and why should I tell you?" The closer Valerys listened she would almost be able to tell that the voice was moving even as it echoed through out the void.

OOC: out of range

[Flower]

The sounds seemed to keep moving around her, asking questions and playing games. In a way, Valerys found that she really enjoyed it, although could have done without all of the showiness of the dark. It spoke in riddles and Valerys tried to decipher them internally, but out loud she responded, "I want to know everything. And why?" Valerys stared off into the darkness, as if thinking. "Because a faceless person's greatest weapon is the amount of knowledge that they possess. I want to know who you are. What this temple is. And why I was brought here. And when I'm done figuring it out, well, I'll have a whole lot more faces to wear..."

Valerys chuckled, wondering if the being was so playful what it would think about her own charming games. She noticed that she had not been able to charm it and thought that it was either particularly skillful or out of range. She wondered if this could be one of the defiliers -- and if it was, was there really anything they could teach her? She smiled. But of course, she thought, I'll learn from each and every one of you. And when I'm done, my memories will be the reward for a mission well done. She waited to see what the being would say in response, still not taking any actions -- although her dragons looked around eagerly, trying to discover what might be around them. Guarding their mistress just in case.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Wings of the Planes (25 hours)
    Greater Homunculi x2
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]

Acting 170

[Wolf of the Falls]

"A manipulator, an usurper. You desire knowledge to use it against others?"

"I am more than you understand, more than a Quetzalcoatl. Long ago This temple was built to worship me, although those that did were eventually over run by those who found it barbaric to worship a monster. Those were the ones you interacted with here."

"This is not destiny and it would be a grave mistake to think so. You've reached this point by your actions, not brought here."

"I was called Dalamadur."

[Flower]

"A usurper?" Valerys said and blushed a little bit, there in that darkness, "I don't know that's a pretty strong word..." But she heard it say more than a Quetzalcoatl and about the people that used to worship it. She could hardly contain her excitement. Finally, she was getting to the good part. If it weren't for this darkness, perhaps she could have finally looked upon the face of the beast that she had only read about and seen in old text books.

"Dalamadur, it's nice to meet you. I wish that I could look upon your face, as you appear to be an entity of great power. The fact that I can not peer through this darkness tells me that you are fond of secrecy. So am I. Although I am very interested to know what powers you possess and whether I can obtain them. Why is it that these people worshipped you? Was there really anything to attain?"

It seemed a direct question, especially to an entity that had once been revered like a god, but Valerys knew no other way and lived true to herself. Especially now, when the stakes were so high. No point in lying if this Dalamadur could really grant her the things which she seeked...

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Wings of the Planes (25 hours)
    Greater Homunculi x2
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]

[Wolf of the Falls]

"A strong word is not a wrong word."

"I care not for secrecy, you've traveled underground where no other living being has been for centuries. You are far too young to harness the powers I control."

"These people worshiped me in return for protection against other Elders. A concept you may no longer be familiar with."

Slowly along the edges of the room odd scythe blade-like shapes would begin to glow along the walls growing bright red. As they lit up a stream of blue flame shot up against the ceiling behind Valerys illuminating the room as the flame burned on the stone. With the light the woman would see a massive black scales in the distance moving in the same motion as the blades and as she turned around behind her she would see the massive head of a snake-like creature incredibly massive in size as it stood atop the black sand.

Burning, blood-red eyes would look into Valerys' soul as she heard its voice once more. "I am an Elder Dragon."[/blockquote]

[Flower]

Odd scythe-like blades would suddenly begin to glow as a blue fire lit up on the stone, illuminating the room and giving Valerys a look at the creature that had been speaking to her. It had black scales and moved along the black send, peering at her with the head of some massive serpent. It called itself an Elder Dragon and claimed that it was worshipped for its protection from other Elders. Valerys listened, glad that she had finally stumbled about the answers that she had been seeking for a long time. Could it be that I've finally found a Quetzalcoatl? But she wouldn't let herself believe it. It had claimed to be a dragon anyways.

"A shame if what you say is true -- such powers are what I seek. If I could not obtain such powers, I guess I would have to settle for allying myself with one of your power. I am here searching for a Quetzalcoatl if I'm to tell the truth, Dalamadur -- and I seek their aid in my mission to unlock all the secrets of this world. If it is true that you protected those who worshiped you, I have come before you now -- also looking for your aid. Although in a different way..." Valerys stared at the creature and refused to look away, in love with its horror and its beauty. She wanted so badly to touch it, to know its strength under her hand, but resisted the urge and wondered to herself if she did if the dragon would kill her if she tried. But she did at least use her flight abilities to lift herself off the ground and to the level of its head -- showing the Elder that she was not just some simple human either. With her spear in her right hand and its red scarf dangling in the air it looked almost picturesque.

Meanwhile her pet dragons peered at the beast, in wonder at a true dragon and stood back to guard Valerys but found that she was not there. But she did not seem afraid and so they were not nervous about the situation.

SPOILER: Click to show

Still Active:
    Body of Lies
    False Intentions
    Wings of the Planes (25 hours)
    Greater Homunculi x2
        Malefic Maws x2 per homunculi [80 ap per homunculi]