DUNGEON ♛ SALAMANCA TEMPLE

[boardmaster]

SALAMANCA TEMPLE
20 MARCH (NARCISSA) 2016

Once a grand place of worship for the ancestors of the Alfersa, the thousand-year-old ruins of Salamanca Temple returned to their full glory overnight. However, it also seems to be teeming with ancient reptiles long thought to be extinct. As the Heroes enter, it’s clear that the multilevel temple is a prime example of the artistic achievements of its time. The rooms are lush with plantlife that creeps in between the cracks of marble tiles and statues of Gladia with serpents at her heel, and the walls are covered in paintings and bas-reliefs depicting a famous epic about the Alfersa’s victory over all reptilian creatures.

The majesty of Salamanca Temple almost makes one fact easy to forget: it was most infamous as a site of magic… and human sacrifices.

Our Heroes know that there’s only one way to get out of here: find and defeat the boss!

	Lisbrand I’m sure you’re all aware, to some extent, that in addition to the war with Noir, Blanc must deal with threats within its own borders. These are what we call dungeons, and we only have a basic working understanding of them. Think of them as natural phenomena. Your task is reconnaissance and retrieval of the mana cores believed to be hidden in the deepest part of the structure, but you will likely encounter resistance. [a gesture to her side] Secretary Verdoni has more details about the nature of the structure. Secretary, if you would.
	Verdoni This is Salamanca Temple, a sacred and important site of cultural heritage to the Alfersa. Grand temples such as this were supposed to fill the devout with hope, but the Gladia of old was not always a benevolent goddess. Gladia’s Alfersan cult was infamous for its taboo sacrificial rituals. As a result, this temple is shrouded in frightening rumors and legends. Over the course of its bloody history, many atrocities were committed over the most trifling matters... The most famous is the tale of Moura Serpente. Perhaps you Heroes will have the chance to personally witness the truth behind these hallowed walls.
	Lisbrand Our scouts are incapable of exploring the structure the way this task force can. Therefore, you will be the front line in this mission. Your issued magical weapon will grant you immediate access to the temple once you approach the entrance. [and just to be safe, she gestures again. some of the Blanc soldiers who have tagged along for support functions march their way towards the appropriate door] Base camp will be established just outside the temple, in the event that you need to leave the area.
	Verdoni Which means that the Airy will be here for a while. Once you finish the dungeon, you are free to retire to your quarters. If you don't feel like riding the ship again, then walk. The journey to Caissa on foot will take a week at most. I suggest heading north to spend the evening at the city of Polgar. I suppose walking is a good thing for you Heroes; we will not always have the luxury of air travel.
	Lisbrand We will be breaking camp in the evening to rendezvous with Airy, so if you are not out of the dungeon by that time, you will be walking back to Caissa. [a pause] But I expect a number of you will do so anyway. This country is on full alert, and traveling by foot should be relatively safe inside our borders, but I hope I don’t need to tell you to be vigilant. I will expect all members of the task force back in Caissa by Lathrya 8th. Heroes, move out!

Basic info on the dungeon can be found here. Dungeon mechanics can be found here. All OOC questions about the event may be directed to the thread below.

ONE ♙

When you enter the temple, the flooring is surprisingly weak — wait, no. That’s a trap. And those are your screams.

You land in what seems to be the vast and sprawling corridors of the temple’s basement: dark, dank, and full of rats. But it’s more than just that — the smell of blood is thick in the air, and every so often, you might hear cries of agony. Magic circles, dried blood on ornate daggers, and tables with unspeakable tools for keeping mouths shut and human limbs in place… something tells you this is exactly what Verdoni warned you about.

MONSTER ♟ Lizardman
Weak against None	Strong against None	Immune to None
Men cursed to roam Enprise in a LIZARD-LIKE FORM by the goddess Gladia. Some conspiracy theorists say they aren’t cursed. In fact, their kind was the first to inhabit Enprise before the Alfersa arrived on a giant spaceship! But locals will squint and silently judge if you honestly believe this. These ANGRY, ARMORED lizardmen are equipped with BLADED WEAPONS and their surprisingly exceptional prowess in COMBAT. Their TOUGH SKIN and SHARP SENSES set them apart from your average human soldier. If you grab one by the tail, he’ll simply chop it off and grow one right back! But you might want to go ahead and take the risk — in alchemy, LIZARD TAILS are known for their regenerative properties. Their WEAPONS, SMELLY ARMOR, TAILS and LOINCLOTHS may be acquired as loot.

Once you make it back to the first level where the laity worship, you’ll be met with... more lizardmen. But not all hope is lost! Find the switch on one of the many life-size Gladia statues to open the hidden door behind the altar and proceed. The switch’s location may vary for each party.

TWO ♙

Only the clergy may enter the higher levels of the temple. Before they do, they must wash themselves in the pools of holy water that flank the entrance. These pools are so rich in mana, bathing in them will even replenish your own. As you splash around, you realize you’re not alone. Red and black lizard-like creatures emerge from the depths of the pools with eyes alight with fire and smoke blowing out of their nostrils. Looks like they woke up on the wrong side of the bed!

MONSTER ♟ Salamander
Weak against Water	Strong against Ice	Immune to Fire (except salamander fire)
In Enprise, salamanders are not amphibians, but FIRE-BREATHING reptiles the length of crocodiles. They have sticky pads on their feet that enable them to CRAWL UP WALLS and LEAP on unsuspecting victims. We hope your spars with the feathered inhabitants of Airy prepared you for this. When COOKED, a salamander’s MEAT can BURN ANYTHING that consumes it. However, it can only be cooked with SALAMANDER FIRE. It’d be wise to keep one alive to cook the rest. We suggest using the FLAME on the tip of its tail — less teeth and much safer. The SALAMANDER PARTS and MEAT may be acquired as loot.

At the other end of the room, there is a door with… teeth? That breathing sound isn’t your imagination; the door is very much alive and will chomp at anything that gets too close. Time to get creative. Behind the door is a staircase to the next level.

THREE ♙

Among the rooms on this level filled with treasures of wines, weapons, gemstones and gold is a large shrine with an imposing 20-foot tall statue of Gladia, a thick needle, pieces of cord and a scroll rolled out on a raised pedestal. Written in old Chernovian are instructions in poetry that varies for each party: Heroes must make a necklace out of the eyes of snakes and offer it to the statue. Those who did their research will be familiar with this practice: by doing this, you are giving her all your bad luck and having her bless your journey ahead.

You’ll need all the luck you can get because the moment you finish reading the scroll with your eyes, hundreds of snakes begin to slither out Gladia’s eyes, nose and mouth.

MONSTER ♟ Alfersan Snake
Weak against None	Strong against None	Immune to Poison
“Hissss...!” Men who were transformed into snakes by the goddess Gladia. Alfersan snakes are HOSTILE and VENOMOUS, but their powerful venom is also known to create the most potent of antidotes. Some adventurers might hate snakes more than others, but you Heroes can do this much, right? The SNAKE PARTS and VENOM can be acquired as loot.

Once the necklace is complete and offered to the statue, the statue will turn, revealing another staircase to the next level.

FOUR ♙

Men weren’t the only ones punished by Gladia. One thousand years ago, the priestess Moura grew envious of a higher member of the clergy, whom everyone preferred over the selfish, narcissistic Moura. What did that woman have that she didn’t? Consumed by these negative thoughts, Moura transformed the woman into a snake and chopped her into pieces for Gladia, praying that the goddess would hear her plea.

In an instant, Gladia answered: “All your life you have lived a lesser being, so a lesser being you shall become!” With these words, the goddess cursed Moura with a head of full of venomous snakes. Ashamed of her appearance, she locked herself up in the temple to fully devote herself to Gladia. They say that Moura lives up to this day, waiting for Gladia to grant her salvation...

As our Heroes enter a large, circular room at the top floor, they will see a desolate young woman muttering the prayers beautifully inscribed in gold leaf on the walls. Olive skin, pointed ears and amber eyes — there’s no doubt that she is Alfersa. As she raises her head and meets their eyes, she greets them with an eerie, twisted smile.

And so do the snakes in her hair.

BOSS ♟ Moura Serpente
Weak against Fire	Strong against None	Immune to Poison
“You are not from this world. … Ehehe… Ahahaha! Oh! Oh, praise Gladia!” Believing the Heroes to be her divine retribution, Moura wastes no time. At the snap of her fingers, a GIANT SERPENT crashes into the room and slithers to its master’s side. The serpent is strong and quick, and when Moura hops on its back, she is nearly untouchable. Strike its soft UNDERSIDE to get some damage in! “To deliver judgement and receive judgement — that is why I exist. I live for no one but my goddess...” The SNAKES ON HER HEAD are a deadly force on their own: they can extend, retract, and even change color according to Moura’s mood. Moura can also use them to get around. When the snakes sink their teeth into your flesh, their bite can either POISON or PETRIFY. The venom will grant its victim DIZZINESS and NAUSEA. We hope you stocked up on antidotes. The remedy for petrification, however, is A KISS ON THE LIPS. One from your true love won’t have any special effect, but that’s rather sweet of them, don’t you think? PRAYING to Gladia — even if by just talking or asking her for anything — will grant you a temporary RESISTANCE TO POISON. “Why? Why do you listen to their prayers and not mine? … Heh… Gladia did always favor the pretty ones!” If you are PRETTY, Moura with direct her rage at you and chase you down. And if everyone is pretty? She’ll take down the prettiest first. To make matters worse, swarms of ALFERSAN SNAKES begin to crawl over the Heroes to distract you and restrict your movements. Don't fret; the TORCHES in the room will help ward both snakes and Moura away. “My goddess, is this enough...?” When you deal your final strike, Moura appears unharmed. But she falls a second later, sprawled on the marble floor and looking up at the ceiling. Slowly, her eyes close and her chest stills. Is she at peace? A glowing object rises and floats above her chest — your first DUNGEON CORE. MOURA’S ARMOR and TOMES ON STATUS MAGIC may be acquired as loot.

You may exit the temple by going back the way you came or jumping out the hole Moura’s serpent made. Falling to your death won’t be a problem — the giant serpents of the temple see you as their new masters. They will catch you and let you hop off their backs once they reach the ground.

FIVE ♙

Salamanca Temple is in a secluded area, so the Airy is parked at an open meadow. Walking back involves cutting your way south across the jungle and crossing the river. We hope you brought a map and a compass! Both are available for purchase on the Airy. The Airy will leave for Caissa on the evening of the 20th. It will arrive in Caissa on the 22nd.

For those who want to explore, the jungle gets thicker as you head north until you find winding stone paths that lead to the city of Polgar.

LOCATION ♟ Polgar

Although Polgar is a city relatively untouched by Blanc’s technological advances, it remains one of the country's largest urban centers due to its TOURISM. The city is home to the ALFERSA, a matriarchal society similar to that of the Amazons, in which men are often relegated to housework and manual labor. Most Alfersa believe that machines are no replacement for good hard work and prefer to live alongside NATURE, though small clockworks and machinery do exist in certain parts of the city. TROPICAL FLORA blankets Polgar and its architecture. There are many TEMPLES and SHRINES here dedicated to Gladia, Lathyra and Oubliette, all well-kept as the Alfersa are proud of their heritage. For the gods, their faith does not waver. Some of their festivals last entire months, with the celebration moving from shrine to shrine in resplendent procession. Polgar is also a popular tropical GETAWAY; its spas, resorts, restaurants, hot springs and brothels are all well-known and high-class, staffed by beautiful men and women and catering to all preferences.

Comments

Four - BOSS FAITO

[carptricks]

[somehow or another, this group of four intrepid heroes has managed to make their way through creepy caverns filled with rats, lizardmen out to spill some hero blood, and fire-breathing salamanders to the end of the dungeon. Kaito's probably scuffed up thanks to all of those enemy encounters, but he's in one piece and still full of plenty of energy!]

[which is good, because when Moura's giant serpent crashes through the wall, he's still with it enough to dodge the flying rocks and debris that come their way]

-- since when did Medusa have a giant snake companion?!

[KAITO THAT'S NOT MEDUSA. . . in all honesty he's probably not super surprised by this turn of events, but his snarky nature mandates that he make some kind of dumb commentary about it!!]

[ARE YOU READY, COMPANIONS?]

[avantguard]

[ NO???

Who allowed these dumb kids to fight in a dungeon? Asuna is 10000% done with lizards and snakes and she's shot dirty looks to Kaito a few times since she remembers him talking about it at Firesmoke. It's obviously his fault. Maybe Kija too with his snake hand.

She's plenty scuffed up but still on her own two feet as well. At least until a SERPENT decides to try its impression at the KOOL-AID MAN. GREAT.

Asuna stumbles back and falls on her ass, staring at Medusa on her new mount. Look, she thought it too. The snakes as hair makes it impossible not to think of it. She wouldn't be sad if she never saw another snake again. But she's back on her feet and ready to go. ]

Worry about how we're going to beat it instead, Kaito!

[ They shouldn't look her in the eyes, just in case. Yata should be fine he can barely keep eye contact with girls anyway but IT'S NOT ACTUALLY MEDUSA GOD ]

[rollin]

[ SHUT UP ASUNA YOU DON'T KNOW HIS LIFE

They've stabbed lizardmen, cooked salamanders and gouged eyes out of like, a dozen snakes. They should have Medusa 2.0 in the bag. That's what Yata thinks, anyway. He's knocked off his feet from the blast, but gets up quicker than everyone else. ]

Heh, leave it to me!

[ Unfortunately, he's a moron.

Extending his staff, he charges at Moura with nothing but a battle cry and sheer bravado. The serpent whips him with its tail. He crashes into a wall. ]

[yaoihand]

[ Kija's with you there, short shady. Gorging the eyes out of snakes was a bit of a stomach-turning affair given that his carrier happened to be a snake, but other than that they've already made it this far. Nothing could phase them now!! Kija's not really thinking about strategy as he follows behind Yata, charging forward with everything that he's got. Because you totally need two of the reckless type on your team. ]

She does not look that scary. This will not be a problem at al -- [ Aaaand, Yata just got smacked. ] Ehh?! Yata!

[ Medusa 2.0's snakes seem to be coming right at him now too, taking advantage of his momentary surprise to coil their bodies around his arm. Kija uses his dragon hand to claw at them, trying to tear up as many of her reptilian locks as he can.

There are so many, he might need a little help. ] Stay back!

[carptricks]

[HOW TO BEGIN A DUNGEON BOSS BATTLE: not like that]

Yata!

[Kaito echoes Kija's cry, and he pivots on his heel as though prepared to rush to their dungeon companion's aid. but then Moura's head of snakes lashes out at Kija and ensnares him by the arm, and Kaito makes a completely different choice instead]

[the nature of his weapon means he's a long-ranged attacker, which means he's in a prime position to lend a helping hand from (hopefully) a safe distance away. with the yo-yo tucked in his palm, he winds his arm back and then throws said weapon as hard as he can at the snakes wrapped around Kija's arm. good news: he's been practicing with his aim, so he manages to knock a couple of them right on the head. bad news: he has to retract said yo-yo and throw it again after every attack, and that delays him for a couple of seconds]

Maybe we should avoid getting up close and personal until we figure out how to get rid of her giant serpent buddy. . .!

[avantguard]

[ What a couple of--

Asuna doesn't echo their cries of alarm but she's equally shocked to see Yata crash into a wall. Between Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb, she's not sure what to do next. Not only that, but all of it had happened too quickly for her to even process and have a proper reaction in time. One moment Kaito was making commentary about Medusa and suddenly Yata might be KO'd and Kija is struggling as well.

The rest of the dungeon went a little more smoothly.

But since Kaito has helping Kija under control, Asuna stops standing in one spot and rushes to the wall Yata had slammed into to make sure he IS ALIVE WHOA. Her Pawn speed and own training nearly makes her a white blur until she skids next to him, grabbing for his arm to pull him onto his feet and out of the way since the tail is coming for the BOTH OF THEM again. Or just her. Either way, there is no time to ask if he's okay. ]

Y-Yata-kun, quickly. Before... !

[ Too late, she sees the tail coming down towards them with a vengeance so they're going to die together unless one of them does something. Asuna holds up her sword to defend the both of them, teeth grit, but that probably won't do much...... ]

1/2

[rollin]

[ If there's anything Yata is scared of the most, it's losing his comrades. He's rather dizzy from the impact, still trying to regain his bearings when Asuna pulls him back up on his feet. He doesn't know what she's in a rush for, but the same doesn't go for his reflexes. Upon hearing the tail and sensing the shadow above, Yata grabs Asuna by the waist and tackles her out of the way. ]

You okay?

[ He doesn't need protection. Isn't Asuna the one without magic? Dammit, he might be the one with the most combat experience here. He's supposed to be carrying the team... ]

[rollin]

[ wait he's on top of her again NEVERMIND HE'S GETTING UP WHEW THIS JUNGLE'S HOT ]

Kuroba! I'll distract 'em while you come up with a plan. [ Ah. ] Kija, you do the same!

[ He's relegating him to diversion duty, that is. Kija probably can't come up with a plan to save his life. wait what's asuna doing YATA ]

[yaoihand]

[ god you guys are thirsty ... and yata dont be rude ]

Y-Yes! [ He'll leave distracting the serpent to Yata because, as much as he likes to think he can defeat them both, having one reptilian creature on his tail is a lot of work already.

Moura only seems to get angrier and angrier. She turns her attention to Kaito for a second, hissing at him in retaliation for his attack just now, and Kija takes this opportunity to extend his dragon hand, smacking her body a few meters across. Finally, things are looking up a little?? ]

Leave them be. I will be your opponent. [ they better come up with a plan fast tho. with her snakes there's no guarantee he'll have another opening for a direct hit

Moura seems completely fine with that. She's eager to beat him down, in fact!! Now directing her attention to Kija, she goes after him with all her might, her many snakes coming in all directions. ]

[carptricks]

[Moura descends upon Kija with a surprising amount of ferocity, spouting something about how it's always the pretty ones! in the process. again, Kaito lets his yo-yo lash out to knock some of those snakes away, his focus on ensuring that Kija isn't overwhelmed by the sheer number of assaults coming from all sides. he can't block them all, however. . . try not to get bitten companion!1 although he doesn't verbally reply to Yata's shout, his gaze is already darting across the area, gears in his mind turning as he tries to figure out the best way to approach this fight]

[Moura's difficult to hit while she's on the back of that serpent, and she's mostly focused on attacking Kija. Yata and Asuna-san are distracting the serpent, but while the two of them are together they've got most of their weak spots covered. maybe if we separate them and split our attention--]

[aha! and just like that, it all clicks together. the yo-yo snaps back into Kaito's palm, and instead of hanging back to attack from afar like he was before, he ducks low and rushes forward towards Moura and her companion]

Yata, Asuna-san! I'm gonna knock snake-head lady off of the serpent's back! You guys focus on finding a weak spot and taking out her companion, and Kija and I will take on the queen of bad hair days herself!

Er.

Especially since she seems to like him, for some-- I dunno, weird reason!

[THAT WAS A BAD JOKE, KAITO]

[with that, his weapon zips through the air one last time, this time to wrap tightly around one of Moura's head snakes. the dungeon boss only has a moment to let out a confused heh? before the magician yanks on the string and pulls her her off of her serpentine throne. she crashes to the ground with a loud cry, giving Kija another chance to attack, while Asuna and Yata have the big ol' snake monster all to themselves]

[avantguard]

[ UR THIRSTY!!!!

Ah, she was saved again by someone. Even though he was hit into a wall, she was still saved. Frustrating!! She lays there for a second longer, frowning at the ceiling, before getting back onto her feet. Only to be ignored in one plan. WHY!?

AT LEAST KAITO REMEMBERS SHE EXISTS, THANKS.

But at first Kaito only to gets sharp, dagger like looks for his jokes. STOP JOKING. Maybe he can feel the way her eyes burn holes at him. Then she replies with a short, ]

Got it!

[ It's as good a plan as any and she knows Kaito is plenty talented with his yo-yo that he can get the job done. She watches from afar as he does, GOOD JOB KAITO, pulling Moura off her safe perch and down to the ground where she's vulnerable. More vulnerable. Moura immediately goes for Kija because KIJA THE BEAUTIFUL. "How dare you smack me! I'll get you, my pretty!" Kija, FIGHT FOR YOUR BEAUTY. Kaito, sorry you're not pretty enough for attention. However, this leaves the snake without a rider and her designated job of getting rid of the giant snake a little easier. Asuna already zeroes on a possible weak point. ]

Yata-kun, we should go for the eyes... just like the snakes before.

[ She says it quickly and loud enough for him to hear. How to get to them was another problem...

Or, was it?

The tail is coming for Asuna again but this time she dodges on her own easily so it's slamming into empty space next to her. Right before it can pull away to try again, she clambers on top of it and begins running up its back, using the scales as some kind of SERPENT BALANCE BEAM. Her speed is put to use here, although it's supposed to be for escape Asuna capitalizes on it for getting to the head ASAP so she won't be thrown off too soon. THIS IS WORKING. ]

[rollin]

[ he'll be rude all he wants and HE WOULD HAVE TACKLED ANYONE, OK

Yata's mouth quirks up just a bit at that joke, but his grin widens when he gets the picture. All he has to do is bring the serpent down and stab it, right? Ugh, he'd rather be up there on that huge snake like Asuna is... But he can't let his party down. With the little magic he knows, he lights a fireball in his hand and pitches it at the serpent's eye. ]

Hey, jackass! [ ... The fire lands on its nose, but eh. Close enough. ] Over here!

[ Spotting Yata from the corner of its eye, the serpent swoops down to strike. It bares more than its fangs, looking ready to swallow him whole, but before it can sink its teeth in, Yata holds out his staff and jams its jaws in place. ]

Asuna, now!

[ He doesn't want to be snake food! Hopefully, Kija and Kaito are doing okay... ]

[yaoihand]

She has an odd way of showing her affection! [ It's actually really hard to tell if Kija actually knows that that was a joke or not. He even seems to scrunch his face up in confusion, so maybe he didn't get it. He may not be the best at humor , but at least he knows how to take a cue. When Moura goes slamming into the floor, Kija takes this opportunity to tear through whatever part of her that he can reach. He doesn't manage to damage her actual body that much, but he does tear through a few of her snakes, cutting them to pieces.

(The force of his dragon hand may have also smacked those snake heads in the direction of Asuna, Yata and the serpent. Oops.)

Moura screams in pain. She rises to her feet, even more enraged, and her snakes go snapping in every direction. One of them manages to sink their fangs into Kija's left hand, and immediately, he can feel the poison take effect. His head starts to spin from vertigo, and he has to cover his mouth to stop himself from vomiting.

Kaito, homie, gonna need some help here or Moura's probably going to get him while he's distracted. ]

[carptricks]

[fortunately, Kaito is a man full of plans!!]

[he's able to duck, dodge, weave and jump over most of the snakes that come flying in his direction thanks to a combination of his Pawn speed and natural dexterity. but when another one of Moura's serpent friends snaps at Kija, a party member who is currently battling a poison status effect, his luck runs out]

[he skids against the ground, positioning himself in between the snapping serpent and Kija, blocking the latter from Moura's view. he lifts an arm to block the attack, which means the snake's fangs sink deeply into his muscles as well. it hurts, and he bites back a hiss of pain, but removing Kija from Moura's line of sight was only part one of the plan]

[part two of said plan had begun with the rhythmic swaying of his yo-yo at his side]

[a second Kija suddenly appears on the other side of the room and lets out a hearty laugh. Moura spins around, hisses angrily, and immediately charges at the faux!Kija without a second thought. the pretty one is mocking me! why? why must you torture me so?!]

S-- sorry about using your face like that. Did you maybe kick her puppy in a past lifetime?

[it's. another badly timed joke, I'm sorry. at any rate, although Kaito remains standing, and although his illusion remains solid, his complexion is turning awfully pale as the venom from Moura's bite begins to sink in. oops. way to get yourself poisoned too, Kaito. good thing Moura is distracted at the moment.]

[avantguard]

[ Gross. Snake heads.

There's a lot of high-pitched screaming going on over by Kaito and Kija but Asuna keeps her attention on the serpent, finally making it to the head. ]

I'm on it!

[ Yata doesn't have to tell her twice, she raises her sword and strikes quickly. Using both hands once she reaches the head, she holds her rapier above her head and brings it down towards a slitted eye with as much strength as she can muster. ]

Haa─ah!

[ There's a bit of a sickening sound that makes her stomach turn as her sword buries into a pupil but she's gotten one eye. Moura's snake rears its head back with a screech, taking Yata's staff and... Asuna with it since her sword is still impaling its eye. She's jostled around, holding on for dear life to her sword. Stabbing its eye just seems to have pissed it off and its body thrashes wildly around the area, banging into walls and knocking more debris and large rocks loose so they crash to the ground around them. ]

[rollin]

[ Well, shit.

To the surprise of no one, Yata didn't think this far ahead. Yata's grip around his staff is tight, Asuna's doing the same, and Kija and Kaito aren't looking so good either. What should he do now? The snake doesn't give him time to think. When it jerks its head back again, Yata's staff slips, and with one last scream, both weapon and owner go down the creature's throat.













He's not dead, you jerks. It's just really, really hard to move when you're traveling down a snake's esophagus. Also, extremely gross. The good news is the serpent crashes down from the pain Yata's causing with his steel staff. It's still writhing, though. ]

1/2

[yaoihand]

[ His vision fixes enough for Kija to see the double Kaito had created, and he marvels, his eyes going wide. The fake Kija was identical to him in every way but their mannerisms. If not for the fact that Kija would never laugh like that, no one would be able to tell the difference. ] Incredible! [ He's an honest person, so he gives out compliments when they are due. Only, it looks like Kaito was hit with some of that poison too, Kija could tell from how weak his voice was sounding in comparison to before. ]

No incarnation of mine would do such a thing. [ He has no idea why Moura wants him dead, ok. Kija takes a step closer, leaning in with concern. He's feeling awful as well, but he's trying his best to ignore it. ] Are you doing all right ...?

[yaoihand]

[But then, there's a loud crash from Yata and Asuna's side of the room, and Kija is compelled to look. There that serpent was. writhing about on the floor in complete agony, and it should be a good thing but he could feel that something was deathly wrong -- ]

Where is Yata ...?!

[ i cant believe you let yata get eaten by a snake what kind of vore fetishist are you ]

[carptricks]

[the laugh, at least, was only to catch Moura's attention. she might not have noticed the Kija copy otherwise]

[despite his pale complexion, his churning stomach, and the way the ground threatens to spin underneath his feet, Kaito stands his ground. the Kija illusion darts across the room like a gnat, leading Moura on a wild goose chase from corner to corner. keeping up this spell took concentration and tons of mana, however. he'd only be able to keep up the act for a little while longer]

'M okay. I'll be okay. [hurk, breakfast is threatening to force its way to the surface again, damn it] What about you--

[is the question he was going to ask, but the loud crash distracts him as well. his gaze whips from Moura to the serpent, and it doesn't take him long to also notice they are currently down one party member]

. . . Asuna-san please tell me Yata didn't just get eaten by a giant snake!

[with his concentration broken, the Kija illusion vanishes, which causes Moura to skid to a halt and stare at the ground in confusion. where did the pretty person she was chasing go??]

[avantguard]

What?! No, he─!

[ Upon looking around for her temporary partner, she notices that he is definitely not around anymore and not caught in snake jaws. Or hanging out somewhere on the ground because Yata is loud. Her shout cuts short and she goes a bit blank-faced. He was eaten...

HE WAS EATEN??

Okay, she won't tell them then. She's still holding on by gripping her sword but she finally pulls it free when she notices that she didn't keep her word about watching his back. No, she'll keep her word. And as the only person in this party with something sharp for a weapon, her eyes harden.

Snakes swallow things whole and digest their food over a long period of time. He's still alive but she has to get him out immediately. The way to do that? Cut the snake open. So she goes for that softer underbelly. After stabbing it around the neck (and making it screech louder) she jumps off her serpent joy ride and uses her own weight to cut downwards, holding onto her sword until her feet slam on the ground and she stumbles.

But at least now there is a large opening for Yata to escape from and Asuna is covered in whatever a snake has inside its body to spill out and get into her hair and all over her. This is super gross. ]

[rollin]

[ look, sometimes you want cute things to happen... then sometimes you want awful things

The serpent screeches at the top of its lungs, its voice loud enough to rattle even the snakes on Moura's head, aaand out comes a sticky and bloody Yata. Look, Asuna, at least you didn't have to go in the snake. That's a story he'd rather tell for another time. He'd wipe his face clean, but his face is the cleanest part of his body right now. ]

Ugh... I hate snakes.

[ So does everyone else. The moment Moura realizes Kija isn't where he ought to be, she spins around and bares her teeth. However, she pauses when she spots both Kija and Asuna. Which will she go for first? ]

[yaoihand]

Yata! You are all right! [ If he weren't preoccupied with something else, he would be rushing over to fuss over his short homie. He was so worried! Who could blame him ... Yana let Yata get eaten by a snake.

Anyway, that's one down. They have one to go! Moura screams when she sees what they had done to her serpent. No! How dare you! It's always the pretty ones! When Moura spots Asuna, she rushes after her immediately, seeking a vengeance. ]

I cannot allow you to do that.

[ It was Kija's task to take Moura down (you had one job), so he won't allow her to hurt his friend! With her back turned to him, he takes the opportunity to strike at it, tearing up her skin and leaving a nasty mark. She howls in agony, but that isn't enough to take her down just yet. ]

[carptricks]

[it isn't enough to take her down, nor is it enough to slow her assault on Asuna, but now there's anger and murder burning in her eyes. Kaito lets out a small curse and stumbles forward, trying to keep his balance through the poison, and slings his yo-yo out in an attempt to stop her. but the status effect is taking its toll, and his aim is way off. not to mention this dungeon boss isn't going to be bested by the same trick twice. Moura easily bats the weapon away with the snakes on her head. the weapon flies to the side, collides with one of the torches affixed to the wall, and falls uselessly to the ground]

[the torch falls with it]

[it clatters onto the stone in front of Moura, the flame on the tip still crackling brightly. the reaction is immediate. with a shriek, the dungeon boss leaps back from the fire, fear written on her expression]

[that's all it takes for Kaito to make the connection]

-- fire! She's weak to fire!

[the boss whirls around to glare at the magician for calling out her weakness, but it's too late. he stumbles forward to grab at the nearest torch, which is good, because now that the big serpent is dead, the smaller Alfersan Snakes are beginning to slither and ooze out of the cracks in the wall and floor to slow the party down. as if the snake swarm back at the Gladia statue wasn't enough]

[avantguard]

[ Asuna's Hate Meter towards snakes has risen to its max. As Moura comes at her, Asuna just stands her ground and judges the distance between herself and the snake lady to use her sword's ability.

As quickly as Kaito figures it out, Asuna scoops up the torch in front of her too and THROWS IT towards the boss when her attention focused elsewhere. She dodges anyway and the torch clatters near Kija, scaring off some snakes.

The Alfersan Snakes are pretty much avoiding Yata and Asuna. Probably because they are covered in blood and guts of their much larger relative. Oops. They do head for the other two, snapping at their ankles and calves. They're already looking worse for wear. They all are...

They need to finish this, quickly.

Moura is weak to fire. Then Asuna will start to use her mana (since that's a thing) to create a fireball in her palms that's about the size of sports ball. Once it's big enough, she runs towards Moura and works on distracting her with that fire and her model looks. Double whammy. ]

Over here, you... [ Ah. ] Ugly snake woman!

[ Make that triple. Asuna noticed the pretty thing. Take this chance as you will, party companions. Asuna is just going to dodge whatever attack is thrown at her now. ]

[rollin]

Heh, it'll take more than that to take Yatagarasu down! [ And shortly before Kija takes off, he gives him a quieter ] Watch yourself.

[ Yata is alert as Kaito alarms them and Asuna sets up the diversion, and the plan clicks. Kija's already gotten some damage in, but with half of their party looking worse for wear, Yata can't let this fight go on any longer.

The mark unlike the one he knows burns with a familiar heat on his collarbone and it tells him he isn't weak. He still has power, but unlike the aura he knows, it's a strength that comes from within. As Asuna holds Moura's front, he closes in from behind with a raised staff and a cocky grin.

No — it falters for a second, but he'll make this fast. Yata clenches his teeth.

Then, violent flames surge from the tip of his staff to sear the open wounds on Moura's back, but they don't burn for long. He can't use them like that, nor does he want to. In the very next moment, he yells as he drives steel into her flesh, piercing through her chest and letting it bleed. In shock, Moura can't even bring herself to scream. In a way, Yata's lucky: all she can do to retaliate is a mere snake bite on his arm that soon grants him an affliction that spreads from head to toe.

Like Medusa's many victims, Yata's been turned to stone.

let's hope kija doesn't freak out... ]