DUNGEON ♛ GISELA TOWERS

[boardmaster]

GISELA TOWERS
20 MAY (VALLARIA) 2016

High in the skies, the howling winds tangled around the Gisela Towers make it difficult to hear anything. The monolithic structures believed to exist only in legend or harpy memories loom over you. The thick ropes of ivy crawling up the length of each tower is the only sign of life. Every now and then, shadow seems to pass overhead. It might just be a trick of the light.

Instead of the usual suspects, another familiar face comes forward to greet our Heroes: the devil-may-care Lei, captain and commander supreme of the Airy.

Lei Nervous that your commanders ain’t here? Don’t worry, you’re in good hands. So! Here we are at this… thing. Something something tragic romantic tale about a dragon and a phoenix. Anyway, it’s stupid and you don’t gotta know. Ask one of your commanders later or bribe me with a drink. Now for something more important— [ the winds roars loudly, muting lei’s voice. but heroes can watch his hand gestures and actions as he teaches them how to use the grappling hook: aim and shoot the gun. maybe twirl it with a fancy flourish first ] —did you get that? All right, good! I don’t have enough hooks, so you’re gonna have to share. And take good care of them, I want them back! Now get in there and clear it ASAP! I ain’t got all day to fly you all back home!

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 ♙
One does not simply walk into the Gisela Towers. The only way in is up the long and weathered staircase that wraps around the structure. However, the thing is riddled with missing steps, weak stones and slippery condensation from the cloud cover, so you’re going to need a little help. Should you attempt to climb the stairs, they will crumble beneath your feet at best and bury you beneath their rubble at worst.

This is where Lei’s newfangled(?) contraptions will come in handy! The pockmarks and small ledges created by weathering in the first tower’s structure could prove useful. There are, of course, a limited number of grappling hooks available, so you’ll have to partner up if you want your party to get anywhere. Parties of four are given two of these guns, while the poor souls with less party members get one.

Gisela’s gale-force winds will knock you around and make it seem like the towers are close to toppling over. However, as you make your way up you’ll see that the towers are actually far from abandoned.

MONSTER ♟ Ocypete
Weak against Lightning	Strong against Wind	Immune to None
Regarded as abominations of the avian world, ocypetes are BIRDS the size of horses, which would be incredibly advantageous if they had wings. The offspring of a human and a harpy, ocypetes have HUMAN ARMS that they use to scale surfaces and strong TALONS that can crush rock. They don’t fly, but they do RIDE THE WIND with the use of their long tail feathers, which possess magical wind properties and are nearly twice as long as they are tall. They would look almost elegant if they didn’t have a tendency to flap their arms while gliding. Legend has it that when the phoenix left the towers, the ocypetes were accidentally left behind because dragons plucked their wing feathers, making them look kind of funny. Now with a few millennia’s worth of abandonment issues on their semi-feathered shoulders, they’ll seek to prevent Heroes from ascending the towers by any means necessary with an odd variation of Airy MARTIAL ARTS. Their TAILFEATHERS may be acquired as loot.

What will Heroes encounter once they finally make it inside? More broken staircases, more monsters, even stronger winds blowing in from cracks in the walls and the foot of the tower (which is open to the air), and no floor whatsoever. Gisela’s Towers are hollow! The only footing to be found is on small ledges: some similar to those outside the tower, some that look more artificial; and intact sections of the stairs winding around the walls. You’ll need magic or some ingenuity to stay on your toes—literally! If you lose your grip or footing, it’s a several thousand foot drop back to Gresser. The quickest way down… and the deadliest.


TWO ♙
The treacherous and exhausting climb brings you to a more sturdy area that looks a little less like a wrecking ball just passed through and more like some kind of hive. Blocking your way are dozens of sturdy-looking nests suspended like particularly ugly balls of twine from the walls. These are home to the insectoid Aellos. Tearing the nests apart for loot is only a good idea if you want angry swarms after you.

MONSTER ♟ Aello
Weak against Fire, Lightning	Strong against None	Immune to Wind
Aellos resemble large eagles more than the DRAGONFLIES they’re supposed to be. Mature Aellos can fly, but the flightless and fuzzier larvae are just as formidable. They can HYPNOTIZE with their dozen kaleidoscope-like eyes, rendering targets IMMOBILE but still aware of their surroundings. In order to free them, a fellow Hero must gaze deeply into their eyes for at least 15 seconds. These monsters are also able to SPIT a gelatin-like substance that will stick Heroes to any and every surface and also each other. FIRE will reduce its stickiness. The larvae use hit-and-run tactics: they hunker down in their nests, peek over the edge and launch gobs of spit. The flying aello like to drop their SPIT BOMBS from above and occasionally also release a POWDER that ruins visibility and makes you sneeze. Feeling adventurous? Why don’t you give the spit a lick? It’s actually totally EDIBLE, tastes like jello, and is filled with mana. Just be sure to heat it up so you don’t get your mouth stuck shut. Their GELATIN SPIT and INSECT PARTS may be acquired as loot.

The staircases at this altitude are in better shape than the ones you have—or haven’t—been using. That doesn’t mean they’re any less dangerous. Not only do the Aellos chase you down here; traps are hidden in the steps as well. Some may act like quicksand, trapping an unwary Hero halfway into the stone. Others are enchanted with wind spells that can toss you up in the air, the long way back down to the ground, or blow your skirt upward. There might even be some that provoke the pesky bugs even more!

This floor has flowers and trees creeping their way in from the outside and covering every inch of the place, including treacherous weaknesses in the path. Behind these overgrown plants is a mural depicting a sensual dance between a dragon and a harpy. In order to advance, at least two Heroes will have to mimic the dance painted on the walls to open the door.


THREE ♙
A barrier prevents you from progressing any further. Magic, physical attacks or sheer willpower will do nothing. To dissolve it, you must create a concoction from the random ingredients available on the table and splash it on the barrier. There is no set recipe, so trial and error and a little creativity will be your friends! Along with your trusty party Bishop, of course. (You did bring one, didn’t you?) Those not well-versed in alchemy may end up with potions that explode upon completion, splashing party members standing too close with a variety of strange side effects ranging from mild body horror to a bad case of halitosis. The unfortunate effects seem to differ from Hero to Hero, and they last for a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Once your party crosses the barrier, you will find yourselves outside. The skies are darkening, but you’re still able to discern another tower wrapped in the clouds. A bridge once connected the two structures, but most of it is missing. Use those grappling hooks!

Upon entering the second tower, a marble floor at odds with everything from the last tower will greet you. Lift your head and you’ll find that the rest of the tower is also hollow all the way up; those heights allow room for fountains and waterfalls. It’s a suitable area to replenish mana and rest. Parched throats can be quenched with the sparkling water all around you, but approach any waterfalls and they will start moving in a very unwaterlike way.

MONSTER ♟ Celaeno
Weak against Lightning	Strong against Fire, Earth	Immune to Water
Possessed by pride and cursed by the phoenix’s wrath, these dragons are nothing like the ones you encountered before. Celaeno resemble huge snakes made of water and possess ENCHANTED SCALES that float through their bodies and render them extremely RESISTANT to both magical and physical attacks. You will have to find WEAK POINTS in their protective aura. Hopefully you have a Knight or Bishop on your team to find those weaknesses as soon as possible! Each dragon’s weak points differ. Fortunately, all Celaenos go down easily once you find that soft spot. They use their long, slender tails like WATER WHIPS to knock down or douse their targets; the force of a tail may equal that of a fire hose at full blast! The only time it sheds its armor is to shapeshift into a WATER PRISON that can trap one or more enemies. Try not to attack it while a Hero is trapped inside; it will hurt your friend as well! Use STATUS EFFECTS to confuse or distract them so the prison loses shape. Their ENCHANTED SCALES, SMALL GEMS, and DRAGON WATER may be acquired as loot.

Without any stairs in sight, the way up lies in those dragons. After their defeat, their magical scales can be put together to form a boat that can ride the waterfalls upwards to the top floors.


FOUR ♙
The skies continue to change once you reach the top. Black clouds begin to close in, stray bits of land that have broken off from the main island hover nearby, and a sudden torrent of powerful mana may disorient your party. A storm is approaching.

Just as the first chunk of hail falls from the sky, a mighty roar reverberates through the darkness. Something very large lands on the walls of the tower and causes a tremor that whittles chunks from the tower and actually rolls the clouds back; is that the toll of thunder, or just more roaring?

Finally, an impressive three-headed dragon emerges from below. Once it has perched itself on the tower, one head speaks in a rumbling growl.

BOSS ♟ Tianya the Thrice-Scorned
Weak against Lightning	Strong against None	Immune to Wind, Fire
“Did that phoenix send you?! Tell her she cannot return! Not even over my dead body!” Unsurprisingly, Tianya ─the dragon once wed to the phoenix─ is more than just a legend. He lowers his heads and another loud, guttural cry fills the skies. For now, he remains STATIONARY at the top of the tower. All three heads attempt to SWALLOW a Hero whole if they get too close. Should you go on the offensive, you may be able to chop off at least one head before he’s pissed off enough to move. The fallen head writhes in agony as it moans: “It hurts… it burns…” At this point, Tianya takes flight. The strong GUSTS from those wings can launch a Hero right off the tower. Use your grappling hook(s) to play floating island hopscotch: evade devastating dive attacks and run from the MANA BEAMS shot from his mouths. “You’ll never understand! I never wanted her!” As you travel from island to island trying to get close enough to deal some real damage, Tianya hides in the CLOUDS to launch ambush attacks. Eventually, a PHOENIX descends from the heavens in a burst of fiery light. However, it’s not the phoenix of legend; it’s actually one of Tianya’s spells, and it will burn away most of your mana if any of its flames make contact. MANA EXCHANGE may be the only way to continue this battle... Once Tianya is down to one head, he will immediately rise higher into the sky. “My last words are for her and her alone.” After Tianya is defeated, the storm clears; Enprise’s twin suns shine once more. That precious DUNGEON CORE floats down, blanketed by a SINGLE LARGE FEATHER, golden and shining in the light. “It’s warm… She was always warm…” A SCORNED DRAGON HEART and a MYSTICAL PHOENIX FEATHER may be acquired as loot.

As soon as both core and feather touch the tower, an ominous rumbling and shaking begins. The Gisela Towers are falling apart and it’s now a race to escape before you’re buried under the rubble.

And don’t forget the grappling hook(s); Lei wants them back.


FIVE ♙
All that’s left of the Gisela Towers is rubble. The dungeon has been conquered, the island reclaimed, and the ruins of the old regime can now become the foundations for something new: the site of the harpies’ homecoming after hundreds of years.

LOCATION ♟ Gisela

An ancient sky island that has existed since time immemorial. What enables Gisela to RIDE THE CLOUDS may be an even greater mystery than the mechanisms powering the Airy. The island appears most frequently above Gresser, though its extraordinary altitude makes it DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. The landscape of Gisela is overgrown with JEWEL-GREEN FORESTS, crisscrossed with gorges and dotted with networks of small caverns. But its crowning glory is the THIN GLEAMING WATERFALLS that flow from its edges and into the sky beyond. The water is embraced by RAINBOWS and condenses into CLOUDS when Gisela is high enough, lending to its unusual weather patterns. Although the island initially seems largely uninhabited apart from the Gisela Towers, there is a SEALED OFF AREA that, when viewed from the air, looks suspiciously like LUSH, TILLED FIELDS. Should you ask Lei about this, he will only give you an unusually stern warning against disturbing it. Looks like you’ve solved the mystery behind the pai tiles. Now that the menacing Towers have been demolished, a variety of animal life — usually airborne — will begin to appear on the island. Some of them you’ve never seen before! The fall of the Towers also uncovered the existence of HOT SPRINGS below; newspapers speculate wildly about the source, but most agree that it must have something to do with the renewed vows between phoenix and dragon. The few structures already in place on the island have been speedily converted into BAZAARS manned by Airy harpies. Most specialize in legal alchemical gimmicks, but there’s always another side to these things. Everyone’s here to soak in the breeze, and by that we do mean everyone. In response to the tourism boom, NEW AEROPORTS have also opened in both Gisela and Gresser to provide reliable transportation between the two locations.

Comments

[interchained]

[Truth to be told, he thought that Allen would be more stubborn about it. Not that they could afford to quarrel over anything, really.

While Allen's pushing forward and cleaning the path for them, Gil watches over the rear, making sure that any aello won't get past them. They're quite persistent and some of his mana bullets get stopped by their spitballs, but they're steadily advancing towards the staircase, so that's a good thing.]

[armorial]

[ Yo, she ain't dumb. When they mentioned their house, she knew instantly there was something between them. She doesn't care what it is, but she knows Adra isn't one to use Gilgamesh... And so forth, only sees it as an unfortunate choice made by a fool. She does, however, consider she may be wrong and that this is good for the both of them.

Still, knee jerk reaction and all. At least she keeps it to herself.

Where is Saber though...?

She was behind them--actually, is behind them, but has not caught up yet. Possibly because she has been hypnotized, frozen in place... In the middle of sneezing. Her chest feels like it's going to combust, eyes already welling with tears from being petrified in such a pitiful state, never having the opportunity to eat aellos jelly. ]

[hymnals]

[ He growls irritably as he keeps trying to extricate himself from the binding spit--why is there so much, why this, he wants to go home--and shakes his head. ]

I'm not enamored of sticking to any royal--

[ Mmmf. He doesn't finish his gripe because suddenly there's a finger in his mouth. Indignation shoots through him, and he's about to yank violently away, but--damn, that jelly tastes good. Tastes like ... mana. Oh, no. Adra makes a soft 'hnnh' noise in his throat as he licks the rest of the jelly off of Gil's finger. Oh, it's good. He wants more--but--no--no, where is Saber?

He squeezes his eyes shut and pushes back, breathing in sharply, clutching at his chest. ]

Don't do that, damn it!

[ He wipes his mouth, ears folded, practically vibrating with irritation. ]

We need to find Saber!

[ He whips around, part of his mind still liquid and happy from the sudden infusion of mana, and squints through the haze of sneeze powder. There she is--frozen to the spot, apparently. ]

Saber!

[babbylon]

[Wants more, hm? Gilgamesh can certainly abide that request. Abide it and then some, he'd heard rumors of the infamous dungeon quickie, and if Saber's missing they can just go ahead and mosey behind this bizarre rock formation and...

Ah. There she is. Gilgamesh blinks and glances back at her, more than a little irritable himself at having his schemes interrupted, then marches right up to her. Waves his hand around, gives her ahoge a few tugs, sticks his tongue out. Still alive after all that insolence? Still alive, it would so seem. She really must be out of it.]

Her mouth's open. How cute.

[This is apparently the prevailing thought on Gilgamesh's mind. He smears a dab of the jelly around her lip and figures she'll thank him later for it. How to fix this, though? The last time someone had been petrified, they'd had to—

Oh.

Oh.

Oh, that's a definitely an expression that should not be on his face ever. The gears are turning, the mind's plotting, and he's wearing a sneer so vile even the devil might look away in disgust. He glances over to Adra and gives him a nudge.]

The maiden requires a kiss from us, I believe. So shall it be you or me? Quickly! We must remedy the situation at once, by any means necessary!

[Fortunately, said situation may very well resolve itself another way. He's certainly gazing deeply into her eyes, but for all the wrong reasons.]

[armorial]

[ She's quiet, still imprisoned in this hypnotism, but she is well aware of her surroundings. Waves of distress and disdain are being propelled from her ahoge. She may not be able to speak, but she is inwardly spewing a speech of a king.

What vile beast dares threaten me? Archer, if you choose to step closer with that unsightly mug of yours, I will see to it that you are hanged, drawn, and quartered; your head will be delivered to me on a pike, and it will be showcased in front of the Hall of Glory for all to see. You should feel honored since your sentence will set a great example as someone foolish enough to try to take advantage of my person, my kindness, in such a state. I have given you many chances to redeem yourself, even allowing Adrasteius to live in such blissful ignorance, yet here you stand before me, scheming like a sly serpent. You disgust me. It is surprising to me how you can call yourself a king, let alone a man. I give you this one last warning to stay back, King of Heroes. If you desire to go against my wishes, brushing aside your impending punishment, I would rather you end my life here. My honor shall not be stripped by the likes of you, heathen. As dictated by Artoria Pendragon, King of Knights.

KEEP STARING INTO HER WATERY EYES AND COME DOWN HERE, FUCKER. ]

[hymnals]

[ He is not going to fuck in a dungeon, OK. He just wants more of that delicious mana ... but he sets it aside, for the moment. There are more important matters to worry about. Such as the way Gil's looking at Saber.

Adra slaps at Gil's hands, hissing. No one had been petrified in his dungeon run. ]

I don't know that either of us should kiss her.

[ He frowns at her in concern, and lifts one hand, but does not reach to touch her. It's wrong. An invasion, a violation. He doesn't want to, and he doesn't want Gil to do it, either. ]

Please, let's just--wait a moment. Just a moment.

[ He, too, is staring directly into her eyes. Come on, girl. Wake up. ]

[babbylon]

[Doesn't want him to and actually preventing him from doing so are two very different things, and sadly, the latter does not lie within Adra's power. Gilgamesh shrugs him off and steps close, too close, nearly nose-to-nose with her and smiling wickedly. Fingers resting beneath her chin, breath heavy. Oh, yes, forbidden fantasies here we come.]

Well... just in case... it couldn't hurt, could it?

[Is this happening? This might very well be happening. Except a twitch of movement catches Gilgamesh's attention, and he's halted before the worst can unfold.]

Hm?

[All that meaningful staring has paid off; she's free. She's free and Gilgamesh hasn't heard her unspoken wisdom to back the @#%$ off, so he just stands there stupefied and wondering if he should go through with this or actually heed Adra's advice. Figures that he'd listen to the man over the woman.

Yet it's too little, too late. Give that big obnoxious blonde a slap, Saber, he more than deserves it.]

[armorial]

[ She doesn't move, frozen in a different sense. One sensual touch is more than enough, but he's a daredevil. Quickly, her hand grabs his shoulder, not the reassuring gesture she has used before. It's rough, but it desists because her hand finds its way to grab onto his collar instead, shaking him despite him being his close. ]

I see you do not value your life, Gilgamesh. [ Her tone is low, intimidating, because she feels ultimately humiliated (in front of Adra makes it worse). It's a thought that unfortunately escapes her jelly stained lips, but she does not lay another hand on him. She wants to strike him with her fist, throw him over the stairs, maybe kick him down the steps so that the traps have their way with him.

Instead, she shoves his back, trying recompose herself. She's exasperated and angry, but not crass. ]

Do not treat me like one of your many playthings. [ She can't even say that as vehemently as she used to. Maybe she's a little disappointed, but she brushes it off. A king does not fall so easily even when her allies do not respect her, not even expecting an apology, so she walks ahead and past them. Taking off her blazer that's covered in slime, she ties it to her waist. They are in a dungeon. ]

Let's move on.

[hymnals]

[ Adra would be fine if the floor just gave way and dropped him right down to the bottom of this tower, honestly. His stomach churns with sympathetic disgust, and he scowls at Gil as he turns to follow Saber. While he's not fully aware of the relationship between these two, this dungeon has illuminated some clear facts: Gil wants her (badly), and she wants no part of it.

At least Gilgamesh hadn't actually kissed her. That was something.

But Adra's just feeling more and more sick and exhausted, so he trudges onward, eyes dim and downcast--til he's distracted by the riot of colorful, flowering trees that surround them. The veils of powder had obscured the foliage til now, and Adra strides over towards one particular cluster, near the far end of the floor. The blossoms are enormous, sunset colored, vibrant with red and gold and purple. He reaches to pluck them carefully from the vine, wanting to take them home. At least he'll get something good out of this place.

Meanwhile, in the corner of his eye, he spots a mural.

Hmm. ]

[babbylon]

[Rejection, as ever, flows straight off Gilgamesh's back, harmless as a stream. If anything, the reaction brings with it a pleasant rush of nostalgia. For all the world has taken from her, his proud, upright Artoria remains, bold enough to challenge her fellow crown and threaten him in the same breath. He peers after her, and says nothing, because he doesn't have to. They know the score. Adra's just getting a front row seat to arguably the most one-sided romance in history.

The King orders move on, so they move on. However, he thought he'd heard the trace of something in her tone, something odd... something like I expected more, but should've known better. It bothers him for reasons he can't quite explain and doesn't care to dwell upon for more than a moment.

Gilgamesh brushes it off and follows Adra's line of sight to the mural. Pushing foliage out of the way, he reveals what it depicts in full: a dragon locked in some sort of mating ritual with a harpy. Or it appeared as much, as they were posed sensually together, gazing at one another as Gilgamesh had been not moments ago with Saber.

Ordinarily, he wouldn't pay it much mind, but the presence of a door nearby makes him suspicious.]

I wonder...

[Wonder along with him, comrades. Possibly stop him before he gets any worse ideas.]

[armorial]

[ She does not wonder with them and instead finds a nice place to sit down, seiza like usual, and rest. It may look... uncomfortable to keep this position and proper posture with all they've gone through, but she does it. It's soothing to her. Deep breaths. She takes this time to meditate a bit, calm herself down so she doesn't lash out on either them, prepare her mind for any upcoming battle.

She even closes her eyes, trusting that Adra would stop Gilgamesh from doing anything dumb. Of course, she can still hear them, so it's not that she's completely defenseless nor standoffish. ]

[hymnals]

[ Adra packs the flowers carefully in his bags before anything else. They'll make beautiful ink, he reckons, and the thought of working with them once he's home calms him a bit, gives him something to look forward to.

He joins Gil by the mural, and the door, and he narrows his eyes as he examines the uncomfortably romantic embrace. Adra runs his fingers over the tiles, on down to the door, which is quite clearly impassable. His eartips curl. ]

You've got to be kidding me.

[ Adra's a dungeon veteran. He knows the probable score here.

He's not happy about it. ]

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh reaches the same conclusion as Adra, and naturally, his thoughts trail back to Saber. He knew her legend as well as she did, knew her familial name wasn't just for show. The blood of a dragon ran through her veins, and so it made the most sense she'd play the part of one in any such dramatic reenactments.

But perhaps shockingly, Gilgamesh assesses her body language and takes a hint. She may be ready to move if needed, but overall she doesn't want to be bothered right now. She's focusing very hard, on what he can only guess, but it may be for the best, for the sake of party morale, that they handle this between the two of them. So Gilgamesh sets aside his obsession and offers Adra a hand and a smile.

He looks strikingly earnest. A man very much aware of Adra's weaknesses.]

Shall I have this dance, oh siren of the skies?

[It seems Gilgamesh has claimed the role of dragon for himself instead! How gratingly predictable.]

[armorial]

[ Her eyes open when she feels someone's gave on her, but takes note on how Gligamesh for once understands when to not approach her. There's no longer distaste on her expression, merely curiosity. Her eyes dart to the mural, then back to Adra. He doesn't sound happy, but she doesn't know that for a fact. Maybe he'll enjoy the dance, so she lets this unfold first.

If he doesn't then she guesses she'll try to save him, but for the most part she has recomposed herself completely. There are no words though, not like she has much to say. ]

[hymnals]

[ Adra has his weaknesses. He's quick to anger, but he's just as quick to forgive. He cares too fast and too much, and it makes him vulnerable, makes most of his relationships dangerously uneven.

But he is vulnerable by design. Consciously soft. And while he might be a fool, he's not an idiot, and he's not impressed. Some of Gil's efforts earlier in this trial had been impressive--his attempt to take responsibility, his genuine concern for his team's well-being, his short, brilliant fight with the aello. But his treatment of Saber just now rankles Adra. She has every right to be angry, disgusted. She deserves better. And, honestly--foolish as this thought may be--Adra thinks Gil can do better. ]

We don't have a choice.

[ He takes Gil's hand, his own burning hot, hotter than usual. He doesn't want to do this, but he doesn't want Saber to endure it, either. Besides, it's clearly a necessity if they want to progress. So he'll get it done. ]

[babbylon]

Nonsense. You act as though you would not choose to dance with me.

[Because in Gilgamesh's backwards world, he had every choice in the matter. Gilgamesh appears immune to whatever malaise has descended upon his comrade, taking up the reins with eagerness. As the dragon, it's most appropriate for him to assume the leading role anyway, and that's exactly what he does.

And while Saber may be spared from participating directly, she will be an active audience member in this, as Gilgamesh guides Adra with him and towards her with his very first few steps. They are slow, easy to follow and pick up on even for a novice. He's not so cruel to throw him into intimate throes immediately... though they are doomed to come, sooner or later, judging from the mural.]

What are you scowling for? I much prefer that you might smile, little sun.

[All the charm in the world being employed here, but none of it will erase the fact that Gilgamesh's past history with Saber quite clearly bordered on toxic and nauseating.]

[sunderings]

[ He had never doubted.

Where Alice had hesitated, he had met her eyes, his utmost confidence in her evident in the warmth of his gaze, the sentiment of before I will catch you if you fall given life in the form of a spell, a blessing to slow her expenditure of mana as she illustrated magic of her own against the canvas of the sky. The phoenix unfurls in all its majesty, Alice's illusion flawless in its craftsmanship, gleaming brightly as it draws the dragon down from its fortress of clouds, holding the beast transfixed as it roared out its agony, suffering Caren's lashes of lightning as surely as it found itself rent apart and torn asunder by its own heart.

(What a pitiable thing; what a foolish beast.)

Three strikes of lightning see scales flayed from hide, Tianya reeling in confusion for the second time from the strength of the current, and it is then that Sion sees fit to once again take flight, leaving a barrier to protect Alice behind as he draws Guiding Light from its place at his back, decisive as he makes his play, his fingers sweeping across the filigree of the blade: ]

Lightning, bless my strike, guide my blade!

[ Energy crackles to life about the sword, enveloping it in a vortex which promises pain. Just as the Celaeno fell to attacks formed of lightning, Tianya seems susceptible to the element as well, and truly, the hand of fate has interfered in the here and now, where the Hero King (the mad monster that he is) would call upon the very magic he'd stripped from the face of the world.

Stay strong, he calls in parting to Alice, Guiding Light held low at his side as he flies, pouring his mana into his wings to carry him fast and faster still, given to pure pursuit of his target. And how he is merciless, when throughly possessed by destructive intent, seeing the charged steel of his blade deeply sunk into the throat of Tinya's right head, silencing its mournful cries. ]

Be at ease— [ Cleaving through the side of neck, Sion frees Guiding Light from dragon's flesh, blood doing nothing to diminish its shine. ] —she is to be your guide.

[ A cold comfort, the Hero King's words, a solemn assurance for one who would swiftly meet with its great undoing.

"My last words are for her and her alone." Tianya bellows in reply, a concentrated beam of mana hurled from its remaining mouth as he rises ever-higher into the sky. ]

[armorial]

[ If it was someone else, maybe even a complete stranger, she would have allowed this to continue for her own safety. However, it's Adrasteius, one of the first to talk to her, her roommate, and her comrade. She senses his distress and weariness quite easily, two of the few emotions she can easily read. There are far too many fond memories to let him take the fall for her. A king, a knight--Artoria will not allow this any longer.

She stands up when they come closer, doing what she can not to barf at how he's speaking to the elf. When they slow, she grabs Gilgamesh's wrists and puts a pause to this dance. There's that familiar glower, adamant and unyielding. ]

I will take his place. [ She would like to let Adra rest like she did, maybe admire the flowers more. It's the least she can do with all the trouble they both have caused him with their clashes. ]

[hymnals]

[ Adra doesn't answer right away. He goes through the steps, moves in close, then back out again. His body radiates heat, shimmers with a faint aura of light--a projection of his mana, a self-soothing mechanism. He looks up at Gilgamesh, about to speak, and then Saber cuts in.

Light, he's over this. ]

Saber. It's fine. We're already halfway through the damn thing. I've got it.

[ He looks to Gilgamesh, his expression aggrieved, but also--solemn, perhaps expectant. He wonders what Gil will do with this. If he'll let Saber go. ]

[babbylon]

[This is something of a dilemma.

Of course, his heart leaps with the offer Saber makes; what more could he even want, dancing with the woman he so ardently lusted after? He even neglects that it's clearly done to relieve poor Adra and almost opens his mouth to accept the invitation before the elf asserts himself again.

Immediately, he turns indecisive. Was this a test of some kind? Was there a "right" answer Adra was waiting for here? How ridiculous. A King made his own rules. He didn't have to abide either of them, so he won't. He resents this being treated as a burden, so ultimately he calls her bluff. Their bluff.

Shaking off that momentary uncertainty, he makes his choice.]

I will dance with both of you.

[In one hand, he takes up Saber's. In the other, he takes up Adra's. So the dance resumes, with Gilgamesh playing each side with equal skill. Wooing both of his harpies. The door will open because he wills it to open. They will proceed because he wills them to proceed. And he won't be made a fool of, by elf or by knight.

He won't be the party member they deal with just because. A leader was meant for more than that.]

[digophelia]

[ Doesn't look at them for the rest of the duration of her image. She keeps her unblinking gaze on the phoenix, shoving any voices that chime in on her work.

"How long will you be able to hold onto such a pristine and beautiful image, Alice?"

She can hear the Cheshire Cat come in, Alice doing what she can to ignore him, knowing that she would see the creature filter in, out of the corner of her eyes and possibly become part of the illusion.

I can't do this for much longer. Out of fear it will become tainted with her psyche, Alice does what she can to hold it, feeling her body begin to tremble in anxiety as well as the comb slowly exerting her. It would expose her for what she really is, Alice thinks, a raving lunatic if the image began to filter and become a twisted version of the beautiful phoenix. Alice finds herself wincing, watching the poor creature being cleaved at the side of his neck.

As it goes to the sky, so does Alice's gaze, along with her illusion, sending it right after the dragon, Alice trying to imagine how her voice would sound. Wouldn't it sound beautiful? Wouldn't it beckon her love to stay with him? This is too cruel! She wished she could hear her family's voices again, imagining their voices that moment to press it into her illusion of love and reassurance rather than her parents' cries as they burned alive that night.

This is too much!

Alice is far too absorbed into her illusion and those feelings to notice that mana beam. It's bright, but so is her illusions, her mind at that moment delving further and further, brightening the image of the phoenix that she does nothing and doesn't even notice that direction of the beam that comes to her. Suddenly, the illusion starts to lose it's brightness, nearly fading to dust and Alice standing there, wondering where the sharp pain is coming from in her shoulder. Maybe she held onto her sword too tight? But then... why does it feel wet all the sudden? Rain?

It's only by luck Alice drops her gaze down to her sword, to see if it was secure, just out of the corner of her eye to notice the bright color of red blooming through the white of her jacket. Suddenly, the sharp pain in her shoulder makes sense and it grows to hurt more. Alice, who had gone through many things in her young life, didn't find the pain unbearable, neither did she wince or cry out as she notice the deep lash across her chest, to her shoulder.

Don't move, don't move...!

She does try to hold herself and her ground that half of minute of confusion and determination to hold her ground. She had been through worse, why would such a deep cut matter? Or was it a cut? It had to be a cut, the fabric was tearing. Her free hand drawing to her chest, the effort to stay where she is fails and the illusion is gone as Alice draws a breath and finds herself falling from her standing point. ]

[armorial]

[ She is the dragon, mind you, but she'll allow him this privilege before a couple steps in she leads the King of Heroes similarly to before. Of course, she watches him with a careful eye! Aside from her piercing gaze, she doesn't seem so opposed to this--

Only because she is helping Adra. She hopes that this is somewhat relieving and if not enjoyable? She learned from someone that activities such as these are better shared with others.

Others as in not Gilgamesh, but they can include him this time.

She's quiet throughout, only stealing glances from the corner of her eye once in a while. Most of her attention is on the door. Door please open. ]

[hymnals]

[ It's a surprising choice. Adra doesn't reject Gil's hand, and he falls pretty quickly back into step, with fresh energy, even. Why?

He looks from Gil to Saber as he moves, his feet light and quick, even as the look on his face hardens with resolve. He is no dragon, but he isn't really a harpy, either. He's something else entirely, something as yet not revealed. ]

I don't know what happened between the two of you in the past.

[ But he can guess that it was probably Problematic. ]

But this is what I do know: here, in Enprise, you have a chance to move forward. You have an opportunity. And you --

[ He looks at Gilgamesh as he speaks. He's entreating, he's imploring, but this is not some lovestruck plea. He meant what he said earlier: he believes in this man. He's seen nobility in him, compassion, respect. Things Saber deserves to see, too. ]

-- you shouldn't squander it.

[ Gil is not a burden to him. He's frustrating, to be sure. But that's only because Adra expects more of him. Wants better for him. ]

[showsnopiety]

[She's caught again. People (particularly Sion) seem to be picking her up throughout this dungeon. She should not be surprised; after all, she is small in stature, and delicate with it. She does not have the muscled lines like Aisha did. Strongest woman in the universe indeed.

It speaks for her energy that she does not argue about the hook; wordlessly, she hands it to the cat woman and clasps her tight, pressing her lips against her neck. It is not a recall of the dance, in the least. Instead, it is an attempt to gather mana more quickly so she may attack again, and soon. Maybe it can ease the rapid beating of her heart.]

My thanks. I'll rely on you.

[Between the two of them, she thinks, they will be able to get another spell out of her before long. But the dragon raises still higher and...oh.

No.

She's going to fall. And Caren can't do anything. Neither can Aisha, not with Caren being a burden as she is. Three of them together might be too clumsy, too slow for the line. It leaves only one person. Caren raises her head to the sky and screams.]

Sion! Catch her!

[He might be devoted as she is to murder and destruction-perhaps even more so-but this is more important. Sacrifice. Not Alice. Not today.

Frustrated, her head bows and she sucks in a hard breath. Her throat feels raw. Her voice is normally not so loud, and screaming hurts.]

My apologies. Aisha-I think we need to go higher. I need him in my range.

[digophelia]

[ Alice wanders back in at the right moment, apparently. The satchel she took from Sion before abruptly leaving out of the room still in her hands. She is about to say she's not hungry and knows she has to force herself to eat them. It's either these or being touched and Alice will chose the latter.

It's an odd thing to eat so much after having so little to eat.

Glancing Aisha and Caren, Alice decides not to ask, remaining near the door to take a look at the painting on the wall. She thinks it's pretty and takes a bit more time to look at it, in a child-like awe before following the others. This buys her time and some distance between the others, silently taking in the sight of what lies before her.

Did they walk into a chemist's room? She hesitates, holding the satchel closer to her chest, knowing she's got a few more to try and eat to recover from the illusion. ]