Shattered Innocence (IC) [M]

[Sprocketsdance]

Sighing, Chance lifted her wrists to show Zanfib her restrainer bracers. "These block my magic and I can't take them off, at least on my own.. but I do have an idea." She took out her dagger and went into a crouched position. She ached everywhere and was still pretty weak but she couldn't bear being still any longer. Please don't let this be a stupid idea.. With a single beat of her wings to give her speed, she lunged forward to the Equine demon and leveling the dagger out she stabbed at his groin.

[Noone]

The equine demon, under attack from many angles, yet still not slowing down, first caught the stream of fire redirected at him, and threw it at a nearby tree. Seeing Chance charging at him, he first he extended his claws, rushed forward, and lunged at her face. However, his assault was stopped by Kedered and Eilan. The acid blade worked well against the demon, cutting deep into the fiend. Eilan swung his other blade at it's neck, sinking in deep, but not scoring a total decapitation. It fell to the ground soon after that. Eilan pulled both of his blades out, and turned his attention towards the third demon. Chance's blade sunk into it's privates, though it was already dead by then.

The leopard demon, noting how the equine one was doing, decided to make a hasty retreat. It jumped out of it's perch on the trees, evading the lightning bolt, and kept a discrete distance from Garis. On his way to the ground, he erected a large forcefield of fire around himself, incinerating the tree branches that came to assail him. He then decided to collapse the shield, and hurled fireballs at trees on his sides, setting them alight. He rushed away, and would soon be out of sight.

Kassin wasn't taking the fight around him well at all, he could barely keep focus with all the pain he was feeling around him. He crouched low to the ground, and tried to manage it as best he could. He looked up, only to realize that he was mostly surrounded by flaming trees, which left no obvious routes of escape. They let out an uncomfortable amount of heat, and the flames, while slightly mitigated by the snow, appeared to be spreading.

[Azlan]

Tyrian sighed at the obvious ineffectual nature of his attacks, as the demon retreated.  The fox summoned a stone spear from the earth far ahead of him hurling it at the back of the retreating creature as he turned towards the others.  He would not give chase, not after absorbing some of that negative energy, the others could if they desired to.

It was then that he became aware of the blaze in the trees, a very curious thing as hard wood is slow to catch fire and the general dampness, due to melting ice and snow, normally causes fires to smolder.  However, it was magical fire, so anything was possible, including...

"Extinguish!"  With a single word and a sweeping gesture, Tyrian squelched the magical impetus that fueled the unnatural fires.  Leaving a smoldering mess, but otherwise safe environment around the group.

Ty approached Kassin and collapsed to a seated position in front of him and Chance.  He turned his eyes and stared straight into the tiger angel's, "I'm sorry for causing you so much pain by fighting others, and leaving your side... I get... overzealous when I fight." 

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

A point at cusp....... Wishing he had more time to deliberate his actions, he sent a trace of thought Zanfib's way, Good job the two of you. Send my congratulations to Tyrian for the fire. I will pursue the last of them


Checking his speed spell, and throwing a bit more energy into it, Kedered darted deeper into the forest, chasing the demon, and collapsing his acidic weapon, it slowed him down to hold it away from his body, and it could be reformed at need. He didn't want it to alert any friends, and he still wanted information about this group. After a few second's sprinting, he sent out to Garis, Care to hover along at tree level and spot him out?


Wincing at how the fire would damage his clothes, and his fur, Kedered splashed on a basic level of protection and took the plunge

[Lisky]

Garis was mildly disappointed the demon had noticed him, but wasted no time tearing off in pursuit.  He launched himself into the air again, reformed his wings and flew off just over the trees, following the demon.  He cast a spell to create a heavy gust of wind to further enhance his speed.
Sending updates location of the demon to Ked, Garis added a question to one of the updates, he asked 'do you want me to slow him down, i could drop in on top of him, making your catching up easier... at the very least, i can hold my own until you arrive.'

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

He ran, panting, slapping out smoldering embers in his clothes and fur, and racing along after the fleeing demon. I can catch him, unless he can move faster than he is. Do you think you can hold him alone? I should catch up swiftly if he stops to fight. I would like a prisoner though. You can only learn so much from dead people.

[Lisky]

Garis chuckled aloud, wrapped himself in a speed enhancement as well, and sent a quick message to ked, 'Good as done my friend, i'll see if i can't wrap him up and end this before it even starts'

As he flew over the demon, Garis matched speeds and dropped his altitude to about 20' overhead... After a second of mental preparation, his wings exploded into a flurry of tendrils, tipped with clawed hands.  Garis' right hand grew long claws, and crackled with some type of arcane energy, and his left gripped the hilt of his dagger.  He fell towards the demon, and he tried to subdue the creature before it had a chance to try anything.

[Sprocketsdance]

Chance tripped and face-planted to the ground, Ugh! Of all times! feeling the dagger hit it's mark she grinned, but frowned after looking up and realizing it was already dead from the two other attackers. Great, worthless... now I have to clean demon balls off of my blade... Feeling grateful to the others she scrapped the blade across the ground a few times before placing it back on her belt and standing, returning to Zanfib, the tiger, and the fox. She caught what the fox said to the tiger and a little bit of something clicked in her mind.. so that's why he was in pain before.. how strange.. She  she'd ask more about it later since there were more pressing matters...

"Zanfib!!!" She squealed as she wrapped her arms around in him a big hug, wincing just slightly from still being sore but wasn't about to let it hinder her."You were fantastic!" Releasing him she turned to the fox and tiger "And you two as well!" Coming back to ther present she realized something. "Oh crap, what about the third demon? Any sign of him?"

[Ghostwish]

Zanfib nodded slightly to himself as the equine demon took the final fall and the flames snuffed out around him, before he projected to the two incubi in pursuit of the last demon, Get ready for him to make a sudden stop..

Zanfib focused carefully, staring off in the direction that the leopard had taken off running.. It was very difficult to form anything at such range, with little more than his telepathic abilities to guide his aim, but the ringtail believe he could erect a barrier in front of the fleeing demon. He'd often seen his mentor snag things from clear across the cave complex he lived in (several miles at the very least), but this was easily taxing the psion to his limits.. But, after a moment or two, he managed to erect another one of his invisible and impregnable barriers, right in the demonic leopard's path..

However, in all his concentration, he'd lost track of the rest of the party.. and jumped quite visibly, his tail bushing out and twitching violently as Chance hugged him. He whipped his head around with wide eyes as it took him a moment to realize what had happened. "Ack! Chance! How is it you always manage to sneak up on me?" He said, smirking as he was mildly amused and annoyed at the same time. "Well, at least this time you did not grab my tail. But, ah, speaking of the last demon.." He said, his voice trailing off as he came to the realization that he had ceased concentration on the barrier so far away..

Now it would certainly dissipate after a single impact, but given that the demon had two incubi hot on its heels, maybe that would be all that it would take..

[Sprocketsdance]

Chance giggled at the sight of his tail being all upset, she had a certain pseudo-smugness about her from not being killed "And what would you do about it if I did grab your tail? That's right, nuthin'!" she challenged and imaturely stick out her tongue. She could almost completely forget what recent hell she's been through from the reunion with her friend from long ago. "Oops, I interrupted some sort of concentration.. didn't I?" Her ears cocked half-way down in slight regret and appology. She then showed Zanfib the magic restraining bracers."Well, if it isn't too much to ask.. do you think you could get these off somehow? If you are out of energy that if fine, I can wait since most of the danger has seemed to pass.." With that she looked around clearly for the first time since she woke up and seen the distruction. Her tail lowered as did her ears in complete astonishment and sorrow. Forests were her favorite places and now this one seemed almost completely leveled. She barely even felt the stabbing of hunger in her, though she noticed she physically felt a little better since the equine demon had died, or rather just before it had, but she was still starving - her stomach growled it's complaints within her.

[Noone]

Noting the third demon running away, and the two cubi running to pursue, Eilan chased after him as well, following the tracks the creature made in the snow. With no way to enhance his speed however, he lagged behind.

The third demon, noting the two cubi pursuing him, ran as fast as he could. However, he couldn't shake them by simply running, so he started to run around erratically, trying to confuse his chasers. He evaded Zanfib's wall entirely, and often dropped fireballs onto trees, setting them alight in order to try and slow his chasers down. A few minutes and a long distance later, he decided that some pain might deter pursuit.  As Garis came down from above, the demon launched a large stream of negative energy at him. Garis's tentacles scraped against the demon, though aside from some small cuts, didn't appear to be very effective against the creature's hardened skin.


Kassin looked to be far more stable, though looked as though he had been beaten up quite viciously. He took slow, deep breaths in the cold air, trying to mitigate the pain he felt. He gave a cursory glance at the bracers Chance wore, but shook his head as to him, they looked like normal bracers. With a tingling sense going through his head, he turned towards Tyrian. His right hand started to glow with a bluish white light, and he made a motion to touch his shoulder.

You're able to recognize the bracers Chance is wearing. They're commonly called 'Restrainers', and are often used by Astarean peacekeepers to subdue magic using deviants. They suppress the magical, and mental powers of those who put them on, and are very resistant to attempts to break them magically. They're also sturdy enough to be impossible to break physically by the person wearing them. They can however, be unlocked with the proper key. Without one, it may be possible to break them with adequate force, though it depends on their construction. Generally however, the two bracers have a chain, locking the two bracers together and restraining the wearer's hands. It's odd that Chance's don't have them.

[Lisky]

As he landed, Garis' muscles twitched in agony.  The demon couldn't have know it when he cast the spell, but Garis' pain only added to the ferocity of his attacks.  Instead of slashing he eased off his attacks for but a moment, then pressed harder and extended his tendrils longer.  He used his tentacles as if they were a pack of pythons, trying to bind the demon and constrict it's movements.  The cubi's lingering pain from the demons spell clouded his mind, but Garis was a warrior and he fought through the torturous pain with force of will. In reply, he fired a powerful paralysis spell he'd been charging even while in flight at the demon.  If it hit, the demon would go limp, having lost control of it's arms and legs.

[Ghostwish]

"I might as well have a look at them.." Zanfib said, eying the bracers curiously, "After losing my concentration, that demon was able to just veer around the barrier. They look just like the restrainers used back in Astranar, but these do not have a chain connecting them. How strange. What if you were a monk? These would be entirely useless." He said, slowly tracing one finger along one of the bracers. "I can break them, yes, we psions have a knack for disabling magical devices, but it would ultimately be a lot easier if we could just find the key." He said, and looked back up at Chance. "Who put these on you?"

[Azlan]

The fox grabbed Kassin's hand by his wrist, despite his weakness he still was stronger than the young angel.

His ears dipped down a bit as he spoke and his expression was firm and scolding, "it is negative energy, causes pain and saps strength.  I don't think you can help, but even if you can, we need you strong and capable of walking on your own.  I can handle it and eventually it will pass."

Tyrian's demeanor softened as he looked into the innocent eyes of the angel, and the fox suddenly hugged the child, "don't ever change.  From now on you will be my little brother, not my my real one of course... for he... is... dead..."  He flattened his ears against his head, what is it about Kassin that makes me act like this...

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Kedered felt a twinge in his mind, still peering into the other'Cubi's thoughts as he was hit with something nasty. Dropping the connection, he darted the remainder of the distance to the Demon, trusting his protection spells against fire to hold him steady.

Noting Garis's attempts to subdue the demon, Kedered took the precise method over the forceful one. Unfurling his tentacles, he kept two in reserve, and sent the other two behind the demon's head, seeking to wrap them around the carotid artery and windpipe for a quick choke.

[Sprocketsdance]

"A monk? Pfft, hardly" She rolled her eyes at thought of it. "The demons you just fought put these on.." Then she just realized how rude she was being and she turned to the fox and the tiger. "I'm sorry we didn't meet under better circumstances but my name is Chance, and I am forever indebted to you and your companions." She offered a smile and a hand to the both of them. After the intro her smile became sheepish as she added "Does anyone happen to have a bit of something to eat or drink? I won't require much."

[Azlan]

Tyrian pulled away from Kassin, gently releasing his wrist, trying to recover a bit of dignity from his momentary lapse of sanity.  Luckily neither appeared to have noticed. 

Trying to stand and shake Chance's offered hand, Tyrian was having a difficult time of it.  Finally he braced himself properly, digging toe claws into the cold earth, and staggered to a standing position.

Taking her hand gently he gave it a polite shake, keeping his hand steady, unlike his legs and vision, "I am Tyrian and you do not need to owe us any debt, the young Kassin is the one whom you should thank though, it is through his ability that your wounds were healed.  Please forgive me, but I am feeling quite off.  Could someone retrieve my staff?"

The fox settled back down next to Kassin.  He reached over to his pack and fished out some fine rations, a tad old, but otherwise fine, "I do not require sustenance any longer, but I do carry these in case of emergencies for others.  Help yourself."  He offered his ration packs to their new guest.

[Sprocketsdance]

With glee Chance took the ration pack and before opening it she squealed a little and hugged the sitting Tyrian enthusiastically. "Thank you so much! And of course Kassin healed my wounds which I am forever grateful for" She smiled to Kassin quickly before looking at Tyrian again. "But even then we would not have survived if it weren't for you, Zanfib," She smiled at Zanfib again. "And the others.. Oh I do hope they are alright." Her expression became more serious as she ended her sentence.

She sat down between Tyrian and Zanfib, trying to create somewhat of a half-circle for easy discussion. As she looked with concern over the three she couldn't help but feel guilty about them getting attacked. She opened the rations and started to eat, trying to think of a way to better the situation. Finally, she started to notice the cold as she shivered a little - her halter top and skirt doing little to aid her fur in protecting against the cold. So she wrapped her wings around her, thankful for the moment of peace.

After only a minute's reprieve she stood up again. "It just dawned on me, perhaps one of the demons has the key on them, I'll go search the bodies and try to find Tyrian's staff along the way." At that she walked over to the equine demon and after a moment's hessitation she searched his body for the key.

[Noone]

The demon's wings started to flare with flames, in an attempt to fight off Garis and Kedered, however, the paralysis spell worked quite well, and the demon was, at least, temporarily restrained. He let out obscenities and curses when he realized that this fight was over, he growled at the two Cubi, quite angry about the situation he had been put into, and continually tried to shake off his paralysis and the tentacles binding him. However, for the mean time, he was subdued.

Kassin's eyes bulged as Tyrian hugged him, and proclaimed him his brother. He was mostly surprised, but decided to remain silent on the subject, it made him rather uncomfortable. But he let out a weak smile. It's not so bad to be loved, I guess...
Kassin turned his face towards Chance. "I'm just glad I was able to reach you in time." He breathed easily, but soon turned back to Tyrian, he could feel that he still wasn't feeling well.  
"Please... I can help you, it wouldn't be a great burden on me. We still have a long ways to go, I think, and you shouldn't be uncomfortable for so long."

A cursory search through the Equine demon's belongings reveals nothing useful, he has a bit of money, rations, some other odd ends of traveling gear, but he doesn't appear to have the key to your bracers.

[Ghostwish]

Zanfib had been going between watching Tyrian with raised eyebrows at the angel's odd display towards Kassin, and watching Chance be her usual bubbly self. He kept his eternal cool demeanor up until Chance credited him with saving both her and Kassin. He cocked his head in a rather flustered way, trying to keep his calm, but his twitching tail gave him away. "Nonsense!" He blustered in a higher tone than he would have liked, "If not me, then one of the others. I just got there first."

Tyrian was quick with the rations, but when Zanfib noted the shiver run through Chance's form, he sighed softly as reached about and unhooked his cloak. He was never quite sure why he wear the thing, for his thick fur was more than enough to ward off the cold, and so he walked over to Chance's side and draped it about her shoulders as she searched the demon's corpse. "Chance, just what are you doing so far from home? You do not seem prepared for this climate at all. Were you abducted?"

[Lisky]

Garis glared viciously as the demon tried it's hardest to inflict still more pain upon him.  His eyes glowed an unnatural white as the spell slammed home.  Rather than walk the extra distance, Garis pulled the demon towards him and Ked.  He was upset, to say the least, and the remnants of the demons spell caused stabbing pain to flare throughout his body.

His vicious gaze turned even more terrifying as his lips pulled back, revealing a grin of pure wicked intent.  Sending a quick message to ked 'this bastard is going to try and run.  And he's far stronger than Nicha was, so i'm taking absolutely no chances... none at all'

The cubi walked to the collapsed demon and planted a foot on it's knee cap, obvious rage still in his voice as he said "Time for you to tell me everything you know.  You tell me a lie, i break your leg, you hold something back, i brake your leg. Every time you even try to defy me in any way shape or form, and i break a bone, starting with your legs.  Now, why did you attack that girl? and Do you work for someone? if so, who is it?"  he added a little more pressure to the knee, causing the joint to lock for added emphasis on just how serious he was.

[Tipod]

Raffiele had been lagging behind the others since they broke camp that morning. It wasn't just a fear of being tackled on the front lines, but the intense nausea he'd been feeling. Four combined hours of sleep were under his belt along with the bad chi still in his system, causing him to move in a staggered gait. Everyone's voice echoed, and the edges of his vision were blurred. When the melee broke out up ahead he knew better than to help them engage. Just from what he could see from back there, it was obvious they'd have no trouble taking their latest aggressors down.

...fuck you, angel boy. What did your brother do to me? Bracing himself against a tree, Rafa retched and spewed a small torrent of black bile. He fell to his knees soon after, gasping frantically as he felt another vomit-attack welling in his throat. Something about the dark magic certainly didn't agree with his physiology. Ded'ae, ded'ae, ded'ae--

[Sprocketsdance]

Chance took the money and rations she found off of the demon, almost feeling guilty for robbing a corpse until she let herself remember what he did to her. As the memories came her tail fluffed in agitation, the end twitching back and forth. She didn't even notice Zanfib's approach until he put the cloak on her, to which she suddenly stood and spun around, ears back and teeth bared. Though it only took a quick second for her to realize who it was and she instantly loosened up but with an apologetic look on her face. "Sorry.. I've... been through a lot recently." Although all of the blood still clotting her fur could have told anyone that.

She glared back at the still form of the demon once more before turning back to Zanfib. "Walk with me to the first demon and I'll tell you. And if you could keep an eye out for Tyrian's staff too that would be great."  She set off towards the bloodhound demon, wrapping the cloak around her tighter and glad to have Zanfib near. "I left home mostly because I couldn't sit still.. but also to broaden my experiences and to hopefully mature quicker into full Cubi. I wandered around.. I had no idea how beings could misunderstand creatures so much." She shook her head. "I was prepared for this climate, but yes, I was abducted. By those three demons specifically." She figured she didn't need to go into too much detail about her stay, not wanting to subject Zanfib to the horror, so she continued. "I found a way to escape and in my hurry all I could find of my belongings were one of my long broad-daggers, my belt, and pouch. And thanks for the cloak by the way, it helps a lot." She smiled, although her ears were still half down, memories still lingering too close to the surface for her liking.

[Azlan]

Tyrian focused his hazy vision on Kassin and shook his head, a terrible gesture he knew it, "no, please save your strength little brother... I will be alright with time.  My staff will help me get better quicker."

The fox just happened to be looking in Raffiele's direction and saw their demon companion wretch.  Raff was a short distance away and Ty pointed Kassin's eyes at their demon, "he on the other hand needs a bit of help, but do be safe... do not expend too much."

Ty cared far more for Kassin's well being then Raff's, but there was no way he could prevent the young angel from helping. 

[Noone]

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The demon's rage continued, despite being subdued into a position where it couldn't realistically fight two cubi off. He continued to snarl, growl, and make other crude noises. Eilan managed to catch up, he had his weapons out, but noting that the demon wasn't actively attacking them for the time being, he simply kept them ready.

The demon continued on it's obscene rant, making comments as to how horribly he would kill you after he managed to escape. He continued shouting curses, insulting Eilan, Garis and Kedered's appearance, ancestry, and the availability of their mothers. In the midst of his extensive speech, he said "Oh the rewards Mistress Firestorm will give me after I eviscerate you all!." Then continued into more cursing.

Eilan let out an exasperated sigh, he'd seen this before, but it amazed him how dumb someone could be in such an obviously helpless position. He let out a short mental note, directed to Garis, Go ahead, break one of his legs. I think we're far enough away so that Kassin won't feel too much.

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Kassin shook his head, with a perplexed stance as Tyrian rejected his aid. He decided not to press, but paced over to Raffiele. He could easily tell that he wasn't feeling well, though a cursory glance didn't show any obvious injuries. He slowly paced over to the demon, and crouched down near him. "What happened to you? Did one of those demons do something to you?" His right hand started to glow with a bluish white light. He took note of the small pool of black bile, careful not to touch it, but kept his attention focused on Raffiele.

[Lisky]

Garis shook his head in mild disbelief of the demon's stupidity, he gazed at the demon, his face a total emoition mask, and replied in a flat tone "wrong answer."

The cubi stomped the demon's knee, and felt it give with a sickening, bone crunching, crackle.  he cringed for a second at the feeling and sound, but then regained his mask. He lightly stepped around the demon, and planted his foot on the demon's other knee. Garis said "now, lets try this again, you work for mistress Firestorm... why does she want the angel boy? and why did you attack that girl?  Unlike yourself, i can keep going all day.  So i suggest you start answering my questions... Who knows, maybe if you start showing some good enough behavior, you might actually live long enough to see tomorrow's sunrise."

[Corgatha Taldorthar]

Kedered looked over his fellow 'Cubi's crude torture with an air of distaste. It was not that he had any qualms about harming, or even killing a prisoner, but he was a dedicated priest in the religion of practicality, and he felt he had to air a suggestion.

Using his voice instead of just his mind to include Eilan, who had come puffing into the glade, he said simply. "This is not really necessary. Between the three of us, we should be able to unriddle his mind shield in fairly short order. Once that is out of commission, we can have our psionic ally strain his mind like a soup bowl, and find out anything we want. It will probably be quicker than breaking him as well."

[Ghostwish]

Zanfib's face turned into a scowl behind Chance's back. Sometimes, being a telepath had distinctive disadvantages as well. You often could catch wind of things that were a tad too unpleasant. He calmed his visage a moment later, but the unending twitching of his tail was a dead give away to the growing rage in his mind. "Come, perhaps the second demon has the key we are looking for." He said simply, but his voice carried an edge and a lowered tone that Chance perhaps recognized. They were hints of a storm brewing inside of the stoic psion's mind.

As they moved towards the second demon, Zanfib glanced up at a mutilated tree, and noted Tyrian's staff jutting out of its trunk. He reached out with his telekinetic abilities, and dislodged the staff, before sending it floating through the air back to the angel. Do try and keep better track of your toys, angel. He sent simply to Tyrian before he continued to help Chance find the key. But he was silently planning on what he was going to do to the demon responsible for Chance's suffering.. a dark and terrible revenge indeed.

[Sprocketsdance]

Even though Chance was not a full Cubi yet.. she still had a knack for feeling certain emotions around her.. and the emotions Zanfib was giving off (as well as the wild twitching of his tail) as they approached the bloodhound demon made her uneasy. She did let it slip from her mind his abilities.. especially the telepathy one.. so she had a bit of an 'oh crap' moment. She busied herself searching the demon for the key as she thought of something to say.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw his tail thrashing about still and before she could think she grabbed his tail and pulled it once, quickly running a few paces away, giggling. "Come on Zani! If anyone is going to be angry it's going to be me, besides your tail is driving me nuts! It always looks so funny when it twitches." She giggled a bit more but then turned slightly serious again. "Two are dead and one is left... soon I can put this chapter behind me, and I'd rather not ruin the present by thinking of the past... however hard it might be.." Her eyes went to the demon and she frowned. But then shook her head and walked back to search the demon some more. She looked back at Zanfib for a moment and smiled. "Right?"

[Lisky]

Garis looked back at Ked for a brief moment and sent him a message, 'i don't want the demon to hear this, but i expected him to be arrogant to the end, i'm doing this more for Eilan than for information.  The spell i hit him with was powerful, but far from permanent, and i want him down and out while he's in our custody.  Doing this in kassin's presence would only lead to the angel boy's own agonizing screams...  out here, we should be able to numb this demon before taking him back to Zanfib, and he won't give us any problems if he can't move his limbs... i hope you understand, unlike Nicha, this fellow would have no problem, physical or emotional, slashing one of us to ribbons if he were to find himself suddenly unbound... i'd have preferred you raise your question over our link, as i could have explained and Eilan would be happy and dumb... now we may still have to worry about this demon if i can't finish before Eilan tries to intervene.