OCs Introduced
Valentine - Hong Cong
30th August X792 - Stonecrop Mining Camp - Northern Fiore - Afternoon
Mayor Heep, a burly man who seemed to be wearing a flannel shirt at all times, watched the mine shaft entrance with baited breath. He'd sent the strange masked mages into the mines almost three hours ago now, and he was beginning to worry. His town didn't get enough trade as it was without adding to it news of the unfortunate deaths of two guild mages.
Half the town had gathered around him, and many of the miners too. As they waited, timed ticked by at the speed of a glacier. At least that's what it felt like.
Eventually one of the townsfolk called out. "Look!"
They followed their pointing into the darkness of the mouth of the mine shaft. Two figures emerged from the darkness.
30th August X792 - Wild Masquerade's Makeshift Tournament Ring
"You sure you still want to do this?" Said Morph.
Dreamer nodded. "No holding back. Please. I want to hurt you… On my own terms."
The shapeshifter sighed, knowing there wasn't a good way out of the fight… Not a pleasant, honourable one at least, not one Dreamer would accept. Morph slipped out of his butler guise and into a younger, more lithe male form with a bare chest and a long red braid hanging down his back.
"Come on then. Let's get this over with."
"Ready?" Called Wyvern, taking Morph's place as ref for that match. When the both of them had nodded their agreement, he yelled, "Start!"
Dreamer's smile widened. She waved her hand in a slow arc and disappeared from view before Morph had even moved. He stumbled forward battle honed reactions failing him without a target to aim at. Despite knowing full well her skills lay in illusions he hadn't expected the twelve year old to pull a disappearing act right off the bat.
Morph shook his head and folded his arms. He stepped back into the dead centre of the ring and to everyone's surprise, began to chuckle.
"I know what you're doing, Dreamer, and it's quite a genius little plan to be fair to you." He closed his eyes. "It won't work though."
At least half a minute passed with no sign of the creepy little white haired mage. Suddenly Morph whirled around and grabbed at thin air near the ring boundary, his red braid whipping forward over his shoulder. It took a second for everyone to register what had happened. Confucius nodded in appreciation, while Wyvern looked as confused as ever.
It all became clear when Dreamer's illusion broke to reveal her held aloft by her neck. Amaryllis gasped. Morph wasn't squeezing hard by any means but it wasn't difficult to see the pain she was in from being caught. Shiro winced.
The shapeshifter took a couple of easy steps forward until Dreamer's entire body was outside of the ring and dropped her.
Wyvern opened his mouth to announce the winner and the end of the match, but stopped in his tracks when Dreamer shattered as she hit the ground. Another illusion.
Little more than a split second after that, a force hit Morph in the back, though he didn't move much if at all. The real Dreamer faded into view, attempting to wrap her short arms around his shoulders, but Morph wasn't having any of it. He reached back using his current form's increased flexibility to get hold of her. He twisted, flinging Dreamer off his back and out of the ring with very little effort.
Everyone hung with baited breath until it became obvious that, this time, it wasn't an illusion.
"D-dreamer's out... Morph wins," announced Wyvern.
Although not a surprising outcome, the dragon slayer felt awe at the ease of which Dreamer had almost double or triple bluffed an s-class mage. Pretty impressive for just a kid. Of course, Morph knew just how to win. As always.
Amaryllis dashed to the fallen girl, Valin trotting up behind them. She reached out to her immobile form.
"Umm… Are, are you okay?"
For a moment it looked as though Dreamer had been knocked out, but she sprung upright, a serene grin plastered across her face.
Morph seemed to breath a sigh of relief. One thing he didn't want to do was explain to Kami exactly how he'd managed to beat up and knock out a twelve year old girl far below his power level.
"I'm fine," said Dreamer. She looked up at the shapeshifter. Her expression appeared to waver, but only enough that Morph was the only one to spot it.
"You did good," he said, wondering what was going on behind that facade of hers.
She'd taken something to heart that much was certain. Most mages found themselves questioning their abilities after a fight with him, no matter how well they did. Maybe that was it?
Dreamer nodded slowly. Her way of showing thanks. "And I'll do better next time."
Shiro watched on from the sidelines. Her usual disinterested, aloof facade had crumbled. Though she felt panic and adrenaline tensing up her body she tried to hide it the best she 's fight against Morph had her shaken. Seeing the little girl caught round the throat by an opponent bigger and far more powerful than her, stirred something long buried within Shiro.
Even though the fight was unfair that wasn't the problem. In life unfair things often happened and sooner or later everyone had to come to terms with that. No… It was the image itself. Powerful hands around a young girl's throat. A body being tossed aside with little effort.
Shiro shook her head, driving the past as far down in her mind as she could. One thing differed from the images of the past flashing through her mind. Dreamer was alive; Slightly bruised, mentally and physically no doubt, but altogether okay. She couldn't say the same for…
No. Don't think about that. It's over. Long gone... She stopped her train of thought dead and focused instead on the group of mages before her and how much they reveled in the chance to test their strength.
It was time like that Shiro was thankful her mask covered her eyes entirely. She didn't need anyone seeing her pain. At least with them hidden from view she could lie convincingly.
The requip mage took a deep breath. She walked over to Dreamer and offered the girl a hand, much to everyone's surprise.
Dreamer blinked, unsure how to take the gesture.
Shiro coughed. "I'm glad you are okay."
"Thank you." The twelve year old took the older girl's hand and pulled herself to her feet. "You have pretty hair."
Amaryllis raised an eyebrow. She could have sworn she saw the tiniest of pinkish glows on Shiro's pale cheeks. Was she embarrassed? Amaryllis didn't know the girl well by any means. Nevertheless she didn't seem to the type.
"Eh?" Wyvern peered at Shiro. "Are you blushing? You are aren't you."
Amaryllis cringed. He just had to say what everyone was thinking, didn't he?
A vein pulsed on Shiro's forehead. She stuck out her hand and took hold of the throwing knife that materialised from her requip space, stalking menacingly towards him.
Immediately Wyvern took a step back. "Hey, whoa, don't flay me before our match!"
"Give me one good reason," the requip mage snarled.
"I'm too young and useful to be a slayer shish kebab!" He turned and ran as fast as he could.
Shiro gave pursuit, easily gaining on him.
30th August X792 - Stonecrop - Northern Fiore - Late Afternoon
Phantom and Travesty emerged from the mine shaft entrance looking worse for wear. Phantom's cloak was torn in numerous places and the bandages around Travesty's hands and arms hung loose and ragged. Both sported a fine series of cuts, scrapes and bruises.
Despite looking like they had been beaten to a pulp, the reappearance of the mage duo from Wild Masquerade elicited cheers and applause from the gathered crowd.
"They don't even know what happened down there..." Grumbled Travesty.
"All they care for," replied Phantom, keeping his voice low, "is the show of strength. And that good for our reputation."
Mayor Heep stepped to meet them. He spoke in a loud, booming bass for the benefit of the townsfolk. "Boys! Good news I presume?"
Phantom's face remained blank and impassive. "You guys mined straight into a nest of cave wyverns."
"And..." The mayor chuckled nervously. "And will they be bothering us any more? After all, boys, that's what I'm paying you for."
"Probably not," said Travesty shaking his head. His began to re-wrap the bandages on his arms.
The mayor glanced round at the crowd, whose growing confusion was clear as day. He leaned in and whispered, "Probably?"
"Yeah, well, we chased them out of the mines," said Travesty. "But they're still down there in the cave system. Can't promise they won't come back... eventually."
Mayor Heep pulled back and let out of jolly peel of laughter for the sake of the crowd. "And so you vanquished the beasts? Good show!"
Phantom sighed at the display. Travesty merely scratched the back of his head. The mayor had an image to uphold and a town to keep calm and docile. The better the spin he could put on it the better. Mayor Heep wrapped his arms around their shoulders and lead them away from the mine a through the crowd. Phantom didn't appreciate the physical contact, but the man had an iron grip.
"Now I know you'll want to be getting back to your guild for some well earned rest and relaxation," he said to them both, "but I have a proposal for you."
Phantom eyed the man for a second before relenting. "As long as you compensate us appropriately, I don't see a problem."
"Good, good." Now they were out of the crowd, he turned to face them but kept them in his iron grip. "A few of my citizens have—how should I put this?—problems they need solving. I would appreciate it if you boys could stay with us a little while longer and… Lend a hand."
Travesty shrugged, "I don't see why not."
Not half an hour later, Travesty found himself chasing a runaway chicken through the town armed with nothing more than a net.
"Now I see why not..." he said.
He made a lunge for the wily bird extending his reach with his shadow make magic but it squarked and once again leaped out of reach with a flap of it's wings.
The mage sighed. He sidestepped into the dark alley between a house and the bakery and merged into the shadows. "Shadow Travel."
Meanwhile, Phantom sat on a tiny stool, drinking imaginary tea from an equally tiny cup. On top of his head was a plastic toy tiara and drawn on his mask in pink pen was a rough heart outline.
"Are you enjoying your tea and scones, Princess Lovely Face?" Said the small girl sitting opposite him, none other than the daughter of the mayor.
Phantom looked into the empty cup with a frown then back up at the little girl.
"Now don't look at me in that tone of voice, princess," said the little girl with a pout that could trip someone over, "You're the one who asked me for a tea party. Next you'll be telling me you don't want any of my famous mud pie!"
30th August X792 - Wild Masquerade's Tournament Ring - Evening
Night had almost fallen, but that didn't stop the mages of Wild Masquerade from pushing on with the next match of Wyvern's tournament. The later it got, the more crowded the training meadow had become as people started to return home from their missions. The air buzzed with excitement. Torches dotted the edge of the main ring, already burning in case the fight drew on into darkness.
Confucius stood in anticipation of the bout between Sterling and Paradox. It promised to be a good one. Though he knew he should have made Wyvern re-stack the rocks he'd knocked over before he forgot, he was actually enjoying the tournament. The troublesome slayer's punishment could wait. Breaking up such a pleasant atmosphere simply would not do.
"Terran."
Even before the woman had opened her mouth he'd sensed her coming. She had an aura about her. A sweet smelling flower scent that had enthralled him since they were young.
"How long have we been part of this guild now Valentine? And yet you still use that name."
"Well I can't get used to Confucius," she said, righting her green brimmed hat the wind was trying in vain to dislodge. "So you'll just have to put up with 'oi, you', won't you."
Valentine was a tall woman, one of the tallest in the guild it seemed, but she wasn't overly muscular, and certainly not masculine by anyone's standards. Her body was replete with killer curves and she had sizable chest. Her purple top was, as always, terribly low cut, by Confucius' standards at least, showing off her pink guild mark rather too well. A part of him didn't mind—he was still male, last he checked—but another wanted her to cover up. But it wouldn't do to upset her, so instead of worrying himself about it, he closed his eyes once more to try and regain some inner balance.
"Ignoring the fact I know something's on your mind," she said with a chuckle. "Are you looking forward to this match?"
He made an affirmative noise, before speaking, "I am interested in whether Paradox has improved since the last time I saw her spar with Sterling."
"I'm sure she has," replied Valentine. "She has the drive, I guess."
"Aye, this will be quite intriguing," he said, his usual firm, immovable expression breaking into a smile.
Valentine shook her head. "That monastery tried to stamp happiness out of you… But little Terran is still in there somewhere."
She stepped closer and threaded her arm through his. Confucius coughed and turned his head away from her, but did not flinch.
"And you never change, Orchid," he said, "It's admirable. In a way."
She raised an eyebrow at the Earth-wielding monk. "In a way? What's that supposed to mean, mister?"
"What do you want it to mean?"
"Oh no." She let go of his arm with a short, somewhat playful huff. "No, no. None of that unanswerable question crap. You know better."
The smile slipped from his face to be replaced by the usual impenetrable calmness.
"And now you're not gonna say anything…" said Valentine, "Brilliant."
Thankfully, Morph stepped to the ring and drew everyone's attention with the clap of his hands, giving Confucius the perfect excuse to not reply.
"Alright everyone," said the shapeshifter, "This one is between the ever resourceful Sterling and his opponent young Paradox. Same rules apply as before. Are the competitors ready?"
Paradox nodded with finality, choosing for once to ignore the sly ageist insult from Morph. "Bring it on!"
The creases around Sterling's eyes gave away the fact he was smiling beneath his mask. "If you think you're ready for it?"
"You'll soon find out." She drew her sword and set it alight with hell fire.
Sterling eyed her sword. Such a typical opening move. "I'm sure of it."
"Okay," said Morph, "Begin!"
Despite the call to start, neither opponent moved. They began to circle one another. Searching for a momentary weaknesses in the other's guard. Even though Sterling himself had been the one to teach her the value of giving the opponent the chance to dig their own grave, she knew she had no choice but to implement everything she could to get the upper hand. If Wild Masquerade had more than one s-class mage at a time, Sterling would surely be a contender.
But where would he be without his oh-so-unique magic?
First to break, Paradox sliced forward. "Null blade."
Sterling twisted out of the way of the attack's magic leaching blade. "Fair move," he goaded, "but you could do better."
He struck while she was on the back foot with a simple jab to the ribs. Staggering her stance, he swept low with his leg, looking to knock her clean over but Paradox managed to catch herself with one arm.
"Okay then, hot shot," she said, "Let's try something different. Partial Takeover: Demon Soul!"
The hell fire spread from her blade up her arm to the shoulder. Her nails shifted into a nasty looking set of claws. Finally, beneath the dark fire, her skin blackened and took on a slight scaly appearance. As she pushed back onto her feet, Paradox threw down her sword. It was only a partial takeover, but she hoped it would be enough. Of course with no guarantee she could pull off a full transformation, it kind of had to be.
Sterling chuckled. "Now that's more like it!"
30th August X792 - Stonecrop - Northern Fiore - Night
After spending the better part of forever dealing with the town's petty problems, Phantom and Travesty left town heading in the direction of Oleander and what passed for sanity at the guild.
Meanwhile a new arrival snuck into Stonecrop in the dead of night, using the empty streets as an excuse to walk out in the open every now and then. They watched from behind a railings as a solitary figure trudged between street lamps. He dispelled the lacrima—casting their soft glow across the otherwise bleak mining town—with the click of a large lighter shaped contraption.
The new arrival muttered to himself, providing a running commentary quiet enough that only he could here it.
"... And you know what? If they don't want to get their hands dirty, why join in the first place? Bloody baffling… I mean seriously. Even I can do-"
His babbling stopped from a moment as he glanced back over his shoulder. The motion knocked his hood down to reveal a wide eyed young man with the look of a street urchin about him.
"Nah," he continued, "they wouldn't come after me here, would they? No... Master showed them… It's all good… Pull it together, Twitch. S'all good.."
He began to once more stalk the lamp extinguisher down the street. He drew a dagger from within his cloak. It's glowing red tip glittered in the moonlight.
Something tipped over. The clattering of metal against stone made Twitch, also known to some as the Ranger, jump out of his skin with a yelp that pierced the night.
The man snuffing out the street lamps whirled around. "Who's there?"