Jumanji's Creed Welcome to the Jungle
Season 2
Episode 1 Level 7.1 The Wakening
11 June Year Unknown
Location Unknown
Jumanji
Sunrise
It didnt take long for the news to reach the leader of the Eshu. To say Elsa wasnt happy was a massive understatement. Infact if Elsa wasnt happy, everyone was in danger, Elsa controlled the wildlife of Jumanji, moreso the life of Jumanji directly now that she really thought about it
Nobody dared rise against her, and yet, here she was, fighting wityh someone, and losing, The loss of the City of Tiir and its governing body was one thing she had to cope with, but the loss of everything in that valley directly was another thing she had to cope with entirely.
"Ma'am, it is as feared, Tiir is lost, Casreine is dead, her successor, Rain is also dead. But we're not getting and confirmed reports of the attacks, only that, they were found dead in their locations." Said a low ranking servant
For a long moment Elsa sat on her low chair, staring seemingly at nothing. Finally she opened her eyes and, not looking at the servant, spoke. "Say it again" Elsa said. He was confused, but repeated the news word for word. Finally looking to him she said "You know what that means, dont you ?"
"I am afraid, Ma'am, that I do not understand why you had me say it twice" the servant said, clearly confused at Elsas train of thought
"It means that some old friends are still around, it means, the search of the Bazaar had failed, it means, that Spike is still alive, it means that if not her, than someone struck out at Casreine and Rain. Destroyed them both in order to take over the city of Tiir"
"I still do not follow" Said the servant
"That is good, see to it that my generals are called upon, send word to Creta to come here at once" Elsa said, "She should have further information on things going on in Tiir" Elsa then took a sip from her teacup. Her green eye took in everything carefully around her before focusing on the present once again. It was not good news the loss of Tiir, but there was nothing that Elsa could have done, or could do at that moment, to prevent furrther losses. Doubtless by that point, if Elsa were to go to Tiir, the city would be devoid of Eshu soldiers within it. No, she had bigger fish to fry. Creta could only give her so much information. Vita information at that.
Twenty minutes later found Elsa observing her troops from the high balcony to watch over certain areas. Looking out on the troops below in formation, undergoing training at that, made her smile. Work in making the massive complexe took some time, but Elsa felt she had all the time they needed. So work was done at a set pace in such a manner that allowed the city and complex to flurish nicely.
None knew exactly what to expect when Elsa took over Jumanji's wildlife, thrusting the massive place into a dark and dreadful curse, finding the Kaiju statue was one thing. Getting the stone was a painful experience sure, but worth it in the end. It was her world now.
Elsa watched as the servant sent his orders, the groups of soldiers moving in marching candances. A pair of troopers getting to motorcycles to head for the city of Tiir, Eshu soldiers werent permitted there, but then, Elsa did keep human servants, the Eshu made good fodder for battles when the time came. Now it was merely a waiting game. A game of chess so to speak
Oh how she once loved a good chess game. Elsa smirked, she had to look at it that way. Turning around she spotted someone who wasnt there before. "What do you want Malkev ?" Elsa asked him, crossing her arms over her chest. The dark clothed woman didnt much like the ancient creature before her, she controlled Jumanji's wildlife, plants and animals alike. As far as Elsa was concerned, Malkev was on the chopping block entirely
"Oh come now, Lady Elsa, surely you dont mean to not permit me to meet with you concerning the events in Tiir ?" Malkev replied, he smirked, a calm face, old yet strong, young in appearance yet ancient in age and knowledge. "You must understand that if it is indeed Lady Spike Ravenloft who is now in Jumanji, she is now your enemy."
"Yes, I understand entirely that you want something from me yet you are too scared to admit it" Elsa said taking a sip of wine. Malkev knew better than to try to taint her food or drink, Eshu were out of his league yet Elsa was too.
Malkkev regarded her carefully, sizing her up for the big fall if one really thoutght about it. Not that it fully mattered at that moiment to the woman in question. "Be very careful on your words, Elsa."
"Why ? Because you may not like them ?" Elsa retorted
"Because you may not know that which you speak." Malkev replied. "The city of Tiir is out of your hands, but the city of Krea is in my hands. My kindred flood its streets with their own families and the populace can do nothing about it" Hbe told her
Elsa smirked at that notion. "Tell me then, what will you do, when Spike goes after you ?" She asked him, quite plainly at that. It was a loaded question for sure.
Malkev stared at her through bloodshot eyes "This isnt over" He snarled before leaving the Eshu palace belonging to Elsa. The design of it matched her original ice palace in the real world, before it was destroyed at the very least. It allowed her a sense of home with the design of the place. First thing she made really when she could was her castle, her home so to speak. A nice massive structure of a sort that felt right and was enough to defend against her enemies just fine.
And then she met the Eshu. Soldiers from another time in history, with no real leader, until they met her. Elsa of course was smart, using her soldiers in proper groups, patrols finding areas to pillage and control nicely without error or issue or of worry of being tracked back to her.
At least until Spike showed up, that damned woman! Lady Spike Ravenloft was a skilled dungeon cleaner and former supermodel, with wings. The womans natural skills as a hunter, and flyer were left to be desired. But her skills at dealing death where it was due was uncanny! As rthe last shadows of Malkev faded from her palace did Elsa try to relax. Speaking with the ancient Vampire made her nervous all the time. But she never showed it, the last thing she wanted was for someone to know that she felt fear. But she hid it so very well, if she did feel fear, then it was strange to do so.
Elsa smirked then, Spike was in Jumanji, exploring, and most likely trying to find her way home. The only way to do that was to find the Kaiju Statue and replace the stone, the stone that belonged to her. With Malkev gone, it allowed Elsa some measure of peace. Creta will know more of what happened in Tiir, at least, that was Elsas hope. But then, Creta was an even better liar than Elsa was, with her own impossible to decern poker face.
The chess game was about to get underway. And it was up to Creta to keep it going for as long as she possibly could. But the question as a friend of Creta had taken control of Tiir directly, allowed Creta to be with Spike and the others. Men and women of a different sort. Elsa only remembered Spike, at last, closely, they used to be supermodels together, at least until they went after that dungeon together and Elsa got hooked on trying to find the Kaiju Stone
Elsa went over her knowledge of each one who was present in the Bazaar, at least, those she could recognise. First there was Mark Turan, though she could have sworn she knew the man from somewhere else, she only knew his skill with a battleaxe was second to none. Plus he wore a black trenchcoat with many pockets.
Of the others she could recognise was Marion Silverhand, a swordswoman skill with two blades, like herself, but she didnt know her weaknesses or strengths. Elsa, mused on Marion for a brief moment before remembering one other fact about the woman. Silver eyes. Marion's eyes were an odd shade of silver.
Elsa dismissed the eye color and focused then on Miao Ternese. A woman who,m as far as Elsa knew, fought rather burtally when it came to combat skills directly. Elsa knew that much, Miao was a brutal hands on fighter, not the type to go long range, she was always up close and personal.
Then there was that other woman, a woman with light brown hair mixed with black and what had to be feathers like a crown on her head, dark brown eyes, dressed in black and brown leather. A woman that felt oddly familiar to Elsa yet she couldnt place it.
Finally Elsas mind came to Spike, and when she did she scowled merely thinking of the woman angered her. That first dungeon they had explored together. The mere thought of going after the Big One, the Jewel of Jumanji, finding the great Kaiju Statue. Spike had briefly thought on doing it, even ventured the thought. But then, she never acted on it, as her modeling career had taken off. Leaving Elsa to vie for it, and search relentlessly for it across the world.
Finally Elsa had the jewel, but she lost it to that field guide. Nigel, and now he didnt have it either. Which was good and bad, it was good he didnt have it, which meant he lived freely without issue or worry. But it was bad as well as even without the jewel Elsa still had its power and the abilities granted by it as well, which then allowed her to do all manner of things with the wildlife of Jumanji.
But if Nigel did not have the gemstone, did that mean that Spike had it ? Or did someone else have it ? With that thought rattling her mind Elsa turned from her throne room and went to find something to eat. She could worry about Spike and those with her later. It was going to be a full day before Creta arrived at the palace directly in time for breakfast. Until then Elsa could plan, plan and plot. And wait.
Elsa hated waiting.
But apparently others did not, Malkev disliked certain humans, and yet somehow he found himself not too bothered with Elsa. She was a powerful sorcress in her own right to be sure, but there was other pressing matters which could not be ignored, his kindred, powerful vampires, the oldest around really, were gathering at his Hall, and he was to be present.
Within moments he had traversed the land to get to his hall, somehow Vampires possessed that ability. Some it was said had the ability of teleportation, Malkev himself had the ability of extremely fast running to get from place to place like a fast wind when on foot.
But at that moment it did not matter fully what the plan was as he stepped into his Hall, the Castle Vantiker was dark and brooding, encased in thick snow at all hours outside, keeping out the light. But Malkev was more focused on who was present. As he took his seat at the U shaped table, various deceased humans laid upon the tables, being feasted upon, drained of their blood as the vampires feassted.
Malkev counted who was present, seven Vampire Lords from across Jumanji had followed his summons. "Good, you are here. There is many things to discuss so I will make it quick. Someone has taken over the city of Tiir, it is possible that the same someone, is Lady Spike Ravenloft" He said simply
At mention of Spikes name the table erupted in shouts and debate. Malkev listened to it all as he drank some blood before focusing on things and sighed softly. "I know as well as many of you. Spike has slain many of our kind. And must be killed, or turned" Said one lord, Vargas
Malkev listened with a smirk, Spike wasnt just a famous supermodel the world over, she was also a known, in the underworld, as a vampire killer, an and a highly skilled Assassin. But how could a woman, a mortal woman at that, be so skilled at dealing out death, that it made a Vampire Lord scared ? It was easier than one thought. Possibly too easy
"Even if you can capture Lady Ravenloft, turning her wont be possible, word is that she is immune to the bloodcurse effects of being drunk from, able to even go so far as to reverse the effects of us drinking the blood and turning our own bloodlust on ourselves" Said another Lord. This was named Asch
"Are you really so stupid that you would let a mortal scare you Lord Asch ?" Lord Vargas asked
"No, I am merely advising against capture or attempts to turn, as it will turn out rtather badly for those involved." Lord Asch replied simply staring down the other vampire Elder.
"Ladies, please, debating like this is only cause to devide us among ourselves on what to do, must we go through this ?" Said a third lord, an older male vampire, named Lord Feng
"Lord Feng is right" Said Lord Kriid. Anopther Vampire Lord, this one from the far south of Jumanji proper wasnt happy to be there, fuck, he'd be much better and happier, with a good days sleep back home in his pramyid.
"Who is asking you ?" Lord Vargas retorted. Being the only two female Vampire Lords there at the time, malkev would have easily backhanded her for that comment at Lord Kriid, who as luck oddly had it, was infact older that Malkev himself
"Be that as it may, I've gathered you here because the Eshu are on edge, and the City of Tiir is taken by the Mortal woman we fear. We know who she is, and simply hunting her will not do any good. Soon she will know that city by heart, even attempting to sneak in will alert her to our precense" Malkev said simply
"Well arent you the wise one, Lord Maklev" Said another lord, one of the Lords present, he was a lesser Lord, one sure to die even by vampire standards. Lord Hidra was a Vampire Lord, of the eastern part of Jumanji, he'd wandered, and adapted over the years of being a Vampire, to being awake during the day like other mortals in order to blend in easier with them.
'Lord Hidra, I was not aware the summons had reached you" Malkev said simply seeing the Vampire before him.
"Not everyone sats up all night" Hidra replied
"What do you suggest then, as the Floor is now yours ?" Malkev said
"You are letting a Minor Lord speak ?" Asked Vargas
"Yes, if you find issue with it, by all means, attempt to slay him where he stands, or are you scared that even with one less vampire in mour ranks would give an edge to our mutual enemy Lady Ravenloft ?" Malkev replied
"What of the Eshu, can we use them ?" Hidra asked when Malkev looked his way. As much as Malkev wanted to use the Eshu soldiers, their technology and way of life were not suited to what Malkev was after
"I do not think so, while a viable train of thought, ther Eashu would not be suited for our tactics and abilities, they would be unable to keep up, even if we try to stay pace with them directly" Malkev said
"You have seen their camp, is this all you can say of them ?" Hidra asked
"Their leader is a moprtal sorcress, skilled and able to hold her own in a fight, were we to attempt an attack upon her fortress we would not survive it. But she and those with her, would do so with ease." Malkev said
"Even if we laid seige" Hidra mused
"We cannot commit forces to laying a siege on anyone, t odo so would thin our ranks here, and our own homes and holdings" Asch said thoughtfully.
"Assassinations then ?" Hidra countered, "Send in our best assassins, who were assassins before being turned, to take out the leadership ?"
"It will not work, they would have contigencies in place, including fallback points, or even extenseive training in countering assasination attempts" Vargas replied
"Then I am at a loss, each of the ideas I supplied might work, if the one doing them were able to adapt to the daylight I like have" Hidra said. For a minor lord he sure was a heavy in the head type
"I think you need to cut back on the blooding dear Hidra, its messing with your brain, at least, what is let of it" Lord Asch said, Hidra just gave her a dirty look, more of a smug grin actually
"Anything else ?" Malkev asked, nothing was forthcoming at that moment. It was as if the room was struck dumb with quiet, or thoughtful contemplation.
For long moments the room was quiet, the occasional sounds of blood being drunk was heard, food was also eaten yet it held no sustince for the vampires present, but they could eat like mortals, but find no quelling their hunger for blood.
Finally one of the other lords, Lord Kriid, spoke up. "A vampire who walks in daylight, adapted enough, can elad soldiers, in daylight, and not be seen as a vampire" He said thoughtfully. "If this vampire be he a lord or underling. It does not matter, is able to lead a group of siokldiers, in broad daylight, against our enemy... would it work ? Would it be worth testing the waters, so to speak ?"
"Possible, but not something we can afford at this time, Tiir is lost, all the Eshu in it gone or about to be. Lady Ravenloft either there or on her way there, or even the one who did the deed inquestion to take over the city as a whole" Malkev said
"So what do we do ?" Asked Asch
"We hold a vote, one vampire lord here will be our head. Each caln represented will hold a clann wide vote, to pick their leader for the entire vampire lines, when all the votes are in, each clan will vote as per their underlines voted." Lord Hidra said, everyone looked at him if he lost his head, a minor lord making a major decision like that. It was clear he had an agenda just on that notion!
"What is this path of thinking Lord Hidra ?" Malkev asked
"Have each of our clans know the names of those present, and each clan member to pick among them who should lead the entire Vampire Empire. Once we have those votes, each clan head will vote as their clan did for the new leader. With a proper leadership here in this council, can we prevail against Lady Ravenloft, and other hunters she may recruit" Hidra replied, explaining his train of thought
None of them saw the bluejay perched on a high window sill far above, hearing everything. It flew away as Malkev spoke "Very well, In one week we wikll hold a vote as council here in this hall. Inform your Clans of our names, and they are to choose one, the majority name voted for by each clann will be voted for by this council. Council adjurned" Malkev said. One by one the other Lords left leaving Malkev alone with his clan, the names of the counc members upon each seat.
City of Tiir
Jumanji Valley
At that same moment
It was nearing late afternoon when Spike and Diamond met up with Miao and Mark. The four had been wandering the city in pairs, learning as much as they could of the place they were soon to call their new home. Jumanji was a strange place, but it was also unique, clubs, bars, diners, and places that only the rich and influental could visit were in the place.
Technology was ramnpant, just like how Mark had first reacted to moving to Cairo as a boy and seeing advanced technology unlike anything he had ever seen in Arendelle. But Spike had grown up in that kind of world. As did Diamond, from a point. Miao too had grown up in it, but in a drugged stupor for all her life in it really.
"So" Creta asked as she came upon the group. "What do you think of Tiir ? Will it make for a good location in addition to Diadems fortress campsite ?"
"You call it that too huh ? I just nicknamed it that myself" Mark replied
"I think Tiir will be a good fallback point. Best case scenario, our enemies dont find Diadems camp, she made it over the course of many years and your guys never could find it" Spike snickered
"That's just it, we might have more than Elsa to worry about, you remember those caverns and burial sites you explored ?" Creta asked, Spike nodded, as did Mark "Turns out, there are similar burial sites and crypts here, but they're packed with undead, that are still alive. Including vampires. Similar to the Midviels you had gone against in Ughanda"
"Vampires, here in Jumanji, wonderful. Do we know where ?" Spike asked
"Not yet, but I can find out, I thought to find you guys before heading to see Elsa, she just sent for me and I am expected at her fortress by breakfast tomorrow morning" Creta replied
"Seems that Elsa wants toi know what happened here in Tiir." Mark mused
"You think we got found out ?" Miao asked, once getting a good look at the city she had managed to find a coke shop to get some much needed soda into her system.
"Possible, word likely reached Elsa and possibly others when Casreine and Rain bit the big bazooka." Spike said, earning a snickering giggle from Miao at the mention of dying that way. "It was to be expected though, not that it mattered at that moment. Then again Spike wasnt too worried about, Vampires she knew, had a weakness, and it wasnt just sunlight either. It was her blood that could kill them. "alright, fine, whats the plan ?" Spike then asked
"I am going to go see Elsa, see what she wants, and if luck holds, I will become part of her inner circle and enable you guys to have a patheway around groups of her soldiers.' Creta said
Diamond gave Creta a careful once over. Still dressed in the oil black swimsuit, which now had a dark sea green skirt of a sort that acted more like a utility belt over anything else, thigh length socks of almost sheer black color that clung to her slender legs nicely, and plain black sandals upon her feet "You're going to see Elsa, dressed like that ?"
"Elsa wont mind, she is dressed more... provacatively" Creta assured her, Creta then took her leave
As Creta left earshot she heard Miao say "I want a outfit like that" Creta never heard Marks reply of telling her no.