So. I bet you're wondering where I've been and why I'm being slow with updates. The answer to that is quite simple, and no it's not that I had some severe bout of ADHD. I've decided to severely slow the frequency of chapters that will be coming out during the runtime of season 4 and for a few weeks afterward just so I know if any other characters will get introduced that I shouldknow about, and so everyone has a chance to catch up so they aren't spoiled about a character before they watch the show itself. So yeah. Slower updates for a while. Not hiatus, just slower.
Deras94 and Akshka: Puns are Yang's ultimate weapon.
Cody the Worldwalker: I plan to have Taiyang show up at one point or another during the story, so I hope that question will be answered soon!
Smartjocklv: Truth be told I'm not entirely sure what I want to do with Nora. She's so random it's hard putting her in a set role without feeling like I've committed a sin.
Raging Archon: Verbal and physical violence? Since when are my stories violent?! *still sipping punch from Neptune's skull*
The True Skull: Well we all love the Maw of the Damned, let's face it.
Drakefire: Varimas is stated to suck maracas at curses and fire. It was pretty much just process of elimination.
DivineDemon1: Well I know of one person who will be shock at Ruby's royal status...
Seem14: Oooh yeah there will be.
Deliberation
"A lifetime of wealth and power has left you blind in one eye. You are the few, we are the many. And when the many stop fearing the few..." - High Sparrow
"And so... During the Warden's failed attempt at protecting their vault from the Legion, Illidan's body was stolen from it's prison, the Vault of the Betrayer." Wrath explained, his voice monotone, as he and the others crowded around the large war table in the center of the necropolis, Death Knights and ghouls glancing at them curiously as their meeting dragged on. "While we cannot be sure as to the exact plans that the Legion will have for Illidan, knowing all that they've done we can only assume it to be... Less than cheerful."
"Is your order attempting to retrieve the body then?" Ozpin asked before taking an idle sip from his thermos.
"We aren't. In all likelihood the Legion has Illidan under strict guard." Wrath replied with a small shake of the head, glancing down at the board with a grimace. "We won't be committing any forces to the corpse's recapture until we know of both its location and the numbers which guard him. We're spread thin enough across the isles as it is."
Ozpin could only nod at the news. "Very well."
"We also have one last bit of rather important news." Wrath muttered, suddenly turning from the table and gesturing to one of the many Death Knights surrounding the outer platform overlooking the war room. "Donyc, bring it forwards."
At Wrath's command one of the Death Knight's separated from the rest of the small gathering. At first glance a few present at the war table did a double take as they realized the Death Knight's lower jaw was completely missing and a strange strap of rotten leather forming a crude 'X' pattern was stretched tightly across his sunken face. He was garbed in light green and violet Dreadwyrm Armor, excluding the helm which would have normally hidden his decrepit head. A Forsaken.
The most striking feature about the Forsaken however, was not even part of the Knight himself. Rather it was the large green rune blade slung behind his back, it's mere presence giving off an aura of unease as he drew closer.
"This is Donyc Gravethorn. Executor of the Ebon Blade and wielder of the sword known as Apocalypse." Wrath introduced as the Death Knight, Donyc, stepped onto the main platform.
However, instead of even a nod of acknowledgment, the Forsaken did nothing in response to the various greetings sent his way, instead pulling out a map and laying it across the table in view of those surrounding it.
"I'll cut straight to the point, shall I?" Donyc spoke out in a disembodied voice that surrounded the table, his limp tongue waggling subtly as he 'spoke'.
Without waiting for comment, Donyc placed a boney finger on the parchment he had laid out, the tip of his finger nearly punching a hole clear through the delicately painted paper.
"While we have been gathering our forces, another key player has made itself known in the center of the isles. Suramar." Donyc explained, his finger trailing towards the location where Surmar had been discovered only months prior. "Adventures of the Alliance and the Horde have stumbled upon and helped foster a resistance group of the Nightborn Elves that inhabit the area. At first they were only a small group of rebels without much hope, but with the help of adventurers, they could now quite possibly have a chance at storming the Nighthold; the capital of the Nightborn."
"And you believe our forces best committed to that cause?" Wrath asked.
"I do, Deathlord." Donyc nodded, his tongue waggling like a snake with the sudden movement. "We'll take substantial losses during the assault, of that I have no doubt. However we can just raise any of the more powerful warriors who fall into Knights and Ravagers. And as for the weaker ones..."
As Donyc trailed off he made a careless motion towards the various ghouls and abominations that passed by, going about their duties, mindless as ever.
"They'll be just as useful in the end."
Wrath nodded in agreement at the other Death Knight's words, though the frown on his face was clear.
"And the Pillars of Creation?" Summer spoke up, scanning the map as she spoke.
"What of them?" Donyc asked, his voice gaining a noticeable edge.
"Have they all been retrieved?"
"Unfortunately, not yet. At least not all of them." Wrath replied for Donyc, strolling over and placing a finger on the leftmost section of the drawing of the landmass. "We posses 3. The 4th Pillar, the Tear of Elune, is currently in possession of the Druids of Val'Sharah, so it's eventual retrieval will hopefully turn out to be trivial."
"And the 5th? The Eye of Aman'Thul? What's our progress on its location?"
"Stolen by the Legion and their allies." Donyc shrugged, "I believe the leader of the Nightborn is the one currently in possession of the Pillar."
"I see..." Summer frowned, her voice growing noticeably tense as she brought herself up to her full height, which was still at least a head shorter than the males standing around her. "I suppose this just adds another reason to hasten our preparations in the assault of the Nighthold."
"Relax Sum..." Qrow, who was leaning casually against one of the pillars that surrounded the war table, chuckled loudly. "It ain't goin' nowhere, and neither are all those demons that're probably guardin' both it and whoever has their paws on it. They'll be there when we're good'n ready. Don't worry your red head off about it right now."
Summer made it a point to make sure the roll of her eyes at Qrow was visible, though she couldn't help the smile that trailed onto her face. He hadn't changed over the years.
"So what's our directive in terms of the rebels in Suramar? Continue building up their strength?" Donyc asked, to which many of the Death Knights hovering around the war room let out grunts of agreement.
"I would say so," Wrath nodded before glancing at the necropolis' visitors. "What do you all think?"
"It would certainly be useful to have an ally so close to the Legion's main base on Azeroth." Summer nodded.
"Agreed. I'm sure we could head there ourselves to see if we could also lend a hand." Ozpin added, sloshing around the remaining coffee that remained in his thermos.
At those words Summer let out a small hum of discomfort. "If you do, then I would ask I stay behind in Acherus."
"Why's that Sum? Didn't get enough beauty sleep the last decade or so?" Qrow quipped, shooting a smart smirk in his former teammate's direction, to which he received a glare that wiped the smirk off his face in an instant.
"No, I want to see if I can coordinate a more efficient plan of attack while you strengthen the rebellion." Summer explained, glancing around the various faces who all nodded in understanding.
All but one.
"You don't trust us to make our own plans White Reaper?" Donyc asked, crossing his half rotten arms.
This time it was Blake who spoke up, catching the attention of the Death Knight. "I think she means that it would be best to use our resources as they were meant to be used instead of forcing people into roles that don't suit them. If Summer is more of a strategist than Qrow or Ozpin, then wouldn't it be wise to-..."
"That is an opinion." Donyc finally interrupted, his tone sour.
"Yes, but-..."
"And did I ask for your opinion?"
"No," Blake conceded, shooting a glare at the Forsaken. "But I'm no child. My opinion is just as valid as anyone else's here-..."
"Did I ask..." Donyc began again, this time speaking slowly, as if speaking to a child. "For your opinion?... Yes, or no?"
"No, but-..."
"Exactly."
An uncomfortable silence passed over the visitors as Donyc walked over to Blake, stopping when his face was only inches from hers.
"Don't forget your place here," The Forsaken hissed. "Nosey cunt."
Blake silently glowered at the Death Knight, her fists clenched as she contemplated ripping his tongue right out of the remainder of his jaw. However, before she could take the opportunity to respond in kind Wrath spoke up.
"Is there anything else Donyc?"
"No, Deathlord."
"Then you are dismissed. Return to your duties."
"...Right away."
Donyc was quick to turn and walk off the platform, though not without giving Blake one last glare for good measure.
"Heh... He seems like a charmer." Qrow muttered once Donyc had disappeared from sight, back into the throngs of Death Knights and Ghouls.
Wrath sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "He's not very fond of Blake."
"Really? Couldn't have guessed."
"Did you do something to offend him Miss Belladonna?" Glynda inquired, genuinely confused. She had always known Blake to be a less than sociable young woman, and while she was never the most outgoing she never did anything to the Assistant Headmaster's knowledge that would elicit such disdain.
"No," Blake replied, glaring in the direction that the Forsaken had disappeared to. "He just dislikes me. Never really gave a reason."
Qrow only shrugged at the Faunus' words. "Eh, can't please everyone."
"So, are we in agreement as to the plan moving forwards?" Summer asked, bringing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.
Everyone was quick to nod in agreement with the white cloaked huntress, though Qrow was the first to speak up. "Oz, Goodbitch, and I will head down to the surface to see if we can help jumpstart this rebellion."
"Excuse me?!-..."
"Good, I'll remain here." Summer interrupted before Glynda could raise her riding crop. "I suppose this is meeting adjourned then."
Ozpin and Qrow both nodded at that, saying their goodbyes before heading back to the upper platform and to the bullhead which had transported them away, with an angry Glynda trailing slowly behind, practicing swinging her riding crop as she strode away.
"I'm going to go see if Archivist Zubashi has any ideas to improve Acherus' defenses should the Legion decide to attack." Wrath said as he scanned the surrounding Death Knight's for the Archivist. "Troll's weird but I'll be damned all over again if he can't find something to improve about this place."
Realizing the Troll was nowhere in sight Wrath nodded to both Summer and Blake before stepping off of the platform and wading into the rapidly dispersing crowd of Death Knights in an effort to find the Archivist.
Blake soon made her way towards the edge of the platform in an attempt to follow the Sin'Dorei when Summer suddenly spoke up. "Blake! Hold on."
Blake froze at the White Reaper's command, turning around to face the older woman. "What? Something wrong?"
"No, no. I was just wondering if I could speak with you for a moment."
"Why?" Blake spat, her mood obviously still sour from Donyc's comment.
"That Death Knight, Donyc, might not value your strategic opinion, but I certainly would." Summer replied, easily hypothesizing the reason for the edge in the Faunus' tone. "Now come over here. We have much to discuss and only a few hours left in the day."
Blake was still for only a moment or two before she gave a subtle nod and approached the war table.
"This is realllly uncomfortable..." Ruby whispered as she stared at the exchange occurring before her.
"Aye, can say that again..." Thomas agreed, his voice also soft.
Weiss said nothing to add to the commentary of the Reaper and Worgen, only standing ramrod straight with her hands intertwined behind her back as she watched with an emotionless expression on her face as her father, General Ironwood, and Anduin all sat around the Chairman's desk conversing.
"And, Chairman Jacque and General Ironwood, I can be assured that Atlas personnel will not interfere with the Alliance's comings and goings during the war?" Anduin asked as he glanced over at General Ironwood who nodded.
"Yes, and the reinforcements to strengthen our defenses?" The aging man inquired.
"By the end of the month." Anduin replied, receiving another small nod of appreciation in response. "Will that be all then?"
"No, as a matter of fact... We've recently run into another issue... Though quite honestly it's much inconsequential than the rest..." Weiss' father, Jacque, muttered as Ironwood pulled himself from his seat, dusting off his military uniform.
"Oh?" Anduin asked.
"Yes, well. To put it simply..." Jacque paused for a moment before sighing. "Our moon appears to have gone missing."
"Missing?"
"Yes. For the last couple of months the only thing illuminating Remnant's skies have been the stars. The shattered moon which once hung over the land has vanished."
"Something just like that happened while we were kicking the Legion out of Vale." Ruby recalled, catching the attention of the three men. "But I think it reappeared before we left."
"Even so, it is missing once again." Jacque said, effectively silencing the reaper.
"We have people who could help you on that front as well. The Kaldorei. They're known for their connection with anything lunar." Anduin offered, to which Jacque hummed in agreement.
"Very well King Anduin. I suppose that concludes our deliberations. I look forward to the potential benefits of continued cooperation from both of our countries."
"Likewise Chairman Jacque." Anduin smiled and reached out his hand, a gesture which the chairman returned, giving the young King's hand a firm shake.
"If that will be all I really must get back to my military duties. I assume I'm free to leave?" Ironwood asked, subtly gesturing towards the doorway.
Jacque nodded once, giving the General the go ahead.
"Thank you for your help King Anduin, it will be much appreciated by both me and my men." Ironwood said as he turned to Anduin, giving the young King one final handshake before he turned and made his way for the door.
"And you as well General Ironwood."
Ironwood left without another word while Anduin took his place back beside Ruby.
After a few moments of increasingly tense silence Jacque finally glanced over to his youngest daughter, who had still seemingly not moved a muscle. "And you Weiss... Have you been well?"
"I have, Father."
"And your vocal exercises? Have you kept to your proper training regiment?"
"Vocal exercises? Hold on..." Thomas interrupted before Weiss could answer, glancing over at the girl in question with disbelief shining in his eyes. "You sing? News to me."
"Well... Yes, I just-..." Weiss stuttered, hoping to just pass off a quick lie and be done with the topic. But that stupid wolf just had to open his big fat mouth. "I..."
"It seems my inquiry has been answered, though the answer is not one I find," The aging man seemed to tense up as his gaze upon his visibly nervous daughter hardened. "...Satisfactory..."
"I apologize father... I'll..." Weiss muttered, hanging her head dejectedly. "I will restart my daily training schedule immediately. Forgive me..."
Upon hearing those words Thomas could only stare at Weiss. If his face had shown surprise before, than what he now wore was a whole new level of astonishment.
"Are you serious? Forg-..." Thomas trailed off as he bit back a curse. "This is coming from the girl who called me a 'dumb mutt' when we first met..."
"Dumb mutt? What in the name of Dust possessed my daughter to call you that?" Jacque asked, his eyebrow's raising in curiosity.
"He smells." Weiss said simply, eliciting a low growl from the hooded man beside her.
"Oh, so we're going down that road-..."
"Thomas." Anduin spoke up, halting Thomas before he could spit out something he would later regret.
"...Fine."
"You really should learn how to interact with your betters..." Jacque muttered as he brought his hands together under his chin, clearly unimpressed with Thomas' behavior.
"Could say the same for your precious daughter..."
"I'm sorry?" Jacque asked, his hands dropping back down to his desk. "Care to repeat that?"
"You heard me."
"No, I don't think I did, because I thought I heard you insulting my daughter."
"Well then congratulations. You can hear." Thomas spat, crossing his arms as he stared down at the Chairman condescendingly. "They don't give out awards for that unfortunately."
"How dare you address me in such a disrespectful tone young man!..."
"How dare you wear your hair slicked back like you belong in a goblin slum. What's it held it place with? Hair gel or your own dried-..."
"Thomas!..." Anduin tried again, only for his voice to seemingly fade into nothingness as the disguised Worgen did not even flinch at the harsh tone, ignoring the King completely.
"You will learn to respect both me and my daughter!" Jacque commanded, slamming his fist down onto his desk as he glared angrily at Thomas. "Her surname alone is worth more than a hundred, a thousand, of you!"
Ruby and Weiss both visibly winced at those words.
If Ravarth was known for one thing among his soldiers it was his lack of 'special treatment'. Even the sons and daughters of politicians that were brave enough to join the military, and unlucky enough to fall under the Worgen's command, were quickly beaten into line with the farmhands and servents; Weiss included.
This was going to be bad...
Thomas' mood seemed to darken all at once at that moment, the few muscles visible from under his clothing tensing as he approached the Chairman's desk, leaning over on the wood, coming only a foot or two from the face of the older man.
"Her name?..." Thomas let out a huff of amusement, his breath causing Jacque's nose to scrunch. "That's what you expect me to give a damn about?"
Jacque raised an eyebrow at the masked man's words, though he chose to remain silent.
"Let's get something straight between the two of us... I don't give a damn what name your daughter holds." Thomas straightened up, letting the next few words slip from his mouth like an arrow from the string of a bow. Aimed for the heart. "Tell me something-... Jacque was it? Right. Tell me something Jacque..."
Thomas glared at the older man, his eyes shifting to a yellow tone for only a brief moment.
"Have you ever had a loved one die in your arms?"
Silence drifted throughout the room as those present attempted to process what had just come from the disguised Worgen's mouth, with Weiss in particular muttering a small string of prayers.
"Are you threatening me boy?" The Chairman finally asked, part of him in complete disbelief as to what he was hearing come from the hooded man's mouth. Very few were brave enough to threaten him, with fewer still walking away from the encounter.
Thomas meanwhile merely spared a sideways glance over at an uncomfortable looking Weiss before turning back to the woman's father.
"...Your daughters, Weiss and Winter... They're what most would call beautiful... Some may even see them as flawless." Thomas said, his voice low but steady. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"Of course I would! They are Schnees after a-..."
"So tell me, what do you think would happen if your kingdom was suddenly found under siege by a neighboring power or some other malicious foe?"
Jacque, unsure of where the Worgen was attempting to lead to, took the bait out of curiosity. "Atlas currently possesses the largest standing military force on all of Remnant. We-..."
"You won't answer? Fine. Let me be more direct..."
"The bulk of your army is made up of robots. Machines. And what happens when those toys break, or your enemy knows how to counter such 'military might'?" Thomas asked, his condescending gaze returning. "What would you have then? A few thousand men against an army that would no doubt outnumber them 5 to 1, at least if I counted correctly as I scanned the various patrols on our way here."
"Y-... You what?!..."
"And then enemy soldiers would storm the streets of Atlas, looting anything of value while leaving the rest to the flames." Thomas continued, "And what do you think they would do when they made their way here? Give your front door a fresh coat of paint, leaving you and your family unharmed, before departing for greener fields?"
Jacque said nothing, only glaring at the disguised Worgen with growing hatred.
"No response?" Thomas let out a huff. "I'll answer for you then..."
The room grew eerily silent for nearly half a minute before Thomas continued, and with each word he spoke the expression of the Chairman sitting before him quickly shifted to one of terror.
"Your daughters would be forcibly bent over this table to satisfy every soldier that decided they missed their wives or just wanted a quick fuck, all while they scoop out your eyes with their nails and cut out your overused tongue with a rusted saw for amusement." The hooded man clarified, his voice unflattering as he spoke. "And there wouldn't be a damn thing they, or you, could say to stop it..."
"Commander Thomas Bloodclaw! Cease this behavior at once!" Anduin yelled in one last desperate attempt to quell the fight, but Thomas only glanced back for a moment before turning back to Jacque.
"So I'll ask you again..." Thomas muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he stared down the aging man. "Have you ever watched a loved one die before your eyes? Have you ever felt the powerlessness that comes with it? The fear? The sadness? The singular desire to turn back the clock, just to right a wrong? To change one little thing that may have prevented disaster?"
Thomas' eyes shifted once more, though this time they remained their bright yellow tint, seemingly making an attempt to bore a hole straight through the Chairman's skull as the masked man let out a low growl that sounded as if it had come more from a wild beast than a man.
"Because if that time comes... Well... I can guarantee you that your precious family name won't mean a goddamn thing."
"Well I don't know about you but had to have been the most fun I've had all month."
"I can't believe you did that... I can't believe you really just did that..." Weiss muttered, her face buried in her hands as she and Thomas stood in a small elevator, each leaning against opposite walls, facing one another.
"Relax Weiss. It's not like any of what I said would actually Happen." The obviously amused man chuckled.
"That's not the issue here Ravarth!" The heiress snapped, her hands shooting down to her sides as she clenched her fists, resisting the urge to wipe the smirk that was not doubt present under Thomas' mask.
Thomas glanced over for a moment before letting out a loud sigh of annoyance, his shoulders dropping. He really didn't see the big deal. Weiss' father's face probably turned that deep red color naturally anyway.
"You've been temporarily stripped of your rank and suspended from military service!" Weiss chided, only to get a nonchalant shrug in response.
"I'll get it back."
"You've insulted my father and the rest of my family!"
"He was pissing me off."
"You... you-..." Weiss trailed off as she realized that her words were doing little more than bouncing off the disguised Worgen's verbal shield. "What in that thick head of yours could have possibly convinced you that what you did was a good idea?!"
"I didn't like the way he was talking to you."
"...Excuse you?" Weiss whispered, her teeth clenched. "You speak to me the exact same way all the time!"
"No, I don't talk to you like you're some asset."
"An asset? I'm his Daughter."
"Sure didn't seem like it back there."
The elevator door opened a moment later, revealing a simple yet elegantly decorated hallway that stretched on for what seemed like miles. Every few meters a different painting hung from the sterling tinted walls, providing a bit of natural color to what would have otherwise been nothing but emotionless silver.
The two step out into the hallway with Weiss taking the lead. The heiress said nothing as they strode down the seemingly never ending hall, only leading Thomas to a door before she began digging around her purse for her scroll.
A moment later she pulled the device in question into view, bringing it to bear before a small module near the door, which suddenly lit up in a green hue as the sound of a lock unlatching filled the hallway.
"You're lucky I ended up setting up my own private account a few years ago, otherwise you'd be on the streets right now..."
"And why do that?" Thomas asked as he crossed his arms over his chest, watching the heiress unlock the strange device that latched the door shut. "Daddy dearest seems to value your talents. I'm sure he'd pay for anything you wanted... As long as you listened to him that is..."
"Quiet."
They both stepped inside the room a moment later, with the door letting out a loud click to alert the two that the lock had been re-engaged.
However that sound was soon drowned away as the room was suddenly filled with the much more pronounced sounds of cracking bones and tearing muscle. While it only lasted for a moment to two, it seemed to drag on forever.
When the sounds of transformation finally subsided Weiss glanced behind her to find the now somehow familiar form of the Worgen she had come to form a begrudging friendship standing before her, the cloth fallen away from his face during the transformation.
Despite the sight that stood before her, one that would have put her on edge only a year prior, instead the heiress said nothing, only turning away and crossing her arms just as Ravarth had done moments before while still in human form.
"So you're really going to go with the cold routine?" Ravarth asked, his voice deep and rough once more. "I figured you'd have a more mature way of dealing with this than that Weiss."
"Oh right, because you're one to speak about maturity..." Weiss muttered as she strode over to the balcony and leaned on the wall next to the doorway leading out onto the deck, gazing out onto the city below.
However, as she continued to stare silently out of the window, Weiss' eyes inevitably trailed over to the headquarters of her father's company. The company she was being groomed to very possibly take over one day.
The building that, despite its impressive stature, seemed to lack something. Though for the life of her Weiss just couldn't place what that thing was.
Was it color? No, it had that. Was it beauty? No, it had that in boatloads.
So... What was it?...
"Weiss?"
"...Why do you of all people even give a damn about what my father sees me as?" The heiress asked, not bothering to glance behind her.
"Because you aren't a resource to be used as he sees fit just because-..."
"Well to him I am."
Ravarth remained silent, instead opting to wait for the heiress to continue.
Weiss sighed, her crossed arms coming up to her shoulders in an unconscious self embrace as she shivered. "We all are. My brother and sister... Even my mother in a way. We're all assets. Pieces on a chess board ready to be maneuvered into exactly the right positions to defend the king."
When Weiss finally worked up the courage to risk a glance behind her she found the sight of the Worgen staring at her, no emotion betrayed on his lupine features.
It was as quiet as the void for what seemed like an eternity before Ravarth finally spoke. "I may not possess the skills needed to do much negotiation outside of a war room, but I'll be damned if I ever regard you or my soldiers as nothing more than pieces on a board..."
That void of silence was soon reinstated for a good few minutes, the two only staring at each other as the sun began to set over the horizon, bathing the room in an amber hue.
"...Well? Don't you have to run back to your father like a good little thrall?" Ravarth asked, breaking through the tense atmosphere like a bat to a windowpane.
"No. I'm waiting here until I know you won't get yourself into more trouble."
"The only reason I'm even in trouble is-... Ugh..." Ravarth conceded. He had no energy left to argue with anyone else today. "Fine. But I want food. Haven't eaten all day."
"You just think with your stomach all the time don't you?..."
"Would you rather me think with my-..."
"Alright, alright! I'll ordering dinner!" Weiss cried out as she quickly snatched her scroll from her bag. "Disgusting beast..."
Ravarth let out a soft laugh before he began back up towards the bathroom door. "I'll hide in the other room until it's here."
With that the Worgen entered the restroom, shutting the door behind him with a soft click.
Just as Weiss was about to dial a number into her scroll however the Worgen's voice drifted through the room once more. "And for the record Weiss, I smell fine!"
Weiss' lips tilted upwards ever so slightly before she began dialing.
"Well... There's Chief Ugly..." Yang muttered as she, Varimas, and Thal'kiel all ducked behind one of the many jagged rocks of the scar, gazing upon the lumbering form of the Pit Lord Jagganoth, seemingly searching the grounds for them.
"Yeah... Your weapons loaded?" Varimas asked as he pulled his new dagger from his belt, holding it down in an ice pick grip, ready to be used on anything foolish enough to draw within reach of its blade.
"Affirmatory, doubt they'll be able to punch through that much fat all at once though." Yang replied along with a gagging motion. "We going in with any sort of plan?"
"Affirmatory? Is that even a word-... You know what, never mind. I ask you that too much in the first place..." Varimas muttered before he turned to Thal'kiel. "Before we start fighting this bastard, got any tips for facing a Pit Lord Thal?"
"Survive the first 30 heartbeats and the fight will be ours." The skull said, it's tone betraying no emotion as it glared at the Pit Lord aimlessly wandering the scar.
"Is that all?! You know, for someone with your apparent experience I expected something better than 'try not to die'!"
"Pit Lords are not known for having a tactical mind Warlock!" Thal'kiel snapped as it turned its attention to Varimas. "They have a tendency of unleashing everything they have in a short time frame to kill an opponent as quickly as possible. After about 30 heartbeats, you can predict a Pit Lord's every move and exploit the weaknesses around it."
"Oh... That's actually useful. Thank-..."
"Also, try not to die."
"Goddamnit."
"I'm starting to like this guy more and more." Yang snickered, only to recieve another swift whack on the head, courtesy of the floating skull.
"I despise you greatly, harlot!"
"Eh, that'll change soon. I'm irresistible!"
"Lying will do nothing to assist you."
"Are we doing this or not?" Varimas asked, hoping to quell the two before they would no doubt raise their voices and end up getting them sought upon by every demon on the entirety of the scar.
"Yeah, yeah." Yang muttered, chambering rounds into Ember Celica. "Let's do this!"
With that the two stepped out of their makeshift cover, and into the line of sight of the Pit Lord, who noticed them after only a moment, only for his face to shift into rage once it realized just what floated freely beside the two blondes.
"You... You!... YOU!" Without another word of warning the demon suddenly roared out in a boiling rage, charging the small group with his massive glaive held out in front of him.
It took only a second or two for the massive demonic beast to reach the group, bringing down his massive glaive upon them...