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Faruja	A camp has sprung up outside the recently discovered cavern. Like any operation where the Church finds similar rumors of lost shrines, there's now a gaggle of White Mages, scholars, and a good mix of both off-duty Order of the Northern Sky members volunteered-slash-conscripted into keeping the peace as well as Templar. Luckily, some smooth talking and orders from the Inquisitor in charge has neatly smoothed out most hinks between the two orders. Said Inquisitor is dressed in combat gear rather than his more formal, ornate robes and plate mail. His hood is off of his head this time, and his hair has both a small ribbon and a scrunchie in it as well as several Ajoran crosses. For the last three hours until the debriefing, the rat's been secluded in prayer with several elderly priests. "Sers and Dames, our objective is simple. Traverse the cavern, and ascertain the initial explorer's discovery of a supposed Esper Shrine within its depths. Their report suggests many monsters within as well as extremely treacherous terrain; three were lost due to crumbling pathways into the inferno below. I trust none of ye art afraid of fire?" A glance around the room, and then a nod. "Spare nay mercy to the monsters below, lest their numbers spill forth upon the surface and wreck havok upon local farmland. Yet doth not risk thineselves overmuch. The Shrine is our most important goal. One mage reported strange light from the shrine itself. Mayhaps the influence of an Esper. Or mayhaps 'tis inhabited, though unlikely. Questions?" Once they've all been fielded, he'll note the linkshell channel. Anyone without one is given a linkshell and told how to use it. With that, he'll lead on towards the cavern proper. The cavern is right out within a local farmer's field. It's difficult to not notice given the great burn marks and heavy armed guard as well as the gaping wound in the earth. Some of the taller members might have to duck to enter the downward slope. Construction materials lay nearby, no doubt the Church eager to begin making a proper path to the place. Lucky for the Farmer, the discovery will likely set them up for life as well as profit House Beoulve. The thought makes Faruja, when it comes to /that/ particular House, a touch sick. The pair of guards at the gaping maw bow before letting the party enter. At first, the light fades some as there's earth, earth, and more earth. Everything smells of clay and wood that's been erected to reinforce the hole so that it doesn't collapse, mineshaft style. There's torches along the way, and Faruja advised against bringing them. The reason becomes obvious. After several minutes of walking, the group comes across a wide cavern. By now they're deep under the earth, and the heat washes back from the cavern in waves. From simple earthen stone, carved rock sprouts. A arched roadway of limestone stretches out into a burning, flaming cavern. Lava lurks fifty feet below the roadway, utterly lacking in rails. Worse, some of the supports seem quite dubious, and parts of the stone have crumbled away. It's wide, enough for five abreast..where it's whole. Some parts have barely room for one. Off into the distance lies a massive building, reaching towards the 'sky'. One can make out its general architecture, looking like a grand cathedral, with some sort of markings glowing in the light provided by treacherous lava. Half way between it and the party, the roadway drops off entirely. Only blackened earth remains, lava, and small dots of teeming creatures moving in and out of land and lava alike. Luckily, the roadway and entrance seems clear for now. Faruja turns to his friends, nodding as marching order is decided.
Frederica	Frederica reaches back to pull her hood up, ducking down into it and then fluffing her twintails out of the opening. "Afraid of fire." she says dismissively. "I make fire afraid of ME! Though admittedly I wouldn't exactly want to go swimming in lava..." she adds, her voice going thoughtful and a bit weak at the end. As strong as she is with fire, she's not exactly immune to getting hurt by it.     When the group reaches the cavern, another aspect of Frederica's limits with fire becomes clear. She does NOT much like heat. Not excessive heat anyways. She pushes that hood of hers well back, and starts fanning herself in discomfort. "Not a very friendly place." she notes. "I'm sure the creatures will be no trouble, but I must say I don't like the bridge."
Ainsley	The lizard woman is once again accompanying Faruja into an adventure of significant danger, and yet this time she is almost convinced that it will have nothing to do with the tumultuous political climate. She so dislikes the constant backstabbing and powergrabs. So she doesn't look as grim and serious this time! She still has that leather armor on, and that longsword with her, as well as her daggers, but she has a bright look on her face. Not happy, no, but sober and curious. She smiled at the guards, even.     She brought her Thaumostatic Harness this time, because they were warned of a falling hazard... that would plunge them into liquid rock. She soon finds herself floating up off the ground of the tunnel and cautiously advancing. The sword blade is drawn slowly, and her eyes squint into the red light cast upon everything by the molten stone flows.     "Allow me to test the integrity of the bridges," she says to the others. She motions for one or two of the stronger fellows of the group so she has someone to follow her in case a beasty decides she's a worthy snack. "I can fly, so I can determine how safe our path really is." She jerks a thumb back at the harness.     Then, if given the go-ahead, she'd float forward and land cautiously here and there where it looks precarious, testing the weight tolerance of their path where needed.
Mizuki	Mizuki, like she has been the last few times she's made public appearances lately, seems a bit more reserved. Her omnipresent smile has been less wide, and her demeanor in general has made her... well... significantly harder to notice. Her clothing may contribute as well -- rather than a long, flowing dress, she's wearing a thin, ashen robe. Like before, the others may not see her until she greets Faruja in the soon-to-be customary manner: a tiny poke on the shoulder, a cock of the head, and a smile. Contrary to her usual flamboyance, however, there is no curtsey this time. Just that, and then a neat fold of her hands after which she silently folds her hands at her waist and walks onwards into the cave.     As the merry band marches on, Mizuki swivels her head about, taking mental notes of the rather impressive interior here. And that cathedral place...? Well. Accentuated by the orange and red hues of the magma, it looks quite picturesque. 'I might have to get one of those', she thinks to herself, 'and stick it in some corner when I get home'. But for now, it's more than just an artistic sight, isn't it? It's an objective. She bats her eyelashes a number of times. She had... earnestly almost forgotten that there was something she was here to do. Ah, the wonders of growing old. She sighs.     Next she notices, though, they're at the top of a narrow 'roadway' of sorts. Hmm. After a cursory glance downward, she elects to summon her wings. It /does/ help to be prepared, doesn't it? The lava would do a number on her hair, were she to fall in. Certainly can't have that! With a small upturn of her nose, she shuffles back into step with the others, ready to make her way down... but not before rubbing her hands over the side of the cliff and giving a smirk.     Evidently, silence won't stop her from being coy in other ways.
Allyn	Allyn follows along with the others, not so sure now if this larger wolf form was a smart idea, especially when the ground might give out from under them. He ponders changing forms changing to one of his bird forms, but for now he stays as he is. He decides to go along with Ainsley though, when she requests help in case there are beaties that might try to make a snack out of her, besides he's big and mean looking right now, maybe it'll keep any from thinking about it.
Tomoe	So here Tomoe is again in this strange world to her, she looks over to Faruja and listens thinking for a moment about what Faruja has to say. She's come off the tournament and could use a distraction. She takes mental notes of everything that Faruja has to day and is going to keep that in mind. "If it comes down to it I'm the disposable one." She adjusts her gear a little bit, out of habit than more the needed after all. She keeps he blade ready and follows in dept with the group choosing not to fly for the moment. "If we need to try an alternate way I can fly and ferry people if it's needed."
Auron	There was nothing in the explorer's report that was new to Auron. Dungeon-crawling? That was part of a Pilgrimage. Temples that might contain Aeons? Also part of a Pilgrimage. Lava? Burn ointment. So much burn ointment. On a more serious note, he did bring these things, along with the typical stuff one brings on a dungeon-crawling adventure -- potions, restoratives, first aid equipment, and a few attack items. Rin gave him a good deal on ice stuff since he was heading into a lava cave, saying he 'Did not wish such a prestigious and valued customer to end up on the Farplane... again.' Which brought a sardonic smirk to Auron's face. Rin was such a smartass sometimes.     Anyway, Auron's come to this in his typical attire. Except instead of having his left arm tucked into his coat, he's got a rope looped over his shoulder on that side. If walkways have fallen, it may be needed to cross areas. And falling into lava would suck. And you better believe he's got his ice bow with him. That's probably going to come in handy.     He stays at the back of the group, since that's his usual place and position when in a group -- he protects the group's left rear flank, keeping his right side to the group, who he trusts (mostly) to alert him if something's coming at them on the right, since he can no longer see on that side. For now he remains silent.
Faruja	Faruja can't help but smirk a bit. "And that goes for the lot of us, methinks, Freddie." Offers the rat to the group. The rat's already Floating himself just in case. He /is/ the one with mundane movement issues after all. The Inquisitor isn't looking much better, especially given the fur. He pants heavily, even as he tries to hide it through little breaths through the nose. Auron gets a bow in particular amongst the group. From what he knows of the man, this isn't his first time protecting a Summoner, and it's a pleasure to have him along. The rat keeps somewhat to the right, mostly out of deference to the man rather than any real ability to fend off powerful fire beasts with a sword. Luckily he has Shiva on speed dial here. Faruja's own look is equal mix of wariness thanks to Lava Cavern, and excitement. An Esper Shrine is a massive discovery, and another weapon in the Church's arsenal for the coming war...if the Esper's spirit still remains in some capacity within. "Go with God, Ainsley." Is the rat's assent, not even bothering to caution her. He trusts the woman, and she's the most fit. Still, he crosses his chest and motions to the others. He particularly eyes Allyn and Tomoe he with a nod. They do look like the tanky, and in Allyn's case, burly animal types! Faruja shakes his head. "Talk naught of such sacrifice, Lady Tomoe. Ye art a child of God, and I shall see none perish here. We come back with news as one. If it comes down to it, I shall enlist Toph and a few more earthbenders to get us to it, should this passageway collapse." Clearly the name of the game is caution over speed! Mizuki, of course, gets his customary bow...followed up by a discrete tweak of the ear! Wink! There is a look of worry on his face however. The girl's /definitely/ acting different than usual. Squint. "Lady Mizuki, I trust ye art not planning on taking a dive?" It may be an oven, but it's not a swimming pool! ~~ Ainsley flying group ~~ Those traveling with Ainsley get to be the vanguard. At first, travel is easy enough. The top mostly seem to not yield to pressure of those crossing whenever Ainsley may land or the others following her may cross. The only danger at first comes from where it's already crumbled. Strangely, at a closer glance, the 'crumbled' pathway may well seem less due to age, and more due to very large gouges of what might just be claws. Something very nasty and large went by here. Kreeeee! Good thing Ainsley can fly. From high above, /things/ swoop down. Covered in burning flames, massive rodent-like winged creatures descend! Sharp claws aim for Ainsley and their companions, a group of six in all as they attempt to score deep fiery marks upon them! Easily twelve feet in wingspan, these aren't your average bats. ~~ Summoner Group ~~ Close to the head of the pack, Faruja ever tries to not be the shrinking image of a Summoner on Pilgrimage to a Shrine. Still, he's smart enough to leave someone adept at blade more than he before him, and with Auron behind, the rat is at least feeling confident. Then the bats menace Ainsley and company, far ahead! "Ainsley! Above ye!" He yells into the radio. So distracted, Faruja doesn't notice the tink-tink-tink noise. Anyone who does might realize it's coming from below. Specifically, /beneath/ the road itself. Razor sharp appendages claw their way over the side of the road to the top, the Inquisitor completely unaware of the flanking attack from two sides. The forms that follow those sharp, spindly limbs are those of a spider-like, red-and-black creature almost as wide as half the road itself as they try to tear into Faruja. Someone should guard him! A third appears from behind, leaping from beneath to menace Auron with a loud growl and sharp, ant-like jaws!
Frederica	Frederica stays back as one of the rearguard. That way she doesn't get in the way of someone with a sword, she doesn't have to worry about suddenly flying, and ... well, and she doesn't get the primary role of being chewed on. Definite plus there.     When she sees fiery bats heading for her friends, Frederica's reaction ought to be rather predictable. She may be a bit of a one-trick pony, but it's a powerful and versatile trick indeed! With a slight effort of will she sends a firebolt streaking at one of the bat things. Not that she intends to set it on fire, no, that'd be plain silly. This bolt's going to be doing its damage as concussive force. Any burning it may or may not do is just a bonus.     She's about to follow up with more firebolts but hears something instead. "Eeeugh disgusting!" she cries out, kicking at the spider-thing. Entirely ineffectually of course. Imagine the sound effect being something like 'tink'. After a moment of dismay she follows up the kick with a fan of superheated flame. These creatures may be used to heat and maybe even the fires of the earth itself, but Frederica's power is backed by something more than mere temperature.
Allyn	Allyn growls softly as he sees and hears the flying rat or bat things coming at the them from above. Usually he'd change to an eagle or something to combat other arial enemies, but since they are flaming, well that may not be a good idea. Its time like these he wishes he could do mroe like most of the people he has met since coming to these strange worlds. Not sure just how sturdy the ground might be if he tries jumping up and snapping at the rats, he decides maybe another form that no one had seen yet. He decides to get defensive, before changing though he tells Ainsley and Tomoe, "Take cover up against me when I change, it might keep us safe to get them." he shimmers and changes form, a huge tortoise standing where the fire wolf was and he withdraws his legs and head into his shell, just in case those talons come at him, maybe they'll at least smash into him and hurt themselves some.
Mizuki	She lightly giggles in response to Faruja before gently shaking her head 'no'. "No, friend." She wraps her arms behind her back. "No, just thinking about what a lovely lighting solution it is. Not many sources can produce such a heavenly 'twilight' hue, you know...?" An interior decorator? Maybe, maybe. But why in the world would she be critiquing the inside of a cave? Before long, though, she has turned to look down again. Utterly fearless...? Or just curious beyond all reason? Probably the latter, as this makes her completely oblivious as Ainsley's group is accosted.     Though... hmm? At the sound of so many beasties leaping out of the ground, Mizuki had to respond somehow. And she does, turning about again with a gentle swish of her hair. She doesn't look at all enthused either when she notices their targets. Almost immediately, she summons her sword... and in the literal blink of an eye, she's levitating in the air above one of the ones near Faruja. She grips her sword with both hands and backs up a few paces in the sky... before charging forward at the spider-ant thing.     On her way, she almost inaudibly quips, "Such a shame... spiders are quite cute."
Ainsley	Ainsley is dutiful about checking the integrity of the walkway, but the job is cut short when she finds that the danger of this place is more in the beasts that inhabit it. She is baffled at the idea of anything living in a volcanic cave, but there it is! And living is a relative term, she realizes, her eyes going wide when she turns and spots the tremendous beasts that fly at her in a group. The sword is, thankfully, already drawn. She hopes she doesn't drop it because Amalthea will /beat her black and blue/.     Gritting her teeth, she bolts forward and stabs inward at one of the creatures as it lunges for her, then pivots in the air to slam it into another and hopefully force them into a tangling, plummeting mass for the lava lakes below. She follows this up with a few dizzying zig-zag motions through the air, moving with all the chaos and unpredictability of real lightning. It makes it a little harder for the bats to actually hit her, but one of them have already scored a nasty burn across one of her legs that, due to adrenaline and fight-or-flight instinct, she hasn't quite realized is there yet. It probably burnt her nerves...
Auron	Auron's hearing and other senses have to be stronger, thanks to the diminished sight. He does feel the sound, and hears it as well. Thus his gaze is forward. In fact, the only thing that may save him from the antspider reaching for him is how he quickly turns and sprints the distance between himself and Faruja, with surprising quickness. He will go over or under anything -- or anyONE -- in his way, seeking to engage the claws of one of them aiming for Faruja. The other? Well, it's just going to have to hit him, he can't defend against both of them. He's tough, though; he'll manage.
Tomoe	Tomoe looks to Faruja as she's sporken to for a moment. "No I mean I'm disposable I'll explain it later." Faruja doesn't quite grasp the avatar bit and she can't fully blame him she forgets sometimes herself when she really gets going. She moves forward leeping her self ready to take flight if she needs to do so. However there's sthingsd coming at them and she's about ready to take to teh air if needed. She nods to Allyn as she gets her shield out of her inventory and make ready to move with Allyn.
Faruja	~~ Flying Group ~~ Frederica's initial bolt of concussive flame hits one of the fire-bats right on the wing. While the flame of it seems to simply invigorate the creature, that only serves to send it further out of control. There's an audible snap of bone, and the being is sent spiraling towards the lava below. The air fills with shrieking cries of dismay. Lava bubbles, and the jaws of a reptilian creature opens to swallow the falling keese whole before sinking back into its lavabath. They might be ON FIRE but the flaming bats seem to do relatively little to Allyn's newly formed turtle shell. Not very smart, though, these creatures. Sharp talons scratch and flame menaces as they repeatedly dive-bomb the tasty looking non-fiery turtle! Two of the remaining five bats menace the turtle-man Allyn as well as tries to scratch and set poor Tomoe on fire! Faruja calls back over the radio, "Right, right!" he may be muttering something about crazy humans. Ainsley proves powerful prey, and her erratic movements send three of the firebats flapping desperately /away/ from her. But one is committed to a lunge, and is neatly split by the lizard's sword. The pivoting motion sends it carring into a second bat. Both wobble and finally fall. Rather than lava, they both impact the stone road below with more crunches. They twitch, and slowly slide into the grotto of crumbling stone. Sharp claws from beneath reach up, and three more of the red antlion-spiders leap away with their newfound prey! Roars issue, and the sound of fighting over scarce food in this harsh environment ensues. Enough time for our crew to fight and progress! ENCOUNTER SKIPPED! ~~ Summoner Group ~~ Mizuki gets a tilt of the head. Lava as lighting? He ponders. "Might I suggest a crystal? They art able to be filled with many types of magic. A geomancer's work upon such a crystal in this environment may well be able to fulfill the same effect, and mayhaps even the sweltering heat if necessary." Doink! Fred would find the creatures to possess a hard, chitinous shell as she kicks one. It /does/ however have some effect in causing the being to hesitate in bringing down the blow that would have deprived the Summoner of his head amongst other things. The noise gets Faruja's attention. Auron runs up and the rat smartly stays near. He begins casting beneath the sheltering form of the large warrior-monk. Frederica's second blow of superheated flame meets the surprised ant-spider. Apparently rather heavy, the blow sends the creature flailing and teetering on falling over! It's tenacious, and only a slight nudge would send it over the edge! The other spider is far more dilligent, and very nearly gets a cut at Faruja's limb. Indeed, as limb and summoned blade of Mizuki's and Auron's larger blade colide, the creature comes off with a bit of red cloth from the rat's robes! Just in time! Spying a 'competitor' for its rodent-prey, the creature's hot arms slice through the air as it attempts to draw in Mizuki for a bite between pincer-like jaws! Either the creature thinks the same and wants a hug, or its just hungry. Auron's heroic rescue does come at a cost! The final back-attacking ant-creature gave a shallow swipe to Auron's back before leaping backwards. Angered at the large, red-coated man, it makes a swift arcing leap for the swordsman! It's then that the Summoner completes his spell. "Oh Hallowed Esper of Deepest Frost, make upon these Heretics true cessation and woe! SHIVA!" The icey form of Shiva has a sheath of mist around her, the caverns' heat unnaturally effective against her. Indeed, the ice woman looks almost pained to be here. Strange! With a snap of her fingers, Shiva engulfs the leaping creature in a block of ice. Looking upon the creature contemptuously as it's leap continues despite, she raises her hand. Backhanding the ice-encased monster, it's sent careening to blackened earth below where it shatters into a million pieces. Shiva makes an audible sigh, and gives a raised, d
Faruja	Shiva makes an audible sigh, and gives a raised, displeased brow towards one Faruja Senra. "Oh, by the Lord, we art trying to find one of thine companions!" Pause. Faruja squints right back. "FINE! Vodka ice cream /and/ frozen cocktails when this is over." Shiva gives a suddenly pleased little smug smile, and dissappears from whence she came for now. The way is open!
Mizuki	Noticing her impending bitey doom, Mizuki swivels around and... uh... disappears! If anyone was looking, that is. Once again, she's above the spider, and unless it can find a way to respond quickly, it would take a very painful blade to the back! Though I will add, if Faruja is paying attention, he would certainly begin to notice something. There is a rather incredible amount of time radiation cropping up nearby, and not surprisingly, its source seems to be... Mimi herself! It would seem that she's doing some fancier tricks behind the scenes to ensure her success here. Martial skill combined with time spells are a truly fearsome thing indeed, as Faru himself should well understand.     Before Mimi tries her strike, however, she turns to Faruja. She looks as casual and uninterested as ever, which is honestly a bit comical given that she's literally riding the back of a giant monster. "Remind me after this to procure some of these 'geomancer's crystals', would you? They would be nice to have, should I ever seek residence outside of my current one." She smirks. "And it is always easier to create imaginary versions of things when you have a sample right in front of you, hmm~?"     Faram be something'd! She really /is/ contemplating interior decorating right now!
Allyn	Allyn doesnn't wish to become something cooked in a ready made soup bowl! he's not going to be turned into turtle soup, unfortunately while he may be protected in this form, he lacks any real way to attack, because come on he's just a giant turtle and turtles aren't really dangerous, well unless he was a snapping turtle maybe. Ah well, he'll just have to change again. He does peer from inside his shell at Tomoe to see she has a sield, so she should be ok he figures. He shimmers again, and changes forms once more, no longer a tortoise, but still a snow leopard is what he becomes this time, he reaches out and swats at one of the flaming rat things with a claw.
Frederica	Frederica is actually quite pleased when Shiva enters the cavern. The coolness, whether all in her head or actual, is quite welcome. Ironically, Frederica finds the cold so much more comfortable than the heat. Her own flames never bother her, but outside heat's just icky and sweaty and miserable.     That's not the only icky and miserable thing in the room however. Seeing her effect on the fire antspider, Frederica sets her jaw in a determined half-scowl. Tightening a fist, she pushes out with that fan of flames again. This time, the flames aren't so superhot. In fact, they seem to cool to the point that they solidify into a viscous gel. Still quite hot to the touch, but the solidified flame is more of a physical barrier than a flesh-searing one. A form, in fact, that takes on an aspect of Salamandra's power.     The flame barrier presses against the fire bug, resisting its attempts to regain footing. Then it shifts. A pseudopod of gelled flame stretches out, forming itself into an arm about a foot in diameter and several feet long. This monstrous arm sweeps out, bashing at the fire antspider with an open-handed swat.     Like any manifestation of Salamandra, manifesting the arm of the flame-spirit poses some risk to Frederica's mind... but the risk is worth it. Some bugs just cry out to be swatted.
Auron	Auron has no defense against a back-attack (CHANGE ROWS! CHANGE ROWS!). But even though a fiery slash of an antspider's mandibles(?) is his reward for turning his back on the creature, he does, in order to better protect Faruja. Shiva's appearance saves them from a lot of painful retribution, but there are still some of the antspiders around. Notably one trying to eat him. Which gets a mounthful of steel for its trouble.     Since Auron's sword is engaged in clashing with an antspider's mandibles, Auron channels his qi up, into his throat. And as he speaks, he subvocalizes as well, like a tiger, hoping to root the antspider to the spot. "Do not move!" Hopefully it works. And then he can punt it off into the lava!
Tomoe	Tomoe is eeing the bats tare flaming and not veyr bright. She moves and well your trying to set a Salamander on fire it's not the /best/ way to hurt one she burns a bit, there's trangly no smell but Tomoe clealry seems to be feeling it as she's pushed back and counter strike she'll take to using light spells and taunts as they are in the air, her shield has thankfully taken most of it.
Faruja	~~ Flying Team ~~ Tomoe's blade strikes hard, and finishes off twp of the fire bats! These ones luckily only seem to be on fire from the outside, and are easily enough removed. Once dead, they no longer menace with flame. Allyn's formswitch comes at an opportune moment. One of the bats has gotten lazy, and is scratching in low, circling dives! Whap! Cue a hard paw to the face, and with a 'kreeeee' it goes bouncing off of the road and right into lava. Two Bombs within fight over the creature, before exploding! The road shakes a little. Some more of the gouged portions crumbles away! Right beneath Allyn and Tomoe's feet! They'll need to act fast to avoid falling! ~~ Summoner Team ~~ Mizuki's time-infused backstab has the creature's aim changing almost instantly! It flails and writhes as the blades pierce its hard carapace, fiery blood seeping from its wound! Mizuki might want to get away before she's sprayed with it! "Happily! Mayhaps a few ice crystals as well to offset the...OFF OF THE CREATURE MIZUKI!" Faruja helpfully warns, cutting off his own thoughts in decorating. Frederica's attack proves more than useful. The hardened fire-gel hand punches the teetering fire-ant-spider straight in the underside. It's sent flying offtowards the the cavern walls. Impacting against an outcropping, the creature is pierced by the spike-like rock, impaled. It writhes in pain, screaming and shrieking as its flaming blood seeps and further darkens the rock. Down below, an unfortunate dog-like creature howls as its doused in falling fire-blood. Auron does a nice job of intimidating the errant, snapping bug, as it freezes neatly in place. It even gives a quiet, almost tearful animal sound before it's punted off the road. Whoooosh thud! There's no more attackers from behind. Waiting until Mizuki gets off, Faruja smiles. RAther than waste his own abilities, the rat concentrates upon the power the woman left behind. Raising both hands, he stretches out his clawed digits. Darkness causes the time radiation to coalesce around the remaining Firebug. Then, he draws his hands together. Powerful gravity magic crunches and folds the creature in on itself with snapping sounds. Reduced to a lightly bleeding cube, the rat uses his cane to gently prod it off the side. Frown. There's a smoking sound, and the rat is swiftly blowing out his cane before it catches any more on fire! ~~ The Way Forward ~~ With all of the creature dead, the pathway ahead is relatively untreacherous. But there is the crumbling pathway! Even should Tomoe and Allyn avoid being caught, it seems the pathway was truly damaged by the Bomb blast. Motioning to his allies, Faruja buffets his group with Haste spells as he tries to rush foward to help the pair, and get over the widening gap as a truck-long section of the roadway threatens to collapse! Should the party make it over, up until the way fades into a literal lake of lava dotted with islands of black rock, it's smooth sailing up until there. Yet, something bubbles beneath the lava. It churns, first slowly, then increasingly fast. Something awakens...
Frederica	The bats and bugs dealt with, Frederica takes a moment to reshape her summoned flame. No longer a blob with an oversize arm, it contracts to ... well, a blob with two oversize arms. Just not quite so oversize. In fact it looks a lot like a two foot high flaming egg right now, with foot-long arms and stubby little feet, and a flaming glower that's all 'raaaarh' without actually vocalizing.     Sticking around at the back of the party, Frederica walks beside her little ball of sunshine, watching upfront as she hopes to rely on others to aid the crossing. She dismisses the minibeast though, when it becomes clear they all have to run for it. Saying something under her breath that's probably rather unladylike she charges ahead, trying to make it over along with the others.
Mizuki	Once she's satisfied with her strike, Mizuki's sword dematerializes and she -kicks- off of the spider with the aid of her wings. In all likelihood, this would push the beast to the ground long enough to ensure the effectiveness of Faruja's... well. Singularity crunch. Folding her arms behind her back, her expression scrunches up a bit. Seriously, Mizuki needs to get in on this space-and-dimensional magic crap. Arthur can bend the freaking /universe/, and Faruja just squished that thing into some sort of spatial singularity too! Hmph. She can do that back on her world, sure, but not out here...     Mizuki lands with a graceful tap of her shoes and brushes off her dress. Eventually, her eyes find their way back to Faruja's, and she smiles a bit. "Ice crystals to offset the what, now? I believe your words became muffled in the midst of our graceful carnage." Giggle giggle, sleevecover~. It looks like all of her spunk hasn't left her after all.     It isn't long after that Faruja's haste takes effect, though, and Mizuki is quick to take advantage of it. She takes to the sky, following the rest of the group closely. She is likely one of the last to notice the presence of /something/ beneath the syrupy orange waves - kinda harder to notice from the air after all - but she eventually does. She makes a point to move closer to the cave wall so that she's not directly in the way if something comes rocketing out of the magma. It might singe and-or bite her dress, you know~?     Man, she has a really one-track mind sometimes.
Allyn	Allyn blinks as the ground begins to give way under him and Tomoe, ok one more time, he shimmers and changes forms again, going from cat, to large eagle. Well he has hunted down large birds that couldn't fly in this form. Probably birds that are much bigger than chocobos or whatever those things he's heard of since being around here. He shrieks and closes his talons on Tomoe's shoulder and flaps his wings, trying to to take her along with him if he can. He can be helpful from time to time. "Hold on tight." he's never tried carrying anyone before, but hey it's worth a try anyway, right?
Auron	Even with Haste there's no way Auron's making it over that. Speed is only as good as how one can to use it. And speed has never really been Auron's forte. And he's also a very solid guy, even if he isn't really what one would call heavy, proportionate to his height. Besides, he's at the rear of the group, and the walkway is not very likely to stay good enough for a solid dude with big feet and a reasonably heavy tread to run on.     Thankfully Auron knows this. As he runs to the walkway, he starts affixing the rope to one of the large, nearly spear-sized arrows of his longbow. And as he reaches the crumbling walkway he stops, aims at the opposite wall, and fires. The size of the arrow and the strength of the bow should assure that the arrow bites deeply into the wall, and the blast of ice that the arrows make upon impact should assist in holding it in place.     And just as the walkway crumbles under him, Auron grabs hold of that rope and swings forward, over the lava. It doesn't look like he's going to make it. It really does look like he's going to swing short and fall into the lava, but... he leaps forward when the rope is at its full swing, and lands -- BARELY -- on the safe side, in a shoulder roll to absorb the impact.     Though that roiling and churning of the lava... that has him pulling his sword again! What now?
Ainsley	Ainsley was flitting about, taking minor slices at monsters that don't even come close to the party. She targets the smaller creatures, the ones that might swarm if left unattended to. And when she turns to spot the others through the smog of the magma, she finds that they are progressing without her. She makes a soft squeak noise, waving some smoke out of her face. Then she pivots in the air and advances toward the temple itself, electricity trailing behind her. She remains mindful of bubbles in the lava below, so that she doesn't get sprayed by any bursts of hot gas and rock.     The blade of her sword is glowing a faint red color, and humming as if in pain from the continual fighting against creatures of fire and ash. It isn't damaged, but it doesn't seem to enjoy it.     Ainsley herself has enough burns that she's going to be in a very bad mood soon if someone doesn't treat them. The moment she lands on solid ground, she staggers and emits a choked gasping noise, finding a jutting bit of rock to lean against. She gingerly touches at her leg, painfully frowning down at it.
Frederica	Frederica's not particularly fast compared to a normal elite. She's the slowest of her siblings due to having no real physical ability. It's unfortunate but somewhat inevitable, particularly considering her starting at the back of the party, that she doesn't make it up to the crumbling part before it begins to give way.     She skids to a halt, looking concerned but not panicky. If nothing else she could go back home, right? Or get a lift from someone who can fly or teleport. But no, that would involve being a burden rather than an asset... and that's one of those things the pyro girl detests.     "Pyro Queen." Frederica invokes her psy aloud. "Salamandra!" she calls out, summoning a massive pillar of fire beside her. The pyre forms, shapes, turns into a form several times larger than the earlier fire blob. Its arms... are about as large as Frederica herself now. One of them scoops her up, fortunately without the sound of sizzling and screaming. The fire creature opens its mouth in a silent cry of exertion, HURTLING Frederica over the truck-sized gap. Frederica shrieks in a sound that MIGHT be exhileration. Of course it could also be terror... hard to say, and she's not likely to admit it if it is.     She hasn't considered her landing, of course. She's aimed more or less at the group, but getting over the gap was the first concern. Behind her, Salamandra flares out and extinguishes, its job done.
Tomoe	Tomoe is a dirty cheater when it comes to things like this she feels Allyn get a hold of her and does not seem to mind too hard really. She's used to it she attempts to flare her wings into existence but has forgot a little fact. Shehad planned to just hover their way across, that wasn't going to work. Thankfully someone else had an idea. That someone was a certain Frederica well gives her a toss like everyone /else/ and away Tomoe goes over the lava on to the other side landing face first hard enough to revert it back to wire-frame. "...that could have gone better! Ugg Allyn... you all right?"
Faruja	Luckily for Mizuki, Ainsley, Tomoe, and a certain distinctly turtle-like person warded off any flying beasties that might decide to come have a snack of Celestial Librarians. She makes it over as the roadway crumbles! Plenty of time for color commentary. "Keep ice crystals for a good offset to the reds! Variety, spice, et cetera!" Pause. "Less interior decorating, more /not/ going to the Lord before one's time!" Even Faruja isn't sure if that's meant for Mizuki, or himself more. Faruja scrabbles a bit, kept aloft by a float spell. All of the smoke and general airiness of the place makes it a little tough to discern /just/ where to teleport to, so the rat wisely chooses /up/. Then, he gracefully floats down to an easy landing upon blackened rock. His gaze turns to his companions, gravity magic ready to pull anyone who looks like they're in true danger! Spying Allyn and Tomoe in his arms, the rat helpfully throws a Float spell their way as well as a good, hard tug of gravity towards them all! Hopefully it isn't /too/ hard a tug. Auron gets a /look/. The rat doesn't bother hiding his concern. Up his staff goes! Bop! "Ser Auron that was BLOODY RECKLESS. And bloody brilliant. Well done! Just...fah. Next time, I am giving ye a teleport crystal." Admonishment done by a whack upon the head, the rat gives him a firm pat upon the shoulder. Frederica proves herself a more than adequate Summoner in Faruja's consideration as she conjures up a being from flame itself. Then, she chooses to have it suck her up and spit her out. A glance around. "S...Ser Auron! CATCH THE LADY KINDLY!" Point! Faruja's too busy offering lift to Allyn and Tomoe to help! Faruja casts his gaze to the reason they're not being mobbed by futher nasties. "Ainsley, ye art wounded!" The rat's tail flicks at his robes, a pocket showing what might just be a bottle of some sort! Between whatever the rat has, and Auron's restoratives, they might not even need to use mana to heal up the poor lizardess! Then Tomoe, too, goes flying courtesy of Salamandra. "Tomoe...wh...what Daemonry is..." Yeah, Tomoe. He saw that wireframe. Faruja looks more than a little freaked out about it. Demons he can handle. Technology? Nope. But there's more pressing concerns that draw Faruja's attention. Once the group is all safely over, it seems that they're not safe yet. The nearest island within the sea of lava between the party and the Shrine shivers, cracks, and then sinks into the burning depths. Without warning, a pillar of fire arises. Those sensitive to flame, fire magic, or spirit-sensing in general would get a deep sense of power. Something arises. It's almost a mirror of Frederica's summoning. However, this creature is simply massive. The gout of flame forms and coils on itself until the red-and-orange visage of a dragon appears. Long, slinky, and covered with flaming ridges up to its face, burning eyes regard those gathered with suspicion. Worst still, is the intelligence in those yellow and red eyes. "MORTALS!? COME AGAIN TO DEFILE THIS SACRED PLACE!?" Every word is punctuated by a backblast of heat. Faruja falls to his knees, bad leg giving out as he uses his cane to keep from sliding back towards the lava they'd all just escaped. "Nay, oh spirit! We art simply here to..." The rat starts. The creature's eyes turn to Faruja in particular. "SILENCE! I know of your ilk! Robes of midnight or bloodstained crimson alike, ye shall do naught more to my Mistress! The only reason I doth not devour ye is her last charge! Another word rodent! Oath or nay, doth not test mine wrath!" Faruja /snarls/ in response, standing as zealous outrage shows in his features. Then, he looks to Ainsley, to Mizuki, to Frederica, Tomoe, Auron, and Allyn in turn. Sharp teeth clamp upon his cane as he starts to chew upon it. Better than angering the fire spirit that's as fiery as the rat himself. Someone else will have to handle diplomacy here.
Tomoe	Tomoe is all right and there wireframing would be worse really if not for the float spell it would have been worse. "I'm all right and wait oh my face it's all right. This is ... a avatar for lack of a better term. For all intents it's me just not flesh and blood." She rises up now and pauses at the thing speakingthem. "Come again? Wait someone else came through here?! Who would have done so? Why?"
Auron	Auron flinches away from the hit on the top of his head, emitted a quiet grunt of surprise. It didn't hurt much, as it probably wasn't intended to. He raises a hand to rub at the spot. "Thank you. I think." Pause, smirk. "That wasn't reckless. If I had jumped without the rope, that would have been reckless."     Then Faruja's pointing at the flying Frederica and Auron nods. He'll put himself in the general area of where she might land, though he won't push anyone else out of the way. If he catches her, he'll put her on her feet safely. He's a brick wall, figuratively speaking, so her weight won't shift him much. If someone else catches her, he'll help to steady that person.     Faruja's reaction to Tomoe's wireframing is a raised brow. "That's her avatar. She's digital right now. Electronic. The shock was enough to momentarily disrupt her frame rate, hence the 'glitch'," he explains. He's not going into a lengthy explanation here. Mainly because...     Suddenly SALAMANDER! Though Auron has never met this one before, he's seen enough Aeons to recognize one when he sees one. At least, he believes it to be so. For his part, he himself has a magical air that the fiery beast might sense, too. He is not of this world. Auron's world is suffused in magic, so it's part of him.     Now, in his world, Aeons were to be treated as holy beings. And thus here, he takes a knee to the creature respectfully. Not only because 'holy crap AEON' but because this thing could very easily kill them all if it's not placated. He has sheathed his sword by now and makes no offensive movements towards what he believes to be an Aeon. "Great Soul. We were aware of no others that had come through here. They are most assuredly not with us," he offers in a quiet voice. A pause, and he deigns to look up at the 'Aeon'. "...What horrible thing have these people done that has distressed and angered you so?"
Allyn	Allyn flaps his wings as he gets flung with Tomoe, he wasn't expecting that, so he gives a squawk of alarm, but he peers down at Tomoe and blinks and lets her go. "I'm fine." yeah, he's not sure about technology either, after all on his world they never advanced beyond swords. Then of course he's blinking at the creature that rises from the lava and stares at it for a few moments. He tilts his head studying it for a few moments. He ponders, thinking if there is anything he can do, but can't really think of anything, but as Aeon speaks he listens and lets others handle it, once on the ground again though, he shifts back to a more furry form.
Mizuki	Mizuki playfully quirks an eyebrow at Faruja and smiles. She mouths a 'very well' in reply, but mentally notes that Faruja's knowledge of choice interior decorations was... well... unprecedented! She would have to remember that for later. He's very right though - better to have those discussions over tea rather than over a bed fiery death juice! She giggles to herself a little mid-flight, her spirits noticeably lifted from earlier. But...     ... ah. Monsters from the deep? Mizuki summons her sword again and comes to a halt, looking to Faruja with a mild concern. But wait (there's more!) -- is this thing /sapient/? Judging by the charge in its words, it's quite possibly /sentient/ as well! Wowzers! Mizuki's eyes light up with a curiosity as Faruja's fists begin to quake in rage. Oh dear. Probably might be best to intervene before ye old spirit ends up having an elite shishkebab, or alternatively, before the elites ice the flame dude.     Because 'ice' (verb) was completely appropriate there and you know it.     Instead of a jarring time teleport, Mizuki simply swoops in after carefully hiding her sword. She gives a certain agitated, anthropomorphic rodent a gentle pat on the shoulder before turning to Sir Hot N' Spicy and holding up a hand. "If I may be allowed a word?" Mizuki calmly lowers the hand and offers him/her/it/does-it-even-matter a pleasant curtsy. "I am Mizuki. Charmed!" She gestures to Faruja, then to various other places in the room. "This is my friend Faruja, my associates Allyn, Frederica..." The introductions continue on. So, uh. The simple, quick, dirty explanation? Hovering over the lava, the way too calm girl exchanges pleasant introductions with the pissed off flame spirit, before eventually reaching a sort of conversational zenith where she gives exposition of a bizarre and twisted sort.     "... you see, I myself am a spirit. Or something like it~." She giggles. "I know mortals can be rather obnoxious, but I can personally assure you that we are not here to harm anyone! Rather, we are simply here to... to..." Mizuki tilts her head slightly and looks back to Faruja a moment. "F-Faruja, why are we... bah!" She spins her head back around quickly, giving the lavaman an even wider grin and an animated wave of her hand. "That's irrelevant! For you see, after a simple gaze into the eyes of my comrades, I'm certain that you will sense their well intent! Observe~!" Mizuki slides out of Faruja's way... before quickly moving back into place after noticing the not-so-subtle rage again. "Er, not him! But look at the others! For mortals, I'm certain that you'll agree theirs are the -purest- eyes and hearts you've ever seen~!"     Er... no. She's not at her most charismatic today. But she tried...?
Ainsley	Ainsley frowns heavily over at Faruja, not because of any offense but because her whole body hurts in various ways. She limps over to grab at the potion out of Faruja's pocket, pausing when they come upon the great Salamander, a powerful and bestial creature, like a dragon in its mannerisms. She stares for a few moments, uncertain if it'll attack or not. She looks up to Faruja's face, and sees the tension in him. The grimace softens, her distraction pulling her hand away from the healing item. She gently grasps his forearm and stares up at him.     She stares meaningfully, calmly, trying to be his anchor so that he doesn't let his fury get the better of him.     Then she looks off toward Salamander, her brow creased in concern. She doesn't voice any questions, but she's uncertain what would anger a being of this intelligence so much.     She looks over at Mizuki as she speaks of purity, possessing a skeptical visage. "Obnoxious?" she wonders, mildly, frowning sadly.
Frederica	Frederica lands more or less at Auron, caught and steadied and such in a professionally-tankly manner. She'd act all indignant and such about getting handled by a man but... well, it's Auron. He's one of the crew from Alfheim Online, even if he's not in his Cait form right now. She can't go all indignant on him for simply saving her from doom!     Instead she's just quick to pull away, to retreat and dust herself off, flustered. It helps that he doesn't make a big deal of it, instead concentrating on Tomoe's plight. That allows Frederica to recover with a certain measure of dignity.     By the time the party reaches the salamander, Frederica's dignity is more or less fully restored. The great creature makes her nervous, and worse it makes her sweat. Giant beasts can be fearsone... but this one is different. It's intelligent, for one. She doesn't miss the gleam of intelligence in its eyes, and that makes all the difference. Peering up at the salamander, she can't help but be impressed. "Very beautiful." she says, almost to herself. She's generally quite liked dragons in the Multiverse, and a creature made apparently out of fire holds a certain fascination for her. She could possibly try to control it, to assert her power against the creature, but it's got power and will too. Likely she couldn't control it, but she could meddle. She doesn't really want to, however. Not if there's an alternative.     Deciding perhaps the group needs a bit of diplomacy, and somehow deciding on herself as the one to deliver it, Frederica steps slightly away from others and sketches out a circle about herself. Meaningless dramatics, but she doesn't want to make her power entirely obvious. As she completes the circle it bursts into flame, a column of controlled fire that buoys her upwards so she's more on a level with the dragon-beast.     "We aren't here to despoil." she tries to reassure the salamander. "No one here disrespects fire, or shrines. Our companion is interested in espers. May we pass?" she asks.
Faruja	"Ye mortals did!" Yells out the fire spirit, belching out flame suspiciously close to Faruja. For whatever reason, he in particularly seems to be drawing the spirit's anger. Faruja shoves aside the thoughts of avatars and the headache it creates. Auron's words combined with Tomoe's imploring words have the dragon pausing. Lowering itself, it peers at the two before settling back. It's gaze is almost thoughtful. "Seven mortals came. Three of crimson robes, three of white, and one of blackest night." Here, Faruja's wrathful features start to dip. Something clearly isn't right with the rat, or the spirit's story. A deep sigh leaves him as his arm is grasped by Ainsley, and the rat /relaxes/. Thoroughly chewed cane spat out, he can think. The male keeps his love close even as he speaks over the radio. And then, Mizuki. The girl's introductions get a blank stare from the great spirit. It leans in. And then, after several tense, silent moments... The great spirit /laughs/. It's bitter, tired, and sad. But it is a laugh all the same. "Yes. Hello, Sister of the Beyond. Ye are of that which I hath never seen, beyond a simple elemental as myself. Perhaps akin to my Mistress. Or something else entirely." Huff. The elemental looks over each one in turn. She stops before Frederica. "You...like /him/?" She shrugs towards Faruja, a wave of flame barely missing the rodent. "No." There's a gentle smile upon the elemental's face. From Mizuki, to Frederica, to Auron and Tomoe, she finally returns her gaze to Faruja. "Summoner. My Mistress has been taken by one such as you. Do ye know anything of this?" Faruja straightens, and glances to his companions. "The previous exploratory mission that discovered the shrine proper was supposed to have consisted of /six/ individuals." States the rat. He scowls...and then bows before the creature. "Honored spirit, I regret to say that my previous companions, whom meant to only discover and restore that which was lost, hath been used by those with dark intent." The spirit seems on the urge of once again breaking out into anger. Then, with one sweeping glance to the others, she shudders. "My Mistress is a creature of compasson, and forgiveness. Therefore, I do charge ye with rescuing my Mistress from the claws of the one whom enslaves her. Do you accept?" Faruja goes still at those words, shock and horror running through him.
Allyn	Allyn titls his head and looks to the other as he listens to the spirit, or whatever it is speak and then looks back to the spirit. If he were in his human form he might be frowning a little, but as he is he can't really do that. "I'm up for it if everyone else is. We did come here to help out after all, so shouldn't we do whatever we can to help?"
Auron	Auron pauses, listens to the spirit's explanations. He doesn't exactly have the best opinion of organized religion anyway. So no, he's not at all surprised by this turn of events. However, he doesn't mention this to Faruja. Not only has he more respect for Faruja than to lambast his religion to his face. But experience has taught him of these situations. Faruja won't listen, and it would serve only to upset the summoner.     As for the spirit's words and request? Still at a knee, Auron asks the spirit, "Who is your mistress? What does she look like?" His words can indeed be taken as an agreement, even if he doesn't come out and say it.
Mizuki	Mizuki... has to fight hard to restrain a sigh of relief when she finally gets a response from the spirit. PHEW! Really, emphatically phew! That went over quite a lot better than she was expecting. It doesn't take her long for her to fold her hands at her waist again, though, her countenance again as composed as it was before within mere seconds. "You flatter me, really." Mizuki gives the spirit another, gentle, small bow. "The reason you do not recognize me is likely because I am a foreign element. An observer. Moreover, I'm not an entity composed of any 'conventional' sort of mystical energy." She widens her grin slightly. "No, I'm but a thought out for a stroll."     With the way she's talking to the spirit, you'd think this was some simple, friendly, coincidental meeting between two people at a public event. If nothing else, Mizuki's psychology is a thing of whimsy.     Soon, though, Mimi's light-heartedness fades, and she puts a hand to her chin to indicate that a thoughtful mode has begun. Eventually, she speaks. "First, allow me to commend your dedication to following your mistress's example." Another bow, however slight it may be. "I do not wish to patronize you, but truly, your patience is a thing to be admired. Given what has transpired recently, it wouldn't have been out of bounds for you to have snapped us up on sight! I thank you on behalf of all of us for giving us the 'benefit of the doubt', so to speak, and it is my earnest hope that the local mortals will prove less... erm... barbaric in the future." She complements her words with a grin.     "Alas, it would be presumptuous of me to speak on behalf of my friends," She gives a brief glance back in the group's direction, "but I give you my solemn oath to do what I can for your mistress. She sounds like a kind soul, and certainly one worth saving. You understand, certainly, that the affairs of my dear friend the summoner here must take my highest priority, but I get the feeling... that our goals will end up blending together, somehow." She gives a curious smile... before holding out a hand. It would appear that she's asking for a handshake, if the spirit would understand that gesture.     Soon, though, Mizuki clarifies for them. "In some places, holding out one's hand as I am now is a gesture of respect." Her smile widens just slightly. "It is called a 'handshake', and it involves the joining of the prehensile appendages of two sapient-sentient life-forms, usually of the same species, in a given place." Finally, she giggles a little. "Though I doubt that last bit is prevalent, and it certainly won't be here. But basically?" A brief pause for effect. "This is my sentimental way of promising you to dedicate myself to your mistress's safety." She's... broken out of a sort of stupor by Auron's words, though, and follows them up with a few of her own.     "Though the one with the absurdly large blade brings up a very good point!" Smile smile. "Is there anything outstanding about your mistress that would help us identify her? Several of us here have very acute magic sensing capabilities, if that helps." Another pause and a few bats of her eyelashes before she adds, "Oh, and if you have -any- information whatsoever regarding any potential threats in the cave, or any malevolent forces that might have had a hand in your Mistress's capture... any such information would be helpful. As would any directions you could give!"
Frederica	Floating gracefully upon her flame, Frederica considers the summoned spirit's words. At the same time she studies the creature's form, wondering if perhaps she could program something like it for her own use. Salamandra's easy and quite intimidating, but a dragon creature would be amazingly cool too.     It seems there were six people sent on a previous mission, yet the dragon spoke of seven. And of a betrayal. Frederica doesn't know the six who were sent, but she can read between the lines. "Faruja, does the red robe and white robe thing mean anything to you? Is the one of blackest night some sort of betrayer?" she asks thoughtfully.     Her thoughtfulness goes momentarily out the window though when the dragon speaks to her. "Of course I like him!" she agrees hotly. "He's always been kind, and he NEVER judges people simply because of their race!" she claims. Unlike SOME people, is the barely-unspoken implication.     Frederica, too, has no particular love of religion. She does believe in doing the right thing however. "Mmmm. If a seventh figure betrayed those sent by the church earlier, then I believe it'd be our duty to go after them and deal with the betrayer." she muses, switching off her anger almost as quickly as it came, replacing it once again with thoughtfulness. "But more importantly, I'd help this summoner. A woman betrayed, captured, in trouble?" she nods vehemently. "Life is more important than justice." she claims.
Tomoe	Tomoe now understand why Faruja didn't her her comment about how she was disposable. She takes a moment to keep an eye on everyone else, it seems Allyn is all right. It's funny she knows in a way she's just a poseur and it gets to her to be honest at times. She watches as Mizuki steps in as well to speak she was speaking herself hoping go keep things from going south further and she would have no issue with Frederica trying to save some dignity. She gets the idea someone else came and the Dragon thankfully adds to the story a bit. "So three in red, three in white and one in black? Humm seven of them." She looks to her fiends then to the spirit. "Yes I agree
Faruja	Auron's words earn him a smirk. Rather than answer with words, she breathes out a small gout of flame into the air. It forms into the image of a flying bird with large wings, in red and orange colorations. It flies past the party, showering them with feathers. Rather than harsh burning, there's a feeling of gentle warmth that eases away wounds and the oppressive heat of the cavern alike. It might even help with Ainsley's burns! Faruja all but whispers. "...Phoenix. She embodies healing, the rebirth of the soul into Faram's Holy Kingdom, and destruction of darkness." Informs the rat. His voice has lost all anger, filled only with reverance and excitement for a moment. Then, resolve and grit return. A swift nod to the spirit. Seems she's already convinced him. He turns to the rest. Allyn gets a grin. "/That/ is the bloody spirit! Let us rescue the holy Esper from her captor!" The Shapeshifter's just earned Glabadosian brownie points. Mizuki seems to have earned the spirit's favor through her strange antics and curious words! She extends her head wordlessly. It doesn't burn as she all but nuzzles Mizuki's hand like some sort of dog, though managing to show dignity the whole time. "A scholar, like the patron of Lightning, and the gentle Emerald Defender. I accept your dedication. If one such as ye vouches for the Summoner, I shan't devour him." She huffs, and glances balefully at the rat. "I suppose Salamander is less a fool than I thought." Faruja squints at the spirit. Looking away, it's back to Mizuki. Frederica gets a look as well. The spirit finally seems to slump. "Sister of Flame, if ye speak it so, then so 'tis. My apologies for mine anger. Truly?" A fiery tear falls. "I accept. I accept thine oaths, all of ye." Fred and Mizu get their questions asked. "A single woman continued into the shrine. I had assumed she was in aliegance with the others. There was dark magic....horrible magic. I sent the denizens of the cavern within. My...Mistress bids me stay here. To guard, and welcome travelers. To ward them from the creatures within this place. I cannot leave, I..." "I heard the screams of my lesser companions. And my Mistress. I felt her pain! That twisting, horrible blackness...her soul cried out, I..." The creature slumps to the ground, shivering. "Part of me died to hear that, and bound as I am here, to be able to do nothing. Please! Mortal or spirit, I care no longer! Just rescue her!" Then, she glares at the group. "...Fail and I'll devour every one of ye!" Faruja speaks up. "Come, mine friends. This one in black is no doubt a rogue Summoner. Those with dark intent can twist the power of an Esper, and create...tainted manifestations of them." With that, the rat looks to the spirit, who nods. The creature flicks her head. The lava recedes, except for a thin, one-person wide strip. She blows upon it, and it rapidly /cools/ into blackened earth leading up to the massive Cathedral-like structure. No creatures asail them all as they travel towards it. The dragon spirit calls out once more. "I sense only two within!" She calls before going quiet. Eventually, the group comes to the doors. Faruja nods to the others to help him open them. Before he can do so, they burst open, the gothic architecture shuddering as images of orange and gold of that very esper start to bleed from the walls. Dark flames spill from the insides of the large antichamber, adorned with symbols of the Phoenix. All are covered in parts of dead creatures, splattered with blood and generally profaned. A single woman in black robes stands within the circular room, more than enough room for all to fit and fight. The pathway beyond leads deeper in, and towards a locked door. Before them, the blonde haired woman clutches fiery, black chains upon the body of the Phoenix. It's great wings are tinged with dark lines, blood streaming down it's appendages that are more bone than feather in its twisted form. "Ahhhhh! The little Church dogs hav
Faruja	"Ahhhhh! The little Church dogs have come yapping! Welcome, welcome! Hee hee heeee!" She's somewhere in her mid-thirties, this woman, looking sweaty, and in tattered black robes. Her beautiful features are twisted into an insane grin, magical power flowing uncontrollably off of her. The Esper screams as she urges it upwards. "Don't you worry, my little Children! My new friend here will bathe you in cleansing fire, and set you anew! With /her/ I'll wipe away this oppressive institution, and bring /innocence/ to the world in bleached bone and ashes!" Calls out the woman before the tainted Phoenix lets loose with a wave of fire at the party! Faruja, with quick words, summons up the emerald green figure of Carbuncle, saving himself from being turned to ash! Hopefully others can device their own methods of safety, or take shelter in his shield of emerald! It's wide enough for several to hide behind. The rat glares. "....Kill this filthy Heretic!" Orders the rat aloud!
Auron	For once Auron is not out in front. Fire is impossible for him to guard another against (also it's a group attack and he can't tank those). Thinking quickly, he digs in his coat for a starry scrap of cloth that he channels energy into. An effect surrounds him that is much like what Faruja just did. So the flame won't be bouncing off only Faruja's Reflect, but off of Auron's, too! The dark summoner is about to get a double-whammy, with any luck.     True, he can't Cover others against the flame, but now the party has a solid tank with Reflect, who they can run behind if they need or want to! In the meantime, he draws his sword again. Summoner. Means she has magic. He pauses a moment, concentrates, and then darts forward. An odd blue gleam slides down his blade as he strikes at the woman, and if it hits there will be a small explosion. It won't hurt her physically no... but she might find it harder to gather up a large amount of magical energy....
Frederica	Frederica looks on in awe at Phoenix. Healing flame... and beauty too. She can't help but be moved. The salamander, too, moves her. When it apologizes, shetting what appears to be a fiery tear, she looks abashed. "There's no need to cry." she mutters. To help a phoenix? Well, she hardly needs to be threatened into it. And she scowls at the dragon for making that threat upon their failure... but doesn't comment.     Dismissing her fiery pillar, Frederica follows the group forward to the cathedral. Inside, she looks in irritation at the black-robed woman. "This is the one who gets to burn, right?" she says to Faruja, her temper showing and the words clearly loud enough to carry.     Frederica's about ready to lash out at the summoner, but the phoenix is compelled to attack first. Seeing the wave of fire approach, she's no slower than Faruja to call upon her power. Surrounding herself in an orb of flame, she wills the shell of the orb to harden. To become, in part, the 'skin' of Salamandra once again. It's not a perfect protection from flame. She still feels the heat of the magic as it washes past, but the external curtain of flame can't penetrate Salamandra's shell and ends up passing around her protection.     Unladylike, Frederica glares at the summoner. "You're really starting to piss me off." she cries out. "Pyro Queen. Salamandra!" she cries out, bringing the shell of flame around her to a semblance of life once again. The giant ball of flame rises up, stomping as it lifts Frederica up safely within its belly, then turns menacingly to face the summoner. "You're gonna BURN!" she cries out, her form indistinct within the sphere of living flame.
Ainsley	Ainsley gazes at Salamander, the fiery beast that seems taken by a familiar rage that threatens to scorch everything around... She smiles at the dragon-like being, sympathizing with its emotions enough. She touches at Faruja's hand for a moment while the exchange progresses. Her brows lifted when the pathway to Phoenix was finished, the lizard girl staring at it with curiosity.     Despite her fascination, she's one of the last to progress. She spares a glance back to Salamander, first. And then she says something, with a gentle confidence, "Have faith. We will do everything in our power to save her."     Once they discover the dark summoner and the abomination of her chaining the Esper, she leers with no pretense of mercy. "I am not a part of Faram's flock," she tells the woman, and then points a finger toward her, "There is no innocence in death and fire, you deluded creature."     She emits a pulse of magic, and uses a 'backburn' method to curve the Phoenix Flames around her. It's not foolproof, still burning at her robes, but it does protect her from the worst of it. Then she spreads her fingers, and emits a tremendous blast of lightning. Instead of raw force, it's like getting a pulse of Starlight-Hot light right in the face... and it's aimed right at the summoner woman. The lightning itself is aimed for the chains binding Phoenix. Because she believes if Phoenix is freed, not an ounce of mercy will be given to this twisted soul.     Ainsley is a big fan of appropriate consequences.
Mizuki	Mizuki's verbosity final errs, and she departs into the next room with little more than a reverent nod. She leaves the ceremonies and parting words to others for once as she summons forth her sword once more... and a peculiar energy builds around Mizuki. There's a slight bounce in her step and a very obvious upturn of her expression as she heads onward, her grip on her blade intensifying.     If she were to speak, it's extremely likely that she would say something along the lines of, 'this time it's personal'. Even though it kind of isn't.     When she steps into the circular room, though, Mizuki immediately becomes pensive. 'This is it', her authorial sense tells her, 'this is climax of this short story'. She briefly considers calling on Callia and Palora, but... well. What can she say? She's feeling confident, and tonight she wants to take center stage. Or at least, to be as close to center stage as she can get without shoving the crucial characters off of their appropriate pedestals. Soon, though... ahaha. Oohhh... you've done it now, lady. You've... you've...     ... you've turned on Mizuki's most diabolical weapon of all: Her. Freaking. Monologues.     Mizuki is silent a moment, holding her sword aloft, giving the offending heretic a good look. A corner of her mouth twitches. "Dog of a church I am not," Her shoe skates across the ground to emit a dull sound, "but yap I shall. Yap, so the you may know the prejudice with which I do that which must be done." With that, she clears her throat... and begins a very slow approach. And with every step, she speaks.     "You claim to understand innocence, dear woman, when you have enslaved the spirit of the most innocent of souls to suit your needs." Step. "You swear this world back to tabula rasa without the consultation of others, thereby proving your arrogance." Step. "You speak in third-rate riddles that hardly deserve to be acknowledge as such, and...!" Step. "Your sort of profound HYPOCRISY, your sort of unconscionable ARRGOANCE, your sort of profound DERANGEMENT is a blight upon not just this world, but on the canvas of ALL CREATION!" Mizuki's expression twists in... a fairly horrifying manner. Suddenly, she's not so hard to notice anymore.     "Lord's wishes or no, I will see to it that your blight is the /ONLY/ one purged from this world this night!" As she breathes her final word, her wings burst forth and she rockets into the sky, throwing a speeding stasis field in the sky. Using Faruja's words as her cue, she rushes through her field and heads directly for the woman in black, intending to pass just over Phoenix. In a final reply to the Summoner, she shouts,     "WITH ALL ~ DUE ~ PLEASURE~!"
Mizuki	Mizuki is also apparently on fire right now because she failed to notice there was fire in front of her as she rushed!
Tomoe	Tomoe has made the agreement with the spirit and pauses for a moment she's making ready to head out. "Then let's get to work shall we..." She's cut of as the being drops to the ground. She gets the idea to move and turns about to join the others as she moves with the group she pause for a moment at the strange nature of the place. She moves carefully as they head within and she speaks as they are confronted. "So your the ones behind this?" she's making ready to strike as she summons her naginata and makes ready to strike.." Any one of these people with her today would make for someone having a bad day but with all of them from Auron to Federica? The people behind this were in for a very bad time.
Allyn	Allyn glances around for a few moments, sees that the others seem to be protected from the flames, he doesn't have such protections though, the wolf gives a deep sigh. Those flames coming towards him are going to hurt if they hit him most likely. He ponders for a few moments as to what he should do, shift to tortoise again and hope his shell protects him enough to not get too burnt? No, this time he shifts to his falcon form and flies upwards, using the speed and ease of manuvering to try and dodge the flames.
Faruja	Auron neatly helps the Summoner have a bad day. Faruja's and his spells have a backwash of flame scorching her. Screaming, he yanks the esper before her, who takes the rest of the blows that would have been fatal. STrangely, Auron's blow slides right through Esper and into the Summoner! The chains upon the tainted esper crack. Several lines of darkness fade as the dark Summoner attempts to draw upon her strength. Frederica gets a hungry smile from the Inquisitor. "Given the circumstances, I shall save the fire and brimstone for later. As ye like! End this one!" Calls the rat. That armored form of Fred gives her pause, and the summoner aims a dark, sickly green ball of magic at the woman! Should it strike her, she'll find its poisons trying to seep its way through her armor! Allyn's flying presence distracts the Esper, Phoenix flying upwards as her slaver's command starts to waver. The Esper fires darkness-tainted gouts of flame. Oddly, they don't seem as strong before, as if her patron's growing weakness is lessening her own capabilities! The Summoner ducks and hides herself near the ground as Ainsley points and fires her Lightning. It strikes the chains! They waver, very nearly winking out. They hold on by tattered, dark threads! "This entire land of Ivalice is corrupt, to the core! All! EVERY SINGLE THING IT ALL MUST BURRRRNNNN!" Faruja Senra turns to Mizuki. Such fire. Such righteous wrath. The Inquisitor looks /proud/ of the woman who thus far has seemed both whimsical and lacking in such fury. More and more, the desire to see her of the flock grows. "Shrink before our might, Heretic! Look upon this angel of wrath sent before ye! For she shall rend ye asunder this day!" Calls out the rat, adding just a little bit of theology to Mizuki's powerful words. There's no response. Mizuki's words have caused the Summoner to /cower/. Intimidate successful. Those bonds fade, and as the rocketing form of Mizuki passes through, she'd easily be able to bisect the Summoner. But blade alone won't stop the woman. As she falls, the blow clearly fatal, she raises a hand. The entire cathedral shudders. A dark, yawning void begins to open at her hand. The insane Summoner laughs aloud as it begins to suck her in! Faruja's eye goes wide, and he immediate begins to cast! "ALL OF YE! Strike her! Disrupt her power how ye can! Lady Mizuki!? We must stop this spell!" It's Time Magic, clearly enough, a great black hole into realms best left forgotten forming. Faruja begins a litany of Stop spells aimed at the yawning hole. It shudders, and the Burmecian's magic slowly takes hold. But it's not enough against such an incantation! As for Phoenix, she's slowly being drawn towards the spell! Without intervention, the creature from whom the taint is slowly dissappearing might be sucked within!
Ainsley	Ainsley isn't great at combat. She's already exhausted and she's barely even started to fight. She shivers under the pain of her burns, feeling like she might pass out if she weren't so charged on adrenaline and fury. And yet she stares at all of this with a mildly glazed-over look for a second, her mouth falling open in shock and disbelief as a vortex begins to form in the dark summoner's hand.     Ainsley uses her Harness to backpedal against the suction, her face scrunched up by the effort involved. That is... until she spots Phoenix plummeting toward the dark pit that is that spell. Her heart sinks, and her body moves on its own. She said they'd do everything in their power, and she is not going to be made into a liar by someone who has lost all of their hope.     She bolts forward toward Phoenix, with the pure intention to use all the remaining juice in her Harness to push the holy firebird away from the danger. She is heedless of the foolhardy risk of this act, whether it burns her or not, caring only that the Esper is not killed. She will not allow any true purity in this world to get destroyed!
Mizuki	Mizuki gives the summoner's lifeless husk but a passing glance before de-summoning her sword. Though... she might have been acting a bit too soon there! Oop! As Faruja calls to Mizuki, she kicks off of the woman in the black robe - literally, she practically does a wing-aided somersault off of her face! - before getting into place with Faruja. This may be a bad idea, but her authorial sense says to go for it. Really, it's like 'going with your gut', but this way feels like it has just a touch more credibility somehow.     ... but just a touch!     Mizuki holds out her hands, taking a deep breath! She conjures another stasis field, causing a large, monochromatic sphere to appear over the spatial distortion. This may not be stop, but it's the next best thing: a huge stasis field, one meant to dramatically slow whatever happens to be inside of it. The clincher? It's getting smaller, compressing the time and space inside of it. Mizuki is trying to twist her temporal abilities in co-operation with Faruja's stop to literally bring this spell, whatever it is, out of existence! Or at least, that's what she's intending. She has a good feeling about this, but that doesn't mean that she has any idea what will actually happen! But since when would this mad hatter-turned-vindictive angel have it any other way, really? She smiles as her hair flutters behind her, beads of proverbial sweat (or in her case, real sweat) begin to drip down her forehead. "Ahaha...~! Faruja, if we are consumed by this, I expect an audience with your God! And the finest tea any of us can conjure in our fanciful little imaginations...~!"     Some things never change. All this, and that's still what she's thinking about.
Auron	Faruja's calling for assistance, and that Black Hole opening in the sky clearly isn't going to be good news for anyone in the room. Possibly even the Summoner herself. And possibly the Aeon, either. That kind of magic Reflect won't help. But he knows something that just might. He pauses, holding his arm out before him, as if to guide the qi. Golden flashing lightning surrounds him for just a moment.     Then he shifts his sword to his other shoulder and picks up his jug of booze. To those who haven't seen him before, it might seem a strange time to take a drink. But instead of drinking the stuff, he spits it onto his blade in a fine mist. Then he holds the sword aloft and energy surrounds it, forming an oddly hellish-looking aura around it. And then he swings forward, digging deeply into the ground with the blade.     From where the blade splits the ground, four black and orange, roiling orbs fly up. They rise up and then try to home in on the Summoner! And if they hit, she's going to find it hard to do much of anything. They seek to effectively 'seal' her.
Frederica	Frederica remains still, seated comfortably on air. Well, on fire. Within the belly of Salamandra, she's relatively safe from most forms of harm. She certainly doesn't need to do something so crude as dodge... and the massive bulk of Salamandra is too slow to be much good at dodging. The poisonous green magic hits Salamandra, its corruption burrowing in. Salamandra is an aspect of Frederica's mind, and that tainted magic is likewise burrowing into the pyro queen's psyche. It might sicken her, but such an attack can't hurt her fast enough to stop her or break her will. Gritting her teeth to ignore the corruption, Frederica focusses on the attack.     "You'd attack a fire user with corruption?" the girl cries, angered and haughty... and perhaps sneering somewhat. "Fire is the cleansing force that denies corruption! Salamandra, BURN!" she calls. In response Salamandra's flame rises. "Salamandra, FLAME WHIP!" she shouts. The elemental responds, opening its mouth in a roar that sounds like nothing beyond the crackle of a bonfire magnified a dozen times. It raises a fiery hand, letting a trail of flame leak downwards, forming a shimmering rope of liquid fire. Then the arm pulls back, lashes forward.     Frederica herself continue to not move, beyond her shouts. Salamandra is her most powerful form, the flame whip her most lethal attack. More than that though, she can't move. Her will inhabits Salamandra itself. She's not telling the fire spirit to raise its arm and to lash out any more than she would 'tell' her own arm to move. She's willing it to happen by projecting her own consciousness and her own movements into the flaming giant. In this way the creature is animated without its control straining the limits of her concentration. It takes no more concentration to swing that arm than to swing her own.     The flame whip rises, falls. Held together by Frederica's will, it's something more than mere fire. It's white-hot plasma, more a force that cuts through things than one that burns. In the terms of another genre entirely, it's a lightsaber. The strongest manifestation of flame and will available to one whose very soul is flame and will.
Allyn	Allyn dodges the gauts of flame that Phoenix sends his way, hey he's a falcon, he's got great manuverability for a small bird of prey! He's not got the abilities that everyone else has, but still he does what he can. Seeing the phoenix in trouble and Ainsley trying to help it, he shifts again, once more into his giant eagle form and like Ainsley he goes to help. He doesn't care what danger the flames might mean him, or if he gets burned. He flies in clsoe to Phoenix and tries to lock his talons with the Esper's and flaps his wings to try and drag it back and away from being sucked in if he can help that way.
Tomoe	Tomoe is not going to hold back no, she's certainly not going to screw around here. She listens to them rant, them rave talk about fire and brim stone. She pauses for a moment string. "Are you for real? Dear God you actually are." Tomoe then launche her seld at the summoner at high speed she's shockingly agile for her size, not to mention given the gear she's wearing as she strikes down with a brutal combo of strikes form her blade, taking a moment to cast a spell of her opwn sening a barrage of beams of light at the summoner.
Faruja	More than anything else, it's Ainsley's purehearted desire to save Phoenix that frees her from her chains. The last threadbare links shatter as the small lizardess impacts the distinctly soft and feathery chest of the massive bird. Even /with/ the power of the Harness, moving the big bird should be impossible with such a light weight body. But move the Phoenix does. Will and purpose matter more than the physical world with such creatures. The darkness in Phoenix's eyes fades, replaced with warmth. Pain lingers, but she looks upon Ainsley with kindness and love. In turn does each one get such a look to varying degress, so full of love is this powerful creature. It's the gaze of a loving Mother to a child and a devout healer all in one. The fallen, dark Summoner isn't even spared that glance. There's no hatred in Phoenix's eyes. Only pity, and sadness for the one the Esper, for all her power, cannot save. Another winged creature in the form of Allyn swats Phoenix right in the legs. Between the pair, the great Esper's descend is stalled. The combined hearts of the two trying to save her have her waver...and just before the strength of their efforts fades, the bird flaps her wings. Sent aloft, those two wings are wrapped around Allyn and Ainsley. Rather than burning flame, her feathers are soft and warm. Injuries slowly heal by mere presence as her feathers soothe them both through sheer good will and reactions to their pure hearts. Black and orange orbs fly into the dark Summoner as her magic grows, blood and bone already missing as she herself is pulled towards it! Eyes dulled through pain, she's left screaming in agony. Those cries stop, however, as the orbs impact the woman! Her entire body freezes, and goes an odd shade of grey. With its caster abated, and time itself trying to leech at the spell, it shutters...and then expands! Whatever was cast, the Summoner pumped her very life into it. Tomoe's Light impacts the Darkness, the two forces visibly fighting in minor coronas of the two elements. Her strikes cause the spell to wobble and writhe, almost a living thing, those closest able to hear the insane Summoner's voice deep within. Horrible voices whisper from beyond... The great lash of Salamandra falls. More then meager fire, its touch is that of the great King of Dragons, Bahamut. Even the darkness heeds its liege, the power of fire beyond fire slicing the spell in twain! Those sensitive to magic or Time itself can feel the very fabric of space and time shuddering from the impact of Frederica's lashing within Salamandra. /This/ will take some time to clean up, as the spell is cleaved, causing its power to pause at a crucial moment. It wavers, desperately trying to draw together to completetion. But no longer does it draw in the party, or the phoenix, the party's efforts together at least negating it. But so too does it slowly try to reform. Faruja and Mizuki team up, their combined temporal efforts bearing fruit! He glances to the woman. His look is somewhere, at first, between a scowl and a schoolboy's grin of exhiliration. "Lady Mizuki, truly, THIS IS A HORRID IDEA M'LADY! DOTH YE REALIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS!? BUT ONE FLUTTER OF MANA IN THE WRONG DIRECTION AND WE CAUSE A TEMPORAL DISTURBANCE SUCH THAT EAGROSE CASTLE ITSELF SHALL BE..." Pause. Really, that's /not/ an unpleasant thought of their temporal shenanigans going nuclear enough to swallow the blueblood Beoulves and their Heretic begetting family. "Onwards, to glory! By the Lord, methinks He shall hath quite the cup of darjeeling for us made fresh with honey and cream alike, my dear!" Strange that he's suddenly in a good mood. Oh, what would he do without librians and lizards these days? Faruja Senra very nearly faints as his temporal and magical senses give him a nice view of the spell as their combined magic causes reality to fold in on itself, and wink the spell out of existance. First it's there, and then the Cathedral tucks inwards, and back again. Poof! Gone. The backdraft of reality
Faruja	The backdraft of reality turning to normal as Faruja smartly cuts his own spell is enormous. Stone cracks. Bits of paint fall. And the Cathedral doors blow off of their hinges as the blast of fading magic sends Faruja tumbling right against a statue of Phoenix. The rat lays prone, groaning as he cradles his head and wretches from dark magic exposure. Allyn and Ainsley are spared such a vicious fate. The Phoenix sets down the pair, before flapping weakly to the center of the room. She casts first Faruja a glance. "...Poor, violent soul. Wisedom and ignorance abound. Little child, dear Summoner. We will speak again. I pray to your God I can help you, for yours shall be a tragic fate." To Auron, the spirit seems to almost smile despite possesing a beak. "Stalwart guardian, you that has suffered...know that your life has had purpose. These ones live thanks to your experience and strength. If ever you grow weary, return here. May you find comfort within these walls." A feather falls from her, drifting to Auron, warm and light. To Mizuki, the creature tilts her head. "...It's been some time since I've met one such as I. Fellow spirit, know this: these mortals are the bright flame that winks out in a blink of our eyes. But they are no less precious for it. Remember them. Watch them. /Teach/ them, for such knowledge passed shall span the lengths of time for such short lived creatures. They shall be immortal as they pass it to their kin." To Frederica, the spirit grins, agains despite having a beak. "Fire lurks within your heart, mortal. But do you wield the raging, bleaching flame of which this poor girl..." She motions to the greasy stain that's become of the tainted Summoner after so much magic and power was thrown at her. "Or a fire to protect and heal? Think upon it. Know I am here for you." To Tomoe, the Esper bows. "...Strange. In flesh or nay, you are one who protects others. Know that, no matter what passes." To Allyn, the bird ruffles his head in eagle form! "The entire world of the wild is yours. May it lead you to great hunts, and wisdom found only in the secret places of the world." Finally, to Ainsley, the esper wraps wings around her as she slowly tries to ease her wounds. "Gentle hearted one, your love can shape the destinies of millions. Never forget such a feeling, no matter whom decries it. To heal, to save, to /love/ even the most wicked.../that/ is true faith and purpose." Flapping her wings, she rises high into the ceiling. Looking down once more as she fades, she lets out a gentle cry. "...Thank you all. I go to rest, and recover. May you do the same. No being here shall trouble you. Summoner? Rebuild this place to its true glory. Do so, and I shall offer my wisdom to all who come before me in love and honest desire." Fading away into a chick of flame, it dissappears behind the locked door. Slowly, Faruja stands, leaning shakily upon his cane. He turns to the others. "We...shall do as the Holy Esper asks. This place must be rebuilt, cleansed, and the road here made safe." Slowly, eh'll try to hep his companions back. Luckily, the fire spirit from earlier will be much more helpful.
Frederica	Salamandra, flames now starting to turn somewhat greenish, simmers down and fades away. Frederica comes to her feet as her elemental fades, looking unsteady and perhaps a little greenish herself. She's either been weakened by a rush of power spent, or she's been sickened by the summoner's attack. Either way, she doesn't exactly look well.     She looks up at the Phoenix though, or tries to. At the great creature's words, she has to look away. Her entire life has been the struggle between the extremes Phoenix mentions. She's dedicated her life to being the fire that protects others... and recently, the fire that heals. She's dedicated her life to controlling and overcoming the fire that exists only to destroy.     Frederica's a good person with a strong and noble heart. She has, however, made mistakes. She's lost control. She's struggled to make up for horrible deeds done long in the past, before she came to control and understand her power. Those deeds clench her heart though, even now. She can't say with a clear conscience that her power exists to protect and heal, even if it's her dearest wish and the truth of her every action. The dark fires of destruction rage too hot for her to be confident in her continued control of them. If Phoenix can see into her heart of fire, she can surely see the conflict there. See the indomitable will of Frederica to be the fire that heals and protects... but the mind of the pyro girl is filled with uncertainty.     There's slow tears in Frederica's eyes as she watches the phoenix disappear. She remains silent, not voicing her thoughts. After a bit she nods, as if to herself, and follows the group out. Swaying somewhat, and definitely seeming more than a little ill.
Mizuki	Mizuki takes in a deep breath... and her legs promptly give out on her. A wide palette of abilities and words she may have, but lasting power she does not. She's pretty fragile when you get right down to it, and it shows when she lands rather roughly on the ground. She doesn't seem at all disgruntled though! She just laughs, glancing between the various others there. She stares up at the ceiling for a while, spreading her arms out on the tile... and for once, not trying so hard to keep the villain charade going. Eventually, she shuts her eyes, smiling.     "Creation's beauty..." She lets her words carry for a while. "... so much activity of late. Is this Multiverse of yours always so animated...?" Of course, she's addressing no one in particular. And she sounds exhausted. There's another, slightly exasperated laugh from the girl. "But that's a silly question, isn't it...? Of course it is. It always is, in places like this..." Her smile is omnipresent. She looks dangerously close to another monologue, but thank Faram (or somebody), she shows a little restraint this time. Instead, she just sits there staring like a child on a clear Summer's day.     This continues for a fairly long time before she actually gets the idea to stand back up.     She brushes off her dress when she finally does, wobbling a little. Still just a bit unsteady, it would seem! Somehow, though, she manages a low curtsy to Faruja and the others. "One of us should let the other one know that his mistress is okay. It's incredibly likely they're already aware, but words are an excellent vehicle for catharsis, yes?" One, last smirk. Her wings flap once, kicking up a small draft before she picks herself up off of the ground. She looks like she's ready to go alright.     She raises a hand to the others. "Thank you, all, for allowing me to be here. 'Twas lovely, really, getting to feel like I was a hero in one of your stories." She gives a rather impressive aerial bow. "Adieu, all. Until we meet again."
Ainsley	Ainsley finds her single-minded, fiery impulses have saved Phoenix from a terrible fate, alongside Allyn. Her eyes start to lid as her consciousness fades away, but she still helps protect the firebird from a terrible fate... until the spell fades away, popping like a balloon.     She's slowly dropped down to her feet, her wounds healed as much as magic will allow. She reaches to touch up at a small scar on her face, a slightly pale patch of scales, from the burns of the creatures within the magma cavern. Her eyes focus on Phoenix blearily. And then she's given a very strange statement. She's told about the power of love, and how she can save millions with it. Her mouth opened when she heard that.     She looked down at the sword she had used to fight the beasts, which remained embedded in the floor when she dropped it in her effort to reach the Esper. She reached to touch at the hilt of the longsword, thinking on what she was just told.     Not sure she's worthy to be considered someone like that, her eyes water and her hand pulls away from the weapon, hesitating.     Sucking in a breath, she turns and runs off to Faruja, giving him an aggressive, squeezing hug. She keeps holding him like that until it's time to leave. She'll keep him there until everyone else has left, if she has to.
Auron	Okay, this is bad. Auron is a fighter, not a mage. There's not too much he can do about the magic gone amok! His instinct is to get in front of the magic types, but he knows this is something he needs to get out of the way of. So he steps back while the singularity is dealt with by those who knows what they're doing.     And then suddenly... FWOOSH! That backdraft of reality basically slamming the door on the spell. It pushes against him, urging him back like it did Faruja. But he quickly stabs his sword into the floor/ground enough that it finds purchase. He has to use both hands to avoid being pushed back. He's also a pretty good stabilization factor if anyone not spared the blast needs to hang onto him briefly.     Once it stops, Auron pauses, wanting to make sure it's really over... and then relaxes, pulling the sword from the ground. He looks around, looking to everyone's condition. Phoenix's words draw his attention then, and he looks to the mighty bird of fire. The Aeon of fire from his world was Ifrit, so this is an Aeon he knows nothing of. But he's heard of her in passing.     Suddenly her attention seems focused on him, and he nods to her words. "...Thank you, Great Lady." Again a little unsure what exactly to call her. But her station seems to call for /some/ kind of respectful title. A feather falls and Auron reaches up to catch it. It's warm and radiant. But from so majestic a bird, that's all it needs to do.     It's a strange feeling, the way Auron feels right now. He hasn't felt like this in... actually, has he ever? Not really. The knowledge that one was in the presence of true greatness. Not greatness because someone else said so. The last time he felt anything like this it was when he saw Braska summon the Final Aeon... when he saw the raw strength of the creature Jecht had become. But that was tinged with fear of the Final Aeon. And dread because he knew Braska would die. This feeling lacks all the negativity.     He wonders at it, as Phoenix disappears. The great Esper may possibly have done the thing that a thousand of the most zealous Glabados priests could not. Something that even an entire life spent inside a monastery could not keep hold of in the face of the great lie that was the Church of Yevon. Phoenix may have shown Auron what it means to truly feel inspired by what could be described as 'the hand of God'.     Outwardly he shows little sign of it. He just... looks at the feather. In fact, he misses Faruja's first statement due to the strange, thoughtful trance he seems to have suddenly fallen into. Though as he hears the tapping of the cane on the ground, he looks up. Mentally replays the last few moments of dialogue that he heard but didn't register. "...Good idea," he notes to Faruja's statement. It's strange, his voice lacks its usual gruffness. It makes him sound a couple decades younger.     To Mizuki, he notes, "I'm sure he already knows." The smoother tone of voice persists here, and it's quiet, thoughtful. He won't say much else as they leave, though won't go out of his way not to speak either. But he'll be in better spirits overall. Just... thoughtful.
Tomoe	Tomoe is not one to try and focus on anything other than her target, it's for the best she'd not likely take kindly to it. She's been in VRMMORPGs after all yet when it's real magic and not digital antics? That always sends a chill down heer spind. She lowers her weapon at this point and looks to the Esper trying to return the bow. She wonders just what's up with this world a bit but well she can help right? Or she thinks she's helping at the very least. "I'm glad we could help.." She looks to Faruja, and then to Auron and then Frederica. "..." She's at a loss for word,s while there are no tears fall down Tomoe's face. However somewhere else under Sheena's headset, the tears trickle out.