Scene #2647: From The Ashes Of History: The Palace

Owner	Pose
Gaius Van Baelsar	The Imperial Palace was a grand structure, but even this palace of stone and steel walls, marble pillars that reach in some places fifteen feet high, and orbs of mystic blue light now teeter on the edge of destruction. It was once one of the oldest buildings that has been extended, and kept around since the time of the Garlean Republic. Yet here it lies the defense that tries to keep all at bay. Dead bodies of soldiers who fraught to protect this stronghold of a building. Drakes who came to assault lie upon the floor, and soldiers turned traitor. Including one man as well who leans against a stair well, battered and unable to keep fighting but alive. Thank fate, alive... This was the High Legatus and it was his men who laid now dead with some many others. Yet he lives, but desperation was in those eyes as he calls to those who walk into these halls. Including to the man who he may wish so dead, but not in this hour-- in this hour there was far more grave things that were in play. "Van Baelsar!" His voice calls before he steps and goes down on one knee, his sword acting as the only thing keeping him from collapsing. "His Radiance..." Gaius goes to jog over to him, even as the the High Legatus motions up the stairs. "I couldn't... " "Save your breath." Gaius says as he goes to help him leans against the stairwell. Ignoring the shaking of the walls and the war outside. "We will handle this." The Black Wolf then stands and motions his blade to all who are with him. "All of you! With me!" He then goes to race up the stairs, "Move it!" He barks out, though an perhaps unnecessary order. Once they arrive at the upper level, men have been seen killed and the massive doors wide open to the elegant room where grand structures rise up to meet the ceiling. The windows open to show the destruction outside and once the group enters. The clash of steel can be heard and soon it is apparent why. One soldier remains, one soldier fighting to defend the Emperor, who is quickly has a blade driven right into him as the group arrives. The armored man who has commenced this attack, the traitor behind it all, uses his boot to shove the soldier off his blade. The armor striking almost like that of a lion, as blue lines shimmer along his chrome armored form. The shield emitting a field from it like a tower shield almost. "Look your Radiance..." he says calmly looking over his shoulder at the group. "...Your next heroes have arrived to save a man who is to feeble to fight on his own." "Leave him be, Luscus! Your fight is with us! With me!" The traitor of a Legatus chuckles gently as he looks away from them. "Maybe once I take this old man's life..." He says with a sneered voice as he goes to aim his gunblade at Solus, though the old man simply stares him dead on with no fear in his eyes. His cane in his hands as he forces himself to stand up and seems unnerved. Perhaps because Solus knows, this battle is /far/ from over and as Luscus goes to pull the trigger, Solus shows surprising speed as he whips that cane around to smack the gunblade aside, throwing the shot just slightly off to skim against his armored pauldrons. The Emperor then twists his cane as it activates some pulse and he slams into the man's chest as he lowly says to Luscus as it sends a surge around his armor. "You strike the man who crafted the empire on the tech you wield and you think I not have my defenses, boy? That I not see what you would do when the time to come? A man such as I who built this empire on my own blood, sweat, and tactical plans. You are foolish... Now face the wolf and his pack on your skill alone!" The charge full sets and blasts Luscus back, who slides along the ground. The shield deactivates and he finds his gunblade disabled. Only left now with the simple armor, the basic of shields, and a simple sword. (( BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk3HC-mUfRg ))
Yari Takane	Yari pauses, nods, and then turns to Sanary! A quick smooch on the cheek, and she smiles. "Stay alive. Good luck, Sanary. Let's...talk after all of this." Then she's saluting Gaius! "My Lord!" Off she goes with the Bossman! There's certainly no arguments here, particularly when the Palace is mentioned. The Emperor! The High Legatus gains little words from Yari. Instead, she nods to Gaius, and after depositing a medical kit near the man, she's off. She can trust a Legatus to keep himself alive, after all. The Traitor Legatus and His Radiance fight, the older man sending the traitor flying with his skill and technology! She's never been this close to the man. But there's no time to wonder, only to act. Even as her tail yanks out a kunai, she's already making handseal after handseal. Aether fills her body, and she leaps like a cat upon her foe! Her kunai slices towards where she expects to be the weaker parts of his armor! Meanwhile, her free hand points at him! Lightning builds and then crashes towards him as she tries to point-blank lightning the man in the back! "The rewards of a traitor is only in death! FOR HIS RADIANCE!"
Guest Vivio	Vivio follows along with the others into the palace, listening to the quick summary of the situation. She's not so sure she likes the 'kill' part of this... But if by stopping the leader of the traitors attacking, the rest might stop. As they reach the fallen High Legatus, Vivio watches on a little sadly. There's not much she can do to help, not having any healing magic. But she nods in agreement with Van Baelsar, "Rest and recover. We've got this!" Vivio turns, running on with the others. The group bursts into what Vivio expects is the throne room of the Emperor. Or something to that effect. Admittedly she hasn't met any emperors, or been in many palaces. She's mostly just going on stuff from stories she's heard... Still, the old man she expected. His impressive ability to defend himself, not so much! As Luscus is launched in their direction for them to deal with Vivio, shifts into her combat stance and says, "It's over! Call off your troops. The city is being defended and you're alone here. You've no choice but to surrender!" Vivio's face is one of determination, not wanting to see the people of this city hurt any further.
Mantigora	There's actually a bit of a smile crossing Mantigora's features when Gaius mentions that the damned traitor was here, and was to be killed. But it was hardly a comforting smile. It was more like the big, sharp toothed grin of a predator that has been pointed at the biggest, juiciest rowdowser in the herd. No, the order isn't needed, but it certainly suits the mood. Though it looks like they arrived for the best part of the show, as despite his age the Emperor still puts his aggressor in his place. "Never piss off a warrior. ESPECIALLY an old one." Experience is everything. That said, she steps out a bit to the side of the others, her posture a bit of a low lean, tail flicking back and forth as she moved. Stalking, sizing Luscus up. The man was cornered... but that is when the prey is the most dangerous, when they have nothing else to lose save their own life. So, as much as she wanted to rip this man's intestines out his ass and strangle him with said entrails, she was taking a wary approach. These were trained life soldiers. Just because he had no weapon did NOT mean he was no longer dangerous. Anything but. "Is that the best you could do for armor, or did you just not wipe off the shit when you pulled your head out of your master's asshole?" Ah, the honored Draken tradition of combat insulting. It looks like Mantigora is circling him as the others move to strike, but like many things with Stalkers, looks are often deceptive. While she's spitting insults her Nano Field is creeping towards Luscus, little more than a faint flicker of green as it reachs out towards him, to slowly start eating away at what little defense he still has while he's likely more occupied with the direct assaults.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Luscus slides along the ground, but manages to flip back up to his feet. Even in a mix of armor and 'leather', the man doesn't seem slowed down. He tries to pull the trigger of his gunblade and tsks. "Damn you old man, but it doesn't matter. You have already doomed the Empire! Even if you don't realize it yet!" He looks at the group as they get ready to move on him and tilts his helm slightly to Vivio's words. "How kind of you to think I shalt surrender to mere Outsiders. If not for your mingling, we would be playing this out /so/ much differently." His eyes are sharp behind the voidless eyes of his helm. He sees Yari coming in and goes to meet the Kunai with his blade and shield. When she fires off the lightning, he raises up the buckler in defense and grunts even as some of the lightning surges over the cermet armor. Luscus looks to Mantigora as she reminds him of their Emperor's history evenly. "He is an old warrior, but a soon to be dead one!" Though he catches the nano-field and quickly goes to move from it. Though as he goes to shift his step and head for the Emperor he find's Gaius right in his way. His own blade meeting the Black Wolf's. "You sided with all this, Van Baelsar! You sided with these outsiders instead of your people!" Gaius rumbles lowly as he goes to break the parry and then steps in to swing again, forcing Luscus into the Nano-tech field. There is no reply from the XIV Legion's Legatus. He does not need to speak, for the Emperor speaks for him. Even as Luscus attempts to get away from the field again, the armor can be seen burning from the field eating away at the material. The Emperor simply speaks calmly. His voice easily carrying in this room. "We are no fools, Luscus. You were given a second chance at life, one I decided to give upon you when you came to me on your knees asking for it. Soon as whispers came that Nael Darnus could return, you attempted to take Gaius Van Baelsar's life." Luscus then goes to shift his stance and charges for Mantigora as he sees her close, hoping in attacking her the field will go away. His blade was swift, he was a well trained solider. "I did not for Nael, but for our future!"
Mantigora	"No. He sided with us -for- his people!" The man was a trained soldier, but so was Mantigora. Her augmented reflexes react quickly, bringing up her arms to catch his blade between both sets of claws. Her tail lashes as her clawed toes dig into the floor to keep her footing solid, even as the Traitor's force pushes back against her. "The best way to deal with an enemy that knows your ways is to get help from ones they would not." Unfortunately Luscus' hope is in vain. In fact, it's entirely the opposite. It does seem like the nano field stops when he strikes. But that split-second is only before it's secondary function is activated once he's close to her, the nano-energy bursting outward from the Draken in a focused blast to throw him away from her again.
Yari Takane	Yari uses her Legatus as a shield. As she's tossed away by Luscus' defensive blow, she lands neatly, and lets Gaius take point. His blade meets Luscus'. But then Yari is there, drawing her sword in one smooth motion. Her tail pulls the trigger on the sheath, and the additional force is not inconsiderable. A strike from beside the larger, more solid Legatus, and then that blade's slipping back to the sheath in one motion for her to then again take cover. It's an intricate dance she weaves, never staying in the same place, occasionally bodily flipping over the pair of stronger warriors with her inhuman agility. And anger too fills her blows! "How dare you strike at His Radiance! HOW DARE you strike at the Lord Legatus! You are a traitor, a sham, a stain upon Garlea's soul! It's our duty to take others into the strength of this Empire! To make the world, no, the Multiverse one in that name! You can't best us no matter how many dragons, how many coward traitors you send! Our hearts are iron, our resolve true and unyielding!" Her mind instantly goes to her mother. Slain. All the other soldiers dead today. "Pray to your false god for deliverance and mercy! Because you'll find none in us!"
Guest Vivio	Vivio watches as the others launch themselves at Luscus with the intent of striking him down. When she was coming here, Vivio was fine with the mission to save the Emperor. But he looks to be capable of protecting himself and as a result, this has become more like a mission of revenge. Vivio doesn't give up though, "Is this the future you want?" She waves her hand around, "A city in ruins? Your people lieing dead on its streets!? Even if you kill the Emperor, the fighting won't end there! All you'll do is bring more death to your world... But you can stop this, now." Maybe if she can just get him to realise that fighting any more is pointless, this can be ended before too many more die.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Luscus holds his against Mantigora, taking note of her tail. "Shut up, you mutated Au Ra bitch." He sneers. "You know NOTHING!" Though it about then that the blast slams into and knocks him back, he rolls along the ground before getting back up on his feet. This only gives him just a moment to bring up his shield to block several plasma blasts from Gaius Van Baelsar, which in turn knocks him back down to a knee due to the sheer force of the Ceruleum plasma exploding against the shield. Hot spots forming on the cermet shield as he tries to get back up on his feet again. The Emperor continues to speak calmly, seeming unphased by the war outside and the battle in here. "Secondly, you hid these acts behind false information and deception. Decepticon that none were fooled by, but only you. Allowing Nael's forces to gain access into the Castrum within Coerthas, attempting to take the life of those there." Luscus has to time his moves to avoid Yari's attack, though one of them does get to his arm and he has to quickly block as Gaius moves in with a hard swing down. He slides out of the way, the Heirsbane from Gaius Van Baelsar almost clipping the top of his helm and he can feel Yari almost breathing down his neck as he goes to spring out of the way of her attack. The former Legatus tries to get some distance from the nimble fighters, only watching Gaius seemingly /walk/ to play catch up. His gaze moves over to Vivio who seems to be in protest to this all. "You don't understand how the Garlean Empire works, do you outsider? They will claim all of Hydaelyn, drink it dry, before they turn to other worlds! They will KILL this world... now super contient... The Emperor, trusting you /outsiders/ will kill us ALL!" The Emperor simply continues on with his judgment speech, "Thirdly, you are also responsible for the death of her former Lady Isaura Van Vitulus, at which she died by your own hands, did she not? While Nael may have gotten away with such acts, at the time blinded to see as strength and ferocity needed in the battlefield. Thinking a man whom I once called friend had gone traitor and Nael saved me the effort of having to deal with it, I have been very awoken to these acts, Luscus." There Emperor then bangs his staff on the ground. "Today your judgment is nigh." The old man says this as his gaze looks to Vivio who seems to desire to 'save' his life. Perhaps the crimes laid down will change her mind to what kind of a man they are dealing with? Luscus dances back again and and then has to block another attack from Gaius. The Heirbane actually this time cutting the sword in two as Yari gets him in an open joint in the knee. The traitor chuckles as he pulls out a knife. Yari would know that knife. "And so... is yours... Solus!" He roars out as he forces himself to stand and then throws the knife right for the Emperor... After all.... the guard dog wasn't there to catch it and Gaius couldn't teleport yet....
Guest Vivio	Vivio does listen to the crimes of Luscus. To her they sound bad, pretty bad. Just like a man she used to know. It brings back dark memories of her past... But it still doesn't change her mind. To her, sparing someone is always the better choice. Especially if it will save more lives, as there's no guarantee that killing Luscus will stop everything. This is just how she was taught. But it seems that Luscus isn't willing to listen to her words. Maybe she has no choice but to try and get him to listen to her fists... Even if she was sure joining the fight is what she should do, Vivio doesn't get the chance. Her eyes go wide as she watches Luscus stand to throw his knife. Vivio reacts on instinct, her magic flowing as her Jet Step takes her across the room in the blink of an eye. Appearing next to the Emperor, Vivio grabs him and spins, moving him out of the way and placing her back in the path of the knife. Without time to defend, Vivio squeezes her eyes shut, waiting for the coming pain.
Yari Takane	The blows they get in, Gaius' efforts, Mantigora's, Vivio's attempts at diplomacy...it all fades to nothingness in Yari's mind. Her Emperor lays out this man's crimes. One in particular strikes Yari straight through the heart. Her eyes go wide. "...It was you." She starts, lowly. "You...you were the one who killed mother!?" Screams the woman. Rage overwhelms her, and lends her speed. The knife is thrown, and then the outsider, Vivio grabs the Emperor. In one smooth leap, Yari dashes over, her hand coming up. She won't have this brave young woman harmed by her mother's own knife. Not when she's saving His Radiance. Such acts demand loyalty and honor. Blood splatters against Vivio. Yari hand falls limp, pierced through. Teeth rip out the knife. She doesn't even feel it, so fueled with anger and hate is she. She leaps at the traitor Legatus, fully intending to bury that knife through his armor and into his heart with her teeth. "....This is for my Mother you worthless bastard!" She whispers at him hatefully, even as tears once more begin to fall. She can't hold the pain in anymore.
Mantigora	If they weren't in middle of fight for his life, Mantigora would take a few moments to actually appreciate the fact that the Emperor was unwavered by said fight, listing off the traitorous crimes with all the cold composure as if he had been sitting upon upon a throne to pass judgement. Not freaking out when a literal war was waging around him, both inside and outside. That takes the most balliest of balls to not flinch at. As is, she doesn't even bother responding to the insults, or correcting the man about her race. Not like he would care. Her silence is because she takes advantage of him being knocked away from her, then embroiled once more in fending off Gaius and Yari to back off and slip into stealth mode again. Anyone could just beat and bash their way through a fight. The Stalker had other options in her bag of tricks to use... It would seem Luscus has realized he's not going to get close enough to the Emperor to do his dirty work by hand, as he draws and throws a knife instead. The Stalker is in no position to try to stop the knife. ... Because when he's throwing it is when Mantigora makes her oppritunity, coming up behind Luscus and thrusting both sets of claws for his backside. Because her training and technique specifically makes the Impale maneuver more effective at peircing armor when striking from behind! Though if anyone was watching closing they'd notice that Mantigora, while certainly inflicting considerable harm hopefully, aimed so he claws came at angles from the sides instead of straight from the back. Like she was trying to puncture his armor as much to hold Luscus for her sister-in-arms to strike as she was hurt him herself.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The blade heads for the Emperor and all Gaius can do is aim his Gunblade in its direction. The shots explode from the barrel, but they are all just shy of the blade. The Emperor can see it coming as well and closes his eyes. There is nothing he can do, not enough time to get out of the way. Perhaps in his own mind, he was ready for death, yet it would seem death was not ready for him, as the young Union woman among a bunch of Confederates, actually grabs him. This snaps the Emperor's eyes open as she twirls the man around. Vivio would realize that for an Emperor, he wore armor, not cloth, but the armor was light, but still armor never-the-less. Once she moved him aside, the old man went down to his knee from the force. Not that she had done wrong, but balance was a problem for someone of his age-- of the illness within. Yet no knife would even find Vivio, as Yari had moved to deal with the problem. When it was all said and done, Yari made the killing blow--- not with her hands, but her damn teeth, on that sword and jamming it through a weak point in his armor. Perhaps also thanks to Mantigora's well timed strike into his sides. Luscus coughs and staggers back, even as Yari whispers to him coldly. As Mantigora draws her blades away. The blue lines of his armor stop glowing, as he finds himself going down to one knee, and then simply falling over. It was the end for him and as for Gaius Van Baelsar he looks over to Vivio and rumbles lowly. His boots were heavy as he walks over to her, perhaps it was the fact she handled the Emperor as she did that now as the Wolf's ire. Perhaps it was the fact she was a Union member and while aided was now a possible threat. Gaius Van Baelsar was protective of his Emperor and it is thankfully Vivio's actions that will also spare her in this very place. "Gaius." The Emperor says placing up his hand for him his knelt position. "Cease." Like an obedient dog, Gaius comes to a halt and stares at Vivio. He then places the Heirsbane to his backside, before he extends his arm to the Emperor, mostly to help the man stand back up fully. "Your Radiance..." He says lowly, calmly to him. Perhaps even a hint of concern. Like a son to a father perhaps. The Emperor stands fully though he does cough, it doesn't sound very pleasant. Yet he does not let it slow him down, on at least appearances. "You have my thanks," He says to Vivio first, before his gaze goes to the others. "All of you." He then looks to Luscus, "While I expect not all of you to understand our ways, he was a man who must die. He did me great dishonor and our Empire." He then looks to Vivio. "A traitor... must always die for his crimes or his seeds of corruption could go to others. That is our way. Justice is swift and justice comes by the hands of death by man."
Mantigora	As Luscus drops to his knee and starts to keel over Mantigora gives him a slap with her tail to insure he falls over on his back. While normally she'd love to watch him fall forward and push the weapon in even farther, it would be a shame if he did so and broke the heirloom Yari stabbed him with. Then she puts a foot down on his shoulder and leans over him, holding one set of blades out so one of the last things he sees while taking his final breaths is his own blood dripping on his faceplate. "You're just damn lucky she killed you in battle instead of making you suffer like the wretched dog you are for years to come."
Guest Vivio	Vivio opens her eyes and blinks. Where was the pain? She turns in time to see Luscus's last moments. There's little she can do at this point, so just watches on with a little sadness as the traitor's life is ended. Vivio turns away so she doesn't have to watch any more. Vivio's attention is once more drawn by the approach of Gaius. She blinks again, wondering why he seemed to be upset with her. Then she realises what she did and looks a little sheepish. She'd heard stories of places where even touching important people can get you in trouble! Thankfully though the Emperor seems cool with it. Turning towards the old man, Vivio smiles a little at the thanks. She then turns to look at the still body of Luscus as she listens. Finally she says, "I may not agree with it... But it's your world, not mine." Besides, she tried. In the end, that's all anyone can do!
Yari Takane	Yari slowly stands, having slumped down from attacking the now dieing Luscus. Even as Mantigora plays with him, as her Emperor speaks, the woman is a professional. She binds up her wound, pulls out a garlean pistol, attaches a silencer, then steps over the dieing man. "I am a Garlean Soldier, Miss Mantigora. I don't need sentimental acts of vengeance. I will honor her spirit by seeing justice and honor done." That's when she undoes the helmet, and cleanly double taps him in the forehead. She won't let him escape, or live. No chances. Then she digs the knife out of his body, knocks horns with Mantigora, and she's moving over to His Radiance. She pauses as she passes Vivio. Something's pressed into her hand. A comms number for an unlisted burner com. "We should speak some time, Miss. Well done." Then, she's over to His Radiance. She kneels properly. "Do you need a Medicus, Your Radiance? I know of a perfect, if...non-standard one that I trust with my life." There's a glance to Gaius as well. A silent, 'Orders, my Lord?', with her eyes. Seems she hasn't spared a thought for her own injury just yet.
Mantigora	"Of course, Centurion." She saw the look in Yari's eyes, but understanding the need to remain professional in front of such company Mantigora doesn't make a deal out of it. She just takes her foot off the man's shoulder and steps back so Yari can properly finish off the matter. Justice, and revenge even if unspoken, have been done. She returns the butting of horns, but keeps back out of the way otherwise. Respect or not, she was still an outsider here.
Gaius Van Baelsar	As Yari makes sure the man will not rise again, the Emperor doesn't even flinch at the shots, he doesn't even seem to care. He was perhaps a very cold hearted man, but war-- countless years of war-- will do that to you perhaps. "No. This is not your land." He says to Vivio. "..and I can not even call it a world anymore, given Hydaelyn... as we known it... now is perfectly merged with the Multiverse." There was a sad tone in his voice, but it does not linger. "Go now, young lady. This land holds alliances and standings with the Confederacy and your face I do not know. Consider my act of allowing you to leave as a sign of my gratitude for what you have done for my people... but should you return, you be treated no differently as the Confederacy treats their own enemies." "This goes to any of your allies who also arrived here. Patience I have... do not test it." His voice was stern and cold. Gaius Van Baelsar was equally staring at her, as if wanting to be let off the 'leash' for all his frustration at this whole situation. The Emperor looks to Yari who kneels. "I do not.... Centurion." He says calmly. "Stand and check on the soldiers below. Have them seen too if some had the strength to actually /live/." Then he looks to Mantigora, even as he sees the blue flashes outside. "You done well, my dear." Gaius then speaks up. "She aided in our defense by calling upon the forces whom she knows. They also gave us aide in this battle." "Did they?" The Emperor says with an idle slow raise of an brow. "That is... good to hear." He then motions to Gaius, "Gaius. Walk with me. Let the others clean up the mess, such as the High Legatus." It would seem that is that. A thank you, a leave my lands, and now a chat with his possible to be successor. Did any of this phase the old man? Or was he just that good at keeping it hidden away? Perhaps none will ever know the truth about the Emperor of Garlemald. At least the war was now over and Garlemald, with the aid of their allies, could start to rebuild.
Mantigora	While not of this army, or even this world, Mantigora gives the Emperor a brief salute sheerly out of honor and respect. Because any man that can go through -all that- without so much as even minor panic deserves it. Then turns to walk out herself. "I shall go help with the .. cleaning up." She at least needs to a trophy or two for her own before all the junk and bodies are thrown out.
Guest Vivio	Vivio blinks as Yari hands her something. She looks at the number she was passed and huhs. She thinks she might have just made a friend! Always a good thing. Turning to listen to the Emperor once more, Vivio nods in understanding of the request to leave. She doesn't really get the whole Union vs Confederacy thing yet. But she does get that she shouldn't really be here. Vivio remembers that title some of the Sisters at the churh call her. She bows her head to the Emperor as a goodbye, saying, "Good day, your Majesty." She then turns and makes her way out of the throne room. She keeps herself in her Adult Mode, judging it a good idea until she's left this area proper.