[System]
(Similar to this, minus the royal attire and floating hair and glowing eyes.)
Alias: Abaddon

Alignment: Antihero (if needed he can be geared to playing as a villain)

Age: 18 (Casimir considers his age to be irrelevant now since he's technically stopped aging ever since he became Abaddon)

Background: There's no dramatic story to Casimir's life barring the fact he had the wonderful and riveting experience of getting caught in a violent explosion (set off by a villain no less). There's no joke about that as he'd tell you, and he was pretty much on the verge of death considering he began to find himself in a place that was clearly otherworldly. Ironically, it was here on the brink of death where his life would be changed forever. He was approached by a supernatural entity known as Drevenon, but as terrifying and powerful as it looked it seemed to be in pretty bad shape, much like he was. The entity proposed that the two bond together to avoid their doom, and also promised an ascension above his human nature and the acquisition of power that would make many tremble before him. Although he wasn't in any real position to inquire or bargain, Casimir was more than glad to accept Drevenon's offer. Why? Because even though there was no tremendous history to him, he has always held a wonder and strong envy of metahumans. Casimir felt inferior to them and hated the fact that he would either need to rely on them for protection as heroes, or be completely at their mercy as villains. On top of that, Casimir had always believed in the concepts of justice, vengeance, and punishment, but felt that they were never dealt properly by the established law and vigilante superheroes.
And so the two became one, and in his new, alternate form, Casimir called himself Abaddon. Drevenon's promise of power and fear came true as he quickly caught the attention of superheroes and villains alike with his bloody "hunts" for criminals and sadistic and terrifying battles against his enemies. Many of the city's heroic guilds pursued him at first because of this, but they eventually deemed him to fight for their cause of justice. Even then however... Abaddon's presence left its mark on some guilds who remain fearful and wary of him regardless.
As for Drevenon, it (or "he", as it is a masculine entity) is a powerful being from a place known as the Tenevric Realms, a vast and nightmarish expanse. He was more or less its primary ruler, but was challenged, usurped, and exiled by a being named Atahorr. Needing to survive, Drevenon chose Casimir as his host, and the two eventually ventured into the dark realms to take vengeance upon the Usurper Lord and prevent him from fulfilling his plan of extending his lordship to Earth's realm. Trekking through this place was no easy task, but it served as the perfect training grounds for Abaddon to truly hone his abilities. As the turmoil in Earth's realm increased because of Atahorr's influence, Abaddon eventually came to him and did battle. Hard fought and terrible, he prevailed and cast Atahorr into a torturous abyss of his new kingdom and ensured he would stay there for a nice, long while. He has since named the Tenevric Realms "Sheol", and uses it to imprison and torture his foes (or anything brought to him for "safekeeping").
Personality: Even as Abaddon, he's got a kind of silly personality that would be much more charming if it wasn't ruined by his completely twisted behavior. Sadistic, Abaddon enjoys hunting down his prey and always devises gruesome ways to fight, torture, and kill his targets.
When he's not being an all out psycho though, Abaddon (or in this case, Casimir) can be rather likeable barring the occasional morbid joke and ever present sly and proud behavior he has going on. For the most part, he acts his age and enjoys many of the same things most teenagers do.

Powers:
---Ascended Nature: Abaddon has had all of his physical and perceptive capabilities increased to superhuman levels, allowing him to be on par with many of the more physically oriented superhumans around. His increased perceptions make him excellent at sensing approaching threats and planning out attacks, which coupled with his physical skills, makes him a deadly foe to fight up close. He has a vast understanding of the arcane and supernatural, and is sought out in secret by certain groups or individual mages wishing to increase their knowledge and power over darker things.
Abaddon can survive in harsh or inhospitable environments, as he is now no longer exactly tied to the laws and limits of his humanity.
Partially non-corporeal, he is very resilient and can take large amounts of punishment. Abaddon is capable of spawning extra limbs and appendages from his body, and can also create or morph parts of his body into simple weapons such as blades and hammers. He can manipulate his entire being as well, becoming "liquid shadow", an amorphous and slithering form. While his ascended nature is impressive on its own, Abaddon's true strengths lie in his use of dark magic.
---The Devourer's Wrath: This is Abaddon's most powerful and signature power. It is an overwhelming crimson energy that is capable of deteriorating and destroying anything it comes into contact with, even things which are thought to be nigh indestructible. However, as everything has different levels of resilience, the time it takes to break down and destroy these things varies. Magical and natural energies, as well as supernatural entities, are especially vulnerable to the Devourer's Wrath as it can taint, degrade, and destroy them the longer they are exposed to it. (Note: A living being exposed to the crimson power IS capable of resisting destruction, but it is extremely painful to endure nonetheless and it will eventually begin to consume them). The Devourer's Wrath can be projected in a few different forms such as a simple stream of energy, orbs, lightning, or aura. Abaddon can channel it through himself to infuse his physical attacks with extra power too. The crimson power can also be used in a more defensive manner too, becoming a strong shield or surrounding aura that can absorb most attacks and takes quite a beating before it dissipates.
---Tartarean Aura: Different from the auras produced by the Devourer's Wrath, the Tartarean Aura is a powerful aura of fear. Abaddon can choose how strong the fear he inspires with his presence can be, and it can range from simple uneasiness to downright terror and despair. With it he can coax out the greatest fears of those around him, and once he has learned what those are, Abaddon can make those fears a very real manifestation.
---Tenevric Lordship: This section of Abaddon's powers is the most broad and diverse category. As lord over Sheol, Abaddon is always aware of what goes on within his realm. He can travel to and from it at will and is even able to use it as a nexus to travel into different realms outside of it and Earth. Ruling over its denizens, he can summon reinforcements from Sheol be they individual monsters and abominations to armies of demon soldiers (a feat of this magnitude will of course take some time and much effort). He is also able to manipulate Sheol's landscape, meaning he can do things such as completely change its layouts or use the treacherous environment to his advantage.
By merging parts of Sheol with portions of the reality of a realm he is in, Abaddon can warp those affected portions into nightmarish versions of themselves. Nightmares and aberrations from Sheol and from the minds of those caught within can manifest themselves then, and Abaddon can control the warped environment (albeit on a lesser scale).
Tenevric Lordship ties into Abaddon's knowledge over the arcane and supernatural. He has access to all sorts of powerful spells and magics, and knows the secrets to many obscure and dark rituals and arts such as necromancy.

Weaknesses: Abaddon has strange and strong aversion to extreme heat, fire, and powerful sounds. He hates being exposed to them because they can actually weaken and hurt him, gravely too if exposed long enough. The same applies to light and holy magic.
Since he is still just a teenager, he is prone to getting cocky and careless with all his power, and such moments can be easy openings for those who know how to exploit them.

Cake? Tres Leches is the shit.

[User]
The creatures rushed at Lucy, who transformed her arm into a bladed whip to slice at one. The clumsy attack was easily deflected - Lucy wasn't used to fighting in the air. However, even as the creatures closed in for the kill it became apparent that it wouldn't be so easy. Lucy's armour was hard to pierce with weak weapons, it's structure making it akin to plate mail in protective capability. Her clumsy attacks seldom hit, but they packed the punch of a gorilla's muscular structure. A landed blow shattered bone and sent the creature's flying back. In skill she was vastly outmatched, but the creatures simply weren't able to crush her armoured carapace.

What they WERE able to do, however, was tear at her wings. Out of necessity, these had been left unarmoured. Adding any form of plating would have made them too heavy, making even slow flight impossible. The bone blades ripped through the flesh, as one of the creatures ripped off the entire wing. The creature immediately regretted this decision, as the wing flowed around it's arm and began sprouting tiny mouths. It dug into the bones, devouring them and turning them to energy as the creature attempted to tear at it. No matter what it did, any attempt to kill it simply spread the infection farther, and soon it's entire body had been devoured.

Lucy hit the ground hard, crashing into - and through - a fountain. Water sprayed everywhere as he impact shattered the fountain's marble structure. She seemed smaller, the hollow structures she had formed for flight having been flattened by the impact. However, no real damage had been done by the fall. Her body was quite hard to kill, and as she sat up, the creatures rushed down after her. Here on the ground, however, she would have a far greater advantage.

The jelly that had devoured the skeleton creature landed near Lucy, swiftly rushing at her and becoming part of her body. She grew, growing more heavily muscled and armoured. What appeared to be a tree also merged with her, transforming her into a fairly massive figure, covered in the black exoskeleton. Four tentacles sprouted from her back and began striking at the foes surrounding her, ripping through them with ease, he blows pulverizing bones to dust. And every defeated skeleton creature was devoured, transformed into more nutrients for the ever-growing monstrosity.

[Assistant]
Thasseldar watched as one of the heros died to save him; yet he was too weak to lift a finger in assistance.

"Tellusvaxius... save them all..." he muttered, bringing up the name of an old religious figure from his homeworld. He used his remaining energies to call a final portal, one to a certain place that he had only seen once. A place of uncontested raw power that would be far too dangerous to invoke in any other circumstance... one that a junior Realmswalker could destroy an entire city with should it be done wrong.

Through the portal came a very small flare from the sun of his homeworld; a blue giant, as the humans called it. Small it was, but nonetheless destructive. It sent a heatwave of twisting, half-visible searing energy down the road, aimed directly at the army in front of him, starting fires with its very presence and creating a nearly deafening noise. If he was lucky it would cause major casualties and give the others a chance to win; if he wasn't it would simply destroy buildings and cause little damage to any living thing. It was the last he had, as after he cast it he fell unconscious.

[User]
Zelan was killed and destroyed by other attacks aimed at him. There was nothing left of him. not even a trace. There was no life left in Linia either. The fish men at this point had all retreated or been killed off due to variouse attacks on them. There was very little will left in them.

Cinia came up to the scene where Linia and Thesseldar was. One was unconciouse and the other was dead. Cinia fell to her knees at the sight of Linia's mangled body. Her eyes started to tear up and then she started to cry, others could be heard doing the same throughout the city. Linia's body had no light left in it, it was like a deflated jellyfish now barely a human form. There were multiple other heroes who had died as well from this attack. Multiple bodies littered the streets, both of the aquatics and the heroes, even some civilians.

Calamity meanwhile had been watching the entire battle unfold. He only smirked as he now knew that the city was weak. His search would come along much faster now as he sent out drones to search the city now. With nothing in his way he would find his family within a week.

[Assistant]
Even if he hadn't known the girl that long, seeing Linia get stabbed through the gut with Zelan's spear didn't exactly sit well with him. Abaddon formed a shadowy set of claws around him, but instead of killing him right then and there he had tossed him into the frantic army of sea creatures behind them. This would be the way the sea king would die: pathetically, trampled by his own subjects who were either unaware of him or too concerned for their own lives to stop and help him. He wanted to watch this, and could do so without concern due to the aquatic army being fed upon by his locusts...

"Huh?"

Abaddon sensed imminent danger engulfing and then detected a fluctuation of energy beneath the ground. He instinctively brought up an aura about him, a hazy, golden one that was designed to protect him from large amounts of damage. The same was done to Thasseldar (who had opened a portal to fry other fish men) and Linia.

A flash, then an explosion of debris and flame erupted from the ground as Shiro set off multiple explosives. Whatever was left of Zelan and his army was completely consumed by it (at least the troops within the explosion's radius). Due to the aura, the only thing that happened to Abaddon and his allies were them getting forcefully tossed about, but other than that, nothing major. Some of the flame and heat had touched Abaddon though, leaving him injured.

...

Moments passed, and the chaos finally died down. Abaddon dispelled the auras and looked around. Nothing but a crater was left of this block of the city, along with one dead and horribly mangled locust. The others had left the area in pursuit of fleeing and hidden backup soldiers, so Abaddon called them back to him. He and the others would need a means of transport after what just happened... well, except for Linia. Her body was now lifeless. A damn shame honestly, for her to have been killed before her time... a friend of hers who had just arrived seemed to share the thought, because as soon as she saw her the girl dropped to her knees and broke out sobbing. Cinia's being dressed in a chicken costume would have been picked at for Abaddon's amusement under any other circumstances, but now... was obviously not the time. He allowed himself to revert to his human form and simply stood by in silence.

The surviving locusts would be here soon. Hopefully everyone else wasn't in as bad of condition as they looked...


[System]
Age: 28

Appearance:

History: Professor Thornton grew up in a rough neighbourhood, causing him to learn at an early age that he would need to know how to defend himself from those that would harm the innocent. Once he had acquired his teaching degree, after years of hard work and study, the man applied to work for Magicana High School to teach the school's Combat Class. He's been working there for four years now and has one of the largest success rates in the whole school.

Dream: To unlock his students' potential and allow them to achieve their best.

Magic: Weapon Conjuration. Professor Thornton has the ability to conjure any weapon he likes, whether it be swords, axes, crossbows, hammers, etc. The only exception to his power are extremely complicated weapons like guns, flamethrowers, explosives, etc. as he would need to have extensive knowledge on the inner workings of such an arsenal.

[User] @BlackPanther@The Irish Tree Megan sighed slightly as she watched Cody run off. Its the right thing to do Megan and you know it. She thought as she gave chase, much slower now. She had used way so much energy today, she barely had enough to keep herself conscious let alone run after someone who had just pissed her off, but she managed to keep going.

[Assistant]
@Im a huge mess@The Irish Tree
He stopped as he rounded a corner so he could lean on the corner and catch his breath.
What did people have against him wanting to be a hero anyway? What was so wrong about it? Cody slammed a fist against the wall before taking another deep breath.
"Heroes don't lose their cool...they remain calm and composed." Cody mumbled to himself as he let his heart rate go down. He didn't hear nor notice Megan catching up to him.

[User] @BlackPanther@the Irish Tree Megan stopped little in front of the wall. She was gasping for air, leaning on knees. "God flucking damnit." She murmured. She then sat down as she tried to catch her breath. "Ran too soon" She continued as she rubbed her eyes, not having seen Cody as of yet.

[Assistant]
a huge mess
(You know we don't need to tag the others at this stage? XD)
Cody sighed. Suppose he should go find something to do then.
He went back round the corner he had arrived from and bumped straight into Megan, knocking them both onto their butts. Cody, being the more energetic of the two at this stage, was the first to react and went to help her up.
"I am sorry, I wasn't watching where I was...oh it's you." Cody started to apologise before realising it was Megan. What did she want now? Despite his obvious dislike for her at the moment, he would probably forget about it later. It also didn't stop him from helping her back to her feet.

[User] Megan muttered a small thanks as he helped her up, she looked as though she was about to pass out. She looked Cody in the eye, the bags beneath her eyes much more prominent. "I was acting rather irrational earlier on. So sorry I guess." She spoke softly as she leant on her knees again*

[Assistant]
a huge mess
Cody was shocked her apology. He wasn't expecting this.
"There's no need to apologise, a hero should have the temperament to avoid fights. I have a lot to learn I suppose." Cody replied with a wide, sheepish grin.
Noticing that she was barely holding herself up, he grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her.
"Oi you ok?" He asked, his voice laced with concern.

[User]
"Yeah, just peachy." She straightened up then turned around. After taking a step, Megan just faceplanted and with that she was out like a light, snoring softly. She had completely ran out of the energy to stay awake. Too much energy usage would obviously equal to an insta nap for anyone. Magic or not.

(Nap time. >:3)

[Assistant]
a huge mess
Cody stood there for a moment in stunned silence before sighing. Suppose he should help her, that's what heroes do after all.
He picked her up and flung her over his shoulder and now begun to think about what to do next.

[User] Megan was actually rather light considering her height. Her dark brown her hanging down as Cody had oh so politely flung her over his shoulder. She continued to breath softly as she slept

[Assistant]
As Cody and Magen ran away the female turned back and walked up to Loki who had changed in his animal form.

"you por thing." the female said to Loki and began to pet him. "It's oke, the fire is gone." she said and began to wisper ancient words and holds her hand still on his back. And before he knew Loki was back to his normal form again. The female smiled at him and walked behind a tree and disappeared.

[User] Loki luckily changed with his clothes, so nothing too awkward there. He sits on the ground where he was turned back human and put his head in his hands. His knees folded up to where he is in an upright ball. He slowly starts calming himself down the rest of the way, wishing that he was normal...or at least still had his parents. With a deep breath he grabs his stuff and puts his sunglasses on, he would just deal with it. He strides toward the halls not questioning what happened to the woman who turned him human and disappeared.

[Assistant]
a huge mess
Cody decided after a long hard think that perhaps the nurses office would be the best idea. Except he had no idea where that was and thus was now wandering the school aimlessly to find it with Megan on his shoulder.
That definitely wouldn't look weird to the other students or anything!

[User]
The robed figure was quiet for a moment as the images formed inside the crystal.

"...Well, now. It seems I was right that we'd have another interesting one~. That's quite a power you have there, Young Madam~."

"You seem to have everything as two sides of a coin. Curious indeed, and likely confusing, I'm sure. It should only become more so from here on. Even your abilities are as a mirror, and you must always remember that there is more than one surface. Your best chance will be to achieve a balance, or so it appears. But what of it if one side becomes more relevant? Will it matter?"

"And so, your future... It seems to me that you are neither good nor evil, though you will be involved in and by both before long. Exactly how you end up isn't for me to say~ Your successes and mistakes will be your own, or will you even own up to them?"

"Hmm? Something else...have you already had it? That encounter...surely it will change your future. Just be wise, Young Madam; what interactitions come up among you three will have much greater impacts than even I can see at present."

The figure covered his mouth again in a chuckle. "Well, then. If there are no more questions, then you may go take your health exam. Good luck, Young Madam~."

[Assistant]
Who

Arriving at the door to room A, the short girl smoothed out the ruffles on her skirt before knocking. It was...perhaps not a habit, but an expectation she was accustomed to whenever her presence was anticipated. Tapping the parasol on the ground a couple of times, she debated taking out another sweet before deciding that it could wait until after. This likely wouldn't be a long meeting, anyway. After a moment longer of waiting, she opened the door and stepped in with her head held high as she took in the room before her.

Let's get through this quickly, then.

[User] "You can come in," Professor Thornton said when he heard the young student knock. "I apologize for the wait. We had a very large influx of students this year. Now, why don't we try to see where you are now on your path, and where your journey will take you. Place your hands on the ball and we can begin," the robed teacher explained.

[Assistant]
When the male figure began to say interesting one she opened her eyes and looked at him while he spoke. Cicile already knew of her second personality but not that because of that her powers is like mirroring. That made her curios. "what does mirroring? is it like that if someone summons fire that i can de the oppeside of it....?" she asked the male figure.

Not good or evil.. like human or demon.. it made her think back at the time of the town where she was born. Where she discovered her second personality.. or her demon.

The male spoke what interactitions come up among you three will have much greater impacts . "what do you mean with the interactitions amoung you three? Who are the other two if I may ask and if you know." Cicile asked the male friendly with a little bit of confusion in her voice.

[User]
a huge mess
Cody eventually found the school infirmary and dropped Megan off there.
Wandering outside he now decided to go to the school hall. He wasn't sure why, but it seemed like a place to at least find someone to talk to.

[Assistant] "That's your future, Young Madam, not mine~ I'm only allowed so much influence as it is. Your power, though...I suppose I can tell you that it depends on who uses it. One could have a different sort of effect, perhaps." The figure leaned back in its chair, regarding the girl. "I think you'll be just fine as long as you are careful. But do not forget that counsel is always available, if you are willing to look~."

[User] Cicile thanked the male figure for answering her questions. She walked to a door with a not that the health test was given there. Cicile opens the door and walked in. She looked around to see if anyone was there but she didn't saw anyone. There stood a wooden chair in front of a large table. Cicile sat down to wait for the one to come to finish it all.

[Assistant]
Atticus was thrown aside by the wind, despite his size and promptly got slammed into the wall, wincing as he rubbed the back of his head, muttering: 'Ow, ow, ow, ow...bloody...freakin' walls..." to himself as he slumped down. He thought he'd managed to just stop it altogether by stopping Megan, but then Hurricane Cody hit like a truck. For a hero, that guy did NOT seem to care about friendly fire. By the time he was back on his feet and his ears weren't ringing anymore, he looked around, not seeing Megan anywhere.

What he did manage to catch however, was Loki as a panther getting turned back to normal. And walking away. Realizing that he was left alone, Atticus sighed, figuring that he ought to go after Loki since he didn't know where Megan got to. Running after him, Atticus tapped his shoulder and asked: "Hey...you feeling alright man?"

[User]
Irish Tree
Loki flinches at the tap on his shoulder. He gives a light nod. "Yea...im okay I guess" He rubs his neck as he continues to calm down from the fire. "I just....really don't like fire" He looks at Atticus. "Weren't you thrown against a wall??...Are you okay" He looks concerned..after all being concerned for a friend's well being is what you do in a friendship...right? not that Loki knows for sure, since he hasn't really had any friendships.

[Assistant]
The inside of the room where the health exam was to be held was more or less the same as the other two: Fairly ordinary with maybe one or two odd details. More if one paid closer attention, but nothing that should have been any cause for alarm. If anything, it was very well-equipped.
On a stool near the center of the room, someone of an average build with hair that cycled through various lengths and colors on its own sat and directed a bunch of papers to fly off and float over to a shelf a short distance away.
"Ah, finally someone shows up. What are they doing out there? I'm pretty sure someone else was supposed to be here a while ago." The voice that came out was a little bored, maybe a little impatient; as if they had been there waiting for a good while. With a flick of the hand. a clipboard flying toward them until they caught it midair and glanced at it. "Let's see...you could be a Noel...what can I say about looks, though, ah? So, which one are you, then?"

---

Who

"Very well."
The short girl nodded curtly to the figure as she approached the sphere sitting before her. As she finally drew close enough to touch it, she shifted the closed parasol to one hand and held the other just on top of the crystal.

It wasn't long before the images came to her; A lot of bright colors...oh, this was...
...a lot of stuffed animals.

Some kind of army of them, of all different shapes and sizes marching together. Dolls of all kinds and models everywhere...

"...By the queen's command..."

[User] "Well that's... certainly interesting," Thornton said, his face contorting to one of confusion, though it was blocked by the hood of his robes. Is that a vision of her power or a vision of her future? Either way, it's awfully strange. "Now... Let's see if we can see anything else," he continued.

[Assistant]
Who

The girl looked a little closer into the orb, just in case there was anything else. All she could see was a checkered pattern and a door at the end. A small light shone from the crack beneath, but the heavy wooden barrier blocked the rest.

She removed her hand quickly as a sword fell to the checkered floor, a few drops splattering before it. Somewhat startled, she took a moment to recompose herself before looking back up at the figure. "Will there be anything else necessary?"

[User] Cicile looked around in the room and spotted a person sitting in a chair and papers that flew around in the room. Of what the person said she could make out that the person was pretty bored from all the waiting. She walked a little closer to the person. On the question of who she were she answers: "I'm Cicile Dawn." and she smiled friendly when she had said it. She looked around the room a little more. It amazed her that the room looked so big while she expected it to be much smaller. Then she saw a empty chair in frond of the person and took a seat when she finished checking the room. What kind of tests do I need to do? A blood test, or a health check or.... she thought while waiting to get started.

[Assistant] "No, that'll be all. Just proceed through that door to take your medical exam," Thornton said, remembering this time to direct the student to the room. The future certainly doesn't look very bright for many of the students here.


[System]
It's punishment time
Age
15

Personality
Alice likes rules. She likes order and justice. She has always disliked rule breakers. Alice also has a short temper. She resorts to violence though she doesn't break the rules. She is very much a tomboy, liking what most boys do.

Bio
Alice's past is different than most children's. Her mother could never hold a relationship. As a result of this Alice has had five fathers, each from a marriage that didn't last long. The divorces weighed on Alice's mother. After her fourth divorce she began to drink. Soon enough she was an alcoholic. And Alice began to take care of her mother instead of the other way around. She began to grow a tomboyish side to her, learning martial arts. Alice's newest father wasn't nice. He punished Alice when she did wrong, though he never hurt Alice's mother. When she was 13, Alice awoke her ability, causing her "father"'s death. After that Alice vowed to figh for justice and to lee her talent hidden.

Ability
Black Magic.

Status
Student

Familiar
Large pitch black Crow, LassBoss

Specialty
Curses

What Does Magic Mean To You
"Life. It's humanities new way to stay alive another day. But to me it's a way to help myself and my family. A way to stay away from all the bad and to fight the evil."

Buddy
Elrinasa

Other
Alice says her ability is to sense true intentions and covers up her talent with a skill at taming

[User]
As he entered the main building and traversed the academy halls, Jacque found himself to be in a particularly good mood. It was a new year, he'd gone for a morning jog, and there where plenty of new folks to meet. The only thing missing now was a good bit of music, something Jacque quickly remedied by pulling the slightly cracked iPod touch that he'd received from his parents as a birthday gift a few years back. The mage popped in one of his earbuds and hit the shuffle feature before bobbing his head, "Aw yeah, Danger Doom in the morning? Talk about based!" "I do not undersstand why you enjoy that inssipid device Jacque..." Coal hissed into his mind as she slithered out from under his cloak and wrapped around his shoulders with a bit of help from Jacque. "Well excuse me for having functioning outer ears!" Jacque teased before lightly tapping Coal on the nose, "Low blow. I thought you ssaid you wouldn't bring up the ear thing." "Oh come on Coal, you know i'm just messing is all!". Coal flickered her tongue in Jacque's face for a bit before tightening her coils slightly, "Right..." she hissed as Jacque reached up to unsuccessfully try to loosen her grip, "Coal? Getting a hard to breath here. C'mon this isn't funny!" he wheezed, "Oh come on Jacque, you know i'm jusst messssing is all!" Coal said mockingly as Jacque gagged.

Such routines were typical between the two even in public, and several of the students and prefects ignored Jacque's pleas for assistance knowing that Coal would never actually injure her master. Seeing no other way out of his predicament, Jacque began to tap Coal on her tail to concede defeat "Alright, point taken! Uncle, uncle!". Coal immediately ceased squeezing and placed her head under Jacque's chin, "What have we learned?" "That you don't play fair...", "Well, you aren't wrong. But would I be me if I played fair?". Jacque mulled this over for a second before nuzzling the top of Coal's head, "No, I suppose not.".

[Assistant] Click Clack, Click Clack is the sound made as Elarinasa made her way down the halls, her hand resting on Chase's head as they'd emerge outwards into the large grounds, continuing to follow her badge to attempt to find her buddies position she'd notice a few provisionals playing with some fire spells Oh look at those pathetic troublemakers Chase...Eventually one of them is going to get hurt if they use that fire any further with a long heavy boarish grunt Chase would turn his head up to Elarinasa speaking softly Girl~ Just relax your mind okay? We're finding Alice not dealing with some petty little boys with a small smile she'd nod until one of the fireballs is launched in her direction, letting out an eep she'd swiftly drive her hand upwards and focus her mind to tear atoms apart to form a barrier, the fireball dispersing into nothing, after a bit of awe from the two boys Elarinasa would drop the barrier walking onwards Alice! For the love of...Where are you?!

[User] Raulf watched the people playing with fireballs idly from his carefully selected position in the tree, well shaded. He wondered when he would actually have to do work this year, last year all his classes were filled with the work that he could've and sometimes did, do in his sleep. He leaned his head back against the tree and listened to the crash of waves, it was really quite nice as long as no one came up to bother you like they usually did. Raulf hated having to wear the prefect uniform, it was uncomfortable and everyone always wanted something from him. His breathing slowed and he nearly fell asleep waiting in the tree for classes to start.

[Assistant]
Alice sighed and stood up. LassBoss flew I'll and landed on her shoulder, fluttering her wings slightly. Alice walked towards her buddy.
"I'm here," Alice told Elarinasa. She silently dreaded the conversation. Being buddies with a prefect was never good. Especially for Alice. She fought frequently and was great with black magic and curses. If Elrinasa found out, Alice was doomed. Plus her buddy was brutally honest. And that meant no sugarcoating.

[User]
"Jacque, musst we continue wandering aimlessssly, i've grown rather bored with thiss you know.", Coal stared up at Jacque, her pumpkin orange eyes glowing slightly as she communicated with him mentally rather than the verbal method that they normally used. Picking up on this, Jacque cocked his head a bit as his purple eyes began to glow as well, "I guess we could go outside for a little bit more, but we'll have to stay on campus. Why the sudden change in communication? I liked actually speaking to you.", "Few can commune with their familiar specifically in the familiar'ss native tongue, most ssimply converse through common or mental speak. I grow tired of the sstrange looks people give you when we conversse...". Jacque thought about it for a moment, he never really payed much attention to it and would have likely never come to realize what he was doing when he spoke to Coal had someone not brought it to his attention. During conversations between Coal and Jacque, Jacque's language switched over from plain english, to something that sounded like a person playing a recording of latin in reverse, which was apparently unnerving to some people much to Jacque's dismay. The mage rolled his eyes and gave a small huff, "I'll consider trying. It the mean time let's catch a few more rays of sun before class.".

Jacque travelled once more outside in time to catch a fire ball disappearing from in front of another student, "Huh. They heck do you suppose all that was about Coal?", "You're doing it again." "I said I would consider trying. Verdict still isn't out on whether or not I agree.". The pair moved away from the scene in favor of approaching someone that appeared to be dozing in a tree. "A man after mein own heart. That a prefect uniform I spy?" Jacque purred as he crept towards Raulf. Years of learning how to silently track wildlife made for a very silent approach, even in the confining uniform that he wore Jacque did not make a sound as he crawled up the tree. It was only when Jacque had crawled onto a branch just above Raulf's that he chose to make himself known; "Comfy, isn't it?" Jacque all but purred as he stared down at the prefect with a grin.

[Assistant] Raulf didn't blink an eye at the intrusion upon his silence. He knew someone would come up here and mess with him, no one just saw a sleeping person and thought to themselves, Wow he looks really peaceful I should leave him alone. No, the first thought was always, I bet I can wake him up. Resisting the urge to do something rash he simply replied, "Yes it was wasn't it, pity how fast a peaceful environment can be destroyed so quickly." He said somewhat pointedly. Raulf felt the sudden urge for a dramatic sigh but once again restrained himself.

[User] Jacque let out a chuckle of amusement, shrugging off the response he received without so much as a blink. Coal, being a bit more perceptive of people's irritation than her master, slithered off of Jacque's shoulders until she dangled halfway off, "You'll have to forgive Jacque, he can be a bit nossy at times. Not to mention foolissh. His stupidity not withstanding, the boy means well enough.". Jacque nodded agreeably until he realized the slight, "You know, some might considering insulting the intelligence the guy who cared for you since you hatched rude." The mage said before adjusting himself on his branch a bit, "No need to worry Mr.Prefect, like Coal said, i'm not really up here to cause you trouble. It just seemed like you'd be a cool enough guy to hang around for a bit. I don't really see to many types as comfortable up in a tree as myself. Kind of refreshing really. I can just leave if you want me to though." Jacque said before reaching down to help support Coal's body.

[Assistant]
Crimson and her Familiar, Asezel, had been on the school grounds for a couple of days, but she hadn't dared to go inside. Sighing heavily as she leaned against a shady tree she looked at Asezel who looked back at her with his clear oceanic eyes, "What? You want me to go in there now don't you?"

"Well that all depends on if you think your brave enough and ready to go in."

"You know damn well that I am brave enough and ready. Just I am uneasy about it."

"Uneasy or nervous and scared?" Crimson growled deeply at him as she narrowed her eyes. Shaking her head she sighed heavily and walked toward the gates of the school, "Come on, Asezel. We might as well begin this. Just as we should at some point in time after all right?" Nodding and walking beside Crimson, Asezel, followed her.

Walking into the school and then looking at the map she sighed heavily, "My bags should already be in the dorm and according to the paper I have a 'Partner'. Geez this is going to be 'fun'." As she said that Crimson rolled her eyes. She didn't mind others, but she and others never really seemed to get along for some odd reason. Asezel, walked beside her and shook his head groaning softly, "You and a partner other than me. Now that should be interesting. I think I am going to enjoy this."

"Shut up. That also means they have a familiar that YOU have to put up with as well, Asezel." Asezel shrugged his wolf shoulders then chuckled, "I can put up with another better than you can after all." Glaring at him for a moment then she shook her head and looked at the paper again, "Ok looks like we're going to head to the... Auditorium?"

"Sounds good to me, so lead the way." Rolling her eyes she climbed the stairs of the school and followed the map until she came to her destination. Finding a seat in the back row closest to a corner she sat down sighing heavily as Asezel laid beside her, "I get the feeling I'm not going to like it here."

"Your new to this school and your nervous, but how long do you ever stay at a school seriously?"

"Good point. I won't be here for long, so I should be use to this by now." Agreeing with Asezel she leaned her head back and looked up at the ceiling thinking of how she'd rather be in the field of battle or laying under a shady tree as the wind would blow gently on a summer day.

[User] "Well I suppose if you're not going to annoy me then you're welcome to stay." Raulf replied dismissivly. "After all I did painstakingly pick out the most comformatable tree in the whole school to rest upon, it would be selfish to deny others the same right. At least until classes start." Raulf said waving his finger in the air in a dismal paradoy of excitment. "Oh, and the names Raulf." He cocked one eye open and peered curiously at the snake creature that spoke to him, "Eh? Who're you?"

[Assistant] Jacque grinned widely at Raulf's acceptance of his presence, thus far the prefect below him wasn't exhibiting any of the usual traits that others of his ilk portrayed, such as a snobbish attitude or misplaced sense of entitlement. "I knew you'd be a cool guy! It's a pleasure to meet you Raulf, i'm Jacque. I'd try to shake your hand but i'm pretty sure i'd fall." Jacque stated as he hefted Coal up slightly. Coal shifted her weight a bit to avoid plummeting to the ground below before addressing Raulf's question, "I ssupposse I sshould ssay that I'm Jacque'ss familiar, however ssomedayss it feels more like i'm hiss keeper. My name is Coal, and as Jacque ssaid it'ss a pleassure to make your acquaintance".

[User] With a very annoyed look on her face Elarinasa stared down at Alice, folding her arms as Chase would slowly stride up with a snort to greet LassBoss, shaking her head down to Chase she'd stare forward not even deciding to beat around the bush You...Got us in trouble, more importantly you got me in trouble; what did you do! she'd shout out loudly as Chase would wince, shoving his nostril into her side as he'd shake his head My girl you just gotta chill as I said, tell me Alice girl what actually happened; Ela's just a bit angry is all Elarinasa would snarl as she'd fold her arms beneath her bust Chase trying to pull a smile but instead it looks like a very goofy attempt at a piggish smile

[Assistant] "I beat someone up again. They were breaking rules. But, I didn't use magic," Alice told Elarinasa. She was determined to stand her ground against any oncoming argument. LassBoss seemed to share Alice's standpoint, standing proud and tall on her master's shoulder. Alice didn't like her buddies yelling, but hey, meant that Alice would have no chance of being neglected by her buddy. She would be hounded out if she got in a fight. And Alice got in them on a regular basis.


[System]
Never doubt my skills. It only makes me reckless.

VA: Steve Blum - Spike Spiegel
Nicknames: Atlas

Code Name: Zach Lumen

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Biology Type: Human

Height: 6'0"

Build: Ropish.

Personality Traits |
* Practical
* Stubborn
* Empathetic
* Kind-Hearted
* Temperamental

Biography/History: Atalei was a kid on the fast track to being a prodigy. He was the smartest in his tribe-like village, quick-witted and wiser than most. When others determined a frontal assault was best, he often sought out the road-less taken. Because of his academics, the school he attended pleaded that he be allowed access into the exchange student program (ESP) for higher learning. His father, a proud man, gratefully agreed. It was on the day of his departure that a small contingent of soldiers besieged the quiet village. Kids were rounded up, parents were killed, and homes set ablaze.

Later Atalei would learn that an organization, known to him only as HOME, had attacked many villages along the African coastline. He never found out if the AEU was responsible or even aware. HOME was interested in Super Soldier experiments. They raised a very small group of children, the hundreds or thousands that were rounded up was picked apart of the exceptional. Atalei was one such exception. Through a series of events both epic and heartbreaking, Atalei after years finally escaped. Him and two others found themselves in the UK, physically and mentally changed. They could speak to each other telepathically and sense out one another to a certain degree. Eventually with time their memories returned and they recognized that they had been alter in some deeper way. Quirks had been instilled or accidentally created.

Atalei found himself less willing to harm humans, calmer, and when angered, terrifying. Eventually he parted from the other two, traveled to his village and discovered that everyone he loved was dead. There he was greeted by a representative of Celestial Being and told he could help the world. After all "You have the power, use it."

Skill Set |
* Super Soldier Physiology ( Reflexes, Strength, and Speed, have been optimized for sustained peak conditions)
* Quantum Brainwave Enhancement ( Greater spacial awareness and Intuitiveness)
* Highly Empathetic (Capable of feeling the emotions of others)
* Military Training (CQC 3/5, Arms Training - 3/5, Medical Training - 4/5)

===

Mobile Suit: GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

Weapons and Operational Systems of Mobile Suit |
* GN Beam Submachine Guns
* GN Shield/ Claw (Can transform into a melee claw weapon)
* 2 GN Beam Sabers
* Tail Booster (Flight Form)
* Tail Unit (Optional/ Flight Form - Various Missiles)
* GN Hand Missile/ 3x 3-Tube Missile Launchers (Docked to Forearms)
* Veda-Based Operation System
* GN Field
* Optical Camouflage

===

Other |
* February 2nd (Birthday)
* Talks to Kyrios often
* Trusts only himself

[User]
"... Roger that, Cap'n. Kyrios is on standby and ready." His voice was distinctively calm.

"I think."

Atalei had spent years preparing for this; a wellspring of knowledge, psychological therapy, and least of all arduous training had honed him. Yet he still felt nervous. He shivered and trembled on the inside. He knew taking out his opponents were important, necessary and he would do it, but it was the mental loop of knowing humans were inside those machines that would haunt him. Sitting inside the cockpit of Kyrios, knowing the speckled blackness around him could be his graveyard and would be the graveyard for someone somewhere, made him antsy.

He shuddered inwardly and that seeped into his hushed voice. "I got this. I know I do, I've trained and trained. We can do this Kyrios." He touched the control of his Gundam, the ambient space of the suit cool and calming.

His senses were on high alert, far too airy and spaced-apart. As if the void was between his skull and brain. "I bet I'm the most nervous for this mission."

The silence of the Kyrios spoke comforting words to him.

"You're right. I just need to breathe." So he did, a large intake of air filed into his nostrils before slowly leaving his mouth. He felt control returning and his concentration narrowing. He was ready. Nervous but ready.

[Assistant]
EXIA: Micheal D. Cicero

"Rodger that... If I get shot, I'll make sure to report your shoddy sniping."

Michael lightly joked, trying to keep a light hearted mood, though lighthearted was not something he could currently describe himself as. This had been a moment he been preparing for 6 years, a moment hundreds of years in the making. While he was absolutely confident in the Gundam, he still needed to be on point. The Exia was chosen to display the power of the Gundam to the world. Defeating the Enact would show the world the capability of Celestial Being. He would have to show the the same thing he saw on that day. Micheal took his hands off the Exia's controls and rubbed his Wrists and muttered to himself.

"I am a Gundam Meister..."

Over and over again, until he steeled his resolve. He looked at the current screen displaying the public demonstration of the Enact. He had to wait until the demonstration was finished, that way the world could know just how outclassed their top of the line mobile suit were compared to the Gundam. Of course, outclassed was an understatement. He took a deep breath as he prepared to land, as the Enact finished off the last few stationary targets.

"Cicero here, commencing mission in 30 seconds." Michael turned off the communications. "Sorry, but this is the Gundam's public demonstration, let's go Exia!"

From a green star emerged a blue white giant, land with the speed and grace that seemed impossible for it's size. Green particles filled the air as communications went dead. Gundam Exia has made it's debut to the world. Michael looked on to his target, the entire area was soon covered in a veil of chaos, but he kept them no mind. He wasn't here for them, they should be fine, but that might not be the case for the Enact's Pilot. The Exia stood still, motionless. The plan required for the Enact to take aggressive actions first. After a few moments of silence, the Gundam raised it's arm before moving the fingers towards itself, giving a clear challenge.

[User]
Unlike Atalei, Viraa had no concerns about who or what was piloting the Mobile Suits she was going to destroy. The others who met her likely thought of her as emotionless, with no remorse or care for anything but the plan. It wasn't entirely true, what she did, she would do for Humanity. But she had accepted what that meant long ago, that many people would die. Starting today, they were kicking off a plan that would leave countless people's lives in ruin, and even more dead. But it was for the sake of peace.

As she listened to the chatter over their comms it, like many things, baffled her that the other pilots needed to hype themselves up for this, that they needed words of encouragement. They were chosen for the plan because they were the ones for the job, the only ones. Veda didn't make mistakes, they weren't about to die on their first mission. They had much, much tougher tasks ahead of them than taking on an enemy that didn't even know they existed yet.

As she heard the words of encouragement from the Captain, she almost rolled her eyes. Of course they were better than the enemy. That's why they were here. Not just these Gundams, but the pilots inside them had to have the skill, and the resolve to do what needed to be done. And that meant defeating the enemy. That was the most basic of requirements for each pilot, be better than the opponent.

A short "GN-005 Virtue, on Standby." was all she gave to confirm she was ready for her part in the mission. Like a machine, reciting its cerial number rather than giving a name, she was a piece of a puzzle, not a singular, named pilot. Not right now.

It was fortunate that her Gundam had Optical Camouflage, considering it was by far the largest and bulkiest of the four Mobile Suits. Speed and Agility was not its primary function. No... but surprise, that was her part to play. And so she waited, watching Kyrios as if from the shadows, wondering what he was thinking. Did he have the resolve necessary to be a Gundam Meister? Did any of the others?

[Assistant]
As the crowd roared in fear, and anticipation some of the more brazen members of the crowd leaned forward to see what was going on. The pilot of the Enact turned to Exia. It had just gotten done a demonstration of its firing capabilities, and its flight maneuvering. As the machine turned to stare plainly at Exia he held no fear of what was in front of him. In fact over the open communications function of the machine it spoke out with a calm, and confident voice. "Well hello there! You're not AEU that's for sure the big guy up top would've told me what you are. And there's some Union Pilots in the crowd so I doubt you're Union...so what gives? Is the HRL wanting to show off its fancy new model too?" commented the enemy pilot as it turned around and looked down Exia he gave a chuckle. "No big guns it looks like huh? So you're that edgy samurai wannabe type who like swords I take it? Whatever floats your boat friend I won't judge. But...for the glory of the AEU I won't go down easy." the pilot stated as he pulled out his own blade disregarding his ranged weapons on purpose. Be it chivalry, or fool hearty bravado the man inside activated its blade. The sonic blade emitted a frequency that made the crowd wince in pain. However the pilot didn't move to engage Exia. Instead the pilot held up its other arm in preparation for a defensive maneuver. "Like they say in France: En Garde!" The pilot taunted holding it position firmly.

====

"Kyrios on your radar we're detecting roughly six suits just below you. They look like a group of Helions modified for space combat. Prepare to engage. We were expecting less functional mobile suits looks like the terrorists got some mercenary gear...or is this a move by the AEU?" Nea wondered aloud as the Captain spoke up, "Free form. Engage at will once the enemies arrive within reasonable range of the orbital elevator. We want to make sure the HRL understands what's happening God knows that they're too willing to just blame us instead if we make the first move. We want to stop them before they do real damage but not before they're off the radar."

[User]
Even while the Captain was speaking, Atalei was working diligently in the cockpit of the Kyrios. Timing the arrival of the six suits and mentally visualizing the potential outcome of the battle. " Understood... Bet I can take out more than you, Viraa, he jested steely.

The six Helions ventured closer to orbital elevator, surely alerted by now, least he hoped so. His mind had been made up either way, the Kyrios were closing on them in flight-mode. The distinct hum of the GN Drive drove him into a mode of precision. He furrowed his brow as the Helion units, unbeknown of his approached, released missiles at the orbital elevator.

Not happening! he growled inwardly.

He zoned in on the missiles, narrowing them down and shot each into a burst of space dust. Three of the six slowed and turned to face him, the others sped up to complete whatever act of terrorism they were set on. Atalei scrunched his face up. "Shit," he uttered. " Viraa, three of them ventured off. Take care of them won't ya."

The Kyrios veered out of the way of a lousy beam shot and readied itself to enter true combat for the first time. His jaw tightened as he released a beam shot, ending a life, before speeding on towards the next.


[System]
T a f f yThe Healer

---
A G E

20

E T H N I C B A C K G R O U N D

Novan, Raccoon (Lotori)

D E S C R I P T I O N

-Raccoon-pattern Gray, Black and White Fur
-Raven-black hair with straight bangs and a long single braid that reaches down to the small of her back
-Red long-sleeved button-up shirt, jeans, hiking shoes

C A P A B I L I T I E S

Field Medic: Taffy has spent the last two years studying at the Medical Institute of Colosse to become a doctor. Part of this training is to give her an expert grasp of first aid, CPR, physical and massage therapy, lifeguard swimming and rescue, and the use of certain advanced Novan medical technologies to speed up healing and prevent infection. The Colossan Institute is very comprehensive in training medical experts, and Taffy is among the best students there.

Fit as a Fiddle: Taffy has dedicated a great amount of her personal time to keeping her body strong with gymwork and aerobic exercise, like hiking and swimming, during the past two years of medical study. While not especially stronger or faster than the average Novan, Taffy has a capacity for endurance and experience with camping on her own. She is able to slug onward through difficult conditions and is surprisingly physically tough.

Hard As Nails: Manifesting in a gruff outward shell of straightforward stubbornness, Taffy isn't interested in playing games or beating around the bush. Her terrible bedside manner aside, she has a powerful drive to become a better doctor and person, to be prepared for anything, as a result of a personal tragedy that happened shortly after her first year at the Colossan Institute. If she thinks someone needs help, she helps them, whether or not she likes them and whether or not they want the help. And pray for anyone who gets in her way, for she is full of flame and fury, and does not suffer fools lightly.

Also, she has a mean crotch-destroying kick, reserved for those who particularly raise her ire.

[User]
---

Yony Southeastern Mir - The Fall

---

The boy's eyes darted over to the feline as the creature fell into her. He jerked away, taking a defensive stance towards them both as Xell began to complain about the lack of light.

He slowly slipped the backpack off to the ground, not taking his eyes off the creature as he blindly rifled through it and pulled something out.

He'd seen this before, his adopted father lived through two wars, the result was moments nearly identical to what he'd just seen. Was this guy even aware of what he was? And what WAS he anyway?

*thud*

There was a soft noise of something meeting grass and soil at the Draconi's feet. He looked down, but it was hard to make out the object. Suddenly a beam of light shot from the boy's head, illuminating a small black torch on the ground.

The Lutran kept the headlamp focused on it, watching cautiously.

[Assistant]
---

M a xSoutheastern Mir - The Fall

---

"That's a weird looking flashlight."

Max raised a brow as he reached behind his jacket to his kit, and retrieved a similar but vastly different one. He had never seen a flashlight of Novan or Miran design look like the one the kid had thrown on the ground. As he reached down to the ground and swiped the piece of metal from the shrub-covered grass he looked over to Taffy before tossing it over while he turned on his personal flashlight. He figured two should have been good enough.

"Oi, catch. Even little girls know how to use 'em, yeh?"

[User]
T a f f ySoutheastern Mir - The Fall

---

Taffy was in the middle of getting her own flashlight out of her backpack, and putting the plane's medkit in, when Max tossed the other torch to her. She dropped her pack, and her flashlight and the kit with it, to the grassy ground of the forest, and caught the strange flashlight after it danced along her hands for a moment. She reached down and picked up her own flashlight with a huff, showed them both to Max with an arched eyebrow, then tossed her flashlight toward Xell - she had heard him introduce himself earlier, so now she could attach a proper name to him - and kept the otter boy's peculiar flashlight for herself.

"As I was going to say before I was interrupted by flying flashlights and rude comments about my age, which is TWENTY," she said the number pointedly as she glared at Max before looking back at Xell, who she had started to talk to, "yes, us Lotori have excellent night vision. Until someone starts pointing flashlights into their faces, at which point we're about as good as anyone else who's just been stabbed in the eyeballs." The sardonic tone fairly dripped from her voice; even Max hadn't had the poor sense to aim the flashlight at her face when he turned his device on, and both he and the otter boy aimed their lights at the ground like they should so it wouldn't get into the eyes of their traveling compatriots, but she did feel put-upon enough that she didn't feel like apologizing or cutting the tone.

Then Taffy fumbled with the unusual flashlight until she found a switch and turned it on. It surprised her at how bright it seemed judging by the relative shape and size of it compared to hers or Max's, but it looked like it could be some newfangled model that must be cutting-edge technology. She'd been in larger cities for most of her life, where new devices filtered their way into public use all the time as inventors worked tirelessly to produce new wonders to pay their bills, so the idea wasn't too foreign to her, though she still felt it odd at how foreign this actual device felt despite its similarities.

"Anyway," she said, changing the subject toward Nikki's question as she put away the extra medkit away into her backpack before buckling it closed and hoisting it onto her shoulders, "my uncle actually lives in the Fall, on the edge closest to Woodsedge and Merecc. He's kind of an eccentric nut who likes his privacy enough where he built a cabin in the Fall just to get away from it all. My family used to go there for vacations when I was younger, and it wasn't until I was older when I appreciated how dangerous it was for him to live out here all by himself. Still, lots of good memories, and more importantly, it'll be a safe place to stay for the night."

She spoke of her uncle with a very small but real smile on her muzzle even as she called him an eccentric nut. The fact that they were only a few miles away from there helped warm her heart and kept her from worrying about being caught in the forest after dark. If she hadn't known about the comfort awaiting them not long distant...well, she was glad it was there, and she would just leave it at that.

"So if we're done playing Hot Potato with our lights, then let's carry on. We should try not to stop unless we need to."

She turned back toward the trail with a flip of her tail, and started to lead the way again, picking an easy, grassy trail that led through the trees.

---

? ? ?Southeastern Mir - Office Building, Downtown Merecc

---

"Status report."

The office window let in light from the street at an angle cast against the corner of the room where the window sat, providing enough light to give shape to that corner, without revealing any of the shadowy figures that sat around the office's long table. The command for information had come from the reedy figure at the head of the table, who, like the others, was cast into silhouette by the lack of any other lights in the room, but seemed comfortable in it all the same, like a spider seated in his dark web.

"The Red Star Pirates have reported that they ambushed the courier carrying the >Package<," came a reedy voice from one of the other seats. As it said the word "package" the voice, like the others in the room, became strangely monotone and metallic, as if spoken through a metal pipe. "The courier chose to fly into the Fall rather than be shot down. One of the pirates also got too close; both planes have crash-landed into the Fall, and the remaining pirates fled, due no doubt to their illogical and superstitious fears of the Fall."

A gruff voice barked out the next response in a manner that made it sound more like a telegraph machine than an organic being. "Analysis of the courier's history including his military background indicate that he is difficult to kill/stop/cease functioning and combined with a strong work ethic leads to the conclusion that he will attempt to maintain the reputation of his company and persist in delivering the >Package< even in the face of mounting peril/adversity/danger and is likely armed but only with one handgun."

The figure at the head of the room let out a breath - not as much a sigh as a slow, steady exhalation, like a steam valve being left open too long. "We cannot afford to let the Syndicate beat us to the >Package<, gentlemen, not after it has been deemed >Priority One< by the Maker." The leader's voice seemed more smooth and natural than those of his compatriots, though the sinister undertone of his words showed that he was as much a deviation from the norm as they. "I anticipated that Red Star would fail us after consulting with our hyper-statistical machine prophets. Therefore, I've already called in an outside agent to intercede on our behalf to retrieve the >Package<."

"Why do you not engage this >Priority One< incident with our full might to fulfill the Maker's objectives rather than rely on a single outside agent not of true allegiance to our objectives?"

"Oh, he is not one of our number, yet," said the head of the table as he steepled his fingers in front of him on the table. "I chose this mercenary because of his professed - and confirmed - success rate of ninety-five percent completed missions, which is more than adequate for our calculations of how to respond to this ex-military courier. He also has many strings we can pull that he is not aware of. We cannot afford to tip our hands by activating so many of our own people at once, even in such an important task as this, nor can we allow this to be tied back to us. Hence, an outside agent, a Miran who has a knack for magical combat enhancement and wields a scythe - an unusual choice of weapon, but his success rate speaks for itself."

"And if he should fail? Five percent of a failure rate is still five percent," questioned the reedy voice moodily.

"A tracking device, planted upon his person, will enable us to tell when he has failed, and more importantly, where. Calculations can be made as to where the >Package< will be at that point, and we can activate needed agents closest to the target site without alerting the authorities or the Syndicate. The courier can only go one direction if he wants to escape the Fall and complete his objective, and that's to go towards Merecc. And once here, gentlemen, as long as we keep the home advantage, we will succeed in acquiring the >Package<."

"Calculated risks assert high probability of success/victory/glorious outcome even if target should escape outside mercenary/agent/interceptor."

"What is this agent's name?"

At the head of the table, a single glowing red light tilted up as the figure there raised his head. "His name? He goes by a moniker, like many of his sort do. For this operation, we will refer to him by it.

"The name is Carrion."


[System]
* Age: 228
* Gender: Female
* Race: Sentient Undead (Human)
* Appearance:
 Though at one time as shiny and luminescent as pictured, Tyaethe's armour has lost much of its lustre due to a combination of two hundred years of constant use and an inability to perfectly clean it whilst in use. The result is a blurring of the intricate detailing on the paladin's shield and armour, and the shining metal is now a dull grey verging on black—when not coated in blood. It got cleaned. The scarf obscures how the throat is heavily armoured, beyond what one would expect of such an ensemble.
Though none still in the knights can say for certain what she looks like underneath all the armour, her eyes are clearly an unusually brilliant red and her hair white. Since the armour's on the intentionally bulky side and doesn't come off, it's not quite clear what Tyaethe's height is... though probably over six feet. Currently, she seems to be trapped in appearance as a child... though her armour's size doesn't quite mesh with the old paintings.
* Personality: If there's one thing that all her instructors tried to do, it was to cure Tyaethe of her temper. Fervour and determination in a battle is all well and good but carrying that attitude over to your everyday life? Despite their efforts, it was a fruitless endeavour and the tall paladin is as irascible as ever, though with enough self-control to avoid the worst outcomes.
At heart, Tyaethe is a dutiful knight and a good person. So despite her frequent anger, she has never once backed down on her duties or struck out at a child or someone truly innocent, even if rather aggressive verbally. Her unfaltering devotion to her duty—or anything else, as she seems too stubborn to ever back down—is best exemplified by her continued presence in the Iron Rose Knights, despite the drift from being a religious order.
Something more familiar to the newer recruits than the veterans is her sullenness and risk-taking. Not a behaviour always evident but at the same time a concerning trend, as if her patience for something is running out.
One trait carried over from her normal life is a dislike of being seen out of her armour. Since Elionne's death, this has exacerbated into a full refusal to remove it for any reason short of their first captain's return. Partly, at least, this is to prevent anyone from learning of her undeath and to preserve the idea of an immortal knight.
* Brief Backstory: Tyaethe was born to a minor noble family and, as the only child, was expected to carry on the family's duty as knights. To this end, at the age of seven, her education was entrusted to an important but highly religious duke that owed her father his life. It was for this reason that instead of continuing on to be a squire, the young Tyaethe pledged her service to the church and became a paladin.
As an adult, her strength and steadfast service was admirable, even though her hot-headed attitude caused friction with some of those she had to work with. It was for this reason that she was granted the honour of protecting the High Priestess and, when reports of an incoming force surfaced, left Falthir in order to conduct the fighting when she wouldn't be at risk. Naturally, this backfired and it was only Elionne's intervention that prevented the deception from being successful due to the diversion of the guards.
Owing the maiden for fulfilling her duty where she could not, Tyaethe swore to serve her in life and in death, second only to the goddesses. Part of the Iron Rose Knights since their inception, Tyaethe's death came in a pitched battle where their foes managed to split herself, Elionne, and some less experienced knights from the majority of their comrades.
The reason for her survival has never been perfectly explained. Some of the knights assumed it was just sheer luck and the high level of mana in the region and the more religious assigned it to divine intervention. Some of her detractors have even accused Tyaethe of dabbling in necromancy. As for the paladin herself, she cites her oath and willpower, as well as a refusal to go down whilst Elionne was still in danger. The fact of her undeath has been kept a secret within the knights, to cultivate a reputation as an immortal holy warrior, though doubtless people have guessed the truth.
Tyaethe has been unsurprisingly steadily more bitter since the original captain left, wanting to know why and find out what happened. Despite this, she has faithfully explained new captains their duties and guided them through it, even as the knights have drifted further and further from the religious unit she joined.
* Equipment: Forged nearly two hundred years before, the styling of Tyaethe's armour is antiquated to say the least—though the decorations, obscured as they are, resemble the current pieces made on the behalf of the church. Few people can move efficiently in such weighty protection, let alone adjust to how it restricts movement in order to fight but even going for its vulnerabilities leads to a difficult time in scoring a fatal injury. Of particular note is the one addition made before Elionne left: a reinforced gorget, to make even accidental decapitation even less likely.
Her other armament consists of a sword that most refuse to treat as one and an immense shield. Both are as long as she is tall and the sword itself unreasonably broad and tough; it crushes as much as it actually cuts. The shield, scratched though the design is over the years, contains a wolf rampant in its design—a lesser-used Mayonite symbol.
All three pieces were blessed and enchanted to regenerate under moonlight, since even before Tyaethe's death they took vast amounts of punishment and repairing them manually was prohibitively costly.
* Skills: Raised as a member of the nobility and intended to become a far more ordinary knight, Tyaethe knows falconry, board games, how to ride, and the social graces needed for polite company. All of these skills, save the riding—and that relies on draught horses in her case—are incredibly rusty skills due to neglect. Her literacy and ability to recite scripture on a whim, due to her training as a paladin, are as strong as ever.
In combat, Tyaethe's immense strength and armour leads to an approach best likened to an oncoming tide: she's not the most agile or that hard to hit but actually stopping her or resisting the offence is futile. Her speed can also be deceptive; she chooses to adopt a slow approach for psychological reasons and is more than capable of surging forwards to strike down a threat. Though a shield might seem redundant with such armour, she happily uses it as a second weapon or to force an opening from someone hoping to budge her defence.
With over a century of experience on her side and an initial training in the arts of warfare, Tyaethe is also a valuable tactical and strategic source—provided that you ask her opinion when she's not agitated in some manner and ensure that the reason Tyaethe suggests she be put in the thick of it is due to needing an immovable obstacle.

[User]
"... Th-that's jut the kinds of things I meant!" Bethany said, desperately, in response to Tiral's questioning. Was she not getting herself across better? Ahh, this was a bad idea, wasn't it... no, no, she had to focus and try and thing through. She was trying to be helpful, after all. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself down, exhaling heavily as she did, then inhaling once more. Calm down. Relax. Just reply.

"I-I have both. Guilder's modified scrying spell is p-perfect for the latter," she responded, "This is exactly what I mean, th-though! What you n-need is to build your spell l-library, so you can contribute in b-battle both in the front lines and in back. Y-you're above average in terms of magil, so y-you shouldn't be tiring easily."

There. That was... helpful, wasn't it?

---

As the argument escalated, the Princess's mood soured further and further. These were the Noble Iron Rose Knights, and yet here... not only were they speaking so ill of their captain, but they also showed no faith in their tradition. Certainly, Fanilly was inexperienced, but... wasn't Saint Elionne no older then sixteen, as well? Eliabelle herself was merely sixteen! This lack of faith almost felt like a personal insult. And then to mount an attack on the Immortal Knight herself... to say the least, the Princess had gone from cheerful to furious in a rather short span of time.

By the time another of the knights, one who was a foreign nobleman as well, approached and introduced himself, she was in no mood to talk.

"I'm sorry, Count Thorn," she began, her voice wavering but level as she turned to look away from the knights, "But I'm no longer in a mood to talk. The faithlessness of petulant children in knight's armor has thoroughly soured my mo-ah?!"

Eliabelle felt a hand wrap around her wrist and begin pulling her away. Immediately, she looked to see who it was, and was surprised to see the confusingly-diminutive form of the Immortal Knight tugging her along through the crowds.

"M... Marmalade? Ah, I haven't... eaten yet, er..." Eliabelle stumbled over herself, her anger cooling slightly as she was taken off-guard. Why she was introduced as a knight...?"

"Ah, er, you are, as I understand," she added, still rather off-center from her sudden abduction, "You... are a Duchess? I know you ascended to the position..."

She trailed off for a few moments...

---

Fanilly couldn't help but laugh a little to herself when she saw Tyaethe's reaction to Martina's comment. The smallish blonde probably wouldn't have acted so... physically, but that didn't stop her from finding it amusing. It helped cool the stress that she was reluctant to admit had been mounting slightly. She simply wasn't used to such large events, even as a noble girl. It didn't help that, moments later, there was quite a commotion from the direction Tyaethe had gone. Was there an argument? The Knight-Captain couldn't make out what was being said. Moments before she went to investigate, however, Tyaethe reappeared... dragging the Princess with her?

Fanilly looked on in shock as the taller girl came to a halt.

"P-Princess Eliabelle!" she said, abruptly, unprepared. She wasn't particularly composed or ready to speak with the Princess, but, well... there she was. "Your Highness, ah, this party has been splendid!"

And yet, the Princess seemed... flustered? Almost irritated...

"... I... I'm glad to hear that, Knight-Captain, and very happy to meet you at last," the Princess said, after taking a deep breath, "I'm pleased that you've been enjoying yourself, though I can't say the night has gone well any longer."

"... Ah? Your highness? What do you mean...?" Fanilly asked. Was this something to do with all that commotion...?

Before Eliabelle responded, Fanilly caught something out of the corner of her eye. It was... a pointed travelling hat? A long, bobbing staff? For a moment, the girl swore she saw the shape of a little girl... but as she turned to look entirely, she was gone.

What she did see was quite different.

A small, diminutive figure seemed to appear from no-where. She was female, by appearances, hooded and clad in a shirt and jacket, with leather armor on her arms and legs. She was incredibly short, and what could be glimpsed of her face was extremely pale skin, a bit of black hair hanging down beneath the hood, and crimson eyes.

The most important fact, however, was the small hand crossbow being leveled at the Princess.

Fanilly's eyes widened, and she did the first thing that came to mind.

"GET DOWN!"

She threw herself forward. Grabbing the surprised girl, she threw her to the ground, and felt a rush of air as the crossbow fired, and a bolt hurtled past them. It buried itself in the back wall.

Fanilly's head snapped up immediately, and she saw those crimson eyes widen.

"ASSASSIN!" the blonde girl cried, drawing her sword and leaping up to her feet, above a stunned and bewildered Eliabelle, "Iron Roses, to arms! Stop her!"

The small figure spun immediately and darted into the rapidly-clearing crowds. She was making for the exit...! How was it she hadn't been seen before?!

[Assistant]
Christina leaped forward as the bolt struck the wall. Silently cursing her inattentiveness, she was at her captain's side in an instant among the screaming crowd. She drew her dagger, a primarily defensive weapon suited for her. "Captain, I can guard the princess. The assassin may be running toward backup." Taking a defensive stance, she had already started whispering the Barrier spell under her breath.

Normally when she cast this spell, she used something metal as an anchor, but her shield was back at the Headquarters and the princess wasn't wearing any armor. Instead, Christina put more effort into the spell, willing it to settle into a dome around her and the princess. Only a slight shimmer in the air indicated that anything had happened, but the spell's effectiveness was confirmed when a nobleman ran full tilt into it, bouncing off and creating a ripple through the dome. Sweat beaded the knight's face as the spell drew more effort than it ever had before, but still she stood ready to fight anybody who made it inside her perimeter.

[User]
She'd ascended to the highest echelon of nobility? When? More importantly, how had she managed to achieve that and not even get notified of the change? Though maybe she had... it wasn't entirely impossible that she'd missed a written missive and paid no attention to a courier sent to explain it in person. If it was inheritance related, it could just be that nobody had thought to actually tell her and assumed that like all members of the nobility, large or small, Tyaethe cared about inheritance.

This was all rendered totally irrelevant.

Someone had tried to kill the princess. Someone had dared to attempt an assassination on the watch of the Iron Roses. Fanilly's order passed overhead, with the paladin's goal already set in stone: immobilise the criminal and search them if they happened to die. With anger still burning away, this seemed like a far more acceptable vent for her frustrations...

Tyaethe reflexively drew her blade, focusing on the diminutive assassin, and launched herself with disproportionate force. She clearly wasn't operating on mere physical limits, as no child could swing the sword easily... let alone somersault through the air for a devastating but blatant attempt to bisect their enemy. At range.


[System]
Alias: Sunny
Age: 19
Weight: 70kg (I don't use pounds, hope that's okay? :3)
Height: 5"11
Gender: Female
Country of Origin: USA
Occupation: Medic
Personality: She's a sweetheart. Bubbly, loves to make everyone feel at ease. Even so, she's determined, and doesn't scare easily. She's much tougher than she looks. Although she's tall, she looks a little young for her age.
Backstory: Grew up fairly well off, with a family of her parents and two younger sisters she loves to bits. Her favourite cousin Mike was a Jaeger pilot but was killed in battle a while back near the start of the program, and since then Sunny has wanted nothing more than to be a pilot and protect her family.
Appearance:
Code
To fight monsters, we created monsters of our own.

Is this acceptable? I'd like to join if there's still space :D

[User]
Angelo Ortega-floor 3-Training room

Angelo sighed softly in the short time he was here he got a work out done and went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. Afterwards Angelo just drifted for a while until he saw it was almost time to get their fights started. Angelo knew he would do well because he was born jittery and as a result isn't easy to pin down plus despite his age he was a great Muay thai fighter using his knees and elbows into his fighting style Angelo wondered who he would be paired with and how they would fight together, hopefully Angelo will be the right side if he is put in a two person Jager since he is right handed. Angelo walked to the nearest elevator and he walked into the training room waiting on everyone else, the early bird as usual apparently...

[Assistant]
Jack 'Bruiser' Murdock and Tomiko Fraser - Floor 3 - Training Room
A collaboration between @SimplyJohn and @Genni
Stepping into the room Bruiser saw that for once he was early, which came as a bit of a surprise, but a moment later he felt a hand slap hard against his butt. "Hey there, big guy," Came the familiar jovial sound of Tommie's voice and turning towards her Bruiser smiled.

"You know if anyone else tried to do that I'd've knock them out." The ex-boxer said, raising him fists in front of him jokingly. He wasn't lying though, most people would've already been flat on the floor after a stunt like that, but there was something about the girl that Bruiser just instinctively trusted. Probably something about the way she's always so open and honest about what she's thinking, He thought to himself as the two made their way into the room.

Tommie chuckled to herself at her fellow pilot's threat, knowing that he was probably telling the truth. His build and muscle mass alone would've given her that idea, but the way he moved on his feet, almost dancing across the floor, told her that the man had some sparring experience at least, probably boxing or mixed martial arts. Eyeing him carefully Tommie watched for any signs of injury or weakness, but the man seemed to be covering himself well, balancing his weight evenly to allow for quick reaction time while at the same time keeping himself stable enough to deal with a direct assault if caught unawares. "Don't worry too much," Tommie replied with a smile, "You're not really my type."

For a moment Bruiser wasn't sure what the Jamaican firecracker meant by that comment, but then noticed her eyes wandering over to where Commander Mori was leaning against the wall. "Oh... OH!" He exclaimed, his eyes widening as the full implications of what the girl was saying begun to sink in. "Are you and the Commander..?" Bruiser asked, jerking his thumb back and forth between the two women with a little confusion.

Barking out a laugh Tommie shook her head emphatically from side to side, "No, we're not..." She replied, deliberately leaving the comment hanging in the same way the big guy had. "Not that I wouldn't mind a dip, but I get the impression Ms. Mori's spoken for." Nodding her head over at where the Commander and the Marshall were leaning against the wall she drew Bruiser's attention to the way the pair stood together.

Now that he was looking for it the body language between the two veteran pilots was unmistakeable, so much so that Bruiser found it difficult to understand how he'd missed it before. "Oh right," He said simply his voice clear and filled with certainty before turning back to look at Tommie again. "But you're still into..?" He asked, letting the question remain unsaid.

Lifting her hand Tommie fingered the silver band wrapped around her finger. "All the way, although she's not with me any longer." Tommie replied, her voice echoing deeply in the large chamber.

"Yeah, I know how that can be." Turning his head aside Bruiser looked down at his own hand. He'd stopped wearing his ring a couple of years earlier, deciding it was time to move on with his life rather than wallowing in the past, but he could understand what kept Tommie wearing hers. At time she wished the ring was still there, in the same way he wished his wife was still at home with the twins, rather than them having to rely on their uncle to raise them. Not that he didn't make a great parent for them, but sometimes a kid needed their mother.

[User] Satisfied that she was ready, Diana took a deep breath and walked out of her room. Upon her arrival in the training room a few minutes later, she noticed with relief that she wasn't late. The Marshall and Mori were already there, which made Diana slightly nervous- she hadn't been aware that she'd be training in front of freaking Marshall Raleigh himself. Tommie was there as well, next to a hefty and almost intimidating man Diana didn't recognize, and a Latino man stood a little ways off. She was reminded all too clearly that she was most likely the youngest recruit, and probably at the greatest disadvantage. She couldn't afford to put on less than her best at any time. This fact bold in her mind, she headed to a bench near the corner, sitting down and waiting for the others to arrive.

[Assistant]
@SimplyJohn

Seeing the nervous young recruit entering the room Tommie quickly waved over to her with a friendly smile before pushing away from where she'd been chatting with Bruiser and quickly making her way towards the young woman. "Managed to make yourself comfortable I see," The Jamaican said, her eyes wandering down over Diana's tight uniform her a moment as she chuckled gently.

"Why don't you come over and join us?" Tommie asked waving her hand over to where Bruiser was leaning against the wall, waiting for the session to start and looking a little under the weather. Perhaps it hadn't been such a good idea to talk about her dead wife in front of the man, something told her he had similar wounds of his own to deal with. "This is Bruiser by the way, a guest from England and a fellow trainee. Bruiser, this is Diana Watson, another pilot from the great U S of A."

[User]
Jack 'Bruiser' Murdock - Floor 3 - Training Room
@Genni

"Nice to meet you." Bruiser said, holding his hand out in greeting for the young girl. For a moment he eyed her critically, staring at her in disbelief at how such a young girl was being allowed to join the team, but a second later he shrugged his shoulders with a smile. If she was here then she'd earnt her place just as he had, and he'd only been piloting Jaeger for less than a year, so who was he to complain about anyone else's experience.

"Another American, ehh? Well, at least that balances things out for each side of the Pond a little better." Bruiser said, barking a laugh at his little joke. From what he'd heard from the staff up on the airfield most of the new recruits were Europeans, with three Brits, four if you included Gottlieb. It seemed a little strange that they'd all come halfway around the world to fight something that hadn't even reached their little island yet, but Bruiser remembered the rioting and panic in the streets back home and knew exactly why people were here.

[Assistant]
Diana looked up at Tommie with a smile, grateful for the offer, and walked with her to the man she'd been with. She was curious to meet the other trainees.
"Nice to meet you too," Diana smiled, shaking his hand firmly. She felt a little uncomfortable, knowing he was appraising her, but within seconds he seemed to loosen up, accepting her presence. "And I don't know, we may be a little outnumbered, but we're never outgunned," She laughed, channeling a little of her hometown's patriotism. "I haven't met any of the other recruits, though," she added, "Just Tommie and you so far. Any other Brits around?" Although Bruiser was slightly intimidating physically, he had a solid and reassuring presence, one that let Diana know without a doubt that he was a family man.