Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: Revenent on 24-03-2012, 03:53:19</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>24-03-2012, 03:53:19</strong>
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				(http://images.wikia.com/dothack/images/4/45/MoonTreeHome.jpg)<br><br>At the corner of all reality, built atop the highest mountain in order to keep view over all the planes of existence, Shang-qing's stood stoic and silent. Few were of the right spirit to live in the residence of the God of Balance, but those who did learned to find luxury in modesty. There were no grand theaters, or enormous combat arenas, but simpler comforts could be found among the half-dozen or so pagodas that existed here, each connected by wooden bridges which were suspended over infinitely deep voids. There were hot springs, of course, with waters that were always the right temperature for their occupants, and left them fully rejuvenated no matter how battle-weary they were when they entered. There was a library of old scrolls that was far vaster than it appeared, the writings contained herein providing vast knowledge of many magics and ancient combat techniques to anyone with the patience to go through them. There were even incense rooms, with spiritual flames that would bring one harmony and the sense of being home. <br><br>Further up the mountain, one would find the small grotto on the peak that the God of Balance himself called home, but down below, servants and monks of all origins would provide Shang-qing's warriors with whatever they needed. One who wanted simply would never find himself wanting at all.<br><br>(As with the other two threads, feel free to make up anything you want for this location, as long as it makes sense with the theme and isn't too extravagant. If you have a question or an idea, PM me or let me know through the OOC thread. Enjoy!)
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>25-03-2012, 02:13:09</strong>
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				Never in a thousand years would she have imagined a place as beautiful as this.&nbsp; This place was very well protected from nearly anything the enemy could throw at them given the height advantage they had on the world below them, or rather worlds as the stories went.&nbsp; The half Drow rested back on the roof of the eastern tower, having used her immense acrobatic skill to get up there in the first place, and had hung her heavy pack of supplies and survival gear on the statue she had chosen to sit by, the sun being effectively blocked by said statue.&nbsp; Having folded her hands under her head, Giselle relaxed and waited for news of the coming fight, having truly nothing better to do at that moment besides wait for someone to come up here with her.&nbsp; 300 years old and she had most likely seen more battle than anyone else in this place save for a few most likely, but that didn't mean she'd let her guard down.&nbsp; Her well worn brown leather boots were a testament to how far she'd gone already, and while the tread was still good, she'd give them another year before she'd have to replace them.&nbsp; The rest of her outfit left little doubt as to what she did for a living.&nbsp; Black mithril chainmail which hugged her slender form perfectly to allow for maximum maneuverability given her rogue like abilities, a matching black traveling cloak which she used more to shield her brown light sensitive eyes more than anything, and a brown leather belt which held her twin scimitars in place which were both heavily enchanted for some quite stunning effects if you happened to be a fire user, otherwise the other was more sensing when danger was near more than anything except for the increased sharpness it possessed.&nbsp; Most people couldn't defend and attack at the same time, but Giselle had been trained by the best in her world, and she had had plenty of time to hone her skills.&nbsp; If she had anything to say about all this, she'd be damn sure to stop the senseless bloodshed once and for all.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>25-03-2012, 07:47:41</strong>
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				Down below, on the bridge out in front of the largest hall of the keep, where the honors and prayers to Shang-qing were performed, a swirling, ovular cloud of shadow appeared, locked in position on the wood below it as a figure in a unique, tightly-worn black coat (http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110801173659/kingdomhearts/images/thumb/2/27/Cloak.png/186px-Cloak.png) stepped out of it, a hood pulled up over his head to hide all the features of his face. As the portal of darkness closed behind him, one of the resident monks of the Keep approached the man rather calmly, as if his arrival had been expected. A brief but business-like conversation seemed to take place between the two, ending with the monk bowing his head in respect&nbsp; and walking off to deliver some new information or another to someone with the power to act on it. Once he was alone, the man in the coat lowered his hood, letting the sun cast upon his lightly orange skin and his silver hair, which hung down upon his shoulders in some places and stuck out from his head like short spikes around his crown. He looked more like the type you would see wandering around the Black Citadel, but perhaps that would play to his advantage in the future. For now, Xemnas' business at the Secret Keep looked like it was only just beginning.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>25-03-2012, 08:11:28</strong>
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				During the time that the strange man in the black cloak appeared on the bridge, a woman in Azure shaded armor stepped out of the grand hall after allowing herself a rather light meal to tide her over. She never was one to eat right before fighting started, but she could start to feel the lack of nutrition start to get to her, and she figured that the fighting wasn't going to start for a while anyway. She came out just in time to see the strange man pull down his hood, and she opted to keep her distance from him for the time being. The two of them might have been fighting for the same side, but neutrality covered a lot of different things, such as this man's potential indifference and Isabel's stern pacifism and desire to end conflict. She decided to give him a bit of a wide berth, as she simply went to go relax by one of the lakes. She found that the soft sounds of active water helped to relax her and put her mind at ease, it was one of the few respites she got from a heart filled with regret and uncertainty after all that she had lost.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>25-03-2012, 23:07:12</strong>
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				Dark elves, half or otherwise, all had a few things in common no matter how much of their dark brethren blood ran through their veins.&nbsp; They all had night and infrared vision, they all could drop globes of impenetrable darkness at will, could make harmless magical faerie fire appear on anything as well, and they could all sense when magic was used as well as enchantments upon weapons and the like they could pick up on.&nbsp; Giselle was no different as she felt the dark portal open up, the magic used making her skin crawl as she sat up from the tower's roof she had been relaxing upon until now.&nbsp; She shivered despite herself and picked up her bag off the statue before making her way down....by jumping to the ground below her.&nbsp; She landed easily and made her way to where she had sensed the disturbance, not liking what she had felt at all.&nbsp; It didn't take her long to find both Isabel who she'd come to like a great deal, and the dark and powerful Xemnas she wouldn't trust more than she could throw him, and for good reason considering what she'd find out about him later.&nbsp; Having slung her pack across her shoulders, the half Drow let her sharp elven eyes sweep over the pair before focusing her brown, chestnut orbs solely upon Xemnas himself.&nbsp; "Who are you and what kind of fiend are you that uses such dark and foul magic as the type I felt not ten seconds ago?"&nbsp; Isabel she saw from the corner of her eye had wandered off by the time the ranger had gotten close enough to be heard by the Nobody, and that was good since she wasn't sure what anyone here was capable of.&nbsp; She immediately didn't feel safe around this guy but Giselle had never backed out of a fight yet.&nbsp; She wasn't about to start now if this man decided to try his luck.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>26-03-2012, 06:33:48</strong>
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				The inhabitants of the Secret Keep were usually a quiet and docile kind, so Xemnas was surprised to find himself almost immediately face-to-face with a combatant. He hadn't been wandering the vast expanse of realms and worlds for as long as the warriors of Cosmos and Chaos had, so it was still a curiosity to see new species like this one wandering around, but his response was only skin-deep. "We've only known each other for a few seconds, and you've already insulted me. I can see this will be a great friendship," the Nobody replied with disinterested, soulless sarcasm, the threat of a fight with her not even making him flinch. The hem of his coat rustled as a cool rush of mountain air passed through, whistling along the bottom of the bridge they stood on. "Save your heroics for Garland, or Exdeath. Waste them on me and you'll have even less of a chance of surviving," he went on dismissively, walking toward her on the bridge, his hands hanging out to his sides. He made no move to step around her, but before he bumped right into her, he simply teleported from in front of her to behind her and kept on walking a few more steps before stopping and peering back over his shoulder. "For the record, I should say that one like you shouldn't be so afraid of the darkness." With that, Xemnas kept walking and disappeared into the main hall. He had business; whether Giselle or anyone else followed after him was their own prerogative.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 02:00:12</strong>
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				Hiding out within the trees near a lake, a young man danced around swinging a set of blades about. The speed of his swings staying at a consistent speed with a good flow to each movement. The warrior finished the sequence by throwing his weapons into separate trees, holding the final stance while catching his breath. Standing as tall as any average man, bright orange hair to match his clothing. His weapon dual Cross Spears, identical to one another each roughly 5 feet long with three 6 inch blades on one end. Standing straight up he stretched out and reclaimed his weapons from the tree trunks. The man appeared serious, but rarely would that describe him, a grin painted his face as he made his way to the lake nearby to wash off the sweat. Coming to the water's edge, he laid his spears on the ground and dunked his head in the clear refreshing water. Shaking his head like a dog he then slicked his hair back off of his face, laying back beside his weapons. "This place isn't so bad, Haven't really met anyone yet. Though I'm supposed to fight to maintain . . . order or balance?" He thought back to his village and how occasionally felt the sudden urge to fight him. "I miss some of them, but they never had any sense of humor. I'm curious to meet those of Cosmos and Chaos, maybe they can laugh."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 02:10:22</strong>
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				Isabel was quite content to simply keep her eyes shut and enjoy the soft sounds of the flowing water nearby as she waited for somebody to tell her that it was time to raise her spear in battle, however, she found her peace interrupted by the sound of a man walking over to the lake and splashing some across his face, muttering to himself as though he didn't see her there. While she didn't entirely hear everything that he had said, she heard enough to know that he was supposed to be one of her allies. She figured it couldn't hurt to at least introduce herself, after all, they would be fighting towards the same common goal. Even should it turn out that he was similar to that scary tan man in the black cloak, she should at least give him the benefit of knowing that she existed. She opened one of her eyes, spotting him a short distance away as he rested as well. "... hey..." While it wasn't the most elaborate or well thought out of introductions, Isabel wasn't exactly renowned for her social skills.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 02:27:37</strong>
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				Zame laid with his eyes closed as he felt the water run down his hair. Hearing a soft spoken girl call out, he sat upright and took a quick glance around. He had completely missed her when he came out of the trees, sitting not far from him was a girl, cute one too with blonde hair. Giving a grin and a bright cheery reply "Hello." Zame stood up grabbing his spears and made his way closer to the girl. "I haven't seen you before, can I get your name?" He hadn't met anyone else from any side really, after agreeing to join the God of Balance, he chose to hide out in the forest till the first set of fighting started. His excuse to get the jump on everyone, including surprise his own comrades. "Which side are you on?" It didn't really matter to him what the answer was though, at a guess it was Balance being this was the area Shang-qing drop him off at.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 02:32:13</strong>
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				Isabel would simply look up at him, wondering how in the world he could be so bright and happy when he must know that war was coming right around the corner. Was he one of those people that enjoyed fighting? Isabel didn't think she'd ever be able to get along with those kinds of people, the kind that go into a fight with a smile on their face and battle for nothing more then the mere sport of it. No... she didn't get that kind of vibe from this man. He was a bit to bright and cheery for the current situation sure, but he didn't particularly strike her as a bad person. "Isabel... I'm Neutral, like you." Again, incredibly short and to the point. That would likely be the bulk of Isabel's responses to just about anybody asking her of anything until she got to know them a little bit more.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 02:37:03</strong>
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				Giselle was impressed by the teleport like speed that Xemnas possessed, but he wasn't the only one that had tricks up his sleeve.&nbsp; Still, she didn't pursue only because she didn't want to tear this place apart in the fight that would ensue.&nbsp; Even so, his parting words were a bit questionable at best since she wasn't sure how much he truly knew about her kind if he wasn't referring to her directly.&nbsp; "Don't underestimate your opponent either.&nbsp; You never know what you might run into should you cross your own allies, let alone what you might find later down the line."&nbsp; She warned, walking her own path towards the water's edge, needing a good swim after talking to that....whatever he was.&nbsp; She'd watch her back around him, that was a certainty.&nbsp; Finding a small crowd already near the water's edge, Giselle relaxed visibly since she sensed no such foul presence from any of them and smiled warmly at them both.&nbsp; "A fine day for a swim.&nbsp; It's a pleasure to meet fellow warriors that don't make my skin crawl as that tanned fellow did.&nbsp; My name is Giselle Do'Urden, ranger, swordsman, and a mage of no small skill.&nbsp; Who might you be?"&nbsp; She asked as she pulled her silver gray long hair into order before leaning against the wall on the right side of the stairs she had come down on.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 03:14:16</strong>
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				Short answer and no return question. "How do you know I'm Neutral? What if I was with Cosmos, simply out for a stroll patrolling the area?" He wasn't sure if they actually did that or not. "On guard to ensure the safety of those around from Chaos's warriors." With a dramatic pose he only stood to make more of an ass of himself if she didn't find any humor in it. "But regardless, I'm not here to fight simply enjoy scenery for the time being." He couldn't tell if this girl was very serious, shy, or just didn't care. Maybe she only said hello to meet an ally and nothing more, he couldn't figure it out.&nbsp; He took a seat on the ground next to her "I am Neutral, not really sure how we fit in to this war though. Maybe we simply end fights that have escalated to far out of control between the other two, you heard anything about it?" Looking in the background as another person appeared and heard her introduction. "Hello."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 03:21:25</strong>
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				Isabel simply shifted softly away from Zame when he sat next to her, mostly because he was just a <em>little</em> too close to her personal bubble, not out of any particular dislike for the man in question. When he spoke, she simply lowered her head and nodded. "Yeah... I dislike fighting... If my actions bring a pointless battle to an end, then that's good." Well, it seemed that she was at least trying to elaborate just a little bit on what she was thinking, that, or the words just came out naturally and she didn't have to think all that much about it. Either way, the end result was the same just before Giselle came in and joined in the conversation. The dirty blonde would simply lift her gaze upwards towards the blue skinned woman, her head shifting to the side a little bit as she did so. Apparently, she was required to introduce herself again. "Isabel..."<br><br>She was terrible with meeting people.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 03:49:43</strong>
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				Zame noticed her shift away and sink her head, she was a shy girl. "I'm sure we'll fulfill our duty with minimal problems, in the meantime smile and relax. Being so timid makes it hard to enjoy whats around you, at least for me it's that way." Living in Doga Village everyone was serious about there study and work, it drove Zame to be different. "Laugh once in a while at anything, find a reason to smile, it just might change your view on some things." Zame went to lay down on the ground, but quickly jerked back up. The shortsword that he kept on his backside at his waist had managed to shift and stab him in the ass. "Ow, that hurt" Pulling the sword out, he rubbed his ass and set it beside his spears.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 04:10:14</strong>
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				Isabel simply gave Zame a curious glance when he sat on his shortsword. Of course, while she didn't laugh she did manage a tiny smirk that would be hidden from sight, she did find the act mildly amusing, if more belittling towards her comrade then anything else. "You'll forgive me for not taking life advice from a man who forgets where his own weapons are." Of course, while he may not have entirely read it as such, since her voice was just as neutral and plain as ever, that was actually a very small stab at something of a joke for her. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 04:26:16</strong>
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				Giselle sat by Zame, finding his humor easy to withstand since her brother David was much alike to him in many ways.&nbsp; Seth, her other twin brother, not exactly HER twin since both of her brothers were older than her by a year, was the more serious of the three Do'Urden children.&nbsp; Giselle was in the middle, walking the line between responsibility and finding humor everywhere she looked, finding light and happiness as well.&nbsp; On the other hand she was serious about war and battle, and wasn't sure if this Isabel was right to be here.&nbsp; "My sharp ears couldn't help but overhear most of what you two had to say.&nbsp; Sorry, bad habit of being elven.&nbsp; Anyway, you don't like to fight, yet here you stand.&nbsp; You fight to make sure things don't get out of hand, to stop this pointless fight, but that alone won't be enough.&nbsp; You need a far stronger reason to stand against the two gods than that because if that's all you can muster, then you will not last long here, neither of you.&nbsp; Defending your homes on the other hand, that's a good reason, defending your loved ones in case future cycles of this war spills out into other worlds, that's also a good reason.&nbsp; That's my reason for being here, what's yours?"&nbsp; Giselle asked, her words wise and sage despite the fact that her elven heritage saying she was a bit young for this whole mess.&nbsp; On the other hand she wasn't one to be trifled with because she was far more experienced than her face would otherwise say.&nbsp; "And Zame, was it?&nbsp; You remind me of my brother, David.&nbsp; He's a joker as well, always had been since the day he could talk and reason.&nbsp; You remind me of him, but on the other hand, you are not even close to how heroic he's proven in the past time and time again.&nbsp; Your being here if you were to ask me, is a bad idea on Shang-qing's part if you can't take all this seriously."
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 04:44:01</strong>
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				"A bad idea, hm?" A aged, slightly high-pitched voice called out around them, lacking a source but reaching much farther because of that. This was quickly corrected as a small figure appeared on the lake before them, standing on the water's surface as if it were as solid as earth. A small, old man of Asian descent, though several characteristics about him stood out, beside the fact that he was walking on water. His long hair was as white as moonlight, and he had thick eyebrows, a long braid that hung down to the back of his waist, and a well-groomed beard below his fu man chu that fell nearly to his chest. His skin was bright enough red to look almost on fire, and his eyes were darker than oil, though it wasn't a frightening darkness like that of Xemnas' coat. He was dressed in loose golden robes that radiated a warmth like sunlight, and covered over his hands and feet when he stood still. He was quite short and thin as well, but one should never judge a warrior by his stature, let alone a god. "I do not remember having any bad ideas lately. Maybe you shouldn't be so quick to judge other people's ideas. It might be a bad idea," he went on in his amused voice, a squeaky chuckle following at what barely counted as a joke, but what entertained him nonetheless.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 05:10:55</strong>
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				Still rubbing his ass, and smiled wide at Isabel "I see your point, though I think my own was sharper." Zame looked at his hand, just a little bit of blood. Giselle sat down next to the two of them. "Sounds like a good reason to be here. However you don't know me, nor did I say my name. My reasoning is my own, as is Isabel's. I won't judge another person ever, or blatantly insult them when your sitting next to them." Zame withstood insults and verbal abuse from several people back in his home village. Always talking down to him, this woman reminded him of several of the adults mages in the village when he was growing up. His voice staying at a calm level not rising to a yell of anger merely agitation, "It's fine that I remind you of your brother, maybe it brings a feeling of family to this realm for you, but I am not him and never will be. I won't do what he has done, simply because of that. I view more things seriously then most people believe, I handle situations differently that's all." Suddenly hearing a voice from no where specific stopped Zame before he could truly begin to rant on. Listening to the short god that appeared and stood on the lake, he managed to relax again. "Ideas are never good or bad, our actions that enact them are what should be described as such. Does that make sense Shang?" The words came out of his mouth, but took a moment for him to piece together what he had said.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 05:14:41</strong>
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				Isabel glanced over, her arms coiling softly around one of her knees as yet another person came into this little setting next to one of the many lakes surrounding the keep. Funny, she had come over here originally to try and get away from other people, and now she was surrounded by what was likely the largest crowd of any of the balance fighters. She couldn't help but get the feeling that she was being rubbed out of the conversation a little bit, and all the conversation between Zame and Giselle about home and family did cause her more heartache then she'd have liked to admit. Still, she merely kept her mouth shut and lingered near the back, not doing anything to interrupt the conversation that the others were engaged in.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 05:35:17</strong>
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				Giselle sighed and rubbed her forehead with her left hand, feeling a right fool for assuming as much as she had for either of them.&nbsp; She offered an apologetic smile to the two of them, especially after the god that had called them together had appeared.&nbsp; Leaning back a bit, putting her dexterous black as stone hands out behind her as she did, the half Drow looked up at the sky before speaking again.&nbsp; "I must ask for forgiveness for my rude words to all of you.&nbsp; War and hardship have made my tongue just as sharp as my swords at times.&nbsp; Even so, that's no excuse for my actions, for what I said to you.&nbsp; You're right Zame, I don't know you, yet, but your reply and the way you said it shows much of your character alone.&nbsp; And you Shang-qing,"&nbsp; Giselle said as she turned her brown eyes upon the god, a smirk on her own beautiful face as she spoke further, "I wouldn't question a god I've seen face to face since I value my hide a bit more than that, but on the other hand I won't foolishly follow one without a good reason besides the obvious of course, protecting this world so that it doesn't end up a smoldering ruin.&nbsp; And you're right, assuming anything is dangerous when you don't know enough to make such a call.&nbsp; Still, not all of my observations so far were far off now were they?"&nbsp; She chuckled but grew serious as she turned her gaze to Isabel who was behind them currently, quiet and shy as ever.&nbsp; "What do you say hun?&nbsp; You're the only one that hasn't said a word since we gathered together.&nbsp; You needn't be ashamed to speak your mind, nor share what lingers in your heart."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 06:10:24</strong>
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				Isabel would simply open her mouth in surprise when Giselle suddenly looked over at her and started to drag her back into the conversation. Isabel would simply shake her head after a few moments, coiling into herself a little bit more as she realized that she didn't really have anything worth saying at the moment. These people were all talking about making base assumptions and having reasons for fight, while Isabel was merely trying to fight because she had nothing else left in her life, she had lost everything except for her weapon back in her old home, and she simply didn't have it in her to make rash and pointless judgements about any of her allies. As far as she was concerned, all these people must have been incredibly powerful if they were chosen to take part in this battle.<br><br>What could she say?<br><br>She didn't come up with anything, so she merely kept quiet and nudged herself away a little bit more from the group.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 06:31:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zame's words had Shang-qing making his squeaky, wheezy little laugh again as he smiled at the young warrior. "Exactly, my friend, exactly. For example, saying things without thinking about them first is a bad idea, or at least a dumb one!" the god mocked with another wheezing laugh, kicking his heel against the water and splashing it far enough to nearly hit the shoes of the mortal fighters. "But anyway, Giselle, if you don't easily trust the choices I make, maybe you shouldn't be here taking advantage of my free food and board," he said to the half-drow, smiling widely and cocking up one bushy eyebrow. He was a peculiar one, this deity, in that he hadn't seemed to have had a serious thought since he brought himself into this debate, nor had he really said who he thought was in the right and who was in the wrong when it came to the question of why people should be fighting. Maybe that was his whole point, though; why should any one man hold another up to his own standards, when those standards only apply to himself?<br><br>"If your reasons for fighting are so valid, though, maybe you should demonstrate how much stronger you are than our friends here. That should make for a show, hm?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 06:38:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zame took a deep breath and let it out through his nose, sounding similar to a machine releasing steam pressure. "Don't worry about it Giselle, I'm not one to hold a grudge" It was a relief to know his comrade had a sense of humility. Wish the Village Mages had that attribute, Zame might have had a more loving time when still in the village. Giving a large yawn while covering his mouth, he sat there for a moment and blinked a couple times, his eyes watering slightly. "We're all strong enough for this job, at least Shanq here believes we are, otherwise we wouldn't be here. Right?" He looked at the Old Man God still standing on the lake. "And until the conflict begins for us I'm going to enjoy myself here, being that my original idea has already been ruined. Just a silly joke however." Zame looked over at Isabel, seeing her slowly slink away from the group "Where you going? I think were all nicely acquainted, so theirs no reason to hide away." Zame scooted over towards her, the distance that Isabel had moved since Giselle begun talking. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 06:56:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Shang-qing, same as ever I see."&nbsp; A heavenly and beautiful voice said as a bright light appeared beside the god of balance.&nbsp; "Always challenging others to stand up for what they believe in, always provoking the balance by forcing chaos.&nbsp; You have not changed in countless eons."&nbsp; Cosmos said, her beautiful and serene face full of old sorrow but also joy at seeing such an old friend despite their differences that put them at odds every time the war began.&nbsp; Giselle couldn't look directly at the goddess, but she smiled all the same, chuckling at the light banter between the two as she nodded in agreement at Zame.&nbsp; There truly was no need to prove who was right and all that.&nbsp; "How have you been after all this time Shang-qing?&nbsp; It has been too long.&nbsp; Warriors of balance, despite our differences, I truly hope that you are not needed for what is to come.&nbsp; While you feel this war is senseless, until one of us die a true death, a perfect death, it shall continue.&nbsp; Chaos will never stop, and to ensure that your worlds do not fall, neither shall I."&nbsp; Giselle nodded again but had nothing to say to the goddess since she had said all she had needed to before when they had first met.&nbsp; What the others would say however was another story altogether.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 07:08:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zame's actions actually only served to make the borderline mute blonde more uncomfortable then she was before. How could he say that they were all 'nicely acquainted' when all that had happened was a single challenge in pride between him and Giselle? He didn't know so much as a thing about her, other then the fact that she tended to keep quiet and she wasn't one for smiling on a regular basis. She continued to move away as he moved forward, shaking her head softly when he asked her about where she was going. "I just..." She just what? She wanted to be alone? No, she'd had more then enough of loneliness over the course of the last two years... What was it that she wanted?<br><br>She never got a chance to finish her train of thought before the goddess of harmony suddenly flashed into the middle of the scene. Seeing two gods conversing made this a clear and obvious sign that this wasn't really a place for somebody as lowly as Isabel to spend her time dwelling on her own thoughts. As such, she simply rose to her feet and began to back away. "..." <br><br>Again, she found no words able to come as she simply rose from the lake area and began to retreat to a different section of the keep.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 07:24:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zame could tell he was making Isabel uncomfortable "Sorry." Zame stood and dusted himself off. Picking up his weapons from the ground, he smiled at both the girls. Looking over as the bright light of Cosmos appeared, Zame clasped his hands over his eyes as if looking at the sun. "Aaah Bright!" Rolling on the ground for a short moment like an idiot. Finally stopping and getting back up, his eyes watery. "I'm gonna go venture through the woods. See ya all later." With that Zame took off at a fast run into the tree line before disappearing from sight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>27-03-2012, 16:02:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, Cosmos, your timing perfect! What better way to get the troops to stop fighting amongst themselves than to show them the enemy?" the old god said with another cheerful laugh, bowing his head in respect to the goddess of light and order. "I hear you're bringing in a few new fighters this time. I had to replace the entire lot myself, after how Chaos obliterated the last set," he said with amusement, though it wouldn't be particularly amusing or encouraging to the warriors of Balance, even if they didn't know how there could have been warriors killed before them when the war hadn't begun yet. "I think you and Chaos will have a bit more to fear from us this time, though. I've made a strong ally in the heartless man. Chaos won't find me beaten so easily through sheer numbers again," he said enigmatically, folding his hands together. He was surprisingly open and sporting about the whole matter, even though he sought to put the cycles out of commission permanently, and there was only one way to do that...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>28-03-2012, 06:13:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel simply remained silent when she saw Zame mindlessly split and go off into the woods to do his own thing. Was she somehow the cause of that? No... it was his fault for being so stubborn... that had to be it, right? She figured he'd be fine, and she put the thoughts out of her head as she simply took a few steps further away from the two gods. If not interrupted or bothered, Isabel would turn full heel around and try again to find a section of the keep where she could just get some time alone to gather her thoughts before the war began.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>30-03-2012, 20:54:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shang-qing did nothing to stop either Zame nor Isabel from going off on their own explorations. It was turning to night with surprising haste here on the edge of all reality, and the moon was perhaps larger in the sky here than it was in any other realm, casting a great deal of soothing light over the God of Balance's temple and the surrounding pagodas. It would be an impressive and beautiful view for Zame as he went into the forest, Giselle as she sat alongside the pond, and Isabel as she made her way back across the walkways between the structures. Out of daylight, the Keep seemed even more silent than usual, not a single voice or disturbance to be heard...at first. As Isabel reached the intersection between two wooden walkways, suspended above a dark hole in the mountain, she would hear a heavy thunking sound, like a knife or arrow being driven into a thick wooden surface. The sound would happen just once or twice at first, but then would come a bit faster and a bit louder, sounding for a few brief moments as if it was directly under feet before it passed further away again. If she followed the noise with her eyes, she would witness as a creature (http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20081018184814/finalfantasy/images/3/3b/Machea.jpg) something like a lizard with blades for legs crawled up onto the walkway from underneath, landing right side-up on the platform with a heavy thud, its bladed feet sinking slightly into the wood. A few clicking sounds came from its throat as it eyed the woman up, then released a faint but intimidating hissing sound. If one monster wasn't bad enough, a glance around herself would let the warrior know that three more of these creatures had popped up, one on each of the pathways surrounding her, each clicking and stepping back and forth on their bladed feet, ready to strike.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>30-03-2012, 21:15:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cosmos was about to reply to what Shang-qing had said, a sad look in her otherwise beautiful face, but she felt something coming towards her own home and disappeared after a hasty farewell.&nbsp; That should have been a warning to the god of balance, but things progressed as they would.&nbsp; Giselle however hadn't missed the look of concern and got up from her spot, not sure what to expect as night fell.&nbsp; Night was the time of the Drow, but it was also her own time when the half light elf/dark elf warrior was at her strongest as well.&nbsp; She dusted herself off, pulled out her water bottle, took a quick drink before refilling it at the lake before her, and wandered off in the general direction as Isabel, sensing something foul in the air.&nbsp; Something had already come here.&nbsp; She didn't get to join the woman however as something stopped her as well.&nbsp; She didn't know what they were called, but six armored looking snake like creatures appeared on all sides, surrounding Giselle as they dug their way out of the ground on either side of the path.&nbsp; She looked to each of them with just a simple shift of her eyes and a little turn of her head, sensing the two behind her rather than seeing them, and nodded to herself as her hands reached down to the blades at her slender waist.&nbsp; "Well, what are you waiting on?!"&nbsp; She hissed, her voice hopefully loud enough to be heard by Zame as well unless he had gotten into trouble himself by now.&nbsp; Xemnas she didn't really care for personally so he was on his own, but the others she'd help without a thought.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://www.ffcompendium.com/EspMon/basilisk12.jpg)</div></div><br>The basilisks hissed and slithered about around her, until the apparent leader of the group which was on her right side struck, fast as any snake she had ever seen.&nbsp; It wasn't fast enough as Giselle side stepped the fang filled mouth, Twinkle popping out of its sheath in an eye blink, and thus taking its head in the same moment before moving on to the rest of them as the leader's neck was severed from the rest of the body.&nbsp; The old saying proved true even here as the snake died, laid out straight at Giselle's feet as the half Drow charged down a second, both blades crossing and slicing through muscle and sinew without pause as a second of the basilisks fell to her prowess and skill.&nbsp; The other four were hesitant to continue, finding an enemy that was too strong for them, but their animal instincts drove them to continue, a mistake they wouldn't last long enough to reconsider later.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>30-03-2012, 21:56:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zame stopped for a moment, hearing a voice through the trees. "Sounds familiar, bit of aggression in the voice." A feeling of concern popped into his head, Zame jetted back towards the temple. Spears in hand, he sliced through every small branch in his way, till he came to the lake again. Zame ran full speed up the path to the temple to find Giselle surrounded by basilisks. A quick throw of his spears, he impaled two of the snakes, "Chain." A bolt of lightning shot from Zame's hand connecting with the end of his first spear like a lightning rod, then jumped to the second spear, shocking the creatures to death. "Hope you don't mind if I lend a hand." Zame joked, it didn't matter if she wanted help or not. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>30-03-2012, 22:58:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel looked around, side to side as she saw that she was suddenly surrounded by four creatures the likes of which that she had never seen before. Still, if fear of the unknown was enough to stop Isabel's blade, then she didn't deserve to be the quality sellsword that she became on her own world before being brought here. She snapped her spear into her hand with a flash of light, her buckler appearing on her arm in the same motion. "..." Without a word, she would simply rush quickly towards the one that was in front of her and stab down at it with her spear. She would mostly just target the one that was in front of her for the time being, since the last thing she wanted was to be attacked from multiple sides at the same time, and in this narrow area, if that one were to go down, she'd be able to defend herself against the other three.<br><br>That was, of course, assuming that they didn't just walk under the bridge to get behind her like the first one did.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>31-03-2012, 05:16:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Shang-qing would have been a rather pathetic excuse for a god if he hadn't been aware there were intruders to his mountaintop headquarters before they had even arrived, but the old man didn't show half the concern Cosmos did. Instead, he muffled a little chuckle of amusement as Giselle found herself surrounded by armored Basilisks. If she couldn't handle this little match-up, then she didn't stand a chance against the armies of Cosmos and Chaos, or at least that's how the God of Balance saw it. Without another word, he simply disappeared from where he stood on the surface of the pond as if he had never been there at all, retreating to a nice, comfortable spot to watch the events down below unfold.<br><br>Up in the area of the Keep, to Isabel's possible irritation, she would find this particularly creature less slow and dim-witted than most monsters, as it actually managed to jump back out of the way of her quick attack, hissing at her and swiping at her arm with one blade leg. The other three would start to cautiously advance in as well, but these four would turn out to be just the beginning of her problem. Even with just the moonlight, she would be able to shadows in the shapes of these same creatures climbing up from pits all around the complex, sticking themselves to the undersides of walkways and the walls of buildings, on the roofs and going into windows. There were probably dozens of them in just this first wave, and, for the moment, it didn't look like there were many other people around to fight them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>31-03-2012, 19:04:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel looked from side to side, seeing just how many of these creatures were crawling up the walls and bridges of the keep. The blonde was rather worried at first, however, these creatures were no real threat to Isabel, no matter what their numbers. The one that swiped at her bladed leg found it's head being impaled by her spear, as she spun around to ready herself for the onslaught that was to come. "Hmph..." She would be able to handle this on her own, she was chosen to be a warrior of Shang-qing, to think that she was some helpless damsel to be rescued would be an insult to not only Isabel herself, but sand in the eye of her life that had led her to this point. She had promised her family, the people she loved, that she would grow strong before she left home.<br><br>So that was what she would become. "So many of them..." That changed nothing though, zero multiplied by a million still equaled zero.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>31-03-2012, 19:28:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The Machea let out a shrill cry that was mercifully cut off as the spear head going through its skull brought an end to its life, letting it slump down on the wooden platform as cold, blue blood seeped from its wound. The other three creatures that had targeted Isabel were now bunched together at the end of the walkway she was standing on, hissing violently at her, though not yet making a move. This drew the attention of more of the bladed lizards, a small group of which came up on the other end of the bridge, blocking her in from both sides, but neither group made a move on her just yet. That was, until another sound was heard from behind the mountain rise next to the keep, a sound that was more chilling than threatening, and would be heard by all of those in and around the keep, drawing them back to the center of their headquarters if they had wandered off.<br><br>The sound was the cry of an animal, a large one at that, though pain and desperation filled it. On top of that, there seemed to be some mechanical inflection on it, but it was too convincing to be faked. Wherever it came from, it seemed to induce these Machea to action, as two pairs of them on either side of the bridge Isabel stood on soon disappeared underneath again. While their kin stood guard on either end of the path (for whatever it was worth against a strong warrior), snaps of wood were heard, followed by the bridge groaning and starting to bend and break right at the center as it lost its support struts. If Isabel didn't move very fast, she would find herself falling down a very dark and unforgiving pit.<br><br>A building or two over, she might notice as a man in a dark hooded coat walked seemingly undisturbed by the monsters, who ran by as if they didn't notice. He paid Isabel no heed, even if he did notice her, but glanced up in the sky as he spotted a small, camera-like robot fluttering around in the moonlight, watching the events unfold.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>31-03-2012, 21:43:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Giselle was grateful for the help even if she didn't technically need it.&nbsp; Even so, the hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end now that the battle had fully begun, but it wasn't because of the strange snakes that surrounded herself and Zame.&nbsp; She was feeling something else coming altogether as she could see what Zame did to two of the enemies upon his arrival.&nbsp; She'd have to be sure not to get stuck in the middle of such a trap.&nbsp; "I'm glad to have you with me Zame.&nbsp; Let's finish these snakes and see if Isabel is alright!"&nbsp; She called out, twirling her twin scimitars before her with the skill of a master before she seemed to teleport behind two of the four that were left, having opened up a dimensional door between her current spot and where she had wanted to go before stepping through the magical gateway, her swords already descending to claim their lives a moment later.&nbsp; Blood and ichor sprayed everywhere but she paid it no mind as she tossed Icingdeath into the air and held out her now empty hand, gathering magical energy in her palm in the form of a fireball.&nbsp; "Heads up!"&nbsp; She called out before she let it fly, the orb of fire exploding violently as a third enemy was slain by the resulting explosion that followed.&nbsp; Catching her sword by its hilt, Giselle let Zame handle the last of them before running ahead, hoping to get to Isabel's side in time if she too had been attacked as they had.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>31-03-2012, 21:53:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel let out a soft gasp when she realized that the supports to the bridge were about to collapse, however, this wasn't something that she couldn't handle. Crouching quickly, she put her training to use as she bounded several feet into the air and shifted herself to get off the bridge. While in midair, she snapped a javelin to her hand and tossed it down at the creatures attacking the bridge. While it descended, it split apart into several other, smaller spears and rained down onto the bridge in a rather inaccurate way. After throwing about three or four of these spears, Isabel grabbed onto a nearby cliff and pulled herself up, just as the bridge below her was about to give way and collapse into two. While Isabel was by no means a dragoon, she was starting to dip into some of their training, since they also used spears like her. As such, she learned their uncanny ability to jump far higher then any regular person could ever hope to.<br><br>Once she was safely at the top of the cliff, she brought her regular attacking spear back to hand, and looked around to see just how many of these creatures were coming to join her. "..." She began making her way down the cliffside, hoping to find some sort of narrow passageway where she could funnel them into a kill zone. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>01-04-2012, 07:46:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Just as Giselle found her way to one of the many wooden paths that weaved through, she would find that she had a lot more to worry about than whether or not Isabel would be alright on her own. The first thing she would see was the orange light from the lanterns around the complex glinting off the creature's massive, black horns, though she would hear and feel the thud of its every step long before she saw it. It was far larger than most monsters, with paws that could easily crush a human, and it had purple fur covering its entire body, save for some red tinge near its chest and tail. It had sharp, white teeth and yellow eyes that almost seemed to glow, and which focused directly on Giselle.<br><br><div class="spoiler_container"><div onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button" class="spoiler_header">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy/images/2/2d/Ffcc-mlaad_monster_behemoth.gif)</div></div><br>Even the most experienced warriors from across the worlds knew it wasn't a bright idea to take on a Behemoth head-to-head, with no back-up, but here the half-Drow was. Strangely enough, while the massive beast stood in Giselle's path, its gaze stuck to her and its throat releasing a deep growl, it made no immediate move to attack her. It was strange, since Behemoths were usually extremely aggressive to those who wandered into their territory, but this one in particular seemed to be satisfied with just standing in the Balance warrior's way. Another loud, mechanically-altered cry of pain came in across the thin mountain air, drawing a deeper snarl from the Behemoth, but still it didn't move.<br><br>Back with the pseudo-dragoon girl, Isabel would find that the Machea also weren't as violently inclined as her first encounter may have indicated, though they were now overrunning the keep even more than before, dozens of creatures climbing over every nook and cranny, digging their bladed legs deep and tearing through the wood. Several of them, out of self-preservation interest, decided to attack the sellsword as soon as they spotted her, making their way up the narrow cliff path she was in the middle of walking down, as well as just climbing straight up the sheer rock wall next to her. <br><br>As the first few Machea lunged toward her, extending half a dozen organic blades in her direction, a corridor of darkness appeared on a small rock outcropping a few meters above her, closing in on itself to reveal the man in the dark coat, his hood still drawn up. He watched her silently for a few seconds as she responded to the attacks, then spoke out in a loud, clear voice that was dead of tone. "You're wasting your time. They won't stop until they figure out how to find me. Grab your allies and find whatever's commanding this invasion."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>02-04-2012, 01:58:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel was able to slay a few of them on her way down the mountain passage, however, when one of her allies intercepted the fight and told her to seek out the creature that was starting up the attack, Isabel would simply nod gently and begin to move away. "Okay..." She looked in the direction that the mechanical cry could be heard from, nodding to herself gently. It seemed that these creatures were being provoked by that cry, whatever it was, so eliminating the source of it would be the best way for her to at least get started when it came to pushing back this invasion force. With that, she'd dart past him and begin to cut her way down the side of the cliff, only attacking the Macheas that tried to attack her. She wasn't entirely sure where she would find her allies, but she had to start looking. After all, if she was going to be hunting down a creature that was commanding this entire invasion force, she didn't exactly want to go it alone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>03-04-2012, 08:01:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Giselle dashed off towards the temple after burning another of the basilisks. Zame slowly walked forward, "Come on little snake. Come bite me on the ass." Zame smiled wide as he taunted the creature. The snake didn't respond to it, staring down the orange haired man in front of it. Looking back at the creature, Zame didn't find much amusement from the solo creature. "Your boring without your friends." The creature merely glared waiting for it's chance to strike should Zame get close enough. "I'm done with you. Lightning." A bolt shot from his hand flying over the snake's head connecting with his spear and striking the creature from behind. "Must have thought I needed to stab him first." Grabbing his spears from the dead creatures he took a moment to listen, searching the air for sounds with any kind of hostile intent. "I can't imagine this place being attacked a usual event."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>09-04-2012, 07:03:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Giselle had to skid to a halt as the giant ass purple beast stood in her way.&nbsp; She was about to attack when she saw that the Behemoth didn't try to strike her down the moment it saw her as the snakes had before hand.&nbsp; She cocked her head to the side and wondered why it wasn't so eager to try to take her down, when she heard the mechanical cry off in the distance.&nbsp; She didn't turn her brown eyes away for an instant, not about to break eye contact with the formidable beast before her in case it took her looking away as a sign of weakness.&nbsp; Instead, she sheathed her blades and tried to tap into its mind with her ranger abilities, hoping to tame it so that she could ride it into battle.&nbsp; If it worked and it submitted to her willingly, Giselle would mount up and send it onward the path she had been on, but if it chose to fight, she'd do her best to hold it off on her own or be forced to run.&nbsp; Either way, she didn't plan to move on without at least trying to tame it or kill it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>12-04-2012, 19:36:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As it turned out, the behemoth had no interest in being ridden into battle against its own allies, snarling harder and stepping toward the dark elf with a hint of murder in its eyes. While it hadn't been aggressive at first, it considered her attempt to tame its mind an attack on her part, and was now a little more willing to be aggressive. With a roar, the massive beast charged forward, its heavy paws shaking the ground with each step and thunder crackling along its horns. It only took the behemoth a few bounds to reach Giselle, swiping at the ranger with sharp and powerful claws.<br><br>On Isabel's most of the Machea seemed to be interested in just tearing up the network of buildings and bridges that made up the keep, though there were so many that she naturally bumped into a few willing to fight her. They were easily handled enough, but in the distance, she could see a couple more behemoths had arrived and were stalking around the place in search of Xemnas, who they seemed to have a lot of difficulty tracking.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ember Star</strong> on <strong>13-04-2012, 06:10:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Refia was merrily on her way home, dress fully in her thief entire that honestly didn't leave a whole lot to the imagination. She had a bag that looked rather heavy for its size, slung over her shoulder, and a bottle of what appeared to be rum, or something similar, in her other hand. She was humming some merry song as she approached the temple, taking occasional drinks from the bottle as she walked.<br><br>It was the sounds that got to hear first, roars and growls of unknown beast. It caused the slim girl to stop in her tracks, eyes widen in shock as she dropped the bottle, effectively breaking it. 'Whaaaaaaa?" Was all she managed to get out. She thought she was done with all this monster crap when she got home after the whole ordeal with those three stupid boys when she was a teenager. Ugh. Guess this means she'll have to help. <br><br>With that thought she took off at a run, dropping her bag of stolen goods on the ground where she had stood. With great speed she placed herself facing one of the Behemoths, although she was more than 40 feet in front of the creature, that was plenty close enough. She drew two Chakrams, and with a twirl on her toes, threw them directly at the creature 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>13-04-2012, 06:13:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel considered going back and lending Xemnas a hand for a moment, but she wasn't suicidal enough to take on two of those monsters on her own. Instead, she decided to honor his orders and go about trying to find her allies. Fortunately, as luck would have it, she came down to see Giselle fighting a single Behemoth on her own, one that was about to attack her it seemed. Acting quickly, Isabel lept from the higher cliff where she stood and summoned a massive lance into her grip. While descending, she threw the lance with all of her might downwards at the behemoth, hoping that her surprise attack would be enough to kill this one before even more of them decided to show up. She had to get rid of that artificial howl first and foremost, that was what took priority.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Katra Alexion</strong> on <strong>14-04-2012, 04:43:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Since arriving at Secret Keep of Shang-qing Ren had spent most of her time exploring her new surroundings finding a niche halfway up the mountain that afforded a breath taking view of the the temple and its surrounding territories. She had had time to adjust to her new situation and though she still worried for the people she left back at home there was little she could about it right now but fight to ensure this battle didn't spill into her own world on top of everything else.&nbsp; As night began to fall Ren made her way back down the mountain intending to grab some dinner before heading back to her personal quarters. <br><br>As she reached the base of the mountain the harsh higher altitude wind current mellowed out to pleasantly calm breeze carrying with it the subtly yet heady scent of night blooming wild flowers as it teased the long tendril of dark brown hair. Giggling a bit to herself she continued on her way but as she moved along she began picking up sounds of a fight. Brows farrowed above mercurial grey eyes as she took off in the direct of the sound. Rounding a bend she saw groups of what looked to be mechanical creatures and behemoth attacking the keeping. A predatory grin stretched across her features. <em><strong>Finally some action!</strong></em> She began running, gaining speed as she <em>jumped </em>and leaped the distance over the bridge only coming down once to push off one of the support beams to land in crouch on the other side.&nbsp; Engaging the Machea with a healthy mix of melee and lightning based spells (as well drawing whatever she could from them) she pushed her way through to the temple where the behemoths were trying to tear down the walls.<br><br>A few of the fighters were already there in the form of the dark elf and the swords woman (she never did catch their names). Getting a running start she attempted to jump onto the creature's back while using a lightning spell to charge her spear and drive it in the base of the Behemoth's head where the skull met its spine.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>14-04-2012, 18:39:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing the attack incoming, the behemoth attacked Giselle attempted to jump out of the way of the incoming lance, howling in pain as the massive lance pierced its leg. Staggering back, the beast almost seemed about to cut its losses and give up the attack it was clearly not interested in, but another mechanized, despaired roar pushed it to start growling once more. Its horns crackled with electricity for but a couple moments before it launched Thundara spells at both Isabel and Giselle. Hitting Isabel while she was still in the air would certainly cause some problems for her, and hitting Giselle might at least stun her long enough to move in for a melee kill.<br><br>As Refia and Ren moved to attack two of the behemoths invading the keep, a few more appeared to give them aid, until it was surprisingly the support struts could hold all of their weights together. Soon, the reason for their presence became apparent as the silhouette of a massive machine (http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy/images/f/fc/Albhed_Extractor.png) appeared in the moonlight, standing as tall as a building on the side of the mountain. The three pylons atop the machine formed a spherical energy cage containing a strangely-colored behemoth (http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy/images/e/e6/Catoblepas_FFVIII.jpg), probably a leader or matriarch due to the way the rest of the monsters followed its order.<br><br>As the machine came into view, the pylons sent a powerful shock through the cage and into the trapped monster, its pained roar reverberating against the sphere and sounding mechanically altered. Upon hearing the altered roar, the waves of invading creatures grew even more intense, dozens of machea storming toward Refia and Ren, as well as Zame.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>ZameRagues</strong> on <strong>15-04-2012, 06:31:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Zame turned as he heard the creature's cry of pain. "That can't be good. Sounds like that thing is hurting the behemoth, wonder if it likes to play?" Both spears in hand, he twirled them around, one in each hand before going into a run. Only getting a few feet before a small army of Machea appeared in the distance charging for him. Studying the creatures and their number, Zame realized he was in deep shit alone. "Shit." Zame stood: the Keep behind him, an army in front of him, and the large machine by the mountain. "SHIT." Zame dashed towards the biggest opening he saw, which was towards the large machine. The Machea wave chasing after him Zame continued to run screaming at the top of his lungs, "Leave me alone!" It was hard to tell if he was being cowardly or being tactful, his voice echoed through the surrounding trees.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Vergil1989</strong> on <strong>15-04-2012, 21:21:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She knew when to cut her losses and jumped back just far enough to avoid getting gored from one side of her waist to the other.&nbsp; Thankfully reinforcements showed up to help her, but then things got more interesting than ever when the source of their trouble revealed itself.&nbsp; She couldn't believe what she was seeing.&nbsp; It was little wonder these creatures were pushing forward so hard as they were.&nbsp; "You bastard!"&nbsp; Giselle's brown eyes flared with renewed fire as she again had to dodge another attack, this one in the form of a lightning based spell, before she was able to throw several magic missile clusters in every direction, slowing down if not outright stopping the Machae that were chasing Zame and harassing the other warriors in the general area.&nbsp; Seeing Isabel was in trouble, the half Drow opened a dimensional door right behind the woman, stuck her hand through her own portal, and pulled the girl through so that she didn't end up getting struck by the spell the behemoth had thrown her way.&nbsp; "You ok?"&nbsp; Regardless of the answer, Giselle felt the strain her actions had taken on her and felt sweat starting to pour off of her body.&nbsp; She still had enough to fight however, and turned her gaze towards the machina that was giving them so much trouble.&nbsp; "Ignore the rest!&nbsp; Take out that machine and the rest should run!"&nbsp; 'I hope.'&nbsp; Giselle thought to herself, needing a moment to catch her breath regardless.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SargentToughie</strong> on <strong>21-04-2012, 04:40:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Isabel was just about to avoid the lightning attack on her own, and actually proceed with another airborne attack against the behemoth in the same motion, however, she quickly found herself being forced through the ground through some sort of strange portal instead, a few feet away from the lightning strike and a few feet away from her counterattack that she had planned. "..." Did Giselle really think that Isabel was so weak as to let such a predictable attack hit her? Obviously the drow had absolutely no regard or respect for Isabel as a warrior, since she saw the need to babysit her like that. Regardless, Isabel would simply shake her head to clear her thoughts, and she'd groan gently at Giselle's statement of the obvious concerning the source of this battle. That was what Xemnas sent her to come tell everybody, though honestly, anybody with a pair of eyes would have been able to tell that the pained and forced cries of the caged beast were the source of these creature's attacks.<br><br>Isabel would rush forward, making her way towards the cage by taking the fastest route possible. If that meant making a few jumps up some rocky cliffs that some of her companions wouldn't have been able to make, she'd take full advantage of that by flanking the cage and attacking from a different direction.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Dorian Grandale</strong> on <strong>21-04-2012, 15:08:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Several hundred miles to the south of Shang-Qing's Keep, A flying ship of some kind made its final approach.. right into the side of the hill, plowing right into it, wedging itself into the ground. A thick column of smoke began to issue forth from the battered remains of the ship. It likely would be visible from the keep, and his flight path would have been difficult to miss..<br><br>Inside, its lone pilot struggled to try and get the craft to take off again, but with no success. The thick smoke was beginning to fill the control room, forcing the man off the area. "Damn it. This is no good.." he said to himself, as he raced down the hallways of the crippled ship, then opening what looked like a cargo door on the side of the ship. It swung wide open, the billowing smoke inside now having a way out. He ran back into the hold, quickly tossing out usable supplies, then grabbing an extinguisher and running down to the engine room, fiercely fighting the fire. He would be damned to Hades if he was going to let his best creation just blow up..
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Revenent</strong> on <strong>21-04-2012, 23:23:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As both Zame and Isabel took drastically different routes of approach, the middle section of the building-sized machina started to spin slowly on an axis, picking up speed just when a couple dozen gatling guns appeared from within. Not even its own personal monster army would be safe as each of the guns opened fire as they rotated to the front of the machina in turn, iron rounds killing dozens of machea, wounding the behemoths, and tearing through the bridges and structures so that the air was filled with splinters and chunks of wood, alongside blazing gunfire. Zame would suddenly find his path a bit harder to traverse as several of the bridges collapsed under their own ruined weight.<br><br>After several seconds, the Cage halted its fire and leaped to three rock points in the middle of the Keep, before opening up again, this time firing all of its guns at once. The machine seemed to have no regard for who or what it was hitting, whether they be enemy, extorted friend, or inanimate object. It was clear that it had a target in mind, and it would stop at nothing to flush it out. Even as several of their kin lay dead and wounded, another forced howl of pain from the behemoth matriarch had the monsters scouring the mountain once more. <br><br>Anyone not fighting for their life at that point might ask, where exactly <em>was</em> Xemnas?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Shang-qing's Secret Keep (KH/FF IC Thread)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Ember Star</strong> on <strong>22-04-2012, 21:26:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Owie...." Refia groaned as she awoke to what seemed to be loud gunfire. She had no idea how she got out, and she had no idea how she ended up tucked out of the way on a porch of one of the temples. All she knew is she had been fighting a monster, and now she had a horrible headache, and whoever had that gun wasn't helping the headache. <br><br>She crawled out from under her cubbyhole and stood up, only to see exactly what it was making all that noise. "Oh crap!" She said as her brown eyes got big. Whatever that was, it was mean. Luckily she was far enough away to not be in the line of fire yet. There was only one thing to do. <br><br>With sleek movements that could've only come from years of burglaries, Refia climbed up to the top of the temple she had been stuck on. Then she started running, just enough time to build up speed and jump to the next roof, and the next, until she was within throwing range of the gun machine. Hopefully it didn't notice the loan, small framed girl on top the nearby roof, blending in as darkness fell. She reached into her boot and pulled out a Zeus's Wrath (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Zeus's_Wrath) and threw it with skilled aim towards the machine. <br><br>She didn't stay to see if it hit its mark, or if the lightening would short circuit whatever electrical system that machine was probably running off of. By throwing that, she gave away her position. So with the grace of a cat, she jumped off the side of the temple opposite from where the machine was. Landing, quite amazingly, on her feet on one of the still standing bridges. Then she ran, keeping her head low and and her feet fast, she ran across the bridge. She kept going until she reached a safe (for the moment anyway) patch of grass. Only then did she look around and take in who was where. "Where is Xemnas?" She asked herself. Everybody else seemed to be here, but where was he? 
			</dd>
		</dl>
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