Mooglenet Archives

[Mjrn arrives soon after, having made the journey back directly upon receiving the myrrh drop within the tomb. She did her best to rest on the airship, so that she would not waste time on the ground. Gripping her spear, she nods upon approaching Delita.]

I am ready.

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[Having shared the same transportation as her Viera companion, Ashe emerges only moments after Mjrn. Rest, however, had mostly eluded the Dalmascan princess, whose mind had been occupied by her discovery deep within Raithwall's Tomb. The Sword of Kings, Nethicite destroyer, the very blade she had spoken of when the Lucavi incident was at its most worrying point.

Wearing the lengthy weapon strapped to her back and giving acknowledgement to the monks, she approaches the place where the two await.]

As am I.

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[Delta rises and places his sword back within it's sheath, the chalice on the bench beside him.]

[The stress of the quest before them, causing a retreat to the familiar musings of formality.]

Lady Dalmasca, Miss Mjrn I am thankful for your assistance in this endeavor. I am led to understand that the tree is located deep within the recesses of the monastery.

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[Mjrn doesn't understand the need for formality in this case, but whatever makes him happy...besides, she would rather focus on the task at hand.]

Then let us seek it. Lead the way?

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[With Mjrn's keen senses and Delita's proven skill, Ashe anticipates the challenge with confidence in her allies. She nods, noting the formal address but failing to question. Rather she comes to stand between the two, turning to look at he who would be guide, nodding her consent to proceed.]

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You need not worry, my friends will ensure that Orbonne remains safe.

[Delita nods as the monks unlock the doors to the floors below.]

[What had dared possess him to think Orbonne safe? Must the tree have appeared herein?]

The tree is five levels below us. None have set foot past this door since the appearance of the MindFlayer.

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[Mjrn nods, following.]

This MindFlayer...how is it best fought? Do you know its weaknesses?

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[Ashe thinks quickly, remembering the past hunt for the fiend as best she can. The Sword is not her only weapon, a lighter blade rests at her hip, one hand on the hilt.]

It attacks by magicks alone, attempting to manipulate your thoughts. As it weakens, its defence grows... I recall using healing magicks - potions - as a means of attack, since it had some capability to reverse the effect of spells.

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I know much of them manipulating thoughts, but it's strength sounds more than I remember.

[He rubs his sword. It has been a while since he has been required to utilize his skills to their utmost.]

I apologize in advance should I lose my facilities during this battle.

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[Mjrn winces at the thought-manipulation, though Ashe would be the only one to know the reason why.]

Then I am glad that I brought restoratives, in addition to my magick. With remedies at hand, may such moments be brief.

[As they descend, Mjrn grows quiet, waiting for the creature's scent and movements to reach her sensitive ears and nose.]

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[Until she observes Mjrn's physical reaction, Ashe had forgotten the incident which related so strongly to her words, and would have regretted having spoken them were they not so crucial to their task. She nods.]

Fortune may prevail; we may defeat the fiend quickly.

[Ashe knows this is unlikely, yet motivation is what's fuelling their every step deeper into the monastery's depths. She quietens, also listening, despite the limitations of her Hume hearing.]

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[Hearing the sounds of the MindFlayer at the bottom of the stairs, Delita stopped.]

It seems we have found our foe.

[Delita's fears are realized. It pained him to enter this room with those present.]

Forgive me for asking for your assistance, but our foe must be vanquished quickly.

[He will sacrifice what little contentment he has found on Gaia if it will save her people from this travesty. Before they can ask further, he brandishes his sword and runs down the stairs hoping to extinguish this foe before any others should arrive and he can seal this room off forever.]

[It is only the necessity of a concerted attack that halts the knight from rushing the creature]

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[And Mjrn is grateful for that, since she has a few things to do before rushing said creature. First, she concentrates and grants them all Haste and Protect. Then she uses one of the dragoon abilities Kain had taught her; Reis' Wind. It will grant them Regen, hopefully easing the need for curative magicks.

That done, she readies her spear. As soon as the Mindflayer's in sight, she Jumps. The Viera dragoon may not have as much room as usual for the attack, but she'll take what she can get.]

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[So much time has passed since the princess was required to make use of a blade that she almost feared to have lost some of her skill - almost, since there was neither time nor sense for such fears. Not when the fiend is presented before them in all its might.

Feeling the protectives act upon her, Ashe is driven to unsheathe the weapon and, raising it above her, waits for Mjrn to complete her attack before she turns her weapon upon the Mindflayer.]

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[Today was no time for holding back or worrying about showing his true strength.]

[Sparing a quick glance to ensure the room remains untampered, Delita raises his sword overhead before sending a holy explosion between is friends and right through their quarry.]

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[The combined attacks certainly do a considerable amount of damage to the Mindflayer, who is slashed and blasted just in time for Mjrn to greet him with her spear upon her descent. It seems that victory might already be at hand, when it lashes out with Mind Blast.

Mjrn staggers, then halts in place. She's now temporarily paralyzed.]

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[Delita's assault takes her by surprise, having had no idea he was capable of whatever magick that had been. Nonetheless she would be foolish not to be glad of it, for the multiple attacks gain them the advantage.

Fortunately for the princess, she evades the Mind Blast and, reacting quickly to Mjrn's plight, calls forth Esuna, sending the healing glow toward the immobilised Viera.]

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[Delita was not so lucky, for as soon as his blade lowered, his brain changed color clouding his eyes and confusing him.]

[Instead of delivering the finishing blow on the MindFlayer, he turns towards Ashe hearing Argath's voice. Raising his sword, he rushes her.]

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[Mjrn's freed from her hold just in time to see Delita rush Ashe. Her eyes widen with horror and she moves quickly to cast Esuna on him.

Meanwhile, the MindFlayer isn't done. It closes in on Mjrn to deliver a blow, which she's too busy spellcasting to intercept. Her spell goes off without a hitch, but she cries out at the sudden blow, barely having time to block another.

Staggering back, she takes a moment to steady herself, then jumps once more.]

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[Mjrn's reaction proves to save Ashe, who spins around just in time to be met by Delita's blade inches from her torso - she throws herself aside with a cry, avoiding being impaled by mere fractions. Quickly she pushes herself up from the stone floor, watching as Esuna works upon the confused knight. Though the princess' knees and palms of her hands are grazed, slightly bleeding, she grasps her blade and turns back to the Mindflayer, striking to draw its attention from Mjrn's aerial attack.

The only reason she breaks her focus is to snap her head back in her friend's direction, fearful of his state.]

Delita -!

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[Delita's coherence returns in time to see the princess fling herself away from his sword screaming his name.]

[He turns back to the battle in time to see Mjrn bearing down on what should be the killing blow on the creature. He holds steady, masking his unease behind the blade.]

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[Mjrn descends with brutal force. Kain taught her well, and she's using that to her full advantage. With a cry, she plunges her spear into the creature, hoping that this effort will be the last needed.]

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[It's with relief that Ashe watches the strength of the Viera's attack take its ultimate toll on the fiend.]

[Moments after the assault does the creature begin to disappate into fragments of glowing light, the princess allowing herself a sigh as the last remnants finally fade completely.]

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[And at the moment of death, Delita's attention switches to the princess' condition. The chalice would wait until all could approach the tree.

His fears had nearly been realized when the guardian had nearly destroyed his mind. For that very reason, he had nearly cared for this burden alone. Finally, he offered his hand in assistance, visibly shaken for the sharp-eyed.]

M'Lady.

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