Talys Burning (Open!)

[ceres]

Ceres would lift her hand high into the air, the armored glove clinking gently as she points outwards towards the stone holdfast that sits in the middle of the clearing in the simply massive tracts of woodland that made up the region of Talys. It was an old structure, a castle belonging to some minor duke or duchess that held tenuous control over the wilderness and a small number of peasants and farmland. Yet, to Ceres and her small cadre of followers this would represent the first step on the long road that lead to Ylisstol and the Throne of the Exalt. It was barely defended, only a small garrison of poorly trained levies who one day were greeted by a barrage of arrows when they attempted to leave on patrol. And now, the militia were no more than faces that would peek out between the battlements upon their keep and gawk at the shadows which flit from tree to tree in the forest that surrounded them. They had found themselves besieged on all sides, and the dawn's early light revealed not salvation from their lord, but a silver haired woman dressed in armor standing just out of arrow shot from the large doors of the keep.

 "Soldiers of the pretender, lay down your arms and throw away your loyalty to the false lords of Talys!" The woman would declare, her voice clear and forceful as it carries across the open expanse before her. "Do not die here today for men who count you as naught but numbers or chattel, join us in Naga's light." She orders like the most experienced of generals, the silver haired woman now turning her hand down, swiping it before her chest and back up to present her palm towards the keep before she balls it into a fist and turns her chin upwards and frowns deeply at the castle. 

A cheer would emanate from behind her, an inarticulate battle cry as men shook weapons, stomped the ground and yelled out in unison as stomped down one foot that resonated with a click before the sharp sound was drowned out by a hiss and a roar as a fire sprung to life behind her. It would race along the ground, consuming some unseen fuel and billowing into the air behind the Cleric as she stood tall, impeccable posture as she is framed by the wall of fire that grows behind her, now consuming the trees to her left and right even as little tongues of the flame lick at her exposed arms. "Now is your final choice, turn to the will of Naga or be consumed by her holy flame." She would shout once more, gently cringing as she turns her hand to point once more. And then, the defenders will be greeted by another burst of light, but this time from behind the woman as the sun breaks the horizon over the trees and blinds the garrison with it's rays. 


Ceres tends to make quite the impression, and as more fires spring to life in the forest around them, those now trapped in this ring of wildfire have experienced that first hand.


Viscera

[Viscera]

While Ceres addressed the soldiers of the keep, it was Viscera's job to get things truly started. On this day she was dressed not in the white robes of her clerical vestments, but instead in the familiar clothing of her days training as a Dark Mage. Though instead of the familiar black and gold, she wore colors of white and silver, the deep blue emblem of Naga's faith emblazoned on her cloak. Instead of her staff, she bore a mystical tome of Fire. Now was not the time for the healing art, but instead the time of blazing action. The other mages and fire bearing cultists were moving into position as well. With the first smoke rising from the tree line, Viscera knew that it was time to begin.

"Listen up! And listen well! Today we shall show them the true might of the faithful! Either they will see the light and join our just cause or they shall show their true heretical nature! Whatever happens, we must remain firm in our convictions and our cause! Be not afraid to fight! What blood we spill today will be the blood of those who deserve the wrath of Naga! Now let us light the flames that will burn away the corruption in this land!"

Those who were gathered with the false cleric of Naga let loose a cheer for her words. The flock of zealous souls eating up the words she spoke. And then they began to spread apart, those assigned with tasks spreading out. For Viscera's part, she cracked open the tome in her hand and began to chant. A ball of Fire filled her hands and she cast it out with a flourish, setting a tree aflame. She did this again and again, until there was a grand fire starting to build up and smoke billow out. It joined with others' flames and formed the horrific ring that the guards who were waking up began to witness.

With her part in this done, Viscera was on the move once more. The white haired woman was on her way back to Ceres to report in.

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Tags: ceres

[Trinity]

Trinity had received a job from an old informant who had moved to Ylisse recently after realizing he could no longer stay in Plegia. This old informant had been Trinity's major source of income in her youth, which made her somewhat thankful to him, so she would not turn down any of his requests simply out of contractual request. There was a structure in a forest - something like a castle, that would soon become the target of some seeming attack from some ravenous crusaders under the banner of Naga. Now, Trinity had no such interest in religion, but she figured that it wasn't particularly tasteful to go barreling down somebody's home and try to convert them to religion through a baptism by fire. That was just plain wrong! And so Trinity went off to Talys.

At some point Trinity had reached the site of the attack. And lo' and behold, Trinity could hear cheering as she concealed herself in between some trees. Fire. Lots and lots of fire. Trinity could spot two distinct figures from within the crowd - a girl dressed in ever-so-familiar garb of a Dark Mage, except styled in the fashion of Naga... White and silver, complete with the emblem. And on the other hand, and armored cleric holding out a hand towards the stone holdfast. Men behind her seemed to be rallied to fight, and the cleric had now at this point called sun rays to pierce the area, and on top of that, holy flames began to spiral out from the ground, setting a wildfire to the forest around the area.

"Ho- What?! Are these religious fools insane?! Whatever happened to vocal conversion?! At least that priest in black wasn't this violent!" Trinity muttered to herself incredulously as she actually felt herself shake in her footwear. She stepped out of the forest so she could not get burned aflame by the wildfire. Thus, she ended up exposing her position so anybody who turned to the sides could easily see the Crimson Witch literally standing there with an expression of uncharacteristic amazement and fear on her face.

She was unsure whether to be excited or disgusted by what she was seeing. This was the kind of dedication that her parents showed to Grima, and Trinity wanted no part of that. The Dark Mage belted out a Fire tome (wait... She can use Anima?) and began to set fires all over the area herself. A ring of fire began to form around them and Trinity soon had to run forward so she wouldn't get caught in the flames as well.

In her haste, she tripped over a rock and rolled down the fields, ending up fallen down in yet another uncharacteristic failure literally in front of the giant crowd of followers.

"Uh... uh... Hi?" Trinity weakly belted out.

tagges: ceres Viscera

[ceres]

Ceres would nod confidently as the ring of flame grew larger, her face creased in a frown as she turns about towards the flames as they curl upwards and then seemingly part before her. It's quite the show, the wildfire receding off to her right and left and leaving just enough room for the cleric to stride through with a gentle hiss under her breath. Those close enough, and with sharp eyes, would notice that her exposed pale skin has been tinged a gentle red, it seems the cleric of Naga has proven to be not so pure before flame as she would claim. But then, it would take someone more focused on her than the great firestorm raging around them to notice such a thing.

"Damned oil..." She would hiss under her breath, a cringe coming over her features as she bites her lip and crosses her arms over her chest to rub at her shoulders with a groan and a shiver of pain as the burns settle in. The flame was a bit closer than she had anticipated, and the oil burned faster and with greater intensity than the small scale tests had indicated. But, it had served it's purpose, the garrison had received her message and she did not give them long to capitulate, and hopefully without a single life lost.

Outside of what was needed of course.

But even as the Cleric was returning to her lines, she'd hear the voice croak out behind her, causing the silver haired woman to spin on her heel and frown deeply. "And who. Are you?" She'll snort under her breath, narrowing her eyes and putting a hand on her chest as several of the men behind her take a step up to flank her sides. It seems if Trinity attempts to attack she'll find that maybe she could take those three, but it would only be a small matter of time till she's overwhelmed.

And the glance towards Viscera's direction that Ceres sends is confirmation of this.

Viscera Trinity

[Viscera]

Viscera continued to make her way back to Ceres, unaware of the crimson clad girl that had seen her tend to the growing wildfire. Others that were told to return as well joined her as they returned from their tasks. The small group exited out into the clearing in front of the fort, adding to the number of cultists already gathered there still. The fort did not have much longer and in truth, she did hope the casualties would be few on this first outing. After all, they'd need more fodder as the plan truly progressed. And speaking of plans...

The red clothed girl that rather literally fell into their midst was not part of it. Viscera adopted a slightly confused expression before returning to the stoic look she specialized in. And given Ceres' own reaction to the new arrival, it wasn't something that Viscera simply hadn't heard about either. Several individuals gathered around the cult mistress with weapons drawn while Viscera flexed a hand of her own after sending a nod Ceres' way when she glanced over. A bit of fire began to form, ready to be flung out with a moment's notice.

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Tags: ceres Trinity

[Trinity]

Trinity managed to weakly stand up, wincing as that fall ended up injuring her slightly. She looked from side to side and realized she was pretty much surrounded by followers at this point. It would be a certain death to fight back. Biting her lower lip nervously, Trinity was soon addressed by the armored cleric who asked her to identify herself. The dark mage noticed, too. She was ready to fight fire with fire if necessary. Trinity gritted her teeth and swallowed her pride. She wouldn't be spared if she fought back. "W-w-w-w-well. I just passed by through the forest. You know? Then boom, the forest got set on fire! And I had to get out, I didn't want to get burned alive, you know? I tripped over a rock and fell here. Calm down now you guys. I wouldn't be the aggressor here. No sane person would fight back against a force as yours." As Trinity spoke, she was slowly walking backwards. She wasn't going to use magic to fight. She was going to use magic to make a way out. "I'm getting out of here! This isn't my place to be!" Trinity's pace was quickening. "If any of you even attempt to lay a hand on me, you'll regret it!" she said, making sure her message was 'Let me go in peace or else you'll be in trouble.'

Trinity wasn't sure how smart that idea was in retrospect.

[ceres]

Ceres would furrow her brow and then scowl as she swiped her hand before her, as if issuing another command as the armored Cleric fixes her posture once more, even as she has to twinge and bare her teeth no small amount. "And where, exactly will you be leaving to?" She'll bark in response over the crackle of the flames as she offers a palm towards the sky, which is already filling with black smoke. It seems that escape will not be as easy as intimidating the cleric, as her options are rather limited. She can try to force her way through the wall of flame, but it's hard to tell how deep that goes and it's not favorable. Then there's the cleric and her forces, and Naga knows what they'll do, and then finally there is the keep. But with that encroaching flame how safe will that be?

"Come now Child, there is naught to fear." The armor clad woman will remark, her frame flanked by armed men and shadowed by flame as she reaches a hand out towards Trinity. Even if she is quite clearly out of hand's reach. It's symbolic, and one can expect that to turn away from this offering would mean death or worse for the sorceress that has found her way into the middle of the beginnings of a crusade.

To say nothing of the discrete flick of her other hand in Viscera's direction, trying to signal the dark mage to start to make her way about Trinity's side to make sure she's totally flanked in case she tries something... Inadvisable.

Viscera Trinity

[Trinity]

Trinity looked around frantically as the cleric in armor before her barked in response exclaiming where exactly the Crimson Witch planned to escape to. Indeed, she was caught between a fire and a hard place. She couldn't tell how deep the flames went so if she tried to break through with her magic she may end up exhausting herself before properly escaping. Engaging the crusaders on her own would be tantamount to suicide. For once, instead of feeling excited, Trinity felt abject fear. She had managed to rebel against her parents, she was brave enough to stand up against them. But this? This was insanity. She couldn't imagine what those crazy zealots would do to her if she resisted. But yet, a part of her desperately wanted to spit on that devotion. A blind devotion that led to acts of madness. The cleric then said that there was nothing to be afraid of. Extending a hand out to her, as if making that symbolic gesture - "Come to us. Join us."

Trinity's expression warped. The more the cleric spoke like that the more scared Trinity got. While she normally would look terrifying or calm, she now looked terrified, yet she tried to rebel further. "N-n-n-no!! I'm not joining anyone! I'm gonna... I'm gonna do something really really bad if you come closer!" Trinity now looked like she was actually going to cry. Her hands trembled as she pulled out her own tome. Her eyes glowed red but it wavered as fear-driven tears rolled down her cheeks. Very dramatic.

"Not gonna let you have me! I'm gonna live life my own way! I rebelled against the Grimleal and broke away from my heritage! I'll live my life a heretic if it means I don't have to do things like this!" Trinity bawled out. Tendrils began to extend from the tome she was holding, sinking down into the ground.

But those tendrils were not meant for the Cleric, or the Dark Mage trying to sneak around her. Nor the giant army of crusaders.

They were meant for herself.


Viscera ceres