[SP-F5] A Time To Hunt - Prowling Around the Desert Sands - COMPLETE!

[Brax 0]

ID 48239

LD 20 +6 LD - Intermediate Dungeon Found!

     Just when Brax thought he would have to go back to Armadillo unsuccessful, his gauntleted hands roamed over a patch of soft sand situated on the massive dune wall.  Pushing against it, he found that the sand...was permeable, able to be passed through with ease.  'Ah-ha!' thought Brax as he pulled back the Gauntlet of Sir Render, 'this must be where those cacti crossed through.  If I am right, there should be some sort of dungeon behind this obstacle.  Good thing I am prepared.  Time to go hunting.'  Unsheathing his axe and readying himself for what lay beyond, Brax dove through the soft spot in the dunes and appeared on the other side.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48332

Spoiler

BD 6 +3 ACC LD 17 +6 LD MoBD 7

Brax 92/96 [15 - 39 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 13/24

Cactuar Guard 1 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

Cactuar Guard 2 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

Cactuar Guard 3 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

Cactuar Guard 4 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

     The sight before Brax was a most interesting one indeed.  Cacti bloomed as far as the eye could see; tall ones, short ones, medium sized ones, ones with long spines and others with short ones, fat ones and thin ones, ones that leaned over and ones that stood straight.  Brax found himself in what could only be...the Cactuar Village.  The main settlement was proliferated by the large cacti population, with buildings constructed of a variety of materials, mainly sandstones and grown plant life.  Oddly enough, some of the buildings were made of hollowed out cacti themselves, a curious cannibalistic practice if ever he had seen one.  Nonetheless, he saw organization and care in each establishment as his eyes viewed them one by one.

     'I suppose...it should come as no surprise, given that those quick little creatures were cactuars themselves, that they would run home.  If this is, in fact, a dungeon, then I believe...there are enemies to fight and a boss to contend with.'  This was the thought running through Brax's head as he saw two groups of Cactuar about a foot shorter than he charging in his direction.  They appeared to be attacking in waves, one after the other, which was perfectly acceptable to the emotionless man as he began rushing forward himself with his shoulder held low.  Connecting with the polearm wielding guards and taking several pinprick hits, Brax's body began to move through his Trample Act with practiced grace, shifting through the two accompanying sweeping motions and cleaving the primary wave of guards in half.  His keen treasure hunting eyes spotted the guards loot drop, but he had little time to collect it before the next group was upon him.

+4 materials

+4 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (+36 MIT for a thread)

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48333

Spoiler

BD 6 +3 ACC CD 1 LD 20 +6 LD MoBD 10

Brax 88/96 [15 + 2crit - 39 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 2/24

Cactuar Guard 1 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

Cactuar Guard 2 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

Cactuar Guard 3 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

Cactuar Guard 4 0/48 DEAD [10 x 6 Trample Act - 12 MIT] = 48 DMG

     In the cool night air, and with the stars as there witnesses, the second wave of Cactuar assaulted the intruder who dared set foot in their humble and secret society.  Also armed with spears and shields like their fallen brethren, the guards stabbed at Brax furiously in order to drive him back outside the village.  But unfortunately for them, despite the fact that the stoic was frozen in the throes of his Sword Art's after-effects, the potion he had taken and the armor that clad his frame was sufficient enough to guard him from their weak blows.  The frozen status began to wear off as the Cactuar Guards tried in vain to eliminate Brax, and once he was free the heavily armored man again drove his metal shoulderguard into one of the pugnacious plants and activated yet another Trample Act, grounding the weak creatures underfoot and under axe.  As their pixels danced around his body, Brax picked up the loot dropped by the cacti and noticed the fleeing plant life around him.  The normal Cactuar who lived here...were escaping with their lives, running away with all the haste they could muster, which was fine by Brax.  He was here for a larger prize, the boss of the dungeon.

+4 materials

+4 Rum Cookies (+4 DMG, -2 EVA for a thread)

+1920 col

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     The Village was relatively easy to navigate, even with all of the running around of the various Cactuar creatures underfoot.  None opposed the Stalwart Stoic as he made his way to the center of the town, as his performance against the guards had frightened just about every monster there.  The only ones he would most likely have to contend with would be the boss itself and whatever guards stood in attendance.  Brax felt his energy returning as well while he walked, a good thing given that he would need everything he had in order to defeat what was to come.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Sandy streets and spiny shelters lined the walkways as he meandered the town in search of his final prey.  Just about everyone was gone, having hopped over and through the massive dunes that supposedly protected the location from prying eyes, unless of course those eyes were trained to find hidden places such as the village.  Tumbleweeds and dust devils paraded the passageways now, as a cold and lonely wind began to blow and ruffle the remaining plant clad buildings.  Desert lilies were crushed under Brax's metal boots as they drifted through the air having been dropped by the escaping little critters.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Off in the distance, Brax saw an open arena-like structure similar to a coliseum.  It was...palatial in design, built from hardened sand blocks built atop one another and decorated with vines and flowers.  Crumbling archways looked aristocratic in their architecture, with Greek and Roman style pillars holding up each level as it stood several stories high.  It was, indeed, a Coliseum, where a king would hold ultimate sway in the secret village, or perhaps a prince, and where Brax instinctively knew he would face the final dungeon boss once he entered.  But first, he would have to contend with the Cactuar who stood watch over the entrance.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48336

Spoiler

BD 10 +3 ACC LD 5 +6 LD MoBD 6

Brax 87/96 [15 - 39 MIT] x 4 = 4 DMG EN 7/24

Cactuar Guardian 1 0/86 DEAD [10 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 22 MIT] = 86 DMG

Cactuar Guardian 2 0/86 DEAD [10 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 22 MIT] = 86 DMG

Cactuar Guardian 3 0/86 DEAD [10 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 22 MIT] = 86 DMG

Cactuar Guardian 4 0/86 DEAD [10 + 2crit x 9 Explode Catapult - 22 MIT] = 86 DMG

     The giant Cactuar Guardians stood imposingly at the main entrance into the structure, wielding huge spears and tower shields and standing at least two feet taller than Brax in stature.  Meaty fists were covered in spines, letting all who dared approach know that the weapons they wielded were not the only power they brought to bear in battle.  As the stoic drew closer to their position they took little notice of him, for it was their job to guard the archway, not move beyond it overly far.  Brax concluded that they would probably not engage until it was certain he would try to intrude on the inner sanctum beyond.  His energy fully charged, the man did the same and charged the Guardian's with a might roar.  They took full notice of his presence now, moving to engage in heated combat.

     Setting his axe low and to the side, Brax readied his Explode Catapult to end the battle quickly.  But before he could begin the charge-up the Cactuar attacked first.  Chunking their spears to disrupt his motions, the heavily armored man was forced to dodge to flying projectiles before he could attack.  The lead Guardians' took advantage of the moment, spinning the polearms they still wielded and hitting Brax dead center in his chest, the force of the attack forcing him back.  Shaking his head to clear the pressure inside, he realized these guards were much more capable than the ones he had faced in the desert, courtesy of being chosen for the royal guard they presumably served.  But, although he had been knocked around, Brax still had not wasted the energy from his pool, and again charged forth with his axe prepared for combat using the Explode Catapult.  This time, with no flying spears to avoid, he was able to muscle past the strikes of the lead Guardians and strike them all down, bisecting the first two and hitting the ones in back with his devastating shockwave.  His attack tore through them all, leaving nothing but pixels and col and the boss who lay just ahead.

+4 materials

+1720 col

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Before he engaged the boss, though, Brax knew he needed to rest and recover himself.  His skills were more than sufficient to engage in battle and win; in fact, with all the consumables he had already taken, the only fear he could have experienced would be...boredom at the length of the fight.  However, the energy he had expended in the challenged against the Guardians needed to be recovered, no two ways about it.  Once he had gained back what he lost, though, the boss would not know what had hit it.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     The night waxed on, the moon shining her silvery light across the empty Cactuar Village as Brax continued to wait for his strength to return.  He considered for a moment what his next goal would be, once he had reached the next level available and all the appropriate rewards that followed.  There was at least one quest he could take on against a wyvern of some sort on Floor Eleven with the added protections offered by his rare loot earnings and the new power he would possess with tier two gear.  But beyond that, all he could see was more dungeon diving, most likely on higher floors so as to increase the level of his training.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

     Whatever the goal, he would face it in due time, for a telling 'PING!' from his status bar told the story of his renewed reserves.  With reinvigorated bones and sufficiently capable power, Brax rose from the dusty ground and shouldered his axe for a final showdown with the dungeon boss.  He turned and passed through the sandy archway, entering the Arena proper and looking around for his foe.  A shadow fell across the center of the arena, taking the form of a cacti of immense size.  Tilting his head slightly, Brax wondered at the shadow's bulk as he turned to regard what could possibly make such an impression.

Edited February 15, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48338

Spoiler

BD 6 +3 ACC LD 8 +6 LD MoBD 1

Brax 90/96 EN 13/24

Cactuar Prince 180/300 [10 x 12 Dynamic Violence] = 120 DMG

     A massive two story tall Cactuar stood in the stands behind Brax, casting the imposing shadow over most of the Coliseum under the lights of the moon and stars.  In the dead of night, the Cactuar Prince stood there with giant black eyes and almost comically expressive eyebrows creased in confusion and annoyance, though the intent behind them was lost on the stoic.  Long arms ending in boxing glove shaped fists extended from a dark green cylindrical body sprouting large thorns across the entirety of it's surface.  Finally, like a crown atop a royal's head, there stood a exquisitely beautiful desert rose, bright red and tinged with gold flecks.  It sat crooked, leaning to the side as the Prince regarded the intruder.

    Anger flashed across the creased brow of the Prince, and it leapt high into the air and landed near the center of the Coliseum's battlegrounds, turning to face Brax as it began readying itself for extended combat.  Eying the massive monstrous plant, the unflinching metal clad man charged forward before the Cactuar could strike first, taking the lead in the fight so as to end it as quick as possible.  Engaging his Dynamic Violence Sword Art, Brax jumped high into the air to unleash the attack to the Prince's midsection, the first three swipes crisscrossing the dungeon boss's stomach and as he fell back to earth his final empty swing sent a shockwave flying high to hit the monster's chest.  The Cactuar Prince doubled over in extreme pain, almost half of it's life taken by the assault.  Black brows curled in agony and the long arms clutched it's stomach as it hit it's knees on the sandy ground.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48339

Spoiler

BD 10 +3 ACC LD 20 +6 LD MoBD 4

Brax 90/96 EN 2/24

Cactuar Prince 36/300 [10 + 2crit x 12 Dynamic Violence] = 144 DMG

     The Cactuar remained hunched over and Brax sought to take advantage of the fallen Prince.  He was stopped momentarily by his frozen status following his attack, and he bided his time hoping that the monster wouldn't recover before he could devastate it once more.  Time crept by as a mournful sound emanated from the colossal cantankerous Cactuar, a keening cry from the pain and damage it had sustained.  It looked at Brax suddenly with it's unexpressive eyes, the only emotions being conveyed by it's murderous eyebrows and a black line that indicated where it's mouth was turned upside-down in a dismaying frown.  His frozen body began to operate once more, and looking into those dark eyes Brax charged forwards yet again as he set up another Dynamic Violence to try and end the fight now, before the Prince could get up.  Catching it's face with his powerful attack as it kneeled undefended, all four sweeping motions hit the Cactuar full force on it's head and threw the giant Prince reeling back, landing hard against the arena wall behind it and rattling the Coliseum itself with the force of the impact.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48341

Spoiler

BD 7 +3 ACC LD 13 +6 LD MoBD 9

Brax 89/96 [35 + 1crit - 39 MIT] = 1 DMG EN 2/24

Cactuar Prince 26/300 [10 DMG]

     Mostly out of energy, Brax could only watch as the Cactuar's eyes blinked closed for a moment and then opened wide to regard the stoic with a decidedly angry and outraged gaze.  The only indications of that sentiment, though, were found in the way it's eyebrows rose up almost to the crown atop it's regal brow, and the way the thin black line of it's mouth opened to show a gaping maw of...wait...where were the monster's teeth?  As if drawn by a child, the mouth of the powerful Dungeon Boss was empty and crude in design, as if the Cardinal had been channeling a three year old when it created the creature.  For all intents and purposes, the Cactuar Prince's mouth was...simply a hole, spiraling into darkness with nothing inside.  The sound coming forth from it, though, was anything but childish.  A roar that could peel paint off a car echoed violently over the battlefield, and Brax was forced to cover his ears from the sound.  With his eyes shut tight to drown out the noise, he almost failed to see the giant rise and reach out with a long and powerful fist, managing only to offer a half hearted swipe before it connected with a solid punch and sent Brax flying back into the stands above.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48343

Spoiler

BD 7 +3 ACC LD 14 +6 LD MoBD 8

Brax 88/96 [35 - 39 MIT] = 1 DMG EN 0/24

Cactuar Prince -4/300 DEAD [10 x 3 Ultimate Breaker] = 30 DMG

     As he lay in the stands dazed and confused from the hard hit, Brax realized...he had not been damaged as much as he thought.  To be honest, he was only minimally hurt by the force of the blow and only dazed because of the distance he had been forced to travel.  Looking up, he saw that he had been launched at least 50 feet away from where he had been before.  'Wow, that was...interesting,' thought the Stalwart Stoic as he rose unsteadily to his feet.  Below in the arena the Cactuar Prince was smashing it's fists together to psych up and kill the interloper, or at least that was how Brax interpreted the gesture.  Looking around he found his axe lying nearby and picked it up to continue the fight.  A quick observation of the arena gave the man an idea on how to attack next, and he began running towards the giant cacti while still in the stands.  Roaring in anger, the Prince began to level stone chunks that had broken off around it in an attempt to assault the metal clad man from a distance, only managing to strike him with pebbles broken off as they landed near his advancing frame which did nothing to slow him down.  Weaving in and out of the way of the falling projectiles, and as soon as he had gotten close enough, Brax leapt from the stands high in the air with his axe already preparing a Sword Art in the form of the Ultimate Breaker.  The Cactuar tried to interrupt his attack by throwing a fist to block his path, but Brax simply dodged the blow and landed on the extended arm, running along it to reach the head itself and connect with his attack.  A pair of uppercuts to the head sent the Cactuar's head snapping back audibly, and as it fell to the ground dazed Brax finished the move with a final slam that bore the Boss to the ground hard, bouncing once in the sands before coming to a rest.

+2 materials

+1500 col

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48345

LD 5 +6 LD

     As he stood atop the fallen Cactuar, the royal attempted one last time to rise and continue.  However, as it did it's virtual frame began to fritz.  Lacking the energy and the will to go on, it fell back and exploded as it hit, dropping Brax ungracefully to the ground hard on his butt.  As he washed in the pixels of his fallen foe, a window appeared in midair to much fanfare saying 'DUNGEON CLEARED!' that signaled the completion of his second dungeon.  He perused the arena floor for any other loot possibly dropped by his foe, other than what he had already seen.  While he searched, he failed to notice the prompt screen appear so as to let him collect his winnings.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

ID 48346

LD 5 +6 LD

     Only after a thorough once-over did Brax see that he still had something to do before ending his trip.  The reward screen beckoned to him silently, blinking in the air as it waited for his involvement.  Standing up, he looked it over and was pleased by it's contents, a decent amount of col and materials won in relation to the excursion.  Clicking the accept button, he took stock of himself for anything out of the ordinary before exiting the Coliseum and heading out of the village.

     Standing before the massive dunes that surrounded the dungeon he had just cleared, Brax was ready for the next phase of his journeys here in Aincrad.  With the EXP he had accumulated and the rare items he had won from both the dungeon and the mobs hunted before, he was now prepared to equip his tier two gear just as soon as he picked it up from Ishida.  With that advancement, he might even be able to make his way to the Floor Boss fight on Floor Thirteen, if he so chose.  But first...it was time to leave.  Brax stepped into the swirling sands and vanished, taking his first step towards the next journey.

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax

[Brax 0]

Summary

400 col + 3 SP + 3 Vitamin A Tabs + 4 Potions of Strength II (tier two) + 4 Oatmeal Raisin Cookies + 4 Rum Cookies + 38 materials + 11740 col + [ID 48347 ((Floor 5 + 9 LD + 6 LD) x 70) = 1400 col]

THREAD COMPLETE!

Edited February 16, 2016 by Brax