[PP-F4] The Hunt

[Krysta 0]

At long last, there was an opportunity. He may have been tossed aside by her enemies' associates, but it would seem that an informant that was plotting to spy on Dazia at least knew her last known location. As far as the message sent to her seemed to suggest, Dazia was still within the fourth floor. She had to act now, and now couldn't have possibly been a better time, for she now had allies willing to help her in this. She and one of the two players even had a plan, a plan formed by this new ally, and accepted by Krysta. All the three needed to do now was to find her...she couldn't have possibly gone too far if she was spotted just recently.

"Now we just need to find her. She had made the kill not too long ago, so she might still be lurking about somewhere." She noted aloud. Hopefully there was someone nearby who knew some more exact whereabouts of Dazia...

@Freyd @Setsuna 

 

@Dazia

 

Stats and Equipment:

Spoiler

Level:  35
HP:  700
EN:  70
DMG:  12(OHR Rank 5[+5], Yolviinsil[+6])

ACC: 1(Nightshade)

Paralysis: Activates on natural BD rolls of 9-10(Nightshade)

T2 Bleed: Activates on natural BD rolls of 9-10(Nightshade)

Mitigation: 54(Lumino Regalia, Lux Regalia)

Thorns: 36 Damage on successful enemy attack rolls of 6-8(Lux Regalia)

Recovery: Recovers an additional 2 EN on Natural CD rolls of 6-12(Lumino Regalia)

Battle Healing: Recovers 7 HP per turn

 

Equipment:

[T2]Nightshade(Rapier: ACC, PAR, BLD)[Equipped]

[T2]Lumino Regalia(Light Armor: 2 MIT, 1 REC)[Equipped]

[T2]Lux Regalia(Shield: 1 MIT, 2 Thorns)[Equipped]

 

Items:

Teleport Crystal x1

 

Skills:

One handed Rapier Rank 5

First Aid Rank 4

Battle Healing Rank 1

 

Extra skills:

Meditation[Unskilled]

Familiar Mastery: Fighter rank 3

 

Mods:  None

 

[Freyd 0]

"A description would help," Freyd replied, staring out at the ever-winter floor once again.  Why did everything always seem to end up back here?  "We need to be able to recognize her.  A single glimpse, confirmed, will suffice.  She won't be able to hide again, after that."  Even as he spoke, the Whisper's gaze scanned every nook and cranny, evaluating hiding place potential, escape routes and ambush blinds.  This was a hunt, pure and simple, meant to bring down a villain.  Krysta was as much a stranger to him as Dazia, but it made little difference.  He was testing himself and his skills, as much to read his companion's intent and their target's resilience.  

He couldn't help but wonder whether his dealings with Mari had prejudiced him to indulge orange marks, which could prove a fatal mistake.  He also needed to know: could he kill, for real, and what would it do to him?  A cold chill passed through his spine, prompted by the prospect, but played off as a symptom of the weather.

"Setsuna."  It was a summons.  "Are you prepared?"

Vanity Tag: @Mari

***

Freyd activates Vengeful Riposte (-5 EN)

Freyd | HP:1790/1790 | EN:186/191 | DMG:20 | MIT:79 | EVA:2 | ACC:4 | VAMP OFF:179 | HLY:6 | FLN:6 | LD:5 | BH:89 | VENGEFUL RIPOSTE

Spoiler

Freyd
Level: 88
HP: 1790/1790
EN: 191/191

Stats:
Damage: 20
Mitigation: 79
Evasion: 2
Accuracy: 4
BH:89
VAMP OFF:179
HLY:6
FLN:6
LD:5

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T3-2HSS, VO 1, HOLY 1, FLN 1)
Armor: Skirmisher's Garb (T3 LA, MIT 2, EVA 1)
Misc: Night Shades (T3-Trinket, ACC 3)

Skills:
2H Straight Sword [Rank 5]
Light Armor [Rank 5]
Searching [Rank 4]
Battle Healing [Rank 5]
Parry [Obtained]
Energist [Obtained]
Charge [Rank 5]
Extended Mod Limit R3 [Obtained]
Hiding [Rank 5]
Howl [Obtained]
Quick Change [Obtained]

Extra Skills:
Disguise
Familiar Mastery: Fighter 3
Survival
Meditation

Active Mods:
Precision - 2HSS
Finesse - Rank 3
LA Athletics
Ferocity - 2HSS
LA Sprint and Acrobatics
Vengeful Riposte
Untraceable
Tracking

Inactive Mods:
Vanish
Surprise Attack (Assassin)
Night Vision
Focused Howl
Emergency Recovery
Bull Rush

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals*5
Gungnir Shard: Haniel's Modesty (T3 Perfect HP Rec [Instant]*5
Flash of Rejuvenation (Mass HP Rec [Instant] (+30*Tier HP)*5
Fruit-Infused Tea (T3 HP Recovery)*5
Imugi's Inspiration (T3 Mass HP Recovery)*5
Mega-Duper... Sauce (Antidote 3)*5
Grave Injustice (T3-2HSS, ACC 1, Keen 1, Abs. ACC)*1

Housing Buffs:
Rested: -1 energy cost for the first two expenditures of each combat
Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 20% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Searching): +1 Rank to the Searching skill.
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata Bamboo Tree]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

Scents of the Wild:
Kumatetsu Statue: +1 Base Damage for a thread

Wedding Ring:

 

[Setsuna 0]

A word spoken from her master, like the manifestation of a specter in the sleet. Like a cloud being dispersed, but on rewind the girl simply appears in a kneel at his side. "Of course, my master. The brokers have no information..." She began the common sit rep: "Tree lines are mostly empty, the area is mostly clear, but there is a pair of brunette twin females in town. Should I issue them to retreat until this is handled?" This was the girls back yard, the very same place that Freyd had helped her find their current aerial scout. To the keen of sight, that tiny shadow would slide across the white in an instant. The moment that girl would find herself an orange marker, marked herself an animal, then the girl would do what she had to.

What she always had to.

She'd end it, from the shadows with a surgically clean cut in an instant. Put her down with no remorse

Setsuna triggers Hiding: ID# 185927 results: Loot: 3+5=8 (Lol, goin' need a mulligan)

Setsuna | HP:940/940 | EN:94/94 | DMG:16 | EVA:3 | ACC:3

Spoiler

Setsuna, Firm Anima Assassin
Level: 47
HP: 940/940
EN: 94/94

Stats:
Damage: 16
Evasion: 3
Accuracy: 3

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Shiva's Embrace - Ancestry T2/Perfect/Katana [Damage 3]
Armor: Cold Fabric Kunoichi Wear T1/Perfect/L.A [+3 Evasion]
Misc: Kunoichi Wrapping's T1/Perfect/Trinket [+3 Accuracy]

Skills:
One-Handed Curved Sword [Rank 1]
Katana [Rank 5]
Hiding [Rank 4] + 1
Light Armor [Rank 3]
Charge [Rank 2]

Extra Skills:
Disguise
Familiar (Fighter) R1

Mods:
Finesse Rank 3
Ferocity
Athletics
Vanish
Surprise Attack (Assassin)

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal*1
Gold Star Sticker (+1 of either DMG/LD/15 Mit, treated as Totems charge [1/3])
Bird Seed (T2/Rare/Snack) Vitality 2*1
Protein 2 (T1/Rare/Meal)*1
Damage 3 (T1/Perfect/Potion)*1

Housing Buffs:
Well Rested: -1 energy cost for the first three expenditures of each combat
Squeaky Clean: The first time you would suffer DoT damage in a thread, reduce damage taken from DoT each turn by 25% (rounded down)
Hard Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt and +1 crafting attempt per day
Filling: Increase the effectiveness of a single food item consumed in a thread by +1 T1 slot.
Item Stash: +1 Battle Ready Inventory Slot
Tasty: Turn 2 identical food items into a Lesser Feast. A Lesser Feast contains 4 portions of the food items sacrificed.
Relaxed: Increases out of combat HP regen by (5 * Tier HP) and decreases full energy regen to 2 Out of Combat Posts.
Skylight (Hiding): +1 Rank to the Hiding skill.
Advanced Training: +2 SP to a thread. Limit one use per month [0/1]
Multipurpose: Gain +1 to LD, Stealth Rating, Stealth Detection, or Prosperity to one post in a thread. Can be applied after a roll
Decor [Potted Tanabata]: This buff affects the player and their choice of up to two party members.

Guild Hall Buffs:
Lucrative: Reduce LD needed for Salvage by 5 (10+ for Alchemist crystals, 6+ for everything else). +2 EXP per craft. Rank 9 crafters receive +1 crafting attempt per day. Rank 10 crafters receive +2 crafting attempts per day.
Col Deposit: +5% bonus col from last-hit monster kills and +10% bonus col from treasure chests.

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by Setsuna

[Dazia 0]

"I'm sorry, WHAT???"

"You heard me, Violet. They caught that guy again, sending messages, probably to you know who. Well, I've gotta go, and I can't exactly escort you back, either..." Auren explained to Dazia. "Aurellius, don't! If what you mean is that Princess is on her way for an aggressive encounter, then I'm going to need some backup!" Dazia exclaimed. "I made a promise...to your other sister. I know you can handle yourself, you can do it. Good luck, and remember why you got that teleport crystal in your inventory." Auren admitted, before leaving Dazia in the forested tundra. "Damn...why now? Just when I thought this long day was finally over...this happens." Dazia muttered. She was headed back to the Starglades to see why it was such a popular safe zone during the night, but now she'd have to potentially reconsider. She was the same distance away from there and from the Settlement of Snowfrost. She'd have to pick a location and get moving.

Her life might depend on it.

 

Stats and Equipment:

Spoiler

Level:  31
HP:  640(Base[620], Athletics[20])
EN:  62
DMG:  12(One Handed Rapier Rank 5[+5], Shadowdance[+4], Athletics[+1], Rapier Ferocity[+1])

MIT: 48(Raven Shade, Light Armor rank 3)

ACC: 2(Shadowdance, Corvid's Eye)

EVA: 2(Raven Shade, Corvid's Eye)

 

Equipment:

[T2]Shadowdance(2 DMG, 1 ACC)

[T2]Raven Shade(2 MIT, 1 EVA)

[Tierless]Corvid's Eye(1 ACC, 1 EVA)

 

Items:

Teleport Crystal x1

 

Skills:

One handed Rapier Rank 5

Light Armor Rank 3(+12 Mitigation)

 

Mods:

Athletics(+20 HP, +1 DMG)

Rapier Ferocity(+1 Base Damage when using Rapier)

 

[Krysta 0]

Freyd would suggest that a description would help. Honestly, she should have mentioned this earlier...well, better late then never. "She is a black haired woman with infernal blue eyes that are cold unless one truly sparks the malice within. Her current set of gear, best I can describe...it is a set of light armor with a cowl, it is sort of reminiscent of a creature of the night, soaring through a moonless sky...or possibly a raven." She explained. A screenshot of the player would have definitely helped, but Krysta had never considered that factor until now. As long as Dazia hadn't left the floor already, there would be nowhere left for that murderer to run, and nowhere for her to hide. At long last, Krysta's fallen cousin, and the lives of three other players, would be avenged. Dazia would fall, and Krysta had two allies and a plan that she agreed to. It won't be long now.

She looked over to Freyd when Setsuna asked him if she should tell the brunettes she saw to retreat. The town was a safe zone, so Dazia couldn't possibly kill them if they're within its borders. Nevertheless, Krysta decided not to speak on this matter, for the white haired player was asking Freyd, after all. She wanted to hear what he thought, first.

[Freyd 0]

"Verify their identities, if possible," he said to Setsuna, just as the tiny, waifish girl vanished.  "Dazia could have allies and accomplices in the area, or have the means to conceal herself."  The warning was as much a caution to the white ghost as it was a question directed to Krysta.  "If her cursor is still green, she will likely stick to the safe zones as much as possible.  Be watchful.  If she has allies, they will warn her of any danger.  Our first priority should be recon.  All I need is a glimpse, and the chase becomes infinitely easier."  Even as his feet trod upon the days old snowfall, Freyd and his garb made nary a sound as they walked.  It was almost like he didn't exist, and yet there he was plotting out variables and strategies as he walked.

"Does she have any history here?  Any contacts?  Is there a place where she is more likely to seek shelter?  We need a way to flush her out into the open."  Something dark and sinuous slipped out from the top of his boot, dark as a blink in the night and just as fleeting.  Whatever it was darted for a nearby alleyway, finding cover behind barrels and crates of supplies likely imported from elsewhere.  "Have you ever wondered where these people get their food?" It was a random question, jarring against the flow of his schemes.  A clever person would realize its deliberateness as a test.  

Edited March 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Setsuna 0]

ID# 186075 results: Loot: 20+5=25, Stealth Mantained!

Orders received, the girl was already on the roof tops. Her mask concealing her name and cursor, and she slid down using open hands onto the gutters and edges. Without a sound, springing from one to the next, but a figment on the wind. Folding her legs and inverting herself, keeping her legs attached to a fine anchor of metallic wire that glimmered slightly in the light from above. Close enough to hear, but still opaque enough with the added fog that vision was nigh impossible.

"What quest were you trying to do, Joan?" The first speaks rather audibly, eying the mirror copy that was surely her sister else the odds were insane. The other simply shrugs, fiddling with her menu for a moment before tapping a few buttons on it. "I don't frickin know, it was some quest to fight a golem!" Finally spoken in a huff, Setsuna's ankle still holding her with her hair dangling down almost between them. "There are three golems like things on this floor, pick one and we can go from there."

A pause as the one looks down toward her feet, noticing the newfound fog around her shins. "You know what, forget it. I'll figure it out when your not screaming at me. This place is giving me the creeps." A soft murmur from Setsuna as she lowers the line on her thigh, into the girl's ear "That would be best." Startled with an instinctual crawl down her spine, her head turns as Setsuna retracts upward. "What is it?" The twin comments noticing the sudden shift in composure. "Let's get the hell out of here."

Edited March 22, 2021 by Setsuna

[Dazia 0]

The enemy would probably come from the settlement first, so maybe starting with the unguarded safe zone would be the better choice. Thus, she would be continuing on to the Starglades. "So Princess knows a bit on my whereabouts...so what? I'll just go where she's unlikely to find me...if I was to go for the settlement, there's a pretty large chance I'll run into her. The further I am from her, the better." She thought aloud before she got moving again. She knew she needed to return to the main settlement in the end, though. How would she escape this floor, and therefore get herself away from a traceable trail without using up her crystal otherwise? Auren was clearly not being of any help, Ithena was probably busy with Seline, Koharu and Arnemis had other things to attend to, and it was likely that Valna and Yinangi were trying to find a way to capture or restrain the spy who alerted Krysta to Dazia's presence on the floor...As of the current moment, she had no backup in the current vicinity.

[Krysta 0]

Freyd would give his suggestion on the next course of action, which may have been directed to both players, judging by the words he said. "Reconnaissance may prove to be more difficult than expected." Krysta noted as she pulled up her messenger. "It would seem that Oku has stopped replying to my messages, and it was rather sudden, too. He was keeping me up to date on what information he had, but this sudden silence means he could have been silenced or compromised." She revealed as she looked at the conversation's current condition. Whereas normally each message would have a reply with at least a little intel, there were five questions from Krysta, none of them answered or replied to. She closed up her messenger. "I am uncertain of very much at the moment, but from what little Oku could tell me before he was suddenly silenced, based on what he'd overheard, Dazia was apparently 'trying to understand why so much conflict had been happening on this floor.' He also had two names of potential accomplices. Valna and Yinangi." She explained. Hopefully Oku's last few messages would serve as a fair lead.

 

Meanwhile, somewhere in one of the floor's settlements, Oku simply stared at what had popped onto his UI, the latest message from Krysta. His arms were chained to the wall, and he had no means of opening it up. "You two can't keep me locked up forever!" He said to his captors.

Edited March 22, 2021 by Krysta

[Freyd 0]

"You're overthinking this," Freyd said, a quirky grin set against the dourness of his clothing.

"What's your favourite drink? I was about to guess prune juice, or some awful fruity cocktail thing."  The strange look on her face suggested that tea seemed too common and obvious and thus hadn't even been on his list.  "Send a message to Dazia.  Tell her it's time to talk.  Offer to meet here, in the square.  Tell her you brought a mediator to keep the peace.  Drop my name, if necessary.  She'll have easy access to the portal, and crystals at her disposal.  She can be here for mere moments, then go, if she so pleases."  The wheels were turning quickly, now, as plans within plans whirled away in a cage fabricated in his own mind.  He was good at that.

"She'll find you sitting here, in plain sight, sipping tea and waiting.  You'll be over there, of course."  Freyd nodded to a nearby blind created by a stack of crates and wagon, waiting and watching as the penny dropped.

[Setsuna 0]

Setting the ground work, the tethered line of that same metallic cable. Stretched thin and all but invisible like fishing line pulled taught above, from roof to roof like tight ropes on the rafters. Setsuna was preparing the perimeter and creating her pathing. At the corner of her eye, she spots that darkened mass below, knowing full well what it was claiming the ground level for itself. An eye to the sky shows that still single shadow looming overhead. Three tiers of coverage as she drives another anchoring piece of teeth into the tile.

The girl had her tools, her method practiced. Despite her size, her success was hard to argue with. That came from being prepared, using her size as an advantage not a crutch. Fear was a powerful tool, and when matched with others she could overwhelm. Placing her left hand to her lips, breathing softly through the opening between her fingers produces a soft cloud of frost. Akin to the heat that escapes one's lungs, a white fog that begins to take shape. A mirror of her as she exhaled and it took a form. An usher of her hand, sees it placed, like a totem. A construct of solid ice that had camouflaged itself in her image, a gift from the heart in the jar that she took the time to train. Along these rooftops were mines in her appearance, ready to make the leap on a warning. The stage was set, and if need be a hunt to begin.

There was but one flaw in this plan, and to that Freyd was the solution.

[Dazia 0]

Dazia hadn't encountered any kind of resistance yet, but that was a good thing. She continued on to the Starglades, and her intention was to spend some of this evening in this unguarded safe zone, then take the long way back, as her enemy might be taking the quickest way here. Dazia knew that Krysta had her sources every now and then. They didn't always prove dangerous in terms of how useful they were, but it was better safe than sorry, so Dazia would be on the assumption that her enemies would soon know her location. She now had a plan. To stick around the Starglades for a bit, then she would take the long way back to the settlement as to avoid running into Princess or her allies...

"This evening would have been much more peaceful if Princess didn't come to ruin it...when this is over, I'm gonna need to have a talk with Vigilon..." Dazia thought aloud. She really was looking forward to this little respite...

 

Meanwhile, Valna and Yinangi looked at their captive, who claimed that they couldn't keep him locked up forever. "Well, we're gonna keep you here until you're not a threat." Yinangi responded. "Dazia saved my life, so it's both the right thing to do, and being a good friend, to help save hers." Valna looked over to Yinangi. "Can you handle keeping him here on your own? I should probably see if I can find any hostiles outside." She asked the young white haired player. Yinangi smiled. "You bet!"

Edited June 25, 2021 by Dazia

[Krysta 0]

Freyd believed that Krysta was overthinking it, but Krysta knew that it would take much wisdom and intelligence to outwit this clever killer. He then asked Krysta what her favorite drink was, giving his assumptions, which caused an expression of visible disgust to surface on Krysta's face. "N-no, definitely not those...I much prefer warm, sweetened tea myself." She responded.

Freyd would then suggest a potential idea, one that went entirely against the very reason the players came here! "Here, in the safe zone?? No, she'd just take the opportunity to flee, or not even come here! She's not supposed to be able to reach the portal, how do you think we can stop her if we make it far too easy for her to get away? We have to stop her, not give her a chance!" There was one thing that Krysta did not intend to give Dazia, and that was mercy.

 

Meanwhile, Oku watched as One of his captors began making plans to scout out the immediate surrounding area, while the younger of the two captors claimed that the killer had saved her life. "A killer, saving your life? Do you know how unlikely that is, that a killer would slay another's assailant for pure reasons? What was trying to kill you, may I ask?"

Edited June 26, 2021 by Krysta

[Freyd 0]

A flick of the wrist produced a simple cup of bone china in his hands as he leaned back against a nearby post, pinning his shadowy blade between them for concealment and convenience alike.  The thin man's shadow changed first, altering in size and profile, then extending itself upward over his form and altering it as it went.  As the shadow parted, long blonde locks soon replaced mousy brown and cowl, and pure white armor gleamed against the brilliant, surrounding snow.  Krysta blinked, staring at her own reflection, who simply grinned back before shooing her away in the same manner that she might do to another.  The precision of his mimicry was... disturbing.

Illusion in place and trap set, Freyd had perched himself like the spider in its web.  It was a comparison made even more accurate by the ghostly strands strewn out above, waiting only for prey to arrive.

"Do as I ask, please."  Even the voice matched.  "You will see my purpose soon enough.  There is always method in my madness, ...mostly."

***

Freyd uses Disguise

Edited March 24, 2021 by Freyd

[Dazia 0]

Dazia soon reached the Starglades. Now all she needed to do was find a suitable hiding place and lay low. there was no shortage of patches of white around the wintry terrain, but were there enough branches or shadows to provide enough natural camouflage for her in this moonlit night? Dazia searched around, but didn't find much. It just had to be a full moon out tonight, and that always meant one thing for all nocturnal creatures reliant on darkness: Cover was sparse. For players seeking to hide, the situation would be no different for them. "Damn,"  Dazia thought. "Couldn't this night have been with a new moon?"

She wasn't about to give up on finding a hiding spot, though...she wasn't nearly close to that point. She was going to avoid the seemingly inevitable chase however way possible. She wasn't going to be found by Princess and attacked. Not tonight at least, that's for sure.

 

 

Meanwhile, Valna waited outside the door from where Krysta's informant was being kept. She didn't see anyone nearby, but the town wasn't too far from there either. Hey, as long as there wasn't anyone making a home or shop in this seemingly abandoned building, it was free to be used for any other practical use...so long as it was emptied before any snitches could get a good look. She decided to keep watch, she didn't know if anyone would try to stop by.

Yinangi heard the spy's question. "Another player." She answered. "She assumed I was up to no good, but there was no solid evidence to back it up. She planned on dueling me to the death, but then Dazia stepped in and took my place. I don't know if I would be standing here today if it wasn't for her." Yinangi's life had been saved by Dazia's actions, despite the lethality. Therefore she would do what little she could to preserve Dazia's lifespan.

[Krysta 0]

Krysta watched in surprise as Freyd's form began to change, effectively shapeshifting into...a doppelganger of her? She stood dumbfounded at her own reflection until said mirror motioned for her to leave, proceeding to claim there was method in their madness. The voice was perfectly replicated, even down to the pitch, tone, and so forth. Only the Cardinal could make such a thing possible...but how? For now, the true Krysta would begrudgingly follow the other's suggestion. She knew that Dazia was no fool, so there had to be some other reason behind this course of action. Once she was in position, she pulled up her messenger to put Freyd's plan into action. He better know what he was doing...

Quote

To: Dazia

It's time we settled this. Meet me in the square, I'll be there, and there will be a mediator on reserve should there be a need for one. perhaps, since you crave it so badly, we might be able to end this conflict in a civil manner.

-Krysta

With the message sent, all there was to do now was wait for whatever was necessary to come to pass. They could be waiting all night at this rate, but perhaps she could try and get through this without becoming too tired to act rationally. The stage was set, the sun was no longer in the sky, and the full moon was out, all there was to do now was wait.

 

Oku listened to the younger captor's response. "Tch, you really think she did that out of the goodness of her heart? She could have gotten the enemy to surrender and flee, but she killed your would-be assailant. She could have wanted to kill anyone or anything, but chose to kill your would-be assailant because it would have been better for her reputation and her standing with you, there could have even been other reasons she could have stepped in the way she did." He remarked. "Don't be naive, girl." 

[Freyd 0]

Freyd watched, casually, as Krysta delivered the requested message.  He stood by one leg of the portal, waiting to see if their enemy would show.  No weapon was obvious or in hand, though it waited patiently in the shadows at his back and ready to strike or parry as required.  A quick warning was dispatched to Setsuna with the target's bearing and coordinates.  He had known all along precisely where Dazia was.  The rest was just for show and good measure.  Now was the time to make his move.

To: Dazia From: Freyd Hello, Dazia.  Have you found a shelter yet?  The Starglades are such a lovely place at this time of year.  I haven't visited them in some time, but recall them well.  No doubt, you are clutching to a teleportation crystal?  Could it be the same one you purchased in my shop, I wonder?  Life is full of such strange connections. Speaking of which, this business between you and Krysta requires closure.  Both of you, and everyone else caught in this whirlwind by proxy, are wasting time and effort that should be devoted to getting all players out of this nightmare.  I come to serve as a neutral party.   I'm not interested in the gripes and histories.  My only interest is in burying the proverbial hatchet and reaching a workable compromise.  I await you in the teleportation plaza in Snowfrost. P.S.  Your refusal would will leave us no choice but to flush you out by an unpleasant application of force.  I trust you would prefer to avoid this.  The particular tool involved has little tolerance for stubbornness.

Pawn to Queen Seven.  Check.

Now came the tense part.  Would the other side move and attempt to reason, or would Setsuna garner the kill she so desperately craved.

"I hope you're as smart as Krysta thinks, Dazia, or this will not end well for you."

Spoiler

Freyd uses Tracking

 

[Dazia 0]

Dazia received a message from Krysta. The spoken words, even if directing her to the typical safe zone, were more than suspicious. "It's a trap..." She thought, before completely dismissing the message. She then received another message...from a player named Freyd. 

How...how did he...how the hell did he know she knew they were coming??

"This is it." Dazia decided. "I've come to a point in my life where I need a stronger word than F**k." For some reason, she was outmatched. Her nemesis was luring her to an obvious trap, and the "mediator" had a killer of their own on reserve to hunt Dazia down if she did not head for the obvious trap. Were the Starglades an unguarded Safe Zone, or just a monster-free environment? Dazia wasn't in the mood to test that theory...unless...was their killer one of those types whose sworn to remain green? There was hope, though there wasn't much of it. She'd need to respond in some way in order to keep the enemy's assassin at bay.

Quote

To: Freyd

Funny how you claim to be of a neutral party, yet have someone on reserve to hunt down and kill a green player for refusing to go to an obvious trap, safe zone or no. I might consider heading over, but don't get your hopes up. Expect me in about an hour and ten minutes at the latest in case I decide to show up, I might need some time to think about this tight position you've placed me in.

-Dazia

She sent the message, though at this rate she was likely to have no choice but to head for the obvious trap...maybe if she could...wait, there was an idea...

 

Meanwhile, Yinangi wasn't too pleased with the spy's remark. "Why do I even bother..." This was starting to tire the girl. "I'm just gonna stop talking if all we're gonna do is say the same thing over and over, we're wasting our breath at this point." Sure, she'd still keep watch over the prisoner, but she had yet to learn of Dazia's idea...

Edited June 27, 2021 by Dazia

[Krysta 0]

Time passed, Krysta slowly began to feel restless. Was Dazia on her way, or did she know an obvious trap when she saw one? This clever killer wouldn't dare arrive unless she had no other choice...speaking of which, Krysta did not necessarily know who her temporary duplicate was messaging just now. Setsuna, perhaps, but it would be rude to ask, even through messages. All there was left to do was wait, apparently. She didn't know what it was Freyd had planned, but it better work. "Leif, you and three others will not have died in vain..." Krysta thought. "My allies and I shall stop this killer before anyone else falls to her malice..."

With a full moon out during this night, it would be difficult for anyone to hide efficiently, especially if there was anyone against stealthed players who had the searching skill. If Dazia chose not to teleport, she will arrive one way or another...perhaps she was to be captured and brought here, if she did not come on her own will? Krysta knew little of this plan, so she hoped that whatever madness Freyd had within his mind, it would prevail in putting an end to this evil.

 

Oku almost scoffed when his captor decided to drop the conversation, being stubborn in her belief. "I'm not asking you to believe exactly what I believe, I'm asking you to question the situation. I could be wrong, but you could be wrong, also. How do we know for certain what was going on in that little head of hers?" 

[Dazia 0]

The situation was simple. Dazia was being forced into enemy hands, and their spy was captured by Valna and Yinangi...maybe there was a way to convince the enemy to let her go.

Dazia pulled up her messenger.

Quote

To: Valna

Hiraani, the enemy has me cornered, forcing me to return to the safe zone if I don't want to be hunted by their own assassin. But they are clearly waiting for me in the safe zone, it's an obvious trap. I'd like for you and Yinangi to come with me, and bring the spy. Hopefully we can exchange his freedom for ours.

Be sure that you both have teleport crystals if this counter-plan goes poorly.

-Dazia

Even if it was still a trap in the end, The spy would still be bound, so numbers meant nothing if freedom had to come with forceful escape, as the actual numbers would be pretty even.

 

The casual smirk faded from Valna's expression as she read the message. "Damn, looks like this 'Princess' found some experts, rather than idiots, to help her out this time around." She remarked. She went back inside the room, where Yinangi was still watching the spy. "Hey, Yinangi, we've got a problem..."

 

Dazia would receive a message from Valna, revealing where they were keeping the spy. That would be her first stop. When she arrived, both allies were prepared, as each of the two players had a hand on the spy, so that he wouldn't try to flee. "The situation is simple in our case. I give you your freedom, as long as your allies consent to mine. If they're more reasonable than they are stubborn, we'll both be able to go on with our lives...but don't even think about making it worse for us both, we know someone who can track you down." Dazia explained to the spy. His hands were bound, and his legs were only lightly restrained, so that he could walk, but not run. With that, it was time to make for the settlement. After all, neither Princess, nor this Freyd character, had specified for Dazia to come alone...

 

The Town of Snowfrost was eerily quiet. This was definitely a trap. "Be on guard." Dazia whispered to Valna and Yinangi. "We don't know who may be watching." All this needed now was for there to be no disruptions...