[F2-PP] Focused Energy (Breaking the Unbreakable)

[Eruda 0]

Lying in her bed, she wakes with a smile. Everything that had happened the last few days, Rai finally told her that he loved her and even though it was through very extreme circumstances, it still felt good to know how he finally felt about her. Getting out of bed, the yawn came instantly. Yesterday was a crazy and a very long day with them clearing the next floor. She would start this day with a blast. She didn't need coffee or anything she thought... Staring at the kitchen as she knew that Raidou was long gone doing proactive stuff. It was rounding about noon... "Wow, I slept for a while," saying with surprise painted all over her face. It was clear that yesterday had taken a lot out of her, but that was not going to let that stop her. Deciding right then to grab the coffee that she actually did need... Another yawn as she began the process of coffee brewing. Opening her HUD as she sends a message through the Guild Hall chat:

To: Guild Hall Chat From: Eruda I am doing that Boulder quest. Need the skill for it, if anyone wants to join, please feel free. I will be on Floor 2 soon.

A chime of her HUD as the message was sent. She decided to sent it through the guild hall chat because that would give anyone a chance to come and she was unsure it Kasumi was going to be busy at this time of day. She needed to get this skill, though, because it would be very useful in a battle. Pouring her coffee in a cup, she sets a lid on it and looks to Raserei. "You coming?" The wolf gives a very huge yawn before getting up and shaking her fur out. They both head for the do and out they go to floor 2.  

Eruda | HP: 820/820 | EN: 94/94 | DMG: 8 | MIT: 179 | BH: 45 | BRN: 56 | BRN IMMUNE | FL. AURA: 16 | FL. THRN: 8 | REC: 8 | TAUNT | THRNS: 72

Spoiler

Eruda, The Blazing Lily
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 37
HP: 820/820
EN: 94/94

Stats:
Damage: 8
Mitigation: 179
Battle Healing: 45
BRN: 56
BRN IMMUNE
FL. AURA: 16
FL. THRN: 8
REC: 8
TAUNT
THRNS: 72

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Consuming Pyre - Surt T4: (Burn 2, Taunt)
Armor: Reinforced Plate - Lily T4 Demonic: Flame Aura 2, Flameproof, Recovery 1
Misc: Stalwart Defender T4 Demonic: (Thorns 2, Recovery 1, Flame Thorns 1)

Custom Skill:


Skills:
Curved Sword R5
Heavy Armor R5
Battle Healing R5
Fighting Spirit
Howl

Active Mods:

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Iron Skin
Focus
Rampart
Stamina

Active Extra Skills:
Block R5
Concentration
Survival

Inactive Extra Skills:

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal x1
Crippling Composition - Lullaby [T1/Rare/Debuff/Instant] -2 Accuracy x5
Crippling Composition - Lullaby [T1/Rare/Debuff/Instant] -2 Accuracy x5
Flash of Rejuvenation [T1/Perfect/Crystal] Mass Heal x5

Housing Buffs:
Delicious: Turn 3 identical food items (same quality, tier, & enhancements) into a Feast. A Feast contains 6 portions of the food items sacrificed.

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 November 24, 2021 by Eruda

[Kasumi 0]

Soft trickle of water into a pond, breaking the surface into ripples. The smallest of breeze, that tickles the bangs above her eyes. Closed, and drinking in the girl's surroundings. Serene and absent of thought, as in her own mind a stillness. Image alone, meditation in submersion. Most could not obtain such serenity, and Kasumi seemed untouched and statuesque. Legs crossed and beneath her, hands open, palms toward an afternoon sky. White clouds drifting unnoticed.

Close enough, and you can hear her breathe. But it was drowned by the song of nature around her. Eyes open, listing and revealing a sickly purple glow. Doll like, pupil so large it felt as though it could absorb the surrounding space. Her clothes shift from white to black, a reflex alone as she dived this headspace. Like autopilot, the words drone from her lips. "Act, not think, do, not try. Smite, not pardon. Kill, not falter. These are the teachings of our clan, follow them or be broken." A message snaps her to attention, and the light fades.

Her pupils return, and the color of her clothes shift immediately back to white

It was from Eruda. A smile and a promise acknowledged. Hastily typing back as she stands, she'd be there.

Kasumi | HP: 720/720 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 23 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 4 | LD: 1 | KEEN: 1 | P.V.O | PHASE | STK: 40

Spoiler

Kasumi, The Crashing Wave
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 29
HP: 720/720
EN: 90/90

Stats:
Damage: 23
Mitigation: 20
Evasion: 4
Accuracy: 4
Loot Dice: 1
KEEN: 1
P.V.O
PHASE
STK: 40

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Mugen Tenshin Perversion - Citadel [T4/Demonic/Handwraps] Phase, Keen 1, Paralytic Venom 1, Static 1
Armor: White Red-trimmed Gee [T1/Perfect/Cloth Armor] (3 Evasion)
Misc: Mugen Tenshin Decree [T1/Perfect/Trinket] (3 Accuracy)

Skills:
Martial Arts R5
Cloth Armor R5
Charge

Active Mods:
Blindside
Vanish
Athletics
Surprise Attack (Trickster)

Addons:
Ferocity
Stamina
Nimble
Precision

Active Extra Skills:
Hiding R5
Parry
Concentration

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal x1
Bird Seed (T2/Rare/Snack) Vitality 2 x1

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
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.
Col Stash: +5% bonus col from monster kills and treasure chests
Angler: +1 material gained when fishing
Advanced Training: +10% Exp to a thread. Limit one use per month [1/1]

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.

 

[Freyd 0]

Black hands, like the void, but chipped and blighted.  Freyd stared at his palms with concerned detachment as he watched them slowly reconstruct.  Samael's Pride had bitten him, again.  It was happening more and more often now, whenever the weapon unleashed the seal containing its core.  Its core was pure nothingness.  Insatiable.  Destructive.  The very manifestation of oblivion.  How ironic that he wielded a thing made of the stuff from which they were all trying so desperately to avoid.  Persi sat up on a stool next to him, her eyes bearing an extremely rare and disturbing air of concern.  She sniffed at his regenerating digits, backing away.  They just felt... wrong.  

"So much for the rest of sparring practice," he voiced.  The dummy he'd been using now lacked a torso, and a 'just about everything else.'  Sparse surviving fragments lay strewn about the dojo.  He seemed to be the only one to make use of this particular room in the guild hall, and so worried less.  There were other problems at hand.

"I think it's finally time, Persi.  We can't put this off any longer."  Reaching for his armor and cowl, Freyd preferred to train without them to better review his form - as Elora and Katoka once discovered.  Pausing halfway through the gesture, he recalled the words of a recent rescue.

To: Lium From: Freyd Come on.  We're going to help Eruda.  And you.

'And me', he added but kept to himself.

***

Freyd | HP: 1000/1000 | EN: 134/134 | DMG: 24 | MIT: 78 | ACC: 5 | BH: 55 | LD: 5 | FLN: 16 | HLY: 16 | PARA IMMUNE | REC: 8

Full Stats:

Spoiler

Freyd, The Whisper in Shadow
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 87
HP: 1000/1000
EN: 134/134

Stats:
Damage: 24
Mitigation: 78
Accuracy: 5
Battle Healing: 55
Loot Dice: 5
FLN: 16
HLY: 16
PARA IMMUNE
REC: 8

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Samael's Pride (T4 MA | Holy 2 | Fallen 2)
Armor: Fallen Angel Garb (T4 LA | Mit 2 | Rec 2)
Misc: The Shadowed Rose (T3 Trinket - ACC 3 | Para Imm)

Custom Skill:


Skills:
Martial Arts R5
Battle Healing R5
Light Armor R5
Searching R4
Charge
Energist
Quick Change

Active Mods:
Night Vision
Tracking
Meticulous
Untraceable

Inactive Mods:

Addons:
Ferocity
Precision
Resolve
Reveal
Stamina

Active Extra Skills:
Survival
Meditation
Forgotten King’s Authority
Hiding R2

Inactive Extra Skills:
Disguise
Brawler
Photosynthesize

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystals x7
Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+30*T HP) x7
Mass HP Rec [Inst] (+30*T HP) x7
Crystal of Divine Light (Reusable) x1
Rhino's Horn (Reusable) x1
Hmr.Pk: The Thing Behind All Lies (T4 Demonic WH, AA, Blight, Static, Para.Ven (Off)) x1

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)
Working: +2 EXP per crafting attempt
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: +10% Exp 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:

 

[Lium 1]

Sitting in the dark alley on floor 1's town of beginning. Little money goes nowhere, but that was not really his concern. He would always take what he was given and use it to his advantage the best that he could at the moment. He was mainly staying hidden from prying eyes because npc's and player alike would give the evil eye. He did not care much about that either, but he found a spot in that Alley that was just the right comfort level to relax in. A bread roll in hand as he goes to take a bite when another chime from the guild hall pops up. Nearly dropping his food, catching it in a panic. A huff of breath as he goes to try taking another bite... Another message chimes and this time it did... The bread falls on the ground, "DAMN it.. That was 1 hard earned col." Shaking his head, watching the bread roll, roll away from him. A sigh as he opens his HUD now. "Oh, OH" as he gets to feet. A message from Freyd would get his attention. Glancing at the roll one more with a frown, before sending a quick message back to Freyd and heading off to floor 2 knowing where that quest from sneaking into the guild hall from time to time to read notes that was plastered on the table all the time.

Arriving on this floor, glancing around, no one was there yet. He was used to Celeste pace, with a simple breath, he walks to the board and leans against it waiting...

Hikkato | HP: 40/40 | EN: 22/22 | DMG: 4

Spoiler

Hikkato,
Level: 2
Paragon Level: 0
HP: 40/40
EN: 22/22

Stats:
Damage: 4

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Polearm
Armor:
Misc:

Skills:
Polearm R1

Battle Ready Inventory:
3 Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP) x1

Edited November 17, 2021 by Lium

[Eruda 0]

Eruda arrives on floor 2, Raserei hops off the warp gate and looks around for a moment before seeing a dude with black hair standing there with his arms crossed, staring in that direction. Eruda give him a smile as her wolf runs up to him and glances back at Eruda, with a simple nod from her sits right in front of him. Recognizing him from the guild hall that one day, she was longing the day to talk to this person again. She didn't give off the greatest impression. Walking to him with a hand outstretched saying "I am Eruda, sorry for that last meet. It was unprofessional." Lium with a nod takes her hand with a shake. "You taking this quest with me?" Another simple nod as she stands in front of the board and scans through the quests. Taking the quest, it was pretty self explanatory. Glancing at her wolf now as she sees Lium kneel to a knee and starts to give her some rough petting. Raserei seemed to love it, Eruda just stands there watching while she waits for anyone else to show up...

[Kasumi 0]

Scampering through the jungle rather quickly, leaving the solace of the waterfall behind. Lunge after lunge, from tree to tree. Latching on to the last, and spinning around the trunk as she slides down. A few heavy steps break momentum as she eyes the native looking NPC within Krycim, who were just as ripe with activity. Adjusting the ties on her thighs, and brushing off a leaf trapped in one of the loops. Kasumi flicks it away, before hopping up onto the warp gate. "Floor 2 - Marome" it flickers with blue lights, drawing in a ring beneath her and casting a shadow over her face. A bend and twist of reality with a supersonic pulse, and she's rocketed downward in an instant.

To her hands as she steps free, pulling on ribbons wrapped around her palms and tugging them tight. "I'm here." Kasumi remarks as she taps her toes in the sand, righting a tabi that was just a bit off kilter. It had been quite some time since her last affair with this quest in particular, being with Haine & Kiluia who she hadn't seen much of as of late. The girl had promised Eruda to help her out on this, from one friend to another after a slew of girly conversation. Better late than never.

[Freyd 0]

Freyd arrived without fanfare, hands stuffed in his pockets and the false hint of a smile plastered on his face for the sake of appearances.  A nod and minor pleasantries exchanged, he steers them to the proper course, calling on Persi to lead them on their way.

"She's done this quest before," he mentions, casually.  "It took a while to convince the NPC to acknowledge it, but I finally wore him down."  A strange certificate summoned from thin air, confirmed that Persi had completed the boulder quest and unlocked Martial Arts.  The font was off, as if the system was struggling with the input and defaulted back to its programming source rather than the more finished script.  The mongoose strode ahead of them, beaming with pride and strutting her accomplishment.  

"Just don't make direct eye contact," he warned Lium, jokingly.  It helped to keep his own concerns subdued and secondary.  He was just as happy to see them prosper and grow in the moment, especially young Lium, who'd suffered more than most and undeservedly.  With Setsuna's aid, he'd already dished out punishment for the offending party in that particular affair, but there were still so many others out there.  Maybe that was the point?  Maybe his own pride was eating at him, calling him to action.  What could he do, if he truly, wholly, cut loose?

[Lium 1]

Lium was already half way out the doorway. They had a mountain to climb and he was not going to waste time. Again, the Celeste thing, rushing him at every point, she was sorta rubbing off on him. Glancing to Eruda with a rise of her brow, "Everyone has a bad day, and I do not bother with the little things, saying sorry to me is useless. I am not the one you should be apologizing to. It's meaningless to me honey," saying with a grin as he accepts the quest that Eruda had shared just now. "Time to go possy, this boulder is not going to explode itself." His HUD chimes on his map with the location, he begins to walk out the front gates. Glancing to the map, it looked pretty far away. There was a crap ton of traveling time that had to be made and if they wanted to talk about their feelings then they could walk and talk. He needed to get this quest done so that he could start speaking with his fists instead of this crappy polearm that lays on his back like a lump of rock. Glancing down at the Ferrit, he simply smiles.

Edited November 18, 2021 by Lium

[Eruda 0]

Eruda goes to open her mouth to speak, but she was unsure what to say to something like that. Glancing at Kasumi with a smile now, "Thank you for coming, I look forward to learning." An eye to Freyd now. "So you watched while Persi just kicked the crap out of it. Sounds kind of lazy to me," a small chuckle. Eruda was starting to open up a little bit. She had learned that keeping her mouth shut was not really an option and all that personality that she kept hidden away for so long was not necessary any longer. Her true self was bleeding out at every angle and even though she had not the first clue why that burning feeling was still in her chest, she didn't want to wait another day without showing who she really was. Thinking about that night, hearing those words from Rai, what he really felt for her, something had shifted in her. Something wonderful, and she was able to finally move forward with her life, with Rai and everyone else in this loving guild. She would open up and let them know who she really was. A smile as she starts to walk behind Lium with a gesture toward the others to come along.

[Kasumi 0]

An intensity immediately falls, as her eyes move to Persi. A tiny strut, chipper pacing like tiny hops. Kasumi squeals, clutching her hands to her face. Despite any existence or level, despite how effective she could be in combat. She was still a girl, and Persi was by all intents and purposes: Adorable. Discussion devolves into background white noise, as she is caught in a trance watching the familiar move. "You broke the boulder all by yourself!" starting to speak to the star shine eyes.

The girl was following, but it wasn't for the quest, and it wasn't to break a boulder, no. It was entirely trailing behind that beautiful black creature, with the intention of petting it and learning her. "What does she eat? Can I pet her?" and within that instant, Kasumi would look strangely similar to Shiina. A harsh cough, and a flushed face, embarrassed. "Excuse me." Her head twists as she rims her ear with her fingers, pushing behind and trying to hide a lobster like redness.

[Freyd 0]

Freyd smiled at Kasumi's words, warmth spreading behind his eyes.  Persi had been at his side for so long, and worked so hard, she deserved a little adulation.  He could hardly think of a better source.  As much as he wanted Kasumi's edge to be honed razor thin, it was crucial that she maintain the soft, gentle core of her identity, so that she could one day teach Setsuna how to find her own.  Having left and right hands talking to one another?  Imagine that.

"Of course you can, Kasumi.  She's a big suck, most of the time, and will gladly eat up any attention you wish to lavish."  A soft chuckle for confirmation.  He was happy for them both.  That he could recognize it, let alone feel it, was a promising sign.  "She favours ether and whatever's in the hazy fog of flour thirteen.  Aerosol toxins too, strangely enough.  Anything with a heady scent will do the trick, especially if it would knock most of the rest of us out for a while."  He shrugged when Kasumi's gaze wondered at an explanation.  There wasn't one available.

Slowing his pace, he fell back to match Eruda's strides.  Their recent exploits had opened doors that seemed firmly shut and barred from the other side.  Ironic, considering that she was one of the first members of Firm Anima he'd ever met.  She'd come so far, and he was proud of her for it.  All of them had.

"Don't be ridiculous," he replied at her jibe about his laziness.  "We were there to prove a point.  Plus, I had a sandwich to make good use of the break.  So here I am to repeat the quest for myself.  Persi and Kasumi can show us how it's done."

[Eruda 0]

A smile as she sees Kasumi, that real soft, lovable person pop out. "Kasumi, I would advise you to keep that. It is what keeps you human." She knew more than ever right now that she was going through a rough patch, the way that she fought and the technique that was used, it wasn't that defensive stance that she hoped to see from her. Eruda wanted to learn what Rai had continued to show. Eruda knew that Kasumi had THAT in her and that is what she would hope to find today. A very distant conversation that was left in the dust, Raidou and her were cousin's and Kasumi did not seem like the person to go straight for the kill. Such a sweet innocent soul, she couldn't imagine that Kasumi would give in to those teachings that were being forced onto her. In this game she knew that it was hard to keep that state of mind, but kill or be killed has taken a huge tole on a lot of people in Aincrad. It was hard to decipher that notion and still stay true to yourself. "Fair enough, what do we know about Lium?" Eruda asked this because in reality, this was a new face in the guild. She wanted to know him as she did everyone else, she also knew that she should be asking him, but she was simple asking an opinion from a trusted mate. It would be a different answer if she asked Lium directly. Lium was walking ahead of everyone else, a safe distance, if low enough, he would not be able to hear what was being said.

[Lium 1]

Lium was the first to get to the top of this mountain. Face to face, a huge monologue of text as he listens to the guy with a sigh. He knew it was mandatory so he would go along with it, but it was still a bit boring. "Do some training, sure." It was not something that Lium did on a regular day, but thinking about it for a moment, he would need to start early if he was to do what he intended to do. Laying on his back, he pulls it knee's up and begins to do some sit ups. After a few minutes he could feel some drops of liquid down his forehead, he kept going though. If this task was going to help him conquer this task and allow him to get this skill then so be it. He would work as hard as he possibly could to make that happen. He was tired of using something that he was not familiar with, he was a very hands on type of guy. He would show that soon enough.

Changing positions he gets into a push up formation. Doing about 3 of them before his hand slips out beneath his weight and fall on his face. Rolling on his back, staring up into the sky, spitting some dirt out. "Well, I need a lot of work... Freyd and Setsuna were right this is tough biz." Getting to his side now and leaning against one arm, ready to watch if any of the others could do any better.

ID:201874 | Battle:4, Craft:8, Loot:19 +2 Damage vs. the boulder
ID:201895 | Battle:3, Craft:7, Loot:18 FAIL

Edited November 20, 2021 by Lium

[Kasumi 0]

A pat of Persi, she was strangely soft and a bit colder than the girl expected. Kasumi moves a hand behind her waist, removing a fistful of pink petals she'd plucked from the Fields of Crossing, still fresh. Lighting them like potpourri allows the smoke to drift slowly, the star speckled mongoose lapping them up as Kasumi smiles. Lagging behind the others, she perks up when she starts her name ooze out of her comrade's lips. "Sorry. Right." she preaches, hopping up and dusting the lower part of her gii.

Immediately inverted, on her hands playing the part of legs. The skirt unfurls, as she finds a point of balance. Raising her right arm out to the side, and yet still keeping steady on her less dominant side. "The trick is if you intend to use your body as a weapon. Then you must sharpen it as you would a weapon." There was a grin still, something still chipper in her tone as she began to instruct. A whole weave of hair dangling and beginning to slide in the dirt, as her white undies are on full blast.

ID:201900 | Battle:10, Craft:11, Loot:5 (+2 Damage vs. Boulder)
ID:201901 | Battle:10, Craft:8, Loot:8 (+2 Damage vs. Boulder)

Edited November 20, 2021 by Kasumi

[Freyd 0]

Freyd lingered behind the others, taking the opportunity of Lium's eagerness and Kasumi's distraction with Persi to have a brief conversation.

"Lium has suffered in much the same way as Freya.  We rescued him from a group of PKers.  Apparently, he has history with Sam, though I didn't get all of the details."  The Whisper gave her enough to satisfy the broader query, choosing discretion regarding the few particulars he knew beyond that point.  "He needs something to focus on, or he'll unleash the anger within him over anything set in his path.  Kasumi could help him, a lot, and I'm grateful that she made the time to join us.  He's looking for an outlet.  Hopefully, this will give him that, and more."

Cresting the final rise, they arrived at the dojo in time to see the cherry blossom girl flashing her underwear at the world, while Lium fortunately had his back turned.

"I swear that she does it on purpose," Freyd added, one eyebrow raised as the sight.  Gesturing Eruda forward, he waved casually to Master Yunxiang, whose face dropped at the sight of Persi chasing after Kasumi's assorted bits and bobs.  Making his way over the one of many unattended boulders, he watched the others taking their places, wondering how best to approach the challenge.  Drawing a pair of fragmented hands from his pockets, it disturbed that they lingered in the slow process of healing.  A grimace donned, he girded himself, turning them palm down and flexing the wounded digits, watching the utter nothingness on their backsides, wondering whether Takeshi was looking back from within.  

Leaning forward, Freyd slowly placed his curled fists knuckle first on the ground spreading them far enough apart to properly bear optimal weight.  His teeth clenched as he struggled to keep the damaged digits from tearing themselves further apart while he lifted the rest of his body into a perfectly vertical handstand.  Were it not for the adamant resolve of his will, his hands would surely have collapsed beneath his weight.  Even now, a few more fractures spread along his arms, but the Whisper held. 

 

ID:201916 | Battle:10, Craft:8, Loot:5 (+2 Damage vs. Boulder)
ID:201917 | Battle:7, Craft:5, Loot:8 

[Eruda 0]

Following Freyd's eyes as she looks at what he was glancing at. A glare toward Freyd to let him know she was watching him. The boys were doing push ups and Kasumi was teaching. Looking to Lium now, he seemed to be okay. If he was in a similar situation that he would obviously need to be watched. Eruda didn't know him or trust him yet, but she knew that would come with time. A deep breath as she gets down for pushup, but still watching Kasumi as a whole. Eruda was really interested in what she had to offer, but she also knew that she needed to get gain some strength in every portion of her body if she had any chance of having balance. Eruda does easily 50 real push ups before Raserei comes over and starts to mimic Eruda the best she could. Breath a bit heavy as she sits on the dirt and pets her with a chuckle.

ID:201923 | Battle:3, Craft:12, Loot:4 (+2 Damage vs. Boulder)
ID:201924 | Battle:3, Craft:7, Loot:5

Edited November 21, 2021 by Eruda

[Lium 1]

Getting his feet as the old dude gestures him to the waterfall explaining what needed to be done for the next task. His eyes narrow, as this might be a bit hard for him to do. Sitting upon a rock, he folds his legs. Closing his eyes as he tries to focus on the sound of the water. At first it was fine, but then a mind fuck as he began to remember his time in captivity. Being through against walls when he did submit. Punched in the face and kicked in the ribs more that a dozen times. Keeping him just on the brink of death as he finds his health ticking back up slowly. All he was thinking as he stayed silent was how much he wanted to kill them. Trying to make deals that they say he can't refuse, but did and then turning around, bashing his head against the bars. Tension builds up before he flashes his eyes back open. Gritting his teeth as the bottom of his nose started twitching. Quickly looking for a way out he looks toward the small encased water beneath the waterfall. Forcing a fall off the rock as he dives into the water to cool himself off...

ID:201934 | Battle:7, Craft:12, Loot:11 NONE
ID:201935 | Battle:8, Craft:9, Loot:6 NONE
ID:201936 | Battle:8, Craft:12, Loot:10 NONE

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Lium

[Kasumi 0]

Water pounding around her shoulders as she continues to instruct, completely unaware that her skin was becoming visible through her *facepalm* solid white gii. "Try your best to relax, Lium. Allow your mind to release itself. To remain fluid in combat, one needs to distance themselves from wavering or hesitation. In through the nose and..." Her eyes close, swaying her head forward as she exhales. As they open and are washed in a purple light for a brief instant. Kasumi was a physical weapon, with training that stemmed back from a ripe young age. Ability was finely honed through reflex alone, and to all that would witness it would appear to be second nature to the girl.

"Give it a shot, Eruda." She wasn't quite sure if Freyd needed any tutor, as he was her captain. It was a little off-putting, unsure how to instruct who she considered her superior, her senpai. Persi was already at the girl's side, a sprinkle of water parading on the creature, and clearly completely in control of her own thoughts. A soft inhale and exhale, Persistence was already a master. Swooning with a blush, as she peeks out of one of her eyes toward Freyd's 'pet' which clearly that role may have been reversed. 

ID:201939 | Battle:2, Craft:5, Loot:20 (+2 DMG vs. Boulder)
ID:201940 | Battle:5, Craft:1, Loot:19 (+2 DMG vs. Boulder)
ID:201941 | Battle:6, Craft:12, Loot:15 (+2 DMG vs. Boulder)

Kasumi | HP: 720/720 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 33 | MIT: 20 | EVA: 4 | ACC: 4 | LD: 1 | KEEN: 1 | P.V.O | PHASE | STK: 40

Edited November 22, 2021 by Kasumi

[Freyd 0]

Struggling to keep it together was a little too literally applicable in this case.  Freyd's hands were crumbling under his own weight, and his arms threatened to follow.  There was no true pain, but the effort was taking its toll.  Closing his eyes, the Whisper's consciousness drifted, listening to the sounds of Eruda's relentless efforts, Kasumi's perfection of form and technique, and the water flowing over Lium as he struggled with the falls.  Persi's gentle hum - the closest thing she ever made to an actual sound - hovered around him as she inspected his form.  Even with his eyes closed, Freyd felt the scrutiny of his familiar's azure gaze.  

Clenching his broken hands tighter, he willed them to refusal.  They would not give.  He would not give.  Binding himself to intent, he felt a force gather around his extremities, simultaneously dark and light.  It was a source of pride and terrifying power, not casually wielded, nor easily ignored.  Silver light lined the edges of his hands, binding them in some sort of energy field and preventing any further risk of collapse.  His hands were akin to Samael's hands.  The symbolism of such commitment was spiritually colossal in its significance. Freyd felt inevitability as the seal bound itself around him.  First it had been a sword, then a staff, and finally he realized the truth behind it all: it was him who was the weapon.

Rolling forward from his handstand, he crouched in a low, meditative stance.  His breathing was shallow, making almost no sound.  His muscles coiled, ready to strike.  Machine and man melded within, forging something new, and ready to be unleashed.

***

ID:201944 | Loot:6 
ID:201945 | Loot:11 
ID:201946 | Loot:13 (+2 Damage vs. Boulder) +4 total

[Eruda 0]

A smile and a nod toward Kasumi as she watches Lium dive into the water. He couldn't seem to focus on anything good. He went through something similar to Freya's trauma. She was wondering just how much. Eruda decides to focus her mind on a few things as she folds her legs and closes her eyes with a deep breath. First Raidou, simple, she wanted to help him, Elda just needed to figure out how. Second, Morrighan, even though a bit overwhelming at first, she understood. Elda's mind was finally at ease. That flame inside her grew and her path was set in stone, a contract with Fate herself and a new found messenger. Elda just needed to figure out how to approach this, an opportunity that would help everyone around her. They would finally be able to get out of this game. Elda just needed to convince the others to take a chance, to take a leap of faith... A small flame forms around her as her mind races with nothing but possibility.   

ID:201951 | Battle:7, Craft:3, Loot:19 (+2 Damage vs. Boulder) +4 total
ID:201952 | Battle:8, Craft:11, Loot:3
ID:201953 | Battle:3, Craft:10, Loot:10

Edited November 23, 2021 by Eruda