[PP-F8] Hunting the Upper Floors, part duex (Tyger, Oikawa, Crozeph, Ariel, Raeyliff)

[Tyger 0]

As the first stoney Golem fell to Baldur's blade, Tyger turned her attention to the remaining hulking behemoth. His body grated against itself with each movement, creating the sound similar to using flint stones to create a spark, but on a larger, muuuuch slowwweeerrrrr scale. However, the attacks themselves weren't slow. Thankfully, she'd dodged most of the attacks, so nothing of consequence could truly happen (unless someone fell) before the last sentinel had fallen. Taking that into consideration, Tyger switched arms to slice at the sentinel.

 

Unfortunately, it'd spent alot of it's time studying Tyger, and learning her movements. What should've been a surprise, even being that close up with the stone creature, ended up being a miserably easy hit to deflect with a stony finger. Tyger narrowed her eyes. At least the rock wasn't capable of laughter. She wouldn't underestimate his attention a second time.

 

[iD: 11868 BD: 2 CD: 5]

 

H3<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H0<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H0<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

 

<<Stone Sentinel #1>> 0/60 HP - drops 1 mat & 300 Col

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 53/60 HP

[Crozeph 0]

Crozeph gripped the hilt of his sword and lunged at the other Sentinel, and it looks like it still has a huge chunk of HP in it "I'm gonna have a hard time cutting this down" he said. Crozeph aimed for the right leg of the Sentinel and tried burying his blade in it, hoping to make a deeper cut once he successfully stab it but as soon as the tip of his blade made contact with it the blade slid of the mark making only a spark and nothing more. Crozeph lost balance as his stab bounced off again. Rolling a few feet, Crozeph quickly stood up, he doesn't debris to fall on him once the others has killed it. Crozeph began signalling for the Oikawa "switch!" he said as he jumps back a few more feet away from the golem "I'll just have to think of some plan to cut through that thick body of that mob" he thought. Crozeph kept his eyes on the Sentinel and tried locating anything that can make his next attack a success.

 

[iD: 11891]

Battle Dice: [2] fail

 

Craft Dice: [10] battle healing activated

+1 HP gained

 

H3<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 28/28 HP

H0<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H0<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 53/60 HP

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

Ariel didn't wait for Oikawa to respond to Crow's call. She quickly dashed forwards ,her hidden bloodlust took control for the next instants, making her act before she could form a proper tactic to hit the mob. Something has triggered this effect, what it was? it can't be said for certain but the next happened. Driven only by instinct at this point, she lashed out to the mob, taking it head-on like a animal after its prey. Her eyes showed extreme pleasure while accompanied by a grim grin, next the blade hit...only to be deflected right away to the right just scraping the mob without any visible damage.."!!!!!" she didn't had time to react as she went after the blade, inertia taking its toll moving the blond forwards after her strike missed and making her slide on the bridge a few meters before finally stopping.  When she woke up she found herself laying on the bridge floor behind the mob..."What happened?" she asked while taking a look at the group and carefully making her way back to them. She then took a look at her familiar, kimba just let out a low growl while making a concern expression, tilting her head. Ariel then shook her head and tried to recollect what happened a few seconds ago.

 

ID: 12041 BD:1

 

H3<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H0<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H0<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 53/60 HP

[Baldur 0]

Baldur blinked in surprise when Ariel suddenly darted forward with some sort of mad berserker rage, and then fell to the ground in some sort of strange blackout. Could that have been some kind of effect or the mob? Or the swamp? Who knows what tricks Kayaba had up his sleeve, playing around with their minds. Regardless, Baldur had a job to do. Holding his blade ready and horizontal he shot forward with a <<change>> attack, his katana biting into the right arm of the mob as he engaged it. His blade sank in deep and Baldur quickly put his boots to the mob and kicked off, throwing himself back towards the group and into the relative safety of Tyger's shadow.

 

Between his hit, and Tyger's implacable defense the mob wasn't able to land a blow on the fearsome tank. Baldur could help but smile at his ginger sentinel.

 

"Go get'em Tyger!"

 

---

[iD: 12080 BD: 6 CD: 9 MD: 4]

 

H3<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H0<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP - Hits for 10 DMG (8+2)

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 43/60 HP - Misses

[Tyger 0]

"Ariel!"

 

Tyger called out, watching the player soar past the mob without so much as a scratch. Kimba was with her, while Icarus stayed off at the edge of the bridge where Tyger wanted him safe. The farther away he was from the mob, the better. She didn't want him getting hurt. Who knew how much the familiar could take? She watched Baldur slice at the golem before dodging behind her, where she intercepted another hit. She gritted her teeth and smirked at Baldur before leaning over a bit - while still holding the rock's sturdy arm against her shield - and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'll always protect you." She whispered to him, before snarling and beating the rocky arm aside to slice at it with her sword. She got a good, clean hit, and even applied her bleed. The creature still made no noise, but Tyger smirked. "I know you feel this.."

 

[iD: 12080 BD: 8 CD: 4]

 

H4<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP - Hits for 6 Damage

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H0<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 37/60 HP - (Bleed, -1 0/2)

[Crozeph 0]

Crozeph stepped in to fight the sentinel again who is at a total advantage over Crozeph because of its tough exterior "damn this things, they leave a chip on my blade" he yelled as he dashed forward to the sentinel. "Aim for something that will make it cut deep" he thought as his eyes scan any areas that will make his blade cut through the huge mob. Crozeph then saw it, an opening and tried to set his eyes on it. Seeing that Tyger is making a good work at dealing damage and tanking for them, Crozeph felt that he should at least chip away a few HP to repay her. Crozeph spun around and slashed at its knee this time aiming to at least make it kneel leaving its head open for the others to attack. Crozeph's sword made a loud screeching as it grated on the knee of the sentinel but Crozeph still can't deal any damage to it. 

 

Crozeph fell on his back as he put all his strength on another blunder of an attack "not again" he said as he stood up and tried to move away avoiding any damage. Crozeph scanned it again, looking for something to do to help them finish it off already.

 

[iD: 12261]

Battle Dice: [2] fail

 

H4<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP - 

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H0<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 37/60 HP 

[Oikawa 1]

Two out of four attacks connected and dealt damage. Ariel, in her hastiness, had somehow managed to miss the colossal stone giant completely. While Crozeph just seemed to be unfortunate in the damage department. On the flip side, the couple of their group managed to hack its life quite a bit. Even sharing a small quick tender moment between them as they barreled out effective hits on the mob. 

 

Having observed long enough, Oikawa sprang to action. Running along the far side of the bridge, he darted around the mini craters created by the Sentinel's attacks. Springing forward, he extended his rapier. The attack pierced the Sentinel, causing it to stumble slightly before swinging it's massive hand to try and swat the player. Jumping backwards, Oikawa avoided the attack and called for the next player to make their move.

 

"We're just about half way guys. Let's get this over with! Ariel you're up!"

 

[iD: 12375 BD: 6]

 

H4<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H1<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP - Hits for 6 Damage

H1<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 31/60 HP (-6)

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

Ariel heard Tyger's voice and snapped out of her momentary daze. Seeing her ginger friend taking on another hit from the giant, the blond gave her a thumbs up before focusing at the enemy in front of her. With her left hand she motioned Kimba to stay put while assessing a possible opening in its defense. Luckily Tyger had all the agro and she could take her time to analyze its exterior carefully. Baldur managed to land a good hit on its massive arm but he used a skill she didn't have, while Tyger used the weight of her scimitar to land a hit as well. Even with her heavier rapier she couldn't match the scimitar's weight. "Think! there must be a way!!!". Next came Crow with an attempt to strike its knee, good plan but it didn't get results, Oikawa somehow managed to deal a clean hit as well. As he attentioned her Ariel decided to strike the same spot she struck the first one, the heel. She went towards its right heel from behind with full speed, releasing the accumulated momentum at the right time. Her black blade slid into its heel with a loud scraping sound, it went almost 3/4 of its total length. The mob stumbled a couple of steps dragging Ariel with it until it fell on one knee leaving itself open to attacks."NOW!" she shouted from behind it while still holding to her black rapier.

 

ID: 12380  BD:10(nat) [bleed Activated] 

 

H4<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H1<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H3<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 22/60 HP (-9)

[Baldur 0]

Baldur watch as Oikawa and Ariel both managed to land solid blows, and Ariel even managed to bring the creature to a knee, leaving it open for a powerful follow-up. His lips curled into a confident smile as he charged in behind Ariel, with her leaving the mob this open, he was sure to land a critical hit and do lots of damage. They should be able to end this fight quickly and enter the dungeon.

 

Rushing forward with his katana in both hands, Baldur leaped high into the air and was bringing his sword down onto the mobs head with both hands and all of his power when suddenly the ceature's pillar like arms were thrown up and wide. Baldur was barely able to pull the sword down in time to meet the creature's hand and parry, but the force was still enough to throw Baldur back behind everyone. It's massive blow hit Tyger, but while she was able to block it with her shield, it still managed to push her back several feet.

 

"Woah!" Baldur cried out as he hit the stone of the bridge hard, the entire thing shaking slightly at the force of the creature's blow.

 

"I'm glad that didn't hit anyone! It missed me and it still hurt!"

 

---

[iD: 12670 BD: 1 CD: 8 MD: 7-2=5]

H4<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H1<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H3<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP - Misses

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 22/60 HP  - Misses Tyger due to Block

[Tyger 0]

Tyger gritted her teeth and clenched her musles as the impact of the creature's blow pushed her body back. Her arm threatened to buckle under the pressure, and it physically shook, but she held strong. When the damage of the shield hurt the stone creature, it backed off, giving Tyger a few seconds to catch her breath and fix her attack. When Baldur mentioned the force of the blow, Tyger let out a snicker.

 

"It hits my shield, does that count?"

 

The poor leonine head that graced the front of the shield was mangled to bits from the blows. Perhaps having this shield type wasn't such a good idea. Still, it did good enough damage on the side.

 

"You messed up my lion's face!"

 

She hissed, leaping forward to scrape her sword down the rocky body of the sentinel. She did a decent amount of damage, if you combined it with the thorns from earlier.

 

[iD: 12677 BD: 7 CD: 9]

H5<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP (Deals 6 Damage) *Baldur forgot my thorns last turn, so i'll throw those in -2

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H1<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H3<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 14/60 HP

[Crozeph 0]

Crozeph quickly moved in back to battle as soon as the sentinel tried hitting Tyger "gotta put some dent on it" he said as he aims his sword at it again. Crozeph moved his body sideways to the side of the sentinel and made a quick blow on it. His sword made a loud sound as it struck the sentinel but still nothing happened, it's as if the sentinel's body is made up of everything that he can't cut. Crozeph tried to another attempt on attacking it but the sentinel began to move making Crozeph hesitate and jump back a few feet away from it, he's at a great disadvantage right now but soon enough he'll land a blow on it, assuming his friends will also have a hard time bringing it down.

 

[iD: 12724]

Battle Dice: [3] + [2] = [5] fail

 

H5<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H1<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H3<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 14/60 HP

 

(ooc: I guess my jar of luck has run out)

[Oikawa 1]

The creature released a powerful AOE like technique as it repelled Baldur's attack. The force from the release was enough to mangle Tyger's shield and send Oikawa further down the bridge and nearly off it's edge. Hefting himself up, Oikawa scanned the damage. No one seemed to be hurt. Although, Tyger seemed to be pissed about her rather tattered shield. In a quick assault of her own, she managed to land a solid strike against the stone giant. Causing it to once again take a kneeling position. Its close but I won't be able to kill it completely. 

 

Crozeph managed to recover quickly as well. He leaped into action striking the creature. Like most of his attempts however, the results were fruitless as he didn't put a dent in the HP. "Crow! Keep your head high! This mob will fall to us soon enough." Following their lead, Oikawa sprang from the stony bridge and ran back into the fray. Flying past the crow and tiger, Oikawa readied his rapier and narrowed his vision to encompass the mass of stone in front of him.

 

His focus was accurate, as he sent his blade straight through it's center mass. The stone around its torso crumbled and cracked as the resounding noise of metal stike stone echoed along the bridge. Jumping back, Oikawa couldn't help but smirk as the creature's health bar suddenly dropped into the danger zone. "Ariel I leave his death to you. Though Tyger earned to deliver the finishing blow. Hopefully the loot will be worth it in the end."

 

[iD: 12781 BD: 10]

 

H5<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H3<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP - Hits for 8 Damage (Bleed Activated)

H3<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> 6/60 HP (-8) Bleed 2/2 -Oikawa

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

As the rest landed hit after hit Ariel could see the giant's HP bar going red she let out a small smile out knowing that if was a little thanks to her effort in making the sentinel kneel for them. Now it was her turn to strike, pulling her sword out from the mob's foot she expected some form of reaction from it, but the mob was still focused on Tyger. Taking the opportunity that she was still behind it, the blond jumped on the nearby railing on the mob's right shoulder then performed another jump above it.

 

Now gripping the black rapier's hilt with both the hand Ariel descended on the giant from above gaining more momentum by each second. Before the tip of her weapon struck the desired stop the mob looked upward but it was too late for it to make any defensive move as the slender rapier pierced the place between the mob's eyes and sunk almost to the hilt, making Ariel kneel on top of the giant to push it downwards as much as she could.

 

After a couple of seconds the mob's hands that were half in midair dropped back by the mob's sides as it shattered into a multitude of polygons, bathing the blond in it as she gracefully landed on the bridge near the loot. After sheathing her blade Ariel put a her left hand on the rapier's hilt and made a 'Pace' sign towards the others: "I hope you don't mind Taiga but that last hit was mine, since I let Baldur take it on the first one." she said with a excited voice while looking at the others. No doubt in the midst of battle she felt more alive than everywhere else.    

 

 

ID: 12795 BD: 9 LD: 19

 

H5<<Tyger>> 28/31 HP

H0<<Crozeph>> 27/28 HP

H3<<Oikawa>> 26/26 HP

H5<<Ariel>> 30/30 HP

H1<<Baldur>> 28/29 HP 

 

<<Stone Sentinel #2>> -4/60 HP (-10) [1/2 Bleed Ariel] 

Loot: 2 Materials && 300 col

[Baldur 0]

Baldur let out a tired sigh when the giant stone behemoth finally collapsed into polygons. The now barren bridge suddenly felt as airy and light as it should have being suspended hundreds of feet in the air over that cursed swamp. Flicking his blade to the side, he sheathed his Katana with a ceremonial flare, and when the blade clicked into the saya, Baldur let go of the hilt with a release of battle-stress, as if throwing away the emotion of the fight. His stoic look of concentration was instead replaced with a smile for everyone.

 

"Well done everyone! We've now made it to the 8th floor dungeon. According to the info broker, the area right inside the doors should be a safe area." He pointed down towards the end of the bridge. The <<Stone Sentinels>> had come from just a few feet to either side of the door, but they could clearly see the glowing sigils on the corners stones of the door indicating the presence of a safe area.

 

"Once there, no mobs will attack us. Beyond that, though..." He paused to swipe with his right hand and call up the menu. A moment later he materialized the small black book with the Rat's marking on the cover. "The dungeon itself is inhabited mostly with Elves. The thing to be careful about them is that since they're humanoid mobs, they can use sword skills, unlike bestial mobs." He thought back to the <<Swamp Stalker>> they had fought, but the group had been lucky to have Tyger's tanking skills, and none of that mob's sword skills had landed.

 

"Inside the dungeon, there's supposed to be a hidden route that goes down, instead of up towards the floor boss. At the bottom of the tree, there's an arena where a Field Boss known as Asikuzun, the King of the Forest."

[Crozeph 0]

Crozeph slumped on the floor and tried sheathing his Crimson Flare back. The battles they've fought and the determination they've given to survive was something Crozeph has never expected "this is way more different than me soloing a few monsters" he told them. Being alone was easy when fighting, he won't fear that someone gets hurt or someone left behind. Crozeph sat upright and raised a thumb at Tyger "good job at tanking, I would've been a goner if not for your incredible resilience whenever you get hit" he told her. Crozeph listened as Baldur gave a little information on what is ahead or if there ever is and this time he had to make himself ready for a much greater battle assuming Baldur info is legit. Crozeph lied down on his back and savored the few minutes to rest, he'll be needing it.

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

After finishing her victory pose Ariel takes a look at the group's HP bars. Somehow she managed to preserve her full HP even without the battle healing skill. Than takes a closer took and sees that Oikawa had his bar at full as well 'beginner's luck' she smirked while making her way to the rest of the group. Just in time to hear Baldur speak of the Field Boss. Tossing him the loot she retrieved from the stone giant she then claps her hand one time:

 

"Finally some real challenge ahead, can't wait to meet this 'King' and claim his crown as my own." In the meanwhile Kimba decided to make her appearance felt by jumping on Crozeph and licking him, as 'punishment' for not paying her any attention in this quest. Once she finished with him she would take turns on making sure everybody was properly 'punished' then returning by Ariel's side and curling up into a furball before falling asleep. Ariel simply let out a laugh as she sat down by her companion and started petting her on the head while watching the 'Immortal Object in front of her. 'It's been fun until now, playing by the rules in a team with the others. After we finish this one I'd definitely seek them to do more quests. But until then let's take one step at a time...the next one being the defeat of this King.'

[Oikawa 1]

The creature crumbled. Cracking and falling apart until it finally shattered into the the pixels that it was comprised off. As everyone heaved their sighs of relief, Oikawa simply sat down and waited. He knew this was only the beginning. The real challenge begins when they find what they really came out here for. His thoughts were confirmed when Baldur announced the plans for finding the "King of the Forest". Having said nothing so far, Oikawa finally spoke up. "So when we take his head, who gets to take it home as a trophy?" Kimba playfully jumped on his back and bit at his ear. Oikawa play fought with the cub for a bit be for she grew bored and moved on to her next victim. I wish I had brought King. He needs the experience.

[Ariel - The Crowned Lion 0]

She directed her attention to Oikawa who presented a very interesting question. She let out a grin while turning her head towards him: "I for one don't care about it's head but...*her voice gained a positive tone*... I WILL HAVE his crown! I'm not called 'Crowned Lion' for nothing you know? For now I only have the nickname to show it, so I need a actual crown as well, right? " she said trying to come up with a child's logic explanation, to why she should get the crown. Then she took a look at the others then to Kimba and let out a sight while still smiling. 'This are good times' she thought, 'I wish all people would experience moments like this once in a while' she continued thinking while laying on her back.

 

Kimba then saw the opportunity and got on top of her and started licking her face. Normally people would laugh and try to push off the assailant but Ariel showed a complex expression while remaining still, closing her eyes and trying to hold herself from freaking out. She simply said: "Stop it!" letting fear invade her tone, the usual confident voice would turn into a scarred girl's one for a second. As Kimba apparently forgotten about Ariel's condition...lowered her head in a apologetic way. Ariel frowned and started petting her companion hoping that the others didn't picked up on her fear earlier.

[Crozeph 0]

Crozeph fixed himself after Kimba began licking him earlier, he's gotten used to it "it's like smoothing the feathers of a crow" he thought. Crozeph then stood up, still thinking about the next battle if there ever is one "I'm sure the trophy goes to the last hitter" he told them "I'm not really into taking home things like that" he added. Crozeph has been doing nothing but failed attacks at the last monster they've killed, his stats were at a disadvantage for the stone monsters that they've killed but it looks like everyone is almost unscathed after many battle and explorations made. 

 

Crozeph then turned on Ariel giving her familiar a rather angry tone as it tries to give its master a good licking but stopped after she warned it "that was scary" he thought. Crozeph then moved towards the cub and tried carrying it while Ariel is still petting her "what are you feeding this lion? whole meat?" he said as he struggles to make Kimba stand up and messed its fur "all right, this time I'm the one who'll make a mess" he said.

[Baldur 0]

Baldur walked over with a smile and scratched Ariel's familiar between the ears. It was a good Tiger and stayed out of the way during battles, even if those big round eyes showed that it wanted to be involved. Turning from the large cat with a smile on his face, Baldur nodded to each of them in turn.

 

"Alright everyone, I came here to kick butt and chew bubble gum, and unfortunately I'm all out of bubble-gum. Who is ready to see what a real dungeon is like?"

 

With a proud, yet still somehow playful smile on his face, Baldur gestured for the others to join him as they made their way to the dungeon. Baldur put his hands on the doors and pushed. They resisted just long enough to embarass Baldur before they opened with a loud, painful groan.

 

What Baldur was inside was both beautiful and terrifying.

 

This is going to be fun. I hope we all make it out alive.