Side Story The Goddess II: Fate of the Old Gods

Stomp, stomp, stomp.

Heavy footfalls echoed down the entrance to Exit Tunnel amid the quaking chain-reaction of the collapsing tower outside, leading from the initial chamber that the Returned had been summoned to. A soft red light illuminated the figure in the dark before he emerged in the view.

The Doom Slayer arrived on the scene. His armor was caked in ash, dust, and boiling blood, one hand filled with the stock of his shotgun and the other empty, clenched into a tight fist. Blackened spots smeared the surface of the suit's green plating as if it had been burned somehow, and white scales torn from some reptilian creature spattered his bloodstained gauntlet.

The faceless marine turned his head slowly around the chamber. Without a moment's pause, he cracked open the double-barrel on his knee and slammed in a pair of shells, slowly approaching the only man holding a weapon in the chamber - the one who was pointing a sword at Yuri's throat.

View attachment 5397

"..."

He continued his approach.

@Sark @Jeremi @Lucky @Capri @Yun Lee @Takumi @Minerva @Everyone

 
"Goddamn...what a horrible time for a family reunion, eh?" Rei had finally caught up to the group, and what a sight this all was. He really should've expected nothing less with all these kids running around, but still.

"Come on now. Is his head really worth the blood of all these people? Of this dear little lady's brother?" The conman wasn't fully sure what situation he'd just walked in on, but he could wing it. "A promotion for taking a life rather than saving one...tsk, tsk. Your priorities are concerning." And dumb as Hell, he thought to himself. If you were going to kill someone, do it when the life of one of your leaders isn't handing in the balance. Fucking amateur.

Hearing another was going to join them, Rei decided to up the chips in their favor. "Listen here. Did anyone ever teach you to use your words? You can't get anything solved with knives and guns." Handing the blonde over to the nearest empty air of hands on his side, he walked over to the ladder, getting a hold of both Wally and Ferdinand to steady them. "I will be happy to bring your brother up safely if it means none of you try to kill us or capture us once we get him back up. No victory, no nothing, we talk things over like adults. We got ourselves a deal?"

@Sark @Takumi @Capri @Lucky @Jeremi
EXIT TUNNEL
"Oh, I know exactly what you're trying!" The Guard snapped. "You're going to try and convince us that the Royals are danging from your human ladder. We'll aid you in some ridiculous yet daring rescue attempt. You'll turn the tables on us and escape as part of some elaborate scheme. Let me tell you this; you won't fool me! The Royals would never get caught up in something like this!!"

"Actually..." Xander called from the botton of the human ladder.

The guard hung his head in shame.

"Okay... fine..." He lowered his sword. "I may have misjudge this situation a little. The death of the Nohrian Royals would be... unfortunate, to say the least. But Goddessian law classifies the capture of the Godless a Class-A priority. We let you walk? The Goddess will have our heads, no matter our excuse. Like it or not, you're still outnumbered. I will be the one making the terms. Go. Aid the King and the Crown Prince. Once they're safe, you will return to the Temple in chains. It's a fate befitting your kind. From there, you will submit to correction, or you will die. Try anything funny? You will die. Talk back? You will die. Do you understand? Obeying my every order is the only way you'll live to see retirement, Old Man."

The Captain of the Guard returned his sword to its scabbard.

Yuri and Balthus lowered their hands.

"You're right." Yuri muttered sarcastically. "Talking things out is better than fighting for our rights. Thanks, Grampa..."

While the others were struggling Valkyrie herself didn't seem to be in much distress. "Aye, this human ladder will not hold much longer." Like a babe, Valkyrie pulled up Alice and Xander so that Alice could latch unto Leo's arms.


"My strength will be of more use above! I shall remove myself from this equation and climb up to assist!" As Alice's hand would grasp unto Leo, Valkyrie would let go and grab Dragonfang and hit it into the wall to leave her hanging before she took Geirr into her other hand using her weapons to climb up the side and try and help from above.
As Valkyrie hammered her weapons into the wall, the faint cracks that had started to appear upon its facade began to spread. With every step move she made, the wall grew ever so slightly weaker.

As she appeared over the ridge, half a dozen spears were pointed towards her face. The Captain of the Guard signaled for the troops to lower their weapons.

"Let her climb. There's not much they can do against the lot of us. Keep an eye on here, though. Be ready, just in case..."
Stomp, stomp, stomp.

Heavy footfalls echoed down the entrance to Exit Tunnel amid the quaking chain-reaction of the collapsing tower outside, leading from the initial chamber that the Returned had been summoned to. A soft red light illuminated the figure in the dark before he emerged in the view.

The Doom Slayer arrived on the scene. His armor was caked in ash, dust, and boiling blood, one hand filled with the stock of his shotgun and the other empty, clenched into a tight fist. Blackened spots smeared the surface of the suit's green plating as if it had been burned somehow, and white scales torn from some reptilian creature spattered his bloodstained gauntlet.

The faceless marine turned his head slowly around the chamber. Without a moment's pause, he cracked open the double-barrel on his knee and slammed in a pair of shells, slowly approaching the only man holding a weapon in the chamber - the one who was pointing a sword at Yuri's throat.
"Drop the weapon," One of the rear guards demanded as the Slayer approached. "Drop the weapon! Drop it now!"

The closer the armored soldier came, the more antsy the Knights became. They instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons.

"Don't hurt them!" Elise called from the other side of the chasm. "You can't win this! Just stop fighting, please!"

"Wait..." The Captain of the Guard muttered. He slow turned to face the Slayer, avoiding any sudden movements. "That smell... those scales... You killed the Immaculate One!"

The wave of terror washed over the guards. The stepped back a little, giving their foe some extra room. The muttered to themselves as they fell back a few more inches.

"I didn't think it was possible..."
"...What is the Goddess going to...?"
"If he killed her what's he going to do to..."

The Captain of the Guard slowly raised his hands.

"You might scare them, but you don't scare me. The Goddess chose me for a reason. I've been acting out her will for the past 5 years. I'll happily obey her for another 50. It'll just as happily lay down my life for her."

The Captain of the Guard leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the barrel of Doom Slayer's weapon.

"Pull the trigger. Find out what happens. You're outnumbered--"

Yuri slowly stepped back towards the edge of the ledge.

"You have nowhere to run--"

He shot a glance towards Balthus. He followed suit and slowly shuffled towards the edge of the Chasm.

"And so long as we have the girl? Your friends won't dare to move against the Goddess. No one is coming to help you. If you kill me, and you'll die, just like Hearts. Just like Mephisto. Just like Fate. And Gohan. And Urien. And all who dare to oppose the Goddess. Your deaths will be as meaningless as theirs."

The guard thinned his eyes into slits.

"You've faced the Sleeping Death once before. I wonder if your torment will be any easier the second time?"
"Wally."
"Yeah?"
"Let go of Ferdinand."
"What?"
"Trust me. Get ready to grab Azura."

The guard laughed.

"Kill me. The Goddess will replace me. Empire's War Machine will grind on. My death won't make a difference. So tell me, Slayer. Does my life mean more to you than your own?"

"As much as I'd love to watch you all measure each other all day, we have other business to attend you."
Yuri shifted his heels over the ledge.

"Yeahhh sorry fellas. But we've got people to see. Things to do. Wars to wage. You know how it is. We're dashing rogues! We've got busy schedules!"

"See you around, Knights and Nobles! I pray our paths never cross again..."

"What are you talking about?" The Captain hissed. "You've got nowhere to go!"

"You're right, friend." Yuri smirked. "Nowhere to go but down."

Yuri mocked the Knights with a salute. He leaned backwards and fell off the edge of the cliff. Balthus jumped down after him, tucking his legs in towards his chest in a cannonball motion. In a flash, Wally followed suit. In the split seconds it took the Knights to react to Yuri's fall, Wally grabbed Azura, flung her over his shoulder and leaped into the abyss.

"WHAT IN SOTHIS' NAME ARE YOU--" Ferdinand screamed.

"See you on the other side, Ferdinand..."

The screeching roar of a Wyvern filled the cavern. The beating of great wings sent a wave of wind washing over the Returned.
View attachment 5408
"Poor babies..." The Wyvern rider cooed. "I had been told that the Godless had scrambled minds but this? This is absurd..."

"Sis!" Elsie cried. "You came!"

"Of course, darling,"
View attachment 5409
Camilla creased her eyes and smiled warmly.
"I would not want to leave our dear brother hanging, no would I?"

Leo audibly sighed.

"Now now, Leo. There's no need for that Sass. Let your Big Sister handle everything, okay baby?"
Camilla coddled. Her Wyvern slowly descended down the cavern. She came to a stop beside Alice.

"Now, my lovely. If you would be so kind as to stop man-handling my dear brother? I'd hate to see him splattered across the rocks should any of your friends choose to leap to their deaths..."

@Crunch
@Jeremi @Lucky @Capri @Yun Lee @Takumi @Minerva @Everyone​
 

EXIT TUNNEL
"Oh, I know exactly what you're trying!" The Guard snapped. "You're going to try and convince us that the Royals are danging from your human ladder. We'll aid you in some ridiculous yet daring rescue attempt. You'll turn the tables on us and escape as part of some elaborate scheme. Let me tell you this; you won't fool me! The Royals would never get caught up in something like this!!"

"Actually..." Xander called from the botton of the human ladder.

The guard hung his head in shame.

"Okay... fine..." He lowered his sword. "I may have misjudge this situation a little. The death of the Nohrian Royals would be... unfortunate, to say the least. But Goddessian law classifies the capture of the Godless a Class-A priority. We let you walk? The Goddess will have our heads, no matter our excuse. Like it or not, you're still outnumbered. I will be the one making the terms. Go. Aid the King and the Crown Prince. Once they're safe, you will return to the Temple in chains. It's a fate befitting your kind. From there, you will submit to correction, or you will die. Try anything funny? You will die. Talk back? You will die. Do you understand? Obeying my every order is the only way you'll live to see retirement, Old Man."

The Captain of the Guard returned his sword to its scabbard.

Yuri and Balthus lowered their hands.

"You're right." Yuri muttered sarcastically. "Talking things out is better than fighting for our rights. Thanks, Grampa..."


As Valkyrie hammered her weapons into the wall, the faint cracks that had started to appear upon its facade began to spread. With every step move she made, the wall grew ever so slightly weaker.

As she appeared over the ridge, half a dozen spears were pointed towards her face. The Captain of the Guard signaled for the troops to lower their weapons.

"Let her climb. There's not much they can do against the lot of us. Keep an eye on here, though. Be ready, just in case..."

"Drop the weapon," One of the rear guards demanded as the Slayer approached. "Drop the weapon! Drop it now!"

The closer the armored soldier came, the more antsy the Knights became. They instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons.

"Don't hurt them!" Elise called from the other side of the chasm. "You can't win this! Just stop fighting, please!"

"Wait..." The Captain of the Guard muttered. He slow turned to face the Slayer, avoiding any sudden movements. "That smell... those scales... You killed the Immaculate One!"

The wave of terror washed over the guards. The stepped back a little, giving their foe some extra room. The muttered to themselves as they fell back a few more inches.

"I didn't think it was possible..."
"...What is the Goddess going to...?"
"If he killed her what's he going to do to..."

The Captain of the Guard slowly raised his hands.

"You might scare them, but you don't scare me. The Goddess chose me for a reason. I've been acting out her will for the past 5 years. I'll happily obey her for another 50. It'll just as happily lay down my life for her."

The Captain of the Guard leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the barrel of Doom Slayer's weapon.

"Pull the trigger. Find out what happens. You're outnumbered--"

Yuri slowly stepped back towards the edge of the ledge.

"You have nowhere to run--"

He shot a glance towards Balthus. He followed suit and slowly shuffled towards the edge of the Chasm.

"And so long as we have the girl? Your friends won't dare to move against the Goddess. No one is coming to help you. If you kill me, and you'll die, just like Hearts. Just like Mephisto. Just like Fate. And Gohan. And Urien. And all who dare to oppose the Goddess. Your deaths will be as meaningless as theirs."

The guard thinned his eyes into slits.

"You've faced the Sleeping Death once before. I wonder if your torment will be any easier the second time?"
"Wally."
"Yeah?"
"Let go of Ferdinand."
"What?"
"Trust me. Get ready to grab Azura."

The guard laughed.

"Kill me. The Goddess will replace me. Empire's War Machine will grind on. My death won't make a difference. So tell me, Slayer. Does my life mean more to you than your own?"

"As much as I'd love to watch you all measure each other all day, we have other business to attend you." Yuri shifted his heels over the ledge.

"Yeahhh sorry fellas. But we've got people to see. Things to do. Wars to wage. You know how it is. We're dashing rogues! We've got busy schedules!"

"See you around, Knights and Nobles! I pray our paths never cross again..."

"What are you talking about?" The Captain hissed. "You've got nowhere to go!"

"You're right, friend." Yuri smirked. "Nowhere to go but down."

Yuri mocked the Knights with a salute. He leaned backwards and fell off the edge of the cliff. Balthus jumped down after him, tucking his legs in towards his chest in a cannonball motion. In a flash, Wally followed suit. In the split seconds it took the Knights to react to Yuri's fall, Wally grabbed Azura, flung her over his shoulder and leaped into the abyss.

"WHAT IN SOTHIS' NAME ARE YOU--" Ferdinand screamed.

"See you on the other side, Ferdinand..."

The screeching roar of a Wyvern filled the cavern. The beating of great wings sent a wave of wind washing over the Returned.
View attachment 5408
"Poor babies..." The Wyvern rider cooed. "I had been told that the Godless had scrambled minds but this? This is absurd..."

"Sis!" Elsie cried. "You came!"

"Of course, darling,"
View attachment 5409
Camilla creased her eyes and smiled warmly.
"I would not want to leave our dear brother hanging, no would I?"

Leo audibly sighed.

"Now now, Leo. There's no need for that Sass. Let your Big Sister handle everything, okay baby?" Camilla coddled. Her Wyvern slowly descended down the cavern. She came to a stop beside Alice.

"Now, my lovely. If you would be so kind as to stop man-handling my dear brother? I'd hate to see him splattered across the rocks should any of your friends choose to leap to their deaths..."

@Crunch
@Jeremi @Lucky @Capri @Yun Lee @Takumi @Minerva @Everyone​

The Captain's posturing garnered a smirk from Valkyrie.

oFfxrx6.png


"Is that so little mortal? Aye, thine words ring true but for some reason, thou posturing does not strike fear!" Even so, she didn't do anything except hold out her weapons at the soldiers giving the Slayer a look as he stepped towards them menacingly. Then as Yuri's plan, or as it looked, their leap of faith, sprung into action Valkyrie leaned over the edge before turning to speak to the Slayer.

xFgRQ9o.png


"While I believe we'd be more than enough to defeat our foes in front of us. Perhaps..." She looked over the edge before sheeting Dragonfang and leaning called to Ferdinand. "Thou situation is much the same, if slightly lighter." She gave out her hand to him so that she could pull all of them up. "Grab on so that Valkyrie can take you to safety!"


@Sark @Crunch @Jeremi @Lucky @Capri @Yun Lee @Takumi @Minerva @Everyone
 

EXIT TUNNEL
"Oh, I know exactly what you're trying!" The Guard snapped. "You're going to try and convince us that the Royals are danging from your human ladder. We'll aid you in some ridiculous yet daring rescue attempt. You'll turn the tables on us and escape as part of some elaborate scheme. Let me tell you this; you won't fool me! The Royals would never get caught up in something like this!!"

"Actually..." Xander called from the botton of the human ladder.

The guard hung his head in shame.

"Okay... fine..." He lowered his sword. "I may have misjudge this situation a little. The death of the Nohrian Royals would be... unfortunate, to say the least. But Goddessian law classifies the capture of the Godless a Class-A priority. We let you walk? The Goddess will have our heads, no matter our excuse. Like it or not, you're still outnumbered. I will be the one making the terms. Go. Aid the King and the Crown Prince. Once they're safe, you will return to the Temple in chains. It's a fate befitting your kind. From there, you will submit to correction, or you will die. Try anything funny? You will die. Talk back? You will die. Do you understand? Obeying my every order is the only way you'll live to see retirement, Old Man."

The Captain of the Guard returned his sword to its scabbard.

Yuri and Balthus lowered their hands.

"You're right." Yuri muttered sarcastically. "Talking things out is better than fighting for our rights. Thanks, Grampa..."


As Valkyrie hammered her weapons into the wall, the faint cracks that had started to appear upon its facade began to spread. With every step move she made, the wall grew ever so slightly weaker.

As she appeared over the ridge, half a dozen spears were pointed towards her face. The Captain of the Guard signaled for the troops to lower their weapons.

"Let her climb. There's not much they can do against the lot of us. Keep an eye on here, though. Be ready, just in case..."

"Drop the weapon," One of the rear guards demanded as the Slayer approached. "Drop the weapon! Drop it now!"

The closer the armored soldier came, the more antsy the Knights became. They instinctively tightened their grip on their weapons.

"Don't hurt them!" Elise called from the other side of the chasm. "You can't win this! Just stop fighting, please!"

"Wait..." The Captain of the Guard muttered. He slow turned to face the Slayer, avoiding any sudden movements. "That smell... those scales... You killed the Immaculate One!"

The wave of terror washed over the guards. The stepped back a little, giving their foe some extra room. The muttered to themselves as they fell back a few more inches.

"I didn't think it was possible..."
"...What is the Goddess going to...?"
"If he killed her what's he going to do to..."

The Captain of the Guard slowly raised his hands.

"You might scare them, but you don't scare me. The Goddess chose me for a reason. I've been acting out her will for the past 5 years. I'll happily obey her for another 50. It'll just as happily lay down my life for her."

The Captain of the Guard leaned forward and pressed his forehead against the barrel of Doom Slayer's weapon.

"Pull the trigger. Find out what happens. You're outnumbered--"

Yuri slowly stepped back towards the edge of the ledge.

"You have nowhere to run--"

He shot a glance towards Balthus. He followed suit and slowly shuffled towards the edge of the Chasm.

"And so long as we have the girl? Your friends won't dare to move against the Goddess. No one is coming to help you. If you kill me, and you'll die, just like Hearts. Just like Mephisto. Just like Fate. And Gohan. And Urien. And all who dare to oppose the Goddess. Your deaths will be as meaningless as theirs."

The guard thinned his eyes into slits.

"You've faced the Sleeping Death once before. I wonder if your torment will be any easier the second time?"
"Wally."
"Yeah?"
"Let go of Ferdinand."
"What?"
"Trust me. Get ready to grab Azura."

The guard laughed.

"Kill me. The Goddess will replace me. Empire's War Machine will grind on. My death won't make a difference. So tell me, Slayer. Does my life mean more to you than your own?"

"As much as I'd love to watch you all measure each other all day, we have other business to attend you."
Yuri shifted his heels over the ledge.

"Yeahhh sorry fellas. But we've got people to see. Things to do. Wars to wage. You know how it is. We're dashing rogues! We've got busy schedules!"

"See you around, Knights and Nobles! I pray our paths never cross again..."

"What are you talking about?" The Captain hissed. "You've got nowhere to go!"

"You're right, friend." Yuri smirked. "Nowhere to go but down."

Yuri mocked the Knights with a salute. He leaned backwards and fell off the edge of the cliff. Balthus jumped down after him, tucking his legs in towards his chest in a cannonball motion. In a flash, Wally followed suit. In the split seconds it took the Knights to react to Yuri's fall, Wally grabbed Azura, flung her over his shoulder and leaped into the abyss.

"WHAT IN SOTHIS' NAME ARE YOU--" Ferdinand screamed.

"See you on the other side, Ferdinand..."

The screeching roar of a Wyvern filled the cavern. The beating of great wings sent a wave of wind washing over the Returned.
View attachment 5408
"Poor babies..." The Wyvern rider cooed. "I had been told that the Godless had scrambled minds but this? This is absurd..."

"Sis!" Elsie cried. "You came!"

"Of course, darling,"
View attachment 5409
Camilla creased her eyes and smiled warmly.
"I would not want to leave our dear brother hanging, no would I?"

Leo audibly sighed.

"Now now, Leo. There's no need for that Sass. Let your Big Sister handle everything, okay baby?"
Camilla coddled. Her Wyvern slowly descended down the cavern. She came to a stop beside Alice.

"Now, my lovely. If you would be so kind as to stop man-handling my dear brother? I'd hate to see him splattered across the rocks should any of your friends choose to leap to their deaths..."

@Crunch
@Jeremi @Lucky @Capri @Yun Lee @Takumi @Minerva @Everyone​

She hoped pretty boy had a plan of some sort, because literally what the hell was going on anymore?

Spitting hair out of her face, she glanced up slightly, her gaze momentarily landing on the woman's Wyvern. While it wasn't no dragon from her world, it was kinda cool looking.

"I'm pretty sure I was five seconds away from having my shoulder dislocated, so..." Alice spoke, glancing to Camilla curiously.

Right now, the only real options here was to fight or fall. She didn't like them, but who would?

"Uh, here ya go?" She spoke a moment later, tilting her head a bit gesturing to Xander. Alice really didn't know what to do in this situation.

@Sark @Jeremi @Capri @Yun Lee @Minerva @Lucky @Crunch @Everyone
 
"I got him to put the sword away, didn't I?" Rei responded, unfazed by this entire situation. "The majority of our side is hanging off a cliff. You really think now is a good time to fight?" They could mock his age all they wanted, but what these kids didn't realize was that with age came experience. You always need to look at the bigger picture. Though...clearly these guys had some ideas of their own. Fight, or flight. Words to live by, really. If you can't fight back, then you get out and live to see another day. Rei hadn't lived to 46 by being lucky (sometimes though that was the case), but by being smart.

And right now, the stupidest option seemed the smartest.

Holding onto his hat, the conman leapt into the abyss along with the others. They wouldn't have done so without good reason, right? And it was a much better alternative than capture. This Goddess? She was bad news. The further away he was from her, the better.

@Sark @Everyone​
 
"I got him to put the sword away, didn't I?" Rei responded, unfazed by this entire situation. "The majority of our side is hanging off a cliff. You really think now is a good time to fight?" They could mock his age all they wanted, but what these kids didn't realize was that with age came experience. You always need to look at the bigger picture. Though...clearly these guys had some ideas of their own. Fight, or flight. Words to live by, really. If you can't fight back, then you get out and live to see another day. Rei hadn't lived to 46 by being lucky (sometimes though that was the case), but by being smart.

And right now, the stupidest option seemed the smartest.

Holding onto his hat, the conman leapt into the abyss along with the others. They wouldn't have done so without good reason, right? And it was a much better alternative than capture. This Goddess? She was bad news. The further away he was from her, the better.

@Sark @Everyone​

Oh...well if this is the play then.

Vpimd0J.png


"Aye well...until next time, Captain." There a few lives in her hands but Valkyrie figured this was the best course of action and took a leap of faith with the others. What's an abyss to listening to a man drone on about his superiority?​

@Sark @Everyone
 
She hoped pretty boy had a plan of some sort, because literally what the hell was going on anymore?

Spitting hair out of her face, she glanced up slightly, her gaze momentarily landing on the woman's Wyvern. While it wasn't no dragon from her world, it was kinda cool looking.

"I'm pretty sure I was five seconds away from having my shoulder dislocated, so..." Alice spoke, glancing to Camilla curiously.

Right now, the only real options here was to fight or fall. She didn't like them, but who would?

"Uh, here ya go?" She spoke a moment later, tilting her head a bit gesturing to Xander. Alice really didn't know what to do in this situation.

@Sark @Jeremi @Capri @Yun Lee @Minerva @Lucky @Crunch @Everyone
View attachment 5453
"Oh, thank you sweetie..." Camilla hummed as she took Xander's hand. Her wyvern lowered its head to provide a step for the King, allowing Xander to sit firmly upon the beast's back. "What a kind and selfless individual you are... it's a shame you had to throw your lot in with these fiends and raise your arms against those sweet soldiers..."

Camilla raised her hand and called upon her Fimbulvetr tome. A large, jagged shard of ice surged forth from the cliff face and consumed Leo.

"Wait! Camilla don---"
"No!" Xander protested.
"Stop!"

Leo's fingers ceased up. After squeezing Alice's had desperately for a moment, he had no choice but to let go. Alice was sent tumbling down into the abyss, passing Rei and Valk on her way down.

With one final, exhausted groan, Odin passed out. His arms went limp. The last of the Return were sent spiraling into the black.

"Well..." Ferdinand smiled. "If that's the plan, who am I to argue..."
The Fortress Knight released Odin's legs and watched him slip from the ledge. The guards raised their spears and began to tighten their perimeter. Ferdinand picked up the last of the unconscious returned and slumped them over his shoulders.
"What are you going to do? Kill me?" He chuckled. "I'm about to jump into a bottomless cavern with a bunch of dead Saints in my arms. By the looks of things, I'm going to die either way." With a smile on his lips, he made his way towards the ledge.
View attachment 5454
"Oh, but before I go," He turned back towards the guards. "When the Goddess asks you whom you let escape, be sure to let her an old friend was involved. Tell her that it was I, Ferdinand Von Aegir! I'm sure she'll take the news well!"

With a smirk, he followed Rei and Valk's example and leaped from the remains of the bridge.


***
The wind roars around you.
You've leaped from one white dark void into another.
A familiar blue light burns in the black.
Azura's necklace.
Yuri pulls the charm from its chain and points it towards the rapidly approaching ground.
Nothing happens.
He shakes it.
He points it again.
Nothing.
"Come on..."
He curses.
"Come on... tell me someone's home..."
He shakes it again.
He points.
Nothing.
"Come on! Open up! Open up!"
He shakes it.
He points.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
The ground is getting closer.
Closer.
Closer.
You can practically touch it!
"Open the door, Kana! Open the damn-"

CRACK
***
And so the story of the Returned ends.
Well, that's one ending. This is a story with many endings.
According to Goddessian records, the Godless were killed in an escape attempt gone wrong.
Azura was mourned by her Nohrian Family.
Ferdinand's spear was retrieved and returned to his disgraced house.
Balthus' relics were looked by thieves and sold on some black market somewhere.
Trophies were taken from the Chosen and placed in a museum back at the Temple.
That's the official story.
But I know better. I know that there is much more to their story than the Goddess might tell you.
Their story continues in a land named Valla in a country across the sea...
***
View attachment 5456
Crack
The Return struck the earth of another realm.
The air was simultaneously warm and cool in Valla. Their grass was fresh and lush. The sky was bright a beautiful.
Mountains floated across the skies like clouds.
You can forgive some of the Returned for believing that they had died and gone to Heaven.

But Yuri knew better.

"Welcome to the Astral Plane of Dragons..." Yuri cried, dusting the dead grass from his shins. He could pry a stupid smile from his lips. "More precisely, we're standing in the Lost Kingdom of Valla. Well... when I say 'Lost', you'll have to imagine quotation marks around the word. Valla was lost on purpose. It was the only way to hide it from the Goddess."

"And you didn't tell us about this place because...?"

"Because the land is curse. A real nasty curse too. You speak its name whilst outside its border? You give away its location? Some ancient Dragon turns you into a pile of water." He smirked.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Does it matter? You're not planning on filling the Goddess in on our location, so it shouldn't matter. Curse or no curse, I couldn't risk you blurting our plan if the Goddess got hold of you. I couldn't play my hand until I was certain we were safe."

"Were you 'certain', Yuri?" Wally muttered, cracking his neck. "You didn't sound so confident when we were in punching distance of the ground..."

"Well, the thing is... coming here wasn't my original plan. That plan went to Hell when somebody set fire to the bridge. Coming here was more of a last ditch gambit. It was a last resort that paid off."

"So we got lucky..."

"That depends on what you mean by 'lucky'. From another perspective, we've jumped from one frying pan to another. If we slip up, we could just as easily end up in the fire."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... I'll say this much: Secularists like us aren't too popular here. This realm has declared itself Neutral in the War on the Goddess."

The sound of pounding hooves rattled from behind a nearby ridge. A troop of black armored knights came into view, their spears glittering in the sunlight.

"Don't get me wrong. These guys love Azura. They love Odin. But me? I am most certainly in their bad books."

An elderly man led the troop, a black axe hanging over his shoulder. Three white clad individuals rode behind him. Their faces were obscured by the bodies of their guards.

"Mockingbird!" The elderly man snapped. His armored beast spat and snorted in Yuri's direction. "So you've returned to the scene of the crime."
View attachment 5459
"And you've brought some outsiders with you. This afternoon is growing more complicated by the minute. I was too old for this post decades ago..."

"Gunter!" Yuri muttered. "I know I have a lot to explain..."

"You made a mistake returning to this place, boy. Your risked destroying all we've built coming here. What if those Nobles had followed you? What if they had caught wind of the Lost Kingdom? You have endangered the lives of your Brothers and Sisters in Arms!You have endangered the life of the Queen Mother! You would have endangered the life of the Young Queen!"

View attachment 5460
"It's fine, Gunter..." One of the white clad riders broke away from the pack. "My mother lives. I sense that she is tired, but she will recover. She and the rest of Yuri's back have only done what they believed to be just."

"Your Majesty." Gunter nodded and pulled his beast back a few steps. Yuri performed a semi-genuine bow.

"Queen Kana, your are as wise as you have always been..."

"What matters now is that you're all safe. Our secret remains safe, for now. Should Yuri go against the will of our Fellowship again, well... I trust a few days in the stock will straighten him out."

"Is it too late to take back the statement I made regarding your wisdom, your Majesty?"


"And what will become of these outsiders?" Another white clad rider broke away from the pack. "We cannot simply allow for these outsiders to--"

His eyes locked onto the Chosen.

With jaw swung loose. His eyes bulged. For a moment, the Great Seteth was lost for words.

View attachment 5462
"You!"
The third figure stepped forth.
View attachment 5465
"Well, would you look at that... the guys who got me killed have come to me again. To think I predicted this... and I am still somehow disappointing..."
***
Reunited with old friends... or are they old foes?
A lot has changed in the past 5 years...
Welcome to the 4th Month of the 5th Year of the Age of the Goddess.
Welcome to the Future, Dear Friends...
Welcome to...
View attachment 5466
THE GODDESS PART II
View attachment 5469
***
But that's a story for another time.
We have many more stories to tell.
What happened to Alexander Luthor?
What was the Infinity Tree?
Who was really responsible for Murder World?
So many stories and so little time... let me introduce you to another one...
Stop me if you've heard this one:

END OF PROLOGUE I
 
This is the story of those who stood against the Goddess.

This is the story of those who sacrificed everything to slow her down.

This is the story of the Gods of War...

THE GODDESS PART II: EMERALD NOON
FATE OF THE OLD GODS: CHAOS WAR

EPISODE IV: GODS OF WAR

View attachment 5471
Rain came pounding down upon Atlantis. A bad omen, no doubt. The air was tense. The kind of 'tense' you could cut with a trident. Poseidon looked down upon his flooding paradise with a scowl. "Will they come, Ares?" He muttered to himself, refusing to pull his eyes away from his city.
"They will come." His nephew from another world replied. "I put out the world. They'll come." Poseidon laughed a little. Pulled his sash a little closer to his chest.

"Let us hope so. Who are the Gods supposed to pray to, Nephew?"

"What?"

"Who are we supposed to pray to?"

"Damned if I know," Ares muttered. He checked the magazine of pistol. It was just as full as it had been the last time he had checked it. "Am I supposed to say 'each other'? No. We pray to ourselves. We pray that we have is enough. That the kind of answer you're looking for?"

"No..." Poseidon breathed. "No, I don't think it was..."

"Shame." Ares cracked his neck. A moment later, he cracked open a beer. "That's a real shame."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"Hm?"

"Drinking, in a time like this? Is it wise?"

"I never claimed to be a wise man, 'Uncle'. You can spend your final days thinking. I'll spend mine doing what I do best. Getting pissed and starting wars." He tossed the empty can off of Poseidon's tower. "On the topic of which, look alive. They're coming."

"How do you know?"

"I'm the God of War. I know these sorta stuff. The Goddess' army will be here any second."

"Is it big?"

"About as big as they come. You heard about Persian Wars? The Battle of Thermopylae?"

"Yes... yes I have..."

"It's one of my finer works. Real good fight. We'll, I've got bad news, 'Uncle.'" Ares slapped his uncle between the shoulder blades. "We're the Spartans."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we're the 300. The deck is stacked against us. We've got a lot riding on back-up comin'"

An emerald thunderbolt tore across the gray sky.​

"And if it doesn't come?"

"Use your imagination!" Ares roared over the rushing wind. He approached the edge of the tower and jumped.

The sky turned to fire. Emerald fire.​

Thousands of figures appeared behind the clouds, their arms swinging loosely. Their silhouettes flickered in with each flash of thunder.​

Another thunderbolt burden across sky. A thousand more appeared. Then another thousand. And another another.​

For a moment, event Ares found himself gasping. He replaced his gasp with a growl. He prowled the streets, a chain gun resting in his arms like a baby. The Emerald Empire would be breaking ground any minute.​

Another crack of thunder. The forces of the Goddess were immeasurable now. Counting her troops became like the starts in the sky.​

"Stay strong!" Ares called out into the streets. "Aim true. Tonight, we're all Gods of War. Tonight, we send this 'Goddess' and her ilk to Hades! He who falls first answers to me!!"

The Goddess emerged from the clouds, clad in an elegant toga and the helmet of some ancient Greek hero. She smiled down at her next conquest as if it were her next meal. She raised her hand. The moment it fell, her soldiers soared down towards the earth like bullets.​

Ares punched the sky. His God Squad charged forth.​

"Help is coming!" He hissed. "We'll hold the line until they arrive! We'll catch the Goddess in a vice grip and squeeze her until she squeals! FOR THE OLD GODS!"

The God of War cracked open another beer and opened fire.
View attachment 5474

"GIVE THEM HELL!"


The Goddess' forces descended upon Atlantis in such droves that they blocked out the Sun. The first thing the horde of emerald launched themselves upon were the city's skyscrapers. The towers closest to the heart of the city were already under the protection of several members of Ares' volunteer 'God Squad', but the tower in the lower city were falling like dominoes. Wounded civilians flocked to the streets only to fall before might of the Emerald Men. The evacuation was not yet complete.

Another tower had already started to crumble. If was not protected in time, its collapse would no doubt kill hundreds of mortals. In the distance, two of the Goddess generals marched, reveling in the chaos. At the far end of the city, the Goddess herself glowed.

Your goal is to repel the invading Empire and protect the heart of the city until help arrives.

How you go about achieving this goal is up to you.

@Takumi @Jeremi @Capri @Yun Lee @Minerva @Lucky @Crunch @Everyone​
 
HABIT
The treacherous god of murder was no hero. In fact, he’s the exact opposite.

He was evil. Evil incarnate some would say.

So why would he stand in the Goddess’s way when the Goddess has caused so much suffering that HABIT would surely enjoy?

Simple, she’s annoying.

HABIT loaded a gun, a seemingly normal rifle with purple tape on the butt of the gun. This gun is not a normal gun, though. It’s a gun made with enchantments to counteract healing properties. A gun made to kill HABIT.

Ares told them to give them hell, so HABIT did what HABIT does best, and that’s killing people.

It’s rabbit season.

He fired his rifle at the Goddess’s men, a loud bang reverberating throughout Atlantis. He had no intention of staying hidden, his figure looming over the army.

His prey.

He maniacally laughed as he unloaded upon the army below. The laugh was unnerving, too gleeful.

But a murderer’s gotta take pride in his work. It’s a shame he doesn’t have all of his abilities, and all of his toys at his disposal. He could simply make all of them turn on each other and murder each other.

That would be fun.

@Sark @EveryoneElse​
 
This is the story of those who stood against the Goddess.

This is the story of those who sacrificed everything to slow her down.

This is the story of the Gods of War...

THE GODDESS PART II: EMERALD NOON
FATE OF THE OLD GODS: CHAOS WAR

EPISODE IV: GODS OF WAR

View attachment 5471
Rain came pounding down upon Atlantis. A bad omen, no doubt. The air was tense. The kind of 'tense' you could cut with a trident. Poseidon looked down upon his flooding paradise with a scowl. "Will they come, Ares?" He muttered to himself, refusing to pull his eyes away from his city.
"They will come." His nephew from another world replied. "I put out the world. They'll come." Poseidon laughed a little. Pulled his sash a little closer to his chest.

"Let us hope so. Who are the Gods supposed to pray to, Nephew?"

"What?"

"Who are we supposed to pray to?"

"Damned if I know," Ares muttered. He checked the magazine of pistol. It was just as full as it had been the last time he had checked it. "Am I supposed to say 'each other'? No. We pray to ourselves. We pray that we have is enough. That the kind of answer you're looking for?"

"No..." Poseidon breathed. "No, I don't think it was..."

"Shame." Ares cracked his neck. A moment later, he cracked open a beer. "That's a real shame."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"Hm?"

"Drinking, in a time like this? Is it wise?"

"I never claimed to be a wise man, 'Uncle'. You can spend your final days thinking. I'll spend mine doing what I do best. Getting pissed and starting wars." He tossed the empty can off of Poseidon's tower. "On the topic of which, look alive. They're coming."

"How do you know?"

"I'm the God of War. I know these sorta stuff. The Goddess' army will be here any second."

"Is it big?"

"About as big as they come. You heard about Persian Wars? The Battle of Thermopylae?"

"Yes... yes I have..."

"It's one of my finer works. Real good fight. We'll, I've got bad news, 'Uncle.'" Ares slapped his uncle between the shoulder blades. "We're the Spartans."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we're the 300. The deck is stacked against us. We've got a lot riding on back-up comin'"

An emerald thunderbolt tore across the gray sky.

"And if it doesn't come?"

"Use your imagination!" Ares roared over the rushing wind. He approached the edge of the tower and jumped.

The sky turned to fire. Emerald fire.

Thousands of figures appeared behind the clouds, their arms swinging loosely. Their silhouettes flickered in with each flash of thunder.

Another thunderbolt burden across sky. A thousand more appeared. Then another thousand. And another another.

For a moment, event Ares found himself gasping. He replaced his gasp with a growl. He prowled the streets, a chain gun resting in his arms like a baby. The Emerald Empire would be breaking ground any minute.​

Another crack of thunder. The forces of the Goddess were immeasurable now. Counting her troops became like the starts in the sky.​

"Stay strong!" Ares called out into the streets. "Aim true. Tonight, we're all Gods of War. Tonight, we send this 'Goddess' and her ilk to Hades! He who falls first answers to me!!"

The Goddess emerged from the clouds, clad in an elegant toga and the helmet of some ancient Greek hero. She smiled down at her next conquest as if it were her next meal. She raised her hand. The moment it fell, her soldiers soared down towards the earth like bullets.​

Ares punched the sky. His God Squad charged forth.

"Help is coming!" He hissed. "We'll hold the line until they arrive! We'll catch the Goddess in a vice grip and squeeze her until she squeals! FOR THE OLD GODS!"

The God of War cracked open another beer and opened fire.
View attachment 5474

"GIVE THEM HELL!"


The Goddess' forces descended upon Atlantis in such droves that they blocked out the Sun. The first thing the horde of emerald launched themselves upon were the city's skyscrapers. The towers closest to the heart of the city were already under the protection of several members of Ares' volunteer 'God Squad', but the tower in the lower city were falling like dominoes. Wounded civilians flocked to the streets only to fall before might of the Emerald Men. The evacuation was not yet complete.

Another tower had already started to crumble. If was not protected in time, its collapse would no doubt kill hundreds of mortals. In the distance, two of the Goddess generals marched, reveling in the chaos. At the far end of the city, the Goddess herself glowed.

Your goal is to repel the invading Empire and protect the heart of the city until help arrives.

How you go about achieving this goal is up to you.

@Takumi @Jeremi @Capri @Yun Lee @Minerva @Lucky @Crunch @Everyone​

As the Horde of the Goddess descended upon Atlantis one of their opponents let off a blinding light from up above.

yXNQ0XR.png


"Gaze in awe, mortals! For Atlantiades the Goddess of Love has arrived!" For everyone laying their eyes on them, Atlantiades was the most beautiful being they had ever set their eyes on. Their beauty strong enough to sap the willpower from anyone who gazed upon them. But zealots only loved one thing, something they themselves could never reach or even gain any true affection from.

But even here on the battlefield love was the strongest of them all. Rage could be calmed, fear could be conquered. But love...love is implacable.

While Atlantiades hadn't been in the role of Goddess of Love for that long in their own universe they understood what needed to be done. Their combat skills were nothing to scoff at, Atlantiades knew that the poor souls' bellow would not survive long against their foes. So they flew down to street-level to see where they could help.

If someone decided to stand in their way then well...they'd know how foolish it was to try and stop Love's onslaught.​

@Sark @Takumi @Jeremi @Capri @Yun Lee @Minerva @Lucky @Crunch @Everyone
 

View attachment 5453
"Oh, thank you sweetie..." Camilla hummed as she took Xander's hand. Her wyvern lowered its head to provide a step for the King, allowing Xander to sit firmly upon the beast's back. "What a kind and selfless individual you are... it's a shame you had to throw your lot in with these fiends and raise your arms against those sweet soldiers..."

Camilla raised her hand and called upon her Fimbulvetr tome. A large, jagged shard of ice surged forth from the cliff face and consumed Leo.

"Wait! Camilla don---"
"No!" Xander protested.
"Stop!"

Leo's fingers ceased up. After squeezing Alice's had desperately for a moment, he had no choice but to let go. Alice was sent tumbling down into the abyss, passing Rei and Valk on her way down.

With one final, exhausted groan, Odin passed out. His arms went limp. The last of the Return were sent spiraling into the black.

"Well..." Ferdinand smiled. "If that's the plan, who am I to argue..."
The Fortress Knight released Odin's legs and watched him slip from the ledge. The guards raised their spears and began to tighten their perimeter. Ferdinand picked up the last of the unconscious returned and slumped them over his shoulders.
"What are you going to do? Kill me?" He chuckled. "I'm about to jump into a bottomless cavern with a bunch of dead Saints in my arms. By the looks of things, I'm going to die either way." With a smile on his lips, he made his way towards the ledge.
View attachment 5454
"Oh, but before I go," He turned back towards the guards. "When the Goddess asks you whom you let escape, be sure to let her an old friend was involved. Tell her that it was I, Ferdinand Von Aegir! I'm sure she'll take the news well!"

With a smirk, he followed Rei and Valk's example and leaped from the remains of the bridge.


***
The wind roars around you.
You've leaped from one white dark void into another.
A familiar blue light burns in the black.
Azura's necklace.
Yuri pulls the charm from its chain and points it towards the rapidly approaching ground.
Nothing happens.
He shakes it.
He points it again.
Nothing.
"Come on..."
He curses.
"Come on... tell me someone's home..."
He shakes it again.
He points.
Nothing.
"Come on! Open up! Open up!"
He shakes it.
He points.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
The ground is getting closer.
Closer.
Closer.
You can practically touch it!
"Open the door, Kana! Open the damn-"

CRACK
***
And so the story of the Returned ends.
Well, that's one ending. This is a story with many endings.
According to Goddessian records, the Godless were killed in an escape attempt gone wrong.
Azura was mourned by her Nohrian Family.
Ferdinand's spear was retrieved and returned to his disgraced house.
Balthus' relics were looked by thieves and sold on some black market somewhere.
Trophies were taken from the Chosen and placed in a museum back at the Temple.
That's the official story.
But I know better. I know that there is much more to their story than the Goddess might tell you.
Their story continues in a land named Valla in a country across the sea...
***
View attachment 5456
Crack
The Return struck the earth of another realm.
The air was simultaneously warm and cool in Valla. Their grass was fresh and lush. The sky was bright a beautiful.
Mountains floated across the skies like clouds.
You can forgive some of the Returned for believing that they had died and gone to Heaven.

But Yuri knew better.

"Welcome to the Astral Plane of Dragons..." Yuri cried, dusting the dead grass from his shins. He could pry a stupid smile from his lips. "More precisely, we're standing in the Lost Kingdom of Valla. Well... when I say 'Lost', you'll have to imagine quotation marks around the word. Valla was lost on purpose. It was the only way to hide it from the Goddess."

"And you didn't tell us about this place because...?"

"Because the land is curse. A real nasty curse too. You speak its name whilst outside its border? You give away its location? Some ancient Dragon turns you into a pile of water." He smirked.

"You're kidding, right?"

"Does it matter? You're not planning on filling the Goddess in on our location, so it shouldn't matter. Curse or no curse, I couldn't risk you blurting our plan if the Goddess got hold of you. I couldn't play my hand until I was certain we were safe."

"Were you 'certain', Yuri?" Wally muttered, cracking his neck. "You didn't sound so confident when we were in punching distance of the ground..."

"Well, the thing is... coming here wasn't my original plan. That plan went to Hell when somebody set fire to the bridge. Coming here was more of a last ditch gambit. It was a last resort that paid off."

"So we got lucky..."

"That depends on what you mean by 'lucky'. From another perspective, we've jumped from one frying pan to another. If we slip up, we could just as easily end up in the fire."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... I'll say this much: Secularists like us aren't too popular here. This realm has declared itself Neutral in the War on the Goddess."

The sound of pounding hooves rattled from behind a nearby ridge. A troop of black armored knights came into view, their spears glittering in the sunlight.

"Don't get me wrong. These guys love Azura. They love Odin. But me? I am most certainly in their bad books."

An elderly man led the troop, a black axe hanging over his shoulder. Three white clad individuals rode behind him. Their faces were obscured by the bodies of their guards.

"Mockingbird!" The elderly man snapped. His armored beast spat and snorted in Yuri's direction. "So you've returned to the scene of the crime."
View attachment 5459
"And you've brought some outsiders with you. This afternoon is growing more complicated by the minute. I was too old for this post decades ago..."

"Gunter!" Yuri muttered. "I know I have a lot to explain..."

"You made a mistake returning to this place, boy. Your risked destroying all we've built coming here. What if those Nobles had followed you? What if they had caught wind of the Lost Kingdom? You have endangered the lives of your Brothers and Sisters in Arms!You have endangered the life of the Queen Mother! You would have endangered the life of the Young Queen!"

View attachment 5460
"It's fine, Gunter..." One of the white clad riders broke away from the pack. "My mother lives. I sense that she is tired, but she will recover. She and the rest of Yuri's back have only done what they believed to be just."

"Your Majesty." Gunter nodded and pulled his beast back a few steps. Yuri performed a semi-genuine bow.

"Queen Kana, your are as wise as you have always been..."

"What matters now is that you're all safe. Our secret remains safe, for now. Should Yuri go against the will of our Fellowship again, well... I trust a few days in the stock will straighten him out."

"Is it too late to take back the statement I made regarding your wisdom, your Majesty?"

"And what will become of these outsiders?" Another white clad rider broke away from the pack. "We cannot simply allow for these outsiders to--"

His eyes locked onto the Chosen.

With jaw swung loose. His eyes bulged. For a moment, the Great Seteth was lost for words.

View attachment 5462
"You!"
The third figure stepped forth.
View attachment 5465
"Well, would you look at that... the guys who got me killed have come to me again. To think I predicted this... and I am still somehow disappointing..."
***
Reunited with old friends... or are they old foes?
A lot has changed in the past 5 years...
Welcome to the 4th Month of the 5th Year of the Age of the Goddess.
Welcome to the Future, Dear Friends...
Welcome to...
View attachment 5466
THE GODDESS PART II
View attachment 5469
***
But that's a story for another time.
We have many more stories to tell.
What happened to Alexander Luthor?
What was the Infinity Tree?
Who was really responsible for Murder World?
So many stories and so little time... let me introduce you to another one...
Stop me if you've heard this one:

END OF PROLOGUE I

Alice gave Yuri a pointed look as she got grass and dirt out of her hair, scowling.

"You're never gonna let that go, are you?" She grumbled. She should make him help her cut her hair as payback.

Before commenting on that, her brow rose at the dude with the 70s cop mustache and the guy with the cowboy mustache. They couldn't catch a damn break, could they?

@Sark

This is the story of those who stood against the Goddess.

This is the story of those who sacrificed everything to slow her down.

This is the story of the Gods of War...

THE GODDESS PART II: EMERALD NOON
FATE OF THE OLD GODS: CHAOS WAR

EPISODE IV: GODS OF WAR

View attachment 5471
Rain came pounding down upon Atlantis. A bad omen, no doubt. The air was tense. The kind of 'tense' you could cut with a trident. Poseidon looked down upon his flooding paradise with a scowl. "Will they come, Ares?" He muttered to himself, refusing to pull his eyes away from his city.
"They will come." His nephew from another world replied. "I put out the world. They'll come." Poseidon laughed a little. Pulled his sash a little closer to his chest.

"Let us hope so. Who are the Gods supposed to pray to, Nephew?"

"What?"

"Who are we supposed to pray to?"

"Damned if I know," Ares muttered. He checked the magazine of pistol. It was just as full as it had been the last time he had checked it. "Am I supposed to say 'each other'? No. We pray to ourselves. We pray that we have is enough. That the kind of answer you're looking for?"

"No..." Poseidon breathed. "No, I don't think it was..."

"Shame." Ares cracked his neck. A moment later, he cracked open a beer. "That's a real shame."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"Hm?"

"Drinking, in a time like this? Is it wise?"

"I never claimed to be a wise man, 'Uncle'. You can spend your final days thinking. I'll spend mine doing what I do best. Getting pissed and starting wars." He tossed the empty can off of Poseidon's tower. "On the topic of which, look alive. They're coming."

"How do you know?"

"I'm the God of War. I know these sorta stuff. The Goddess' army will be here any second."

"Is it big?"

"About as big as they come. You heard about Persian Wars? The Battle of Thermopylae?"

"Yes... yes I have..."

"It's one of my finer works. Real good fight. We'll, I've got bad news, 'Uncle.'" Ares slapped his uncle between the shoulder blades. "We're the Spartans."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean we're the 300. The deck is stacked against us. We've got a lot riding on back-up comin'"

An emerald thunderbolt tore across the gray sky.

"And if it doesn't come?"

"Use your imagination!" Ares roared over the rushing wind. He approached the edge of the tower and jumped.

The sky turned to fire. Emerald fire.

Thousands of figures appeared behind the clouds, their arms swinging loosely. Their silhouettes flickered in with each flash of thunder.

Another thunderbolt burden across sky. A thousand more appeared. Then another thousand. And another another.

For a moment, event Ares found himself gasping. He replaced his gasp with a growl. He prowled the streets, a chain gun resting in his arms like a baby. The Emerald Empire would be breaking ground any minute.

Another crack of thunder. The forces of the Goddess were immeasurable now. Counting her troops became like the starts in the sky.

"Stay strong!" Ares called out into the streets. "Aim true. Tonight, we're all Gods of War. Tonight, we send this 'Goddess' and her ilk to Hades! He who falls first answers to me!!"

The Goddess emerged from the clouds, clad in an elegant toga and the helmet of some ancient Greek hero. She smiled down at her next conquest as if it were her next meal. She raised her hand. The moment it fell, her soldiers soared down towards the earth like bullets.

Ares punched the sky. His God Squad charged forth.

"Help is coming!" He hissed. "We'll hold the line until they arrive! We'll catch the Goddess in a vice grip and squeeze her until she squeals! FOR THE OLD GODS!"

The God of War cracked open another beer and opened fire.
View attachment 5474

"GIVE THEM HELL!"


The Goddess' forces descended upon Atlantis in such droves that they blocked out the Sun. The first thing the horde of emerald launched themselves upon were the city's skyscrapers. The towers closest to the heart of the city were already under the protection of several members of Ares' volunteer 'God Squad', but the tower in the lower city were falling like dominoes. Wounded civilians flocked to the streets only to fall before might of the Emerald Men. The evacuation was not yet complete.

Another tower had already started to crumble. If was not protected in time, its collapse would no doubt kill hundreds of mortals. In the distance, two of the Goddess generals marched, reveling in the chaos. At the far end of the city, the Goddess herself glowed.

Your goal is to repel the invading Empire and protect the heart of the city until help arrives.

How you go about achieving this goal is up to you.

@Takumi @Jeremi @Capri @Yun Lee @Minerva @Lucky @Crunch @Everyone​

277f6d97db2d197a21c962144101b5c9f83d4855.jpg


"..." Mila simply watched as two of her fellow gods made their decent among the Emerald army.

Her eyes landed on the Goddess and a frown found its way onto the Earth Mother's face. That Goddess had meddled in affairs she had no business in. She wanted to go to her herself, settle things. She wouldn't, however, because the people of Atlantis came first. They were under her protection, much like those of Zofia.

A dragon hordes after all, and Mila has grown attached quickly. Leaving the building, she fell.

And fell and fell and fell. Then, a green light so bright it was almost white enveloped her and she quickly grew in size before she hit the ground.

Whoosh!!

A dragon was in the woman's place, she had no fear of hitting a ground, with her wings outstretched as she flew low.

latest


It had been much too long since she could freely take this form! Or did she take this form recently? The multiverse was a wonderful thing, yes, but she felt as if a part of her was missing. What was it?

When she landed she stretched her wings to their full length and stared down the Emerald Men as they killed the injured while advancing. Growling softly in her throat, her head lifted to one building in particular.

She needed to get there, and she needed to help those inside. She moved as quickly as her body would let her.

"These lands shall be blessed by the Earth Mother Mila, these people shall be protected under my watch! You are not welcome here, trespassers." She snarled as she madey her way to the building. Front paws glowing, she cast a blessing that'd summoned vines to grow and try to stabilize the building from further damage.

Once satisfied, the glowing stopped, and any Emerald Men that tried to get in her way or get past her would be crushed under her clawed feet. She had her focus on those in the building, not those of the enemy currently.

She tried to see how many might still be inside through one of the windows, and brought her tail down to land in the street to block the way further into the heart of the city should any of the Emerald Empire make their way closer and try to bypass her.

"Atlantians. I am Mila, I will do what I can to keep you safe, but we must leave quickly." She cooed in an attempt to soothe any fear from those inside. She will protect them, for they did not need such hardships.

@Sark
 
Last edited:
He maniacally laughed as he unloaded upon the army below. The laugh was unnerving, too gleeful.

But a murderer’s gotta take pride in his work. It’s a shame he doesn’t have all of his abilities, and all of his toys at his disposal. He could simply make all of them turn on each other and murder each other.

That would be fun.

@Sark @EveryoneElse
HABIT's bullets shattered a fraction of the first legion of Emerald Men. In the wake of his soaring bullets fell thousands of sparkling jade shards. They struck the streets, shimmering like stars.

But a little shattering wouldn't slow down the Goddess' army. The shattered fragments began to roll across the surface of the flood-water. They pooled in half a dozen places. They began to swell and grow. From razor-like shards took the form of two large, lumbering figures. They were twice as tall and three times as broad as the Emerald Men HABIT had destroyed.

The Emerald Titans lumbered towards HABIT. Their tree-trunk arms were littered with spikes. They raised them above their heads and prepared to bludgeon the demon.

@Capri
As the Horde of the Goddess descended upon Atlantis one of their opponents let off a blinding light from up above.

"Gaze in awe, mortals! For Atlantiades the Goddess of Love has arrived!" For everyone laying their eyes on them, Atlantiades was the most beautiful being they had ever set their eyes on. Their beauty strong enough to sap the willpower from anyone who gazed upon them. But zealots only loved one thing, something they themselves could never reach or even gain any true affection from.

But even here on the battlefield love was the strongest of them all. Rage could be calmed, fear could be conquered. But love...love is implacable.

While Atlantiades hadn't been in the role of Goddess of Love for that long in their own universe they understood what needed to be done. Their combat skills were nothing to scoff at, Atlantiades knew that the poor souls' bellow would not survive long against their foes. So they flew down to street-level to see where they could help.

If someone decided to stand in their way then well...they'd know how foolish it was to try and stop Love's onslaught.
"Little Gods..." Iago muttered to himself as he waded through the rapidly flooding streets of Atlantis. Emerald lightning crackles across his fingers. It fizzed and popped as he stroked the surface of the water. "Still clinging to the old ways... Look around you!"
View attachment 5511
"Your age is at an end! The Goddess has come to burn you all away. Her powers have surpassed those of even the Dragon Gods themselves. Before her? I was nothing but a schemer... but look at me now, roach!"

A blazing, emerald Thoron blast ruptured forth from his fingertips. Even if Atlantiades was able to avoid the blast in time, the green beam was still powerful enough to level one of the marble towers that littered the streets behind them.

"I have become a King! A Saint! A God! So get on your knees, cur! Grovel, and perhaps I will allow you to live on as my footstool!"


@Jeremi
Alice gave Yuri a pointed look as she got grass and dirt out of her hair, scowling.

"You're never gonna let that go, are you?" She grumbled. She should make him help her cut her hair as payback.

Before commenting on that, her brow rose at the dude with the 70s cop mustache and the guy with the cowboy mustache. They couldn't catch a damn break, could they?

@Sark



277f6d97db2d197a21c962144101b5c9f83d4855.jpg


"..." Mila simply watched as two of her fellow gods made their decent among the Emerald army.

Her eyes landed on the Goddess and a frown found its way onto the Earth Mother's face. That Goddess had meddled in affairs she had no business in. She wanted to go to her herself, settle things. She wouldn't, however, because the people of Atlantis came first. They were under her protection, much like those of Zofia.

A dragon hordes after all, and Mila has grown attached quickly. Leaving the building, she fell.

And fell and fell and fell. Then, a green light so bright it was almost white enveloped her and she quickly grew in size before she hit the ground.

Whoosh!!

A dragon was in the woman's place, she had no fear of hitting a ground, with her wings outstretched as she flew low.

latest


It had been much too long since she could freely take this form! Or did she take this form recently? The multiverse was a wonderful thing, yes, but she felt as if a part of her was missing. What was it?

When she landed she stretched her wings to their full length and stared down the Emerald Men as they killed the injured while advancing. Growling softly in her throat, her head lifted to one building in particular.

She needed to get there, and she needed to help those inside. She moved as quickly as her body would let her.

"These lands shall be blessed by the Earth Mother Mila, these people shall be protected under my watch! You are not welcome here, trespassers." She snarled as she madey her way to the building. Front paws glowing, she cast a blessing that'd summoned vines to grow and try to stabilize the building from further damage.

Once satisfied, the glowing stopped, and any Emerald Men that tried to get in her way or get past her would be crushed under her clawed feet. She had her focus on those in the building, not those of the enemy currently.

She tried to see how many might still be inside through one of the windows, and brought her tail down to land in the street to block the way further into the heart of the city should any of the Emerald Empire make their way closer and try to bypass her.

"Atlantians. I am Mila, I will do what I can to keep you safe, but we must leave quickly." She cooed in an attempt to soothe any fear from those inside. She will protect them, for they did not need such hardships.

@Sark
After a moment of hesitation, the Atlantians slowly and sheepishly made their way out of their tower. They whispered prayers in Mila's honor as shuffled out onto the streets in droves.
A figure flickered into existence at the head of the crowd.
View attachment 5512
"Well done..." The figure muttered. "Getting them all in one place. Searching for them all one by one would have been exhausting."

With a wave of his hand, the crowd vanishing in a similar flicker to the one which had marked his arrival.

"Another pack of primitives saved... The things we have to do to secure victory. For shame. I never thought I'd have to get my hands this dirty..." The stranger wiped his hands upon his gi. "Still. It'll all be over soon. He will be here shortly. Keep the faith. Kindle the flame. Fight the Good Fight and He will come... ta ta..."

In a flash of pink, the Stranger vanished once again.

The Emerald Men continued to wreck havoc across the city. A small group of civilians were gathered behind a pale, green haired woman. She was doing what she could to usher them into a nearby ally whilst repelling her zealous foes with her pale sword. It looked like they were going to be overwhelmed at any second.

At the base of a distant tower, a legion of the Goddess' soldiers had began to pool. They appeared to be thinner than the rest of the emerald men. They were more savage to. They roared and hissed as they scrambled over each other to scale the tower. Through the skyscraper's windows, Mila could make out the silhouettes of group of survivors hiding on the top floor.

Whilst the city was engulfed in chaos, a group of Emerald Men were sprinted around Ares' defenses. An Imperial General was leading the stealth party as they charged from alley to alley. If they weren't stopped soon, they'd reach Poseidon's tower in a matter of minutes.

The God Squad's Sky-Team was also being pushed back. Their lines were on the verge of breaking. If the skies fell to the Empire, the city would fall in turn.

The God Squad was running out of options. Whichever party Mila chose to aid, it was likely one of more of the others would be over run.

She would have to choose the lesser of 4 evils.

@Takumi

(Undecided: @Lucky @Yun Lee @Minerva)​
 

HABIT's bullets shattered a fraction of the first legion of Emerald Men. In the wake of his soaring bullets fell thousands of sparkling jade shards. They struck the streets, shimmering like stars.

But a little shattering wouldn't slow down the Goddess' army. The shattered fragments began to roll across the surface of the flood-water. They pooled in half a dozen places. They began to swell and grow. From razor-like shards took the form of two large, lumbering figures. They were twice as tall and three times as broad as the Emerald Men HABIT had destroyed.

The Emerald Titans lumbered towards HABIT. Their tree-trunk arms were littered with spikes. They raised them above their heads and prepared to bludgeon the demon.

@Capri

"Little Gods..." Iago muttered to himself as he waded through the rapidly flooding streets of Atlantis. Emerald lightning crackles across his fingers. It fizzed and popped as he stroked the surface of the water. "Still clinging to the old ways... Look around you!"
View attachment 5511
"Your age is at an end! The Goddess has come to burn you all away. Her powers have surpassed those of even the Dragon Gods themselves. Before her? I was nothing but a schemer... but look at me now, roach!"

A blazing, emerald Thoron blast ruptured forth from his fingertips. Even if Atlantiades was able to avoid the blast in time, the green beam was still powerful enough to level one of the marble towers that littered the streets behind them.

"I have become a King! A Saint! A God! So get on your knees, cur! Grovel, and perhaps I will allow you to live on as my footstool!"

@Jeremi

After a moment of hesitation, the Atlantians slowly and sheepishly made their way out of their tower. They whispered prayers in Mila's honor as shuffled out onto the streets in droves.
A figure flickered into existence at the head of the crowd.
View attachment 5512
"Well done..." The figure muttered. "Getting them all in one place. Searching for them all one by one would have been exhausting."

With a wave of his hand, the crowd vanishing in a similar flicker to the one which had marked his arrival.

"Another pack of primitives saved... The things we have to do to secure victory. For shame. I never thought I'd have to get my hands this dirty..." The stranger wiped his hands upon his gi. "Still. It'll all be over soon. He will be here shortly. Keep the faith. Kindle the flame. Fight the Good Fight and He will come... ta ta..."

In a flash of pink, the Stranger vanished once again.

The Emerald Men continued to wreck havoc across the city. A small group of civilians were gathered behind a pale, green haired woman. She was doing what she could to usher them into a nearby ally whilst repelling her zealous foes with her pale sword. It looked like they were going to be overwhelmed at any second.

At the base of a distant tower, a legion of the Goddess' soldiers had began to pool. They appeared to be thinner than the rest of the emerald men. They were more savage to. They roared and hissed as they scrambled over each other to scale the tower. Through the skyscraper's windows, Mila could make out the silhouettes of group of survivors hiding on the top floor.

Whilst the city was engulfed in chaos, a group of Emerald Men were sprinted around Ares' defenses. An Imperial General was leading the stealth party as they charged from alley to alley. If they weren't stopped soon, they'd reach Poseidon's tower in a matter of minutes.

The God Squad's Sky-Team was also being pushed back. Their lines were on the verge of breaking. If the skies fell to the Empire, the city would fall in turn.

The God Squad was running out of options. Whichever party Mila chose to aid, it was likely one of more of the others would be over run.

She would have to choose the lesser of 4 evils.

@Takumi

(Undecided: @Lucky @Yun Lee @Minerva)​

An annoyed huff of steam came from her nose in response to the pink haired man as he helped evacuated the Atlantians.

Her attention quickly went to the rest of the battle. This wasn't good at all. What to do? She could only do so much...

Slamming her feet into the ground with an enraged roar, she attempt to have vines grow along the ground and ensnare the zealots attacking the green haired woman. She hoped that would be enough, for now, to slow their assault long enough for the woman in question to get citizens to safety or cut down her foes.

Those who thought they could use the alleys and shadows needed to be dealt with swiftly. She wanted to help them all, but their numbers were too thin. She didn't want to choose who lived and who would suffer. She wanted peace for humans. Angrily, she charged to those who threatened the Atlantians stuck in the skyscraper, her maw opening wide as she roared at them.

Vines grew quickly to try and grab onto the beasts and throw them away from the building, slamming them to the street below before attempting to pin them there.

"Turn your ugly heads to me, beasts! Lay a claw or finger on my children and I'll tear you in two!!" She shrieked, seeing red in her rage. Not being able to help them all hurt her heart and filled it heavy with grief, but if she could get enough of the people to safety, then maybe they could find someplace else to call home if they couldn't drive back the Goddess' forces. She wished reinforcements would arrive soon, else things would only look much grimmer from here on she assumed.

@Sark
 

HABIT's bullets shattered a fraction of the first legion of Emerald Men. In the wake of his soaring bullets fell thousands of sparkling jade shards. They struck the streets, shimmering like stars.

But a little shattering wouldn't slow down the Goddess' army. The shattered fragments began to roll across the surface of the flood-water. They pooled in half a dozen places. They began to swell and grow. From razor-like shards took the form of two large, lumbering figures. They were twice as tall and three times as broad as the Emerald Men HABIT had destroyed.

The Emerald Titans lumbered towards HABIT. Their tree-trunk arms were littered with spikes. They raised them above their heads and prepared to bludgeon the demon.

@Capri

"Little Gods..." Iago muttered to himself as he waded through the rapidly flooding streets of Atlantis. Emerald lightning crackles across his fingers. It fizzed and popped as he stroked the surface of the water. "Still clinging to the old ways... Look around you!"
View attachment 5511
"Your age is at an end! The Goddess has come to burn you all away. Her powers have surpassed those of even the Dragon Gods themselves. Before her? I was nothing but a schemer... but look at me now, roach!"

A blazing, emerald Thoron blast ruptured forth from his fingertips. Even if Atlantiades was able to avoid the blast in time, the green beam was still powerful enough to level one of the marble towers that littered the streets behind them.

"I have become a King! A Saint! A God! So get on your knees, cur! Grovel, and perhaps I will allow you to live on as my footstool!"

@Jeremi

After a moment of hesitation, the Atlantians slowly and sheepishly made their way out of their tower. They whispered prayers in Mila's honor as shuffled out onto the streets in droves.
A figure flickered into existence at the head of the crowd.
View attachment 5512
"Well done..." The figure muttered. "Getting them all in one place. Searching for them all one by one would have been exhausting."

With a wave of his hand, the crowd vanishing in a similar flicker to the one which had marked his arrival.

"Another pack of primitives saved... The things we have to do to secure victory. For shame. I never thought I'd have to get my hands this dirty..." The stranger wiped his hands upon his gi. "Still. It'll all be over soon. He will be here shortly. Keep the faith. Kindle the flame. Fight the Good Fight and He will come... ta ta..."

In a flash of pink, the Stranger vanished once again.

The Emerald Men continued to wreck havoc across the city. A small group of civilians were gathered behind a pale, green haired woman. She was doing what she could to usher them into a nearby ally whilst repelling her zealous foes with her pale sword. It looked like they were going to be overwhelmed at any second.

At the base of a distant tower, a legion of the Goddess' soldiers had began to pool. They appeared to be thinner than the rest of the emerald men. They were more savage to. They roared and hissed as they scrambled over each other to scale the tower. Through the skyscraper's windows, Mila could make out the silhouettes of group of survivors hiding on the top floor.

Whilst the city was engulfed in chaos, a group of Emerald Men were sprinted around Ares' defenses. An Imperial General was leading the stealth party as they charged from alley to alley. If they weren't stopped soon, they'd reach Poseidon's tower in a matter of minutes.

The God Squad's Sky-Team was also being pushed back. Their lines were on the verge of breaking. If the skies fell to the Empire, the city would fall in turn.

The God Squad was running out of options. Whichever party Mila chose to aid, it was likely one of more of the others would be over run.

She would have to choose the lesser of 4 evils.

@Takumi

(Undecided: @Lucky @Yun Lee @Minerva)​

Atlantiades barrel rolled out of the way of the incoming blast. They looked back at the destruction it caused before landing hard to the ground cracking it as they did.

Buq6ITH.png


"Brave words from mortal scraping power from your Goddess like a baby begging for a bottle." Atlantiades dusted themselves off and glared at Iago. "Your 'Goddess' has no love for you. You're but a tool, a dull blade that thinks itself to be a weapon forged by Hephestus." They started walking menacingly towards him.

IXKaaxJ.png


"We shall see how well you mend when I break you in half."

@Sark
 
"We shall see how well you mend when I break you in half."

@Sark
Iago shuffled back on the spot, his spineless instincts taking over for a moment or two.
"There was a time when I feared stubborn moths like you!" The Mage hissed. "But those days are gone! They're dead! The Goddess killed that side of me!"
For the first time in his life, Iago planted his feet in the dirt. He stood his ground and removed a tome from his cloak. He flicked it open with a grin and read out a secret incantation. Emerald Lightning began to crackle across his skin.
With a thunder clap, the electricity arched out from his person. It crackled across the surface of the water and took human form. Soon, the electrical copies of Iago were indistinguishable from the man himself.
View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520
"Through the Goddess, I am reborn! I have found a new life in her love. I have found dozens of new lives, in fact!"

The Iag-clones began to weave between one and other. It was impossible to tell which Iago was the real deal.

"Why fight her, God of Love?! You'd be amazed by the things she is capable of..."

Slowly, the wall of Iagos began to approach Atlantiades.

@Jeremi
An annoyed huff of steam came from her nose in response to the pink haired man as he helped evacuated the Atlantians.

Her attention quickly went to the rest of the battle. This wasn't good at all. What to do? She could only do so much...

Slamming her feet into the ground with an enraged roar, she attempt to have vines grow along the ground and ensnare the zealots attacking the green haired woman. She hoped that would be enough, for now, to slow their assault long enough for the woman in question to get citizens to safety or cut down her foes.
With the advancing Emerald Men ensnared, the Green Haired woman made short work of her foes. She great sword extended to an alarming length. She swung it over her head like a whip and crushed the trapped Goddessians beneath the weight of its blade.
View attachment 5521
"A fitting fate..." She hissed, retracting her blade's extended shaft. She raised the blade before her face and prepared for the next wave of Emerald Men. Mila's assistance bought the civilians enough time to reach the ally, but, before they knew it, another legion of the Goddess' children were closing in. With a rebel yell, Seiros leaped back into the fray. The Atlantians were safe- for now- but the Archbishop's fate seemed sealed. Unless she received aid soon, even she couldn't hold off the horde of Emerald Men.
Those who thought they could use the alleys and shadows needed to be dealt with swiftly. She wanted to help them all, but their numbers were too thin. She didn't want to choose who lived and who would suffer. She wanted peace for humans. Angrily, she charged to those who threatened the Atlantians stuck in the skyscraper, her maw opening wide as she roared at them.

Vines grew quickly to try and grab onto the beasts and throw them away from the building, slamming them to the street below before attempting to pin them there.

"Turn your ugly heads to me, beasts! Lay a claw or finger on my children and I'll tear you in two!!" She shrieked, seeing red in her rage. Not being able to help them all hurt her heart and filled it heavy with grief, but if she could get enough of the people to safety, then maybe they could find someplace else to call home if they couldn't drive back the Goddess' forces. She wished reinforcements would arrive soon, else things would only look much grimmer from here on she assumed.

@Sark
Mila's vines mad short work of the primal creatures at the base of the skyscraper. But the creatures did not heed her warnings. They lacked the minds required to process her words. A second wave of Emerald Savages closed in on Mila's right flank. A third wave attacked her left. A fourth rushed her tail. Before she knew it, hundreds of finger-claws were cutting into Mila's scales as the the Savages climbed her hide.

[Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada]

Ares unleashed a stream of bullets from his rail gun to shatter the advancing troops. The bullet cartridges that leaped from his weapon began to drift down street/stream.

"Have at ye, demons!" Ares roared. "Have at ye!"

[Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada]

With every crack of thunder, the Savage Horde grew larger. With every savage that fell, Ares' ammunition stockpile grew smaller. The Sky Team tried to break the wall of Savages with a few energy blasts, but they couldn't help for long. They had their own problems to deal with. One of the Goddess' generals was commanding a fleet of winged Emerald Men against the Gods of the Skies overhead. In a matter of minutes, the God Squad had been stretched thin.

An explosion echoed from behind the Old Gods' defenses. Smoke began to rise from the foot of Poseidon's tower. The infiltration team had already reached their chosen target.

"Bastards!" Ares grunted. "They seek to overwhelm us with numbers alone! They act as if they are fighting a mortal army! Nay! They are battling Gods tonight! Just a little longer, Brothers! Help is coming!"

@Takumi
(Undecided: @Lucky @Yun Lee @Minerva)​
 

Iago shuffled back on the spot, his spineless instincts taking over for a moment or two.
"There was a time when I feared stubborn moths like you!" The Mage hissed. "But those days are gone! They're dead! The Goddess killed that side of me!"
For the first time in his life, Iago planted his feet in the dirt. He stood his ground and removed a tome from his cloak. He flicked it open with a grin and read out a secret incantation. Emerald Lightning began to crackle across his skin.
With a thunder clap, the electricity arched out from his person. It crackled across the surface of the water and took human form. Soon, the electrical copies of Iago were indistinguishable from the man himself.
View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520
"Through the Goddess, I am reborn! I have found a new life in her love. I have found dozens of new lives, in fact!"

The Iag-clones began to weave between one and other. It was impossible to tell which Iago was the real deal.

"Why fight her, God of Love?! You'd be amazed by the things she is capable of..."

Slowly, the wall of Iagos began to approach Atlantiades.

@Jeremi

With the advancing Emerald Men ensnared, the Green Haired woman made short work of her foes. She great sword extended to an alarming length. She swung it over her head like a whip and crushed the trapped Goddessians beneath the weight of its blade.
View attachment 5521
"A fitting fate..." She hissed, retracting her blade's extended shaft. She raised the blade before her face and prepared for the next wave of Emerald Men. Mila's assistance bought the civilians enough time to reach the ally, but, before they knew it, another legion of the Goddess' children were closing in. With a rebel yell, Seiros leaped back into the fray. The Atlantians were safe- for now- but the Archbishop's fate seemed sealed. Unless she received aid soon, even she couldn't hold off the horde of Emerald Men.

Mila's vines mad short work of the primal creatures at the base of the skyscraper. But the creatures did not heed her warnings. They lacked the minds required to process her words. A second wave of Emerald Savages closed in on Mila's right flank. A third wave attacked her left. A fourth rushed her tail. Before she knew it, hundreds of finger-claws were cutting into Mila's scales as the the Savages climbed her hide.

[Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada]

Ares unleashed a stream of bullets from his rail gun to shatter the advancing troops. The bullet cartridges that leaped from his weapon began to drift down street/stream.

"Have at ye, demons!" Ares roared. "Have at ye!"

[Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada]

With every crack of thunder, the Savage Horde grew larger. With every savage that fell, Ares' ammunition stockpile grew smaller. The Sky Team tried to break the wall of Savages with a few energy blasts, but they couldn't help for long. They had their own problems to deal with. One of the Goddess' generals was commanding a fleet of winged Emerald Men against the Gods of the Skies overhead. In a matter of minutes, the God Squad had been stretched thin.

An explosion echoed from behind the Old Gods' defenses. Smoke began to rise from the foot of Poseidon's tower. The infiltration team had already reached their chosen target.

"Bastards!" Ares grunted. "They seek to overwhelm us with numbers alone! They act as if they are fighting a mortal army! Nay! They are battling Gods tonight! Just a little longer, Brothers! Help is coming!"

@Takumi
(Undecided: @Lucky @Yun Lee @Minerva)​

If Iago thought Atlantiades was impressed he was sorely mistaken.

7Rw9vu5.png


"Is that all? A man thinking to face a god with borrowed power?" They yawned, this poor mortal's posturing was outright sad. "I'm sure your Goddess has protected you from my...powers of persuasion but," They handed out a hand towards him. "I don't follow your Goddess, Iago," Atlantiades said his name with authority. "Because she's just another God, disillusioned enough to think that she is the only one who matters. Instead, you should follow me, so I can show you the sights and pleasures that you couldn't even dream of."

4QHSMSy.png


"You know that to be true, don't you? Yet somehow the Goddess has you in her thrall? A being whose true name you don't even care to utter? I'll let you moan my name to the high heavens for as long as you like...or when I grow bored of you. You will know when that day comes, unlike your current master."

@Sark
 

Iago shuffled back on the spot, his spineless instincts taking over for a moment or two.
"There was a time when I feared stubborn moths like you!" The Mage hissed. "But those days are gone! They're dead! The Goddess killed that side of me!"
For the first time in his life, Iago planted his feet in the dirt. He stood his ground and removed a tome from his cloak. He flicked it open with a grin and read out a secret incantation. Emerald Lightning began to crackle across his skin.
With a thunder clap, the electricity arched out from his person. It crackled across the surface of the water and took human form. Soon, the electrical copies of Iago were indistinguishable from the man himself.
View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520View attachment 5520
"Through the Goddess, I am reborn! I have found a new life in her love. I have found dozens of new lives, in fact!"

The Iag-clones began to weave between one and other. It was impossible to tell which Iago was the real deal.

"Why fight her, God of Love?! You'd be amazed by the things she is capable of..."

Slowly, the wall of Iagos began to approach Atlantiades.

@Jeremi

With the advancing Emerald Men ensnared, the Green Haired woman made short work of her foes. She great sword extended to an alarming length. She swung it over her head like a whip and crushed the trapped Goddessians beneath the weight of its blade.
View attachment 5521
"A fitting fate..." She hissed, retracting her blade's extended shaft. She raised the blade before her face and prepared for the next wave of Emerald Men. Mila's assistance bought the civilians enough time to reach the ally, but, before they knew it, another legion of the Goddess' children were closing in. With a rebel yell, Seiros leaped back into the fray. The Atlantians were safe- for now- but the Archbishop's fate seemed sealed. Unless she received aid soon, even she couldn't hold off the horde of Emerald Men.

Mila's vines mad short work of the primal creatures at the base of the skyscraper. But the creatures did not heed her warnings. They lacked the minds required to process her words. A second wave of Emerald Savages closed in on Mila's right flank. A third wave attacked her left. A fourth rushed her tail. Before she knew it, hundreds of finger-claws were cutting into Mila's scales as the the Savages climbed her hide.

[Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada]

Ares unleashed a stream of bullets from his rail gun to shatter the advancing troops. The bullet cartridges that leaped from his weapon began to drift down street/stream.

"Have at ye, demons!" Ares roared. "Have at ye!"

[Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada][Bada]

With every crack of thunder, the Savage Horde grew larger. With every savage that fell, Ares' ammunition stockpile grew smaller. The Sky Team tried to break the wall of Savages with a few energy blasts, but they couldn't help for long. They had their own problems to deal with. One of the Goddess' generals was commanding a fleet of winged Emerald Men against the Gods of the Skies overhead. In a matter of minutes, the God Squad had been stretched thin.

An explosion echoed from behind the Old Gods' defenses. Smoke began to rise from the foot of Poseidon's tower. The infiltration team had already reached their chosen target.

"Bastards!" Ares grunted. "They seek to overwhelm us with numbers alone! They act as if they are fighting a mortal army! Nay! They are battling Gods tonight! Just a little longer, Brothers! Help is coming!"

@Takumi
(Undecided: @Lucky @Yun Lee @Minerva)​

"Nothing more than mindless beasts for me to devour then? Very well then, fodder!" She snarled, whipping her head to the side to try and tear her teeth into the beasts she could reach and tear them away from her hide. Those she couldn't reach on her left and the rest she couldn't reach on her right would hopefully be snared up in the vines she'd have grow before they'd tear the beasts apart. From there she'd lift her tail and slam it into the ground in an attempt to crush the ones she couldn't see at the moment.

If successful, she'd try to crush the ones in her mouth with the power of her jaws, not at all bothered by a few misplaced scales here and there, they'd grow back eventually. She needed to give those inside a chance to get to safety.


Smoke came from her mose in frustration. Using numbers against them, huh? Rearing back she slammed her paws into the ground, her entire body glowing a soft green as a roar escaped her. Vines grew throughout the streets to try and slow many of the advancing Emerald Army down, to strangle and suffocate them, or tear them limb from limb in an attempt to relieve her allies and the citizens still trying to get to safety. She didn't know how long it'd hold, but hope it'd hold just long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

If successful, she'd turn her attention to the windows of the tower she spotted those Atlantians.

"Children of Atlantis, I am Mila, if there are any more of you, gather together if you can. Stick together, I'm doing all I can to help keep you safe." She cooed, despite how tired she'd become, she couldn't let it show however, for the citizens' sake.

@Sark
 
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If Iago thought Atlantiades was impressed he was sorely mistaken.

"Is that all? A man thinking to face a god with borrowed power?" They yawned, this poor mortal's posturing was outright sad. "I'm sure your Goddess has protected you from my...powers of persuasion but," They handed out a hand towards him. "I don't follow your Goddess, Iago," Atlantiades said his name with authority. "Because she's just another God, disillusioned enough to think that she is the only one who matters. Instead, you should follow me, so I can show you the sights and pleasures that you couldn't even dream of."

"You know that to be true, don't you? Yet somehow the Goddess has you in her thrall? A being whose true name you don't even care to utter? I'll let you moan my name to the high heavens for as long as you like...or when I grow bored of you. You will know when that day comes, unlike your current master."
"I won't fall for your tricks, wench." Iago hissed, his eyes thin and serpentine. "I won't betray the Goddess! Her name doesn't just carry power. Her name is power incarnate!"
The Iagos stretched out their hands and cackled.

"An'Lu'Munus"

The towers that pierced the skies beside Atlantiades can crashing down. Veins of emerald thunders flickered across their concrete facades. The two skyscrapers came crashing down upon Atlantiades.

"Perhaps you're right. Perhaps the Goddess has loves none of us. Perhaps none of us can fill the void the first saints left behind. Still. My role suits me well enough. I have power. Pride. Flocks of Followers. What more could a mortal man need? What could you offer me that the Goddess has not already provided me with? What could you give the man who has everything?"

"Nothing more than mindless beasts for me to devour then? Very well then, fodder!" She snarled, whipping her head to the side to try and tear her teeth into the beasts she could reach and tear them away from her hide. Those she couldn't reach on her left and the rest she couldn't reach on her right would hopefully be snared up in the vines she'd have grow before they'd tear the beasts apart. From there she'd lift her tail and slam it into the ground in an attempt to crush the ones she couldn't see at the moment.

If successful, she'd try to crush the ones in her mouth with the power of her jaws, not at all bothered by a few misplaced scales here and there, they'd grow back eventually. She needed to give those inside a chance to get to safety.


Smoke came from her mose in frustration. Using numbers against them, huh? Rearing back she slammed her paws into the ground, her entire body glowing a soft green as a roar escaped her. Vines grew throughout the streets to try and slow many of the advancing Emerald Army down, to strangle and suffocate them, or tear them limb from limb in an attempt to relieve her allies and the citizens still trying to get to safety. She didn't know how long it'd hold, but hope it'd hold just long enough for reinforcements to arrive.

If successful, she'd turn her attention to the windows of the tower she spotted those Atlantians.

"Children of Atlantis, I am Mila, if there are any more of you, gather together if you can. Stick together, I'm doing all I can to help keep you safe." She cooed, despite how tired she'd become, she couldn't let it show however, for the citizens' sake.

@Sark
Mila's vines disrupted the advancing wall of Savages for a moment or two. But as quickly as that sweet moment had arrived, it started to fade away. The Savages were crawling over each other to scale her vines in time. Others were shattering themselves and tossing their limbs her roadblocks. The creatures were single-minded. They didn't care how many autonomous pieces they had to smash themselves into so long as they achieved their goal. The vines would slow them down, but they wouldn't hold them forever. Even as the civilians flocked out into the streets, they had nowhere to go. The Pink Hair man from before was nowhere to be seen.

A purple ball of light came tumbling down from the heavens. It struck the ground like a comet. An earth shaking crack shattered all the glass nearest Atlantian skyscrapers.

"Brother Toppo!" Ares bellowed as he forced his way through the horde. He rushed to his allies side, parting the smoke that clung to Toppo with the back of his hand.
"Too many of them..." The Old Man wheezed. "Too many... the air team..."
View attachment 5522
"So many Gods have fallen..."
"And more will continue to die!" Ares bared his teeth. The time Mila had brought them wouldn't last much longer. "Gods and Mortals alike will fall before the Goddess. If we can't killer her now, it's over, Toppo. The Destroyer I knew wouldn't take it on his back. So get your ass up and get back in those skies!"
With a cough and a groan, the Pride Warrior rolled over onto his chest and slowly pushed himself up to his feet.
He turned to Ares with tired eyes.
"Help isn't coming, is it?"
Ares didn't reply.
"We're the only ones left, aren't we? Us in Atlantis... we're the last?"
"Would know that have made you fight harder, Soldier?" Ares grunted. "Whether it's your first stand or your last, you're fighting for survival out there. Your orders are the same. Keep those skies clear for as long as you can. Take as many of the Emerald Bastards out with you."
"Got any cards left, God of War?"
"I told you to get back in those skies, God of Destruction. So get back in those skies!"

Toppo turned his back on Ares. A purple aura surged forth from his flesh. With a roar, he leaped back into the storm above. Flashes of indigo mixed in with the flashes of emerald.

Ares wiped the rain from his eyes. Yes, it was just the rain.

He tossed his rail gun aside and let it splash down in the waves. It was spent, anyway. He pulled an SMG from his belt and clicked off the safety.

"If you have an ace up your sleeve, Dragon, play is..." Ares grunted. "It's now or never!"

With a crack, the Emerald Savages broke through the wall of vines. Ares opened fire.

@Takumi
(@Yun Lee @Lucky @Crunch )​
 

"I won't fall for your tricks, wench." Iago hissed, his eyes thin and serpentine. "I won't betray the Goddess! Her name doesn't just carry power. Her name is power incarnate!"
The Iagos stretched out their hands and cackled.

"An'Lu'Munus"

The towers that pierced the skies beside Atlantiades can crashing down. Veins of emerald thunders flickered across their concrete facades. The two skyscrapers came crashing down upon Atlantiades.

"Perhaps you're right. Perhaps the Goddess has loves none of us. Perhaps none of us can fill the void the first saints left behind. Still. My role suits me well enough. I have power. Pride. Flocks of Followers. What more could a mortal man need? What could you offer me that the Goddess has not already provided me with? What could you give the man who has everything?"


Mila's vines disrupted the advancing wall of Savages for a moment or two. But as quickly as that sweet moment had arrived, it started to fade away. The Savages were crawling over each other to scale her vines in time. Others were shattering themselves and tossing their limbs her roadblocks. The creatures were single-minded. They didn't care how many autonomous pieces they had to smash themselves into so long as they achieved their goal. The vines would slow them down, but they wouldn't hold them forever. Even as the civilians flocked out into the streets, they had nowhere to go. The Pink Hair man from before was nowhere to be seen.

A purple ball of light came tumbling down from the heavens. It struck the ground like a comet. An earth shaking crack shattered all the glass nearest Atlantian skyscrapers.

"Brother Toppo!" Ares bellowed as he forced his way through the horde. He rushed to his allies side, parting the smoke that clung to Toppo with the back of his hand.
"Too many of them..." The Old Man wheezed. "Too many... the air team..."
View attachment 5522
"So many Gods have fallen..."
"And more will continue to die!" Ares bared his teeth. The time Mila had brought them wouldn't last much longer. "Gods and Mortals alike will fall before the Goddess. If we can't killer her now, it's over, Toppo. The Destroyer I knew wouldn't take it on his back. So get your ass up and get back in those skies!"
With a cough and a groan, the Pride Warrior rolled over onto his chest and slowly pushed himself up to his feet.
He turned to Ares with tired eyes.
"Help isn't coming, is it?"
Ares didn't reply.
"We're the only ones left, aren't we? Us in Atlantis... we're the last?"
"Would know that have made you fight harder, Soldier?" Ares grunted. "Whether it's your first stand or your last, you're fighting for survival out there. Your orders are the same. Keep those skies clear for as long as you can. Take as many of the Emerald Bastards out with you."
"Got any cards left, God of War?"
"I told you to get back in those skies, God of Destruction. So get back in those skies!"

Toppo turned his back on Ares. A purple aura surged forth from his flesh. With a roar, he leaped back into the storm above. Flashes of indigo mixed in with the flashes of emerald.

Ares wiped the rain from his eyes. Yes, it was just the rain.

He tossed his rail gun aside and let it splash down in the waves. It was spent, anyway. He pulled an SMG from his belt and clicked off the safety.

"If you have an ace up your sleeve, Dragon, play is..." Ares grunted. "It's now or never!"

With a crack, the Emerald Savages broke through the wall of vines. Ares opened fire.

@Takumi
(@Yun Lee @Lucky @Crunch )​

Ah, just as she suspected, her makeshift barricade didn't last long. What a shame.

"My name is Mila. Remember it well, Ares was it? Yes, it'll do us all well to remember the names of our allies." She snarled with a mouth full of glistening teeth, before opening her maw wide and with a guttural roar, she sent scorching hot flames at the Emerald Savages just as they broke through her vines.

"Burn savages. Burn to ash and embers! Die die die!! " She hissed, eyes wide and almost feral. She would push through her fatigue until the Emerald Empire fell and the Goddess learned her lesson.

@Sark @Others
 

"I won't fall for your tricks, wench." Iago hissed, his eyes thin and serpentine. "I won't betray the Goddess! Her name doesn't just carry power. Her name is power incarnate!"
The Iagos stretched out their hands and cackled.

"An'Lu'Munus"

The towers that pierced the skies beside Atlantiades can crashing down. Veins of emerald thunders flickered across their concrete facades. The two skyscrapers came crashing down upon Atlantiades.

"Perhaps you're right. Perhaps the Goddess has loves none of us. Perhaps none of us can fill the void the first saints left behind. Still. My role suits me well enough. I have power. Pride. Flocks of Followers. What more could a mortal man need? What could you offer me that the Goddess has not already provided me with? What could you give the man who has everything?"


Mila's vines disrupted the advancing wall of Savages for a moment or two. But as quickly as that sweet moment had arrived, it started to fade away. The Savages were crawling over each other to scale her vines in time. Others were shattering themselves and tossing their limbs her roadblocks. The creatures were single-minded. They didn't care how many autonomous pieces they had to smash themselves into so long as they achieved their goal. The vines would slow them down, but they wouldn't hold them forever. Even as the civilians flocked out into the streets, they had nowhere to go. The Pink Hair man from before was nowhere to be seen.

A purple ball of light came tumbling down from the heavens. It struck the ground like a comet. An earth shaking crack shattered all the glass nearest Atlantian skyscrapers.

"Brother Toppo!" Ares bellowed as he forced his way through the horde. He rushed to his allies side, parting the smoke that clung to Toppo with the back of his hand.
"Too many of them..." The Old Man wheezed. "Too many... the air team..."
View attachment 5522
"So many Gods have fallen..."
"And more will continue to die!" Ares bared his teeth. The time Mila had brought them wouldn't last much longer. "Gods and Mortals alike will fall before the Goddess. If we can't killer her now, it's over, Toppo. The Destroyer I knew wouldn't take it on his back. So get your ass up and get back in those skies!"
With a cough and a groan, the Pride Warrior rolled over onto his chest and slowly pushed himself up to his feet.
He turned to Ares with tired eyes.
"Help isn't coming, is it?"
Ares didn't reply.
"We're the only ones left, aren't we? Us in Atlantis... we're the last?"
"Would know that have made you fight harder, Soldier?" Ares grunted. "Whether it's your first stand or your last, you're fighting for survival out there. Your orders are the same. Keep those skies clear for as long as you can. Take as many of the Emerald Bastards out with you."
"Got any cards left, God of War?"
"I told you to get back in those skies, God of Destruction. So get back in those skies!"

Toppo turned his back on Ares. A purple aura surged forth from his flesh. With a roar, he leaped back into the storm above. Flashes of indigo mixed in with the flashes of emerald.

Ares wiped the rain from his eyes. Yes, it was just the rain.

He tossed his rail gun aside and let it splash down in the waves. It was spent, anyway. He pulled an SMG from his belt and clicked off the safety.

"If you have an ace up your sleeve, Dragon, play is..." Ares grunted. "It's now or never!"

With a crack, the Emerald Savages broke through the wall of vines. Ares opened fire.

@Takumi
(@Yun Lee @Lucky @Crunch )​

The streets became eerily quiet as the two towers fell down on Atlantiades causing debris and smoke to erupt into the air. Suddenly the area started to shake before Atlantiades burst through the debris holding two massive chunks of the fallen towers in their hands. "What can I give you, mortal? I was offering you bliss that you could have imagined. Now the only thing you deserve..."

FfR7AIz.png


"Is a quick death." They'd effortlessly flung the two pieces of the towers at Iago and his duplicates.​

@Sark
 
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