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Post by Rin Tohsaka on Apr 24, 2016 1:23:39 GMT
The cold and barren wastelands of Russia were howling with wind as Rin and her party arrived at the icy peak. Though the servants might think differently due to their inability to perceive hot and cold as a human might, Rin herself had to prepare for the cold mission that awaited the team. This time she would don an attire rather similar to the smaller Einzbern, her normal red jacket was now lined with black fur along the zipper line and she also donned a black Ushanka to protect her head from the near unbearable cold she was sure to endure while there. Along with her black leather gloves and signature orange neck-scarf, she felt warmed up and ready to embark on her first mission for CHALDEA.
While she was of course excited for the mission that awaited her, and eager to once again put her prowess as a master to the test, she couldn’t help but let her high-maintenance style of life get to her once again and began to also pack several changes of quite fashionable clothing, couldn’t go out to any part of Russia look like a drab after all! Of course she would let Atlas and Emiya carry all the basic provisions for her, that’s what servants were for after all?
Though she should’ve been taking the potential threat of Koshei the deathless appearing more seriously, right now she was treating the whole affair as a rather frigid camping trip! One might even wonder if this was truly the woman who had managed to survive the Fifth Grail War almost ten years ago, with how light headed she was currently acting it didn’t seem like it! As she got the last of her things together, she headed off to the exit where her first mission awaited her.
Having somewhat underestimated the harsh weather found in the Northern Country, Rin had found herself almost immediately caught up in a snowstorm a few miles out from the abandoned fortress. If CHALDEAS’ suspicions were correct, they would indeed find some source of magical energy within the ruins. The prospect of magical advancement alone had left the Tohsaka with eager anticipation, let alone the prospect she could finally show the organization what she was really worth. She had heard of the magical capabilities of Ciel and was slightly angered at how she had “cheated” her way into becoming a better mage. This was her chance to truly show who the better master was! Childish? Maybe, but it wasn’t about to stop her from attempting to prove who was better!
Rin’s thoughts were diverted from this silly pursuit however when the cold of the snowstorm had hit her party hard, her boots were submerged entirely into the thick blanket of snow as she was forced to trudge through the waving depths of the mountainside. The white sheet of falling snow wasn’t making this any easier as her vision remain obscured a thick sheet of white, even reinforcing her eyes did very little to help her out here.
“Ahh, why does the weather never have to agree with m-meee?!” And then Rin found herself falling face first onto the thick blanket, held down by the weight of her luggage and sinking through the snow. However, her screams were still rather audible albeit muffled.
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Post by King Atlas on Apr 24, 2016 1:38:54 GMT
 Atlas was in his armor, Poseidon was in his hand. That meant that he was planning on action. This was it then. They had been sent to raid a mansion for powerful artifacts and to make contact with what, if anything, still lived there. The idea of an immortal was a bit far fetched but considering that a former immortal had joined their own ranks not too long ago, that and Merlin, it wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility. "The supposed mansion of Koschei the Deathless, contemporary of Baba Yaga and the original concept of the Lich as it is known in modern times." Yep, Atlas was actually on the ball. He'd made sure to read the dossier and then follow up on the dossier by researching this Koschei. He was proud of himself. Still, maybe it was for the best. When you tell people you do shit because you have nothing to do, then when you do have something to do, it's time to put up or shut up. Thus was Atlas's strategy. He was going to take command and take over this whole operation and be awesome about it. Rin would have to eat so much crow. Noticing Rin buried in the snow, he ran two of his fingers down her back and across. A simple charm that'd keep her warm and regulate her body temperature, before pulling her up and brushing her off, wiping his hand to get rid of the wet snow that'd gotten stuck to her. "Careful, Tohsaka." He gently chided. She'd need to keep herself warm. She could actually freeze and die. Taking out a thermost he'd prepared, he pulled out a smaller thermost, nudging Poseidon in his arm, and pouring the concoction before handing it over. "Hot chocolate, dark creme d'Cacao, creme d'Menthe, mixed with peppermint schnapps and chocolate shavings. One of my own brews. I call it a Peppermint Patty."Still, there was the issue how how they were going to do this. "This is going to require subterfuge, don't rush in." He remarked, before turning to EMIYA. "Counter Guardian, when we arrive, scan the windows for any sign of activity. If there's something in there and we haven't been detected yet, we don't want to be seen." They had to be extra careful. This was for all intents and purposes, an atelier. "First off, there's recon. Iscariot, you're it. I'll open a small hole in the field for you to squeeze through. Go in, graph us a map, and come back. If you can disable the traps, do so. If not, put any you find on the map. Don't touch anything." He shrugged, crossing his arms, gently cradling Poseidon. "While Iscariot's in there, we'll formulate a battle plan if, in the event it really is Koschei, we can act." He remarked, before continuing. "Here's what I know. Koschei is effectively a Lich. He cannot be killed unless his phylactery is destroyed, and that's for all intents and purposes in the Far Side. However, he needs water to regain his full strength."
tags: Rin Tohsaka , emiya , Judas notes: told you he wasn't as bad on the job |
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Post by emiya on Apr 24, 2016 21:12:22 GMT
I wasn't used to cold-weather operations. The closest I had was a short stint in Tibet, then the closest I got to snow was the mountains of Afghanistan. Nothing that came close to the harshness of a deep Siberian winter, where snow, wind, and cold was omnipresent. However, it wasn't anything anything that could stop me. I had a mission to do, after all. I take my usual position, a good distance from the rest of the group, able to monitor events and provide support, while being able to scout ahead before problems arose.
I'm gratified that Atlas seems to take care of the needs of Rin...of the Master assigned to the mission. While it was likely unavoidable allowing myself to get attached, I couldn't, and wouldn't, let it get in the way of the mission. That was paramount. I had made that mistake before. Still, seeing Rin visibly bolstered is something that is a relief that I have to convince myself is because of the increased chance of mission success rather than concern over an old friend.
I hear Atlas' plan and have no problems with it, I'm already scanning around what I can see...but that is limited. "No problems I can report. I'll keep a a lookout for Iscariot. Rin, please make sure to relay my information to them, especially when Iscariot is inside the building." Hearing Atlas' summation of the situation that they may face if things come to pass as expected, I don't react beyond affirmation. I didn't have direct experience fighting liches, so I would let him take the lead on that.
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Post by Judas on Apr 25, 2016 6:58:34 GMT
It had been a few days since he bathed his body of the icy snow outside the Chaldea Headquarters. Compared to there, however, this place was far far harsher. A surging blizzard wind blasted itself onto the company whom he was assigned with. According to the mission report, an experienced magus with the Holy Grail War, an Archer with an attitude and a short-tempered fish king will be with him. Not that he cared about there backgrounds that he took it upon himself to know each of them. Still, the former was the most interesting out of the bunch....apart from the fish guy. A magus that survived a Holy Grail War. It was also said she was a member of that magi clan that started all of this. Then, does the answer he's seeking found in her? Maybe. But for now, he'll observe her.
A few minutes after arriving, the magus seemed to have started complaining about the weather. Since Servants are spiritual beings given form, they are not that sensitive when it comes to the cold climate although for Judas this was quite the experience. Living in a rather hot to warm climate, this chilly environment was not something he was adept at. As he is right here now though, might as well get used to it. After all, it seemed he was assigned to do some reconnaissance. Without letting a word of agreement or complain, Judas received that order and without anyone noticing, disappeared in the snowy wasteland and into the abandoned fortress. Apparently, he didn't listen to Atlas' suggestion about opening a hole or something.
For an Assassin, this was the most probable occupation though Archers are also suitable. Judas also would like this job. After all, he was really not good with crowds or people even when he was a member of the Apostles. Sticking with the team will only lead to unfortunate scenarios such as them suddenly scorning him for being Judas Iscariot.
Arriving at the designated location, he silently entered the abandoned fortress through a broken window of sort. With his presence concealment, there ought to be no reason to be caught. Unfortunately, it seemed his E rank luck was quite fortunate. Just after one step inside----- |
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Post by Ivan "Koschei" Grobovshchikov on Apr 26, 2016 15:40:16 GMT
Well, thinks a mind that has no will, a mind of machinations and cold calculations, a mind crafted to watch over the fortress of its master while its master was busy doing literally anything else, it's not really because of your E Luck, buddy. Who enters a magus' atelier, one specifically stated to be fortified beyond reason, through the damned window?
The actual outside of the fortress was a rock wall built into the natural formation, the stone bricks having far outlived any of the heroes present - at least lifetime wise - as they constituted a small open rectangle that made up an entrance and two smaller rectangles that could be called windows - one of them the aforementioned 'broken window' Judas had just jumped through. Never meant to receive visitors, however, it had never been covered with glass, so one couldn't really qualify it as broken.
This place had, after all, none of the features of a home. It's dark, cold and damp, the far-away trickle of waterdrops indicating some sort of water or fluid supply far within its depths - the mysteries of which, unfathomable as they were, were merely teased by the long straight staircase down, like the maw of the abyss had been opened agape in the middle of the room - a palace of stone, quiet and alone.
Judas Iscariot activates aproximattely seventeen sensors when he enters - one of them is a light sizzling sound which indicates it's about to get hot in there.
Very, very hot.
... if me, the fortress, was in any way unclear, it means everything will be on fire.
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Post by Rin Tohsaka on Apr 27, 2016 5:34:36 GMT
Rin pouted as she was helped up from the white sheet of snow, her face and hair were now completely drenched as a result, tied up with her snot and tears which were thawed by the steam of the Chocolate. “Hmmph, I’ll manage without a drink until we get there Atlas,” Rin stubbornly turned her head away from him before trudging on after the great traitor Iscariot.
Honestly, Rin hated the fact Atlas was taking charge of this entire operation, she was the leader of this scouting party after all and naturally she expected some sense of respect towards her position. Even Emiya had a better sense of strategy from what she observed so far, but the Atlantean was setting out a good plan right now, one Rin probably would’ve suggested if she had the chance to talk. However, at the very least they should focus on regrouping and setting up camp first, but she supposed it would have to wait unil they had actually penetrated the fortress. With a tight grip on her backback and a new determination, Rin pressed on
She heard the voice of her former servant calling over the snowy hill and turned back to get a good glimpse. Despite the snow obscuring most of the magus’s vision, she could just barely make out the red cloak in the distance waving to her and signaling that there were no threats. Though his voice was choppy, the message came along quite clearly: relay the message to the others that the surrounding area was currently devoid of threats. She could’ve guessed as much, for she could feel that the real danger lurked inside.
As she approached the exterior of the stone fortress carved deeply upon the mountain face, she couldn’t help but notice the fortress itself looked like a gaunt face, and the unrelenting wind blowing in and out made sounds akin to moans. Rin could feel the prana seeping from the fortress though it had a rather ill flavor to it, like drinking juice right after brushing your teeth sort of ill flavor. Now that she was this close to the abandoned hub, Rin was far more wary of the notion of caution when pushing on. If there was a lich inside, an immortal undead at that, she would have no choice but to rely on the nearest servant to deal with him. Her ego had its limit, and this time it was showing plain as day as Rin considered the possibility of going one on one with the malevolent warrior.
Her eyes than caught the visage of a red haired character trying to climb up to get into the entrance, completely disregarding Atlas’s plan! She herself was unaware of the traps near the entrance and as per usual, she acted headstrong and chased right after him. “Assassin, get down from there this instant!” Rin yelled but then realized it would be of no use, Judas was stubborn and the least she could do was relay the message to him. Getting a hold of the icy stone wall, rin began to climb up as she cursed her luck over and over again.
“Yare yare daze, is it too much to ask for CHLADEA to put me…Tohsaka Rin, in a cooperative group?” Rin groaned as she finally reached the great betrayer, panting heavily as she propped herself in the entryway and glared at Judas. However, before she could begin to rant at his reckless behavior, her ears caught hold of a sizzling noise. Fearing the worst, Rin eyed the red haired boy for a moment before attempting to push him out of the way, “look out!!”
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Post by King Atlas on Apr 27, 2016 6:47:08 GMT
Atlas quirked a brow as Rin completely rejected his drink. But he just chalked it up to Rin being Rin more than anything. What really got him going was watching Iscariot completely ignore his orders and run off to trip the goddamn Field. What made it even worse was that Rin immediately ran after him. Atlas gaped at the two as they went charging off. He looked at EMIYA. "One job. One. Fucking. Job." He muttered to the Counter Guardian in disbelief. How hard was it to listen to one goddamn order around here? Rolling his eyes he called out the word Χώρος and he was gone, immediately closing any distance. When he arrived, he heard the sound of hissing. He gave a bereaved sigh as he dismissed Poseidon, holding out both of his hands to erect a barrier around the three to shelter them from the fire. Διαστέλλω! He cried out, and at once the barrier began to expand... slowly tearing apart rock and stone so that the trap could be destroyed. He hated having to do this. That trap, whatever it was, could have been an artifact, potentially useful, and he had to destroy it in order to keep these two idiots from dying. With the trap disabled, no, destroyed, Atlas looked at Iscariot and Rin with a look in his eyes. Disappointment, anger, disbelief, and judgement. It was the kind of look a father would give when he discovered his son masturbating to a fucking Javascript tutorial. For a time, he said nothing, just looking, and judging. Finally, he spoke. "Do you know why I wanted to open a hole in the Bounded Field and send Iscariot in alone?" Not letting them answer, he continued. "Because of this thing called intelligence gathering. Or even infiltration. If we had done things my way, we could have had what we were after in an hour without anyone knowing we were here."Waving his arms around the room, he pointed back outside to the bounded field. "Did neither of you consider the possibility that the presence of a Bounded Field meant something, or someone might be here?" He raised his voice, like a parent scolding their child. "But thanks to you chucklefucks, whatever's here knows we're here now. Congratu-fucking-lations!" He yelled before pointing at Rin. He had issues with Iscariot, but after the way Rin had been talking such a big game? "And you! Why in the flying fuck didn't you use a Command Spell if you wanted him back so damn bad?!"Growling, he shouted. "Counter Guardian!" Like the mother calling for the father. He didn't know how close, he just hoped Emiya would hear. "Stay with these two before they make things worse." He spoke before he began walking down the cold, dark staircase... ... And summoning a slab of the wall to block the way, to keep those two out.
tags: Rin Tohsaka , emiya , Judas notes: hey for once it's not atlas' fault |
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Post by emiya on Apr 27, 2016 7:30:51 GMT
It was out of my hands. I could run, I could and did shout at Rin over the connection "Don't go inside! There's a trap!" But it seemed nothing I could do would stop the magical trap I could see trigger. Fortunately, the Atlantean King was there to cover for my lack of ability in this circumstance. With a single spell, he was hundreds of feet forward, leaving him alone in the tundra as he ran up to them.
Fortunately, Atlas' skill were not limited to speed. I could see him stop and destroy the trap...however, it was clear the damage was done. They no longer had surprise, this was now an armed invasion. It was unfortunate to be sure, but was it really worth the huge deal that Atlas was making over it? I shake my head as he addresses me as I make my way up there, catching the tail end of his rant. "Atlas. Rin isn't to blame for this. While a command spell could have been used, there was no way to make the determination that sticking with the plan was worth the loss of such a resource." He sighs. "However, she shouldn't have followed him. An Assassin invading is one thing, but a human? Rin, suicidal actions might get results when I'm there to cover for you, however..." I leave the rest unsaid.
As Atlas leaves a stone slab between me, Rin, and Assassin, I sigh. "Rin, can you relay that he should remain in contact at least? While it's doubtful he can be overwhelmed, taking risks like this is foolish on his own end." Addressing Rin out of the context of the mission, I sigh. "Don't worry too much about it. The heat of the moment affects people in odd ways. Your first instinct is to assist your comrades, and that is admirable." I shake my head though. "But you need to remember that your life as a Master is infinitely more valuable than ours as Servants. We can be resummoned, we're expendable. You can't, and aren't."
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Post by Judas on Apr 27, 2016 10:49:56 GMT
That was completely expected. Of course, that would be the words used by someone who had common sense. It was also the words someone would use just by simply knowing this was a magic fortress. However, Judas Iscariot without hesitation entered the fortress and triggered its alarm system. Was it stupidity or carelessness? A man who was infamous for betrayal. If one would take that into account, then the answer should be very clear, unless it's a mistaken one.
Deep inside his heart, an emotion manifested. Although he was summoned by Chaldea to help restoration of the foundation of humanity, in the first place, such form of allegiance was alien for someone who became one of the models of betrayal, if not the very essence, used by humanity after his time. While his actions seemed to contradict that goal, even if it was merely a glimpse saw by Chaldea, inside his heart which was fractured by betrayal of faith, he too seeks a goal aligned with the organization. In his heart, this was the emotion that had manifested. However, his intentions were effectively erased by an unexpected action by someone he didn't anticipate would do. "....you."
That was the only response he could gave to the woman who pushed him out of the way. Even without her help, he would have anticipated that response from the fortress. Yet for her to do something so reckless was very uncharacteristic, even without putting account of her being a magus, for a human being. What followed afterwards was the fish king seemingly berating their actions. His short-temper reminded him of a particular character during his life. An annoying contemporary he would never acknowledge as a Saint. And then, the Archer servant came, and spoke the words Judas wanted to tell the female magus. He was entirely correct and right which was why it was an enigma that action of that Master was.
"Listen to Archer. Being a martyr doesn't lead to anyone's salvation..."He said without an inch of emotion while slowly disappearing into spirit form. Was he wounded? Probably, or probably not. It seemed he planned to disengage and go somewhere else. After all, he was an Assassin. It was not his job to fight in the front line. His goal in this mission should be the head of anyone in charge of this dungeon. "..even the Son of Man failed. Do not expect a mere hero of justice, much less a simple magus, to accomplish it."Hero of Justice. When he said those words, they weren't just words. For some reason, Judas had, even though faint, an attachment to it. That would be the observation of anyone who had been, seen or met someone like that.And thus, Judas went to proceed to his next plan.  |
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Post by Ivan "Koschei" Grobovshchikov on Apr 28, 2016 0:06:39 GMT
Well, this was weird. Bunch of kids going into the fortress - which was still me, the fortress, speaking to you live here - and announcing how apparently they had planned all along to nearly get burnt to a fucking crisp, but you know, youth these days! Maybe that's what they were into or something, the fortress doesn't know. It was only programmed to defend itself, or to make the fortress comfortable, it wasn't quite sure right now, but one of the two, definitely, and also to make slightly snarky judgment over people's decisions.
Of course, the comfort! Master would be quite unhappy if his heating system, prepared so carefully eons ago to keep his place of living nice and warm against the cold, harsh climate of Rus, somehow short-circuited and failed! Fortunately, the silly humans had only disabled one rune and stopped paying attention entirely. When the timer - carefully calculated in case Master was in the way, because he gets moody when it's too hot - finally ticked, the party of would-be adventurers wass treated to quite a show.
A light show, to be precise.
All around Rin and Emiya, fire rose and cleansed the area of, well, anything at all. It roared and crackled as it purged, consuming all those that weren't standing directly next to the Magus and the Counter-Guardian, with the exception of those outside the fortress somehow, because who the fuck knew at this point where Iscariot had put himself. While the pair in the safezone was fine- save for the sudden rise in temperature and maybe some singed eyebrows - the rest could be in quite a pickle.
The fortress still felt like it was forgetting something. Of course, the traps!
Should Atlas still be breathing, the staircase he'd been descending into the depths of the earth gained a friend from the very top, a boulder detaching itself from the wall and beginning a roll downstream. Rin and Emyia themselves noticed another issue entirely - the roof of the small entrance, narrow as it was, began to clamp down on them, descending inch by inch in a steady, accelerating in speed as the entrance and the two windows found themselves closed by an odd, crackling purple barrier. The only way to go was down.
Who the fuck wrote this shit? It was like a bad Indiana Jones movie, where Harrison Ford died in the first five minutes.
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