Complete 18+ Main Story (S4 Finale) DRAGON.end - Phase 3

Ashifili* · Feb 15, 2023

It had been a long day.

The chaos wrought by the infected Magia.

The anxiety that intensified as rushed preparations began.

The pain festering from that march, that charge.

The roar of the God-Searing Light still rang in their ears, the fatigue of combat and attrition weighing down upon their bones and arteries, their organs sucked down into the ground, their blood mixed with oil and steel, rust and viscera. And yet, they held onto their hopes. Ushered their friends along. Became each others' shields and spears, weaving sorceries in union to beat back what sought to assimilate them all. Some cracked jokes, others sang songs, and still more simply enjoyed the fight. They were Starcalled. They were Immortal. They were gamers.

And perhaps, in the depths of their hearts, there were some too who decided that even if they were trapped in this world, even if they could never find a way back, even if they were afflicted with the madness that had consumed entire races, had given birth to monstrosities incomprehensible to the human mind, had delivered suffering endless and callous…they could remain themselves, in a world where they mattered.

Where good triumphed over evil, and where the flame of one's heart could overcome the fathomless darkness. Where fantasies could be made reality, through engines and code blocks.

A lightless land, a soundless land. It had been a moment in which a blink could have elapsed, and that had been enough for the world around them to change utterly. Gone was the cratered terrain, the mud that sucked at their soles. Gone was the acrid stench of ozone, the putridity of carbonized flesh. No red sun burned in the sky, no angel beheld them with foreign intonations. Sirens sounded not in the distance, and the presence of death, of corruption, of assimilation, did not oppress their lungs and their mind.

Indeed, in a world of pitch black, where all they could see was themselves, the Starcalled realized then, that here…they could not even feel their afflictions and attributes.

The Original Sin did not gnaw at their stomachs. The threads of Fate had disappeared from their eyes. The Beastlord's blood begged for no release. The emotions that prickled your skin faded to a mute flatness. The Artifice that made it so much easier to pretend you were not of flesh and bone was stripped bare.

The mark that Death left upon the Immortal was effaced from your senses. In its absence, it was as void. In its absence, what were you?

A human. Alone. Isolated. Separated. A centrifuge had separated all virtual parts, leaving behind nothing more than an imposter wearing the flesh of their aspirations and fantasies. A grown adult, playing pretend. No false Gods urged you forth. No sentient weapons called your name. No fictitious disease clawed at your soul. What strength you possessed was not earned through your own merits. What sorcery you wielded was not grasped with a mind that truly comprehend. All of it belonged to the System. All of it was given by the System. And removed from the System, freed from the System, what were you?

Nobody.

Nobody was there to crack a joke. Nobody was there to sing a song. Nobody was there to enjoy a fight. Nobody was there to plan with. Nobody was there to interact with. Nobody was there, except you.

Except Her.

The darkness parted for her, that Mother of Machines. Her baleful gaze settled upon you, crimson hair flush with blood that did not belong to her. A mass of steel, a machine's approximation of a guillotine, scraped against the lightless land. No words to be exchanged, no thoughts to be shared. Only a callous disregard. As a spider would its meal. As a human would a pest. As a God would a star. You were an inconvenience to be snuffed out.

Bloodstains marred the mass of steel, flecks of bone stuck to the edge-nicks.

You were not the first. You will not be the last. But you are next.

She raised her weapon.

You are going to die.

She advanced.

So FIGHT!

Ashifili* · Feb 16, 2023

Thread Rules

The next cycle will drop in approximately 36-48 hours.
Up to 2 characters per OOC account may participate in the event.
You may only make 1 post this cycle.
Max word count is 700 words excluding BBcodes.
There is no set posting order.
All rolls must be done in the #event-rolls channel.
Important Links: TLDR Build Sheet Guide, Full Build Sheet Guide.
The thread code is 1745C1

Special Mechanics

You are alone.

???
???
???

Phase 1 completed successfully. This Damage Phase has been skipped.

Szofrit

Mother of Machines

❰ ??? / ??? ❱

❰ ????? / ????? ❱

Status

???
???
???

Objectives

The Mother of Machines has raised her weapon and marked you for a 1-on-1 duel. You have no one to rely on, but yourself. Fight or die.

It's time to d-d-duel. Use any of your combat actions as to fight Szofrit or support yourself.

Perform your actions as normal, but keep in mind that you cannot target anyone else.
Any damage you deal will count toward decreasing Szofrit's HP.
All statuses this cycle will count in the upcoming damage phase.
If you use Duelist this cycle, double its bonus.

Code:

[hp=current]max[/hp]
[currentstatus]
[ncbox=Health]
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)
[/ncbox]
[ncbox=Status]
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from XX
[/ncbox]
[/currentstatus]
Post starts here. Delete anything that isn't relevant.

[action]
[B]▪ Buff:[/B] +00 (1)
[B]▪ Save:[/B] +00
[B]▪ Inspire:[/B] +00

Copy and paste roll results from Discord here
[/action]
[B]Duel[/B]
▪ Damage: 0000
▪ Build Sheet

Magi Heart · Feb 15, 2023

-100 HP (Exceed)
-00 HP (Source 2)
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)
Immortal: Available

▪ Location: ???
▪ 74 Damage Buff (1/3)
▪ Debuff 0/0}
▪ Not Protected
▪ Not Vulnerable
▪ Alone

Alone.
Nothingness.
Silence.
Peace.
Was this the happy ending at last?

Something was wrong. Even her dissonant mind could understand that. The source of her power was being blocked and she felt ... hollow. All that was left was what she needed to do. Instinct would drive her forward.

The words she had heard in her mind.

[...become the instrument to terminate this repeated suffering. You too will receive salvation.]

What a familiar sentiment.
Dress of darkness flared out but not as much as earlier.
Eyes gazed at Szofrit but more as an automatic response than in desire.
Staff in hand energy readied from her distorted soul.

"Peace... it's nice. I exist for it. Thank you for letting me feel this."

A tight-lipped smile that then grew wider as she rose her index finger. It blended the dark.

"But one too many for my ending. I feel like even if I didn't want to save you, I would still want to destroy you. I guess that's just how I am. Is that... how you are?"

She gazed at Szolfrit, at the one that brought her personally so much growth just from her struggling to escape her own salvation. Szofrit peeled away the division of self and perception, playing with the ego like that... heh. The last time that ego was put to rest Wendel sent a lost little goblin to salvation without blinking. Look into the darkness of the soul and what will come of it. what does she even seek?

A barefoot stepped from behind her. A white dress billowed...

"Gee whiz. Took you long enough. I'm... "

..I'm not alone.

(BA) Exceed
You may perform a non-special action. -100 HP
Evoke | Magi Heart
stable Attack
6d20 EX (10 + 6 + 5 + 12 + 13 + 11) + 25 + 20 + 25 + 74 = 201
201 damage (Explosions: 0)
Evoke | Magi Heart | 1745
stable Attack
6d20 EX (2 + 20 + 17 + 18 + 14 + 12 + 6) + 25 + 20 + 25 + 74 = 233
233 damage (Explosions: 1)
Evoke | Magi Heart | 1745

201+233=434

Duel
▪ Damage to Szofrit: 0434
▪ Build Sheet

Zelrius · Feb 15, 2023

175 / 175

Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Reckless

He turned to listen to @Rael - taking note of her want of use of Harmonics. Before the light receded. His friends had been gone, swallowed by the darkness. Zelrius couldn't contain the sheer panic that clutched and squeezed his ribs in that moment. His voice caught in his throat, his stance lowered defensively.

Had he just died? Was this what it was like? Blasted by the God-Searing light, and left completely devoid of any senses. No. He could still feel - the splotches of mud hugging his clothing to his body, making them uncomfortable. The caked sweat and dry skin from his own fire and the physical exhaustion of battle. This wasn't death.

Blue eyes locked onto the the materializing red hair. Her own matching his. The wannabe-hero knew then. Two Crimson beasts who were about to lock horns. There was no room for the effort of saving that Mizuki and Rael had wanted. Not at this moment. This was the reputation proceeding Szofrit. A sharp breath, the man's chest rose. It wouldn't be enough, but certainly Zelrius would test her. The same way he had put all enemies to the test. Could she stand up to the heat.

His breath went out. "Burn." he ordered this so-called Queen of Magia. Letting his tendrils of flame begin to reach out from his form. Engulfing the void between and around them in his own scorching light.

Rolls

RISKY
Mods: +80 from Duelist, +25 from Momentum = 105/50 = 2d100 + 5
Reckless Attack
4d100 (3 + 63 + 67 + 67) + 25 + 20 + 5 = 250
250 damage
You are Vulnerable.

Roll Result
1d100 (90) = 90
Extra Risky Die from 50 non-mr/non-wr mod
Pyromancy | Zelrius | Code

Roll Result
1d100 (9) = 9
Extra extra risky dice because big double. but it makes my 15 mod a 5 because 105 instead of 65

Total = 349

Duel
▪ Damage: 0783
▪ Build Sheet

Sean Poteitoku · Feb 15, 2023

175 / 175

Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Reckless Attack

...Where am I? What's going on?

Sean reached for his blade on instinct. I'm alone. Alone in... darkness.

The lack of... anything... started making his mind wander... and to doubt.

Am I dead? I can't be dead now. I still need to get stronger... to become a hero.

Then he saw her. He drew his blade, holding it in front of him defensively. "Who are you?"

When he saw her weapon raise, he knew what he must do.

I must fight.

He broke into a sprint, aiming to circle around his adversary until he received the perfect opportunity to strike. When he saw it, he jumped in. He raised his sword above his head and brought it down on the form of his enemy with as much power as he could muster.

Rolls

▪ Buff: +80 (Duelist), +25 (Momentum)
▪ Save: +00
▪ Inspire: +00

Reckless Attack
4d100 (65 + 12 + 83 + 73) + 25 + 15 + 5 = 278
278 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Slash Weapons | Sean Poteitoku | 1745C1
Roll Result
2d100 (19 + 76) = 95
risky pog?
95 + 278 = 373

Duel
▪ Damage: 1156
▪ Build Sheet

Jin · Feb 15, 2023

235 / 235

Health
Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Critical Attack

Down he sank, into the abyss.

He could see it starting, roiling upward, gripping flesh and tugging at them all hungrily, lapping at their clothing, consuming them. Most humans when deprived of their community, stripped bare of their wits, and left virtually naked and alone began to lose hope. It started with coping mechanisms, then devolved into Bargaining. Weeping. Agonizing depression and then, the hollow sensation that came with acceptance.

But Theo had lost that battle long ago.

The emptiness that greeted him was familiar. Cold, but then, cold was normal. Dank, dark, alone, he wasn't reduced to fear. He was stripped of the falsehoods that others saw when they looked at him. The difference between others and Theo was that where they might be stripped of avatars and UI and left as a human, that was all Jin was.

Theo was Jin. Jin was Theo.

Human.

Broken, human, and all the more beautiful for it.

You are far more stupid than any human has a right to be.

"You called me here," he smiled, chuckling, "for that?"

One of them called him stupid, and at that, insinuated that humans were stupid. What a wondrous sentiment from a creature birthed by human ingenuity. The irony of it only caused the Bloodsworn to cackle harder.

You were not the first. You will not be the last. But you are next.

His laughter halted, and he watched her through bloodstained eyes. His smile thinned until it was gone. "You're wrong about one thing. I'm not trapped in here with you, machine," he said, flicking the guard of his blade with his thumb, sending it forward. One seal cracked as he drew the weapon, tainting the steel a silvery blue color as it resonated with vile energy. "You're trapped in here with me."

The curses wailed as he invoked them, drawing the power backward and forward from his soul and the darkness around him in a superconductive loop, feeding the blade until the haunting glow around it was stained pitch black.

You are going to die.

"Don't make promises you don't intend to keep," he whispered, "I'm so bored of people who make idle threats."

She advanced.

The blade sang forth from its sheath to meet her, his body twisting to meet her. Their blades kissed, and the darkness from within Jin responded to the darkness without. He skillfully shunted her weapon past, but she turned to face him effortlessly. His eyes were wide, his teeth fully exposed in battle-bliss as he let their blades sing the dirge that would be her funeral song.

Rolls

Critical Attack
2d100 (Advantage) (23, 14) + [40] + 25 + 20 + 10 = 118
118 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Slash Weapons | Jin | 1745

(BA) Duelist
+40 bonus damage when you attack an enemy in melee. (x2 per thread rules) = +80

198 damage

Duel
▪ Damage: 1354
Build Sheet

Tick Tock · Feb 15, 2023

150 / 200

Health
-50 HP (Evoke Exceed)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Super Vulnerable

Alone in the dark. Where no voice could reach her and no shout would come. As if the mirage of reality had finally descended and the false light banished from this realm, with nothing more but darkness and the realization that no one around would help them.

Them... But even that was false. Her own twin had been ripped out of this world. Again. And all by the claws of the same entity who spoke sweet The stain of the Handler's power still left an everlasting impression on her body, cracked beyond the very salvation Mother preached.

Perhaps that was it. That was what she wished for. Their demise, and Tick Tock might have accepted it willingly in exchange of a motherly embrace.

Unfortunately, she ripped her twin out of this world. A̷̲̳̽͠g̴̬̤͑͑ă̵̰i̷͉̎̇ͅn̸̞̖̳̅͘

She awakened her. A̷̲̳̽͠g̴̬̤͑͑ă̵̰i̷͉̎̇ͅn̸̞̖̳̅͘

Big sis Rael would have to forgive her. Unfortunately, she could not be the little sis she would have wanted.
The Witch will have to find her mother on her own, and a new wife, if Tock could have a hand on her thoughts right now.

And..

Mama may put an end to this madness, and mark their tombstone if anything is left from her cracked body.

So you would have me in a world of vantablack not so different to my own...

Not even illusions could conceal the cracks flowing through her face, or the fingerprints left by EVE upon her neck. Yet they all glowed without a fault. From the smallest to the largest, to the missing fingers and chunks of porcelain that dropped onto the floor. And yet another source of magic blended with her own. Small. Dark. Sweet but dangerous all the same. A stolen, crystalline fragment of The Savior's outburst within the battlefields.

Dissonance... It has always been about that. Just it's touch upon her core had destabilized more than one set of functions, mana had begun to bleed through her. The risks were crystal clear for her. It mattered not, she would not live long enough to see any of the consequences. She accepted it, and if her body left not a stain, then at least the Witch will not feel a sliver of guilt for her.

Why should anyone cry for the lost? These tears should be reserved for Erika.

Aim for the head.

Her arms bursted into different hues, the savior's corruption on her right, and the tabboo of dark arts on the left.

Or I'll come back and kill you for waking me up a third time.

Rolls

Reckless Attack
4d100 (33 + 59 + 71 + 96) + 20 + 5 = 284
284 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Dark Magic | Tick Tock | 1745

(BA) Exceed
Gain advantage on an attack. -50 HP

Evoke | Tick Tock

(Medium Armor Ability) Twice
You may perform 2 actions and 1 BA or 1 action and 2 BAs this cycle.
Tick Tock | 1745

Reckless Attack
4d100 (72 + 85 + 43 + 93) + 20 + 5 = 318
318 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Dark Magic | Tick Tock | 1745

Disclaime: The advantage roll is not placed here given it was lower than the first roll.

Duel
▪ Damage: 1956
▪ Play Sheet

Hanno Futaba · Feb 19, 2023

313 / 300

Health
+25 on Saves (Savior)
+15 damage mitigation (Guardian)
+13 max HP (Overhealed by @Attia Patal, from Phase 1)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Ultra Hinder
▪ Lion's Knight

Darkness engulfed them just before they could get together to fight against the 'beast' that was behind all of it, albeit being just as much of a puppet as everyone was. There was no Attia, that was with him so far. There was no Mizuki. Nor Asher, Rael, or Ash.

Not even Ghast was there.

Strange, even her that said she was so stubborn on not leaving him alone.

His mana wings, gone and unable to flutter. The touch of the Rhiannon in his heart and fists, similarly fading. This body felt like Brian, but quite a bit smaller. However, it didn't matter for him...

... It has been a long, long time since Hanno and Brian are exactly the same thing.

Hanno slowly turned his gaze to Szofrit, pretty much unsure about the safety of his friends. Of course, she was the one behind all of it, and it meant he needed to get rid of her fast... Well, not get rid, otherwise he would be betraying the pinkette's trust and plans. So he needed to punch her, just not too hard.

"Cool tricks, mate..." Hanno cracked his knuckles as he approached with his usual, amicable smile. "Maybe now the fight will be fair to you."

His gaze turned serious, and he charged on.

Taunting (804)

Rolls

▪ Save: +25

(BA) Savior
Give self within range 25 to a save roll next cycle.
Aura | Hanno Futaba | 1745C1

(F) Guardian
Mitigate 15 damage from yourself.
Aura | Hanno Futaba | 1745C1

Ultra Hinder
2d100 (85 + 83) + [50] + 25 + 25 + 50 = 268
268 SP damage
You are Vulnerable.
Aura | Hanno Futaba | 1745C1

(F) Taunt
(268 * 3) = 804 threat
Hanno Futaba

Duel
▪ Damage: 2224
▪ Build Sheet

Erick Stryker · Feb 15, 2023

180 / 180

Health
+30 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from XX
* +5 stored (Charge passive)

He smiled, sadly.

The sensation of the dissonance dissolved with the darkness, but it left him with a familiar, foul taste in his mouth. He didn't feel powerful. All the things that made Erick different from Jimmy were set apart from him, like he was wearing a lens that allowed him to see through those eyes, but the veil had waxed thicker. He didn't feel apart from his own skin. He felt... powerless.

Every time he took off the headset felt just like this. Stripped of the fantasy, he was forced back into his physical, tangible state and reminded of his failures. He was reminded that his existence wasn't the beautiful lie that Terrasphere had offered him as an escape. "Ah..." he whispered quietly. He almost missed the burning sensation that had overtaken his veins, the way the pulsating, evil energies had spread like a cancer and deprived him of his wits.

Now that they were refunded to him, he didn't want them anymore. But that didn't mean it was over.

The Magia Queen stared at him, contemptuous.

"You've felt it too, huh?" he asked. He knew because of how she had acted before, and because they were alone together in the darkness. They had all been touched by it somehow, and if he was stripped of his sense of power, so too was she. Another victim. That's what everyone had been on about, hadn't it?

But being a victim didn't excuse the horrible things someone did because they were a victim. It just helped to rationalize those things. He knew that better than anyone.

You are far more stupid than any human has a right to be.

"You're probably right," Erick smiled. "But that doesn't mean I'm wrong."

His fingers stretched out, and he summoned that flickering shard of godly flame to his hand. It burst outward and took shape, a divine blade in the shape of a sword. A beacon in the heart of darkness. "A lot of people are dead, you know," he told her.

You were not the first.

"Yeah," he sighed, "I thought you might know."

You will not be the last. But you are next.

Erick's eyes closed as he took up the blade, his chest swelling with purpose. Jimmy knew full well that it had to be done. Not just for the people in the game, but for the people who wandered into it unsuspecting. He couldn't see futures or pasts now. He could just see what stood directly in front of him, offering death.

"Yes," he said, "I will. This ends here, whether or not I walk away from it."

It ached, hearing that she knew what she had done, and had done it anyway. It ached knowing that she was beyond salvation, because Erick wanted to save everyone. But he had seen Camp Hope, and he had seen Finweald. He knew what the Magia were capable of. And if Svofrit sought to continue on this made tirade, she could not be allowed to do so.

You are going to die.

"Maybe," he gripped his Reflection of the Sunsword tighter.

"But even if it has to be my corpse, you won't get past me."

For Ruby. For my friends. For everyone in this world.

His radiant wings unfurled behind him, resplendent as they spread to their full length and curled forward to wreathe both Svofrit and Erick in their luminous warmth. He would do everything in his power to contain her, to protect everyone else.

Deus Lumina activated

Rolls

Ultra Counter
1d100 (60) + [60] + 15 + 15 + 10 = 160 + 87 from Magi Heart from last Phase.
247 damage
Ultra Counter successful, 60 damage added!
Mitigate 20 damage.
Astramancy | Erick Stryker | 1745

(BA) Shield
Mitigate 10 incoming damage to yourself or a [defense] action target.
Erick Stryker

247 damage

Duel
▪ Damage: 2471
Build Sheet

Cadmean · Feb 15, 2023

200 / 200

Health

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Taunting (550)

When Cadmean blinked, she was alone, and she was Christine.

She had thought that Cadmean had just been an act, something to slip on and off as she wanted. But the years had picked away at the distance between self and mask, and only now when it was truly torn from her grasp did she realize how blurred the lines had become. Christine felt like she was in a stranger's body, for all that she had owned it for the last four years.

It was fascinating. A long-forgotten scholar's mania caused her fingers to itch. Were there other UI-locked players who felt the same, felt as if they were trapped piloting a body that was suddenly both theirs and not? What about the non-UI-locked, did they feel any differently? NPCs--game abstractions--forcibly made aware of the very nature of their digital beings? Or was it just her?

She'd have no answers to her questions here. In the solitary dark, there was only her and Szofrit. Illumination would only come with victory.

"I've heard you called the 'Mother of Machines'," Christine began. "Strange that a mother would send so many of her children out as fodder. You would think that one death would be enough to stop you from ever trying that again."

Cadmean did not think of her son. It had been too long since Christine did, either.

She raised her hands. Before being sucked into this featureless void, she action felt powerful. The stars had brightened and dimmed at her command, dancing across the sky to her every whimsical thought. Now she felt rather silly.

But silly or not, her hands began to glow with radiant energy.

Protecting the masses, saving the people? Bah. Look where that had gotten Christine. She'd trade every last scrap of good intentions, of self-fulfillment and gratitude, if only she could have her family back.

"So from one bad mother to another, let me give you some advice. Whatever you're chasing? It isn't worth it."

Taunting (550)

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (65) + 25 + 20 = 110
110 damage
Divine Magic | Cadmean | 1745C1

(BA) Ultra Taunt
(110 * 5) = 550 threat
Cadmean

Duel
▪ Damage: 2494
▪ Build Sheet

Kyanna Wynne · Feb 19, 2023

145 / 175

Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Fungi Witch

Kyanna felt strangely at ease upon facing the her.

She was glad neither MAI, Tick, Tock, or Eva were there... Or at least, that was what her lovely naivety told her.

For someone that was having breakdowns hours ago for nearly losing a friend, the witch did remain mostly unflinching, even when her eyes traced the bloodied features of Szofrit. Her eyes went up, eventually meeting with the source of all fear she had feeling in what was possibly the longest day of her whole life.

"You are the one that hurted Mai, Tick, and Tock- Aren't you?"

She asked, probably having no response aside from the cold advances of the robot woman. Kyanna clenched her fists around the totally-not-a-broomstick staff, advancing just as much, ready to swing her pole toward the beast in front of her.

"I don't like you."

This once, Kyanna didn't aim for salvation.

Rolls

(P) Corruption
(13 + 17) = 30
+30 to attacks.
Corruption suppressed.
Corrupt | Kyanna Wynne | 1745C1

Normal Attack
1d100 (72) + 20 + 15 + 30 = 137
137 damage
Animancy | Kyanna Wynne | 1745C1

Duel
▪ Damage: 2631
▪ Build Sheet

Blader X · Feb 15, 2023

104 / 100

Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+4 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Not Vulnerable

How she arrived, frankly, was a matter of multiple choice. Perhaps she had clicked "I've heard this story before", maybe it was through a rift of wyld magic, maybe, even, she had been right there all along, beside everyone else, fighting, while out of the spotlight like always.

"Haaaaaah~"

...Blader X sighed, and looked around.

"Guess this is it."

X looked up to see someone. She didn't know who it was. She had a feeling the situation was mutual. Something about X's body felt off, but she quickly realized that the feeling wasn't an unfamiliar one. It was the same feeling of loss that she'd endured during the first closing. Here she was, at the park again, cheeks burning with embarrassment in the dead of morning as she practiced her form. Why? Because that was all she knew.

"Lady... A Blader's a Blader even out of a Dream... But I think you get that. All right. I accept. Your move."

Blader X took a stance, arms crossed, each resting on a Blader's Blade.

Rolls

▪ Buff: +00 (1)
▪ Save: +10 (Alert)
▪ Inspire: +00

(Light Armor Ability) Surge
→ +0 to any Xd20 or Xd100 rolls

Counter
1d100 (44) + [10] + 10 + 0 = 64
64 damage
Counter failed, 10 damage added.
No mitigation.
Arcanamancy | Blader X | 1745C1

(P) Overheal
When receiving heals or healing others, you or your allies may go 30 above their max HP.

Blader X

(F) Regeneration
(2 + 2) = 4
Regenerate 4 HP.

Mend | Blader X

Blader X | 1745C1

Duel
▪ Damage: 2695
▪ Build Sheet

Marigold Diablo · Feb 15, 2023

140 / 140

Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Reckless Attack

"All right, here we go. Magic can't be as hard as I'm making it. People shoot fireballs and throw lightning around like it's nothing, so I should be able to do the same! Maybe I'm just missing something. Let's give it another go."

Marigold had put an old bottle on top of a rock as a makeshift target. When not scouring for food or sleeping in dumpsters, Marigold Diablo did her best to try and practice magic. Unfortunately she was gaining little to no ground and had little to no control over the effects her spells created.

"Nice and easy now, just going to cast a little burst of magic and hit the bottle. Don't even have to break it or anything, just knocking it over is good enough for now. Okay, here we go."

Marigold readied herself, then shouted whatever magic sounding words came into her head first.

"ZOOPA SHOOPY!"

Suddenly Marigold was enveloped in a thick cloud of purple smoke.

"Damn it... I thought I had gotten it this time."

Coughing as she batted the smoke away with her hand, Marigold's eyes went wide when she suddenly realized she wasn't in ~~Kansas~~ Brisshal anymore.

"Wait... what did I do? Where am I now."

Enveloped in darkness, Marigold believed that she may have accidentally deleted herself. Thankfully she didn't but this outcome was probably worse anyway. Looking around the room, Marigold spotted it.

"Awwwww shit. You've gone and done it now, Marigold. You summoned the lady Terminator. Let's see, language, language... Umm... Ist thou lady thine enemy?"

The mecha woman didn't respond.

Welp, let's go with plan A1. Shoot first then try and run away.

Marigold readied herself.

"Alright, well this on you then lady."

Marigold readied herself then waved her hand.

Come on... do something good!

"SHABAZOOPY!"

At first nothing happened. Then suddenly, it felt as if someone had thrown pepper into Marigold's face. She could feel a sneeze coming.

"Uh oh.. ah.. ah... ah... CHOO"

Marigold's sneeze unleashed a series of chain explosions that shot forward until they reached the mecha woman. Marigold wiped her nose on her forearm.

"Okay! Not bad, now RUN!"

Turning, Marigold pushed her legs as hard as she could trying to gain distance from the creature.

Rolls

▪ Buff: +00 (1)
▪ Save: +00
▪ Inspire: +00

(BA) Auto Assist
+15 to attacks, heals, buffs, checks, contributions, and saves.
Marigold Diablo

Reckless Attack
3d100 (84 + 77 + 40) + 5 + 0 + 5 = 211
211 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Corrupt | Marigold Diablo | Code

Duel
▪ Damage: 2921
▪ Build Sheet

Yugam · Feb 15, 2023

"It's been eating away Szofrit for-"

Vargold's words were cut short, and punctuated by the clang of steel striking the ground, his sword falling. The change to Yugam's surroundings was so sudden, it took a moment before they actually registered in his mind. The complete darkness. The total silence, save for the sound of his own heavy breathing, and the rapidly beating heart in his chest, thrumming away.

In that complete nothing, Yugam stood. Where had everyone gone? Where was the fight? Where were his companions, his love, his sole reason for playing? Gone away, ferried away into the unknown, or perhaps to the Other Side by Charon.

This would not have troubled Yugam normally. It could be an illusion, a trick of the mind. Or maybe he'd been sealed away in some pocket dimension, or countless other things in a world where the laws of reality were merely a suggestion, and magic and the will of those that could reigned supreme. But it was the peculiar lack of sensation around his wrist that troubled the man.

He'd grown accustomed to the feeling of ephemeral strands around his wrist, each tying him to something, someone, a destiny. But now, a mere glance confirmed what he thought was not only improbably, but wholly impossible. The Fate Threads, where had they gone?

And this was how Yugam knew he was truly alone.

Being alone was never something that the man had feared, nor did it make him uncomfortable. In fact, he preferred it. The noise and bother of others, he despised. Rather, he preferred his quiet solitude. Even when he was with her, he was alone. They were joined and one, after all. Her presence was no different than his. But he could not feel her any longer. No voice in his head, and no crimson thread to proclaim even her existence. He was alone.

"Where is she?" the words were their own beings, leaving Yugam's mouth of their own volition, and not his.

As if in answer, something began to move in the murky depths of the shadows, taking on the form of a woman. "Where is she?" Yugam asked, this time addressing the woman. She raised her weapon in response, and Yugam scowled.

His rifle struck the ground with a clatter, and there was a popping sound as ligaments snapped and moved, a quiet creaking beneath it all as the man lifted his arm towards his face, palm to the nonexistent sky as a bleach-white protrusion burst through the skin of his wrist, stained with his blood. He grasped the bone handle and pulled. Yes, it inflicted agonizing pain upon him. But he did not care.

With the handle freed from it's fleshy wrappings, blood flowed freely from the man's wrist as it's hand grasped the sharp, fractured end. As if slowly drawing a sword from it's scabbard the man drew his hands apart. The blood flowing from his wrist swirled around his closed fist, a long, slender blade formed from his still-warm ichor.

"Where is she?" he asked one last time. Again, there was no response, save for the looming threat of death. Bristling with a cold rage, Yugam lunged forward with a wild look in his eyes.

"Give her back!"

Rolls

(BA) Duelist
+40 bonus damage when you attack an enemy in melee.
Doubled due to thread mechanic
Yugam

Reckless Attack
4d100 (81 + 57 + 51 + 69) + 25 + 25 + 25 + 80 = 413
413 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Slash Weapons | Yugam | 1745C1

Duel
▪ Damage: 3344
▪ Build Sheet

Ash Vargold · Feb 15, 2023

245 / 245

Health
No changes.

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone

Nothing.

Nothing.

No allies. No enemies. Only the claustrophobic void. And in that darkness, what was Ash?

Ash was a mask, a tool, a shield against the hazards of the world. The strength to fell foes. The will to stand against darkness. The courage to push forward, no matter how dire things seemed.

The darkness did not care. It sliced through the strings, peeled back the layers of abstraction and attenuation that was the System. What was once protected was now laid bare, nerves stripped raw to the mere act of existence. Every motion was a fresh wave of anguish, feeding the dysphoric disconnect between flesh and mind. Who could have known the System's claws dug so deep, that even something as fundamental as qualia could be manipulated like clay?

In the dark, what was Ash?

The answer was simple. He wasn't.

In one fell swoop, Szofrit had taken Aisling's shield and crafted it into an iron maiden.

The Mother of Machines wore no veil of blades here, but there was no need for it. Not when Aisling could barely step back without stumbling to the ground. Not when the sensation of the sword's wrapping against calloused hands made her flinch as if it was wrapped in fire instead of leather.

Not when that pounding, rattling heartbeat followed no conductor but Aisling's own fear. When she couldn't even give voice to the pain without hearing someone else's voice in place of her own.

She wanted to flee. To scramble hands and knees through the darkness for a hiding place. To wait to wake up from the horrid dream that was Terrasphere. To return to a world without wonder, without horror, without heroes and saviors.

But was never going to be that easy. You knew that.

But there was no running. No turning back. There was only the simple binary of her only choice.

Live, or die.

This doesn't end until you let it.

And she wasn't dead yet.

In the dark, Aisling was only human, left with no gift except the raw animal instinct to bite and claw and survive.

And she had a sword.

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (25) + 25 + 20 = 70
70 damage
Spirit Magic | Ash Vargold | 1745C1

Duel
▪ Damage: 3491 (After audit)
▪ Build Sheet

Matilda · Feb 15, 2023

225 / 225

Health
+00 HP (Mitigation)
+00 HP (Heal)

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Critical Attack

Alecto took another sip of tea as she watched the cataclysmic battle sitting on a boulder comfortably out of harm's path.

"Look at them all, swarming around the enemy like flies. Simply fodder for the mecha monstrosity."

Sighing, Alecto grinned to herself.

"And here I was giving them an opportunity to finish the beast without me, but alas it seems my power is required to save the day. What ever would they all do without me?"

Alecto giggled to herself. Yawning, she stretched her arms then threw her teacup aside.

"Such a pathetic lot. I do hope my fellow Throne members are showing the rabble how it's done. We can't disappoint after all... well, whatever the case, I suppose now is a good a time as any."

Using her metamorph ability, Alecto grew two great draconic wings from her back and smiled.

I'll show them what true power looks like...

Taking off at high speed, Alecto charged forward towards the enemy thinking that maybe she'd even land the killing blow. As she neared the battlefield, to her surprise, the world went dark. She was alone. Then, out of the darkness strode a creature.

"Ahhh, so you came to me? How honorable. Pardon me, where are my manners?"

Smiling, Alecto bowed low.

"Alecto of Throne, at your service. Now please note that I have nothing against you personally. Honestly, I think you're quite interesting and I would love nothing more than to sit and chat about where all the power your wielding came from. Unfortunately for you, you've made the mistake of attacking a world which I plan on one day ruling. And due to this, it seems that I must exterminate you. Worry not though, once I've reduced you to scrap I'll be sure to keep a few pieces of you for study. Who knows, maybe I'll even turn you into a weapon chained to my will. Wouldn't that be nice? You'd be my little pet. Cute, no? Well then, here is where I bid you adieu. Au revoir!"

Breathing in a large quantity of air, Alecto's chest expanded and her cheeks filled. Then with a wink Alecto opened her mouth issuing forth a raging beam of fire, shadow, wind, and lightning... the breath of a dragon.

Rolls

▪ Buff: +00 (1)
▪ Save: +00
▪ Inspire: +00

(BA) Area Effect
3d20 (4 + 2 + 9) = 15 splash damage

2d100 (Advantage) (80, 87) + [40] + 25 + 20 + 25 = 591 (Crit!)
591 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Copy and paste roll results from Discord here

Duel
▪ Damage: 4097
▪ Build Sheet

Lilith · Feb 15, 2023

130 / 130

Health

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Reckless

Despair and nothingness filled her heart until it all cycled back from an abyss into fear.

Alone. With heavy lids but dilated pupils, a funny sensation between life & death. Lilith just watched at her feet, at herself: She didn't feel powerful no more, but all the same she felt...

"Alive..?" She exclaimed her thoughts outloud. The sting of her fingers burns against her nerves, reminding her of the emergency surgery haphazardly done upon the battlefield by the Bloodsworn. The bubbly screams from Inari no longer ringing on her ears.

All that stopped mattering now, as she set gaze upon a murderous figure, the one 'final boss' they were all supposed to be fighting. It's a game.

It's a game... Isn't it? Then why does she fear for her life right now? She would die here, alone, and she knew begging wouldn't work with this threat. The look in these eyes were remorseless, they would eat her alive, and there is nothing she could do to stop it.

And the whole situation just excited her like a teenager experiencing love at first sight. Her chest heaved, her breath became erratic, and instead of butterflies in her stomach she felt maggots. Instead of warmth, a cold sweat.

She couldn't tell if she was losing her mind or not by now, but it felt good if that's the case.

"You really know how to put up an entrance don't you? I love it, you are just my type. The kind of woman who would actually kill me." She may be alone, and a cluster of rotten feelings may have a grasp on her heart right now, but she knew a threat when she saw one. Death couldn't be quick, not hers.

She wanted to feel the bite of her weapon, to taste primal fear, to know she's been defeated and that the next will be the afterlife, only to then get up in some place safe and repeat it all over again if given the opportunity.

Perhaps that's what this is. A special event crafted to her whims. A one time experience. Or not... And this was real.

Lilith smiled, giving a twirl to her blade before finally setting it horizontally against herself, giving her adversary the opportunity to strike first, if only because her retaliation would double down on how pleased she was with a gashing wound.

Taunting (627)

Rolls

(BA) Duelist
+20 bonus damage when you attack an enemy in melee.

Lilith

Reckless Attack
3d100 (32 + 54 + 78) + 5 + 0 + 40 = 209
209 damage
You are Vulnerable.
Slash Weapons | Lilith | Code

(F) Regeneration
(6) = 6
Regenerate 6 HP.

Mend | Lilith

(F) Infuse
+5 HP to your renegation, [defense], or [support] action's target(s).

(F) Taunt
(209 * 3) = 627 threat

Lilith

Mend | Lilith

Duel
▪ Damage: 4306
▪ Playsheet

Chrys · Feb 16, 2023

If there was a perfect moment to throw oneself into a dramatic monologue, this was pretty much it. But the God of Rocks known simply as Chrys, or the internationally infamous super lawyer Christopher Samuel Jackson, didn’t really care much for that sort of thing. At least not outside of court and certainly when he wasn’t getting paid in millions. Hmm.

"So… You’re Szofrit, I take it? I expected someone more…Austrian. Can’t say I’m impressed."

A rational man would take caution in the presence of their maker, or more accurately, murderer. But since when has he feared death? Not since she left. And if she wasn’t coming back, then neither was that fear. Chrys, Sam, or whoever he liked calling himself heaved a long drawn-out sigh, even as the Mother of Machines raised her weapon and charged at him. Sure, he was a little bummed out that the two girls he was always with weren’t there with him, but on the plus side, he didn’t have to babysit anyone anymore. They’re most likely not dead, yet, but still… A man’s gotta take his peace when he can.

But, to paraphrase a bald woman, who was he really—Chrys? Sam? Pete Simpson? Asch’s Alternate Account—in this vast multiverse? The aforementioned God of Rocks? A terrible businessman who attached a funeral parlor to his tavern and started mining in a place where mining was dangerous? The most sought-after legal counsel for the rich, the famous, the good, the bad, and everyone else with money, even the ugly? Oh, you wouldn’t want the answer to that question, kid.

"That said, if you’re down to make an equally profitable deal, maybe we can come to an arrangement. Otherwise…"

Chrys, Sam, Yo Momma didn’t really think the crazed Terminator woman would be interested in such things, especially now, when all hell has broken loose. Somewhat. Still, he had to try, and try he did. Before breaking loose his own hell himself. Who am I? Pfft. Who are YOU?

Rolls

Ultra Hinder
2d100 (19 + 9) + [50] + 25 + 20 + 50 = 123
123 SP damage
You are Vulnerable.
Aura | Chrys | 1745C1

(F) Alter Hinder
You may distribute HP and SP damage however you'd like when you use Hinder and Ultra Hinder.
Chrys
(BA) Alter Hinder
Deal an extra 30 SP damage when you attack.
Chrys

Duel
▪ Damage: 4459
▪ Build Sheet

Lune · Feb 16, 2023

Health
+35 Mitigation

Status
▪ Location: ???
▪ Alone
▪ Vulnerable from Ultra Counter

Darkness. Alone. Feeling something weird in the middle of her chest, her hand moved to touch it, not finding the steel shard.

Weird. Is this a dream? An illusion, maybe?

From the darkness, a figure approached. Lune could see a glimpse of red hair before the person raised her weapon. "Szofrit," She called out, still looking around, trying to figure out where she was. Of course, there was no immediate answer, but there was no one else, meaning she was free to unleash her true voice.

No other people foolishly walking into their own death. No meaningless, foolish sacrifices.

"You don't know me, I don't know you." The steel reaver began to hum, as stars were created, orbiting her. They eventually converged into one, forming a greatblade in her hand. She responded to the mother of magia, pointing her weapon toward the red-haired invader.

"But let's just end this, for everyone's sake."

Rushing, the red and blue steel met in the middle as their weapon clashed.

Rolls

Ultra Counter
1d100 (26) + [30] + 25 + 25 = 106
106 damage
Ultra Counter failed, 30 damage added.
Mitigate 5 damage. You are Vulnerable.
Aura | Lune | 1745C1

(F) Torment
Deal 20 flat damage to an adjacent enemy.
Lune

(F) Guardian
Mitigate 15 damage from yourself or allies when you target them via an action or a BA.
Aura | Lune

(BA) Shield
Mitigate 15 incoming damage to yourself or a [defense] action target.
Lune

Total Damage: 126

Duel
▪ Damage: 4585
▪ Build Sheet

Toko · Feb 16, 2023

"You are far more stupid than any human has a right to be."
"Nan datte—?"

One moment she was on the battlefield, shoulder to shoulder with other players and landers alike as they continued to push back wave after wave of scrap metal that threatened to swarm them, and the next there was nothing. The missing sounds of combat left a void that caused a faint riiiiiing! to grow within her eardrums, but as a hand reached for it in the inky darkness she couldn’t tell if the discomfort came from her lepus avatar or Nao’s actual ears in the real world.

It was a disconcerting and unsettling emotion, one that caused her chest to tighten as an unseen frown pressed her lips into a thin line, and the feeling of drifting through whatever this space was only served to unsettle the fighter further. Her feet finally seemed to reach solid ground, or at least that’s what the woman assumed considering the lack of visibility, before Toko ventured a few experimental steps. A faint shiver ran up her spine at the familiarity of this emptiness, one she had almost forgotten about as TerraSphere had begun to fill that void in her heart, but was now magnified further as it caught her unawares.

Fingers curled into tight fists as she quickly pushed unwanted thoughts and emotions to the recesses of her mind, her eyes darting instead across the black expanse as they looked for something—anything—that could shed some light into her whereabouts… that would confirm she wasn’t out here alone. She found it in the sight of an unknown guest, although one thing remained starkly clear as the woman stared into those crimson eyes—further cemented by the words that filtered into her mind.

You were not the first. You will not be the last. But you are next. The scent of blood flooded her nostrils, causing her muscles to tense in preparation, even as a mass of steel scraped against the invisible soil as the redhead purposely closed the distance between them. You are going to die.

"If you want to rumble all you have to do is ask, Akai-neesan~"

Taunting (651)

Player vs Machine: Toko & Szofrit
❰ Toko's PlaySheet ❱
Total Duel DMG: 4,802

❰ Rolls & Summary ❱

❰ Free Action: Disruptive ❱
Your attacks deal 30 SP damage in addition to its regular damage.
Toko | 1745C1

❰ Bonus Action: Berserk ❱
Gain up to 60 damage worth of bonus to attacks, heals, or buffs.
Battle Spirits | Toko | 1745C1

❰ Main Action: Ultra Counter ❱
1d100 (22) + [30] + 25 + 25 + 25 + 60 = 187 + 30 = 217
Ultra Counter failed, 30 damage added.
Mitigate 5 damage on @Toko. You are Vulnerable.
Astramancy | Toko | 1745C1

Complete 18+ Main Story (S4 Finale) DRAGON.end - Phase 3

Ashifili*

❮ II. Dungeon Knave ❯

Ashifili*

❮ II. Dungeon Knave ❯

Special Mechanics

Objectives

Magi Heart

Guest

Zelrius

❮ Ale King ❯

Sean Poteitoku

❮ Blade of Hope ❯

Jin

Tick Tock

❮ Queen Slayer ❯

Hanno Futaba

❮ Shield of Hope ❯

Erick Stryker

❮ Blade of Hope ❯

Cadmean

Kyanna Wynne

Magia

Blader X

Guest

Marigold Diablo

Yugam

❮ Pathfinder ❯

Ash Vargold

❮ Dissonant Exterminator ❯

Matilda

❮ Dissonant Exterminator ❯

Lilith

Guest

Chrys

❮ Stalwart Defender ❯

Lune

❮ Steel Reclaimer ❯

Toko

Guest