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Post by Gaia on Sept 4, 2021 19:02:58 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/182286591325110283/414432031947227148/Van~png
Vanguard.EXE
All that was left was war's simplicity. Brutal efficiency that was climatic and dangerous, simply insurmountably dangerous and fatal. That quaking energy came forward as the thunder rolled and the power came forth; the red energy that was left of war's tactics gone past.
Vanguard saw the power rolling forward, and knew in an instant that he alone could not hope to match that culmination of force. Even with the excess energy that pervaded the space, and the power afforded to them from the sheer might of Var's presence, Vanguard's power alone would fall short. But his power would pave the way forward. Mistair was capable of augmenting his force further, and it would therefore be up to him to start a strong foundation for her to empower.
From the boots with Vamin's design poured the lava that Vamin thrived in, and an instant later a whirlwind of ice and snow froze the lava lake over. As the power crested forward, Vanguard grasped hold of it and held it within his hands, his cannon arm forming as he rose to meet it halfway. His coils rotated and moved about, chips rapidly relocating and exhausting themselves as he constructed the machinations of what would hopefully become Var's undoing, as the moment of truth came upon him.
Just as Var's power progressed ever longer as war waged on, Vanguard fought a war with the intent to exhaust resources and overcome the adversary in a single moment of overwhelming might. With this power, Vanguard held his cannon forward, pressed his hand against the barrel, and moved the chamber so that it lined up with the point in its center, where a singular, prominent shell had been absorbing power all of this time. To meet this roaring thunder, Vanguard raised his trusty cannon, his eyes glaring through the blast to meet with his master.
"Then this is it, then! The one moment I must show my mastery of war is different, stronger, than yours. The moment I must surpass even you, Var, who has surpassed all others that were before you."
Vanguard pressed his cannon forward, holding his hand underneath his arm to support himself, as a rainbow of power funneled forward. The chips that he had loaded into his barrel became apparent now, their data dissolved and funneled into the strike. The power of every chip he had unleashed up until this point was unloaded into this strike, amplified ever further by the power of war on all sides, and even moreso by the force of his own vision and Mistair's invigorating essence. To meet with Var's roaring thunder, was little more than a faint whistle in the wind as the razor-thin beam of energy was fired out - and calamity was spread with it.
"To stand better than you, than your pride . . . I must choose to know when I cannot stand alone."
Defense Phase
[Vanguard HP=2001/2500]
[Vanguard has 0 Armor]
[Vanguard takes Dark Drill for 465 Damage]
x1 [Tactical Acumen] [S-Tier, Multiplier] His signature system of reticles, overlayed either over his own vision, the opponent's body, or his weapons as he strikes. This reticle empowers any other that follows it. - Vanguard doubles the temporary modifiers added to the selected attack. This can only be applied once per attack. -- [Active, 1/5 Max Uses/Battle]
[Charged Barrel] A burst of heat exuded from his barrel blazes forward, not to harm, but to increase future fire power. [25 * 10] Fire C-Damage [60%] ::C:: Breaks Shields, Cuts Auras ::C:: Can be optionally charged for up to three turns, granting 30% Damage to one attack following this one per total turn of charge.
Total: +1,500%
[Zealot's Fuel] Stoking his inner flames for increased heat and pressure, Vanguard funnels his life essence through his core an additional time to strike with more force. [0] Fire S-Damage [100%] ::A:: Upon use, Lock 1 Attack and add 50% of its base damage to Vanguard's next attack. ::°:: Vanguard can Optionally charge this attack for up to 4 turns, locking an additional attack per turn charged upon use. Gains 1-CD per additional turn charged. ::°:: Attacks remain Locked while this attack is on Cooldown. ::°:: 1-Turn Required Charge, 1-CD
[Vanguard locks Aiming Gaze, Burning Conviction, Overwhelming Strike, Dirty Strike, Taunting Strike, +625]
Total: +312,500
x7, imbue Dark Circle, Dark Tornado, Custom Sword, Elemental Rage [Diluted Essence] [B-Tier, Chip Imbue] His ability to expand his arsenal beyond normal margins has only grown more potent, allowing Vanguard to splice chips together with his normal weapons system flawlessly. - Vanguard expends uses from this skill to imbue their attacks with the effect of a Standard or Dark Chip of choice. Does not affect Mega or Giga Chips. -- When imbuing a chip, increase the attack's damage by the damage of the chip alongside adding the effect. -- Expend 1 Use to add a C-Tier or B-Tier effect from the chip to the attack. -- Expend 2 Uses to add an A-Tier or S-Tier effect from the chip to the attack. -- Cannot Copy ★ Tier Effects. -- Only 1 S-Tier effect can be imbued onto an attack at a time. The chip is still consumed, and all costs associated with using the chip must be paid. --- [Active, 9/9 Uses]
[Chip imbues apply +3,170. Custom Sword applies +67,032]
Total: 35,101,000
[::BattleChip:Lava PanelsLv1:v21::]
[Vanguard sacrifices one copy of Zeus Hammer to gain the benefit of Snow Day]
Santa Hat A warm holiday hat that keeps the spirit of Christmas alive all year round. ° Once per battle the user may add "Ice Element" to all attacks for one turn ° User's Ice Element Attacks gain +20 Damage per Battle Chip they've used/sacrificed up to that point in battle ° This Crest has 2 Upgrade Slots (the same upgrade can be equipped multiple times) ::o:: ⇪ Frozen Heart: User is immune to Freeze, strong to Ice, and deals +10% Ice Damage from all sources ::o:: ⇪ Snow Day: At any time, User may sacrifice any Mega Chip to augment the current Stage for 1 Turn, changing its element to Ice, all conditional positive effects to Ice, and all conditional negative effects to Non-Ice
[Lava panels apply x1.1 to Ice Element Attacks, Santa hat applies +760]
Total: x50, +380,000
x2 [::BattleChip:NeoVariable SwordLv1:v21::]
[Base Damage: 6,840]
Constant Charge: 5 Instances of x3,000 damage.
Mistair coming in hot with a nice x1000^14 power added to the fun.
[Power Revolver] x35 His trusted cannon revolves as he fires it, the increased flames from constant use fueling a powerful cartridge at its core. [652,461,196,500,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000] Fire/Ice C-Damage [0%] ::B:: Fully Undodgeable, Cuts Uncuttable Auras ::A:: This attack gains +90% of Vanguard's Base Damage per turn not used. Resets upon use. ::A:: Hits up to 3,500 times at full damage. ::C:: Adopts the panel's element in addition to its own. ::A:: If used on a panel type that matches this attacks, x2 damage. ::A:: Gains 25% of this attack's base damage per chip use expended this battle. ::°:: 1-Turn Required Charge, 2-CD
[Vanguard HP=1536/2500]
Support Phase
{ Pinpoint Offensive Advanced ::(+):: } Vanguard's power is in his eyes, a powerful gift that allows him to stare into a target's code and see the critical point within which it flows. This power is not easily raised against an enemy that he has not extensively studied, and has grown more powerful as Vanguard has learned to control it. - Up to 5 of Vanguard's Passive Attack Slots are converted into stacks of Constant Charge. - Constant Charge can be spent to apply a multiplier to one Attack's Damage per turn (proportionate to an Optional Charge Multiplier, corresponding to the Constant Charge spent) - Constant Charge resets at the end of every turn [- Constant Charge does not substitute Required Charge [- Interruption removes all stacks of Constant Charge for 1 Turn -- [Passive]
[Reaver Eye] ::o:: ?
Offense Phase 17 AS, 5 CC || 2 DCE
::Element:Seeking:: Lv6 ::o:: The first damaging attack landed onto each foe in a turn deals x2.5 Damage. Aiming skills apply to three consecutive attacks. ::o:: Power Up and Power Up Variants apply to the next damaging attack, rather than the next attack.
Summary Phase
[Vanguard HP=1,536/2,500]
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Post by Zane on Sept 4, 2021 19:23:43 GMT -8
She had saved it up for this moment since the beginning after all. Time and again when they were pressured, she merely kept it to herself. And just like with Vamin before, she would simply unleash it now at the pivotal moment. And when the bolstering was done, the single whistle tore through the tumultuous thunder. In its wake was a grand silence, as the thunder would cease all at once as the whistling would pass through the space between them as at last the area returned to its original condition. Opposite of them stood Var, lowering his stance. They had managed to best all of his abilities, and Vanguard's path of war had at last managed to walk over his own. He found the single moment that he needed to see it done, and victory was finally theirs. And it was here that it was slowly beginning to occur, the life in Vanguard's other eye slowly preparing to return and be his own once again.
"...And with that, those ancient ones have been all but surpassed. At least up until the Avatar of War, at least. Those last two exceed even me, after all."
But before the moment of victory could be relished too much, they would be able to practically feel the fear enter Var's being. And at the same time they felt a chill in the space around them. And almost out of nowhere, had he appeared. It was unceremonious and silent, without any sort of signs to signal some great being's arrival. A figure that Genesis and the Armored Destroyer were all too familiar with, yet one that didn't seem all too indifferent to Mistair and Vanguard as well. His arrival had cut Var completely silent, yet his gaze passed over him without paying him much mind. The fervor that burned in it in time past seemed calm... and yet greater than ever.
"I believe we need to talk, Armored Destroyer. Or perhaps you'd prefer another name?"
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Post by Gaia on Sept 4, 2021 19:46:46 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/182286591325110283/414432031947227148/Van~png
Vanguard.EXE
Vanguard smiled, a moment of celebration, as the effort made through, and it seemed at the very least that Var had managed to stay alive. All that was necessary was their force to meet and for his to overcome, then. He felt the life return to his eye, without the burning sensation that usually accompanied it, and he felt a comment in his throat. It was the first bit of good news in what felt like far too long . . .
"We-"
He paused, the joviality of his voice seeming shortsighted and too hopeful for the sudden chill that passed through the room. Turning, instinctively holding his cannon steady, Vanguard met eyes with the new figure, and realized a striking resemblance to Rosso almost immediately. He seemed to glance right over Var, and that was a detail Vanguard did not miss. This individual . . . knew what Var was, knew what he was capable of, and thought nothing of him. No, less than nothing.
The way that Var shifted, the fear that seemed to wash over his master, was telling in its own way. Vanguard was tired, worn, and weary from the effort just expended, his chest still heaving from the force, his fires still rekindling from what had just been accomplished. Even with his eye surging and becoming his own, he didn't feel as though the victory just won could be celebrated, yet, but he didn't feel as though it were wise to simply allow this individual to take the Armored Destroyer.
He looked back to Var. That fear in his eyes - it was never an emotion he had known his master capable of showing. This wasn't something he could take lightly. He paused, looking to Mistair, and then over to Genesis. He had led the way forward this far, but was feeling unsure of what steps to take against this new arrival, if any. They had just won a hard-fought battle, and Vanguard was aware of what reserves he had left - there were practically none remaining.
As far as he was unfortunately concerned, whatever this individual wanted, he would be getting it. Vanguard, at the moment, was next to powerless. He grit his teeth, pointing his cannon arm down at the ground so as to not be confused as an aggressor, but kept his hand supporting it - it was still in quite a bit of pain.
A thought continued to pervade his mind about what Var told them about their assailants. How they were ruthless, relentless, and willing to destroy and rebuild them to get what they wanted . . . to what ends? Why were they all just akin to playthings for them all? Yet, there was nothing he could do. Spent on matching, no, surpassing, war itself . . . he was out of energy.
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Post by Raven8 on Sept 4, 2021 19:53:05 GMT -8
...no rest for the weary.
The appearance of the figure elicits little more than a passive scowl from the nameless Navi; yet another grandiose being which, ironically, held more legitimate claim to the title that the world had given him in recent years...
...that is, until he speaks.
The words coming from this one... they visibly shock the Armored Destroyer. His gruff anger turns to a moment of controlled panic, which is quickly overtaken by guarded rage. This Navi, ambiguous in goals for so long, steps between the group that he's now a part of and the individual that addressed him, quickly taking up battle stance and raising his firsts to take aim with his arm cannons. However, his right arm quickly falters and falls to the side, still not completely repaired from his ruinous confrontation with Silverhorn. The nameless Navi lists to the side slightly and lets his broken arm fall away, flinching as he does yet but never taking his eyes off of his target as he raises the strongest front that he possibly can.
?: Say another word and I'll take down this entire station, and I'll make sure that you burn with it.
Regardless of if he held the power or the physical integrity to back up his words, it's obvious that the Armored Destroyer is not bluffing. Quite the contrary; he seems assured of his own threats. But more than that, for the first time since he first appeared on the scene deleting political advocates of the license system so many years ago, he seems... worried.
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Post by Genesis on Sept 4, 2021 20:12:00 GMT -8
*And so the student managed to surpass the master. And so he would yield and let Vanguard do as he pleased with this matter, closing his eyes and crossing his arms in front of his chest. His fighting was to fight with others, while Var's was to fight alone. That pride was what many would consider his undoing, but it wasn't as though he didn't understand it. In this case he refused to relate with Var in the least, but he knew all too well that they all stood alone. That strength they find in isolation made them all who they were. They had grown strong relying solely on themselves and no one else. He would even go so far as to say that he hardly knew anyone he could trust to do what he couldn't in a fight, or that wouldn't make the battle more difficult for him by interfering. That was just what he was used to, what he had been accustomed to in every conflict to date.*
"Wh--?"
*It had happened in such a short span of time. By the time the chill arrived, did he see who many would consider his comrade in arms. If Psyche had been considered the brains and Genesis the force behind those brains, Zane would be the one that was considered the moral compass of that group. Unlike the rest of them in the Revolution, he wasn't nearly as radical back then and often called them out for their excessive force, to which was hardly such given the opposition was able to resist just fine. Before in the past, he was easily the most trustworthy individual possessing of power that didn't utilize that power to be a destroyer like they had been. And yet here they stood now... He had ignored Vanguard's gaze as his own filled with clear malice, despite his tone otherwise remaining as calm as it had been up to this point. It was clear that Var recognized Zane, and not because of his similarities to two of their adversaries. That fear was grounded for another purpose, but again it wasn't for Genesis to judge. He only cared for the one who had the gall to be called a Knight when he was still nothing more than an assassin. One far too efficient at his job at that. He almost didn't feel like interrupting just so he could gather more information, but they at the very least still needed the station for a few moments longer. After that, though? ...Well, who could say?*
"Showing yourself instead of lurking in the shadows now? And for this guy who's just as willing to collateral as I am? I'll never understand your point of view, Zane."
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Post by Zane on Sept 4, 2021 20:23:19 GMT -8
Mistair had placed her hand on Vanguard's shoulder, shaking her head after. He wasn't in any condition to fight, especially given the reputation that Zane held. With his limited resources, it would hardly be any effort on his part to see him undone in a flash, Var practically petrified still by his presence.
And there was the one he knew all the time in the past. That anger was the defense he used for himself and also just a part of his natural temperament. And yet he also was able to understand the importance behind that worry just from such a hostile response. His gaze remained indifferent to the threat, at least initially. It narrowed not out of concern for the station itself, but because the Destroyer believed he had it in him to make sure he burned down with it. It was that very same recklessness that... no, he would squash that emotion for now.
"Armored Destroyer it remains, then. It's not like I'd divulge it to those present anyway. They're hardly the trustworthy sort. We'll talk without them. Besides, weren't you just voicing your complaints about the damages to the real world this very station caused? You'd be surprised what sort of damage it would do once it began its descent. You don't need to calm down, but act less rashly instead."
He hadn't bothered to turn his gaze to Vanguard's attempts either, but there was someone else here who was able to keep his gaze narrowed. Someone they could say he had quite the history with. For Zane, it was hardly a foot note in his time, but it was a noteworthy foot note all the same. An agitation that he had yet to deal with, and one that he still desired to. It was one that he would let go so long as he kept his head down. But he was hardly the sort to do that, now was he?
"And it's not as if I was lurking about anywhere. I was simply house-sitting with my family. Oh, that's right. You can't understand that. You've only ever sought their ruin after all. We could never see eye to eye, Genesis. Because you're hardly any different from that war machine, Var. The only real difference is that it is a broken tool and you are a petty child."
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Post by Raven8 on Sept 4, 2021 20:37:18 GMT -8
The destroyer keeps his arm raises, never taking aim off of Zane. He grinds his teeth silently and narrows his eyes, only glancing out the window for a moment at Zane's rebuke.
....and then a smirk cracks the destroyer's steely expression. He says nothing, yet at the same time it's obvious that he knows more than he's letting on, and that Zane just tipped his hand in some way with that statement.
?: What do you want?
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Post by Zane on Sept 4, 2021 20:44:38 GMT -8
To the Destroyer's smirk did Zane offer back one of his own. He was glad to see that he was able to understand just from what he had said so briefly. He would open his hand with his palm facing upward, a blue hole opening up. For anyone else gazing into it they would see nothing but the Eden beneath it, but for the Destroyer he would be able to see the Cradle that Zane had left just recently. And also what else was there, minding his own business as it were.
"Someone left something for you. I'm here to see to it that it ends up in your custody as he intended. How you utilize it is up to you."
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Post by Raven8 on Sept 4, 2021 21:13:55 GMT -8
...much was said by saying so little.
The destroyer holds his weapon level and his eyes locked onto Zane. This was an invitation to something that the destroyer didn't have knowledge of, but why come to him for it? The image in the hole was vaguely familiar, yet it held no real significance to the nameless Navi. And even more than that, how could he possibly trust the Navi who'd been the face of this cataclysm?
...the face...
The nameless Navi thinks back; it had not been long ago. He was at his end, unable to continue. This was the moment when he met Rosso, the moment that he knew something at last; there was more to this group than what met the eye. It was in this meeting that he saw deeper, he saw that a bit of humanity still resided in this fiery tyrant. And, perhaps, a bit of regret.
This one... this one who shares the same face, and is somehow intertwined so thoroughly. In this moment he's owed this. It's a debt to pay back, and also an offering of peace; if only for a brief moment.
Slowly he lowers his weapon, his steel gaze never faltering. The light within the barrels of his cannons die down to signify their shut-down, and with the low hum of their final retorts highlighting the moment, he steps forward.
He offers no more words, but stands no more than a few yards from Zane, still looking on wordlessly as he silently agrees to follow where he's needed.
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Post by Genesis on Sept 4, 2021 21:30:09 GMT -8
*His gaze had gone from the malice that it held before to something far more volatile. So that was how they were going to do this, was it? So be it. Neither one held a positive outlook on one another. Genesis had been willing to put up with it before as a difference in beliefs. But with everything that had happened up to this point, there was no longer any need to do that. It looked like the business between those two were settled and Vanguard and Mistair likely had no reason to engage. So he would take his own cut out of this, whether Zane's apparent damage hindered him or not. If he was willing to talk that much with no regard for his well-being, far be it from him to have any regard for that well-being.*
"Since you're so sure of yourself, you should know what that means. Embera's family is going to be much smaller when we're done with each other."
*The black data coiled out from his gauntlets as in his left hand a blade of black energy was formed and in his left a magnum, firing the magnum first as the plasma erupted forth from the attack with all the energy that had gone unused from the fight prior before he vanished from place to appear at Zane's side to bring the blade down at the same time to catch him between his blade and hold him down for the shot that was unleashed. And at the same time the space would collapse around them, over a hundred blows that were greatly magnified and prepared beforehand despite their past relationship. Or perhaps in spite of that relationship?*
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Post by Zane on Sept 4, 2021 21:40:27 GMT -8
He was going to lead the way now, but had stepped forward as Genesis began to speak, well aware of how the Overlord would behave. He had just said how he thought of him just moments prior, had he not? And the tone of the face of this calamity had shifted to filled with annoyance rather than their usual animosity. It wasn't directed at anyone else here but one, and that one had someone who just had to be collateral with him right now.
"This will only take a moment."
As the shot and strike came did Zane move his arm, his cloak catching both the plasma blast and the bladed strike without flinching. And as the space would collapse around him, unlike with Var before who had such difficulties with it... Zane merely held his ground as the shifting strikes that had formed had all... halted. They were still there, all floating as if time had stopped for them. His arm reached out and gripped Genesis by his cloak as he tossed him into the collapse and simply walked back out of it without a care as it fell upon the Overlord. But it wasn't as if Genesis could be harmed by his own efforts. Especially now that he was short a particular sword of his. So he pulled back his arm, and at long last could they feel heat instead of chill. That flicker that they felt had heat that felt more intense than any sun and a depth that felt completely endless, infinite and without an end. The power was quickly condensed and limited despite how it was perceived, and the result was instead a simple straight punch from there, an unavoidable and mighty blow straight to the chest of the Overlord as the collapse that was ongoing would erupt into flames and launch Genesis across the room as even Armiger would be detached from his form, some form of paralysis overtaking him after. He didn't offer any words to him, only a cold glare from his eye as he and the Destroyer would fade into the rift and off to their destination, the effects that had taken him dissipating as soon as they were gone. Without any further words to address his former comrade, and without any regard to their circumstances.
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Post by Gaia on Sept 5, 2021 7:50:58 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/182286591325110283/414432031947227148/Van~png
Vanguard.EXE
Genesis seemed incapable of even noticing his gaze, a malice overcoming his visage. It was at this moment that Vanguard remembered that he knew frighteningly little about Genesis, and had up to this point been fighting alongside him with the hope of learning something about their opponents; what had he learned about his new ally? He was durable and strong, capable of wide-area denial force, and more than well equipped to both evade danger and take it without worry. Armiger's special abilities complimented him, well.
Personality-wise, he seemed very detached and self-assured. Even after the crushing defeat at Sharo, Genesis seemed to be looking forward, pushing himself towards whatever came next. He didn't know what that fight had done to him, having been removed from it early, but he hadn't been quite the same, since.
As the conversations unfolded before Vanguard, he was just thankful of one little bit of reassurance from his ever-present ally, looking over to Mistair, his own face haggard and his body visibly drained. Her reassurance that she understood why he wouldn't engage made his decision feel less rash. He would be nothing more than a burden if this erupted into a fight.
The Armored Destroyer responded, first, leaping up to stand between the new adversary and them; Genesis confirmed that his name was Zane. Whatever he knew of the Armored Destroyer's name, the otherwise nameless navi didn't want that shared. He was willing to tear down this whole place rather than risk that information get out . . .
Zane and Genesis had a past. That much was clear. Whoever Zane was, he already didn't have good opinions of them; they weren't trustworthy, to him. Vanguard had comments to make, but he knew it was better to just observe for this time. Zane's opinions of Genesis were rather pointed, however, and directed with malice intended - Genesis was being baited, and he fell for it, but the Armored Destroyer had already agreed to whatever destination the newcomer had in store for him.
Was it submission to avoid something worse? An attempt at peace, after the calamity just observed here? Vanguard didn't know exactly what was going on in the Armored Destroyer's head, but it was evident that Genesis wasn't just going to leave this alone.
Rosso and Nero's heat were both intense, but it seemed the chill that accompanied Zane one moment, suddenly replaced by the heat of stars and then some, surpassed even theirs. That incredible power . . . it seemed to stop Genesis' in its tracks, Armiger tossed aside, and Genesis left on the ground reeling from the impact. Vanguard instinctively clutched at his own chest, where now Rosso and Nero had struck him . . . he had a little bit of an unfortunate idea of how that felt.
Just as quickly as combat erupted, it was over, Genesis tossed aside like a ragdoll by this Navi named Zane. Yet, just like his brethren, Vanguard couldn't get any sort of read on him. Vanguard used what strength he had left to move over, slowly, to where Armiger had been cast aside, picked up the suit of icy armor, and returned him to his navi crest state to store him away. The suit of armor was melting from the impact, ragged and worn, and could use some repairs after the brutal displays of force their enemies had waged against Genesis and him. He deserved a good rest.
He turned his head, from where he was kneeling, over to Genesis, on the ground, then up to Var. Just what . . . just how much power did their adversaries possessed? What was it that separated them by such insane margins? Var was holding back - he could tell, in a sense - as much as he could while still meeting the requirements of the trial, and yet Var was still scared of this individual. What did it mean for them, that they had to stand up against that level of force in order to overcome what came next?
What was expected of them, now, that they had come this far, and yet seemed that they had so much farther to go? He looked down to Genesis, again, thinking of Zane's words . . . an engine of war, just like Var. Looking to his master, Vanguard knows that he was so much more than a tool, but he hadn't been given the freedom nor ability to act as anything more than such. His goal was that he would no longer be necessary . . . isn't that the point of every tool, however, to ultimately finish its job and be needed no longer? Those words got him to thinking, glancing back at the coils where he stored Armiger and Centurion away.
He shook his head, closing his eyes for a second as he took a deep breath and brought himself back up to standing, staggering a bit as he rose, but managing to get back on his own two feet. He looked out at the gathered group, with much to say, but first, an understanding had to be reached. He looked to Var. "What now? You failed in your mission to execute us. Are you free to act as you please, now that I've surpassed your path? Or are you still bound to their will? I want to know if we can expect your aid moving forward."
His fist was clenched, still frustrated, but his voice was calm and his eyes thoughtful as ever. Whatever it was that he was considering, it had brought him some sense of clarity in all this madness. Moving forward, things had to be different.
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Post by Genesis on Sept 6, 2021 9:01:55 GMT -8
*That maneuver was something Zane had utilized for some time, and for the longest time the world deemed it all but impregnable. He was one of the few privy to what limitations it should have had... at least, that was how it should have been. He hadn't gone in expecting him to be the exact same individual, hardly as such. It just wasn't something that would concern him on the matter or influence his decision moving forward. His eyes had widened in response to what happened next however, seeing his attacks just be halted without an issue before Zane deftly took advantage of his surprise, tossing him into his own array of blows. But he had hardly ever been careless enough to be done in by his own attacks, taking even those in stride as he was moving with his sword arm to instead strike back as his blows were used against him. It was the intense heat that followed that would have at last alerted Genesis to want to instead avoid the attack that was on its way toward him. It wasn't as if he wouldn't do so when he was in harm's way at long last, but even when he aimed to move, it was as if the depth of the attack covered the entire space and beyond. There wasn't a single space that could be used to escape the blow, taking it directly as he was at last launched back and into the wall in a crash.*
"Guh!"
*He wasn't able to move after either. It wasn't as if it had been enough to leave him too hurt to do so, but it appeared as though the intent of the attack had been to rattle him to the point where he would otherwise be immobile as Zane departed. Others would claim that he could have used it as a chance for any number of things, but he knew that was ridiculous thinking instead. Rather, he was confident that they wouldn't be speaking to one another save for insults and throwing blows at one another. He'd rather save his breath and go right to throwing blows instead.*
"...Tch."
*Armiger took the hit worse than he did it would seem. Even more fierce than Rosso and Nero's displays of aggression, yet that chill that accompanied him was new altogether. Something about it likely led into what he would begin to piece together for an idea for how to confront at least Nero, but nothing still for Rosso on that front. Then he would let him get the rest he needed with Vanguard instead for once as he would get back to his feet, his eyes looking over to Vanguard and Mistair now. They would be working over Var now for whatever that was worth... meaning he had another thing to take care of while they did. Whatever they learned from him they could share with him later however selectively they wanted while they rested as he started to make his leave.*
"I'm going to investigate a bit on how much damage was done to the world below in the meantime."
*And so he would disappear down into the dark hallway that led them here to head back down. Where he would investigate first would logically be Creamland if he landed there accordingly. And in the meantime he'd just be fine with understanding that just as always, he was fighting those he had once fought alongside with. Of all the things to change, at least that was something that still remained the same...*
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Post by Zane on Sept 6, 2021 17:20:43 GMT -8
It looked as though Var was able to breathe again, but was still in something of a trance now that he was gone. It was clear to even Mistair that he was all too familiar with Zane, then. He must have been one of the larger contributor to breaking down the will of the King to this point. He had saw fit to leave things alone here, so he must have had no designs of cleaning things up now that the execution had failed. She imagined they would likely have the one from before see to it instead as was their original plan. Var was confused as well, unsure exactly what was to come of this display now that it was all taken care of. So he had to assume the worst more than anything else, steadily calming himself as he turned to look to the student now beyond his equal. He would want nothing more than to offer him assurances that he would have his continued aid through all of this, but he knew better than anyone just how fleeting his time truly would be once they would decide to deal with their failure here. It wasn't as if they made it a habit to punish failure with termination, it was just that they were more than aware that terminating Var was just the proper approach to his failure.
"Even if that one... saw fit to overlook this, the same can't be said of the other. It's only a matter of time before they tie up loose ends. If they haven't now, it means that they're poised to act upon something else at the moment and don't feel the need to add me to their multi-tasking at the moment. Even when I do aid you, it will be short-lived."
Genesis: 1,000exp, 10,000z + 5 Reaver's Mineral, One Element Overcap
Vanguard: 1,000exp, 10,000z, 5 Reaver's Mineral, Giga Mystery Data and Reaver's Eye unlocked.
Ancestral Eye Crest That which sees all. - User gains a "Noise Meter" that holds up to 100% Noise - User can customize how the Meter is increased - At above 50% Noise, the Meter depletes at a rate of -5% per turn - At 50% ~ 99% Noise, User can empty the entire Gauge to use Flow: When activated, User increases a single parameter by 50% for one instance. - At 100% Noise, User can empty the entire Gauge to use Surge; user may not use the same Surge twice in a battle. When Activated, User gains one of the following Effects: +1 Use to One Skill +1 Immediate Charge to One Attack Instantly Cooldown One Attack Applies Flow's Effect at 100%
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Post by Gaia on Sept 7, 2021 1:43:42 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/182286591325110283/414432031947227148/Van~png
Vanguard.EXE
Vanguard's eye awoke, the rainbow of colors flying from the ancient mark of Var's people no longer burning him. It hummed with might and surged his very being with it, as he felt some of the ambient resistance in the air instead be absorbed into his body and resonated with. It was as though the natural static of the Net was now a fuel source to him . . . and much more power served to be awakened by his final overcoming of his master.
Just as the flow of colors once shone from Var's body, so too did Vanguard's body adapt to the powers of the four. He held out his hands and observed as his awakening occurred, watching the shifting colors move over his body - white, pale green, black, and finally, red. Power coruscated around Vanguard as the energy of their previous master funnelled some of its force into him, the fires within taking on a powerful new spark, his resolve restored. That incredible well of energy intensified, his inner fuel reserves empowered, and in just a passing moment, Vanguard's energy seemed fully restored, and then some.
He looked up to Mistair, wanting to smile at her for his accomplishment, but he knew from Var's words that the time for celebration was still far off. He chanced her a kind glance, softening his eyes, before he turned his steely gaze back at Var himself. Vanguard, with that new power to him, stepped forward, putting himself back to a similar distance as he was before with Var.
Staring through the awakened eye, Var was still taller than he was, but he was shaken, needing to calm himself down from the encounter with Zane. It was a feeling that he understood. It made Var seem much closer to their kind than Vanguard would have first thought him capable of. There was much to be said, much to still be answered, but there would be time for that . . . after the time for war was over.
"I am truly sorry, then, that I cannot tell you that it is time for you to go and take your rest. I would gladly work towards making your wish come true, that your purpose would be complete, and that you could go to your rest." He transformed his cannon arm back into his hand, a pyre of flames shaping it back to form. As he had done before, Vanguard holds up his fist, offering it to Var.
"I refuse to look at you as simply a tool or engine of war, even if that may be what you are, at the end of days. You taught me much more about life than the reality of wars, however, and even now you display that spirit.
"I am sorry to ask this of you, Var, . . . but can you offer me your strength in a different way? You say what comes next is inevitable, but I have just bested you. They would take your power and make it their own in another way, one way or another. Might I use your strength as what they assume it to be, with the hopes that I may one day release you from that?"
[Mobius selected]
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