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Post by Zane on May 22, 2021 20:45:12 GMT -8
GaiaBefore the Tactician would be called upon in the present, his past was like many that had come before. He too was possessed of humble beginnings, in a time not that far gone or distant. Months prior, during the time of Juno, was when he would first begin to make his mark. And in that time, he was given the position of protege to one of the four cornerstones of Juno's forces. As the student of Var, he would become the Protege of War and obtain the analytical mind he does to this day.
"What do you believe one needs to be victorious?"
It was the question presented to that very same Vanguard from that very same mentor. For those that would stand in the face of war, as the one who stood as war incarnate, it was something that could quite possibly have any number of answers.
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Post by Gaia on May 23, 2021 9:41:27 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE And so he was called to pit brother against brother, and cull the unworthy from the Net. Humble beginnings indeed, he had barely reached even a single milestone aside from his own creation before joining the avatar of war himself, and yet humble was still not a good word to describe him, even then. He was vengeful, searching for power, and at the time, believing Juno could provide it to him.
He was not wrong. He did not know, then, that the colossus' words would forever be burned into his memory.
Within the garden, the tranquil pathways seemed antithetical to Var's presence. He thought over his new master's words, having tried once already to escape this position that was given to him, only to come back after being unable to shake his words. He considered them carefully, knelt down as he looked into a nearby stream, and stood to face him with his answer. ". . . Victory can have a lot of meanings. In the simplest sense, victory is an accomplishment. We celebrate little victories every day. In that sense, to achieve victory, one needs what is necessary to accomplish whatever it is they are trying to do."
Even as he spoke, the words felt strange coming from his mouth. His immediate answer would have just been to overcome them in battle - it was why he paused to consider who he was talking to, and then take into account that his question did not include "in battle". When not consumed by rage, it was easier to think out the true meaning behind his master's words.
"So . . . it depends on what you're trying to do."
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Post by Zane on May 23, 2021 10:51:25 GMT -8
In this garden with its serenity, when given enough time even one filled with rage would obtain a few moments of clarity. This tranquilty that was far from what Var should be found in, the land that the worthy were supposed to be taken to in the face of the end. This was Juno's answer to the current ongoing events in the world, causing an upheaval and a movement all at once. As brother were to fight against brother, would they then be considered worthy for being the victor of that battle? Var nodded to Vanguard's answer, his eye meeting Vanguard's own.
"Indeed. In the simplest sense, one needs a goal and the drive to seek out that accomplishment. When that spirit is lost, there can be no true victories."
If there was no goal to seek or any desire to seek it out, then there was nothing to be accomplished. Nothing to try and nothing to do. In life it was fine to stop and look around or even to look back, even take steps back. But when one doing those things in an attempt to continue moving forward, then they were simply a walking husk. They steadily became more and more unworthy the more they lost sight of their way ahead in life. Such was the war that was fought on a day to day basis on a vast number of fronts, in a large variety of ways. The singular eye of the Avatar of War looked out to the landscape before him, as if he was contemplating something. This beauty was the work of Juno, yet in the eyes of others this was little more than a false paradise created in a moment of aggression. Be it Human or Navi however, who could say what a true paradise looked like when all they ever experienced was anything but? And now would come a similar question, but in the context that one would expect from one of his station.
"What then, could be considered the most vital component to being the victor in battle?"
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Post by Gaia on May 23, 2021 11:11:41 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE Var wasn't the only one that had many questions concerning the nature of the paradise.
In their discussion of victory in a sense of life in general, then the recognition of needing a goal and the willingness and spirit to chase after it put much into perspective. To look back and allow that to inform your present was one thing, but to step back into that state, you have then stopped going forward. The past informs the present, then, but the present shapes the future - if you try to live the present in the past, do you then doom your future to be as your present?
To look backwards was fine, indeed - but never stop moving forward. So, did his next question come, and Vanguard spent time to think over that answer, as well. He looked away from that unquivering eye, unblinking, and considered the tranquility of the grove yet again. It centered him, and separated him from the concerns of the world beneath. His next steps, in this instance, were to move forward, as well. He faced him again, and dared to face that eye.
". . . The battle's outcome is simply another goal to reach towards. In the same light, one must have a goal and strive towards it. One must not only have a purpose for their fight, but belief in that purpose, and, as you put it, the spirit to chase after it.
". . . Is that it, then? Purpose?"
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Post by Zane on May 23, 2021 18:30:31 GMT -8
Var nodded to Vanguard's answer. In battle, the purpose behind that battle and the beliefs behind it were important. Meaningless battles were without cause, fights without belief were without merit, and those who fought in such a manner would always find themselves defeated. Those with purpose would always pursue with more fervor and strength than those without. But merely possessing those were not enough to grant one the victory, to allow them to overcome the adversity that stood before them. Because what then could one do in the face of another who possessed the very same traits as you yourself possessed? Who was to say who had more right to being the victor, whose purpose carried more weight than the other? The outcome of the battle determined as such, and that outcome would not be found very easily.
"After one has obtained purpose and drive, what one needs then is thought and action. With action and thought alike, one then needs the necessities to turn those into reality. The final spark necessary for that can always be found in one's self. The tools at their disposal, the wit they possess, the power that they hold, all of these can be used as a means to that end."
There were many ways to reach from there, but Var didn't break his gaze from Vanguard's own. Will by itself would only get one so far. Power by itself could only accomplish as much as power itself could. And ultimately, wars were never settled by a singular being. While a battle could be a contest of such wills from person to person, what would be waiting ahead would be something far grander than simply another battle. It was his station to see to it that his student not only understood that, but was prepared for it.
"Being just alone will not grant you salvation. You must be able to enforce or protect it. Pride and ideals can only go so far without the means to defend them or enforce them. And no solitary being is capable of any and everything."
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Post by Gaia on May 24, 2021 16:04:12 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE In that light, then, conflict ultimately boiled down to a battle of wills. The will to obtain your goal, and the force you can exert to defend it, against the will of those against you and their force.
He stared into that singular eye. The longer he held that gaze, the more his left eye transformed; it wasn't long until Vanguard's own Reaver Eye, without any saying of his own, was staring back into Var's. He considered his next words, forcing his own will to maintain even this little attempt at a victory. "A goal pursued by multiple individuals has the spirit and force of all of those individuals protecting and enforcing it.
"To raise an army to fight for your cause isn't enough, then - it will add to your power, but a single soldier that does not believe can shatter that morale necessary to chase after your goal."
There was something else he wasn't getting, though, and that was where his next question came in.
"I understand the wisdom of your words, but reality also seems to contradict you. There are plenty that fight simply for the sake of fighting, or that wade into battle with a goal but no plan or even thought to guide their action; those that fight on instinct alone. Against someone practicing your teachings, are these individuals doomed to succeed? Or can power, instinct, and a will to win overcome thought, action, and a purpose beyond the battle itself?"
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Post by Zane on May 24, 2021 22:22:43 GMT -8
Seeing the Reaver Eye stare back into his own, it was the only time that Var's own showed any indications at all. It had flickered ever so slightly, as if seeing it spawn was something that he wanted to make a comment on, but did not do so. He touched upon a good point of his own in the face of reality. It was a good assessment as that was also a truth that had to be confronted. And for that truth, Var had a response just as well.
"Reality is neither equal nor fair. In the light of reality, there are those who lack purpose, but possess the unbridled power necessary to simply wade through life. In some cases, their single-minded focus toward battle alone is their only true purpose. They live by that instinct with nothing further to drive the purpose behind that will. Under normal circumstances instinct alone shouldn't suffice, but there are exceptions in all things. It is simply a matter of seeing or finding where that exception lies."
Their reality wasn't built in absolutes. Vanguard was already aware of this and yet the same could be said of they themselves. Others would think they believed themselves to be as such, but that notion would be folly in itself. The Kings under Juno could say that their idea of being absolute had been extinguished quite some time ago. They were able to maintain that facade to this day, but Var wasn't one to shy away from bringing up that to not be the case. From the noise they could hear in the distance, it was likely that the other King was on his way now in fact.
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Post by Gaia on May 27, 2021 7:48:32 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE There it was, again - some sort of response, almost as if Var were concerned about the evolution of his eye to become as the Reavers that trained him.
He furrowed his brow at his master's answer, trying to think through the meaning underneath. He turned with his master, towards the sound of the noise, still unaccustomed to each of them in their turns. "Those lines are blurred by Juno's existence. Am I at liberty to speak my mind towards that front, or is it advised that I do not? I detect that there is much unsaid about the King's . . . relationship . . . with your current master.
"Speaking of, which one is it?" Vanguard had heard of the others at this point, but had yet to meet all of them as of yet, and of the ones he did know, he had yet to learn enough about them to recognize them by sound alone.
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Post by Zane on Jun 3, 2021 7:00:50 GMT -8
There was much left unsaid about many things, even their relationship with the Bureaucrat Unit and the Kings. That was clear even from an outsider looking on in. He no doubt had any number of questions to ask regarding that particular subject and reasonably so at that.
"Silence is advised in regard to Master Juno. All that needs to be said is that he has our loyalty. This would be Vamin."
But it would look as though he was right to suspect that he should be careful with the topic as well. The relationship between the master and those who served him wouldn't be delved into more deeply, at least not by Var. He did get to discover which of them was approaching next and just as Var was out of place in such a tranquil place, the overbearing stature of the Avatar of Famine that approached them was no less the same. It was even a disparity between the two of them, as Var was taller than Vanguard but still of a humanoid size compared to the gargantuan stature of Vamin. That could be said of Vestil as well in terms of appearance, and Deav and Var were nothing alike as well even disregarding that at the very least they were closer in size.
"I finished setting up camp in the specified areas. That just leaves Deav's work undone as well as yours. But you look like you're making progress with that as we speak."
Vamin's head was facing toward Vanguard then, gazing into the renewed eye that he possessed with his own. Var's expertise weren't necessary at this stage, which meant that if they got into any fights for the time being it would be left up to Deav or their Master to take care of. That was their orders until further notice now that he had finished his business in the other countries. That would just leave getting Vanguard's shift taken care of.
"Obtaining the power necessary will be no small feat and I imagine it will take months before that takes place. If you're so curious about his current progress, you can test for yourself how it's coming along if Vanguard is willing."
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Post by Gaia on Jun 3, 2021 8:37:51 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE His previous inability to recognize the coming Reaverking seemed foolish once he crested over the hill and became visible; he had dubbed Var 'The Colossus' within his mind, but he at least still maintained human form, and was only that much taller than he in comparison to this truely gargantuan individual. Vamin was monstrous in stature, and yet so different from Var in scope of power despite their difference in size.
Vanguard had heard Var's response to his question of loyalties and opinions, and has decided to leave that conversation, there. He was sure his want for questions was safe with Var, but he still had much to learn about the other Reaverkings. Listening to the Avatar of Famine, as it were, Vanguard once again wondered just what role he, himself was supposed to play in all of this. Vamin and Vestil were all set up, leaving just Deav and Var's work, but Var was working on his project just then - why was training him deemed so important in this stage, and what 'power' was he expected to acquire?
He steadied his eye against Vamin's, welling up his courage to not flinch away from it. He knew that the two before him were in a class all their own when it came to power, but he also knew that, at the end of the day, he was still afforded his own tenacity and witts to help him through their brutal training regime. Var offered up the opportunity, and Vanguard was never one to back down from an offer to test his mettle. It was a trait he's had from the beginning; there was no way to push forward unless you pushed past the obstacles in your way, and the only way to identify those obstacles were to face them.
The training that Var had already undergone with him shone in his eyes as they shifted, ready for battle, a fire lighting within them - even within the Reaver's Eye - and solidifying into a reticle that would one day become his specialty. For now, it was a newly acquired skill, but even at this level, it made Vamin's weak points clear to his vision. "That depends," Vanguard begins, stepping forward from next to Var. "Is Lord Vamin willing, himself? I would honor the opportunity to test myself against another of the Four."
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Post by Zane on Jun 27, 2021 17:20:51 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/841390153762865193/1000~png That was the spirit, Vamin's gargantuan jaw almost seeming like it turned to a grin. Having to face steep odds and figure it out was something he would have to get used to. This world was lacking in equity after all despite how often it was stated to be so. Understanding how to survive regardless of that lack thereof was just another part of the process that he would have to grow used to.
"I'll take you up on that offer, Var. Let's see what the protege can do."
Then he could serve as the referee for this as it were, moving aside as well. Vamin wouldn't do anything to cause any great degree of damage to the garden around them and Vanguard would be able to show his mettle against Vamin as a result. These things together should present both with satisfactory results as Var began to lift his hand up, Vamin beginning to hunch over as a result.
"...Begin."
He brought the hand down soon after, the mark to start their encounter. Vamin didn't take the first move as it was left up to Vanguard's discretion to determine his best approach from here. What he had learned from Var could be used to maintain sight of the weak points in Vamin's form and capitalize on them. The rest would be up to his ability for how far that would take him from there.
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Post by Gaia on Jul 3, 2021 12:47:13 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE Lord Vamin gave him the first move, then, as he lowered his haunches and prepared for him.
Vanguard looked up at his master, his Reaver Eye immature but still very prominent in comparison to his other eye. Even his reticles were immature, burning with intensity behind his pupils but not nearly as prominent as they would be, one day. They flickered, like a small flame exposed to a cold wind, but dared to not blow out.
Wading forward, he knelt down and summoned his trusty cannon. His slotted coils lined up, preparing for another assault in the winds, as his flames within his core mingled with the dark power, there, churning up incredible intensity as he unleashed the blast of the Dark Cannon for Vamin to respond to.
It wasn't anything too powerful, in comparison to the might of the Reaver King himself, but it was focused and strong for a being of Vanguard's current power.
Defense Phase
[Vanguard has 0 Armor]
Support Phase
[Reaver Eye] ::o:: ?
[Crimson Flame of the Shadow Knight] A powerful pendant that drastically increases the user's defensive powers.... ° User has +2000 Max HP ° Glitch: User cannot recover HP by any means. ° After using 5 Dark Chips in battle, the Glitch is removed for the rest of that battle
[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 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]
[⇪ Blank Mind SP] Passive Mega Program User is immune to Berserk, immune to the negative effects of Dark Panels, and gains a strength against Dark Element. Additionally, user is immune to the negative side effects of Dark Chips.
Offense Phase 1 AS | 1 CC
Auto-Charges [Dark Meteors - 1/2 Charges]
::Element:Seeking:: Lv3 ::o:: The first damaging attack landed onto each foe in a turn deals x1.75 Damage.
1. [::BattleChip:Dark CannonLv2:v1:x1.5 CC:x3 Dark Cannon's Innate Effect:"Undodgeable"::]
Summary Phase
[Vanguard HP=3000/3000]
[Status] - - [Stage] - [Cooldown] - -
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Post by Zane on Jul 6, 2021 7:25:27 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/841390153762865193/1000~png Vanguard's shot would find its mark, though the damage that it had inflicted would be short-lived as the singed marks on Vamin's form began to fade away. He could feel now that Vamin had begun conflict like he was being torn apart from the inside out, as if he was always in need of something. A ceaseless hunger as his own body tore itself up due to a lack of the required resources to maintain itself in his presence. His offense would be simple as he lifted up his arm, bringing it to bear in a wide swing as a shockwave would accompany it, aiming to blow back the growing zealot with simply the force behind it. Even responding to the attacks themselves felt taxing on the form, as his stored strength was burned away by the second against the herald of famine itself as his own eye burned fervently in comparison to the still meager and youthful one held by Vanguard now.
:Vamin:
Defense:
Damage Taken: 1,887
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Set:
Attrition A clash that continues as long as the strife does, until resources are lost. Effects: Opponents' skills require an additional use to be used. Passive.
Relentless Hunger A nagging sensation that tears one apart from the inside of all who challenge famine itself. Effects: Opponents take 250 Unavoidable Damage per turn. This damage is increased by itself per time the stage has been changed in the turn.
Attack Slots: 2 Armor: 220 Regeneration: 500 HP: 20,000/20,000
Relentless Hunger: 250 Unavoidable Damage @ All
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Offense:
Massive Swing C-Attack Metal Element A swing of the arm meant to clobber and crush anything it meets. 1,000 DMG, Undodgable, Breaks Shields, Cannot be Naturally Avoided, Hits All.
Shockwave X-Attack Metal Element A mighty force that accompanies every blow unleashed. 500 DMG, Auto-attacks after each of Vamin's C-Attacks. Damage boosting effects have a 50% increased effectiveness for this attack. Damage of this attack can be divided to instead be distributed as multiple hits.
[Vamin HP=18613/20000]
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Post by Gaia on Jul 7, 2021 8:11:58 GMT -8
Vanguard.EXE The wounds inflicted only stuck to the Reaver King for a brief moment before disappearing entirely. That meant that oppressive force was necessary to reduce him all at once - Famine could only be wiped out in a single push, for if even a little bit remained, it would ultimately live on.
It made sense. Vanguard knew from his current systems that he didn't have the fire power necessary to reduce Vamin into nothingness outright; not at his current power. He winced as his body seemed to eat itself from the inside out, taking Vamin's blows with hands raised to reduce the impact. He was strong; there was no doubt about that.
Still, Vanguard was determined to try. He continued preparing his assault, this time raising his cannon and releasing a volley of strikes that homed in on Vamin's weak points, blasting him in seven different locations to see if that would leave a bigger dent in the dinosaur-themed monstrosity.
Defense Phase
[Vanguard has 0 Armor]
[Relentless Hunger] - Taken for 250 Damage! [Massive Swing] - Taken for 1,000 Damage! [Shockwave] - Avoided via Natural Barrier!
[Vanguard HP=1,750/3,000]
Support Phase
[Reaver Eye] ::o:: ?
[Crimson Flame of the Shadow Knight] A powerful pendant that drastically increases the user's defensive powers.... ° User has +2000 Max HP ° Glitch: User cannot recover HP by any means. ° After using 5 Dark Chips in battle, the Glitch is removed for the rest of that battle
[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 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]
[⇪ Blank Mind SP] Passive Mega Program User is immune to Berserk, immune to the negative effects of Dark Panels, and gains a strength against Dark Element. Additionally, user is immune to the negative side effects of Dark Chips.
Offense Phase 1 AS | 1 CC
Auto-Charges [Dark Meteors - 2/2 Charges]
::Element:Seeking:: Lv3 ::o:: The first damaging attack landed onto each foe in a turn deals x1.75 Damage.
1. [::BattleChip:Dark CircleLv2:v1:x1.5 CC:"Fully Undodgeable, Breaks Shields"::]
Summary Phase
[Vanguard HP=1,750/3,000]
[Status] - - [Stage] - [Cooldown] - -
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Post by Zane on Jul 7, 2021 10:23:38 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/841390153762865193/1000~png As he let loose the multi-faceted shot,he would find that it was somewhat less effective than his first shot had been. They had found their mark, but over time the shots had become ineffective as the monstrosity was still standing strong, the damage fading away once again. This time he would bring both arms to bear down on Vanguard, seeing how he would hold up against their combined weight that would be brought down against him. It was simple in its approach, but largely covered by the wide range that it would cover due to the sheer size of Vamin alone.
:Vamin:
Defense:
Damage Taken: 1,174
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Set:
Attrition A clash that continues as long as the strife does, until resources are lost. Effects: Opponents' skills require an additional use to be used. Passive.
Relentless Hunger A nagging sensation that tears one apart from the inside of all who challenge famine itself. Effects: Opponents take 250 Unavoidable Damage per turn. This damage is increased by itself per time the stage has been changed in the turn.
Relentless Hunger: 250 Unavoidable Damage @ All
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Offense:
Massive Swing C-Attack Metal Element A swing of the arm meant to clobber and crush anything it meets. 1,000 DMG, Undodgable, Breaks Shields, Cannot be Naturally Avoided, Hits All.
Massive Swing C-Attack Metal Element A swing of the arm meant to clobber and crush anything it meets. 1,000 DMG, Undodgable, Breaks Shields, Cannot be Naturally Avoided, Hits All.
Shockwave X-Attack Metal Element A mighty force that accompanies every blow unleashed. 500 DMG, Auto-attacks after each of Vamin's C-Attacks. Damage boosting effects have a 50% increased effectiveness for this attack. Damage of this attack can be divided to instead be distributed as multiple hits.
Shockwave X-Attack Metal Element A mighty force that accompanies every blow unleashed. 500 DMG, Auto-attacks after each of Vamin's C-Attacks. Damage boosting effects have a 50% increased effectiveness for this attack. Damage of this attack can be divided to instead be distributed as multiple hits.
[Vamin HP=17939/20000]
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