Episode 02: Roaring in the Ocean! Let's Get Sapphire! [Job/Solo]

Grema had come to Hargeon town for one simple reason: there was a large and last minute sale of magitech parts and other mechanical items at their market, and the magitech mage was taking full advantage of it.

Happily laden with her shopping supplies the mage almost missed the flash of black hair and glasses but turned just in time. Immediately her Eye of Magi turned on and informed her of an ally nearby, for there, walking into a building was her old client, Guy Stratus. She had overall good feelings about the man so the guild wizard attempted to catch up to him to say hi.

Guy was busy talking to an usher of sorts, looking rather excitedly a the bag clutched in his hands. Grema guessed that to be the magical Aegis that Guy obtained from their last adventure. ‘Did he find the next knight already?’ Grema wondered and attempted to follow him. If that really was the case the inventor would feel rather smug because she guessed this exact thing would happen.

But just before Grema got close enough to yell out a greeting she stopped short and gapped. The scholarly Guy Stratus had just entered a male host club. Now Grema wasn’t one to judge on personal preferences but Guy didn’t seem like the host-type at the very least. ‘He’s probably here for his quest.’ The deformed woman reminded herself, but she still felt intimidated and uncertain about going in. Also everyone who got to know Grema well enough knew that she hated beautiful people, hosts generally being in that category.

“Ugh there’s the new host club.” Mutters someone nearby.

“Why ‘ugh’? The hosts are really nice, not that I’d personally know or something!” Says another over Grema’s shoulder.

“Of course not. It’s just that I heard the owner is a real creep of a guy if you know what I mean. I wouldn’t get paid to go in there.”

“Aye, good point…” The second one mutters as their voices drift away. And that was that. Grema was entering the dreaded host club. ‘Whoop de freaking doo’ She thought grumpily. But the mage couldn’t let Guy be put in danger from some shady pimp. Grema might not have the biggest range of morals, but Guy had grown on her, like a bad case of foot fungus. Abandoning him to possible molestation just wouldn’t do.

“Heya there… person, wanna come in for a drink?” A handsome blond man smoking a cig ask the mechanic as she approaches the club. Grema simply nods at the man, and looking wary leads her into the dimly lighted building.

There the mage gets seated in a plush chair and after getting her drink and food order the host leaves. It didn’t take long for Grema to find Guy just a table across from you. A moment later Guy looks toward the guild wizard, and they both stare at each other for a few seconds before Guy grins wide.

“Grema! What a surprise!” The archeologist greets her, getting up to sit at the engineers table. “You don’t seem like he host type.” He comments, looking at his friend questionably.

“I’m not.” Grema deadpans quickly. “I saw you walking in and followed. Guy, listen, this place is pretty shady and while I don’t judge, the owner-“

“What? No! I’m not, I wouldn’t, I’m-!” He stutters, blushing scarlet up to his ears. He then takes a calming breath and leans toward the mage. She leans forward as well and Guy wishpers to her: “I’m here because I’ve tracked down another successor to the knights legacy. I’m pretty sure it’s that blonde host who let you in."

“Hey there bud I’m the ones who’s supposed to be charming the ladies.” A voice drawled out near them and the two sprang apart. “Course if you’d like a job I’m sure after a bit of training and… tweaking you’d be right at home. Unless she’s your women of course.” Blondy told Guy, giving him a searching look.

“Er, um, no thank you, and we’re just friends who happened to run into each other.” Guy hastily corrected their host.

“Ah makes sense otherwise you’d be screaming at each other for being here. Not the first time it’s happened.” The lazy looking man tells the scholar, then like a switch he was all charming smile and sweet voice as he addressed Grema, giving her the drink she ordered. “Sorry for the wait ma’am, I’m Virgil and I will be your host tonight. Or both or your host, if you wish.” He says reluctantly, glancing at Guy. The said archeologist beams at Virgil for finally getting his name and the host makes a quick departure to grab both of their meals.

Turns out Mr. Lazy was actually a fairly good host and for all of Grema’s grumpiness and Guy’s distracted excitement, he kept them both entertained. After awhile, in between a story Virgil was telling them both, the archeologist seemed to have lost patience. “Hi I’m Guy Stratus and I’m the Ruby Knight chosen by an ancient king and I think you’re the Sapphire knight can you come with me on an adventure to find the other knights please?” The words speed out of Guy’s mouth and Grema face palms.

Virgil stares at them both for a moment then snorts. “Don’t be ridiculous-“ He begins to say until Guy slips a bit of his bag open to reveal the Aegis, stopping the host short. The supposed Sapphire Knight’s eye’s them go wide and he goes so stiff Grema vaguely wonders weather he’s been turned into stone or not.

But before anyone could say anything more the entire establishment goes silent and the smart duo look up to see a thin man with a greasy smile walk up to them.

“Excuse me sir, but weapons are not allowed in this establishment.” The person Grema guesses to be the owner simpers. His bug like eyes glimmer greedily. “So I’m afraid I will have to confiscate it.” He reaches for the bag the Aegis is in.

“Now wait one minute, just how did you see-“ Guy demands but is cut short when the reedy owner grabs him by the collar and to everyone’s surprise is able to hold the archeologist in the air.

Before Grema or Guy could retaliate the owner snaps his finger and the whole freaking place explodes. Grema folds into herself for protection as she whirles through the air and lands on something reasonably soft. She then quickly rolls to the side to evade some falling rubble. ‘Is that guy crazy?! He just blew up his own club! And oh my freaking god my magitech equiptemnt is ruined! That skinny bastard will pay!!’ Grema think angrily, leaping to her feet and preparing for the worst and to do the worst.

Guy and Virgil are still in the process of getting up beside her with pained groans. Then they both let out gasps for in front of them was the owner, only he was in the process of growing into some sort of armor resembling a turtle. “What the hell…? Guy, Virgil, get back this guy is a mage!” Grema demands, getting into a ready stance. Virgil protests at allowing a lady to comes into harms way until Guy explains that Grema is a Black Rose wizard.

“Hahahahaha that is right! I am Dondora, commander of the Xidraxi army! Surrender and hand over the Aegis and I may allow you to live!”The large armored turtle cackles. “That shield is my armies ticket away fron this wretched town, this horrid ocean, and you will not- wait, what is that you have Virgil?!” They all look over to where Dondora was dramatically pointing to, to see a bangle on the hosts wrist. “Gaaaaah you are one of THEM! You shall pay for your treachery! Minions, attack!!”

The member 'Grema Fen' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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#1 'Monster Dice' :


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#2 'Monster Dice' :

“Hey I did not agree to join some army bub! I just work for you! And you know what?! I quit!!” Virgil barks back and Guy has to bodily hold him from taking swings at the golden turtle. Grema was a bit distracted by the fact that 12 rather large lizard-fish creatures with pointy tridents had just leaped out of the water and were now advancing on them.

Grema quickly activates her Eye of Magi and has it scan the advancing enemies. The information in her system can only tell her htat these creatures were a type of Myrmidons, water creatures of low intelligence but high fighting capabilities. They were also supposedly faster than they looked.

“Well that sucks for me.” Grema states bluntly as she draws away from her analysis, then notices how as they approached the fish things were nicely grouped together. So the magitech mage pulls out a round object from under her cloak, says “Magitech Bomb. You guys get behind me.”, then chucks it at the incoming group while the host and the scholar huddle behind the mage.

Grema almost laughs out loud when the water lizards surround the item curiously in a perfect round huddle, then says “detonate” and watches as the entire area explode, feeling pleased with herself. “Not bad, but I cod do better.” She comments and if the mage were to look over her shoulder she would see two very surprised looking men. Grema does not look like the type of person to joke.

That look of glee is wiped away from the mages face when the Myrmidons emerge from the smoke looking a bit damaged but very pissed. They show off their rumored swiftness by heading toward the party at high speed.

“Shit! Guy you should dolpinitely go knight mode for me!” Grema growls, ignoring Guy’s deadpan look at the pun, then yells out “Magi Shift: Sword!” Causing the bandages around her left hand to tear off revealing her magitech hand, now morphed into a sword. She rushes forward to meet the group.

“I’ll try Grema! I haven’t gotten the hang of transforming at will yet!” Guy yells at her retreating form and scrambles to get the Aegis when one of the fish breaks off from the group and heads toward them. Virgil gets up and puts on some gauntlets, preparing to fight.

Spoiler:

“Don’t trout yourself! Any fin is possible!” Grema couldn’t help but yell back while dodging spears thrusts and giving some sword slashes back. She hits one and it goes down, but her momentary distraction causes another to land a hit on the mage, sending her flying right into the middle of the group.

“You’ve got to be krilling me.” She grumbles as 12 fish things surround her. Then she smirks and yells “Magitech Smash!” and slams her empowered leg into the ground, causing a shockwave send the Myrmidons flying, with about 5 going into the ocean. Receiving the room she wanted, Grema launches herself toward one of the fallen trident wielding lizards “You’re FINished!” She yells as she stabs it while it’s still down and it stays that way. She makes her way toward another one and finishes it off as well before the other ones on the land could aid it.

Suddenly she is hit from behind by scalding hot water coming from the ocean. “Holy shrimp, thing can’t be scampi happening?” She says while dodging torrents of water coming from the ocean at very quick speeds. She ignores the groans of exasperation coming from her companions, one that has managed to defeat a Myrmidon.

Grema manages to dodge the hot water but gets hit with a spear for her troubles. She lashes out at the water lizard with her sword arm for it’s troubles and lands a hit, killing it instantly. She spends more time dodging very fast projectiles and pointy objects until one growls in frustration, and leaps out of the water to directly attack her. The others back  off and Grema spends some time dueling it.

“Almost got it! I think!” Guy yells in a panic, noticing how hurt Grema is and that Virgil also got injured while battling his fish lizard. Only him transforming will change the tide of the battle, and with that in mind the area flashes red, then fades, revealing the Ruby Knight where Guy was standing.

Expecting this Grema uses the blinding light to land a killing blow on the fish. Only 6 to go.

Spoiler:

The good news is, Guy has gone knight mode thus can help a struggling Grema with fending off some scaly monsters. The bad news is Virgil went stiff as a rock again at the sight of the Aegis on Guy’s back, leaving him helpless.

The two Myrimdons still on land notice this, and leave Grema while she’s distracted dodging torrents of boiling water. They begin the approach the two men and the Ruby Knight readies his spear. Just before their battle begins a blinding blue glow erupts from Virgil, much like Guy inside of the ruins, completely engulfing him in its light and rising to the sky.

“He’s transforming! He should be okay, just keep fighting! If you need help let minnow!” Grema yells at Guy just in case he was worried, and once again ignores the noises of annoyance at her puns.

Guy shakes off his companion’s silliness as the two aquatic creatures approach him. “Ignite Spear!” He yells and his Ruby Spear bursts into flames. The indigenous aquatic creatures appear wary, but apporch in anyway, tridents lashing out.

“Ruby Spear!” The Ruby Knight cries out when they get close enough and Guy gets far away enough from both Grema and the shining blue light that is Virgil. He jumps into the air and then crashes down, spear-first. This causes the area to explode in red light and flame, and when it dies down the Myrmidons are nothing but ash.

Meanwhile Grema has been attempting to coax her’s out of the water since the magitech mages only long-ranged spell at the moment shot a ball of fire, not exactly useful when 1) her enemies were so fast, 2) when they were swimming in the ocean half the time, and 3) they were shooting water at her. Not a good chance of that spell doing much damage.

Fortunately for her Grema’s magitech leg made her leaps longer and faster than most, causing the boiling water to always miss her. So one by one the lizard-fish had gotten frustrated and got on land to beat her, and all of them had quickly been beaten down by her sword.

“We did it!” Guy cheered when he noticed they beat all of the aquatic reptiles. He ran toward Grema to congradulate her when a voice stopped him.

“You didn’t forget me, now did you?”

Spoiler:

The member 'Grema Fen' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

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'Monster Dice' :

They did forget about Commander Dondoro who had been sitting down and watching the fight this entire time. Their mistake, because he was obviously the boss and a lot stronger than his minions.

“Ha! Don’t think just because you killed those pathetic creatures mean you can defeat me! I am the commander of an army! Come at me puny mage and her knight friend. From your corpses I shall take back the Aegis!” Dondoro boasts and prepares himself.

They prepared for battle and just as it was about to begin the light fades revealing a man in a similar costume as Guy’s, but blue.

“Heh, you’re so full of yourself. Why don’t you try taking on Virgil Winters, the Sapphire Knight as well if you’re so confident?” Virgil says as he walks up beside the other two, then gets into a martial arts stance.

“Very well, take things on for size. Terra Fists!” The turtle man yells as sand gathers around his hands, forming gauntlets. He then charges them and takes swipes, hitting Virgil backwards and into Grema, causing them to fly away. Guy takes this chance to yell out “Burning Sweep!” and swings his spear in a fiery circle, hitting Dondoro.

Virgil and Grema get up just in time to dodge a furious commanders attack, Guy getting hit after his own attack. Grema’s sword stopped working a while ago so instead she steadies herself and yells “Tech Fire Shot!” shooting a ball of flame into the golden turtle.

By her side Virgil drawls “Sapphire Shuriken” causing four sharp looking snowflakes to appear around him. He then launches one at Dondoro while he’s swining at a dodging Grema and lands a hit.

“Arrggg thats it! Terra barrage!” The irate commander yells out and is suddenly surrounded by spikes, hitting all of the allies and sending them back a few meters.

With a yell Guy runs toward Dondoro, raising his spear, Grema right behind him with her magitech fist. But just in time the golden armored man casts “Terra Wall!” erecting a large wall in front of hit, leaving Guy slashing at it and Grema pounding.

“Out of the way you two! Sapphire Halo!” Virgil had used his Sabre to create a sphere and as soon as the other two listened to him he thrust his fist out, causing 10 large icicles to shoot out from and into the wall, destroying it.

While Virgil was finishing his spell Grema said “Magitech Bomb” under her breath while clutching a round object and threw it as the walls went down. “Ignite!” She yelled and it exploded, making the party hear a yell of pain from their adversary.

Spoiler:

There was a beat of silence as the sand died down and they almost allowed themselves to hope. But it was no use because even before I all died down the commander shouted “Terra Charge!” and what appeared to be a large boulder barreled toward them.

“Ruby Palisade!!” Guy screeches as he and Grema run toward Virgil who was unsuccessfully throwing a shuriken at the armored turtle. He the gets in front of the other two and swipes the ground creating a pillar of fire.

“Keep running!” Grema yells while calculating some odds, and after some hesitation the knights do. Grema then prepares herself and as Dondoro hits the wall of fire, it breaks down, only slowing the speeding sand-man down a bit. Just as it’s about to hit Grema she pumps magic into her magitech leg and yells “Magitech Smash!” while kicking outwards into Dondoro.

This does a few things. It stops the commandor in his tracks and even stops the spell. But it sends Grema flying backwards past Guy and Virgil, and when the dust around her settles they are horrified to see that her magitech leg is in tatters, though Grema herself is fine.

“Grema! Are you okay?!” Guy yells anyways, Virgil still in shocked silence.

“Yes, keep battling!! I’ll be fine, Virgil it’s a fake leg! Kick his golden arse for me!” She yells back at them, now rather stuck.

“Mwhahahahaha! Terra spear!” Dondoro yells while creating a spear of sand. He heads toward the downed mage, knowing weakness when he see’s it. The commandor swings his spear at the woman, but is parried by both a flaming spear and a freezing blade.

“Oh no you don’t. You wont hurt a lady on my watch. Chilling edge.” Virgil says coolly, reassured someone didn’t just permanently lose a limb in front of him. He slices at the golden armored man’s side, causing a freezing effect around the wound, doing more damage and slowing the monstrosity down.

Spear still burning Guy rushes towards the hulking man’s other side and slashes his spear, causing another sizable gash in his armor. “You won’t hurt anyone else Commander Dondoro!” Guy proclaims as the said commander falls to his knees. “Now what do you want with my Aegis? Oh, and who do you work for.” Guy adds in at Virgil's poke.

“That would be me.”

Spoiler:

There was an explosion of dark energy just after the voice had spoken, sending the three flying back, and a portal appears near Dondoro. From it a menacing form in black and gold armor steps out, a lion head adorning his chest and a fur mane streaming from the back of his helmet. This stranger pint demandingly at the portal and Dondoro grimaces, but gets up and steps towards it. A chill goes up Grema’s spin at the sight of it.

“Oh no you don’t.” The Sapphire Knight says and throws another snowflake at the commander, but the black armored individual simply blocks it and the next one with one hand, looking completely unharmed. The two knights exchange glances then run up to the lion man in a parry of flaming and freezing strikes. The armored person easily blocks all it. The boulder Grema sends hurling gets smashed into pieces.

“Enough. I tire of this.” The person says and a pulse of darkness comes out of it, sending the knights flying backwards and causing Grema to cover her eyes from the snad it picks up. When they all regain themselves both armored figures are gone.

“No!” “Danm it!” “Shit.” They all say at once, but it was already too late. They had escaped.

A few minutes later the boys had managed to get some of the magitech Grema had bought before, enough for the engineer to makerself a good crutch so she could at least walk and stand without assistance.

“Sorry about your leg being destroyed…” A now normal looking Guy says to her gloomily while Virgil checks on the people who were in the club.

“No big deal, I expected it to happen sooner or later. Just got to get home to do the repairs.” She waves it off. They chatter a bit about what just happened and what each up them plans to do next when their third party member arrives back

“Yo.” Greets Virgil with a small hand wave. “The good news is everyone in the club is fine.” That cheered Guy up. “The bad news I now don’t have a job.” Cheer down. “The best news is that I’m going to accompany you guys on you journey to find these other knights, or whatever.” He grins at them, and Guy’s cheer goes sky high as he squeals and hugs Virgil. The ex-host pries the other man off and waggles a brow at Grema. She frown for a moment and them smirks.

“Sorry to say that I won’t be joining you on your mission. I have a leg to fix and guild work to do.” She tells a now crestfallen Virgil smugly.

“Oh that’s right huh? Well we’ll probably meet again when we need too! Thank you for all of your help Grema! I know this wasn’t an official job put please, take this!” He thrust a small pouch of what Grema assumed to be jewels into her hands. “Bye! See you again soon!” Guy Stratus calls out to her while dragging a forlorn Virgil Winters away, and Grema can’t help but smile and return the farewell.

Until the realization that she’ll have to drag herself back to the train station on a crutch comes to her, wiping said smile right off her face.

[Job Finshed]