Defending the Jungle

It was hot. The jungle certainly didn't hold back any of the environmental effects it had to offer, humidity, insects and the heat especially presenting a problem for people who traversed this area. Johann slowly began to understand why Rakshasa had made its home here, so far away from civilization, in this remote, sparsely inhabited corner of the world ... people simply wouldn't begin stumbling into their territory, which was perhaps for the best that way, though, of course, that was of no particular concern to the Ambassador of Dies Irae. He would traverse the jungle regardless, in search for what some informants had described as a group of dark mages calling this area their home. To bring them to justice, of course, dead or alive. Preferably alive, if he could help it all, though it would certainly be within his capabilities to burn this entire jungle and everyone within to ashes if he had to. Naturally, even the Ambassador viewed this as a bit too extreme. Still, Johann, discarding his regular Ambassador uniform, including the hat, for something more befitting to the present environment, a simple black shirt with the guild's emblem on one shoulder and a pair of light black pants, would push on in search of, well, something.

A clue to the guild's presence, perhaps? Or maybe he would find one of its members using his senses. The most realistic of all options. Within a distance of around 1,500 feet or so, his magical aura, though extremely faint, would be omnipresent, allowing him to absorb sensory information as he walked. No single move, no shape would be out of his sight, and nothing would escape his watchful eyes.

Naturally, this also included the girl in the jungle canopy. The subtle, although very much present magical aura around the mage gave her away, her smell, too, would soon be picked up, and, lastly, the dark, murderous intent Johann felt through his aura made it very clear that he was dealing with someone who did most definitely not see him as a friend. All the better. If the dark mages would come to him, he wouldn't have to sniff them out. The man would continue walking with a stoic, expressionless face, though, making an effort to show no sign of any change, any sign that he had noticed her. He would wait for a reason to retaliate. If they would leave him in peace, then perhaps he had misjudged the nature of this jungle, of this guild. Perhaps diplomacy would be a better option. He considered the thought, that was until he stopped in his tracks. The sudden swell of magical energy by his side couldn't be missed nor ignored by the Ambassador, the man, without turning his heads towards where the attack had come from, raising his hand, an open palm extended towards the enigmatic lance that came bursting in his direction, the projectile seemingly losing all momentum before finally stopping in its tracks, hanging suspended in the air just a few inches before his hand.

"So, you finally show yourself", his raised voice echoed through the jungle around them, muffled by the wall of massive trees that surrounded them on every side. He closed his hand into a fist, the lance turning grey, brittle, before breaking into pieces, crumbling into dust and finally scattering in the wind entirely. The guildmaster of Dies Irae lowered his hand as he turned his head upwards, looking at the one who had launched the attack, a smirk spreading across his lips. "You're with Rakshasa, I assume?". It was somewhat clear, considering the unprovoked attack. It was of no matter. Johann took a deep breath, the color of his left eye changing to a deep, dark black, the pupil shining in a glowing, bloodred crimson, centered on the opponent he faced. He would raise his hand once more, though this time, pointing his palm at his foe, exhaling sharply, speaking his last warning to the woman above.

"Very well, dark mage. Surrender now, submit yourself to your punishment, and I will let you live"

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Word Count: 682
Total Word Count: 682
Total Thread Word Count: 1,139

A few tense seconds passed, Johann's intent glare centered on the assailant that remained in the tree, his attention focussed solely on the woman that had sent a spell at him just moments earlier. To his surprise, the dark mage seemed to actually lift her arms to metaphorically raise a white flag, an event that seemed most rare amongst the forces of evil within Earthland, though it wasn't unwelcome or unappreciated. Johann took a quiet sigh of relief, cherishing the idea that someone would willingly surrender and, with time and careful attention, could be brought back to a redeeming path, the tension he felt disapating somewhat.

While his readiness dwindled, however, Johann's attention was unbroken, the Ambassador now noticing that there was something ... off about this woman. Though she was humanoid, she shared features with what Johann recognized as reptilian. Scales covered half of her body and one hand was clawed, a golden, reptilian eye meeting the gaze of his own demonic one. An uncommon sight, though the God of Ishgar wasn't particularly taken aback. Who knew what grotesque magical experiments these dark mages were undergoing to attain more power, though, in a sense, the man couldn't feel disdain for her circumstance. It wasn't, after all, that much different from his own, the Ambassador feeling the slow, but steady writhing of Mars within the back of his head, the Lord of War stirring as he faced the prospect of combat.

The woman was quick to answer, luckily, proclaiming that she would surrender conditionally, a desirable outcome. "Very well ...", the man took a breath and relaxed his stance, his raised voice echoing through the jungle, "... you shall have my word. No harm will come upon you under this condition. I will take you into custody before delivering you to the Rune Knights, who will identify you, question you and put you on trial for the crimes you have committed". It seemed like the explanation was enough to prompt a reaction, the other jumping from the branch she had stood on to land on the ground before him with cat-like grace, her hands, however, remaining raised. Johann waited a few more tense seconds, but it wouldn't appear like she would try anything or make an escape. Good.

"I commend your decision. Thank you for cooperating with me. Please, if you would be so kind to follow me out of this jungle so I can transport us to the Headquarters of the Rune Knights", he spoke, gesturing her over in the direction he had come from, all the while taking a few steps forward, making sure to, however, keep his magical aura creeping through the space between the trees to retain his focus.

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Word Count: 453
Total Word Count: 1,135
Total Thread Word Count: 2,024

Convincing her had been easier than Johann had thought, although the prospect of being granted an opportunity to turn their life around would perhaps be enticing enough on its own. That's what the Ambassador reckoned, at least. Maybe, he thought, maybe his view on the guild that called this jungle home had indeed been warped? Perhaps, he thought, they could be trusted with their word, unusual for a horde of dark mages, surely, although certainly not entirely unheard of. Who knew? Perhaps the Ambassador could have a word with their leader and see what they had to say for themselves. At the end of the day, reason and diplomacy were an approach the man preferred over bloodshed, even Mars and his entirely different mindset influenced his views on the world somewhat.

Unbeknownst to the man, he had made the wrong connection, and too soon nonetheless. He wasn't unprepared for the sudden surprise attack, but hadn't anticipated what came with the Dark Mage's move. When she vanished, the man naturally noticed, swiftly turning only to find her dashing for him, a raised claw reaching for his chest. It was a laughable attempt, but he had to at least give her one thing, he hadn't anticipated it. With lightning-fast reflexes the man raised his own hand, preparing to let magical energy flow through his body and repel the attack ... until he noticed that the ethernano didn't flow. For a split second, Johann felt emotions that would not often overcome him: Panic and shock. He hadn't thought about the possibility she could mess with his own magic at all, a fact that perhaps stemmed from his own subconscious arrogance.

In any case, the shock was quickly replaced by pain as he claws dug into his chest, not deep enough to hit vital organs, but deep enough to cause a spatter of blood to burst forth, the black shirt he was wearing unsubtly stained by the hardly visible streaks of crimson on onyx. Instinctively, he dashed back, his expression changing as he bit his lip, branches and leaves crackling under his feet as he came to a halt on the soft jungle floor, raising himself up. "I see. Peace was never an option, was it? Fine by me, dark mage. You've made your choi-".

His words got stuck in his throat as he spoke, his vision, from one second to the next, blurring, burning, agonizing pain coursing through his entire system with a pulse of the magical lacrima that replaced and performed the functions of his heart. At once, the man attempted to cough, clear his shut windpipe, although only a small stream of crimson blood came from his mouth, the man taking shallow, quick breaths. "W-What have you done?". It was by now that the panic returned once again. Normally, his healing factor would have dealt with whatever this situation was he had found himself in, but the pain did not subside, and the continuous trickle from the open wound in his chest did not stop. He raised his hand but found himself tumble a few steps. This was not good. He had to get a grip, and he had to do so fast, or he would be helpless against this creature. "Don't you think ... that you will- argh", his foot had caught a root from one of the massive trees nearby, and the man fell unceremoniously, hit body crashing into the warm dirt below. "You will not ... get away ... with this".

His breathing had become heavier, and his vision more blurred than before. Although the pain was still ever-present, Johann found it hard to keep his eyes open. He would remember her face. Rakshasa. That guild. They were not to be trusted. He would show them the consequences of their actions. All of them would fall.

With his thoughts spiraling into what almost resembled a rant, his emotions focussing on the pain and the hate he felt, he closed his eyes, passing out on the dirty jungle ground around them. He had lost.

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Word Count: 675
Total Word Count: 1,810
Total Thread Word Count: 3,162