The winter winds lashed at the Paladin's overcoat, as she trudged weakly through the tundra. She tucked her hood further across her face in defiance of the cold, warding off the snowflakes that so vividly reminded her of the horrors she'd just witnessed. Misfortune had befallen her platoon, a memory that would remain etched deep within her mind, haunting her waking hours, and tormenting her sleepless nights.
Pulling out her telecom device, she slumped against a nearby fern, surveying the desolation of her troops behind her. Guns lay dormant amongst the scattered bodies, coated in a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Whether they were dead or alive, at this point, was inconsequential to the mission: they had failed. Raising the device to her cracked and bloodied lips, the Paladin clicked into the Regional Headquarter's Frequency, and spoke in a shaken voice.
"Private Yahontov, reporting in. The Mission is a failure: I repeat, the Mission is a failure."A few breathless moments passed, as Private Yahontov dreaded the possiblility of radio silence. In the state her platoon were in, amidst the Pergrandian wild, they wouldn't last even a few days without rescue. A brief moment of relief drew a sigh from the Paladin, as a gruff voice echoed back.
"HQ to Yahontov: what is your status?"Steeling herself, the Private responded.
"Alive, but barely. Sixty-eight soldiers, all incapacitated," She heaved, the winds constricting her breath and steadily slowing her pulse,
"Unconfirmed dead or alive." This time, she hadn't long to wait before HQ blurted back their next query, accompanied by the sudden pounding of fists on wood.
"Son of a... How?! Intel was clear that Bellum had no forces stationed in Khilsnyek Pass!" A short, wry chuckle escaped the Private's chest.
"It wasn't Bellum's forces..." The scene was burned into her eyelids, so ludicrous and surreal that she couldn't bring herself to forget a single moment. As it began to play before her once more, like a nightmare upon a helpless child, she managed only three words more.
"...It was a monster."* * * * *
Aven didn't normally agree with the cold. Having lived in a more temperate region most of his life, he found situations like these bothersome: the winds of the Pergrandian Tundra were fierce, and they spared man nor beast. Still, he'd taken heed of the Magic Council's call for aid in the brewing conflict between their neighboring nations. Having only looked the barest amount into the history of the two nations, it was fairly obvious to Aven that Pergrande was the aggressor in these border disputes, and the hostile actions were culminating up into what could possibly be a declaration of war.
More than anything, it was the hired Wizard's job to tip the scales of battle, and to that end, Aven had been sent up to a remote section of the Border, a place called Khilsnyek Pass. It was a thin mountain pass, apparently caused by the erosion from a long forgotten tributary, or so he'd been informed. Up close and personal, it was difficult to picture a river flowing through the shallow trail, now lined with blanketed fir trees and small traces of animal life. Tucking his white suit closer to his body, he allowed the thin, transparent shell of Dark Energy surrounding him to retain his body heat. Cold or not, he would need to be fully prepared for the battle up ahead, as according to Bellum's intel, there was a full platoon of Pergrandian Soldiers descending upon the pass within the day, and though it was an easily defendable choke point, the harsh weather and lack of outpost made it difficult for Bellum to station troops. His orders were to slow the advance of troops by any means necessary, and give Bellum's forces time to set up a counter-offense on the opposite end of the trail. A sound strategy, by Aven's mark.
Aven stood silently on the crest of an overhang, surveying the entrance of the Pass below. The mountains howled in warning around him, as the Pergrandian troops began to emerge from the woods, in a rather stiff and collected company. From a distance, and with the reduced visibility from the snowfall, Aven couldn't make out their numbers; however, he could tell it was a sizable amount. Their camouflage didn't aid his search, either, as they seemed to pour from the terrain and disappear in the same breath, his eyes catching only brief glimpses of black, and the tell-tale glint of Firearms: nasty weapons, he'd give them that. Aven had never squared up against a firearm, though he was familiar with the concept: a metal barrel, containing a small metal object packed with explosive powder, which would launch the projectile at an alarming speed when triggered. As far as their impact went, though, Aven was hard pressed to give them any credence; if he could survive a blow from one of the Black Diabolos of the Lost Desert, those tiny metal objects should be child's play.
After a long, deep breath, Aven exhaled, and disappeared from the clifftop, reappearing in the very center of the entrance to Khilsnyek Pass, the encroaching black particles of Dark Matter around him proving a strange and blatant contrast to the permafrost. As his Dark Energy began to surge, the infinitesimal dots began to blot the area, replacing and consuming the snowfall they touched. His left arm, as well, began to swirl with that same presence, as Aven readied himself the the inevitable assault. He'd be slowing them down, just as he'd been asked. As to their future pace, he planned it equal to the surrounding temperature: in the negatives.
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[Word Count: 946.]
HP: 315.
MP: 9890/9890. (Spent 455 MP, Regenerated 989 MP).
Spell Durability Buffs: 2315% Spell Durability + 60 HP Base Increase from Lineage.
- Abilities Used:
Name: Vantablink.
Rank: H+.
Cost: 210 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Defensive, Burst.
Durability: 630 HP.
Range: 750 meters.
Speed: Instant.
Duration: 25 Posts.
Downside: "Vantablink" is a very taxing ability, costing an additional 100% MP. (+50% Spell Range.)
Description: When this ability is activated, and at the beginning of every post it is active, all non-active "Ascendancy" type abilities are immediately activated, as long as Aven has the available MP to do so. Aven gains a 115% Spell Durability Buff so long as this ability is active. Once per post, while this ability is active, Aven can exert his mastery over Dark Matter on his own body, disassembling himself into elementary particles and reassembling himself up to 750 meters away, gaining a 630 HP Shield that lasts the rest of the post as the exuded Dark Energy surrounds him.
Name: Lesser Vantablink.
Rank: H.
Cost: 140 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Burst, Ascendancy.
Shielding: 420 HP Shield.
Range: 450 meters.
Speed: Instant.
Duration: 20.
Downside: Vantablink is a very taxing ability, costing 100% extra MP to cast. (+50% Spell Range.)
Description: Aven gains a 75% Spell Durability Buff as long as this ability is active. Once per post, while this ability is active, when Aven uses the effect of the ability "Vantablink", Aven can further exert his power, reassembling himself up to 450 additional meters away, gaining an additional 420 HP Shield.
Name: Lesser Vantablink.
Rank: H.
Cost: 140 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Burst, Ascendancy.
Shielding: 420 HP Shield.
Range: 450 meters.
Speed: Instant.
Duration: 20.
Downside: Vantablink is a very taxing ability, costing 100% extra MP to cast. (+50% Spell Range.)
Description: Aven gains a 75% Spell Durability Buff as long as this ability is active. Once per post, while this ability is active, when Aven uses the effect of the ability "Vantablink", Aven can further exert his power, reassembling himself up to 450 additional meters away, gaining an additional 420 HP Shield.
Name: Dark Matter Form.
Rank: B+.
Cost: 60 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Multi-Target, Single Target (Buff), Ascendancy.
Durability: 270 HP.
Range: 225 meters.
Speed: 165 m/s.
Duration: 8 posts.
Description: Aven releases the Dark Matter within himself, his skin developing Black Veins, and his power and resilience increases, granting him a 90% Spell Durability Buff. At the beginning of every post this ability is active, or when this ability is first activated, Aven and up to 7 other willing targets within 225 meters gain a 270 HP shield.
Name: Dark Matter Knight Form.
Rank: B+.
Cost: 60 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Multi-Target, Single Target (Buff), Ascendency.
Durability: 270 HP.
Range: 225 meters.
Speed: 165 m/s.
Duration: 8 posts.
Description: Aven primes the Dark Matter within himself, his skin becoming a darker in color, and his power and resilience grow further, granting him a 90% Spell Durability Buff. This ability can only be activated when Aven has already taken Dark Matter Form. At the beginning of every post this ability is active, or when this ability is first activated, Aven and up to 7 willing targets within 225 meters gain a 270 HP shield.
Name: Dark Matter Lord Form.
Rank: A+.
Cost: 75 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Multi-Target, Single Target (Buff), Ascendancy.
Durability: 340 HP.
Range: 338 meters.
Speed: 250 m/s.
Duration: 9 posts.
Description: Aven activates the Dark Matter within himself, his skin becoming completely devoid of light, and his power and resilience spike, granting him a 100% Spell Durability Buff. This ability can only be activated when Aven has already taken Dark Matter Knight Form. At the beginning of every post this ability is active, or when this ability is first activated, Aven and up to 7 other willing targets in 338 meters gain a 340 HP shield.
Name: Dark Matter Scion Form.
Rank: A+.
Cost: 75 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Multi-Target, Single Target (Buff), Ascendancy.
Durability: 340 HP.
Range: 338 meters.
Speed: 250 m/s.
Duration: 9 posts.
Description: Aven ignites the Dark Matter within himself, causing Dark Energy to begin to radiate from his body, and his power and resilience overflow, granting him a 100% Spell Durability Buff. This ability can only be activated when Aven has already taken Dark Matter Lord Form. At the beginning of every post this ability is active, or when this ability is first activated, Aven and up to 7 other willing targets within 338 meters gain a 340 HP shield.
Name: Dark Matter Ascendant Form.
Rank: S+.
Cost: 90 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Multi-Target, Single Target (Buff), Ascendancy.
Durability: 405 HP.
Range: 450 meters.
Speed: 340 m/s.
Duration: 12 posts.
Description: Aven ascends temporarily into the form of an Ascendant Dark Matter Being, his eyes taking on the appearance of a galactic cluster, and waves of Dark Energy pulse from his body. His power peaks, and he gains a 105% Spell Durability Buff. This can only be activated when Aven has already taken Dark Matter Scion Form. At the beginning of every post this ability is active, or when this ability is first activated, Aven and up to 7 other willing targets within 450 meters gain a 405 HP shield.
Name: Dark Armor.
Rank: S.
Cost: 60 MP.
Category: Defensive.
Type: Single Target, Ascendancy.
Durability: 360 HP.
Range: Self.
Speed: Instant.
Duration: 10 Posts.
Description: As long as this ability is active, at the beginning of each post (or when the ability is first activated), Aven becomes enveloped in an aura of Dark Energy, which moves fluidly along with their body, shielding him for 360 HP. This aura bolsters his defensive capabilities, granting him a 70% Spell Durability buff.
Name: Left Arm of the Forgotten Realm.
Rank: A+.
Take-Over Type: Partial.
Grade: Normal.
Take-Over Buff: 75% Spell Durability Buff.
Melee Damage: 0.
Range: 110 meters.
Speed: 110 m/s.
Duration: 9 posts.
Description: When this ability is first activated, Aven's left arm becomes inundated with Dark Energy, developing a shroud of black particles. This ability has no effect unless "Aven, Transcendent of the Forgotten Realm" is active, and cannot be activated on the same post as "Left Leg of the Forgotten Realm", "Left Arm of the Forgotten Realm", or "Right Arm of the Forgotten Realm" was activated.
