Sinegard Academy for the Wayward

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Magdalena and Van

"How would you show me what you have seen? Magik?" She asked suspiciously.

"As for your previous skills with 'wet work' if you assist us in this matter you'd be, compensated."

“I can create a scene for you of sorts… I can show you our assailants. I do not believe Mkael is the one you are after. The only compensating I would require is a little professional courtesy and an open mind.” Van reached across with his palm open. “Take my hand, please”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Magdelana
"Very well," SHe said. "Show me what you know." With one hand she adjusted the grip on her spear as the other took his hand.

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

“Thank you” …Van’s eyes flashed yellow as he gently took her hand. It was softer than he expected. He looked into her eyes and made the connection. Around them the walls and sigil in the floor faded away. He recounted the battle with the assassins in the bar, as well as what had happened in the forest. He made sure to accentuate how each person in their party had done their part fighting against the assailants, even Mkael. He left out the kinky bits out of respect, but there were notes of the budding relationships between Gem and Angus. “We are not your enemy” he said releasing her when he was finished.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Magdalena
Stepping back she looked at him, her own eyes white as she considered him. "Come with me," she said after a moment and escorted him from the room. Leading him to the others she looked at each of them. Including and especially Angela.

"I recommend you collect your things and leave the campus, I cannot force this, but your lives may be at stake and remaining may risk your lives."

"The individual you saw, Nail head as you call him, is a Pontifex, a Hell Priest. His true name is unknown, but he's called The Engineer. The Box is an artifact of Hell, and his to wield with great power. It explains how some things have been done, but not the why."

"He's a Cenobite, one of Hells Mercenary Elite. He may have been a pleasure demon at one time, but that has not been confirmed."

"This Campus is not safe for any of you, especially if you are associated with M'Kael Wolvenbane. I cannot return your weapons to you, and as long as The Inquisition is on campus the weapons aren't allowed out of classrooms." Raising a hand, she forestalled arguing from Angela. "Your passion is understood, but a teacher was murdered. And a member of the Inquisitorial staff was skinned alive, hard to do to a werewolf."

"Do any of you know the Elven student Ashmaderei Morningstar? She's a seer that died in the lunchroom yesterday. Unfortunately, no one present had the foresight to write down what was said, but they all remember her saying Night King, a Grimoire or Tome Title, and Death rides."

Setting the ring on a table, she said. "It's not a weapon or against any rules or regulations. Though it is rare and powerful. But I have no authority or desire to keep it. Use it wisely and honestly."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela, Gem, and Angus

As Magdalena departed the room. Gem grabbed the ring, as she and Angus pulled on their clothing. Angela clothing appeared on her magically.

“Van… it looks like you save us all from the detention cells.” Angela congratulated him with a clap on the back. “Nice of Magdalena to finally open up to us. At least a little.”

“Yes, that was good” Angus agreed as he pulled on his shirt. “Too bad she does not want to fight with us.”

“You are not going to heed her warning and leave campus?” Angela asked

“Fuck no” Gem answered.

Angus nodded his head agreeing with Gem

“I didn’t think you would.” Angela noted “I think Magdalena is an Archon. They serve all that is lawful and good. I was trying to get her to see that the investigation has not been just/fair against M’Kael. It did not work. But Van… I don’t know what you did” Angela stated as she glanced down at his crotch “hopefully it did not involve sexual favors! But thanks again”

Angus grinned at Van “She is hot, but in a deadly kind of way”

“I’d like a crack at her too” Angela said in wishful way. “I think we need to do some research on the nail head guy… and stop over at the Bard college.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

M'Kael/ Ravyn/ Crystalthorn
Examining the bodies of the dead werewolves the group couldn't find anything special. Six dead, two seriously wounded and unconscious. The hellhounds had ripped their way out of the bodies of the dead, hopefully he couldn't do it to the living.

The pack leader was dead, ripped open from the inside. He'd fallen to the Deamons/devils/demons. WTF was the difference between them?

It took him a moment to think about the infirmary, then he grabbed the bigger one and rolled them both into a shadow of a tree. Rolling out from under a bed he left him there and went back for the next one. Much smaller and female, kind of cute. Maybe after she healed up, she'd be obliging to her rescuer. Picking her up he he leaned against a tree as flashlights started flickering through the forest.

"Wait here," he told Crystalthorn and Raven as he stepped through the shadows and dropped the girl on a bed. Throwing a bed pan through a window he set off an alarm and was back in the forest before the first orderly was in the room.

"Crap how many are there?" He asked.

"About twenty,"Saeranadael replied. "From the smell their armed with guns and magic. Arcanum or Inquisition. They can help."

"Are you fucking stupid?" M'Kael replied. "The Inquisition is not friendly."

"What? Why?" Saeranadael asked.

"Just trust me on this, The Inquisition doesn't play nice with anyone not Inquisition. Protecting the Humans at all costs. And punishing anyone that looks at them the wrong way."

"But we can discuss this more later," He said, Pulling them both close. Yeah, his hand fell to their butts, and he coped a feel. Nice and firm. Stepping into the shadow of a tree they exited inside Van's Van. It was darker than he'd expected it to be.

Moving slowly, he held a finger to his lips. Before looking out the back window. They were parked. Looked like they were alone. No guards or other vehicles.

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

“Yeah I hate she took some of the weapons. But I’m sure there are more on campus or off where that came from, I’ve got a few stashed for just such an occasion.” He said depressing himself. “I just showed her the truth about what we saw in a way she could make up her own mind. I’m not sure it did much to change her mind about Mkael s involvement but at least we seem to be off the hook for now. I don’t think she’s a bad person, maybe just a little too convinced that everything is so black and white… when most people usually figure out much of life resides in rather grey area, I sure know mine does. Let’s get the fuck outta here.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela

“I agree with getting the fuck out of here. I need to go back to my place and pick up my weapons. I don’t need a ride.” Angela explained “I’ll meet everyone back at Professor Ot’s place. But that means I can't help Van with his visit to Bard College. Also, it will be morning soon, and if the sun is out, I’ll be indoors.”

“We can go with Van to the college” Gem offered; Angus nodded in agreement.

“I do need a new weapon. It needs to be Magical and I prefer a great axe… I also have skill with Dire flails, urgroshes, hooked hammers, orc double axes, and two-bladed swords. But I can use more standard weapons as well. Like shotguns, M-16s, swords, etc.” Angus explained to Van.

“Good, if you can take care of each other, I’ll be back soon. See you at the professor’s place” Angela said. Then she turned in a bat, and flew off.

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Angus ,Van, & Gem. Post 1 of 2
“Ok we will stop by the van first and see what’s left they didn’t take. Then head over to the bard college just before say break. See you back at Ots place.”

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Angus, Van & Gem Part 2

The walk to the van was rather calm. Just three normal students taking a relaxing stroll under the campus gaslights. The campus really was quite beautiful van thought. He sparked up a cigarette and watched as Gem and Angus. He smiled. He felt a bit like a third wheel but he didn’t mind. Being the son of a crossroads demon and a military brat at that, he was used to having the kind of life that didn’t allow him the luxuries of others like lasting relationships. But he could see a real spark between the two as the walked together. Arriving at the van he slid the side door open. “Holy shit! “He exclaimed as he was met face to face with Mkael and the others. He clutched his heart with one hand breathing heavily. “Don’t do that! You sneaky bastard!” He said chuckling and ushering the others into the back of the van making sure the coast is clear. “Where have you been? We’ve just been playing detective with your inquisition buddies!” He posed as he rummaged around for some weapons for Angus and Gem.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Town whispers in the night
Flying over the town Angela would hear conversations whispered under lamplight and behind closed doors. A murderer was on the loose. Apparently "She'd ripped the throats of poor innocent men" after "a female and her ruffian boyfriend had assaulted innocent bystanders in the bar".

Everyone was convinced it was the work of a vampire, or the devil himself. Probably was one of those uppity students from the school. They were all bad news anyways.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

M'Kael
Pulling back M'Kael lowered the screwdriver. He wasn't going to incriminate someone by using one of their weapons, but he'd defend himself if need be.

“Where have you been? We’ve just been playing detective with your inquisition buddies!”

"Not my buddies," M'Kael snarled, watching Van. "Six of the pack were slaughtered, two survived. Got them to the infirmary. They might survive, they got pretty fucked up."

"What did the inquisition want with you guys? Normally they just blame me, torture me until i confess and put me in another prison."

Pulling Van aside he whispered, "Ravyn is messed up, like something serious happened when they had her. I'm gonna dip to the Apothecarian and see if I can grab her medication.

Putting a dirty cloth over the dome light M'Kael vanished as it fluttered to the floor.

***

Stepping out of the shadow M'Kael grunted, he really needed to look more before he did this shit. Moving slowly he eased the door opened, looking around before stepping out of a VERY packed closet.

Fuck, where to look?

Moving to the filing cabinet he tried looking her up under Ravyn, but that was a bust so he went for Nighshade. That's weird, why did they use the old spelling, NyghtShade? Clerical error, maybe? He thought as he looked at her file trying to figure out what she needed.

Haloperidol 5 MG QiD (20Mg Daily)
Chlordiazepoxide 5 MG at bedtime. 40 MG emergency dosage

Grabbing a reference book from the desk it took him a minute to figure out what did what and what the numbers meant. 20 fucking milligrams? That was double the maximum dosage. That was lethal, but he'd watched her pop that shit like tic tacs at breakfast.

Chlo..Chlord..Chlordiazepoxide. What the fuck? They were giving her tranquilizers? Whatever. Figure it out later.

It took another ten minutes to find the medications cabinet, and then figuring out her stuff was in another cabinet inside the first one. Then he just took everything. Including a few.. extra drugs. Might as well make it look random as hell. Some poor fuck was gonna get jacked for it, but to damn late.

Looking at the clock he realized he'd wasted 30 fucking minutes tracking down drugs for her.

Using a lab coat from the closet he dumped the haul in the middle and used it like a sack.

***

Stepping out of the Van's shadow he knocked lightly before opening the door. "I think I got it, and hopefully anything extra I grabbed doesn't need to get used soon." Pulling out her bottles he dropped two pills into her hand. "Van, liquor or anything to drink these with?"

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Van reached under the seat beneath Gem…”Pardon me mam… as he pulled a huge bottle of seemingly rather expensive and likely smuggled or stolen Kentucky Bourbon from under her seat like it was a coin from behind her ear. “Mothers milk he said proudly handing it over to Mkael. “Uh there might be a mug or two in the cupboard by your arm.” He said, already popping latches and flipping back the carpet of the van floor. “Ah ha… I didn’t think they’d look here.” He pulled a large black case from the floor and popped the silver locks quickly. It was a vicious looking thing. Long neck of the guitar seemed to be made from a rather large human femur, and each fret was marked with what looked to be real knucklebones and fingers… all painted a dark and oily black…strung with steel strings to the “body” which looked to be half gator skull and the other half and actual solid black steel axe head. The edge gleamed as he removed it from the velvet lined case. “Sharp enough to split a frogs hair!” He said handing it to Angus. However once the bug Minotaur took hold of it, it seemed no bigger than a very menacing looking hand axe. Sorry buddy, a little small on you but she cuts like a surgeon. Digging a little deeper, he pulled out an equally devilish looking straight razor that looked like something straight out of Sweeny Todd. “Almost as dangerous as this one. Plus, if you flip this little toggle right here, you can throw it and it will come back to you like a boomerang, for when you don’t want to get too close. He slowly closed it and handed it to Gem. … he looked through the box a while longer and pulled a small square wooden box, about the size of a fist which he tucked into his coat pocket. He paused for a moment as if remembering and then regretting the fact. He stood and opened another hatch near the ceiling. He removed a small and slender black case about an arms length. “Dads viol” he said reverently patting the case. …. Anything else we will have to find elsewhere. The guards pretty much cleaned me out apart from these. “Maybe we will find some other things at the Bard College. You would be surprised at the things they’ve got just sitting around.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Ravyn
Popping the pills in her mouth like a junkie grabbing the next fix she swallowed before Van had the bottle in his hand and then reached past M'Kael to grab the bottle straight from Van. Twisting the top off she downed half of what was left without blinking. Even though a hardened alcoholic would have blushed at taking a shot of what he'd passed to her.

Hell, her breath was flammable at this point. But at least she wasn't shivering, though she was wrapped in a blanket like a Charlie Brown character, or a homeless guy.

Saeranadael looked at the group, "Um, is she always like this?"

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela

Angela had stopped off at her old room at The Pub of the Twin Ravens. She picked up her weapons, to include her two magical daggers, the throwing dagger she hides in her boot, her two desert eagle hand guns, three potions, and the scroll which “stopped M’Kael” abilities. Then she flew over to the room she was sharing with Van. As she got closer, she heard and saw that the bar patrons were ready for a fight. There were mirrors pointed at the front door, salt on the floor, garlic everywhere, onions, sand, wood stakes, and what she assumed was glasses of holy water.

“Maybe I should avoid going through the front door.” She thought. She flew up to the room’s window and saw a gentleman sitting in the chair in front of the fire. A constable was laying on the bed unconscious. The man is well dressed and groomed. Washed, trimmed hair and beard. no blood on him. He's not breathing though he is mimicking the motion. No heartbeat.

She turned to mist and entered the room. In a flash, she was back in human form.

“And exactly, what are you doing in my room?” She asked.

Angus

Angus looked at the strange looking hand axe. If another minotaur saw him, he would be teased non-stop. But he was thankful to have any weapon in his hands. “Thanks Van this is great” he said.

Gem also thanked Van, as she slipped the razor her left bra cup.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

The Stranger
"Waiting for you actually," he replied without moving to look in her direction. "I'm curious about the interest in this M'Kael. Who wants him dead? So many things are happening in a school for troubled nonhumans."

"Demons being summoned, Devils. Murders of summoners. Werewolves skinned alive. Hellhunds. I've even heard rumours of a sea hag. Granted I have my own.. scenarios running, but this has brought the Inquisition. More will come if it's not put to rest."

"You help me settle this disorder and I'll help you," He replied. "Oh and several humans were killed this evening after you and your friend left. No, not by me."

With a flick he was standing in front of her. "Solve this, calamity Blood Daughter and i'll increase your Blood potency."

His eyes were like liquid blood, and he smelled of the ancient graves of Nevermore.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela

Angela stood her ground and thought to herself “if I was still a human, I’d be very uncomfortable this close to a very powerful vampire… but since I’m not human, this show is not needed”

Angela also thought she did not need to answer any of these questions. But she had enough enemies already, so she was going to be helpful. “The Order of the Chosen Ones of Purity… or something like that… hired me to kill M’Kael. I checkout M’Kael, and it seemed The Order lied to me. So now I’m looking into The Order.” Angela explained “I have not had the time to do that yet... too many hell hounds to kill”

She took a moment to step away from the vampire as she thought.

“I’ll help clean up the mess on campus. A few answers might help. Ever heard Pontifex, a Hell Priest? Sometimes called The Engineer. He's a Cenobite. He carries a box… I’d love to know what it does and it’s weakness. Also, do you know anything about the Night King?” Angela asked

“Finally, who is this guy?” She asked pointed to the constable

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

The Stranger
"A Cenobite Hell Priest with a Box? Sounds like The Engineer all right. He's a Mercenary of Hell, his payment is souls. Leads a fairly powerful band of individuals as well."

Walking over to the chair he sat down again, his perfectly manicured finger stroking his chin. "I've never dealt with him, nor would I. My coin is Blood, not souls. I've heard rumours about him, but nothing confirmable. Some say he was a Human puzzle maker. Or a Grandmaster of human games. Or a clockmaker. Or a lesser entity of the lower realms. Either way he/it made a Devil's Deal. Now he's an Accuser, Incubus, or Belier."

"The Box is an Artifact. Possibly a variation of The Deck. No one has ever managed to study it so what it can do is unknown. I've never heard of another, but I wouldn't put it past the denizens of hell and the Abyss to pretend to be him."

"Having the Engineer involved on the Campus is like a throwing a mountain to kill a fly. Perhaps he was there for something else and is done and gone."

"Order of the Chosen Ones of Purity?" He mused. "Never heard of them. Not suprising, over the years there's always some Order rising up. The Order of the Golden Dawn. The Order of the Rays of Light. The Shining Order of the Dawm. The Order of Light. Always fanatatics that banded together because they lost someone and want to blame everyone that's remotely associated with a target group. Racists. But they're targeting Wolvenbane?"

"My guess would be someone made up the name to sound officious and Wolven bane fucked a sister, or brother, and broke someone's heart and now wants revenge. Petty Mortal games. Continue with your information gathering. Kill him if you want. "
Making a dismissive gesture with his right hand towards the bed, Him? Oh he's just the poor fool that was assigned to put holy water on the window frame so you couldn't come in. I was already here waiting for you. He'll survive, I didn't hit him hard enough to kill, and I'm not hungry. You can have him if you wish."

"Oh, and the humans have been attacked by Vampire. Or at least something pretending to be a vampire. Throats torn open. Blood missing. But so many in one night would mean a pack of Vampires. A coven. But there's no Coven in this town."

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Van and the gang.

“We’re off to the Bard College, You’re welcome to come with if you like or we can meet you back at Ot’s place” Van said before exiting the sliding door.

Once they approached the ornate symphony hall, Van deftly unlocked the door from within as he had done back at the residence halls. “Almost daybreak, let’s get in and get out. Bardic magic is similar to that of wizardry, a written cant. The atrium serves as the college library for the bardic spells that do all sorts of things. I’m sure we’ll find something that will help. But it won’t be easy to find and the place is sure to have preventative measures to keep anyone from walking off with any of the works. Just watch my back.”

As they entered the large atrium, the last of the moonlight was just bright enough to provide them light to see, and the marble floor reflected the stars above like spotlights shining down over a grand wooden stage. All around the room were volumes and volumes of bardic scrolls, set over three floors with a twisting stairways, ladders, and balconies. Various musical instruments and weapons were displayed around the place. Most seems to be more for show than for use, but they were beautifully crafted nonetheless. Two displayed suits of armour stood left and right of the stage, identical apart from the visage tooled into the face mask of the helm. One seemed sad and distraught, the other quite happy and gleeful. In the center stage, there was a huge gothic organ with pipes that seemed to rise into the heavens. Two lanterns hung on either side and the keys were protected by a black oak cover with silver handles.

“Hey Angus…. What’s better than roses on the Piano?” Ha asked with a smile.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Angela

Angela sure hoped it was not a coven of vampires causing trouble. That would make her trips to town so much more difficult. She had enjoyed her time with Van in this very room. She did not want that to end. Also, a coven of vampires, if evil, would be a pain to kill.

“Thanks for the help. I’d better head back now.” Angela told the powerful vampire. Then she did her mist to bat trick and flew back to campus. The sun rose as she found her way to Professor Ot’s house.

Angus

Angus had always enjoyed puzzles. It was one of the reasons he loved playing chess. The other was the look on those geeky human opponent faces, when they sat across from him. He would always have his angry minotaur face on. They’d lose the game to him for fear Angus would rip them apart if he lost.

So when Van ask Angus the riddle about the roses on a piano, he immediately focused on trying to solve it. He thought of lots of thing better than roses. Pearls, gems, cash, but that was too easy. That was not the right answer. But what could it be?

He was really struggling with Van’s question when Gem noticed.

“Tulips on your organ” Gem said solving the puzzle.

“Ahh… I get it” Angus replied. “Very funny”

“I’d like to get my two lips on your organ” Gem whispered as she continued to look for good spells. She had already found two scrolls that might be useful. She was looking for more.

"Van, what is something that people keep in their trousers that their partners love to blow?" Angus asked

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Van looked over at Gem for a moment. She was absolutely stunning standing in the center of the room under the moonlight. “Heh, I could think of a few things! Buuuut… I’m gonna have to say cold hard cash!” He chuckled to himself. His mind wandered back to Angela for a moment as well. She made cocksucking into an art form and was very well versed. A hard act to follow to be sure.

“They tend to keep the really rare or dangerous melodies hidden from plain sight. Ah, here we go.” He said from the top of one of the rolling ladders. But as he pulled the scroll from its hiding place, a thin wire pulled free and long clicking sound began winding behind the case. “Uh…. Guys….?”

Suddenly the bright gelled lights poured onto the wooden stage and the panel of the organ opened to reveal a playing mechanism. A large brass tube spun slowly, passing indentations over the key hammers. A soft and delicate tune echoed throughout the hall as the two large mannequins came to life. The glad one drew a gigantic great sword and began taking steps towards Angus, while the sad one acrobatically flipped and foiled, brandishing an exquisitely crafted silver Rapier which seemed to sing as it sliced through the air. And if that wasn’t enough… the organ itself appeared to rise on intricately carved clawed paws and the keys began to bend and shift. Those were no ordinary keys… but TEETH! The two hanging bullseye lanterns opened wide and the eyes of the beast glared as a deafeningly gothic opera bellowed from the pipes atop its great mane.

“MIMIC!” Van shouted, attempting to stuff the scroll into his jacket and kicking the guardrail , sending the ladder swooping around the balcony wall as he rode awkwardly and momentarily out of reach of the beast. Suddenly, one of the legs of the beast reached out and grabbed the bottom of the ladder. With a jolt, Van was sent flying through the air, he watched and grasped unsuccessfully at the ornate scroll case flipping end over end. He watched as it landed mid stage, protected by its case. Van was not so fortunate as he plowed through a glass case of vintage musical programs and playbills before sliding across the marble floor, now streaked with glass and a bit of his own blood. “We need that scroll!”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

M'Kael
Staying in the vehicle with Ravyn while Saeranadael joined the search party he leaned against the wll of the van, watching Ravyn. And wondering what the fuck was going on.

Saeranadael
Poking around Saer looked at a few things, not that any of them would come close to the natural sounds of a pack. Place smelled of old scrolls and dust.

When hell broke loose behind her she jerked around, shifting to the hybrid form before he yelled "MIMIC!!". Hitting all fours, she pounded across the floor and body slammed one of the metal men without paying attention to which one.

With it crashing to the ground with a resounding clatter she turned her attention to the living monstrosity. Roaring she started clawing at it. And with her weighing in at over a ton of raging muscle it was impressive.

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

The hulking creature played on, managing to keep the shifter mostly at bay, although the wood like exterior tore like flesh in some places and began to bleed from its fleshy bits. But still the music continued. To her surprise the mannequin she tackled, scattering to pieces was soon again made whole. The torso reconnected with other limbs in grotesque way but still was able to lumber on and wield the great sword. Still closing in on Angus .

A long a lashing tongue appeared and slid heavily over its yellowed ivory teeth as the mimic snapped and threatened.

Van crawled across the floor and retrieved the scroll, an opportunity provided by Sear’s very well timed and very welcomed interest. She was rough and rowdy. And for some reason the fact that she could herself transform into a hulking killing machine made her very very attractive.

Saer noticed the beast was partially secured to the wall with heavy iron chains.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Gem

Gem was as surprised as all of them to see the monstrous armored statues start to move. She had almost no spells remaining. She always had her cantrips, Light and Fire Bolt. But all her big spells were used up except Animal Friendship and Feather Fall.

She concluded almost right away that she needed to distract the statue with the sing rapier. While Angus took out the one with the huge sword.

“Hey… you’re out of tune!” She yelled at the sing statue. Then she hurled a mote of fire at the creature. The fire bolt broke over the metal armor. If there was any damage, she did not notice it. But she did get it’s attention.

The massive thing swung its sword at her. But Gem leapt over the blade. It had been a narrow escape, an inch higher, the blade would have cut off her feet!

“TOO SLOW” Gem yelled at the statue as she ran to book case ladder. She climbed the ladder as fast as she could. She had an idea, but she needed to be above the statue.

The statue slashed and thrust its singing sword at her. Gem grabbed a book and parred the first slash. It worked, but the magical weapon cut the thick book in half!

“Crap!” Gem gasped as the point of the rapier headed right at her chest. She twisted her body on the ladder. The sword cut across her left shoulder, her blood soaking her top. But she had time to scamper higher up on the ladder above the reach of the sword.

The statue just grabbed the ladder and torn it off the bookcase. Gem jumped off the ladder and onto the book case.

Angus

Angus had his small hand axe out and was ready for the big statue with the great sword. If the statue knew how to fight, Angus was going to die. The statue had the better weapon and had better armor. Angus, like all minotaurs, was ok with dying in battle as long as he fought well.

Then out of nowhere, Saeranadael came in and smashed the statue into pieces!

“Hey… that one was mine!” Angus yelled in frustration. But in truth he was overjoyed that Saeranadael saved his bacon. But his joy was short lived as the statue began to reassemble. In no time, the thing was coming at him again.

“Here goes nothing” Angus yelled and charge at it. The great sword came down on him as he swung the small hand axe up. There was a huge clank and sparks as the two weapons hit. The successful parry allowed Angus to get close to the statue’s leg. His hand axe might be small, but it could be swung faster than a great sword. He was able to hatch into the armored leg before the sword could come around the swing at him again.

However, the statue had other ideas. It kneed Angus with its armored leg. Sending him flying across the room. He ended up flat on his back near the other Statue that was trying to get Gem.

"Ok, you can have that statue" Angus groaned to Saeranadael as he struggled to get back up.

 

[Wayne_Wilder82]

Van watched as the group fought tooth and nail against the animated foes. Saer , still in a vicious standoff with the gigantic mimic swiped at the metallic spindle. As they did the suits of armour momentarily stopped and the started again as the spindle began to pick up speed.

That music! Van thought. Not one song but two set at a dissonance. One was a simple automation spell, the other was more elaborate… more sinister. “The ode of torment”. Then he noticed the chains. Van remembered that mimics , while sentient, don’t typically work for anyone. Nor are they usually this aggressive unless provoked. They’re usually more like a Venus fly trap… “We have to stop the music from playing or set it free!”