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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 17, 2015 8:44:40 GMT
"Are you such a coward that you cannot even throw a ball at your true enemy?" Chazan advanced to meet the Steel Inquisitor, tapping zinc to enhance his mental speed, watching Abokai's every movement for an attack. Yes, he regretted the death around him, but this conflict was not his choice—he had decided to protect Zalwen's departure at all costs. He gestured to the scattered bodies around him. "These are the ashes, Abokai. You are lighting the fire."
A blur of motion caught one of the iron balls in the air. Zalwen paused to tap iron and crush the ball into a flat disc underfoot, then broke it in pieces with the strength of pewter, hid the pieces in his robes, and chased after a second. The battle was on. Chazan had revealed himself when the Inquisitor had come. And the Inquisitor had responded to Chazan's challenge by killing uninvolved people. The monster. He, Zalwen, would fight alongside Chazan to save his people, but this was Chazan's doing, not his. He would be disappearing for a long time after this escapade.
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 17, 2015 8:56:46 GMT
The Inquisitor launched forward, obsidian axes hacking and slashing at Chazan.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 17, 2015 9:09:11 GMT
No Inquisitor could keep up an atium burn for long—even the Steel Ministry's most feared fighters would run out quickly in a prolonged fight. That was the knife's edge Chazan hung his success on. He could last a while, but he couldn't last forever against atium. Chazan tapped steel, zinc and pewter, parrying Abokai's blows with his fire-hardened duelling cane. Chips flew from the wood. This weapon wouldn't last long under such a barrage. With the speed of steel, strength of pewter, weight of iron, Chazan flung himself bodily against Abokai, grasping for one of the Inquisitor's axes with one hand and parrying the other with his duelling cane.
Zalwen chased down the second iron ball and repeated the destructive process. He took a second to compose himself and define the last ball's location, enhancing his hearing with a tinmind.
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 17, 2015 9:16:15 GMT
Abokai was sent staggering back by the force of the impact, but with a quick flare of pewter he stayed on his feet. He burned Iron, yanking on Chazan's metalminds.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 17, 2015 9:23:30 GMT
Although most of Chazan's metalminds did not pierce his skin to make them Allomantically inert, they were nonetheless tight against his pewter-swollen muscles and did not slide at Abokai's yank. Chazan had tapped iron to increase his weight for his previous attack, and thus the Allomantic force of Abokai's Ironpush jerked the Steel Inquisitor toward Chazan, who thrust his duelling cane at the Inquisitor's stomach as the creature approached.
((Aagh…I feel superior in this fight because I know the basic rules of Allomancy and Feruchemy too well. You can use coppermind.net if you want to look stuff up, Gamey.))
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 17, 2015 9:41:11 GMT
An iron ball, the last one not destroyed by Zalwen, flew into Abokai's hands as he was thrown towards Chazan. He flared pewter once more, slashing down at the dueling cane with one hand, he reached into his robes and pulled out a long iron spike, jabbing it at Chazan's gut. (( I've got a little metalmind I like to call Lylyss! WHAHAHAHHA! ))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 17, 2015 9:47:55 GMT
Chazan lunged forward, taking the spike through his stomach, and headbutted Abokai's eyespikes while rotating his body in an attempt to tear the spike from Abokai's grasp. Gasping at the pain, he dropped the duelling cane and launched punches at the Steel Inquisitor, each fist enhanced by the speed of steel, the strength of pewter, the weight of iron—and driven by the desperation of a wounded man. ((I didn't know Lylyss was made of copper…? )) ((Anyway. Last post here, although I would have liked to continue with this epic battle tonight. But I've been sleeping badly recently, and I need my sleep. See you guys tomorrow!))
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 17, 2015 10:04:29 GMT
(( Oki! Bye! )) (( Ooook, so, correct me if I'm wrong-- Abokai gets one feruchemical ability from this new spike, or does it not work yet since Chazan isn't dead? )) The Inquisitor twisted the spike out of Chazan's gut. Using the last remaining bit of atium, he effortlessly dodged the blows. Hacking and slashing at tendons, arteries, anything that his axe could find.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 18, 2015 3:39:49 GMT
Gali blew a lock of hair out of her mouth and swung at Jove's wrist, using her duelling cane's longer reach to keep Jove's dagger away. "You have absolutely no idea of protocol. But I guess that's to be expected, since you're a skaa." ((I enjoyed it. The most intriguing thing was seeing an alternate history and watching how superheroes could have affected World War II and on from there.)) Crack! Jove's dagger met the cane, then slid down toward Gali's hand. "Now I'm confused. Why do you antagonizing me? I've been nothing but courteous." ((Oh yeah. :) I like that too. X-Men does alternate history a little bit, but Captain America is way better in my opinion. :P I'll try to get a profile up for Jove soon. :) Oh, and by the way… we can use tab! :O ))_____________ No! Ollin saw Chazan take the spike, having followed Zalwen back to the marketplace. Shouldn't be surprised. Nobody killed an Inquisitor, but the inevitability of defeat only sharpened Ollin's pain. The least I can do is keep Zalwen alive. Make sure their sacrifice wasn't wholly in vain. Flaring pewter, she rushed up to Zalwen's side, catching his arm. "Please, Master Terrisman. You must go. Now."
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 18, 2015 5:44:40 GMT
((@gamey: The page on Hemalurgy doesn't really have a conclusion on that. Considering that you can even use a sword to steal powers Hemalurgically, I think there would have to be something else involved. I checked the list of bind points, basically the places where you can spike someone to steal their powers, and the stomach isn't included. Also, Abokai is using an iron spike, so this would not steal Feruchemical powers—it can only steal human strength. I think the conclusion I would come to is that the spike wouldn't be charged since it was not in a proper bind point and Chazan isn't dead. If Abokai's going to be a Hemalurgist, I suggest bookmarking the Hemalurgy page on the Coppermind. coppermind.net/wiki/Hemalurgy ))
The Inquisitor twisted the spike out of Chazan's gut. Using the last remaining bit of atium, he effortlessly dodged the blows. Hacking and slashing at tendons, arteries, anything that his axe could find. Chazan tapped gold, healing the wound in his stomach without the trace of a scar. His shoulders straightened, and he took the axe blows on his forearm copperminds, then twisted his hand around and tried to grab the haft of the axe below the blades. With the other hand, he groped for a glass knife hidden in his clothes. "I am immortal, Abokai. I am Phoenix, reborn in fire from ash, and you—" He stabbed at Abokai's face. "You are mortal."
Crack! Jove's dagger met the cane, then slid down toward Gali's hand. "Now I'm confused. Why do you antagonizing me? I've been nothing but courteous." Gali spat and twirled her cane in a tight circle in an attempt to wrench the dagger out of Jove's hand. "Get out of my way and I might consider being nice next time."
No! Ollin saw Chazan take the spike, having followed Zalwen back to the marketplace. Shouldn't be surprised. Nobody killed an Inquisitor, but the inevitability of defeat only sharpened Ollin's pain. The least I can do is keep Zalwen alive. Make sure their sacrifice wasn't wholly in vain. Flaring pewter, she rushed up to Zalwen's side, catching his arm. "Please, Master Terrisman. You must go. Now." Zalwen whirled on Ollin, jerking against her grip on his arm. "You are one of Chazan's?" He glanced to the fight, then back to Ollin, then up to the docks. "You must not be seen here with me if you are to remain in Tathingdwen. You must leave. If Chazan is fighting for me, tell him that I appreciate his help but not his method." He took one last look around, then headed for the docks with a small steel enhancement of speed.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 18, 2015 6:24:05 GMT
Gali spat and twirled her cane in a tight circle in an attempt to wrench the dagger out of Jove's hand. "Get out of my way and I might consider being nice next time."
Zalwen whirled on Ollin, jerking against her grip on his arm. "You are one of Chazan's?" He glanced to the fight, then back to Ollin, then up to the docks. "You must not be seen here with me if you are to remain in Tathingdwen. You must leave. If Chazan is fighting for me, tell him that I appreciate his help but not his method." He took one last look around, then headed for the docks with a small steel enhancement of speed. Ollin breathed a sigh of relief, watching Zalwen go. At least this wasn't a total waste.
_________________ Jove's dagger flew out of his hand and fell, landing point first in the earth. He shrugged. Raised his fists. "I'm afraid that's impossible. Mommy said I have to kill you." ((Brb. I'll be on later tonight, but first we gotta have dinner, pick up my dad, etc.))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 18, 2015 6:28:54 GMT
"Then don't expect me to be nice." Gali burned pewter and lashed at Jove's neck with her duelling cane, then reached out with one foot and kicked the dagger away.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 18, 2015 8:08:03 GMT
"Then don't expect me to be nice." Gali burned pewter and lashed at Jove's neck with her duelling cane, then reached out with one foot and kicked the dagger away. With one smooth motion, Jove ducked underneath the cane, then came up again and dispensed with the fisticuffs.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 18, 2015 8:45:22 GMT
Gali backpedaled, using her cane's reach to keep Jove far enough away that none of his strikes would hit her.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 18, 2015 8:50:13 GMT
While Gali was occupied, Jove seized the opportunity to recover his dagger. "Ha HA!" He lunged again. First at the thigh, then the armpit, wherever he could be sure of a good bleed. (( Dmitri Pendragon: Well, I'd best call it a night. :) Thanks for RPing! Awesome as always.))
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 18, 2015 9:00:42 GMT
The knife plunged into the side of Abokai's head. The Inqusitor glared down at the terrisman, quietly. Blood slid down the side of his face and into his mouth. And then, slowly, he reached up, grabbing the hilt of the knife and ripping it out. (( Muahahahahahaha ))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 18, 2015 9:40:54 GMT
The inherent problem with Jove's dagger being shorter than Gali's duelling cane was that Jove had to put himself close inside Gali's range to get to her, and Gali was determined to keep him far enough away. She pranced backwards, slashing with her cane as he tried to attack, leading Jove in a wide circle.
Chazan wasted not a second, grabbing his splintered duelling cane from the ground and lunging at Abokai while the Inquisitor was occupied with his macabre show. He knew that Inquisitors could heal themselves Feruchemically with stolen gold, but even then, the knife in Abokai's head heartened him nonetheless. Inquisitors bled, at least. (( Lylyss: Ah, right. See you on Thursday. Sorry I couldn't do more tonight—I was listening in to a leadership team meeting held at our house about the next kid's camp that's happening.))
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 18, 2015 20:48:03 GMT
The Inquisitor Pushed off of a grate behind Chazan, flying away from the blow. The last remaining iron ball, the one that hadn't been destroyed by Zalwen, zipped out of the crowd and towards the back of Chazan's head. Abokai gave one firm Push against the metal spike in his hand, and it spun towards the terrisman chest.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 20, 2015 4:32:01 GMT
Chazan saw the spike coming and darted to the side, out of the spike's way. This action also saved him from the ball unwittingly. In the short breathing space Abokai's Push provided, Chazan scanned the crowd for Zalwen. The Keeper had vanished. Hopefully he'd been able to get to his barge in time and escape the fight. Chazan glanced at Abokai again, then tapped steel and raced away.
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 20, 2015 4:46:17 GMT
The Inquisitor fell to the ground in a crouch, the dock was silent except for the moaning of the wounded. The iron ball flew back into his hand and he dealt with those who still remained.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 20, 2015 5:00:48 GMT
The inherent problem with Jove's dagger being shorter than Gali's duelling cane was that Jove had to put himself close inside Gali's range to get to her, and Gali was determined to keep him far enough away. She pranced backwards, slashing with her cane as he tried to attack, leading Jove in a wide circle. Bump. Gali backpedaled into Ollin, who looked back and forth between the two Pewterarms in confusion. "Jove! What are you doing? Who is this?" He shrugged, suddenly bashful. "I dunno." Typical. Ollin firmed her jaw, but seemed to arrive at a decision. "Duck. Now." He threw himself to the ground as a small fortune in clips whizzed out of Ollin's hand. ((EDIT: Dmitri Pendragon: Sorry, I gotta go. Writing club. I'll be back 'round eight.))
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 20, 2015 6:09:26 GMT
Only a few hours later, Governor Warden Fosca of the Terris Dominance sent for Abokai Bronn to meet him at his mansion's private conference room—immediately.
Gali screamed as the clips zipped into her body, tearing dozens of small holes in her skin. She barely managed to catch sight of the wizened old woman who had Pushed them at her before the pain jolted her into one thought: escape. She turned and ran, coins whizzing overhead, others slashing into her back and legs. What a pity she wouldn't be able to pick them up, but that was beyond the point now. She'd failed to hit her target, and she'd now be in trouble with the Steel Ministry for hitting that cursed acolyte. But along with the thought of escape, the thrum of a long-concealed anger began anew. She'd recognised the Mistborn. I'll have revenge, Ollin. For my defeat…and for my family.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 22, 2015 8:46:14 GMT
Only a few hours later, Governor Warden Fosca of the Terris Dominance sent for Abokai Bronn to meet him at his mansion's private conference room—immediately.
Gali screamed as the clips zipped into her body, tearing dozens of small holes in her skin. She barely managed to catch sight of the wizened old woman who had Pushed them at her before the pain jolted her into one thought: escape. She turned and ran, coins whizzing overhead, others slashing into her back and legs. What a pity she wouldn't be able to pick them up, but that was beyond the point now. She'd failed to hit her target, and she'd now be in trouble with the Steel Ministry for hitting that cursed acolyte. But along with the thought of escape, the thrum of a long-concealed anger began anew. She'd recognised the Mistborn. I'll have revenge, Ollin. For my defeat…and for my family.((O.o Interesting, Gali. Very interesting.)) "Get up." Ollin tugged Jove to his feet. "Who was that?" "She was trying to hurt the Keeper." "Did she leave a name? Anything?" Jove shrugged, eliciting a sigh from his mother. "We'll figure it out later. Right now we need to find Chazan--assuming he's still alive."
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Post by gamemastergrimwarden on Aug 22, 2015 8:54:15 GMT
Abokai Bronn strode into the conference room. The wounds from the battle had healed completely, leaving him only with a slight limp.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 24, 2015 6:19:16 GMT
Far from the battle, Chazan wrapped his fingers around a drainpipe and fought his rising temper. Phoenix wasn't worth it. His pewter-enhanced fingers dug trenches in the pipe. He barely noticed. If this was what becoming Phoenix led to, it wasn't worth it. Rousing the people of Terris wasn't worth the death dealt by a Steel Inquisitor. But was it? He breathed heavily, the air hissing through his locked teeth. No. No, it wasn't worth it. That was what Zalwen had always said. Every Keeper believed it. Freedom from the Lord Ruler was not better than safety. Not when the Lord Ruler had the upper hand. Every Keeper except him. And now he was facing the sheer reality of his choices. We need a hero. Chazan closed his eyes and swallowed a scream of rage and helplessness. We need a Hero of Ages. A Preserver. Perhaps not me, but… The drainpipe snapped. Chazan stepped back and took a deep breath. No living being heard his whisper. "But Phoenix will straighten the way." He squeezed his fingers into fists and set his course for the marketplace.
The Governor sat in a high-backed hair, chin on fist, watching Abokai approach with intense eyes—a marked difference from his typical passivity. "I hear you dealt with a riot on your hands earlier today."
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 24, 2015 8:37:06 GMT
Far from the battle, Chazan wrapped his fingers around a drainpipe and fought his rising temper. Phoenix wasn't worth it. His pewter-enhanced fingers dug trenches in the pipe. He barely noticed. If this was what becoming Phoenix led to, it wasn't worth it. Rousing the people of Terris wasn't worth the death dealt by a Steel Inquisitor. But was it? He breathed heavily, the air hissing through his locked teeth. No. No, it wasn't worth it. That was what Zalwen had always said. Every Keeper believed it. Freedom from the Lord Ruler was not better than safety. Not when the Lord Ruler had the upper hand. Every Keeper except him. And now he was facing the sheer reality of his choices. We need a hero. Chazan closed his eyes and swallowed a scream of rage and helplessness. We need a Hero of Ages. A Preserver. Perhaps not me, but…The drainpipe snapped. Chazan stepped back and took a deep breath. No living being heard his whisper. "But Phoenix will straighten the way." He squeezed his fingers into fists and set his course for the marketplace.
The Governor sat in a high-backed hair, chin on fist, watching Abokai approach with intense eyes—a marked difference from his typical passivity. "I hear you dealt with a riot on your hands earlier today." "Ah! Would you had arrived a few minutes earlier. I'm afraid you caught me at a bad time. Previously, the Pewterarm was at my mercy, practically clasping my knees in supplication--" "I'm sure." Ollin stumbled up the stairs. Shouldn't have pushed myself so hard in the marketplace. She would be sore for days, possibly weeks. "Are you in need of assistance?" Jove offered a hand. "That won't be necessary." "Mommy…" "What?" "Please let me help." "We're almost there." And they were. One last flight brought them to a large hatch--similar to a trapdoor--that led to the roof. Apparently some of the skaa liked to do their laundry up there. Ash-stained garments fluttered in the wind, strung up like banners between a pair of chimneys. "Do you see Chazan?" "The Terrisman?" Jove peered down from the roof, searching the crowd.
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 24, 2015 8:58:40 GMT
(( XD Jove is hilarious.))
Chazan knelt beside a skaa man in the marketplace, staunching the flow of blood from his broken leg with a cloth from the broken kiosk. The man breathed heavily. His eyes were pained, but alert. "You're him, aren't you? The man who challenged the Inquisitor." Chazan paused. He'd donned a hood to conceal his identity, but apparently it wasn't enough for the people who had been there. "Yes. I am Phoenix." The Terrisman gripped his arm. "Bird of ash. Please. Free us." The man's plea stung Chazan. He stared out into the distance, away from the mountains of Terris, towards the far distant plumes of the ashmounts. North, where the Lord Ruler dwelt and ruled. The immortal Allomancer. "I will try."
Gali bought twelve vials of pewter flakes from an Allomancy merchant and drank the two remaining from her previous store. The pewter burning in her stomach settled to a light, satisfied thrum. The wounds inflicted by Ollin would heal more quickly now, and she should be back to full health by tomorrow. Right now, she had a pressing concern to think through. Her target had escaped by barge, and she hadn't been observant enough to discover which one Zalwen had taken. And even though she was a noble, her bedraggled appearance wouldn't convince any obligator to set up a canal block. She might have to do another pewter drag to catch up with the barge, and it would take time to search every barge she came across. And what happened if Zalwen skipped to another barge after she'd searched it? He might not even stick to the canals. Gali blew a lock of hair out of her mouth in frustration. It looked like she'd failed this mission already, just because of Ollin's son. Now it boiled down to lying low in Tathingdwen, waiting for the fury of her employer to subside. Perhaps she'd take out a little revenge on Ollin at the same time.
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 24, 2015 9:13:34 GMT
((Lol. xD Thanks.))
"Hark!" Jove pointed to the crumbling kiosk. "Methinks I spy the multicolored mantle of a Terrisman steward!" Ollin followed his finger. "Yes. That's him. Shouldn't have returned to the scene of the crime." "Crime? There was no crime." "Tell that to the Steel Ministry." She had a rematch with the stairs, taking them one at a time, despite Jove's repeated offer of assistance. The market was a wreck. Rubble everywhere. Spoiled produce, trampled tents, reek of spilled wine. Ollin labored across the street to Chazan's side. "I thought you were dead."
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Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Aug 24, 2015 9:17:38 GMT
Chazan rose, having bandaged the man's wound, and glanced at Ollin. "Feruchemical gold stores health. I have enough to heal a stomach wound." His lips pinched, and he lowered his voice. "I'm reconsidering my choices. The Phoenix Resistance is still going ahead, but I can't fight with this loss." He extended an arm to indicate the scene of his fight. Many of Abokai's victims had left or been carried away, but the destruction was still rampant. "In that, at least Zalwen is right." His head snapped up. "Zalwen. It slipped my mind completely. Did he get away?"
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Post by Lylyss on Aug 24, 2015 9:24:00 GMT
"Yes, but…" Ollin paused, chewing her words. "He revealed himself. The Steel Ministry has his name, description and destination. I doubt he's safe from Abokai." "Or the Pewterarm." Jove chimed in.
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