FOR THOSE WE HAVE LOST | FRAY'S PALACE

[bloodweapon]

Welcome to the Vault. Let your judgment begin.
♫

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[supherb]

[Arven manages to dodge the sword slash, and he leaps back to stand steadfast with Mabosstiff at his side.]

Because I wanna look out for my buds in their time of need, and Fray's one of them! And...I wanna see this mission through so I can go home!

[He has friends waiting for him back home, along with a whole world for him to show to Mafuyu. That's his drive.

He makes another attempt to show his resolve by launching another fireball...to no avail (7). Oh well. He's not a fighter okay--]

[bloodweapon]

[The Dark Knight hears all the answers, though he doesn't react to any of them. Each response is important in its own right and something that he is considering carefully, but that is not immediately obvious given he instead decides to smack more people around.

Another sword slash goes out, hitting Yoon, McGillis, Richard, and Mafuyu (14, 17, 15, 13). Thankfully, this is not followed by any more debuffs this round.]

You will face the God of Conflict. Are you strong enough to defeat him? Will you hold tight to what it is you fight for?

Prove it. Show me what you are capable of.

[Roll with advantage this round! The Dark Knight is looking a little worse for the wear, but he's not out just yet!]

[vogelfrei]

[ Ow. At this point, McGillis is getting pretty used to being sliced up. Palaces, his own boyfriend, it doesn't even matter anymore... It's just cut after cut, these days.

But it still throws him off enough that his Giant Slice misses totally... (6, 7).

Well, he's bleeding a good bit so maybe he can be forgiven?? ]

[idealitas]

Of course. Do not expect any less from those have been pulled into that God's machinations. Fray included.

[ Yi Sang has a Diarama for Mafuyu and a Mediarama for Yoon, McGillis, and Richard. ]

1/2

[cleansewithfire]

[ Sunrise wants to answer that she wishes to hold tight to the experiences people have given her here. She's been shown so many new things and treated so kindly here that she simply cannot let the God of Conflict win and render them null and void.

Eli, Mafuyu, Rutile, Sayaka, Argenti, Yi Sang... Honestly, so many people. And most important of all...

...Most important of all...?

Why can't she remember? ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Then she sees who got hurt by the sword slash, and she suddenly remembers. She's upset to see Yoon and Mafuyu get hurt especially, but what sends that inner fire flaring and threatening to consume her is seeing Richard hurt.

How could she forget? She shouldn't. She mustn't.

Which is why her answer to Fray is simply a Panta Rhei (20), because she wants this to be over before she can forget again. ]

[cleansewithfire]

[ (Of course, that is exactly what happens (1) and she gets to have Fear the next round.) ]

[speedingticket]

[ Yes, and yes. This is obvious to Rutile, any other answer unthinkable. If the calamity could be defeated by bonds alone then it would have disintegrated years ago.

The God of Conflict is no Great Calamity, so.

With a determined little frown Mitis appears from the aether and curls around him, and he swipes at the air with his dagger to cast Diarahan for McGillis, and Media for Yoon, McGillis, and Richard. ]

[vogelfrei]

[ Nothing better (and weirder) than the feeling of your injury closing up right after you got it.

Rutile gets a grateful nod. ]

Thank you.

[speedingticket]

[ Both Rutile and Mitis give a thumbs up! No problem, large man. ]

[cirquedesang]

[Being slowed - and subsequently hit - last round, certainly doesn't do him any favors this round, as his own Giant Slice also totally misses... (9, 7).

But they're still being questioned, so this is clearly as much a test of will as it is of strength.]

Whether we are or not, we still have to try.

[There's no other choice. And if they end up like cornered beasts because of it, so be it.]

[supherb]

[First thing's first: Media for Yoon, McGillis and Mafuyu.]

To kick that guy's butt? You bet we will! He's got it coming to him!

[This time, Arven's fireball strikes true (13). However, he's hit by the Shadow Wall's effect (1), which sends him into a rage (3) for next turn!]

[beathollow]

You're one of us, not above us- who are you to decide!?

(



okay so we managed to piss mafuyu off on accident? whoops. she wasnt expecting that either. she doesn't have it in her to be embarrassed by the outburst though, and it looks as if healing is being covered, so-

tarunda to lower the dark knight's attack.

and then jack pot sad shot (psy damage charged to an arrow) (13, 11) for good measure.

... unfortunately, determination crumbles to fear though... )

[gardenful]

You know we will! We're gonna beat him, and we're gonna do it together. You included.

[ And she thinks that it goes without saying that she'll cling onto what she holds dear.

With that, she'll send an Aroma-terror-py towards him for some light Bless damage... only to miss, even with advantage (5). ]

[imperiosity]

[The clear helps with removing the Fear status which is good!! Unfortunately, the Forget status is still there, which might be why he looks like he’s struggling answer that question adequately. Who was the God of Conflict again? Huh??

He shakes his head like he’s trying to clear the haze from his mind, but eventually he just seems to tire of doing that, and he looks over at Fray with irritation.]

Dunno what you’re going on about, but you think I’m gonna roll over to some damn god, you’ve got another thing coming. So quit blabbing and start listening, ‘cause we’ve already told you we’re not giving up!

[After that is a slash at the Dark Knight (5, 14), with some attempt to get the blade to hit a gap in the armor so it doesn’t completely bounce off. Shadow Wall doesn’t come into effect again (16), thankfully??]

[beautifulknight]

[ ...Speaking of which, Argenti himself had to give pause on the words exchanged to Fray - because, well, how could he not?

He had wondered, what other people would say. He is glad and intensely appreciative...that people are so willing to support Fray, voicing such words, championing deeply or even fondly succinctly their bond with him.

Yet, he is also deeply touched to hear support with his own name mentioned which gets him a glance towards the blond for a second - unexpected, but honestly cherished all the same he cannot spare words for the moment. But, it is all going to be remembered well.

Even on top of his resolve, his determination, he feels somehow stronger.

...When they all rescue Fray, because that is a foregone conclusion, of course, he hopes the man is able to hold onto the sentiments voiced here in some manner. His own included, of course. ]

There is no question in my mind.

You know this well, dear Fray - I have not wavered, and shall not do so now. Don't you remember? How tightly I held onto you, how much I fought to show you that I will not let go.

Facing and beating the God of Conflict is a foregone conclusion.

Right now, this is about bringing you back. You may be stubborn and to ask consistently for proof, but do not forget.

I am even far more stubborn.

[ ...Is it really the time for this?

But, whatever the case, Argenti hasn't faltered in his attacks just yet, unleashing a hit with a Psiodyne that reaches The Dark Knight (13, 9)), though the Shadow Wall that activates strikes with a vengeance (2).

Suddenly that fiery determination becomes...a burning Rage (3). ]

[ledbythewind]

[That slash hurts, sending Richard reeling and rendering him temporarily unable to attack. Staggering back, he casts a Diarahan on himself, and that's all he's got in him for this round.]

[bloodweapon]

[Oh ouch, Sunrise's attack really stings. In fact, that coupled with the other hits ends with the Dark Knight kneeling, grip tight on Deathbringer.]

You are doing well. But is it truly enough?

[Apparently not, because he activates Living Dead, rising back to his feet at full health. The dark flames surround him now, replacing the Shadow Wall's barrier. Shadow Wall is no longer in effect.

He casts Rakukaja on himself, followed by Wild Thunder. Roll a 1d20 to see if you're hit.]

The God of Chaos must be stopped, and if you are the ones to do it, then you must be prepared to face him. If you cannot overcome this then how will you hope to stand against him?

[Roll with advantage again!]

[beathollow]

( mafuyu is unfortunately consumed by fear! no action for her! but hey, she didn't get hit (6)? )

[gardenful]

[ She gets hit (12), but it's not nearly as bad as that first time. All it takes is a quick Diarama to heal herself up. ]

We will overcome this.

[ And she'll go in with a Makouha (12) to the Dark Knight for some light Bless damage! ]

[supherb]

[It's a good thing that Arven manages to dodge the lighting strike (2), because it would have done massive damage to him in his enraged state.

He's too rage-brained to offer a rebuttal with words, so he lets his actions do the talking for him. He leaps up and goes for another hard swing of his frying pan at the Dark Knight (14).]

[cleansewithfire]

[ Once again, Sunrise manages to push through the fear (1) and dodge the thunder (8).

Unfortunately, she has forgotten she has a Persona or what it even is, and she decided does not want to stab Argenti's important person with a bayonet, armour or no. So instead she rushes at him, slinging the large case she usually uses to carry her weapon around to slam it into him (3, 17).

When in doubt, hit the problem until it ceases to be a problem. ]

[speedingticket]

[ Miss (2)! Feels good! ]

A long fight doesn't always mean hopelessness! Your fortitude is impressive, but it's also our job to end the fight and save you.

[ After Aerith gets hit, Rutile quickly outlines her silhouette with his dagger for Draw With Friends, and the jolt of lightning that sails towards Fray in retaliation strikes true (19)! Wahoo! ]

[strawsandals]

We will. Don't get ahead of yourself!

[ Cleansing Mafuyu's fear and also dodging Wild Thunder (7)! Awww yeah. ]

[beautifulknight]

[ Fray has risen again back to full health, right before their very eyes. But, Argenti himself doesn't even feel deterred in the slightest - The Dark Knight had already proclaimed his words, his question before all of this...asking about their limits. He has already fought so many times before, when he was against a myriad opponents, when there seemed no end.

This seems to be the same.

But, he doesn't tire.

He doesn't flinch, nor does he feel inclined to give in. In fact, once again, Argenti feels as if his will grows even stronger. He is compelled by every single part of him to continue to reach out, to never stop his efforts. Not for anything.

Not even if the world itself was on the brink of destruction; the words spoken like a broken record from a man who thinks he is a mere shadow of a man do not shake him. The lightning misses (1), but the Rage lingers, drives his words this time instead of leaving him aimless. ]

Be free from prison of your heart, dearest Fray!

You have heard everyone here, haven't you? Every single person that is here, fighting against you, stands with you.

You are no longer the shadow that sets upon guiding someone along their story.

You are the person who has met many who have come to cherish you, who have come to care for you as your own individual!

I know you are more than what you have convinced yourself to be! I shall sing it to you, I shall speak it to you, I shall show it you, even when you think that this is for naught.

Even when you think you are ill-deserving of it. Even when you've forgotten yourself, become mired and consumed deeply in despair. I will be there to remind you, and when needed, bring you to your senses with all that I have.

...So, I will come at you as many times as I must.

I'll never stop bearing my heart to you, reminding you of my love. Until you're back in my arms, and even then...I shall give to you such deep affection that will be nothing less than purely everlasting, and beautiful.

[ Argenti comes again at Fray, and he strikes at him again, this time, his large spear being aimed low (5, 11), barely hitting. But it is a movement aimed to try to trip him off-balance. ]