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| Details |
| Author: | Alli |
| Summary: | A 7th Legion team of the 2nd, 5th, 9th, 11th, and 13th EUs works together with a Cobalt team of Alliza, Alysson, Ralaea, Yveris, Colson, Cressidha, Estel, Mordecai, Dane, Jocoza, Thalstan, Tadget, Taeavon and Velrin to venture into Nefarian's new lair in Blackrock Mountain. They make it to the closed front gate, near which they encounter Nefarian's lava pet and a repurposed Dark Iron defense mechanism. ~5300 words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Gryphons and other flying creatures alight one by one on an ornamented terrace nestled into the side of Blackrock Mountain. The terrace sits beneath the ash-filled orange sky and overlooks nothing but sulfurous air down to the scorched earth of the Searing Gorge. The group assembles on the tiled floor, strewn with bones and debris, amidst fiery braziers that give off an unwelcoming light. However, there are no lines of Dark Horde defenders present, nor any other form of opposition - perhaps the Cobalt Blade’s disruption of the alarm ward still holds.
The 7th Legion's 11th Expeditionary Unit arrives as a group, and Captain Alois Fairdale dismounts their gryphon quickly enough to offer a hand to the Scarlet Bride in getting off of hers.
Jo arrives on gryphon-back, hopping down and waving it away to fly to safety afterward. She looks around to take stock of who's here so far.
Velrin and Taeavon touch down soon after and dismount. Thoridas follows close behind, flying in and resting on Tae's shoulder once he has made it up with them.
Thalstan the dwarf arrives with a rental gryphon who drops him off. He carefully tidies his luxurious hair and beard, as if there might be someone taking photos today.
Tadget Sharpgear arrives, not long after Thalstan, all in black leather with only her alluring green eyes visible through her dramatic leather mask. She has made them extra alluring with kohl, because drama. She slinks around quietly at Thalstan's flank, putting on her most menacing vibe.
The 9th EU (including Highlord Von Zeldig and Siege Engineer Quarterflash, familiar to many Northrend veterans) arrives together and heads immediately toward the High Commander's position.
Alliza Reyne, a young woman with brown hair, blue eyes, and a well-kept robe, arrives on a rental gryphon of her own, and looks none too happy about it. When it lands, she slides off of it, brushing herself clean of fur and feathers, her nose wrinkled slightly in disgust.
Jo looks over at Velrin, Taeavon, Thalstan, and Alliza, and gestures them together. "Let's stick together as a Cobalt unit. That will make it easier for the 7th Legion Commander."
Atley arrives atop his trying Thoras. He gives the heavily armored beast a few firm pats before he grunts and dismisses it. He marches over to Jo in his usual dark crimson armor, Cobalt Tabard, Lordaeron shield and Thunderfury slung over his back.
“Right. Hullo’, Captain.” He raises his gaze and squints at the structure of the place with a vaguely thoughtful, sour look.
"Hello, Dane," Jo smiles. "I'm glad to have you with us. It looks like you and Thalstan will be the front-line on our side."
A red-armored gryphon appears, and by the sheen of its coat and feathers, it looks extremely well taken care of. This is clearly not a rental. Ralaea dismounts, wearing a set of deep red and black armor, her swords new and much smaller than before. She pauses to feed her gryphon, before dismissing it back into the skies and joining the gathered Cobalt group.
Atley flicks his gaze from Jocoza to Thalstan and marches over with a grunt. “Thalstan Southammer of the Cobalt Blade,” Atley growls, extending a hand. “We’ve met briefly.”
Thalstan reaches out to shake his hand with a firm grip. "Sir Atley. It's an honor ta fight at yer side."
Atley grunts before he looks to Ralaea upon her arrival and nods.
Ralaea returns his nod with one of her own, and glances around at their surroundings with a wary eye and arms crossed.
Velrin stretches to limber up in preparation for the battles ahead.
Tae checks his bowstring and arrows and makes sure his spells are in order.
A stormcrow lands in their midst, directly beside Alliza, and shifts into a beaming elf with deep green hair. "'Liza!" Yveris greets, weaving a flower into the mage's hair. She also sends a smile and wave to Jocoza. "Cozy!"
"Yvy!" Jo greets her. "Let's gather up, I think we'll be heading in shortly."
Atley gathers up on Jocoza and nods to Velrin with an amused growl. “Find a day as any to put that weapon to the test.”
Velrin grins back at him and tests the weight of the large, ring bladed weapon in her hands, "That it is, Sir Dane. Time to put the craftsmanship of the Thorium Brotherhood to the test, eh?"
Ralaea approaches Velrin and holds out a hand for a handshake. She is unsmiling, but there is no menacing scowl either.
Velrin gives her a firm handshake and nods.
"It's good to work with you again," Ralaea says, before assembling as they were bid.
"Likewise." Velrin is a bit surprised, but she returns the gesture before following her to assemble with the others.
High Commander Halford Wyrmbane stands toward the interior of the ledge, as usual hidden behind his massive helm, more of an armored silhouette than a man. There is something more menacing than usual about that silhouette today; a suppressed rage that amplifies itself through his usual charisma and makes him somewhat terrifying to behold.
"Assemble, soldiers!" he calls out in his slightly raspy but resonant voice.
Jo nods for the Cobalt forces to fall into line, as much as well-trained mercenaries do, anyway.
Atley grunts before he assembles on Wyrmbane and Jocoza.
The sudden call startles a white gryphon that had been making its approach, causing it to deposit its unfortunate rider somewhere on the wrong side of the railing. "I'm okay!" Alysson calls, pulling himself up and over. He almost wasn't, but, details.
"Soldiers of the 7th Legion, and allies!" Wyrmbane shouts. "It may seem that there is no end to our enemies, and that those we defeat simply appear again to torment us. But steel your hearts! We are the 7th Legion! We continue to be the 7th Legion! We will hunt our enemies to the ends of the earth, and beyond if necessary, beyond the veil of death! No matter what befalls us, we press forward, and we show the enemy what we are made of! ARE YOU READY?"
There is only one answer to this question. Clearly. The implication is that if you give the wrong answer, he may behead you with the enormous two-handed sword he is carrying.
Jo raises her hand and yells, "We're ready!" The question may have been rhetorical, but Jo's enthusiasm prompts a reply anyway.
Atley booms. “Aye, sir!” He draws sword and shield and raises Thunderfury into the air, straight up.
The only entrance to be seen into this 'lair' of Nefarian's is an open doorway leading to a narrow stairwell.
Wyrmbane draws himself up as though about to start shouting again, but instead he gives a dramatic, decisive, full-body sweep of his weapon, pointing at the open doorway in grim silence.
The 9th takes this as the order it is, and moves!
The team moves towards the doorway and down the narrow stairwell, coming into what was clearly once a Dark Iron dwarf habitation, complete with dwarvish statues. They stand to either side of a solidly locked portcullis, with molten lava flowing behind and through each statue like another culture might see done with a decorative fountain.
Jo peers at the gate and nearby walls, but there does not seem to be any mechanism to open it.
As everyone gets themselves in order, an amused voice booms over the hallway, saying, “What’s this? Mortals that likely fancy themselves HEROES have entered the Broken Hall! Welcome to my personal sanctum, ‘heroes’! I hope you find the accommodations to your liking. Herein you will find many of my failed experiments, and ultimately my greatest triumph!”
"ASSHOLE!" yells Tadget back.
The only answer is fading laughter.
"That guy's an asshole," Tadget says casually to the nearest stranger.
Cressidha looks attentive and ready to do violence.
Estel makes an approving noise to Tadget. Yes, that guy is an asshole.
Tadget nods at Estel. She gets it.
Wyrmbane calls from the back, "Move left! We need to find a way to open that gate!"
The team heads to the left, where a dwarvish statue stands guard over a stairway half-crumbled and in disrepair.
Jo follows along, hurrying with her short legs to keep up with the team.
Thalstan keeps axe and shield at the ready, prepared for unexpected violence.
Colson is there, very face.
Tadget puts a dagger between her teeth and begins scaling a wall.
Mordecai gives a small little finger-wave to Yveris.
Atley maintains pace with Jocoza, shield at the ready with a hardened glare of determination.
Accompanying Siege Engineer Quarterflash is a peculiar, mechanical conveyance, about six feet long, that has six legs and a long, vaguely reptilian "snout" at the front. Its "back" is loaded with explosives. Krrrnk, krrrnk, krrrnk, go its legs as it clanks along at his side.
Avrayia Coldshadow's spirit bear plods along aside her, glowing blue in the reddish light.
Magmaw
The chamber at the top of these stairs is similarly shattered, and several dragonkin are clinging to chains, trying to get an enormous lava worm, Magmaw, under control. The chains end in hooks that latch into the worm’s segmented flesh, and the other ends are attached to a spike which juts out at the edge of the lava pit.
Oh, good. Giant worms. Colson's face is extra very face.
The same voice from before, likely Nefarian, fills the room as he says, “My visitors! Would you like to meet my pet? I found this fascinating specimen in the lava underneath this very room. Magmaw should provide an adequate challenge for your pathetic little band.”
One dragonkin turns and sees the approaching soldiers, startled. That’s enough distraction for Magmaw to chomp and then there’s one less dragonkin. The other flees, and the lava worm turns its fiery maw towards the assembled soldiers.
"I'm gonna rip your spine out through your [redacted]!" Tadget yells back at the disembodied voice.
The dragonkin is done with this [redacted]. He attempts to flee the chamber altogether.
Atley squints at the monstrosity in disgust and rolls his wrist. He rushes forward to decapitate the second fleeing dragonkin with a single stroke.
Vel readies her weapon and crouches down, ready to pounce.
Quarterflash leaves his explosives in a safe spot and goes into Warrior Mode for a bit, fighting with sword and shield most nobly!
Magmaw twists in place, dislodging the hooked chains and beginning to spew lava all over the room. Some of the 7th Legion soldiers are unable to dodge, and there are cries for healing.
From the 13th E.U., someone cries, "Noooo! Lt. L'Evel!!"
Another voice answers, "I've got him! He won't fall on my watch, Captain!"
Thalstan raises his shield, blocking the worst of the damage.
Atley moves to stand side by side with Thalstan, shield raised.
Quarterflash joins the Shield Wall.
Cressidha pulls up her ice barrier. She does not want to be anywhere near that lava worm.
Jo blinks out of danger's way, and starts summoning up fire, hoping it will be helpful.
Tadget is climbing and parkouring along the surrounding walls and other high-up structures, trying to find a good place to drop down and do a massive surprise strike on the Big Guy.
Velrin manages to leap out of harm's way. Taeavon is grabbed by the collar by Thoridas and quickly jerked to safety.
The lava barrage ends, and the worm starts to fight with its insectoid, segmented arms. There are so many of them.
And then, Nefarian speaks again. “On second thought, what fun is an ‘adequate’ challenge?”
Suddenly a meteor blazes into the arena of combat from somewhere further inside the mountain, directly at Kerlo. It’s accompanied by a sound of cackling laughter.
The force from the impact of the meteor knocks back Kerlo and everyone around him. And then the meteor stands up - it is a bone construct, which was curled into a ball for delivery. This one is a little different from the Scourge variety, in that deadly flames curl around its form. It moves in to attack.
Quarterflash is unfortunately comparatively a rather low-mass individual, even with the armor, and he gets thrown back quite a way.
"Kerlo!" Jo squeaks, and blinks over to where he lands.
"I'm all right, my darling, please, don't be distracted." Kerlo's already struggling bravely to his feet. "Fight on, my love!"
Jo nods anxiously, and quickly wastes a little bit of mana to bless Kerlo's intelligence. Maybe it will help, who knows. It's what she's got to give. She turns back to the worm.
Thalstan staggers back, but quickly moves to try to distract the fiery bone construct from going after anyone else in the vicinity. He shouts, "Sir Atley, keep the worm!"
Atley grunts and nods. "I've got it!" He sprints forward to slash at the magma worm to keep its attention on him, periodically alternating between deflecting with a shield and striking with Thunderfury, its electricity crackling with aggression.
Marina blasts the lava worm with splashy water like a good elemental.
Thalstan trusts Atley to keep the worm occupied, and focuses entirely on the bone construct, hitting it again and again with his axe.
Alysson seemed to have some doubts about his ability to fight a giant worm in lava, but bone constructs, that's different. With an eager smile, he draws his swords and moves to engage.
Alliza keeps her focus on the worm fighting fire with… well, more fire. Hope fire actually does work against itself.
Ralaea joins Thalstan and Alysson on the bone construct as well, seeming faster and more at ease with her new weapons.
Yveris hurries around, spreading healing blooms where needed in an effort to keep everyone on their feet.
The bone construct ceases fighting and a whirlwind begins curling around it as the flames seem to seep through its form and glow brighter and brighter.
Wyrmbane's rasping voice reverberates through the scorching hot chamber.
"IT'S GOING TO BLOW!"
Thalstan shoves at the construct with his shield and stomps back.
Jo focuses her fire on the construct now, trying to destroy it before it can finish charging up.
"It's too big to just leave it," Ralaea shouts. "Do we retreat, or…?" In the meantime she continues to strike at it as she can, a task made more difficult by the increasing intensity of the flames.
Wyrmbane barks out, "FINISH IT!"
At this point, Alliza turns her own fire onto the bone construct. Again, more fire. Hopefully she's not making anything worse.
Tadget drops down from her position up high and makes a precision strike on a vulnerable point up high on the worm's "head" before bouncing away to a safe spot.
Velrin follows in step with Atley and slashes at weak points while Dane keeps the worm distracted. It takes her a bit of getting used to fighting with a weapon that's so much larger than her usual daggers, but she slowly finds herself finding a good rhythm.
The construct collapses in a pile of bones, no longer a danger to anyone. Magmaw, on the other hand, is still very much a danger.
Magmaw coils its body and then smashes onto the right side of the room. Most are able to dodge out of the way in time, but at least one 7th Legion soldier disappears beneath its bulk. Lying against the stone, it scrabbles with its jointed claws to grab anyone within reach.
"The chains!" Wyrbane barks. "Hook the chains into it!"
Thalstan looks around wildly, and then notices the hooked chains lying on the ground, connected to the central spike. He lunges for one of them and leaps onto the worm, digging the hook behind one of the creature's plates.
Atley drives Thunderfury into the worm to free his hand. With a brutish growl of exertion and a gnashing of teeth, he leaps back into the dray to drive the chain's hook into the searing flex before he rips out his crackling sword. He spots it focusing on Ralaea, and bellows to try and taunt the monster before shield bashing it. "On me, bastard!"
Magmaw scrabbles against the stone, and manages to throw Dane and Thalstan back, though the chain remains connected. The creature then focuses on Ralaea, and the ground beneath her begins to glow with heat.
The worm turns to Atley, but the fire beneath Ralaea's feet continues to grow.
Estel shields Rae. "Watch it!"
Ralaea lunges to safe ground, rolling back to her feet as she moves to engage the worm.
Alysson, too, attacks the worm, making a game out of dodging its claws. "Say, if it's got little feet, doesn't that make this thing a lizard?" he asks conversationally, despite the intensity of the fight.
Thalstan looks at Alysson. That's it. Just a look.
Lava blossoms from the ground where Ralaea was, and then it breaks into lava creatures that roil over the ground in Rae's direction.
"Mages, frost!" Jo calls out, and starts a blizzard over the lava creatures herself, slowing them. It is not her forte, but she's doing her best.
Cressidha does the same. Frost is her forte.
Oh no, frost. Alliza makes a face, and joins the blizzard. It is significantly weaker than both Cressidha's and Jo's.
Taeavon tosses a crystal over in the direction of the lava creatures and it bursts into a thick layer of rime on the ground that slows their movements.
"That's the way!" Wyrmbane roars.
The lava creatures perish in the cold before they reach Ralaea for whatever nefarious purpose they might have had.
Magmaw is done messing around at this point. It turns to Thalstan, opens its fiery maw and chomps. Its teeth screech against Thalstan’s armor, but the metal holds - at least for the moment - and he is not yet slain.
Atley growls savagely and with a strike of vengeance, slashes at the side of Magmaw's throat with Thunderfury.
"You flaming piece of [redacted]!" Tadget yells as Thalstan gets chomped. She stab stab stabs in retaliation.
Alois Fairdale throws a [Hand of Protection] around Thalstan, moving up with their own shield.
Thalstan tries to get his sword around to swing at the creature, but he is too restricted by getting chomped.
"Use the chains!" Wyrmbane bellows. "Drag him onto the spike! Impale him!"
Upon Wymrbane's command, and those rushing to assist Thalstan, Atley hastily sheathes Thunderfury on his back and sprints over to the chain he embedded in Magmaw. He grits his teeth and tugs on it with all of his might, trying to drag the monstrosity.
"Hey now, that's just rude," Alysson informs the lizard(?), joining the group assault on it.
Ralaea follows orders, helping to move one of the chains.
Yveris, meanwhile, tries to mend Thalstan's wounds, calling blooms of Life energy around him.
A hulking felguard hauls at the chains, directed by a warlock in 7th Legion uniform. Gideon Paine does not do heavy lifting - that's what the demons are for.
The powerful jerk of the chains on the creature occupied with killing Thalstan pulls it down sharply and unexpectedly onto the spike jutting out from the floor. The spike strikes in the vulnerable underside of the creature's throat, impaling it fully through.
Magmaw makes a horrible screech of pain, opening its mouth wide enough that Thalstan falls to safety. Then it twitches a few more times, and lies still.
Nefarian speaks again, less cheerfully than before. “You won? How… disappointing. I could have easily watched you all continue to stand in the fire.”
"I could easily watch you [redacted] your own [redacted], you [redacted]!" Tadget yells at the ceiling.
There is no answer this time. He is not laughing now.
Thalstan lands heavily and reaches over to evaluate the dents in his armor. "I think I'm alright."
Jo takes the time to look around the room. "I don't see any levers or anything. Maybe if there is an opening mechanism, it's on the other side of the door?"
"Do we have any ghosty-types?" Alysson asks. "Fellows who can phase through walls?" It might be a serous question, coming from Alysson.
Jo shakes her head wordlessly. "I can really only blink where I can see."
"To the other side!" Wyrmbane commands, gesturing helpfully with his absolutely enormous sword.
Mordecai recites a Prayer of Healing as they move to the right side.
Omnotron Defense System
Now everyone heads to the right-side statue, which seems in considerably better condition. The team makes their way up the stairway by the dwarvish statue and down a short hallway, which ends in a room with three inactive golems - and one active one, pacing back and forth with fiery glowing runes on each limb. At the back and center of the room is a stone head with a kind of crystal on top.
Nefarian speaks, and this time his voice comes from directly above - Lord Victor Nefarius stands in human form on a balcony overlooking the room. “Hmm… the Omnotron Defense System. Centuries ago these constructs were considered the Dwarves' greatest tactical achievements. I’ve made a few improvements, and I will enjoy watching them take you apart.”
Estel mutters to Tadget, "Bet he made 'em worse." She has identified the prime trash talker in the room.
Tadget snickers.
"You sure like to watch, don't you!" Tadget yells at "Lord Victor."
Lord Nefarius just smirks.
Alysson stares at the crystal. "Hey, can I have that?" he asks. "It's cool lookin'."
Alliza pulls out a notebook and begins scribbling furiously in it.
Ralaea looks for something to throw at the human dragon.
Tadget rolls up her sleeves and prepares to give "Lord Nefarius" a show he will not want to binge.
As the troops move into the room, the head in the center says in a monotone, “Magmatron unit activated.”
The fiery golem lumbers to the center and immediately starts spewing fire in every direction. This is not dodgeable or avoidable. Shields and healing will be needed.
"Hey, it talk—" Alysson is cut off by the sudden fire, and shields his face with his arms.
Quarterflash does his best to protect others from the fire-spew, but gets horribly roasted himself in the process. Luckily the 9th's healer is lightning-fast and very experienced.
Ralaea retrieves a shield from her bag and takes shelter behind it, gritting her teeth.
Mordecai bubbles Colson immediately. Must protect husband (and his pretty hair that just regrew).
Jo mana wards herself, but it is not enough. Thalstan just relies on the healers and shifts into stoneform in case it helps.
Yveris starts channeling a Tranquility spell, murmuring softly.
Estel calls down a dome-like protective barrier that shimmers in the air before beginning to Shield individuals.
The fire eventually ceases and the central head says in its robotic voice, “Rerouting excess energy to Magmatron unit. Engage flamethrower device.”
The golem turns and seems to lock onto Tadget, raising one hand.
"Tadget, run!" Jo cries.
Tadget vanishes.
The golem pauses and seems confused. "Target not acquired."
"IT'S PRONOUNCED TADGET," says a voice.
Estel snort-laughs.
Jo starts unleashing fire on the golem, and Thalstan swoops in to attack.
Atley follows in behind Thalstan, slashing and striking at the golem from its side in a flanking attack.
“Damage threshold exceeded,” the golem head says. “Magmatron unit shield systems online. Arcanotron unit activated.”
A protective fiery shield shimmers over the Magmatron unit, and another golem activates. This one shines with arcane power as it lumbers into the center of the room. It’s power shimmers at its hands, and a circle of blue energy begins to form beneath its feet.
"That's arcane," Jo says, peering at it. "That's… get the golem off it. It's empowering it. I bet it would empower us."
Nefarian scoffs in irritation. “Stupid Dwarves and your fascination with runes! Why would you create something that would help your enemy?”
"Let's get it off the circle," Thalstans says to Dane, taunting the arcane golem and leading it away.
"Shut your thumb-hole, you little newt!" Tadget yells at Nefarian.
"Thought he was supposed to have made them better," Estel mutters, sarcastically. She does not actively taunt the dragon. She is a healer.
Jo blinks into the circle and continues to attack the arcane golem, and her fireballs are hitting harder than usual. But then, the light starts to grow in intensity, the glow growing ominously.
Jo blinks out. Simple.
Just after the blue circle explodes with arcane energy, Magmatron once again fills the room with fire. As if that weren’t enough, Arcanotron turns toward Dane and begins to build up arcane energy on its hands.
"HYAAAAAH!" A flying Tadget comes out of nowhere to kick it right in the… hands.
Arcanotron’s energy buildup is short-circuited, and it sits there sparking in confusion as attacks against it continue.
Colson heals those who are caught in the fire, setting a [Beacon of Light] on Dane, each heal of the others reflected back on the frontline warrior.
The central head says, “Damage threshold exceeded. Arcanotron unit shield systems online. Magmatron unit deactivated. Electron unit activated.”
Arcanotron is covered with a shimmering arcane shield, and Magmatron goes suddenly dark and dormant. A new golem, glowing with electric runes, moves to the center of the room. Chain lightning flickers on Electron’s hands and darts out to hit Colson and anyone near them.
"Is there no end to them?" Quarterflash says woefully as he and his very conductive armor eye the electric golem.
"Hey, why aren't we attackin' the big talkin' thing?" Alysson asks, focusing on the golem like everyone else is, but not without a glance at the crystal.
"Obviously, it's because we're… I mean. These things are attacking us," Ralaea says.
Electron then sends an arc of electricity to Velrin that clings, pulsing lightning damage to anyone nearby, as Arcanotron makes a new blue puddle beneath its feet.
"Careful!" Jo shouts, and blinks away from Velrin.
Velrin’s eyes fill with deadly focus and she darts away from where she stands on the front lines to some unoccupied place in the room.
The blue circle by Arcanotron harmlessly explodes, just as Nefarian says, “Conducting lightning works much better in a crowd, yes? But what about this?”
All of a sudden, the isolated form of Velrin darkens with shadow. Everyone not near her feels shadow slither over their skin and start to claw inwards.
"WHAT THE CRAP?" Tadget yells.
"W-what's happening?" Alliza calls out, leaning on her staff for support against the pain.
“Everyone form on me!” Velrin calls out.
"Group hug!" Tadget yells as she sprints over.
Jo takes that on trust and blinks to her. Then she sighs in relief. "Yes, group up!"
Tadget actually hugs Velrin's legs.
Wyrmbane does not.
Colson groups up, a shield of Light lending him a burst of extra speed to close the distance.
Alliza blinks over as well. Alysson starts to head over, but pauses to take Ralaea's arm, supporting her despite her furious protests. Yveris turns into a cat and makes a dash towards everyone, and, when she arrives, a flower blooms on the ground, healing energy flowing through it to everyone gathered.
Eventually, the shadow fades, and it seems safe again to spread out. Unless you still want group hugs, of course.
The central head says, “Damage threshold exceeded. Electron unit shield systems online. Arcanotron unit deactivated. Toxitron unit activated.”
Electron shimmers with an electric shield as Arcanotron goes dormant. A new golem, with glowing green runes, moves to the center of the room. It launches a bomb towards Dane which explodes on contact with the ground into a lingering cloud of poison.
"Paladins!" Wyrmbane shouts.
"Why are there so many?" Jo asks in exasperation, staying near Velrin just in case.
Nearly every EU seems to have a paladin somehow. They all get busy trying to keep people minimally poisoned.
Thalstan hastily moves out of the cloud alongside Dane, coughing in the poison air.
Toxitron then focuses on Taeavon and a blob of slime glops down from its hands, creeping over the floor in his direction. Another follows. And another. The three slimes leave a trail of green poison in their wake. At the same time, Electron shoots lightning into Alysson, hitting him and anyone nearby.
"Don't let those reach their target," Jo says throwing a quick frost nova to hold the slimes in place.
Thalstan was near Alysson, and he spares a hand to check if his beard is standing on end. It is.
Quarterflash hacks at the frozen slimes, trying to obliterate them with his shiny 7th Legion sword.
Tae wastes no time in attempting to shoot down the slimes. He whistles to Thoridas who circles overhead and spits gouts of flame onto them from above.
Jo contributes as well, sending a neverending stream of fire.
Quarterflash dodges a falling streak of flame, looks up and salutes Thoridas.
Cressidha bombards a slime with frost bolts. Slow down, please.
"Ow, hey! Is this 'cause of what I said about smackin' the head?" Alysson protests as the lighting strikes him.
Ralaea, who was also nearby, glares at Alysson like it was his fault she got hit, before rushing off to deal with the slimes, avoiding the poison trails.
Quarterflash hums a little song of ice and fire as he keeps chopping away at slimes.
Soon the slimes are dead, well short of their target thanks to the frost, and attention can shift back to fighting Toxitron.
A particularly striking warrior from the 13th EU boldly closes the distance to the toxic golem, armor shining, muscles flexing. "Be careful, Lt. L'Evel!" calls their healer.
Thalstan looks at the warrior and gasps. He redoubles his effort, trying to match Lt. L'Evel's skill.
This defense system, however, is on its last legs. Toxitron and Electron move more and more slowly and creakily, until they fall dormant mid-attack.
“Defense systems obliterated,” the head says in its robotic voice. “Powering down.”
Lord Victor Nefarius frowns in disappointment. “Really, Omnotron? Oh, I don’t care. That malfunctioning piece of junk was murder on the repair bills. I should've known better than to rely on something so stupidly named… to entertain me for long.”
Lord Victor Nefarius vanishes.
"SAYS THE GUY WHO LITERALLY NAMED HIMSELF WINNER. COMPENSATING FOR SOMETHING, GUY WE ALREADY KILLED ONCE?" It's Tadget again.
Lord Victor isn't listening, Tadget. Lalala he can't hear you, he's busy in his lab.
"All right engineers!" Wyrmbane calls out. He's even raspier than usual after a long day of shouting. "Take a look at that golem! Something in it might be the key to getting that gate open."
"He named himself winner, but I named myself Hero," Alysson says smugly. "And Heroes always win. Winners only win sometimes."
Tadget just stares at Alysson.
Thalstan looks at Alysson like he just realized something. "Was he talking about you when he said we called ourselves heroes?"
"Definitely," Alysson says with confidence.
Siege Engineer Quarterflash takes advantage of the brief break in hostilities to rush over and embrace Jo decorously but ardently, pressing his face against her hair, before he dashes off to assist with the golem as ordered.
He leaves Jo standing with a dazed smile on her face.
Alliza settles by a wall, checking over her belongings to make sure nothing got too singed.
Ralaea goes to inspect the golems, out of curiosity more than anything.
Alysson approaches the no-longer-talking head, and tries to determine where the voice came from.
Yveris makes several rounds around the room, seeing to any injuries, either physical, or to morale.
Atley takes a breath and drags his arm along his forehead, his hair sticking to his forehead.
Velrin tests some different grips on her umbra crescent to see which she likes the most now that she has more hands on experience with it. She grins at the blade and steals a glance at Dane.
Atley eyes her with gruff amusement in his eyes, and inclines his head in approval as he observes her wielding her new weapon.