RP:The Figment Hunter

From HollowWiki

Part of the The Unbalanced Island Arc



Shesryn- Forest Path, Chaos side


Chapter Three: The Figment Hunter




Kasyr is feeling a fair bit more satisfied. This could be, in part, due to his regeneration having remedied the fractures and breaks that the building sized ghoul had caused. The majority of the relief, however, is simply due to having encountered a variety of ...'people' on the way out of town. The savage lunatics which littered the streets, alleys and burnt out remains of houses served a dual purpose; both to break up the monotony of travel- ...and as a sort of ..endless buffet, for both the Hybrid and his Vampiric Kit Companion. It didn't even make much of a difference just how he killed them either, given how much they screamed either way. Which is what leads to the current situation. With two paths leading out of town, and the hybrid not bothering to ask Riss for directions- an alternative solution has been sought out. To be exact, a ravenous child was scooped off the streets, it's face pounded into a bloody mess against the pavement until it was a barely conscious and twitching mess, if only so that it could be presented to Satoshi. "...So, it's occurred to moi, I'm still a bit hungry. You're probably still a bit hungry...et, well. Short of that one fellow that saw us et ran off screaming a bit earlier- there esn't really anyone that's really...a person here. So! ...It's not really wrong to suggest that you take one leg, I take the other, et we pull this...er. Kid apart- et the one with the bigger half picks a direction, mm?" ...This is not a subtle indicator that the hybrid is bored and hungry. ...This is a blatant one.


Riss was blind to anything Kasyr or Kitten did by this point. The people here, weren't people, so why should he care about them? "You traveled a lot more than I did back in the day, so shouldn't you just pick the way, anyway? I mean, when you protected Esty and all~" Of course, despite the notion of consuming a child passing through his ears, he offered a boyish grin. Christian was damaged beyond belief, obviously.


Satoshi looks a cross between miffed and delighted. Obviously the offer of rending a mostly dead child apart sits well with the feline, but... "A contest of strength against you? Oh, that's fair~. Let's see who can uproot more trees after this then, shall we~?" Verbal protests are just that however, as her claws are already embedded in the mini-meal's ankle as Satoshi begins to steadily walk backwards, tugging experimentally.


Kasyr whistles ever so innocently, before he begins to tip back. It's not like the hybrids really trying to outmuscle the feline- instead choosing to see if he'll tear off more by virtue of his weight (and that of his trenchcoat). The tiefling can't help but toss a glance over to Riss during this time, even as the mostly dead child becomes an exceedingly dead child with a sickening squelching noise, "...I suppose- but I don't exactly know where it es that we're going..beyond..wandering. So neither direction seems any better, unless..well..you have any thou-." And it's on that note that the hybrid flails and falls over, the illucid kids body rupturing in a spray of blood and organs...like some gory pinata. ..Which leaves the tiefling now resting on his back, and wiggling the relatively ruined remnants of his 'portion'.


Riss halted, just for a bit to cross his arms and shift his gaze back to Kasyr. "Well, it's your g'damn journey, so how about picking a direction and going with it, yeah?" Christian maybe, just maybe was getting a tad bitchy. But, who could blame him? He was surrounded by people who ate children for fun. Granted, they were deranged, psychotic little brats, but still!


Satoshi does not eat children for fun! They just happen to be easier to kill than adults. It's perfectly logical, thank you very much. So it's with logic that the feline is now chewing on the arm of her half-a-kid while still semi-sprawled upon the ground. Were it not for her inability to refrain from gnawing dead flesh, she might have won that macabre version of a wishbone competition, but with a chunk of forearm devoured and Nom doing the same to the corpse's torso.... "Well, you win." The mage isn't entirely put off by her loss as the consolation prize is still a decent dessert after her meals.


Kasyr lets out a triumphant, "Woo.", of victory. Really, it's sort of lackluster- but than, the whole task of leading the group onwards wasn't exactly the high point of that little exercise. Not that he's complaining, a murder-and-meal-on-the-go deal is fairly convenient. And so, the hybrid proceeds to make rather short work of his section of the child- ravenously crunching through flesh, sinew and bone until he's had his fill. It's only then that he produces a rag from his pack and begins to wipe the evidence off his hands and face- affording the group a somewhat presentable looking leader, "...Riss, what exactly es the chance we'll run into someone sane here?...I'm guessing that person that ran the other way was, right? Or es everyone insane in a different way?" Tossing the rag aside, the tiefling gathers himself up, than starts down a path- favouring the route that seems to stray further from the town. If his memory served him right, it wound it's way through a forest and along a mountain- which would let them get a good glimpse of the area around them.


Riss shook his head from side to side. "You won't run into someone sane here. That's exactly why we need to get through here as quickly as possible, got it? It's impossible for our damn Creator to influence me. You, though, Kas-- I'm not so sure about." Cue tilt of head and oh-so-sweet smile. Of course, he was being brutally honest, and thought of the worst possible scenario, but anything was possible, right? Right. "So, lead away oh Fearless One?"


Satoshi remains quiet and simply follows as has been her habit since their arrival, busying herself with a mixed focus of watching the area and picking clean the last shreds of flesh on the mutilated little skeleton.


Kasyr pauses, before casting a particularly fixed glance behind himself- back the way they came, "...So, that person that ran the other way- like us, then? ...Or, es it something else? Or just, a mess in his own special way?" Pausing, the hybrid begins to march onwards, hands planting themselves firmly in his pockets, "...Et, what exactly is the limitations on this madness? You seem to have had...expectations when you entered that store back in town. Es that you letting your guard down from not being here? ...Or es there pockets where people are normal? Or...People being resistant? ...I would hate it if I wasn't the only liability here, currently." Shrugging, the tiefling simply takes to kicking pebbles along the path- seemingly engrossed in the various problems each answer provided.


Riss shrugged. "Everyone's driven mad in their own way. Some people become butchers, some cannibals; some become paranoid and won't even leave their home. There is no limitation to anything, that's what Chaos is about. You, however, aren't the only liability. Kitten is, too. She may not be like us," Irony. "But she could still be afflicted with madness. I've been able to avoid it due to a couple things, though becoming a servant to the dragons is the best defense. 'Daddy,' is a twisted asshat."


Satoshi's ear prick up at mention of herself, as she's only been half-listening up until now. "Me too..? I'm not even a part of this place, just here for the... scenery. The chaotic, bloody scenery..."


Kasyr can't help but grin at Satoshis' comment, "I think, mon amour, that origin es not the problem. Simply vicinity to this place. ..Et I suppose that answers it. If everyone esn't just Violent...et psychotic- we can't go about killing every single person we encounter. ....Just most of them. Thanks for clarifying." Nodding, the tieflings pace grows just a bit livelier- the hybrid seemingly determined to reach the woods which lay ahead of them. "Well, either way, it should hopefully prove moot, if we just keep away from civilization et such."


Riss really didn't care anymore. He hated this place.The one thing in his life that he actually could hate. "You don't get it, do you, Kas? It's not that you can't kill these people, just because they aren't violent. Inside, they're suffering. They aren't who they used to be. Killing them would be a blessing. Children, the Elderly; doesn't matter. You'd know that, if you came back every now and then. Not that it matters now."


Satoshi privately muses with Nom on Riss' words. "If killing them is a blessing, that'd make us like saints or somesuch, no?" Mouse and feline can't help glancing at the semi-ribcage clattering behind them in the dirt, dangling by a barely attached spine from Satoshi's hand. Not the most saintly image, but who's judging?


Kasyr actually stops for a brief moment. And with enough force to nearly trip himself over, at that. The tiefling doesn't falter for long however, breaking into a jog as though he needed to make up for lost time, "...Really. Just kill them all et let the gods sort them out? I didn't know you were into simple et convenient solutions, Christian. It was always your style to keep struggling et save everyone. ...Something boneheaded like fighting ...Father, J'suppose." The hybrid can't help but shoot a half-grin towards Riss, an odd combination of mirth and challenge resting within the expression. Still, Kasyr does need to focus to a degree, as the terrain becomes more and more wild- the underbrush growing thick, as roots begin to occasionally slip over the path.


Riss shook his head from side to side. "I'm against fighting a god. Demi-god. Strong individual. I don't like the idea of gods." Christian really couldn't say anything. He was irritated that he couldn't do anything for the people, and at the same time, but at the same time, happy for the very same reason. Knowing that it's not worth his effort, and all~ "Plus, what's the point? This place isn't my home anymore." Cue the snapping of a twig. Though Riss wouldn't notice it. He was far too lost in his own little world.


Satoshi pays no heed to the uneven ground, having spent the better part of her life in wilder terrain covered in ice more treacherous than mere roots. Rather, she chooses to split her attention between wary watchfulness--with undead rodent serving as a second guard--and the current conversation. "Not like we're here to save anyone anyway, right~?" Snapping twig is duly noted with a flick of an ear. "Just to find a way around your ascendi's 'friends' sticking their noses where they're not wanted."


Kasyr is now hopping from root to root, nimbly bouncing from spot to spot with the enthusiasm of a child. Were it not for the thoughtful expression the tiefling held, it could almost be said he's carefree. "True. But - I used to play devils advocate for an old friend of mine, et I saw no harm in that practice currently." The twig snapping barely even registers to the paladin, engrossed as he is with his memories. Beyond his companions, the only aspect of his surroundings that the hybrid really seems to notice is the woods themselves- the noise of a mundane forest providing the tiefling with a certain degree of assurance. "...Smooth sailing, en fait."


Riss really didn't have much reason to follow Kasyr's enthusiastic hopping. So, he followed. Yep. Just like that. At his own pace. Cue walking music.


Satoshi wishes she had a chocobo. If she knew what a chocobo was. They have better walking music than Riss, and are faster.


Kasyr is mid-hop when he feels something distinctly wrong. Something painful. The sensation seems to erupt in an erratic sequence, a sharp stinging pain followed by a numbness- starting in his lower legs, than working it's way up. It's only when he begin to fall forward that he realises two things: That his feet have touched the ground and he didn't feel it, and that the sensation is currently working it's way up his torso. The tiefling doesn't even manage to tip his head down before that same sensation rips through his throat, preventing him from peering down before his face collides with the ground. On the other hand, Satoshi and Riss are perfectly capable of seeing the slender metallic spikes which are currently protruding from the hybrids throat. A dozen in number, the 'weapons' bear an uncanny resemblance to a thicker variant of an acupuncture needle; coated in an ichor like film. And still, despite that sudden act of hostility- there wasn't a thing to betray the aggressors presence; not a sound, nor a scent.


Riss had his eyes focused down on his feet by this point, not even taking note of Kasyr's sudden affection for the ground until he heard the collision. Christian didn't rush to his side, however; instead, he stood there for a good moment, eying the needles that had been forced into his brother's throat. "Figures--" was just about all he had time to say, before a turn on heel, and a steady stride -away- from Kasyr. Who would expect something like that? It was sure to bring some attention his way, right, hopefully enough to distract whatever incapacitated his brother for a good second or two.


Satoshi stops short, not of the same 'symptoms' as Kasyr, but nonetheless because of him. It's not everyday that something bests and incapacitates the tiefling so swiftly, and without leaving a sign of location, so of course it's enough to stop the feline in her tracks. And promptly put her on the rare defensive. The arcane words are hardly uttered before a shell of ice constructs itself up and around the magus in what she can only hope is a shield that will hold long enough for her to find their mystery attacker. Almost as an afterthought, twin frosty rings trace around Riss and Kasyr, prepared to instantly rear up in repeat performances of Satoshi's current glacial barrier.


Kasyr is a bleeding mess on the ground, who is almost certainly poisoned. On top of that, he's either unconscious, and/or paralyzed from a needle possibly having severed his spine. Which means... || It's not long after that icy barrier forms around Satoshi that a veritable barrage of needles erupts from thin air- though not aimed at the caster. With the finesse afforded by a lifestyle built upon backstabbing, and the momentum granted by a super natural speed, each projectile cuts through the air with an uncanny precision- one aimed to impact into each of Riss limbs, with an extra aimed for his throat, and another trio aimed for his torso. Individually the needles hardly pose a threat (save for the throat borne one), and yet, it's not the individual that matters in this case- especially not when each one is coated with a mildly toxic muscle relaxant.


Riss knew that he'd offer a distraction, but didn't know just when. That's always how assassins are; you know it's going to happen, but the delivery is always different, and always beyond prediction. Luckily, Christian did, however, have a good knowledge of his weaponry, at least for ranged purposes. Poison-coated needles. If he were to be hit, he'd be up a creek. Make-shift plan, engage! Before the needles were even launched, feathers had begun forming in the air he walked through, so translucent that they were hardly visible, even to the keenest of eyes, though with time, they adopted a white coloration, going so far as to even have a metallic sheen; but, by that time, the attack would have already been launched. Light streamed from one of Christian's fingertips, threading each feather together, and when all were connected, they materialized in a snow-flake pattern, needles bouncing off, save for one that had made just in time, slipping soundlessly through his barrier. Great. Toxin intruded Christian's body via his left arm, causing an immediate numbness, but that sole weapon wasn't enough to cause the poison to spread. As a precaution, the needle wasn't dare removed from his skin. He didn't know the nature of this toxin well enough to assume it can't enter through just the skin. Having taken several needles, the light which protected Christian shattered, fading back into the proudly inked tattoos upon his shoulder-blades. "Typical," he muttered, slightly more on his toes. He wouldn't dare show his offensive abilities; it's much better to lead whoever was attacking them into a falls sense of security, making them think that Kasyr was the only truly offensive one in the bunch. He only hoped Kitten would do the same.


Satoshi is oblivious to Riss' hopes, and would be even if he'd somehow managed to privately tell her, focused as she is at marveling over the unknown attacker's ability to continue to go unseen. The best even her feline eyes can pick out is where the needles come from, and there's quite simply nothing there for her to see. Possibly to steel herself against the thought of fighting an unseeable foe, Satoshi abruptly gulps down the contents of a flask hurriedly fished from her satchel before dropping the container and coughing harshly. "Urgh." Cough. "Goes down like hellfire." More coughs. "Now then, let's see if you're a ghost..." Another cough and the mage begins a rapid incantation in a low voice, muffled behind the icy walls of her barrier. Unwittingly, Satoshi's choice in spells plays along with Christian's hopes, as she opts for a move more subtle and defensive in nature than a blind attack, willing her magic into the surrounding air and ground to force a change in temperature. Each cough from the feline results in the conjured chill plunging even lower, rapidly turning earth to permafrost and trees to frosted sculptures--leaves locked mid-rustle with the flash-freeze. She's obviously counting on Mister (or Miss) Unknown being of the non-specter variety, and in possession of muscles that can be slowed and eventually locked by the bone-numbing cold. And a puff of breath or footprints in the hoarfrost to betray a location for Riss is equally desired and hoped for. Speaking of the human... that ring of icy light still following at his feet makes for a convenient ward against the deathly chill she's set upon the area. Isn't Satoshi thoughtful? Not really, she just doesn't want to fight alone.


Kasyr ...is still doing a relatively good impression of a carcass. Which leaves, yet again, the mysterious antagonist. || And, of course, just how keenly the results of Satoshis' weavings are felt. As the turf freezes over in a spectacular demonstration of spontaneous glaciation, a patch of grass a bit to Riss left suddenly shatters and bursts in all directions- an elongated foot print leaving it's mark in the jagged remains. Barely a moment passes before a similar swathe of destruction erupts behind Riss, the 'footprint' jerkedly twisted in place- the last warning either party is given before their antagonist suddenly bursts into view. The metallic claw is the first thing to spill out into the visible spectrum, all three of it's points seemingly poised to rake down Christians back. From there, the rest of the mans body becomes visible soon after- a lithe, yet toned form briefly betrayed before his clothes seamlessly materialized around him. Those, at least, are wholly unremarkable- merely the weatherbeaten clothes of a wandering vagrant. The finishing touch is the thin layer of frost that spreads across the mans body; fixing his features in a feral snarl, with his eyes just barely obscured by the shoulder length mane of matted hair. ...On the bright side, whilst he's not the most appealing thing to stare it, it certainly seems as though Satoshis' Gambit seems to have worked.


Kasyr ||Sheyzar is hardly as helpless as he seems. With a barely veiled malicious glee, his eyes watch Riss stumble towards the ground- on the ravaged flesh left in the wake of his claws. What is most disconcerting however, is the manner in which his eyes seem to follow the path of Riss' blade even as the sage makes his miraculous recovery. That dreadful leer, locked in ice as the blade hurtled through the air, until the fateful moment it would impact into the ice layering over the apparent assassin. "Hah!" Confidant and chiding, the man words are likely unheard in that brief violent moment- as the air around him abruptly explodes into flame with a sudden ferocity. The air itself quivered, heat warping the vision of those within Sheyzars immediate vicinity, as all the oxygen within arms reach of him is quite simply burned away. With any luck, the initial explosion would serve to both sear and knock back Riss. At the very least, the force of the blast would slow down his oncoming blade enough that Sheyzar could briskly lean back, narrowly avoiding being gutted. The chain wasn't even a concern, really- given it was going to be knocked back from the explosion and then...- Well, than both Sheyzar and Riss get promptly pulled forward by the ensuing implosion. With no oxygen occupying that space- a sudden but vicious shock wave crashes down upon the pair. The only oddity of that exchange, is the manner in which the mysterious man is pulled towards and then simply hurtles past Riss- as though tossed by an invisible force. ..But hey, at least he's airborne and busy not killing someone, right?


Satoshi's initial reaction is purely instinct, which might explain her sudden switch from thoughtful, cautious casting to her signature defensive offense in the form of instantaneously activating Riss' ward with a hissed command. Obviously the wall of ice that leaps up around Christian as the explosion blossoms is hardly -offensive-. No, that aspect kicks in after the better part of the fiery shockwave as been absorbed by the solidified water, in Satoshi's favorite form of reversal. With a beckoning curl of a clawed finger, the feline orders the barrier around Riss to make its own explosion, ice shattering under pressure and magical command alike to erupt outwards in a volley of shards. Not that this is so easily seen, for with Mystery Man's sudden combustion all the frost in the immediate area has been rapidly heated, turning it into a misting shroud that blankets the vicinity of the firestorm. And that's where Satoshi's second favorite technique comes into play. Even though she can't see what's going on inside the fogbank, she has no need to, as an arcane muttering from her transforms the tiny water droplets within the cloud back into ice crystals. Razor-edged ice crystals keen enough to leave freezing papercuts on exposed flesh, and unprotected eyes. Or decimate lungs when inhaled. Downside to this? Satoshi's completely forgotten to reform Riss' ward to protect him from this shredding mist. Teamwork is still a concept she's learning.


Riss allowed a sigh of relief to pass from his lips as the frozen wall sparked to life from beneath his feet; he knew Kitten wouldn't let him down! Granted, she might try to kill him every now and then~ It would have seemed that Indignation had taken hold right after the shield provided via companion was broken, however, feathers manifesting around Christian, strung together by threads of light, materializing into that luminous barrier that had saved him so many times before. Some of the haze that Satoshi created did managed to sneak its way in before it fully formed, however-- and Christian may have just breathed it in without even considering the consequences. He really did have his not-so-bright moments, didn't he? It was like breathing in fiber-glass, lungs retaliating in a harsh cough, carrying blood up alongside air; being a smoker must've had its perks, considering Christian didn't seem to mind coughing in the least. Despite internal pain which he couldn't quite bring himself to ignore, a plan had formed within his convoluted, over-analytical mind. If the haze was making -him- do this, by breathing in just a bit, what would it do to their attacker when consolidated? The barrier that had formed around Riss didn't quite shatter as it normally did-- no-- it was acting rather oddly, perhaps because Christian hadn't yet tried something of this nature. They floated, seemingly on the back of swift air currents, towards Sheyzar's direction, some traveling more swiftly, to make their way behind him. Despite their luminosity, in this fog, it was highly unlikely that he'd see any of this. When in place, effectively surrounding him -- if all had gone as planned -- light refracted from each individual feather, knitting them together into a shield so tight even the tainted air couldn't escape. Once again, luck was being heavily relied upon. Go figure. Christian wasn't quite in clear waters yet, however-- after the barrier leaving him, he had nothing left protecting him from the haze. His expression had turned to sheer surprise, eyes widening as he turned tail, coughing, running back towards Kitten.


Kasyr makes a cracking noise. Or rather, something from his neck does. Really, if anyone cared to watch, they'd probably get a good glimpse of the metal spikes protruding from the hybrids neck, and how they were at once contorting and pushing out from the skin. But, back to the important part. || Sheyzar can't help but be somewhat grateful for the forceful crashing of the air around him. The shockwave from the implosion he caused may have likely ruptured one of his eardrums, and his organs felt as though a hand had clenched around him- and yet, he isn't the only thing being crushed. The fragments of ice that explode in all directions also suffer the full effects of the implosion- shattering in mid-air just moments before Sheyzar flies straight into them. Rather literally, given that the mysterious force that had sent the mysterious man flying away...was quite simply his ability to fly. On the bright side, this gets him clear of the hazes area effect rather quickly- albeit covered from head to toe in bloody cuts, and coughing rather viciously, with one arm tossed over his face in an attempt to keep his eyes relatively undamaged. Really, it's sort of ironic, given that very same act nearly ends with him running into a tree due to obscured vision. Alas, the man manages to pull back just barely....if only to find himself quite neatly enveloped by a field of light. Tentatively pushing at the barrier, the man can't help but let out a sigh of disdain, before quickly following it up with a few hoarse and bloody coughs. "...I suppose this is the part where I'm supposed to go along peacefully with you 'Order' folks. ..Or die. Or die anyways. ...You kill-stealing pricks."


Satoshi glances toward Riss with a cough, perplexed. What is a cat supposed to make of prey--very stubborn and aggressive prey, mind you--that pauses mid-fight to... talk? And what's all this about being Order folk? That feels almost like an insult to her, an orderless creature to the core. "... Do we do parleys with dart-throwing, fire-starting flying folk, Riss..?" It's actually a perfectly serious question from the mage as she tries to work out the changing situation. Still, parley or not, nothing's stopping her from coaxing the bewitched fog to gather outside Christian's barrier, just in case Mystery Man returns to fighting dirty.


Satoshi will, at some point, remember the tiefling is still here.


Riss shrugged his shoulders in response to both Kitten's incoherent question, and Sheyzar's little stall for time. Christian wouldn't allow his guard to drop, even in the slightest, and that's why with a small flick of fingers, the light that strung together the barrier intensified, just a bit. "You see-- I know what you're doing there, and I don't like it much. You're assuming that you, talking to us, is going to make us change our mind~ Considering, you should damn well realize that we're not Orders. If we were, you wouldn't carelessly pick off one, damn well knowing the others would just get that much stronger. Perk of working directly for the dragons, y'know? Allows you to know both sides of the playing field fairly well." Christian knew the ways of an assassin all too well, trying to make friends after being put in an unfavorable situation. Dignity held no meaning, in that world. "And we killed the maggot out of necessity. They may want to kill you, but I might not." Yes, that was an inadvertent lead to draw more information from the prisoner.


Kasyr takes that moment to sit up, picking the last portion of a metal spike out of his neck. Really, the action itself seemed rather pointless, given the other projectiles had forced their way out of his body too- but the hybrid really wanted something to point with. "I'm still not against the die anyways option, just so tu know." ...So the hybrid might be a bit miffed still. || Sheyzar, on the other hand, simply crosses his legs and proceeds to sit down- on thin air. "I don't see what's so farfetched about that assumption. Well, didn't. Orders aren't really renown for lying- ...or rambling something about working directly for the dragons..." It's on that note that the wild-eyed man fixates specifically on Riss, "....You were here- in the midst of another, powerful figments area. And not just one of you. Three. You also were conversing as though nothing is wrong. This implies one of several things. The first theory is that you're like me, and you've been killing other figments to afford yourself the mental and spiritual strength to resist the insanity of the area. That being said, to stay lucid for as long as I have, you'd need to kill quite a few figments..per individual. Thus, this is hardly likely. The next theory, is that you're not from here. ...Given very few people know about this island, and those that do have no reason to travel to this side of it- given it's not in any state to do any trade. So, I'd also have to discount that as a possibility. Which leaves the third possibility. ...You're not Chaos-Borne, hence why you're roaming around here freely, functioning as a cohesive unit, and displaying none of the symptoms the majority of the others are." Sheyzar takes that moment to steeple his hands together, before simply inclining his head towards each person present, "So, some form of explanation would be appreciated if there's an alternative route...." It's at this point Sheyzars voice cracks, a faint hint of fear and desperation tainting his voice, "My time's starting to run out as is, and with the ghoul dead- that leaves me with one option less to remedy that situation. ...To the point where I would, in fact, be willing to try and murder a trio of order figments. I'd only really need to get away with killing one...for now."


Satoshi has long since stopped trying to make sense of the stranger's words, instead choosing to half-listen while pacing. Prowling, really, along a winding path that carries her further from Riss, and around their barrier-locked adversary--but not before she whispers briefly to Christian along the way. And still the little mage coughs, infrequent but persistent, with cheeks flushed likely out of frustration, as she hums quietly to herself. It doesn't seem to be a spell, exactly, but more a way to idly pass the time while Riss and Mystery Man chit-chat. If it is a spell, it's nothing seemingly deadly, for the only thing to shift at all is the icy fog around the barrier, crystals melting to leave droplets of water suspended and quivering in the air. Satoshi's focus is a fickle thing in many cases.


Satoshi whispered to Riss, "Fire-breath elixirs taste horrid. Just need a look from you, and I'll steam-roast the weirdo right quick, hm~?"


Riss shook his head from side to side as a response to Kitten's whisper. "No, I'd rather not have you do that just yet. I've a pretty sensitive nose to that type of stuff, y'know?" It was then that his attention focused back to Sheyzar, a bemused smirk tugging his lips upward in a corner. "Let's see if I can clarify, just a bit: the guy you incapacitated, and I-- we're from here. And ~he's~ like you, I assume, considering you're fighting against insanity. I, on the other hand, feel no pull. Why? Because I'm not like you, or him. I refuse to have to kill in order to maintain sanity, so, the dragons decided I was a good candidate to strike a deal with. You're talking to the Sage of Balance, kid. One and only~" Of course, during none of this did Christian's barrier fluctuate. It remained strong. "Now it's your turn. Spill it."


Satoshi said to Riss, "You're really no fun whatsoever. Psh."


Kasyr yawns. Really, the tiefling seems more interested in looking around for something to run after and beat down, than focus on this whole...exchange of information bit. || The mystery man, on the other hand, actually looks..relieved. "So, there is a way out... That's...good to know." Slowly, his legs stretch out once more, as though he's preparing to stand- though in fact, his intention is merely to sprawl out in the air, and proceed to free float. It's peculiar too, given the odd manner in which his eyes flick about the surroundings at all times, as though searching for a possible ambush, "Sheyzar Demonteron- I kill people for a living. ...Killed. It's become rather pointless these days, beyond the occasional figment needed to continue living. Also an information dealer- as I'm able to venture into the Orders side without being detected. It gets me by. It is, in fact, why I don't find it necessary to hunt as much as I likely should have. ...Given I'm one of the first of us. Back when we were...rarities."


Satoshi carries on with her cough-punctuated humming even as she glances toward Kasyr with raised brows to silently ask--finally--, "You all right, then?" Although one ear remains trained on Sheyzar, the feline's content to simply glance between tiefling and human, waiting. For what? Likely the dull conversation to end, be it violently or not, it's too much like politics to hold her interest.


Riss tilted his head to the side, a bit curious as to why Sheyzar was looking around so cautiously. "What's got you so worked up, hm? I mean, we're obviously not threats, or you'd be dead, right?" Oh Christian; he was digging. "And I'm Christian Saydanas. Former mage... former assassin... current swordsman. And Sage. Y'know. For the Dragons."


Kasyr rubs at his neck, where the wounds had all but faded. "Err, I'm not sure if alright es quite the word I'd use. I'm hungry from that...not exactly something I'd like a repeat of. But, er, I'm...alright enough, j'suppose?" ...Nothing like bleeding and than regenerating to stir an appetite. "Er...you're alright, oui?" || Sheyzar's eyes briefly settle on Riss, before flicking to the tiefling, "...Is he fine? Not health-wise, I don't care overly. I mean...stability. I don't particularly ...like the idea of lingering near 'others'- not for longer than I have to. As for what's got me fidgety... Well, we're a fairly large gathering of figments that aren't aligned to order. It's like asking for trouble. Whilst the idea of killing a small squadron of orders doesn't sound too bad- I...am still wary about larger forces."


Satoshi, between coughs and quiet trilling, has no breath for answering Kasyr, but a simple shrug suffices as she looks back toward Riss. And proceeds to stare at him rather pointedly, face set in a grimly frustrated expression. His interrogation is obviously trying her limited patience and leaving her as restless as a cat on hot coals.


Riss turned his back from Sheyzar, silently making his way back to Kasyr and Kitten with a bit of a sigh. "Listen here," he said in hushed tone, peeking over his shoulder to get a good look at the attacker for just a moment. "If what he's saying is the truth, then we've only got two options: somehow make friends with this guy, good enough to where he won't try ganking us in the end, or: kill him. I'll leave the decision up to you all. I'm not a fan of killing someone, but it'd be out of necessity this time around. Understand?"


Kasyr gives Riss an exceptionally cattish look, before replying back in an equally hushed tone "Well, technically, isn't it- necessary to kill every single person on this island? ..Tu know, since they're all cursed to eventually go insane. Hell, we'd be doing him a favor- as he wouldn't have to go around et bump people off anymore.... Or something. ...Look, can we kill him?" The tiefling seems positively cheerful as he mentions his thoughts, even if he is subconsciously fiddling with the scarf around his neck. || Sheyzar, cool customer that he is, is just staring at the trio- something of a frown painted across his features. Not that he can really do much about it, apparently. So, he simply continues to float in place.


Satoshi stares unblinkingly right back at Sheyzar while one ear remains turned to listen to Riss and Kasyr, waiting for the decision to be made. The excitable way the water droplets surrounding the barrier dance and wriggle, in a similar fashion to her tails, it's obvious just what the feline's hoping for as far as 'kill him or befriend him' goes.


Riss shrugged, giving a dismissive wave before leaning into the feline for a whisper. To Kasyr, he just offered a nod and smile~ "I'd rather befriend him. Maybe we could bring him back home, and he could help us, right?" Oh Christian, boyishly hopeful.


Riss whispered to Satoshi, "Get ready to kill him. Fast."


Kasyr looks flatly at Riss, before hurriedly muttering, "If you want to pose that one to him, be my guest. C'est juste...well, all I'm saying is it doesn't quite seem likely. There's been trade ships et all that right? If he wanted to leave, couldn't he have hitched a ride? There has to be something that's keeping him here~ Ask him that. Or..tu peut, I don't know... Maybe skip that et kill him? Time es precious...apparament. Let's resolve this quick." || Sheyzar finally floats to a fully upright position once more, before simply stretching out. From time to time, a needles flicked out from seemingly nowhere in particular, if only to be fumbled with and replaced.


Kasyr whispered something to Riss.


Satoshi doesn't need any more of a nudge from Riss than those whispered words, having been waiting all this time for them. Without warning the until then restless cat snaps into abrupt focus, her hummed tune shifting into a bloodthirsty hiss. It's the sound the water's been waiting for and instantly reacts to, shifting and freezing in unison as they lunge forward to spear into the feathery light barrier in the form of countless thick, icy needles intent upon piercing and pinning the trapped Sheyzar in a twisted version of an Iron Maiden device. And all that in the time it takes Kasyr to finish speaking to Riss, which leaves him the chance to see just what's had Satoshi so hot under the collar this entire time. A final cough and a deep breath comes as the prelude before the ice magus puts to use that elixir she drank not so long ago, her rapid exhale accompanied by a gout of searing blue flames focused solely on engulfing the barrier and its contents. Ice and fire are never meant to meet in a friendly manner, and this situation is no different as frost is instantly melted and transformed into deadly steam by the superheated flames, as if the sudden change of temperature within the barrier-turned-uber-oven isn't enough to decimate most living beings. Satoshi can do a pretty good dragon impersonation, when she has some forethought--courtesy of a fox's thinking mind, over a cat's reacting one. Dual-natures are a blessing and curse~.


Riss figured as much was coming, but he didn't imagine Kitten would go so far as to create an iron-maiden type ability. Classy. Having sufficiently distracted Kasyr from getting in the way of his brilliant planning, Christian did a quick turn on heel as Satoshi made her attack, giving a snap of the fingers which caused his barrier to fade from reality, though those feathers did seem to linger; almost oddly, if one would pay enough attention. Had Christian known she'd launch a second attack, he would have allowed the flame to create that oh-so-deadly steam, but each feather began to string together rapidly after Kitten's first assault, causing the blue-tinted flame to collide with a newly formed barrier instead. Oh well, maybe it'd work out for the best? Maybe, just maybe the air inside his barrier would become pressurized and hot enough to cook the flesh from Sheyzar's bones after being impaled. Lady luck on their side? Let's hope so.


Kasyr looks mildly put-out by the fact he wasn't involved in this apparent joint effort to shank the mystery man. ...It may in fact be a gross understatement to merely rate it as -mildly- put out, but that's neither here nor there. It does leave the hybrid simply scratching the back of his head however, wondering if there's going to be anything edible left. Almost tentatively, he'd take a step over towards where Satoshi was, just in case she needed a boost in energy- or someone to ensure she didn't fall over, if she overstrained herself. || Sheyzar has been waiting for this moment- or at least, something akin to it. The felines preparations serve as the initial indication that his ideal scenarios gone awry; that painful spectacle where the air around him becomes a mass of pointed glacial death... and then the shield is down, without any form of negotiation. It's down, and that multitude of needles is rushing forward like the maw of a ravenous beast. As grim as it is, it's still the opportunity Sheyzar needed, and it's treated as such. It only ever took him a moment, after all- to toss his arms over his face, to invoke his own form of magic around his body- so that it begins to exude a fierce heat... and than finally, to hurtle himself straight upwards. Even with the field down for that brief second, Sheyzar still has the felines barrier to contend with- and the impact is hardly pleasant. Though the his fiery field lessens the impact of the spikes, and prevents them from driving too deep into his own body, they still shred him apart- his arms especially, flesh and muscle shorn away to reveal fracturing bones... and all because they take the brunt of the damage from his momentum meeting theirs. But that's all he needs- his reserves of energy abruptly depleting as he used his gift of flight to the utmost extent it could be. After all, he wasn't too concerned. ....He'd live through impacting with the ground when he finally reached it again. Just once. Unfortunately for Satoshi, this little bit of Sheyzars planning means she's all but prepared to cook him in a fresh batch of flaming irony when he simply blurs out of sight...seemingly straight up. Than again, whether he was at an angle or not is to be determined if he lands straight back down...whenever his momentum runs out.


Satoshi doesn't entirely care where the escape artist will land--although she's miffed he managed to weasel his way out of that. Rather, she's more preoccupied with a delayed bout of unhappy flailing and a squeaked mantra of, "Ow! Hot, hot, hot!" Any more the feline has to say is stifled as her frost-katana is then put--as per usual--to misuse, the blade drawn and bitten down on to cool a thoroughly singed mouth, absorbing heat and growling complaints alike.


Riss couldn't believe what he had just saw. And for that reason, the palm of his hand was smacked directly into the center of his forehead. "Damn it! We missed." Not that Christian really minded; hell, he actually wanted to make friends with the guy, and this would-- might-- most likely not-- offer him a chance later on. It was then that he remembered the gashes in his back, and finally, the pain set in, leaving Christian face-down on the ground from loss of blood and pain to boot. "Owwie~"


Kasyr whistles, though not to a tune or anything of that sort. It's of a more appreciative quality, something which is reflected in the manner the hybrid gawks after Sheyzars dissapearing form. "...Huh. That's a new one, en fait. I..." The tiefling can't help but notice the felines' actions, really- chanted litany and oddball attempts at cooling her mouth drawing an odd combination of amusement and worry from Kasyr, "Er, you really shouldn't be doing that, Cherie. That's a good way to get cut~ Et on top of th-" THUD~! And of course, Riss has to keel over- just perfect. "..It's a good thing that guy flew off, or I think he'd take a shot at killing us all after he finished laughing. Mon dieu~ Do you need help...either of tu?"


Satoshi ceases nursing the blade long enough to look at the tiefling and retort, "It has a flat edge too~." The furtive turning over of the sword that follows has nothing to do with her just remembering this fact. But other than soothing singes already on the mend, Satoshi's none the worse for the wear and ambles over to the prone Riss to nudge him with a foot. "Are you part cat? You've apparently got enough lives to be one~."


Riss remained on the ground, but offered a wave and let out a groan when nudged. "I'm fine! -- eheh -- just need to lay here for a bit. You know me! I heal fast. Or-- rather. Hrm~" He couldn't really explain how his body went back to normal after every battle. It wasn't quite regeneration, almost closer to altering reality involving his body. "P-please let me lay here? I won't die! Promise!"


Kasyr is somewhat aware that Riss snaps together- and how healing magic doesn't stick. Riss is just surprisingly durable- for some reason. Durable enough, in fact, that the hybrid doesn't even see any harm in simply moving to pick him up and heft him over one shoulder, "You can heal on the way, I'm not sitting here in case that guy decides to come back et esn't feeling as talkative now that we've proven we won't negotiate." Really, regardless of the pain, wincing or writhing that will follow, the hybrids pretty deadset on this action- since it's -probably- for the best. "...I'm fairly sure he's not part cat, by the way. He's never actually altogether lost that first life. Unlike moi."


Satoshi hurriedly follows, the katana kept unsheathed--just in case Mystery Man returns--and held properly now that she no longer feels as if she's tried to lick an oven. The taste of ash lingers however, that nuisance tinging her retort with a heavy note of annoyance, "Can't land on his feet so well either. Definitely not a cat."


Riss , somewhere after being picked up and slung over Kasyr's shoulder, passed out, deep snores tainting the air with absolute annoyance. "Mhm~" he mumbled in his sleep. He was quick to dream, but the response seemed appropriate enough for Kitten as well.