seasonsrpg | Quest/General Catchall Jan-Mar

[He almost feels like he should be paying to watch. Thanatos' eyes narrow a little as the man seems to begin to struggle against the creature, but then he slips free again and the faint surge of readiness in the death god fades back into nonchalance.

Thanatos is only out here because this thing is breaking laws over which he still has some remit, even here. However, Ellipsa is still not his domain and his influence is limited, and if somebody else is going to solve the problem...

Well, more power to them.

He's only going to move to step in if it looks like the people already on the field can't handle it.]

[It doesn't look like anyone wants to get in between Hijikata and the lord dullahan (and who could blame them?), but other combatants do provide boosts to the former and launch remote attacks on the latter! Hijikata does his utmost to land a deadly strike, but the dark fae's torso armour holds out against even his heavy claymore, and when it delivers a kick that sends him flying (though the damage is once more absorbed by his Aura), it has an opportunity to pick its sword back up.

Despite the dullahan being forced to fight with its non-dominant hand now and Hijikata leveraging his smaller size and greater agility, after another exchange of blows it manages to wedge him in between a couple of rocks, its armoured leg, and its weapon. While he manages to maintain the deadlock of blades regardless of the strain, the dullhan's weight is pressing down on his abdomen through its foot, causing continuous green ripples to run over his body. His Aura will soon break, but he can't get out of the position he's in, no matter how slippery he makes himself.

Thanatos can see the dullahan succeed in resisting his telekinetic blasts that almost make it look like it's caught in a small localised storm, along with yet another mayonnaise swirl that engulfs it. It's determined to not let this pesky nuisance that took its sword arm get away anymore! Once his annoying shield is gone, it'll crush him like a bug.]

Edited 2025-03-05 12:30 (UTC)

[He's about to leave, somewhat irritating at having wasted his time with this nonsensical display, when he notices that the man is finally beginning to show some difficulties in his side of the fight. Thanatos watches a for a few moments longer before exhaling a sigh and shifting out of his mid-air seated position.

Fine. Fine then.

The death god vanishes in a puff of greenish smoke, reappearing a moment later much closer to where Hijikata is struggling against the dullahan. He strikes out with his scythe, a sigil forming in the space around him, and the creature immediately appears to stagger backwards.

Though his magic has been somewhat compromised by his presence in this realm, Thanatos is still a formidable opponent.]

Mortals will never learn to keep out of battles they cannot win. [He remarks dryly.] It will ready itself again. Get up.

[Hijikata was rapidly leafing through the options left at his disposal, but in his trapped position, he could really only have hoped for his passive defence measures, such as his guardian spirit, to kick in - and that well mightn't have been enough to save him from a rather inglorious end under the enemy's armoured boot.

Luckily for him, a powerful ally comes to his aid! Thanatos doesn't need to tell him twice to get up; he's back on his feet in a blink. His Aura is bound to shatter with the next hit, flickering dangerously, but like hell is he going to run!]

Thank you!

[Wait a second, though. He knows that voice--!]

Thanatos!! You're here!

[It's really him!! Immediately, he feels his hope and confidence soar. Sure, he charged into this battle happily enough (doesn't he ever), but it was slightly going south just now... with the God of Gentle Death by his side, the tide is sure to turn!]

Let's flank him!

[With the shoddy state of his (only!) defence, maybe he should leave the strategy to Thanatos. Just maybe.]

[Just how this individual knows him to address him by name and with apparent relief at his presence will be dealt with after the present issue has been laid to rest. Before Hijikata can even move off to try and enact any kind of plan the god turns his scythe to the side to block his path, looking cooly over his shoulder.]

You will stay here.

[The tone of his voice leaves very little room for argument.]

Your strength is almost spent. I will deal with this.

But--

[His protest dies in his throat. Thanatos is right - much as he wants to keep fighting, it wouldn't be responsible, not if he wants to keep his promise to his sworn siblings to not end up in the Flower Yard again. His nearly broken Aura aside, his mana reserves are dwindling, and he's panting from the physical exertion. As such, he ends up giving him a determined nod.]

Right.

[It seems like it's his turn to watch now, and he's eager to see what Thanatos can do.]

[He hardly waits to ensure that the man is going to hang back as instructed. Thanatos moves forwards to face the now weakened creature, stunning it with a swift swing of his scythe. The magic he wields glows a sickly green, flashing along the ground and rising up from it in eerie tendrils reminiscent of hands, but more than that...

More than that, Thanatos is fast. He wields his scythe and sword with deadly efficiency, inflicting several gaping wounds on the dullahan before it can even react. It swipes for him but he smoothly moves himself out of the way of each incoming blow moments before it hits, disappearing in a puff of greenish smoke and reappearing moments later.

The ground beneath the dullahan turns grey, shifting strangely, and Thanatos lifts his scythe up before muttering a single word.]

Fall.

[And the creature, battered as it is by Hijikata's assault and Thanatos' blows, does just that.]

[Hijikata takes in every detail - the green glow (sharing a magic colour with Thanatos, however broadly, makes him happy!), those spectral forms seemingly grasping for the enemy, the sheer whirlwind of devastation, damage dealt much faster and harder than he could even with his various enhancements and extra powers. Despite everything, a mortal can't compete with a deity!

As the lord dullahan falls, he has to hold himself back from clapping, realising just in time that Thanatos probably wouldn't appreciate the disruptive noise. Even so, he can't help himself from ~~fanboying~~ exuding blatant admiration as he approaches him.]

That was so cool just now!!

[Out of all the familiar faces from Avalon, the one who first taught him to honour and respect the dead rather than running screaming from them is an especially fondly welcome sight... though the recognition doesn't seem to be mutual.]

[There is something to be said for the power of a Chthonic god, even one whose powers have been severely restricted. The dullahan falls and Thanatos, only a couple of feet from the ground, remains floating where he is for a couple of moments before suddenly uttering a soft sound of pain and dropping down to land on his feet.

That in itself is... unusual, but the way he grips his arm - where an inky blackness is continuing to spread across his dark skin - speaks of a greater problem. And it is, unfortunately for Hijikata, the reason why his enthusiasm on approach is not much acknowledged.

Of course that thing would be more trouble than it was worth to kill.]

[That is alarming. Did he get cursed or hexed or status-effected-- but then, Hijikata sees the wound and the darkness coalescing around it, almost obscuring the golden ichor, and immediately he recalls the old stories recorded in the magical library, as well as his own experience with that horrifying cocoon he encountered with Medusa.]

Oh, that's not good. Hold on, let me--

[He hastily rummages through his Hammerspace Purse, but most of his anti-fae materials have been used up in the preceding battle against the lord dullahan's summoners, or are more useful for concealing one's presence that combating the consequences of an encounter. One, however, may be of use, and he's quick to offer it.]

Here, drink this! It was made from a golden flower found in the fairy kingdom. It heals and purges fae corruption.

[Hopefully, that's what this is... if it's Darkness corruption, he doesn't have a cure for that! A look around shows no further imminent danger, so he offers a hand for Thanatos to take once he's drunk the potion (assuming he accepts it).]

We'd best get you back to the city. You may need to see a specialist.

I did not request your assistance.

[And nor is he about to drink something some stranger just offered to him. He's had more than enough occasions of finding himself tricked by mortals to not simply trust anything they give to him blindly and his pale golden eyes are cold as he looks down at the man after straightening himself up unaided.]

You are bold to presume to offer it.

[If Hijikata had any doubts about whether or not Thanatos remembered him at all they would likely be entirely shattered by now. There's not a glimmer of recognition in the god's eyes, nor any of the patience he might have experienced when learning from him in Avalon.]

I don't need your help.

[Being rebuffed like this certainly does underline the unfamiliarity on the deity's part - this isn't the same Thanatos he got to know on Avalon. It'll never not feel painful to not be recognised, but Hijikata knows that there's no sense in bemoaning the circumstances, all the less when Thanatos is in danger.]

You may not need my help, but you do need help! If you don't get this treated, The Darkness will corrupt you, and it'll be awful for you and everyone else. I'm a stranger, I get that, but why would I screw you over after you saved my ass?

[He exchanges the potion for his Travel Crystal, again extending a hand.]

If nothing else, let me teleport you to the Spring Guild. We've got the best chance of finding a healer there.

[Can the healers even counteract Darkness-incuded corruption, though? He honestly isn't sure, but he definitely can't - not to his knowledge, at least.]

You know me by name, and yet insist upon trying to press aid upon me for things that I can do for myself.

[Given that Hijikata just witnessed him teleporting, he doesn't see any reason why he would think he needs help with that either. The hand he offers is not taken, or even looked at.

He does feel... wrong. His arm is aching, and while he is no stranger to pain it feels like nothing he can remember experiencing before. But Thanatos is also proud and stubborn, and he does not appreciate the level of familiarity being impressed on him right now.]

I did not do what I did to save you. I did it because that creature did not belong in this world. Know your place, mortal.

[And then the space around him folds, wisping into greenish smoke as he disappears again.]

[He saw him teleport alright, but he's not sure if he can do that all the way across the map! (Then again, upon deeper reflection he'd figure that if, back home, he routinely teleports between realms, this probably won't be an obstacle at all.)

The rebuffal of his support is such a stark contrast to the patience (if, at times, tinged with exasperation) that Hijikata remembers from the Thanatos he met on Avalon that it takes him aback - and before he can try and argue further, the god disappears on him.

For a moment, he stands there with his offered hand still up. He's exhausted and mana-depleted, and with the threat gone thanks to Thanatos, he'll teleport home himself shortly, but he allows himself a moment of upset. It's nobody's fault - this version of Thanatos seems unused to mortals butting into his business on such a casual on-on-one basis -, but being castigated by a once-familiar face still stings.

He sighs, willing the feeling away. He can't wallow in disappointment over things that can't be helped. God or not, I hope you get that treated.]

🔥 Diluc Ragnvindr	🐈 E'kayan Tia	💮 Guizhong	🌱 Alhaitham
💎 Edmond	🌊 Neuvillette	🐍 Baizhu	💀 Thanatos

Quest/General Catchall Jan-Mar

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject