Pandemonium

[tntoverlords.livejournal.com]

Characters: Mikoto, Warrior of Light, Firion, Refia, Edward, Locke, Genesis, Blank, Vivi, Rikku, Mjrn, Serah
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: The group finally confronts Garland.
Location: Pandemonium
Date: August 15, 1804
Warnings: Violence
Notes: Additional information on this week's segment can be found here. To see the entry walk into Pandemonium, you can watch here.

Out of the bleak starkness of the ruination that was Terra, there rose a dark shape. Entirely whole and ominous in mere design alone sat Garland's fortress. Large enough to compete with Lindblum Grand Castle for size, its shadowed approach led to a hulking edifice that defied destruction. The paths were disconnected circular stepping pads that would require deftness in leaping to navigate. Its owner had no visitors and no need to make for a welcoming walk. As the group approached, the heavy iron gates opened of their own accord. It was an invitation to enter. If they dared.

Comments

Outside

[knowshermachina.livejournal.com]

Rikku stared at the opened gates, her eyes slightly narrowed, her body bouncing in place as she shifted her weight from foot to foot nervously. She wasn't particularly looking forward to going into the giant creepy building with the world-altering evil genius who wanted to destroy them all and knew they were here!

"So, uhm. If he knows we're here, maybe we should find a backdoor or something, ya know?" She glanced at the others. "I mean, we don't have to waltz right into the big obvious trap, do we?"

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

The bard gazed at the structure with a fearful gaze, obviously wondering now if the man they sought could be defeated. For Gaia's sake he knew they couldn't turn back now, but Edward's faith in his skills were making him nervous.

"I doubt there is a back door..." He said over towards the blond haired chemist. "Even if there was, Garland would no doubt have a trap there too." Letting out a deep sigh, Edward turned his attention over towards Serah for a moment. He barely knew the names of all of his companions, but he certainly hoped the young woman was prepared for the worst.

"We need to find a path inside, one that wouldn't kill us in the process."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn clutched her spear tightly as she stared upward at the intimidating structure. Though she didn't want to say so for fear of bringing down the morale of others, the Viera was likewise beginning to wonder what they could truly do against Garland. That she would persist to the end was not in question, but even so...the prospect of finally confronting him was daunting, to say the least.

"I suspect Edward is right. He will have accounted for all ends. Nonetheless, that should not stop us from seeking the path of least resistance." She glanced over to Mikoto, wondering what advice the girl could give them.

[nomerevessel.livejournal.com]

"This is the path of least resistance," Mikoto replied. "He intended for us to come this way. Do you think you can hide from him? It isn't possible."

If she sounded gloomy, that's because she was. Ever since the encounter with Lufene, Mikoto had settled into a sort of fatalistic determination. They couldn't avoid meeting Garland on his own terms. That didn't mean that they couldn't defeat him, however, just as Zidane and his party had done four years before. If they won, then they had achieved their goal. If they failed, then they would die. It was as simple as that.

So Mikoto walked right into Pandemonium, expecting the others to follow her.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

"He intended for us..." Edward muttered as Mikoto took the lead. "This man truly meant for us to meet him after all." Tearing his gaze from the gloomy genome, the bard glanced towards the others with a look of uncertainty. Despite how much he tried to believe they weren't marching to their deaths, Edward truly felt as if the odds were against them. However, he refused to voice a single word that would cause his friends distress. For the sake of Gaia, they had to be victorious.

"No matter what happens..." He began. "Do not turn back." With that said, he hurried after Mikoto.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mikoto's gloominess concerned Mjrn, but she could find little to say against it. If their positions were reversed, wouldn't she feel similiarly? There was no time to speak of this matter at length either, and so Mjrn nodded with a soft sigh, following Edward. She remained close to him, intent on fulfilling her promise.

[xredthespianx.livejournal.com]

Blank had remained silent for sometime, lost with his own thoughts and worries as he walked along with the group. Could they really be victorious against such odds? He pushed his negative thoughts aside. They had to be victorious. There was no option for failure.

"Least resistance... that's reassuring, I think... maybe not..." Although the fact Garland would most likely be watching and waiting was less than reassuring.

ahaha I kinda fail.

[morehatthanmage.livejournal.com]

Since the encounter with Lufene, Vivi had started to become less and less overtly afraid and more and more overtly irritable. He hadn't been able to find the courage to challenge Lufene but after spending the last few evenings thinking of numerous ways he could have said 'no, shut up' and stopped her from saying things he was more than ready to pick a fight with her 'father'.

He didn't like being afraid and so, problematic as he was aware it was somewhere in the back of his head, he was more than happy to continue onwards replacing it with anger and false 'I could have done' bravado. He walked faster than usual, determined to go and fight Garland before he was afraid again. He fumbled around in his pocket, withdrawing a small bottle of Ether. He had only been able to find three in Lindblum when he searched, the relative rarity of them combined with sudden demand in the form of people stocking up for the shrine missions had made seeking them out difficult. He'd been careful with them so far, resting rather than using them so to save them for emergencies.

This was, he was fairly sure, an emergency. He held the small bottle up to Refia once the sled had stopped.

"Um. You were casting float this whole time, right? And we don't have anyone else who can heal as well as you. You can have this."

[for-cosmos.livejournal.com]

The Warrior of Light showed less apprehension than most of the group. Instead, he was prepared, and even confident. He had faced his Garland time and time again in battle. He had bested him before, fighting alone, though he had not always escaped completely unscathed. This time, though, with the whole group of them there, defeat was almost impossible.

“There is no other way but to face him head on in battle,” he said quietly. “There is no need to hide from him when we are prepared to face him, trap or not. We shall do what we came here to accomplish, and defeat Garland.”

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

Locke checked his belt for his trusty boomerang and dagger. If Garland was ready to fight, then so was he? Nobody went after his friends and got away with it.

"What are we waiting for? He must be stopped."

Still he had learned over the last couple of weeks that his place was from the safety of the back row, so he would patiently wait until the group was ready to move on.

Headspeak to Mikoto

[cycleofchaos.livejournal.com]

Welcome home, Mikoto. Are you ready to fulfill your purpose?

[knowshermachina.livejournal.com]

Well, if everyone else was intent on running head-long into the obvious and pre-stated trap, Rikku supposed she'd better tag along! She finally shrugged at them and turned back to the door.

Besides, there was a sort of infectious courage about some of these warriors all eager to rush inside. "Well, alright. We're gonna win anyway, right?" She grinned.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

A gasp escaped Edward once he watched Garland use his power to effortlessly toss Vivi into the air. With Firion unconscious and the little black mage being pushed to the limit, it was time for someone to start healing the team. As much as he feared Garland's might, the bard rushed into the fray with two small phials in his hands.

"Vivi, catch!" He yelled once he tossed the potion towards the mage. It was an X-Potion, one of seven that the bard possessed. Edward was certain that they would be in need of the items he stashed away, but he hoped to save his only elixir for later. If this battle does go south, only one person will be able to be restored to full health.

Crouched next to poor Firion, the bard popped open the cap of the X-potion. The warrior needed help, his wounds looked far too extensive for magic alone to heal. "Please be well." He said as he potion's healing liquid shimmered down upon the youth.

[recites-always.livejournal.com]

Genesis' sword slashed through and he landed lightly on his feet. He danced around and kept his wing folded tightly to his back, he was too close for flying around and instead kicked off the ground to go back and slash at Garland once more.

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion groaned softly as he slowly drifted back consciousness. Blood clung to his face from his head wound, matting his hair in place. But the wound was closing and the bones in his arm were snapping back into place. Suddenly, the memories of what had happened came back and his eyes snapped open. "Edward?"

[for-cosmos.livejournal.com]

Being hit by the Wave after Garland's Flare was almost too much, especially as close to the man as he was. the Warrior of Light almost retreated. At first, sheer strength of will held him there and upright, but he could feel the Regen and other magics working to return his strength. After only a few moments, he forced himself forward once again.

"Enough! Shine!" he shouted, raising his shield in front of him to release a burst of energy and light from it. As soon as that attack was finished, he rushed toward Garland, sword raised. He was going to keep attacking, no matter how many times Garland tried to puch him back. They had to end this, and quickly. Garland's attack on Vivi only strengthened his resolve.

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

Magic. This man fought with magic. Even with her body still crackling with energy from the Flare, Refia knew how to handle that, especially if he couldn't physically attack - and despite him wearing armor, he didn't seem to have a weapon.

She quickly made sure the Regens were still going - that spell never lasted long enough for her liking - before grabbing a hi-potion she'd stashed away in the pockets of her robes and downing it. "Everyone, get your potions! Quick!" Because the white mage wasn't healing them - she was first going to stop them from needing to be healed. Reflects started popping up, first on the warriors, then on Vivi, then right on down the row as fast as she could. It wasn't fast enough for her, though - and she left herself for last, expecting to get interrupted at any moment.

But it would give them a few moments to recover that they desperately needed.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

"Are you well, Firion?" Edward asked in concern before turning his attention to the battle. Genesis was on the attack, almost slashing blindly at Garland in hopes of ripping the foul sorcerer to shreds. The Warrior of Light was now gearing up for his next strike, obviously enraged by Garland's treatment to their allies. Wondering just what he could do to help them, the bard's thoughts were interrupted once he felt Refia's magic.

"A reflect shield?" He blinked his eyes owlishly. "I see! Perfect strategy! Without his magic able to reach us, he can't harm us." But what does that mean for the bard's songs? Well, considering that his magical tunes aren't really magic per say...

"We can win this!" Hastily playing another tune, Edward relied upon the Hero's Rhyme to boost his comrades strength tenfold for the next few minutes. That means all their strength in rather melee or magic attacks will be increased for as long as the bard keeps playing. This was their chance to thwart Garland, this was the coup de grâce.

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion pushed himself up, his arm sore but on the mend. He nodded to Edward. "I am well, thank you, my friend."

He looked to the warriors who tried to tear at Garland. Genesis with his flaming sword, Light with his shining sword, and Mrjn with her deadly spear. Refia's magic was almost a constant as he felt the reflect shield in case him and suddenly the battle field was surrounded by the bard's magical lyre.

Things were finally going in their favor! "Keep playing!" The teen called, he finally stood up and in front of Edward. He had to keep the song from reaching an end before the battle was over. Bow in hand, he drew back the string and an arrow of light appeared forth. Waiting for an opening between the warriors' physical barrage, he let loose the arrow once it was found.

[morehatthanmage.livejournal.com]

Vivi moved a little as the X-potion took effect, coat still stained with maybe-blood from the damage he had taken while tranced and unable to comprehend it. It took him a while to find the strength to stand, medicine didn't do a whole lot for exhaustion and it did still less for complete lack of morale.

In the end, it was only guilt that gave him the strength to stand up. If he didn't fight and they lost because they'd wasted such a strong healing item on someone who didn't help them... He stood, using the ether that he had offered to Refia earlier and focussing to strengthen his magic.

He'd been using Flare a lot in this battle but he saw no real reason not to. Besides, it had been the spell Eiko has asked him to use on Garland. Mind focussed, he started preparing to cast Flare again.

[cycleofchaos.livejournal.com]

The Silence spell wore off and Garland took that opportunity to begin casting once more. His selection in this case was one of them that defied Reflect: Stop. Starting first with the pesky little healer in the party, followed by the Warrior shooting light at him, then the winged on slashing at him. One was an annoyance, the other two attackers were potentially deadly. He couldn't avoid their strikes, nor the spear jabbing at him.

An arrow lodged in his shoulder and he ripped it out with a groan, then concentrated another Wave of energy at the whole of them. It served to knock them all away from his person and potentially wipe them out.

Seeing the model looming dangerously overhead and threatening to fall on his head, Garland stepped back. It saved him from taking a direct hit from overhead, but when it shattered, shattered pieces of material flew up and hit him. Enough was enough, it was time to end them. "Mikoto, eliminate them."

[nomerevessel.livejournal.com]

Mikoto heard Garland's command and, like the good little puppet that she was, immediately obeyed. She moved to stand in front of Garland, using her own body to defend him, and cast Night.

This was a spell that affected all, ally and enemy alike, sending them to sleep. Mikoto herself was immune to its effects, so it would give her the opportunity to eliminate those who did succumb to it. She brandished her knife again, staring at her opponents without any sign of recognition in her eyes.

[recites-always.livejournal.com]

Genesis hadn't even realized he'd be Stopped until the Wave slammed into him, breaking him from the spell and smacking him into the ground. He cried out when he landed, feeling something break as he rolled a bit away and blood was coughed out. Pushing himself up, his chest screaming in protect, he tested the injury. A couple ribs were broken, though he couldn't tell how serious it was. The blood would be temporary, he figured. But he would need to be careful should the bone shift into his lung.

The SOLDIER looked up just in time to see a spell being cast. Easily, and regretfully, his body succumbed. He asleep on the floor in an instant.

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion was hit with the Wave just like everyone else was, his battered body sent flying and smacking into the ground, his arm threatening to re-break as it was hardly fully healed, though mended it may have been. He groaned, pulling himself from the floor and holding his arm to his chest. Quickly, he located his bow and went to grab it when he felt the signs of magic all around him. He watch, bewildered as some of his allies fell to the ground, asleep.

"What? Why are they...?" He began to say, looking down at himself and wondering why he did not. Firion didn't remember if his Gaian equipment prevent certain status or not, his mind too shocked to remember that the Coral Ring he wore on his finger prevented such a spell. In the end, he took advantage of the situation and approached Mikoto. Her eyes regarded them all without recognition and it hurt. "Mikoto! Please, stop this! You are stronger than this! You can overcome Garland's control!"