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

[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!"

[morehatthanmage.livejournal.com]

Vivi's flare spell fizzled out as the Wave struck, once again sending him rolling away backward. He didn't have nearly enough weight to remain in place when struck like that. He stood again, almost dashing toward Refia to try to help but distracted by Mikoto suddenly turning against them.

Panicking, he did the least lethal thing he was capable of and tried to cast Stop on her himself to keep her from attacking them without hurting her but her own night spell struck before he was done. He had no equipment to resist the sudden sleepiness and he was too exhausted to endure it. He fell forwards once again, fast asleep.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Crap, crap, crap! Garland was now using status ailment magic against them, something that Edward didn't think he would do. After boasting about Refia's strategy, it seemed that now Garland was focusing his attacks on the white mage. This was bad, very bad. Genesis was knocked out cold, and Vivi was knocked out as well. When the soulless Mikoto approached, a sense of dread billowed up within him. Was she truly going to fight them now...? Hating every moment of this battle, Edward rushed over to Vivi in hopes of waking him up.

"Come on, get up! This is no time to sleep." He yelled as he shook the little mage. After a few fruitless moments, the bard took out a potion. It was the elixir. Maybe if he could wake up Vivi with this, the mage can use his magic against Garland. He was thinking about giving this potion to another, but Vivi needed this more.

Uncorking its top, the bard flung the magical tonic on Vivi. "Please! Wake up!"

[knowshermachina.livejournal.com]

Standing on the lower platform spared Rikku from the wave of force that Garland sent out, but all that did was allow her a few precious seconds as Mikoto suddenly switched sides and began casting night at them.

Rikku fished into her bag and yanked out a remedy as the wall of darkness engulfed everyone., hurling it up towards the other group, hoping it hit someone...and then the night spell hit her and she slumped down onto the floor, asleep.

[for-cosmos.livejournal.com]

Warrior of Light could feel the Stop affecting him from the moment it was cast, and he tried in vain to struggle against the magic and continue his attack. This close to Garland, it was deadly to be left so vulnerable, but he could do nothing but wait for the attack to come.

The Wave from Garland caught him fully and sent him tumbling back, since the Stop kept him unable to brace himself against it. He hit the ground awkwardly, his armor doing little to protect him when he fell. His head slammed painfully against the ground, and he nearly blacked out. By the time he had cleared his head and was attempting to get to his feet again, Mikoto was casting Night, and he collapsed once again, asleep.

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

The Stop hit her full on with a yell and Refia was frozen in place, able to see and react mentally but unable to do anything physically. She was trapped with her hands up before her face, still with about three or four Reflects cast - including her own.

So the Wave, when it came, knocked her completely over and threw her back further from the group and she wasn't able to do anything about it. It hurt like blazes, she could feel her health falling away, but she couldn't do anything about it and that had her starting to panic.

And then Night came. As a healer in two worlds now, she'd learned to fear that spell, and the one effect she always took care to prevent was that one. The sleeping spell was warded off by her preparations, but she was still mentally struggling to break free of that Stop before Mikoto could do something they'd all regret...

[nomerevessel.livejournal.com]

Firion meant well in approaching her, of course, but all he had done was make himself a target. Mikoto lunged forward, aiming a jab at his stomach. He was in her way, and she intended to move on and slit the throats of the others who were asleep as soon as she had struck him.

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion drew his own dagger, rather than his sword, and blocked the jab at his stomach before pushed against it to push her away. "Mikoto!" He needed to find a way to stop her! If Garland possessed control over her, than would knocking her out be effective? Firion didn't want to harm her.

[nomerevessel.livejournal.com]

Her attack blocked, Mikoto dodged and ran past Firion in search of an easier target, one that would not be able to fend her off.

That target just so happened to be Rikku.

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion was surprised at how fast Mikoto was and turned to follow, his eyes widening as he saw that her next target was the unconscious Rikku. Quickly, he grabbed his second dagger, a rope now hooked onto the hilts. He let his Rope Knife attack fly, hoping to catch Mikoto and yank her back.

[morehatthanmage.livejournal.com]

Vivi stumbled to his feet again, turning to Mikoto once more. He really didn't want to attack her but was left with little choice.

"Stop!" He shoulted, pointing his staff at her.

[nomerevessel.livejournal.com]

Firion's attack met its mark, pulling Mikoto back before she reached Rikku. She managed to break free, but had barely taken another step before Vivi's spell Stopped her and she froze. Mikoto was now temporarily out of action.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

Seeing the ferocity with which Garland was attacking their party, Locke realized that he'd be skinned alive were he to maintain his position in a direct onslaught. Despite the raging pain in his burning legs, he gained morale and strength from the work that Refia and Edward were performing.

He knew it was time for this little sleep to sneak around and backstab Garland from behind. Climbing up the wall, he turned himself ready to pounce when he felt the effects of Mikoto's night. With nary a peep, he was caught in the daze between morning and night as he slid down the wall into a slump, bruised and battered.

[thisdesertrose.livejournal.com]

Firion reeled the daggers back, slipping them in their sheaths and nodding to Vivi. The others were safe for now. He leveled a hard stare at Garland and ran for him, this time pulling out his lance. He wouldn't leave room to be flung around the room like a doll this time and once Firion drew close, he swung the lance around to initiate a devastating combo of sword, lance, and arrows.

[melodiesoflute.livejournal.com]

Once Vivi stood, the bard took his leave. Garland was on the attack again, and so was Mikoto now. They needed to end this nightmare, and he knew just the person who could defeat the sorcerer. The Warrior of Light, he was definitely their only hope now.

Literally running as fast as he could, Edward made it to the fallen warrior's side. "Wake up! This is no time to sleep!" Reaching for a potion, he used the X-potion on the warrior in hopes of waking him up. When that didn't do the trick, Edward remembered the remedies that Rikku tossed to them.

"Ah, there!" He raced over towards the small phial. Snatching it off the floor, he tossed it towards the Warrior of Light after uncorking its top.

1/2

[cycleofchaos.livejournal.com]

The moment Mikoto departed his presence to attack the others, Garland was left once again open to attacks. He took a moment to survey the combatants and consider what to do next. It was a mistake.

Firion's onslaught of incoming weapons hit and hit hard. The ancient sorcerer stumbled backwards, pain wracking his body, then sank to his knees.

2/2

[cycleofchaos.livejournal.com]

From that vulnerable position, a blast of light and energy burst forth, blinding for one to look upon. When it faded away, a knight clad in dark armor stood where Garland had. This one brimmed with fresh power and health, freed from the shell of a life now left behind.

Garland had been reborn by his own will into the form he once held.

From behind his dark helmet, his eyes narrowed at the sight of the Warrior of Light. Yet again this one rose up to stop him. Yet again, he would cut him and his companions down.

"Foolishness. You cannot kill me. I am the Master of Time. I will always be reborn to bring chaos into the world. The cycle cannot be stopped. I will destroy you all, until nothing remains."

Reaching out his hand, he bent time and space creating a portal. He stepped through it and was gone, as was his creation of escape.