Pandora's Box (closed)

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Characters: Marquis Halim Ondore & volunteers (Open to Kuja as well)
Progress: On-going
Summary: Seeking answers about the ominous structure that lingers within the sky, a party is forged to unearth these answers by any means possible.
Location: Lunatic Pandora
Date: January 17, 1805
Warnings: Fantasy violence



It towered high above against the dusky canvass of an orange hued sky; an impenetrable fortress of solitude forged by dark osmium. Weighing close to several metric tons, this floating structure certainly seemed quite odd being so high up within the clouds. It marred the perfect skies with its unusual rectangle shape, ruining the rustic beauty that Madain Sari possessed. This floating structure was about three miles tall, and 1.5 wide, with an enormous enclosure that boasts of high-tech facility that mirrors that to the technology of the ancient Centra. Scholars who knew about this great fortress once claimed that it floats by causing a reaction with the Crystal Pillar inside. A stone hailing from the moon is allegedly sealed inside, giving this formidable marvel the power it needs to float so high above the ground.

After sailing amongst Madain Sari’s skies for a few months, now would mark the first time that people actually tread through the depths of the Lunatic Pandora. Walking in stride with the other members of his party was none other than Marquis Ondore himself. The marquis first learned of the Lunatic Pandora through an adventuring moogle who tipped the masses off regarding it. The emergence of this fortress certainly turned many heads, but no one arched their brow in suspicion until now. Attempting to create a detailed map out of the many halls of the Lunatic Pandora, Ondore traveled in pensive stride as he fiddled with a small device that looked to be a tracker of some kind.

“For now we shall continuing adventuring south…” The marquis stated as he eyed the touch-screen of his tracker. “We may not see all of what the Lunatic Pandora has to offer in one outing, but at least this is a good enough start.” Glancing over towards the nearest compatriot, Ondore’s gaze settled upon the long hall before them.

((ooc: Greetings~! Those who’ve volunteered for the Lunatic Pandora expedition are free to post whenever. This place is crawling with fiends, so you guys better ready! Also, there’s a chance that maybe Kuja might be lurking around here, so get ready to flee if need be.))

Comments

[asswontquit.livejournal.com]

The echo of footsteps could be heard approaching from the distant darkness. Slow. Deliberate. Careful. His laughter replaced the footsteps, stopping while still hidden in the hallway's shadows.

"The curtain rises on the doomed party. Perhaps they should turn back while they're still alive."

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

"..."

He percepted the footsteps, slower, more whimsical than those of the people around him. He stopped mid-step and unsheathed that scimitar- the blade hissing loudly interrupted the silence as it was brought free from it's sheath. Then it was held to the side as the Immortal secured it to his bazubands for security and then started casting an enhancing spell upon the entire party - Ondore included.

Stoneskin. A sort of shield, of sorts... Perfectly capable of taking the punishment intended for them until it broke- if this voice's owner appeared to be anything less than playful. Another swirl of azure, and a monster's wail came not from him, but... from his direction. A haste effect, for him alone -- or the very closest to the white magic spell that blue magic could replicate. He halflidded his eyes - attempting to see through the darkness.

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

As soon as Auron inquired about that fiend that laid ahead, his inquires were met with the laughter of their formidable foe. The marquis knew that laugh, how could he not? That was the sinister chortling of none other than Kuja himself, the fiend who’ve terrorized Gaia long before the existence of sky people in this realm. Ondore suspected that Garland would set his gaze upon the Lunatic Pandora, but what he didn’t expect was to encounter Kuja here so soon. The marquis hoped to destroy the vessel long before Garland and his henchmen could arrive, but it seems he was too late.

“Kuja, isn’t it?” He called out towards the shadows ahead. “Persist not in this folly, and perhaps it shan’t be you to meet with certain doom.” While Ondore words were quite bold, the marquis certainly realized his mistake of joining this expedition. The narcissistic mage may look like a complete fool to some; Kuja’s magic is truly lethal.

“Show yourself! We have not ventured forth just to play mere games.”

[asswontquit.livejournal.com]

Kuja stepped forward, laughing slightly as he came into the light. "I fear you are mistaken. You have ventured into territory where you aren't welcome. The one who will meet their doom is you."

He crossed his arms, looking very much relaxed despite being outnumbered. "I will offer you a final chance for retreat before the real games begin."

[unsentmonk.livejournal.com]

"Take your own chance and leave now," Auron growled, sword on the ready. He did not fear death nor doom, but this Kuja should, though he treaded with caution. It was ill-advised to cross the guardian, and Kuja was very close to reaching that point.

[asswontquit.livejournal.com]

Kuja cocked his head, a frown replacing his formerly playful smile. Who did this one think he was? "A bold one, aren't you?" He held his hand up, obviously with a thin patience. He was definitely preparing to make his threats reality. "I can't decide if it's courage...or stupidity."

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

"From here it looks like courage." Finally speaking, the Immortal stepped forward beside Auron- and in front of the marquis. Giving the guardian the smallest of glances, (Yes, he was the one which Eiko trusted in as well..) and returning his gaze immediately to Kuja- he prepared himself.

If she was here, he'd find her. And he would not allow whomever this was to interfere with his objective.

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

With the mudslinging already beginning, Ondore took the time to asset the situation for what it was worth. While they outnumbered Kuja five to one, the Angel of Death possesses magic lethal enough to make short work of them all. He doubted that the villain could be silenced by potions or spells, meaning this was going to be one hell of a match. However, with perseverance they could defeat Kuja and end his reign of terror here.

What a wistful thought that is, thwarting one of Garland's accomplices and averting whatever disasters the Lunatic Pandora could bring. These men would be labeled as "heroes", and those upon the High Council would actually heed the marquis' words in future discussions. The only problem with this idea lies within the fact that Kuja is more of a threat than could ever possibly realize. With King Zidane no longer amongst them, Ondore knew they were at an disadvantage.

"Enough with these words!" Ondore nearly yelled. "If we dare turn back now, the people of Gaia would suffer further. I cannot allow this to be."

[warkitoff.livejournal.com]

Bartz still didn't draw his sword, though he took a step toward Kuja. And, after a moment's thought...

...attempted asking nicely.

"Sure you can't just let us look around? We'd appreciate it."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Casting his gaze upon the brown-haired youth, Ondore let out a slight sigh. Did the boy really think diplomacy would save Gaia? If that were the case, none of them would be in peril already. The entire affair would have been solved, and Garland wouldn't be trying to slaughter them all.

[unsentmonk.livejournal.com]

"If it were so easy, he wouldn't be challenging us," Auron said. He knew that they would be needing a distraction, someone to challenge Kuja while the rest escaped to find what was needed. They couldn't risk everyone being dead and having no news to return with.

"Step down or you will find yourself face first in my blade," the guardian pressed.

[asswontquit.livejournal.com]

If they had ended it with the naive remarks from the young idiot, he would have held back. However, their persistence was grating on his last nerve and the sooner they left, the less of his time would be wasted.

"I'm afraid you won't be getting close enough to fulfill that threat."

He could draw this out, but he preferred not to. He could only think of one spell that would rid him of all five in one harmonic blast. Just one, carefully aimed spell. "...Ultima will rid me of you..."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

What happened next, happened all too sudden!

One minute they were challenging the narcissistic genome, and the next minute they were in peril. Kuja certainly didn't take they're words lightly, and whatever chance of ending this without needless sacrifice was shot out of the nearest window. The former Angel of Death isn't some weakling mage, and because of this Ondore was quick to act once the fiend began to weave his magic. If Kuja thought he could cast that spell upon them with little hindrance, then he was dead wrong. The marquis may not be capable of wielding magic or swords, but he certainly has ingenuity on his side.

Hastily tossing two orbs towards Kuja, a flurry of black smoke billowed forth once the bombs exploded. The entire hall was engulfed in a thick mist that served as a momentary screen for the party. Kuja couldn't attack what he couldn't see, therefore Ondore used his alchemy to cast Mighty Wall (http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Final_Fantasy_X_Mixes#Mighty_Wall) upon the others before calling out to them.

"Be cautious! His magic is second to none!" He warned once the smoke began to vanish.

[unsentmonk.livejournal.com]

Auron fell to his knees in a defensive stance, not moving an inch from where he was. He heeded the warning and took his sword in both hands, cutting through the smoke and running towards Kuja. He concentrated his willpower into his sword and attempted a Magic Break upon their enemy. Even if it was little, the less damage they took, the better.

[asswontquit.livejournal.com]

He definitely did not appreciate the dark mist that suddenly filled the hallway, but he was smiling when the smoke cleared. He expected all of them to be rushing, but one lone moron?

He didn't show any sign of fear as he sent the Flare spell hurling towards him. "If you get too close, you'll only get burned."

[immortal-lion.livejournal.com]

Two morons, specifically. Rishfee had taken advantage of the genome's busy state, the difficult visibility and the opening Auron gave to go to the other side of Kuja, busy casting his own spell. Chaotic eye- intended to silence the mage immediately should fortune have smiled upon him.

[unsentmonk.livejournal.com]

Auron took a bulk of the hit, flying backwards and grunting in pain when he crashed against the wall. He leaned on his sword and got to his feet, cracking his neck and swiveling his sword arm. Still working, good. He shot forward once more with his sword in both hands, aiming to make a deadly blow against Kuja on his right.

I'M TOTALLY ALIVE GUYS. I COULD JUST SEE THE MED-INDUCED RAINBOW IN MY LIVING ROOM FOR AWHILE. 8Db

[asswontquit.livejournal.com]

Well, this could be troublesome if he let them get too close. He supposed he'd have to be grateful to be born with good agility. Much more so, for the large size of the hallway.

He laughed, dodging both spell and blow, though they had both come far too close for comfort. "I suppose it's time to even the odds."

From behind, the cries of dragons could be heard. Three Silver Dragons, in fact. "Now we enter Act Two."