Corpus Rahkshi

IC: Jayar / Actor's Cradle

Jayar's smile was unfettered by Hoto's dreamy navigational error as he lead her through the crowded aisles; if anything, it grew wider. "Our seats are along here," he pointed out, just loud enough for her to hear him through the wash of scattered symphonic sound. Even for him, the grandeur of the orchestra was impressive. It could only be more so for his blind companion.

He lead Hoto down the aisle, making way to the empty seats reserved for them. "Here we are," Jayar informed Hoto, gesturing to the row of vacant chairs. "Have a seat. I'm sure it will begin soon..."

IC: Scoops

Now that the tour group was disbanded, he wasn't sure where to go or what to do, so he simply found himself following Vitesse, secretly of course!

He noticed Vitesse seemed to be listening in on a conversation, so he decided to get close and listen in on her listening in on them. Sadly, he found this to be extremely boring as he found her to not be very exciting when she's listening to others. I should tell her that about that later, she'll appreciate my advice on how to be more exciting, I know it! Maybe we can even trade sea shells then!

He decided this was too tedious, so he mixed things up a bit by creeping up close with all his stealthy mega powers and slowly leaning in beside her. "Whatchaaa dooiiin'?"

IC Kat: 

I sighed. Amateurs.

Silence descended upon us, and I was assured of the larger Rahkshi's type.

With a light flourish, Venom span about in my hand, my own Sword in the other, stopping in a defensive stance that would enable me to effectively stop any strike.

I activated my aura of unease, hoping it would be light enough to keep them off their full game enough to give me an edge without alerting them to the fact that I was using my power.

My eyes narrowed.

I was ready.

IC: Shark / Team Doublecross / Visorak Wilds

Was that... unease? Of course it was. His knowledge of the school's most masterful Rahkshi was as encyclopedic as anyone's, and this was most definitely Kat, Rahkshi of Fear.

And he was most definitely Shark, eternally emotionless. He would not allow himself the weakness to feel fear.

Briefly he gestured to Rain to attack. Then he hurled Faithful past Kat, in an arc such that it would come right through her on its way back if she didn't move soon. He topped it off by charging at her, bringing his massive unnamed sword in a vicious arc clockwise. Karz, he hadn't gotten the chance to sharpen it yet. Still, its immensity would make it an effective method of channeling brute force into crushing impact.

IC: Shield

Shield ran over, running next to Root. "What do you need?" Shield asked, in this new tone that had suddenly appeared.

IC: Punch/Almost there

I could see the Crawler.

"He just needs you here. Perhaps as comfort. Hurry. Sprint over to the Crawler and tell Suvak that we have a life-or-death situation on our hands."

IC: Vorzorak

Vorzorak Had been Trying to Decide, when Visorak Started Pouring out of the Low-Way.

"Oh Karzahni." He had Just Decided, He needed to get out of this Place, They must have Followed him through. He Ran For it, He needed to Get back to the Crawler.

IC Kat:

I grinned, Rolling not away from the horizontal swing, but into it, ducking under both sword and projectile to roll to the side of Shark, bringing my Shorter blade to bear as I came up, intent on scoring a wicked slice across his side in a diagonal motion.

IC: Era - Backstab (Farsholt Village).

I was about to drop down through the window to join my unconscious prisoner when I heard something. Multiple legs scrabbling across the ground. It reminded me of those Dagger Spiders we'd fought a while back.

Except on this island, they were probably a completely different type of spider altogether.... 

I shuffled backwards, deeper into the building. I was three storeys up. With any luck, I'd have enough time to come up with a plan of some sort before they found me. 

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IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

Still following Kat's tracks, I blundered into a clearing and found myself suddenly unable to hear anything. Three Rahks were facing off. Kat, a big, ugly one with a shark motiff, and the shiny one Kat had been about to kill earlier. 

I sighed. The one time I'd tried to do something good, and it had come back to haunt me less than an hour later....

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IC: Sliver - Doublecross (Farsholt Village Lighthouse). 

I heard the Visorak swarming through the village, and saw flickers of movement flash past the open lighthouse doorway. I started backing quietly up the staircase, which was hopefully too narrow for the spiders to easily climb up after me. 

It seemed the spiders had decided to ambush the enemy team before I had the chance. 

IC: Shark / Visorak Wilds

As Faithful flew past him Shark thrust his left elbow back, using the dulled fin blade to knock Kat's strike away from his side. Then he lashed out at Kat with a kick at her shin, following up on the forward motion with a diagonal swing of his sword aimed down at her shoulder.

IC: Stronghold and Alpha/Village

"Uh oh..."

Alpha had long since woken up, and was walking alongside me, knowing that I would knock her out again if she got feisty. I knew that she'd probably run away from me the first chance she gets.

But then I noticed the Visorak, and Alpha was also scared.

We took off, and flew onto the top of a building. There she told me that they were Oohnorak and quickly told me their powers. We decided to find Era. We looked over the edge and looked around.

IC Kat:

I followed through with my strike, letting the momentum spin me around in time to avoid being kicked. Venom and my own sword came up, catching Shark's own massive blade with a jarring motion. I twisted the swords, The crossguards clanking in opposite torques, locking his sword in place.

I amped up the Fear, sending it surging through both swords. 

I couldn't afford to be nice here.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Exxan step into the clearing. 

I smirked slightly, refocusing on Shark. At least I had some back up.

IC: Silver - Crashing

I allowed myself a small smile as the light flickered out of the Rahi's eyes. And then I realized I was about to faceplateplant - hard. Thinking quickly, I leapt off the doomed carcass and landed on a nearby tree, carefully keeping my injured foot away as I slid down the trunk. I touched down on the earth and waited for the thump.

Thump.

Shrugging, I limped over to the Venom Flyer's body to check if it was indeed dead. Thankfully, it was.

IC: Shark / Visorak Wilds

Fear.

It was not something Shark was accustomed to feeling, not something he allowed himself to feel. He rejected it as surely as he rejected such similar fettering emotions as love or anger. Having it thrust upon him like this was... unnerving.

But it was fake. Entirely fake! Though the Turahk might suddenly appear ominous, threatening like nothing he had ever encountered before, she was not. She remained the same Rahkshi he had just attacked unafraid, smaller than he, hampered by morality. There was no reason to fear her any more now than he had before. No reason at all.

At. All.

So, shaking slightly from the effort to escape the paralyzing grip of level four fear, Shark snatched the returning Faithful out of the air with one hand and plunged it toward Kat's stomach.

...Why was he doing this? He had no chance against such a fearsome foe! She would... what? His fears were purely unsubstantiated. And he had to keep telling himself that.

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

She nodded to her friend and was about take a swing when he barreled into battle like a runaway Kikanalo. She didn't want to get caught up in that. So she bid her time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike...

And it was now. Their blades were locked, Thorns' back was to her, and even a stick could be good for a heavy beating on the head.

IC: Vitesse

She had, however, knew a Rahkshi was behind her. The heavy footsteps, the singing, it had to be Scoops. Without a hint that she was surprised, she whispered, "Keep your voice do- wait. How did-" She then realized what happened. While she was hidden around the corner in the room, Scoops had stepped over the Electric Rahks unconscious body, while the others were too busy laughing. Unfortunately, Scoops was the worst color to hide in the shadows. "Just keep your voice down. We may have trouble here in a moment."

IC Kat:

Karz.

With a heave, I Turned my body, pulling my blades down, and by extension, his own with it, Disengaging My smaller sword to try and move to deflect his own thrust. I managed, but it still stuck a small cut on my abdomen, the point just sticking me.

With a growl, I pushed forward, low and towards his legs, my lower center of gravity giving me better leverage on his large body.

With any luck, he'd be forced to fall, or step off, giving me some breathing room.

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

I should've let Kat kill you when she had the chance, I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. I flung a knife at the side of the shiny one's Kraata case, accelerating it with a burst of air. She'd made no indication of noticing my appearance, and thanks to the silence field kindly supplied by Kat's foe, she wouldn't even hear it coming. 

IC: Hoto - Malebranche

She probably earned a few hard glares as she stumbled to her seat. A Rahkshi's wide feet and long back were not exactly made for carefully navigating theater aisles. Not to mention the obnoxious clattering that came from her joints. But she didn't care. Her free hand found the empty seat, and she sank into it, sighing with pleasure at the comfort.

And then, she fell silent and motionless. She was blind to everything beyond the comfortable seat... Jayar's hand... and the music. It flowed over her, washing over her every sense, purging all the shock and pain and confusion, leaving only awe. For now, she could forget. Nothing else mattered. It was just her and Jayar.

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

Before her strike could land, Rain was sent reeling by a sharp pain in her side. She cried out a few of her choice curses into the silence as she fell.

Karz, Stripes was back. Why couldn't he just let them have their fun? Now it was fair... if the scales hadn't tipped.

She weakly put a hand under her and pulled herself up on the staff. This was bad... that dagger was in there deep. She could feel the Kraata juices slipping through cracks in her armor and down her side. To take it out might be a death sentence. But it was also a better, more deadly weapon.

She leaned her staff against a tree and pressed a hand to the wound, even as the other yanked it out and sent it right back to its owner with a gust of wind of her own.

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle). 

I countered the air blast with one of my own, slowing the knife enough for me to catch it with practiced ease. I put it away and drew Remembrance, advancing on my opponent. It was time to make good on that offer I'd made to Kat....

IC: Shark / Visorak Wilds

Shark offered up staunch resistance to Kat's push for a moment before suddenly taking two quick steps back and pulling away his sword, hoping to unbalance her. To follow up, he brought Faithful in a diagonal swing upward, aimed for her torso, and readied his unnamed sword to defend himself.

* * *

IC: Jayar / Actor's Cradle

As Jayar took his seat the flow of jumbled notes ceased, giving way to silence and then, soon after, music. Some of the students back at the Academy played instruments, and through Hoto's memories he too had encountered some small Matoran musical groups. These had all been easily outdone by even just the tuning, but it was impossible to compare them to the actual symphony. It was a work of tension and triumph, power and then peace, each giving way to the others, melded seamlessly into each other to create something like Jayar had never heard before.

He extracted his hand from Hoto's, though. No good holding hands the whole performance when he could slide his arm around her, as he did, instead. It was good to see her happy. Not because it made her more effective, or useful, or easily manipulated. Simply because he loved her.

The music flowed on, a source of respite from doubts and fears in this perfect moment of blissful peace.

IC Kat: 

With Shark shoved away, I practically threw myself back, taking a couple of steps back myself, his swing meeting empty air.

. I'd gotten sloppy.

I made a mental note to Get some practice in when I got back.

I fell back into position, bringing my swords up again.

"You know, you're a pretty good fighter." I said, before realising the silence field was still up.

I frowned, opting simply for a resolute gaze, my breathing even. The small wound on my torso had stopped leaking, having been no deeper than a miilibio.

Fang's necklace glinted in the light.

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

Stripes had some wind too... this was going to be interesting. If she could just get a fight on even terms, it might have even been fun.

Let's see if he could do this... Rain snatched up her staff with her free hand and stepped up with it held at the ready. Fog seeped from her armor across the battlefield. She would be more used to the limited disability than he was.

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

I stepped forwards, stomping my foot into the ground and creating a blast of air that sent the fog reeling, and a cloud of stray leaves and dirt billowing towards my opponent. Taking full advantage of the distraction, I swung out at her chest with my sword. 

IC: Scoops

Scoops interestingly didn't seem bothered or surprised by the fact that Vitesse had known he was coming despite his sneaking. "Ah, I see. We're doing the sneaky sneaks, eh? Hm, then I suppose this probably isn't a good time for stories. I was really hoping this time could be story time, you seemed interested in my color, and I wanted to know why you don't like Makuta, but I guess that can wait for later."

Scoops took a look at the group and wondered what was going on. Perhaps they were a fan club? He wondered what they might be fans of. He secretly hoped Ultra Action Matoran but he couldn't be sure. He suddenly felt a strike of fear, for he suddenly remembered Vaalku's words about aggressive rakh's at this school. He prepared his rock, confident in his work, but slightly worried about the present possibility of danger. He didn't want to end up like that poor blue and white rakh that he had stepped over to get here.

He lowered his voice a bit. "These fellows don't look too friendly. Or do they? I'm not sure honestly. By the way, I'm a rakhshi of dodge. What about you? I just wanna make sure. I'm about twelve percent sure you're a rakhshi, which is honestly the most sure I've ever been of anything so far, so I have that much figured out! Ah, learning. It's happening already! This school really does have things figured out, doesn't it. I didn't even realize I was getting smarter!" Ah, Scoops. Even in the presence of a likely and dangerous situation, he'll always find a way to go off on a tangent, won't he?

IC Visorak Wilds

A clearing came into view, suspiciously little sound came from inside. The tracks led here. The silence corroborated it, three sets. Two older ones from a different direction. Another dozen seconds of cautious travel brought him into view, Exxan fighting the libertine painter and Kat the elasmobranchal rahk.

Why was he so afraid?

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

...he knew how to handle that too. Her usual tricks failed her with this guy. She would have to fight with... her stick.

There wasn't much more time to bemoan her situation, as the cloud of dust kicked up by Stripes hit her face, and she instinctively raised her arms to cover it, only to feel the armor-shaking jolt of his sword against the end of her staff. She gave way under the pressure, twisting to use the force of his own blow against him as the other end whipped around towards his face.

IC: Hoto - Malebranche

Jayar was gone. His hand slipped from her own, leaving her alone for the moment. What was he doing, where did he...

Oh. Her grin returned as she felt his arm across her back. She leaned into his embrace, not daring to say a word.

IC: Root - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

Oh, how far our hero had fallen! The pain had brought him very low indeed. His eyes opened, but 'twas difficult to distinguish as they were flickering and dim. Beneath the odd assortment of greenery that dangled around his visage, he smiled.

His words were nigh inaudible, but they came with a surprising clarity rarely witnessed before. There was no longer any need to hide or be afraid. "Shield," he whispered, great joy apparent even in that one syllable. "You... are safe. I need... I need to..."

One shattered hand reached for his back, fumbling at the Kraata case, but 'twas too weak to open it.

IC: Vitesse

"Let's just say they are the poster children of the Makuta. Either that or totally insane. Him too. Also, Density Control." Vitesse said, while looking at the Electricity Rahk. Suddenly, he stirred. "Hide." Vitesse whispered, deadly quiet.

IC: Shock

Shock stirred. "But I don't want to go to school Tridax.... Oh wait." Shock then looked at Nightmare, who was still laughing. "Why is it always the flowers with you? It wouldn't have been half as bad if you stabbed me in the foot. Okay, fine. No Cordak blaster," Shock said dejectedly.

IC: Shield

Shield opened it for him, still running alongside Root.

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle). 

I felt the air ripple as she swung towards me, say the staff flash out of the dust towards my face, and braced myself for the impact. The chunk of wood struck me in the side of the face, knocking my head sideways.

I let the rest of my body move with it, spinning in a full circle, and building up momentum to deliver a devastating broadside with Remembrance. With my head still reeling from the impact, I couldn't see exactly where I was aiming at, but if my approximation was correct, I was probably hacking at my opponent's ribs. 

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

The spin gave her enough time to bring her stick around to block, but the force of his swing sent her staggering back to the ground with a snap of wood.

Great...

There was only so long she could keep this up. But she was never one to give in. She waited for his inevitable, "final" strike...

IC: Root - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

With but a small delay, he reached inside and rifled through the soils and greenery. His once close friends and useful tools spilled around him and their ally, falling to the dust from whence they came. But he cared not for their freedom now. He was searching for one plant... the plant.

At last, his hand withdrew, delicately grasping a tender blade. Its black, bulbous stalk poked from the soil, revealing a shining golden base. 'Twas a rare find in the universe. Many a Matoran had known it as Shudderleaf, but to Root 'twas always...

"Hero's Blade," he whispered meaningfully. "The... smallest seed... grows to the most... beautiful of plants... Take it... and Remember... You are..."

His quivering hand tipped and fell, the Hero's Blade drifting to the ground in a shower of soil. The forest seemed to be in a hush as it rested upon its native ground once more. Its lustrous stem slipped from view in a small pile of earth.

Thus fell our Hero, noble to the last.

IC: Shield

A tear came to Shield's eye as Root passed away. He kneeled down and took the plant, storing it safely in his Kraata case. The tear fell to the ground, and the sadness faded away in his eyes. It was replaced by anger. "That temptress knew this would happen." Shield spat.

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

It took me a few moments to recover from the blow to the head and the wild swing that followed, but when my vision cleared I saw my opponent staggering away from me, her makeshift staff splintered. 

I wasn't like Kat or Fang. I didn't hesitate. I didn't show mercy. I did what had to be done. 

Remembrance flashed through the air, slicing downwards towards my foe's head. 

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

There it was. Her arm flew up and blasted a gust of wind directly at his chest even as her body began to move. She twisted and curled, bringing the two halves of her stick to crash against his legs, hopefully sending Stripes to the ground.

IC: Recoil

Recoil's eyes snapped open as Sidonas hit the floor. She nearly jumped out of the bed. "AH! WHAT THE MAN!?" She then noticed he was unconcious. "Oh no..."

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

Ouch.... nice trick.... I hit the ground and forced myself to roll sideways to put some distance between us, before scrabbling to my feet and shifting into a combat stance. It was her turn to make a move. 

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

There wasn't time to finish the job, but she sure made a noble effort. She was on her feet in an instant, her stick striking the ground where Stripes had rested a moment before. But the motion nearly sent her to the ground again. She couldn't forget she'd been Karzin' stabbed.

She watched him warrily, circling like a predator, searching for any opening. He had the advantage of range now. He had the literal and metaphorical edge. Karz, he didn't have a stab wound. Needless to say, this was not her day. But she was not letting these self-righteous second-rates beat her. There was so much art to make, so many Rahks that needed ending. Starting with him.

With a flick of the wrist, she positioned the sticks to better block his blade as she leapt into striking range on a gust of wind.

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

Taking a page out of my opponent's book, I met her leap with a concentrated blast of air, before thrusting forward with Remembrance, aiming to stab her while she was off-balance. 

IC: Rain - Visorak Jungle (Team Doublecross)

Just as in her fight with Noisy, the mere gust of wind did little to deter her charge. It sure made landing a pain, though. She barely had time to bring up her sticks to deter the blade before she went stumbling off to the side.

Her fall was stopped by a tree, and she leaned against it for a moment, panting with exhaustion. Her hands hung weakly at her sides, barely holding on to the sticks. Fluids leaked from the stab wound at an astonishing rate. She was the very picture of a helpless victim.

But she didn't intend to be quite so helpless. Why bother working so hard to get close when he can just wander up himself?

IC: Exxan - Backstab (Jungle).

I fired off a burst of air in an attempt to slam her agaisnt the tree, before following it up with a second burst, this one accompanied by a throwing knife aimed for her torso.