Dahlia City. Here Odin was once more. The city that had seen his death many years before. Where he had plunged a dagger deep into his heart and brought out the powers of the Lich that he still called his own to this day. Despite never being part of Eternal Nightmare's jurisdiction, it had always been somewhere Odin had felt strongly around, and wished to see thrive. He had been there during Dahlia's dark years of being a desolate town, before Daeva Eye had settled there and turned the town into an, albeit still dark, bustling city. It had flourished, and it had grown a lot since Odin's last visit.

But he wasn't here to reminisce. He had work to do, and he had help to assist him. The Wizard Lord had sent word to Erebus, as they stayed apart so as not to draw too much attention to themselves, to meet him at the city limits. The great forest of Aldenwald stretched in all directions out from the city, cutting it off from much of the world, and making it easy pickings for the wolves and vampires that called the area home. Deep inside the forest held exactly what they were looking for. An ancient story that Odin had heard many times before but had never actually considered as being anything of value until very recently. The story of the slow man. An apparition few had ever actually seen, but one who moved through the forests at the pace of a snail. However, any attempt to approach the spirit would cause it to move away at imperceptible speeds, while the unlucky searcher would begin to lose all speed themselves, left to be picked off by whatever was lurking nearby. And there was always something lurking nearby in the Aldenwald.

Impatience was never a feeling associated with Odin: he had waited many years for his desires to come to fruition. But here, now, with the chance to kill a Bishop edging ever closer, even he had to admit he was getting anxious. He had to move, had to push forward. He was getting excited, and then could only mean great things. Great, or terrible things.

369/1750

Erebus kept a distance from Odin, who moved through town. Since he was in charge of watching the Many Faced Queen, Erebus decidedly plunged straight through the outskirts and into Aldenwald itself. Using the sheer negative force of the Many Faced Queen's presence, few monsters would come near Erebus, but he could see them-- feel them-- stalking his person. His face displayed little doubt, but a drop of sweat surely did edge from his brow. His mana was taking a fair bit of energy from him, having to hold up such a prison for a monster like this. Hopefully he would hold up, after all. Letting this thing out, would prove more trouble than anything else he'd faced in the last few years. After fighting it once, Erebus was sure the illusions would get to him in the second attempt. Especially without Odin in the near vicinity.

Whispers, like a snake in his ear, filled the Rogue's head. Nastasya attempting to lull him to some sort of fear, she would tell him about his fate, and his creed. How little he mattered, and how unfortunate it must be to fight the Bishop. But Erebus stayed mute, simply squeezing her prison around her until she told him which way to walk.

He had a track on his person, allowing Odin to know where he was going, whilst holding a fair distance away. When Erebus pushed further and further into the dangerous unknown, a large mountainous cliff came before him, almost hidden away under the many thick and purple mist of the woods.

A few meters above, this large, gaping cavern entrance was in the cliffside. Large webs hid whatever the tunnel led too, but Erebus assumed that was for good reason. He shot a ball of water through the hole, causing an explosion that made rocks bust and fall on their way down to the bottom.

He awaited Odin's arrival, seeing in how he had no other details pertaining to the quest, merely, he was to find the location and follow Nastasya's direction. Erebus, drank from a small blue vial, reinvigorating his energy for the coming endeavors.

361

The tracker allowed Odin to follow Erebus' location even if he couldn't see him, making it much easier to begin the mission. The Many-Faced Queen would tell its holder, in this case the Bubble mage, where to go to fight the next Bishop. Although this time it was something different. Not quite a full bishop, but the power was definitely there, otherwise Nastasya would not be leading them towards it. The creature was intelligent, but it couldn't avoid its primary function. It reacted to the powers of the Bishops, and something in Dahlia was causing a reaction. That was enough for Odin and Erebus to journey into the dark woods of the Aldenwald.

An explosion came from the direction of Erebus, which caused Odin to pick up his pace and rush towards his guildmate's location. Unfortunately for the two, Nastasya was only able to give them rough locations for the Bishops. Their powers were still completely unknown, beyond being incredibly unique and unfathomably powerful, which didn't inspire much confidence. Joining his partner would reveal that there wasn't an ambush occurring, which was a relief. Odin would never admit it, but he felt much more at ease doing this with a partner, even if that person didn't truly know why they were doing it. That was something Odin intended to explain, but right now was a tricky time. Perhaps once this bishop was defeated, then the truth could be revealed.

However, the moment Odin met with Erebus, the moment they were ready to hunt the Bishop, their foe came before them. A cloaked figure, appearing seemingly out of thin air, moving so slowly his individual motions could be deemed imperceptible to the human eye. He radiated an aura of power, releasing a feeling of uneasiness into the forest that would cause even the most fearsome of beasts in Dahlia to think twice about attacking this unarmed, defenceless man.

Odin wasted no time, eager to complete the first stage of his mission and not thinking about the consequences. he dashed directly towards the man, able to close the distance between them in mere moments.

Except, he didn't. Odin's movements became sluggish, his entire motion was neutered before he even came close to the being. He couldn't understand it: his brain told him that he was moving, but his eyes had no way to prove it. He felt locked in place and, in the exact same moment, he watched the Bishop blink away at breakneck speed, so fast he almost looked to be teleporting. Once he could no longer be seen, Odin's movements returned to normal. He collected himself, pushing down the feeling that he had experienced this before. He didn't want to go there again. Instead, he would look to Erebus, having just witnessed the Bishop's power first-hand.

"This is going to be a lot harder than I thought."

859/1750

Erebus shielded his eyes from the destruction. Feeling an uncertainly odd energy nearby, as he turned, he watched Odin nearly catch, and then, miss a shadow. He couldn’t trace its movements even at his speeds. This was hard. There was no guarantee he would be on the same level as that but he was relieved at least that it didn’t outright start attacking them, since he had only barely caught witness of it as Odin came into the clearing chasing it.

Moving Nasty higher into the air, out of the way with his hand gestures. Erebus clenched his weapon, he wasn’t too sure where he was suppose to start. But his attention was focused, he had to be swearing, everything around his body felt like cold sweat. He wondered when this all night end, seeing is how they flew here for days and hadn’t stopped even to rest as they hunted this damn thing. Would Erebus be hunting phantoms or was he going to be the next one?

He didn’t quite like to think of it that way, but fighting these things definitely reminded him why we was not yet an S-rank threat. He may be a catastrophe, but he was a human and that meant there was hard limits. Erebus was just about to lower his weapon, when a knife stuck through shoulder. Coming at a blinding 60m/s, with enough force to force his right side downward and nearly push him off balance.

The next one would fly in and fraze his ankle as his kicked off the location. Had it landed, he leg would have been hindered and all hell would be on top of him. Sliding to his knee five meters away, he turned and saw at the holes entrance atop a now hitting rock, was a ghostly apparition, with white locks. His face was under a coal of black shade, matching his garments.

He has a bag, Erebus noticed, full to the brim with projectiles, he’s imagine. Not dropping eye contact, with very little visible distress despite an anxiety of being too slow. He broke the knife and yank the handle off, letting the blood soaked blade fall to the ground.

Were they poisoned?

He hoped not.

Aiming a hand upward Erebus prepared to launch another spell, though, he awaited Odin’s minute movements too. Decidedly doing the same strategy as last time, allowing himself risk for reward. If he synergized just perfectly with Odin, this speed would mean nothing.

He only needed to catch the guy.


Just... once.

In a blink, the movements of Erebus body began to reverse, and he watched himself shank his shoulder again. Gripping his mental, be relived the agony.


“Odin.”

He started, though his words were slower.

“You got me fucked me up with this one.”

476

361+476= 837

A master of controlling speed, moving at an incredible rate while being able to stop his opponent's movements almost entirely. It was the power of Sloth, a phantom of the Bishop power Odin had once been promised. The power had called to him and, when he had been denied its rite, it had found a vessel of its own, devoid of thought or purpose other than to wander and destroy. The use of daggers was intelligent, and likely not something that anyone would ever consider in a world of magic. Erebus caught one in the shoulder, but was able to avoid the second before he, too, felt the powers of the Bishop first-hand. Reversal of time, as Odin's partner plunged the dagger back into his shoulder. Looking up at the location of Sloth, Odin found he had vanished completely, clearly finished with them for now but leaving a trail that was easy to follow. Moving at incredible speeds in a short time left marks on the ground. He could be followed.

"Just so you know, this is probably half of the power of a fully realised Bishop. I never said it would be easy." Odin's words to Erebus weren't meant to console him, as he knew that wasn't required. Erebus enjoyed a foe worthy of his strength, and Odin was about to bring him a gauntlet of them. Call it a test if you wish, to see if he was ready. If he could face down the Bishops and win, there was no foe that could ever stop him.

Speed was pointless, so Odin simply began to walk in the direction left available to him, knowing Erebus would follow as they stalked their target. With no knowledge of how long it would take them to find Sloth again, the Lich began to speak to his friend, and explain more about some of the powers he had seen. "The magic of the bishops is unlike anything else. My eye doesn't register it as magic, so it must be something different. Perhaps it comes from some of the other abilities that merchant was peddling." Odin would then pass the next few minutes by telling Erebus of what he saw that day in Hargeon: the eyes, the weapons, the capes. Each of their appearances and what they could do, pausing a moment for respect as he spoke of Damocles. It would be worthwhile for Erebus to know this, who could know who owned them all now.

1285/1750

Erebus was outmatched, his skills were not that tight against a foe like Sloth. Or whatever this thing was suppose to be. He realized fairly quickly his reckless abaddon would fall short this time around. He took breath with a rapid heartbeat, inhaling into his lungs, the rogue pried through his own blood, swapping out his cloak’s shoulder-pad.

Placing his hand on his waist, he counted his blessing with the creature taking off, at least he could verify they would have to walk after it, such a being was going to be impossible to catch without fighting it wherever it so chose (home-court). Erebus took to a stride toward Odin, sighing. “Not Magic huh? Some ridiculous speed. Now I know how it feels...” He thought back, remembering how he use to use underhanded tricks and sleight of hand to outwit foes, paired with his inhuman athletics and acrobatics; he was pretty badass in those times. Now, as times shifted and power-creep became unavoidable, so too had Erebus. Adopting a style that force-sprung traps. But if this creature had this kind of power and it wasn’t magical by nature, then he feared he may have no clue how to beat the fiend.

“I wonder if his trick’ could be in something he’s carrying.” Erebus started, remembering his magical daggers of old. Phantom Dancer did something like this, didn’t it? A trademark dash that depended upon his actual max speeds. “You think a magic merchant sold this kind of thing? That’s crazy, I should’ve met him by now.” Erebus thought in shock, noting that for the past five years he’s never met a Mysterious Merchant. However, highly engaged in that conversation, Erebus memorized all the powers Odin talked off about. Analyzing just how deep this was, and realizing soon there that Odin’s attribute as a magical genius, was partly due to the eye that copies spells, and of others, such as Kazimir’s negation eye.

Realizing immediately that these kinds of powers were immense compared to Earthland’s offerings, Erebus vowed to find a MM soon, there just couldn’t be any other way. Erebus needed strength, and hungered to punish the Wicked... His version of Wicked? Of course was the Nobles and the happy-go-ugly Light Mages in Fiore.

‘Yeah, give me some time’ He fantasized in recollection of his recent arrest and the officer on warrant. ‘I’m coming to the function with it all now.’ He desired vengeance, so to be quite frank. Erebus would hold himself to survival today, as a bubble hovered atop their heads, the beaten dirt path unyielding, but as the trees grew more and more desolate, so too did the anxiety. When all was over, Erebus would slaughter this wretch in Odin’s name expeditiously.

Or his name wasn’t Erebus

Erebus pushed forth, stopping as a swamp bed came into clearing from beyond a heavy fog that hid them from the knees down. Erebus glances to Odin, if the skeleton looked back at him, Erebus would shrug, unsure if they should wade through the waters or turn back for a different path.

535+837
1373 words

Odin had expected the Bishop powers to circumvent his nullification abilities, or the copying abilities of his eye. That would be far too easy for it to be true, but he had still been hopeful on the small chance he could be lucky in his endeavours. Of course, he had prepared for the disappointment. He was here knowing that any wrong step could be his last, and he wasn't even fighting a true Bishop. This creature was a shade of what Odin could have been, a version of him that he had once thought could be his purpose: to be among the bishops and count himself as one of them. That was before he became HER champion, before he realised the foolishness of the Bishops, and the need for their eradication. This was a power that could have been his, and now he was going to surpass it, and prove to himself that he had made the correct decision all those years ago.

The mysterious merchant interested Erebus, just as the Lich expected it to. A being of such unfathomable power as to grant such abilities to its customers, neither demon nor angel. Just... there, always watching the state of the world. If the merchant utilised even half of what it peddled, the power would be comparable to even the strongest of the royal guards, perhaps even on par with some lesser deities.

The two reached a swamp, with the option to either push further through or turn back, as the mist began to envelope them in it's cold embrace. The answer came from a low wail behind them. The mist parted as Odin looked, spotting the cloaked figure once more, and hearing the echoed, hollow voice that came from its parted lips. The Lich decided to try something, as he reached into the pocket of his jacket, producing a small black book with little significance to any who didn't know what it was.

Sloth knew what it was.

Odin activated his Greed magic just in time to receive an almost blinding punch to his stomach from the being. It was angry: a feral beast in its most vulnerable state. But also its most deadly.

1653/1750

The impact of the being on top of Odin’s form cause a burst of air which threw Erebus on guard, he immediately stepped backward, and charged his arm backwards. He struck a striking motion outward lighting his hands up in mana and water. In his other he was wielding his dagger, “Alright I think it’s about that time.” He said in timing with all his movement; from spring forth and tearing the dagger towards the assailants thigh region. His other arm, encapsulates in a bubble, held a defensive chest cross. If given the briefest moment, Erebus would tear this arm into the monster. Causing A-rank damage and attempting to hold it down with a S-rank bind.

Unless the beast has the strength to quell, it would be frozen stiff under a bubble that Erebus ignores. If the bind successful, he would be quick to stab it multiple times, but only if clear bind was sprang otherwise his minds eye was to play safe between traps. Nonetheless, he held his own at Odin’s side, and was positive the Lich would play well in covering any unsafe bases towards his actions.

Erebus would stay within close range to the enemy, frequently shooting glances to the skeleton to work the chess board that might ensure with this Bishop construct monster.

220+1370= 1593 words

Erebus had realised it just as Odin had: defeating Sloth required staying in very close proximity to him. Fighting at range was useless, he would slow down any spell sent his way and speed up any ability he wished to use such that it would be impossible to avoid it. Staying close, while still dangerous, gave them the greatest chance of actually defeating him. And Erebus could bind the man. Even though the shade was incredibly strong, he couldn't break through the Bind, which meant he couldn't escape. Any other partner and this fight would've been one of Odin's most difficult, but with Erebus it almost seemed simple.

With Sloth held down briefly, Odin pulled out his axe. The enchantment would aid them in greatly damaging the creature, which was more human than anything else, even if the power had corrupted his soul into something more twisted. Any attack from the bishop would be quelled by Greed magic, while Odin slashed across his body with the axe, leaving a deep and satisfying gash in his chest. They had a chance.

1837/1750

Bubble Make: Alpha - casted
-200MP

The synergy paid off when the bubble, sprang by Erebus, was successful. He was inside of it then, with the Shade except the foe was stuck and he wasn’t, he jabbed into the Shade’s thigh twice with his dagger dealing two stacks of physical damage on top of the A-rank spell damage. Before the bubble ripped from an opening in the bind— by Odin’s Axe. Erebus avoided the axe which was aimed precisely at their target, which was suffering shock damage from it’s ambush turned mistake.

If Odin saw his comrade with the briefest moment, he’d be able to see the water mage had a madman’s grin etched on his lips, the huge axe cleave of Odin’s power lifted the Shade literally feet of the ground as the gash-slash commenced to uppercut the foe. Now off of the ground, and with Erebus on the side of, the old rogue acted. He took his free arm (that originally landed the spell and tripped up the monster’s play); reached up and grabbed the body by it’s shin and gripped it at the foot— just as the strength and magnitude of Odin himself would have thrusted Sloth far enough away for him to recover again and hold an advantage.

Erebus didn’t like it when others’ had combat advantage— so he simply grabbed the fiend as intended because he was clearly in radius. In the air after Odin concluded a successful action. Erebus pulled his arm down with his body outstretched and coming up off a jump from the ground (still avoiding Odin returning the axe to his side, and Erebus brought Sloth down into the ground at their feet with the strength of a giant. The force damage alone (provided he was successful in grabbing it by the ankle from the air, would crater the earthen floor in cracks upon it’s impact.)

Still holding that same ankle after the colossal drop— Erebus smashes his foot over the back of the leg he was clung too, the water mage pulled upward, as his foot would press downwards hard, this would stretch that leg and potentially dislocate it while tearing hamstrings from Erebus’ superhuman strength. Completely restraining the beast was simple enough, so that Odin could slaughter it under rapid axe swings over and over.

The first chance it tried to get out, Erebus would be able to hold the advantage, all he needed to usurp this beast was to punch the punch the leg he was trapping in his grip, it would bind Sloth again and the shenanigans just meant further constriction— a useless mistake. Especially since Erebus wouldn’t let go no matter the severity or the begging of a tap out. Futility was imminent, with himself grounded and his foe scrambled, Erebus would always strike faster than any reaction now presented by Sloth.

It truly surprised Erebus what Eternal Nightmare could do on the same side. If Sloth had selected to strike Erebus firs for the initial entry— this whole exchange would have been outside their immediate favor since the bind seemed to hard counter this boss just like the last. Erebus awaited further action from Odin before he made another move. Mind you this all happened as if they had flowed together, with only a few seconds elapsing between the two.

It was almost... Too easy.

569+1593= 2,162

In absolute sync, the two nightmares achieved what many could spend years trying to perfect in their attacks. Odin's slash lifted Sloth into the air, the strength of the Lich powering the attack and making the follow-up from Erebus all too easy. The moment Sloth went up, reaching the equilibrium between the upwards force and the downward gravity, he was pulled straight back down by Erebus, crashing into the ground without any chance to react. The force of the attack was enough to destroy the area around them, surprising even Odin, who hadn't quite realised the level of strength Erebus possessed. For one who often used daggers or his magic, it was a rare sight to see him use his simply, brute strength in an attack.

And it worked. All too easily, Sloth landed on the ground, the shade's mouth starting to show blood from the likely burst lungs and broken ribs he now possessed. Odin would waste no time as his foe landed on the ground. Now recovered from his initial attack, Odin would swing the cleaver round in an arcing motion, before using all his force to strike directly down the man's neck. With the finesse of a dancer, the blade of the axe cut a neat line through the man's neck, as his head flew out to the side, separated from the body. Sloth had been defeated, and his body began to fade away into darkness. Before long, all that remained was a little black book, sealed by magic and containing the Bishop's power.

Collecting the book, Odin would begin to make his way back to Dahlia, with Erebus by his side. They had killed one, albeit a weak bishop. The next step was the real threat: to Era. And to Gluttony.

-Exit-

1750+/1750

When the decapitation was over, Erebus let the foot go raising his brows with the look of a painful wince, it was no sunrise he dropped the foot— too which it hit the ground limp. He watched as petals of black spectral energy lifted until the being was no longer in eye’s sight. The Mage and Lich were silent, since that’s really all there was in this moment— silent, approaching, chaos. Erebus watched Odin grab the bishop’s book, and curiously narrowed an eyebrow.

What were those things called again? He could hardly remember. They were something special though, responsible for these monsters and their power no doubt.

Erebus had little interest over anything else. He motioned a large bubble to approach from the trees, carrying The Many Faced Queen with them again— this time the target was in Era. So Erebus decided half heartedly that he would need to rest before they tried to kill another one of these super bosses. The fact of the matter was that in a short 48 hours, Erebus had just fought two pretty strong foes. He wondered then, does that mean he’s finally at the table with the mages? He was hand selected by Odin, that must have been for good cause. No matter, whatever the case or job, Erebus was there to fulfill it’s purpose. He was a man of simple living, and refusing a challenge was out of his norm.

Sloth’s death was Odin’s catch. Erebus had to commend the fact Odin never seemed to drop a gasp or anything, he merely sought his inevitable victories; it did not matter how long they took, Odin would always be waiting for the moment of action. That’s what made him a good leader to rebels without causes. Someday Erebus would need to know more about this skeleton, but for now, he lent his talents and pressed on into the morrow.

“After that, you owe me a steak and a bottle.” The Bubble Mage jested, peeling dried blood off the shoulder he’d been stabbed in earlier that night. The hardening and inflammation were beginning to discomfort him, he’d need a hospital visit to avoid an infection. That was certain.

1 down— 6 to go right?

The next target— Gluttony.

2500+/2500

-Exit & End-