Outfit:

Ittindi swore as he read the report again, he had been assigned to Joya, the last time he was there was under a different banner. Reflecting on his time with he knew that this would greatly please Naki, they had been wanting to visit this universe’s Joya for ages. He knew that it would only help expand his power, but he had anxiety about the visit. Deciding that the only cure to it was finding an even better suit than the one he wore for Halloween last year. After browsing selection after selection he had found the one, going to change he’d get in his mana car when an idea occurred to him. He’d send a message to his new apprentice Lady Talham to meet him in Joya, better to see how she operates in the field. They couldn’t spend all their training in the luxury of the academy. If she needed a ride he’d pick her up in his mana car, though they’d have to stop in inns and such on the way there.  It reminded him he probably needed to find out more about her background, Ittindi had a bad habit of not caring about people’s past it had come up quite a few times since assuming his new post.


When he arrived in the village there was an older village elder outside to greet them. Ittindi would bring his car to a stop stepping out in his latest fashion statement. Regardless of how Lady Talham had arrived to Joya he’d drive her to the village. He caught a couple of the looks of others in the village, to them he probably seemed extravagant, especially when he spoke, and the visible Rune Knight ankh tattoo emblazoned on his tongue. Indeed, the ministry of Communication was a fitting place.

”Greetings are you Elder Takumi? If not could you perhaps lead me to them, I’m here on the council’s request regarding your issue. I heard that the Shinigami Convocation is facing similar problems and stretched thin. I’m Colonel Ittindi and this here is Lady Talham.”

Ittindi would try to put it as tactfully as possible, after all the children of a village being possessed was quite a touchy subject. He would be able to transform easy enough and slow them down their speed, then it’d be up to him and Lady Talham to subdue them without serious harm.

Ittindi do you really plan on not using any weapons for possessed children, that might end up with you exploding you know? Or do you have better control of your powers then that?

Ittindi would let Naki’s question float freely with his mind, he hadn’t mentioned his control over his death explosion. Better that there were some secrets they both kept from each other, with the memories he saw in his dreams he knew there was still more from Naki. Elder Takumi would speak up his voice harsh from years of manual labor or some kind of smoking, Ittindi could quite pick up which. He was 5’ 5” hunched over, and seemed to be able to move at faster pace than you would expect from his stature.

”Yes I am Takumi, I was expecting someone a little more…well strong to show up to our request. Will you be able to handle the children, there are more than you think. Who knows when this all started but it’s come to a head, so many of our youth possessed.”

Targa adjusted her top hat, her fingers brushing over the smooth fabric as she admired her reflection in the carriage’s small mirror. She was dressed to impress in her signature Monopoly suit that had been given a touch of flair for the occasion. A crimson silk scarf wrapped around her neck to add pop and color to the usual black tie, and a matching pocket square added a bold accent to the charcoal ensemble. Her cane (non weapon) had been polished to perfection, its ebony surface gleaming under the warm light of the morning sun. She smiled glad that the sun didn't effect her. She had heard stories growing up that vampires couldn't exist in the sun, but it turned out they could. She wondered how much "lore" she had heard over the years was incorrect.

Sitting across from her in the carriage was her new traveling companion, Monty. A small, adorable moogle perched on a leather seat in the carriage, his white fur sleek and fluffy. His fluffy body tucked into a neatly tailored suit of his own that matched her style, complete with a miniature tie, but that had cut outs for his wings. He was flipping through a book almost too large for him, one that seemed to contain various notes and records about Joya and its local troubles. Twirling her cane idly she started to talk to her new friend. "So, Monty, today we meet my mentor Ittindi. The last time I saw him... well, things got a bit intense." Monty peered up from his book, his tiny wings giving a light flutter as his pom pom bobbed in curiosity. "Kupo? Intense, you say? How intense are we talking, Lady Targa?"

Targa smirked at his question, her gaze turning distant as she tried to put the experience into words. "My first transformation happened in front of him. I wasn’t ready for it.. the pain... the hunger.. the overwhelming need to... to lose myself. It felt like my entire body was being torn apart and rebuilt at the same time." She paused, tapping her cane on the floor of the carriage as the memory played in her mind. "I thought I was going to hurt him. I wanted to hurt him. No, that's not right. I wanted to feed off him. It doesn't' actually hurt. He would have enjoyed it. Being fed on is pleasurable and euphoric for both parties."

Monty blinked, lowering his book. "Kupo... but you didn’t, right? I mean, you’re here now, so clearly it worked out somehow." Targa smiled at the craziness of the question given how powerful Ittandi was. "No, I didn’t. Somehow, I managed to pull back. And instead of running or trying to stop me, he just stood there, calm as ever, watching me. After it was all over, he made me a promise. He made a deal with me that if I impressed him enough and if I pushed myself to my limits and beyond that he’d let me feed on him. On his special blood... well I think that's what he said. To be honest the whole thing is a complete blur so I may have gotten the words wrong... that or I imagined the whole thing and he didn't say any of it at all."

Monty’s pom pom stiffened in surprise. "What?! Kupo! That’s... quite the offer, Lady Targa. You’re saying he trusts you that much? Or maybe he’s just crazy." "Maybe a bit of both," Targa admitted with a loud laugh that caught herself off guard.  Monty nodded holding up his hand into a fist as if they had already succeeded. "Kupo! Then we’ll show this General Ittindi just how strong you are. Together, Lady Targa, we’ll make sure those children are subdued safely!" "Together indeed, but I'm not sure he's a General. You should call him a private to see how he reacts!" She reached out to adjust Monty’s tie, earning an warm "Kupo!".

As the carriage rolled into the village of Joya, Targa got out with her companion Monty. She scanned the area until they found Ittindi, as calm and composed as ever despite the grim situation. She strode toward him with confidence, her cane clicking rhythmically against the stone path. She wanted to give at least the air of a dignified woman given his own superb elegance.  "Mentor," she greeted, tipping her hat with a graceful flourish. "Lady Talham, reporting as requested." She gestured lightly to Monty, who gave a polite bow. "And this is Monty, my trusted companion. Shall we see what chaos the day has in store?" "Kupo, Hello private. I'm Monty!"

WC: 771
TWC: 771

Ittindi was shocked not just by his apprentice and her manners after their last encounter, but by some tacky white creature. It would appear besides Lady Talham calling for a private? Ittindi would turn his head left and right seeing if there were any other Rune Knights around before realizing that he was who the creature was speaking too.

”Colonel Ittindi, I worked hard for that rank. I’ve brought a companion of my own as well. Meet Sylvia my partner.”

Sylvia would purr as she hopped out of the car and went to rub against Ittindi’s leg affectionately. The tuxedo cat would have a collar/cloth piece that mirrored the front of a tuxedo a cat as stylish as their master. Though she didn’t seem to be capable of speech, Ittindi was fine with that, though on nights he swore he heard the meowing as if practicing syllables for the future.

Ittindi could feel the companion of Lady Talham judging his worth, a horrible choice. He represented more than good or evil, Ittindi was the cycle, the enforcer of order, whether that be death or the law, but only in places that mattered. To call him corrupt would be inaccurate, but to call him good would be as well. The men around him called him apathetic justice, the things he cared about seemed sporadic, but none could contest that his discipline and commitment when those eyes lit up.

”We’ll have to impress this village Lady Talham, they think we are weak due to our penchant for fashion. I hope you’re ready to see my own transformation, it isn’t nearly as impressive as yours. But everything will slow around me including you I apologize in advance for that.”

Ittindi would say to his mentee as they started to follow Elder Takumi through the village, it wouldn’t be long until Ittindi’s senses were going off. He knew that the fight was coming sooner than the elder suspected. He’d monitor his apprentice to see if they were aware, but after he felt that there was enough to encircle them he’d transform.

As he grew to larger proportions he’d breathe out a miasma the large spell circle appearing on his face. Unlike usual, the miasma would drop and become a part of his black mist aura. Everyone would suffer from a debuff to their speed including the children who were just emerging from their surroundings to ambush them. 10 children in total carrying an assortment of weapons sickles, sticks, pitchforks anything makeshift that could do damage. Even worse there was dried and wet blood on some of the weapons indicating they already had victims.
”Non Lethal only Lady Talham, if you fear for you or your companions life call out to me. Sylvia to the sky they can’t get you there.”

Sylvia would take to the sky as Ittindi prepared himself, 6 of the children would angle towards his giant form towering at 8 Feet 9 inches. With their speed sapped, Ittindi and his glowing golden hue of divinity would have no problem hitting one of the first children with a giant right hook. They’d go flying a little further than Ittindi intended but he had Sylvia to heal any serious injuries after. The child would get back up as the other 5 would start stabbing, slashing for any part of Ittindi they could reach. He’d welcome it while spinning in a circle partially of his blood to rip their weapons from the children. Before clotheslining 3 other children. The other two were trying to find their weapons when Ittindi lunged forward to the first child he hit away.

Now I see the fun in fighting children Ittindi, you can do things you’d never try in normal combat. You’ve got our heart racing over such meaningless combat. I hope you’re keeping an eye on your apprentice she is slower now thanks to us.”

Spells Used:

WC: 648
TWC: 1,223

Monty hopped onto Targa’s shoulder, his pom pom bouncing as he leaned in close. “Private, kupo? Really? You couldn’t have called him Colonel? Do you know how much trouble you’ve gotten me in now, kupo?” he chided in an exaggeratedly offended tone, crossing his little arms and puffing up his cheeks. Targa blinked obviously feigning ignorance in her own exaggerated facial expressions before the moogle began to playfully swipe his paws at her face like a cartoon boxer, his little wings and tiny fluffy paws flapping rapidly for added flair. "Kupo! Kupo! Take that for dragging me into this!" he teased, batting at her with mock seriousness.

She couldn’t help herself. Her usually refined demeanor cracked and she let a snorted ugly laugh, doubling over slightly as she reached up to catch him. “Alright, alright, you win!” she said, giggling as she ruffled the fur atop his head. “Private Monty, I apologize profusely for my unforgivable blunder. Forgive me?” Monty paused as he was clearly enjoying her laughter before nodding with a satisfied "Kupo!" He nuzzled into her hand as she gently patted him on the head. “You’re lucky I’m a forgiving moogle,” he said with mock sternness, though his pom pom glowing brightly gave him away.

Targa took a deep breath to regain her composure, her elegant mask slipping back into place, though her eyes still showing with amusement. It was then that the children began to approach, some with bloody weapons in hand. As they moved to assist Ittindi, Targa and Monty felt the telltale slowing effect of his miasma spell. She was sharp enough to notice the faint black mist oozing from his transformation, even as it began to weigh on her movements. Her steps became debilitated, her reflexes dulled, but she pressed on to the best of her ability. “There,” she called out, pointing her cane toward a nearby alley where a pair of children lurked, clutching kitchen chefs knives that were dripping with fresh blood. “Monty, stay close and fly up as far as you can. Stay out of the way.” “Kupo, don’t worry about me!” Monty replied as he flew as high as possible to catch up with the dapper cat. “Two more behind that cart, kupo! And one’s under the pile of hay over there!”

Targa relayed the positions to Ittindi, her voice clear and commanding as she moved to the edges of the fight to keep track of the hiding children. She admired how methodically her mentor was dealing with the possessed and subduing them with his newfound size and strength without causing lethal harm. It was a impressive sight seeing him in his towering form. She was trying to stay out of the way for the most part and was taking the role of a scout and calling out where they were over trying to fight them. Targa was worried her crash magic would be too damaging to hold back on small children and didn't want to get too close to them if they were bleeding and have another transformation episode.

Still, even in the middle of battle, she smirked, unable to resist a sly flirty comment. He would know it's a joke as Targa was flirty by nature and didn't many anything by it. “My my my, you’ve grown in more ways than one since the last time we met.”

The slowing effect of his transformation spell made it harder to dodge and react, but it also gave her an appreciation for the technique’s utility. “Noted,” she thought to herself. “Slows down everyone in range, friend or foe. A dangerous but effective tactic. I’ll need to be sharper next time to compensate. I wonder if it only effects those on the ground or if it's a dome like effect. I'll have to ask him after we help the town. If I can fly above it, I would be of more use in combat with him.” Monty, still perched high, called down again, “Kupo! Three more coming from the eastern path. They’ve got pitchforks!”

Targa turned and began calling out directions to Ittindi again, her movements annoyingly sluggish but she did her best as she worked to keep track of the children without putting herself in unnecessary danger. Even with the slowing effects weighing her down, she was determined to prove her worth alongside her mentor. She had no doubt he was watching her just as much as the possessed children, and she intended to meet his expectations... flirty jokes aside.

WC: 750
TWC: 1521

Ittindi would listen as his mentee would give orders to their companion, worrying for others was always a good sign in building someone up who wanted to stray from the evil of their race. It wasn’t hard to understand why, of all the supernatural races vampire seemed to be the most associated directly with evil right behind a lich. Ittindi had never seen a real lich, though he feared that with every death he approached the lines of that race. The next instructions were for Ittindi as Lady Talham would describe where the other children were that were missing from their initial rush. Ittindi assumed they’d angle off for Lady Talham but instead they were hiding in different locations waiting for their time to ambush the Giant form of Ittindi. Whoever possessed or controlled the children seemed to have a moderate amount of tactical knowledge. He wondered if it was a mage or the actual spirits of the dead.

He still had the 2 children in front of him as the 3 he had clotheslines groaned while slowly getting back to their feet. Ittindi would do a sweeping kick, the children would try to dodge again, they were slowly catching onto the fact that their movement was hindered. Not in time for his kick though, as the two children who he sent into a nearby huts door stayed down for the count. He’d soon be rushed by 4 children, already keenly aware of their location from his mentee. His danger sense had been going off anytime one of the children closed in as well. It’s ability to pinpoint a source that was within 20 meters served as a secondary sight. Ittindi focus would be on the 3 clotheslined children, he’d let the 4 fresh come for his back. Thinking that he was unaware, that’s when he’d catch them off guard.

”I have many spells Lady Talham, but I can’t use my most powerful due to the nature of the mission. I imagine that’s what stalling you out, it must be hard to smell so much blood.”

Ittindi would respond to his mentee’s silly comment, wondering if they were using humor to deflect from the reality of the situation. If he had been aware of the request before appearing in the village he might have reconsidered bringing her. Not many things could paint a worse image of a village then a vampire drinking their children’s blood, some might even prefer the possession. He was impressed by the control so far, he wondered if they were worried about hurting a child with their crash magic.

Krshhhh

Another dagger sunk into Ittindi’s back, these children were relentless, better to end it quickly for most. There was only so much more blood he would lose before reviving, not something he wished to show his mentee in person just yet. Withdrawing his Naginata from the empty space in his heart or was it his soul? It’d emerge matching his size, being 11 feet from rod to tip of the blade.   He’d swing the rod side slapping all the children in non-vital areas. Not that he couldn’t hear some bones fracturing from the swing. In the background he could hear the elder’s and some of the other villagers who were peeking out of windows gasping with every hit. They thought Ittindi was sacrificing himself for the sake of the village. It’d only improve his image in the Rune Knights, he’d consider using his armor but the way it made him looked would scare the villagers more than the possessed.

I wondered if you’d use the rod side, be careful even the right bone break can prove to be fatal. They’re not trained in combat like most mages now days.”

Ittindi would heed Naki’s words as he slapped the next child lighter with the rod, instead of falling backwards they’d crumple on the ground going to a fetal position. He’d see the children approaching that Lady Talham or her minion had scouted. Unfortunately for them his miasma spread in all directions, they were moving slowly to their location as a result.

WC: 684
TWC: 1,917

Targa clenched her cane tightly in her gloved hand, her usually calm demeanor starting to crack under the growing weight of the situation. The coppery scent of blood hung thick in the air, pressing against her heightened senses like an oppressive force. The more she focused, the sharper the details became and she could practically feel every heartbeat, every drop of blood from the children’s injuries as though they were calling out to her. Her Vampiric Vision honed in on the sources, each child’s bleeding form lighting up like a beacon within her range. Even through walls, though she couldn’t see them directly, she knew exactly where they were, and the knowledge felt like a cruel test of her mental and emotional focus.

Her steps faltered for a moment as she caught the metallic tang of fresh blood from the child Ittindi had struck with the rod. She wobbled a bit back and forth before planting her cane down for leverage. The sound of their pained cry hit her like a hammer. The primal urge to act, to feed... clawed at her basic instincts. Her teeth began to grow craving the blood and ready to drink it all in, but she took a moment to steady herself, pressing her nails into her palm until the sharp sting brought her focus back. “Stay in control,” she muttered under her breath. “This isn’t you. You are more than this.” Monty, still perched high above, seemed to notice her struggle. “Kupo! Lady Targa, are you alright down there?” His voice carried genuine concern, and she forced herself to nod in reply. “I’m fine, Monty,” she called back, her voice strained. “Keep watching for more of them. You’re doing well.”

She turned her attention back to the task at hand, focusing on the children still hiding in various spots. “Colonel,” she called out to Ittindi, her voice louder now, “three more moving toward the south, near the woodpile. One is bleeding badly, but they might be slower than the others. I don't know why and I also think there are people hiding over there.” The mention of blood left an aftertaste on her tongue, and she bit down on her lip hard enough to draw her own blood, a tactic she’d learned to keep her instincts at bay, but it only worked so well and for so long. The taste of her own vitae was enough to temper the hunger, but it was a battle she knew she couldn’t sustain indefinitely.

Ittindi’s response reached her, calm and even as always. "It must be hard to smell so much blood," he said, almost casually. His words cut through her like a knife... not in cruelty, but in the painful truth they carried. He knew exactly what she was struggling with, and yet he didn’t offer pity or judgment, only acknowledgment. Targa forced a smile, though it lacked her usual confidence. “You could say that,” she replied, her voice laced with dry humor. “Though, you’re not exactly making it easier, Colonel. Swinging that weapon around like a chef tenderizing meat and getting stabbed yourself.”

Her flirty tone was an attempt to lighten the tension, but it fell flat even to her ears. The truth was, her control was slipping, and she knew it. Every crack of bone, every drop of blood spilling onto the ground, drew her closer to the edge. She found herself leaning against her cane as the hunger clawed at her insides. Focus. Focus. Focus. She repeated the mantra in her mind, trying to shut out the growing noise in her head. She needed a new strategy, something to redirect her instincts before she gave in. Monty’s voice snapped her out of her spiral. “Kupo! Another two by the eastern wall and one’s hurt bad. They’re losing a lot of blood!” His words hit her like a staff across the face and she clenched her teeth, refusing to let her body betray her.

“Thank you, Monty,” she managed to yell, her voice tight. She turned to Ittindi, her pink eyes staring to glow faintly as her Vampiric Vision flared to life, making every bleeding child stand out like a vivid star in the darkness. “Colonel, if you can draw their attention, I’ll focus on keeping track of the ones hiding. But you’ll need to act quickly... the ones losing blood won’t last long.” It may have sounded like a command but really it was a plea from his pupil. The sooner they wrapped this up, the sooner she could feed her self on some blood bags and get away from the children.

WC: 769
TWC: 2290