Match of the Millennium

Description: Deep in the heart of the Telluric Complex, Sacred Order's Biyu is tasked to go with the mysterious free agent Anji with an important mission--taking a sacred sword to the core of the complex and using it to shut down the core. However, something is standing in their way. Something diminuitive... but powerful.

[AMANDINE]
The core of the Telluric Complex has been the ominous core for many of the strange happenings here in Illyria. As dark powers have risen to prominence, ancient things have awoken and began to stir. For the Sacred Order and its allies, getting to the bottom of this means venturing to the core itself and bringing the sword of the Last Kings to bear against it.

There was something odd here; if the others have been before they know full well about the eldritch power that seems to flow through this place, and the inherent strangeness that resonates in this place. Whatever ancient machinery has begun to stir has made that feeling even worse---like a lingering electricity in the air. That build-up of static when one can tell that touching something will result in a static shock, except it never quite goes away. It simply sits there constantly.

Dullahans, empty suits of armor powered by strange energy, stand at attention around, their swords and shields at the ready.

Besides them there seems to be nothing between Anji, Biyu, and that pulsating core in the center of the gear at the very heart of the castle...or is there?

[BIYU]
It's been a hard fight, getting here. The heart of the Telluric Complex is deep inside the place, as one would expect; Biyu and Sophia had breached the control complex previously, but Potemkin's inteference, even though he was ultimately run off, forced the Chinese archaeologist to back off as well. Still... it's been an interesting, interesting time. Both in the Chinese meaning and in a more regular one. This--Illyria--is the kind of discovery that would make her career for life. It _would_ be a career for life, combing through the secrets of the place, not to mention learning about the mysterious technology buried in it. It's something she'll have to think about....

If they survive. Right now, however, she's focusing on accompanying Anji, the bearer of the key to shutting down the dark forces infesting Illyria. As such, she's geared for action, wearing all-black tactical clothing, her saber out and readied--and her everpresent Knight Arm floating beside her, it's clawed hand clenched into a fist.

"Not much further to go now, Anji..."

[ANJI]
For Anji this mission is one he felt was squarely on his shoulders. His curiousity got the better of him and before fully taking a look into the sword he pulled he set into motion a crazy series of events. A shame that he would have to get rid of the sword to put an end to things. He thought it might have made a nice gift to Baiken, but that isn't really an option. He made a mistake and he looks to fix it.

For the most part he didn't mention how he came across the sword to Biyu or the others. It is more he passed it off as finding out that said sword could help put an end to what is going on right now. As for how he really got the sword that will probably be something he keeps to himself until the day he dies. That day also might be sooner than later given where he and Biyu are.

"I traveled these paths so thankfully we avoided most of the trouble. I think we won't be lucky now." he murmurs and points a fan at the guardians of the core. "Prepare yourself."

[AMANDINE]
The Dullahans pace with a listless gait. They seem to have nowhere to go, nowhere to be but here. Perhaps guarding this chamber is their only purpose. From time to time a bizarre chi spirit flashes through the air, a strange manifestation of the sinister power here. While certainly not tranquil or relaxing, this place does have a certain peace to it, albeit one coupled with lingering dread. Once Biyu and Anji make it through the Dullahans, perhaps this will be eas--

A long, steady grind echos through the complex.

Another one follows, almost rhythmically. It sounds as if someone is dragging something large and heavy. A third follows that one, and then--

"Well, well, well," echoes a commanding feminine voice. "It seems I wasn't the first one here after all. I knew this little wretch's legs would slow me down a bit, but it seems you made it worth my time at least."

With another long grind, a humanoid figure comes into view among the Dullahans. It's...a very short woman, short enough to be confused for a child at not quite five feet. She is dressed in gothic lolita style clothing, but she looks...soggy. Waterlogged.

Like a drowning victim.

Her voice has a presence that does not match her body at all. "You were too kind to bring me that sword--oh no, don't speak up, I know that's not why you _brought_ it but that's why it's here _now_." She pulls a length of dense chain, dragging a long, black cauldron behind her. It's carved feet--like those of an animal--drag across the floor again. Water crests out of it, splashing on the floor.

"Now don't get any ideas. Give it here." She extends a hand, expectantly.

[BIYU]
Biyu pulls up short. Fighting the listless Dullahans she would have expected--even with avoiding most of the terrible things thanks to Anji's explorations of the complex. But...

Well, but then Amandine happens, although of course Biyu doesn't know her name. She is in fact child-sized, but there's nothing else about her that says it. At all. Not the voice, not her presence. Biyu can _feel_ the dark intent rolling off her in waves, or so she quite fancifully imagines. The Chinese woman steps forward, the Knight Arm giving off a low hum as it swoops in next to her. Both the curved blade of her saber and parts of the arm begin to light up, circuit-like patterns being traced in a blue-green glow as they both respond to Biyu's heightened emotional and sensory states.

"You're crazy if you think _that's_ going to happen..." Shaking her head, she takes a closer look and it registers on her, how Amandine looks, and she shares a glance with Anji. Fighting her -and- the Dullahans...? And what's with the -cauldron-...?

[ANJI]
Well that was certainly not something Anji had expected to run into. A brow quirks when Amadine makes her presence known and she seems to be dragging a rather heavy, water filled cauldron behind her. "Hmm." He taps a fan against the top of his head while thinking then he points towards the rather small woman that requests the sword. "Far be it from me to refuse a lady's request, but I think it is best I do so this time around."

A flick of a wrist produces a second fan and Anji unfolds them both fully as he holds them up to mostly conceal himself. He is taking in the sight of Amandine and considering things as he looks to her then to the cauldron then back to her. "Do be careful." He tells Biyu. "I have a feeling size does not matter when it comes to ability in this case. This will be one last little obstacle before we put an end to all of this."

His attention turns back to Amandine and he gives a smile. "Anji Mito. I do believe we have to subdue you."

[AMANDINE]
The tiny woman brushes her hair back with a flip, then lifts the back of her hand in front of her face. Her smile is haughty, almost mischievous in a way.

"Ohhh ho ho ho!" the laugh is an irritating, noblewoman's sort of laugh. It echoes through the chamber as well, even making the Dullahans rattle just a little. "Oh, no dear, I believe you're the one who is crazy. You see, I know precisely what you're here for. You think you're going to use that sword to stop all this..." she gestures around the room, "and that I'm going to let you do it."

"Oh, but this boy has manners. He's also a fool, but he does have manners. Save for that little short joke there." The woman waves dismissively. "No matter. This is only a host body, not an ideal one, I assure you, but she'll serve her purpose well enough. To be fair, even _I_ was surprised at this one, but I guess you'll find out why soon enough, won't you? Maybe if you're fortunate, I'll even let you join my collection!" She claps her hands together, and the Dullahans turn. Several begin to approach.

"I've already gotten a few of these delightful little trinkets, and look how obedient they are!"

Two Dullahans clamber up the cauldron, plunging into a swirling whirlpool that has formed in it. They seem to just disappear into its depths. "...obedient, but FAR less useful than the bauble shackled to this wretched little woman. Look at how well it channels my power!" She claps her hands together excitedly, watching the cauldron work.

But then she turns back to look at them. "--so what are you waiting for? You're going to come at me now, aren't you? Isn't this what you mortals do? Come charging in to slay the dragon?" A pause. "Yes. Dragon! --goodness, this body is certainly not initimidating, is it?"

COMBATSYS: Amandine has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Amandine         0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Biyu has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Amandine         0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Anji has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Amandine         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
                                  >  //////////////////////////////]
                                  |=------\-------\0             Biyu

[BIYU]
"Right," Biyu murmurs to Anji... before that irritating laugh begins. Oh, god. She's a stereotype! Biyu isn't laughing, though, as the dullahans begin climbing into the cauldron. "Keep that thing safe," she says, to Anji, before she dashes forward. The girl--the host body? Host body for -what-?--looks... well, looks small. Biyu has no idea how this cauldron works but she has a feeling, a deep-seated, instinctual feeling borne of experience and many hours of horror films and pop culture TV shows--that the armor isn't just disappearing into that cauldron. So she'll take it upon herself to try and take the girl away from the large iron pot.

And the easiest expedient for that is to convert her forward dash into a low lunge, skimming across the floor of the core, then tapping her feet down to convert the lunge into a long, fast jump, seeking to flash past the small woman, to reach out with her left hand. To snag her around the shoulder or an arm and, if she gets that grip, to suddenly and violently alter her momentum down into the ground and use the transference of kinetic energy to hurl Amandine through an overhead wheel throw, straight for a wall.

COMBATSYS: Amandine blocks Biyu's Wheel the Monkey.

[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Amandine         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                  |==-----\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
"A dragon? Hmm, how curious."

He says little more because he is rather distracted by the dullahan's trying to climb into the pot. He eyes it a bit warily and makes not to keep tabs on whatever seems to be going on there. For now this poor possessed woman will have the majority of his focus. Biyu also seems more than ready to rush forward and take the fight to Amandine, but Anji stays back for now. His fans snapping shut as he extends and arm and lightly waves the fan towards Amandine.

There is a little crackle and a gathering light that takes the form of a butterfly that lightly flits away from his fan and moves towards Amandine. He makes sure the positioning is set to where Biyu shouldn't get in the way as it sails towards Amandine. If may float by harmlessly, but if it touches Amandine at all the form seems to shift as it floats upwards after contact, becoming more avian like as it streaks down like a lightning bolt to slam into Amandine once more.

COMBATSYS: Amandine endures Anji's Shitsu.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Amandine         0/-------/-----==|=======\-------\0             Anji
                                  >  ///////////////////////////// ]
                                  |==-----\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
The girl flexes the chain, pulling it taut between her hands. She watches the two with interest until Biyu moves swifly toward her. The lunge closes the gap in an instant, and then she's in Biyu's grip. The girl proves...solid, troubling so, in fact, considering her petite frame. Even so she gets hefted up and tossed overhead, soaring through the air--until she tugs on the chain and pulls herself short. She slams back down to the ground heavily, taking deep breaths.

"This damn...tiny body..." she mutters to herself dusting the ruffles of her dress. She doesn't seem too worse for the wear. As she turns, however, there's a butterfly. It floats toward her, getting in close, before she swats at it.

The bolt hits her head on, staggering her backward a few steps while shaking her head.

"Oh, you two are actually competent! Color me surprised. You wouldn't believe how many thiefs get in here just to die to the Dullahans. It's kind of funny, really." She waves a hand around. "But enough about that."

The cauldron starts to burble and churn further, picking up steam. With a sharp tug, it slides across the floor of the complex, rolling onto its side to splash surging, chi-infused waters at Biyu!

COMBATSYS: Tantalus has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0             Anji
[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Amandine         0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Tantalus gathers its will.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0             Anji
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Amandine         0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Amandine successfully hits Biyu with On Troubled Waters.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////// ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0             Anji
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Amandine         0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0             Biyu

[BIYU]
There's a brief moment where Biyu considers her options--and then braces herself. It's quite a flood, however, and Biyu would be bowled over by the surge of waters--unnatural waters charged with power. Except for the Knight Arm, which--in a manner most unusual--*braces* her against the flood, pressed up agains her back like it were part of a larger being putting it's shoulder behind her.

It doesn't mitigate any of the impact--in fact, it might even enhance it in some way--but it lets Biyu maintain her position relative to the dragon's water aspect--for that's what this must be.

"This is gonna be tough," she remarks, as she rocks in place, regaining her footing. But... a lot of things in life have been tough for her. It's never dissuaded her yet. And there is SO much at stake.

The saber in Biyu's right hand glows as she feeds power to it--raw chi being converted into magical energy--and then she lashes it around her in a swift flourish, that collected energy slashing out in a wide, thin arc of blue-green energy that hisses out towards the dragon.

[ANJI]
So a woman possessed by a dragon with a strange cauldron that has powers of its own. Anji thinks things over and look over towards Biyu. "Shall I distract her and you relieve her of that big cauldron?"

That might be the source of her power. Then again it might be best to deal with that thing once Amandine is downed. So many options to make. For now he decides to try and keep the attention of the short lady.

He decides to move forward and close the distance between himself and Amandine as he rushes the short lady. He leaps into the air and twists about in a graceful manner. His intention is to come straight down with both feet to slam the heels onto the top of Amandine's head then push off to leap forward and past her to once again put some distance between the two.

COMBATSYS: Amandine just-defends Biyu's Ringing the Gong!

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\0             Anji
[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Amandine         0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Anji successfully hits Amandine with Kai.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Amandine         0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
The dragon-possessed chef seems practically gleeful when Biyu is washed aside by the wave. The cauldron rocks and lands back on its feet, splashing out water to the sides once again. When Biyu returns fire with a mighty chi slash, the Water Aspect gives the cauldron's chain a sharp pull to interpose it between them.

The chi smashes into the cauldron with a flash, dissipating as the tiny fighter ducks behind it for cover. "Such bountiful energy too...delicious!"

But as she quips Anji descends from the sky. He lands on her head solidly, pushing the tiny terror forward onto her face with enough force to crack the ground. "Rrgh," she mutters, planting her palms on the ground and climbing back to her feet, rising slowly before dusting herself off.

And as she does, she pulls the chain taut again. With a great yank, she swings it around like a flail, bringing it around overhead to try and smash Anji with it as he keeps moving.

"Oh, you can try to run, but everything here is MINE!"

[BIYU]
A brief, but probably very richly flavored, curse in a mixture of Chinese and German escapes Biyu's lips as she sees the results of her attack. No... not good. Not good at all. That cauldron... at least Anji is keeping Amandine busy, but Biyu needs to resassess her strategy.

Not being, you know, powered by Dragon Inside(tm), she is not sanguine about her chances of moving the cauldron all by herself. Fortunately...

She doesn't have to. She stills herself, for just a moment, concentrating; that blue-green energy flaring underneath and through the Knight Arm's technomagical circuitry flares in response, and she bites her lower lip a little--then she reaches out with her left hand, sweeping it out to her side--then sweeps it around as if she were clearing off a table.

And, just as bidden, the Knight Arm does the same--at a distant remove, slashing around with a closed fist to slam into the cauldron, an attempt to separate dragonchef and her tool of destruction.

COMBATSYS: Anji blocks Amandine's Mix Stir Beat.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[      \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         0/-------/=======|=====--\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
His movements are quick and graceful, but not quick enough to fully remain out of reach of Amandine's wrath. Truth be told he wasn't expecting her to heft up that cauldron and use it as a weapon. His brows quick some as he sees the giant cauldron coming downwards and he has little time to do much else than to cross his fans overhead.

There is a heavy impact, but somehow those large fans don't break, though the force of the strike drives Anji down to his knees, but he isn't at least crushed full under the force of the blow. He pushes back with the fans and goes into a backwards roll to get out from under the cauldron. Any longer under that weight would be abit too much for him and he see's Biyu's arm look to deliver a heavy strike to it so he rather not be in the way of that.

Instead he darts about and closes in Amandine once again. His fans coming forward as he looks to clap the closed objects over each ear of Amandine to try and disorient her.

COMBATSYS: Amandine endures Biyu's Harkenklaueschlag.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Anji successfully hits Amandine with Aggressive Strike.
- Power hit! -

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Tantalus         1/-----==/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
The Water Aspect possessing Amandine begins that awful laugh once again as the cauldron falls to the side and rolls upright once more with a splash of water once again. "Oh, is that a bit much for you, mortal? I would have thought someone with that sword would have--"

There's a heavy clang as Biyu's golem fist smashes into the cauldron, launching it like a projectile back toward its owner. It grinds across the floor of the chamber before smashing into Amandine, driving her back into a skid as she has to set her heels to stop it from running over her entirely.

"Oh, how CHEEKY!" she retorts, hoisting herself up onto the brim to get a look at Biyu. Unfortunately for her, doing so suddenly turns the situation into a game of whack-a-mole as she raises her head over the cauldron only to get fans smashed into both sides. She staggers backward with a stumble, rubbing her head as her ears ring.

"Damn this tiny body...can't even see over her own weapon, how do mortals even--urgh, no matter!" The possessed chef shakes her head, plants both hands on the cauldron, then overturns it. A great wave rushes out toward Anji, threatening to sweep him off his feet and smash him into the chamber wall!

--and almost as soon as it does, more Dullahans gather. The cauldron starts to bubble and churn, drawing in lingering chi from the core and the surrounding area as it refills the missing water.

COMBATSYS: Tantalus gathers its will.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////    ]
Tantalus         1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/-----==/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[BIYU]
Successful! ... Maybe. Or maybe Biyu just caused more problems for Anji. "Anji, watch out!" Okay it's cheesy but she can't help it, she's got to try and warn her erstwhile ally--as if he wouldn't _notice_ a big wave of water surging towards him. Biyu just... remembers vividly how it felt to get slammed with an attack like that. Still smarts.

Maybe she can DO something about Amandine, though. So diminuitive... She's still controlling her Knight Arm, still focusing on it, though she's closing in on Amandine as well, stalking forward, sword in her right hand, her left moving with purpose, the Knight Arm matching her movements as she reaches back, then thrusts her left hand forward, opening the hand, the Knight Arm reaching out for Amandine to grab her--by the head, by the shoulder, by the arm--and just, as Biyu spins to her right, fling her in that direction.

COMBATSYS: Anji blocks Amandine's Wash Away The Human Germ.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Tantalus         1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
Anji gives a hop back as he opens a fan somewhat to hide his face partially. Mostly to hide the smirk he has at seeing Amandine struggle with her own cauldron after him and Biyu managed to do well to put a good hurt on her. "Going to keep blaming your body? I am a bit disappointed in you so far Madam Dragon."

Perhaps not the best course of action. Mostly because Anji soon finds that cauldron tipped over and a huge wave of chi infused water looking to wash him away and right into the wall. The fans unfurl fully this time as Anji uses it them both to cover up as best he can. Water splashes off of him and there is the sound of his sandals scraping against the floor as he is still pushed back by the sheer force.

"You are not the only one that can use that power." Anji replies as he gives the fans of shake to dry them off somewhat. He then snaps them shut when surging forward again. The water lingering on the fan mixing with his own water like energy that trails off each fan as he comes in quick once more to deliver two more fan strikes, though this time imbued with his own energy.

COMBATSYS: Amandine blocks Biyu's Medium Throw.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Tantalus         1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1             Anji
[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Amandine blocks Anji's Fuujin.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Tantalus         1/-======/=======|=======\=------\1             Anji
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
Amandine turns toward Biyu as she approaches, glancing up in time to see the approaching Knight Arm. Both gloved hands come up in a block, Amandine grappling with the Knight Arm with deceptive strength--especially for something so tiny. She spins with the throw, sliding across the ground several feet.

"I'll have you know that dragons are the most majestic of creatures. If you were try such a tiny and terrible form, I assure you that your attitude would be much the same!"

But then there's a wave of water like chi accommpanying the fanstrikes, which smash into a tight cross-block on Amandine's part. She takes the blow and then surges forward, swinging into a headbutt toward Anji before he can fully recover from the sweep.

[BIYU]
"Well... maybe we will get to see it. That's incentive enough for me to get out of here alive," remarks Biyu. She drops control of the arm after Amandine defends against the attempt to sling her towards the wall; it floats back to its guard position, humming slightly with the increased power flow it's demanding from Biyu. The archaeologist closes in, sweeping her blade through an intricate flourish as she goes, booted feet dancing lightly across the floor in a beautiful, elegant dance of approach--

--but when she nears Amandine, the form her attack takes is swift and straight, even if it is still beautiful, the blade's blue-green aura drawing a brief, arcing afterimage as she spins herself through a quick hop and brings the blade around and down, from left to right, almost looking to bisect the dragonchef from shoulder to hip.

COMBATSYS: Anji fails to counter Random Strike from Amandine with Sou.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Tantalus         1/-======/=======|=======\==-----\1             Anji
[              \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/--=====/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
Anji is already in motion when it seems his attack isn't as effective as the previous ones. Perhaps his goading is doing the opposite effect he was hoping for. He is bringing a fan about quickly looking to use it to just stop that headbutt from connecting cleanly, but the height of Amandine seems to throw off his timing and instead her forehead meets Anji's chin and making him stagger back and almost falling right over from the force of the strike.

"Well then...." he murmurs as he rubs at his chin with the back of a hand. "Maybe next time you will possess something a bit less tiny." he then smiles. "Oh, of course. There won't be a next time." he gives a helpless shrug. "Silly me for making such an assumption.

The strike is enough to keep him from rushing forward again though. He just decides to hold back and see what Amandine is going to do next and let Biyu hopefully get a hit in while he has the shorty distracted.

COMBATSYS: Amandine fails to interrupt Power Strike from Biyu with Tuxedo Bombe.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Tantalus         1/-======/=======|=======\==-----\1             Anji
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/-======/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
"Do you think I'd choose such an awful little body?" the Water Aspect hisses, baring teeth as Anji withdraws from her. She pulls the chain taut again, and Tantalus reacts in turn. Power draws out the atmosphere, from the leylines here, and focuses in the cauldron. The water inside bubbles and roils.

----------------------------------

Amandine, less soggy and water-logged, roamed the caverns of the Telluric Complex. Her eyes were red and nose runny. Her fight with Haruna earlier had left her chakras opened and while she'd technically come out on top, she certainly didn't feel like a winner. No, that awful woman had opened up her sinuses and tear ducts and left her a watery-eyed, runny-nosed mess. It was UNBECOMING OF A GROWN WOMAN! (Especially one who already gets sometimes confused for a child.) She was also terribly thirsty.

When she found the pool the water looked so clear, so...appealing. Not murky ground water--as a chef she CLEARLY knew the difference. This was cool, and refreshing and safe to drink. She looked around carefully to make sure no one was watching, then bent down to get a little drink. (It was a short drip.)

"GREETINGS, MORTAL!" the draconic, slightly hissing voice of the Water Aspect boomed through the cavern. It's serpentine form rose from the waters of the pool, shaping into something there-but-not-there. An ethereal dragon made of pure, chi-infused water. A sign of the dark magics of this place. The water of the pool seemed lower than it was before.

"I am greed made manifest. I am the scion of water, the herald of Kulshedra, the--" The water of the pool continued to steadily drain.

"Are you even listening, you little shit? I come to offer you power, to bargain for your so--STOP DRINKING THAT!"

----------------------------------

Amandine notices the approach of Biyu just a moment to late. She turns on her heels, thrusting backward with her hip to try and intercept the archaelogist's strike with a low-hit from her rump. Instead, she comes short. The blade cleaves down from shoulder to hip, water-like chi rushing forth and dampening the blow---but leaving the possessed chef staggering backward and away from her. She latches onto the cauldron, using it to keep herself standing.

"Hah...at least this awful little body has some some constitution..."

COMBATSYS: Tantalus gathers its will.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Tantalus         2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\==-----\1             Anji
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Amandine         1/-======/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
The way that cauldron is acting and if the creature possessing Amandine really is a dragon it is probably best to try and finish things quickly. While he and Biyu seem to be doing well enough he did make a mistake and he can't afford to make those again. "Well this is has been little tussle, madam dragon, but...."

He unfurls his fans once more and he idly waves one as if cooling himself. "We have some business to take care of and you are still in the way. Apologies for having to put you down." he then snaps the fans shut and rushes into action. Gusts of wind seem to pick up around him as he quickly surges forward and takes to the air. Twisting about like a corkscrew he almost becomes something of a tornado the way energy gathers around him and whirls about.

And he is coming downwards right at the top of Amandine's head once more. This time less a quick stomp and leap away, but a more powerful one with enough force to probably rob the poor possessed girl of more height if he connects full force.

[BIYU]
Biyu presses the attack. Even if Amandine looks like a kid, she is definitely NOT, and letting the fight go on further is only going to be more and more dangerous to her and Anji. They've both already felt the pain that she can bring with that water-aspected chi. It may not seem that way at first, since Biyu fades back a little--but even as she's fading back, she's punching forward with her left arm...

And of course, the Knight Arm responds, instantly and efficiently, pistoning out in a straight punch aimed for... well, at Amandine's size relative to the thick, beefy arm, her entire torso,the clawed hand curled into a fist.

"Keep going, Anji! We've got her on the ropes! We need to STOP THIS THING!!!"

COMBATSYS: Amandine just-defends Anji's Tenjinkyaku!

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Tantalus         2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|===----\-------\0             Anji
[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Amandine         1/-======/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Amandine endures Biyu's Medium Strike.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////             ]
Tantalus         2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|====---\-------\0             Anji
[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Amandine         1/=======/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
"Oh, how...interesting," says the Water Aspect, once again speaking through Amandine. The last word drips with venom, each syllable practically spit out of her mouth. "There's something special about you besides just that sword. I can smell it on you!" And then suddenly Anji takes to the air in a whirlwind, crashing down upon Amandine like a human tornado.

Water surges around--from Amandine herself, from the cauldron, from the chi in the area. It surges about her to form a bubble, a dome above her head that shields her from the impact of the spiral.

"No," Amandine says. "Not yet!" She protests, the bubble bursting and likely saving her from a much worse fate. Even as it rains down upon her, however, Biyu is closing the gap with a dangerous punch. The fist---first her own, then that of the Golem---shoot forward toward Amandine as she recovers. She snarls, grits her teeth, and collides with it. She barrels into it, meeting it chest first as she gets driven back several feet from the impact. Even so, she manages to stand firm, firmly planted with supernatural toughness.

"Oh, yes, let's finish this!" the Water Aspect says, drawing the surrounding chi back into herself. She reaches forward to try and the still extended arm and use it to slam Biyu down with jarring force. If she does, she then whips her around in a toss, aiming to toss her right into the cauldron!?

If she goes uninterrupted, Amandine then moves to the cauldron with a wicked look on her face.

"Oh, yes! I think it's ready!"

[ANJI]
The cauldron is starting to be more of a problem than Anji had anticipated and it seems he was right thinking there is something more to it than just a weapon for Amandine to use. It seems it saves the tiny woman for the time being as Anji's impact is stopped and he is forced to push off and leap away to land a bit aways from Amandine.

"I would have no idea what you are talking about, but I will take it as a compliment." He probably does know what she is talking about, but far from him to admit anything. Even more so to a woman possessed by a dragon. All he can be thankful is the short reprieve of having Amandine focusing more on Biyu this moment and giving him a moment to debate on what he should do.

He waits until he thinks Amandine is sufficiently distracted as he comes from beind. A closed fan coming in low looking to take the woman's legs out from under her as he twists about and brings the other fan downwards to help her meet the ground that much more quickly.

COMBATSYS: Amandine successfully hits Biyu with Cooking by the Book.
- Power hit! -

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0             Anji
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         1/-------/=======|=======\======-\1             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
Slamming Biyu against the cauldron, Amandine then upends her INTO the swirling vortex within. The depths of the cauldron are a whirling, horrid mess of gathered chi that threatens to drown--or worse--anyone who falls inside. Amandine seems practically manic as Biyu goes in, and she begins that awful laugh once more, her hands extended in front of her and her fingers pointed skyward.

"Oh ho ho ho! Yes! Drown in my power, and then GIVE EVERYTHING TO ME!"

And with that, Amandine hoists the cauldron, hunkering down to get the lift she needs to pick the thing up over her head. It looks a bit ridiculously considering her size, but if there's one thing Amandine (possessed or otherwise) has demonstrated, it's monstrous strength.

Matters become even more absurd when she opens her mouth, tilts the cauldron up, and starts to guzzle down the contents. Biyu and Anji may need to act fast because Amandine--or the Water Aspect (?)--seems intent on emptying every last drop--Biyu included?!

[BIYU]
A moment's grimace from Biyu, almost the instant she reached the full extension of her attack. Overextended. She knows it'll cost her, almost even before Amandine grabs her. There isn't even time to brace herself, to do what she can to minimize the impact. No time for anything but a gritting of her teeth as she's upended, slammed into the floor, then into the thick iron of the cauldron, then tossed into the cauldron itsef.

Inside, that water chi almost overwhelms her; it's all she can do to maintain her sense of self, to not just give up. It feels... well, honestly, to her, it feels timeless, a moment stretched out and unbroken and yet, when she looks at it from her memory later, also an instant. She has no agency to protect herself from the cauldron--to free herself as all that power is dumped out, including her.

Fortunately her Knight Arm... does--sparking, twitching as its bonded owner is abused, but still able to act, to sweep through the flood of water chi and snag Biyu and yank her out of the stream and to safety.

It's another one of those timeless moments before Biyu's eyes snap open, coming back to full alertness, full wakefulness, with a sudden shock and a wordless shout of pain--and an intense moment memory.

And then she rushes forward. Screaming, wordlessly, trying to marshal all the pain, remembered and current, into motion, into an explosion of her own power. That sword of hers? It flares even brighter, the energy lashing through it brightening the runes until they become nearly indistinguishable, as she flies forward like a missile, sword cocked back to strike with a left to right slash. That would only be the opener, though--a cut to open up Amandine's defenses, to force the issue.

COMBATSYS: Amandine dodges Anji's Medium Throw.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|====---\-------\0             Anji
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         1/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Amandine endures Biyu's Dance of the Zephyr.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0             Anji
[                        \\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Tantalus successfully aids Amandine with #Catalyze#.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////            ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0             Anji
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         1/----===/=======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

When the slash connects, it's meant to blow Amandine's guard away, and then Biyu... flows. Like a cold wind, she cuts, and cuts, and cuts, weaving a deadly basket of green light around Amandine--countless slashes in a deadly dance, one that Biyu keeps up as slong as she can, a furious twenty seconds of it until she reels out of it with both hands on her saber, using her full body to power herself through a series of three flaring sword uppercuts, going into a full extension on the third and whipping her body all the way around back into a readied, guarded position.

[AMANDINE]
"You should!" Amandine snarls, chi-infused water running down her mouth. She goes back to guzzling the makeshift soup, taking in all that energy as Biyu comes precariously close to whatever fate accompanies being the last thing in the pot as Amandine empties it. Instead, a series of disasters follows for Amandine.

First, Biyu uses her Golem Arm to deftly escape the pot right as Amandine finishes the contents. She gulps the last of the watery mix down, shaking the pot several times when Biyu doesn't fall out. She seems to be unaware of the escape, perhaps having put too much investment in her ability to beat the other fighter senseless first.

Then Anji comes up behind her, sweeping the leg. Amandine turns, just in time, and thus hurls the pot away from herself. The chain drags, pulling her just out of reach of the sweep. (Not that she had far to go to the ground.)

"Ha ha ha! Fool! Your tactics are insufficient, even against this path--"

There's a sword. Actually, there's a lot of sword as Biyu rips a deep gash through Amandine's corset and dress. Water splashes out in a great torrent, but then countless slashes follow. Each one smashes against what feels like far too much water--it's almost like trying to fight a swimming pool as it seems to curl around her as a shield.

The final triple uppercut launches the miniature menace through the air--until the chain gets pulled taut, the cauldron tilts, and Amandine smashes back down to the ground.

"CRETINS!" she shrieks, laying on her back. Power seems to be welling up in her again. "How DARE you!!" That voice sounded a little different, a little...less...regal? "Now gaze upon the full power of a dragon...AND DESPAIR!"

Water runs from the corners of Amandine's mouth before she spews a great geyser of that chi-infused water right at Anji. It's a surging, overwhelming torrent of water that threatens to slam into him and push him across the chamber.

But as it subsides, Amandine is taking labored, troubled breaths. She seems to have burnt out some of that excess chi.

COMBATSYS: Anji just-defends Amandine's Cataclysmic Deluge!

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0             Anji
[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         0/-------/----===|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
There is a light 'tut' from Anji when he finds himself for once not able to connect with Amandine in any form or fashion when he gave a swing of his fans. "Ahh, so she can move!" he teases and backs away to let Biyu move in to strike. He stays quiet and has a thoughtful look as he tries to wonder just how much longer Amandine can last.

He sadly seems to have earned her attention and.....is she barfing water at him? Well he did not expect this to happen when he set off on this journey. His fans flip open as some of the gathered water around him starts to shift and swirl about. An almost serpentine figure starting to curl about him and the fans to form something of a protective barrier as the water comes in and slams against him. Whatever shields him seems to be causing the water to rush over him with no effect in the way of washing Anji away like Amandine hoped. And as the attack starts to subside as does the water like barrier that fades away leaving Anji looking rather smug as he gives one of the fans a bit of a wave. "Ahh, is that all?" He may regret further irritating the dragon, but it might also be enough to surprise Amandine and make her not realize how quickly Anji goes to grab her by the wrist. Where did the one fan in that hand go? Hard to say, but the other fan is still wide open. It is also crackling with energy as he looks to slam it right into Amadine's side and give her a nice electric shock.

[BIYU]
Doing the Dance is a tough bit of work. Biyu's practiced it--quite a lot--and spent a lot of time refining it, the particular sequence of attacks, making the motions flow, committing them to memory, installing the entire sequence as a single action in her reflexes, so tha that she doesn't have to think about it once she's started it. And she succeeds--in a way. Certainly she can feel that each hit is landing. But once she's returned to her more active state... she can see, plainly, that having landed it--her best attack--hasn't really appreciably _stopped_ Amandine.

And that's daunting. Daunting and frightening; she can feel the shock and surprise turning into ice in her heart as Amandine weathers the attack. It almost gives her pause, almost makes her just give up. Only the thought that giving up here certainly means death--if not worse--gives her courage.

All this takes place in just a moment, long enough for Anji to throw his fan, and then Biyu acts, moving instinctively, coming in for the opposite side, sword drawn back, still glowing brighter than usual as the last of that built up power bleeds off, and coming in with a two-handed horizontal strike from the other side.

COMBATSYS: Amandine blocks Anji's On.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
[                    \\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         0/-------/---====|=====--\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Biyu successfully hits Amandine with Crushing Strike.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         0/-------/-======|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
Amandine is furious when the water is deflected. In fact, she's practically steaming. She might be literally steaming with all the water that's about. She stomps one foot angrily, losing more of her decorum as the pretense unravels.

And so does her guard, as Anji grabs her by the wrist, pulling it open to smash it into her side. She opts for a shoulder block, taking the block hard but not as severely as she could. It slides her across the ground, staggering her for a moment.

"Insolent wretch! Do you not know who you speak to! I am --"

Amandine's eyes widen as the blade slashes across her back, rippling with her energy. She staggers forward, and horfs more water onto the ground in front of her. For a moment, she stands, half bent over and wheezing in a most undignified way.

"I'll DESTROY YOU BOTH!"

She shrieks, pulling the cookpot out and swinging it around. She builds up momentum, sweeping in a great circle, then slams it downward with an eruption of raw power, like a geyser of that fell watery chi!

COMBATSYS: Anji fails to counter Get Out of My Kitchen from Amandine with Kou.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ////////                      ]
Amandine         0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[ANJI]
Such a powerful little thing. Someone so small can keep going after all the punishment that both Anji and Biyu have dished out. Yet he can see she is not doing too well. Her power is failing and it seems that body isn't going to hold out much longer.

And yet she finds strength to still wield that giant cauldron. To somehow pull it up off the ground and swing it about to use as a giant flail looking to crush Anji under it. He'll just use the momentum against her and fe-WHAM!

Anji intended to find a way to deflect it, but weakened as she looks there is still plenty of strength in Amandine it would seem. Anji goes sailing away from the impact and slams hard enough into the wall it leaves an indention in it before slumping to the ground and landing in a heap. "How....troublesome." he grunts and starts to get back to his feet

[BIYU]
Amandine appears to be losing control somewhat; Biyu should be attempting to take advantage of this, especially with her focused on Anji for the moment--though she winces when Anji takes the brunt of that flailing cauldron. She can feel it--they're close to winning. There's something indelible about it that is just... -right there-, right within reach...

... oh yes. It's Amandine. She's within reach. Biyu swivels to face her, drawing her left side back, her left -arm- back, leaning way back, sliding her left foot back as well give her balance. She holds that pose for a fraction of a moment, tensed like a drawn-back bowstring, then unleashes it all in a forward-snapping motion and a punch. And, just as Amandine might expect if she's been observant, that punch is far more than that, as suddenly, the Knight Arm comes rocketing forward, with a high-pitched whine almost like a jet engine, propelled on a thruster-like flare of blue-green energy out the 'back' of the arm as it pistons forward for the dragon chef's body.

COMBATSYS: Biyu successfully hits Amandine with Kanonefaust.
- Power hit! -

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
[                           \\\  < >  //////                        ]
Amandine         0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[AMANDINE]
Amandine holds onto the chain with both hands for several moments, taking deep, heavy breaths as she stands looking upon when Anji is knocked away. "...ha! Ha HA!" She sets her hands on her knees, leaning forward.

"That will teach you, wouldn't it? Foolish humans, always thinking yourselves better than you a--"

Amandine turns a moment too late, the fist flying at her like a rocket.It slams into her jaw and literally carries her across the chamber until she reaches the end of her chain, after which the cauldron starts to pull until tumbling over. The shift in weight frees her from the fist, which soars on to whatever fate Biyu intends for it.

Amandine, however, lays there. Her chest rises and falls, but she doesn't move otherwise, nor does she get up. That is, until suddenly:

"What the HELL happened here?" A pause. "Why does my face hurt?" Another pause. "Why does my EVERYTHING hurt? Who ARE you people?" She tries to stand up, getting onto her heels before falling back unceremoniously, with a wet smack.

"And WHY am so WET! This SUCKS!"

Amandine smashes her tiny fists on the ground hard enough to crack it slightly. She likewise kicks her feet, only furthering the image of a child throwing a tantrum.

At least the Water Aspect seems to be defeated for now, leaving Anji and Biyu free to continue their mission, whatever that may be.

Amandine purses her lips. "...damnit, I also really need to pee," she mumbles.

[ANJI]
It seems the dragon was growing overconfident despite the vessel looking worse for wear. Anji made a mistake, but it seems Amandine was too ready to gloat and it left a perfect opening for Biyu to strike. A strike that apparently up and knocked the dragon right out of the short woman.

"Ahh, you are welcome." he tells Amandine as he lets out a bit of a relieved sigh. He wasn't in the best of shape after being hit with that cauldron and there is still work to be done. "We are the rescue team and you were in need of help. We can chat at a later time, but we have a job to do."

Anji looks to Biyu and gives a nod. "With that distraction being taken care of shall we proceed?" It should be smooth sailing from now on. All that is left is to take the sword and plunge it in right where it belongs.

The fans snap closed and they soon disappear as Anji reaches to take the sword and gives one last glance. Such a shame he will have to leave it here, but the fate of the world is a tad bit more important than a simple sword. He moves onward and leaves Amandine laying there on the floor. If she needs help to get out of here she will be grabbed on the way back. He has a mission to finish first.

COMBATSYS: Amandine takes no action.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
                                  >  //////                        ]
                                  |======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Amandine can no longer fight.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Anji
                                  >  //////                        ]
                                  |======-\-------\0             Biyu

COMBATSYS: Anji has left the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0             Biyu

[BIYU]
Biyu breathes out a sigh of relief as the fight goes out of the Water Aspect. Exchanging a glance with Anji, she nods as he takes the sword, then grimaces, looking at Amandine. "Anji... go do what you have to with that thing." Sheathing her sword, she motions with her left hand, and the Knight Arm picks up Amandine... rather by the scruff, but not unkindly.

"I'll get her out of here." A pause.

"But we're leaving that cauldron behind, sorry," she remarks, as she turns to head out of the facility with Amandine in tow.

COMBATSYS: Biyu has left the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Tantalus         0/-------/-------|

[AMANDINE]
"This is shameful," Amandine says, sticking out her tongue. "...but I'll allow it, since this is clearly your fault anyway." Amandine crosses her arms, but does not resist. Instead, she just dangles there moodily. When Biyu mentions not bringing the cauldron though, Amandine seems practically appalled at the idea.

"I can't LEAVE it. Tantalus is a Karnstein family heirloom. I'll carry him myself if I have to!"

[BIYU]
Biyu frowns. "... well, fine, if you think you can. But I can't carry the both of you, even with the Knight Arm, and if we're successful with this then you can come back for it later. I doubt Anji will do anything to it after he's done with the core," she says.

The Knight Arm lowers Amandine 'til her feet are just about touching the ground, then lets go.

[AMANDINE]
And thus begins the walks of shame, Amandine dropping down and following behind with Tantalus sitting on her back and shoulders. It is pretty unsightly, truth be told. Amandine hates it. It looks a bit like a kid wearing a helmet that's too big.

Log created on 21:51:24 05/12/2018 by Biyu, and last modified on 12:59:09 05/29/2018.