The Lapis Judge: Ezekiel [5 Kings]

The momentum was starting to move into their favor and Casvallion began to let himself feel a tiny bit optimistic about the situation. With the barrier on the mend and the vulnerable gate held secure they need only trust in the academy's elites to handle the enemy leader now. Then the light of an extreme magic lit up in the sky. Though its light was bright, it cast a shadow of despair across the battlefield. Then another sinister circle lit up and another extreme magic began to take abombinable shape from below. Casvallion silently chastised himself for knowing better than to rely on hope during a battle.

"Don't stop supporting the barrier! Pour in everything you've got!"

The masked commander shouted and from all ninety soldiers, a roar of affirmation met the order as the defense corps gave everything they had left to supporting the barrier around Magnostadt to bolster its defenses against the rain of fists. Meanwhile, they entrusted their own defense to their leader. Casvallion did not intent to let them down, flying skyward to meet the fists that would strike his forces pre-emptively. The Golem Tower barreled towards the closest fist and smashed into it relying on his borg to activate and clash head on. His golem's beam saber then slashed into the nearby fist which exploded into ice and flame which would claim the golem's left arm. Casvallion knew his piloted golem was on it's last legs now. Despite it being merely a spell he said a silent prayer of apology to this mobile suit of earth and magoi. There was still one last duty he needed this weathered mobile golem to perform before he could dispel it.

The Masked Commander turned his attention towards the incoming Joshua. A macabre assembly of flesh and malice with a maw of terror large enough to devour the entire battlefield. It was nearly upon them now. The enemy leader himself had grown 50m tall and was fiercely battling the chancellor and Noir. Good. The king of darkness saw his last attack as an annoyance, rather than as a threat. He probably could never imagine that a lone magician could stand against his boy, Joshua. But Casvallion wasn't alone. His own "children" were with him. Not only that, but burning within was a drive to protect his home. Casvallion could still remember the Kou invasion and the rage he felt towards the invaders back then.  His wand cut a sharp V in the air and then pointed at the ground beneath two of his storm golems creating a pair of Golem Bombs. He then pointed his want at Joshua and commanded the storm golems to fly their bomb brothers into the great maw.

If its hunger was born from anger then Casvallion offered his own fiery fury to fill Joshua to bursting. His golem bombs would suffer damage from the lightning of the storm golems, but their earthen shells would hold long enough for the four golems to charge their way down the monstrosities' throat.    The lightning from the two Storm Golems would spread damage as they let go of the golem bombs who each delivered a stone fisted punch to the interior of the mouth. They damage of the clash causing them to explode into balls of flame dealing further damage to the structure of the extreme magic. Casvallion just hoped it would be enough as his Tower Golem landed next to his men. It's body already starting to crack and crumble showing the signs of its inevitable destruction. But it stood there defiant watching the outcome of his desperate gambit.

Notes:

Spells:

"This is going to be tough...", Noir thought to herself as she saw fists falling from the sky and noticed Ezekiel's black blade begin to glow. She still had the strength to fight, but what about the others? However, at this point, she had to trust all of them and do her best to fight. After releasing a heavy sigh, the black-haired magician gritted her teeth and swung her scythe to deflect the falling fist.

Right after that, Noir would perform La Tempesta, using the first two hits to block the incoming swords before she charged forward to deliver the remaining two slashes toward him. With determination in her every movement, Noir would scale her La Tempesta skill once. She would swing her weapon toward Ezekiel and 4 more slashes, attempting to wound Ezekiel. After that, Noir would perform Harenea Auvem Tempus and infest Ezkiel's wound with dehydration magic.

---

Magoi: 210/570
Stamina: 260/260

Battle Notes:

Skills:

The High Priestess was not entirely sure what was the outcome of the battle so far but could feel the violent movements of the owl come to a halt and would take advantage of this lull in the beast's activity. The Pale Lady would raid her blade and attempt to slice off the tongue of the owl before using her flaming fists attached to her body to force her way out of the owls mouth.

Now almost deplete of magoi she would decide that this was her time to flee. She still had plenty of stamina to continue fighting for sure but without magoi she was a one on one fighter and was not suited against an army. So instead she would turn and begin to flee as far as she can from the city before landing to deactivate her DMV. THe tongue was now draped over her shoulders like a scarf.

Notes:

magoi 40/310
stamina 240/370

equip:

The battle seemed to collapse in an instant. As the two great magics would come to meet, a rain of fists and a biting mouth. The fists had broken the chancellor's borg, corpses would rise to start attacking the mages, affecting their ability to sustain themselves, to keep their walls fortified. They stood strong, they held the day while their very best would attempt to challenge these invaders. Still, no great fight was free from tragedy, from loss. There was more than just the loss of their people, but a wound on their great leader.

Noir had met the great blade of Ezekiel but Ephraim had already faced the brunt of raining fists, they pushed him down, closer to the mouth. Bombs had been thrown inside, all sorts of attacks, but it's bite was quick, quick enough to tear through the Great Mage's legs. As soon as it happened the explosions would destroy the great construct, the explosion traveling up its frame and cauterizing the wounds on his legs. Confusion had caused him to tumble, to start falling to the field below. He was unaware, that his owl had already met a worse fate. Gilles had ripped it's tongue while the magic of her djinn already infected his body. As she broke free from the ice so do it. A great bird with a bleeding maw, Ephraim's spell only kept it strong for one last bout, one that worked against him.

Ice shattered, raining of their field as their tango in the light would reflect the scene for thousands to see. The raging beast roared with sanguine spit, aiming right towards Noir as she focused on slashing into the flesh of Ezekiel. He tried her best to meet he strikes, even with three sword slashes a guiding arm and The one holding the candle. The flames would pass onto her weapon, and he'd protect himself from some force but it was not enough as the scythe would eventually sink it's way into his flesh. As he began to die, to wither he would reach out to try and grab the mage, to deny her the chance to defend against the owl.

"If my legacy shall die, if my people shall die, then you too shall be burdened with the pain of loss, of seeing your world challenged. The time for this putrid city's fall is nigh, and all you can do is extend its life span, but unless it changes, unless history changes it too shall fall!

As Gilles could tell the battle was soon the end, in her fleeing if she looked above there were those watching the fight. Adam and Connie had watched, the magi smiling while the professor grimaced. One's plans seemed to be failing while the other only saw this as a chance, as another moment in which doubt, grief, desperation, and depravity would begin to flourish. How would the mages of Magnostadt deal with their chancellor being wounded? It was unlikely he'd die unless ignored by those on the field. Those threre could only do so much, to chase the fleeing pale woman, to protect their leaders, or try and diverge attention. Still, there was an army of the dead that while faltering was still strong in numbers. Each killed by the spawn of Gilles added onto their ranks until she was far enough, or until they got her.

DM notes: Bombs stopped Maw from biting more than people but based on the number of actions and timing I believe it would've been impossible for everyone to escape damage, but as a compromise, Ephraim is the only to take damage, he no longer has legs and is plummeting to the battlefield.

Giant owl is flying towards Noir, one last attack while Ezekiel tries to grab you. The battle is almost over, Gilles will escape if no one chases. Ezekiel is dying though, he can't defend or do anything else this is a last action.

Enemy Name: Ezekiel Abram, The Lapis Judge
Enemy Tier: Omega
Damage Required to Defeat: Must be killed like a player, reasonable damage.
Description: Ezekiel was the King of the people of Abram, inheriting a nation from his weak father. He gave his life to his people, to build up his home. He had hair to impress gods and a physique to rival giants. He lived a good life, doing what he could to make a truly prosperous kingdom while facing true goliaths.

As time passed he found rivalry in the ancient nation of Udr. Having lost his son and heir Joshua he and his people had to hole up. A temple of shining blue stone was where he had laid, dying as sieges knocked at the door. Keeping the way lit, with a flaming sword and crown to light the night. While the people of Udr siege his land, and while they desecrated his body they say the people of Abram fled for forty days and nights.

They lived, but he and his kingdom died. Now, a deathly visage brought back with the power of reanimation he sits in white robes with a thin frame. His body now warped by his household, with a resplendent Lapis crown. He stands tall once again, a 2m tall man. He is no longer a kind man, he is vengeful and filled with sorrow. This long-gone hero is out to reclaim his home, to bring back the chosen people's mighty.
Abilities:

• Blazing Blessing- The Lapis crown he wears is a magic tool of heat, that when activated applies a veil of flame over a weapon that is blue with intense heat. This can be cast upon any weapon with 50m, it does A-tier damage dissipating upon burning a target.
  
  
• Giant Slayer- Ezekiel slices with his sword at someone's Ankles in order to trip them, he then swings down with his blade to do A-tier damage
  
  
• Guiding Arm- Using his blade as a channel the Lapis Judge parries a projectile by using his sword as a ramp, redirecting an attack back at the user, up to 60m away. He uses magoi manipulation as well so as to be able to effect magic. He can parry up to A-tier damage.
  
  
• Man of the people- Ezekiel stands firm, his body becoming still and stiff, his muscles bulging with as much force as he can exert, hardening himself while using his magoi to reinforce it allowing him to absorb incoming damage up to A-tier, his flesh is unharmable only ending from his pain tolerance.
  
  
• The one holding the candle- A move he made before his death, casting flames upon his sword from a magic tool or by igniting it through other means he parries an incoming strike, applying a magic flame or an oil-soaked one to create a flame on the struck item dealing C-tier damage each post for four posts.
  

Household Moves:

Items:

The joy of coming out the other side of a desperate struggle was made bitter when Casvallion saw the Chancellor get knocked into the giant maw. But it was far too late to turn back his golems now. Not to mention the price of doing so was to allow the extreme magic to bite down unchecked. "Damnit!" Casvallion cursed as he urged himself forward into the air to catch the falling chancellor. There was no time for him to waste on guilt, but when he caught the elderly magician and saw the terrible burns on what remained of his legs. "Lord Chancellor, can you hear me!?" But this rescue attempted was poorly thought out. His own magoi had nearly been exhausted and carrying the wounded chancellor made it hard for him to stay in the air. Slowly, the two men were sinking down into the horde of undead and Asura that remained on the battlefield.

As a loyal defender Casvallion roared and summoned up his borg to protect them as they fell into the reaching hands of doom. The golden shield of magoi shuddered and cracked under the fast assault and Casvallion came to the grim acceptance that he had made an emotional mistake in coming out here to save the Chancellor. A wry smile came over his face and he closed his eyes waiting for the sound of his borg shattering. But instead came the sound of rushing water.
Casvallion looked up in surprise to see the Floodwaters of the Eastern Defense Corps wash away the bodies on one side opening up a path for him and the Chancellor. His men had come for them!

But the soldiers of the defense corps were all already exhausted beyond their means. Casvallion knew his men, he knew their limits. How was this possible? He would worry about this later, for now he could not let their actions go to waste. Grimacing against his own fatigue and lack of magoi, he carried Ephraim and staggered back towards the walls. The torrential waters continued and did not stop until Casvallion and Ephraim had managed to make their way back from the heart of the hoard. But this miracle had not come cheap. When a magician was out of magoi and still wanted to cast magic, there was only one option left to them. As the last of the flood waters fizzled out, the bodies of the defense corps members began to drop one by one. A few smiling faces hung on long enough to greet their commander's return. Blood streamed from every orifice making those smiles a ghastly sight, but their heroic bearing the the face of death outshone the gore. Then the lights of their eyes faded too and the last of the defense corps members fell. All ninety of them dying due to magoi exhaustion.

Casvallion's mask could not hide the tears streaming down fist face as he gnashed his teeth and forced himself to power forward. They were still outside the barrier and walls. He could hear the undead not far behind them. If he stopped now to mourn them, their sacrifice would be in vain. Casvallion crushed his feelings and looked up to Noir who was still in the sky above. "Help! The chancellor needs healing!" and he needed some back up. He lacked the strength to fight off the asura zombies that were in pursuit.

---

notes:

Trait:

Noir's desperate attempt to slash Ezekiel wasn't futile, she was able to overpower him. However, Haku would growl, notifying Noir of an incoming attack from the owl. Upon noticing it, the magician also saw how Ezekiel reached out to her and she knew very well he wasn't going to give her a hug or plead for her to let him go. She understood his reason, but what he did to reclaim his land wasn't right either. So, perhaps, the last thing she could do to honor his legacy was to give him a sweet dream. "Somnium." Noir softly chanted while she swung her scythe, sending a heat aura toward Ezekiel to prevent him from holding her down and to show him hallucinations. "Sweet dreams..."

Haku growled again, now louder to signal Noir that the bird was close. She gripped her scythe tighter and gritted her teeth before she swung the scythe, slashing the bloody spit and evaporating it with the heat around her scythe. The magician wondered why the beast was attacking her, but she had no other choice but to stop it for now so she could focus on something else. The assistant professor flipped her scythe and used the back of the scythe to give the owl a hit, hard enough to knock it out with A-tier damage.

Now, the magician had finally been able to turn around and observe her surrounding so she could decide what else she had to do. But the scene she saw when she turned around was gruesome, the Chancellor had fallen... missing his legs. Not only that, one of the enemies was escaping and Noir was torn, she had to chase her... But as Casvallion asked for help, the magician's indecisiveness disappear and she made haste towards the Chancellor and Cas with Haku following her.

Meanwhile, Baba used her spider form to travel near Casvallion and as she was close enough, she would protect the dying magicians by attacking the undead with her whip hair.

Shousui who noticed the dire situation below would also display her ability and used snaking stab to attack the undead.

As Noir finally made it to Casvallion, she would unequip her Djinn form and didn't waste any time to cast Dia and scaled it once to attempt to heal Ephraim even for just a bit. As she focused on healing the Chancellor, she would glance toward his legs and frown. "Please let me help to regrow your legs, Sir. I can do it."

Magoi: 150/570
Stamina: 260/260

Battle Notes::

Skills::

The High Priestess seemed to be fleeing with great success and she would grin turning back in time to see the risen king meet yet another end. She would then notice the two watching from afar smiling up at them. The scholar's plan had failed even with the help of Gilles and she found that to be greatly amusing. She would point her finger up at Adam as a sort of signal that she plans to see him again soon. She has helped him and now he owed her a favor in return. She was smug and viewed herself as his superior now but he could still prove to be useful to her.

For now though she would go to the tomb she first went to with Adam to see if there was anything there that could help her. SHe knew that it was only a matter of time until the mages found it and looted it for their own arsenal. Thankfully she knew the location and could get there quicker and would soon find herself there.

The hordes of the dead would begin to dwindle slowly as the majority of Magnostadt's forces would come out. Their passive defense now turned into a stalwart attack, they would systematically focus on exterminating the dead. Some were long dead corpses, but they would see, plenty of the goi surrounding Magnostadt, of the tribes that got caught in this war. Their friends, their fellow mages that got unlikely in the first few waves of combat. How their bodies tumbled, crumbled down into burning pits of earth. Their city was barely fine, but would they be? Even with Ephraim, as the magicians would swoop in they would see how bad it really was.

Blood drained from the chancellor's face, why the wound had been closed off by the explosion the shock was setting in rather quickly. Aids came to him quickly, trying to heal him, even the prestigious Noir would come to his aid quickly. Her magic was strong, enough to repair the damage to his skin, nerves, and bones but it was not enough to restore his legs. "It would take something more specialized than that to give me my legs." Ephraim would mutter, trying to sit up as his students tried to prop him up, it seemed fate had more guests in mind as before he could continue the rukh flooded.

It was hard to tell how long he had been there, how he was effortlessly dancing through the field. Jiryu, the Magi was walking up to them. His face seemed for once to withdraw from a smile. During most conflicts he kept a positive nature to uplift the people, now it was sterner. It seemed as if there was something on his mind. "Hello Chancellor, good to see you survived, but before we can get you to care there's something I have to ask. From what I've heard you sent no aid to the people surrounding your city if you got on top of this earlier you could've prevented their forces from amassing so much. So why, why did you ignore pleas for help? I know tribal ambassadors have been denied embassy."

Ephraim could only scuff, such petty discussions while so many poor mages were in poor positions. "Please, what care do I have for Goi, I'd rather bring the full force of my students, of my professors on those filthy interlopers. We made this land for ourselves, they should have to do the same if they care about being protected!" Hate foamed at the chancellor's mouth, it was hard to keep the peace in his current state. It had sadly, confirmed the Magi's worst fears.

While the battle would start to calm down at the walls of the city Gilles had snuck his way back to the tomb of Ezekiel. The great spiraling staircase remained lit from her previous entry, Lapis steps and mosaics glowing with the story of Ezekiel. Down to the great mausoleum in which he rested. She would find her way to the treasures he kept with him. Four great tombs had opened, one of which was in honor of Joshua, inside was a great man of stone, an artifact of great power that held the label "Sodei The False Father", the next was a weapon, a sword of pure ice that seemed unmelting, it's the owner was unmentioned potentially an item of conquest. The next two of items seemed only stranger, one held a tablet inscribed "The Fourth Curse, Dominion and Tomb of the False Judge" and then the final item. Something newer, placed in honor of the regalia of Ezekiel, of his effort to keep his people afloat for eight days. A candelabra, a Menorah in memoriam for him, for their fallen people.

Items in the tomb:

The High Priestess of the Flame would look at the loot of the tomb that layed before her and would smile. Her eyes immediately went to the candelabra which was a sigil for fire, a bearer of the flames such as herself. However, she has begun to have a wider understanding in recent years since she has become a Dark King's Candidate. While water was the body of the devil and countered fire, ice was the opposite. Ice and Fire worked in a sort of harmony that she did not understand before. They both burn though, one with cold and the other with heat and this unified them. one creates and the other destroys but together they can create life. SO with this idealogy she had come upon during the recent skirmishes she decided to take the sword of ice before leaving the tomb knowing she did not have the time nor man power to take everything.

Grief filled the masked commander's chest but he forced it down and focused on the matters at hand. The man stood guard over Ephriam as Noir worked her magic. Thankfully, Magnostadt's counter attack had begun and a great many magicians had rushed out to mop up the battlefield. There was no feeling of glory or victory within Casvallion however. Had those magicians stepped forward sooner, his own soldiers would not have had to give their lives. Resentment towards the cowardice of Magnostadt's magicians took root alongside grief silently as Casvallion clenched his fist into a tight ball. A disturbance in the rukh stole his attention before he could linger on the thoughts however.

Excited and vigorous, the birds of light were in a fervor around a stranger who was approaching through the chaos of battle as if no danger would dare to target them. It was often said by others that magicians were the people most loved by the rukh. But it was clear that such phrases were wasted on them. One truly loved by the rukh was before him now and Jiryu shone like a sun walking the earth as he finally arrived before them. But this figure had not come to congratulate them on overcoming this trial of survival. They had come to question the chancellor.

Over the years Casvallion had spent dedicating his life to Magnostadt, his impression of Ephraim had always been a good one. It didn't matter if you were a magician born in the city, or if you had come from parts foreign. As long as you could commune with the rukh, the Chancellor had welcomed all magicians without fail. Hostility towards goi had been ever present, but it was not without reason given what life was like for magicians before this man had built for them a city. A home. Casvallion had always assumed the Chancellor was above such negativity however and only tacitly accepted it as a burden the city had to shoulder in order to maintain their independence and safety from the many outside kingdoms that would covet the power of a city of magicians.

Seeing Ephraim now make his stance towards the goi clear, it gave Casvallion a bad taste. The clenched fist grew tighter. He was no professor. Without his army, he wasn't even much of a commander anymore. Between the lord of Magnostadt and a Magi, where was there room for one lowly as himself to butt in? But Casvallion did so anyways. A fist of rigteous indignation swung without mercy at the Chancellor who had just been  sat up potentially sending him to the floor again. "Roscious, Benjamin, Torval, Atticus, Xinhou, Kasshu. They were just a few of the soldiers who just died so I could drag your ass back from the gates of death." His voice was loud, but his tone calm and even despite the fury hidden beneath. "Do you know what half of the Eastern Defense Corps had in common? One or both of their parents were goi. If it weren't for their "filthy" lineage, you and I would both be torn to pieces by now! Or have you forgotten that many magicians call a goi their parent? The rukh of my men still lingers on the battlefield. What do you have to say to them?"

His fist that struck out felt numb. It was shaking fiercely as he held back from lashing out again. The resentment and grief in his heart was burned up by his anger towards the Chancellor who was now the outlet for the wild emotions within Casvallion. Casvallion's own pedigree had been all magician, his family occupying a prestigious position within the academy. But he had never used that position to look down upon the magicians who had immigrated to Magnostadt from across the globe. By extension, he did not look down upon the goi parents that had birthed them. Not all non-magicians were keen to exploit and control magicians. Just as not all magicians were just and noble. Kornel Klien was just one slimy example of this.

On that note, Casvallion became somewhat confused. Was Klien's hostility towards Ephraim not born from the fact that they were of opposing factions? If the Chancellor was also of an anti-goi sentiment then what could Klien have against Ephraim? Klien certainly seemed to want the Chancellor dead. Did he think he could claim the position for himself? Casvallion refused to believe it was only about grabbing power for Klien. But he was too worked up to think things through rationally. He could only chew on these thoughts as he glared at Ephraim, his gaze through the mask demanding an answer from the old Chancellor that would not dishonor the memory of his fallen soldiers.

---

Notes:

Noir kept focusing on healing Ephraim, attempting to lessen the pain so the chancellor can start to focus on something else. When the elderly man told Noir that she would need something more specialized than that, the black-haired magician would start speaking, "I know, Sir. But--" Before she could finish her sentence, massive rukh fluttered around her. Noir could sense a familiar presence from the rukh as she had met this person before although she never really had any conversation with him. Jiryu appeared, but Noir could tell there was something wrong. A smile that was always present on his face was gone, it felt like their success to defend the gate wasn't good enough.

"Are you thinking that you didn't do much? That your effort was not enough?" A crow flapped near her ear.

"Because yes! You were useless." Another crow appeared beside her, and its words overlapped with mocking laughter.

Noir gulped and closed her eyes, the crows had been doing their job diligently to mock her and make her doubt herself. Ever since she fought that lady in Kina, it seemed a part of her black rukh seeped within her, and crows formed from it to constantly follow her and squawk doubtful thoughts to Noir. However, it seemed she was able to banish them whenever she wanted to. So as she sighed, all six crows that were fluttering around her disappeared quickly.

But her problem didn't just end there, what Jiryu said was very shocking for Noir. She had no idea the tribals were asking for The Chancellor's help! If only she knew, then she would help them whether or not Ephraim gave her permission. However, there was another shocking truth... something that she might have heard about but because she was busy with something else, she didn't really focus on finding the truth about it.

It turned out, Ephraim wasn't as magnificent as his facade looked. Within him... was something darker, eviler... And those words coming from his mouth as a response to Jiryu's question made Noir's eyes widen. She no longer fed her magoi into her wand, thus stopping her healing spell altogether as she lost focus. The magician did everything she could, she marched into the battlefield and protected the Chancellor. Around them were dying mages, soldiers... perhaps some already went back to the flow... But hearing him saying that made Noir speechless. She thought to herself, "Was I wrong? I did my best to protect him and the city... Even when I was doubting my determination when Ezekiel shouted his will to reclaim the land, I thought to myself to keep going as there were so many lives within the country that needed to be protected." The young magician was lost in her thought, her eyes were full of determination and were now full of doubt. "But there are so many people dying outside the city! Those... innocent people..."

Noir stood still as Casvallion landed his punch toward the Chancellor, watching in silence as a cloud of thoughts filled her mind. The crows appeared again, this time questioning her motive and calling her a killer because she was too ignorant. However, this time she didn't banish them again. She closed her eyes, waiting until Cas finished delivering his speech before stepping between him and Ephraim.

"Don't call them filthy! Those people who you called filthy also sacrificed their lives to protect their homes! They too,  bravely defend the city so their loved one can be safe, so they can go back home if they made it alive! So their family could at least be proud if they died as a hero who defended the city!" Noir raised her voice, her stoic face was filled with emotion, and for the second time in so many years, tears rolled down. "Even the Emperor of Kou showed his empathy toward all of his people and commanded them to stay alive during the war because he didn't want to lose anyone! Yoshiro, one of those filthy goi, has more empathy than you, a highly esteemed Chancellor of Magnostadt!"

Being angry wasn't Noir's best forte, but the emotion and the despair fueled her rage. She gritted her teeth and step aside, giving a chance for anyone else to speak while she took her breath to calm herself down.

Trait:

Ephraim took the punch, his borg was still down, and he wasn't focused only feeling his intense rage. His face began to burn, the punch didn't hurt that much but it was enough to incite violence within the aging magician.

"I will die before I give up this city! You talk about Goi as if their recent changes of heart mean anything. They should be expected to pay with their lives! You are young and ignorant of their atrocities! Their fathers, their grandfathers were the men that treated us as slaves. Before I founded this great city we were meek, our people allowing themselves to be tools! If it weren't for my efforts the lot here would not be standing." He began to rant, his staff gripped tightly in his hands. The rukh began to stir, his voice the siren for the storm of rage that began to build in the man.

For all he planned, the control, and the extermination of Goi was carefully orchestrated. That amount of hatred could only be contained for so long, he had only the strength to fight. There was no temperance in Ephraim's demeanor. His eyes were turning beet red. He could not stand, but he wouldn't let this youngling criticize things they did not know.

"Now, either be useful, step aside or help me return to my palace. If not I'll use what magoi I have to fly there, and do not try to stop me if you wish to keep your tenure and your lives!" The eyes behind the chancellor were sunken, darkness was growing in his heart by the second. Fate gave no blessings no boons, they were fates chosen yet these challenges kept coming. The Rukh's blessing meant nothing to men with ambition. It was evil, they were a plight on their people and the world. "I SWEAR IF ANOTHER GOI STEPS FOOT ON THIS LAND I WILL CRUCIFY THEM MYSELF! AND ANYONE WHO SUPPORTS THEM!"

Ephraim was unsure if he could keep such a promise, but he was spouting pure hatred. His vile soul just kept flowing, everyone could hear, even the professors who were making their way there. One would step forward to make himself heard. His gaze looked to Noir for just a moment with a small smile. "Then I guess we need to do something about who's in charge of our city. Cause if that's your new education plan I'd prefer a new chancellor, as my parents were goi." He drew from his cloak, a book, ready to cast a spell if Ephraim were to dare to move.



While the drama would unfold in the city, Gilles had managed to not only escape but claim her prize from Ezekiel's tomb. The frosted blade still seemed to radiate with a chill. Her scars would feel it penetrate, the aura of the blade clinging to her now that it had its master. Ezekiel himself never got to truly test this weapon, but now the pale lady could not only scorch the earth but freeze it barren.

Sessho's Reward:

The fist that had struck the chancellor ached, but not as much as the masked man's heart as the image of their leader was destroyed. This is the man his soldiers had given their lives for? It was too much of a joke. But the man controlled his overflowing anger. Forced it back down and sealed it tightly under a cold expression as he stared at Ephraim's disgusting expression. The outburst revealed a twisted look to reflect the twisted heart within. Casvallion slowly reached up to unpin the badge at his chest which denoted his position as commander. A symbol he had once worn with pride would only become a burden if it meant he would have to enact Ephraim's insane policy of crucifying goi regardless of their intent or innocence for merely stepping foot in the city.

You will have to find someone else to spill blood so mindlessly."

With a toss the badge tumbled to the ground in front of Ephraim as Casvallion turned and walked away. He could not stand to be here any longer. But as he began to move, another ugly soul came strolling over looking rather pleased with himself. It was Kornel Klien. The thin elderly magician held a sneer as he passed Casvallion. The professor stopped and chuckled, "I see you've saved me the trouble of stripping you of your position for defying my orders. Those of your men who entered the city before the battle ended are lucky they died. Now they don't need to see their dear commander disgraced." His sickening arrogance clear in his tone of voice. Casvallion did not look at him and simply stated, "The true disgrace was serving men like you and Ephraim. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got 100 graves to dig." His steps then carried him forward, out of the city. He was leaving behind much that he had treasured. His position, his family manor, the home he fought to protect. But he did not look back as he left the city.

Klien snorted and then proceeded towards the Chancellor and the gathering professors. As his colleague drew out a tome ready to interefere, Klein readied his one wand and pointed it at the man's head. "Yes, yes, I'm sure your goi parents are wonderful people. But they are inferior beings at the end of the day, wretches who are abandoned by the rukh. Is their memory worth dying for?" Klien seemed to be enjoying the internal strife. His words ran black like oil just daring the man to be a spark to set off a flame of chaos. But he then lowered his wand and turned his attention towards Ephraim, "But I do agree, its time for new leadership here in our great city. The chancellor is clearly unwell, driven mad by his hatred. Since most, if not all, the professors are gathering here. I propose we vote to strip Ephraim of his position effective immediately. All in favor?" Klien then raised his wand to signal his support for his own motion.

---

Casvallion's footsteps stopped in front of  a few charred corpses near the eastern gates. These were the ten soldiers burned up earlier in the battle. His wand swept an arc and gravity magic lifted the bodies up into the air. Together, they followed him as he proceeded out to a larger gathering of bodies. The other ninety members of the corpse were there waiting for him in death. Their gruesome visages still marked with drying blood that had spilled from every orifice when magoi exhaustion demanded the ultimate price from them. Alas, if they knew the results of their sacrifice would they not howl in anger in their graves? Casvallion shuddered and closed his eyes chastising himself for the thought. He could still remember the smiles the last survivors had made just before their lives faded. They weren't looking at Ephraim, they were looking at him. Through hot tears Casvallion acknowledged they'd likely do it all over again if it were possible. But there were no do overs for the dead.

The floating bodies were laid down next to their fellow fallen and Casvallion set to work going around to each body. One by one he repositioned them into more dignified positions and closed shut their wide open bloodstained eyes. He didn't know when, but at some point a few other magicians joined him, chief among them being a familiar face. Jericho, the steward Zion Koval had arranged to look after his estate was there organizing volunteers to help. Together, they tried to show some respect for these heroes and treated them with the care that they deserved. Casvallion and the few volunteers carried the bodies east. The masked man led them to the walled off Koval Estate on the horizon. The residents had thankfully been able to evacuate in time. As there were no living souls within, it had been spared any devastation.

"Hopefully the kid will forgive me for giving his father some company."

A hoarse voice ragged from silent tears and a tight throat croaked out. Jericho patted Casvallion on the shoulder and softly consoled, "I don't think the young master would mind." They then arranged for a section of the garden to be dug up and through magic a stone mausoleum was erected. There, the 100 members of the Eastern Defense Corps were entombed. Casvallion quietly begged their forgiveness and then left. His new destination now even more eastward. Following the trail of the undead army, he tracked down the tomb of Ezekiel and entered hoping to find the figure of flame that had fled. But he was too late, Gilles had already come and long sense gone by now and he lacked the skill in clairvoyance or a sample with which to make use of it. He found nothing there but a lonely silence and a few artifacts of immense power. One such artifact stood out to him. A large golem that looked as lonely as he had felt. Casvallion walked up to the False Father and placed his hand on the hulking figure. Unwilling to gain nothing from this venture he decided to take the golem and return to the Koval Estate with it in tow.

Gilles would take the blade in her hand surpised by how cold it still feels after all of this time. But she did not have much time to spend here and knew that it was a matter of time before the other side finds this place. Being the sole survivor of the attacking army she would turn and flee, eager to get to the safety of her home in the city if she can manage a way back in.

SHe would flee and for now go and just rest underneath a small tree she remembers outside of the city walls as she things about her next steps.

At this point, as Noir watched how Ephraim's acted and listened to his words. Noir couldn't help but pity the elderly man, wondering how much hatred he had been keeping inside of his heart. The magician wasn't sure if any acts or words could put a sense into The Chancellor's heart and mind, but the thing that she knew was... that this scene would be very unsightly to many other people. Which would result in a worrying outcome...

As someone stepped forward, Noir's eyes just automatically locked onto him. The man would gaze at her and give her a small smile, to which the girl responded by nodding her head to him out of respect. But hearing what he said to the chancellor made Noir's eyes widen, although it was to be expected that someone would suggest something like that.

A sigh escaped Noir's lips as she made up her mind to say her opinion about this matter as well, "Education should be equal for everyone... So I'd prefer to be led by a chancellor who can be fair to everyone."

As Casavillon placed his hand on the golem he would feel a strange sense of life from it. It seemed it was begging to move, to experiment. There was curiosty in the Rukh surronding the magician and the golem. There was possibility with it, it's strength was in the future it could bring. It was quite heavy, but with magic it would be of no issue. He would certainly find with this thing around there would be no time to waste to see what it could be capable of before it was destroyed.

"Here here to that! I think we can all see, a united Magnostadt will be better for the safety, peace and strength of us all. We need to clean up what remains, that includes you chancellor," The man spoke, his book beginning to glow. It was one Noir had to be familiar with if she had not realized still who the man was. It happened in seconds, him and Ephraim both prepared that in that moment, Ephraim reached for his staff, the first words tried to break by his cracked lips but it was too slow. His opponents spell was utted before he even realized what was happening. PLANTERY CREATION: JUPITER VERSE 2: SMITE Two spells came almost instantly, a layer of storm clouds would wrap around Ephraim. It was a binding prison that kept his staff away from him for a moment before they can do anything about it.

"I am Viaval, Librarian, 1st Kordor magician, I will strive to bring out the greatness for us all, so that we can have peace. I will aim to be your chancellor, it is time for us to decide how we wish to treat our nation!" He was definently upset at Ephraim, but it wasn't time for full on campaigning. The idea was flowing the people were chattering. Noir would feel the rukh tug her, itching her to go to the tomb and claim her own reward. With only a strange horse and Candelabra left, she would sense great power from the items.

Gilles would fly off in the distance, little did most of the nation would now, it was only the beginning of the end for the Sasanids. Now she had to be cautious, or else the pale woman might go out of buirness.

Name: Sodei The False Father
Tier: A-tier
Type: Artifact
Magic Type: Golem Magic [Life+Strength+???]
Appearance: Taking the form of a 4m statue with a wide round torso like a column or with a green gem atop where the magic symbol can be seen as well. It seems to be made of limestone, clay and marble and various stones, polished and refined covered with a muted bronze finish. He has no eyes but the green pearls adorning the various parts of body seem to stare as if they do. The Golem is rather dense but still light for it's size as the torso holds a large core large enough for an average sized person to crouch in it.
Function:

• In the Beginning- 20 magoi to activate | 10 Magoi to sustain A simple but effective purpose awakening to golem so as to make the proper use of his other two functions. While those created from him continue to last, he simply exists to create, to allow life to spring forth. He stays active for 4 posts, in that time he has A-tier item durability and follows the user around indefinently. However, he will priortize the safety of his creations. He has the golem magic passive of being able to a spell inside of him. Golem Cores can be stored inside him, up to 8,
  
  
• Adon- For 20 magoi to activate | 10 magoi to sustain the user pours magoi into the False father causing it to create a golem in the shape of a humanoid male 2m tall. It will die it's core (Heart) is destroyed by taking A-tier damage. Adon when first running out of magoi or destroyed is revereted to a small core. The moment a spell is inserted into his core it is permenently imbued into him addiings the attributes of it to him, reforming him as a new man. He carries with him a melee weapon up to 3m in length, it also adapts the magic he is infused with. He is capable of creating a D-tier plot NPC every six months alongside Eva with the help of the False father.
  
  Adon can help his first creations create golem children, either blank or born from their magics to create a D-tier golem plot npc every 6 months, only one can be made. His Goal is to try and create a dynasty of unique golems.
  
  
• Eva- For 20 magoi to activate | 10 magoi to sustein the user creates a feminine appearing golem that is 2m tall. This golem carries with her a ranged weapon of choice. If shes is killed or the spell runs out of magoi after the first time she will revert to a corp that requires A-tier damage to destroy. As a golem she is capable of holding a spell inside her, once done it is bound to her, adapting her form and personality, Along with this Eva's ranged weapon adapts as well. She is capable of alongside with Adon and The father she can create a D-tier plot NPC once every 6 months.
  

Casvallion reached out to touch the large golem with fascination in his eyes. As a master of the craft himself he could tell that this ancient piece of art was beyond anything he himself could muster given his own magical talents. The eye-like gemstones seemed to gaze solemnly back at him. It was a lifeless gaze, and yet it was one that seemed to have purpose. There was some strong desire buried inside the golem that could not be discerned from looks alone. But that powerful drive could be felt. The masked commander was conflicted. He had not come here to rob a tomb. But he also knew that if he left this golem here to fall into Magnostatd's custody then, as head of magic tool development, it would likely end up in Klien's hands. This was something he could not abide.

After considering it for a moment, Casvallion eventually decided to take Sodei with him. The massive construct was difficult to move, but not impossible. With the help of other summoned golems formed from the stone around him, Casvallion had Sodei carried out of the tomb and back to the Koval Estate where its secrets could be investigated further.

---

Viaval's actions almost caused Klien to sneer in disdain but he managed to keep his expression stern. The rashness of the younger magician was playing right into the old spider's boney hands. Despite his earlier threats, Klien made no move to actually stop Viaval other than drawing his wand upon him again. "Has madness come over you as well!?" Klien bellowed as the librarian magically bound the chancellor. Righteous indignation was expressed as Klien shouted down Viaval's self nomination.

"The other professors have yet to speak and you deign yourself executor of justice? Besides, I said we vote to strip his position, not assault him! Though the chancellor's mind is addled, he has committed no crime and even risked his life to defend this city. Yet you imprison him? A fine Chancellor you would make, to reward sacrifice with punishment and to elevate yourself! Humph!"

The old man held joy in his heart as he knew Viaval has just made his own side look tyrannical and lawless with his actions. But he maintained the demeanor of one standing up for the wronged as his wand turned and cut a line downwards in the direction of the storm prison. A counter wind would swell to disperse the storm clouds. Another lash of the wand and powerful life magic surged over to wash over Ephraim to cause his body to produce powerful anesthetics meant to render him unconscious. Klien would move to his side to catch Ephraim before he could fall.

"What the chancellor needs is rest, not chains that threaten to cause him more harm! Given the circumstances, I'll forgive your transgressions and treasonous actions on account of emotions running high. But if you insist on staging a coup or casting spells on a weary old man, I'll be glad to keep you company, boy."

Though Klien's words oozed with hypocrisy it would not be evident as he played the role of the "real" avatar of justice well. His words carefully chosen to paint Viaval as the usurper when such were his own intentions. With Ephraim propped up with one arm and the other aiming a wand at Viaval, Kornel Klien looked to be a frail old champion of the down trodden standing up to a power hungry youth.

The situation had become more chaotic, and Noir might have to pick a side soon. Also, this situation was expected to be used by some parties to gain power, either directly or indirectly. It took a moment for Noir to get a better look at Viaval, who turned out to be someone she had met before. Although she had a perfect memory, it seemed the complicated situation led her to not pay attention to her surrounding that well. But if she could say, it was such bad timing to reunite again with Viaval.

Noir let out a heavy sigh as she watched how Klien and Viaval were being aggressive toward each other. Who knew what would happen if no one stop them... Besides, Noir was pretty sure a lot of people had picked their side already and if a civil war broke out, no one really had enough strength to stop it at the moment. Which means...

Noir stepped forward, placing herself in the middle of Klien and Viaval. Her staff was ready within her grip, but she wasn't pointing it at anyone but the ground, making it clear that she meant no harm to both men. "Stop this at once. Nobody will be a chancellor and nobody will strip Ephraim from his title today." She glanced at Viaval and then turned to Klien. "However, the chancellor has delivered a controversial opinion that would affect how the rest of the world sees Magnosdtadt. So I'd say to let him rest for now, without his wand and heavily guarded." She wasn't sure if the people would find her suggestion useful, but at least she tried to give a win-win solution. "Everyone else also needs the rest, we might've won, but we still lost a lot of men. Let us take our time to grieve over our fallen brothers and sisters. Then after that, we shall decide what would be the best for the country. TOGETHER."