dragons amok 🔸 lover's oath

[lapislazily]

WHO: Azhdaha (NPC) and everyone else who is part of the City Crew. You can sign up still if you want!
WHERE: Central Square
WHEN: Forward dated to November 19th
WHAT: Dragon plot!
WARNINGS: Violence, mentions of fantasy dementia (?), uhhh I'll update if necessary.

Azhdaha

Argh...! Is once not enough!? You would forsake me again!?

Why did you abandon me?
Lonely and wandering, trapped in such a harsh place,
there is no way out of this miserable generation.
— Ode to Azhdaha

On the afternoon of November 19th, the already-struggling Central Square receives another visitor.

A flash of light. A portal. And a humongous dragon whose every step makes the earth shudder before the mightiness of a once-dragon king. Covered in scales, crystals, and bark-like armor, a beautiful tree forms his tail. This creature was once something of the earth, and he remembers.

The crocodile-like dragon fights the barrier that confines him to the square, smashing against it again and again. He roars and stomps his feet, sending out shockwaves that knock over anything that hasn't already crumbled from the Yamato-no-Orochi fight a day or two earlier. He rages against the barrier, just barely held in place by the one known as Shroud.

A tall figure steps forward. Even he is dwarfed by Azhdaha's size.

The dragon sees him and bellows in a rough voice not unlike the sound of rocks rubbing together.

"MORAX! You would confine me again?! Then... then you will pay! You shall suffer eternally, as I have!"

Rocks and boulders erupt from the ground. Glowing veins of power zigzag over everything, even the dragon, as Azhdaha taps into the strength of the earth itself.

Even a mountain erodes eventually. For those who cannot die there is only madness or oblivion, their fate to be locked away inside a library unaging.

So it must be.

[ooc: Feel free to thread whatever. There is no set turn order, but I will interject if necessary if Zhongli or Azhdaha are needed specifically for something (such as the special option threads)-- otherwise you may RP getting knocked around/attacking as much as you like.

The sealing and aftermath will be posted once we have a better gauge of how Phase Three proceeds. We are aiming to SUBDUE not kill the dragon, so if things are going that way we should talk about it!]

Comments

PREPARATIONS

[lapislazily]

[Anything right up until the dragon shows up goes here. Eat your buff food, don your armor, complain about Zhongli, whatever you need to do.

General contributions can also be noted here: for example, Blade's extensive wind-aspected armory is available for perusal just outside the square for anyone who wants an extra edge.]

[unreachableside]

[There's a ten foot tall Gundam? in the area where preparations are being made. It has been equipped with wind-aspected armor plating, a big wind-aspected shield, and a massive claymore conjured from wind and lightning energy on its back. Blade is sitting on top of it with a ratchet in his mouth and a laptop balanced on his knees, making some last-minute adjustments if the rapid typing is anything to go by. His hair is done up around a sword-shaped hairstick.

There are also several tables (several) with all sorts of melee weapons that have been enchanted with Wind to be effective either attacking or defending against the Earth-aspected dragon's armor. Swords, axes, maces, shields, breastplates... He's enchanted a few with his own personal magic, which is very temporary, but it'll do for a fight.]

[onahairtrigger]

[Josuke got here early, in an attempt to get a look at the area--best to know the environment you're fighting in before you actually, you know, start the fight, he thinks--and of course, it's the tables of weapons and armor being offered that catch his attention. These must be the ones that were offered on the network.

He makes his way over to start looking them over. He has weapons of his own, of course, but with his own alignment to water and ice... it was probably best to pick up anything that'd help that he can get. He almost picks one of the swords up to test the weight before thinking better of it and turning around to--

Is that a fucking Gundam.

He lets out an appreciative low whistle.]

Okay, that is extremely cool.

CLOSED TO JUN AND VENTI;

[lapislazily]

[Zhongli adjusts his dark gloves, then the sleeves of his uniform. He hasn't worn this in a hot minute. He looks to Jun, and then the place where he knows the portal to the headquarters is hidden.]

I will handle the pleasantries, if necessary. Are you ready?

PHASE ONE

[lapislazily]

[Zhongli has every intent of drawing the dragon's gaze, and he makes sure that everyone knows it. He wraps himself in a transparent amber shield glowing with ancient symbols and takes off, turning Azhdaha so the dragon's sides are exposed to his attackers.

But Azhdaha is not happy to simply stand there and be hit. He is mobile, able to swim through the ground like it's water in order to change position rapidly. He summons massive tremors beneath the earth that send out cascades of rocks and crystals in a wide cone ahead of him. He'll even body slam or shoulder-tackle anyone standing within range, up to and including charging bodily at someone.

And that's to say nothing of the huge tail, which slaps and swipes at anything behind him.

The key to progressing through this phase will be characters whittling down Azhdaha's health while avoiding getting hit themselves. Zhongli will be throwing out shields in this phase to those are caught in the crossfire, and those who are wounded will be healed slightly by Venti's song. For now.]

PHASE SUCCESS:

Regardless of the damage done to the fighters, Azhdaha will transition to the second phase when a significant chunk of his health is gone.

PHASE FAILURE:

Regardless of the damage done to the city, Azhdaha will transition to the second phase when a significant chunk of his health is gone.

[eiternity]

[For a very long time in her life, Ei was used to fighting alone. She has the skills--her time as a hermit haven't dulled her senses as much as she feared. She's able to dodge Azhdaha's attacks, dodging to the side whenever the tail comes her way.]

[Unfortunately, it isn't enough. Every time she charges forward, he rushes underground. She's fast, but not quite fast enough to catch him. She needs help, so she calls to someone else on the field.]

We need to work together. Bait him into an opening, and I'll attack.

[It's a far cry from how she usually talks, with none of her awkwardness present. This is a battlefield, after all, and that means--for once--she's in her element.]

[alatum]

[ was it an omen that he awoke to his vision dangling from the window this morning? that the wind began to coil around him more than it had ever done before? now, face to face with azhdaha's great form, xiao thinks that maybe it was.

he is all but a green and black blur upon the battlefield, dodging the cascades of rocks and crystals that come flying out toward him. as he moves xiao watches the others who have joined the fray, as jade shields surround them and the soothing brush of wind heal their wounds. it is difficult to fight with so many close by, difficult to keep his mind on the task at hand rather than looking out for them.

a warmth washes over him, the familiar warmth of zhongli's shield, and xiao launches himself forward dodging a tail swipe and landing a heavy blow infused with anemo. but azhdaha isn't so easy to take down, that tail he dodged before coming back swipe at him. this time xiao isn't fast enough, the jade shield surrounding him absorbing most of the hit but doing nothing to stop him from being flung back and away. it shatters the moment xiao hits a nearby wall, kicking a cloud of dust and debris.

... do you think he's alright?? ]

[godmaker]

[picture this, so you've lived through a truly harrowing supernatural festival from hell. the city had melted back into normalcy for just a scant couple of days before you're thrown into another hellscape: this time featuring a giant thing of a very angry dragon, with varied and novel ways of possible maiming/death/injury via elemental magic.

A you might not have answered that heartfelt call for help, on the network; maybe you are just Staying The Hell Out Of The Way. as you're running away - hiding - or just rubbernecking - neuvillette will be trying to catch you by the arm, urging you farther away into a safe distance.]

Do not be a fool. This is no place to dawdle.

[B if, you however, went and got yourself involved, and are actively attacking the giant fuckoff earth dragon who's changing elements like a truly demented display of holiday lights - you may find yourself on the wrong end of a thin, water-slick blade. on the right side of it is neuvillette, eyes wide and wild and desperate.]

Don't touch him!

PHASE TRANSITION

[lapislazily]

[Fuming from his ineffective attempts at bringing the city down, Azhdaha lets out a deep, rolling roar that shatters windows for a mile around. Anyone with a weak constitution might find it difficult to keep standing through that.]

MORAAAAAAAAAX!

[The leylines running through the ground flash a bright purple.]

No... He's drawing power directly from the Spirit Vein!

[Zhongli summons another jade shield to try to cover his allies, but he isn't fast enough. The dragon hits him at full speed and hurls him into the air. Zhongli's body hits the ground with a sickening crack, and he does not move again.

More crystals erupt from the surface of the plaza, and they crackle with Shadow energy.

Azhdaha roars again. Zhongli rises slowly into the air, dangling by his wrists from crystal shackles. He is surrounded by an amber barrier not unlike the kind that Zhongli usually summons, but he is unconscious and currently no help whatsoever in that regard. Venti in his tiny "elf" form flitters nervously and tries to wake him up, to no avail.]

Is this the vaunted power of the Geo Archon? How humiliating. Has your strength dwindled in your idleness as you grew fat on my suffering, and ignored my pleas?

[godmaker]

[you might've seen this guy in the thick of it, here and there, seemingly switching between enemy and ally in the same breath.

here you can see his head snap up, in the direction of zhongli, his face twisting into indecision. the guy clearly needs help, at least to be moved out of immediate danger, but neuvillette just stands there, the tip of his ornate cane-sword pointed to the ground. maybe you can try convincing him to help? to leave? to not just stand there like an idiot?]

PHASE TWO

[lapislazily]

You abandoned me for them... Ceaselessly digging, destroying, denying...!

I will annihilate everything that you hold dear!

[Allies will not be receiving any aid from Zhongli or Venti from now on.

The crystals along Azhdaha's body and his tree-like tail take on the seething color of Shadow and spark with energy. He stomps, causing more piercing stalagmites to erupt from the ground where people are standing. Formless shadows also take the shape of bladed orbs that spin across the arena, trying to cut up anyone who doesn't move out of the way.

Azhdaha is still as formidable as before, but with the added deadliness of elemental infusions. His shockwaves are now filled with superpowered Shadow energy. Every few seconds, crystal shadow lances fall onto the battlefield, ensuring that one must Always Be Casting Moving.

Progression through this phase must include defending Jun/Shroud as he concentrates on the binding spell keeping Azhdaha inside the square. He has an innate weakness to Shadow. If the barrier falls, extensive damage to the city will result. (Jun can be NPC'd as needed as long as his player knows what is going on, since he can do nothing but stand and cast.)

All the while, the dragon taunts.]

How does it feel to be forsaken by your allies, Morax?!

PHASE SUCCESS:

As Azhdaha loses ground, he grows more enraged. He roars again and the earth trembles in response. Zhongli is still imprisoned, but he seems to be alive.

[SPECIAL OPTION] XIAO AND NEUVILLETTE:

Azhdaha hesitates in his madness as he recognizes figures from his memory. Is it this life or the last? Does it matter? His family is here. His brother. His son. His companions, until the very end.

What is he doing? Why is he here? Where is... home?

Azhdaha's strength will be decreased 25% for the rest of the encounter, and he will occasionally be stunned and vulnerable as he tries to remember.

PHASE FAILURE:

As Azhdaha loses ground, he grows more enraged. He roars again and the earth trembles in response. Zhongli is still imprisoned, but he seems to be alive. Jun/Shroud's situation is more dire: he is unable to keep his spell going beneath the onslaught. The containment fails.

With the breaking of his bonds, Azhdaha is now able to leave Central Square and begin damaging other buildings downtown. He topples the first high-rise office building he sees as easily as a child knocking over a tower of blocks, and then he gets an idea.

The damage of Azhdaha's attacks will be increased 25% for the rest of the encounter.

Take the wheel because Jesus is busy

[whiteshroud]

[Despite the colorful entrance of riding through a portal with a giant dragon, Jun has mostly been in the back focusing on his binding spell. Unfortunately, this is taking his full concentration to maintain- leaving him entirely defenseless to attacks. Best make sure he doesn't get hit!]

[sunforging]

[Fighting to protect others was what the Warrior of Light did. Scintilla was good at it, she even enjoyed it when the occasion struck. Fighting was not her sole purpose, but it was the spark that lit the forge, what created the person she was and would be day by day.]

[That, I can't deny.]

[But sometimes--times like this--she really hated it.]

Ain't forsaken by nothin'- [A burst of light from the focus in her hand spread across the ground, Embolden and Magick Barrier respectively increasing her allies' strength and mitigating the damage to them from the Shadow energy. It wouldn't last more than a moment, but hopefully a moment would be enough until she could do it again.]

[...It always came back to despair, in the end. What would Estinien say if he were here? Nothing that would call this ancient wyrm back to himself, and yet would the lack of impact mean those words should go unsaid? Was it hopeless to speak with one beyond reason?]

-and neither are you!

[Of course not. Nothing was ever hopeless no matter how dark it seemed. She snapped the focus to the hilt of her rapier and held it out like a magic staff, aiming a burst of bright magic at Azhdaha's head--then barely avoiding a falling lance by inches.]

Can try'n draw some attention off th' rest of ya, but I ain't exactly equipped to take hits today!

[alatum]

[ the fight in xiao fades almost immediately the moment azhdaha hesitates, clouded eyes clearing just enough to see him - to truly see xiao before him. stubbornly a trickle of hope blooms in his chest, a foolish thought that maybe - maybe - they can convince him to stop fighting, that they need not harm him in order for the spell to work.

it won't work, something tells him, but something inside of him wants to try. ]

Fùqīn, it is me. It is Xiao... [ his voice cracks, fingers curling tightly around his spear. ] We are trying to help you, if you do not need to fight!

[godmaker]

[neuvillette, at this point, has sustained injuries not just from azhdaha's blind rampage, but also from the other citizens of this city: he has been trying to force them back, trying to diminish the force they are using.

he has seen this before, in snatches of memory: an usurper casting them down, leading to their eventual degradation, one by one, until only madness or death was left. it is hard for him to separate the two streams of remembrance. distantly he knows the person named shroud was right: there was no other way. but neuvillette would not, cannot leave it to chance. if azhdaha is killed here by accident or otherwise, he would never forgive himself.]

Brother. [his sword nearly slips from his hand at the lucidity, and he immediately sways closer, far closer than anyone should ever be to a rampaging monster. he reaches out a hand, palm underneath one of his kin's great horns.] ▩▩▩▩▩▩. [he breathes azhdaha's name, in the tongue all vishaps knew.] Come back to us.

PHASE THREE

[lapislazily]

Tyrant! Kinslayer! Oathbreaker!

[Azhdaha's eyes burn like the deepest reaches of magma within the earth. Each stomp summons numerous shockwaves augmented with blades of Shadow ripping up through the ground and leaves any still-standing construction in a precarious state. The markings all over the dragon's body glow again, a brief warning—and then they turn red, imbuing Azhdaha with the power of Fire.

Massive fireballs like meteors come crashing down over the battlefield. Shadow blades spread like ripples from where they hit.]

You dare aid him, even now?! This land shall be your tomb!

[Ice coalesces around Azhdaha's tail, turning it light blue as he takes on the traits of Water energy. It forms a huge round ball like the sun floating above everything, and then it grows spikes. The spikes break off into icy lances that fly toward Azhdaha's foes.

Azhdaha fights desperately as he realizes he is close to being sealed again. With this lapse in concentration, Zhongli is able to break free from the Geo prison, but only just. He falls to the ground.

Success or failure during this phase will be determined by two conditions: Jun/Shroud must still be standing, and Azhdaha and Zhongli must be alive. As before, Jun will be casting, and can be NPC'd as long as his player knows what is happening. Zhongli will be in the care of whoever helps him and Venti.]

PHASE SUCCESS:

As Azhdaha's last bit of strength slips away, he finds it difficult to move, and finally collapses within the seal Jun has conjured. He is still conscious and alive, and breathing heavily.

PHASE FAILURE:

As Azhdaha's last bit of strength slips away, he finds it difficult to move, and finally collapses. The stones run with his blood, which has a molten gold sheen to it. The gravity of the situation feels heavier than any stone.

SEALING AND AFTERMATH

[lapislazily]

What... will become of me...? What... have I done?

[Thanks to the efforts of the app users, Azhdaha has been successfully subdued.

Now is the time to nurse one's wounds, and for some, to say goodbye to an ancient spirit of Liyue.]

[SPECIAL OPTION] XIAO AND NEUVILLETTE:

[As the red glow fades from his eyes, the Vishap's true eye color is revealed: a pale, milky white. The madness is still there, but held at bay by sheer strength of will. Transient and temporary, but it might be enough.]

I know your scent. Come closer. Before these memories also erode, I wish to speak to you one more time.

PHASE THREE SUCCESS:

[Azhdaha fights his bindings. Having regained some of his wits, Zhongli approaches him within the seal.]

The terms of our contract were clear. I would provide your eyesight, and you would not use your power to harm anyone—or else you would be sealed away once more. You and I both knew the risks when we swore that contract a second time.

Morax... You cannot help me anymore. You must act now, before—

I know. [Zhongli reaches up and sets his palm gently on Azhdaha's nose.] It has taken so long for me to end your suffering. Forgive me. I am a sentimental old fool to the last. ... If fate wills it, we will meet again at the end of all things.

At the end...

At the end.

[Zhongli looks to Jun/Shroud and nods.

It's time to go.]

toodles 4 zoodles

[eiternity]

[Ei is…unaccustomed to relationships with others. But this is only because once she held a bond so tight that it took her heart with it when it was ripped from her.]

[She remembers, to this day, the sting of that loss. Does Zhongli feel the same today? He’s always surrounded by people, of course, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. His bond with Azhdaha is not something that can be replicated—-she doesn’t know much about what they’ve been through, but she doesn’t need to. She can tell by looking at him. By looking at everything he’s done to “free” his friend.]

[She isn’t sure what to say, so instead she approaches him and lays a hand on his shoulder. All she gives is a nod, but it’s a somber one. One that acknowledges shared pain.]

[medicgunner]

[When all was said and done, Eunie called out to anyone who might have gotten hurt. She herself was banged up pretty rough from both Azhdaha and Neuvilette but she'd healed herself of the worst of it.]

Anyone who needs healing, come to me! I'll patch you up but no one should move much in the next couple days, got it?

[Before that, though, she walked up to Zhongli. She never thought she'd see the guy like this, so forlorn and pained. It was only bearing witness to it now that she realized.

She never wants to see this again if she can help it. She was no good at being tactful in situations like this so she just stood in awkward silence for a bit before finally figuring out something and laying a healing circle at his feet and a hand on his arm.]

You finally got him out of there...

[venti_late]

[Venti has regained his human form, but he keeps his distance from the old couple. However, as Azhdaha's gaze falls on the petit bard, he manages a smile. It's genuinely happy, though bittersweet in this final farewell. A sudden, gentle breeze picks up. It plays with everyone's hair and brings with it dandelions and the faint scent of apples.

He's already said his goodbyes to Azhdaha a long, long time ago, though not in person. Even now, faced with this inevitability, his heart still breaks painfully at his loss. However, in this moment, he doesn't think there's anything left for the two of them to say to each other. Thus, he sends these words on the breeze for Azhdaha and Zhongli to hear:]

I'll take care of both of them, my friend. I'm still keeping that promise.

[Venti gives them both a nod before moving away from the pair to give them their privacy. He sends a text to Zhongli of where to find him as he helps tend to any wounded. He'll be here for his fiancé, of course, but right now... this family deserves their last moments together.]

[bebest]

[Zulius hasn't really been fighting a whole lot. That's not really his area of expertise. He's been moving around, though. Teleporting people in and out of the fight as they needed. Trying to keep shrapnel and the like, as promised, as clear from Jun as he could.

But none of that was why he was really here. Why he didn't want to be far from what was going on. It's when the dust has finally settled and everything is done that Zulius steps in to do what he hung around for. He heads over to Zhongli, reaching up to put a hand on his shoulder.]

C'mon. You've not stopped for like, a month, and that was a heck of a thing you just went through. You need to sit down and have some tea. Literal kind. Time to look after you for a hot second, okay?

[He might not be much of a fighter, but he'd do absolutely goddamn anything to support his friends when he can see it's needed, and this is no exception at all. ]

[kowase]

[ He's tired.
It's sort of a Sparda Specialty, if memory serves, to fight monsters that are bigger than buildings, so relying on memory and his devil regeneration for this fight had been enough to keep him standing by the time things come to a close. He'd managed to keep himself--and his family--from finishing the job, so to speak, and despite his torn and bloodied clothing from Azhdaha's attacks, Vergil seems no worse for wear.

Just tired.

He'll stand in waiting for whatever is to come next--but when he makes Eyecontact with his old friend, he will offer him two things:

One, a pitied look. He knows how hard it is to say goodbye. To lose someone. To have been unable to help, to feel that sense of loss. He can only ache for his old friend's heart right now, and while he, himself, is terrible at comforting others...

The second thing he can do is cut the man a little slack. Despite how he'd gone into this thing with a sense of annoyance and frustration for the man. ]

I owe you a strike upon your skull, at least once, for failing to tell me you were struggling with such a tragedy that would come so close to home. Perhaps it was your wish to keep me safe, or to deal with it on your own--and that's why I owe you a strike.

However, I will raincheck it. As I believe no motion I make today will wound you deeper than what you are already experiencing. And perhaps, this once, I can recognise the pain you feel and wish to see it soothed, not aggravated.

...Rest, old friend.
You have done what you can, here.

THE SEALING

[whiteshroud]

[Jun will return the nod. It was finally time. ]

I'll take things from here.

[He's going to need a lot of power for this next part, so he puts his hand to his chest and there's a bright flash of light as his outfit changes. His hood is still up and covering his face, but he has a pair of white wings and a glowing aura to him. As he walks towards Azhdaha, he does so while floating a few inches off the ground.]

Azhdaha... worry no more, for it's time to go.

[He'll close his eyes, telepathically sending some of his own memories to Azhdaha: Zhongli speaking of Azhdaha's favorite meals, spending time on the roof with Xiao, Neuvillette on the network, Dan Heng studying....]

Your family lives on, through your loved ones still here, and all the descendants that have come after. They will honor your memory and your love, while continuing to live themselves. So know that, and be at peace.

[A bit of comfort to hold onto for the journey ahead. With the memories and final words given, Jun will begin the ritual. He draws upon a sigil, and the binding spell that covered the battlefield slowly begins to shrink until it is enveloping Azhdaha and only Azhdaha. Fully concentrating his energy and focus, Jun works through the ritual, carefully repeating the incantations in his memory. As he does so, the binding glyph will brighten in intensity until Azhdaha is completely covered in blinding light that's impossible to see through. Or rather, he seems to be becoming light himself.

When it's all ready, Jun will pull out a blank hardcover book - one that he had bought and prepped for this ritual. While continuing to draw glyphs with one hand, he'll hold out the book with his other hand ]

Let's go, Azhdaha. I'll guide you to where you can rest.

[All the light where Azhdaha laid flies towards the book, pouring into it's pages. The force almost makes Jun drops the book, but he holds it steady until the last bit of light has gone inside the book- the ritual now complete.

Jun carefully closes the book and holds it close to his chest as if to protect it from harm ... right before his powers fade and he falls to his knees onto the ground. ]

[alatum]

I am here.

[ they haven't much time, they never had enough time. images flash before his eyes, memories of this life mixing bitterly with memories from the last. he sees azhdaha and zhongli smiling, sees bosacius and menogias drinking, sees indarias and bonanus laughing. he sees the madness claim them one after the other and hears the last words bosacius left deep beneath the earth.

and he is soon to lose another. ]

[heng_like_a_dragon]

[Dan Heng is a bit too tired at the moment to change back to his human self, but he's fine with that for the present. His injuries aren't severe enough to keep him down, and that has to be good enough. He has refused healing until he sees this through to the very end.

Now that Azhdaha is calm enough, he allows himself to feel sorrow for the ancient dragon. He sees the similarities between erosion and mara, and finds them both to be a terrible fate. Dan Heng can only hope that erosion is all that he and other immortals have to deal with in their future, but.... Well.

A worry for another time.

For now, Dan Heng will approach to stand next to Zhongli. From experiences he remembers from dreams, he understands painfully well that there are no words of comfort he can provide in this moment. To bury the beloved, a second time at that... all he can do is wait to see if Zhongli wishes to break the silence. It is not his time to speak first, he thinks.]