Scene #2532: Boil Boil Comes with Trouble

Owner	Pose
Hitoshura	The caverns of prophecy.Having recently heard of the pool's properties, Hito has brought Thoth to use his magic to try to scry the past of Ai. The pool looks like it has a layer of glistening oil on it, and a few random bubbles here and there. Ai has two creation stories. One in which a rogue genie planted the World Tree seed with a fire cluster. Another in which a divine caster working for the Union, a fallen Union Elite, and a fallen Confederate, were transformed into the Branches, Roots, and Soil for the seed. That story goes that the caster became the goddess of light Fena, the fallen infernal Confederate the dark god Jema, and the soul of the Soil went missing. Now the two gods are consorts. That much is certain. The sacred texts contain both stories, so Hito is hoping to get to the truth. Thoth begins to work his magic with the pool, while Hito stands lookout.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Gaius Van Baelsar had lost the Caverns of Prophecy only a week or two ago and that was a dishonor to his abilities. For he lost the area to a woman warrior and filthy raccoon. However by the actions of yesterday, he himself could not come. Instead a commotion starts to take place outside of the Caverns of Prophecy as several metal airship fighters, sleek by the skies at quick speeds, running over the Union defense with machine gun fire and explosive rounds. Inside the caves though, where Hitoshura resided, he may hear the echo of the battle trying to start up outside. Yet what would come to greet him inside was not man, but machine. Three Newly Designed Vanguards roam into the cave itself, the mists roaming over their armor, but the machines were not impacted by the height nor the aroma in the air. Their heads nearly reached the high cave walls at near ten feet and their helm slits glistened from time to time with red light as they scanned the area. Soon with a whirl of sound as the gear went into full spin, they started to move through the Cavern in search of any Union Elites that could be trouble for the Confederate take over, as if none were outside-- then they must be in here... if any at all... That Vanguard Magitek drones were humanoid in shape, but with a heavy upper body and slimmer lower form. Their heads were protected by the great deal of armor around them and massive shoulder joints. Their arms were armored, with the lower arms that of massive drills that rotated from time to time as they moved. The most noticeable weakness was the gear in the back that rotated and at times spewed blue smoke out from the small opening, though unlike previous models, it wasn't exposed as much as it use to be.
Hitoshura	Hitoshura sees the Vanguard, thinks about the situation, and says,"Thoth, it's time to go back. I need Cerb or Garm for this," "Guardian of the Gates of Hela, I summon thee, Cerberus of the depths!" Thoth vanishes after sitting above a magic circle. In a different colored circle, a large lion-like demon appears and roars,"Hito! Let's do this!" Hito grabs Cerb's mane, get onto his back, and Cerb releases a large spray of fiery breath.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The summoning circle was activated and the Vanguards look in that direction to see the demon being summoned and appear before them. Now-- if these were soldiers, they may call out Eikon, but Vanguards do not speak or have emotion. They do as their orders were until those orders were changed by command. As the fire spews out, the Vanguard under attack rises up its drill arms. The flames lap around the drills and disperses it to the side. Another Vanguard comes around the side, rushing toward the summon beast. With its drill spinning up, it then goes to lunge with a thrust drive for the creature.
Hitoshura	Cerb roars in pain as it hits his shoulder causing purple blood to splatter. It doesn't slow him down much though. He leaps around the back of the machine and goes for the neck, if possible, not yet noticing the gear. Hito calls his energy and shouts,"Zionga!" tossing a medium bolt of electricity at the armor, split seconds after Cerb jumps off of the Vanguard. These two are used to dancing in combat together. So, electricity bolt (not that there are elemental weaknesses in 14), and some gnawing by demon teeth. "Careful Cerb, these mecha aren't playing. We got this. Keep fighting," Hito says. He is worried about Cerb, but they've seen worse fights in the Vortex World, and Cerb's toughness made him the best choice for this battle. Even his large size, not much smaller than the Vanguard, will be to their advantage.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The neck joint is hard to get too, but the Electrical current slams down onto the Vanguard. While the cermet does a good job at not being a conductor for electricity, it does still play hell on some of the mechanics from the impact spot. This forcing the Vanguard for the moment to shut-down as the systems reboot and Ceruleum energy flow is altered to compensate. While one Vanguard was down for the moment, the other two circle around, before one steps back and charges up the Drill. It looks like that one was getting ready to attack, instead it was a distraction. For the other one comes in with a thrust boost to try and shoulder check the demonic creature into part of the cavern wall.
Hitoshura	"These guys just don't give up." Cerb almost dodges the next drill, but is checked into the wall, but maybe was a distraction, too. Hito uses magic again, this time a buff spell," Sukukaja!" Raising Cerb's ability to take and receive damage (which isn't the right spell exactly, but the buff doesn't work the same csys wise). "Cerb, keep fighting. Let me know if you need a heal. I'll back you up for the moment, and then I'll be into the fight, demi-fiend style!" Cerb gives a slight nod in acknowledgment, and waits until right after the buff to move evasively, so Hito can give the next strategy.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Hito buffs his demon ally, Cerb and the Vanguards move around slightly while being locked onto the two. The magic is noted and calculated as the red light flickers behind the slits. Vanguards were designed during war against Eorzea about a year, almost two years now-- dealing with magic users was something the Garlean Empire /always/ had to worry about, given the Purebloods had no ability to use magic, and thus the creation of Magitek. Since that time however after Bahamut was released from Dalamud and the Calamity of the force the Dragon Primal brought sent Hydaelyn here into the Multiverse. The Vanguards have been getting updated bit by bit to handle the oddities that this new world has to offer, yet it pays for some old grounding. As the buff is cast, the two Vanguards begin to fire up their drills. A blue steam rises from their shoulders as the mechanism up top raises up. They are charging for a large assault and soon as the upper shoulder piece slams back down with its red glow, the Cermet drills then launch the sheaths off, and four drills go firing for the demon.
Hitoshura	Hito is suddenly between the drill and Cerb. He tries to push the arm away, but manages to get struck in the side. It's not a terrible injury, but he certainly feels it as his own purple/blackish blood leaks from him. "AARGH!" He jumps back after Cerb, with sharper claws and hopefully stronger bites, jumps on the back of the Vanguard to get it off of Hito. "Bufula!" Hito shouts, aiming a bolt of cold near the hip joints of the offending Vanguard. Hopefully that doesn't crossfire with Cerb. The demi-fiend is also trying to keep his eye on the other (one, two?) Vanguards, so things don't get too messy. He hopes dealing with them by focusing on one at a team is a viable strategy, as he only has one area attack at his disposal, and right now Cerb is in the way.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The cold ice air impact the Vanguard. The frozen ice slips around the mechanic legs and hip trying to hold the Vanguard in place. It creaks and the Ice starts to splinter as it tries to break free. It eventually starts to use the drills to try and assist with this problem. The other Vanguard is tackled on to back by Cerb who is biting down on the armor, starting to rip at it, as the machine flails around to get the demon off. Meanwhile, the third Vanguard comes back online with a flash of red between the helm slits. It can be heard powering back up and then with a thruster boost, goes to use its drills to slam Cerb off the other Vanguard unit. No free rides for the demon!
Hitoshura	Hito charges the other Vanguard charging Cerb. "Time to use the old demon muscle," he says. He get in the way between Cerb and the Vanguard, grabbing the Vanguard by both arms. Meanwhile Cerb jumps off the other vanguard, and tries to hit it and run before getting hit in return. "Finally, you're out of my way, Cerb," Hito twists his head up, and then back down towards his vanguard. Slowly losing his strength battle with the Vanguard, Hito he releases the vanguard just as an intense shockwave of heat and force comes right for it from Hito's core. Similar to a "Kai" he guesses, but it's his strongest physical attack (Heat Wave). Too bad there was only one Vanguard in the way.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Hito charges up the heatwave assault and once it fires the Vanguard bursts to the side in order to avoid the massive heat storm that rises into the area the machine was. The extreme temperature rises, causing steam to form in the area from the cool liquid being suddenly caught in the temperature. Visibility decreases and the sound of the whirling mechanics can be heard, along with few stomps of the robotic feet moving around. The vanguards for the moment seem to ignore Hito though, even if he has become the larger threat and seem focused on Cerb. The creature would find itself soon surrounded and all of them rushing in attempting to stab, slash, and even knock the beast aside. Though Hito and Cerb both may notice that one of the Vanguards is not in great shape, thanks to Cerb's earlier attacks.
Hitoshura	Cerb is not feeling good. Beaten, drilled, all that, but somehow he still has the strength to leap over one Vanguard to put himself outside of the hate triangle. Hito hops beside him. "Fire breath delta!" Hito shouts. They both inhale deeply, and then flame thrower at all three Vanguards. Hito can feel his magmata next to his heart pulsating. This is not going to be good soon. If it goes wild, it's over for both of them, most likely. Cerb cringes in pain frmo the previous wounds. "I could use a diarama right now, Hito. "Okay, buddy, let me prepare it." Hito says, breathing heavily.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The massive flame comes and impacts all three of the Vanguards, while two of them are able to get their defenses up. The intense fire can be seen causing the Cermet drills to actually heat up to a red glow. However the Vanguard with the most damage doesn't fare as well. Once the fire gets around its damage armor, it gets inside and the intense heat starts to cause it spurt out blue fire. With its systems going into critical and the Ceruleum igniting, the Vanguard rushes right for Hito and Cerb in a suicide run, before it completely explodes. This sending metal parts, pieces, and blue Ceruleum fire every where, including even some Ceruleum which still burns even as it impacts the ground.
Hitoshura	both Hito and Cerb are blown back. Hito takes most of the brunt, but Cerb is quick to prowl in front of him, roaring, not that hte machines would care. Hito casts mediarama as Cerb guards him. They're covered in wounds, and the shraphnel doesn't help. Still, mediarama stops the bleeding and gradually undoes some of the damage. Hito feels his vision blur, "No, not now, Marogareh! Not yet!" "Hito! We should run. Don't be a fool! They've won!" Cerb growls. "Not yet. We need to scry this pool, and there's only two left. One for you.. <pant> and one <pant> for me." Hito says. Marogareh is begining to go wild. They have to end this, soon, one way or the other.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Hito and Cerb go wild and the Vanguards go to meet them at full speed. While Cerb may in fact tackle one of the Vanguards, it attempts to heave the demonic beast way and over. While the other Vanguard at last acknowledges Hito which moves in quickly. The machine uses a thrust burst to move to the side, before coming in to actually swing the Drill Blade in such way to knock Hito aside and if it impacts, into one of the rocky pillars of the Cavern-- if not trying to with enough force... through it.
Hitoshura	Hito is used to the machines' tactics a bit, and manages to stay one step ahead and almost out of the way. A slight laceration, but nothing compared to the "pain" Hito hopes to inflict. He acrobatically gets behind the machine and adds his own push, hoping to slam it into the pillar intended for himself. Cerb is slowed, but manages to push himself back off the machine, nearly avoiding all of its harm as well. He goes for the "jugular" of the robot, and if that's not possible, tries to take off one of the arms with a hopefully gear crushing bite.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The Vanguard that is facing Hito is slammed back into the pillar. The rock crushes under the weight of the machine and the impact point on its armor visible. It takes a moment to pull itself free with a heavy hiss of blue steam as it does so. The flare of red clear to see as it pulls more power into its systems. The drills can be seen spinning up as it goes to strike out at Hito with several slashes, jabs, and a hard spin of its body to catch the man in the spinning cermet drills trying to inflict more damage then earlier. As for Cerb and his Vanguard target. The beast manages to get ahold of the gear on the arm and shred it apart, blue liquid can be seen gushing out from the heavy damaged part, but it doesn't slow the machine down. Instead with one arm nonoperative, it tries to slam the still functioning drill down on top of Cerb!
Hitoshura	Hito takes several grazing hits with the drill, and a serious one to his face. "AAGH!" while Cerberus's plated back doesn't do much to stop the other Vanguard. They're both bleeding profusely, as well as serious damage to muscles. Hito looks like he had some seriously awful orthodontic work. The adrenaline, and demonic traits keep them going, but it's almost over. Hito rolls back, prepares from the reaction from his magmata, and tries another Heat Wave, stepping back again to try and get a better chance of hitting this met. Cerb is trying to think about how to disable the other arm, but can't seem to dance around the drill. He tries another fire breath attack, this one concentrated on functioning shoulder of the unit. Meanwhile Hito has flashes of blindness. The curse is starting to take effect. Cerb glances at Hito, and notes it. He swears in Abyssal, and keeps fighting, obeying his master's wishes, though it may cost them everything. "Don't worry about me, Cerb, I've got this!" Hito says, bluffing.
Gaius Van Baelsar	Cerb's fire breath impacts the Vanguard, causing it to stagger backwards. The flame races over its armored form, until it hits the Ceruleum. The Ceruleum ignites on fire and so does the Vanguard. Cerb should already know where this is going, as the Vanguard makes a dash for him! Hito though is in a dangerous dance with the Vanguard he faces. The Heatwave slams into the machine and its armor can be seen heating up, but it does not melt. Instead it uses that heat to cause the drills to ignite on fire before launching the very drills right at the man in order to try to impale him with heated cermet drills.
Hitoshura	Hito has made his own fiery bed, and takes two hits to the chest. He's almost out of this fight. Cerb is chased, but has a brilliant idea, however. He flees from the Vanguard, circles around, and grabs Hito by the collar. The two of them leap over the Vanguard, hopefully causing the two to collide, and maybe end each other, or come close. Hito suffers a bit from Cerb's fangs. "Vhe need to gho," he mumbles. "I'm glad you came to your senses. We're almost out of commission. You want to try one more blast, and then make a run for it?" Cerb growls. "One more fire breath, then we hightail it, Cerb." "Deal Hito, and then we get stronger. These are the grunts. I'd hate to see the guy that's running the show." The two manage one painful deep breath, and try to fry the two met. Any more hositility from the two, and the demon and his master prepare to exit ungracefully.
Gaius Van Baelsar	One Vanguard chases and explodes, the shrapnel scatters, as the other Vanguard rises up its arm in defense to the explosion as the blue flames wash over it. Then gets blasted with a fire ball to the chest, which hits with enough force and knocks it back. The armor and metal work can be seen charred and some of it actually warped at last from the heat it kept getting impacted around. However the machine has not give up. It takes a step forward and chambers on the shoulders open up. There was missiles inside. Cerb or Hito may also hear the footsteps of soldiers starting to make their way up, only a few but their window of escape was starting to close. The missiles soon fire out, six of them at that, all which are speeding for Hito and Cerb, caring little for how much the area was going to be shaken up, but thankfully the Caverns were tough and not even the explosive power of the missiles would do to much damage to it. For them though...
Hitoshura	Hito borrows from Cerb's power and launches a tetrakarn, but a bit different than usual. It deflects the missiles, like a rippling in the air. "I think that's all you have in you, Mr. mecha. Man, my jaw's krilling me," "You used tetrakarn? But it blocks, not deflects," Cerb objects. Hito meanwhile, has lost his sight. "We have him at a disadvantage, but I'm blind. The magatama went wild. #&*$!" "I've got a bit of fight in me, left, Hito. Can you channel your spirit? I'll carry us out of here after that, if it comes to that," Cerb says. Greenish, purple light flows from Hito's hands into Cerb's back, giving him a final boost. Hito kneels. He's done. "You stupid clockwork.. thing!" Cerb roars. He aims an exceptionally long blast of flame at the machine.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The two demons were pushing their luck and perhaps understandable. The Vanguard wasn't doing well, but these machina of Garlean Technology were indeed a problem to be dealt with. The Flames washes over the machine, parts of the armor can be seen melting, but it just starts to walk forward. The red glow behind the visor burns brightly as it keeps marching closer. The drills flare to life as they whirl up and then with a heavy bang of its thrusters, it roars forward and goes to cross the drills, before swinging them out to not only cut, but to know both Hito and Cerb aside.
Hitoshura	Both Hito and Cerb are hit by this. Very near collapse, Hito uses fog breath to obscure the immediate surroundings, then finding Cerb's mane, he mounts him and they flee, not so quickly into the mountain range, and hopefully to a warp gate and a medic.
Gaius Van Baelsar	The Vanguard observes as the two run off and the Garleans coming up the way can't do anything to stop the two as they run out. One of the Centurions can only look inside and whistle softly at the destruction. "Man... this is going to be a report to write when we pull the data from the Vanguard." "Glad it was the drones and not us." The other one remarks, before they give orders for the Vanguard to step out, because below... Confederate forces and Garlean XIV Legion were moving in.