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This is our Open Log for players to have an easy opportunity to tag others and have fun with prompts that deal with current happenings that are not covered by our MANTA Board quests. Sometimes we provide extra quests at the bottom, but oftentimes we just let the MANTA Board cover it. Players are free to include MANTA Board quests in their toplevels!

For your toplevel, please include the following: Character Name | Canon | Armada Choice.

TOPLEVEL DIRECTORY (Updated January 16)

WINTER LODGE

As part of an annual migration of sorts, the three leviathans will journey north where the waters are cold and small icebergs and chunks of ice will float aimlessly. As if serving as a "boundary point," there is a large island called Avaleci. It is a unique place where one half is an active, submerged volcano and the other is a snow-capped mountain. For a few years now it has become a place to serve not only as a waypoint for those traveling through the area, but a tourist vacation destination. It is here the three leviathans will rest, Nogard attaching itself in the black coastal sands where the mountain and volcanic plains meet.

Riding up a special sky gondola will take visitors high up on the mountain to a luxurious winter lodge that will allow anyone to stay in one of their cozy cabins—for a fee, of course. If one cannot pay with cash or treasure, then earning one's stay through labor, such as hunting for cooks or helping clean and assist others is an option.

The lodge itself will provide for most anything visitors may need, from appropriate clothing to gear and equipment for any sports or activities they may wish to partake in the area. Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, bobsledding, snowshoeing, mountain climbing—most everything is available with marked trails and areas that would be safe to partake in such activities. There are also a few special activities visitors may want to try their hand at.

Along with the mountain slopes and the snow covered forests surrounding the lodge, there is a large frozen lake just a small hike up a trail from the lodge. There are also ice caves that some may try to venture through, but should take caution as there are also natural predators and monsters that live in the area.

🎣 Ice fishing. There are two forms of ice fishing: 1) the usual dig through the ice and drop a line into the frigid waters, and 2) have a net ready to try and catch flying fish that will fly over.
⛸️ Skating. Show off your moves! Just stick to the thicker ice, and watch out for anyone trying to play hockey instead.
🌟 Stargazing. Although chilly, there is a designated platform where one can use telescopes or just lie out on the ground to stargaze. Maybe if they're lucky, an aurora borealis will appear to paint the sky with a curtain of colors.
🦇 Snow bats. There are special little white bats whose homes were devastated by a small avalanche not too long ago. There are now rescue efforts to help rebuild their habitat to create hollows for them to build their nest. Form a positive bond and they may gift helpers with a special powdered sugar that falls from their fur.

Although not the tallest mountain in the world, climbing to the peak can be a challenging feat, especially as it includes venturing through some ice caves. The staff try to keep the trails and caves clear of any dangerous animals and monsters, but they still sometimes come through so be careful. However, should one reach the peak, they can collect a special mountain ice crystal that will stay frozen no matter how it gets. Just beware of potential avalanches. There is a magitech system installed to automatically create a special dome shield in certain areas to help protect anyone who can reach the safe spaces in time. But if otherwise caught, rescue efforts will be quick and should be able to pull anyone out to safety.

Finally, there are a number of wildlife and monsters that inhabit the mountains. For the most part they will leave the busy lodge and recreational areas alone, but encounters are inevitable. Territorial mountain goats, ice golems lurking the ice caves, and the occasional yeti may appear. Some may be persuaded to leave peacefully, especially with food. But others may be hostile no matter what. While the lodge would prefer no bloodshed, they understand if it must happen. Otherwise, for hunters looking for game in the wilderness, they will find the usual variety of animals and will need a permit before venturing out.

HOT SPRINGS

Warmed by the volcano, the hot springs are located at the foot of the mountain, where the snow disappears and the terrain is rockier with short cropped grass and valleys before it fades out to the barren volcanic plains beyond. Built a bit simpler compared to the winter lodge, the hot springs' inn is set outdoors where the pools are, but it, too, has special rooms and lodgings for people to enjoy themselves for a relaxing stay (again, for a fee). Because the hot springs are easier to access on foot, the sky gondola starts down there and connects to the winter lodge above.

In terms of amenities, the hot springs have both separated and mixed pools. They are usually well marked, but sometimes pranks happen. There are several located outside with some near lava streams that flow out from the volcanic crater far from the springs, to the ocean. There are invisible, protective barriers to prevent anyone from accidentally touching the lava. All rooms will have their own small private pool. There are also foot baths, saunas, spa and massage rooms, a gaming room, and several food stalls and restaurants for one to dine at.

Of course, just like up on the mountain, there are some "hazards" that those using the larger pools, especially those that are near the lava streams, to be wary of.

🦎 Fire Drakes. Fire drakes are a common sighting around and in the pools. They are for the most part "friendly," in the sense that they won't outright attack unless they are injured first. But they can sometimes crowd the pools, so one may have to gently "shoo" them away.
🥚 Drake eggs. Nests can be found scattered here and there, and the eggs are a delicacy of the island. Blue eggs are safe to harvest as they are unfertilized, just like chicken eggs. Red eggs, however, are considered protected. Should a drake catch anyone trying to take a red one, then all hell will break loose as the entire hoard of drakes will descend to save their egg and the entire springs will shut down until it's settled.
🐧 Waltz of the Penguins. It just so happens this is the time when large flocks of penguins will migrate down for mating season. They usually won't bother anyone as they are more intent in performing special dances to find a partner, which can be beautiful to watch. Or perhaps someone may want to try and play matchmaker. But it isn't unheard of for someone else to catch their eye…

Some unusual activity is happening outside of the springs, and a local environmentalist will run in distress. Ice giants were spotted attacking and trying to collect a special native breed of tortoise. They grow up to be as large as giant boulders, with their shells made of molten rock. They are formidable in their own right, but the ice giants are larger, capable of picking them up and knocking them over. Rescue the tortoises either by guiding them to the safety of the springs or beating back the ice giants (killing is allowed). Save the tortoises and be handsomely rewarded!

Finally, those in Nogard may find their leviathan's choice of stay a bit…warm. They already had to experience witnessing their leviathan turn into a flesh dragon and engulf them in its gut only to be popped back out to the sweltering heat of the volcanic plains. Good luck to anyone who decides to stay in their homes. Elah and Eltrut will be unaffected.

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

Note: All threads involving prompts in this section will count as "quests" and be worth 4pts.

On the other side of Avaleci where the lava is hottest and where there is no cold to ward off the heat is a dangerous terrain where only the brave and more adventurous should go. Make sure to bring plenty of water and anything else that might help beat the heat. Who knows, even a bit of snow might help. There will be several tunneling entrances leading to winding corridors and wide caverns, some even boasting floors of lava, so watch your step! Fortunately, those who are fleet-footed should be able to make it across on the stones.

Within the caverns, there is plenty to discover: from gemstones and fire crystals to fire blossoms (interesting, they look strangely like the winter blossoms only red), and even some old magitech that appears to be broken. Still, there is no one around to tell people not to collect any of it...

🌋 Floor is lava. Getting across the volcanic terrain will require adventurers to hop from safe stone to safe stone to get to the other side of a lava lake. Beware of lava blobs that will shoot lava balls.
🧂 Sulfur smelling salts. Journey deep enough to find a sulfur field, where smelling salts can be harvested to help ease the nightmares brought on by the sleeping curse. However, too much exposure to the smelling salts will leave one feeling hyper energetic to the point of acting sleep deprived.
💎 Fire crystals. These crystals are a hard sought after item as they can be used for a large variety of magitech and even jewelry. However, they are extremely hot to the touch and can even burn if not handled carefully.
💾 Old relics. Scattered throughout the caverns are odd remnants of what appear to be old relics from the past. Researchers and archaeologists have tried to study here before, but due to the dangerous nature of the environment they've been hindered in their efforts. Those who retrieve pieces to return for study will be able to learn and work with the researchers. (note: Players can come up with any kind of relic that could be found here, from old magitech parts to fantasy genre artifacts. We'll ask for submissions during AC, but you are welcome to ask if you're not sure if your idea is okay or not!)

Roaming around the volcanos, especially in the caverns, are small flame sprites that can talk, sing, and dance. They are mischievous little things with a penchant for trouble, and love playing tricks on people, so keep your eyes peeled for them. Be careful, they also have some very sticky "fingers" and will try to steal whatever you might have on you. However, those sticky fingers are also very fiery, and will burn whatever they get their grubby little hands on!

The sprites will lead you on a merry little chase with your items, over lava pools, through winding tunnels, deeper and deeper into the volcano to take their new items to their secret stash of treasures. They will be hard-pressed to give it up, but should one have the charisma or the charm to convince them, they may instead be swayed to return with you if they are promised a comfortable life elsewhere! A large ship, perhaps? Or a fireplace? Away from that "big, scary, flaming animal" that lives further in the volcano.

Guarding the sulfur fields is what one could surmise is the "big, scary, flaming animal" that lives within the deeper depths of the volcano. Should anyone journey too far, they will no doubt hear its hooves thundering throughout the tunnels. Whether you choose to fight this fiery horse or attempt to tame it will be up to you, but it will not be an easy task… Especially upon close inspection it appears to have a few bones sticking and not quite "whole."

There are some odd things about this area with the flaming horse. Not too far is a small cave where what looks to be remains of a broken altar made of obsidian, the ground charred along with bones and bits of fabric. Dark red stains can be made out as well, but is that just the red rock of the volcano, or something else? Other artifacts can be found, such as torn books, stone tablets, but it all seems made within recent years.

More details about the flaming horse:

Attempts to tame the fire horse may be partially successful. If characters manage, one of two things will happen:

The horse will stare at them as if in a daze before it retreats into the lava, stopping its attacks for a short period of time.
The horse will charge off towards where the strange altar is, attempting to break the remaining structure and dig at the markings on the ground. A strange black smoke will appear and it will retreat back in anger before rushing into the lava and disappearing.

Subduing the horse will be very difficult, but we will leave it up to players on what method will work, and whether it is successful. We will ask for AC submissions, as this will unlock a follow-up quest in February.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hopefully, it won’t make another appearance too soon. [ The extra signs of battle throughout the chamber and field cause her to frown. She’s heard of others facing the horse both before and after her, however, which prompts her to wonder: how many lives does this creature have?

…Unless its reappearance is also tied to the altar.

The structure in question draws her attention, and after a cautionary look around the chamber, she begins to head towards it. ]

There’s even marks on this altar…

When Benedikta and I encountered it, it tried to attack it.

[He points to a crack where it looks like something pierced it.]

Over there is where my egi managed to damage it, but I called it off before it could do more. That horse certainly has something against this altar, and I've suspected that it may be related to the ritual, perhaps even be what they summoned through it.

[It makes logical sense. Horse around the altar, horse attacking it, blood ritual, rituals usually used for summoning things. Not too much of a stretch, really.]

[ She looks over to where he indicates, frowning as she notes the damage. Rem places her and on the edge of the altar as she walks around its surface. Both black ash and rust-colored residue collect on her fingertips, which she then inspects before wiping the substance away on her skirt. ] For a structure made of obsidian, you'd think it'd be easier to shatter. [ She murmurs, tone distracted. Obsidian is not tough-- just somewhat sturdier than glass, if that-- but the material does not so much as interest her as what the altar's purpose was. (Is?) If this structure is used for sacrifice-for-power... Maybe, maybe this is exactly the relic she's looking for, so she can repurpose it. With the chalice being a disappointing find, she must try. She has no choice--

Because the previous months have only made her realize how powerless she is. She's not capable enough to help others through a sleeping curse. She's not strong or quick enough to take out a single human-trafficker corsair. She cannot call on the help of her Eidolons who share names with the Dominants. She has no means to protect herself, either, from the inevitable wear on her health. And against the mermaids, the angelic jellyfish, the giant goose, the ghouls, even the rat-king-- she needs more power. She needs to keep herself safe, as well as others.

She needs to survive.

Therefore, she has to test it-- and she must do so before some other outlander decides to finally destroy it for good, if not Cid himself. Rem glances sidelong at him, then back down to the altar, and the surface reflects her wary but resolved expression.

This is her only chance.

...It's not as if he can see souls, can he? Or, she assumes he can't, because she's certain he would have said something by now. ] If you're right, that means the horse can't return without destroying it. [ She brings her hand to her chest, fingers curling loosely inward-- ] Or it could be inert. [ --and then lowers that same hand down to the altar, palm down.

The gesture would have looked innocuous any other time, but in the presence of the altar, Cid will see this:

The fist she makes pulls a thin tendril of misty light from her chest, its aura curling and condensing into an ill-defined sphere upon her palm as she outstretches her fingers. It glows with a pale, humble light, resembling liquid smoke more than a robust flame. It emits neither sound nor distinct presence, seemingly fragile enough that a sigh would disperse it entirely.

It's this that she presses onto the altar's surface, and then... into it. ]

Is that what it's made of?

[A curious look as he draws nearer, not really paying much mind to what Rem is doing before he looks warily around, mostly to make sure their horse friend doesn't suddenly appear.]

But I'm not really that knowledgeable about rituals, just they don't really work at least in my world. No gods or demons to summon. [A sardonic smirk as he rubs his chin, looking at the torn up ground before he happens to look back towards Rem and—]

—!? Rem!?

[He doesn't know what exactly she's doing, but he's rushing over to grab her hand to try and stop her, anyway.]

The bloody hell are you—

[ He manages to grab her hand, and that alone causes her to startle, eyes snapping up from the altar to meet his, confusion, then shock crossing her expression. Was she wrong about him being able to see souls--

This changes things.

But by then it's too late. The wisp of light is gone, absorbed into the obsidian, causing ripples of white light to fan out across its mirror-like surface as if it were a screen, break against the edges, and then ricochet to the point she had placed her palm, where the light turns red. A script appears on the surface of the altar, and shrill tension follows, where the very air within the chamber no longer flows, but quivers.

Something is wrong.

Rem's eyes flick from the writing on the altar, to him, then to the grip he hand on her hand. ]

...I'm on your side. [ She tells him carefully.

Because whatever is coming, whatever is happening, she just... wants to assure him of that, despite what he's just seen her do. ]

[There's confusion in his gaze as he just stares at her dumbfounded before it hardens when he looks back to the words. At first it's all gibberish, but then it seems to clear into something they both can read:

Dine oh creature of hell, this feast of souls for thine power swell

And for a man like Cid, it doesn't take much for him to zero in on a key word and connect it to what he just saw.]

A soul?

[Again he turns to her flabbergasted.]

Did you just give it a soul?

[ On some level, she immediately knows she's erred by making a foolish, desperate decision that not only puts her in danger but also someone completely innocent.

This is as she would expect from someone--... from someone who isn't of Class Zero, who doesn't know what they do, what their assignment is, and why. His reaction comes from someone who doesn't know what it's like to be without such power, in an entirely different world, at that.

She'd thought she'd been so careful, too. Rem takes a step away, her tone becoming defensive, shaky. ]

It's not what you think--

[ No, it's exactly as he thinks.

But before she can speak further, the mountain suddenly roars, and spires burst upward, overturning solid ground and bisecting the chamber. As the earth continues to rumble, the field melts into an aisle of molten earth leading up to the altar...

And out steps the fire horse in renewed glory, lava running down from its mane and body. It shakes its head once, sending a spray of sparks and superheated ash throughout the area; and when it appears to regain its bearings with a new, stronger body, it stomps once upon the ground, one hoof sending a stream of magma in their direction. ]

Shit—

[He has to immediately move to the other side as that spire separates the two of them.]

We'll talk about this later!

[Even as that horse appears, he is not letting Rem go about this. But they have bigger problems to deal with that stream of magma, and Cid has to jump and roll out of the way to avoid it, his sword now in his hand. He half considers summoning Ixion to see if it will do anything like last time, but he'll wait to see if they can't figure out something themselves.]

[ She manages to leap out of the way of the initial attack, but the demon-horse (a name that Kethric gave it from the only other time she fought it) follows up its attack with another. Striking the ground with another hoof, it lowers its head and charges forward.

Rem throws up her hands just in time, conjuring a glass-like, blue wall that impedes its attack. Already, a fissure jags across the magical barrier, causing Rem to dig her heels into the ground to solidify her stance. The demon rears on its hind legs, then strikes down against the magic, shaking the foundation.

More dangerous than its physical attacks, though, are the pyroclastic fumes the demon exudes, which rapidly begin to disperse everywhere. ]

[Cid was prepared to go in and take it with his sword as it focused on Rem, but those fumes prevent him from getting too close. He may not know their full nature, but he's had enough experience to know not find out personally. For now, he'll unleash a powerful barrage of lightning right on top of it, each bolt piercing through that armor like hide to try and make it not only stop attacking Rem so that she can maybe do something about it, but also draw its attention.]

[ When she last faced the fire horse, she had been able to engage it directly, even getting in a few hits with her blades. That won't be possible now. Fumes unfurl from its body like stormclouds, super heated, sparking, and smelling like charred sulfur and rusted iron. If being near it causes her throat to tighten by the smoke, being caught within it would surely cause severe scalding.

While her barrier can't filter out the scorching air, Rem's lucky that her barrier holds against another stomp, but just barely, and while she continues to hold one hand up to supply it with magic, she scrambles backward on the ground, putting distance between her and the fumes. Her eyes darting around her immediate area, scanning for anything else she could use or hide behind when the magic eventually does break with the next attack. While she does have other spells, she cannot conjure a different one while still maintaining the shield.

That next attack doesn't come, because Cid's calls the horse's attention. Or rather, its ire. The nightmare cries out at being struck by lightning, staggering to the side. While it seems to have hurt it, it doesn't keep the creature jolted for long. The electrical charge disperses within the dark, churning fumes that surround the horse like insulation.

The beast's eyes lock onto Cid. Rearing on its hind legs, it stomps the ground, roaring. As it strikes the ground, a fissure of magma erupts, torrenting forward toward Cid. The chamber rumbles, causing loose rocks to fall from their perch. ]

[This is definitely not the best place to fight this thing, but don't really have much of a choice right now. At the very least he caught its attention, and as the fissure races towards him, he darts away, using his lightning flash to get him to a different side of the cave. Short of semi-priming, it looks like he doesn't have many options. If neither he or Rem can get in close then—]

Ixion!

[He shouts out and sends out a wave of lightning that converges into the shape of a large horned horse, its neighs shrill and echoing against the walls as it charges forth and slams into the fire horse.

As the two engage in battle, Cid will hurry over to Rem.]

Hey, you all right?

I'm okay! ...I'm okay. [ She repeats, coughing to clear her throat from all the smoke. Rem wipes her mouth with the edge of her sleeve as she stands, looking from Cid to the--

Is that a lightning-horse fighting the fire-horse?

In another world, this would have been an epic sight to behold in both an awesome and frightening manner-- the kind, she thinks, would turn this sort of battle into a myth. Standing in the middle of it, though, causes her to gasp and back away. At this point, the air is both smoldering and charged with static as the two figures clash. The fumes are working in their favor, then; for without a healthier supply of fresh oxygen, no doubt the wrong electrical spark would act as the ignition, setting off a chain reaction throughout the whole chamber that would prove rather deadly.

Well, deadly to her. She's sure he would last, assuming the power he has is greater than even this lightning-horse. It would be wonderful to have her ice-based Eidolon right now, but she can't even do that because it would call Jill instead (which she won't do)-- and, together, all of this serves as a reminder of why she's come here, and what she can potentially use the altar for. Why she must--

She tears off a piece of her skirt, using it to wrap around her mouth. She'll offer another piece to Cid if he needs it. ] Do you think that'll be enough? How long can you keep that up?

[ She gestures to Ixion. ]

Should be able to manage for a while, but wouldn't want to keep it up forever.

[He frowns when she just tears off a part of her skirt Rem please??? But he'll take it nonetheless.]

At best it's keeping it occupied—bastard is stronger than last time and not giving in as much as it did before.

[If anything it seems angrier at Ixion this time around, as if feeling betrayed, but his egi continues to try and drive it further away from them.]

Wish I had wind... Could try to conjure actual storm clouds and make it rain, but no guarantee on that.

[ Fortunately for all, it’s a long walking skirt as is the fashion in this world. To Rem, that means there’s more than enough fabric to spare—

Rain sounds great. Wind that would only fuel the fire does not, unless she’s misunderstanding something. Rem presses her lips together, frowning, thinking, looking back to the altar then at the horse as it continues to engage Ixion. ] Not enough humidity, and—

[ Against a being that conducts lightening, the horse’s strategy is to overwhelm it; magma conducts little charge, and it slams its front hooves onto the ground, sending a seismic wave of molten spires against the egi.

Rem shuffles to keep her balance, but the chamber around them rumbles, with cracks in the field splinting throughout and reaching where they stand. ]

Keep it distracted— I’ll move around it to strike it with ice magic.

[ That means she’ll have to get in close, but if that’s what she must do, then she’d rather make an attempt than abandon the altar entirely, because this could be it. She can’t fail now. ]

[A small laugh.]

I can make it storm anywhere—it's us being inside that makes it a bit difficult. But if you can get it with ice, we may be able to work something out, so just leave the distracting to me.

[He then unsheathes his sword.]

I'll give you an opening.

[ She has to pause and admire how composed he is. Perhaps this enemy isn't that serious of an opponent for him, after all. Then again maybe she should have guessed, considering the power he has.

Without another word, Rem vanishes from sight. Having cast an invisible spell, it allows her to maneuver to where she needs to be while the horse's attention remains on him. It's significantly more difficult to breathe the closer she gets to the fire horse, and she tightens the back of the cloth in response. Sparks of amber flit through the dark, ashen cloud-like sparrows in a storm, but she continues forward, carefully, soundlessly.

And trying to leap over fissures of lava.

While he's doing whatever he's doing to keep it distracted, she prepares to cast her spell. By now the air singes at her throat. Before she makes a noise, she'll have one chance to cast the spell without being detected. It'll have to be timed perfectly. ]

[With his egi keeping it mostly occupied by the front, Cid considers his options. For all his talk, making it rain is a new thing, granted only by the power of these tattoos. Initially it was just lightning specifically, but a talk with the octopus allowed him to expand it more to "storms" in general. He doesn't have control over water, but as he said, he can more easily create storm clouds. It's still a bit of work in process as he hasn't had a chance to use it often, but he at least made sure to master the basics.

So first he'll cast out the magic, the rumbling of thunder echoing through the cavern as it darkens, storm clouds slowly gathering above them. It's enough to make the fire horse stop in surprise—after all, it likely hasn't seen a storm in all its time here. But in that moment, both Ixion and Cid rush in, his blade digging into the rock hard as the egi's hooves strike with sparks of lightning.

The fumes do make him have to hold his breath, but Rem will soon understand why he wished he had more control of wind. Although not quite the same, the building storm brings its own set of gales, and he maneuvers it so that the winds blow the fumes away from them the air lightening to become more bearable if only for a few moments. The condensation from the clouds also turns into something more like steam from the hot temperatures, creating a obscured cover for Rem.

Soon enough, the fire horse's back will be completely exposed, giving her a perfect shot at its flank. And if not then, when it turns Cid will rush in to give it a hefty kick, jumping and spinning the air to inflict as much force as possible to STAGGER it.]

[ One of these days she will reflect back and think about how Cid just roundhouse kicked a flaming demon horse like it’s no problem, but today isn’t that day.

Because of the kick, the great animal staggers, putting it in a prime position for her to disarm to attack. Rem disarms invisibility spell to charge her next one, breaking out into a sprint, then leaping from her spot. While airborne, Rem’s daggers manifest into her hands from a sparkling, white mist, which condense into a solid form as she strikes downward onto its back. The hide is terribly tough, singeing her where she lands on its back, but the heat and smoke doesn’t last for long. An explosion of ice spires erupts from all around Rem, jutting out from both the horse’s body and the ground like barbed lances or teeth.

This is the same attack she used last time against the fire horse, and even then it wasn’t enough. Hastily, Rem leaps off its back.

It’s staggered, it’s partially frozen, but it won’t be for long. Already it’s beginning to glow brighter, and the grand thorns of ice crack as loud as sapphires under pressure. ]

We need to continue to overwhelm it—

[ It’s their best option, but it’s not as if her magic reserves can last forever. Otherwise, she’d have to use a soul from her stock replenish it… or pull at the horse’s. Neither of which she wishes to do in front of him if she can help it. ]

Should be long enough to try and get those storm clouds brewing and get some rain in here. We'll also be drenched and might steam up at first before it clears out, so just be ready. It'll at least help cool the damn thing off some more.

[And get rid of the fumes.

He's gathering the magic as he speaks, the storm clouds overhead rumbling with the thunder as the magic makes up for what natural science cannot. At the same time, Ixion remains on guard, ready to charge into the firehorse and keep it engaged.

And soon it will be ready for a downpour.]

Ah-- right. Okay. [ She's going to be ready...!

To hang back. Because water with electricity is a deadly combination, and if the rain he's mentioned is going to drench them, she doesn't want to get in the way of any charges, much less accidentally step in a puddle while Ixion engages with lightning across the chamber.

At least she can cast an ice spell from afar to help-- which Rem prepares. This one will be homing in nature, and she'll be ready to release it on his mark. ]

[As he warned, steam initially forms as the first drops begin to fall, but soon the pace quickens and the constant pour of rain changes the temperature and humidity enough to make the steam dissipate as it washes over the fire horse.

Feeling the moisture—a strange thing for it to be sure given where it's been trapped for who knows how long—the fire horse screams angrily, body moving to try and free itself. Unlike everywhere else, steam continues to rise up from it, but the fumes it tried to expel are quickly neutralized by the water, as well as its flames. Due to the nature of the horse those can't be extinguished completely, but there's visibly less as the water continues to pour down.

Once the ice starts to completely break apart around it—]

Everyone, now!

[Cid makes the call, lightning bursting from the clouds above at the same time Ixion releases its own charge of lightning from its horn, cracking through the stony, thick hide.]

[ Upon his signal, she unleashes her attack from behind him. It's significantly less powerful than the point-blank blizzard explosion she had triggered with her daggers in hand, but from a distance, it provides an extra volley of icy projectiles that crash into the beast.

Ice coats over where flames of the horse emerge from its mane, only to melt or shatter with a toss of its head. Rem raises her other hand, following it up with a second barrage to catch it as it staggers back, and then another. Each time the flames grow a little bit less, and less, its amber, molten glow diminishing, they almost have it--

Rem staggers back, breathing heavily as her magic exhausts; using up a soul would replenish it, but... she's not about to do that in front of Cid. Hopefully, it's wounded enough to retreat, or Cid can make the finishing move. ]

[Fortunately for Rem, Cid is more focused on the horse. They have it on its last legs now, and while he doubts they have enough to kill it, they should have enough to either incapacitate it or drive it off. So with his sword, he channels his aether into it, lightning racing over the blade as he rushes in and drives the blade deep into its side, breaking through the severely weakened hid before using the rest of his strength to slash upward, leaving a deep gash.

Rather than blood, lava-like fluid rush out from the wound as the fire horse staggers and stumbles back before falling. It thrashes its legs and is slow to rise, but eventually when it stands again it just stares at them, the fires of rage that were once practically glowing from its eyes now dim before it turns and limps away.

Cid himself takes a moment to catch his breath as he stares at it, feeling the toll of using such strong magic right after the other, before looking back at Rem.]

We've driven it off for now... You all right?

[ Yet another impressive attack on his part, and Rem can do nothing but watch from a safe distance. ]

I’m okay— [ Singed. Winded. Soaked though. Magic needs to replenish. She’s fine in the sense she made it through a battle, and she will recover.

But at least the air is no longer dense with smoke and ash, and so she unties the cloth from around her mouth. ]

How about you? [ She’ll look him over, just in case. ] That was amazing… um, your magic, I mean. And that horse. You could have handled that yourself.

WINTER LODGE

HOT SPRINGS

VOLCANO EXPLORATION

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