Battle 4: vs Emerald Lighthouse Lv 12

Castle High's arrives in Port Clandeli amid a twisting rainstorm. You pull your armor a bit tighter as the biting cold sheets of rain begin to pour down upon you. It's hard to make out anything in the town itself, but the passing emerald light of the lighthouse reveals flooded streets, sunken-in houses, and shattered wooden structures. Up in the navigation tower, Corbin carefully steers the castle along a longer route to avoid going directly through the rotating light. No one seems to mind the delay, given the stories.

Finally, the castle burns a crater into the ground, and Castle High's forces begin to fan out. Compared to the mayhem of Dragonskull Colosseum, this landing is almost eerily calm: a few short minutes later, all forces are in position, and the castle's commanders check-in with each other, reporting an all-clear. Cautiously, the army begins to work its way between the houses, trying their best to avoid the large puddles of dirty water. The way forward slowly shifts from completely unseeable to dimly lit, then back again, as the lighthouse's beam spins far overhead. The portion of the city near the port is entirely flooded, and the rest of it seems to be swiftly joining its fate.

As Regiment 1-31 is wading its way through an alleyway, Emilia suddenly calls out,"...that's what feels so wrong: there's no animals." Her eyes continue to scan the nearby rooftops, presumably looking for birds.
"Well, we're in the middle of an abandoned city-- ergh shit," Scarlett curses as she lifts up her boot, inspecting the muck she just stepped in. "Urgh... an abandoned city, in the middle of a wicked storm. If I were an animal, I'd get the hell out of here too."
"That's not it," Emilia insists, "there's nothing here. No tiny fish in the still water, no rats in the abandoned houses..." she stops by a broken wooden cart, her eyes focusing as the light passes by. "Look, even here: even in this rotten, wet wood, there's no termites or insects of any kind." She gets up, drawing the bow off her back. "If there's one rule of the wild, it's to never be somewhere even the toughest creatures don't tread."
Scarlett simply narrows her eyes, looking up at the lighthouse once more for a few silent moments. Then, she draws her needles, giving the rest of the group a wordless warning: 'Keep on your toes.'

Then, in an instant, a piercing wail strikes out against the harsh rain, causing Scarlett to flinch -- you turn to see the sound coming from the lighthouse. There, halfway up the lighthouse's height, a figure has appeared: their skin is pale white and stretched thin, and heavy iron chains glowing a faint blue light are wrapped around their arms, legs, and neck. Their eyes are wide, focused down upon the Regiment as they writhe in their chains, screaming and crying.
"No! Nooo! Get back, get back!" A man's voice wails, "No more, please! I don't want any more!"

Scarlett takes an uneasy step forward, assessing the figure, "Are you alright? Did someone chain you there? Don't worry, we can help--"

But the man only shakes harder, his skin being shredded away, "NO! LEAVE! YOU CAN STILL--!"

And then, like an invisible switch being turned, the Emerald Lighthouse's beam pans downward, now rolling over the city! As the man screams once more, the light passes over you--!

...Sinking. Among some the castle's forces, an incredibly heavy sensation falls over their body, and they're sinking, down into the puddles and streams of water. They try to hold their breath, but oxygen floats upward, while their bodies sink down, down, further, further... until they land upon the ocean floor, salt burning their eyes and mouths, the world a hazy mess. In front of them, they see the shapes of massive, re-animated ships, manned by crews of wisps, and at the front of the frigate, a female figure cloaked in red, her skin a dead black, ordering the ships onward. Her voice is distorted by the water, but reaches your ears nonetheless, a somewhat soothing sound, "do not be afraid... we shall put you to rest... you shall be spared our fate... just relax and lay down..." Behind her, the reflection of the lighthouse continues to turn upside-down, its piercing light rotating around to strike again.
Scarlett, ignoring the searing pain it causes in her throat, yells out, "Hold... together! Fuck... 'em up! Figure out... what's happening..."

Some among the castle's crew manage to hold their footing, though even they grasp at their chests as they feel an immense weight pulling them down. Up above, the figure chained to the lighthouse seems to have slumped. He raises his arms, and the sound of rattling chains echoes through the streets. The decaying bodies of people stumble forward, wrapped up in chains, and among them even worse sights: piles of husks, bound by the enchanted metal. The man on the lighthouse speaks again, "well, then I must do what I must... Ito save you from the curse I've placed on so many. I'll keep you here, with the friends I could save, safe from the accursed sea." He flicks a wrist, and a number of chains raise themselves up around the castle's forces. "I'll be gentle, I promise..."

Drowned, Gasping, and Sunken:

Castle High Forces:

CASTLE HIGH Lv. 12
HP 12000 / 12000

---

Arthur couldn't even manage the breath to curse.

Instead, he grimaced- eyes narrowing as he forced his body onward. A machine- each part rolling forward slowly... but together, together. He spread his feet out to take a firm stance, his presence unfaltering even against the gravity-- against the unrelenting force of the rain. His shoulders square, his chest rising, remaining steady in its rhythm in spite of the blackness crawling in from the corners of his vision.

With a grimace, he glanced over his shoulder to check the thick roll of securely-tied canvas slung across his back... he didn't come this far just to be stopped right at his destination. He had to finish this-- for both their sakes.

"Br--" he wheezed- damn, he didn't think the condition of his lungs would get this annoying this quickly-! "Gyughh...! Get-- behind me!"

Steeling himself, the swordsman drew as much of a breath in as he could. He lifted his blade against the downward tug pulling him towards the water, its surface shining a soft blue-white under the eerie rays cast down from the lighthouse, and directed his focus forward towards the enemy.


Become one, and then zero. As long as nothing else mattered, he could forge onward without regard to irrelevant pain.


>Arthur: Use Brawler's Challenge on Brice. Then, take a fierce stance- ready to cut off the advance of the Chained Civilians towards his allies!

"Oy, is that a wet sea dog I see up there?!" He roared, his lungs burning and writhing with the effort- "Come here! I'll ssh- hhrghh-- send you back to hell!"

Water. Everywhere. One of Vince's most dreaded nightmares: any sort of scenario where firepower couldn't save him. The raging sea and unknown threat of this mysterious lighthouse fueled his panic, and like a wild animal backed into a corner, Vince caved in to his primal survival instincts. For Vince, this meant destroy everything.

He didn't even bother with words this time. Instead, Vince let loose a roar of defiance.

>Vince: Jump up to any nearby rooftop and Ignite the Lighthouse itself! Then use Veins of Fire (Advantage) to sling a fireball at the Lighthouse.

Upon seeing the devastation that had plagued this port, Bran was clearly a little bit frightened. "There... There isn't really much left of this port, is there?" He sighed. "So much for that." He whispered to himself.

Listening to Emilia and Scarlet speak with a bored expression, upon hearing the ghost's shriek, he erupted in shock.

What in the world is going on?!

Making a mad scramble through the wreckage for anything that could be of value, he quickly realized that it was pointless. Seeing the others dragged below the ground and into the water, he knew that a powerful curse would keep him from finding anything amidst all this rubble. It would kill him before he got that far. There was too much to sift through. He had no clues, no evidence, not much of anything.

Then he saw the lighthouse.

"Maybe..."

Bran took out the Tale of Lonely Cold and began muttering an incantation, before making a mad dash towards the tower.

Bran: Using the Tale of Lonely Cold, surround yourself with a barrier of cold magic, before trying to get past Brice and enter the lighthouse.

Seeing the spotlight-like glare of the lighthouse about to sweep over him, the paladin had the presence of mind to close his right eye - an old soldier's trick to keep from being blinded. His left strained against the light, keeping watch for whatever threat he could find... but then, without warning, he was plunged from the glaring light into total darkness.

No, that wasn't quite true. Slipping his right eye open again, the paladin was just barely able to keep track of his dizzying descent into the depths. The leagues slipped past with bewildering speed as he was pulled deeper into the black void.

His mind reeled, unable to make sense of the sights before him. He mastered it.

The salt and brine burned his eyes, throat, even his lungs. He ignored it.

His body was weighed down as if being dragged into hell. He fought it.

After what felt like an eternity of torment, the paladin felt his heels sinking into the murk of the seafloor. Down here, even the ground itself wasn't solid - in a moment, he was up to his armored calves in mud and caked sand.

He tried to offer up a prayer for support, but his throat rebelled. He sputtered as the brine and salt forced themselves into his lungs. In that moment, it became clear to Saul - he was drowning. He would die alone in darkness with nothing to hold on to. Maybe this was his punishment for the sin of failure, for his lack of faith.

Blackness began to creep in from the sides of his vision. After all, his death was something he had faced and accepted many times already. Dying was only a natural consequence of failing in the service of Iros. So, Saul wondered...

Why was his body still struggling?

A flash of blue light caught his eye, a sword raised to point at the enemy. Even in this place, "that guy" was still standing. In spite of, no, all the more because of the darkness, the receding back was prouder than ever before.

That pissed Saul off. Why couldn't that damn blacksmith accept his fate? This oppressive darkness, this crushing weight... who did that guy think he was, standing up against that all by himself?

In truth, Saul received no answer. Still, for a moment, he heard an echo of Arthur's voice.

"Who do ya think you are, to tell me I can't?"



Water, salt, and brine mixed in his lungs. His body strained against the crushing weight of the water. Hands clenched into fists, Saul stepped forward, rising from the mud. One step, then two. All that existed was his own body and that distant back. Working like a machine, every muscle in his body tensed and dragged him forward. He may be dying, but for just a moment longer, he was alive. That was enough.

His mind was clear. The enemies, such as they were, floated in a loose formation between twenty and fifty meters away. Tightening the straps on his armor, the paladin raised his sword in challenge, pointing it at the spectral wraith who stood before him.

"Come."

[ > Saul: Equip the Fitted Chainmail and prepare to intercept Valeena ]

Arthur's jabs don't seem to have any emotional impact on Brice, but he immediately looks to him, a faint glimmer of something in his eyes. "Oh, you poor soul... I'm so sorry. Do not worry, I shall see your suffering ended soon..." Brice has been Taunted into attacking Arthur this turn! Arthur gains Brawler's Stance for successfully taunting his foe. (+1 Adv)

TRAINING MISSION COMPLETE! Having spent time forging his body alongside his mind, Arthur gains a new Technique, awakened in the heart of battle: Second Wind! The first time Arthur falls below 50% Max HP in a battle, he will immediately be restored to 50% Max HP!

With a flourish, Vince leaps onto a rooftop, his whip of fire crackling to life! Burning away 100 HP, Vince conjures up a mighty fireball and slings it toward the lighthouse! It arcs over the head of Brice, striking just below the lighthouse's top and knocking stones loose, dealing 452 damage! The flames stick to the lighthouse and begin to lick up its surface, causing the Emerald Lighthouse to gain Burning! It will receive 200 damage at the end of every turn! (+1 Adv)

Brice begins to struggle against his chains as the fireball strikes, "No, stop! You musn't! The light is all we have left! It's all that lets us remember!"

Bran equips his icy tome and chants an incantation -- an instant later, a barrier of ice springs to life around him! It will give him an additional +2 to all defense while it remains active. The ice swirls, keeping away the stray flames falling from Vince's attack as Bran runs for the lighthouse. None of the chained creatures seem to pay him any mind, most of them remaining in relaxed states...

He reaches the front door of the lighthouse and pulls it open: a foul, rancid smell mixes with the sea brine to a nauseating effect. Though he doesn't have much time to look around, he notes the spiral staircase heading toward the lighthouse's top, and the spinning emerald focus locating there. (+1 Adv)

Emilia pulls back her bow string and fires an arrow straight at Brice! He's unable to move or dodge, and the arrow lodges itself in his leg! He gives a low moan of pain as he takes 181 damage! She then draws an explosive arrow and fires it upon the lighthouse, striking it near the base and dealing 566 damage! Brice roars once again as the lighthouse is struck.

Suddenly, the Chained Weeper screams, tears running down their eyes as they see blood flowing from Brice's wound! They are no longer Neutral!

Meanwhile, below the waves...

Severa channels divine power through her Twin Streaks and, with a flourish, a divine barrier surrounds the party underwater! The barrier has 350 HP, and will absorb any damage targeting any of her party members! (+1 Adv)

TRAINING MISSION COMPLETE! Severa's commitment to keeping her allies alive and well has manifested as a new Technique! She gains Healing Glow -- whenever she creates a magical barrier or construct, the target(s) for that barrier will also receive a minor heal, scaling with that barrier's health!

Saul raises his sword to the wraith in challenge. Valeena speaks again, a voice ringing through the chilly water, "Do you wish to be the first? Very well: I shall ensure you remain here and die, your soul safe beneath the waves." He has successfully taunted Valeena! (+1 Adv)

Erika fires a bolt of rock lightning through the water, striking the Sunken Galleon for 247 damage! (+1 Adv)

Scarlett darts through the water, powerful strides fighting against the ocean's resistance as she pushes past the ghost ships and wraith. Thankful for Saul's distraction, she swims vigorously upward toward the lighthouse's reflection, holding onto whatever air she still can. Soon, she's floating within the reflection, the spinning focus just nearby. She concentrates on it for a moment, then looks back up at the real lighthouse above, thoughts racing through her mind... (+1 Adv)

Enemies begin to stir above the waves...

Brice raises out his arms, and massive chains lift themselves from the ground, soaring toward Arthur! The swordsman manages to block a few, but two quietly snaking up from his legs and grab on tight, yanking him off his feet! He receives no damage, but is now Chained! He will not lose the Gasping status this turn, immediately fail any agility-based actions, and will be unable to avoid or dodge any attacks! (+1 Adv)

The Chained Weeper begins to cry their sorrowful tears, and the sound of their pain and anguish is felt throughout the army. Arthur and Vince each take 120 damage and are made Vulnerable by the painful sound! Successful attacks against them will have an additional +10 power! Bran nearly hears the sound as well, but the icy chill of his cold aura keeps it at bay, for now. (+1 Adv)

Beneath the waves...

Valeena stabs her spectral sword into the ground, and suddenly, Saul feels dead, grasping hands reach up for him from the seafloor, clutching him tight! Saul is now Dragged Down! He will not lose the Drowning status this turn, and will immediately fail any agility-based actions! (+1 Adv)

Valeena then stalks forward, phasing straight through the divine barrier and swinging her sword at the paladin! Saul raises his own blade to block the attack-- but her sword phases right through, driving itself into his clavicle! The wound is made more painful by the stinging salt water around! Saul receives 348 damage! (+1 Adv)

The Sunken Galleon aims its repeater cannons on Castle High and opens fire! The first strike deals 456 damage before the second volley is fired, dealing another 505 damage! (+1 Adv)

The Sunken Destroyer, meanwhile, fires a volley of rounds far, far above! They'll land next turn! (+1 Adv)

The Sunken Frigate aims it massive cannons on the party and opens fire, a wide volley of destructive power!! It deals a whopping 427 damage to the divine barrier, instantly shattering it, and the barrage continues through to deal 77 damage to all Drowning allies (69 to Saul)!

The Emerald Lighthouse's beacon comes around for another turn, its reflection in perfect sync, and upon being struck, all the forces of Castle High feels themselves dragged away! Those on the surface are pulled down through the puddles, cast into the cold darkness, besides Arthur, chains biting into his skin as he remains above water. Down below, the drowning forces suddenly feel a force yanking them upward, almost painful, flying upward until they break the surface of the water, emerging out of the puddles and onto land once more, coughing. All except Saul, left drowning beneath the waves.

As the two forces move, they see each other pass by. Within the lighthouse, Bran and Scarlett pass -- as they do, Scarlett screams out a message to him over the churning water. "There's... two.. focuses! Reflections...!" As the scholar settled into place far below, salt water stinging his eyes and throat, he might be able to see it himself: unlike the rest of the lighthouse, a ghostly reflection, the emerald focus down here is just as vibrant and 'real' as the one he'd seen above.

Castle High Forces:

CASTLE HIGH Lv. 12
HP 11039 / 12000

---

The burns on his arms were doused by the salt water... A sensation that was familiar.

A memory? What gives? I'm about to drown:

As the water from the raging sea engulfed his body, Vince instinctively took in a sharp breath and blew it out his nose to prevent the sea from entering his nostrils. This wasn't the first time he unwillingly plunged into the ocean waves, but it was the first time they were out to kill him. He held what was left of his breath for as long as he could. The pressure of the water on his chest as the chains dragged him deeper became too great, and his breath was lost.

He felt cold- uncommon for a pyromancer such as himself. Instead of submitting to it, he continued to stubbornly burn with anger. He hated feeling powerless, and that hate let him keep fighting for his survival. As long as he had something to say for it, his time was far from over. Then he saw it- really it was the only thing he could see in the murky depths- glowing with a verdant other-worldliness.

"It was that damn lighthouse!" he thought. "I'll burn it down! It's gonna take a lot more than the world's ocean and some creepy building to snuff me out!"

>Vince: Try his damnedest to lash through the water and strike the source of the green light with his Fire Lash Whip.

After Bran fell underwater, he started coughing up salt and water. It filled up his lungs, but as focused as ever, he ran up the stairs.

The reflection is just as real as the original?! Bran's heart and mind began racing. I have to take a closer look! I won't have much time to ask Scarlett about the one on land... So I'll have to look at both!

Bran: Examine the emerald. In particular, try and figure out if you recognize it from elsewhere, and try and memorize its appearance.

Shaking, gasping, heaving, and on all fours, I struggle to my feet, gripping my weapon tightly.

"O Sanguine Ragnus, long has your life flowed through the universe..."

I begin taking steps forward, marching resolutely past my allies and towards our shared foes.

"Through thine knowledge and inheritance, I humbly beseech thee..."

Planting myself firmly with my friends in my wake.

"Bless this one servant with the will and might required of her!"

I twirl and strike like a woman possessed - but I am alone, and alone I sing.

"Join us, O Chained Innocents - that you might be freed from this cursed field of battle!"

Severa's actions

• Speak a prayer to Ragnus - Beseech the Lord Maker for knowledge of what she must do.
  
• Sing a Note of Faith - Attempt to turn the tide of battle by turning the hearts of the Chained Civilians, challenging their loyalty to Brice.
  
• Whirl her Twin Streaks - Attempt to generate wind which will propel her Note of Faith forward, potentially affecting other targets nearby.
  

Damn it... again-?! It really had been too long... After the assault of the last few minutes-- chains snagging his ankles and pulling his feet out under him as if they'd been tied to a horse, his chest colliding with the mud and knocking all the breath out of him, a horrible cry tearing through his head, the rush of water and mud as something tried to drag him down, the chains biting into his ankles the only force keeping his head over the water... he already seemed a little weary- his breathlessness starting to catch up to him.

Even as he tried to lift himself up, he only barely managed to get up to his knees... but he fought his way back up, slowly but surely. This time, he took an even lower stance, anchoring himself to the ground- if he was pulled off of his feet again, he would at least be ready to stay grounded by his knees rather than fall completely prone... but he gasped and wheezed through it all, his vision started to blur... can't breathe, can't breathe...

...and yet.



"What the hell... are you trying to do here?" he growled, working his way back to Brice. "...you're dead... old fool. This place is dead... But even if you're not rolling over... you're not even trying... to stay... alive, either..."

His voice grew thinner, weaker, even as he strained.

"...you're just wasting away... standing still in the middle of... nowhere...!"

He shook his head, trying to get the mud and hair out of his eyes, spitting something out-- a thick wad of blood, sand, mucus and sea water. As much as he had to say, though, he knew if he tried to yell anymore through the rain, he'd surely faint- so instead, he fixed his stance again, glaring ahead.

'Standing still'. For some reason, he felt something in his heart stir ar that- an itch. That woman's words again...

"Most people are doing one or the other, hmm? Running away from people, memories, fears. Running toward people, promises, hopes. Almost the same thing. But one's living with eyes-forward, the other looking back."

...

There was no running, here. Heavy chains locking him in place, gravity pulling him- down, down- breathlessness, suffocating the strength running through his arms, can't breathe, can't think, can't move, he was trapped.

He was trapped.

And the lion's blood began to boil.

"...what is it... holding you here...?" he choked out, "...I'll... ccut it off, right now... our... chains. You... shhgh... sh-shouldn't be... alive..."



"Let me fix that for you."

>Arthur: Ask Brice what's kept him and the Chained Civilians at the lighthouse all this time... and- no matter what- remain upright. Keep his sword braced and ready to counter against incoming attacks.

The rain and mud had fully soaked his hair, locks of it falling all over his face, and his clothes had grown heavy with all the water they'd absorbed... and behind him, the wrapped-up canvas strapped to his back continued to weigh him down: one point eight kilograms of metal he would never use to fight. Still, he wasn't going to take it off until he made it to his destination. That was the only promise he had ever made, ever will make.

Against the oppressing rain, his blade flew around him like a writhing snake, flashing as it passed under the light- but the silhouette of his body remained proudly upright. Above all else.

The chains added another physical weight to the already intense pressure holding Saul to the seafloor. Dimly, he was aware of a shift in the environment behind him, but he brushed it off. He would devote all of his focus to the enemy in front of him.

Parrying was impossible from the start, and chained down as he was, dodging was out of the question. However... with the right timing, it might be possible to minimize the damage. Bracing himself for the next strike, Saul released his own swing - not at the opponent's weapon, but at the opponent herself. The reborn sacred sword had the potential to cut deep, preventing the wraith's attack from landing, but even in the case that it didn't, the blade becoming lodged in the opponent's sword arm would reduce the force she could put behind her strike. Still, though, that was only enough to defend - if Saul wanted to defeat this enemy, he would have to do more.

So he pushed his body harder. Exceeding the limits of his first strike, the paladin pushed forward against the chains anchoring him down. Getting leverage was difficult, but still, his offhand lashed out, grabbing the weapon-arm shoulder of his foe. With a mighty grunt, he pulled, the force of the spectral chains now aiding him in pulling Valeena further onto his blade. Still, as much as this effort exerted him, the paladin kept his eyes soft but alert, watching for a twitch that would signal further attempts at attack.

Bound as he and his opponent now were, the paladin now had a perfect shield to use against the spectral warships aiming at him and his allies - and of that he took full advantage. With some luck, he could also swing Valeena into the way of attacks from any of the other enemies, forcing her to take the brunt of the damage rather than taking it directly.

> Anticipating Valeena's next attack, Saul aimed to:
1. Parry the incoming attack by attacking Valeena's sword arm
2. Grapple Valeena while she was in melee range
3. Pull Valeena into his blade to deal additional damage
4. Use his grip on Valeena to counter or force Valeena to take the damage from any further attacks directed his way

Severa offers a quick prayer to Ragnus before freeing her voice to a wind created by her weapon, carrying her note to the Chained Civilians!

Erika jumps in to help her, adding her own music to Severa's attack to increase its power!

The tone strikes true, and the Chained Civilians begin to yank at their chains, resisting Brice's control! The lighthouse keeper moans over the rain, "No! Please stop! You musn't be unchained!"

"Grghgh... Bricee... you and that w-w-woman..." one of the civilians manages to mutter as they yank free the chain wrapped around their body.

"No, Silvia please, you--"

In an instant, Chained Civilian A is yanked beneath the water and into the cold water below! A moment later, Chained Civilian C follows suit, and is also dragged down into the darkness! As they plummet, their weak body is ripped apart, bones and flesh left behind, until only their faintly glowing souls remain, still descending...

Beneath the water, two more souls join the crew of one of the accursed ships...

"Silvia!! Little Ben!!" Brice screams, attempting to send chains down to grab them, but far too slow. Sobs rack his body, "N-no... no, no no no... not another..."

Chained Civilian A and Chained Civilian C have been defeated! Brice is now Vulnerable! Successful attacks against him will gain +10 power! Chained Civilian B is still pulling at their chains, but hasn't gotten free yet.

Though Severa hears no explicit knowledge from her god, she has a feeling the knowledge she's just heard may be his answer. (+1 Adv)

TRAINING MISSION COMPLETE! After using her music in many ways, Erika has gained a new Technique: Rock Fusion! This Technique allows her to both support an ally and damage an enemy within the same action, at the cost of both those effects having half power!

Arthur braces himself against the waves of rain and painful chains and growls to Brice, wanting to know why he's still here, still alive. The man appears to still be emotional from the civilian sinking -- in a fury, he yells back, "It's all I can still do!! It's all my fault... I asked her to look for it, but I didn't think she really would... if I'd just kept quiet, none of this would have happened! I should have just held her close and wanted nothing more! I'd still have Valeena! And our wonderful town, and our son, and our friends, and I'm guuillttyyy," he moans, yanking at the chains, a terrible, rattling din. "Just because I wanted that damn focus--!"

As soon as he says these words, the lighthouse flashes, and Brice's face scrunches up in pain as the chains around him flash a dark green. When he opens his eyes, he appears to be steeled. "I'm sorry... but you'll end up like them. But it's better, isn't it? To stay here, away from the accursed sea, the sea that takes everything..."

Scarlett, near the top of the lighthouse, examines the emerald focus closely. With a sudden shock, she reaches into one of the many pouches of her outfit and pulls out a piece of parchment, checking something of importance. She then looks at the path of the beam, about to make another pass... and wraps her hands around the sides of the focus!

Immediately, she yells out in pain as a bolt of green energy lashes out from the artifact, slashing across her back for 344 damage! She gasps at the strike, but keeps her hands firmly planted!

Meanwhile, beneath the waves...

Vince wastes no time and strikes at the emerald focus with his Fire Lash Whip! It lashes out at the focus, but has trouble moving well through the water. Its range decreases, and the whip only manages to graze the focus, dealing 56 damage.

Emilia churns her way through the water as best she can, making her way over to Saul. She gives him a frustrated look, quickly gesturing to his injuries and the spectral captain, before yanking an arrow out of her quiver and stabbing it into his chest! Instead of pain, however, the arrow helps to ease the paladin's injuries, and heals Saul for 215 damage!

She then knocks an arrow in her bow and fires it on the Sunken Destroyer! The arrow creates an underwater explosion as it strikes the craft, punching a hole in its side for 265 damage! (+1 Adv)

Saul takes a careful stance, his blade readied for the attacker's advance...

TRAINING MISSION COMPLETE! Saul has spent long enough examining enemy actions and how to respond to them that he gains a new Technique! This Technique is Identify Weakness: Saul can search an enemy's fighting style or body for a "Weak Point" and identify it! Once he does so, any physical attacks on that weak point will gain +1 Effective Advantage and +5 power, for all allies!

Bran closely examines the emerald focus. The entire artifact, with a radius of an arm's length, seems to be somehow cut from a single emerald. There's no lantern that the focus is magnifying or refracting, nor are there any mechanisms that are causing the focus to spin: the light and movement seem to come from the jewel itself. And then, suddenly, the focus rises up! It appears to be trying to lower itself once more, but then rises again, by an inch or two! Whatever happened, it seems to be stable now.

A carved emerald with magical effects... it reminds Bran vaguely of one of the ancient civilizations he and Scarlett had researched in Vernia that could be connected to the Flying Fortress. They were said to be able to craft magical items, imbued with specific powers that could bend reality, but nothing about that was specific to emeralds or the ocean.

Looking through his Far-Sight Spectacles, Bran sees, every so faintly, an image within the emerald. Wait, no... it's a memory, within the emerald. As Bran looks, the rest of Castle High sees it as well through an unknown connection...

A Memory Within The Emerald:

Above the waves, enemies begin to stir...

Brice no longer appears to be as docile! He yanks on his chains, and all around Arthur, attacks begin to fly toward him! The swordsman intercepts and stops a number of the attacks, but their frequency is simply too much for him to fend off while Chained! One chain slams into his lower back, metal meeting spine and dealing 212 damage! Another is aimed for his throat, but he catches the manacle on his blade and yanks on it, twisting Brice's upper body and dealing 412 damage to him! As he does so, however, two more chains come to intercept him -- he fends off one, but the other clamps down on his hip! Wet, cold steel tries to burrow itself through him, dealing 244 damage! (+1 Adv)

The Chained Civilian B roars, seeing Brice hurt! They're no longer Neutral!

Chained Civilian B charges for Arthur, anger in their eyes as they collide with him! They pull free a Kitchen Knife buried in their pocket and plunge it into Arthur's ankle, dealing 155 damage! Arthur retaliates, still standing tall, bringing his broadsword down on the Civilian with a roar! The blade cleaves cleanly through their weak flesh, dealing 343 damage! Emerald blood bursts from the wound, seeping into the ocean and sinking far below. Chained Civilian B is defeated! Brice cries out a name, but it's garbled behind rain and tears. (+1 Adv)

Arthur feels worn from his exertion... (-1 Adv)

Arthur's Second Wind activates! He is restored to 625 HP!

The Chained Weeper, hearing Severa's earlier Note of Faith, screams specifically in her direction, the painful sound of their wails headed in her direction! Severa spins her weapon to create wind to weaken the effect, but it still deals 77 damage to her and leaves her Vulnerable! Successful attacks against her next turn will have +10 power!

And far below, darkness swirls...

Valeena charges for Saul, and the two both swing! Just as before, her saber passes right through his sword... and both strikes land at the same time! Saul's attack on Valeena's sword arm weakened the blow slightly, but he still takes 195 damage from the attack. He lands his own hit as well, dealing 274 damage in return! The paladin then yanks the admiral in, impaling her further upon his sword for another 212 damage, her emerald blood filling the water around them!

Saul feels something stir in his chest, a warmth pushing against the cold of the sea. In this moment, he feels more faith-filled then he has in a long time, and yet, he's as far from the light of the divine as he can become. The faith isn't in some higher power, he realizes, but rather, in himself. That warmth in his chest spreads, reinvigorating his limbs and sharpening his mind as Saul gains a new Ability!

Saul gains the Ability Steadfast Soul! The first time he is attacked every turn, he will automatically counter without any loss in power, and may specify what he does when performing this counter! Even if the attack sustained would reduce him to 0 HP, he will still have a chance to counter!

Saul's Steadfast Soul activates, and with incredible force of will, Saul grabs onto Valeena and forces her between his allies and the warships!

Saul feels exhaustion settling over him from his efforts... (-1 Adv)

The Sunken Galleon launches its assault! It first fires a round on Castle High, blasting it for 636 damage, and then launches a shell at the Drowning forces! Valeena blocks some of the damage and Emilia manages to dodge out of the range of the blast: Bran and Vince each take 187 damage, Saul takes 168 damage, while Valeena takes 101 damage!

The shells fired by the Sunken Destroyer last turn crash down upon the castle forces, firing up clouds of sharpnel! Bran manages to duck behind a portion of the lighthouse and Valeena blocks some damage, causing Emilia and Vince to take 243 damage, Saul to take 218 damage, and Valeena to take 112 damage!

The Sunken Destroyer fires another volley high, ready to rain on the forces again next turn!

The Sunken Frigate readies itself to fire on the forces... but seems to stop upon seeing Valeena. Instead, the cannons turn toward Castle High and fire upon it instead -- a massive explosion as the shells burst, dealing 1043 damage to the castle!!

The Emerald Lighthouse's beacons spins once more, and all forces begin to swap their Drowned and Gasping statuses! Vince, Saul, Bran and Emilia are pulled up to the surface, able to fight off the weight for the moment, while Arthur, Erika and Severa are dragged back down into the cold ocean!

The Emerald Lighthouse takes 250 damage from Burning!

When Bran reaches the lighthouse topside... he sees Scarlett there, still holding onto the focus! She appears to be struggling against the downward pull on her, crackling bits of emerald energy still racing across her leather outfit. "Hey there Bran... hew, glad this worked. Not sure how much you know about all this, but I think these focuses are... cursed, or something. Some weird, old magic. Just holding onto this thing gets me zapped -- I'm not sure if it'd be a good idea to try and directly destroy it. We gotta--" she almost slips, just barely catching herself,"-urgh, we gotta, either wreck this whole lighthouse, or find some way to break the spell!"

Down below, Arthur descends, the chains clamped onto him not quite enough to hold him up any more. As he hits the sea floor, Valeena looks upon his chains. She whispers a single, wistful word, "Brice..."

Yam descends along with the others, joining the battle!

Arthur, Erika, Severa, and Yam lose 10% of their HP from Drowning!

Severa gains Charged Magical Circuits from her Robe of Motif!

Castle High Forces:

CASTLE HIGH Lv. 12
HP 9360 / 12000

---

Scarlett managed to flash Bran a smile, "Glad to see you've been working at this too. You recognize this stuff, right? Seems pretty similar to the sort of artifacts those people in the desert would work on: fate-altering stuff, imbued with some kind of crazy magic. I think-- ow, shit!" she cursed, another stray cord of emerald energy striking her. "Erggh, I think this focus -- or, maybe these foci -- are cursed with some kind of magic that's causing all this. In that memory there was only one... and, nothing bad happened until she passed it off to Brice. This thing... it must have something to do with the two of them. Urgh, there's so much shit: two foci, two lighthouses, two crazy people trying to kill us... maybe whatever magic did this is some kind of, "reflection" spell? And, Brice and Valeena are part of the reflection? Urgh, but that doesn't help! There's gotta be some way to beat it, something we can do to break the curse, or the loop, or whatever!"

One of her hands slipped, and she just barely managed to grab hold once again. Her gaze wandered downward, seeing the ghostly ships ready to fire another round on the forces below. "Man... we gotta do something fast, Bran. I don't think we have any more time to just sit and investigate." She then stopped for a second, an idea forming. Scarlett took a deep breath, slow, through her nose and out her mouth. "I think I gotta leave this mystery up to you. I've gotta help out our people down there before it's too late." She suddenly gave a small laugh, "I'm sure this isn't what you had in mind when you said you wanted to do more investigating, huh? I know you can do it though -- and hell, if you can't, just do something. Things can't get much worse, right?"

With one more breath, she tightened her grip and began swinging her body back and forth. "Well, here goes. Sure hope this doesn't kill me. Wish me luck--!"

With a final lunge, Scarlett throws herself out the window of the lighthouse, performing a mid-air flip as the sinking force pulls her downward with incredible might. As she falls, she reaches out for one of Brice's looser chains. "Hey guys, catch!" she shout, pushing off the lighthouse and throwing the chain out to the portion of the Regiment above water, hopefully giving them an anchor to stop from sinking once again.

She tried to hold her breath as best she could, sinking down into the briny sea, feeling the water slash at her skin, hair and clothes, and making the burn from the emerald on her back scream. With an assassin's focus, she descended on the Frigate, throwing out her needles at its crew! "Time for you guys to cut this shit out!"

Scarlett: Let go of the focus and fall. Throw one of Brice's chains to the party above water to hopefully stop them from sinking. Once underwater, throw out a swarm of Stun needles at the crew of the Sunken Frigate!

Bran takes a moment to process the new information. Hmm... No... But then... Cycling through possibilities in his head, he began formulating a plan. For now, though, he needed to focus on the immediate threat. If any more investigation was to be done, it was going to be underwater, and there was still the obvious threat above shore. Plus, Bran could somehow feel that some of his allies were in danger, so it's best that he take care of that right away.

He smiled. He had an idea.

Bran spoke to Severa telepathically. Severa... Could you help me out? I'm trying to distract Brice by projecting a mirage of a ship approaching the harbor. Is there any chance that Ragnus could make it a tad more real to keep him occupied a little longer? Otherwise, the moment he touches it...

Bran: Cast a healing spell on Arthur, Saul, and Scarlett. Then, project an illusion of a spectral ship approaching the harbor, in an attempt to distract Brice and keep him occupied.

A buzz, some fuzzy static, and a voice broke in to her head.

"Severa...help me out? I'm trying...Brice, by projecting...a ship...the harbour. Any chance...Ragnus...more real...? Otherwise...touches it..."

The voice faded in and out, but it was Bran's, loud and clear. Smiling and projecting a warm reception, I gather my courage and my faith, and I pray.

"O Mighty Ragnus, talented as thy be, hear my pleas! Mine allies sink and rise, health dwindles, and the perpetrator fights undaunted...but we have a plan. Bring forth the truth of mine ally Bran, that we might confound these forces of chaos and bring Your light to the world - banishing their ghastly sights to the depths!"


"...And, sorry, for asking so much. These trials challenge me so - I can only hope you understand."

Severa: pray for Bran's illusion to become more firmly rooted in reality...and apologize to Ragnus for asking so many favors.

He sank...:

Something stirred in him... breath, surging through his body, though he took none on his own-- the darkness in his vision clearing. Did someone heal him...? Severa again? He wasn't sure who was where, anymore...

...but at least, he could pull himself together enough to fight...!


This time, he held his breath.


>Arthur: Gripping his sword by the blade, prepare to catch the Sunken Galleon's next explosive round in the corner between the crossguard and blade- like a hook- flipping around at the same time to hurl it right back at the ship! If possible, signal with his chains to Valeena that Brice is up on the shore and gesture for her to come with him.

Vince's body landed ashore with a thick "splat," he spat out the water in his system, turned himself over, and sharply exhaled a breath of embers and smoke through his nose. He slapped a palm on the harbor and pushed himself up on his knees, then to his feet. A flashback of getting slammed with cannonballs underwater caused Vince to wince.

"Enough is enough! YOU!-" he pointed at Brice and dragged a thumb across his own neck, "I'm comin' for you, and your lighthouse too!"

Steam erupted from Vince's body as the rain itself vaporized on contact with his body...

"I'd love to just blast off and bust this geezer in his chops, but I need to try and funnel my power into one concentrated burst," he thought. He noticed Saul; even in the storm he stood upright. Tough guy, huh?

"That's someone who's got that power," he muttered, "Ayy, big guy! How about you help me stick it to this guy!?" He motioned his fist rocketing towards the lighthouse. "All I need's a boost!"

Saul grit his teeth to fight off the vertigo as he was pulled abruptly to the surface. It seemed he would have a few moments to catch his breath...

"Ayy, big guy! How about you help me stick it to this guy!?"

Despite himself - despite the fatigue he could even now feel weighing him down - the corner of Saul's mouth ticked upwards.

"Just make sure you aim for the chains."

Going down on a knee, Saul cupped both hands at about knee height, giving Vince a step up to his shoulders. With a grunt, the paladin exploded upwards, flinging the fire mage a respectable distance towards the tower... then sagged back a bit, winded.

>Saul flings Vince towards the tower, then rests for a moment to recover HP/amplify the effectiveness of others' healing actions towards him.

"Just make sure you aim for the chains."

Vince's eyes lit up with eager delight, "I plan on it!" He enthusiastically sounded off. He slung his soaked jacket towards the closest container- a broken barrel in this case- and climbed onto the paladin's shoulders. As he flew from the man's impressive toss, Vince lit up in a passionate flare which refracted through the streams of rain. His whip unfurled behind him as he readied to strike; this too shimmered in the darkness like a tail on a rocketing star.

>Vince: Riding the momentum of Saul's launch, activate Veins of Fire (Power +5) to boost his Fire Lash Whip's attack on the chains binding Brice to the Emerald Lighthouse (hopefully damaging the lighthouse in the process). After the strike, attempt to grab the loose chain from Scarlett's action. Finally, activate Fiery Conflux on the Emerald Lighthouse!

As he rocketed towards the lighthouse, Vince widened his eyes and let out a fervent battle cry!

With a heave, Saul throws Vince up into the air, and an instant later, the mage lights up like a firework! Vince burns away 500 HP as an inferno of deep purple fire engulfs him! Pieces of his body flare away into tendrils of light and flame, gradients of purple and blue. As he soars, his whip drags behind him like a speeding comet's tail, until all at once, he brings the whip back... and slashes it clean through the chains of the lighthouse! The molten fire jumps from one chain to the next as if it has a mind of its own, turning them to iron slag! You swear you can hear a sound almost like a scream as the chains come apart and the Emerald Lighthouse is battered and burned, receiving 1475 damage!!

All Brice manages to do is utter an, "Eep!" as he tumbles from the lighthouse... and up above him, the Emerald Focus falls as well! Brice lands in a pile of salty cloth upon the ground, with the focus now hovering in the air several feet below its initial height (though not on the ground like Brice).

Vince then follows this up with another attack on the lighthouse! The purple flames swirling around it begin to gather in one point, infinitely bright... before exploding in a Fiery Conflux, destroying masonry and stone as the Emerald Lighthouse takes 964 damage!

TRAINING COMPLETE! Vince's body has grown more accustomed to aerial feats and manuevers, catalyzing in a new Technique! Vince gains Aerial Evasion! Once per battle, while performing an airborne action, Vince may activate Aerial Evasion for no cost, becoming immune to melee attacks and recieving -25% damage from all other sources! He may activate this ability manually at any time afterward by spending an Action.

TRAINING COMPLETE! Vince's ability to destroy and demolish enemy structures has enabled him to learn a new Technique! Vince gains Shrapnel Blast! Shrapnel Blast reduces the damage multiplier against enemy castles from x2.0 to x1.5, but in return, will deal damage to other enemies proportional to the castle damage dealt! The shrapnel can either be focused on a single target, or spread out to hit multiple!

Saul then takes a moment to rest himself, gathering his thoughts and his mind with steady breathing. He manages to recover 92 HP, and will recover more from ally healing this turn.

Saul and Vince are both exhausted from the effort... (-1 Adv each)

Scarlett leaps from the lighthouse, grabbing one of the chains Vince has broken free and tossing it down! Vince and Emilia grab on, holding themselves out of the water, while she descends!

Emilia draws a pair of medicine arrows and fires them down on Saul and, as he returns to the ground, Vince! They both find their mark, healing Saul for 243 HP and Vince for 194 HP! She then nocks a final arrow and looses it -- it strikes the Emerald Lighthouse and explodes, dealing 655 damage to the lighthouse!

Emilia is exhausted from her efforts... (-1 Adv)

Bran, focusing his arcane might, conjures a wind of healing magic, which he sends surging down through the dark water and to those around him! Arthur, Scarlett and Saul feel air re-fill their lungs and their injuries lessen in pain, as Arthur and Scarlett heal 99 HP each, while Saul heals 124 HP!

Then, the mage begins to conjure an illusion, out on the distant waves...

Deep below, Severa uses her Charged Magic Circuits to entreat Ragnus for his aid (as well as an apology). She gasps as, for a moment, she feels her lord's presence, and her anxieties in beeseching him melt away, reminded of his patience and approval of her path.

Off the waters of the Emerald Coast, the waves begin to break. Through the sheets of rain, the unmistakable visage of a frigate, tall and proud, battles against the storm. As Brice raises himself to his feet, ready to throw a curse at Vince for breaking his chains... he stops, looking out over the ocean. The man begins to waver and flinch, rubbing at his eyes again and again, squinting... but that distant ship seems real-- no, not just real, but exactly as he remembers it. He begins to walk along the broken, battered dock toward the vessel -- and then begins to struggle, forcing each step after the next. You can suddenly see it, now: an ethereal chain, emerging from Brice's chest and connected to the emerald focus. He seems to not only be dragging it along, but pulling against it, fighting the focus as he tries to reach the sea.

Meanwhile, beneath the waves...

Arthur readies his blade to catch the next explosive round from the Galleon, but suddenly feels something stir in his chest. Something... divine, there was no other word for it. He feels the energy to push against the tide, and a piece of divine providence: he must be the one to call the wraith above the waves. Arthur has been gifted a second action by Ragnus!

Arthur tries to catch Valeena's eye with the chains wrapped around him, but she doesn't seem to be paying them much mind. Instead, her eyes seem fixed on him... and looking through him, at the piece of metal strapped to his back. Her sword lowers a fraction, as her otherworldly voice whispers, "your soul is scarred like mine, isn't it?"

Though she doesn't seem non-hostile, her curiousity has been piqued: Valeena will follow Arthur toward the surface!

Scarlett, reaching the bottom, throws out a swarm of needles at the crew of the Sunken Frigate! The needles strike true, phasing into the ghosts aboard the ship! Several of them begin to vibrate, and in general move away from the cannons. Scarlett has managed to reduce the firepower of the Sunken Frigate!

Scarlett is exhuasted from her efforts... (-1 Adv)

Erika uses her Rock Fusion, firing a bolt of rock lightning at the Sunken Destroyer! It hits, blasting apart the ship's mast and dealing 212 damage! The bolt then flies through the air and dances around Arthur, invigorating his body and healing him for 165 HP!

Up above, enemies begin to stir...

Brice finally manages to step out over the ocean, his feet floating above it, the focus floating a few paces behind him, still struggling. He's mere steps away from the illusionary ship... when he sees the woman captaining the ship, wearing a confident smile. He begins to shake his head, "No... no, no, no no no no no NO--" before turning back around toward the members of Castle High, chains roiling! "How dare you!? You think I wouldn't recognize my own Val!? This... this mockery! I'll... I'll...!"

Brice consumes 1 Advantage to uses his Technique Tempest Chains, flicking out his shackles and tearing apart the ruined foundation of the Emerald Coast! The dock quickly collapses, followed by the houses and the streets! The members of Castle High are buffeted by waves of cold sea water, flowing in and sinking what remains of the ruined town! Emilia, Saul, and Vince all take 367 damage! Bran's Icy Shield manages to block some of the damage, but he still recieves 221 damage! It looks like Brice is going all out!!

Between the rising tides and the damage Vince did to Brice's chains, the Chained Weeper is nowhere to be seen, along with all the other chained civilians.

Meanwhile, down below...

Valeena turns to Severa and makes a slash through the water -- a moment later, a massive current forms, whipping through the surf! Severa manages to dive under the heart of the attack, but is still struck by its after-current for 187 damage!

Valeena, looking at Arthur for a moment, instead turns her sights on Scarlett -- in an instant, she's dragged off the Sunken Frigate, as she becomes Dragged Down! She'll remain underwater this turn!

The Sunken Galleon prepares its assault! The first round flies off and strikes Castle High once again, dealing 753 damage to the castle! The second round is aimed squarely for the Drowning forces -- it fires, flying through the air, as Arthur surges forward to intercept it! His sword manages to catch the round, but is unable to send it back toward the Galleon, instead tossing it harmlessly out into the ocean. However, the shock of the blow Disarms him! His Luster Steel Broadsword sinks down into the water below!!

The Sunken Destroyer fires another volley, this time sending them much, much higher in the air -- they're aimed at the surface! The rounds will strike the surface players next turn!

Then, with a thundrous sound, the volley from last turn crash into the forces of Castle High! Scarlett, Erika and Severa are buffeted by the volley, taking 237 damage each!

Finally, the Sunken Frigate readies its attack. Due to the sabotage of Scarlett, the attack's range and power are reduced. The volley only manages to find Yam, Erika and Arthur, who each take 204 damage!

As the Emerald Lighthouse's beam spins once more, all but Scarlett feel themselves be lifted away, either upward to the surface or downward to the ocean floor.

Valeena follows Arthur cautiously, floating up toward the surface as he rises. She pulls and drags at a chain through her chest -- the other emerald focus, fastened tightly to her. Despite its pull, she fights and yanks at it to ascend, higher and higher... and then, she stops, her gaze fixed upon a man floating above the waves.

"Isn't my current pain already enough!?!" Brice screams over the storm. "Why would you torment me even further!?" He brings his chains down again and sinks another portion of the harbor town. "The ocean and that focus took everything from me!! I should have known better than to think it would--"

"My soft ray of light..." comes a voice from below the waters. Brice freezes, though whether in fear or shock being difficult to discern.
"V...Val? N-no! No more tricks! I won't! I won't let you toy with me again!!"
"Is this where you've been?" she asked from below the waves, as if she were his own reflection. Her words are gentle, as if she is afraid one might break him. "Why? My soul has been chained to the ocean's bottom for my sins, but you... you should be free from that fate."
"W-what!? No! I'm the one cursed for his sins!" Brice decidedly refuses to look down, unable to handle looking into the sea once more. "Were it not for me asking you find that focus, none of this would happen!"
"But I was the one who listened to you and sought it..." Valeena's voice chills the air. "I held it, knew something may be wrong, but gave it to you anyway... that's why I was dragged down..."
"B-but... I was chained up above! Made to watch what I'd done!" He looks down at her finally, sparks of frustration, "you can't always--"

And then, the two were silent. Their eyes met -- souls that had been chained and tortured and forced to exact pain and torture upon others for some semblance of peace... suddenly, the rest of the world didn't matter. Brice lowered himself toward the water, Valeena rose toward the surface...

And their hands met upon the sea, holding fast.

In an instant, the chains attached to their hearts broke away and bound together, forming one long chain that now linked both foci! That same ethereal screaming fills the air as the foci are dragged together, inch by inch, until finally they unite! As they do, the otherworldly glow of the focus seems to leak out of it, a whirling vapor of emerald lightning and wind. The focus itself falls unceremoniously to the ocean below, quickly sinking.

The Emerald Storm has emerged!!!

The Drowned status has been lifted! All Sunken enemies are defeated! The members of Castle High float up to the surface of the sea, perhaps pulling themselves onto pieces of wreckage from what remained of the coastal town.

The Emerald Storm focuses itself into a form: a massive shark cloaked in algae, bolts of emerald lightning crackling across its body. Its eyes are massive and filled with that same cursed light, ready to drag anyone they see downward. As it swims through the water, massive waves rock the sea as whirlpools and tempests begin to form! The ocean itself feels like it's become an enemy, as the rain and wind do all they can to chill you to the bone and drown you!

Brice and Valeena share a look, nodding to each other. Brice and Valeena are now allies! Valeena raises her sword, and the Sunken Frigate emerges from the sea, her at its command, along with the Sunken Galleon and Sunken Destroyer! Brice then fires chains down its sides, giving anyone who wishes an easy way to climb aboard. With an unspoken understanding, they turn the sails toward the Emerald Storm.

The Emerald Storm:

Castle High Forces:

CASTLE HIGH Lv. 12
HP 8607 / 12000

---

Bran wanted to scream.

"We can't let this beast destroy the harbor!" He cried. "I'll try and keep it chained down. We're all badly hurt, and there's so little we can do about that. We need to hit it with everything we've got!"

Bran: Create chains of ice out of the water on the coast, and use them to try and tie the Emerald Storm down to the shore!

Arthur had quietly joined those who had climbed aboard the Sunken Galleon-- getting this thoroughly soaked and chilled, combined with the hacking cough he'd been trying to break through since he was tossed back onto the shore, seemed to have put a damper on his otherwise glowing spirit. Fixing his gaze on the massive leviathan cutting through the waves, though, his intrigue began to breathe life back into those embers once again...

As he finished fastening his jacket around his shoulder and under his right elbow in a makeshift sling to nurse his stiff, trembling right arm- didn't take the impact of that bomb as well as he thought it could have in the moment- he looked about; seemed like everyone was here, now. Good... because his sword had fallen somewhere underwater, and he certainly wasn't in any shape to be jumping on a moving shark.

"Though that does sound fun," he mused.

He looked around... though many looking in the same direction might have seen the withered remains of a sunken ship, he saw weathered and petrified wood, seaweed, old rope... the cloth was a little too moldy to use on a wound, but he could manage with what he had on him. Only taking loose pieces- or bits that wouldn't compromise the ship's ability to stay afloat, if it was still operating under those parameters- he stacked them into his sling and clambered down to where the others had gathered, giving Scarlett a nudge as he passed by. Though his voice was weak and coarse, it still managed to carry a quietly fiery energy through- or, at the very least, something that sounded like it.

"Not sure what needles'll do to a ghost, but I've got a good feeling about it." He grinned, then nodded towards the wounds she'd sustained from the sunken fleet's endless fire, "Now- ought to put some pressure on those wounds, there, else you'll faint in a minute. How's a brace and something to drink sound, Commander?"

>Arthur: Offer Scarlett and Saul a drink and some stabilizing first-aid to get their momentum back.

"-it's clean, I promise. Sev'ra's hopefully got more of us taken care of... nice girl, that one. Bit of a nanny, though."

Grumbling to himself- something about forgetting the gauze under his bed again- he lifted, bit, and tore off a long strip from his shirt (which, after approximating it out to be long enough to wrap around her waist a few times, left only a scattering of rags on his upper body that he relented to finish peeling off and drop in his sling after the wind started to catch on them); then picking through his supplies, he turned around to check idly on their surroundings again...

Finding a familiar figure among the now-raised fleet, he called out:

"Oye, Saul! You want something to drink before you die, or what? Get over here!"