Log:A Watery End

The Regent Legacy 2014/08/02 Chen Fox Himinglaeva Lightray Paragon Porter Ten

13

Starguard - Reception Area The reception area has muted black tiled floor, with the walls and roof painted off-white. The secretarial desk enclosure is barely twenty feet from the double set of glass doors. To its left is a large double-hinged door ominously labeled 'Security'. A seating area full of soft couches is to the right. Down the hallway that leads deeper into the building is the office of the Director of Operations and the exit to the landing field outside.

Here is the place, now is the time. You all agreed to meet here to begin the battle against Ariel. Himinglaeva has called you all here, having made arrangements with her father to somehow get you all to wherever Ariel has gone.

Arion looks upon the Group. "I thank you." he says solemnly. "I and good luck." with that he is escorted back into the Cells area.

Battle is on the horizon, as such... Himinglaeva seems happier than she has seemed to any others who know her. The possibility of a desperate battle against overwhelming odds. What Viking goddess could -not- look forward to that. She has her usual scale-mail-bikini on, and has suplimented it with a chain sleeve on her right arm, ending with a gauntlet that is armored as well.... apparently her only real -armor-. She holds a -spear- in her right hand, and it's a rather simple appearing spear. When folks arrive, she is silent, just... brooding but not depressed. She just figures, no point in repeating herself. Once everyone has arrived, she speaks up in her accented voice, "From here, we will go to my home. From there... we will be sent on towards Ariel, and battle. Are you all prepared?" she inquires. "We will be heading out into the bay...."

Chen morphs to change her 'clothing' to a swim suit. "I'm ready." she says.

Paragon finishes speaking up with security and the heroes staying to guard Arion, turning to the boy and nodding once. "We'll see you soon, Arion. And hopefully you'll be safe at last." She walks out to the reception area where the other heroes were summoned, her mind occupied with the task at hand as her heavy plated feet sound out against the tile. Her helm is currently retracted, her expression firm and determined despite so much being at stake. The fate of the realms, of Arion, of the friends she's bringing with her. She has to stay focused. She stops by Himinglaeva and fires off a snappy salute. "I'm ready."

Go time. Not soon enough in some ways, too soon in others. He gives Arion a nod, then turns to Himinglaeva. "I'm ready." He looks ready. Maybe? Actually, he looks pretty much like he looks any other day. Except for the lack of coffee cup in hand. Instead, he holds a little cello-bagged bit of pink plastic in hand. The colorful letters on the cardboard hanger top reads 'SWIMMIES Brand Inflatable Swim Aids.' He steps up to nudge Paragon with an elbow and offers up the package. "Don't forget your gear." Porter almost keeps a straight face. Almost.

The sneakiest of Foxes that happen to be in the area is near Porter, only emerging into sight when she feels comfortable doing so. Which is almost immediately. Shyness is not her thing. Gregariousness, that works much better. "Hi!" she bids cheerfully, arms around Porter for a hug before he is released.

"My gear?" Paragon asks cluelessly as her head turns to look at Porter. And then her gaze drifts down while an eyebrow drifts up. "I--oh..."

Porter is also hugged when not looking, and grins more. Fox gets a grin. "Hey. Glad you could make it."

Paragon reaches out and plucks the package of pink floaties from Porter's hand and raises it up to eye level as she inspects it. "These are....appreciated," she says with as much tact and decorum as she can muster. Her eyes scan the package. "And kid-sized," she makes a note.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Sorry, couldn't find any heroine-sized ones. >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << Heh. Thanks, though. The thought is appreciated a lot. >>

"Then we go." says Himinglaeva as she turns towards the exit towards the back. The bay is never very far from one when they are in Colonial Bay. However... when folks reach the edge of the water... they are greeted by a strange sight. It is a Longboat... Viking style. Not... old, it looks freshly made. Like it was done in honor of this event. "Please get in." she remarks to everyone as she simply walks out onto the water and waits. Once the boat is loaded, she starts moving... as does the boat. Her command over the water is enough to move the boat far faster than sails or oars could do... she's aiming for a particular spot in the Bay. "The portals of the deep do not usually come this close to shore, but... Father has relented this day, and allowed me to open one closer." The deepest part of the local bay area... she stops the boat and gestures. "Everyone must trust in me, and simply... dive. Please do so as one, count three and simply... sink. My presence will protect you until we reach Asgard."

And when folks do as instructed, they find themselves able to breathe in the water, able to tolerate the cold and the pressure, and when everyone reaches the bottom, it is dark... very dark, but there is a scintillating rainbow hued effect up ahead. That is the portal for sure. She simply gives a shove of the water to send everyone through it, moving through afterwards.

ASGARD! Once through the portal, everyone finds themselves dry, standing in what may seem to be a subdued and not very elaborate longhouse. With... a bearded man and eight young women all standing and waiting patiently. The room is as indicated, simple.... but for the cauldron in one corner that is used by the sisters to brew the godsmead... Himinglaeva steps through after everyone and the portal closes. She bows to the nine before her and says, "Father. Sisters. These are the brave warriors who wish to do battle with the daughter of Neptune... and I with them."

Aegir looks at the group and nods, "Very good daughter." he says to Himinglaeva, "Please..come with me. All of you, there is much to explain, and little time to do so." He walks out the door and up some flights of stairs until he is outside, the simple room was but one, a legacy from a time when the universe was young. The tower though is of Asgardian design, awe inspiring and beautiful, he steps out to one of the terraces that over look Asgard.

Paragon marches along behind Aegir and Himinglaeva as he escorts them to the outer terrace. As she steps outside, she stares at the view of Asgard in awe. Being a hero has taken her to many amazing places, and this is another one to add to her log.

Porter has found himself sinking in the water before... but this is the first time he's jumped into more than the shallows. Still, if that's what they have to do, that's what they have to do.

And now they're in ... the company of things he doesn't really understand. But he doesn't have to. They're helping, that's all that matters. So he walks, and keeps his mouth shut. And he touches absolutely nothing. Just in case.

"The eternal city." remarks Himinglaeva as she looks at the view. "I now understand the old Midgard saying.. the grass is greener. When here, I long for Midgard. When there, I long for here." She shakes her head, "But, today, I get a battle of the sort songs are written of. Father, today, I will make you proud." Her eyes flit to the spear in her hand and she adds, "Today, I will prove worthy of your gift." But then she looks back to the others. "We will all be worthy of heroic songs after this day. And I will be honored to have my name linked with all of yours." But then... Dad has some things to say and do.. blessings to grant, briefings to give. Father is the old man of the sea, the power within the depths, the cold of the deep, and the pressure the can crush the mightiest creation of man. If there is one man who she listens to, it is this one. Well, and Odin, okay, and Heimdall and... oh skip it.

Chen grins, this view is worth the trip on its own. And she gets to fight bad guys, okay, girl. Only her concern for Paragon's state of mind stops this from being a perfect day.

Aegir turns his back to the city. "I am one with all the Waters, of all the realms. I grant to you all my gifts, They shall not last long outside of my realm, but it is one of the gifts I can give you." he forms a ball of water, and blows on it gently, it turns to vapor, and settles over the group. Everyone feels different, but decidely none can tell why or how.

Aegir turns his back to the group and begins speaking "The Lords rise against Neptune." says Aegir, "He will be troublesome here on the Plane of Water. All of the Immortals are strongest on their home plane. He is no different, and he has an army to protect him. But he fights with the Lords of the Realms, and each of them are Legion. Fearsome in their own right."

Turning again he continues..

Aegir looks upon the group as he explains what is about to happen.

"I have allowed the Other Lords transverse across my Realm. That is all I can do at this point. To do more is to invite civil war within the Realm of Water. We have only seen its end 300 years ago, when The Regent set us free of the chaos that had ensued." He seems heavy of heart, "Lord Neptune has long been a capricious one, at times wise, at times willful. He has gone too far. We cannot allow him to continue, he has betrayed all the realms in his blind protection and ambition for his daughter."

He walks to one of the many terraced overlooks and points below, "I have already given your friends the ability to breath, and if you and your friends would seek to play freely, you may use the Serpents." down below are a number of large serpents that are used as steeds in Aegir's realm. They are reminiscent of the Great Sea Serpents depicted in Viking lore, much resembling reports of the Lochness Monster.

"As I said, I cannot act...but if your friends should get lost...and find themselves in Neptune's Domain, well..." he pauses, "I may have to admonish my daughter for her mistake." but he says this with a knowing smile. "You have the weapons Himinglaeva. Do what you must. Today is a good day to die."

Paragon tears her gaze from the few of Asgard as Himinglaeva and Aegir speaks, nodding softly from time to time in understanding as information is disseminated. After Aegir finishes, she glances from Chen, to Porter, to Fox, offering a distant, sentimental smile before her attention returns to Aegir. Thinking for a moment, she says in truest gratitude, "Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I think some of us would like to make use of the Serpents."

Porter is glad he doesn't have to hold his breath. Riding sea monsters, though? He's not sure if he's ready for that. Then again, he has been in weirder situations... maybe? He looks around to the others, curiously. Then back to Aegir. He's still going to keep his mouth shut. He's pretty sure he has yet to start an inter-dimensional incident. And he doesn't want to. Current mission excluded, of course.

Stepping off of the balcony, Himinglaeva just nods to her father. "We should go." she says to the others, gesturing and forming what looks to be a solid disk out of water just off the balcony. "Please. I will ferry us to the mounts should any of you desire them." And then... once folks step on the solid... water... platform thing. (Don't think about it too hard...).. she ferries them all down to the serpent pool and gestures to one... "This one is named... Grimmr... it means Fierce." and the thing leans up to nuzzle her outstretched hand, "He will be yours today Paragon..." she remarks, and steps back to let her friend take over.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << I don't care what day he thinks it is, you're not allowed to die. >>

Aegir smiles at Paragon, "I have heard that you and your friend," he motions towards Chen, "Are the Witnesses. I wish you both a victory over the Blackheart, and if not Victory, then an Honorable Death." he points, "Time is short. You must go." he says to Himinglaeva, "Go Play. Have a Glorious time my child."

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << "Yes, sir. I'll do my best to follow that order," she responds, not as a wry joke, but a sincere promise. >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << That goes for all of you, too. I'm not letting my friends die here. We'll make it through this together. >>

One of the other eight daughters emerges from the pool. When everyone followed Aegir, she went to summon the serpents of course. She melds up out of the water and remarks, "Those who do return, shall toast those who do not with godsmead. We waves will be busy making a fresh batch while you are gone." is said. Then... she turns and saunters off. It seems... that Himinglaeva is likely the only one of the sisters... the waves, who believe in clothing too....

The sight of nude wave sister amuses Fox a little. While she is covered minimally in fur, it doesn't really act as proper clothing. Her attention drifts to Paragon, whom she observes but avoids staring, curious to see how she reacts in the presence of such a being. All the while she is pretty much attached to Porter by arm.

Paragon takes a slow breath and glances to the daughter offering the toast. "Won't be necessary. We're all coming back," she says with determination and a nod. She doesn't even acknowledge the fact that the wave is clothing-free. Her eyes are staring hard at eye-level or somewhere way above the daughter's head. Politeness protocols get the best of her. As the daughter walks away, she looks back to Aegir and nods at his less than encouraging best wishes. "I think my friends would kill me if I died honorably out there, but I appreciate the sentiment," she says with a thin smile before stepping over to Himinglaeva's watery platform to get ferried down.

Chen grins even more. Riding into battle on a sea-serpent? This couldn't get any better.

Porter now decides to speak up, looking to everyone with smirk that he hopes looks less forced than it feels. "Guess we're all going to be having a drink after this..." Fox's arm gets a pat, then he looks to the ...steeds, wondering if there's one named Tame, or Bessie, or something like that.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << That's a promise. >>

Paragon grins a little at Porter's comment. "We sure are," she responds. And then her helm extends and unfolds, snapping shut over her head within a second. Her eyes power up gradually to their usual bright white glow, and settle on Himinglaeva. "Thank you, Himinglaeva. I'm sure Grimmr will serve me well," her mechanical voice echoes softly. She steps up to Grimmr and reaches out tentatively, petting the Serpent as Himinglaeva just did. "This is the next closest thing to riding a dragon. I think I may as well check that item off my bucket list," she muses quietly to herself before mounting up. Inside her HUD, a To-Do list app launches and scrolls down to 'Ride/fight a dragon', which then gets checked off and a strike-through line in it. The list saves and closes.

Chen goes to a sea-serpent, "What's this one's name?" she asks Himing as she strokes its head.

Fox becomes one with a serpent type creature, doing as instructed to control hers and guide it, testing before the venture forth.

These serpents are quite special. Himinglaeva has used them in the past, and she swims along with them all, going ahead and mounting up on one herself when everyone else is mounted and in the water. If she is riding one of these and not traveling under her own power, it must be something special.

"He is Sterkrframi.. it means Strong Courage." Then.... once people are on, and the serpents are going... Himinglaeva's takes the lead and the rest follow in formation. Their slithering forms accelerating... and accelerating, and well... it is difficult to put into words, something that defies description, and may even be beyond mortal minds of percieving or comprehending. Think of it as a watery, magical, dimensional hyperspace tunnel. The rainbow-hued lights begin up front, and then spread back along the rest. Suddenly... everything is water. Everything... Ahead... is a grotto in the distance. "Prepare yourself. We arrive." says Himinglaeva.

Ariel's Grotto This grotto is expansive, beautiful in a watery way. Large Coral structures, organic and alive with life surround the grotto. Bright yellow's and pinks, deep blues and greens, that can only be found in the ocean are present everywhere.

You would likely be looking around with wonder, if it were not for the reason you are here. As the group comes up on the grotto, it is difficult to call it such, it is closer to a natural colleseum than a grotto..and within it is Ariel

Ariel

A beautiful woman, looks to be in her late teens, or perhaps early 20s. She is an immortal, so she is likely much older than that, Her dark hair floats around her head as if she is in water, but is long, perhaps to the middle of her back if it ever actually fell there. Her features are fine, with high arching brows, and high cheekbones, gray eyes, and and a long slim neck lead to a lithe body, covered in a golden scaled armor that follows her form, somehow making her seem more feminine than less. Her legs are long, and are in the same scaled armor, but to some, she might seem to be considered fair of ankle. (2d6striking appearance exotically beautiful.)

"Nice sea horsie..." Porter doesn't speak Asgardian, or Norse, or sea monsterese. Maybe it will understand his tone. Which is somewhere between nervous and please-don't-drop-me. And then he rides. Or swims. Or holds on and hopes not to fall off. Whatever it's called.

Ariel is here, she seems lost in play with her two small eels, they play and writhe around her arms and hands, encircling her waist in an almost loving embrace. This would be a pretty scene if not for the utter feeling of menace that seems to wash off of her innocent seeming form.

She turns to face the group as they enter the Grotto. "Welcome children." she looks no older than in her teens herself, but she is no teenager. She rises to her feet, and the Eels release her floating by her side. As you watch, The eels grow, first slowly but they balloon until they dwarf the girl. She and the Eels swim quickly to higher depths, so quickly that air bubbles are left in her wake. When she stops, she stares at the Group, "I give you one opportunity to leave. I have prepared for this day for 300 years. I shall not be stopped by peons and fools. Leave and Live. Stay and..well, face the alternative."

Chen calls up to Ariel, "You've prepared for an invasion of your home for 300 years? That doesn't sound like someone who's confident of her abilities. That sounds like someone who is scared."

"The only fool here is you." says Himinglaeva. "And the only peons are your pets." She points her spear as if to announce her intentions with it. "I wield Aegirfossfleinn." She remarks, "You have two choices. Either you stop this now, renounce that which you have tried for so long to take... or you shall meet with your Pluto this day. Those are your only options." That said, she nods and turns her eyes to her companions. "Battle is upon us. Show her your courage, your power, and show her that she cannot win."

Chen thinks. o O (Aegirfossfleinn? Sounds like the name of a toothpaste.)

"Really? That's what you're offering? You don't think we came all this way just to turn around, did you?" Porter seems a little offended. Or brave. Or doesn't fully understand the situation. But we'll hope for the first two.

Paragon rises to her feet, balancing on the back of Grimmr. "Take this one last chance to reconsider your path and surrender," she challenges back with her arms folded over her chestplate. She tries to make one more impassioned plea. She has to give Ariel a chance to surrender. It's in her nature. "It's not too late to stop this mad quest for power. You don't have to give in to the hate and fear you inherited from the Regent. But if you won't stop this, we'll make you." She suddenly starts to realize Himinglaeva is talking about killing Ariel, which causes her to sideglance at the sea goddess. "We're not here to take her life. Only to bring her to the justice of the elemental lords."

Fox moves to Porter's side upon the serpentine thing, watching Ariel and her sponge-grown eels before the show of force begins, studying their body language and confidence, taking guesses at their combat approach, all in the passing of a moment.

"Paragon, the justice of the sea lords... and her death, will be one and the same." says Himinglaeva blandly. "This is war. This is no bank robber. She means to kill us all.."

Paragon stares down Himinglaeva. She may have gone through a lot of loss and tragedy, but she still manages to cling to her heroic ideals, even in the face of all this death. "I won't be her executioner. That's not for us to decide."

"Then I shall." says Himinglaeva. "Assuming that she does not heed the wisdom of your words and surrender."

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Hey, Fox thinks we should work on one sea monster at a time. She knows water woman's the big threat, but... What are we doing? >>

Ariel laughs, a sweet giggling dulcet toned laugh, "Evil of the Regent?" she says to Paragon, "Oh child, it was his light that kept me in check for this long. Oh no, that mote of a spirit has been subdued. You shall see my true might today." she motions, "Flotsom! Jetsam! They have made their decision!" she giggles again, "And we are happy."

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << You mean ignore her and attack the sea monsters? Can you get them to turn on each other? Hm. Will they keep fighting if we subdue her? This reminds of me of Event Horizon. We focused on his team and he got away, or threw me out windows unhindered. >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << If she's anything like Arion, she'll blast us apart while we deal with her pets. Maybe Chen can keep her busy. >>

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Then we split up some? Keep them busy so they don't eat us and her busy so she doesn't blast us? Just trying to come up with something. >>

Ariel smiles a sweet smile and points at Himinglaeva, "You first I think, Asgardian Whore..." she points a finger at Himinglaeva, and a bubble of Murky water beings to form...

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << There's...not enough of us to split up. The eels are distractions. We all focus on one serpent at a time while Chen keeps Ariel busy? She can be pretty tough if she needs to be. >>

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << They're big, she's quick. Not sure who we need to keep busy from who. >>

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Ok. I'll slow water woman down. Maybe not hurt her, but you know how good I am at annoying women. Go for it! >>

Rolling on the back of her serpent, Himinglaeva pats his neck and he spins in place, removing her from the path of the attack, "Well done GodrJofurr." she remarks even as she comes back up, facing Ariel.

Paragon shouts to Chen, "You've got Ariel. We'll focus on her pets!" She knows Chen can be tough. She trusts her to be able to handle Ariel while they handle the flotsom and jetsam.

Jetsam swims 15m away from Ariel, to her right, and down a bit, and Spits at Himinglaeva

And as she faces Ariel, the Asgardian Whore remarks, "I heard a Midgardian say once.. better to be paid for it than to give it away to the undeserving. You.. are pathetic." Yeah, Himinglaeva is trying to goad the enemies into -all- attacking her.

And... it seems it is working. Jetsam is charging her way. She seems like she may have planned this, and her and her spear suddenly dissolve into translucent water... barely percievable in the water surrounding her. "You cannot harm the sea creature." she remarks.

Flotsom does not waste his time seeing the Spitball fly through demi-goddess, he focuses his attention on the next biggest target...Paragon.

Chen nods to Paragon and grins, ready to leap into the fray. "You got it!" she cheers as her body shifts and changes, growing a hardened outer shell. Her sea mount dives towards Ariel.

The Blow from Chen does solidly strike the petite looking girl, but there is very little give, and the blow bounces off of Ariel's armored body. Ariel raises an eyebrow, "Oh my. Did you think that was going to work her? You have quite the punch in the air, I will give you that strange little shape shifter, but here, in my realm?...Oh my.." she says and giggles, "Flotsom, Jetsam, I think these children are in for a bit of a surprise..." she looks at Himinglaeva, "Shame on you for not advising them. You seek their deaths as well as your own?" she giggles again, "I can do that for you."

Lightray says, "As he girds himself in his armor of sunlight, Lightray sighs softly. IN his basso profuyndo voice, he says, "I am sorry it has come to this, Ariel. But the legacy of Regent cannot rest with a tyrant." His body is suffused by sunlight that then his eyes then leaps out at the undersea enchantress."

The twin beams from Lightray's eyes miss Ariel and strike uselessly out into the sea.

Not wasting time on Himing, Flotsom seems to inhale and spit at Porter. He seems the weakest...

One sea monster spits. Another sneezes. That would be Vatnbrandr. Who, with Porter's luck, is allergic to water. On the bright side, the sneeze flings the Porter portion back. On the not so bright side, Water Blade is spat upon. And hurt. And Porter has to try and right himself.

Ten figures if other people aren't hurting Ariel then she stands no chance. But maybe she can do something less direct - or at least put herself forward as target. She moves toward Ariel, calls out, "Hey, ugly!" . o O (you never know, she might be goaded by the insult) and shoots her staff at Ariel's eyes.

Ten's rapidly expanding staff strikes Ariel squarely in the eyes, blinding her for the moment - to the surprise, probably, of all involved.

Ariel holds her eyes and cannot see, but she giggles, it is not the same giggle as before, it is more manic...more unbalanced..."Oh...oh my.." she says giggling, "Oh..they think they can blind me? In my element?...Oh my..."

Cringing, Himinglaeva nods slowly in her translucent form. She knows how -she- percieves the world in a watery environment, and figures Ariel's ability is similar. "It was a valiant effort, but like me, she can -feel- all that is in the water surrounding her!" she calls out.

"At least now you don't have to see your ugly face!" Ten calls out.

"On me!" Fox calls out, not stopping to consider that she can be understood underwater underthese circumstances. She shifts to a much larger and scarier style of Fox, and rushes Flotsam with the nasty claws of fillet-ing horrible fish monsters.

The Claws do not rend...but they do seem to dent, and Flotsom's body writhes in pain as some of the attack seems to get through its thick outer plates. It roars in anger trying to frighten off the wet furry dog.

Paragon is still standing on the back of Grimmr. She leans forward to brace, reaching down to pat it behind the head and point out Flotsam. Grimmr surges forward to meet its more sinister counterpart as Paragon walks forward along her steed's back until she's standing on its head. Once she's close enough, she tries to reach out for the creature's maw or plating...something to grab ahold of.

Paragon remains balanced on her serpent as it puts her right in front of Flotsam. She slams her hands forward, right hand grabbing the top jaw, left hand grabbing the bottom. Even with its scaling plating, her fingers dig into the armor. With a thundering snap, she slams its mouth shut and wrestles with it. Grimmr squirms to compensate from the grappling forces at work.

Flotsom is not happy, but he doesn't seem all that hurt either. More annoyed that he cannot bite this thing hanging on to his mouth..surprised that this little morsel is stronger than he is....

Ariel giggles more.."Oh my, they're feisty, fiesty sand fleas, and their only hope has turned into a ghost..how rude..how very rude indeed." she says when suddenly a number of earthen spikes form from the very water, they are long and hard, and very not sexy. "They want to play...well here we shall play then." she points them at Paragon. "Get off of Flotsom!" she screams.

Ten thinks. o O (So much for drawing fire....)

Paragon is too busy wrestling with Flotsom to pay attention to the spikes forming by Ariel. As they fly towards Paragon, Grimmr lashes its long body about and coils, shielding Paragon from the spikes as they stick into its side. Paragon is aware as the force of the spikes pushes them back. "Whoa...Grimmr!" she shouts in concern.

Ten is spurred on by the success (if futile) of the blinding and decides to try blinding Flotsam.

Flotsom, harried by the strong one, is now blinded by...well..the other one with the staff. Sandfleas! gotta hate em!

Chen's body shifts and reforms, the hardened shell later softening up a little and shrinking, turning into lean muscle. Tentacles with octopus sucker sprout from her back and reach out towards Ariel. "Hey, leave her alone! -I'm- the one you should worry about!" Chen shouts after Ariel tries to hurt her big sis.

Like a sea creature from the depths, Chen's tentacles wrap around Ariel, pinning her arms to her sides and sticking to her with rows of suckers. They wind and tighten to hold her in place.

Lightray urges Bjartdagr closer to Ariel so that he is at point blank range (ie within 4m) of the enchanting young lady. "I would ask you to surrender, but you have refused, Ariel. Your madness must end so no more innocents are harmed." The light of the Sun bursts from the Seal of Utu-Shamash adhered to his chest to strike at Ariel.

Ariel giggles, blinded, held and hammered with light rays, She still giggles, "Oh...the sandfleas bite me..oh me..oh my.."

The enervating heat of the sun washes over Ariel to little effect. But the fact that it did affect her means she is not untouchable.

Flotsom is not happy with the way he's being discriminated against, not one bit, and now he can't see nor can he open his mouth, and his drool is starting to collect in his mouth, not comfortable, not comfortable at all! His tail, armored large and dangerous goes to swat the small one.

Jetsam, the more selfish of the two, snakes his way towards chen, she's the one holding his master..and bites

Did something brush up against Paragon? She felt a little something, but she's unmoved and for the most part hardly phased. Her vice-like grip still clamps Flotsam's mouth shut. "Come on, you think that's going to bother me?"

Sitting there on her mount, Himinglaeva just watches Ariel. She has a job to do. One she hasn't really told anyone about. It's going to suck, but it's her job and her duty. She flexes her hand on the grip of the spear and stares silently at Ariel for now...

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << You two got that one? Chen's getting ganged up on! >>

Fox moves to take a shot at the fish-beast, focusing herself and getting ready to land a devastating blow. With the claws. Fish-monsters survival is a lot less important to her at the moment.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << I think I have a good grip on this guy. Chen's tough...don't worry about her just yet. She heals up fast like Fox and can't really be killed. She'll be okay. So long as she wasn't lying about being unkillable...she said she just reforms eventually and wakes up if she's hurt too much. >>

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Ok. But she's hurt. And now water bitch is free... >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << "I...I know she is." Paragon's mental voice finally sounds pained instead of focused on the fight. >>

Porter assesses... and there's alot going on. He was trilled when Ariel was delayed, then blinded, then... wrapped up in tentacles. Now, he's not really sure if she's any of those. Chen's knocked loose... but all those tentacles floating in the water. And Ariel's hair. Swaying with the currents from ginormous sea monsters swimming around. Like the one that just bit her. Who knows, maybe Ariel missed a buckle on her armor and it's floating out there, too? Something could get snagged.

A buckle on Ariel's wrist is flicked by a tentacle. Then snags in her hair. Which unfastens it more. To float around and around in the little vortex of Jetsam's passing. Around her other arm. Oops?

Narrowing her eyes, Himinglaeva waits. She knows what she's waiting for. The moment she sees Ariel snagged, she says to her serpent, "NOW!" And the serpent surges forward... Himinglaeva calling the sea to her as she turns back solid. Well mostly solid... anyhow, she points both hands towards Ariel and gives it her all. She can't take the time to build up a truly ludicrous level of power with Ariel as fast as she is, but she can certainly give it the old college try.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << "Nice, looks like the Water Heir isn't free anymore. And that gave Himinglaeva the opening she needed." Even after all Ariel has done, Paragon can't bring herself to use foul language against her. >>

And the sea responds to the Asgardian wave's command. It surges and froths around Himinglaeva and then.. slams into Ariel with brutal force. It isn't enough to really shake the daughter of Neptune, but... it might get her attention off of others... Ariel is sent sprawling through the water, slamming into the silt covered seabottom. "That is where you belong." says Himinglaeva. "On your knees."

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Para, she's using some kind of sonar. Fox can hear it! >>

Ariel flinches, the damage is minimal, but the brusing of her ego, is huge, "Aegir's Illigitimate Child! I shall have your head for this!" she screams as she swims at an alarming rate of speed at Himinglaeva..spikes forming from her hands, spears of light strike out at Himing.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << Sonar. Makes sense. Like dolphins. Maybe that's why she doesn't need her eyes to see...it explains her taunting. >>

Just as the Rays of Light are about to strike Himinglaeva, she becomes one with the waters again, and the spears of light fly through her. "YOU CANNOT HIDE FOREVER!" she screams...

Shaking her head as the godling charges her, Himinglaeva says, "I have nine sisters borne of Aegir and Ran. If anyone here is illigetimate, it is you. And you should know that the sea is difficult to harm." she says as the woman flies right through her.

Chen feels darkness creeping up on her after the bite from flotsom but with sheer bloodymindedness she casts off the effect. Swimming after Ariel she changes once again, thickening her skin a little but keeping muscle mass. Hoping that Ariel has briefly discounted her from the picture she tries once again to grab and hold and squeeze.

"Yes!" Porter is thrilled when Arial gets hit and sent flying. He also yells out as he gets word. "She's using sonar to see!" Maybe somebody else can do something about that.

"Sonar? How.... how primitive for a godling." remarks Himinglaeva as she slowly shakes her head, almost as if out of pity.

Chen wraps her tentacles around Ariel once again and squeezes with all her strength.

Lightray watches the goddesses duke it out and then turns his attention to the blinded sea serpent. He nudges Bjartdagr to close enough to Flotsam that Lightray can strike with the Sword of the Sun that forms in his hand.

Lightray sighs as the Sword of Sunlight fails to do anything save remove a few barnacles from Flotsam. He thinks. o 0 (Perhaps I should consider retiring. My powers are not once they once were...)

Porter happily sees Ariel re-glomped. Now he looks back to Flotsam, the naga-piled one. That Para is holding and Fox is winding up those adorably sharp claws for. Since poor Flostam is thrashing around, and can't see Fox, you never know what he might show her. Soft underbelly. That missing scale that molted yesterday. Never know.

The sharp, sharp claws of Fox swing through the water like a trident going in a weirdly circular direction, into the gills of the creature which had no idea it would be experiencing claws in its gills today.

Ariel is clearly frustrated, held again by this...disgusting creature, she is going to kill it....kill it first...or should she kill the little man, no she needs to get free first...Spikes jet out of her body, flaming magma spikes

Ten decides at least to try a direct attack, expanding her staff as fast as possible to thwack Flotsam.

Ten's staff connects solidly with the creature then snaps back together again - Flotsam appears jarred by the blow.

Flotsom isn't sure what is happening to him, he feels like he's just been gutted from the inside out, now some micro-krill sized woman hit him with some driftwood and he loses track of where he is..what he's doing..

Jetsam though is not feeling anything like that and he's figure something out...he's going after the little man. Something about him is making all of this happen...

Porter looks back towards Ariel. Whom he can't see for a moment due to OHMYGODIT'SGONNAEATMEDUCK!

Paragon keeps Flotsom's jaws clamped shut as the creature struggles, watching how her friends are doing. She holds her breath for a few long moments as she sees Chen get hurt and Porter nearly get eaten. Her eyes narrow as she looks back at Flotsom and starts to rear back her head. Helm versus scales. Which will win?

Paragon's head slams forward against Flotsom's tough plated skull with a crack. It's really hard to tell if there's a winner. Perhaps they're evenly matched. But she maintains her hold on its jaws.

Ariel watches as Flotsom is being pummelled, how she is being held down by these sandfleas, how her plans are going awry, and while she has hardly been slowed down, it is frustrating..and she starts to scream as she builds up energy, Energy stolen from Arianna, the power of the plane of light courses through her, and she starts to glow, the glow envelopes her whole body..and she explodes.

Chen guesses what Ariel is building up to and flows over her in a cocoon that contains the explosion. Of course she has effectively 'swallowed' a bomb.

Chen abruptly expands like a balloon as Ariel explodes inside her. Then shrinks back to a snug fitting cocoon. "That tickled." she comments, trying to hide from Paragon just how much damage she has really taken.

Watching that eruption get contained, Himinglaeva cringes and knows just how much power was released there. "Chen. I need to be able to reach her.." she mutters as she shifts her grip on her spear...

Lightray direct Bjartdagr to keep close to (within 4m) of Flotsam. It did not work on Ariel but perhaps it will be more effective on the sea serpent. Sunlight gathers in Lightray's left hand then strikes out at Flotsam.

The warmth of the sunlight basking over his wounded flesh is just too much for Flotsam. The sea serpent lolls to one side as the current begins to tug on his body as Flotsam drops into the arms of Somnus.

With Flotsam down, Fox's shout of savage victory resounds through the coliseum, and she rushes Jetsam, firing her allies up with momentum-based enthusiasm. One down, two to go!

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Porter cringes, mentally and physically. "Are you sure Chen can handle that? I really think she needs some help this time..." >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << Paragon suddenly becomes concerned by Porter's cringing and worry. "She said it tickled. Is...is she hurt? Really hurt??" >>

Ten now turns to Jetsam, expanding her staff toward its eyes - seemed to be a good plan last time.

Ten's aim is true, and the monster is blinded.

Jetsam is pissed..really really pissed...and now he's blinded too. His brother just got taken out of the fight! By these guys...again!!

Porter is the Target...and Jetsam is the executioner....The gigantic Naga-eel opens its massive jaws and, though blind, attempts to take a bite out of Porter...

The Jaws of Death close hard on empty space, he has lost track of the little morsel who causes so much trouble....

"Chen. I need a clear line of fire!" exclaims Himinglaeva as she raises her right arm, the gauntleted hand, and the spear... which is now glowing. "Right now!".... (Holding just... a moment...)

Oh, look, it's more swimming jaws of death. Coming right for him! Porter jumps. Water Blade bucks. And somehow Flotsam's sharp nasty teeth snap between them. Before Porter is sucked back down to the ...saddle... thing...amabob.

Chen calls back to Himinglaeva, "Just go straight through me." and aborts her action to change to goop form. This releases Ariel of course.

As she watches Chen flow free of Ariel, Himinglaeva just sighs and takes a long and deep breath... yeah of water. "Father.." she murmurs in her native tongue. "You gifted me with your favorite weapon. Now... through it, give me your power..." And she stands in the saddle, so to speak.

She points the spear at Ariel and it begins to glow. It scintillates in virtually every color at once. It's a stroboscopic effect that combines into one golden glow just before raw power. It is more than a beam, more than energy. It is fury, power, essence, all that makes up the gods or goddesses. It is the power of Aegir being channelled directly through Himinglaeva via the spear that was gifted her. It was for this moment that the spear was granted... An incoherent grunt issues forth from Himinglaeva as the power is directed... and it passes right through the goopy body of Chen before it strikes Ariel, pouring into her like a firehose of the gods. Then... the surge of power stops. At first, it is like nothing happened. Then... simultaneously two things happen.

First, Himinglaeva slips on the back of her serpent, her eyes drifting closed weakly as she reacts to channelling so much power in through her godling's body. Second... the power of the divine, the essence of the godhood... withdraws from Ariel... it is like a visible thing, with that power being cut off to the girl. This is what happens when godlings dabble in the affairs of -Gods-.

Heaving... the Asgardian godling murmurs, "Finish her now... I ... too much... power... I ...am... done." before she basically loses consciousness.

Ariel's Body arches in pain and she writhes as Himinglaeva's last ditch attempt drains of her of her essence as an elemental. In the span of a second she tries to summon her powers, tried to destroy the godling in her seat with a bolt of lightning, tries to blacken he waters, to escape...tries anything, but no powers will come to her. But she can swim...and she and still has her physical strength...and she will destroy Himinglaeva..

And... she struggles mightily to move. To lift a hand... to do something to stop the approaching attack. But it is a futile effort. Himinglaeva is struck hard, and sent reeling. She moves through water as others move through air... and the spear flies from her grip... even as she floats there.... hair spreading out while she stares upwards. And... the spear vanishes... it is needed elsewhere.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << We need to hit her now! And keep this thing from eating me, hopefully. >>

Lightray urges his serpent towards the now powerless elemental, his eyes glowing with a bright golden color as beams shoot out towards Ariel.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << I'm on it! >>

Paragon half releases, half tosses Flotsom away from her as the eel just floats away, unconscious. Having stopped one beast from munching and spitting at her friends, she can turn her attention to the rest of the battle. Her eyes flit about to assess the situation. Chen said it tickled, and she seems fine, but Paragon feels a flicker of concern. The other eel is THIS close to eating Porter, but she trusts Fox will protect him. That leaves Ariel attacking a defenseless Himinglaeva. She taps her foot on the head of Grimmr and points to Ariel. Grimmr circles once to build momentum and shoots off towards Ariel in a glide. She stretches out a hand, hoping to clamp it down on the wayward heir of Regent.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Go get her! I'll take care of fish face. >>

Diving after Ariel is the Fox-monster, scary fox-monster. A loud cry of rage or bloodlust, clawed hands poised to tear her a new and unwelcome hole, and further bloody the waters.

Paragon's left hand grasps Ariel's right wrist and spins her around in a half turn away from her. Then, Paragon wraps her other arm around Ariel and pins the little elemental's other arm to her side and applies pressure. "Surrender, Ariel. Just...stop this," she pleads again, hoping to get through to Ariel.

Ariel screams energy begins to arc around her again, unlike Arion, it is not an earthen shell, but one of pure energy. Again she borrows from Arania, lightning crackles around her, from her eyes, there is a crazed look....

Porter has a giant sea monster trying to eat him. And then there's Ariel. Charging up. Again. With Para holding her. And Fox winding up to claw her. And everyone else not too far away. Except for him. To ... stand and watch.

!@#$ that. There is no way that's going to happen. He won't tolerate any annoying buzzes from his... whatever the doohickey is. He mashes buttons. Like he never has before. And whatever karmic deities with the sick sense of humor are looking down. Just this once, let him do something right. They can slap him around after.

With a flash and *TWUMP* he vanishes. Then another occurs right in front of Ariel, between Fox and Para. Where he reappears. For only a moment. Flash-*THWUMP* And he's gone again. No. They're gone; him and Ariel. Only to reappear with another flash and reverberation... somewhere.

He can't always stop bad stuff from happening, but he doesn't need to. It just can't happen /THERE/. Right next to the two people he happens to love most in the world.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << Don't worry. I got this. >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << "Porter? No...wait...what are you doing!?" Paragon's filled with panic and grief at what she thinks he's just done. >>

Ariel and Porter are gone...Jetsam seems to shake himself, as if awakening from a dream, the light of recognition seems to appear in the monster's eyes, and he shifts back into the form of a normal, if very long and well developed Moray eel, he swims over to his brother, who seems to be coming out of it...and Flotsom, while bleeding and hurt, returns to his natural state as well. With Ariel gone, they are back to their old selves...and at the mercy of the heroes.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << CONNECTION LOST >>

Fox stops, looking confused. And at Paragon. "Where?" she utters.

Ten looks about in confusion too. "Gone."

Floating there, Himinglaeva just.. drifts. She's in essence... non-responsive. Catatonic? Comatose? Something like that....

Chen reforms and now the deep incised rents caused by Jetsam's teeth is obvious. "Where...?" is her first comment. Followed by, "What's happened to Himingleva?"

Ten goes over to check on Himinglaeva.

Paragon's eyes blink off and on as Porter teleports by them. "Porter, get back!" And then a message buzzes over her network. The diameter of her eyes expand in understanding of the meaning behind the message. "No! Stop!" And then Porter and Ariel are gone, her arms closing around water and nothing. "...no...why did you..." her voice becomes very small as her network connection is lost. There may as well not be a battle anymore. Paragon sinks to her knees, staring at the ground, holding her head. Trying to will the network connection to pick up. For the signal to still be out there. "It shouldn't have been you..." her voice sounds broken.

Himinglaeva is... alive. Maybe. Do goddesses have pulses? Well, she does have a slow one. She's... eh, different. But she floats there. She might rage about Porter too, were she still aware of anything. To her, having the guy take the depowered goddess away before everyone could -smoosh- her like a bug... would've been something she would go berserk about. Right now though, her eyes aren't even responding to changes in light, her body not responding as people poke and prod her.

Paragon looks up slowly at Fox. "I don't know. The connection, it...it..." she doesn't want to say. She doesn't want to use that word.

Ten says, "I'm not sure what's wrong. She seems alive, but... well, she's not human enough for me to know what I'm dealing with."

Fox nears Paragon in a much less scary form. "Cut," she nods, tapping the necklace. She seems significantly less worried somehow. "Just...wait."

Chen looks over at Paragon, "Mind link?" She knows a lot about mind links having spent a couple of years in the Baron's castle. "They don't work across dimensions. It doesn't automatically mean the worse, Paragon."

Paragon remains slumped on her knees, looking to Chen and nodding weakly. "Something like that...network access," she explains hollowly. She looks back to Fox listlessly. "Wait...okay," she says quietly. Her eyes shut off for a little while as she takes a moment to pull herself together. Finally, with a heavy heart, she gets back on her feet.

There is a great deal of confusion and misgivings about this 'victory', as the Heroes regroup, they wonder about one of their fallen, and escort the other to he home where she is cared for by her father and her sisters in hopes of her eventual return...

Godrjofurr, Himinglaeva's serpent, nudges her a bit, and then curls about her to carry her carefully back home. Daddy would not be happy if they just left her here. Besides, they're some of her childhood friends. They've known her literally all of their lives. So.. she is treated as a delicate and fragile package to be returned home.