THE FINAL CONFRONTATION

[steampunkborgia]

[It's time.

Once everything has gathered, perhaps they feel as prepared as they can be under these circumstances. Behind that door lays the place where things will end. The door opens easily, giving them access to the most important place underneath Krakow.

It's a rather large chamber, carved in the rock, but on the far end it feels like someone decorated the place to give it a very mystical vibe. A polished stone staircase leads to what seems to be a very large, glowing gate. It's being assaulted by an uninterrupted beam of volatile energy. Its origin is visible: a large, imposing laser machine, where all the tubes and wires are connected to. Right beside it, there's a coffin-shaped machine, the antenna blinking intermittently. Looks like it's on! But is it doing anything right now?

And, standing there with your backs to you, are the two people who have caused you so much grief and pain during the last month and a half. They're standing some distance away from the gate. Throughout the room are a few rocks that could serve as cover, as well as a pillar or two, but do you intend to hide? Regardless, looks like your intrusion didn't go unnoticed]

You all are so noisy.

[The door opening seems to have alerted her of your presence, yup. The Lady turns around. She doesn't have her half-mask anymore. The eye that's usually under it has a summoning circle carved onto it, shining so noticeably it can be seen even from the other side of the chamber. To her hip there's a sword, and her hand goes to a weapon a couple people may be familiar with: the marshmallow gun...with modifications. That sure is the fire-spewing trombone attached onto it. It's all pretty dangerous-looking yet still ridiculous. ]

Welcome, everyone, to the secret of this world. In here--why are there cats here?

[She blinks, puzzled. A good sign! Looks like, despite everything she has done and worked on, there's still room to catch her off guard in many ways!

The Lady shakes her head]

If you're down here it means you have been snooping around, haven't you? I'm sure this isn't the only place you sneaked into. My, darlings, that's naughty of you. All you had to do was stay on the surface and do nothing, and you could have the happy ending you wanted. Now, since you have seen more than I intended, I have no more option but to kill you. You can only blame yourselves, darlings.

[The Lady glances back at the gate, pensive, for just a moment before slapping a grin on her face]

My followers call me their Lady. My priestesses their Goddess. Everyone else calls me...the Other, for...some reason. [She doesn't seem terribly fond of that moniker.] But you all can just call me Lucrezia. And this here is my servant, Rembrandt as you well know by now. [She turns to him to add:] Oh, feel free to strike fear into their hearts by undoing your current form. The charade is over.

Now, have you all grasped the truth of this project?

Comments

[steampunkborgia]

[Looks like, recently, Lucrezia was starting to get uneasy. She's not boasting nearly as much, she seems a lot more guarded. A couple people have touched upon points that she really, really wants to keep a mystery, and she knows that.

When the gate behind her makes a rather ominous creaking noise and the light intensifies, she sighs with relief]

Alright, I think that's been fun so far! But I'm starting to get a little bit fed up with this all, so let's try to finish this conversation and be done, alright?

[The gate behind her fires another burst of light. It's opening more and more, but it's happening so slowly it's still going to be a little while longer]

[psychophant]

Don't move. If she moves, shoot her.

[It's directed to Cumore, but if any of you people with guns want in on that, please feel free!!!!]

Tell us what this gate is. What is it you're trying to accomplish with it?

[steampunkborgia]

[She barks some laughter, before scowling at Iago]

Do you all believe I don't know what kind of weapons you have? Do you all think I don't have a way to counter a few bullets or arrows?

[baitless]

...I would imagine you have accounted for that, yes.

[she probably has fucking retribution and Lysithea is too dead to dark spikes her...]

[deadlygoals]

Would you though? I thought you wanted us to hurt her. To drain the life out of your enemy little by little.

[steampunkborgia]

Have you noticed I'm using this body? I don't care if you kill it, but I sure am not going to stand still and make it easy for any of you!

[After all, she's defiant to the end]

[psychophant]

I'm certain you already know. You're as prepared as you can be for this.

But that's just it - you weren't expecting us to come down here after you. We're already throwing off your plans. Are you really so certain that you can handle all of us?

[steampunkborgia]

This is not the first time I have faced a group of people who have tried to kill me. I have done it with this very body, too. [The marshmallow gun in her hands whirs a little] Iago, I'm not some defenseless woman. I can fight, in more ways than one.

[raventhaw]

[ ...well that sure isn't good. raven's eyes widen when she sees the burst of light. her mind's racing with thoughts, trying to formulate some kind of plan. in the interim, though... ]

You don't want to stay and chat, just like old times?

[steampunkborgia]

Nope! Thank you, the old times are behind us.

[She even puts her hand on the hilt of her sword]

[raventhaw]

When we had that conversation about losing one's humanity, you were talking about yourself, weren't you?

I'd hardly call you human. But that's what you'd like to hear, isn't it?

[steampunkborgia]

On the contrary, I'm as human as always! [She laughs] Losing your humanity is far more difficult than you think. Believe me, I haven't reached said heights just yet!

[Says the woman who inserts her soul and mind into people and what not]

[reanbeans]

...

[ Rean desperately scrounged his mind for answers, any possibilities, or anything, just anything!

Except, that he has nothing. He's got nothing.

Rean hated feeling so helpless, so weak, and angry. He was so angry, filled so much with so many dark emotions that he hid so very well—chief of all was his desire to literally kill her. After all, it was all her fault, it was all her fault...and he felt himself slipping, his breath coming out heavy.

Just give him a moment. He'll surely be fine, as his hand slipped down to his sword, ready to draw when he had an opportunity. ]

[raventhaw]

[ she's noticed he's been quiet. when raven looks over at him and the way he's holding onto his sword, she quickly walks over to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. ]

Don't be rash, Rean. You know better than that.

[reanbeans]

...

[ He could barely hear her over that literal demonic rage inside of him.

But, he'll notice Erik slipping away at least. Did it calm him enough? It's hard to say, but he didn't strike, so that's something. ]

[raventhaw]

[ she's never seen him like this before. it's disconcerting, to say the least. she lowers her hand off of his shoulder. ]

The time will come. And when it does... [ she puts her hand on the hilt of her own sword(s) and nods at him. ] You have my word.

[steampunkborgia]

Ahaha, Rean Schwarzer, what a hero you are! That's quite the look on your face!

[She grins nastily]

What do you intend to do with that sword, hm? Do you intend to fight me?

[She sounds almost elated about such thought]

[reanbeans]

[ Rean's eyes fall upon her, in a nasty glare, a crimson taken over his lilac eyes, as he struggled to get himself under control. ]

And you're confident you can meet me head on by yourself?

[deadlygoals]

[ Welp. He was wondering if this would happen. ]

Rean.

[ Can he step in between Rean and his line of sight of Lady because he's going to so. ]

Look at me.

[reanbeans]

Don't...get in my way.

[ He's not okay, for sure. ]

[hors_devores]

[ The shadows move closer to Rean, though not in a menacing way. ]

[reanbeans]

[ Duly noted!! ]

[bawcock]

[ Okay, that sounds really bad. He was all right before with sticking near Rembrandt and asking him not to, y'know, slaughter them all, but this is way more important.

If he creeps toward the machines while she's distracted, will he be able to get close? Specifically trying to check out the laser machine. ]

[steampunkborgia]

[Go ahead, Erik! There are too many people for her to keep track on.

You indeed can get close, but be careful. Getting too close feels somewhat painful, from all the energy that emanates from it, almost like a big ball of electricity that envelopes the machine and the wires. Being a few meters from it is enough to make Erik's hair stand up like a Dragon Ball Z character]

[bawcock]

[ His hair already stands on end!! Naturally, by the way. Mostly naturally.

He grimaces through the unpleasant feeling at first but eventually has to call it a quits. Maybe he can throw the violin at it later!! For now, he's going to circle back to whatever group is farthest from the Lady and whisper to them. ]

Whatever's with that machine, it's harder to get close to than you'd think. We... might need to take it out, but we'll have to keep our distance.