Interlude ?: Jeff's Return Mon Feb 05 2001 * Jeff has been sitting crosslegged on the rocks with his eyes closed for quite some time, shifting position occasionally, and taking off and putting on the ring when he does. * Jeff opens his eyes and looks out at the vast sea of death, then sighs. He replaces the ring on his finger, and slowly stands up, stretching as he does. * Jeff stares out at the ocean as though transfixed for a moment, or maybe a minute, before tearing his gaze away and turning to look for the Guardian of death. >> The hunched, veiled figure remains in the same place she has been since he first saw her...silent as death. * Jeff walks back over towards the figure, taking a deep breath out of habit. "Ge Ramtos...?" >> The figure does not move an inch. "Yes?" * Jeff folds his hands in front of himself. "I'm ready... but there are a few questions I wished to ask, if you have the time." Ge Ramtos: Certainly. * Jeff holds up his hand, looking at the small shard of black. "This ring... you said four guardians crafted it... could you tell me which four? The time might come when I'll have the opportunity to thank them for this..." Ge Ramtos: The powers of myself and Odoryuk give control over life and death; the dark threads of Duras Drum embody strength through deception; the equity of Solus Emsu allows the wearer to walk amongst the living unscathed. * Jeff nods slowly. "There was only one other thing... the people I was with when I... well... died... you said they'd been joined by others?" Ge Ramtos: For the time being. * Jeff nods again, furrowing his brow, and trying to recall... something... Jeff: Oh! * Jeff feels into his bag of stuff, fishing around to see if the letter he was given after he first met Sevena is still there. * Jeff slowly withdraws it. "I was given this... to give to Aaron Thompson. I was told he's dead, and I wanted to know... if you knew if that was true." Ge Ramtos: This is true. However...a part of him remains in the living world as a ghost, clinging to a promise unfulfilled. Jeff: So it might yet be possible to deliver this? Ge Ramtos: Perhaps, yes. If not...you must find his successor. Ge Ramtos: Assuming you do intend to deliver it, that is. Jeff: It seemed important... and the man who gave this to me helped me... Jeff: His successor... Hikaru said he was his student... might he also be his successor? Ge Ramtos: Hikaru...the one from the Temple of Memory. I do not know...that's something you shall need to work out with him. Jeff: I'll have to find him and talk to him, then. * Jeff nods again, more confidently this time, and replaces the letter. "All right, then. That's all... I'm ready." Ge Ramtos: All right. You will fight three battles with my minions...a test of strength, a test of endurance, and a test of both. You are prepared? Jeff: I am. >> She melts into nothingness without another word, and her veil flutters to the ground in a pile. >> Suddenly a stiff wind kicks up in the formerly still air, depositing a rusty suit of armor on the ground before disappearing. >> The armor begins to vibrate and rattle, rising slowly into the air with a great clatter, like tins cans tied to a string. * Jeff watches the armor calmly, raising his hands into a guard position as it rises up. >> Clanging and clattering, the suit of armor arranges itself as it would be positioned on a human, but floating autonomously. It bends over to pick up the one remaining object, an old sword, in its mail glove, and stomps forward. --Combat!-- Enemy Front: Ghost Knight Round 1! Ghost Knight attacks Jeff! * Jeff attempts to sidestep and knock the sword away. >> The knight swings its nicked and rusty blade in a slow but heavy stroke, slashing across Jeff's chest. It tries to jerk the blade up, but Jeff dodges the second stroke deftly. 37! Miss! (37) Counter-95! >> The armor rings like a bell when struck, denting slightly. * Jeff takes a quick step back, narrowing his eyes and looking for an opening. Jeff uses Reflex Boost! Agi and Dex +1L! Round 2! * Jeff sets himself again, watching the knight carefully. Jeff attacks! * Jeff quickly moves foward, aiming a pair of kicks at the knight and following up with an open-handed shot aimed at the helmet. 91! 96! 104! (291) >> The phantom warrior reels backwards before slowly advancing again to strike, a large dent in its helmet. Ghost Knight attacks! >> Swinging clumsily, it misses both times, leaving itself open to attack. Miss! Miss! (0) Counter-98! Counter-86! (184) * Jeff smiles faintly as he nails the knight twice more. "Ok... I can do this... the limbs are working like they should..." Round 3! Both combatants gain force! Jeff attacks! * Jeff tries to keep the knight unbalanced, aiming another quick trio of blows at him. 99! 102! 93! (294) >> The Knight's helmet clatters to the ground. Knight attacks! Miss! Miss! (0) Counter-93! Round 4! Ghost Knight evades! Jeff attacks! * Jeff attempts to get in a few more strikes on the now-defensive knight. >> All three strikes connect despite the Knight's efforts to dodge... 97! 97! 93! (287) KO'd! >> The armor tumbles to the ground unsupported, and disentigrates into a pile of rust. Victory! 913 EXP! >> "You did a good job." Jeff's body stiffens briefly, then relaxes as new energy surges through it, restoring him. "Are you prepared for the second level of training?" * Jeff watches the armor collapse, and grins. Jeff: Yes... I am. >> The ground rumbles softly, rippling the water all around. Suddenly, three rectangular headstones burst upwards from the rock below, each bearing a simple skull-and-crossbones symbol engraved into it. --Combat!-- Enemy Front Row: Tombstone A, B, C Tombstones B and C defend! * Jeff prepares to speed himself back up again, watching the stones warily. Jeff uses Reflex Boost! Agi and Dex +1L! >> The first of the stones slowly pulls itself out of the ground, growing appendages of stone and swiping at Jeff! Tombstone A attacks! 115 damage! Round 2! Jeff: Test of endurance... Tombstones A and B defend! * Jeff steps back, clenching his fists tightly. >> Two of the tombstones remain in stony silence while the third begins to rumble. Jeff charges! Force+2! Tombstone C attacks! >> The third tombstone suddenly bursts up in a shower of dust, striking out quickly before sliding back into the earth. Miss! (0) Counter-2! * Jeff looks dubiously at the total lack of any effect his returned blow seemed to have. "All right then..." >> Jeff hurts his hand as the stone proves rather unyeilding. Round 3! Jeff gains a level of force! Tombstones A and C defend! Jeff: If that's the way this is going to be... Jeff summons Zeldukes! DP+2L! * Jeff raises a hand, palm up. "Zeldukes, please shield me..." >> The sigil of a manticore burns briefly on Jeff's chest, moving with a life of its own. His skin blazes with light, strengthening. Tombstone B attacks! 63 damage! Jeff is knocked back, but Zeldukes' power absorbs some of the blow. Round 4! * Jeff watches the stones warily, clenching his fists and charging again. Tombstones A and B defend! Jeff charges! Force+1! Tombstone C attacks! 55 damage! Round 5! Tombstones A and B defend! Jeff uses Mystic on the Crystal lens to cast Willforce, then uses Recover! Regains 116 HP! Tombstone C attacks! Miss! (0) Round 6! Jeff gains 1 force! Tombstones B and C defend! Jeff uses Reflex Boost! Agi and Dex +1L! * Jeff shakes his head, watching the stones. "They aren't doing this in any sort of order I can see... looks like I'm going to have to start guessing." Tombstone A attacks! Miss! Round 7! Tombstones B and C defend! * Jeff concentrates, watching for the next attack. Jeff charges! Force+1! Tombstone A attacks! Miss! (0) Round 8! Tombstones A and C defend! Jeff uses Mystic on the Cross pendant! Releases Guts! Wil+1L! Tombstone B attacks! >> Tombstone B swings, but goes careening off to one side wildly. Miss! Counter-2! >> The rock being falls off-balance, but immediately descends into the earth again, leaving only a simple headstone. Round 9! Jeff gains 1 force! * Jeff winces as he strikes stone again. "Ok, this isn't working at all... or... is it?" Tombstones B and C defend! Jeff Mystics the Black Belt! Strengthen released! Str+1L! Tombstone A attacks! 59! * Jeff winces. "Need a plan... need a plan." Round 10! Tombstones A and B defend! Jeff charges! Force+2! Tombstone C attacks! Miss! (0) * Jeff looks back and forth at the stones, ducking out of the way of the attacker. "All right..." Counter-4! Round 11! * Jeff touches the belt again. "All right... here goes nothing..." Tombstones A and C defend. Jeff uses Mystic on the Black Belt! Released Strengthen! Str+1L! Tombstone B attacks! Miss! (0) Counter-4! Round 12! Jeff gains 1 force! Jeff: Time I stopped playing around, then... Tombstones B and C defend! Jeff uses Ultra Strike on Tombstone A! * Jeff launches himself at the first tombstone with a kiai, lashing out quickly with whatever limb seems to have the best angle and opening. Critical - 8! 5! 5! 6! 6! Critical - 8! (38) KO'd! >> The tombstone doesn't seem to have suffered damage, but after the onslaught it simply falls over backwards. Round 13! * Jeff grins, looking rather like he's enjoying himself. "Ha! One down..." Jeff: <> * Jeff clenches his fists again, concentrating and keeping an eye on the other two. Tombstone C defends! Jeff charges! Force+1! Tombstone B attacks! Miss! (0) Round 14! Jeff: Hrm... you! Tombstone B defends! Jeff attacks Tombstone C! * Jeff takes a few quick shots at the third tombstone, grinning openly at his luck. Critical-9! Critical-9! Critical-8! (25) KO'd! >> The tombstone topples, leaving one remaining. Round 15! Jeff gains 1 force! Tombstone B defends! Jeff attacks! * Jeff takes a couple swings at the blocking tombstone. "I can whittle you down a little at a time, if I must..." 3! Critical-4! 3! (10) KO'd! Jeff: Or not... >> The tombstones are slowly subsumed by the earth. Victory! 1826 EXP! >> Jeff's body stiffens briefly as his wounds knit, leaving him spent but healed. Ge Ramtos: You completed both preliminary aspects of the training. If you can defeat my final minion, you shall be strong enough to do what's required of you. It won't be an easy battle, though - are you ready? * Jeff cracks his knuckles, then folds his hands calmly. Jeff: Yes... I am ready. >> Thunder rumbles above, shaking icicles and snow loose. A searing ball of electricity forms in thin air over the place where the last foes vanished, sizzling. >> The electricity slowly takes shape, then texture and finally color, until a four-armed woman in white robes stands in its place. Sparks and purple arcs of energy crackle up and down her blue, tattooed skin, and her eyes are like shards of ice. >> She thrusts her arms forward, and four blades of ice and lightning grow from her hands, crackling and glowing. --Combat!-- Enemy Front Row: Chaos Round 1! * Jeff eyes the swords warily, again slipping into a fighting stance. "Maybe I should have taken up a weapon..." >> The inhuman woman adopts a combative stance, holding all four blades in a cross-pattern. Chaos uses Saber Dance! Counter Threshold is 0 until Round 8! Jeff charges! Force+1! Round 2! * Jeff takes a quick step back, watching the woman warily and waiting for the attack he knows is coming. >> Chaos begins chanting in silence, her pale lips moving rapidly. With a flick of one wrist, she points a sword at Jeff and he is surrounded by inky blackness. Chaos casts Blind! Jeff is Blinded! Jeff uses Reflex Boost! Agi and Dex +1L! Round 3! Both combatants gain force! Jeff uses Mystic on the Crystal Lens! Released WIllforce! Jeff uses Restore! Blindness is removed! * Jeff gropes blindly for his lens, hoping to restore his sight before anything happens. Chaos attacks! >> The woman rushes forward in a flurry of slashing blades and snapping electricity...the hits barely draw blood, but the combination of many at a time is battering. Miss! 23! 26! 22! (71) Counter-13! >> Jeff lands a counterattack square in the middle of her face. Her head snaps back unnaturally, then slowly rights itself. Electricity dances across her skin, repairing the bruised tissue. Chaos regenerates 10 HP! Chaos regenerates 5 MP! Round 4! Jeff: You have to be kidding me... Jeff charges! Force+1! * Jeff clenches his fists again, trying to build up his force. Chaos points all four blades directly ahead, and four beams of electricity snap outward. Chaos casts Spark! Miss! Chaos regenerates 3 HP. * Jeff ducks to the side, watching the beams streak past. "Whew..." Round 5! Jeff summons Zeldukes! Jeff: Zeldukes, I need your help again... please grant me your protection... >> Jeff surges with power as his skin toughens into natural armor. Def+2L! Chaos charges! Force+2L! Round 6! Both gain 1 force! Chaos is Condition Green! Jeff uses Reflex Boost! Agi and Dex +1L! Chaos uses Purple Electric! >> Violet lightning bolts rain down on the battlefield in a storm of energy! Jeff's armor seems to repel the bolts...40 damage! Chaos regenerates 5 MP! Round 7! Jeff charges! Force+1! Chaos casts Sleep on Jeff! Jeff is stunned by electricity! Round 8! Jeff awakens! Jeff is dazed... Chaos uses Saber Dance! Counter Threshold is 0 until Round 15! Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 9! Force+1 for all combatants! Chaos gained 5 MP that round, too. my bad. * Jeff blinks slightly, shaking his head and then focusing on Chaos again. "Hrmph..." Jeff charges! Force+1! Chaos casts Sleep on Jeff! Jeff is stunned by electricity! Round 10! Jeff is asleep... Chaos charges! Force+1! Round 11! Jeff is asleep... * Jeff stares blindly in a kind of half-sleep, teetering where he stands. Chaos casts Silence on Jeff! Jeff resists! Round 12...everyone gains 1 force! Chaos is Condition Green! Jeff awakens! Jeff is dazed! Chaos uses Plague Mark on Jeff! >> A black swath of paint appears across Jeff's chest. Jeff is Poisoned and Diseased! Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 13! Jeff removes the Black Shard Ring! Jeff becomes Undead! * Jeff reaches down and pulls off the ring, placing it safely in with the rest of his stuff, then resting his hand on the belt. Jeff uses Mystic on the Black Belt! Released Strengthen! Str+1L! Chaos casts Spark! Miss! Jeff absorbs poison! Regains 31 HP! Round 14! * Jeff keeps his hand on the belt, squirming a little at the odd feel of the poison doing the opposite of what it should. Jeff uses Mystic on the Black Belt! Released Strengthen! Str+1L! Chaos attacks! 11! Miss! 13! 12! (36) Counter-28! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Jeff regains 31 HP. Round 15! +1 Force! Saber Dance wears off! Jeff charges! Force+1! Chaos casts Blind on Jeff. Jeff is Blinded! Jeff regains 31 HP. Round 16! Jeff charges! Force+2! Jeff is Condition Green! Blind is dispelled...poison and disease remain. Chaos uses Saber Dance! Counter Threshold is 0 until Round 23! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 17! Jeff attacks! 29! 26! 28! (83) * Jeff finally decides to fight back, taking a trio of swings at Chaos. >> Chaos raises one arm to block the blows. The arm is snapped by the imact, and hangs limply at her side. Chaos casts Spark on Jeff! 64 damage! Jeff regains 31 HP. Round 18! Force+1! Chaos evades! Jeff attacks! * Jeff follows up with another trio of attacks, trying now to put his opponent down. >> Chaos moves to dodge with eerie fluidity, but Jeff is too fast. 29! Miss! 26! (55) Counter-13! >> Chaos' uppermost left arm separates from her shoulders, falling to the ground with a sickly 'thud'. She cups the the bloody socket in one hand, staring forward impassively. >> The severed arm begins to twist and reshape, growing large and blacker... * Jeff stares, eyes widening. Severed arm turns into Ghost Knight! Jeff regains 31 HP! Chaos regains 10 HP and 5 MP! Round 19! * Jeff sighs, and glares at the knight. "I don't even know what to say right now." Knight: ... Jeff attacks Ghost Knight! 175! 188! Miss! (363) Chaos casts Blind on Jeff! Miss! >> The cloud of blackness sails past Jeff and disentigrates in thin air. Ghost Knight attacks Jeff! Miss! Miss! (0) Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Jeff regains 15 HP. Round 20! * Jeff keeps up the assault on the knight, not wanting to fight two at once, and having a suspicious feeling about what might happen with Chaos' other arms. Jeff attacks the Ghost Knight! 173! 198! 171! (542) Chaos attacks! 13! 12! 11! (36) The Ghost Knight attacks Jeff in return! 20! Miss! (20) Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Jeff regains 31 HP. Round 21! Everyone gains 1 force! Jeff attacks the Knight! Critical-259! Critical-296! 173! (728) KO'd! The knight crumbles to a pile of rust. Chaos regrows her missing arm! >> Chaos' new arm seems somehow more battered and uneven, despite regenerating, as though it's been clumsily glued on. Chaos casts Sleep on Jeff! Miss! Jeff regains 25 HP! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 22! 27! Critical-40! Critical-38! (105) Both the regenerated arm and the top right arm detatch like lizards' tails and fall to the ground. Tombstones A and B appear! Chaos uses Saber Dance! Counter Threshold is 0 until Round 29! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 23! * Jeff sighs, and attacks the first of the 'stones. Chaos defends! Tombstone A defends! 2! Critical-4! Critical-5! (11) Tombstone B attacks! 53! Jeff regains 31 HP! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 24! Chaos gains 1 force! Tombstone A defends! Jeff attacks Tombstone A! 3! Critical-5! Critical-4! (12) KO'd! Chaos regrows one arm. Chaos casts Spark on Jeff! Miss! Tombstone B attacks! Miss! (0) Counter-6! Jeff regenerates 20 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 25! Tombstone B defends! Jeff attacks TOmbstone B! 3! 3! 3! (9) KO'd! Chaos regrows her second arm. Chaos uses Purple Electric on Jeff! 38 damage! Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 26! Chaos evades! * Jeff looks up from the collapsed tombstones, and back to Chaos. "All right, not going to make it easy, huh?" Miss! 25! Miss! (25) >> Chaos slashes back with her icy blades! Counter-11! Counter-12! (23) Jeff regains 30 HP! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 27! Chaos gains 1 force! Chaos defends! Jeff assesses Chaos! May ask 4 questions! Chaos regenerates 10 HP! Round 28! Chaos defends! Jeff attacks Chaos! 12! 12! 13! (37) Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 29! Saber Dance wears off! Chaos defends! Jeff attacks Chaos! 13! 13! Critical-22! (48) >> Three of Chaos's arms fall off, leaving her with only one. Ghost Knights A, B and C appear! * Jeff keeps up his attack, lashing out with another trio of kicks. "This has gone on long enough..." Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 30! Chaos gains 1 force! Chaos is Condition Green! Ghost Knight A covers Chaos! Jeff attacks Chaos! Ghost Knight A intercepts! * Jeff tries to keep an eye out for the knights, keeping as much pressure on Chaos as he can... or perhaps not. >> One of the knights dives forward in a near-suicidal gesture, getting badly banged up. 184! 196! 194! (574) Chaos casts Spark on herself! Jeff: ...I really hate you. Chaos: ... Jeff: Well... perhaps hate is the wrong word. Jeff: But you really annoy me. Chaos absorbs Thunder! Regains 25 HP! * Jeff takes a quick step back, watching for the other two knights. Ghost Knight B attacks! Miss! 20! (20) Counter-188! Ghost Knight C attacks! Miss! Miss! (0) Counter-185! Jeff regains 20 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 31! Jeff attacks Ghost Knight A! Critical-276! Miss! 171! (447) Chaos uses Purple Electric on Jeff! 43 damage! Ghost Knight A attacks Jeff! Miss! Miss! (0) Counter-205! KO'd! * Jeff sidesteps the attack and kicks the knight in the side, knocking it down. Chaos regrows an arm! Ghost Knight B attacks Jeff! Miss! 20! (20) Counter-180! Ghost Knight C attacks Jeff! Miss! 18! (18) Counter-194! Jeff regenerates 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 32! Jeff attacks Chaos! 25! 24! Critical-38! (87) Chaos uses Purple Electric on Jeff! 44 damage! Ghost Knight B attacks! Miss! 19! (19) Counter-175! Ghost Knight C attacks! * Jeff staggers a little, remaining thankful for the poison in his system, odd as that seems to him. 20! Miss! (20) Jeff regains 31 HP! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 33! Chaos gains 1 force! Ghost Knight B covers Chaos! Jeff attacks Chaos! Ghost Knight B intercepts! * Jeff keeps a wary eye on the two knights as he again moves to launch a quick set of blows towards Chaos... only to have a knight interpose himself. 207! 212! 198! (617) KO'd! >> The knight leaps in the way, only to be smashed apart. Chaos casts Spark on Jeff! Miss! * Jeff shakes his head as he beats the knight into the ground, then quickly tries to avoid the coming spell. >> The thunderbolt snaps above Jeff's head, filling the air with a burnt smell as it vanishes harmlessly. Ghost Knight C attacks! 21! Miss! (21) Counter-200! Jeff regains 31 HP! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 34! Ghost Knight C covers Chaos! Jeff attacks Chaos! Ghost Knight C intercepts! * Jeff makes another effort to get past the knights, or knight as the case may be, and land some blows on Chaos, only to wind up pounding on a knight again. 209! 205! Critical-314! (728) KO'd! >> The final knight perishes, returning the last of Chaos' arms. Chaos charges! Force+1! Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 35! Jeff: No one to shield you this time... Chaos defends! Jeff attacks chaos! 14! 13! 16! (44) Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 36! Chaos gains 1 force! Jeff: I don't suppose you'd be willing to concede defeat, would you? >> Chaos stares forward impassively. * Jeff sighs wearily. "Can't say I didn't offer." * Jeff takes another pair of swings, following them with a roundhouse. Chaos defends! Jeff attacks! Critical-19! Critical-21! 14! (54) >> All four of Chaos' arms thud to the ground, lending her an eerie appearance as clotted bloode dribbles from the sockets. 2 Ghost Knights and 2 Tombstones appear! * Jeff sighs. "Again." Jeff regains 30 HP! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 37! Ghost Knight A covers Chaos! Jeff attacks Ghost Knight A, which is kind of futile when you think about it! * Jeff tiredly looks at the four new threats, then glances to Chaos. "I might be a minute..." He then starts lacing into yet another knight. 184! Critical-314! 196! (694) Chaos uses Purple Electric on Jeff! 44 damage! Ghost Knight B attacks Jeff! Miss! 20! (20) Counter-188! Tombstone A attacks! Miss! (0) Counter-6! Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 38! Chaos defends. Ghost Knight A covers Chaos! Tombstone A defends! Jeff attacks Ghost Knight A! Jeff: Go ahead and guard her... you're my target anyway! 196! 171! Critical-259! (626) KO'd! >> The knight is battered apart, and its counterpart takes its place in front of the silent woman. Ghost Knight B attacks! 18! 19! (37) Tombstone B attacks! Miss! (0) Counter-6! Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 39! Chaos gains 1 force. Ghost Knight B covers Chaos! Jeff attacks Ghost Knight B! 177! 179! 196! (552) Chaos casts Spark on Jeff! 54 damage! Tombstone B attacks Jeff! 59! Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Jeff: Ouch... Round 40! Chaos defends! Tombstone B defends! Jeff attacks Chaos! 14! 12! 12! (38) Ghost Knight B attacks Jeff! Miss! 18! (18) Tombstone A attacks Jeff! 60! Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 41! Ghost Knight B covers Chaos! Jeff attacks Chaos! Ghost Knight B intercepts! * Jeff smiles grimly, laying into the knight instead 198! 198! 198! (594) KO'd! >> Chaos is left flanked by two Tombstones with two of her arms reattached, unprotected. Tombstone B attacks! * Jeff smiles a little more broadly now. "There we go." Miss! (0) Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Round 42! Chaos gains 1 force! Chaos evades! Tombstone A defends! Jeff attacks Chaos! 24! Critical-41! 29! (94) Tombstone B attacks! 59! Jeff regains 31 HP. Chaos regenerates 10 HP. Chaos regenerates 5 MP. Round 43! Chaos evades! Jeff uses Ultra Strike on Chaos! * Jeff nods to Chaos. "It's been a good fight, but..." * Jeff leaps forward in a quick series of punchs and kicks, trying to put Chaos down for good. 25! Miss! 27! 27! Miss! 24! (103) KO'd! Victory! 2739 EXP! * Jeff slumps, looking as though he should be breathing heavily. >> Chaos and her remaining minions break apart like dust in the wind, accompanied by a hideous banshee howl that fades away as if descending down a long tunnel... * Jeff starts chuckling weakly. "Hope I wasn't... disqualified for time." >> Ge Ramtos slowly descends from above, once again in the form of Morrighan. She touches down gently, smiling a cute smile that brings out the dimples in her cheeks. "You did really good, Jeff. That was a hard battle for you...I used as much of my power as I could spare to conjure those creatures." She steps forward and places a hand on his chest, filling him with a strange bubbly sensation inside that refreshes him totally. * Jeff slips the ring back on, smiling a little more genuinely now. "Thank you..." Morrighan: One more gift before you go. Put your hands out like this. >> She puts her hands in front of her, palms up. * Jeff nods, and places his hands out, as requested. >> Smiling, she passes her palms over his, and two heavy objects drop into his hands. Once she takes her palms away, he sees that they are a pair of rough-hewn grey tablets, one bearing the mark of Life, the other the mark of Death. Morrighan: For luck. I'm ready now...are you? * Jeff stares at the slabs, eyes widening a little. "Yes... thank you, again... for everything." Morrighan: OK! *she frowns at a sudden thought* There's one thing I oughtta warn you about...I sense that there's a spy amongst the group of people I'm sending you two, magically shielded to prevent my scrying him or her. I'm sure it's not going to be any problem for you if you defeated all those monsters, but...you should be careful. Until you discover who the spy is, you should avoid revealing who you are, exactly. It sounds weird, but...it could make a big difference. Jeff: A... spy? Morrighan: Yes...there has been ever since the group left Old Seim. Very odd... Jeff: I'll... certainly, I'll hide who I am if you think it will help... is there anyone you're sure it isn't? Morrighan: I...don't think it's the one who calls himself "Shane Arturis". Other than that... Jeff: Shane Arturis... that sounds familiar... Morrighan: He joined their group shortly after you were killed in battle. *shakes her head* Anyway...that cloak you have has a big hood on it...you can cover your face with this. *she hands him a beautiful porcelain mask* It's enchanted not to break. Also...you should avoid doing anything that would make it obvious it's you. * Jeff takes the mask, frowning. "Yes... but... they've seen me fight before. I don't know that I could..." Morrighan: Well...try to mask the specific aspects of your technique and I'm sure you'll do okay. After all, there are a lot of martial artists, just not a lot of martial artist shamans who studied under your master. Still...if you have to reveal your identity, don't be afraid to. Just...try to keep the enemy in the dark. We can't see what they're doing...there's no reason they should get to see what we're doing, right? >> Morrighan beams. "I know you'll do your best. That's all anyone can ask of you, even in times like this." * Jeff smiles, a bit sadly. "I will. It's the least I can do to repay you for all that time that's been invested in me... and for this second chance, of sorts..." Ge Ramtos: ...thanks. You'd better get going. Get ready... * Jeff takes one last look around, then nods. "I'm ready... I think." >> She stretches up on tip-toe to give him a little peck on the cheek, then claps her hands three times and closes her eyes, concentrating. "Ahem." >> Jeff begins to feel lightheaded, as blots of light pass in front of his eyes...he feels like he's falling, floating...and then numb. He vanishes in a cascade of sparkles.