[Action for Everglade]

[what_is_a_man]

Sunset in Everglade as of late had been something as peaceful as sunsets anywhere. A fact that had annoyed Dracula for far too long, and tonight, he set out to change it. He emerged from the gate that connected Everglade and Castlevania alone. However, before long a massive Behemoth emerged from the ground beneath Dracula who stood atop the beast as if it were a routine thing. After the Behemoth, a multitude of various creatures of the night of all shapes, sizes, and myths emerged from the shadows. The Behemoth began making its way into the city, flanked on all sides by the ever growing army of the damned.

After some time, they began to branch off, marching down the streets in a very calculated route, with all roads leading to the Mayor's office. It was not long before the army had the office surrounded. Once it was, Dracula dismounted, making his way into the building with a look of grim determination on his face.

[OOC: As far as the army composition goes, if it can be found in Rondo of Blood and/or Symphony of the Night, it's a part of his army. The only notable exceptions being Death, Shaft, Medusa, and Medusa Heads.]

Comments

[action]

[disdressing]

[ Where there was trouble, Nui was never far away. Not to stop it; oh no. Maybe to watch, maybe to see if she could make it even more fun.

She sat perched on the roof of the Mayor's building as Dracula approached, twirling her parasol despite the lack of sunlight. ]

Decided that democracy is for suckers, huh?

[action]

[what_is_a_man]

[Dracula just grins up at Nui.]

Quite the contrary, my dear. I simply wish to ensure that all democratically elected officials are free to do their job. Consider this a liberation rather than an attack.

[He wouldn't be giving Nui much more attention as he made for the door. But even then he doubted she would take that answer and leave.]

[im_gonna_heal_u]

It had largely been a pleasant, but mildly spooky tour, until Konoka got lost.

Porrim had been one of the most benevolent tour guides she's ever had, with bonus points for at least showing up, unlike Rakan. But while the tour had been useful, Konoka unfortunately got separated. Apparently some disturbance had kicked in and Porrim had gone to check it out, only for her to disappear. And lo and behold, trying to catch up to her had led her straight into an army of... monsters!

Stunned, the brunette healer realized she was in big trouble trying to take on more than one of them, let alone all at once! Discreetly, Konoka tried to slip away, old practice wand still at her side.

Alas, she wound up bumping right into a minion. While she wasn't a fighter, she was far from helpless, and by reflex a powerful barrier was erected in seconds. Konoka gasped and clenched her teeth, having revealed herself way too soon.

[have_hat_will_travel]

After a few seconds, a low voice, one Konoka had heard before, spoke to the minion. "Leave this one be, if you wouldn't mind."

It was the blonde girl who had spoken to her a few days ago, and as she stepped towards Konoka, the minion started off. This would be the first time Konoka had seen Pidonus'... Awfully showy outfit. If her magical senses were attuned, she might also notice that Pidonus' very appearance had a magic on it. Which, if she failed to resist it, would leave Konoka convinced Pidonus was a trusted friend.

Pidonus often avoided using her charming aura, but on a night like this, it was a good way to ensure that people were either safely out of the way, or appropriately put to use helping Dracula's army. She was thinking a little more the latter for this one.

"Dare I ask what has brought you here at a time like this?", the succubus asked with a smile. "You'll be safe as long as you're with me, by the way, so worry not."

[im_gonna_heal_u]

What would have been a rather painful standoff was diffused when she heard a familiar voice. Normally, being amicable meant Konoka was almost never on guard for charm spells... at least, the kind targeted toward women by women. It meant that Konoka's guard was lowered immediately, and as soon as the monster went away, so did her barrier.

Seeing no reason to lie, especially to someone so trusted, Konoka answered, "Well, I was on a tour of Everglades with Porrim, and somehow when the sun set the fog got thick and I got kinda lost..." she gave a bow to the rather scantily clad charmer. "Thank you for helping out." Her curiosity wasn't quite sated, however. She looked to the advancing army. "What are they doing though?"

[have_hat_will_travel]

Pidonus decided that the best next step, once she could tell she had her first hook in Konoka, was to get right in close, and then... Answer her question. The aura would make it hard to take Pidonus' words negatively, especially so close... And double-especially if Konoka wound up staring. (Pidonus was watching for that.)

"The fog's a convenient cover, isn't it? And now there are monsters moving towards the Mayor's offices. Lord Dracula's decided he's through putting up with the Mayor's behavior against non-humans, so it's time to crash that system some. It should be good for most of the town, honestly."

The succubus, of course, was trying to influence Konoka into wanting to help... But she didn't ask directly. Not yet.

[iridescentillusion]

[Well well, wasn't this interesting. It sure didn't take long for something exciting to happen, and in the place that Cipher chose to reside (or spend most of his time in), no less.

He stood perfectly balanced atop a street lamp, still taking the form of his human self. He lowered his gaze, watching the creatures in their march before his eyes fall on the behemoth. It takes quite a man of power to control such a beast.]

Now, what would call for an army of such a scale?

[what_is_a_man]

[Dracula makes slight eye contact as the behemoth passes, and with a flick of his wrist, one of the angelic-looking Snipers of Goth takes aim overhead and lets lose a silver arrow. The other snipers seem content to ignore him, however. Almost as if Dracula were testing the new arrival.]

[iridescentillusion]

[Cipher calmly looks to the sniper and watches the arrow. Narrowing his eyes, he backflips off the lamp away from the arrow at the last possible second, gaining enough height and momentum to land perfectly on the next street lamp over. He casually looked back in Dracula's direction, Cipher's gaze seemed to be challenging the vampire to attack again.]

[what_is_a_man]

[The Sniper takes another arrow and aims it as a Fire Demon aims a fireball at Cipher's back. For his part, however, Dracula doesn't turn to look at the fight. He doesn't need to.]

[truesmiles]

[Of all the times something had to happen. It took two weeks. He had just managed to deal with the necromancy ban, which considering it had nothing to do with the actual job of being a Guardian had him wondering how it even got passed in the first place. It would have gone through the Mayor first.

And as he had finished his usual job of finishing the paperwork he could soon hear the bell he had set up for the people of Everglade to use should something out of the ordinary happens. He was grateful they were getting the hang of what jobs had been set for them to help one another, but he still knew he had his own things to do.

One was to check what exactly was going on, the other was to make sure the barrier to the centre was up in case whatever the monsters were attacking people. With that done, he started to make his way, seeing where the monsters would lead him, only to find out it was the mayor's office.

Slowly he made his way inside, making sure he was noticed by the... rather large beast. He slowly walked down the hall, knowing full well where the office was having been there a few times and as soon as he got to the door he paused.]

You know if you wanted to talk to the Mayor, were the creatures of the night really necessary?

[what_is_a_man]

[Ah, the new Guardian. The army had been given orders to let him pass if he arrived. Dracula was certain in his own power, and he still didn't know what to make of Fai. He was curious for sure. The door to the Mayor's office was wide open and Dracula stood in the doorway, simply staring at the Mayor. He hadn't been harmed in the slightest, yet he wasn't moving either, aside from the gentle rise and fall of breath.]

I'm afraid it is, Guardian. For you see, there are a few things about Everglade that you need to know. Things my army are enforcing.

[He turns to face Fai, a small smirk on his face.]

Do you know why the barrier failed under Theodore's rule?

[truesmiles]

[He had moved to cross his arms over his chest, he didn't have a single clue as to the reason why it happened. He knew it had and that he had put Sakura first in all of that.]

Not a single clue, though to add it wasn't only that barrier that failed at the time. So is the answer taking both ones that did into account, or just Everglade? As for the enforcing thing, I hope it isn't being forced upon, because no matter what that won't be happening.

[Action]

[knowledgeandshadow]

[ And here we go. As one of the few that was invited into Castlevania, she felt she should lend aid if asked for it. It was only fair.

This has lead both her and a few others to head out... ]

[Action]

[goddessinthefog]

[Izanami hadn't had much chance to talk to Patchouli whilst they had been staying at Castlevania, but she'd seen her around and about the place a few times now.

Rather than appearing as a young woman in a burial shroud, though, she took on a rather different appearance for the battle ahead.]

...Hopefully we can finish here without incident.

Action;

[spitfireprincess]

[Sakura is heading back towards the office when she sees the large beast walking through the streets. For a moment she's unsure what to do. Fai said to be back at sunset so she isn't out alone at night but she's pretty sure he doesn't want her running into that or the trouble it might cause.

She follows a few steps before realizing it's heading towards Fai. Now she really doesn't know what to do but before she can stop herself she's running after it.]

Wait! What are you doing?

[This isn't how you go and talk to someone.]

Action;

[what_is_a_man]

[The beast Dracula was riding stops, turning to face Sakura, even as his army marched on, never breaking rank as they shuffled around and beneath the beast.]

I am saving this forsaken burrow from itself. Stand in my way and you will not live to regret it.

Action;

[spitfireprincess]

[She looks up at him without fear for herself but for her friends.]

You don't need an army to do that. I won't let you force your will on others.

[Action]

[vacuum_of_doom]

[Marie was quick to notice a disturbance, usually in the form of a rather huge creature. Investigating what the noise was, seeing an army march through the city was something she honestly could not she saw every day back in her world.

Even though she was still re-creating her own army, she commanded what she had to march against Dracula's.

Before any sort of battle was to come, Marie's army stopped and moved into positions, seemingly intent on guarding the populace from a hostile army while, at the same time, letting that army have free reign all the way to their destination. The Skullgirl herself perched above her army facing the city hall that was targeted.

She said nothing to the other commander, though. No commands, offers, accusations or questions. Marie just seemed to be there just to monitor.]

[Action]

[what_is_a_man]

[As soon as Dracula's army encountered what Marie had to place against him, the front lines had charged, only to stop as they moved aside. He gave her a look of curiosity as he passed. However, one tiny being broke away from the advancing army, hopping adeptly up to where Marie was perched. A tiny man, deformed, twisted, and broken. He resembled a flea in posture than anything.]

"M-m-master wishes to know w-why you are protecting these p-people..."

[Action]

[vacuum_of_doom]

[Marie considered the tiny flea of a man for a moment before giving him a response.]

"I'm making sure these people aren't victimized just for being near. You can tell your 'master' he and I can speak when his business here is finished."

[Action]

[redsnowangel]

Well, this wasn't what he expected to see that night. Quickly, Zelos slipped out of his house and stalked after the strange creatures, trying to see where they were going.

Of course he knew Dracula. And he had the horrible feeling he was going to hurt Fai.

[Action]

[what_is_a_man]

And of course, as soon as he began following the army, Zelos attracted the attention of one of the more elusive inhabitants of Castlevania that had emerged to march. What seemed like a ghostly rapier, floating on its own slipped out from the column, tailing Zelos for a while before a woman's voice called out to him.

"Why do you follow us?"

[Action]

[redsnowangel]

Welp. He hoped he really wouldn't be spotted that quickly. He kept a close eye on the sword as it followed, before finally looking up as it addressed him. Damn, that voice sent a chill through his spine.

"...I just want to know what your merry band want. That's all."

[Action]

[goddessinthefog]

[Izanami floated out alongside the other creatures of the night, ready for whatever needed to be done. She hoped she wouldn't have to fight, but right now, she wanted to support Dracula's plan.]