[Open] Send Shivers Down Your Spine

[tantailizing]

🧙 WHO: Zidane Tribal and You!
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-all for October feat. Fighting, Quests, and Stealing... not in that order
🕒 WHEN: Throughout October until the next Event
🗺️ WHERE: New Camelot, Ruins of Celliwig, Forest of the Fallen
⚠️ WARNINGS: Violence in fighting, and blood might pop up. Other than that, not going into gory details I don't think.

I. Don't Lose Your Way Head

He knew some people came back to the Ruins that were once Celliwig, and he did too. While mainly to check up on them, make sure they had their own food or supplies if they intended on staying, he would then stay around to help recover bodies or build grave markers before heading back to New Camelot.

However, subsequent visits were... tense to put it mildly.

It's not the first time people had been scattered by the sound of hooves pounding against the dirt, the disembodied laughing, and blocking the Headless Horseman's swing as he attempted to behead one of the many visitors to Celliwig. Zidane's daggers hold and he managed to redirect the swing - at which, the horse reared and carried its rider away, but they'll be circling around. He never left after one clash.

Zidane took that moment to look back.

"Go! Hide!"

II. Bunker Down

From fixing fences to building up bunk beds, he's becoming a pretty efficient at building things. It was always just whatever set they needed before and then those small repairs around the hideout, but hey, he didn't mind this. It's a repetitive task maybe, but it's keeping him busy and they were going to be used. Really, he was happy to be able to help out.

"Alright..." He wiped he forehead with a wide grin. "This one's all ready! Let's get to the next one!"

III. A Quest from Locksley (mingled with Suns Out, Guns Out)

It made sense why the landlord had been tight-lipped about whatever occurred at his house now. Originally, Zidane had dealt with the gang that came to his new home saying he had to pay some 'protection fee'. Well, he said that hadn't been in the contract, had a fight break out, and left them in the dumpster where they belonged. After what happened in Celliwig and Lestari, he'd let refugees move into his home, completely forgetting about the gang before.

Imagine his surprise to see those two-bit wannabe thugs bothering the family he was housing - and then hearing how they did that to the whole neighborhood.

He's not exactly sure about this new gang forming, but at least they wanted to help the refugees. And hell, if it meant killing two birds with one stone - IE, dealing with that cheapass aristocrat that set up this gang for a little illegal tinder on the side, fine with him. Donning a new black cloak and mask, Zidane was gonna see this aristocrat and all his friends deciding to withhold aid were gonna pay their own dues.

[OOC: Open also to people who might be deciding to hustle refugees for protection fees because Zidane's not having that. And people who are Robin Hoods or trying to stop said Robin Hood types, let's go!]

IV. Forest of the Fachan

The once Forest of the Felled was pretty much just as they'd left it after the encounter with the Stone Giant: too quiet save for the small fauna and wind. And seeing the Giant sit in slumber again just reminded him how they failed, but he digressed. They weren't here about that; they were here about removing wards that were now rendered pretty much useless.

All was going pretty well until the sun started to go down... and then things began to change. He felt the fur on his tail and hair on his neck rise, and eventually had to stop with his group.

Wait, group? But there'd been so many people moment's ago. How'd they get separated?

But he brought a hand to his dagger and prepared himself, the rotted stench of decay and death reaching his nose faster than whatever had started talking minutes before.

... The hell was that thing approaching them!?

V. Wildcard

[OOC: Interested in an unlisted prompt or we planned something else entirely? Then wildcard is for you! And if you would like to plot something else, come message me at demidemonLove]

Comments

[tantailizing]

From what I heard? He's some kind of fae. And he's supposed to have a head, but I guess he's undead somehow for that to work?

[Or some stupidly strong magic which made sense for a fae.]

It doesn't matter; all that does matter is hold him off long enough and he'll decide to try again later.

[fullgauntlet]

[Oh great. An undead fae... Izuku is not a fan of spooky things. This is nerve-wracking??]

That explains why he wanted to lop off my h-head...

[He shivers at the thought and pats his throat to make sure he's all in one piece.]

[tantailizing]

Yeah... We should probably ask more about that. If it had a head, but is missing it now, where is it?

[Zidane blinks while Izuku checks himself over and gives him a thumbs up. Not a hair out of place, but could he imagine if his hair had been sheared instead? Haha, whoops.]

Someone's gotta know what's up with that, right?

[fullgauntlet]

I'm not sure I want to think about where its missing head is right now...

[He's already getting the spooky shivers and he's not about that life.

But they have work to do so Izuku tries to focus on that.]

We better get going to try and find any of the volunteers that got left behind. If we run into the fae... we'll do what we can.

[Meaning... fight!]

[tantailizing]

Hm...

[Maybe he doesn't, but Zidane's going to be.]

Alright, so I'll distract him, and you go gather those volunteers. Sounds good!

[He said nothing like that Zidane, but he's ready to head out anyway.]

[fullgauntlet]

Ah- distract him-?

[But Zidane is already bouncing to head out! Izuku blinks but then nods as he decides to place his trust in the other.]

Okay... But if it gets too dangerous, hang back. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

[With that Izuku sprints off to look for volunteers and hopefully steer them clear of the dark shadow. First up seems to be a female worker who's crying in some broken rubble. He carefully helps her up after gently reassuring her he's here to help.]

[tantailizing]

Hey, you got it. Don't take too long...!

[Not that Zidane would really be too bothered. The important thing is getting the other volunteers that can't fight to safety. So, Izuku off one way, Zidane hops out the other, bringing his fingers to his lips and piping out a whistle. The headless rider might not be able to hear him, but the horse can... and he's gonna assume the rider can sense him somehow because here it comes, whipping the vertebrae it's wielding.]

[With this second pass, Zidane opts for a dodge, not yet resorting to his magic, but he hears the spinal column crack like a whip and each individual bone rattles with. Eeesh, what a bone-chilling weapon...!]

[fullgauntlet]

[He can feel the ground rumble. And that makes Izuku concerned as he leads the woman to safety. The crack of stone and the darkness that filters out into the sky is concerning. But he has to trust Zidane won't get hurt for now and focus on getting anyone else out of the way before they get hurt.

Next is another volunteer to take that somehow is wedged between some rubble and rock. An older man who is bleeding from the head.]

Hold on! I've got you!

[Izuku quickly starts to push on the rock. It's a habit for him to use his strength first but since he doesn't have his old levels anymore he has to resort to alchemy. The rock pinning the man shimmers and turns into sand and Izuku is able to free the man and start escorting him to safety.

But in the distance he does see dark hooves stomping hard at the broken path...]

[tantailizing]

[Zidane's not even looking to check on Izuku - he's gotta maintain focus on the Horseman and his surprisingly sharp, rattling whip. Just had to be extra in the creep factor, didn't it? It's always a good thing he's wearing gloves otherwise that brief moment of catching it would've hurt.]

[While Zidane's got the horseman, Moguo's proving to be a nuisance to the horse itself. Rearing and turning and stomping its hooves at the fluttering cottonball that should be easier to take down than not, but it really, really did not like being cut at by the moogle's knife either. The way it is, the two are completely throwing the rider and horse out of sync.]

[It's no surprise when the horseman decides to spring a dismount, whip cracking again to make Zidane spring back, and feet slamming as he lands. Meanwhile, the horse and Moguo keep at it, which, fine.]

You wanna do this on level ground now? Okay! Round two!

[fullgauntlet]

[Once the rescued man is just barely out of the way he nods to Izuku and allows the young hero to get back to the streets. So he sprints back towards the center of the ruins only to come up to the picture of Zidane preparing to square up one on one with the headless rider.

... And Mogou... What a brave stabby moogle.]

Zidane-san!

[Izuku springs up to join the other. This time pulling the broadsword from his back into a defensive stance.]

That whip doesn't look good...!

[It's time for a fight.]

[tantailizing]

[Moguo is a very brave stabby moogle that'll get all the mixed nuts he wants later.]

[Briefly looking to the side at his name, Zidane flashes a grin.]

No, it doesn't. Careful, it's pretty sharp and can be used as a sword!

[Like when the Headless Rider realizes that another has joined, he snaps the whip hard and with a resounding crack, the spine straightens into that sword that almost took Izuku's head off earlier.]

Stay alert! Swords like this are hell to deal with...

[fullgauntlet]

[Oh great. A whip-sword. kinda cool though??? maybe he's making a mental note for later??]

Two targets will be harder for it to focus on than one.

[Izuku feels that same sort of adrenaline he gets when he's ready to face down with a big villain. The deep-seated energy to make sure they win. No matter what. Because there are still possible volunteers to be found.

Izuku pulls his broadsword from his back.]

We can try to disarm it!

[tantailizing]

I'm sure he's got some tricks up his sleeve. He's magical after all.

[The moment Izuku draws and yells about disarming it, the two would find the linked together bone blade striking down at them - between them to cleave the ground with a bang accompanied only by the sharp 'shnk!' that'd come with, say, a guillotine released by its trigger. The swing is enough to make Zidane jump, but he feels a chill from the sound which makes him stumble a bit as he lands.]

[That's not right, but this guy might as well be an executioner.]

[fullgauntlet]

Gnh!!

[They just barely dodge out of the way. The weight of that blade cutting into the stone of the ground! Izuku has to leap and roll out of the way. Kicking back onto his feel and holding his sword defensively. But this effectively splits the two of them up for now.]

Zidane-san! Watch out!

[He tenses. If they don't stop this dark fae right now...

That is why Izuku launches himself at the creature first. With the weapon downward for that moment Izuku springs up like a beast. Bringing his sword overhead to attempt to slash down at the rider's shoulder hard.]

Ahhhhggh!!!

[tantailizing]

I'm good!

[But he has to duck as that blade comes swinging again at him with that same unnerving 'swsh' as before. That just has to be something because of the weapon, right? It might be normal among the darker fae, but to those unaware, it was a thing of nightmares.]

[Izuku's attack connects...! Sort of. It did hit the shoulder, but the strike of great sword against dark armor makes a puff of... shadows? Maybe smoke - ooze from the cracks in the armor. As well, a chilling cackle echos from the headless hole, perhaps louder in Izuku's ear than Zidane's. The armor swings around, empty gauntlet hand balled into a firm fist to strike the small hero.]

Izuku...!

[fullgauntlet]

[That loud crack and hissing noise have Izuku's ears ringing. Like a flash, he's hanging in the air trying to pressure the weapon downward with all his might and the next he's being thrown back by a giant gauntlet connected with this side. Izuku goes flying through the air and only barely manages to catch himself with a rough landing. Dirt smeared across his cheek as he grips his shoulder.

Well... It didn't like that...!

The black smoke is what Izuku notices. Is it... empty? It's really some sort of spirit. If it has no container... ]

We have to destroy the armour... !!

[tantailizing]

[Ouch, that was a hit...! And neither of them could use healing magic. Not good, but Izuku's suggestion might just work. But to destroy the armor means they might have to take it apart.]

[... Well, his fingers are itching.]

Alright! I'll take it apart, but you gotta break the pieces!

[His daggers vs a great sword, it's obvious which one would break the armor pieces better. Still, all their talking, Zidane catches the sound of rattling almost too late and springs aside... not quick enough to avoid the spine as its stretched tendons and nerves snap it back into its full sword, but at least it's only a minor bleeding cut on his upper arm.]

[fullgauntlet]

Zidane-san!

[Izuku clenches his jaw but he nods. They're okay.]

Right! Get in quickly!

[Zidane has speed and while Izuku is incredibly fast himself he can be the power here. Izuku grabs his shoulder and uses a spark of blood magic to slow his own wound from bleeding too quickly.

Then he prepares to charge again. Keep pushing hard and don't let it attack again. With another spring upwards Izuku aims another hard attack. But this time directly at the weapon to knock it off balance and buy Zidane a moment of time.]

Gghhh!!

[tantailizing]

Don't worry about it!

[There's been way worse than a scratch. Nodding, he's all readied up while Izuku dives in.]

[The headless rider readily intercepts - they kind of did talk about their plan openly with him, and though headless he might be, oblivious he apparently wasn't. However, in blocking Izuku's attack and his blade actually snaking apart and coiling around to throw Izuku and his sword aside, Zidane takes a chance to go low, zipping away with a greave in hand.]

Got it!

[How many pieces would make this guy disappear?]

[fullgauntlet]

[Izuku does his best to focus on his target. Being a diversion for Zidane to go in low and get his attack in. So long as they damage the armour enough and smash it apart they might win. Just keep pushing forward...! Deal more damage!

Izuku gets thrown to the side again with a loud yell. The large whipping sword cracking again just as Izuku hits the ground. It comes whizzing down at him and Izuku just barely rolls to the side to avoid a direct hit. He coughs out a spatter of blood and rolls back onto his feet.

He grips his sword and charges again. This time his alchemy sparking to change the shape of his blade to a large spiked bat made of metal. He aims and swings at the fae's torso again!]

[tantailizing]

[Yeah, this tactic isn't as effective as Zidane would've hoped - not with that hit and cough already. Izuku might be a Hero, but he's still younger than Zidane is.]

[As a headless swordsman, the weapon changing form doesn't matter. And as the bat swings, it's met with the sword swinging back in similar fashion. Enough of a collision between forces to again buy Zidane time. He uses it to snatch the other gauntlet and throw it away before seeing about taking a risk and diving into the armor.]

[But perhaps the Dullahan isn't as incorporeal as they might've first assumed either. Where the gauntlet is gone, the smoke that seeped from the armor before curls and twists, shaping wrist, palm, and fingers with nerves, tendons, and muscles weaving themselves into flesh and decrepit skin which is used to grab Zidane's tail to try pulling him out.]

[fullgauntlet]

Gh-?!

[Izuku is blown back once again and looks up just in time to see Zidane try and squirrel himself into the armour. At first, Izuku thinks it's a brilliant idea. Break it apart from the inside out. But the black smoke seeps out and forms into something new and Izuku is immediately both horrified and worried. Also, that looks gross... All those nerves and tendons. This is nightmare fuel.]

Zidane-san?!

[Izuku gets back onto his feet. He charges again without hesitation. If he keeps pushing hard and hitting harder then he can push through. He has to keep trying and he has to get to Zidane before he's hurt.]

Keep looking- at- me!!

[He jumps and slams into the torso again. This time the club slams hard into the chest of the armour and changes shape again. A crackle of spikes comes to explode open the chest part of the metal.]

[tantailizing]

You're asking a miracle, Izuku!

[If Zidane is still joking than he's okay, gripping down even as the Headless Rider struggles to rid of him. He didn't know where the hand came from - didn't ask, but could imagine what had made it. Fortunately, he's spared from a broken tail as Izuku's attack lands, the Headless One quite unsettled by another living presence which it cannot speak its name slipping into the dark magics that held its present form together.]

[Though, now with the chest plate broken open, Zidane's wide eyes blink at Izuku from the inside now exposed. Meanwhile, the empty hand of the Horseman morphs back into dark black tendrils which seized the chance to morph around Izuku and squeeze. The second raises its blade to bring down, but the gauntlet stiffens in the air. Zidane's reaching into the armor and gauntlet to stop the Rider from cutting down Izuku right then and there.]

[fullgauntlet]

Gnn!!

[There is a flash of darkness as those newly formed tendrils shoot out at him like whips. Izuku tries to bounce out of the way in mid-air but he misses the dodge by just a fraction. Those black tendrils wrap around his body and around his neck like a noose that chokes the breath out of him. It burns his skin as he temporarily has to drop his weapon to the ground.]

Agh! Not... Yet-

[It's better that the dark fae focuses on him instead. One eye shuts as he grits his teeth and tries to pull on the tendrils to open his windpipe. Izuku gasps painfully.

Just has to buy Zidane some time to do some damage and stop the gauntlet-]

[tantailizing]

You're... going to put him down...!

[It's a struggle with this gauntlet alright - the rider wants to kill Izuku, but Zidane want it obviously not to - and he's not sure how it could activate the blade to break apart, but he doesn't like how its rattling either. Like if he lets go, it just might. He doesn't like how the shadows are swirling inside this chest plate either; like it was threatening to reform while he's here, but who would really take the brunt of that damage?]

[Straining his arm, if anything happens, it has to be worth it.]

[And letting the arm swing let's him take over the sword itself, using his magic to force the vertebrae to scatter and let each piece hail back on the armor itself. Two manage to lobe off the arm holding Izuku, and the smoke holding him disappears as it and the boy drop to the ground with a clatter. What follows would be the whole body teetering as the feet are cut first, kneecaps second, and fauld. The second arm - which could probably recall the sword - is soon severed from the rest as well. The armor crumbles as everything comes undone under the bones, the chestplate with its backing still intact landing down on the hole Izuku made earlier, and doesn't move.]