We are off to see the Crystal Tree!

[greenmagick]

WHO: OPEN! Those setting out towards the Crystal Tree~
WHAT: Terra has arranged an expedition. Keep in mind that this takes place after the January Event!
WHEN: January 17th - January 27th
WHERE: Plains of Sorrow, Crystal Forest & Crystal Tree~
WARNING: None.

[ooc: Information and plotting about this adventure is posted here. If you have any questions please post them here as well. It's assumed that Terra posted up a help wanted for the heroes who don't know her to see if they want to come along. Settings will be described in top posts to keep thing organized!

Please note that the Friendly Monster and Crystal Tree sections will be one long thread.]

Comments

[mindofathief]

The Behemoth roared as it was pelted by bullets from all sides. Duster took the opportunity to roll out of the Behemoth's path, his wound stinging each time his arm touched the ground. But there was no point in complaining, and he grit his teeth to keep it in. Once he felt he was a safer distance away from the monster, he pushed himself onto his feet.

He could see the copy by the light of his gun, keeping the Behemoth distracted but needing help. Despite the throbbing sensation in his left arm, he could see any large pools of blood around him. Never mind that lightheaded feeling. He ran back to the battle, heading to the Behemoth's unprotected side this time.

"Hah!" He kicked the beast right below the ribs, sending it howling, but drawing all its attention to himself.

He leaned forward, fighting every urge to hold onto his wound. A dark shadow blocked the moon. With such an easy target, the Behemoth ignored any other fighter that would be coming its way at the moment.

[For the record: MAX Warrior & Initial Paladin here]

[shinrasfinest]

To think that they might have gone the whole trip across the Plains without encountering one of those fabled beasts, that had been the talk around one of the hunting boards back in Mysidia once, had almost made Sephiroth feel just a little disappointed as the days had drawn on. When Vincent mentioned the name of the beast, a spike of excitement shot in the back of Sephiroth's mind though not at all showed outwardly. He was much too professional for that.

Clenching the handle of his sword tighter, as Vincent smoke-bombed further ahead again it encouraged the SOLDIER to break out into an all out sprint towards the location. A long tail of silver following behind him, tied up, but still almost like a beacon in the darkness.

Skidding to a stop as he came into the fight scene the silver haired man took only a second to register how similar this beast did indeed look to those monsters back on Gaia. Quickly opening a combat stance and swinging his sword around Sephiroth flashed a grin to himself; not hesitating to wait for anyone else before opening.

The edge of his sword flashed as he silently called Power Break and he leaped in quickly while its back were still turned, bringing his sword up and aiming to score a clean line up the back of one of it's hind legs. At the very least, the debuff would help Duster weather whatever blow might be coming.

[jadethenecromancer]

Jade was right at Sephiroth's heels. Even if he didn't usually care to get too carried away with the thrill of battle, this was admittedly a welcome diversion. If killing giant monsters didn't get him some catharsis, nothing would.

And this one was indeed quite the giant. Jade halted a short distance away where the monster wasn't likely to go after him and began to cast. It would have been nice to get straight to the fun part, but first things first -- being the healer had become his job again, somehow.

The first thing he did was cast Curaga on Duster. With that taken care of, Jade would have to spend the next minute or so putting up their defenses; Mega Regen to keep everyone healed while he was busy, then Shell and Protect on each fighter, one by one. It was tedious work, but someone had to do it.

[mindofathief]

The pain gradually subsided, and Duster found himself able to run away from the Behemoth. Sephiroth's attack had done sufficient damage to make him the new target, and while Duster would not abandon the others in the middle of the fight, he decided to let the other focus on close range combat.

Jade was the perfect point to rally around. Far enough from the fight that he wasn't in immediate danger, but close enough that Duster could keep an eye on the fighting. He slowed his escape to a brisk walk when he got within earshot.

"Do me last, I'm going in when it's distracted." The others were more powerful than he and needed the protective spells urgently.

[shinrasfinest]

Talk about pulling the hate. At the Behemoth's reaction to his enhanced, initial sword strike Sephiroth had to essentially hop back a good few feet to allow the beast the room to turn around to face him. This time was spent looking over the creature, comparing it to what he knew of Behemoth from his own world; they seemed almost entirely too close. However, just as Jade were taking the time with mitigation and healing spells to keep them all on their feet for longer, as soon as it was in position its forearms bent down and it too cast protect upon itself.

Sephiroth continued to edge himself further away, completing a dodge as the giant forearm came out in an attempt to swipe his feet out from under him.

"Look out for any magic," He called back as he lowered himself back in preparation to spring forwards and into his next flurry of chained attacks. "It seems to have some capability, at least."

[bloodypast]

Vincent--the 'proper' one that was not a clone due to Ninja-job magic--was not far behind Jade or Sephiroth. Given his own preference to be support though, it was better for the gunman to stay at the edges of the Behemoth's range. Clone-and-original harrying him with bursts of gun-fire.

Focusing again, as the clone winked from existence and left one gunslinger. Concentrating, before attempting to Silence the beast with a bullet designed to inflict status-ailments. It might only Blind their opponent, or put it to Sleep, but Vincent was willing to take the 2/3 chance that it would be useful with Silence or Blind.