Relic Safari (Closed w/ Paddy)

[Paddy]

7XB pulled her eyes away from the incoming threat for a fleeting moment as their fiery words cut through the air. Then, she strengthened the field of her light, and searched the beast for weak points. It seemed to have none. Fury charged plasma whirled around her; she was enraged with this creature who'd managed to be a massive thorn in the team's side, and with the gem who kept trying to will her away. 

It was what they were supposed to do. She was suppose to leave them to buy her time, and do as her Diamond had asked of her. Then go back to base and collect credit for a victory. She grimaced. Purely irrational, everything she was doing and saying. 7XB was an elite solider, an impassible wall. A gem with a concrete confidence, and the stellar track record to back it up. Despite it all, they were washed with real fear, and she knew from their lie that they weren't all together sure whether they would be returning to her if she left. The significance of that couldn't be belittled. But, their desperation for her to go only made it harder for her to even consider it. 

"How can you ask me to leave you? After everything!" The bristling words might not make sense to any other gem in the vicinity, they hardly made sense to her. But she truly meant everything she'd said to them. She wouldn't lose this gem, not after the ethereal discoveries she'd made with them. The sapphire yanked her hand away from the ruby's, and her eyes cut into 2FG. "You'd have to drag me, I'm afraid. I have no intention of going anywhere," Her tone was tinged with some misplaced anger. Part of her hoped to scare the little gem into submitting to her will rather than the commander's. Every word that left her mouth helped her resolve strengthen, so she kept her mouth moving. 

"Being small can come as an advantage, wouldn't you say 2FG? Large foes can have difficultly keeping track of what is biting their ankles," She turned back to the gargantuan creature bursting through the trees, and prepared to use the amassed plasma at her disposal. 

[7XB]

By now, 7XB no doubt knew that there was little to no chance that they were going to convince Padparadscha to leave. The frustration and anxiety welling up inside of them was surmounted only by the tension building in their muscles as they prepared to launch a preemptive strike against the beast, like a steel spring wound too tight. If the stubborn little Sapphire wasn't going to heed their warning, what else could they hope to do but give her a few more seconds to prepare?


Still, her words ate away at some part of them, circumventing their fuse completely and driving them into a frothing rage. "Diamonds!" They cursed angrily as she seemed to question not only them, but the meaningfulness of the Quartz's feelings, "That's not what..you aren't..ugh!" Suddenly, the quartz threw themselves into their only legitimate outlet, launching into the beast with all the white-hot fury of a meteor, a trail of smoke lingering in their wake fir several heartbeats.

The monster was as ready for it as they could be, though it had undersold the strength of the gem's blow, throwing their head back even as they batted them quartz away.

2FG, in the moments before, allowed their brow to furrow in confusion, eager to join their commander, especially as their brethren rushed forward to help.

"I..uhm..y-yes?.. Small is good for.. w-what you said?"

 

[Paddy]

She felt a bit guilty for snapping at the ruby only to confuse them in the same moment, but she was too caught up in the clash between her ire and her fear to acknowledge it or apologize. She only gestured toward the others with a terse nod, "Get out there soldier."  

An acrid thrill raced through her at the detonation of 7XB's wrath, in the seconds before they hurled themselves to meet the titan head on. Eyes wide, the sapphire was astounded by how explosive they were, and by the unmitigated power behind their offensive. Her expression stormed over, she had to shove back the urge to fight the quartz on their words as she collected her sweltering mass of plasma into a sphere above her. "That's not what? I'm not what?" She seethed under her breath. But there wasn't time for her to be dumbstruck or to fight the wrong gem, the corruption had already moved in its defense-- her midriff twisted, she seized up as the creature swatted the gem she'd been so desperate to keep within her sights.   

It was hard to strategize; the situation provided a lack of opportunity for good communication between them, and the thought that she'd never get to chew out 7XB for this charged the emotional turbulence roiling inside of her. But, she analyzed it the best she could. With the group of foot soldiers running out into the fray, she would have to keep a careful eye out and use precision. Now that the creature loomed over them, she could see the rigid angles of its rock-like outer layer, but no gem. She surmised that it's gem was hidden somewhere. To reach it, the creature would have to be disabled.

It shook the Earth, stomping indiscriminately at the gems swarming it before it pinpointed the gem who'd taken the first blow-- it swept its enormous claw toward them. Padparadscha dashed out, teeth clenched. She stumbled a bit as she ran around from a distance, aiming to get within range for plan A. She was practically a beacon with her orb trailing behind her, but she had formulated a few other plans with this affect in mind. 

[7XB]

For their part, it didn't take much to convince 2FG to run headlong into the fray in order to join their compatriots in their attempt to assist 7XB. This consisted, mostly, of standing a few steps away as their commander enraged the monster. Without direct leadership they only felt capable of so much, but as Paddy rushed into action the little gems made to follow after her, having enough sense between them to know that the little beacon of light would attract the beast- not to mention their desire to remain in it's direct range.

7XB, though, was operating almost entirely upon rage, the force of being batted away like a mosquito driving them through the trunk of a rather large tree, their back, again taking the force of the blow. 

Like the breaking open of a old wound, a searing pain should though the rippling muscles of their back. But there was no time to focus on that though,the enraged beast already lunging forward to counter attack, rather single minded in their attempt to crush the troublesome quartz gem. This may prove advantageous to Padparadscha and the rubies as they rolled out of the way, a boulder like appendage making impact where they had just been.

[Paddy]

Steps faltered, her head whipped toward the crack of impact. Deep contrast between the shadows and the light put most of the corruption's hulking shape into darkness, as well as the jungle outside of her realm of illumination, but she made out 7XB's position. Her heart lurched as the thing slammed its foot down. She couldn't tear her eyes away until she caught a glimpse of the soldier in one piece on the other side. If there was one thing she wanted to be saved from, it was the sight of the quartz's pain-toll racking up.


She had no idea how long they would be able to hold out, but knew she would have to make use of this opening they'd created. She sped around its flank-- with trust, or hope, that they would be able to keep evading in the next few seconds, before it's attention was liable to be called onto her. This would be an expensive tactic, and she sorely hoped it wouldn't go awry.


Adrenaline jabbed at every wobbling limb of the sapphire as she ran up just within range of its leg, an enormous pillar that swiveled and tore against the damp earth. Then, her sphere of light unraveled like a ball of blistering hot yarn, and she bit her cheek as she spun a shackle around its ankle. Before it could become a fire-trap for the other gems, she dashed toward the other leg as fast as she could, allowing her initial construction to harden as she prepared to mirror it on the other side.


Any second now the creature's interests could flip, but she knew there was a possibility it would stay trained on the quartz, both thoughts were equally nauseating. But, there were six gems here, four of them were in top shape as far as she was aware--


"Rubies!" She called as she pulled her plasma along, "We need to antagonize-- er, distract it from another angle," 7XB had its immediate attention, she would have its attention from behind. One ruby would have a small influence, but with their combined strength, the team could overwhelm it from each side. "Throwing stones wont do, we need some force!"

[7XB]

As 7XB quickly, or as quickly as they were able with the searing pain that radiated outwards from their back, the weary quartz came to a realization far more frightening than the gargantuan beast focused almost exclusively upon mangling them: They were growing tired.

The vitality they had possessed moments ago seemed to be ebbing away little by little, the reawakening of their recent traumas providing a means for fatigue to taint them. Though even as they slowed physically, the quartz steely resolve was unaffected, stirred on by the momentarily vision they received, by way of the flashing light, into what Padparadscha and the Rubies were up to; This convinced them even farther, without a doubt that this beast needed to stay focused upon them if they were to succeed.

Thewhite hot tendrils of light took a moment to affect the beast, their iron-hide skin taking a heartbeat longer than it would have otherwise to scald the corruption, an unearthly howl rending lose as it was alerted to the danger scurrying betwixt their feet, beginning to turn it's head to better seek out Padparadscha. Unwilling to allow this, 7XB extended the hardlight blades from their gauntlets, rearing back to sucker punch the hand buried in the ground before them. "Over here!" They tried to regain the monster's attention, driving their blades between the cracks in it's rocky skin with relative ease, pulling back as their other fist drove forward like a flurry of stinging bees to refocus the withering ire upon them.

The Rubies needed little prompting at this point, splitting into pairs and redirecting to either side of the corruption.

[Paddy]

As the creature bellowed in its agitation, the sapphire grimaced, shoulders cranked up by its intensity. Cold fear clawed at her focus as the gigantic form twisted in toward her. If it attacked her, she would initiate her other plan-- but for now, she needed to keep herself from freezing up, and forced her attention back onto her task; the setting of her rather costly trap. The creature's enormous legs wouldn't be easily tripped up, she would need to deplete much of what she'd been given time to regenerate. She hoped the product would be worth the price, but nothing had gone so easily for this mission.

Her core continued to sink as she heard the quartz's voice over the rumbling of the corruption's movements. She glanced back up to see the creature's tusked face sweeping back toward the warrior at its forefront. There was no good way-- either it would be trying to shatter the quartz, the rubies, or her. But if the group could keep it's attention divided, maybe it wouldn't have the time to do that. A small relief bubbled in the back of her mind at the fact that she'd been able to get her point across to the rubies, something she often had trouble with when it came to the model of gem. But the oppressive tension of the situation rapidly crushed any positivity she could've otherwise felt. She couldn't directly see 7XB from her position, but knew that the pressure couldn't remain solely on them.   

When the thought passed through her mind, the creature hoisted its leg out of the dirt while 7XB assaulted it. Mud and sticks showered from its foot, it gave a low snarl as it dipped down to glare at the quartz, preparing to fling its massive strength into them. Her body went stiff as her attention was torn-- she was out of range of its forefeet, and if she couldn't distract it from where she was, she frantically hoped that the rubies could pull through in time to save their commander from another blow. Teeth grinding, she flung a coil of plasma around its other hind leg and drew it tight with a sharp gesture, connecting its back limbs with a thick, rigid bar. 

[7XB]

Oddly enough, the Rubies seemed to be the only gems not affected by the hungry, oppressive darkness that surrounded them all, or at the very least much less affected than either 7XB or the aristocratic Sapphire, though it was unsure exactly how this was possible. Some may say it was because rubies were just a simple, mass produced gem, and simple didnt possess the intellect or range of emotion to be as deeply affected by the aura as more 'sophisticated' gems. Or maybe they were just, somehow, more at peace with themselves? Regardless, none of the gems, Rubies included, had much time to worry about this now- the beast was fuming.

Thinking quickly, 7XB lunged forward, not to strike the beast, but to latch onto one of it's massive tusks in the seconds before it tried to strike them.

Both teams of corridiums had the same plan, each raising their partner up upon their shoulders to project them forward, each projectile driving their weapon into the monster's less protected underbelly.

[Paddy]

The corruption swung, wind whistling around its strike as it failed to register that the quartz had leaped onto its face. In the same moment, the rubies pierced its underside. Its foot smacked into the forest floor, fueled with frustration. The creature's massive head tipped back, its multiple sets of eyes attempting to account for the extra weight on its gnarled tusk. It tried to take a step, only to find that its feet had been bound. It's frustration mounted as it prepared to shake off its small (by comparison) attackers.   

Padparadscha finished enforcing her trap as the thing's mountainous weight began to shift. The moment that would make, or literally break the first phases of this plan, was fast approaching. While the corruption's feet began to fumble on the slippery dirt, she realized that the team would have to move out of range quickly. Then, she whirled around to get a lay for the land as the ground quaked. Eyes darted around the scene, taking roll for each gem. Her panic was on edge, and grew into a torrent when she realized she couldn't account for the quartz herself. Her eyes snapped onto the gigantic foreleg that had slammed into the dirt, her mind ready to jump to the worst conclusions. Then, the creature reared up, pulling its foot out of the ground to reveal that the quartz hadn't been caught up in it. Still panicked at their apparent absence, she raced out to not only get clear of the corruption's feet, but to look for 7XB.

The reoccurring guilt welled inside of her, for saying what she did, for putting them in the circumstances that she had. Part of her also felt relieved that the rubies didn't seem to have a chance to be all too suspicious of her outburst. But she couldn't help herself from being honest, and she couldn't help feeling the way she did.  

[7XB]

While it took 7XB a moment to register just how narrowly they had avoided annialation, the importance of this was not lost on them. They clung to the monstrous tusk for dear life, threatening to crack the bone protrusion with the strength of their grip. Their was no time, not a heartbeat to allow for reprieve- even though the corrupted gem had, for the moment, lost sight of the Quartz, there was now nothing to stop it from going after the rubies, shaking back and forth to detact the bothersome little gems.

Both rubies went flying, cascading off into the shadowy underbrush. 

Rising up onto it's haunches with another howl, the beast whipped around to further seek out the source of their agony, drawn to the tiny, peach-colored form awash with light. Sensing an easy target, it began to move before realizing it's own folly, it's right left moving only a few inches before their hardening shackle pulled it's other leg forward, sending it's massive bulk tumbling forward.

[Paddy]

Padpara skidded to a halt on instinct when the corruption threw it's attention toward her. Though her instinct should have perhaps been to run faster, the quartz she was looking for had been clinging to the thing with a death-grip. Her head was in a blizzard as she racked her mind for some way to help, but before she could come up with anything, the next phase of her plan fell into place. Unfortunately, she and 7XB were both well within the impact zone, the beast's silhouette blotted out the sky above her as it lost its footing. 

There was only enough energy in her for one more big move. With a grimace plastered across her face, she tried to will herself in any direction, but she'd been seized by the thoughts tangled around her in the seconds before the imminent collision. It was easy to regret some of her recusant behavior before, with the titan careening down over her. This was something she definitely hadn't been designed for. But, she was already there. She faced the creature as its body flopped down across the earth. As fast as her arms could fling forward, the remainder of her plasma shot out to form a large, glowing hot spike. 

[7XB]

7XB easily spotted Padparadscha, even from their precarious vantage she was lit up like a beacon transposed against the surrounding bleakness. The bottomless pit in the Quartz soldier's stomach only grew wider as they made a sudden realization- they were rapidly coming closer to the Sapphire; The beast was collapsing!

Though 7XB could tell by the determined expression on her quickly-nearing face that she had a plan, 7XB knew that the sheer weight of the creature would likely crush the both of them whether she managed to wound it enough to force the beast back into it's gem- those final seconds while the creature's form flickered away would be more than enough to crush the life out of them. Sturdy cut that they were, 7XB was far more worried about the delicacy of Padparadscha's gem over their own.

In moments they decided what must be done, scrambling around upon the free falling tusk do that their feet would be the first part of their body to make contact with the Earth in an attempt to..hold the beast up.

They knew full well that there was no way that what strength they possessed would be enough to keep the creature from crushing them both, especially at this velocity, but the illogical nature of this strong feeling drove them to try. Moments later their legs crushed against the ground mere inches beside Padparadscha, a terrifying swan-song erupting from the jagged maw of the beast as her plasma spike pierced through it's underprotected breast, the weight they struggled to heft driving them deeper into the Earth.

"Diamonds.." they grunted, both coiled limbs and words trembling, hitching their shoulder up against the tusk to brace it, "th-this..is heavy." Whether they were talking to themselves or her was unclear, their weary mind focused entirely upon how long it would take this creature, clearly beaten, to poof.

[Paddy]

She'd shut her eyes tight in the moment after her construct was created, knowing that this had been one of, if not the most ludicrous risk she'd ever taken. Had she just thrown herself straight under the hammer that would shatter her? As the earth quaked, and she braced herself for the consequences of her actions, before a more local shock snapped her eyes open again. Her stricken gaze swiveled up to see 7XB coping with the colossal weight of the beast in the throes of its demise. Her mouth fell open with the revelation that they had also decided to take on an absurd risk, their every muscle dedicated to the impossible undertaking. Despite, or perhaps because of this sheer audacity, the force behind their struggle bought the both of them precious seconds. 

As the quartz was crushed into the soil, and their words met her, Padpara scraped the pieces of her numbed mind together. She could have slipped out from under the corruption, but she couldn't leave her protector to be trapped with the heft of a mountain literally on their shoulders. Though the creature was nearly done for, it might yet have revenge if 7XB was left to fight the weight they'd taken on alone. She tried to remember the focus that it had taken to push passed her limits before. This time, there was a spike of readily available plasma, cooled as she ran out of gusto to give it. Her expression hardened, and she channeled every shred of her will into the construct before it could go inert. She clenched her teeth as she ran out of everything she had, and strove to summon something beyond her own resolve.   

The plasma was drawn into more of a pillar than a spike, a platform to give a bit more support for the quartz. Her heart wound into a knot, the seconds crept entirely too slow through the tension. Then, the corruption erupted into a squall of dust, blasting daylight across the entire area. Through the fog she couldn't see much, nor could she think. She simply stood, staring up at the empty space where the foe had once been.  

[7XB]

Like a pail of frigid ice water dumped over their shoulders, the sudden removal of such an immensely weight from their shoulders quite literally shocking them, muscles memory causing them to remain froze on place for a heartbeat before their quivering limbs finally relaxed, their entire body practically melting in fatigue as they slumped wordlessly to the ground.

Unable yet to pull their thick lower limbs from the Earth in which they were embedded, allowing themselves to collapse completely against the soggy terrain beneath them, head rolling back. "My starrss.." the quartz practically groaned, "I..uhg.." anything else that passed their lips was incomprehensible, though they sorely resented their own durable in that moment- Vaguely, the noticed a handful of fuzzy shapes clawing their way through the underbrush, speeding up as they spotted the quartz.

"Commander!"

[Paddy]

As the soldier collapsed next to her, she turned to see them. Her mind was still too blurry for any particular thought to pierce the layers of emotion that had built up in her. Brows twisted up, eyesight fogged over with moisture. The overwhelming urge to throw her arms around them compelled her. She reached toward them, wishing there was some way she could dull their pain. Then, the sapphire stopped short at the sound of the ruby's voice. She fumbled, and wobbled to her knees as the weakness in her legs finally gave way.


Without her lamp, it was dark. But, the corruption had torn a window to the sky through the trees, letting some moonlight trickle through. The sapphire's eyes trailed 7XB's shape, covered in scuffs, mud, and leaves, then down at her own ruined outfit. She could only imagine how crazy she might have looked waist up, but at least no gems had been shattered.


"W-we won...we made it," She murmured through her haze, as she settled her eyes on their pained expression. It was a meager attempt to put into words the longing she had to set them at ease. With deftness, keeping an eye for the incoming corundums, she brushed her fingers along their forearm, down to their palm, "We'll take a moment,"


She drew her hand away, and concentrated on summoning more light for the team to sit by. With a frown, she realized that there really wasn't anything left in her.