Author: Nerine, Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2019 5:26 PM, Post Subject: Trial By Fire [P][Event]

The call to arms had her preparing to rush out along with the mages out of instinct, but Sylvain's reminder kept her from doing that. There was no room for bargaining–they needed to specialize in what they did best. Healers who were also accomplished mages needed to remain as healers, while the non-clerical spellcasters would focus on maintaining the camp's defense. Most of the ground troops were more of a precaution in case of a rift opening without warning inside the barriers, as they had realized taking out their enemies before they reached the encampment was the wisest course of action. The murmurs from the defense forces told her something was wrong. Continuing her task, she heard snippets on the wind. "–By the gods…" "What in the Nine Circles is that?!!" A sickening sound and putrid stench filled the air to where she could barely breathe, and the spells were already flying. A Plaguer! How did the enemy manage to get one so close in such a short period of time?! The winds surrounding the camp were bolstered with holy spells to ward off the malignant pathogens the vile living pustule was emitting, and they also were purifying the air once it was killed in a great explosion. The archers were working as fast as they could to pick off them as well as any Infecters trying to sneak their way into the camp, and they were shouting coded commands to communicate the situation with the mages. 

Then the earth began to shake, and soldiers were rushing towards the sound. "Incoming Rhino! Prepare for impact!" An earth-shattering smash rocked the barrier wall as a hideous amalgamation of flesh and armor made contact, just barely held  back by the clerics' might. The hibernation spell's duration must have worn off as suddenly one of the injured split themselves open with a bloodcurdling shriek, morphing into a very irate Chomper. Sylvain was on the other side of the area, too far to cut it down with his sword when it leaped up and tried to devour the sleeping individuals around it. "NO!!!" Her voice screamed–blasting massive shards of ice into its body. The shards only inconvenienced it slightly, but by the time it was free Nerine poured a torrent of fire down its throat. The smell of charred flesh made her gag, but she saw it through. "Someone, recast the spell immediately!" She called out, signalling those who were in charge of putting the screened groups to sleep to hurry. They had to finish up before their abilities were needed to support the fighters. Separating their forces was putting a strain on both divisions.

Author: Chevalier, Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2019 5:01 PM, Post Subject: Trial By Fire [P][Event]

What they were doing was kept a secret from their sons. Sylvain didn't want to burden their minds with more worries than they had already. He knew his youngest, Efrain could take the news well, but he was more concerned about Lysandre. He was a kind boy, reminiscent of the vampire lord himself in his younger days. And speaking of concerns, he was still worried sick about his daughter Chrysanthe as well. There wasn't much time for him to dwell on it, as another Chomper in hiding caught his attention. At once his claymore was in his hands and the great blade slashed through the body of a young woman about his daughter's age. Moments after the remains writhed and shifted to reveal its true colors, then died to a fireball from Nerine. This was far worse than any of the days he had spent bathing in carnage, driven by an all-consuming lust for violence and blood. His past self would have been frustrated with ennui over picking 'easy' prey, but that was far from the case. Chompers were no less dangerous when unmasked. Instead any pretense would be dropped for bestial brutality. One might have thought simply eviscerating the monsters were enough, however Shiloh had explicitly instructed them not to skip the torching. Like Infesters, there were other variations of Void monstrosities which could reanimate and rejuvenate fallen enemies, as if sheer numbers weren't enough. They needed every martial and magical specialty on this front. 

Once the group had underwent the purge, the spell of sleep was lifted. Those who remained saw no signs of the culling, as the guards and healers had already cleaned up the corpses. Then, they would be moved to the next station where the process would be repeated under the guise of a full-body medical examination. There was no such thing as being too cautious. There was still the possibility that a Corrupted would manage to slip through the cracks, and then develop into any of the more deadly varieties. As they were preparing to usher in the next group, warning alarms were sounded as scouts detected an incoming rush of Void spawn. "All healers, continue your duties! The guards will move to face the threat!" He shouted. They couldn't allow themselves to relent to accommodate such a conveniently timed attack. Attacks from outside they could fend off, but if an ambush were to arise from within, then there was little hope that they would escape without heavy losses. "A NEW ENEMY HAS BEEN SPOTTED! EVERYONE BE ON YOUR GUARD!" A soldier shouted, rallying forces to form a line of defense. Mages were taking position supported by archers, and from their formations Sylvain had a feeling it was something they didn't want to engage in close combat…

Author: Nerine, Posted: Sun Oct 6, 2019 10:49 PM, Post Subject: Trial By Fire [P][Event]

"You've come a long way, here have some water. Rest as long as you like. If you have any injuries, our healers will be with you soon." Nerine along with other healers were tending to those rescued from the battlefield. Her husband was acting as one of the guards, and they had both been fully informed on the anatomy and behavioral habits of Chompers by Shiloh. They both had been trained by Angela herself, so they would recognize an anomaly when they saw one. As she went to fetch another tray of clean wooden cups, her eyes and Sylvain's met. It lasted for only a fraction of a second, but in that moment they communicated they knew it was almost time. When the guards and healers were coincidentally busy, the group of people suddenly fell into a deep sleep. At once they both went to work, scanning the area for unnatural anatomical movement. Shiloh's spell of hibernation wouldn't last forever, and they would rather deal with a sleeping Chomper than a newly-awoken one. Quickly moving down the rows of unconscious individuals, out of the corner of her eye the Rosenite saw an old woman twitch in ways that weren't right.

Without a word flames flickered from her hand. Nerine held her breath before she set her alight. The result was a horrendous shriek that made her skin break out in goosebumps, as what had once been a frail and elderly woman contorted and twisted into a Chomper's true form. The sleeping spell had dulled its reactions just enough that it was dead before it could escape. Letting out a sharp exhale, she had no time to think before she was back to scanning the rest of the refugees again in search of more. Sylvain then brought down his claymore with a swing, cleaving a clean-shaven man in two. Moments later the corpse reverted, and she heard him sigh in relief. 

'Nerine, I know what I'm asking of you is something no healer should have to do–but we can't give the enemy any openings. Based on the information I've been entrusted with, the World Eaters will most likely try to slip Chompers and Corrupted into the recovery wards to bypass defensive lines. The Chompers will be easier to spot. They're masters of imitation, but they can only keep up their ruse as long as they're conscious. Corrupted are more difficult to single out. They don't look any different from the way they were before they were infected, however the moment they receive orders from the Eaters they'll 'activate' like sleeper agents. The only way you'll be able to identify them will be based on their behavior, so pay attention to those who appear to be suffering from trauma or insanity. I'll be moving ahead to test a little experiment I've had in mind for a while. If something were to happen to their 'superiors', I'm sure they'll react…'

Indeed, it was truly a terrible task which Shiloh had entrusted upon them. But they knew it was to prevent more deaths by protecting those within Angela's faction. They had almost lost Life, they couldn't take that same risk again. These thoughts provided a small comfort whenever her better judgment proved itself correct. Each time she cast a spell, there was always that nagging fear that she would make a mistake, and only when those misgivings were proven false did her heart ease. The sight of uncovering yet another Chomper was less frightening than the possibility that she would be hurting an innocent individual. She was sure her husband felt the same way, and she was glad her sons weren't here to witness this. 

Author: Chevalier, Posted: Sat Oct 5, 2019 12:47 AM, Post Subject: Trial By Fire [P][Event]

Those of Antikythera had been split between different fronts. The majority of those who weren't automatons were left assisting Angela while Shiloh and her champion went between the other battlefields lending their support. With how dire the circumstances were, Sylvain agreed with her decision. There was very real and present fear of losing any of them to the fighting, and he himself had his mind running restless over the fate of his daughter Chrysanthe. His second oldest was in Onnen when the Void creatures finally attacked, and not knowing if she was safe ate away at him. Lysandre and Efrain were with Arri's healers and within sight, but the vampire lord wanted nothing more than to see his little girl come home. He and Nerine were assigned to care for the injured and refugees, but they were present in the camp for another purpose. Ever cautious, went through great lengths to fully inform everyone about the types of Twisted they could encounter, and all their pertinent details. The ones she feared the most aside from the Infecters were the Chompers, horrific abominations with mimicry so advanced that it made the former god Reynash look like a common jester. There were only a few reliable ways of flushing a disguised Chomper out, but as it was an intelligent predator Sylvain knew it wouldn't be so simple.

Shiloh proposed a plan: divide the incoming injured and refugees into small groups overseen by guards. Chompers would maintain their ruse as long as they knew they were being watched, which would prevent sudden deaths and chaos happening within the camp. Next, the healers would give the people medicated water under the guise of refreshments. Those who did not drink were to be watched closely, and then Shiloh would cast hibernation. With everyone asleep, he and his wife would check to see which individuals showed the tell-tale signs of being a Chomper, and then dispatch them before they could wake. It was a pragmatic yet cruel method, but they couldn't risk the chances of an enemy slipping through the cracks. Even the deity herself admitted it was inhumane. But to face an inhumane enemy, they had to take inhumane measures. That was what the invasion of the insect tribes had taught her. They had to use everything at their disposal in order to win, and stay alive.

Making his rounds he kept a close eye on those gathered on the tarps and benches while Nerine was distributing the water laced with a strong sedative. Their initial plan for weeding out Chompers was to have everyone coming in give a simple display of magic, yet that would fail to take into account many who lacked such ability. Shiloh's previous plan involved a series of rigorous trials, one of them being a pit of flaming coals which people would be instructed to walk through. In theory a Chomper would refuse to pass through, as their innate vulnerability to fire would force them to drop their act. As distasteful as their current plan of action was, it was a far better plan than that one.