Do Steel Hearts Bleed? [Featured]

[Hysteria]

Music filled the air, punctuated with noisy chatter and laughter. The tone was more of a party than a battle. With several musicians and flowing food, it was to be expected. When a rich inventor throws money around like confetti, it is hard to maintain a sombre disposition. Rarely did the citadel breath with such life as today. Men and woman had come out to watch the battle touted as a clash of science against might and magic. The machine, The Heart of Steel, stood as representation of a new age. It did not thrive on magic as many constructs did, but instead on steam and spark. The battle was to show off the contraption, with many invited guests rich and prominent individuals from across Althanas. This construct could replace soldiers, perhaps even magic all together. At least, this was the thought of its creator.

Professor Rodderly was sitting close to the edge of the pit that filled the centre of the room. Large stone slabs rose outwards like giant steps to form row and row of raised seating. The pit was lower by several metres from the closest step with a thin wall rising four feet in front of the closest seats. In the pit the walls were thick stone, covered with a thin layer of grey paint. The pit was fifteen by fifteen metres and the floor covered by an inch of sand. Odd rocks of varying size and shape rose from the sand as if they had tumbled into the pit. The stones were the only break in the clinical setting. It had clearly been created to have the barest limitation of sight for those watching. Pressed again the wall below the Professor was Heart. The large contraption was draped with a red sheet finishing just above his feet. It was not yet time for the reveal.

“LLLLLAAAAAAADDDIIIIESSS AND GENTLEMEN!”

The cry echoed throughout the room and the music and people fell silent. The voice came from the presenter of the evening. The man was dressed in an immaculate black suit and top hat. His eyes shone brightly from below dark bushy eyebrows and a large moustache protruded from above his lips.

“It is my honour to present to you this evening. My name is the Amazing Herbert, or Herb to my friends. Now now, don't try and smoke me, I'm not that kind of herb!”

There was an awkward laugher from those gathered, although Herbert seemed unperturbed.

“The battle will start in just a few moments. Now would the first four contestants please take up positions in the ring? Go a head and climb down those ropes dangling from the side. Please, if everyone else could please take a seat we will get going shortly!”

[Ozoric]

A whump in the wind. Wings beating. Breath taken. Descent.

Ozoric Newalla, prince forgotten and Lancer of the Drakengard dropped into the arena free of rope’s aid and crowd’s applause. Shock, perhaps more so than awe silenced their cheers. He stood upright, leather armour creaking, and ran his hand through his hair. It was as red as the dye on his attire.

“I need to work on my landing,” he chided himself.

The crowd roared with laughter. They continued their hubbub, whipping themselves into a frenzy they expected would lead to disappointment. Street performances in Corone, since the dissolution of the Tantalum troupe and their ill-fated copycats had become damp squibs – worthless, fleeting distractions from the post-war tedium of the ‘new age’ so encouraged by the likes of Dr. Herb.

Ozoric looked skyward, and caught the tail of his mount vanish into the low-mists that had snook across Radasanth on sorcerer’s prerogative and Drakengard’s edict. Whilst the youth was still doubtful of his role to play in this spectacle, he appreciated Captain Aelfric, his long-suffering’s mentor aid in finding his way to the city. Taking it upon himself to turn, draw his blade, and spread his knees, Ozoric set his sights on the beast ahead.

Trying to describe it was difficult, even for one as erudite as he was. He frowned. It was not a dragon. Such a feral hunt would be as much a prize as the memory of the swift death that followed. It was not a demon. No soul lingered in the steel and time bound cage. It was, as the Dr. described, a machine. Mechanisations like it roamed Alerarian soil daily. Their clunky footsteps reminiscent of lumbering titans long forgotten.

“Am I to fight this feeble creature alone?” he roared. He span, enigmatic smile form and function for his speech. The crowd cheered louder, and he expected it was art to his challenge, and part to the others climbing the ropes. He cast a gaze to the walls, feeble palisades that would not contain a sword swing, never mind this monster.

“Or will Corone fight with me!” he added, punching skyward.

[Tytanus]

“Surprises come in all shapes and sizes,” Tytanus smiled to himself as he thought about the how the tall folk viewed his race and vice versa. Threading his way through the forest of giants, Tytanus made his way to the arena. This was his chance to experience firsthand, this new wondrous thing the giants had created. And a bit of money wouldn’t hurt although moving 200 coins might.

Jumping off the cliff into the arena, Ty softened his landing with a few light gusts of wind. The arena might have been an open field for the giants but for midgets, it presented its own unique set of opportunities and challenges. The sand that lay on the bottom was inconsequential for the larger fighters but for his species, it was like trying to walk through water with it reaching half way up his legs. However, the messager didn’t dwell on this fact since he was used to surviving in a variety of environments for his deliveries and his abilities would help him overcome that disadvantage.

Instead, his focus was on the mysterious red cloth hiding the new invention he would be fighting as well as his potential allies/enemies depending on their style of fighting. Information could be the deciding factor to this match and his chances of beating this unknown threat.

[Lloyd]

The roar of the crowd resonated throughout the entire stadium, even Llyod could feel the vibrations as he lingered in a darkening passage. "Now Blunder, its time we make an appearance." He said as he kicked of from the cold stone wall he had been leaning off of. Halted just farther back then the Mystic was a monster of a person. In the dim lit hallway only the lower half of the figure could be seen. Dawning tight leather pants and a belt of chains, hands bound in cuffs as he waited for his master. Lloyd turned and started to make his way to the blinding light of the arena, with every step a smile filled with criminal intent spread across his face. Reaching the the thresh hold of the corridor the Mystic stopped as the sun now shinned brightly against his fair skin. Just behind the mountain of a man fallowed, now his face shown, on it nothing. Emotionless, the giant waited.

"Blunder Go!" Lloyd yelled as he through his hand out forward. These words alone seemed to flip a switch in the Goliath as his expressionless face quickly flushed red with anger.

"Gruugg!" The monster of a man yelled as he easily flexed his wrists breaking his binds. Reaching for his massive great sword Blunder began to run out into the center of the arena. Fallowing suit Lloyd walked into view of the other combatants.

"Now, lets see how well my newest dead toy does." Lloyd thought to himself as he eyed up his 'partners' looking for any perspective talents. Blunder stopped just before reaching the dead center of the arena, grunting as he he scanned the area.

[Hysteria]

“Three!? Only three?”

Herbert's voice cracked with feigned emotion. The back of his hand rested on his forehead, pushing his top hat up and letting a few dark strands of hair tumble free. He made as if he was going to faint, but rallied before collapsing.

“Do we only have three?! Where is our other champion? Who will fight with these brave men and...”

Herbert hand shifted to shield his eyes as he peered at the smallest fighter.

“... and whatever that thing is!”

The giant Heart did not wait. A loud ripping sound filled the arena as the machine tore apart the red sheet and the two halves fell listlessly to the ground. The machine was revealed, by its own hand none the less. Heart was large, standing seven feet tall. His body mirrored that of a humans, with two power legs and two arms. His outer limbs were encased in solid iron plates that pivoted around the joints. His body was more bulbous than a normal person, with wires visible through the gaps that necessity required around the joints. His face was little more than a helmet with a face guard, but underneath sparks of electricity arched from wire to wire. Across the machines back a serries of pipes and tubes spluttered and spat steam. The life of the creature was inside his chest, where the steam powered his essence.

“GRRROROROROROWOOWWOWOWWWWWW!!”

The half roar, half howl came from somewhere beneath the machine's helmet. His body hunched forwards, its giant arms swinging wildly as it lumbered out into the pit. Each step was a boom, each movement powerful. It made towards Ozoric as its mind recognised that the fighter was attempting to rally the others. Heart lifted his shoulder forwards, dropping into a charge directly towards the dragoon. The sand beneath its feet kicked into the air as fine powder as it thundered towards the first kill.

[Tourneymant]

Barnabas watched as the machine tore through the red cloth. It's reveal a spectacle all of it's own. However, not the best reveal he has seen done by a machine. Barnabas remembered once he saw a machine smash through a ten foot thick metal door in a metal stadium. That was a spectacle that he would never forget. The size of that metal monstrosity actually dwarfed this one. However, Barnabas was just a spectator of that fight. It was an exhibition for a new super weapon just like this one. However, that one only had one designated fighter. Here Barnabas had a chance to fight this metal monstrosity. So he gladly accepted the challenge. He pulled out his Tea Kettle, already full of hot delicious tea, grabbed the rope and, with the weight of the metal kettle, slid down to the sandy ground. Not even a footprint was cast as he he started to sneak around in hopes of not being spotted by his metal opponent, though the sound of the tea in the kettle made it hard not to make a sound.

I need to get some of this tea into his joints which looks like it is full of metal wires. If I'm right that means this is the first electric powered machine in all Althanas. I feel bad about short-circuiting it, he thought as he moved around and waited for the monsters charge to finish, whether the dragoon dodged or not, the end of that charge might be the best opportunity to strike with his liquid. And I didn't even know that it was going to be run on electricity, thought Barnabas as he made his made his way towards the giant metal monster.

[Lloyd]

What a thing. Lloyd thought to himself as the mechanical behemoth charged towards the dragoon. The only possible way to come out of this alive will be teamwork, so Lloyd contemplated his options. Blunder, his newest thrall, was big and strong. Easily capable of dealing damage to the machine. Yet he was slow in comparison, this machine would most likely out maneuver Blunder in a one on one fight.

The Mechanical beast continued forward aimed to crush the dragoon with his charge. It already passing by Lloyd's thrall leaving his window of opportunity narrow. No time for Blunder to react less an attempt to swing his massive great sword in hopes to slice the machine in twine. "Gruuuu!" The dead puppet cried as he took one step backwards and with all his might swung his blade in a complete circle, all in vain as the machine move with the quickness of a track star.

"No good!" Lloyd thought as instinct now took over, taking it upon himself to attempt to stall the beast. Lloyd turned and began sprinting towards the dragoon, who might have been stunned for some reason. Sweat running down his brow as he moved, black cloak whipping in the wind. The Mystic and the Machine began to converge on the dragoon almost simultaneously, until it seemed the three would clash. "Gahhh" Lloyd yelled as he jumped and spiraled forward with his arm open wide. Tackling the dragoon mere seconds before the titan could steam stop all over him. Only a cloud of upturned dust remained around the two as the recovered just feet away.

From behind Blunder walked up to his master as if he understood that he must always protect him.

[Ozoric]

Oliver instinctively scuffled and resisted, but taken by surprise seldom left a man with his wits about himself. He hit the dirt, just like the dog he was, and felt bones shunt together, and armour bruise his supple skin. The irony of suffering more at the ground’s hands than the hulking steel revenant would wound him deeper still.

“I guess,” he began, teeth grit, chin blooded, “I should thank you.”

He pushed himself upright with the spear’s butt, a walking stick for the wounded more so than a symbol of his ascension to the rank of dragoon – someday, maybe, but not today.

“I’m not going to buy you a drink just yet,” he added, half due to the fact the creature was far from finished tormenting them yet, and the fact his saviour looked too young to speak, let alone partake in liquor. “I asked if Corone would fight with me, and it seems it will.” He smirked.

Even without a dragon beneath him, the faint whump of its wings an aria to battle, he felt something stir within. He spread his feet. He slammed the spear’s tip down, as though god’s righteous armament were sundering the rock beneath his hobnailed boots. They shone, incandescent only briefly, but bright enough.

“Distract it, whatever you do, keep its gaze down!”

The youth would have heard the Lancer’s final command, ‘and away from seeing me coming’, had Ozoric not vaulted vertically. His red beard, redder still from the blood, which poured freely, tipped the crimson comet as it bounced against the arena walls, and launched higher still to the edge of the canopy that protected the crowd from the ill environs of Radasanth.

[Tytanus]

“A robotic suit of armor? Guess those inventor type people are trying to outdo those golem magicians,” Ty thought to himself as he observed his newly revealed opponent. “Hmm, I wonder what’s controlling it. I mean, it seems to be powered steam but is some magician telling it what to do? Did they bound a spirit to the machine or what? Well, I guess I should start looking for weaknesses especially around the joints.”

With his new plan of action, the midget began wading through the sea of sand after the charging machine. If he could get close enough, Tytanus could shoot a few darts at the joints or any apparent weaknesses. As for his magic, the messager decided to save it for later unless he needed to escape an attack. And from what he saw of his ‘allies’, they might end up being more dangerous than this machine from their wide weapon swings and steaming tea…

[Hysteria]

There was a clash of metal on metal as Heart ran. The flash was momentary, little more than a spark and crack. The zombie's sword broke off a section of the machine's armour just above its waist behind the left arm. From beneath the darkness electricity flashed as it arched from one wire to another. It was not unlike that which emanated from beneath his helmet. The severed piece of armour, half a foot long, and half that in width, sunk into the sand.

Despite the damage Heart didn't seem to notice. He continued his charge, just missing Ozoric and slamming into the wall. The moment before impact there was the dull rumble of the crowd, a shout and laugh at each action. All of this was blown away by the thunder of the impact. Cracks lifted up through the stone and rock and paint flicked out like a splash from diving into a pool. The crowd was silent, as fear pushed back the logic that said they were safe.

“We have BEGUN!” Herbert broke the silence and pointed a finger towards the fight. His actions eased the crowd and the momentary fear was forgotten. Herbert's eyes shone with practiced energy. “First blood is drawn! First metal broken! For some reason there is a floating teapot!”

Heart twisted on the spot, shards of broken stone falling to the ground as he pulled himself out of the wall. His blank face twisted first, then his body as he faced his opponents. Both hands lifted in unison and pointed palm first towards Lloyd and his pet zombie. A hiss of steam and Heart's metal hands flicked up, revealing two hollow cavities. Another hiss of steam, this time it built up further back in his arms. A glint of metal, a sudden release of pressure and two foot long spikes of iron shot from each hand towards man and zombie. They were similar to darts, if one decided to create deadly versions of what was normally a child's toy.

“One, two, three, four, five?” Herbert played fake confusion, “Seriously though, do I count a floating teapot? Is this to do with that tiny one? Like one teapot and half foot tall thing equals one person?”

Heart's hands flicked back down, his arms resting like a boxer's. His body held low, the computations that acted as his mind deliberating on the opponents he was fighting. He didn't yet see the smaller fighter, nor that which carried the teapot.

[Lloyd]

"Blunder!" The young Orlouge yelled franticly as his eyes widened at the sight of the iron spikes. Lloyd's zombie was no faster than the next man but plenty quick to push the Mystic standing in front of him to the ground. Lloyd now sprawled out making a sand angle heard a most gruesome sound. Twisting his upper body to look behind him, Blunder had taken the full force of the two spikes.

One sticking out of his eye socket, blood spurting out both sides of the wound like a fountain. And the other out of his left knee, forcing him to take a knee on his opposite leg. HIs great sword laying just off to the left of him, the zombie seemed to be completely down for the count. He felt no pain yet these wounds would keep him from fighting for a wile.

"Oh Blunder..." Lloyd said as he rose to his feet staring at the zombie wounded behind him. "Did you get hit?" He said as if he had all the time in the world, walking slowly to the monster of a man looking up to him. A cynical smile once again on his face as he got up close to his thrall. "You are my pawn, yet you are so easily hurt." Lloyd said stopping inches from Blunder's face. "Worthless, how could I ever had hoped you could lay a finger on my father." Then as if completely unexpected by the crowd the Mystic tenses his wrist and from his gauntlet launched spring loaded Iron claws piercing through the zombie's chest. With one quick motion he tore through his once prized thrall's chest ripping it to shreds. All the wile laughing hysterically as this monster of a man fell to the ground.

"Was this enough to keep the Machine distracted for him, if not im about to be out of options." Lloyd thought to himself about his distraction.

[Tourneymant]

Barnabas blanched when he saw the man kill his subordinate. Is he really that cruel? Barnabas thought but then shook his head to get rid of that thought. He then continued on towards the metal giant as he hoped that the giant wouldn't notice him. He passed the midget but a small drop of hot tea accidentally spilled out of the spout of the metal kettle and would land right on top of the midget if he didn't move. But Barnabas didn't even notice as his eyes was locked onto the machine with the hope that it would stay still long enough to get on it and pour some of his boiling hot tea in the neck joint. Of course, it didn't look like that would happen any time soon.

[Hysteria]

'oooooo'

The sound was a collective gasp of shock and awe from the crowd as Blunder was destroyed by his creator, with a little bit of help from Heart of course. Herbert placed his leg on the wall at the edge of the pit.

“One down ladies and gentlemen! I don't seek to offer advice to these hapless men and teapot, but why would your sacrifice a perfectly good decoy? It see-”

Herbert was cut off as Heart made his next move. His head had twisted to the sky and the metallic visage that could be called his face looked up towards Ozoric. The machinations clicked, thoughts pulled and twisted and a threat was detected. The iron legs of the monstrosity bent and the now familiar hiss of pressure building slipped through the air. Heart's legs released and metal and steam expanded to send him arching into the air.

“-m's that the Heart can fly!” finished Herbert, running with the sudden revelation.

Ozoric could not react fast enough to escape the iron rocket. The metal hands that wrapped around his form were like a vice, and the dragoon struggled to no avail. Gravity took over quickly and the pair twisted back down though the air towards the pit. Heart angled his body, placing Ozoric between him and the ground. Just before the pair hit the ground the distinct sound of a cursing six inch midget.

“Wow...” said Herbert.

The dragoon's body nearly disintegrated beneath the mass of metal. Bits of bloody sand and larger chunks of Ozoric splattered out in every direction. Tytanus had been caught under the dragoon and was now an indistinguishable pile of goo among a larger pile. He got his wish to get up close and personal with the machine, but unfortunately his last few seconds were of him trying to run through waist deep sand and cursing a teapot. It was less than ideal.

Heart took a second before pushing himself up to his feet. His proud golden body was painted red with the dragoon's blood. Bits of Ozoric still clung to the machine, but Heart didn't seem to notice. A machine without emotions, that was Professor Rodderly's intention when crafting him. Anyone else might pause at the thought of covering themselves in the bloody of their enemy, but not Heart.

Well, that was dark. thought Herbert. The crowd too paused, but the announcer kicked into action. “TWO DOWN! Who will be next to feel the cold grip of death from the hands of iron?! Check your numbers people, the next two get on in!”

The crowd followed the call, cheering and laughing at the sudden demise of two of the fighters. Heart was facing Lloyd. He wasn't moving, just watching. Behind him, somehow not caught up in the ground shaking attack was a floating teapot.

[Tourneymant]

Barnabas barely got out of the way in time to escape the metal giant. As he tumbled away the tea pot spun end over end as the tea flew from the kettle in all directions. Some landed on the ground while some landed on Barnabas's arm, which really hurt! And still, some just so happened to be headed towards the robot's left wrist joint. If it landed then that hand would short circuit and his element of surprise would be ruined and the likelihood that he could get on the robot to deliver the tea to the neck of the robotic giant would diminish significantly. Barnabas watched and prayed to every god on every planet that the metal monster would move its hand enough so the liquid wouldn't get in the joint.

[The Mad Scientist]

Birds chirped as they fly through the clear sky. Suddenly there is a chipper deep man's voice that only one many could hear. "Ah, what a beautiful day. The sky is clear and the birds are singing and a giant metal man is falling into a ring with a dragoon in its arms yes what a perfect-" The voice stopped suddenly before it it asked, "Wait, a giant metal man is falling from the sky with a dragoon in its arms?" The voice sounded panicked as it said, "What's going on here!?" Suddenly a man in a white lab coat with messy black hair and bright green eyes popped up as everything behind him seemed to pause and turn grey.

"I, Dr. Steam, can tell ya what's going on," The man said as he pulled out a giant ruler and a blackboard appeared. "A fellow steam scientist named Professor Rodderly is in the middle of an exhibition for his latest invention, a steam powered robot called HEART." He pointed to a diagram of the robot that was had just fallen to earth with a dragoon in it's arm. "This Exhibition has 4 people fighting it in the ring at all times. Two was just killed so I'm planning on entering the ring now so I can get a better look at this machine he has created."

"Um, not to doubt you Dr. Steam," the voice said with a bit of doubt in its voice, "but you don't look like much of a fighter."

The doctor laughed, "Who said I have to fight with a sword?" he asked with a giant grin on his face, "I plan to take that machine apart with my trusty tools and see what makes it tick." The scientist then disappeared down and everything returned to color as Dr. Steam landed on the sandy floor of the ring wrench in hand ready to take apart the metal monster and see what makes it tick.

[Alydia Ettermire]

A human male, not older than twenty five strode forth, fit and proud and ready for glorious battle. Strapped to his back was a giant scythe, and he reached into his iron breastplate to produce... nothing. Frantic gauntlets fumbled in the very few places the sandy-blond youth could tuck pieces of parchment, but to no avail. "I- I had it!" He stammered, voice raising almost two octaves in his bewilderment and distress. "I had it!"

Beside Herb, the copy editor of the Radasanth Review who had come to observe and record the event sighed. She'd thought she'd seen a distinctive hat and coat weaving through the crowd, but this just wasn't the type of event that would catch the attention of their owner. It was a blood sport, and she hated those. She wasn't equipped or prepared to fight. She was a thief.

And Heart? Heart was a thing.

The shadow beneath the robot's right arm curled, coiled and congealed, then cleared to reveal a crimson-clad cat-burglar. A gloved hand reached out, grabbing tightly to one of the joints in its side and booted feet quickly found their places so she wasn't immediately thrown. Her free hand reached out, lean body stretching to its fullest extent, fingertips barely brushing the golden carapace.

For most people, that negligible amount of contact wouldn't be enough to budge marble on a piece of smooth ice, but Alydia Ettermire was not most people. A grazing touch, a call to darkness, and the machine's whole arm vanished to a place where only she could recall it. Poor robot; there were two beings on the field intent on disassembling it... likely for very different reasons.

"They just don't make Dragoons the way they used to, do they, Radasanth?!" With a whirl of red, the thief changed her position; the last thing she wanted was the robot's remaining hand to have enough reach to get around and smack her. She flashed a grin to the crowd, looking as comfortable and natural on top of the robot as any of them would walking down the street.

In truth, the thing stunk of oil and bitter metal, and as close as she was to it... Well, she hoped the tea kettle, man in a lab coat, and necromancer were adequate distractions for the machine. Otherwise, she was in a very vulnerable position - and likely had the thing's attention. "Or robots, for that matter!"

Lithe limbs bunched beneath a skin-tight suit, ready to launch upward for the next handhold.

[Lloyd]

"Whoa..." Lloyd whimpered as he watched the elf warp the metal giant's arm away. "Where do you think it goes?" he said as re composed himself on the task at hand. He slaughtered his thrall as a distraction for the dragoon yet he was slain along with the small warrior. Letting his arm rest his iron claws retracted back into his gauntlet, now it was solely up to Lloyd to keep himself alive. And if he could deal any damage to the giant metal man that would only be icing on the top.

[Hysteria]

Herbert flicked through a small notebook that had the names of the fighters signed up for the battle. His finger quickly found the number of the eccentric scientist, and then the other fighter. John Cutter? His eyes flicked back up to the battle the woman didn't look like a John to him. He would have to wing it.

“Two fighters, a chunk of iron and an arm! These are victims so far ladies and gentlemen! Professor Rodderly, would you care to give your observations on the fight so far?”

Herbert flicked of his hat and held it towards the tinkerer. The hat was enchanted, those that wear it, or speak into it had their voices projected around them.

“Automated recall devices.” Said Rodderly.

“Aut-” Herbert slammed his hat back down on his slick black hair, “There you have it! Automattical retally devices!”

The words were meaningless without context. Heart hadn't moved after having his arm taken. His mind was ticking over the conundrum as to where it had gone, and how best to get it back. The gaping hole in his shoulder where the arm had been spat sparks as wires had suddenly become detached. All that Heart could work out was that the woman in red had taken his arm, and with that his automatic recall devices kicked into effect.

A dozen iron spiders, dinner plate in size, poured out from behind the robot's bulbous chassis. They leapt towards Alydia, bouncing across the sand and onto the rocks like odd mechanical grasshoppers. The spiders carried small heated steel blades attached to their 'mouths' that allowed them to make hasty repairs to Heart. Right now they were determined to cut open the thief to get the arm back.

Heart on the other hand was looking as his other hand. Tea dripped off the joint, the same joint that had opened up to shoot the iron spikes. The tea did little to hurt him, his arms were steam powered, not electrical. If it had been poured into his chassis, or down the pipes coming off his back, then that would have been an issue.

Heart's hand flipped back again and he walked with the barrel pointed towards the teapot. There was another hiss of steam as pressure built, but this time when it released it was not iron, but pure steam. It billowed forwards, super heated vaporised water. It was hotter than fire, able to cleave flesh from bone in a moment. Its range was only two metres, but that was enough.

[Alydia Ettermire]

Automated recall devices. "Ah, shu," Aly swore. That was going to be annoying. She hadn't wanted to let go of the arm, because it might have posed a danger to the other combatants if it was autonomic. The sparking, spitting electricity from the joint told her that without the communication from the body, the arm was useless.

But just to make sure...

"Do you guys want the arm?" She crooned, like a person might address a baby or a dog who is being particularly cute. "Do you? Do you want the arm? Here! Have the arm!"

A vlince sleeve stretched out and a hand made a fancy gesture. Seemingly from nowhere, the arm appeared high over the farthest sizable rock from the thief and the machine and plummeted with a cacophonous CRASH. Hopefully that would damage it enough to make retrieval impossible, or merely pointless.

Of course, if it's pointless... gah, little attack spiders.

Still, she had a few seconds left before the little bugs would be on her, so she braced herself and stole Heart's back carapace, tossing the metal aside like so much refuse. "If anyone has an idea where this thing's central power is, now might be a good time to speak up!"

She was definitely still going to have the attention of some of the spiders. Well, I've faced worse.

[Tourneymant]

Barnabas knew the effects of steam, at 100oF the super heated gas would at least give him a second if not third degree burn. To avoid that Barnabas used a move he knew would work. He spun himself clockwise and the centrifugal force of the pot he held sent him flying to the left just like the pan did in the last battle he fought in. This time the wall wasn't close enough for him to hit it so he landed on his feet as the pot slowed enough for him to touch the ground. he then turned back to the metal creature and saw that a piece of plating had fallen off the robot. Inside he saw a few wires exposed. Barnabas chuckled and started to slink his way over towards the beast ready to take down this metal monstrosity.

[The Mad Scientist]

"An Automated Recall Device," Dr. Steam whispered as the thief and teapot made their moves. The teapot seemed to have swung itself to the side while the thief had dropped the arm from the sky.

"What is an Automated Recall Device Dr. Steam?" The voice asked as the world went grey again and the battle paused.

The doctor looked in the direction of the voice and said, "An Automated Recall Device is a way to keep all your parts together. What happens is that when a machine loses a piece of itself, the A. R. D. will find it then bring it back to the robot, it will then reattach the piece making it as good as new. That means that if I was to remove a piece of the machine while the A. R. D. was still active, more than likely it will just put that piece back on. There has to be a way to shut off the A. R. D. for maintenance purposes. If I was to find that switch, I would be able to shut that down and then I can get to reverse engineering that machine. Of course as it is Professor Roddley's work, I will not be able to use every part of the machine but some of the stuff in there can be useful for future inventions. For example, if I can see how he made it sentient, I might be able to make robotic guards for Vent. This is one of the reasons that I am here."

"Okay, I think I get it now Dr.," the voice said with a slight bit of confusion still in it. "I wish you luck."

The world returned to normal and Dr. Steam circled the machine, as he did he searched for a place where a panel might be hidden. Suddenly he saw a square shaped panel that looked like it was there to cover something important. It was located at the base of the neck. "There you are." Dr. Steam said as looked for the way to reach the controls. There was no ladder to get up there so that was out, So that meant that the machine was expected to lay down before they shut off the A. R. D. However, that didn't stop Dr. Steam. Instead he just sighed. "Guess that means it's time for." Suddenly the world went to grey again as Dr. Steam jumped backwards next to a machine that wasn't there a minute ago. "The Jumper! This baby can give me great speed and agility for 30 seconds or jump 12 feet in the air three times. I invented it myself." Claps could be heard but the crowed in the stadium was still frozen in time. "I will use this baby to jump up to that panel and remove it. Then I'll shut down the A. R. D. and start to take this baby apart." Both the machine and Dr. Steam seemed to jump slightly as Dr. Steam landed in the machine and attached the pipes on the machine to his steampack. The world started to move again as the Dr. landed, Dr. Steam's legs hidden by the machine, as it started up. He then moved a lever and the machine crouched before it jumped up with a hiss straight for the back of the metal giant.

[Lloyd]

"Oh Fuck!" Lloyd said as he immediately turned and kneeled at the lifeless corpse of his former thrall. Brainstorming his next move, what would he do, what could he do. As he thought of possibilities he started to feel in his medical satchel for one of his scalpels. Literally kneeling in a pool of blood Lloyd started his procedure. Blunder was a lug of a man, but he was still human, Having all of the human parts just like the next guy. As his huge cadaver lay skewered and sliced open long ropes of his intestines could be seen protruding from his opened stomach.

Heart is a machine, big and brawny. The Mystic thought as he made his first cut in the long ropes of Blunder's intestine. Cut after cut Lloyd worked on the pile of flesh, what he was doing was a secret that only he knew. Then all of a sudden heart started to reach, blasting a huge and hot cloud of super heated steam at the floating tea pot. And from his rear an army of robotic spider emerged targeting the time-space bending elf thief. But he is no man, nor able of foresight. He continued on his train of thought.

Minuets passed and finally Lloyd had finished what he was doing and gathered a coil of blunder's intestine. Like a rope Lloyd carried the bloody coil over his shoulder and began to sprint toward the mech.

[Hysteria]

Heart's chassis shimmered and was gone; stolen by the thief’s nefarious magic. For the first time the metal monstrosities insides were displayed. Heart's form was far more lean without the bulbous chassis holding the ARD spiders. Thick copper wires, some insulated and some not, wrapped around a steel skeleton. His whole form was wreathed in electricity, jumping from wire to wire. The pipes on his back connected directly into two glowing cores set into his chest. It was these that powered him.

“Professor,” Herbert pointed his hat towards the Professor again, “Worried about this sudden development?”

“Oh, no my dear boy. That chassis was designed to protect us.”

Heart bent his knees, pushing steam into the joints as he prepared another powered jump. His body rocked forward slightly, then the legs released. He moved like lightning, ripping across the sandy ground towards his now revealed arm. In a surprising show of acrobatics he twisted in the air, catching his arm and landing feet first against the wall with a deafening crack.

Time seemed to pause as he jammed his arm back into the socket and turned his vacant face towards Aly. His legs took only a second to reload, not enough time for gravity to catch up and pull him from his horizontal position. Another hiss of steam and he was sent rocketing back towards the thief. The two sudden bursts of pressure took their toll on the robot's legs. A large crack slithered its way down the side of both his legs and taking away most of their strength.

Heart's body moved towards Aly, but he gripped his retrieved arm with the other and pointed it towards Dr. Steam and the teapot. He couldn't use the arm with any dexterity, but he could overload its circuits for one particular move. The arm exploded, his forearm was a ball of fire, rocketing his fist towards the pair.

Meanwhile, the robotic spiders closed in on Aly, still driven by their impulse to open the thief. It seemed they would catch here when they suddenly went quiet. The knock from Dr. Steam had indeed had an effect and cut the ARD's impulses. The only danger to Aly was Heart himself, who smashed straight into a boulder. With all the force the lame creation could muster he shoved the rock forwards, sending it directly towards the resourceful thief.

[Lloyd]

He is weak. Lloyd deduced as he saw that the metal man had started to show signs of faltering. He might have an opening if he could only reach him in time. With Lloyd running at top speed toward the robot, blunder's intestine in hand he figured that this would be his only shot to do this. Within leaping distance Lloyd launched himself in the air at the monster, wile air born he uncoiled his flesh rope.

"Everyone now, hit him with everything you got!" Lloyd yelled as he landed on the giant's back and with one fluid motion slipped the flesh rope underneath the lip of Heart's helmet. Lloyd leaning back and holding onto both ends of the intestine trying to pry his helm just enough up to make an opening to all the wires underneath it.

[Alydia Ettermire]

The robot's sudden burst into the air had thrown the thief from his massive back and sent her plunging to the ground. Her body twisted in the air, lean muscles pulling flesh and bone over and around in a spinning scarlet spectacle. Black boots impacted golden sand and long legs folded gracefully into Alydia's body, minimizing the force of her landing. Millions of gritty grains scattered and flew in the wake of voluminous vlince that flared at her flight's finish, sending up a thin cloud to mark her terrestrial return.

A dozen razor-wielding robotic arachnids scurried for her, racing with pre-programmed bloodlust, looking to disassemble her in a much more permanent fashion than she'd played at disassembling Heart. But their gears whirred and then withered, their bodies crumpled like so many dead spiders. Not yet.

She was up in a flash, watching the robot charge from beneath the broad brim of her hat. Her body tensed, her feet dug in, and she waited, ignoring the powered-down spiders. It careened closer and closer, as fast as a speeding train. Not yet.

It faltered and fumbled, crashing into the sand and sending a boulder bouncing her way. Not yet.

Blue eyes fixed on the rocketing rock and on the downed robot behind it. It flew closer, and closer, and when it was about to impact her she turned, reflexively grabbing hold of her fedora. The boulder came to rest in the space she had been, and the crowd let out a stunned gasp. Was this truly the end of the redcoat who had stolen her way into the arena?

Darkness erupted from Lloyd's shadow, where the air was thick with the reek of roasting viscerae and the sharp scent of burnt air. Electricity crackled viciously beneath the thief's boots and singed the hem of her coat. "Good job, waelin uss. Now run."

Swift feet rushed along the titan's back, sticking to insulation where possible. Ten thousand nights of running rooftops, sewers, and even the branches of the Daer Taure paid off in this moment, where to slip would be to die in the fury of a hundred hundred bolts of lightning. She skidded to a halt atop the pipes that connected to the machine's power sources and crouched down, planting her hands with enough force that the machine rang out like a gong. She focused her thieving skill, ignoring the pain when electricity started surging through her. She needed to finish this quickly; the leather protecting her hands and feet was thin and would not last long.

First she reached deep. Then she reached wide. She wanted to pull as much out of this machine as she could and shut it down permanently.

Heart was designed to test melee and magic users. Somehow, in this moment, she very much doubted it had been designed to test thieves.

[Tourneymant]

Barnabas Watched as the arm turned into a missile and went straight for him and the Scientist who had a wrench for a weapon. Barnabas yelled, "That thing will explode on impact, get out of the way." He then jumped behind a boulder that was conveniently near by. Not two minute later, he heard the sound of an explosion and felt the wind brush against his back. That wind pushed him over but that just made him more protected from the wind that would have picked him up and made him fly, most likely into a wall. After the wind stopped he looked over the protection that was his bolder to see what damage was done.

[The Mad Scientist]

"That thing will explode on impact, get out of the way," a voice said from the direction of the teakettle.

The world went grey and time stopped as the doctor asked "Did that kettle just speak?"

The anonymous voice that seemed to always answer him asked, "You mean to tell me you don't see the human shaped heat wave like blur that is holding the teapot?"

Dr. Steam looked again and saw the distortion. He then picked up his and hit himself over the head. He was dazed for a second but then shook it off before he said, "How on earth did I miss that?" The strange voice just sighed as the world returned to color and time continued on.

Dr. Steam didn't have time to ponder this though because as soon as time started again, the arm continued to race towards him as the invisible man with a kettle jumped behind a rock. Dr. Steam pulled another lever as the jumper started to hop forward in short quick jumps that made him fast and agile. The doctor then jumped into the air and got ready to land on the Iron Giant as soon as the giant hit the ground. As soon as he was on he could start to search for the main control center in the creature and maybe find a way to make a fully steam powered centient robot.

[Hysteria]

The smell of burning zombie intestines was not unlike pork. The irony was lost on the giant robot, for even if he had a nose, he was currently distracted by his quick deconstruction. Heart twisted, trying to shake off the thief and necromancer, but to little avail. The robot's legs groaned and buckled under him and he fell to his knees.

His mind was cloudy, his vision blurry and confused. His most basic programming emerged from under rows of complex routines. Protect the secret. Doctor Steam appeared on creatures chest as he toppled sideways, the sand around the machine littered with bits once attached.

“Looks like the shows over Prof” Herbert turned his sparkling eyes to Rodderly, but frowned as he found the old man beaming from ear to ear. The Professor reached into his bag and pulled out a long umbrella looking contraption. Rather than waterproof material however, it was had a fine metal chain mesh for a cover. Rodderly lifted it in front of him and pressed a button. An electric charge surged through the metal and it extend out around the man in a tight fitting metal ball.

“All good shows have an finale, I thought you of all people would know that.” He yelled through the buzzing shield.

Heart's hand shot past Dr Steam and plunged into his own chest. The electricity surging across his frame burst with renewed energy. Large twisting arcs of shot outwards in all direction like an angry lighting god. They danced around him in lazy trails and burned through anything they touched. Under the bright fingers the sand turned into dirty molten glass, the stones cracked and charred and Heart melted. Mere seconds after enacting his finale action, the metal marvel exploded in a cascade of fire and electricity.

When the dust settled there was little left of Heart but scrap and a crater where he had been. Up in the stands Professor Rodderly watched with a smile, the bits of stone and debris that pelted the crowd bounced off his magnetised shield harmlessly. He had enjoyed watching the carnage his robot could do, and more than that he could practically feel the money that would come streaming in. Even if it had been destroyed, half a dozen Hearts as shock troops would break most armies resolve in minutes.

[Tourneymant]

Barnabas ducked behind the boulder again as the creature exploded. However it didn't take long for the wind to subside. As he looked up he said, "Dang it as a giant piece of metal was headed for him. He tried to jump out of the way but the piece was too big. He was crushed beneath the metal. What was worse was the the entire ground started to heat up and get hotter and hotter. Soon it was to much and he started to get burned. First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree, And just as he knew death was to take him, the metal above him melted and encased him, his teakettle already melted way. His body turned into a life sized statue of himself for all to see. At least this is in the citadel, I'll be alive again when we are done and over with, he thought as he took his last breath.

[The Mad Scientist]

Dr. Steam was blown back by the explosion that had caught him off guard. As he flew in an arc towards the wall he quickly unhooked his machine which was no longer of use as he had used the last of his steam. As soon as he was unhooked he jumped out of the machine just before it hit the wall. He landed in the stands as the metal creatures part began to melt, all possibilities to study the creature's parts, gone. Water then entered the arena as steam enveloped the arena due to the super heated ground. After the ground cooled completely all that was left was a steam that quickly dissipated as a thin layer of water covered the metal and glass ground. As soon as Dr. Steam saw that it was safe to reenter he jumped back into the arena and headed towards the middle, ready to receive his prize.

[Lloyd]

The metal titan began to rumble as the thief had started her probing, an indicator that Lloyd had picked up on early. He hadn't much experience dealing robotics yet even he knew that this would be catastrophic if Heart were to blow. Catching the robot's hint Lloyd released his grip on Blunder's innards and let the force he was useing to pull back launch his a couple feet backwards. Landing on the soft sand the mystic turned tail and began to run as fast as one could. His heart beating to a rhythm much like the beat of a drum.

"Mercy, if i die here. After all this." He said as he could hear the machine start to shoot out shots of lightning like and over loaded reactor. "Shit shit shit--" he started to repeat himself as he quickened his feet. Then it happened, like a thousand bolts of lightning Heart exploded and with it a wave of destruction surged through the arena. Running as fast as his legs would let him was not enough as the wave almost immediatly caught him. As the blast reached mere inches from him he leapt into the air as to seek refuge from the blast behing one of the scattered boulders spotting the terrain. The explosion shattered the layer of invisable glass that surrounds him and all other mystics. His Mystic Protection had engaged and with it a force started to repell the explosive wavefor only five seconds.

Nothing could be heard after the blast, audience in awe. Had the Mystic survived the blast?

From the rubble of the once perfect arena it was unclear. Then as if a tsunami of sand had washed over top the boulder burring the mystics last location. From the sand a hand shoots up and soon another frantically trying to uncover the head. The crowd exploded in applause as this young Orlouge hadnt dissapointed and had indeed survived this fight. Soon his head was in view and it was thruth, Lloyd had survived.

"Fuck..." Lloyd started as he now was almost half was unburied. "Me..." He finish as still lay half buried completely exhausted by this whole ordeal.

[Alydia Ettermire]

When the dust and shrapnel settled, leaving an awestruck audience and three contestants - the victorious scientist, the barely-alive necromancer, and the melted slag of the tea kettle. Of the scarlet thief, there was no sign. In all likelihood, she was dead; she'd been right at the epicenter of the blast.

Silence pervaded the atmosphere for a few moments until Herb reclaimed his wits. "LLLLLADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOUR CHAMP-I-ON! DOCTORRRRRR STEAM!"

Obediently, the audience burst into cheers and applause, still stunned, flash-blind, and deafened by Heart's intense self-destruction.


~*~*~

Professor Rodderly gloated as he left the arena, dreaming of the wealth and respect he would garner. Every nation would want copies of his glorious invention. Alerar would use them to invade Raiaera. Salvar could subjugate its serfs. The Ixians and the Cult would buy some to set against each other. What did he care, so long as he profited?

He was so preoccupied by visions of his impending fortune that he never saw the figure approach him under the cover of Radasanth's sparkling night or felt the slight touch on his shoulder. He didn't even know anything was wrong until he returned to his lab, where all the notes, blueprints and schematics that littered every square inch of space were gone, leaving only bare walls and lonely implements.

The scientist gasped, whirling helplessly. He'd been robbed! Someone had stolen his very valuable work! He yelled for his assistants to call the authorities, then reached for blank paper and pencils. He needed to write down what he could and get started rebuilding immediately if he was to meet the demands he'd soon be facing.

His trembling hand hovered over the beige sheets, and that was when the true extent of his problem manifested: he had no idea how robotics worked. He knew the principles, but could no longer string them together. His head collapsed onto the desk and his free hand slid absently into his pocket, where a small piece of paper crumpled beneath fingers calloused by a lifetime of writing theses and manipulating parts.

The paper was smooth and thick but pliant, and utterly blank save for three words, written in black ink: Next time, Professor.


~*~*~

Paige Turner walked into her house, then stormed up the stairs and into her attic, where a slightly singed, superbly smug shadowy sneak was sitting on a sofa. On the floor beside her were a collection of parts, some of which had gears still going, in the corner were piles of papers, and in her hand was the same ancient tome she'd been studying for years.

"What was that all about, Alydia?!"

The thief only barely looked up at her friend's explosion; her friends were often exasperated with her, but they got over it. "I think we've all seen what happens when one force grows rapidly, overwhelmingly powerful. The people who would acquire such machines would turn them in such ways that the devastation on innocent lives would be...unspeakable. I have no taste for another Corpse War, so I made sure this one will never happen."

Paige sighed and looked over the parts on her floor. "Taking these to Deag and Zhaunus?"

"Mhmm. I'm sure they'll move on from teaching each other how to swear in their native tongues to creating entirely new and exciting expletives. Do you think the local jiharditalwien have it in them to figure out the paper is from Talmhaidh?"

"No. How did you even get out of the arena, Aly?"

Red lips pulled into a sharp smirk beneath the fedora's brim. "Rule number two: always have at least three ways of escape from any situation."

The newspaper editor walked over to the plush couch, smacking black feet off of it so she could sit as well. "You've stolen a man's life work."

"One scientist fades into obscurity along with untold numbers of his brethren. Tens or hundreds of thousands of people across Althanas will live on, completely unaware of him and the devastation his inventions might have wrought upon them. So I've also stolen from death and destruction."

"Again."

The flashy thief grinned. Her own injures, Paige's annoyance, the hours of planning... all worth it. "Again," she agreed.

Thanks for the adventure. In lieu of shiny monies, I would like to request an equal value worth of shiny robot guts.

[Hysteria]

Well done all.



Category
Ozoric
Posts: 2
Tytanus
Posts: 2
Llyod
Posts: 7
Tourneymant
Posts: 6
The Mad Scientist
Posts: 4
Where in the World?
Posts: 4



Plot
3
3
5
4
6
7



Character
4
3
6
4
6
8



Prose
5
5
4
4
5
7



Wildcard
1
1
6
7
7
8


Rewards:

Ozoric:
100xp 20gp

Tytanus
100xp 20gp

Llyod
735xp 750gp

Tourneymant
570xp 750gp

The Mad Scientist
480xp 750gp

Where in the World?
840xp & Robot Guts: 750gp worth of robot parts and pieces.


1

Generally, I'd have liked to see all of you take more damage than you did. There was a distinct lack of anyone getting hurt. This was a bit disappointing, as getting hurt often gives the reader the best view of your character. I would have also liked to have seen more use of the environment, or at least description. Your characters can meld with the surrounds, stand in sand, hide behind jagged rough rocks, etc.


Ozoric
Such a shame you went out early. I got a good sense of your character in your first post, even with only two I had this clear idea of how he operates and thinks. Next time don't get squished!


Tytanus
If I had realised your hight I would have changed the sand on the ground. Probably most importantly given your size, I'd have liked to have seen you use the environment more, specifically the rocks. That said, with only two posts it seemed as if you only ever waded through sand. A good job considering the constraints.


Llyod
Well, there were some gross bits in there. One of the difficulties of your character is portraying his character not just with actions but with insight. So I'd have liked to have known why he was there. Just money? How did that make him feel? Is he there to show off?

There were a few spelling mistakes, and some awkward phrasing, but I noticed how much you've improved recently, well done on aspect.

Check your timing of the posts, you mention cutting into Blunder taking minutes, I'd have said seconds. Minutes and the battle would have been over.

Wildcard points were mostly related to intestine rope, as mentioned in the podcast, Necromancer Boy Scout.


Tourneymant
So. Much. Potential.

You need to take charge of your character and jump on the opportunities. I positioned Heart where you could pour tea into his chassis, but you went for his wrist. You don't need to hold back, I'd have been sloshing tea around like there was a thunderstorm in it.

I'd also have liked to see you take some damage from the steam attack, while you didn't do anything wrong, it did strike me a bit too easy to escape.

As the score says, be careful with your spelling and grammar.

Otherwise, your teapot shall always be remembered as the oddest thing to fight a robot.



The Mad Scientist

Birds chirped as they fly through the clear sky. Suddenly there is a chipper deep man's voice that only one many could hear. "Ah, what a beautiful day. The sky is clear and the birds are singing and a giant metal man is falling into a ring with a dragoon in its arms yes what a perfect-" The voice stopped suddenly before it it asked, "Wait, a giant metal man is falling from the sky with a dragoon in its arms?" The voice sounded panicked as it said, "What's going on here!?" Suddenly a man in a white lab coat with messy black hair and bright green eyes popped up as everything behind him seemed to pause and turn grey.

There was some slight inconsistencies with your writing that could be cleared up. Take for example the above, your first paragraph in your intro. The first line has two tenses, past 'chirped' and present 'they fly'. The second line has a typo, 'man's voice that only one many could hear.' It might be worth splitting your paragraphs to keep the concepts and actions linked. So for example, your first paragraph could be introducing Dr. Steam. Second paragraph be the grey voice over.

In terms of your content, I loved it. Bending around the pacing, breaking it down and inserting your own steampunk law was fantastic. This sort of battle was clearly yours.


Where in the World?
Well, if I was going to break up the thread into two, one would be Pre-WitW and the other Post-WitW. Your entry, jumping right into the content and just bringing it straight to Heart was great. You had a big effect on the tone of the thread, cheeky, unafraid and resourceful. Your entry made me laugh, and damn is Aly tenacious.

I'd like to see more description on your use of abilities, especially when you steal things. My rule of thumb is that if you write a one line attack, then it shouldn't hit. This doesn't mean throw endless descriptives to fluff it out, but I'd have liked to know more about this mysterious power and how it worked.

I'll also admit, I thought you had jumped off Heart when the ARD was released which might have led to some confusion.

Wild Card, Tenacity!

[Alyssa Snow]

EXP & GP Added!

Robot bits added too.

Please link this thread where proof of origination is needed.