Island The Blood Lord's Castle

[tlgRen]

The Blood Lord's Castle

A castle so large it takes up a majority of the rather moderately sized island it was built on. Housed within are a terrible array of people and creatures. Lunarians well versed in ancient blood rituals, corrupt partial minks who love the chaos and misery, and even a few twisted humans. The titular Lord of the castle, Urias, has a wicked goal in mind and is close to achieving it. Having already completed the first phase of his plan, turning giving himself Lunarian DNA even though he was born fully Human. Untold calamity will befall the world should he succeed. His castle heavily fortified and each of his underlings incredibly strong, none have been able to stop him thus far. Most don't believe the tales about what he is trying to accomplish. The interior is vast, even considering the massive size of the exterior. Within the walls lie various terrains. Artificially made for different testing environments. Some rooms can rival Alabasta's conditions, another may rival Drum Island's harsh cold, and almost everything in between. Hosts who wish to take on the story of this island may pm @tlgRen for more details on Urias' plan.​

 

[tlgRen]

"Blood Lord" Urias
Statistics 95 x 5 = 475
Strength: 120 (59 +36 Lunarian/Human +5MA +20 Boost)
Agility: 101 x2 (78 +18 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Movement Speed: 120 - Reaction Speed: 120]
Vitality: 101 x2 (60 +36 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Durability: 101 - Stamina: 101]
Haki: 100 x2 (Armaments: 100+20= 120 - Precognition Mantra: 100+20 =120) Has Advanced COC. (Has Special NPC Perk for no CD COC)
Martial Arts: 100 x2 (84 +16 Lunarian/Human)[Rokushiki: 100, Hasshoken: 100, Fiero: 100] (Perked to get Fiero)
Expertise: 85 (Blood Rituals) (Hosts PM @tlgRen for details)
Mind: 0 (9 -9 Lunarian/Human)


Paracelise, "Demon of Greed"
Statistics 90 x 5 = 450
Strength: 101 (64 +36 Lunarian/Human +5 MA)
Agility: 120 x2 (77+18 Lunarian/Human +5 MA +20 Boost) [Movement Speed: 120 - Reaction Speed: 120]
Vitality: 101 x2 (65 +36 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Durability: 101 - Stamina: 101]
Haki: 100 x2 (Armaments: 100+20= 120 - Precognition Mantra: 100+20 =120) Has Advanced COC.
Martial Arts: 100 x2 (Fiero: 100, Hasshoken: 100) (Hasshoken Special NPC Perk: Drain Touch, landing unblocked hits recovers her health slightly)
Expertise: 45 (Blood Rituals) (Hosts PM @tlgRen for details)
Mind: 0 (9 -9 Lunarian/Human)


Vania "Vampire Princess"
Statistics 85 x 5 = 425
Strength: 101 (80+16 Lunarian/Human +5 MA)
Agility: 120 x2 (79+16 Lunarian/Human +5 MA +20 Boost) [Movement Speed: 120 - Reaction Speed: 120]
Vitality: 101 x2 (80 +16 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Durability: 101 - Stamina: 101]
Haki: 100 x2 [Armaments: 120 - Precognition Mantra: 100] Has Advanced COC.
Martial Arts: 100 x2 (76 +24 Human) [Seimei Kikan: 100, Black Leg: 100]
Expertise: 20 (Blood Rituals) (Hosts PM @tlgRen for details)


"The Dark Emperor"
Statistics 85 x 5 = 425
Strength: 120 (63 +32 Lunarian/Human +5 MA +20 Boost)
Agility: 101 x2 (77+16 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Movement Speed: 101 - Reaction Speed: 101]
Vitality: 101 x2 (64 +32 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Durability: 101 - Stamina: 101]
Haki: 100 x2 (Armaments: 100+20= 120 - Precognition Mantra: 100) Has Advanced COC.
Martial Arts: 100 x2 (Fiero: 100, Cursed Sword- Darkness: 120) A cursed sword that thrives in the absence of light. Can manipulate shadows. Drawing a blank on suitable downside...
Mind: 0 (8 -8 Lunarian/Human)


Laura "Crimson Strife"
Statistics 80 x 5 = 400
Strength: 120 (63 +32 Lunarian/Human +5 MA +20 Boost)
Agility: 101 x2 (81+16 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Movement Speed: 105 - Reaction Speed: 105]
Vitality: 101 x2 (64 +32 Lunarian/Human +5 MA) [Durability: 101 - Stamina: 101]
Haki: 100 x2 (Armaments: 100+20= 120 - Precognition Mantra: 100)
Martial Arts: 100 x2 (84 +16 Lunarian/Human) [Fiero: 100, Ittoryu: 120]
Mind: 0 (8 -8 Lunarian/Human)


"Venomfang" Medusa
Statistics 80 x 5 = 400
Strength: 96 (91+5 MA)
Agility: 101 x2 (56 +40 Reptilian/Human +5 MA) [Movement Speed: 105 - Reaction Speed: 105]
Vitality: 101 x2 (85 +16 Repitlian/Human) [Durability: 101 - Stamina: 101]
Haki: 100 x2 (Armaments: 100+20= 120 - Precognition Mantra: 100)
Martial Arts: 50 x2 (10 +40 Reptilian/Human) [Toxia: 100]
Mind: 50 (58 -8 Lunarian/Human) [Beast Mastery (Snakes): 100]


Waltz "Moonlight Wolf King"
Statistics 70 x 5 = 350
Strength: 82 (50 +27 Human/Mink +5 MA)
Agility: 82 x2 (50 +27 Human/Mink +5 MA) [Movement Speed: 81 - Reaction Speed: 81]
Vitality: 82 x2 (50 +27 Human/Mink +5 MA) [Durability: 81 - Stamina: 81]
Haki: 100 x2 (Armaments: 100 - Precognition Mantra: 100)
Martial Arts: 100 x2 [Hasshoken: 100, Life Return: 100, (PERK)Electro: 100]


Lesser Blood Demon x1000
Statistics: 30 x 5 = 150
Strength: 46 (26 +15 Sentient Beast +5 MA)
Agility: 46 (31 +15 Sentient Beast) [Movement: 46, Reaction: 46]
Vitality: 46 (31 +15 Sentient Beast) [Durability: 46, Stamina: 46]
Martial Arts: 50 [Basic Animalistic Fighting Style: 100]
Mind: 0 (12 -12 Sentient Beast)

 

[tlgRen]

One Time Beri Reward: 850,000,000 Beri
Weekly Beri for Pirates: 550,000,000 Beri

Cursed Sword: Darkness if Dark Emperor is defeated.
->Cursed Sword that lets you manipuplate Shadows. Requires a stat. Downside: Its attacks are weak vs fire and light. Causing Fire and Light attacks to get +1 DPR vs attacks made by it.

"Moonlight Frenzy" if Waltz is defeated.
->A concoction created by Waltz, the Moonlight Wolf King. It grants the user of this potion the ability to forcefully enter their Sulong state. if Electro is not at 120, the user will be wild and without reason. If Electro is at 120, it causes Sulong to grant +15 to STR/VIT/AGI instead of just +10 to STR/AGI, and makes them more aggressive. In both instances, Sulong is capable of being achieved without a full-moon.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #1 @Larsi

Weeks have gone by since the battle at Whole Cake Island. The news from that battle was still spreading throughout the world. Spada had claimed Big Mom's throne but had gone missing. Kallavan, the navy's champion had equally gone missing. Unknown to the marine champion, HQ was divided by his actions. Some celebrated it but others wished for the opposite, defeating a yonkou is a double-edged sword. And with the man in question now missing all of the blame befell upon the remaining marine soldiers. And to make matters worse, in the shadows, both Gambit and Teach were gathering strength and pushing their individual plans forward.

But those were questions Kallavan wasn't really questioning himself right now. For he had found himself on a rather strange island, one he didn't recognize nor if he was still on the grand line. One thing he had realized was that in his battle with Kaidou, something peculiar had happened. His old Dinosaur devil fruit had been exhausted and seemingly extinguished from within his body. No longer could he call upon its powers. Perhaps for a brief amount of time, the man had died, causing the powers to leave his body. But his sudden reawakening introduced this loophole.

Whatever the exact reasoning was, the man would honestly never know. What he did know was when he woke up another devil fruit was in his possession. One that called upon him from the depths of his soul and one that'd carry him forward until the end of his life. The consumption of that fruit happened weeks ago. Using the lesser odd creatures in this land to come to terms with his newfound powers, there was a lot more of a learning curve to this than his old devil fruit. That much was certain.

A makeshift fire sparked and sputtered behind the Vice-Admiral. He had made camp for the day and stared out into the vast distance. It was a lucky day for the temperature remained stable he wouldn't nearly freeze to death this time. Thorkell the white fox, his pet companion, snuggled itself close to the campfire and fell asleep.

Kallavan had positioned himself high up into a mountain, a singular cave making his resting spot for the day. Weeks of moving around and he had yet to spot something that looked remotely human. Dozens of weird and odd creatures he encountered and defeated but nothing life-threatening. The Admiral with a rather primitive look, considering his rank, stood at the edge of the mountain, light fading as the night was settling on this island.

"I was hoping for some downtime. But I have this odd feeling that warlord dropped me here for a reason."

The Admiral said, the remnants of his left arm aching under a weird phantom-like pain.

An omen for what was to come.

Spoiler: Stats

STATISTICS
STATISTICS

91 x 6 = 546 Zoan boosts

- STR: 82 (Race: +18, DF: +15, FS: +5) =105 120
- SPE: 78 (Race: +18, DF: +15, FS: +5) = 101 116

- Movement: 101 116​

- Reaction: 101 116​

- VIT: 82 (Race: +18 DF: +15, FS:+5) = 105 120

- Stamina:105 120​

- Durability: 105 120​

- Dragon MZ : 73 (Race: +27) + [Awakening +20] =120
- Martial Arts: 100

- Rokushiki: 100​

- Hasshoken: 100​

- Expertise: 50

- Life Return: 100​

- Haki: 81

- Busou-shoku no Haki: 100 (Item/Haki boost:+20) = 120[Defensive Path]​

- Kenbun-shoku no Haki: 62 [Awareness Path]​

- Hao-shoku no Haki: Advanced + Boost​

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #1 @Guren ​

Somewhere in the New World was an island, seemingly trapped in perpetual darkness, never progressing beyond early dawn, instead passing to twilight and nightfall. The name of the island was unknown to the inhabitants, as was the castle that spread across large swaths of the land. Perhaps the lord of the castle knew, but he did not care enough to pass on the information. Even the castle itself was nameless, instead of was simply referred to as the Blood Lord's Castle.

The domain of the aforementioned lord, whose name he would tell you was Urias, was unwelcome to foreigners. Although every now and then some lost soul found its way here, none had ever left. The walls of the castle seemed to grab hold of the very ground it sat on and pull inwards, twisting the earth itself. The light that emanated from its windows and other orifices seemed to be alive, its hues varying from yellow, to orange and red, even violet and blue. In place of the sun, the clouds flickered from the glow showered by the castle below.

A man appeared on the island without a name, stepping out of a portal of some sort on the opposite side of the landmass from the castle. He was followed by an animal, a white fox, and together they made camp high in the mountain not far from the ocean. A cave shielded them from the elements, as although the island was nearly deserted outside the castle, its heat could be overwhelming, its winds devastating. Finding shelter was a smart decision, one the stranger in these lands could be proud of.

Within the castle, several figures stirred, having smelled the appearance of fresh blood. Several guttural cries started to sound, rising ever louder, the voices working in harmony. Soon the sound of hundreds of beastial screams in unison could be heard throughout the entire island, announcing the arrival of fresh meat.

The sounds would tell Kallavan exactly where to travel, though at the same time warn him of the hordes of enemies he may face if he decided to to so. The other side of the mountain would slope gently downwards, leading to the great bridge that would carry him across a river of molten lava, bringing him before a staircase wide enough that had it been a river, a warship could have fit through. Upwards the stairs climbed, cutting through stone and lifted across holes, thousands of steps up to the main gate of the castle. Wide open, the gates dared any foolish enough to step inside.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #2 @Larsi

"The sounds of the wicked. An army but to what end?" Kallavan said, softly nearly a whisper beneath his breath.

The marine's eyes narrowed, those sounds just now went up into the hundreds if not thousands. Something on this island was brewing and its boiling point was almost there but still, the marine did not know anything and could not leave. There was not much else the Admiral could do but go through the motions. It was as if fate, a mystical something was pulling him forward on this path. A path that'd put him on a trial that'd rival his battle with Kaido. And the man was supposedly weaker right now. He had lost an arm and was still coming to terms with his new powers. However, unknown to the man himself, the battle against the Yonkou had cracked a metaphorical container. It gave him a new ceiling to ascend to and this island would force him to, for underestimating the opponents to come would surely mean peril.

Kallavan turned around pulling his cloak with him and moved to crouch beside the fox.

"You've napped long enough Thorkell. Let's go, our way out has finally shown itself."

The creature rose and barked with annoyance, clearly showing signs of its character and personality. Kallavan extinguished the fire and moved towards the great bridge that rose over molten lava. Thorkell quickly moved up to Kallavan's shoulder, not risking a sudden misstep. Slow and steady the two would cross the bridge and find themselves approaching a large castle, its gate open wide to accompany any who dared to enter.

And without any hesitation nor an inkling of stopping Kallavan moved inside.

"If Trevor was here I'd bet him 500 berri that there's a King of Darkness in this castle. Design is too on the nose for me."

Thorkell barked in the affirmative.

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #2 @Guren ​

A figure moved across a candle lit room somewhere in the castle, carrying a large tome in his hands. From all around him and even in the same room countless shrill voices screamed in unison, the chorus that Kallavan would have heard before making his way toward the large structure. Stopping in his path, the figure snapped the book shut, the gust created from slapping together washing across the room. His voice was cold, but also annoyed. If whatever little intrusion bothers you so much, seek it out and destroy it, or keep your filthy tongues.

Lord Urias was not worried about the intrusion, his mind was focused on the stone table before him, deep carvings in intricate patterns filled with a dark red liquid. In the edges of the room the inhuman shapes that had cried before retreated, cowed by their master's words.

__________________________________________________​

As Kallavan pushed through the gates and into the castle itself, he was bathed in candlelight from all directions but below. Him and his companion would find themselves in a large entry hall. Decorated with intricate metalwork and woodwork, masterful paintings and rich rugs, it was truly fit for a mansion of a king. To his left were two large doorways, to his right were another two identical doorways. All four were closed shut, but in front of him a set of spiral staircases started on either side and curved upward to meet above. In the middle a sole wide staircase led down to what could only be described as darkness, the only visible area not lit by the multitude of candles. Where would Kallavan decide to go first?

A shrill scream might have distracted Kallavan momentarily as a single creature that had been hiding in the chandelier just above the front door leapt down toward him, claws stretched outwards ready to strike, teeth bared to bite his flesh. This lesser blood demon was the only resident in the room and driven by primal senses as it was it attacked the intruder on sight as a frenzied guard dog might.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #3 @Larsi

The further he went through this castle the more obnoxious it became. Its interior, design and decorations all screamed wannabe lord of darkness to Kallavan. It even made him click his mouth in annoyance. But nevertheless, the man continued to walk, still no creature or being was in sight to ask for directions. But he did gain several new options to choose from as to where he'd go next. Two doors on his left and his right both closed and in front of him a spiral staircase that led nowhere. It was the only location not lit and felt the most ominous. But before the Admiral could choose he was about to be attacked by a creature from above.

A loud shrill scream announced its attack. Hiding in the chandelier it now saw its opportunity to pounce and strike towards the navy soldier. "Here we go!" Kallavan said as he moved his right arm from behind his cloak and cocked his right hand into a fist, purple 'energy' coated it in the form of a flame.

"Mörser Karl!"

Spoiler: DPR

101-119: 4. City Block Level +A:+3 =7. Mountain Level
- Canon punch: User punches the air and releases the shockwave like a projectile towards the opponent. [ A Rank]
71 mastery, 71 str - Renamed to Mörser Karl

A powerful, projectile-based air pocket was unleashed from the coated fist towards the blood-starved beast. Kallavan was testing the waters an initial quick scan didn't reveal this creature to be a large threat. But it wouldn't be the first where looks deceived a fighter.

In the event his attack managed to dispatch the beast with a single swing, he'd continue on his path through one of the doors on his right.

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #3 @Guren​

The demon was struck by Kallavan's attack, its body obliterated like it was nothing, green viscous liquid sprayed across the pretty hallway. The pieces of it was strewn over the floor before the staircases, no longer moving. The thing didn't even have time to cry out in agony. Moving on, Kallavan moved on and opened the first door on the right.

Inside was a room that in many ways matched the entryway he had just left, except that while it was just as wide, it was nearly a hundred meters long. Candlelit from both the walls and ceiling, walls adorned with different masterpieces, each different but still working together. The center of the floor was covered lengthway in a beautiful carpet, and on top of that sat a table along the length of nearly the entire room, filled with large amounts of delicious looking food. Along the side of the table were 50 chairs, each of which were occupied by one demon just like the one Kallavan had encountered earlier. They all turned their head to face the new arrival, but didn't move to attack him, not even get up from their seats.

Ah, just in time! A voice called from across the room. In a grand chair at the head of the table sat a small girl, dressed in dark, beautiful clothing. Behind her was another door just like the one Kallavan had entered through. She smiled, mostly appearing normal, except her pupils were slits, like a reptile, and her skin were marked by scales in certain places. She smiled even wider at Kallavan, gesturing toward an empty chair sat opposite to her at the end of the table near the Vice Admiral. Come join the feast!

Apart from the demons in the chairs and the hints that the girl wasn't fully human, the view would appear normal to the eyes and senses, yet each of the meals were poisoned by her, something the demons weren't vulnerable to, but a human like Kallavan was another matter.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #4 @Larsi

Even without haki Kallavan's hasshoken-imbued fist was too much for the creature to handle. The man looked puzzled as the purple flame on his hand faded. Only now was he starting to realize that something had broken within him since the battle with Kaido. Not in the negative sense but in the positive. What once was his ceiling had become obsolete and the thought that he still had room to grow started to terrify him. The flame had faded and the Admiral pushed his fist close to his chest and whispered to himself.

"I will never lose faith, darkness will not claim me any more. "

His fourth ideal, words of power from which he drew strength. A mental potion to allow him to carry on and to prevent fear from taking hold of him. The man would exhale through his nose as Thorkell barked sharply.

"Yeah. Yeah, I know."

Together they continued through their chosen location and eventually found themselves in a large dining room. Or at least that's what it looked like. Filled with one massive tablet that covered nearly the entire room itself and was adorned with 50 chairs that all were occupied. Kallavan's arrival sparked a slight interest in these denizens of darkness but they did not attack but simply observed.

Kallavan's eyes moved to observe the one at the far end of the table, it was as if she commanded it. Which honestly could've been the truth in this matter but it was something he wasn't certain of. The Admiral's eyes narrowed as the girl looked human but at the same thing not. A hybrid of some kind or a devil fruit? If the former it was Kallavan's first encounter with the reptile folk. She motioned him to join her in the feast to which he obliged but only by sitting down in the empty chair.

With one leg crossed over the other and not paying any attention to the food the Admiral spoke. His voice was soft and not threatening but one could feel he was talking with purpose and confidence overflowing. This was a fighter on high alert.

"Interesting way of welcoming guests, attack them and afterwards take them out for dinner." He said, eyeing one of the beasts who had attacked him just moments ago. Before his eyes would return to the girl.
"Where am I and what is this place?" He said with a tone that betrayed his habit of talking out of authority.

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #4 @Guren​

The little girl seemed delighted to see Kallavan accept her invitation, a genuine girlish glee spreading across her face. She hardly seemed more than a teenager, the chair she sat in made her appear small and frail. The demons seated to the side of the long table seemed ready to rip themselves free from their chairs, but clearly something bound them in place. It was a strange contrast, the hellspawns and the innocent looking little girl, somehow in a position that resonated power.

Oh, where are my manners! The little girl said, perking up happily. My name is Medusa, what is yours? Would you like some tea?

With the last word Medusa said, the demon to the right of Kallavan leaned forward, as if on command. But instead of attacking, it grabbed a porcelain cup, placing it before the vice admiral, a small tea bag sat next to it. With its other hand, it raised a pitcher and poured steaming water into the cup. It would be a strange sight to behold, the creature performing such a delicate task.

"Interesting way of welcoming guests, attack them and afterwards take them out for dinner."

The little girl laughed. It wasn't an ominous laugh, really. It was simply a girl that found a joke funny. Oh, aren't you silly?

My pets are all here in their seats as they should be. Perhaps one of lord Urias' beasts took off? He doesn't care for discipline as I do. Medusa cocked her head, looking at Kallavan with wide eyes. But can you fault a guard dog for attacking trespassers on its territory?

"Where am I and what is this place?"

Ah, I thought it was obvious, my apologies. Medusa sat up straight again. You are at my dinner party, and it is time to start the festivities. We have prepared all this food for our esteemed guest.

You wouldn't want to ruin our dinner party, right? Medusa's smile faltered, and to either side the demons who had seemingly been preoccupied with the food all turned their head at once to look at Kallavan. That would be unforgivable...

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #5 @Larsi

Kallavan sat down and took in the scenery and how bizarre everything seemed. The young girl at the head of the table introduced herself as Medusa and offered the Admiral some tea. "The name's Kallavan" The man replied and allowed the hellspawn to pour him a cup of hot tea. Suddenly the young girl laughed in response to his quip about what had happened to him earlier. The sound of it made him burrow his eyebrows and move in closer, his right arm was on the table given his larger stature at 3 meters.

Lord Urias? Kallavan thought to himself. It was mentioned briefly, but it seemed this castle did indeed house a lord of some kind. Odd. Given the lack of any being worthy of some intelligence. That was until he met Medusa but something about her seemed off to him even then. But he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

She continued to talk about the dinner party while ignoring the true basis of Kallavan's question. Like a wicked genie, she replied with truth but not the essence of the man's inquiry. And that truly irked him, it was people like this that get on his nerves.

But this was a dinner party and Medusa nearly obliged the Admiral to partake in the food. But he'd bite in just yet nor would he drink from the tea.

"What's the occasion of the celebration? A dinner party is often thrown in response to a festivity. At least that's how it's done from where I hail."

He'd say while observing the food. What was it that lay on his plate and could he recognize it as something edible? These were strange lands and even stranger people. To dive in without any reservations would spell doom. Many ordinary sailors or privateers had met their end just like that. But Kallavan was no doctor nor a poison expert. If it all looked like any ordinary meal he'd be none the wiser of its poisonous properties. He had a hunch but a stomach running on empty was twisting his logical thinking.

"If I had known I was invited to a dinner party I wouldn't have eaten a few moments ago."

Kallavan said a white lie. He had been eating scraps for weeks on this island looking for creatures that he had recognized. And those were truly few in number.

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #5 @Guren​

The occasion? Medusa chuckled, her former displeasure suddenly gone. The demon's to either side seemed to relax too, their eyes wandering over the table again. They probably really craved something to dig their teeth in, but they wouldn't dare unless Medusa permitted them to eat first. The occasion is you, the first guest to our castle in so long.

Although my dear pets disturbed my rest last night, they did announce to us that we likely would have a visitor soon. The little girl's eyes panned across the demons, and none of them dared to meet her eyes. Although they know better than to wake me, I knew I had to forgive them since it had been ages since last I hosted one of these dinner parties.

"If I had known I was invited to a dinner party I wouldn't have eaten a few moments ago."

Medusa paused, frowning at the comment from her guest. In her mind it was unthinkable to eat before visiting someone else, for how would one be able to eat what your host served? It just didn't make sense, unless you knew that your host employed terrible cooks. She narrowed her eyes, looking to the Vice Admiral once more, wondering what he knew. She decided to change tactics slightly.

Even when I have eaten my fill, I always have room for dessert. Medusa chirped up, smile returning to her face. She selected a platter of food, one that there would be an identical of in front of Kallavan, then picked it up. You must try the apple tart, it is so sweet and delicious.

The apple tart would indeed look beautiful and very tasty, yet there was a hint of some foreign liquid hidden among the wedges that a very keen eye might notice. That all depended on how close attention Kallavan paid to the food instead of the rest of the room, as well as how distrustful he was of the situation.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #6 @Larsi

Medusa started to explain that the occasion was simple honestly. Kallavan was the first visitor in quite some time to arrive here, so a dinner party was planned. But the tall marine felt it in his gut that more was at play here. Talking himself around having to try some of this food Medusa narrowed her eyes and changed tactics, suggesting a dessert instead. An apple tart to be more precise. Not quite resisting the idea the man was still very distrustful of the situation he was in, all of it was plain odd. But he had seen far weirder events in his short lifetime.

He took a slice and served it on his plate while doing so he took a good look at the piece of this pie. With a fork in his hand, he'd try and slice a piece of his slice. Running with only one arm complicated trivial manners such as this but that was a price he had to pay. His cloak hides that fact from the demons and Medusa. What initially looked like him attempting to eat a piece eventually turned into him fidgeting around and almost dissecting his food.

This was a very cautious and distrustful man but given his past one couldn't really blame him. Medusa on the other hand would most likely be annoyed by it. Would her patience last?

"I'm noticing an odd liquid. Something that I haven't encountered in this dish. What's been added? Seeing our vastly different body constitutions I want to make sure I can digest this." Kallavan said putting a small piece at the tip of his fork. His eyes narrowed and he looked at Medusa, a faint smile formed on his lips.

"I doubt you'd want something bad to happen to your esteemed guest, right?"

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #6 @Guren​

Medusa smiled with great joy as Kallavan served himself a slice of apple pie, the piece glistening all the right and wrong reasons. She tried to watch without obvious glee as he set it down on his plate, trying to appear focused on her own portion. She used a small fork to divvy up a mouthful, raising it to her mouth and taking a bite. If Kallavan had paid close attention with an exceptional eye on her food, he would have noticed that her pie was also dripping with the same strange liquid as his own. That was of course besides the point, as she had created the poison herself through Toxia, and as such was not affected by it. And so she chewed happily, finishing before replying to her esteemed guest, as he put it himself.

Yes, it is a special sauce, my own secret recipe. Medusa said as she finished chewing, while selecting a new bite for herself. It gives the dessert an extra bite, one may say.

Around the table the demons finally saw Medusa eating and saw that as their permission to dig in. Even so, they managed to restrain themselves from ravenously feasting on the food, as to not upset their mistress. Soon, all but the guests were eating the food, eating appetizers, main courses and desserts interchangeably. Medusa laid her eyes on Kallavan again, big as those of a puppy. You would not refuse a meal prepared just for yourself, would you?

Spoiler

You can just have the poison be minor if you decide to eat.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #7 @Larsi

Upon closer inspection, the pie definitely had a strange liquid oozing out of the dessert. Medusa would join the admiral in tasting her creation and at that point he noticed the same odd sauce. In any other circumstance, the marine would neglect to eat this piece of pie but the man had been roaming around here for weeks at the bare minimum. Combined with the fact that he was not a chef cook nor an assassin with experience with toxins there wasn't much experience he could call upon. And so given all the hints in front of him, Kallavan decided to eat a piece of the tart. With a fork, he'd grab a chip off the tart and start eating a tiny bite just to get a feeling of the taste and how his body reacted. If this was poison it could either be fast working or a slow lingering one. Luckily the man had some resistance to poison but not a lot, if it was something major even his life-return wouldn't be able to remove this toxin.

With the effects of the poison not yet clear, Kallavan between taking a second piece of the tart would question further.

"So tell me, on what island do I find myself marooned? Lady Medusa." Kallavan said, staying in his overly formal mode.

In the corner, Thorkell, the white fox, looked at what Kallavan was doing and rolled his eyes in disbelief.

What a fool. The reincarnated Viking thought to himself.

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #7 @Guren​

The Vice Admiral finally took a bite of food, and Medusa felt a sense of victory grow within. Although it was one of her weaker poisons he had ingested, soon he should feel slightly weakened and nauseous, perhaps to the point of throwing up. At the very least it should hinder him somewhat in case of battle. Knowing this however, Medusa realized it would likely not be long before he would realize he had actually been poisoned, so she would need to move rather quickly.

And so it was she tapped her fingers against the table, a command to the hidden beasts beneath her seat. As a swarm of ropes a group of snakes slithered out from under the cover of darkness, making their way toward Kallavan. Hidden by the table and chairs, it was unlikely that Kallavan or Thorkell would spot them, and the demons aware of the command started stirring to mask their sound with a bit of ruckus to not alert the guests. Should the snakes reach Kallavan unnoticed, they would strike as one, biting him in both legs, poisoning him again. This poison was unlike the other, and would feel like a burning sensation from within.

Spoiler

Snakes are level 20, medium level poison from toxia.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #8 @Larsi

It didn't take long for the poisonous cakes to take effect. A sense of weakness and nausea forced Kallavan to slide his chair a few meters back. He now knew that he was under attack. His mantra quickly moved into action as he moved back, pinging the large area around him. He was surrounded after all and with a weakened state he had to rely on his other senses. What he didn't expect, however, was a swarm of snakes slithering towards their prey.

This damn woman! Kallavan curses himself in frustration with his foolishness.

At any regular moment, the marine would've been able to avoid these snakes with ease but this relatively weak poison was dulling his senses and preventing him from moving effectively. Anger would boil from his gut and overwhelm his senses, his eyes went wide open releasing a short but incredibly intense burst of will. The snakes and demons would be knocked out then and there. Even the table in front of Medusa and Kallavan would be pushed down, broken down the middle. A chill would also, perhaps make it down Medusa's spine.

The marine would stand up and inhale the poison being worked out of his system as its effects were getting weaker and weaker by the moment. Life return would allow him to expel it in a few moments but for now, its effects persisted.

Thorkell would move into a corner or spot in the room where he'd not be in the way. Kallavan would raise his right arm from beneath his cloak hand open wide before clenching it into a fist.

"Seems like you people really don't like guests, do they?"

He said, preparing himself for combat.

 

[Larsi]

Blood Lord's Castle #8 @Guren

Medusa gasped in alarm as her esteemed guest rejected her gift, jumping from his seat and destroying her feast. On either side of the table the demons' demeanor changed from disruptive to anger as they leapt from their seats as the table was shattered. As a chaotic wave of otherworldly horror they leapt from their seats and rushed Kallavan, heedless of the power he possessed. They did after all fear their mistress more than anything, her cruelty something each one of them were intimately familiar with.

As the demons charged the marine, aiming to tear into him with both teeth and claws, Medusa remained in her seat, a displeased look on her face the last thing Kallavan would see before his vision was obscured by the tidal wave of monsters heading his way. If Kallavan had looked closely on her he might notice her clothing moved and rippled even if she did not move, seated on her chair still. Yet the demons may very well distract him too much for him to notice, as they leapt and ran toward him, dozens of them aiming for each limb or torso, seeking decimate the fool who would disrespect their mistress.

 

[Guren]

The Blood Lord's Castle #9 @Larsi

Kallavan stood tall, eyes fierce and radiating power. All his battle instincts were now primed and ready to be unleashed. Those battle instincts immediately showed him the actual threat in the room, Medusa, which wasn't all that hard to figure out. But he was surprised at how vast the gap between her and her pawns actually was.

With their demeanour changed they used the fear of their mastery to forge it into courage. A metaphorical sea of monsters moved in on the marine, seemingly unphased by all of it.

"Get lost." - The marine muttered stone-cold. His eyes seemingly peered through them. His focus was 100% on Medusa.

From those two words, an intense short burst of king haki erupted. Engulfing all of the demons in the room, including Medusa. The burst was more than enough to knock out the demons. Each and every one of them would be down on the ground, falling like flies. Eventually, only Medusa would remain, alone and most likely still seated on her chair.

"Rankyaku."

Spoiler: DPR

101-119: 4. City Block Level + 4(S-Rank) =8. Island Level

The Vice-Admiral called, once again bereft of any emotion. Observing his opponent with watchful eyes as he launched his mastered rankyaku. He launched a kick with his right leg, going from right below to the upper left. A razor-sharp diagonal slice was heading towards Medusa in a rapid straight line.