Domarus

Domarus didn't know where to go from here.  He'd gotten her back, he made her smile even laugh...  Now what?  He wasn't sure what to do.  He was making this up as he went along.  He thought for a moment and remembered how she said she was climbing on him to get a better view...  A better view...  His eyes looked up for a second before he looked back down.  "Well yes.  It's refreshing isn't it?"  he said as he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the water.  He pulled her up, hoisting her onto his shoulders again.  "I believe you said something about wanting to get a better view?  Hold on."  With that he began to walk through the forest.  Specifically uphill.  As he did he was silent for a little, deep in thought.  "...Thanks..."  He was specifically thanking her for promising to never leave him, but she could imagine it to be thanks for anything.  For he was, technically, grateful for just having someone like her to talk to.  Before she could ask him what he was thanking her for, he took the final few steps before they reached a cliffside.  He pulled her down and let her see the sight:  The waterfall was to the right, with the pool of water below it.  Beyond that were the vast trees and the sun overlooking it all as it slowly climbed it's way into dusk.  In a few minutes the sky's color would be changing.  "How's this for a view?...  Originally I found this place for the sake of spying on players in this floor...  Even now it's hard for me to focus on anything but...  I'm, hoping to see the world one day, as you see it."

Domarus watched as the boss came into full access for the players to strike.  He was about to launch forward on impulse before something flashed in his mind:  What, about when the monsters came back?  He looked at his energy meter and realized if he continued to attack nonstop then he would have no more energy later on.  At that point the tier three players would be focusing their attacks on the minions as well as the final boss.  He didn't want to slow the fight down because he was reckless and wasted his energy.  After the frostbite blast hit, with Domarus wincing and gritting his teeth but otherwise fine.  He turned to the other players and found that Ariel was frozen.  At least she was helping them instead of going rogue as players did the last fight.  "Hey guys!  I'm going to leave hitting the boss to you!  I'll focus on the small fry.  If I'm going to be use to you further into the fight I'll need to reserve my energy as often as I can.  It's the best way I can think of being useful to you."

ID#  115741  LD:  18+3=21

No action taken.  +1 EN

Domarus felt Mina tackle him from behind, though even in the water he was hard pressed to lose balance..  When he could see it coming that is.  "Hey!  Mina wha-"  Then he heard her give him an order..  Or, was it an order?  It's all he ever knew really.  Until he figured out what it was, he'd just call it an order.  She ordered him to stop being confused...  Which only confused him even more.  "...I-I'm sorry, I don't-"  He heard her laugh and continue talking.  How she had no ulterior motive.  How she wasn't doing this as an excuse to prank him.  Domarus blinked.  And people accused him of reading minds.  When you practiced reading people's thoughts was easy...  Was he the same or was this just a lucky guess?  She told him to stop looking into it so deeply and how she wanted him to lighten up just a bit.  Domarus was still very confused.  He didn't know how to act honestly.  Lighten up?  That was something he could act, but had never felt.  Did that even count?  He turned his head to look at her and ask her this, but.  When he saw that hint of happiness in her...  After all that depression and brokenness earlier.  His mouth opened, nearly asking her how she could be so happy...  But then he stopped.  Saying something like that...  could make it vanish.  He closed his mouth again and just focused on the happiness displayed on her face.

Then she pushed herself up onto his shoulders, breaking his view and causing him to look forward again.  His own face lost in thought, though she wouldn't be able to see it from her point of view.  When she mussed his hair again and mentioned how she wanted a better view, he thought about all this...  Maybe...  This is what I can do.  Make others happy.  But, how do I do that?...  How did I get so good at manipulating people?  I experimented...  Would that be wrong?  To experiment on how to make people happy?  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath...  No..  No, he'd worry about this later.  Right now..  A ghost of a smile spread on his face before he reached over, grabbed her legs, and flipped her forward into the water.  "An eye for an eye as they say Mina,"  he said with a small chuckle.

@tricolor_mina

Domarus was not particularly fond of Ariel using him as a springboard...  However he didn't have any right to argue.  With what he'd done in his life...  He deserved far far worse.  That being said, he'd rather not be used like that and thus would be working extra hard to avoid being frozen again.  Domarus was thawed out when he was hit by scald, but it didn't come without a price.  Evidently he was given a damage debuff.  Great.  He saw Itzal strike against one of the minions.  He was confused as to why he didn't strike the segment when he figured it out as well.  Great.  He heard Itzal give him the order to strike the two enemies and he nodded, charging forward swinging his massive ax at the two.  The sword art Explode Catapult failed to hit one of them but managed to deal a heavy strike against the other.  He turned to Zandra as he landed back.  "You think you can finish off the two of them?"  He then turned to Ariel.  "When she does, can you take down that segment?"

Charge & Concentration Activated

ID#  115503  BD:  2+3+1-1=5  Miss
ID#  115504  BD:  3+3+1-1=6  Hit  17+5x14-50=258 damage to Sahagin 11

Domarus watched as the crystal shattered to Itzal's status effect rather than his attack.  He wondered:  Would he have been able to destroy it completely if he was tier three?  He really needed to get back to grinding again..  He watched as several enemies suddenly spawned into existence.  Four minions for him and possibly Zandra to take on since they had their massive axes.  Domarus tightened his grip, intent on helping his comrades...  When suddenly he was hit by the boss's attack.  The immediate damage wasn't too bad, but what came next infuriated him.  He was frozen.  Frozen in his battle ready stance, he was forced to watch everyone else make their move while he could do nothing.  Nothing was more infuriating than this...  However it did give him a chance to watch the frontlines and how they fought without worrying about what he had to do...

ID#  115328  LD:  1+3=4  Frozen!

Domarus watched the events unfold.  Half of their party had already failed to hit the boss while the other half succeeded.  Ariel made a comment on how the players were missing and should stick to getting hit.  He grit his teeth on hearing this, though she may have a point.  If they continued to miss the boss or get their weapons past it's scaled armor, then it would perhaps be better to do so.  Domarus heard Ariel and then Itzal and nodded to the two of them.  His primary target would be the segment, and his second target would be the Leviathan.  Domarus rushed at the creature's body and activated his strongest sword art, landing a critical hit against it in the process.  The strike slashed through it's body all the way, but the resistance was more than he was anticipating.  His blade's balance was thrown off, so when he reached the Leviathan, it merely scraped across it's armored hide, unable to penetrate.  He leaped back.  
     "Pretty sure that ended the segment, but I wasn't able to penetrate the boss's armor.  Sorry."

ID#  115172  BD:  9  -  18+1x14=266 damage against Segment 3
ID#  115173  BD:  1 - Miss

Even when the man had an ulterior motive and he was overanalyzing everything and everyone.  Even that man would never have seen what was to come...  Though he might be prepared for it nonetheless.  In the middle of his tears she mentioned something odd.  Something about...  Funny to cheer him up?  His confusion wasn't strong though, too overcome by...  Well everything else he was feeling.  When she knocked him into the water however his eyes widened with shock before he fell in.  Causing a massive wave to splash onto Mina.  Being more muscle than fat, he slowly sank to the bottom.  Eyes still wide as the water flowed into his lungs, his mind was still in shock trying to wrap around what just happened.  In a full minute he had managed to process the information, even as his health was slowly beginning to climb down.  She...  Kicked him into the water?  But why?  She said something about funny.  Did she just pull a prank on him?  While he was breaking down?  Why would she do that?  Was this how normal people lived??  If that were so did that mean he had to keep his guard up all the time?!  Or was that not the point?  But if it wasn't then what if he was attacked by a player killer?  He couldn't have his guard down the- oh sh*t his health.  Remembering where he was he swam to the surface and gasped for air when he broke through.  After one cough all the water burst from his lungs and his health started to climb back up.
     "I..  I can't....  Why did...  I'm so confused..."

His focus was once again temporarily broken when he felt Hestia touch his back.  Or more specifically, the armor on his back.  Still it surprised him and caused him to stiffen a bit.  He watched as his energy restored.  Not enough to hit all three of them, he was one point of energy short on that.  However it was enough to hit two of them.  Domarus gripped his ax tightly as Hestia spoke.  He nodded and turned to see her smiling at him...  It was comforting to see her smile towards him but, it was also painful.  He knew he didn't deserve that kindness...  So...  He hoped one day...  He would.  The confliction Hestia would see in his eyes vanished as he turned back to the monsters and rushed forward.  In one fell swoop he hacked two of the remaining undead in half, shattering them.  There was only one last undead to go before they were finished here.

ID#  114969  BD:  7
ID#  114970  BD:  8
ID#  114972  CD:  10

ID#  114973  CD:  12  LD: 5  -  4,050 col
ID#  114974  CD:  10  LD:  20  -  8,910 col, 1 Perfect Weapon

[0/1/0/1] @Hestia: HP: 1,099/1,710  Energy: 116/162 DMG:17   MIT:151  Thorns: 54  Eva: -1  BH: 80 Heavy Momentum: 2 (+6DMG) Rec: CD:6+ (+6 ENG)   Stonewall: 25% DoT reduction
[0/1/1/1 Domarus: 683/860  //  1/86  //  66 MIT  //  2 ACC  //  15 DMG  //  Recovery (+4 en on CD 6+)
[0/0/0/0] Miraak 800/800  MIT: 50  EVA:2  [He has abilities roll them alongside monsters.]

Enemies: 7/8 dead
Diseased one 8: 756/810 243DMG
Diseased one 7: 0/810 243DMG
Diseased one 6: 0/810 243DMG

Domarus rushed in after Hestia, swinging his massive ax at his foes.  Unfortunately he wasn't clear in the head, unable to focus.  Because of this his accuracy was a bit off, causing him to miss two out of four of them.  Still, he did manage to finish one of them off, shattering it into a million digital shards.  The rewards were sent to him but he didn't bother with those.  He would probably just give them to Hestia.  The only thing he needed to do right now was help others.  In trying to change himself for the better, he was casting his own interests and needs to the woodshed.  He needed to sacrifice his own needs for the benefit of others.  Reverse the corrupted path he'd taken...  Miraak watched as the players continued to fight and decided to give them another buff, keeping the damage increased for as long as he could.  Meanwhile Domarus kept trying to continue his assault, trying desperately to end the battle as soon as he could.  In the process, his energy was nearing depletion.

#114954  BD:  3+2=5
#114955  BD:  5+2=6
#114956  BD:  6
#114957  BD:  1
#114958  CD:  9  +2 Damage for 2 Turns

Loot:  114959  CD:  3  LD:  17  +1 Rare Consumable, +1 Rare Weapon, 2,430 col

[0/1/0/1] @Hestia: HP: 1,110/1,710  Energy: 125/162 DMG:17   MIT:151  Thorns: 54  Eva: -1  BH: 80 Heavy Momentum: 2 (+6DMG) Rec: CD:6+ (+6 ENG)   Stonewall: 25% DoT reduction
[0/1/1/1 Domarus: 683/860  //  11/86  //  66 MIT  //  2 ACC  //  15 DMG  //  Recovery (+4 en on CD 6+)
[0/0/0/0] Miraak 800/800  MIT: 50  EVA:2  [He has abilities roll them alongside monsters.]

Enemies: 5/8 dead
Diseased one 8: 756/810 243DMG
Diseased one 5: 0/810 243DMG
Diseased one 7: 194/810 243DMG
Diseased one 6: 218/810 243DMG

Domarus watched as the sea creature emerged from the water.  Looking at his party and all of their stats, he was very glad he brought a teleporting crystal.  He was most likely going to be needing it.  Taking a deep breath, Domarus focused on the matter at hand:  They each had a segment they needed to destroy before they could reach the boss.  Once they made contact with it, they would be able to deal damage.  He didn't know what to expect other than that.  Watching the players charge forward, it would be clear that there were a few trouble makers.  He heard Mars' voice but wasn't able to recognize in this instance.  Neither with Pinball.  What he did notice however, was how wild and reckless Ariel seemed to be.  In fact she yelled for others to shut up.  She was going to be a problem if she kept that up.  Either way, Domarus took a deep silent breath before he charged at the segment.  His ax began to charge up, but when he swung his blade to strike the creature shifted.  It's weak point moving to another location.  Thus instead of hitting it's weak spot, Domarus' blade struck an area where the scales were too thick to penetrate.  Cursing his luck, the momentum of the hit pushed him back.  Wasting his charge skill.

ID#  114722  BD:  1  Rip  -1 energy

Stats

Consumables used

Teleport Crystal in Inventory

Domarus made his way to the boss room of the twenty fifth floor.  He was wearing his silver armor because he hadn't gotten around to replacing it yet.  He left his helmet off as he didn't want to hide behind a mask anymore, though it did make him uncomfortable being exposed.  Domarus reached the area where front liners were gathering and spotted a few players he knew.  He went ahead and pulled out his consumables, gaining their buffs.  He looked at his flaming dragon familiar who was glaring at the players.  "Don't even think about it..."  Domarus sighed.  After this boss event he was probably going to have to put his familiar down and find a new one...  Rhozarth was aggressive enough for his old self, but he needed a change.  He sat down in an isolated position away from the other front liners.  He fought because people needed to be free...  But he didn't deserve to stand beside these men and women.  Not by a long shot.

Domarus watched as Hestia intercepted, breaking him from his destroyer state a little.  He altered his course so that he ended up running in a circle around them while Hestia attacked them from behind.  Two had taken place of the deceased and Miraak was looking at the field and deciding on what to do.  When he saw Domarus taking position to strike from behind, he raised his staff and the damage of both players had risen by a small amount.  Domarus was surprised the npc could do this, as so far it had been doing nothing but healing them.  At any rate he could definitely utilize this.  Activating both charge and concentration to ensure he hit them all, he lunged forward and dealt a powerful blow to each of them.  While the first mob wasn't affected by charge, it was still finished off as it only had two points of health.  After he did so he sped back to Hestia.  
     "Miraak's been healing you, but he just gave us a damage boost.  It's clear he's full on support by this point.  I'd suggest we both utilize the damage boost he's given us before it runs out."

Activating Charge and Concentration

ID#  113967  BD:  6  MD:  4
ID#  113968  BD:  4+2=6  MD:  8
ID#  113969  BD:  4+2=6  MD:  10
ID#  113970  BD:  6  MD:  10

Miraak's Roll
ID#  113971  CD:  9  +2 damage buff to party for 2 turns

Loo Roll
ID#  113972  CD:  10  LD:  4  =  Nothing

[6/1/0/1] @Hestia: HP: 1,155/1,710  Energy: 126/162 DMG:17   MIT:151  Thorns: 54  Eva: -1  BH: 80 Heavy Momentum: 2 (+6DMG) Rec: CD:6+ (+6 ENG)   Stonewall: 25% DoT reduction
[3/0/3/0 Domarus: 860/860  //  29/86  //  66 MIT  //  2 ACC  //  15 DMG  //  Recovery (+4 en on CD 6+)
[0/0/0/0] Miraak 800/800  MIT: 50  EVA:2  [He has abilities roll them alongside monsters.]

Enemies: 3/8 dead
Diseased one 1: 0/810 243DMG
Diseased one 5: 218/810 243DMG
Diseased one 7: 448/810 243DMG
Diseased one 6: 218/810 243DMG

Domarus said nothing as she spoke.  He felt her hand placed on his head, but was too tired to attempt to decipher the meaning behind the action.  Defined by what he was now?  What even was he?  The only word he could say was aimless..  Or maybe broken.  Perhaps both.  He didn't know.  Then she mussed up his hair, which he again would have been confused with were it not for the fact that he was too tired to even think.  Eventually of course she reached his question.  He took a moment to steady his breathing.  He was so afraid, so weak and tired.  So lost and confused.  He wasn't concerned at all about how childish, weak or pathetic he looked.
     "Please...  Don't leave me, for too long..."  He slowly sank down to the ground, which would make any further interaction with his hair greatly easier now that he wasn't standing his full six foot six height.  "I don't want to be alone anymore..  I, need some reason to live..  I...  I'm hoping that...  By spending more time with you, I'll find one..  I just..."  He shut his eyes as the tears continued, tightening his grip.  "I can't.  I can't do it alone..  I'm too weak..."

@tricolor_mina 

Domarus barely managed to hear her comment but his thoughts were drowned out by the focus of the fight.  If he did reply he would have pointed out that Miraak was healing them the entire time, and would most likely do so once the fight had ended.  The four zombies surged at Hestia again, and three of them had managed to reach her.  Each of them biting and slashing their claws at her.  Domarus however grabbed the second of the four mobs, and managed to throw him away, tearing it's arm off in the process.  As it flew mid air, he struck it with his massive ax, beginning the sword art, and struck each of the four monsters.  By the time he finished, two of them were slain.  The rewards weren't half bad but Domarus wasn't focusing on that.  Until every single enemy was defeated he wasn't going to stop.  In fact.  If Hestia looked carefully, she would see he was beginning to enter a sort of, robotic blood rage.  Going on a killing streak until they were all dead.

ID#  113929  BD:  4+2=6  MD:  9
ID#  113930  BD:  5+3=7  MD:  3+1=4
ID#  113931  BD:  6+3=8  MD:  6
ID#  113932  BD:  5+3=7  MD:  5+1=6

ID#  113935  CD:  2 - Heals 200 hp

Loot Roll 1:  113936  CD:  1  LD:  20
Loot Roll 2:  113937  CD:  7  LD:  19
 

[6/6/6/6] @Hestia: HP: 1,633/1,710  Energy: 134/162 DMG:17   MIT:151  Thorns: 54  Eva: -1  BH: 80 Heavy Momentum: 2 (+6DMG) Rec: CD:6+ (+6 ENG)   Stonewall: 25% DoT reduction
[3/2/3/2 Domarus: 860/860  //  51/86  //  66 MIT  //  2 ACC  //  15 DMG  //  Recovery (+4 en on CD 6+)
[0/0/0/0] Miraak 800/800  MIT: 50  EVA:2  [He has abilities roll them alongside monsters.]

Enemies:
Diseased one 1: 2/810 243DMG
Diseased one 2: 0/810 243DMG
Diseased one 3: 56/810 243DMG
Diseased one 4: 0/810 243DMG

Total Loot:  1 Perfect Consumable, 1 Rare Trinket, 1 Perfect Armor, 2 Perfect Consumables, 4,860 col.

Domarus didn't reply to Hestia.  He didn't look at her, didn't speak to her.  He was focused on destroying these monsters and moving on.  No more.  No less.  The monsters were receiving damage when they hit Hestia which meant she had thorns.  good.  made the fight faster.  Domarus continued to lash mercilessly out at the four zombies, hacking at their legs from behind.  Slashing at them from head to toe, or reverse.  Spinning his ax so as to strike them multiple times in succession, etc.  He rushed at one of his enemies and rammed it with his shoulder before slashing at it.  While he fought, two of the zombies attacked Hestia and He reached out with his ax, hooking it onto them and swinging them onto the ground violently.  While he did this Miraak healed hestia again and the fight continued.

ID#  113523  BD:  4+2=6  15x14=210  MD:  7 - hit
ID#  113525  BD:  4+2=6  15x14=210  MD:  8 - hit
ID#  113527  BD:  5+2=7  15x14=210  MD:  3
ID#  113528  BD:  6  15x14=210  MD:  4

ID#  113529  CD:  1

[6/6/6/6] Hestia: HP: 1710/1710  Energy: 143/162 DMG:17   MIT:151  Thorns: 54  Eva: -1  BH: 80 Heavy Momentum: 2 (+6DMG) Rec: CD:6+ (+6 ENG)   Stonewall: 25% DoT reduction
[1/2/1/2] Domarus: 860/860  //  64/86  //  66 MIT  //  2 ACC  //  15 DMG  //  Recovery (+4 en on CD 6+)
[0/0/0/0] Miraak 800/800  MIT: 50  EVA:2  [He has abilities roll them alongside monsters.]

Enemies:
Diseased one 1: 266/810 243DMG
Diseased one 2: 184/810 243DMG
Diseased one 3: 320/810 243DMG
Diseased one 4: 238/810 243DMG

Domarus said nothing as he listened to Hestia.  The first goal he set upon was the worst he could possibly have chosen..  He didn't trust himself with a goal, and felt more comfortable with someone else giving him one instead...  As for Keres, well.  He wasn't sure what to do so he would follow Hestia's advice for the moment.  After all, Keres enjoyed the feeling of pain and torment.  She was denied that, and now she was denied Domarus' wrath.  So, she was aimless.  He was worried though, that she would attempt suicide before long.  He needed to keep that from happening under any circumstances.  And he needed to keep her away from the bad influence of others.  
     "...I-"  He didn't get a chance to reply as a horde of zombies emerged.   Domarus drew his massive ax and immediately charged.  Acting completely on instinct rather than strategy.  Even if he gained these fighting skills through his dark past, he could still use them for the better...  Right?  He charged forward and released Explode Catapult

ID#  113518  BD:  4+2=6  20x14=280 damage    MD:  3
ID#  113519  BD:  10  20+2x14=308 damage    MD:  6  243-151=92
ID#  113520  BD:  5+2=7  20x14=280 damage    MD:  1
ID#  113521  BD:  10  20+2x14=308 damage    5+1=6  243-151=92

Miraak:  ID#  113522  CD:  2  Heals Hestia for 200 health

[3/3/3/3] Hestia: HP: 1710/1710  Energy: 152/162 DMG:17   MIT:151  Thorns: 54  Eva: -1  BH: 80 Heavy Momentum: 2 (+6DMG) Rec: CD:6+ (+6 ENG)   Stonewall: 25% DoT reduction
[1/2/1/2] Domarus: 860/860  //  64/86  //  66 MIT  //  2 ACC  //  15 DMG  //  Recovery (+4 en on CD 6+)
[0/0/0/0] Miraak 800/800  MIT: 50  EVA:2  [He has abilities roll them alongside monsters.]

Enemies:
Diseased one 1: 530/810 243DMG
Diseased one 2: 502/810 243DMG
Diseased one 3: 530/810 243DMG
Diseased one 4: 502/810 243DMG

Domarus sighed as Hestia spoke up, asking him what his plans were for the day.
     "Nothing.  Unless you count listening to Keres vent at me a plan for the day."  He said nothing besides this.  He had been having a rough week and he honestly didn't know what to talk about.  Most of the time he had conversations for an ulterior motive.  Or if the individual was a part of his inner circle he would simply ask for reports, discuss the plans, or something else of the sort.  Most of his life was spend planning everything out that..  Well now that he was rejecting that life he had no idea what he was going to do.  He was at a loss.  Domarus had, well.  Lost meaning in life.  He accepted what he was doing before was evil and denied it, but now what?  He wanted to seek redemption, but was that even possible for someone like him?  Would he even be able to do anything of actual consequence?  And even if he could, what would he do?  He didn't feel comfortable just walking up and trying to be a shining knight like nothing happened.  Sweep his past under the covers and hope no one revealed it...

Hearing her ask him what he wanted to accomplish made him snap.  She tried pushing him backward, but all she did was make him take a step back.  
     "I DON'T KNOW!!!"  he roared at her, his fists tightening.  "I DON'T KNOW OK?!  EVERYTHING I've ever known has been nothing but a lie!  EVERY truth, EVERY friendship, EVERY hope, and EVERY goal!  I've known nothing but hatred, loneliness and pain since I can remember!  The only good memory I've ever had was when I wasn't even one year old!!"  At this point tears were beginning to stream from his eyes.  When she told him she could sleep at night knowing she at least tried something he roared and swung his fist at a nearby boulder, causing a small crack to form before it repaired itself, the immortal object sign popping up above it.  In between pants he spoke.
     "You make it sound easy...  But I..  I just..  My heart.  My mind.  My soul.  They're all in conflict with themselves..  I feel what is right, I see what is wrong, and I.."  He leaned against the rock as he shut his eyes closed.  "I don't know how.  How to just, let go...  All my life, I've sought control.  All my life, I've attempted to be my own master of the world..  Of my world I used to think...  But.  Having no control over anything..  The concept is so, alien.."  He took in a sharp, deep breath, his voice shaking with emotion.  "...Can you...  Would you...  Can I ask you, a favor?"

@tricolor_mina

Domarus was listening to the conversations, the debates, all of it.  He was still very emotional from when Itzal directed everyone towards him about Adrian, but he was relieved when everyone redirected their attention from him.  Domarus sighed in relief to this, but the debates only worsened.  He was listening to both players speaking, and..  Hestia seemed to be different..  She wasn't the warm person who helped Domarus out of the shadows.  Now she sounded like a dictator.  He switched his attention from one person to the other.  Hestia promised to help him..  But, could she?  In this condition?  If she was kind to him in isolation, but like this in public...  No..  He had enough with hypocrisy.  He recalled the conversation that Mina had with him.  He heard the words Shield spoke about trust.  Experience.  Poor leadership.  He thought about what Itzal was doing.  Saying the truth even though it was hard and could spread fear.  Domarus was silent as he thought.  There was a divide being driven through the front liners...  And he hated to acknowledge it, but he had to choose a side.  The frontlines couldn't break down completely.  So.  Hands shaking, not knowing if this was truly the best thing for him to do.  He spoke.
     "I......Side with @Shield."  He looked towards the tank.  "There's....  There's something I'll need to talk to you, and the other frontliners about...  Something I can't keep hidden.  I'd rather talk about it, in private though."  He then spoke to the entire group.  "I...  I'm willing to do whatever I am asked in this fight.  I just ask..  For the greatest chance to live...  I can't do nothing to help the frontlines, but there is something I must do in my life as well.  A goal to reach.  That's my only request..."  This would be the first time any of his fears showed on the surface in public.

Adrian giggled when she mentioned how he didn't know her if he thought she was frustrated.  That she didn't care if everyone was hunting her or not.  How she had tricks up her sleeve.  He rocked on the log as he smiled.  "True, but tricks don't last forever~  Even if you get super powerful like me, you won't be invincible.  Otherwise I could have just slaughtered those goody goodies."  When she mentioned how she only made ties with things that benefitted her he flipped around so his head was hanging upside down.  "Ah but at that point wouldn't it be something besides ties since that's a two way street?"  When she asked what his story was he laughed and flipped through the air, landing on the ground.  "You wanna know more about me?  I'm flattered~  But if you want to learn more you gotta catch me!"  He made a leap backwards and landed on a tree branch behind him, crouching on it.  "Lay low for a bit.  I'll see you later, have to meet up with my buddies and catch up with em."  He smiled before leaping across the trees silently and swiftly.

Domarus looked at Embers and sighed but nodded with a smile.  "Very well Embers.  Give me some time to recover, and I'll do my best to give you a challenge."  He turned to Raven and sighed.  "Raven.  Hate me all you want, I'll accept that hatred.  But don't direct hate towards your sister.  Some battles should be lost."  Domarus turned to Hestia.  "Your war against the darkness will never end Hestia.  Know that well.  If you want to win, you have to shine brighter than the shadows.  You've succeeded today...  But I ask you:  How long will your light shine brightly?  I'll be watching with hope..." 

Domarus was still sinking in everything Itzal had told him on their way to the meeting area.  Still adjusting to the fact that Itzal now looked like an edgy assassin of shadow.  Adjusting to the fact that the man who seemed to be able to make friends in an instant was needing time away from everyone.  And the fact that he didn't want anyone to know his identity, and thus wanted him in his party so that the others wouldn't see his username.  All because...  He trusted Domarus?  The player explained that he had been keeping tabs on him, as he promised, and that he was planning to become a player killer hunter.  How he found a prison that canceled out any teleportation, hidden on floor one.  This had genuinely surprised Domarus, but it was also a game changer.  In the end, Domarus told him that he would do his best...  However if they couldn't get at least three to four players on their party, or at least have one healer.  That he may have to decline.  Itzal said he was ready to accept that fact, and that he may need to just be there to observe this time around

Soon Domarus reached the meeting area, and spotted a few players.  @Hestia, whom he sent a tired nod towards.  Neo, whom he recognized from the Fallen Event.  Calrex, the legendary 'unbeatable knight'.  And Hazado, someone else he recalled from the event.  Other than them, he was the newest arrival it would seem.  Well, one of the newest.  He looked into the shadows where Itzal, who's face Domarus could now see since he was now whitelisted, had a tired yet hopeful look.  He turned to Hestia and walked over to her.
     "Hestia, listen.  There's someone who ran into me earlier today...  I'm not sure about him, but he wants to join the front lines under...  A few conditions.  He wouldn't tell me them, but I told him he could come and hear the meeting.  I'll leave all decisions to you."

The heavy armored player was currently leaning against a tree.  His armor covering him shoulder to toe.  Before he was defeated by Hestia and swore to do his best to change, he had always worn his helmet to give off a very specific appearance or vibe.  Now however, he was making a change, or rather trying one out.  Today he didn't wear his helmet, and..  It felt, nice.  To see the view without the shadow of his helmet on the edge of his vision.  It felt nice to feel the breeze blowing against his face and through his hair.  It was, almost peaceful..  Almost.  Despite the beautiful scenery he was enjoying on floor one, as well as the silence in the air.  Said silence allowed for his fears, guilt and shame to flood thoughts into his mind.  Thoughts he wish he knew how to handle.  Memories of the people he hurt flashed in his mind.  His fist tightened, his arm shaking as he grit his teeth.  Struggling with the pain and rage.  He then forced himself to stop shaking and took a deep breath.  Held it for a second.  Then breathed out, and relaxed his shoulders.  He had been practicing this lately, doing all he could to keep himself calm, and relaxed.  He would atone for his sins, even if it seemed impossible.  Even if it took eternity...  And then he received a message.

Upon seeing it was from Hestia, and seeing the title he sighed.  Well, at least it was almost peaceful.  That was the closest he came to peace in his life.  He opened up the message and read it, sighing as he did so.  Why was he being tagged in this?  Why did she think he was ready for this?  Fear and doubt crept into his mind.  Fear of the others having found out who he really was.  Doubt as to whether he could emotionally do this.  He closed his eyes and shook his head.  He needed to help.  There was no choice or question here.  He took a deep breath before sending a response:

Quote

Hestia.

On my way

Domarus

Domarus pressed send and pushed off from the tree, heading down to the town.  As he walked, he felt the sensation of being watched.  He turned to look to his right and spotted him.  A black cloaked player with a shadow covering his face.  Normally Domarus would be intrigued.  Today, he was wary.
     "Is there something I can help you with?"  The player walked over to Domarus and reached up to pull down their hood.  When it fell, Domarus was, surprised to see who it was.
     "Yes.  I need your help with something."

Domarus heard her approach and turned to look at her.  His instincts screamed to defend himself but he forced himself to stay still, allowing the slap to happen, though it didn't even move him much.  When he prepared for something, he could become a mountain side.  Her first words pulled a quick laugh from him as he looked into the sky hopelessly.  
     "Make amends?  To the families of those I've killed?  To the families of the people whom I've manipulated, twisted, and turned into brainwashed servants willing to slaughter at my behest?  Make amends to all the lives I've ruined?  That's a good one Mina."  She continued anyway, stating how the first step was admitting he was wrong.  That he was doing very well in that regard, or at least compared to prisoners she'd locked up.  She told him that the pain never goes away, but that it's manageable enough to lead a normal life.
     "I don't even know what a normal life is, let alone how to live one..."  Then she said something that caught his attention.  She told him she made peace with what she did.  Domarus' eyes snapped towards her own, a hint of hostility in them.  However it vanished as soon as it came, as he tried calming down.  
     "You say you've made peace?  You didn't seem to have made peace with anything save for that you were guilty Mina.  Your words and your eyes do not align.  I'm a master of deception, don't think you can hide it from me."  He wasn't sure if that title was a good thing, or not anymore.  Despite him trying to turn a new leaf, there were still good uses for deception..  Right?  
     "And besides.  I never had a normal life.  I don't think I could ever live one."

Domarus nodded.  
     "Well then.  We should get started as soon as possible."  Miraak nodded.
     "Before we go however, are you two sure you're fully prepped and ready to go?"  Domarus nodded.
     "We were ready when we spoke with you."  Miraak looked between the two with a gentle smile.
     "That wasn't what I had meant, but very well.  I'll lead the way."  Miraak walked over to the wall and picked up his staff.  It seemed different than before.  Purified and cleansed.  He gestured for them to follow him outside the Cathedral.  Domarus followed, though he left a bit of distance between the priest and him.  While he promised Hestia he would try, he still felt a weight on his heart and shoulders, and it would show as he walked.  He didn't say anything after they began to walk out of the Cathedral and towards their destination.  Rhozarth continued to glare with hatred towards Kuro and Hestia, clearly wanting a rematch.  One where he would permanently put down the other familiar for humiliating it during that battle.

Domarus listened but said nothing.  He sat there for a good while without a word.  Then, his and tightened into a fist, twitching once or twice.  They tightened more as he took a long, deep breath, and exhaled to calm himself down.
     "Mina...  You, are a true moron."  He turned to look into her eyes, his own full of anger and disappointment.  "You think what you had done was horrible?  Was that bad?  You injured one person.  You gave one person a quick death.  Both of these times it was an accident, regardless of how others feel about it.  And you think that's bad?"  He turned his body to her as he stood up.  His balled fist shaking, with regret and pain mixing in with the anger and disappointment.  "I beat people down both physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I manipulated and twisted people into a darker version of themselves.  I killed people on purpose. Thinking only of my own goal of world domination.  You made two accidents that you never intended to make."  He shoved his finger into her right shoulder, not enough to knock her down but enough to make an impact.  "If ANYONE has the right for redemption.  To try again.  To escape this world of depravity, guilt and pain it's you.  So instead of sitting there sulking about it."  He stopped talking and looked away gritting his teeth as his eyes watered.  He was not in a position to lecture her.  He was in the same boat really.  Still...  He walked over to a tree, placed his arm against it and leaned on it.  "I'm not strong..  Not like I make myself seem.  I've done things I can never take back Mina.  I wouldn't be surprised if I was arrested for life in the real world, and even executed when I confess my crimes...  But if possible I want to achieve redemption."  He turned to her, the anger remaining, but dwarfed by fear and pain.  "If you cannot reach a place of peace how can I?!  Who will be there to show that there is such a thing as redemption?!  Or will I find out that I was right?  That redemption, salvation, purity, all of it an illusion?"