Viva La DWRP

Tau observes the dying shrubbery with a strange solemness, which puts him towards the back of the group, but he always catches up rather quickly, even if he happens to stop. Whenever he does, it's to kneel beside the plants, checking whether they still have fight. The arid atmosphere isn't really great for them, but if they've managed to come up at all, then perhaps they can hold out a bit more, and for those, they always seem to have perked up a touch in Tau's wake.

His expression sours when they finally come upon their destination. The beams do not look at all very sturdy, the potential to be trapped inside by a sudden cave-in not at all appealing. But at least it seems they won't be doing any mine roaming after all, for which Tau sighs quietly in relief.

"Try not to stand in the way," he says just as dryly. After watching Link scrabble up for a higher position, Tau steps off to the side of the mine's entrance. He slides, of all things, a twig from a pocket of his belt pouch, channeling some energy into it as he twirls it between his fingers, and within its circuit it grows, extending into a full-length staff.

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"Thanks~"

Sarcasms duly exchanged, there's no reason to hesitate further. Emery silently summons up a few small orbs of light to hover around him, then ventures into the dark.

For several long minutes, there isn't much to observe from the surface. The glow of the magical lights soon goes out of sight from the entrance, and all is quiet.

Inside, the air has a pungent metallic smell that worsens the further away from the entrance he gets. Emery observes the wooden support beams are particularly worn and corroded low to the ground, where the Python may have brushed against them as it went in and out of the mine. Maybe a more sensible plan would have been to collapse the mine while Python is inside... But it'd be harder to confirm if they killed it, let alone to start purifying its resting place.

The path has a subtle downward slope and curve to it, up until Emery finally reaches a fork in the path. Not wanting to risk getting lost, he decides this will do. Emery raises his lyre, and begins to play.

Come to me, Python. I'm calling to you.

The music is very faint from outside the mine, but those with sharp ears will be able to hear it. It's a brisk, energetic tune and Emery plays tirelessly for quite a while.

Eventually, the music stops.

A few moments later there is the sound of footsteps rapidly drawing closer. And a heavy rhythmic drumming noise.

And then Emery dashes out of the mine like a bat out of hell, lyre clutched in a death grip and feet skittering over the dry soil as he abruptly finds himself half-running, half-falling down the hill. He's so busy trying not to faceplant that he almost doesn't have time to be afraid of the eighteen-foot long lizard that bursts out of the mine behind him.

Its hide is black and glistens like an oil slick, clawed feet tear up the ground as it dashes down the slope, and it oozes a translucent fluid from its body that drips and shines on the ground like a snail trail. Emery's stopped playing, but Python still makes a beeline directly for him.

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Waiting is always a tiresome thing, but Tau remains vigilant, propping a foot on top of the boulder he stands behind. He has his staff tucked under his arm while he grips it, easy to bring to a ready position when called for.

He tilts his head when he thinks he catches the faintest strains of song, eyes narrowing as he glances towards the entrance to the mine. It's when the music stops that he straightens, tensing ever slightly. ...and then there's a new sound.

"Head's up!" he shouts to the others, but it's soon enough that the sounds from the mine can be heard by all.

As much as he might have anticipated Emery's rushed exit, Tau's almost surprised by how fast the other rushes out, unable to grab him in time before he has to jerk back as the larger creature bursts out nearly right at Emery's heels. The sheer toxicity of the creature is enough to make the kodama recoil.

What a nasty thing! Tau gathers himself up, darting from his position. His own steps are fleet and light, almost like he flies across the ground, devouring the distance that had made for the headstart the Python had in seconds. And then he leaps to cover the rest, sleeves billowing as he brings up his arms and spins his staff above his head, swinging it to drive an end downwards against the back of the thing's neck.

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"I see it!" Natalia says, whipping out-- those goddamned meteor hammers again. What is her obsession with weapons on ropes?

It's really all down to this-- was her training and skill with the weapon enough to do what she hoped it would the entire time she'd been working on dance as a method to channel her power?

It snaps forth like a stinging cobra, stopping just short of Python's mouth, before releasing an explosion of ice and whipping back to her hand. It's a play to keep its attention off the others. "I am prepared to assist in whatever manner needed."

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Meanwhile, from up above Link aims a Puffshroom-fused arrow - but not at the beast. Instead, the arrow lands in-between Emery and the Python, exploding into a cloud of spores. For a few moments, they'll obscure the space completely - and hopefully give Emery a little cover.

Only then does his aim shift to the Python, as Link fires off a volley of arrows fused with freezing cold Ice Fruit. A little something inspired by Natalia, maybe - or because some of the other elemental options don't really seem a good idea at all right now.

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The Python- nor Emery for that matter- is not expecting the sudden burst of ice and thick cloud of bitter spores between it and its target. Python comes to an abrupt halt, slowed down by the chunks of ice from Natalia's explosive magic. Its tongue whips out, tasting the air, but all it gets is the bitter flavor of the puffshrom spores.

This means it's well distracted when Tau leaps for it and drives his staff into the back of Python's neck. It rears up at the unexpected stab and twists, abruptly aware now of another potential target. Turned around, Python begins to snap at Tau with a mouth large and toothy enough to bite off a person's head. Flecks of toxic saliva fly from its gnashing teeth, and it moves at a terrifying speed.

It's slowed down however by the almost-literal hailing of Link's arrows. Several manage to pierce its hide (Python's fortunately a large target) while a few bounce off. Python doesn't show much of a reaction but it should help to keep Python from getting a good bite on any of Tau's limbs. His sleeves may not be so lucky.

Emery meanwhile has full on tripped and rolls down the slope for a few feet, clutching his lyre to him. There's a discordant sound from the lyre but when he comes to a stop and gets to his feet it appears undamaged.

Emery looks a bit scratched up from the fall, but he yells "I'm okay!" as soon as he's upright.

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Tau curses, using his staff as leverage to twist the rest of his body out of immediate biting range. It helps that he's light when it counts, and fast besides. He is however slightly surprised at the speed of the creature.

The distractions are helpful, but seeing a rain of arrows flying in his general direction makes him freeze, those precious few seconds all it takes before he finds the Python's mouth all too close for comfort.

Tau gasps, bringing his staff up to try keeping between those teeth and himself. He ducks his head at the flying spittle, abandoning his staff to throw himself to the side.

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Natalia casually turns the weight of the hammers in her hands, gathering up the Ether dispersed by spellcasting and magic items. She's not quite confident enough to not direct them with hand motions, but she is sure enough of her spacing and power that when it turns to fight Tsu, she fires with one, then the other, aiming to land squarely in the back of its head. Keep it off balance and guessing, for now.

And most of all, keep dancing. Feel the beat building in your heart, in the battle. If she can get in close enough, she can probably turn the tide.

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A faint frown crosses Link's face, when he sees Tau momentarily freeze. It's not a reaction he was expecting; not from a comrade. Tau would have seen Link take up position with his bow, surely the arrows shouldn't be a surprise...?

No time to think about that now, though. Whatever reaction those arrows were causing Tau, they're not having as much of an effect on the Python as Link would like. Which means it's time to change tactics.

Leaping off of the ledge, Link pulls out his paraglider and glides over the beast. When he's right above its big scaly neck, he lets go of the glider - and drops.

And pulls out the Sword for a big downward strike, with a big assist from gravity.

"Hyah!

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As soon as Emery's on his feet, he dusts off his lyre and begins playing a brisk, energetic tune. Magic is weaved into the song, encouraging his allies to be brave.

Tau in particular may need it when the Python catches the length of his staff in between its jaws and snaps down hard, splintering the wood. It's fortunate that Natalia's sending her hammers after it; when the blows land one after another Python staggers, making it easier for Tau to dodge Python's bites.

Tau won't have to worry about himself for much longer either, once Link glides ahead and plunges his sword into Python's neck. The blade pierces through the tough, slippery hide, releasing a spray of dark red blood. If Link has any skin exposed or is wearing anything permeable he can expect to start feeling weaker as Python's toxins soak in.

Python doesn't scream but it lets out a great gasp and lurches and slips against the slope. After that initial shock it seems to momentarily lose interest in Tau and begins thrashing, trying to throw off the weight from its back and neck.

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She turns and steps in time with the music's start, one, two, THREE-- a burst of bracingly cold wind lends speed to steps and swings, and Natalia whips the hammers into a spinning frenzy all their own as her swing step turns into a high-speed blender of blunt force trauma.

It feels like they should be deflecting more than they are, and faint twitches of her hand reveal why-- she's applying pressure quickly now to bring the hammers under control and swing them harder, using the chaos to her advantage.

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Tau'd argue that he's plenty brave! He just got caught off guard there!

He lands, crouched, throwing a hand up in front of his face as wood shards fly. The Python catches his sleeve as he tries to move again, tearing it free as Link literally drops in.

With Natalia coming in to pound the thing with her hammers, Tau backs off, circling around, watching her strikes, looking for a window of opportunity. He looks around for something new to use as a weapon, feeling the faint sting of pain on from what must have been the beast's spittle from earlier. The longer they keep this up, the more this thing's poison will spread around here.

He kicks up a partially buried rock like nothing despite it being nearly the size of the Python's head, clasping it in both hands before he turns, a green blur darting back into the fray. Somehow he slips between Natalia's strikes as he brings the rock around to smash into the beast's face.

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Link's Hylian armor covers almost all of his skin - especially after he'd swapped out his fingerless gloves for ones with more coverage - and it's tough enough to block out the poison. But it didn't cover everything. It didn't cover his face.

So while for the most part, Link avoids being hit with almost all of the toxic blood, a few stray drops do hit his cheek. Link winces, hissing softly.

And then Python begins to thrash, and Link is entirely focused on that. But Link held on when the Light Dragon was trying to throw him off too, and he damn well isn't going to let this far less impressive reptile shake him. Drawing on all of the sheer stubbornness and strength that got him through two journeys across Hyrule, Link tightens his grip, plants his feet on the beast's back, and holds on.

And if he gets the chance, while Natalia and Tau are pummelling the thing he'll push the blade in even further.

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Emery keeps up the rhythm which in turn will hopefully help Natalia keep focus; she'll need it with Tau and Link fighting in such close quarters with the Python, and at risk of errant hammer blows.

Distracted as it is by Link, the Python has little ability to dodge the various hammer blows that slam into the back half of its body. A well-placed strike dislocates a bone in one of its back legs, making Python stumble and its movements slow.

This should give Tau enough opportunity to smash his rock into Python's face with an audible crunch. After the blow Python spits out a mixture of saliva, blood, and chipped fangs and continues to instinctively snap at Tau. But its bites don't have the same power and speed as before.

The Python also continues to try and buck Link off, but it's to little avail. Link's sword slowly sinks in deeper, centimetre by centimetre. There's no further dramatic sprays but blood continues to ooze up out of Python's wound and stream down its neck and back, to spill onto the soil being churned by Python's frenetic clawing.

Python obviously won't be able to keep this up for much longer, but Tau and Link should be feeling the effects of the poison soaking in.

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Tending to get up close with his targets has so many disadvantages, and fast as Tau can be, it's hard to move in the opposite direction when you've thrown yourself completely forwards. He abandons the rock, not fast enough to pull his arm back as he feels the Python's maw close on his forearm. At least the broken fangs don't penetrate the leather bracer beneath his sleeve, but the poison's still there, in teeth and blood and spit.

And he feels it, vision wavering briefly. He yanks his arm back once the Python's mouth loosens for another strike, letting himself fall back to tumble away from it and Natalia's hammers if they're still in play.

He huffs as he rolls to the side, with only a slight stumble as he pushes onto his feet.

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frost_and_shinies

It is at this point that Kaitlyn finally shows up, making her own move... In the simplest, and more importantly most distant form she could manage while attacking the Python.

Simply starting to pepper it with bladed icicles from one side, cutting it where the others aren't - so as not to spatter them with more of the poisonous blood. And also keep it distracted from additional angles.

A few more like this, and maybe...!

[Sorry for my severely late arrival. It's been... A few days.]

Edited Date: 2025-06-27 05:28 am (UTC)

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When the Python's jaw closes on Tau's forearm a dissonant chord plays. Emery bites back a curse and quickly plucks the correct string, resuming the song and hoping the missed beat isn't going to throw anyone else off. Damn-! He can't see how bad Tau's injury is, but the way Tau falls has Emery worried.

A pungent metallic scent hangs in the air. Enough of the Python's blood and other bodily fluids has mixed with the dusty soil and melting ice to turn the ground beneath it to mud. Python slips and scrabbles in the mud with its three usable feet, casting its gaze and tongue about looking for where Tau's rolled off to.

And then sharp, cold icicles pierce its side. More blood spurts out onto the soil, and Python twists towards the direction of the attacks. When it spots Kaitlyn it starts moving again, dragging itself across the ground towards her.

But its injuries mean it's moving at a much less impressive pace than before, dogged but not hard to outrun. Emery will let Kaitlyn and the others worry about avoiding it as he hurries in Tau's direction.

"Tau!" he calls over his own lyre playing. "Are you- How bad is it?" If Python bit down hard enough to get its poison into Tau's blood then- then that would be really bad.

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Through all of this, Link's been holding on, still driving the Sword into the beast's neck. But those splatters of toxic blood across his cheek have started to take effect. He can feel his limbs growing weaker, his strength waning.

He's been holding on, but he won't be able to for much longer. So he wrenches the Sword out, tries not to stumble, and swings with both hands at Python's neck.

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There's nothing for it. If that got into Tau's blood, the only way she can think of to keep him alive would be to freeze his arm-- but as it stands he's already dead; blood moves too fast like this.

The other option is to keep his body temperature at a balmy 16-10 Centigrade or so, and keep his heart beating. It kept her alive long enough to get medical attention, it could probably save him if it came down to it.

But all that meant nothing if she didn't, immediately, defeat Python. So she rears up, sweeps the shards of ice that remain, and slams them all at once into Python's hip. Even if they fail, it's not likely to ever move again after that.

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"I'm fine!" Tau barks back at Emery, straightening. He glares at the mess of his sleeve, tearing it off before fumbling at the straps of the bracer. No broken skin, the poison damage only topical like a faint burn, but he'll deal with it later. They've almost got this thing down.

He will be Very Upset if Natalia tries freezing him.

At least he looks a little steadier on his feet as he turns his attention back towards the Python and Link. He can see it, the swordsman's straining, and as Link swings his blade once more and Natalia moves to take out the Python at the hip, the kodama springs back into the fray, but this time it's to grab Link before he falls over, whether or not he manages to behead the beast.

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frost_and_shinies

Kaitlyn, seeing the Python approaching her but slowing - then Link's swing at the neck - Natalia trying to pin it with her own shards of ice - Tau's covering Link -

A sword-like blade of ice forms in her hand. She doesn't have time to see if the creature's been beheaded before it will reach her. If it is... That's going to be a lot of poison blood on her. But with it so weakened, she can go for a direct stab into its eye, followed by shoving herself back out of its reach... Hopefully.

Edited Date: 2025-06-28 07:01 am (UTC)

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Emery peers at Tau's arm as best he can in the chaotic situation, but he can't spot any obvious breakages so he lets Tau run off to help link.

The Python is still making a dogged beeline for Kaitlyn, and when Link wrenches his sword out there's another spurt of blood from the wound. And then, multiple things happen in rapid succession.

The blade of Link's sword slices through the side of Python's neck; inertia drags it the rest of the way through; sharp pieces of flying ice stab into its hindquarters; and then it slams into another blade of ice that goes directly through one of its eyes and into the back of its head.

As Link and Kaitlyn scatter in various directions Python's head falls to the ground, a bloody wet mess still barely attached to the main body by stringy bits of muscle and skin. The rest of its body collapses, limbs twitching in violent death throes for a minute or two before it finally goes still.

Python is dead.

Its corpse is still virulently poisonous, but unless anyone decides to start rolling in it the group isn't in much immediate danger.

Emery lowers his lyre and approaches the rest of the group.

"Okay," he says. "Everyone who touched it, line up. I'll deal with you before I get started on Python."

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Natalia finally retracts the hammers, catching them in her gloved palms.

Her.

Fingerless, gloved palms.

God damn it.

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Tau lands a good several meters away from the collapsing Python, and thankfully he's gentle about setting Link down. His nose wrinkles distastefully as he watches the earth darken around the creature's tainted body. But it's dead, and that's that. He lets out a sigh.

"Should be fine," he mutters, flexing his fingers as he looks at his arm again. He seems steadier on his feet anyway, but if Link needs the hand up, he'll help him over to where Emery is.

He stops by Natalia, giving her a Look. And she'd been doing so well until then. "Come on, let's get this over with."

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