The Shadow of Winter

[immortalrose]

WHO: Augustine & whomever joins (open prompts below)
WHERE: Throughout most of Stygia (the Barrens, The Harbors, and maybe a few other locations.)
WHEN: December catch-all & event prompts
WHAT: Winter was never his favorite time of the year, especially since the winter always seemed to last forever.
WARNINGS: Mentions of self-harm, suicide ideations, possible violence, and maybe cuddling?

[ Hey, folks! I'm still on hiatus but I wanted to put up a few prompts for this month's event. I'll be tagging in and out throughout the week, so please be patient. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]


PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

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[immortalrose]

[The serpent hisses loudly as it violently thrashes against its captor. While the youth managed to catch it by surprise, the beast isn’t the least bit perturbed. However, it noticeably starts thrashing less and less once the stranger stares into its eyes. There’s no such thing as chakra in Augustine’s world but mana exists. Whatever power he’s using upon the beast is enough to calm it momentarily but just as he manages to calm this serpent, two more shadowy figures begin to form around Augustine. Two more serpents emerge from the darkness, both of them black like ink with matching red eyes.]

You think yourself above it all, don’t you?

[The shadow questions as he takes full control of Augustine for the time being. While the shadow is practically a manifestation of the dhampir’s darkest thoughts, it lacks the mind and might to wield all of Augustine’s magical abilities at once. That’s why this entity is relying on umbramancy to fight against this unknown opponent, even though that might not be the best idea. The first serpent lingers behind the unknown stranger, still in a daze.

If Augustine was in his right mind, he would’ve dismissed the creature by now.]

Above the futility of your plight here. How bold.

[He laughs before commanding the other two snakes towards them. Each snake is almost the size of a fully grown adult. They’re rather large but not immune to whatever power that boy wields. That’s why the serpents almost seem hesitant to attack at first but eventually, they give into their master’s will.]

[chokuto]

[Meanwhile, Sasuke doesn't use his abilities any more than absolutely necessary to keep his opponent at bay — in part to conserve chakra and conceal what he can do, but also due to the unreliable nature of this world. A mistake could cost him more than he's willing to pay.]

Don't assume you know anything about me.

[The words, despite their acerbic cut, are flat and matter-of-factly delivered. As the huge, looming snakes approach, Sasuke hops backward, still standing weightless on the snow without sinking into its soft clutch. He draws his sword in a ring of steel, but only uses it as a way to deflect the assault launched upon him by the creatures. Nothing he does is meant to harm or kill, only to disable, one red eye and one purple eye luminous in the dark, tracking movements. They are quick; he has to react fast in order to dodge, consuming all of his attention.]

Is this all you intend to do? As you are now, there's little chance you'll be able to defeat me. But even if you could, it would be pointless when death is what you're after. Are you truly willing to allow yourself to surrender to your Shadow?

[immortalrose]

I know enough to make my words string.

[The shadow states almost proudly as both serpents attempt to ensnare the ninja within their jaws. Despite how similar these shadow entities are to actual snakes, they’re thankfully not poisonous. However, that gives very little comfort judging from how large their fangs are. The first serpent swoops right towards him with its jaw opened wide while the other mimics the same but from the left. They’re quite nimble and quick but they’re most likely not fast enough to catch their prey.

As for the serpent he previously tempered, the creature remains docile for now. However, it seems to be watching how everything unfolds. That’s a bit odd, isn’t it?]

You’re not without your faults or else you wouldn’t be dead so young.

[Ages are a tricky thing but most of those who have perished are quite young. The same might be said for Augustine since he’s relatively young himself. However, the boy is right. The shadow doesn’t know a damn thing about Sasuke but sometimes the shadows do whisper to each other. Even so, this enigmatic entity doesn’t seem capable of winning this fight here. If umbramancy alone won’t work here, then maybe it’s time to try something else.]

Trying to appeal to this worthless soul? How noble of you.

[It mocks before savagely biting into its host’s hand. A thin trickle of blood spills down from from the fingertips before a flash of red light flickers out of nowhere.]

[chokuto]

[There's no fear in him as the snakes encircle him, trying to sink in their fangs — even if they were venomous, he's had enough experience with Orochimaru that his poison immunity should protect him. In order to outmaneuver their joint assault, Sasuke allows one to bite his right arm; pain lances through his body, but he ignores it as he takes that opportunity to strike the other snake with a hard kick. Then he forms a quick one-handed signal with his right hand and uses a burst of flames on the snake attached to his arm — in proximity, it shouldn't be able to dodge.]

I never said that. But right now this has nothing to do with me.

[Faults aside, he doesn't think this is an act of nobility... atonement, perhaps. Quieting the voice in his mind.

Sasuke draws short, however, at that flash of red.]

What are you trying now? I have no intention of killing you or letting you kill yourself. If I'm forced to incapacitate you, I won't hesitate.

[immortalrose]

[As the first snake bursts into flames, a plume of black smoke explodes around the ninja. The second snake is momentarily stunned by the kick but it eventually does the same. A thick smog descends around them covering this once pristine field of freshly snow completely black like ink. It seems that Augustine’s shadow still has a few tricks up its sleeves.]

If you mean to defeat me, then perhaps you should do less taking!

[The shadow responds before using the cloak of darkness to close the distance between them. In just a flash of red light, something red and sharp suddenly slices at Sasuke. The only warning he’ll get is the flash of red he saw earlier. Blood magic is a tricky skill to wield, especially when the wielder is using their own blood. Augustine is quite formidable with this peculiar kind of magic but the dhampir is known to exhaust himself quickly in battle.

Every time the shadow attempts to strike, another flash of red appears briefly giving away his location. While the smog itself is too thick to see beyond one’s hand, that telltale flash of red might be enough to figure out where Augustine will strike next. It just depends whether or not the young ninja can keep up. Each strike progressively gets faster than the next. If the ninja isn’t careful, he might not survive this bout.]

[chokuto]

[In this situation, all he can do is watch and see, learn his opponent's moves and attempt to use the technique against them. It's how he has won many battles in the past. All it requires is patience and relentless determination — both of which he's learned to hone on the battlefield well.

The world around him darkens with that fall of smog, layered so thick he's forced to squint, red and purple eyes shining luminously through the black. If only his opponent had chakra; he would be much easier to track, and manipulate, using his eyes. In this case, Sasuke's forced to work with his body alone, relying on the preternatural swiftness of his speed and reflexes to dodge.

Each time there is a red flash, the attack follows. It's a pattern he notices after the second assault. It is one he can learn, and predict, and continue to extort until an opportunity reveals itself — or his opponent tires.

No more talking, then. He'll wait for Augustine either to falter or cease, for that window of opportunity to come.]