Eighth: Grail War (Video; un: Caster)

[colchismagecraft]

(TW: Arson, Kidnapping, Death Threats, Magical Torture, Grief)

[The video starts with smoke billowing into the night sky, and as the camera pans down, the source becomes plainly clear. The edge of the Brocéliande woodland is ablaze, and the fire is starting to spread. Silhouetted against this ominous backdrop is the figure of Caster, using subtle magical manipulation to make her usual, heavy cloak cast an even darker shadow than it should as it billowed out around her.

Her eyes can't be seen under the hood of her cloak, but even in this darkness a broken smirk can be seen across the Witch of Betrayal's face. The twisted ritual dagger she held gleamed a sickening red in the light of the flames.]



Archer... we need to talk.

[For what sounded like a declaration of a grudge, it wasn't entirely clear whether or not she realised she was broadcasting to the entire network.]

You enjoy continuing battles that have already reached their conclusion, don't you? Well, it's time that I do the same.

The Holy Grail War isn't over. Our battle hasn't ended, not so long as I exist in this world... haha, I was a fool to delude myself into thinking otherwise. Hahaha...!

[She could hardly contain that bitter laughter, coming out in bursts, but she forced it back enough to continue.]

You know exactly what you did.

And I will have my revenge... I'll destroy anyone I have to until you come and face me. Oh- you won't crawl out of your hole without any motivation, will you? Well, I do have a little something to help convince a heroic sort like you.

[Caster flipped the picture on the camera, directing it to where she'd got an unconscious Darin tied up against one of the trees, a strange dark mist flowing around his body. And with a flick of Caster's wrist off-screen, the shadows intensified- sinking into him. Even unconscious, he started to writhe in pain.]

Hmhm, I don't know how long he'll last with my curses... so I suggest you hurry up. I'd hate it if I had to dispose of a body.

I will burn it all to the ground- and make you watch them all suffer for your choices. You know I will, Archer, it wouldn't be a first for me.

[She flicked the camera back to herself, now holding what appeared to be dragon fangs, hovering over her palm and pulsing with a strange, dark energy. Her familiar - now much larger than the housecat size it usually appeared - rested its head on her shoulder, watching the magical items with a fierce intensity.

And then, her carefully planned stagecraft started to crack, as a crazed grief started to inch it's way to the surface.]

I just want you to suffer. Do you really think I care what becomes of me in this world? Of what fate befalls the other realities?

They can all perish for all I care-!

Hecate curse you all!

[Before her composure can crack any further, she ends the broadcast.]



[ooc: The log itself will go up tonight/tomorrow for getting involved stopping this mess- note that if you have a heroic character who'd ICly get involved but you don't want to deal with this mess OOC, she's recording late at night in somewhere with ropey network signal, so feel free to assume the memo didn't get through or that your character couldn't track her down in the chaos.

Also- threadhopping totally welcome for this one.]

Comments

[patchricide]

[Those replies are oozing overconfidence. It's practically broadcasting that she has more plans than what she's laid out here.]

[At this point, though, Allura hardly cares if she's being goaded into it.]

And what, you think that's acceptable?! That I would even take you at your word?!

Stop treating this like some sort of sick game!

[colchismagecraft]

A game? No, this is simply how a witch like me can get the upper hand in a War.

[By blackmail, manipulation, and underhanded tactics.

Of course she didn't expect Allura to take her at her word.]

[patchricide]

What, your feud between you and this 'Archer'? You honestly believe that is a war?!

[It's a button that Caster likely didn't even mean to push. She didn't name it the Holy Grail War, did she?]

[But Allura's history with war runs deep. War burned her planet and slaughtered her people. And when she awoke ten thousand years in the future, it was the only recourse remaining to her. The path to liberation of countless worlds, and the burden to enact her righteous vengeance.]

[Compared to that, picking a fight with one (1) other person? Oh, it bothers Allura, and not just for the sake of semantics.]

Well, if it's a war you want, you'll be getting it! Leave Darin and the rest of us out of it — or you'll soon see how well your upper hand fares against an army!

[colchismagecraft]

...I'm not explaining the Holy Grail War to you, but it's a fight to the death between Magi and their summoned Servants.

[Explaining the rest would take far too long, right now.

Truth be told, Caster hated it. First and foremost, she wanted to live a peaceful life with her precious Souichirou-sama, but...to do that, she needed to earn the right to remain in that world.]

Hmph. If you intend to come after me, so be it.

[patchricide]

And you expect me to retract what I said over that? Wars — real wars — are clashes of peoples, which decide the fate of kingdoms, worlds... even the universe itself.

If death is not implied, then you have not seen the true face of war.

You'll see me soon.

[colchismagecraft]

I couldn't care less about your opinion.

[The ritual to summon the Holy Grail was a bloody one- but she had no reason to give any answers to Allura. Why should she? She didn't care who called her evil.]

Think what you want.

[But for the time being, she'll be readying herself for a fight.]

[patchricide]

[It's time Allura did as well.]

[She's even decided to skip the pettiness of trying to get the last word, and instead cuts the feed there.]

[Perhaps there's other ways to reach Caster. Actions speak louder than words, don't they?]