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[attr="class","econtent"]THE WEIGHT OF THE revolver, small cold metal, easy to conceal, to secure to the waistband of his black trousers, was familiar in Valerian’s gloved hands. He’d been young when he had first been taught the basics – how to hold, aim and fire the gun’s magical bullets. Maybe that was why he lacked an appreciation for the standard sword, blades. Or maybe it was simply that his niche was in ranged combat, keeping an opponent just out of reach of touching him.[break][break]
Rather preferable when going up against one-eyed monstrosities.[break][break]
Reddening his gun, Valerian’s ears perked, overhearing the three-way conversation held by a trio of other Red Fountain lads – what sounded like a pep-talk.[break][break]
Ordinarily, Valerian would have lost interest in the instant after his was temporarily perked, but a single name gave him pause. Jason. Being of Andros, it was more habit than deliberation that caused brightly-blue hues to scrutinize upon the runtish lad, but also, being of Andros’s underbelly, Valerian knew enough about the Atwaters to recognize its princely heir. And for the pale shape of his mouth to twist in distaste.[break][break]
The celebration was shaping up to be a real disaster.[break][break
It was then that a shrill scream pierced the air, turning heads wildly, but not Valerian’s. He felt that piercing shriek – in his head, in his core. Painful, gut-wrenching. He squinted, his fingertips pressing against his temples as if that would subdue some of the pressure, almost relinquishing hold of his weapon.[break][break]
Shut up …[break][break]
He could not say if he had spoken out-loud or only thought so vehemently. But it was at that point that another had come to stand at his side, her voice soft but lacking any real feeling, no sense of urgency. Thin, delicately boned, it was an easy enough thing for Valerian to look down at her, being much shorter than he. Her eyes were large, lilac, and her hair fair, though closer to silver than his own ashen mop of hair. ”We’re under attack,” he replied to her question, somewhat abrasive, words not softened by a lack of a smile. His head ached and his heart seemed to want to climb up his throat.[break][break]
And her next question did little to soothe his moodiness. A contemptuous huff left from his mouth as he rolled his brightly-hued eyes, vocalizing what he thought about her words. How dumb, as if anyone could predict what was to come.[break][break]
But then the barrier did break. Or, rather, the ki conjured by them all failed to match that of their strange enemy. What irritation that had been forming the blond’s expression dissipated, although silvered brows furrowed as Valerian regarded “Begia.” Keeping his feet whereas others had stumbled, even fallen, following Mordecai’s shockwave.[break][break]
Begia was strong and strange.[break][break]
”Does that answer your question?” he muttered dryly to the girl at his side.[break][break]
The screams of the one-eyed monsters were designed to strike fear into the students that they charged towards. Valerian could taste the acidic taste in his mouth, tightening around his throat. And gritted his jaw, just as his hand clenched around his gun. He shouldn’t have been afraid. Not of this battle.[break][break]
”Tch.” Turning sharply on his heel, the tall blond moved away from those who had gathered around the gnome. With hurried steps, he stepped up onto an abandoned chair and then onto one of the feast tables. Now elevated above his peers, he directed his gun towards the charging hoard, a finger resting against the trigger. ”MOVE!” he snarled, words directed at fairies, witches and wannabe-heroes, whoever stood nearest and in his way. His only warning.[break][break]
Valerian could see the bulbous, crazed eye, positioned at the very top of a greyed skull. Becoming more detailed with every second as the creatures grew closer to their prey. It was all that he cared to see, as he pressed against the trigger. A flash of vivid blue, a resounding shot. And then green ooze splashed in all directions.[break][break]
Their eyes were their weak points, just as Begia had demonstrated.[break][break]
Another echo of the gun, a second creature turned into slime. However, there were too many of them, a number too great for ideal target practice. And they cared not to wait for the Wizard of the Blue Flame to time his bullets adequately.[break][break]
Hastily, Valerian lept down from the table, knees bent as he landed. Avoiding one of the creatures as it threw itself down upon the wood where Valerian had last been standing, the wood splitting and then crumbling as four more joined their fellow, their hisses and snarls inhuman as they scrambled and scuttled to regain their footing. Worst, more still stood nearby, and they turned aggressively towards the wizard. Simultaneously standing and aiming his gun, Valerian fired. Once and then twice, attempting to step backwards, to place distance between himself and the creatures. Green splattered, but his bullets had missed connecting with eyeballs, striking grey-tinged arms and torsos instead. And doing little more than stalling that which it hit. Two more similar shots, and the semi-automatic ray gun faltered, and so did Valerian. For the rounds of mana had been used up, and needed reloading.[break][break]
”Shit.” There wasn’t time to reload, the creatures dived at Valerian, guttural in their eagerness. And Valerian, taking one last step backwards, brought up his right foot, in a kicking sweep, before stamping his foot back down.[break][break]
[break][break]
Mana channeled, conjured, directed. Vividly blue fire erupted in a torrent of flames around Valerian, catching the creatures as they leapt, hands reaching to ensnare him. The stench of smoke and cooked flesh was immediately pungent, the air clouded and heavy, blue flames still writhing, catching and searing away at whatever it could. Those creatures not caught within the flames had been thrown backwards, away from Valerian, by the impact of the fiery torrent, their sounds ones of pained from burns still inflicted. Unfortunately, any Alfea, Cloud Tower of Red Fountain students who had been standing close to an evading Valerian were likely to have suffered similarly, avoiding what blue fire still smouldered and spread.[break][break]
TL;DR – Two skinwalkers were killed by Valerian’s bullets. Three more by his fire. At least four more are now inflicted with secondary burns, but so might also be a few Alfea, Cloud Tower and Red Fountain students, standing within range of his magic. Things are also probably on fire, chairs and other furniture for example.

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WE'RE YOUNG HEARTS, LOOK AT US GO

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And in an instance came the sound of shattering light. But it was due to Mordecai's bravery and courage that the trio, YVETTE CALLISTUS, FRITZEROY REGULUS, and herself were safe. But it wasn't until chaos ensued that from Professor Emerald's own mouth the students were to already engage in combat. For something to happen on an event made to encourage the new generation of their future, darkness befell upon them earlier than even Headmistress Elanor thought.

Chaos unfolded before her very chestnut hues. The girl in yellow heels couldn't believe the scene that unfolded and thus knew not what to do. Her first instinct? It was to run, though her second? Stay and fight. But she wasn't a fighter, she could barely control her magic let alone transform when it was necessary. "I'm useless," she thought to herself aloud. And as she got up, her first thought was to run during the attack.

She wasn't sure where she was going, she had no clue. But it was as if her body moved toward something, or rather someone in the onslaught of chaos. Having severed herself from YVETTE CALLISTUS and FRITZEROY REGULUS. Her body continued to move on its own, acting as if she'd lost the will to control her being. There was no describing this feeling as to what her body had been pursuing, but it wasn't until she saw the flame of blue. And in that flame which burned the forces of evil to crisp, she saw him.

Luckily she'd arrived promptly as the flames dissipated, for she herself could have possibly been burned. Though essence of these flames remained, she felt warmth resonating within this specific area which felt all too familiar. She came to interact with an unknown essence of what looked to have been none other than, "You..." she stood upon staring intently toward VALERIAN NORTH. Panting lightly, her body had now been in control; her mind at ease for some unknown reason among the chaos. "You..." she hesitated, only to finally speak her mind.

"You could've hurt someone with that spell!?" she assumed none were injured at this time by his spell, but spoke with a soft anger in her tone; a palm pressed against her chest. "That was dangerous!" she exclaimed at the male. Her gaze softened as if saying she wasn't angry, whereas words spoke enough volume to showcase that she was. "P-Please be careful," she told the male.

tl;dr: fled from the entrance and separated from yvette and fritz, elena has come to meet with valerian for the first time; no gray skinwalkers/nosoi's were harmed in the making of this post.

[attr="class","sumcreds"]KOJIHIME

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[attr="class","econtent"]THE BLUE FLAME WAS A dangerous force. As far back as his memory spread, back to the unyielding mental wall that was his amnesia, Valerian had felt its warmth, smoldering just beneath his fingertips, within his heart. Ever ready for use, to be summoned. It had never burned him, but he seemed to be its one exception.[break][break]
A testament as it smoked the air, a star-shaped ring that almost boxed-in the brawny youth from where he stood, gnawing away at earth, wood, fabric and greyed flesh.[break][break]
It had posed a risk to the crew of the North Wind too, as much as Valerian had wielded it against the Tritons and Mermaids. Any lack of concentration could have seen the blue fire turn its touch upon the ship, his home and family. It was why Valerian’s father had been so strict in his training, encouraged the lad to be a thinker, a planner. To view the crew as not only as the family who chose him, but as those who he should love, protect.[break][break]
Ever conscious of their safety.[break][break]
A mind-set that he did not share with these strangers, these children. Soft and cowardly, whilst he had always known dauntless strength.[break][break]
Even so, Valerian knew that he had done wrong, acted too hastily. Allowed that unwanted and ill-suited fear to control his actions in one careless moment. He was better than that. Inhaling deeply, of the dry pungent air, fingers dragged through untidy ashen strands as his blue gaze scrutinized what he had caused. No-one from Alfea, Cloud Tower or Red Fountain seemed to have been burned by his fire at least.[break][break]
Exhaling heavily, Valerian felt less perturbed than he had. Remorse slunk about his emotions, but what fear that had dogged his heels seemed to have just … disappeared. A weight no longer burdening him. Valerian felt more like himself, his composure unforced. However, he wasn’t permitted long to savor his relief. A voice, feminine and not quite familiar, perked his ears. Attracted his gaze, back to that black-and-yellow attire, her long mane of red hair. Once more, he found himself staring, distracted though conscious of his feelings twisting, that sense of relief growing far less subtle.[break][break]
Until the heat of anger suddenly sparked, a weighted warmth unsettled in his gut. Irritation.[break][break]
”This whole situation is dangerous,” he growled back, his silvered brows furrowing whereas her expression softened. Misleading, he knew that she too felt irritable, angered – he just didn’t know how he knew that. ”Maybe people should stay out of my way.”[break][break]
Regret, remorse, once again he knew that he’d done wrong. Her concern was sincere, for him and for others. And once more, Valerian wasn’t sure why he was so certain, why he wasn’t so assertive about his own behavior.[break][break]
Focusing upon his mana, so as to reload his gun, Valerian scowled all the deeper, determined not to allow her to see that he was relenting towards her stance – whoever she was. ”How about you start being a little less concerned about me and more about yourself, Red. These things are just small-fry – so long as their boss is still kicking, the fight’s not done.”[break][break]
TL;DR – No skinwalkers were harmed by Valerian in this post. He and Elena are conversing for the first time. Stuff is still on fire though.