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Post by raz on Mar 24, 2016 21:25:21 GMT -8
Darkness all around. He's found that allowing his imagination to fill in the gaps his shut eyes leave brings a new vividness to the tableau, a reel playing back. A mountain trail he has recollection of but no personal experience with, bathed in sunset. In real life the moment had to end: here, it lasts as long as he wants. As long as he needs. And when he ascends to the peak like many times before its at a perfect spot, half over the horizon and bathing him with light as he folds his hands behind his head and reclines.
Paradise.
He'll bring her here next time, the part of him left to contemplate resolves. The rest quickly shoots it down in lieu of letting the environment sweep him in its serenity. Until something cuts through that serenity like a scalpel, with such precision their presence feels as fitting as his own.
"It's about time you woke up, don't you think?"
"Sod off."
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Post by raz on Mar 25, 2016 10:02:48 GMT -8
Eyes creak open to thin lines and meet a smiling figure, following his movements as he sinks to a cross-legged seat. The purple ribbons binding the blade on his back match the ribbons wrapping his arm, but besides them and the clothes he feels a certain familiarity with the figure.
That is to say, he looks almost exactly like him. And that irritates him.
Turning over the other way to shut his eyes he sighs, propping his head up.
"About the expected reaction. But even you have to admit you've been gone longer than you oughta be."
"Guess its not gonna be that easy to get rid of you... Tch. But what's another, better me need with my sorry ass, anyway? Anything I could do you could do better. And anything you could do, anyone else could manage even more deftly. I'm two tiers below bare minimum viability."
"I see your attitude hasn't gotten any better. But you're wrong. I'm dead. I have no business with anything more than maintaining things. This calamity's beyond me. And if nothing else you're far more capable than you give yourself credit for."
"I'm not needed or wanted. I don't need and I don't want, anything, but peace and quiet."
"Maybe not. But you can only help. And when did that stop being enough?"
"..."
Rolling over to look over the figure one more time he sighs, eyes opening to slits again as he sits up. Sunset's passed to night, moon high above bathing the mountaintop and its two denizens in pale light.
"...You're annoying. And I haven't seen you yet, which only makes you moreso. Just what the hell is it you want from me? And which one are you?"
The figure's smile softens, running a hand up his hair to move it from his eyes and leave the clear white orbs on full display
"They've taken to calling me Wayland. Once upon a time I was a Prince of Doom: Now, I'm just a dead warden doing his best. And right now all I want from you is to listen. We've got a lot to run down and little time for it."
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Post by raz on Mar 26, 2016 6:41:37 GMT -8
"You're at least somewhat aware of the disaster encompassing the meteor, I assume?" "I have an idea, yeah. Hard to miss the chaos hard as I try, Horrorterror or something right? Whatever it is Micha and the rest can handle it, same as all the rest."
"I'm afraid it won't be that easy this time. Micha is dead, one of the first casualties, and the meteor is in ruins."
The boy's eyes widen from slits, meeting the specter's as if to ascertain the truth of his words. Somehow the blank things and the line his mouth is enough.
"You're kidding, right? No... no you're not, are you..."
"..."
The ghost is silent as he looks down at his hand with a shaken look in his eyes as he processes the information. Micha, dead. Micha, the strongest. Micha, the one capable of slaying Terrors and Gods. That Micha... Dead.
And what was he doing?
"...Who. Or, what."
"A man from beyond timelines. The darkest outcome of the Witch of Time, the one who calls themself Omega is another being wielding that power of nullification, in accord with dominion over time to make matters worse. This plan of his has been in the works for a long time, Micha a pawn in it he saw no further use for. Right now he's using the Stage and the Tower of Gospel in accord to create something, as means of saving a long lost loved one."
"..."
"The problems run deeper still, however. Right now some of your friends and a mutual acquaintance are combating him atop the tower. The chaos his actions have wrought has already destroyed a bubble home to countless phantoms, and that, in combination with the means with which those phantoms were preserved, has attracted the attention of a dangerous existence."
"Mutual acquaintance? Who are you talking about, and what's this dangerous existence?"
"It's been a while since you encountered her, so you might be forgiven for forgetting. By me, I should clarify: she'll likely hold it over your head like the petulant, filterless child she is. And the other one... It goes by many names and titles, simply because it is an enigma and few who have directly encountered it are still around to elaborate. Some call it a scourge or embodiment of decay, others a reaper cleaning up after death's remains... " The boy's expression slowly sours as the ghost carries on, until finally he snaps impatiently.
"Hey. You're the one who said we don't have a lot of time, so get to the point already!"
"Oh, my apologies. You are of course right: Simply put, the Remnant of sin and doom is coming. And when it does it will only worsen this calamity. We've much work to do before then, Knight."
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Post by raz on Mar 27, 2016 16:30:36 GMT -8
"...Dammit. So, I'm the one left to try and fix this mess now that..." Trailing off he looks to the sky and stars above, moon hanging perpetual. For his part Wayland sits silently as he tries to sort through his thoughts, gaze unreadable.
"...We were kind of the same. Both of us... We were damn good fighters. We found meaning in it. And when the conflict was done there wasn't much left but to pass the time, for her, and prepare for the next, for me. We didn't think we had meaning outside of it, but she did. They gave it to her. And all I gave was shit. Every person, every single person I've tried to help, I failed to. At least one of them hates me."
"...She was probably my better, in that. She pulled people in: I push them away. Sad, ain't it?" A humorless laugh as he lowers his gaze, hands at his sides propping him up. Wayland rises to his feet to look out to the landscape, a view of the mountains as far as the eye can see. From the horizon they start dissolving, turning to bright particulate in an encroaching ring.
"...Tch. But then, this isn't the time to wax philosophical about that, is it." "On the contrary. This, perhaps, is the best course of action to see this crisis resolved."
Looking up to Wayland with narrowing, curious eyes he stands, head tilted away. "You must be joking."
"Your instability is perhaps your greatest detriment. But by that same token, achieving resolution may yet grant you strength anew. Such is the path of a Knight of Mind, the path you so laboriously abridged."
"The game is over. Has been for a long, long time, so why are you bringing it up now?"
"Because while it may be finished, you still carry its scars. And the road to the battlefield is one of self-discovery for you, one you must traverse quickly."
The light is almost upon them, the boy taking a step to face Wayland directly with an irritated look on his face. The horizon, once infinite, an empty see of light
"...What makes you think I'm interested in any of this. What makes you think I need to walk a road or be made to feel like I've learned some lesson? And what've you done here? And why me?!"
"It's simple, really. The answer to all your questions."
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Post by raz on Mar 27, 2016 16:36:07 GMT -8
The boy opens his eyes. Before him, red fissures in the void frame the entryway to a tower of memories, the door pushed open by his own hand.
You are alive.
His eyes widen slightly before narrowing, and he steps inward.
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Post by raz on Mar 29, 2016 15:40:36 GMT -8
The lobby and front desk that greet him bring an odd sense of nostalgia. Typical for a place whose grist was memory, and for a person almost addicted to overthinking things, but, he resolves, this isn't the time. The creature at the table, familiar too with its butler's suit and dignified manner of carrying itself, neatens a stack of papers, partway through the act before it notices him with some mild shock.
"Oh...? You're cutting this closely. It's been a long time, are you prepared to finally settle your affairs?"
"Haven't got much choice but to, at this point. I need to get to the top, and this is the fastest way ain't it?" The creature smiles, filing the stack of papers away in a folder before standing.
"Indeed. And I am glad you're here to finish your role, loose ends make for sloppy reports. But... You may be too late. The chaos outside has destabilized this structure: ascent may very well be impossible, at this point." The boy's eyes widen for an instant before narrowing as he takes a step forward, swinging his arm definitively.
"No... No way. No way did I come all this way just to sit on my hands with something like that! Tch... Come on, this place is made of memories or something, right? So if something's broken... I should just be able to fill in the gaps with mine, shouldn't I?"
The creature ponders it, hand on its chin as it remains silent for a few moments.
"...Perhaps. But the strain you invite on yourself and the risk by linking your mental state to this place may be more than you can take. Are you prepared for that risk?"
The boy looks the creature in the eye, nodding without a moment's hesitation before holding his hand out expectantly.
"Don't underestimate me. If there's one thing I'm good at its pulling through by the skin of my teeth... So come on. Whatever contact, or whatever you need from me. Let's get this show on the road."
Holding one of its stubby arms upward the creature shakes its head, snapping. A familiar piece of paper appears before his face, a spectral image.
"That won't be necessary, sir. Your contract was made long ago: all that remains is for you to remember its terms and settle it. Bear responsibility and its power will rest with you, even now."
The boy lifts a hand to the paper, willing something into existence. Or trying to, only to find nothing in his hand, no card, and nothing and no one at his back. Turning back to the creature he narrows his eyes, flexing his fingers experimentally as he rolls his neck. "Hey... nothing's showing up. You're saying I still have that power, right? So what's the deal?"
"I'm not sure... All the paperwork sorts out, and you should be able to summon it at will. Unless some manner of inner turmoil or the strain of charting a path are interfering with your ability to call to it."
"Inner turmoil, huh? Well that'd explain it..."
Shaking his head out he raises a hand to the ceiling, a green symbol appears on the floor below him. As the symbol glows more intensely and spins likewise the ceiling crumbles upward, piece by piece to reveal... A blue expanse as far as the eye can see red fissures in space and white slabs, dislocated steps it seems, sinking downward slowly. A spiral staircase winds upward eternally, ripples in space marking some sort of barrier or threshold yards up.
Tracing the stairway down to the first step he finds it at the elevator, turning his attention back to the creature with a nod and faint smile. "Knew we could work something out... Thanks. Wish me luck." Running past it he begins his ascent upon the stairs, the creature's expression a cipher as it tucks a folder under its arm and looks after him.
"The best of, sir. Godspeed."
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Post by raz on Apr 2, 2016 16:14:16 GMT -8
Testing it with a little more push-off in one step he comes on the next and confirms his suspicions, sighing as he pumps his legs to climb the spiral stairwell faster still. No flying, no Persona... Nothing but his wits in this far-too-long ascent. But the rippling distortion just a few more yards up spells something new and if he thinks about it rapidly approaching, or his goal, or anything pushing his body is just a little easier. A radius almost like a pond from the wrong side, ripples and haziness beyond hinting at some unnatural area beyond it, but he's got no time to hesitate, and contemplating when he's so close is pointless. "Whatever comes next...!"Determination lights his eyes as his pounding footsteps bring him past the threshold and his vision goes white. ---- The area fills in around him in pieces, color, definition and outlines crossing to form the landscape and accent his fading headache. His memories for sure...But somehow, this lab, a mix of many of its ilk more a concept blending than a point-to-point reflection. Still the blue armor he has adorned, and the labyrinthine arrangement of platforms forming a precarious bridge over a seemingly bottomless precipice, make the source obvious. Lowering his gaze to the cannon around his right arm he sighs, making a dashing leap across the boundary with equal parts excitement and disappointment. "Man... I always did like the other guy more."Skittering up from the bottom of the platform a chasis, a mechanical four-legged thing only half finished, fixates a red piercing eye on him as the ceiling turns alight with the opening of many, many more, and in the instant it covers the distance with two electrified legs lifted in attack he notices something at his hip and vaults the machine, disengaging the object with his left hand and swinging it downward. Green energy erupts from it, forming a crescent arc in its wake as it bisects the assailant and the boy lands on a single metallic boot with enough weight to power a kick to the next platform. From below each platform quickly reveals itself home to a similar automaton, bracing their legs and assuming positions allowing them to fire shoots in a wide arc centered on the boy. From above, mechanical bats swoop in, mouths agape in some mockery of glee or just lack of care for their construction as they try to divebomb him. And in the center of it all, him, crossing the cannon on one arm and the saber in the other as he charges in with a leap and a thought. This, this works. ---- 72 hours...
Man, here I was trying to be the big hero but I couldn't even find the damn thing. Couldn't confirm if someone got to it first or if something happened to it, sorry guys...
Dude its no biggie, I got it, and long as one of us did, don't sweat the small things. You should know better than anyone not to get hung up on what you can't accomplish on your own, that's what the rest of us are here for!
At least you're in the area! Just one of you guys managing is more than good enough, there's the three of you out there, right? Meanwhile I'm out nowhere near one of them. But the next one for sure, I'll do what I can. And you just do the same, and we'll all be fine!
Heh... Yeah, you're right, I know it. Stick to that and we'll beat this thing. But still... I really wanted to be the one to bring it home, y'know? I know you do, C! How cool would that have been?
Hahahaha, jealous? Better luck next time!
For sure J. Just watch your back, next time the spotlight's mine!
---
Less than 24 hours and we need those guys across the pond to bring it home... I can't do anything. But I can at least help: I can spread the info around. We all hafta work together in this, everyone's got a part to play, even me.
....Hehehehe, god this is so cool, though! Something like this bringing everyone together... I've never been in an ARG before but I'm so psyched for what comes next! But I wonder if we'll have any more hunts like this... I can only hope, right? Whatever the next phase brings I'll stand out. For those guys, for sure. |
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Post by raz on Apr 2, 2016 17:24:23 GMT -8
Rushing into a room he finds the door he entered through closing behind him, the walls on each side of his new room groaning to life and closing in on both sides. Of course he's in no hurry to find out if second chances are part of this illusion, so dashing to the side he leaps at one of the moving walls and kicks his wall up it, alternating kicks off the other one when its close enough and just barely making his way to the top in time to stand on the floor they now form. Another telltale groan of metal and the new room he finds himself in copies the first, walls closing in with the added benefit of two mounted cannons firing down on him from the cliffs overlooking. "Now do it again, just a liiiiiiittle big harder... Classic."Aiming his buster at one of the cannons he runs for the wall opposite it, energy gathering in its barrel as the memories running through his head form a secondary track to the proceedings. His head's been throbbing dully since this place formed... That stress mentioned before? Every bit of his memory's going toward keeping things stable, even the irrelevant stuff and even things from that far back. But he can't lose it... Not here. Not when he still has so much farther to go. Loosing the blast once its fully charged it he swings to the side to avoid an attack from his target's ally, springing off the wall toward the other. Close enough for him to make it cleanly and still gain height, something he takes advantage of in zipping up the rapidly shrinking area with alternating kicks. The last one just barely posed to get him clear but directly in the line of fire of the his enemy, something it takes advantage of in sending a blast his way sure to knock him back into the gap just in time to be crushing. But his other hand averts that, saber knocking away the shot with one sweeping slash and bisecting his foe with another the other way as he passes it by. It's really all gone.... I-I. I didn't think for a second we would ever really enter the Incipisphere. That we'd really end up playing... S-So Earth's gone. Everyone's, gone...
...No. Not everyone. Right here, there's still....
Enemies line the hallway, a final gauntlet if ever there was one. Behind him, a wall lined with spikes closing in. In front of him, uneven terrain forming cover and hiding gaps to places he'd rather not imagine. And a veritable fuckton of robots, bats swooping in from the ceiling, large stationary machines bearing countless armaments and drills to divide the ground and call debris up at regular intervals, shielded humanoids armed with electric batons. Small medium and large mechs of all sorts between him and his goal but he's irreverant, steadily moving forward. He builds up a good rhythm of dividing any incoming bats and hacking away at a singular of the larger, stationary things as he charges a blast, avoiding the destruction it causes and laying it with a charged shot to finish it off and dash through the hole in the line onward. The shielded foes, nimble, manage to get a few hits it, some via skill and some via distraction on his part. But if the pain is good for one thing its centering him in this, giving him the awareness to angle a slash to get around their defenses then bisect them when they lose balance and let that guard down. "C'mon... Hah! Back off, small fries!"You guys all made it alright, right?Yeah, in the nick of time it looks look. Guess that means I'm a good Heir of Time.So that makes two Time players on the team, one Rage, a Space... Hey R, what'd you get?I'm a Knight of Mind. So... I guess thinking really is the best contribution I can make, hah....Guys this got real real, real fast. But we're here for a reason. So lets kick some ass, yeah?!For sure! Just uh... What are we supposed to do, again? Nothing but radio silence from those guys for now...Guess that means our best bet is exploring. Remember, anything's a weapon if you try hard enough, and above all else stay safe. We're all making it through this, ya hear?Cutting, blasting and kicking over anything in his path he tears through the gauntlet, wall, hot at his heels and assuring even a slight misstep could end him. But finally he breaks through the blockade, making it to salvation. A door that elaborately folds outward in a complex series of motions reminiscent of a Transformer to grant him passage that's swiftly taken and closing when he's passed. The hallway he finds himself in is narrow, ending in another door of the same make as the one he just passed through and bare otherwise.
He knows what that means.
For once he takes his time in crossing the distance, walking a leisurely pace as he gathers his thoughts and memories. Everything that's brought him to this point... He doesn't need it all now, and he needs distraction less, but its at least a good reminder of the stakes. Coming to a stop in front of the door he stops, waiting for its complicated mechanism to unfurl and allow him entry into...
Darkness. |
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Post by raz on Apr 2, 2016 20:05:15 GMT -8
When the door closes behind him the only light in the room comes from his saber and the gathered energy in his buster, whining a high-pitched hum that's music to his ears, somehow. With no better options he walks forward, one eye closed as the other tries to make out details, anything about this place. If he can't then there's a good chance illumination of the sobering kind isn't far off. "So let me guess..."Machinery whirs to life, loud clanks sounding on all sides as something stirs. Lights above him become apparent, forming into an outline as the lights to the area turn on to reveal the room a raised dais surrounded by a bottomless pit, a multitude of floating pillars orbiting its outskirts. Atop him, an almost angelic machine, legless, with wide shoulder protrusions that themselves protrude a number of banners of energy reminiscent of a cape, or wings. In its angular chest, a gap that's function he can take a wild guess at. "Yeah, the part where you reveal yourself dramatically, and get battle ready for me to kick your bucket of bolts ass."
Its red-eyed gaze centered on him but the rest of its face hidden by a sleek helm, four clawed hands each holding an oversized weapon. A beam sword, a spiked mace, a lance with a spearhead of constantly shifting green energy and a gatling gun. Behind him a quake calls his attention, one more pillar falling to the narrow path that brought him here and sending it crumbling into the chasm below, the machine spreading its arms in preparation as the pillar and its like lengthen and sprout spikes at their tops and bottoms, orbiting faster as the machine sticks its chest out, energy gathering in the gap in it. "Pity it won't help you out. You are pretty badass, but..."He charges forward suddenly, his foe throwing all four arms back as its chest looses a massive beam of energy toward him. The space he occupied upon its launch is empty now though, the boy sidestepping it expertly as he levels his own buster mid-dash and carefully lines it up, irreverent of the scatter of fire on the ground a few feet away and zooming in on him. Making another step he angles himself in midair and looses the shoot, hitting his mark so cleanly the angelic knight is knocked back a few yards in its flight, roaring a mechanical scream before regaining its composure and pointing its armory at the approaching boy.
"I'm no slouch myself. Plus I can't afford to waste time on you: If I could, maybe I'd have some more fun with this. But as is... Better enjoy the last minute of your existence."The words, he doesn't expect to get a reaction or pierce whatever single-minded consciousness drives this thing to fight him. He says them exclusively for his own sake, almost like a ward or spell to focus his mind and keep him on what matters. The memories threatening to overtake him, he can't stem. But the battle he's having right now, he can't lose. And so he charges forward, both weapons at the ready as he leaps forward to kick off a floating pillar toward his foe. No time to waste. So... This guy, was created by us?
Looks like. We win like the bunch of badasses we are, but the session from the universe we create makes him, and he couldn't win so he's using Time shenanigans to fix it. I'm mad, Time shenanigans are supposed to be my thing, too!
Aren't you focusing on the wrong thing J? So winning, actually makes things worse...? 'The only winning move is not to play', right? But after everything, what else are we supposed to do...?
Well... The rules keep changing. First we thought it was a normal ARG, then a normal session, but I guess everything about this is abnormal. Even of that's the case, we just gotta keep going, and work out what we need to when we need to. No stopping the carrot train, right?
Hahahaha you dork! But... You're not wrong.
With loss comes victory... One way or another we'll find ours. Right gang?
Right!
Right! Just, don't ever say gang again, what are we, Mystery Inc.?
You say that like its a bad thing! |
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Post by raz on Apr 6, 2016 11:29:53 GMT -8
Ducking to the side he narrowly dodges a slice that bisects the platform, narrowing his eyes as the two halves begin to fold outward. Energy begins to gather in his buster as he runs up the steep incline of the half he's found himself on, leaping the gap to land in a slide down the other half's slope. Gatling rounds nip at his heels as he picks up speed on the transition to a run, edge closing in faster by the second "49 seconds..."Everyone...
It's okay, it's... We're okay, man. Everybody managed to get to their beds in time. It wasn't pleasant but... We're alright.
Yeah! These clothes are something to get used to but, we made it through somehow. Everyone I've gotten in touch with so far's okay.
I made it through but, my planet's gone... My consorts and my denizen...
If anyone had any family they're probably...
Hey. That's enough of that, ya hear? That bastard wiped everything out but he made the worst mistake of his life doing it. We're still here, and we're strong enough to turn the tides. Everything we lost, everyone, we can save!
Yeah... Yeah, definitely! With this many of us, we can bring him down! He wanted to take out our planets, fine, let's keep it going. We'll bring down this whole session, and him from the foundation up.
Hehe.
Eh? What's so funny, C?
Oh nothing, you just sound really fired up. Like someone out of an anime or something, y'know?
Wha...
Hahahahaha she's totally right! That goes for the both of you!
Hey don't lump me in with him!
Same! And hey... So what if we do?
Hearing you guys makes me feel the same way, though. Let's show him what fifty thousand Gods can do, guys.
Yeah!At the edge he takes a flying leap, arms spread as he sails toward his foe. One of its arms, the one bearing that spear, lances forward as if to impale him, and he twists his body in midair to avoid the strike, landing on the arm in a roll into a run. A few seconds is the most he gets in its surprise but its enough to clear most of the arm and leap off when it tries to shake him off, body like a bullet sailing toward the gap in its chest. Energy gathers in that gap but not quickly enough the titan finds, when it finds him lunging forward with an outstretched arm to bury his saber directly in the gap. A mechanized scream resounds as he plants both feet on opposite sides of the gap with the momentum, and he pushes the blade in farther before leveling his buster with it and unleashing a shot that impacts the green blade's hilt and pushes it all the way through the mechanical titan's body, its motions halting in an instant.
"...58 seconds. Well, at least its not just one second left."
Beams of light streak outward through numerous gaps in the titan's armor, small explosions scattering debris throughout the entirety of its chassis. From its core a massive explosion spreads outward, the steady gaze of the Knight never leaving the fallen knight even as the light engulfs it, then him and the rest of the area in a brilliant white.
---
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Post by raz on Apr 8, 2016 12:29:50 GMT -8
He's running again, it registers. Keeping a proper sense of self is hard here, its all he can do but zone out of his own actions complete rather then let his mind and memories dictate them. Whatever it takes to get to the top, really: climbing is easy, one step, two steps, make a leap when there's a gap, simple actions he can go through with borderline robotic efficiency. The landscape is turning around him, he's forced to acknowledge on some level: blue grows increasingly fragmented by hazy patches of red throughout that make a mess of things, the loose-floating debris and stairs growing more frequent. Some form an obstacle, albeit not a particularly difficult one: vaulting them is easy but every one is a half a second more he's wasting here. Kind deeds... They're the grist we'll need to take the fight to him, right?
Yes. And if you make a pun that awful one more time, just one, we're not friends anymore.
Hehehe, I laughed. Don't try and play cool like you didn't!
So, music, art, writing, anything creative and selfless. Wonder how long it'll take to gather grist with that...
Not long it looks like, we've already got a bunch!
Haha, really? That's the kind of thing that really fosters your faith in humanity.Another distortion in the air before him, something clicking him back from autopilot. Putting on a burst of speed he kicks off a step and reaches a hand out as if to grasp that divide, vision turning white as his hand sinks through it. A scene locked in time. A boy in red and black leaning against a counter with his palm upturned, offering a girl in purple a faint smile. The girl with her hand on the back of her head is offering him something: another boy, this one in orange and gray, with his arms crossed and eyes hidden, watches the events with a mouth drawn in a line. A girl in faint blue watches with her head on her hands and mouth in a wide, tight-lipped smile. A boy in green rolling his eyes with crossed arms, and another boy giving him a dirty look. And many more, figures caught in a moment of chaotic serenity and happiness. This moment, he wants to last forever. The grief and pain he gets... If there were more moments like this, then maybe...The boy finds himself in a naturalistic environment, in an high-tech environmental suit and furthermore a ring of multicolored... What can best be described as bipedal creatures, all looking up to him with curious expressions. But... That wasn't right. Lifting a hand to his head only to find it blocked by a helmet he shakes it out instead, scanning the landscape. A mismash... Water to the west, a canopy shielding an area from light to the west, and more biomes hastily patched together regardless of continuity. That wasn't right.... For sure, that wasn't right. Some of those people looked familiar but at the same time not... Those weren't his memories. Are more bleeding in through this chaos? He looks closer. The sky is red with the same distortions that plagued the tower, and behind him, a rocket with some device fixing a beam on the ground. Time's running out.
"Alright... Come on, all of you!"Reaching into his pocket he fishes around, a headache making itself apparent as he fudges the rules. Something that never existed here... A map, is in his hand now, the likes of which lays out every goal point plainly. Raising his hand he calls the creatures, his allies, to him, and rushes toward the closest one, friends in turn. Did we really do it...?
We uh. We might have helped him do it, but, as long as we're working toward the same thing, help from any source is appreciated.
We took the Forge on our own, and we can take the next one too. If he helps, power to him, but we can't rely on or willfully accept his aid any more than we absolutely need to.
Hey, cheer up A! We're almost done... At this point there isn't a lot he can do, all we have to manage is turning the tides on the Battlefield and we can wreck his shit!
Is it really going to be that easy...? He's still a threat we can't afford to take lightly. And once we do, what then?
Don't worry. I... I think a couple of us know how this ends. For him, and for us.
R...?
He's right. That's our main objective... But we've got at least one more thing to do. To obliterate him completely, and all the damage he's done.
...I love you guys, y'know. Don't ever forget that, alright? No matter what happens and how it shakes down... Don't ever forget that.
D-Don't talk like we're never gonna see each other again... Jeez, you idiot, that goes without saying! And whatever you need to do, we need to do. We're all in this together so... Don't be so vague about it!
...Yeah.
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Post by raz on Apr 8, 2016 20:21:29 GMT -8
A two-legged monster lunges forward, massive mouth wide open as it scopes countless in its mouth. Their final cries hold resignation rather than anguish, as if accepting of their loss and more disappointed than agonized at their demise. But it serves a purpose, their companions atop it coming down with a synchronized strike that brings the thing to its knees. Through it all he directs another group to carry the part that beast was guarding, allocating as many as can fit around the stabilizing bolt to bring it home. He tenses on his backfoot before launching forward in a ground-skimming fly that brings a surge of headache. He has no time to delay but the slow pace of this trial means unless he bends the rules, he'll be here forever: in a few moments he's halfway across the map, directing another two groups in combat and recovery as he charts a safe path the way he knows is bare of foes.
Micromanaging countless groups he efficiently scours the map, every loss and every high-speed move another spike of pain. FΘR ▲ KNIGHT ΘF MIND YΘU’RE NΘT VERY SM▲RT, ARE YΘU. He's... half, right? Surely he's halfway done, maybe more... He's been all over this map, and there are no bosses posing yet more insurmountable. Just a gauntlet of foes and natural architecture forming the brunt of his opposition. Half sounds about right. How long for the tower? Funny thing about that; I’m exactly as smart as I need to be. The thing is, right now? I feel like being a little stupid. Battle rages around him, a swarm of climbing a four-legged carapacian beast lifting one hoof to crush them underfoot. He's alone save for he's alone on the ground. What happened? Mid flight... He must have crashed. Gotta keep it his foe standing before him, a dark singularity that demands his attention. Face twisted in a sick smile, head tilted as he lifts his arm. And in that together. He can't lose it here. Pulling himself up with a grunt he rushes toward the group he had to check on, did they run into opposition? An unexpected predator? Or merely an insurmountable wall? Maybe there was no moment space folds around him, and where there were none, an innumerable number of players form, a wall closing in on the dark creature with weapons drawn in most cases, powers charged in others. He joins the charge likewise, shock covering Chronos' face for just a moment, the ambush only made possible by players of the Void seizing every ounce it can to converge on this aberration.
LETS GO!
He's on the ground again, twitching as a crack makes itself apparent in his vision. He's on the ground, unbearable pain coursing through him. Angry tears stain his face as he musters everything to look up at the one responsible. The pieces he set in motion move like clockwork, he can just barely make out from his prone position. Time and time again they bring parts to the ship, the thing, filling in the gaps every time its tractor sucks another part in. Until finally, a golden glow runs through the links in its segments, bright light shining as it expands outward and engulfs him.
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When he comes to he's pulling himself off a step, the environment around him crumbling. Red patches spring up all around, hazy pixels wiping all blue away as they run down the landscape. It's all he can do but shakily pull himself to his feet, taking one step, then another, and slowly working into a jog considerate of the growingly frequent gaps in the stairs and large spaces of nothingness he's forced to make wide leaps for, kicking off slowly sinking pieces of debris for the most extreme of them. He's looking into the eyes of that guy, he could swear he sees that man's eyes for a second.
" "
His words are distant, hazy, but they infuriate him somehow, an anesthetic to the incredible pain of his right fading, fast. He's losing touch, vision blurring as he almost misses a jump and only just barely manages to grab the edge, pulling himself up with some great effort. The memories, not even his in the worst case, playing over his vision, his mind. Where was he... On the battlefield? In the tower? No, he knew... But how for how much longer?
We knew it'd have to end this way on some level, didn't we...? There wasn't any other option, if you think about it.
He crosses another threshold before he knows it
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pain splitting his head as the scenery changes again. A snowy landscape,
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dark rocks jutting upward forming 5 platforms perfect for those who might use them to stand atop and lord their own existences. On
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all sides, horses ride, a knight at his back as he hefts an axe over his head to
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lay a mine, hastily turning a corner as the enemy hot on his heels trips it and triggers a huge explosion that barely misses him. Stepping into the next room he
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takes another step higher. And another. All for this...?
Another crack in his vision. He's. Climbing, right? He has to climb. He has to. Everything is falling falling.
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Post by raz on Apr 8, 2016 20:24:11 GMT -8
The tower crumbles around him, steps farther below turning to dust in sequence. His arm hangs over the edge, eyes open, lidded and staring at nothing at all.
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Post by raz on Apr 10, 2016 7:39:22 GMT -8
Just... What've I been doing, here? Climbing some steps... Playing some games... While everything goes to shit. And looking back on things... I did my best to ignore the memories but, they were trying to tell me something, weren't they. Just like back then, just like now, I was never really good for anything but riding other peoples' coattails... I was never any more than unnecessary support. The things I did for the cause... then, and now, there were other people who could do them. Better.
So just... What have I been doing, here?
The people he knew, the people helped, and failed to help. Friends from back then, and from now, surround him. People he feels he should know but doesn't. All of them smile, eyes hidden from view.
And... There's him. Wayland. Him from how long ago he can make some guess based on the basic clothes and two-headed dog behind him. A boy in a white, red and blue outfit somehow familiar to him, flashing an even brighter smile than the rest. One with his back turned, flashing a thumbs-up over the shoulder.And among the crowd, brighter than the others. A girl in yellow with long brown hair, staff topped with foodstuffs over her shoulder. A stylish troll. A girl from a long time ago, and another from far back. A boy with gravity-defying hair. A girl in blue opaque glasses, another stylish one. A girl with a gun casually hefted on her shoulder... No. A woman in flowing white robes with a serene smile.
And......What have I been doing?
What am I doing?
Just remember one thing, okay? No matter how bad things get...
What I can... Maybe not only me, but...
I'll... For everything, you'll...
...Not only me.
A group of teenagers and young adults addled with neurosis and self-destruction...Easily distracted and quick to bicker.
But in the darkest times, bearing the capability to pull together...
...Heh. Are you sure you're not family?
Hasn't been for a long time, has it?
Right now everything may seem hopeless... the possibilities may seem out of reach to you, and maybe you don't feel strong enough to reach them. I just wanted to tell you, that you can do it. You can fight to survive, and you can make it out there. Come together and join your hands with others. Be the one left standing when all else fails, and everything seems hopeless. I believe in you...
All of you.
Green alights below his prone body, in the shape of a familiar symbol. We're with you. You're not on you're own.
One hand, reaching up to the ceiling, or sky. The other still over the edge. But... both hold something precious.
At his front, a girl, falling but not anymore. The hand at her back, his hand, keeps her aloft, and he feels... Something. This girl......You've been fighting for a while, huh? I don't know how I know that, but... I'm sorry. I should be there, its the least, maybe the most I can do, but I'm not, not yet. I haven't been for a while. And because of that, she...
The figures surrounding them with their warm smiles grow in number. A pale figure with green hair in a dandy top hat. A scruffy boy in red heir clothes with a piece of cheese hanging from his mouth spread in a smile. A similar boy in a farmer's hat. A dark splotch against the background... That serves as outline to a girl not unlike herself, bearing a smile. Friends of her own from before and in the game alongside his own. ...You probably don't want to hear anything I have to say. And that's fair. But... I'm still coming. Even if you hate me, rightfully, I'm still going to help. You're not alone... Everyone else, of you and everyone else, have a little something in you. We're like... torches. Carrying a flame. Even if it seems like we can't do anything we don't have to, we just have to do one thing. Because we're not alone, we don't have to do it all on our own, and any little bit, every little bit we can contribute... That'll be what sees us through to the end.
green glow surrounding it, then her as it lifts her.
You can fight. Maybe the hardest out of all of us... So, fight on. Reinforcements are coming, and besides that. You, and everyone else, all of you are together, all of us can make a difference.
Because... We are alive.
So let's keep it that way, yeah?
--- A hand angles itself to prop him up, not without struggle but ultimately successfully. A crack in his vision, both eyes now, but... His own advice is worth taking. And... Well, that wasn't a promise, but it was close enough. The stairs alight with green begin to glow in that aura further and further in each direction, as he shuts his eyes. This isn't the end. |
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Post by raz on Apr 15, 2016 7:25:27 GMT -8
A green aura surrounds the, floating freely and otherwise, and aligns them in his path as he walks ever forward, upward, with purpose. Around him, a whirlwind of scenery: to one side of the steps, a bustling city street being torn down by a massive truck chugging after a blue blur and decimating all in its path. On the other, a checkered battlefield being torn apart by a fierce clash the details of which can only barely be made out, a blur of colors meeting black tar time and time again in a flurry of combat.
Need help?
Nah I. I got this, I...
....Could use some help, yes.Pausing, the boy contemplates something, turning back. Both sides shift, the city becoming a darkened laboratory of some sort that a figure in a mechanized walker trots through destroying everything in his way and the other side, the battlefield, becoming clearer, the varied God Tiers clashing with Chronos becoming more clear in their movements and actions, weaving between the monster's blasts and destruction of the arena as they exchange blows. Until suddenly another shift, and bodies litter the ruined scenery, along with stains of black tar. One Knight of Mind, face down. ...Man. I have an even worse joke. Renewing his pace he picks it up a little further still, eyes focused ahead. The laboratory shifts through a slideshow of a series of more fantastic locales inhabited by more fantastic characters, as the body of the Knight on the other side lies still, cape fluttering in the wind. Until with little fanfare a figure in a darkish green outfit touches down beside the fallen Knight, fusing over their body with obvious worry. And his pace doesn't slow but his eyes do widen as he watches the Knight rise to their knees... His knees.
I know /that/ much... But. I don't...
...I don't remember this.
The girl, a God Tier he's not completely familiar with, clasps him on the shoulder with a wide smile, and the words they exchange are muffled, unintelligible, but words all the same and words he recognizes as his own. Her excitement and his concern are obvious, until he ingloriously falls backwards, eyes falling shut as his head rolls to the side. Shock colors her features for a moment before she rests a hand on his forehead and cradles her chin, treating his wounds. And although one half of her own face is covered in bandages the pensive pout she wears is obvious. Both scenes fade out, and he breaks into a run with narrowed eyes in an attempt to process what he's seen. Ripples in space grow more frequent as he climbs, blue light at his back as he ascends. The scene changes again, a gathering of friends, somehow distant, on one side and a pinkish light traveling through infinite space on the other.
Help me....The scenes change again, before he crosses a threshold. At his back a warm blue glow, and all around, darkness. |
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