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etrayalogs2024-09-27 01:18 pm
etrayamods) wrote in etrayalogs2024-09-27 01:18 pm
MISSION 005 PT 2 & ARRIVALS
WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: September 27th-???
WHERE: Throughout Etraya
WHAT: New Arrivals! With a side of mission 005.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Horror elements, including fear-inducing landscapes, distorted environments, unseen predators, mental/emotional distress, potential body horror, corruption, possession, brainwashing, and compulsion.
WHEN: September 27th-???
WHERE: Throughout Etraya
WHAT: New Arrivals! With a side of mission 005.
NOTES\WARNINGS: Horror elements, including fear-inducing landscapes, distorted environments, unseen predators, mental/emotional distress, potential body horror, corruption, possession, brainwashing, and compulsion.
 ⏵ disrupted arrival ⏴ Your arrival does not go as anticipated. Aurora, the AI that keeps Etraya in order, had been overtaken by the Im'mari earlier in the month, her systems corrupted by its influence. While efforts have been made to save her from succumbing to it, much of the city is still in disrepair. New arrivals will not awaken in pristine hospital rooms, but will instead awaken within the Dhaliwal-to-wall Bookstore. Cots are laid on the ground surrounded by books. Kneeling beside them is a woman - or rather, Aurora, with her new body that is vaguely similar to the makeup of those from Connor's world. Her features are strangely serene, with light hair framing her face. Those capable may recognize that she is machine, rather than flesh and blood. Beside her, a vital monitor thrums as it monitors the newcomers, checking them over for any abnormalities that may require her attention. Those who may have arrived injured will find their wounds well-tended to. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Her voice is steady, tinged with something almost apologetic. She offers a slight smile, looking over her charges. "We are in the midst of a mission that has... gotten out of hand. My name is Aurora. You have been chosen to protect your home world, and I am here to assist you in achieving that goal. The multiverse has begun to fall apart, and Echo will only be able to protect some of them. You are here to show them the importance of protecting your world." She will remain to answer questions for those who respond to her politely in turn. For those who opt to be unkind, Aurora will simply shake her head in disappointment and pull herself up to her feet, moving to check on her next charge, if any remain. Otherwise, she has other matters to attend to. Each newcomer is given an earpiece to connect them to the others residing on Etraya before they exit the bookstore. Welcome to your new home.  ⏵ into the fractured city ⏴ Once the initial shock of arrival wears off, they're left with the daunting reality that is Etraya: a collection of islands teetering on the edge of collapse, still reeling under the influence of the Im'mari. The streets outside are eerily quiet, but signs of life and activity are scattered throughout the city. Aurora provides a moment to gather their bearings, but the weight of her words hangs in the air: there is no time for complacency here. Etraya may be fractured, but it is still home. For now. Whispers of Im'mari's influence linger in the city, and numerous individuals who have been drafted have become infected by it. Faint shadows seem to move just beyond sight, strange echoes sound in the empty alleys of Nova City, the hospital appears to be temporarily taken over by something otherworldly, and while many within the city are beginning to figure out their next steps in taking care of what's happening, others are left reeling, consumed by the fears that haunt them. It may be wise to scout out a few safe zones among the untouched areas of Etraya. Ramsey Farm seems to remain... mostly peaceful, outside of the havoc caused by Mena the goat. The catacombs under the city proper also seem to have escaped Im'mari's notice - for now. And while it may be covered in snow and cold, the Wolf Cove also seems to be relatively peaceful. Outside of safe zones, others who have been present in the city for long may provide useful information, if one were to seek them out. There are strange objects imbued with dark magic hidden throughout Etraya by Gorgug and placed strategically to affect those who come into contact with them. Those who are perceptive enough may be able to find and neutralize these objects before they spread further terror. With enough effort, perhaps things will return to normal.  ⏵ whispered influence ⏴ The air in Etraya is charged with tension, thick with the weight of something ancient and malevolent. Whatever it is has already begun warping the landscape, but what lurks behind the shifting reality is far worse. Im'mari, a fragment of the cosmic horror that ravaged Moorecroft through the night, managed to follow those who returned to Etraya on their journey back home. Its insidious presence creeps through the city like a shadow that refuses to lift. This isn't just a fight against fear. It's a slow devouring, a feeding on the darkness that lingers in every corner of your mind. Im'mari is not a distant beast; its very essence has embedded itself into the heart of Etraya, infecting wolves, plants, and even a few of those who currently call Etraya home. Its influence spreads like a whisper in the night, quiet at first, almost imperceptible. But with each passing moment, with each shudder that goes through one's spine as they face their fears, it grows stronger. The more one struggles, the more it feeds. Can you feel it? The weight of it pressing in?  ⏵ through the veil ⏴ The whispers grow louder. Perhaps you see it in your friends. A little shift in their tone, the way they hesitate before speaking. Or perhaps it's something deeper--subtle changes, things you'd never normally question. Maybe they seem more irritable or doubt themselves in a way that feels foreign. You wonder: is this just the strain of the mission? Or is it something darker? "It's easier if you just give in." And the more you listen, the more your world bends. You swear you hear something--a voice, someone calling out to you. Or was it just the wind? The scent of blood hangs in the air, though when you search, you can't find its source. Suddenly you see it on the walls--a message, a memory from your past--something that grips you with a cold fear. It settles deep in your gut, but it's too late. The image lingers at the edges of your vision. Your mind is playing tricks on you, isn't it? Or is it something else? The longer you linger in the halls of the apartment complex, marketplace, or the hospital, the more the world twists around you. Objects shift in your peripheral vision - did that lamp just move? Did that thing lingering just at the edge of your peripheral vision just speak your name? Im'mari is everywhere now, its influence seeping into the very walls. While Aurora has been freed from its web and continues to work to regain control of her city, Im'mari tightens its grip, refusing to give in. The stairs creep beneath your feet, the scent of rot clings to the food in the diner, and the hospital's medical rooms are empty... or are they? Was that a scalpel, or something else? Paranoia begins to creep in, the lines between reality and illusion blurring the longer Im'mari maintains control. And grows bolder. Words, sounds, and images warp the world around you. Faces appear in the shadows. Scents that shouldn't exist hang in the air, triggering memories you'd long since buried. Blood, ocean waves, familiar voices fading in and out. The longer you stay in these places, the more paranoia seeps in, eroding your defenses and wearing you down. Many objects may seem harmless, but Gorgug's magic has imbued them with dark energy. As you pass them, the whispers begin. A stair creaks underfoot and suddenly you're back within a memory. A stone shifts, and you catch a glimpse of something that shouldn't be there. These objects are traps, set to trigger the worst within you. Each time a memory comes to life, it seems to warp the world around you - the hallways stretch, the lights flicker out, and you're certain someone is following you. The paranoia builds, a creeping dread that won't leave. You have to find the source. Break the spell, or endure it continuing to spread.  ⏵ cottage in the woods ⏴ As you travel deeper into the twisted forest, the air grows heavier, more oppressive. The scorpions that guard the way to the cottage scuttle through the trees, their pincers sharp as they block your path. Vanessa lingers there, her appearance changed, eyes glowing a fiery red. Black veins pulse beneath her skin with the same dark energy that courses through the Im'mari. Along with her are her guardians, ready to fight to defend her. The closer you get to her, the more distorted the forest becomes. Light blinks in and out, disorienting you. You're not sure which way is forward, and the scorpions hiss from the shadows, attempting to lead you away. But you must keep going. Vanessa stands at the heart of it all - broken, feral, lashing out at anyone who dares to approach. If you get too close, you'll hear the whispers. "They see evil in you. You're no different." If confronted, she may call upon her magic, using Verbis Diablo. But if you act fast, you can attempt to stop her before the words take hold. There is a header for new arrivals if they wish to talk with Aurora! For all questions relating to this mission, please refer to the plotting post. Please keep an eye out for new comments, as we have many new characters and players arriving! All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. |
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But if she leaves, Riz is here alone with this thing. He's obviously as upset about it as he can bear to show; his reaction to even the suggestion of them kissing is even to cement her feet where they are.]
What does he want with you?
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[ Riz's mouth goes dry, the words dying in his throat. He knows that what Baron says is that they want to be romance partners, because that's what Riz had invented in his stupid, stupid moment of weakness. But that can't be it, really. The Nightmare King wouldn't bother making a figment of Riz's imagination for that purpose, and that purpose alone.
No, he had arrived to sacrifice Riz to those godawful devils. But the possibility of that happening was long gone. So what is it? Does Baron really want to be with him? Or is this just some elaborate invention to torture him because, what, he's Kalina's favourite? He rubs at his forehead. ]
To be with me. I guess. That's all he's ever said he wanted.
[ He can't help it -- he moves, positioning himself between Hikaru and the television, between Hikaru and Baron, unsheathing his sword as though it would do absolutely anything against a creature like Baron. ]
But he needs me alive for that. For you...
You have always been an incorrigible know-it-all, Riz Gukgak. I have uses for her too!
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[That's about as far as Hikaru gets in the thought out loud, feeling something... Wrong. Very, very wrong.
Her breath catches as she feels something else sliding over her, like a tight wrapping enveloping her entirely. She feels her fingers move and twitch on their own without her control.]
What? [Her eyes shift around, looking from her hands starting to move to Riz like he has an answer for whatever is happening. But she no longer has control of her own body. Not even to say the words she wants as that same feeling of something else wrapping around her gets to her jaw and mouth.]
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[ Riz's voice falters, breaks, embarrasingly high and piping. He scrambles to his feet, sickly aware that his fear is stark and clear in the blanching of his face, the tremble in his fingers, the caution in his huddled stance. It doesn't look like anything has happened, but Baron has disappeared from sight, and Hikaru looks --
Hikaru looks weird. He doesn't know her well enough to tell the difference in the way she carries herself in the way she speaks, but he doesn't like the way she's moving steadily towards him. ]
What is it? What's happening? Did you -- feel something?
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And then one hand jolts unnaturally to her glove, pulling the sword from its gem storage and holds it in both hands. The usually happy and bright girl holding a sword looks a bit different as she stares blankly at Riz.
But probably the worrying part is she doesn't say anything. She simply holds the sword ready.]
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[ Riz has heard about Baron possessing people by now. He hasn't seen it -- had tried to put it well out of his mind the first time Fabian had mentioned it in passing, hoping it was something that happened to him in the relative isolation of the Nightmare Forest, never to be seen again, but it's clear to him that it's happening now. Again.
He edges away from her, privately berating himself. All of his smarts and cunning, and he can't think of a goddamn thing to do. To raise a finger against Hikaru, a girl who has been nothing but kind and understand to him, is inconceivable. To be skewered at the end of her sword is equally as inconceivable. ]
Okay, I don't... [ He pinches at the bridge of his nose, trying to tamp down the frantic tattoo of his heart. ] I don't know if you can hear me in there Hikaru, but we're going to fix this, okay? I'm gonna get him out, and it's all going to be okay.
[ Lying. Lying is what got him into this in the first place. But here he is, doing it all over again. ]
...Baron? Are you in there?
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Riz Gukgak [It's a little unnerving, Baron's overly sweet saccharine voice overlaying Hikaru's kind tone.] Why would you want to Get me Ouht?
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Especially knowing it's because of him. He did this to her. If he could just handle his shit properly, deal with Baron on his own... no. He can't focus on that now. What he needs to focus on right now is trying to rescue her. ]
Y-you want to be my, uh, 'romantic partner', remember? I don't like girls. Or people who are younger than me. So. Bad choice. If you just get out of there, we can figure out something else, right?
[ He tries to smile, he really does, but the only expression on his face is that of abject terror. How the hell does he get out of this? ]
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[Hikaru's arms raise her sword again, this time with a bit more finesse. The sword is swung into a poor side table that happened to be in its path with a loud crack of wood splintering against the metal blade. But she still takes steps closer to Riz.]
Soon, there will be no more distractions. Only us.
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[ Riz darts away from Hikaru, but doesn't turn to face her again -- he just keeps moving, dodging out of the way and keeping her on his toes as he goes through his options. He'd known that Hikaru had been called to another world to save it, apparently, but not that a small, young girl was able to cleave through solid wood with a fucking sword.
Oh, boy. He's in trouble. He's in trouble, and she's in trouble, because he needs to find a way out of this that doesn't involve shooting her. ]
Hikaru, if you're in there, this would be a really good time to say something! [ He yelps, rifling frantically through his equipment.
Net first, then tranquilizer. God, but she's so small. Tranquilizer could make her really sick. ]
I don't wanna hurt you!
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[Baron is at least certain of that, and that Riz doesn't want to hurt his friend. But Hikaru keeps moving closer with sword still steady in hand.
Probably a positive is that Hikaru's heart isn't fully in this fight; Baron can't make use of her flame magic. But the sword is still there and willing to listen as she takes another swing the closer she gets.]
What will you do? You would not hurt me.
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He can't afford that. Not here, not now, not with hellfire raining outside. ]
That's where you're wrong, Baron, [ he says, voice deceptively calm. ] I'm an Adventurer. That means I'm willing to hurt anyone.
[ He fires off two bullets in quick succession -- trick shots, just like his old man. A tranquilizer dart once, and then a weighted net. As slight as Hikaru is, even her strength, muddied by the tranquilizer, isn't enough to clamber her way out of there. The nets are meant to be able to topple fully grown orcs, let alone little human girls.
He keeps his gun up, level, ready, praying that Hikaru will simply topple over... and that she'll actually be able to get up again after all is said and done. ]
Get out, Baron. She's of no use to you if she can't even keep her eyes open.
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But slowly, gradually, her consciousness begins to fade. The tranquilizer takes effect as she struggles before closing her eyes and goes still.
Baron can no longer use this body.]
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[ There is no answer. There's no answer from Hikaru's lifeless form on the ground, no murmur from the television, no flicker of the lights. He paces the area restlessly, peering in every reflective surface he can find, but there's no sign of him.
It would be false to say that Riz is satisfied with this, but there's not much else he can do about it. He busies himself instead with removing the net from Hikaru, wincing with guilt as he plucks the dart from out of her pale skin and with some effort, drags her to prop her up on the back of the couch instead of crumpled in a sorry heap.
An ear lowered to her mouth ensures that she's still breathing, the pad of his finger pressed against her neck ensures that her heart is still beating. Feeling horribly guilty about the whole thing, he moves to pick up her sword to move it safely away from where she could seize it again before it immediately bursts into flames. He lets out a loud cry of surprise and dismay (and yes, pain; even a brief touch has the palms of his hands alive with the heat of it, and he knows the delicate skin there will be throbbing and blistered by the end of the day), dropping it with a hissed, fuck, fuck, fuck. Just his luck -- a magical sword, enchanted to fuck up anyone who goes against Hikary, no doubt. He gives up on that effort and instead drags her away from the sword instead of the other way around, stoically ignoring the fact that he's weak enough that he's simply sliding poor Hikaru across the uneven floorboards by her ankle, her clothes and hair gathering dust as though she's a human broomstick. Once they're far enough away, he curls up next to her, knees tugged to his chest and blowing futilely on his hands, too exhausted and paranoid to bother trying to run them underneath some cool water like he knows he ought to.
He doesn't cry, because that's just not a thing he does, he tells himself. But he lets himself feel the weight of it, the enormity of the person trapping him here, the horrible feeling of an innocent girl being caught in his clutches, and presses the heels of his hands into his eyes, hard. Deep breaths, in and out, just like Jawbone taught Adaine. He takes the moment, then pulls himself back together, cheek resting upon his knees as he waits for her to stir. ]
Sorry, Hikaru, [ he murmurs to her unhearing ears. ] You didn't deserve that.
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Mm? [Her eyes creak open, needing to adjust to the harsh light of the television.]
..Riz?
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But it doesn't take as long as it should for Hikaru to wake up, surprisingly sturdy as she is, and he jolts up once she stirs. ]
Hikaru! [ He practically yells it in her ear, having forgotten all about the concept of volume control. One hand darts out to grab at her wrist, two fingers pressed at its juncture to take her pulse. ] You're awake! How are you feeling?