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labyrinthum2024-11-16 05:47 pm
- !modlog,
- ace attorney: dick gumshoe,
- attack on titan: petra ral,
- attack on titan: reiner braun,
- captain laserhawk: dolph laserhawk,
- dungeon meshi: izutsumi,
- dungeon meshi: kabru,
- final fantasy xiv: hythlodaeus,
- heaven official's blessing: xie lian,
- legend of korra: jinora,
- lies of p: black cat,
- mcu: loki,
- metaphor refantazio: basilio magnus,
- metaphor refantazio: fidelio magnus,
- metaphor refantazio: will,
- my hero academia: izuku midoriya,
- my hero academia: kurogiri,
- original: nao mizushita,
- the owl house: king clawthorne,
- twisted wonderland: cater diamond,
- witch hat atelier: qifrey,
- yu-gi-oh!: mokuba kaiba
November Intense Event 2024 [4th Wall Event]
It's not clear when it starts. It's subtle, with one new face appearing in one of the alleyways in Somnius, a gold cuff bracelet unremovable from their left wrist. Another appears a little while later, on the outskirts of the woods. Several more appear, as the hours go on, scattered throughout the neighborhoods of Somnius. It continues like this, a sprinkle of new faces with questions on their lips that becomes a steady stream. The natives do their best to accommodate these new Visitors, but it becomes clear quickly that they are different from the Dreamers, arriving all throughout Visium, rather than in the Enchanted Garden. Rumor travels throughout the city that these Visitors with the golden cuff bracelets must not have contracts, and may still have their native powers. They're treated just the same, encouraged to make themselves at home until Vaeros decides what to do about their lack of contract.
Vaeros remains suspiciously quiet, even from his castle beyond the labyrinth. There's something electric in the air, the atmosphere crackling in anticipation. What's on the horizon?
- 🏘️ Making House
There's no end to the mushroom houses or hill houses available, and though there are fewer in existence, it seems as though the desire for a cottage means there will be one available. Visitors are encouraged to make one of these places their home, but some need a bit of TLC to be homeworthy. Roll up your sleeves to make these houses your home! Sweep out those cobwebs and find that the mushroom houses stand straighter and feel healthier the more their insides are cleaned. Other homes feel lighter, and the land around them feels more fertile the more tender care is put into maintaining them. Though many come without electricity and water, it may be found that, for Visitors only, these dwellings will self-connect if enough work is put in. Be careful not to get sprayed in the face by that hose or faucet you're currently polishing!- 🌇 Exploring Town
There's a myriad of places to discover in Somnius. Not only are there native run places like the Stone Dragon Café (which will, unfortunately, almost always misinterpret your order in some fantastical way - they just don't have the best grasp on Dreamer foods), and other businesses run by Dreamers themselves. There's Club Quartz - which is often open late, and always welcoming to those who want to visit - Bloom Boutique, the Dreamer run flower shop, Kuchel's Tea Shop, a long running standard run by a different Dreamer, and of course, south of the cottages, a few miles off the main road, there's a pretty white farm house with a swath of field behind it. There's also the Church of the Moon, ran by locals who fervently believe in the moon and her power to keep the world in balance.- 🚸 Unruly Kidlings
Like any city with people dwelling in it, there's bound to be children. This particular week, the kidlings, both gelfling and goblin alike, seem to be extra naughty. They'll take slingshots to shoot dreamers and visitors with sticky gum, and they're putting soap in drinks that cause those who drink the syrupy concoction to hiccup soap bubbles out of their mouths. Nothing they're up to is particularly dangerous, but it sure is mischievous. It might even be fun to join in when groups of these children take to the streets to race on self-made rollerskates, skidding and rumbling down the cobblestone.
Dreamers and Visitors might find themselves as makeshift parents, having to guide these unruly children back to their actual parents. Those who take up this task will be given small tokens in thanks - simple items like pearl beads or glass baubles that, if are floated in glass jars with water and several others, will show pleasant memories from the person who last touched them.- 🪩 The Labyrinth
The Labyrinth, freshly reestablished has been quiet. Dreamers will find initially that they cannot enter, but that the labyrinth looks completely different to Visitors. Welcoming and warm, it comes across as inviting and somewhere Visitors seem drawn to. It will be up to Dreamers to stop them before they enter, or take advantage of temporary openings that WILL allow them to enter that only appear when a Visitor goes in, in order to chase after them.
Dreamers and Visitors alike will experience moving walls and shifting pathways, and find themselves drawn to one place in particular: a tall clear crystal statue that seems to hum. Time spent around this statue compels anyone around it to tell the truth, but when night falls it compels confessions of desire or even love.
cw: natural disasters, potential dismemberment
There's peace for a while, even with the mysterious appearance of these Visitors. However, as time goes on, things start to feel a little off kilter. The ever present barrier around the whole of Visium shimmers ominously, cracks and sparks appearing along the sky, almost as if a bubble is trying to burst. Swirls of color splotch through the sky, only becoming more and more evident. The weather begins to turn cold, then colder still, but then turns warm again. Rain falls heavy and fat, only to disappear the moment day turns to night - which seems to be happening rapidly and without much warning, the day shifting several hours in only a few minutes. These erratic shifts between day and night only seem to further fuel the storms and dramatic weather patterns that dance over the island. Some parts of the island will experience dramatic environmental changes from other parts. While the city could be covered in snow, the forest could be experiencing a heat waves. Concequences from these weather patterns are possible, including forest fires, flooding, freezing of crops, and the dramatic rise of tides on the beach.
What's worse—the very ground beneath everyone's feet begins to rumble occasionally. It, too, starts off subtly, but as the days progress these rumblings cause small cracks, then fissures, and finally, craters that seem to radiate heat as though they reach deep into the earth, beyond the ocean and land. Echoes of cackling and ominous whispers filter up from these fissures, and those who stand too close might find themselves possessed with violent desire or the wish to sap the energy from others in any way possible. Time away from these fissures will make this behavior wane, but be careful!
All of this activity seems to be waking up adversaries and creatures old and familiar within Visium, so be prepared to handle them!
- 👾 The Fireys
It's no surprise that, even with the wild weather, the Fireys are making a reappearance outside of the deep recesses of the woods they call home. They're wandering into Somnius, large gaggles of them looking for something FUN to do to match the wild atmosphere and crackling magic all around them. They will party in their usual way, their strange bodies able to detach wherever they want. They have no care that not everyone's body works this way, and will relentlessly pursue anyone they think is playing too hard at being a wallflower.
When touched by a Firey, body parts do come off, much like dismantling the limbs of a doll. For most people, it’s painless, but for the unlucky few, it’s as excruciating as having it cut off. The Fireys, though? They have no concern for the well-being of others. They will run off with their loot, kicking it around and hiding it, forcing that unlucky soul to go on a morbid scavenger hunt.- 🌑 Shadow Wolves
Those shadow-like wolves have made a reappearance, traveling easily through the slithers of darkness as the moon and sun erratically change positions in the sky. The crackling energy rebounding through the atmosphere fuels them much as the blood moon once did, once again giving them solid form...
What once was a shadow becomes a ferocious direwolf as large as a tiger, blacker than the night itself, and with razor sharp claws and teeth. These wolves target the natives, who are the most defenseless in this chaotic situation. Adults and children alike are snatched and carried off with the intention of making a meal out of them. These wolves cannot be reasoned with and do not speak. They will attack indiscriminately if they are separated from their intended prey. Once again it is up to Dreamers to protect the native population and usher as many as they can to the new Healer's Conclave, a medical and healing safe haven for those less inclined towards combat.- 🦇 Visium's IRS
No one likes it when government agents go rogue. But in the chaos of rebounding magic and crackling barriers, the Skeksis seem to be operating on their own. Instead of targeting the locals, as many expect once they first show up, the Skeksis target the Dreamers' belongings. They're vicious and will attack in groups when they happen upon a dreamer with items that they have regained. Your gun? Clothes? Any myriad of items you could be carrying on your person from home or gained by Vaeros' magic? They consider that theirs now. They have little regard for how they leave dreamers in the wake of their grabbing and snatching. Visitors will also be targeted for their golden cuffs, but the situation is dire for them; if their cuff is removed by the Skeksis' magical means, the visitor will begin to wither like a plant stricken with no water and a disease. The only way to stop this is to get the cuff back and place it around the visitor's arm again.
They won't stop at simple possessions either. Those who have wished for homes, castles, and home improvements will also find their homes targeted. Normally places of safe haven, there is no such unspoken rule this time around. Skeksis will wield wands made of purple crystal that seem fused to their hands to rip home additions from their foundations, to crumble standing buildings and pull out plumbing. They can be ganged up on should they get singled out, and should dreamers break their wands their homes will return to the way they were before the Skeksis began their nasty work.
At one point, the sun sets from its point at high noon, the day rapidly descending into night and giving way to the moon. Shimmering along with the stars, something else appears in the sky. A magical shimmer ricochets through the sky before the image of a large white barn owl flies through the night sky. A screech echoes through the air, cutting through the crisp, stunned silence coming from the natives and the land itself.
"If you do not wish to see the complete unraveling of this place, then I suggest you give back what you have been given. If I am not given this power back, the island WILL sink, it is no longer my choice. Pray at the crystal and return my power to me."
An ominous rumble of thunder echoes through the sky as soon as the image of the perched owl—Vaeros— disappears from the sky in a shattered shimmer. The natives look towards Dreamers especially - expectantly - as they clamor for the help that only they can give. Vaeros is doing his part! You must do yours! Help us all before we no longer have anywhere to live! Give back to the crystal! GIVE BACK TO VAEROS! Ultimately the decision to give back to Vaeros is up to the dreamers themselves, but the consequences seem to be quite dire to the gelflings and goblins that make this place their home.
- ✅ Returning Magic
Those generous enough to be willing to sacrifice their regained powers will need to get to the Crystal to do so. When there, they will need to join hands in prayer with other dreamers willing to sacrifice, as well as locals who are there to bolster the wish. This action won't take long, but it does take significant concentration.
Interruptions or wavering resolve might result in electric shocks that sap energy. Those who do make it through the prayer and give up their power will feel significantly lighter, and a little weaker but they will find a deluxe potion in their pocket when they stand. These potions will replace the returned powers for now, and at full strength. Those who already have red or yellow potions can obtain a second to gain a second elemental power or a second transformation.- ⛔ Refusal
Wait a minute. They want us to return our what?
So, Vaeros is urging Dreamers to relinquish their regained abilities back to the crystal in order to stabilize the crumbling world. Those who do sacrifice their abilities will notice that anomalies nearby begin to calm - some, however, are surely opposed to this idea.
What's the right call? Perhaps your character wants to advocate for sacrificing abilities as requested, or, perhaps your character is dead set on doing the opposite. Dreamers who disagree with Vaeros' requst might attempt to reason with others, speak out to the population at large, or even go so far as to interfere with others praying at the crystal to return their abilities. Locals will try to deter these dreamers from interfering, but the natives are generally much weaker than the contracted Dreamers.- 🔮 The Crystal
Those who visit the crystal at this point in time may find that it feels like a safe haven. Besides the Healer's Conclave the effects during this time seem minimal the weather stays steady though the time of day still reflects the same fractures as everywhere else. Huts and tents are set up for those injured by the fireys or shadow wolves, and despite these creatures wandering around everywhere, they can't seem to get into this area. It's a welcome safe haven in all the chaos, and it allows those who wish to pray and donate their regains to do so in...relative peace.
With their world and status quo once again thrown into chaos, the natives are growing restless with frustration. Those who are not cooperative with Vaeros are shunned from businesses that are native-run. They might even have a hard time seeking help at the local Healer's Conclave, a new establishment meant to replace a previous Dreamer establishment. Dreamers and Visitors alike may find themselves ushered unceremoniously out of buildings or even public spaces in the town if it's clear they've refused to help the situation. Those who do seem open to helping are greeted warmly and actively sought after with gifts and healing balms. A large contingent of locals have also hastily erected a large board near the Crystal, decorated with gems and carved creatures in its poles. This newly erected Quest Board is how they've chosen to organize their new desire to facilitate tasks that the dreamers and visitors can do to supplement the magics at work to save the island.
Quests appear on the board which insist that connection is vital to repairing the deteriorating world. The locals plea with Dreamers and Visitors alike to seek each other out, and find what connects them.
The magic in Somnius is currently unstable. With Dreamers sacrificing their regained abilities to the crystal in the interest of stabilization, many are left with only the power granted to them by potions. Even if one does still have their regained abilities, locals implore Dreamers to use their potion-granted powers to complete certain cleansing rituals.😱 Shared Scares
Dreamers and Visitors, you must find what bonds you! Sometimes weakness is louder than strength. Seek someone out who shares your greatest fear, and share it with them fully. Honesty is essential. The world will not repair unless you expose your most vulnerable anxieties.🎇 Drive & Desire
Dreamers and Visitors, strength lies within you still! What is it that you want? Seek someone who shares your greatest desire, and share it with them fully. Honesty is essential. The world will not repair unless you reveal the heart of what drives you.
🐺 Wolves at the Windmill
The White Windmill has been overtaken by a pack of shadow wolves, prowling inside and out. The magic surrounding the Windmill has become extremely unstable, but nothing can be done to cleanse the space until the wolves are done away with. Locals warn that only using animal transformation magic, granted by the gold potion, will successfully run off the wolves and regulate the area.🌊 Lake Oh-no-men
Erratic weather near Lake Omen is causing massive waterspouts to form. The area has become extremely dangerous, but locals warn that only using elemental or healing powers granted by the red and blue potions will calm the phenomenon. Dreamers must work together and lend their magic in order to regulate the area once again.
Expand to see our Event Summary
Visitors Arrive
Control Slips
Returning MagicOOC Note: Linked TDM plotting posts are for reference of these mentioned creatures only.
Working TogetherOOC note: The rewards that can be sacrificed can ONLY be powers or high-stakes items that facilitate character abilities. Regains to housing, mundane items and similar are not valid. Anything that is voluntarily sacrificed during this event will be returned at a later time via another event and cannot be regained with shards in the meantime.
Welcome to our November 4th Wall Event! Please keep all event activity to this post and subsequent overflows. We have provided a couple of headers for both Visitors and Dreamers to post their top-level links should they want to! We are also including a third header where we will have a form to fill out regarding donated regains. Please see our plotting post for any event related questions.
An important note about Visitors! All Visitors still have their canon powers. But they can not donate them to Vaeros. Have fun with that!
The Healer's Conclave is our new "clinic" location! Located in roughly the same place the clinic once was, it is a building molded from the trunks of ancient local trees and old pieces of labyrinth wall for protection. Inside, it is much the same as the clinic with a magical healing wing and a traditional medicine wing. This is a well staffed and NPC run "business", though Dreamers can work here. A location entry will be added for the Conclave no later than January 1st.
A State of the World post will be put up on December 10th, based on activity within this event, so look forward to it! Have fun Dreamers AND Visitors! A special welcome to our Visitors coming to us from outside the game!
you know (˵•̀ᴗ - ˵ )
[ Whoever this stranger is, they seem to be more startled by Maruki than he is of them, reeling back almost comically into a pratfall before managing to catch and steady themselves. Just. Just a second, though, they need a second for mental steadying along with the physical. ]
For cryin' out loud, can't go five minutes here without some... [ He mutters in exhasperation, more upset with the situation itself than someone else having trouble navigating pitch blackness.
He shakes his head as if to knock out any remaining disorientation, and looks forward to see--well. Almost nothing. Not one of those freaky little whatsits, too tall for that, and honestly if whoever this is is another human being that puts Adachi at a little more ease. Maybe, just maybe, this can be an interaction that makes some amount of sense. ]
That depends, you know the place well enough to get around like this?
[ He gestures at...everything, whether it's seen or not. Can't keep his hands still. ]
'Cause I'll be honest, it's a 50/50 whether I can even get around my own apartment when the power's out. There's always something you forget you left out until you're stumbling around and--
...Yeah. Yeah, I'm kinda lost, here.
who's this YUTZ
Ah, sorry again!
[ He holds the phone up high above his head, aimed down to try to cast the meager light on both of them.
Maruki blinks rapidly behind his glasses, eyesight adjusting, and– wow, that's a lot of nervous energy. Reminds him a bit of how he was when he first appeared, tripping all over himself in that dusty marketplace until Akechi came to his rescue. It's good to pay it forward. ]
It's alright, I'll help you out. Believe it or not, the sun doesn't normally blink out like that... [ It's said with a weak attempt at good humor, as if that alone could settle someone's nerves in such a bizarre situation. He extends a hand. ] Dr. Maruki. I live nearby. You can at least come rest there until the daylight comes back.
just a lil guy, just a silly, come on
A minor annoyance, really, but considering the entire situation he's found himself in Adachi's sure he's allowed to look a little peeved. At least with his peeved look visible so is the other man, and he...doesn't look like a threat, but then again neither does Adachi himself. He's not armed, doesn't know the area, nor if a persona would be effective here.
But one guy in his home sounds a little more like something he can handle than sitting out in the darkness waiting for the elements to get him.
He takes the offered hand. ]
Adachi. I'm gonna trust you're not some weirdo angling to stab me later, so, lead the way.
he is, unfortunately, my angel
Alright. Here, walk beside me so we don't get separated.
[ A gentle tug to the guy's sleeve to get him to fall in line, and then they're off, skirting along the treeline to get toward the distant entrance of the farm. Damn Eren for getting such a massive property.
Maruki chatters idly to fill the air, glancing over every few seconds to make sure Adachi is still there. ]
If you've been over near the crystal at all, I'm the guy who has a tent set up for counseling there. I've been here for half a year, so I feel some amount of responsibility for ensuring you all settle in as easily as possible... Ah, which isn't easy at all, I know. I'd like to tell you that things get less strange, but they really d–
[ And then, as his eyes rove from Adachi to the wooded area before them, he catches a few glints of reflected moonlight.
One arm flings out, soccer mom style, to stop Adachi in his tracks. ]
Do you see that?
[ Maruki knows the shadow wolves. Killed enough of them in their war-torn future, with brutal efficiency. But in the pitch black of sudden night, catching sight of them is like trying to pick out a single whisp of smoke in open air. There are only occasional glimpses of their eyes, shifting bright through the darkness, coming closer. ]
no subject
Mind of a Killer aside, Adachi's alright with letting Maruki yap. It's hardly useless chatter if it could give him some clues as to what the hell this place's deal is, so he even puts on his active listener ears to let Maruki know he's not being ignored. Mhmm, oh wow, really?
And it's because he was paying attention that he doesn't run into the soccer mom arm. ]
Huh? Do I see--
[ Oh. No, he doesn't see a whole lot, but what he does see is enough to immediately set him on edge. That's too big and high up to be a wandering kitty cat or something, and way too confident in their march forward to be a prey animal. Which doesn't leave them with a whole lot of friendly options.
Adachi shifts, moving to put just a little bit more of Maruki between him and these things. ]
Aaaand I don't like it, whatever it is.
no subject
The shadow wolves move like quicksilver through the darkness. Gleaming eyes there one moment, gone the next, no way of knowing which direction they've taken through the trees.
Maruki inhales–
Smartest thing to do would be to wreck as large of an area of the forest as possible to either hit them or drive them out into the open. Can't risk them getting on the farm, though, there are those there who aren't as adept at defending themselves. Can't let this guy run, have to keep him close but safe. What happens if someone who arrived here without a contract dies?
–and exhales.
Silent, stock still, all senses on high alert for any sight or sound of the shadow wolves coming nearer. ]
Can you fight?
[ Ignore that aurora that's appeared through the air, Adachi. It's probably fine. ]
no subject
[ Magatsu's been huffing and puffing in his bestial rage at the back of his head since he got here, but that's not surprising for such a stressful situation. He doesn't know if anything will happen should he call aside from a migraine and even more frustration.
That aside, he's got his police training and that's about it. How much good will that do against mysterious nightmare monsters in another dimension? He doesn't want to find out, but he might have to... ]
You wanna toss over a hint about what we're dealing with first?
[ Like that aurora he can't ignore, what is that? Is that from these things in the darkness, or something else? Work with him, here! ]
me staring into the void realizing they're the persona-related migraine brothers
[ This time, they've shown more interest in attacking the gelflings and goblins than the dreamers, but– there are none of those out this way. His home and Eren's farm are both set so far outside of town specifically to get away from Somnius' native residents. Without their preferred prey around, that leaves only the two of them.
Maruki refuses to be a sitting duck. ]
Please promise me that you won't panic.
[ Not about the shadow wolves, though! About the great, gleaming beast of gold and neon and tentacles that's appeared before them.
It's enough of a disturbance to draw a pack of shadow wolves out of that treeline, bounding toward them with ferocious intent. Impossible to tell how many there are when they blend in with the night, but as Eternal Radiance's great cosmic eyes gather in the sky, the bright light they radiate illuminates the area enough to reveal–
Too many. A dozen, maybe more.
Maruki swears beneath his breath as beams of holy light crash into the earth, striking only a few of the wolves down in their path.
Hope kiiind of being able to fight wasn't a lie! ]
:3c >:3c
Logically he knows there's no guarantee as to what that gleaming golden thing is, a feeling nag-nag-nagging at the back of his brain be damned. But it sure looks close enough to a persona that giving his own a try might not be the crazy gamble he thought it was.
It hurts like hell. Always does. Starts right behind his eyes and radiates out to envelop his entire skull, throbbing with every heartbeat until everything comes to a point, tearing a pained yell from his throat--
And a figure appears just as suddenly as the other, clad in red and veins pulsing across its coat fluttering in the wind, a strange sword poised to strike as if it were vibrating in its weilder's claws...
And it does. It slices through both the air and a good handful of wolves, leaving faint red streaks of light in its wake. ]
no subject
And then back again, his neck cracking from how fast he turns at the dying shrieks of the wolves.
Maruki has seen so many people do so many incredible things in his time in Somnius, but no one does what he and Akechi do. No one summons a figure to do their fighting for them. He lacks his ally's navigator instincts, can't tell outright if Adachi wields a persona the same way that they do, but if not, then it's an ability that's eerily similar, isn't it? And lightning doesn't strike twice like that, he's sure it doesn't, so– ]
What... No, are you–?
[ No time for questions – two of the wolves barreling straight for them get caught in Azathoth's mass of tentacles, jaws snapping wildly just a few yards from them as they steadily tear through. Think fast! ]
no subject
[ No time to talk, only time to make sure the wolves aren't taking bites out of them.
And speaking of lightning, with an arc of the mysterious figure's blade a massive bolt materializes in a snap to crack-BOOM down on one of the wolves in Azathoth's grasp, leaving nothing but a clap of thunder in its wake.
What will its friend do now? And more importantly, what will Maruki do? ]
no subject
But lightning is new.
Phenomenally useful, too. The wolf fries, goes limp in Azathoth's grip. It may only be downed, not yet dead – the beasts are terribly strong, Maruki knows that too well – but he's more than happy to clean up and make sure the job is done.
Those bizarre cosmic eyes appear in the sky again, an eerie blue that matches the neon striation on Azathoth's tentacles this time. These ones don't irradiate the area with beams of concentrated holy light; they rain down themselves, pummeling the wolves down into the ground by sheer force.
Which is good, great, excellent, but–
Well, Maruki doesn't want to draw this out any more than is necessary. A growing power brews in his mind, percolating at the base of his skull – and it shows clearly in Azathoth, rising higher into the sky, manifesting yet more tentacles from inside its chassis.
He doesn't look over at Adachi as he shouts quickly over the din of the wolves being bludgeoned: ]
Can– that hit a large area? Hard? The longer this goes, the more will come running, so if we can just take them all out at once–
[ OH YEAH THAT'S. THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER PACK OF WOLVES BOUNDING THROUGH THE TREELINE NOT TOO FAR OFF. COOL COOL COOL ]
Quickly!
no subject
Something that really smacks down on a large area, huh...yeah, yeah he can think of something like that. A trick he picked up the last time he was in the TV, a memory that serves to piss him off even further, so a good two-for-one special. One possible problem, though...
Maruki's already close, but Adachi practically scruffs him to bring him closer still. He needs to remember the other man is there, that he's an ally in the middle of what's about to happen so it doesn't smack down the only other person trying to help him right now. It's not a surefire guarantee, but it's better than nothing, and he's desparate enough to take those odds. ]
This might sting, so hold on a sec--
[ A second is all Maruki has to prepare for what's about to happen. The light from Azathoth seems to be all but eaten by pitch blackness only on the ground beneath them, a red light replacing it in the shape of a simple spinning mandala. Symbols follow its clockwise march, and with one look at those it becomes immediately obvious.
A Curse. This is Curse energy, no ifs, ands, or buts about it, and it only gets stronger as they spin faster, faster, what seems like the light trails from earlier blade slashes flitting at random within its circumference as it builds and builds and all at once finally bursts. ]
no subject
Maruki knows this feeling.
He knows it very well. A Curse– the Curse, a soul-deep foreboding that ekes in at every edge of his cognition. Akechi employs the same energy with great prejudice, a surefire way to take out the Tentacle of Healing and even the playing field somewhat between them – and sure enough, even with Adachi keeping him close at his side, that tentacle crumples beneath the weight of the growing Curse. It's fortunate the rest of Azathoth can hardly take a dent from it.
But it's not like what Akechi does. Not at all. It's much stronger. Vast, all-encompassing, darker than the night that brought those shadow wolves forward to begin with. Maruki stares down at the spinning symbols as dread grips at his heart, then back up at the persona–
Was this how Akechi felt, he wonders, the first time Maruki unleashed his own phenomenal power on him?
Stunned.
Seen.
The pressure of that Curse mounts, an unbearable weight on the whole world, and just as it reaches its zenith and bursts forth, Maruki regains enough of his composure to remember that he did have a plan when he shouted at Adachi.
As Adachi's persona strikes with its mandala overtaking the ground beneath them, Azathoth's own Almighty energy splits the sky above. A great, otherworldly beam of light meets that darkness. It doesn't pierce through; the two are like oil and water, but as soon as it's wreaked hellish havoc on the area, Tyrant Chaos' dome of brilliant light overtakes the same space. Maruki shoves at Adachi's shoulders to get him to double over, duck down, joins him with an arm flung over his face to guard against the blinding blast.
And then–
Nothing.
A world emptied. A world silent.
The sudden silence of the woods after their display of unmitigated chaos is oppressive. Maruki drops his arm, straightens up, blinks at the carnage they've wrought– and turns to Adachi, eyes wide. ]
Who are you?
[ What are you? ]
no subject
And it's over.
He thinks?
When there isn't any more light trying to sneak through his skin he chances a sliver of a peek, finding only silence and stillness. Maruki seems to be moving as well, so it must be safe enough to...hell, he's not sure what, aside from letting most the tension he'd wound himself up into go. It'd be just his luck if there were yet more predators skulking around in the darkness, but if he can't enjoy even a second's breather after that he might scream.
A lot comes to him in that second's breather. Brought against his will into something by a mysterious, powerful entity, in a world apparently populated by shadow-like creatures, and now there's more persona users here.
Cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool.
What Maruki sees when looking back over to Adachi is much less...casual, than he'd been before. He looks downright exhausted for one, as if he'd run a marathon with the weight of the world at his back on top of the fight, and on top of that he's staring off into space with nowhere to hide the absolute contempt radiating from his weary gaze. ]
Way less interested in whatever's going on here, for one.
[ A glance back in Maruki's direction. ]
For two...some loser. That's it.
ohhhhhhhhhHHHHH the way he is my angel
Well, I don't believe that for a moment.
[ How long did he spend trying to convince others here that he's simply a normal, boring man? Some loser. Not with the way Maruki understands what's needed for their souls to possess such power, not by far.
He winds his fingers through the fabric of Adachi's sleeve and tugs him in the direction of the distant farmhouse. ]
Come on. As I said before, you can stay here until things settle down. I won't make you talk about... all of that, if you don't want to, but I do have some questions if you'd be willing.
[ C'mon, Adachi. Maruki will tug him all the way across the fields if he has to. ]
(◡‿◡✿)
Nah, he's too tired to be that petty right now. Even if this is just another trip into the TV it's better to have somewhere to hide out than just sit in a dark field waiting for more packs of shadows to find him.
He looks from the hand at his sleeve slooowly back up to Maruki, sighing as if this is such a huge ask of him, the most put-upon man in the world. ]
Alright, alright. Can't promise anything, but go ahead and lead the way.
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The farmhouse is large and sprawling. There are many who call it home, Maruki included despite his own house not being too far away, and more than enough room for all of them. Despite that, it's empty when he unlocks it; those who do live here are hardly the type to stay indoors when there's chaos afoot. It's a blessing, as much as Maruki worries for everyone's safety. They can have a little privacy.
He leads Adachi through the entryway, the living area, into the kitchen. Sets him up on a stool at the counter as he goes about starting both the kettle and the coffee maker.
Quick as can be, he pulls out his phone to send a message, then pockets it again as he turns to Adachi, calm but curious. ]
Please forgive any stupid questions, but I only know one other person besides myself who can do something like that. [ Two, really, but Akira's story is hardly his to lay any sort of claim to at this point. ] It's a persona, isn't it? You've been to the cognitive world?
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Which. Sounds great, honestly, so he can keep his attempts at humor to himself for now.
The questions are also starting off easy enough, so that's another point in Maruki's favor. ]
If that's what we're calling the TV now, then yeah. I've been.
[ 'Been to', implying they aren't there right now. Noted. ]
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Sorry, the TV?
[ fuck the what ]
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The world inside the TV? Crawling with Shadows, conducive to personas?
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The coffee and tea are fully abandoned. Adachi has his total attention. ]
Inside the– no? No, Ake– [ SHIT WHAT IF HE KNOWS THE DETECTIVE PRINCE ] I've been told it's accessible by a phone application. Not a TV.
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That's stupid. How the hell are you gonna fit through a phone?
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[ As much as he'd like to question that too, it only takes a few seconds of consideration for him to realizes it not an unreasonable question, if one looks at the transportation to another plane of reality as a more physical process than what it probably is.
That said, though, it's time to s q u i n t. ]
Are you saying you crawl inside a television screen?
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[ Has this guy...not? Been?? ]
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SINKS MY FIST INTO HIS FACE
↜(⃔•w•)⃕
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