bravenewworld | Descent into Darkness

Descent into Darkness

As the characters arrive, they will find what appears to be a rather deep cavern. Upon entering, the caverns are quite narrow, with twists and turns everywhere and different tunnels that all seem to be interconnected. As characters travel deeper within the caverns, reality around them will start to warp, they will start to see and hear things that aren’t necessarily there - images of old enemies, past failures, voices of condemnation, visions that strike at the soul and core of the characters. Once this begins, it will only increase in power and volume, demanding it be confronted, lest they be trapped within these caves forever.

[OOC: This event will run for a week. All characters who enter the caves will be subject to some of their deepest fears, darkest demons, and most abject failures. To overcome them, characters must help each other out, finding their purpose through strength of character and resolve to move forward. In general, these visions should require characters to come to grips with themselves. Illusory images and voices can and will appear and can take any number of forms, depending on what is most appropriate to a character. Additionally, characters may thread with each other and are encouraged to help each other out to overcome these personal demons. For those who wish to take part, they are able and encouraged to narrate their own personal demons, which will be on display for everyone who enters their thread. IC threads may be made in this post.]

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[Waver looked up at the man as he stepped within the radius of his light, a tired and frustrated look flickering through his eyes.]

Yeah. It's something like that, [he replied, sounding almost noncommital.] I'm starting to wonder if this place even has a proper exit.

[He can finally relax, if only marginally, when the cave begins to reappear. It really was finished, thank the Gods.]

[Those parting words were enough to give him a chill, however. The real fight was coming. That much of her words he could believe, even if he didn't want to. His voice is softer, not directed at anyone, as his scars slowly fade from his face.]

We'll do what we have to.

Did you come here alone?

[He looked a little young to be wandering through these caves on his own. Maybe he should help him find the way back out, if not accompany him through the caves.]

Foolish.

You can't protect anyone.

[Funny how this guy doesn't seem to notice those voices. Maybe they're just in your head?]

Uh-huh! I thought I'd try to help, since the last two trips through the underground weren't so bad.

[Right then makes a face.] I'm starting to wonder if any trips not organized by the Seekers are just gonna be full of tests from now on.

We always do.

[The shadow fades out, a haunting laugh the final sound she utters. It's that laugh that sends a chill up Yuuna's spine, and she drops her sword to the ground with a clatter. Very nearly falling over, she sinks down onto the cavern floor.]

Gods...what the...why that...

"Yeah, I..." His voice trails off. An apology might be in order, because he's not sure if she's forgotten what his own shade said. It was pretty straightforward, and even he doesn't think Yukiko was that airheaded that it would blow over her without realizing. He liked her as a friend, and it was really embarrassing that his shadow revealed that he'd only originally talked to her because of her looks.

"Sorry. About that stuff he said," he says apologetically. "I mean yeah, maybe I did sorta wanna get to know you better because I think you're totally hot but-! Well, wait, I mean like we're friends and everything and I don't actually wanna date you anymore or...ok no, that's probably not any better..."

He stumbles over his words, screwing up what he wants to say.

Waver cast a glance at the Dragonaire, understanding now that the beast that Sinbad had fought off with his cohort must have been a late stage evolution of that particular line. And, while he was still lacking in experience in the practical world, he knew for a fact that anything Dragon-typed was going to be difficult to take down.

Odds were that they had only injured it-- and that its return was something to be feared.

"He's right, that's not nearly the same at all," Waver said, speaking up a little louder than before. "A ruler and a tyrant aren't even close to the same kind of person. They make different choices-- and what's wrong with taking what's needed to get out of a dungeon?"

In fairness, she'd only initially noticed him because he'd been trapped in a trash can and Cassandra had called her attention to it. But the apology is appreciated. She takes all that in with a neutral expression.

"Yosuke, it's okay." She says that very, very simply. "I'm not upset with you. Like I said before, it's flattering that you think I'm attractive. But like I said, I'm not interested in a relationship right now." Her lips quirk and she holds out both hands, palms up.

"We're friends. So please, don't be nervous about that. I like you a lot, and I respect you. Whatever that thing said? That's not how you really feel. I'm just glad you are my friend, okay? Even if you only talked to me at first because you wanted to date me."

[Yosuke's fists fall, and his steps back when Waver yells. It silences him, surprised, but he does as he's instructed and shuts his mouth. That doesn't keep him from giving the magus the stink eye, however, unrelenting in showing his annoyance with the older man.]

[He wasn't that young. Although he was short in stature and as slender as a bellsprout caught in a strong breeze, he was still a man in his twentieth year-- but the dissonant sound of the voices had him looking around like a child wary of some shade hiding in the closet.]

--I came with a friend, [he admitted, shaking his head.] But we got separated with all the twists and turns. She's a young blonde woman in a blue dress, if you've seen her.

[Maybe he really should just ignore the voices. They didn't seem to be intended for him, and the stranger didn't seem to hear them at all.]

Yuuna-

[He was just glad it was over. He hurries to her side, or at least tries to, the pain and weakness in his arm more distracting now that the threat was gone. He holds that arm aside as he kneels to take her shoulder with his good hand.]

Whatever the reason, it's over. Are you hurt?

Hurt?

[She looks up at him, putting her hand on top of his.]

Me? No. Thanks to you, at least. That would've been really bad.

[She chuffs a weak laugh.]

That's another one I owe you.

Edited 2015-07-26 20:40 (UTC)

Don't mention it. You don't owe me anything.

[This was the least he could do after his absence. He tugs his hand out from under hers so he can push himself to his feet and offer her a hand up.]

Idiot.

[Up she does go, but she shifts at the last second and gives him a big hug.]

Now, show me your arm. I've got some Burn Heal and my medkit. We'll get that fixed up.

[And, after a minute of looking away, she finally says.]

Sorry, I guess...that's...probably what I'm most afraid of. Becoming that.

"Oh?" [The apparition seemed surprised that Waver had raised his voice to such an extent.] "Do you have something to share with the class?"

[Brows furrowed in agitation, Waver glowered at the shadowy Magus with everything he could muster.]

Yeah, [he said, drawing in a deep, calming breath.] Who cares about what the rules are, and who's embarrassing who? I was telling people that this day would come, but did anyone listen? No! So, I'm going to say it again:

[He lifted an accusatory finger and pointed it directly at the man, clearly making the apparition the target of his words and his frustration.]Sanctuary has to change it's traditions, especially now that the walls have come down. Who cares about ancient rituals that have got to be five hundred years old now-- what happened to the techniques from before? What happened to the times when we worked with Caldera to forge the finest weapons seen on the continent? Why is that only restricted to those on the 'inside?'

[He took a deep breath--]

None of it even matters anymore!

[He still gets tense for the hug, but not as badly as he has been. It would probably help if he wasn't in pain. His voice is firm after her confession, though.]

Don't be. It'll never happen. That's not who you are.

[As for his arm. He shakes his head, keeping it stiffly at his side as he goes to search for wherever he tossed his glove.]

I'll be fine.

It's as much the Enhanced...as...the personality.

[Yuuna doesn't budge there, she immediately reaches out and takes his arm at the bicep. Her eyes are stern, focused, and there's not an ounce of give in her.]

I'm a field medic. You're going to get treated even if I have to knock your ass down to do it. Now let me get some ointment on that so it doesn't get infected. That'll lay you out and hurt a billion times worse.

[That's exactly why he was certain she would never become like that. Even if Gigas tried to force her, he wouldn't allow it to happen.]

[He does go rigid when she grabs his arm, an it almost looks like he has half a mind to pull out of her hold, if he didn't have more self-restraint. The metal of his hand only looks a little singed what with being steel, but his sleeve covers any damage it may have done to his bare skin. Either way he's holding his arm folded in front of him now, as far out of her sight as he can manage.]

I can take care of it. We should get out of here anyway, it's dangerous.

That's right.

Run away.

Don't let her see.

[The voices seem to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, as if coming from inside her head. Takeshi shows no signs of having heard it.]

He calms down a little, thankful that she hadn't gotten mad at him. Usually girls do, and that's when he gives up after they tell him off. But Yukiko isn't like that, and they were friends, that was true. His face softens, and he nods at her in acknowledgement.

"Yeah, you're right. Some of that stuff was true- I do sorta want to be in the spotlight for a change. But that's not the only reason." Talking out loud was helping him reason through it. "But in the end, that's not what's important, right? What's important is getting down to whatever is going on around here."

[Yosuke moves, to stand next to Waver. Whoever this guy was, it was obvious that it freaked him right out. Someone important, someone who barred Waver's way to what he wanted to do. But Yosuke isn't going to let this old guy boss his friend around, since he has no respect at all for the Magi of Sanctuary. He agrees completely with Waver, staring the Magus down with determination.]

[Last two trips, huh. He still had a lot of catching up to do. But-]

Tests?

[You look small enough that he's going to be concerned, sorry Waver. He shakes his head.]

Sorry, I haven't seen her. I can help you look for her. What's your name?

"Blood? A child?"

Focalor huffs, the rufflet having remained silent until now. font color="Green">You said the nest was abandoned...?"

"A tyrant never sees themselves as a tyrant. All that good intention, so much ruin that lies ahead - especially with ambitions unending."

Sinbad shook his head, growling. "We need to get going," He glances at Waver - speaking much more sharply then he intends to. "It's hunting, it didn't see us - but I'm not sure how long that's going to last."

...She might also be a Honedge right now, come to think of it. She's a Shifter.

[He scratched his cheek thoughtfully while he spoke, glad for the distraction of wondering how Shifter's even worked.]

My name's Waver Mackenzie, [was the reply, autommatically using the name of the family he was staying with out of habit at this point.] What's your's?

[That's a detail he might need to know if they trekked further into the cave.]

[Saber presses her lips together, considering.]

That may be true...but there may still be something to find as well.

[She looks at Waver.]

I don't believe there are any enemies here, and these...illusions might be hiding something important. If you wish to return to the surface, though, I will accompany you.

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Descent into Darkness

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i'm so sorry he's not doing much right now

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