Descent into Darkness

[bravenewmods]

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.]

Comments

[punchesyu]

His head follows as he looks up. Closer and closer they floated, the ends of the sharp stalactites growing near. He lets out a cry, slamming his hand down on the top of The Luggage multiple times.

"Hey! You're not going to kill us! Don't you dare impale us with those things! Are you listening to me?! Just get us to the edge of the hole, and no farther than that!"

[morituri_nolumus_mori]

The eyes of the Luggage roll up to fixate on Yosuke as if it were actually considering something, well, devious. To Rincewind's relief, the Luggage slows its ascent right at the lip of the cliff, or whatever it could've been called, and settles into a hover.

It then jostles, just enough to terrify its passengers. No one (except maybe its master) hits it without consequences.

"Aauugh! What'd you have to hit it for? I could've rolled off!" Rincewind yelps, clinging for dear, sweet life.

[actsmagnificent]

I know. [ It's even using wind against them. Wind is Haruka's thing.

Yet the wind that Haruka wants to become doesn't let itself be ruffled. The wind flows through everything. Over everything. Until it blows itself out and comes to rest over the ocean. Rise can take care of herself - look at how well she'd handled that. The rest of this is all just scare tactics. She knows that. ]

{{ Scare tactics? Is that what you're calling it? Then - you won't let yourself look because you're afraid? }}

There must be something really important at the end of this cave. [ She looks over at Rise, making sure that last attack hadn't hurt her. It's starting to resort to rhetoric, which Haruka knows isn't her forte.

It can laugh at her all it wants for choosing not to play to her strengths. She picks her battles. That's how she rolls. ] Can you run?

[lunchleader]

It's worked before, didn't it?

[And yet, that haunting sound of huge wings seem to grow louder. Right pushes down his fear. It's just the dark part of his Imagination going nuts; nothing more. Or so he says to himself...]

[punchesyu]

Yosuke returns the devious look with a look of anger. He's been through a lot today and he's not going to let some luggage make it more awful than it's already been. The jostle is enough to get him to freak out, grabbing a hold for dear life as well as he screams.

"Yaaaaaaah! What the hell are you thinking, you homicidal horror! Are you seriously trying to kill both of us?!" He stays on top of The Luggage, and doesn't move. He almost doesn't breathe after he's yelled at it.

[footprints_on_your_face]

It must have been really hard, holding that inside all this time... I never knew something like this happened.

[Chie frowns, placing a hand on Lucca's shoulder.]

Is this why you got into machines?

[leadingspirit]

[Well, he knew his luck would run out somewhere. It's a startled oof of a sound that escapes him as Hayato lands, knocking the wind from him. He wheezes a little.]

Quick little shit, ain't ya?

[footprints_on_your_face]

You can do it, Yukiko. Show her who's boss.

[bleeding_heart]

Well... because you'd be alone.

[That's obvious, isn't it?]

[bleeding_heart]

[Merrill is, of course, always ready and willing to help. But she truly believes that this is something very personal to Yuuna, and something that she needs to overcome herself. More than that, she believes in her ability to do it. And it would seem her faith is well-placed as she beats back the shadow of her potential future self. Once she's got her pinned to the floor, she finally steps up, placing a hand on her shoulder and shaking her head.]

...You are beaten. Begone from this place, and enter the eternal sleep.

[And once again, she sings the ancient resting hymn of her people.]

hahren na melana sahlin
emma ir abelas
souver'inan isala hamin
vhenan him dor'felas
in uthenera na revas

vir sulahn'nehn
vir dirthera
vir samahl la numin
vir lath sa'vunin

[bleeding_heart]

[Merrill listens, slowly nodding and waiting for her to finish before responding.]

...But you've been in Union an awfully long time, haven't you? And you aren't alone here at all.

[Yes, that is what she got out of all of that.]

[untalented]

Well....

[Shifting his gaze to the dusty shelves around them, he seemed uncomfortable.]

I've been alone for a while anyway. It's no big deal.

[bleeding_heart]

No one can live alone. Not entirely.

[untalented]

...eh?

[Waver doesn't get it, Merrill.]

[rainsrespite]

[It's the touch more than anything that draws Yuuna up short. She stops pressing, release the double, and kicks her full in the chest, driving her to the ground.

Nobody ever said she was a saint.]

That's for spouting all that crap about Merrill.

[Rising, she lowers the sword and closes her eyes, letting the old melody wash through her. She only understands a few of the words, the very, very basics of the language, basically what Merrill's shared but the meaning is clear. It's a lullaby, almost. Or a dirge. Perhaps both.

In any event, when Merrill's voice rings out for that final time and Yuuna opens her eyes, they're standing back in the cavern. Sagging, she drops her sword and gasps before dropping onto her knees.]

Savior's great flaming ass...that was...what the hell was that. What is up with caves these days.

[sparkofgenius]

Most people don't. I don't talk about it. Even Estelle doesn't know. She just knows there was an accident, and Mom's legs were crushed.

[Her head hangs but she doesn't move as the illusion vanishes.]

But it is. Yeah. To find a way to help mom. My first real invention was a self-moving wheel chair, but I've not ever found a way to make any sort of really workable prosthetic.

[frozenflame]

[The shadow laughs menacingly, leering at her.]

Bold words from...

[Yukiko cuts her off with a sudden, furious shout.]

I SAID GO! I REJECT YOUR LIES!

[And the cavern suddenly explodes into a shower of light as her sunfire lances across the distance between them. It pierces the shadow, and in a deafening burst of sound...the whole cave goes dark.]

[incousinswithyou]

But it doesn't stop them.

[and that's a black claw, appearing out of nowhere and aiming right for their heads. Michiru and Gardevoir both slam Psychics at it, even as Rapidash does its best to run away.]

They keep coming back and testing us. [she sounds cold, as the rest of Darkrai appears through that portal, looking entirely unfazed. From above, however, something large and white might be using Fly right at where Darkrai had herded them to.]

[expertonshutters]

You know, if you'd just listen to me when I tell you to--

[And then he makes a strangled noise as his hands go for Taki's throat.]

--get out! No, dammit. Stop!

[The Doctor grins.]

That's better.

[leadingspirit]

Now why would I wanna do something like that? Really, I'm probably more equipped to put up with you than the average--

[Oh. Well this might get sticky. Except that Taki just sort of relaxes to allow it.]

[ladyofluminosity]

Normally I wouldn't approve of trying to throw the wool over my father's eyes, but what did you have in mind exactly?

[bleeding_heart]

People need people.

[bleeding_heart]

[A bit of both. An elegy, really, meant to lull restless spirits back into their eternal slumber and to guide the newly departed to rest.]

Another test from the gods, I'm sure.

[footprints_on_your_face]

I bet she's really proud of you, Lucca.

[Chie doesn't know the woman at all, but she's sure there's no way she blames her daughter for this.]

[footprints_on_your_face]

Way to go, Yukiko!

[Chie shields her eyes even as she's celebrating her friend's amazing counterattack. But moments later, the lack of light to see by is a little awkward.]

Uh... Yukiko?