bravenewworld | 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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not you.

[Merrill seems confident enough with that declaration. It looks like her, but nothing about this figure in front of them reminds her of Yuuna.]

You would never say those things. You would never praise Eluvian.

[And out comes the knife.]

And you would never, ever join Gigas.

[The declaration draws a nod from the real one, and there's a rasp as she draws her sword.]

I don't know what you are...but you're not going to frighten me. Not with crap like that.

[Her free hand reaches behind her, taking Merrill's free one.]

She's right. Gods, whoever told you I'd pull something as crazy as joining Gigas and being happy someone I love has a problem like Eluvian? Because that isn't me.

[The shadow sneers.]

But you do want to become stronger, don't you? Become more powerful? Don't give me that righteous indignation. I lived powerless for a while, denied that it bothered me, just like you. I liked that pretty thing beside you too, but when Gigas came and took me away? It just stopped mattering, because I had what I wanted. Now? The fighting is all that matters. That rush. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? The feel of that sword in your hand, the movement, the adrenaline.

[There's a hesitant half second before Yuuna answers.]

No. No, I don't.

[Merrill squeezes at Yuuna's hand comfortingly, but she doesn't take her eyes off the other figure.]

There is much more to strength than all of that. The strength to resist. The strength to do what's right. The strength to keep moving forward, even when everyone says you can't. Going to Gigas... that isn't strength at all. It's more like giving up.

Giving…up. [The real Yuuna nods sharply, squeezing back.] Because it is. I don’t see why anyone would ever willingly join up with them.

[The shade holds up a fist, and the air fills with a buzzing, snapping sound. The blue white glow of electrical discharge surround her hand, and the crowd goes absolutely nuts.]

Who said anything about willingly? When they came through, they killed a lot of people, anyone remotely connected to Sanctuary first, and most of the council and Enlightened later. And then people like me? The ones who were pretty ordinary, but had a record? They took us to the labs. Or did you think this was some gizmo?

[By this point Yuuna’s pretty much shaking, each and every word hitting her like a sledge. Killed? Enhanced? Like…oh gods!]

[Merrill shakes her head, staring the other Yuuna down defiantly.]

That future is not certain. No future is certain. Only the past has already been written. We write the future with our own hands.

You're a fool. As stupid and naive as ever.

[The other Yuuna advances, fist raised, ready for a swing. She launches herself at Merrill...

And the real Yuuna, seeing that? Snaps out of it. Her sword flickers forward, the flat crashing against the Enhanced shade's fist, sending it wide.]

You. Take. That. Back.

[Every word is punctuated by a step forward, a swing of the blade, forcing the double back.]

Merrill. Let's drop this sorry excuse for an illusion.

[Merrill keeps her weapons at the ready, but stays just behind Yuuna, clasping a hand onto her shoulder in support.]

I'm right here behind you. I'll catch you if you fall, and help you stand up as many times as you need it. But you should defeat the darkness in your heart yourself.

[Well when you put it that way? Yuuna nods, not turning around.]

Fine.

[And then the dance begins. Yuuna and her double become a whirling dervish of steel and sparks. Right, left, right left, a waltz turning into a samba. The Proper Yuuna is definitely more skilled, but aiming to disable, her blade turning aside the shadow's lethal attacks.

A few times she's forced back, or staggers under the weight of a much more vicious blow, but something about her seems...different. Maybe it's just adrenaline, but Yuuna's progressively hitting harder and harder, until eventually she couples skill with strength and knocks her double's blade away. With a growl, she slams a boot into the woman's belly and overbears her, sword pressed against her neck.]

You lose. For all that strength, if you really were me then you've forgotten what it means to be a fighter.

Heh...then finish it!

[Yuuna hesitates at that, but her double starts to laugh.]

Finish it, if you really think you've won. Or I'll just come back and kill you...and kill her!

[The shade's eyes find Merrill's, and she licks her lips menacingly. And that elicits a snarl from the true Yuuna, a hand going up to grab the clone's hair.]

I should, shouldn't I? Shouldn't I!

[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

[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.

[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.

Well, that's it. Caves and me? We're done.

[For a week maybe.]

Thanks, Merrill. I appreciate you stopping me. That...gods I haven't been so angry since...well, actually I don't think I have ever been so angry.

Descent into Darkness

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