Heroic Souls - Sealed Afterlife

The actual event happened with near nobody realizing it ever came to occur... a surprisingly long time before most involved 'in the know' first came to notice its effects, unaware of the cause. It all happened during a momentous time in the normal world... people cheered and grieved together as representatives all over the world battled over something as banal sounding as 22 men chasing after a ball.

And yet, there was power in that game... billions of dollars moved after that sports. And millions and millions of souls placed their hopes upon it... watched with baited breath at the results. There was laughter. There was joy. There were tears.

The power of such emotions, of the collective interest and dreams represented upon that game echoed into worlds and realities far more immaterial. Upon other games played by the power derived by human faith... by rules set in place by those who in covenant decided to let humanity mostly alone. Who decided to let belief instead of certainty feed their own battles.

Thus, in an already tumultuous age... one full of conflicts, reformations, innovation and clashes of beliefs, these games by 22 men chasing a ball proved to be the perfect mask for a sinister plot.

Among the ripples of belief, the cries of despair and the uplifted spirits of the nations of men, very few noticed the discordant notes rippling through the realities... they got lost and mixed upon waves and waves sheer raw emotion.

Thus it has been a full two months after the games... and yet, most do not know. By now, the mighty have realized something is wrong. They move their agents, they act in secret. They try to figure out what is wrong... and if this affects only them... or all of the realities.

Yes... for those 'in the know'... for those contracted with the mighty agents of Realities, things are about to get very... very interesting.

You are a Heroic Soul.

Whenever you deserve such a lofty name is another issue altogether. However, regardless of who you are, by now you have felt that something is... amiss. Supernatural occurrences and cases have steadily begun to increase in number.

Psychics and end of times prophets are getting agitated and it isn't even the end of a new Mayan Calendar. There's good chance you at least know a Noble Mayan Soul and you know they dealt with their doomsday scenario, crisis and monsters well over a year ago.

If you can step into the Spirit Layer, you may find it somewhat unusually crowded... a minor annoyance, but perhaps the agents of death aren't doing their job properly. Which is weird, cause they are fluttering everywhere...

And to make things worse, creatures, angels, demons, monsters... they are popping out with increasing frequency. Getting into skirmishes, fighting in the very Spirit Layer.

Things are a little weird... but then again, what isn't in this line of business? So far your life remains the same, if perhaps a little busy.

Perhaps your investigating a case... taking a trip abroad, out hunting for nasties in the dark or dragging people into it. Whatever it is, things are about to take a turn...

But I'm getting ahead of myself. For now, life is as it always was... so please, tell us about it.

It was early morning in the Middle Kingdom. The sun had just barely risen over the tips of the snow-capped mountains to the east; its light brushed the face of the last remnants of early-spring snow atop stone lanterns and wooden bridges, giving rise to a sparkling brilliance that matched the gentle warmth of the light in the refreshingly chill air. Delicate, pale plum blossoms crowned the black-trunked trees that lined the cobbled roads, filling the air with a lovely, subtle scent. A traveler on the road to Kang would find much to delight her or his senses, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Middle Kingdom.

Bai Wu pulled her hatbrim lower and focused blearily on her feet, leaning on her staff and trying to fight the swaying her body seemed intent on adding into what was already a difficult enough process. Her head was thumping like somebody had decided to use it as a wardrum, and her mouth was dry. If you could say one good thing about Master Pie's brew, it was that it hit hard, and at least it didn't leave a bad aftertaste. Still, it was probably time for a break, she decided, despite the fact that the lodging inn she had started out from was still visible a mile or so down the mountainous road. Stopping off beneath a relatively nonoffensive plum tree, Bai Wu uncorked her bamboo tube and let her cloud out to coalesce in the shade. She sat down with a sigh and took a big drink of water; the liquid started to help almost immediately, and she closed her eyes, sighing again with relief this time. "Remind me to stop playing dice with the ancient sages," she commented to her staff. "Or at least, to stop by the mundane world and get some coffee in me first."

edited 9th Jul '14 10:13:09 AM by RedSavant

In a little side room, off the main tattoo parlor were her employees were working on normal, human beings, just like themselves, Alexis was working on a human being, sure, but one who'd had his eyes opened to the hidden world. Naturally, he'd come in through the back door, going through a busy Boston street would be unthinkable for him.

"I'm guessing that you want to go back to normal." Alexis asked the man before him. She felt a certain level of pity for him. She'd seen many a case of people caught in the crossfire between skirmishes between supernatural beings, and coming out of it, dead, wounded or horribly scarred. It was the latter case for this individual. He only nodded mutely.

Getting out her special tattoo ink, and consulting the leather-bound book describing most runes, with pictures. She knew how to do it perfectly of course, but it never hurt to remind herself. Satisfied that she wouldn't make a mistake, the half-fae got to work, her pen delicately moving over the man's neck.

edited 9th Jul '14 3:42:36 AM by Tricksen

The world was an odd place in a sort of upheaval with the spiritual realm was out of sorts. Not that Hikari gave a damn about it any real sense. What happened to there wasn't her problem unless her uncle took issue with it. Generally though it worked in Hikari's favor. After all, the more supernaturals that leaked through the barrier was more for her to put back in their place. That place being directly under her with their face smashed in or sliced up to prove how much better she was. Regardless she found herself once again in another city looking for a little extra money.

Money was easy to find once she discovered the local underground fight circuit. Quite a few supers used the circuit to get some cash but none so far had managed to beat her. The circle of fighters around her at the moment hadn't recognized her yet, which was nice, so she naturally challenged all of them at once for a hefty sum. A few of the more wealthy members of the audience took her up on it. Sadly for them it only took about three seconds to lay all of them flat on the ground. Once she pocketed the not-so-small amount of cash she sauntered out. Sure a few guards moved to deal with her but they were never able to stop her. They were only human after all.

With the moonlight over her she walked out of the hovel that the fights were held in. It was hidden in plain sight but no one would likely suspect it. Hikari knew that she would likely get tailed or hunted by some of the wealthy patrons who wanted a little revenge for her blatant toying with them. She smiled. "The day someone beats me is the day that my uncle stops drinking and complaining," she muttered knowing her 'uncle' Susano'o could hear.

Myrna Piper - New York City (Night)

A melody danced through the streets of a forgotten neighborhood, buildings, sidewalks, and people broken down by modern day poverty. Undaunted, the tune jaunted merrily along unheard by most, carried along the winds by the sing-song of children. Many would say that children should not be out in the streets at night, especially streets such as these, and they would have good sense to say so. Crime ran rampant - maybe not in every building or every person as the telly might seem to convince you, but it ran the streets nonetheless.

But that didn't matter to these children. They danced the streets in a line, unseen and unheard by anyone - their parents, most of all. And leading the small chain of children was a young girl herself, just at the cusp of adolescence, smiling back at her new friends as she held the first's hand, singing that joyful tune that made them wish to follow along. The young Myrna danced and skipped away with the children from their poor old homes and towards their new one, hidden amongst the trees in the park. For Myrna and the kids, what danger could this old world give them if they could no longer be seen, heard, or felt by it?

But even as Myrna sang, she wondered, what was on Étaín's mind? The fae mistress seemed to be preoccupied with something, and loyal though she was, Myrna couldn't help but think to herself, the children must have some importance with it. After all, things seemed different in the world - even Myrna, youngling that she was, could feel it in the winds. Something had changed, Myrna was certain, and the sorceress probably some about it that she didn't.

Still, it was not her place to judge. Rather, it was Myrna's place to laugh and play and sing and dance, and find other children to join her. Children who couldn't do those things from where they were. Children who had no place in this world, to join her in the Other. And so, hidden amongst the trees, the children dance and played thoughtless to the worries of the world, and with a song Myrna whisked them away, away to the forests of the faerie realm.

—Bai Wu, Middle Kingdom—

"That certainly seems like a way to get headache and some proper inebriation" says a kindly voice on the path behind Bai Wu... and should she turn, she would get the sight of a bipedal panda man, dressed in finely weaved but simple robes, though the fabric seemed torn in some places... recently. The man carried a carved staff as well as a traveling pack and looked to be of an advanced age... though his body still moved with the spryness of youth. Then again, appearances were deceptive on these realms "Do you mind if I sit with you, traveler? My name is Zhao, of the Purple Lotus monastery"

—Alexis Tattoo Parlor—

"Hmmg... will... will this really work? Will a carving and some ink really keep t-those... those things away? Was all that even real?" he says, before letting out a light whimper as a cut he got on his arm stings from moving around too much... as well as the needle "... Of course it's real... it hurts like its real. Damn it, I never wanted... any of this. Why did I of all people have to stumble onto such damn fantasy...? A-A damn monster... j-just... pouncing down an alley" he said... complaining and complaining, speaking away as a way to try and keep his fear at bay.

—Fight Arena - Hikari—

"I don't complain. I threaten. Then I make my threats come true. But little luck on me ever skipping a drink" says a heavy set man sitting by the door of the little hovel Hikari just stepped out off. As a God, Susanoo could appear in many different forms... this was most likely a hastily made vessel. A mere piece of the Divine Presence that was the God of Storms "Your impertinent manner will get you killed one day. It shall definitely be entertaining seeing how many you will drag with you... but still, it shall kill you one day... niece" says the man... a tall mountain of muscle, with a long grey beard and eyes of a similar color, like storm clouds.

"Wasting the gifts I bestowed upon you on opponents as unworthy as these mortals? Showing off has some limits"

—New York City, Central Park, A Rift Between the Material World and the Fae Realm, Myrna Piper—

And as the Piper guided her audience, from among the trees a portal of gentle light gave was to a forest deeper than anything to be found upon the Material Plane... and upon it, stood the very Mistress to which Myrna owed her allegiance. A rare occurrence... Lady Etain liked to welcome her new children, certainly, but rarely did she do it on the very portal instead of her palace.

At her side, small figures dressed in full cloaks and masks hurried to Myrna and the children, taking their hands and guiding them by the light of fireflies towards the forest.

"Well done, my beloved Myrna" says Lady Etain, a gentle smile on her face as she takes a step forward to gently pet her head and that of a passing child "We'll take care of the poor things... and my men will see that they take of our bread and milk. Then, they shall never again have to worry about the cruelties of mankind"

"Still... I must require you to meet me for a cup of tea and refreshments before you rest upon our trees, my Piper" says the Fae Queen, gaze turning serious for a moment "We must speak"

edited 12th Jul '14 7:32:30 PM by daltar

"Keep it away? No. If you want a protection sigil, I can add it on the side. This only makes you look normal again. And, unless you're really unlucky, most monsters won't track you down, and you'll likely never see anything else again. Of course, if you're unlucky..." Alexis answered, while retaining her concentration. She'd met many a talkative patient in the past, and while at first it had annoyed her, she'd learned to live with it.

—Myrna Piper, Fae Realm—

Myrna guided the children from the artifice of the human park to the realm of the fae, trees untouched by mankind sprawling up towards the sky, a forest of green welcoming the newcomers to the plane. And Lady Étaín as well. Surprised that she was waiting right here for her, Myrna stepped back and bent her knee, bowing to the fairy mistress. However, as Étaín spoke approvingly and smiled, the young piper relaxed and lifted her head, smiling back as she stood proper.

"I'm always glad to make our family grow," Myrna said, beaming as she joined Étaín's side. As she walked alongside her, she never took her eyes off her mistress, eager to hear her words. As her face turned serious, Myrna paid close attention, asking, "Of course. What of?"

edited 13th Jul '14 1:46:44 PM by Starbound2

Middle Kingdom

"Ah, Celestials take the Purple Lotus," Bai Wu groaned exaggeratedly, pressing her fingers against her forehead. "You and your honeysuckle liqueur, damn you all." She chuckled, her cloud floating over to free up some shade and some soft green grass for him to sit on. "Have a seat, sir monk. People call me Bai Wu, of the Waterfall Village."

Hikari was about as surprised to see Susano'o show up as she was when the sun rose. Except the sun didn't talk back. "Sure I'll die, eventually, because I don't need immortality to kick ass," she said "and listening to you doesn't pay for the food and drink. The excessive drink that your blood has given me an urge for." She smiled and leaned up against the wall as she spoke to her uncle. As it was she had a decent amount of change in her pocket. But Hikari knew better than to expect him to show up and complain.

"So then uncle, what do you want," she asked him "either you have a goal in mind or you want to get drunk again."

—Alexis' Tattoo Parlor—

"Add it! Please add it... that and... whatever more. I don't want to see those things ever again... I don't want to..." Says the man, seemingly about to break down and start sobbing once again. The monsters that once scared him as a child were now all too real, and no blanket would ever keep them away...

—Fae Realm—

Etain merely smiled at her little enforcer, not replying to her question as they walked through the enchanted forest, into a palace of stone and trees, brilliant eldritch lights, bright crystals and fae luxury. Then, upon a nice, cool terrace, Etain sat at a table, where tea and cookies manifested upon the surface... the food of fae, which would bind an unwitting mortal to this realm. However, to those already of it, it was merely delicious.

Etain waited for Myrna, as her servant, to pour her tea before grabbing her cup and taking a nice sip "Ahh delicious. Now, Myrna... there is a little situation going on... And we need to move quickly if we are to capitalize on it. And who quicker than my little Piper?" Says the Fae Queen with clear affection "You'll be very busy these days my dear... But now, you must go to the human realm again... and then to the spirit one. Go to Florence in Italy and then dip into the spirit world... And there, you will find the spirit of this particular child" says the Fae, handing Myrna a locket with the picture of young looking girl, with long red colored locks and blue colored eyes.

"You must find her, and attempt to bring her to us. Be careful though, my dear Myrna... for there may be dangers lurking around. Still, I trust you to be able to fool and outrun anything that gets in your way" says the woman with a big, motherly smile "Got any questions or requests?"

—Middle Kingdom—

"Ohh, I've heard of you, Miss Bai. I've drank on occasion with the old lizard that is your boss and he's had nothing but good to say of you" says the monk as he sits in the shade, a friendly smile on his lips and an air of peace and tranquility around him "And I got to say, if you know and damn our liquor for the right reasons, then it seems like the old dragon wasn't wrong in his pride after all"

"So, if I may be so bold... I heard you may have plans to head into the mundane world?"

—Fight Club—

"I can get drunk in way more peace if you're not around, arrogant whelp. So it is the first thing. There is a big scuffle to take place plenty soon I hear. I've felt it... It will take place in the Spirit Layer, in the Santa Monica Pier close by. Heh, there will be a bunch of low lives and old idiots alike all fighting over a big prize. I want you to crash their party, slay them all and then claim the prize for me" says the old, burly man with self evident glee at the incoming slaughter "Show them all, what they ought to fear from the storm"

Bai Wu shrugged, though she grinned at the casual tone her new companion referred to her Master in. "I go where the winds take me," she said, "sometimes more literally than not." She patted her cloud to demonstrate. "In any case, yes, I was thinking of taking a trip into the material world soon. It's been many years since I last visited, and I'd like to see how the mortals' world has changed."

Hikari Seijuurou, Fight Club

"So you want me to crash a party and slaughter all the guests," Hikari said with a shrug "sounds easy enough. Oh, and to let you know I reserve the right to take the reward." Her tone was in jest but she would consider taking the reward if it was something useful to her. She doubted it though since Susano'o rarely had need of anything battle worthy these days. He could always just recall Kusanagi from wherever it was being kept in Japan. With barely a wave she brushed off her uncle and started moving toward the pier. No reason to stop when she had just gotten a warm up in the fight club.

With her hands in her pockets Hikari took a leisurely stroll to the Santa Monica Pier and scouted out just what kind of party she was crashing.

Alexis nodded at the frightened, desperate man as she finished the rune that would mask his scars. It glowed a faint blue, although that would only last for a few hours at most, Alexis knew. Referencing back to her book, she went to the section on protection runes, and selected the one that worked best for the poor man, although he now bore none of the scars that had previously been littered over his face.

On the back of his neck, although not near his spine, Alexis began her work once more, constructing a rather powerful rune that would marginally change his scent so that no monster would hunt him down to destroy evidence of witnesses. In addition it would also dull his eyes, so that, as he wished, he would never be able to see any of the rank and file supernatural creatures again.

Myrna Piper, Fae Realm

Setting down the pot, Myrna took a hold of the locket and looked over the girl which her mistress wished to claim. She must be special, she thought to herself. Rarely does she send me off for a particular person...

Never minding those details, the servant of the fae slipped the locket away and bowed her head. "Just one question is all, mistress. You said there may be dangers... what dangers do you mean?"

edited 21st Jul '14 3:21:12 PM by Starbound2

"Aaah, then may you do an old man a favor? Perhaps in exchange for some more honeysuckle liquour?" Says the old pandaman, in a friendly, openly manipulative manner as he took a bamboo canteen full of the thing from a pocket on his robes "I'd be just heading to Hong Kong and check on a nephew of mine. He hasn't spoken back to us for a while and things are a little shaken right now"

As Hikari walked to the pier, at first she would notice nothing amiss... however, her extra perception... that which came with being a Heroic Soul told a different story. Movements in the air, wayward magic and light shades of movement. Normally one saw light traces of it. However, here they were far more furious, a lot more evident. In the Spirit Layer, there was one hell of a party going on. Just was uncle wanted her to crash.

And so went on the tattoo session for the poor man... at least, for a little while. Before too long, Alexis would feel the hint of something coming towards her shop... and after a few seconds, she would hear her main door opening. On it there was a man... a very tall man. More than two meters of humanity, solidly built in one big square of a man. Arms and legs thick as a three and hands that could paw an entire plate. And he stank. Not only did he small badly in the normal sense... but he reeked of the supernatural "'Scuse me, Miss... but I think you have something that belongs to me" he says in a voice that seemed like he gargled pebbles.

The man was staring at her client... and his client had a look on his face like death itself had appeared.

"Problem is, that I'm not sure what you may find, my dear girl" says Etain, touching the tips of the fingers of her two hands together "That is why I cannot just send anyone. A wide variety of people could be after this girl... though, I'd be specially careful about the servants of the Christian Faith"

"So this is your attacker, who you survived. That must take skill, and bravery." Alexis said quietly, to reassure her client, and partly to allow her to get closer to her gun. "Now, Mister, I'm deeply sorry to say that I have nothing that is yours, to my knowledge, unless you're talking about my client here. If, as it appears you are, you cannot have him, unfortunately. Perhaps a tattoo or my detective skills may interest you however, Mister..."

edited 23rd Jul '14 10:35:28 AM by Tricksen

Hikari could easily sense the party she'd been sent to crash and she could feel her tried and true bloodlust rising. A fight was what she lived for and a good fight was worth more than any amount of money in her pocket. With a smile on her face Hikari put on some sunglasses just because she damn well could then pushed herself into the Spirit Layer. "Alright assholes, which of you wants to get killed first. I'm in a giving mood so I'll give you a five second headstart before I start the massacre," she said with a wide and entirely predatory grin. She hadn't summoned her blades, yet, but they would appear in an instant and she was certain no one here was nearly as fast as the niece of Susano'o.

"One..."

Myrna Piper, Fae Realm

The Christian Faith...

Listening and nodding, Myrna bowed. "Well, even if they send priests or angels, they won't stop me, mistress. One more sister for our family, like all the others~"

Smiling, Myrna's hand began to open a portal into the mortal world behind her, and the piper stepped back. "I'll be back quicker than the breeze!"