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Enter The Arena As Your Avatar -- The Spinoff!

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IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#396926: Jun 17th 2025 at 2:51:16 PM

Wanda looks around at the ruins of G.E.M.'s previous headquarters as the Maximoffs venture deeper into the base. As soon as they reach the area where Mara is undoubtably located, judging by how she could detect her archenemy's presence, she telekinetically flings the doors open.

Edited by IchigoMontoya on Jun 17th 2025 at 2:52:29 AM

DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396927: Jun 17th 2025 at 3:06:54 PM

Old G.E.M. Base, Intrigue

The doors being flung open so loudly actually startles Tommy and Billy for a moment too.

Inside the room... sits Mara. She's seated at a table, and she seems to be doing... something? Whatever it is, it's making an unsettling crunching sound, and not like a 'biting into something' sound either.

The sound then stops and she silently gets up from her chair, after which she turns her head to look. She doesn't immediately speak when she sees the Maximoffs. She doesn't look surprised, but also not like she expected to come across them. Her lack of eyes makes it hard to see if she's examining them or not, but the very slight headtilts at moments suggests that she is.

   "... so you figured it out."   , she suddenly says. It's not immediately clear what she's talking about. Does she mean her being here? Does she mean whatever the hell she was doing to make that crunching sound? Maybe she's talking about the time limit with her children?


Estraole

On the one hand, the Player is intrigued by the idea of seeing those people. On the other, Niko looks like he really wants to go to the city instead. They could do both, one after the other, but with these limited options how can the Player convey that?

...

Niko may take notice of the fact that it's taking him a while to tell him what to do this time around.

...

The Player figures that maybe they can go to the town first and then the mansion later, even if it'd be easier to do it the other way around.

  • Let's head to the city

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#396928: Jun 17th 2025 at 3:18:31 PM

Estraole

Hmm. A conundrum. Neither of them knows any local locations, both having only recently arrived to this world and only explored this region. It hasn't been long since They abandoned the... unworthy vessel in favor of them.

Thankfully Hachi handles things.

   "...I also need a place of rest."    they say, to avoid any misunderstandings when they inevitably follow.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#396929: Jun 17th 2025 at 3:40:44 PM

Wanda and Pietro walk into the room, the former icily glaring daggers at Mara as she meets her hated archnemesis' gaze.

"That's right. I figured out exactly what kind of sick game you've been playing," she says. "You wanted Tommy and Billy to stay with me and Pietro from the start, so their inevitable deaths would be that much more painful for us."

Pietro motions for Tommy and Billy to stay behind him, just in case things turn violent.

"God, every time I think you couldn't be more the worst, you somehow go and one-up yourself."

DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396930: Jun 17th 2025 at 3:48:35 PM

Tommy and Billy do as told. Mara fully turns around now. She's not holding anything and there's nothing on the table behind her.

   "I'd call it 'a means to an end' more than a game in this regard."   , Mara says. She's not even bothering to deny it. Her putting the kids against them initially was specifically because she wanted Pietro and Wanda to convince Tommy and Billy to come with them instead of being their enemies.

She looks at Tommy and Billy, who look both angry and terrified at the same time.

   "I do so apologize, kids. But I saw an opportunity I just couldn't pass up."   

"An opportunity to torment our mom even more!?", Tommy yells, though he flinches when Mara looks specifically at him for a moment.

   "You must've forged quite the bond with each other if you're referring to her as your mom now. Have you forgotten she isn't your Wanda?"   

She then grins at Pietro and Wanda specifically.

   "Well... I'm curious. What will you do now? Will you..."   

Her grin turns more cruelly amused.

   "Kill me?"   

Because she knows they can't, not without making that sacrifice.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jun 17th 2025 at 12:49:14 PM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396931: Jun 17th 2025 at 3:56:12 PM

Estraole

Hearing Hachi makes the the lights above him wilt, as he looks back to the two... very odd children. He wasn't familiar with this mansion Hachi was mentioning, and so spoke up-

"So... refuge? Sounds like a plan. Od you want we can escort you two!"

Awawa
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396932: Jun 17th 2025 at 4:17:58 PM

Wreck of the Brinehammer

Previous

The Hatchling scampers to the right.

17 Minutes Remain


Estraole

   "Psyco says to go to the city. If you could escort me there...?"   

"Uh-huh. And who's Psyco?"

   "God, I think."   

Beat

   "I-in the last world I was in, everyone said he was...and that I was the messiah. The one chosen to be guided by him in order to save it."   

"..."

   "And like, sometimes he knows things I have no way of knowing...? Things we need to know in order to get stuff done."   

Hachi sighs and puts a hand on Niko's shoulder. They're a child, but she's short, so she doesn't have to kneel down to do so.

"Don't feel obligated to stick to the role you were given. Especially if some higher power enforced it on you."

   "Okay, good point...but I'd be totally lost and maybe dead without Psyco, so I'm gonna keep listening to him."   

"As long as it's your own choice to do so... Then yes, we'll go with you."

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396933: Jun 17th 2025 at 4:22:23 PM

Wreck of the Brinehammer

The trek through the hallway will probably take about a minute or two. However, the Hatchling will be able to hear noises at this point. It seems they're not the only one on board.

The noises are coming from a distant room to the right.


Estraole

Enforced it? He didn't enforce anything on Niko, right?

...

Booting up the game and playing as him doesn't count, right?

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jun 17th 2025 at 1:23:16 PM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396934: Jun 17th 2025 at 4:24:35 PM

Estraole

The celestial inside of him gave a twitch st the idea of a god named Psyco. But he was also programmed to be exceptionally easy going.

"As the Star Consor- Companion! It would be rude of me not to make sure you two are safe."

Ah, the discussion of freedom was soon trusted upon the group.

Glint was nodding with Hachi's words, while simultaneously giving her a very knowing expression.

It's easy to know what you're longing for. You spend alot of time thinking about it. It's also so much easier to tell others how to achieve it, then reach for it yourself at times.

Suppressing such a terrible thought Glint spun on his heel and hit a magic girl pose as he addressed the three.

: "With my light manipulation, you're all in good hands! :D"

Awawa
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#396935: Jun 17th 2025 at 4:32:28 PM

Estraole

...

A god?

The Vessel looks down, memories flashing of the other deities they know. The king who abandoned them, the old light they were meant to seal; the mother they never met.

Could They be one too? This 'Psyco' sounds similar to how They act.

The Vessel puts a hand over their chest, a slight red glow visible.

They do not want to be discarded again.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
IchigoMontoya (Don’t ask) Relationship Status: Not caught up in your love affair
#396936: Jun 17th 2025 at 4:36:48 PM

Pietro gives a quick wave of his hand.

"Oh, cut the fake politeness crap, Mara. We all know you're just itching for chance to start going on about how feeble we are compared to you, how inevitable our defeat is, how victory will soon be yours," he says.

Wanda stares Mara down, her eyes taking on a familiar scarlet glow.

"Let me make something very clear, Mara. I fully, fully intend to kill you. This is going to end with me standing over your corpse while you finally burn in hell for every innocent life you've ever snuffed out and ruined, for all of the destruction you've ever caused, for the people you've corrupted and twisted into your unwitting weapons," she says, her tone far too calm. "But before that happens, you're going to ensure that both my children and yours can live full, proper lives no matter how far away from you they are."

Her expression hardens into a piercing glare.

"You have one chance to do this the easy way. Name something you want in return, and if it's a reasonable enough request, we have a deal. If you don't, we'll.. I'll just have to make you save them," she continues. "And please, don't try to deceive me or play me or screw me over. I'm really not in the mood for any of your little games."

SacredSpirit123 Isengrim Heath-Stalker - Lupine Lawman from Jorrvaskr (Elder Troper) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
Isengrim Heath-Stalker - Lupine Lawman
#396937: Jun 17th 2025 at 4:46:36 PM

Blackreach Alliance Headquarters

Shadow and Neodyme exchange a glance at Ninten's question, and Shadow then gives Ninten a sheepish smile, shrugging.

   "Not unheard of, in certain circumstances. Depending on the Deities involved, mainly. Every Deity processes time differently, so that can influence their decision-making process, along with their morality, how attached they are to the world they're overseeing, whether they wish to interact directly with the world or do so by proxy, and how they view Mortals to begin with. When we Aspects hold meetings, we make them as brief as possible, because we know Mortals' time is a precious, finite resource, and as such, we would hate to waste it with tedious deliberation."   

He nods to Pseudo.

Neodyme then gives Ninten an amused glance.

"Indeed. I am pleased to meet this particular you."

Shadow shrugs to Ninten, frowning slightly.

   "Understandable. Strange coincidence, I ended up being on the other side of something similar with Navitus just now. Er, the fragment of her that resides in the Staff, I mean. I did some stupid, petty stuff to the Staff after the situation with the Cyber Angels and I later regretted it, so I just apologized before you walked in."   

Neodyme gives Sylvie an enthusiastic nod, seeming to vibrate with excitement.

"…we shall see."

Shadow then looks at Helryx, pausing for a moment.

   "…if I told you I meant the latter, and believed it with utter conviction, would you respect that? When Pandora explained her history, how she had tried to revive Epimetheus by cyberizing him…maybe it wasn't as ineffective as she thought? Maybe some part of him was just…trapped in his body, unable to interact with the world, to tell her that he was there, before he was taken and scrapped for parts? Or what if his spirit returned to his remains in some other way after he was already recycled and Cyber was built?"   

He frowns pensively.

   "From some of the ways that Cyber has acted, such as occasionally appearing to take extra effort to process situations around him, and the fact that he occasionally seems to have intrusive thoughts of some kind mid-conversation, leading to him abruptly altering his demeanor or diverting his stream of consciousness, I've started wondering if someone's on the inside pushing out, and if so, I think Cyber isn't sure what to make of that. You could have chalked some of these events up to Tobajas before, but given what we know now about how he's kept complacent and wouldn't have any reason to struggle against Cyber's possession, that really only leaves one clear candidate, yeah?"   

He then glances at Pseudo, surmising his thoughts from his expression alone, and opens his mouth…only to freeze and close it when Loki launches into his impassioned tirade. Once the God of Mischief is done, Shadow clears his throat.

   "…what he said. But, y’know…without the egregiously colorful language. Or the cool, fancy accent."   

He winces slightly as Iris and Thor continue to speak, processing their conversation, and Neodyme, feeling him stiffen, turns their head to gaze at them with a concerned look. Shadow gently ruffles Neodyme's 'hair', causing the liquid metal to shift into new patterns, and gives them a half-hearted smile in an attempt to reassure them that he's fine. This doesn't seem to convince Neodyme much of Shadow's emotional state, and they reassuringly tighten their grip on Shadow, insistent in their expression. Eventually, Shadow sighs, and clears his throat, quickly gesturing to catch Thor's and Iris' attention with a conflicted frown as he takes on an urgent tone.

   "Right, there's something I have to break the silence on. I've agreed to keep so many secrets today that I just can't stand keeping something this big from you guys. I know we've just been over some good news, but I put two and two together after you guys started talking, and, well, the honesty dam just burst, so grab a life preserver."   

He pauses for a moment, lowering his head as he works on collecting himself with a few deep breaths, before he looks back up to the two.

   "I didn't want to bring this up yet, I really didn't. I was going to tell you eventually, just…not now. I had hoped I'd get a chance to recap you guys on what happened before you joined our meeting later, but like I said, something in my head just clicked hard enough to crack.”   

He glances at Pseudo, grimacing slightly and drawing in a quiet, hissed breath.

   "…sorry, but I've gotta' spill the tea."   

     The Tea 

Looking back at Iris and Thor, he conjures an image of Lorenzo and Doverap, glancing at it tentatively.

   "…this guy’s name is Lorenzo, and his dove is named Doverap. I met them when I swung by Majima's restaurant for an errand and a personal visit. They just happened to be eating there. I know they just look like a particularly fancy Stage Magician and his avian assistant, but they're both a lot more than meets the eye. Lorenzo's an actual Mage who styles his craft as Prestidigitation, and Doverap is something of his Familiar, notably being capable of intelligible speech, displaying his own magical powers that can assist in Lorenzo's tricks and spells, and possessing a psychic barrier that can prevent me from looking at his thoughts, meaning when I tried to contact him telepathically, he could hear me, but I couldn't hear him. Really fishy, I know."   

He pauses for a moment to catch his breath.

   "I had talked to Lorenzo for some time after I noticed Doverap started intently staring at me as soon as I walked in, as if he could see something about me that others couldn't. Lorenzo said that Doverap has an eye for extraordinary individuals, and I ended up explaining to him about the Aspects of Unity, to which he took immediate and obvious interest, even though he often tried to hide just how curious he was, seeming to take mental note some details in particular, specifically our role as Omniversal guardians, our dedication to finding a possible nonlethal outcome to every applicable situation, and the pocket dimensions that I oversee. Y'know, the personalized afterlives, the maximum-security prison, the vault of extremely powerful artifacts…the works. He seemed to be taking mental notes for something, but I didn't want to scare him off before I got a full read on him, so I didn't bring it up at that moment."   

He tilts his head.

   "In return, I asked him about his own powers, how he interweaves theatrical Prestidigitation with actual arcane Magic. He explained that he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, but has a fondness for Tarot, Fortune-Telling, and other forms of Foresight, which I told him I don't personally enjoy all that much since we Aspects live to prove that nobody's fate is set in stone. He seemed respectful of that, if a bit tentative. He eventually asked me if I wanted to see a trick before he left, and I asked him if Doverap could do any with him. Well, it turns out there was one trick, but it was a Tarot reading, and I agreed to it even though we both joked about my distaste for Prophecy. This...wasn't a normal Tarot deck, and it was far from a normal reading."   

He clicks his fingers, producing a phantasmal image of the two decks of cards, nearly stacked atop each other, separated by a horizontal curtain.

   "There were two decks, one for Lorenzo and Doverap, and one for me. He had me pick three cards at random from my deck, telling me to look at them, but to make sure neither he nor Doverap could see."   

Three cards move from the upper deck, shifting into place, fanning out like a hand of cards in a card game.

   "Once I did, Lorenzo signaled to Doverap, whose eyes began to glow, and he trotted around the table, gesturing to three cards of his own."   

As Shadow says this, three cards slide out from the lower deck, mirroring the upper hand.

   "We then showed each other our cards, and…"   

The curtain rolls, and the two hands of cards flip, revealing matching faces, perfectly resembling the ones that Shadow and Lorenzo had drawn, down to the inscribed titles, intricate images, and the one suspiciously blank card.

   "…like I said, not a normal deck. Whatever Lorenzo saw in there…he looked like he was going to faint. He froze like a deer in the headlights, glancing between my hand, his hand, and Doverap, seeming particularly distressed by the blank card. He eventually scrambled to pack up his things, hastily claiming that he really should be going, but he realized that, quite literally…"   

Both decks combine and disappear, except for the three cards drawn from the first deck. Shadow gives a slight, dry smile.

   "…I still had the upper hand."   

His smile fades along with the last of the cards.

   "Enough was enough. I demanded answers, pointing out he'd been jumpy for the entire conversation, and I wasn't about to give him his cards back before he told me what scared him enough to try to flee the scene without finishing the trick."   

He frowns.

   "At this point, Doverap, whose eyes were still glowing, suggesting that whatever spell that he and Lorenzo were channeling was actually still active, whispered into Lorenzo's ear that he should tell me what was going on. After a long, drawn-out moment of hesitation, Lorenzo complied, but, as is frustratingly common with Oracles and Prophets, especially reluctant ones, he did so in a roundabout manner that raised more questions than it answered."   

He grits his teeth.

   "He dropped a magical soundproof curtain on us, preventing anyone from hearing our next conversation, and phrased his subsequent explanation as a hypothetical, though I could tell there was clearly real worry in his tone, and actual hope that I'd be able to answer in a manner that would show him something that he hadn't been able to see himself. This hypothetical?"   

He glances away.

   "Well, he told me to picture a threat unlike anything I, or my siblings, have ever seen before. One that is so immensely powerful, so uncontrollably destructive, so incomprehensibly chaotic, compared to the rest of reality, that it threatens the entire Omniverse simply by existing. He told me to entertain the thought, however ridiculous it sounded, that in this situation, there was no way that my siblings and I, even with the combined resources of the entire Omniverse at our disposal, could stop this disaster from occurring…except one. He asked me a very personal very glaring question: If there was one person, one innocent soul, who was inextricably tied to this impossible threat, yet completely unaware of their role in the situation, and unable to comprehend it, or to realize what would have to be done to save everything else…well…”   

He slumps.

   "In more eloquent words than mine, he said there would be no coming back for this poor soul, and...asked me if I'd have the guts to pull the trigger. I was taken aback. This flew in the face of everything we stand for. I made it abundantly clear that my entire life's goal is to prove situations like this can be avoided, that there's always another solution, even if it hasn't yet been invented. I said that in the scenario, I would use every tool, plan, trick, and skill at my disposal to find another way, and that I would make millions more myself if I had to. But if push came to shove, and, inconceivably, there really was no other way to save everything, everyone, else, my friends, my loved ones, existence itself, from total oblivion, then…”   

His voice drops to a hoarse whisper, his eyes glazing over.

   "…what could I say but yes? How could I rationalize allowing everything else to fade, how could I put my morals over my mission, what else could I do in this situation but make sure that, when the time came, it was instant, uninvasive, and painless…?"   

Shadow glances between Pseudo and Thor, and sighs.

   "Liste-"   

Shadow and Neodyme abruptly clutch their hearts, wincing as if they've been struck by some invisible force. Their gaze meets, and a look of dawning comprehension fills their eyes. Shadow mouths something unseen to Neodyme, and Neodyme grabs the scruff of Shadow's cloak as their eyes go wide with understanding. Shadow begins to shake, and Neodyme glances to the group, an emotional urgency clear in their gaze.

"…excuse us."

Neodyme waves their hands, creating a cubic box of hardlight around him and Shadow. He then warps the box to the far side of the room.

    People Who Live In Glass Houses… 
Behind closed doors, when the curtain falls, who knows what happens backstage?

The box immediately goes pitch black as a nimbus of pure shadow bursts out of thin air, but it's almost immediately undercut by a plume of violet flame, producing an eerie illumination over the scene. Shadow can be seen pacing along the edges of the box, trailing his hand along the walls, pressing hard enough into the forcefield to leave deep grooves behind him even as his footsteps leave pools of violet flames in his wake. He gestures animatedly with his free hand, and his face is filled with raw emotion as he speaks faster than one could possibly read lips, had he been showing any to begin with, his teeth bared in a furious grimace, his eyes blazing red. The box is soundproof, a small comfort considering the long, colorful string of language that is being loosed inside, something that would undoubtedly shock those who recognized that Shadow typically detests anything of the sort. Neodyme stands in stunned silence, watching Shadow's outburst, clearly unsure of how to proceed in this situation, merely seeming to shrink in on themself. Suddenly, Shadow rummages in his pockets, producing an unseen object that he proceeds to wind up with before chucking it as hard as he can, to Neodyme's shock. The latter abruptly disassembles their proxy, using the metal to form a trellis of struts, bracing the walls from inside the box as a nearly-unseen blur begins to ricochet across the box's walls, visibly cracking them with each rebound.

    Energy 
A lion's courage, a noble heart, the wisdom of a Sage

They didn't know.

They didn't know why they left the Boundless Wilds.

They didn't know why they agreed to do this.

They didn't know why they thought they could help here.

They didn't know any of this would happen.

They didn't know why any of this happened.

They didn't know what to do.

They didn't know how to help him.

They didn't know if they could help him.

Their fearless leader…their dear friend…their role model…their beloved big brother…he was at the end of his rope.

This much was clear.

They had never seen him so angry, so afraid, so despondent, so…broken.

He was pacing through the box at a rapid rate, leaving fire and deep scratches in his wake as he hissed, screamed, ranted, and raved, his temper flaring as vividly as the roiling umbral stormcloud he exuded and the lingering flames trailing in his path.

The energy released was unlike anything they had ever experienced before.

The chilling supernatural darkness near-instantly dropped the box's interior below freezing even as the eldritch flames caused the temperature to skyrocket to the boiling point just as quickly, a chaotic, painful dance of extremes, one that they would be able to feel even without the practice that they had put into experiencing physical sensation through their proxy, as it felt like it was seeping into the very core of their being, almost seeming to tug at the fragment of Unity inside them.

It was beyond discomforting.

It was nothing short of terrifying.

They tried to listen to him, to lend a sympathetic ear, but his cadence was too quick, his tone too forceful, and every word that they could make out was something that they realized they shouldn't have heard to begin with. He was rapidly changing languages with each sentence, sometimes each word, probably in some vain attempt to spare them from understanding just what he was saying.

All they could do was stare in silence as he abruptly halted in his tracks and began rooting through his pockets.

They did not know what he was looking for.

What item could be so important as to take out now?

What reason could he have to do thi-

Oh.

Oh no.

    Darkness 
How will these traits survive all this terror, this grief, this rage?

Stupid.

Stupid stupid stupid.

Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid.

What other word could describe him?

What other word would capture just how much of a failure he was?

Did he really think he could enjoy a day off?

Did he really think he could have one?

Did he really think he could ever deserve one?

Why did he think bringing his little sibling here was a good idea?

Why did he believe anything other than this could have happened?

What kept him bound to this silly idea of a code of honor?

Why couldn't he see that every time he tried to show some form of mercy to her, to connect with her, she just turned around and used it to backhand him across the face?

Why was he dedicated to seeing the good in everyone if nobody else bothered to, and why is it that it seemed he was the one constantly being proven wrong?

How could he be so foolish?

Why did nothing ever go right?

He was dimly aware of his surroundings as he paced. He could feel the darkness engulfing him, feeding his anger and marking his surroundings. he knew that he had long since lost control over his divine energy, but he didn't care, even as the box surged with shadow and flame around him.

He barely cared about anything at the moment, save for two thoughts.

He was feeling far too old for this.

And she would pay.

Oh, that was certain.

He unleashed a storm of curses and oaths, black marks against her name and vows of retribution, in as many languages as he could think of, never using the same language twice.

After all, his youngest sibling, innocent and easy to distress, was present, and he wanted to protect them, shield them from the worst of himself, even though he knew that it was a pointless effort.

What with both him and them being akin to walking Rosetta Stones, he knew that they likely understood every vile, poisoned word, and fully grasped just how furious he was, how he had lost control, how he had let his emotions get the better of him.

He was probably…no, definitely…scaring-no, terrifying-them.

Great.

Just great.

As if he didn't already feel like a horrible brother.

He needed to hit something.

No, break something.

No.

Throw something.

Yes, that was it.

Throw something.

He searched his pockets, looking for the first thing he could find.

There.

That would do.

And…

Yes.

That felt good.

Look at it g-

Ah.

Crap.

     …Should Not Throw Stones. 
Is the final chapter drawing near? Dare we turn the page?

The projectile careened around the box at a breakneck pace, pingponging like a thing possessed as it bounced from ceiling to wall to floor to wall, and so on, and when it eventually came to rest on the fourth

It did't just lean on it.

It didn't just break it.

No.

It smashed it into shards, fractured those shards into splinters, and crushed those splinters into dust.

Neodyme quickly reformed their proxy from the supports they had constructed as the box crashed down around them, and recycled the energy from the box's hardlight to form a tighter soundproof bubble around Shadow and themself, while immobilizing the projectile by neutralizing its kinetic energy, causing it to harmlessly bounce and roll to a stop, revealing…

…a humble, ordinary pebble.

Shadow stared at the pebble in silence for what seemed like ages…

…before abruptly grabbing Neodyme by the arm and dragging them into a firm hug, burying his head against their body. Initially surprised, Neodyme's posture relaxed as their shocked gaze softened into an empathetic squint, offering their elder brother a shoulder to cry on as his body began to heave in a fit of silent sobs.

Beat

Nobody could say exactly how much time it had been before the Aspects returned. But all could probably agree that it probably hadn't been long enough, though it had most likely been all they could afford. Shadow is still breathing somewhat heavily, a cold, distant look in his eyes as Neodyme braces their arm around him supportively. Neodyme looks notably uncomfortable, their gaze flickering with concern as they glance between Shadow and the others.

Eventually, Shadow breaks the painful silence, chuckling hollowly, a lopsided smile playing across his face as he glances between Pseudo and Thor.

   "…who said I didn't want to hurt Mara…?"   , he rasps, his voice barely above a whisper, yet his words carry a cold, deadly edge that could cut as deeply as the sharpest knife.

His eyes glaze over, as the shadows cast by his hood seem to supernaturally deepen, lending to a distinctly haunting image.

   "I know how the Divine Guardians work. I know that wiping her completely from existence isn't an option, as trying that would cause the other Guardians to step in and retaliate on her behalf, and trust me, you do NOT want to get on the wrong side of Fate. Just ask Odio…oh, wait, you can't. Because, after taking just a single punch, his subatomic particles are more than likely scattered far across the entire Arena by now. Hell, even if erasing Mara was on the table, which it obviously isn't, I wouldn't do it."   

His smile becomes more unstable, as his tone becomes sharper.

   "And from what I know now? What Neo and I literally just learned?"   

He shakes his head.

   "Neither's killing her. Not by a long shot. Not without huge, horrible consequences."   

Neodyme nods.

"I do not think that we could afford them, as they would be grave indeed."

   "You want to know what we just sensed? What we just saw, heard, felt?"   

"…I am not quite certain if it is even our story to tell, considering the circumstances…but time is of the essence, so necessity must win out over empathy."

Shadow's hands ball into fists, and Neodyme pulls him in closer.

   "…Seraphim just passed away. One of Mara's children. Bell and Azathoth ran to get the Maximoffs because Seraphim was fading fast, and…they weren't able to do anything. I'd literally just chewed Mara out for how she treats her kids, seemingly the only family members she doesn't give a crap about, and…now one of them's just…gone. Even if I wasn't here in this room, right now, with you guys, even if I was there, with them…I don't even know if I could have lifted a finger to stop it…"   

"…sometimes, Omnipresence can be a…terrible curse."

   "…and that's not even the worst part. No, that would be the thing that Seraphim revealed to the Maximoffs before he passed on."   

"This information could near-completely derail almost every plan we have made and send us back to the drawing board...if we can even act quickly enough to avert this crisis from occurring."

   "You see, If Mara's killed…then anyone linked to her goes, too. Every person she's created or resurrected through her powers will die, right alongside her. You do realize who that includes, right?"   

"The lives of Wanda's children now rest in the hands of her family's worst, most wicked enemy."

Shadow shakes his head.

   "…and now that Wanda knows this, she's on the warpath. She's confronting Mara right now, and from how furious she is, I don't know what she'll do if she provokes her. You know how Mara loves to rub salt in the wound, so even if Wanda intends this to go peacefully, Mara could say one wrong thing to her and get her to lash out. I just know that, if I were making decisions right now, I would stop her from doing anything she'd end up regretting, for both our sake, and her family's."   

He leans into Neodyme, glancing away.

   "I'm just…so tired of watching people die…I can't stand it anymore."   

Edited by SacredSpirit123 on Jun 17th 2025 at 8:04:40 AM

"Life isn't a fairytale. There isn't always a 'Happily Ever After' waiting for you at the end of the road." ~ Isengrim Heath-Stalker
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396938: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:09:15 PM

Estraole

   "Oh, thank you! Lead the way, then!"   

Hachi starts walking east toward Minira, and Niko hurries along after her.

"If Psyco is listening, I'm curious. What can he see and do?"

  • I'm all-powerful, all-seeing, and all-knowing. Do not test me.
  • I need Niko in order to interact with you.
  • I see the world through a top-down view centered on Niko, like a video game.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396939: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:15:46 PM

Estraole

  • I see the world through a top-down view centered on Niko, like a video game.

He's curious to see how the others would react to that.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jun 17th 2025 at 2:43:16 PM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396940: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:20:50 PM

   "He says he sees the world around me in a top-down view. Like a...video game?"   

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
shroobot3000 Witch of Scarlet Dreams from Behind you Since: Apr, 2014 Relationship Status: You can be my wingman any time
Witch of Scarlet Dreams
#396941: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:27:46 PM

Estraole

The Vessel... did not understand that. But They seemingly did judging by the sense of surprise in their connection. They also saw things in a similar perspective at times, especially with their previous, unwilling vessel.

They did not feel inclined to mention this though. So the Vessel instead quizzically tilted their head at Niko's statement.

"That was a pointless encounter with a pointless person."
ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396942: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:28:34 PM

Estraole

Following after the two, hearing those words did get Glint to uncomfortably smile back.

"I suppose it makes since. If he's looking fowm it'd be that way!"

Awawa
Bolded1 Fate, guide me from behind you!!!!!!!! Since: Mar, 2015
Fate, guide me
#396943: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:36:29 PM

THE WALK TO MINIRA

Is going smoothly thus far. Perhaps too smoothly for the tastes of some, uninvolved in the meta antics going on, but very much always down to screw over others. As such, and as night start falling, the group will be briefly disrupted by a disturbing sight. The demonic visage of a goat-like beast, its plentiful eyes easily masked by the overwhelming large yellow goat-like orbs it had on its sides.

A DEMON CASTS ITS CURSE

The curse eats away at one's vigor intensely. Until it is lifted, the group will be weakened, like their flickering fires are reduced in intensity. However, only the Player might be able to see the warning unto the side - accompanied by a black bar with a foggy purple outline.

Dire circumstances for one to be in, but luckily, at the end of the road, there stands a hooded figure off to the side, waiting.

Nautolan picture belongs to Bonesmarinated on twitter
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396944: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:48:50 PM

Old G.E.M. Base

   "... oh Wanda. I cannot do that. They need to be linked to the energy source that makes up my being. If they leave that source, their bodies can no longer support themselves. That is not something I can change."   , Mara says, voice a little lower than usual. Much less taunting, much more ominous.

   "I model my children after myself, at least in the way their bodies work. Unless they become Divine Guardians, this was always going to be their fate. That's the purpose of my strictness. If they don't live up to the standards I had to live up to, then this is how it has to be. It's the same risks I lived with when my fathers trained me. The same methods. They either succeed, or I try again. And again. And again. And again."   

... is she implying that the reason she's creating children is to create a new Divine Guardian?

Given the situation though, they likely wouldn't ponder over that. Mara then points at Billy and Tommy.

   "Your children, however... they still have a chance. Because you see... you're finally at the point I've wanted you to be for a very long time."   

That's... probably confusing to them. What's she talking about?

   "The truth is, Scarlet Witch."   , Mara begins. Has she ever directly called Wanda by that title to her face before?

   "There is something I want from you. I want a fight. But not just any kind of fight."   

She lowers her arm. Her gaze turns more intense. The aura that starts to flow off of her isn't harmful, but it's pressuring in a way. As if they'll be able to physically feel the intensity.

   "A one on one, all out fight. None of your friends, family, or anyone unrelated is allowed to help you. Likewise, nobody will help me either. If anyone intervenes on your behalf for any reason, you lose. If you give me a satisfying fight..."   

She looks at Tommy and Billy for a moment.

   "I will sever my ties to them in the safe method. No strings attached, no tricks played, no last minute cruel twists. They will be free from me. I'm willing to make a magic pact to ensure I hold up my end of the bargain if that soothes you. And if you actually defeat me on top of that, then I suppose you can claim your prize and kill me afterwards."   

She then looks back at Wanda.

   "But if you disappoint me... they will remain tied to me. And their very existence will depend on my mercy."   

The way she's wording all of this so fast and easily... has this been what she wanted out of this from the very beginning? To force Wanda in a position where she'd have to fight Mara on the latter's terms?

Regardless... she's actually offering them a way out of this situation through this selfish request. Mara's children were right, they cannot be saved. But Tommy and Billy... they have a chance.


Blackreach Alliance Headquarters

"So to them they probably haven't been gone for very long at all then.", Ninten mutters.

He then smiles at Neodyme.

"Hey so how high up the Ninten ranking list am I so far?", he asks out of curiosity.

Helryx crosses her arms.

"My first thought would be that it's ridiculous. He died, then was transformed into metal, and then used to form a completely different entity, but he's still present within? ... however. You are far more familiar with these sorts of workings than I am. So I trust that you know what you're talking about, as incredulous as it may sound."

Pseudo looks at Loki and Shadow.

"It was a passing thought. But I'm not stupid. The only way a plan like that one would ever be viable is if we had a way to force him to cooperate. You can be sure that I'm not going to go running to Porky Minch for help. As for Cyber..."

He smirks contemplatively.

"There is another aspect, pardon the pun, to the idea of bringing forth Epimetheus if that turns out to be a possibility. If he becomes the one in control of the mechanical suit, then he can simply release Tobajas. Whichever one of us gets the first chance to speak with Pandora should run the idea by her."

He then looks at Thor.

"I understand your worries. But keep in mind that I will prioritize the lives of the many when it comes to Mara. I'd gladly see you all strike her down, but if it comes to having to choose between that and saving people, my focus will be on the latter."

After having made sure they're on the same page about that, everyone turns to Shadow as he starts talking about something that seems to be highly important.

They all listen intently. Iris is staring at Doverap in particular, but there's no sign of recognition in her eyes so it's unlikely she's ever met it before. She doesn't stop looking at Doverap until Shadow shows the Tarot cards.

"... Armor. Vessel. Whispers.", she mutters incredibly softly. 'Whispers'? That's not what's on the blank card. Shadow and Neodyme will definitely hear what she muttered. Thor might too given that he's right next to her. Everyone else would not. They just continue to listen.

"That's a horrible choice to make. I genuinely don't know if I could do it.", Ninten admits.

Helryx could, and Botar could as well. Neither of them really needs to say it.

Something then seems to be up with Neodyme, but before Pilly can ask (she was the first one who was about to do so), Shadow and Neodyme confine themselves for a moment. During this time Pilly looks at everyone else, about to say something, but then everyone's attention is on the box, on the near indescribable set of events that happen within. They're all silent, until the box shatters and Shadow hugs their sibling.

"... Shadow did tell me once that he experiences emotions far more intensely, and, uh... I think we just saw proof of that.", Ninten says. He'd want to ask if Shadow's okay, but the answer is pretty obvious already. It's clear he's not.

Pseudo is concerned. He's wondering if Shadow is about to freak out over whatever he felt that made him do that. He wonders if he'd have to tell Botar to warp him out before anything can happen.

Then...

Then Shadow and Neodyme tell the others what it was all about. Iris, Pilly, Roll.EXE and especially Ninten look horrified upon hearing that Tommy and Billy are tied to Mara. Even Botar and Helryx look shocked.

Pseudo's eyes are hidden by his hair.

"... I understand now. She planned to put Wanda in an impossible situation. And she must've done the same to Jack Frost and General Logi's forces. I remember hearing that both Jack and Andropov joined the Assassins because Mara resurrected a large population of people from their worlds that had tragically died. But that was a curse rather than a blessing, wasn't it? Now not only Wanda's children, but two worlds worth of people are her hostages. I cannot imagine how any of them must feel."

...

"... She's put us in checkmate, hasn't she?", Pseudo growls. "If we try to kill Mara and succeed, Wanda may end up seeking retribution because we killed her children. If we give up on the idea, Mara will escape consequence-free. In either case, many will perish as well. And at this point I'm not sure if the Divine Guardians would even be helpful in this regard. I cannot predict if this is something they'd consider Mara going too far, or if they'll just quietly accept it because of her job."

He grits his teeth furiously.

"There has to be something we can do... right?", Pilly asks.

"I so, so badly wanna beat Mara to a pulp!", Ninten says with a low voice, his hands clenched into fists.

"..."

The rage in Iris' eyes makes them look almost eldritch in nature. She looks like she wants to tear Mara apart, bring her back to life, and then tear her apart all over again. Her artifacts aren't glowing this time around, but she is.

This horrible situation would indeed be a total loss... were it not for the terms Mara just gave Wanda. A potential way out for Tommy and Billy, though not for the rest. Something Shadow and Neodyme should pick up on.

As cruel and selfish as Mara's plan turns out to be, the fact that she's offering the Maximoffs a way out at all... means that this could all still be resolved somehow. Things have gotten much more complicated, but they're not stuck yet.

Despite everything, there is hope.

Edited by DevilPsyco on Jun 17th 2025 at 2:51:11 PM

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396945: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:51:57 PM

Wreck of the Brinehammer

15.5 Minutes Remain

<Come on, I don't have all day to roam through here for nothing...>

If the source of the noise is a living thing capable of hearing, they won't hear anything intelligible from the Hatchling's voice. It's an alien language, one the Arena's properties have deigned not to auto-translate.


Estraole

"Maybe he's using a video game interface to interact with the world..."

And then they get raided.

Niko doubles over almost immediately. Hachi fares better, helping them keep walking.

   "Ugh...I feel sick...Psyco...what's happening?"   

Nothing about the curse will appear on the Player's menu, on account of the fact that in-game the curse affects HP, and Niko, being from a game without combat, has no HP value.

  • It's some kind of debilitating curse
  • I don't know

However, the one guiding the Vessel will be able to see mask icons representing their vitality, and that some of them appear grayed-out with stony textures, indicating it's some kind of max HP reduction effect.

Edited by KiriK on Jun 17th 2025 at 7:54:48 AM

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
DevilPsyco from The Underworld (pretty deep down in the ground) Since: Jul, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
#396946: Jun 17th 2025 at 5:59:16 PM

Wreck of the Brinehammer

The Hatchling will reach the room and find that it's some kind of study. It's a mess, there's books all over the floor. One even falls out of a bookshelf, which may potentially startle them for a moment.

In the middle of the room sits Bvio, who's frantically looking through pages and, when he doesn't find whatever he's looking for, he full-on throws the book behind him and opens another.


Estraole

He has no idea what the flying fuck this thing is from, but that message is concerning.

  • It's some kind of debilitating curse

He'll have picked that option almost instantly... which should tell Niko that this is a serious matter. The one he thinks of as God is worried.

In the year 202X, all is devastation... Soon, any last shred of hope had by the saintliest optimist shall die and decay.
KiriK The Grey Pilgrim from across time and space Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
The Grey Pilgrim
#396947: Jun 17th 2025 at 6:02:04 PM

Wreck of the Brinehammer

Welp.

<Uhh...Hell->*ahem* "Hello," the Hatchling says, switching to English.

"What happened here?" they ask curiously.

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."
BombonBombin Nightmare lord from Across time and space Since: Jan, 2021 Relationship Status: In love with love
Nightmare lord
#396948: Jun 17th 2025 at 6:42:25 PM

UTOPIA

Bar

After Orochi stomps on Wendy's feet, and pushes away both Machín and Tony during his "choreography", the song ends, and the trio applauds him, more for politeness than nothing.

But then, he pulls the guns under his sleeves. They instinctively rise their arms.

Whoa whoa whoa! How you managed to get those things in? Those guys right there didn't ask you to give your guns?

And so, Machín got a "neuron activation" moment. He remembers Wendy and the Yakuzas giving out their weapons, and the shelves chock-full of weapons. He pats Tony on his shoulder, and whispers:

I think this is all a ruse, and they are going to take all the weapons to his island.

Damn, Viruta! We should do something!

But Wendy says: I really wanna go to the island... Machín never takes me out to vacation!

Machín and Tony keeps chatting.

I think we should keep it on with the game and go with them.

Are you crazy!?

Worry not, Viruta. If something happens, I could teleport y'all back in here.

Dunno...

He waves at Nishiki and Kiryu:

Is it a good idea to go with them?


Facility

Upon seeing the explosives scattered all around the hallway, Queca follows Stark.

I could do something, but I need some time.

By extending her hands and chanting a mysterious hex, she manages to disarm most of explosive devices... But then, she got stabbed in her right arm by one of the black-clad figures. I mean, she is a ghost, but she is still capable to feel pain. She yells at the Emperor:

Hey you, octopus! If nobody else wants to do it, I volunteer for your attack! Unless... You can pinpoint their exact location...


Prison

Gonzalete got flung towards Anthony, crashing on the floor.

Argh!

But then, he notices Seven is finally healed, and both William and himself managed to stop the axe, and he stands again.

After Uzi fires its American Rain™, he extends his arms, and just like that time at the briefing shoot-out, casts a gravity spell to drop the bullets on the ground without harm for the group... But then, there are missiles.

Guy in yellow! [Law] Can you do something against those missiles, please? If I cast my gravity spell on them, they will drop and explode like nukes!

Edited by BombonBombin on Jun 17th 2025 at 9:07:09 AM

Three freaking ghosts!
ISZATSO The Web-Slinger from Queens Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
The Web-Slinger
#396949: Jun 17th 2025 at 6:57:13 PM

As the mech loomed over them, the three men faltered but did not break, their resolve firm. One stopped, wheeling around and lifting his weapon to Mal…but didn’t fire. Behind the alien, footsteps pattering against the concrete: how quick he turned to face them would decide how much time he had to avoid Leonid’s fist, swinging like a sledgehammer at his head. Then, if it didn’t connect but Mal was still close enough—or it did, and he wasn’t just sent careening away—the commander would attempt to pull the Twi’Lek into an ill-intentioned bear hug with full intent of snapping his spine. "Stepping out your shell," Leonid snarled, "Worst mistake you could’ve made!"

Following Mika’s reposition down their sights, the pair fired; but the dual gunfire slowed as one reached the end of his load. As he ejected it and reached for another, the director’s pistol behind the car flashed momentarily as he took the chance to peek out and fired off a few shots. Beside the soldier, condensed air hissed from his comrade’s hole-punched armor. The man slumped to the ground while the other dove away, landing against the same car behind which Mika found cover, only on the opposite side. He hastily finished reloading his rifle but neglected to fire, instead taking a grenade from his torso and rolling it under the car, over to Mika’s side, before timing his second jump away with the blast.

And on the topic of grenades, one burst without effect (except maybe dusting a homeless guy cuz random acts of violence against the downtrodden is funny) in an unimportant, but now well-lit alley. The creature was gone. They angled their rifles along the building walls in search of the creature, but the shadow gliding out into the youthful sunlight was already too large against the sky to stop. One dropped, a cinnamon-colored pillar lodged into the sparking glass of his cobweb-scarred faceplate. Their guns lowered, then went skyward again as one was knocked to the ground and the other hoisted the stock to block his comrade’s severed arm, blood trailing after it. He evaded Yngqumbo’s follow-up only with the narrowest of windows. Decisively tossing aside the weapon, the revenant lifted his fists in a well-trained posture and jerked forwards, exoskeleton pushing his fist forwards at the creature the way wind currents did a hawk gliding upon them.

With great power…you know the rest.
ArbiterOfTheBog Parasmagate from The Mortal Realms Since: Feb, 2022 Relationship Status: Cast away
Parasmagate
#396950: Jun 17th 2025 at 7:05:54 PM

District 8

The punch connected with the creature's side, a pained screeching coming from it as it rolled over both corpses. As it collided with the wall, some of its feathery covering poofed around it, a clesr spot in its dide where it had been struck. Ingqumbo looked to the deadman, and hatched an idea.

Using their tail to brush up debris, they knew the dust cloud wouldn't last long.

So they grabbed the rebate and rushed further into the alley, circling around to hopefully stick the man's foot into the ground with the rebar. With their ability to turn limited, they would if allowed leap onto them from behind. And would start to immediately begin burrowing their snout between their shoulder blades, and if they weren't interrupted, would begin to eat on the trapezius ligaments.

Awawa

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