A Game of Gods: A Multiversal Challenge

Spriggan started to wake up from his nap.

"We there yet?"

Dr. Langley glanced over her shoulder at Spriggan, a rather cross look on her face. "We've only been driving for twenty minutes, kid; we still have at least five hours to go, and that's being generous. You'd better not be asking that question every half hour, because my patience is pretty much nil at this point."

"I heard you the first time," Dr. Ikari snapped at Galen, barely able to control his anger. It was quite clear that, whatever else he might have suffered at Washington's hands over the past few days, the xenoarchaeologist had felt it would be worth it should his wife be okay; but now that the administrator was threatening to kill the people he loved, Dr. Ikari had been pushed too far. For a few moments, nothing could be heard but the sound of fairly heavy breathing as Dr. Langley's husband fought to keep his temper in check, and the soft clack of a pistol's slide being engaged as though he were preparing for violence; thankfully, when he next spoke the young man seemed to have calmed down by a good deal.

"Alright. Aside from...nomalous presence and evidence...karlikarrh inhabitation in a star system...laim has never belonged to the...Worlds of Lowe, the iconog...of the ruins does not quite...with typical karkarlikarrh...smological and mythological precepts. My team had not...translating all the...in the newer areas before our...ry of the artefact chamber, so...have the full picture; that said, there is...ferrence to a term not...in modern karkarlikarrh dialects. It is...lief that this term pertains...tefact or the creatures...some way, shape or form."

The Danse Macabre Codex

"Besides the Void-creatures, are any of Washington's men present at the ruins? Or any hostile Kar... Karka... Buggers? We need to be sure what we're up against when we get there."

edited 23rd May '11 5:59:40 PM by DKN117

Bendy Slendy in Upendi. Also, check out my fic

Jack was thinking aloud again. He'd gotten used to it during his travels, often having no one else to talk to.

"Perhaps some distant ancestors of the...um...Hive Worlders once lived here. What term do you refer to?"

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu

"Understood, doctor."

Spriggan replied, unrolling his balaclava to partially rub his eyes.

"I'll need to ask the old man for a vacation really soon..." He whispered to himself.

Rey was standing at the rear of the bus, staring out at the scenery passing by, completely silent. If one were to look, they would notice him rocking back and forth slightly on his heels, gaze seemingly vacant as he stared outwards.

Easing back into life one step at a time

"Last I checked, several...of the Planetary Defense Force were still...the barricade keeping us in; I have...whether they're still at full strength, though, as...stuck down here thanks...the creatures. As for...spoke of, it is a simple word, a conjoined...sisting of three syllables total. Now then, to fully...ciate its significance, I must explain that this parti...dialect contains a vertiable...with subjective meanings; appending a noun...ther noun or a verb changes...of the first noun/verb. As such, the two...comprise this term, in and of themselves...ot especially significant—"

"Shin," Dr. Langley cut in, gently yet insistently. "As fascinating as that is, I get the feeling that these gentlement aren't really in the mood for a lecture on prehistoric karkarlikarrh linguistics."

A faintly embarrassed chuckle came over the Phi-module. "Sorry, dear...how I get with this stuff. At any rate...into modern Anglish, the term is pronounced, roughly, as...nala. It means—"

"Could you repeat that, dear? We didn't catch the whole word."

"I said...unced as Bak'nala. The term...number of different meanings, due to the variable...both the core verb and...ended noun; the former can mean shape, sculpt or cut, or a...who does these things, and the latt...indicate meat, flesh, spirit, or life. Thus, Bak'nala...one who sculpts meat, or one who cuts life."

---

Though Rey was now awake and the dreams were behind him, the luchadore could still hear the faint laughter of children at play in the back of his mind. In his detached state, he might have noticed that it had begun to rain outside, and that the distant rumble of thunder could be heard from off in the distance.

Papa...Papa...

edited 23rd May '11 6:52:15 PM by SullenFrog

The Danse Macabre Codex

Rey's rocking movements intensified, and he pressed his hands against the window slightly, smiling slightly as he closed his eyes. "Kids..."

Easing back into life one step at a time

Jack noted that the weather forecast they had received earlier was not proving accurate. But then, it was to be expected. And in this chariot, such a storm might well prove a serious obstacle to them. They would deal with that when it became a threat, though. For now, he considered the word. Bak'nala. A sculptor of flesh, cutter of life. Someone or something that can reshape life itself. Doubtless that was what had crafted the shadows they had fought thus far. For what purpose, he did not know. But clearly, whoever the craftsman was, their mind did not function as a human's mind did. He had his doubts if it was even one of the insect creatures, though they might have been involved in this crisis.

"If you can continue your efforts to uncover the cause behind these events," he said, "I am certain it would be helpful. We will take care of the Planetary Defense Forces, but be wary. There may be Hive World assassins lurking about. It is possible they are partially responsible for what has happened. They may be cooperating with the administrator. And also..."

He turned to Doctor Langely.

"Given that our enemy has a spaceship with considerable weaponry, if we can be tracked by anything on board, we should disable it immediately."

Then he looked back to the com system.

"In short, please continue. We must know everything that you know if we are to be of help."

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu

Spriggan sighed. He looked at the back to see that Rey was standing there.

Better hope he won't do anything stupid.

"Stop."

Link's hand gently pushed the former Sith Apprentice's away.

"Thank you... for your help... but it seems that He is adamant on this matter. We will get nowhere if we continue like this."

With a nod, he got up slowly, and walked over to where Jack was standing.

"The... One who Cuts Flesh...."

"A... malevolent deity... A Nomad, perhaps? Or a god of this universe?"

edited 23rd May '11 9:02:58 PM by troydenite

'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023

Icarax shook his head, they seemed to be forgeting something.

'What was that Key ravage was talking about? the Key that would let us deal with the Nomads".

"Do we know what it looks like or know where abouts it should be?"

Kimimaro heard Icarax's question, and turned to Ravage. "Yes, Ravage-san; is there any way to tell if and when we near the Key you mentioned?"

Bendy Slendy in Upendi. Also, check out my fic

"Of course; thank you...heads-up. Since we last...learned a few more things about...For starters, they aren't just...threat; they attack you, physically and mentally. The bigger, snakelike ones...lling them Sirens, just to make things easier...know what it is they do, but they can reach...your mind and somehow learn the names and identities of the people you care about. Learned that...rd way; one turned into my mother, and even though...see that it wasn't her, it was hard to break away; if Suzu...asted it with that improvised flamethrower, I'd be pushing up daisies.

This brought a frown to Dr. Langley's face, and she glanced over her shoulder in the direction of Rey. "How long do the effects last, Shin?"

"No idea; it seems...when the creature who first ensnared the victim is slain, but...those fronds they sprout manage to get away, they'll grow...licas of the original Siren, and then it starts all over again. Also, this...ntal predation seems more effective...the mentally deranged; the less sane and rational...the harder it is to get them back to normal.

"Second, I've discovered...by intense light; it doesn't hurt them, per se, but...act of hurting and killing them much...to accomplish. Not just regular car lights...talking about flares and stuff like that. Also...specific wavelength; energy weapons won't do the trick. Hope that helps; if I...anything more, I'll let you know."

"I understand," Dr. Langley said with a faint smile, reaching forward to switch off the bus radio. "Goodbye, Shin; I'll see you in a bit—"

Suddenly a loud whine of feedback erupted from the radio, causing Aska to wince and grit her teeth against the ear-splitting noise; when it abated a few moments later, the cheerful jazz station had cut out, and the voice of Administrator Washington was coming through the speaker grille.

"No need to change the station on my account, Doctor Langley," he said, his extremely calm tone at odds with the rather frantic situation which had engulfed Valhalla. "Even if your friend hadn't violated emergency protocols by switching to another channel without prior authorization, I've had my eye on you since before you left Valhallan airspace. Your hotwiring skills are no doubt to be commended, Doctor, but I am assuming you weren't aware of the security act I passed which requires all drivers of public transportation to present their genekey upon activation of their vehicles to prevent the possibility of a highjack by terrorists; failure to comply with this directive will trigger a silent alarm and flag the vehicle in question for remote observation."

---

Papa...Papa...there you are, Papa...why did you go away for so long?

Were Rey to open his eyes, he might see a pair of pale, childish faces smiling back at him through the window, and a pair of small, pasty white hands had been pressed up against the glass to correspond with the placement of his own.

edited 23rd May '11 9:24:49 PM by SullenFrog

The Danse Macabre Codex

There was silence and stillness from the resident teen shinobi, and then:

"....FFFFUCK!!! Can't ONE blasted thing GO RIGHT TODAY?!"

edited 23rd May '11 9:29:45 PM by DKN117

Bendy Slendy in Upendi. Also, check out my fic

Link, ignoring the blasted Administrator for the moment, walked over to Rey.

"Don't listen to them...."

"They're trying to mess with your head. I know it's hard... but please, bear it..."

He laid a hand on his shoulder, while shooting a murderous glare at the radio.

edited 23rd May '11 9:30:45 PM by troydenite

'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023

Rey continued to rock a moment, then did open his eyes. He startled momentarily, then gasped softly, though with a bit of a delighted tone. "Oh my God, they're here!" He turned to the others, grinning widely at Link as well. "They're here!" He started for the door of the bus. "Hang on, kids, papi's on his way to get you!"

edited 23rd May '11 9:31:12 PM by MystyGlyttyr

Easing back into life one step at a time

"Oh under the bloody name of Rassilon and Gallifrey! How did the Nomads!? That shouldn't... what when they get to me... Or Link.... or..."

To Be Updated when I'm not Lazy

"No!"

Link grabbed the wrestler, and tried to restrain him.

"Don't listen to them!"

Not again, not again....

edited 23rd May '11 9:33:27 PM by troydenite

'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023

Spriggan sighed and facepalmed.

Here we go again.

Jack frowned.

"Doctor," he said to their resident Time Lord, "we may need your skill with machines. A crash at this point would be disastrous."

Then he looked to the com system with cold resolve.

"Administrator," he said. "Whatever you are trying to do, you must surely see that you cannot possibly control what you have unleashed. And if you know that and simply wish to destroy this world, we cannot permit that to happen and have nothing to discuss."

A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving. -Lao Tzu

"The blood of millions stains your hands..." Kimimaro snarled at the comm, "and if you seek to bar our path and doom this world, we will ensure that their hands drag your black soul to the lowest of the Hells. The holy eyes of the Six-Paths Sage will sear you with their gaze, and after he and your victims cast you down the 10-Tailed Daemon shall feast upon your forever-damned soul!"

edited 23rd May '11 9:42:41 PM by DKN117

Bendy Slendy in Upendi. Also, check out my fic

The Doctor sighs and tries to calm down. "Yes... of course. I'll take the machines."

The Doctor tries to help remove the ship's flag to be hunted using the Sonic Screwdriver whenever needed.

To Be Updated when I'm not Lazy

Rey grunted, trying to shove Link away. "But LOOK! It's my babies, they're outside and I need to get them in! I can't just leave my children out there with all this insanity going on!"

Easing back into life one step at a time

Not enough strength... to use... magic.... He'll resurface...

Link continued to hold on, strengthening his grip, even as he was pushed back by the ferocity of the wrestler's struggle.

"Rey... Oscar! It's not them, can't you see? They're back on Earth, they're safe, they're not here!"

"Rey!..."

'Being around you guys makes me go "wtf" instead of pondering the ever increasing dread of time' - EchoingSilence, 2023