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Post by DataNinja on Jun 6, 2018 2:51:23 GMT
When the world returns to colour, it is back where they began. In the endless void of purple. Only, this time, there is something near them. A multitude of pentagonal, hexagonal, or even more-sided amethyst crystals, jutting straight up from the ground, all with perfectly smooth reflective surfaces. Very few of them thinner than a person, they appear to be only scant meters away, sending faint ripples through the void's surface at periodic intervals from the bases of the crystals. Unlike before, though, the group actually still has their Pokéballs containing their 'mon, although everything else they found in the bag - including the bag itself - has disappeared. Their books lay unsealed once more, and the three find themselves feeling surprisingly rested and healthy, with no signs of ailment from their confrontation with the slime. Fully heal yourselves and your Pokémon. You lose all unspent currency, your backpack, and all unused Pokéballs.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2018 0:25:29 GMT
"To this purgatory we return, surprisingly better despite the wear, less a companion still." Iga commented with a well weathered frown. "Likewise it seems only what our book will contain is what remains after these forays." Iga squinted closely at the crystals, inspecting their surface and weighing his knowledge against this alien place once more.
bOcueT|m5d6 Occult Edu5d6
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 7, 2018 1:59:34 GMT
Superbia grinned as his beaten body is restored to its former glory, along with his tattered clothes "You know, knowing that whatever is pulling us around will fix us back up makes it so I might start going all out in fights instead of holding back."
He looked at the stones and pondered for a moment "The last time we were in this void, touching something was all it took to move forward. I've never been one for being idle" Superbia says confidently as he grasps the nearest crystal
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When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
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Post by Pandora on Jun 7, 2018 3:50:01 GMT
When Lucas opens his eyes only to find himself in the violet void, he hangs his head dejectedly. "Why? I thought it'd be over once we did what the book wanted. I just want to go back home..." Seeing that his book is unsealed again, he picks it up and flips to the page where the message had been written, blindly hoping that maybe his answer is there now that they completed the objective.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 7, 2018 4:14:19 GMT
The crystals don't seem quite like any that Iga has ever seen before. Staring deep into them, there almost seems to be images, or shapes, or something within, as well as a gently pulsing glow. But nothing resolves itself into an identifiable image. Underneath Superbia's touch, the crystal is smooth, and... well, feels like a crystal. The only differences to a gem that he would grasp ordinarily, is that this one... almost feels alive. It's faintly warm, and there almost feels like a faint heartbeat is within, pulsing every time a ripple shoots out from the base. It's peculiar. Unfortunately for Lucas, the book yields no further information. The pages yet to come are still blank, continuing to hold their secrets within. For a short time, nothing happens. But then there is a glimmer on one of the crystals, and a small ping noise as a shard peels off from it, strangely still leaving the main gem whole. It flies towards a central point, the process repeating several times with each amethyst, swirling together and connecting to reveal... a humanoid figure. It's hard to tell if the feminine-looking figure before you is, well, properly alive or not. There are some patches of exposed skin on her arms, legs, and face... but the rest of her body seems to be made entirely of, or is covered by, opaque crystal. Her fingers taper to sharp points, and a plate of crystal covers over where a normal person's eyes would be, with several glowing orbs staring unblinkingly out. She looks around, and, as she does, the group realizes that her reflections in each standing crystal pillar are... different. While the figure in each gem's reflection mimics the actions of the one in front of you, none of them look even remotely similar to her. The reflection-people are male and female, human and non-human. There really doesn't seem to be a pattern. "You thought it would be over already, Lucas Albin?" the figure asks with a strong feminine voice, though there seems to be a hum of other voices echoing behind it. "On the contrary. It has only just begun."
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When the world is falling apart, throw a little craziness at it!
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Post by Pandora on Jun 7, 2018 7:45:09 GMT
Lucas shrinks away from the crystalline being and the odd reflections shown in pillars of crystal as he nervously tightens his grip on his book and gulps. "Begun? No, no, no...!" Though his words of denial begin as quiet whispers, they become louder and louder, until he's almost screaming once more. "Don't make me do that again! Please!" The boy's eyes look desperate as he tries to beg the 'woman', while his hands shake as his knuckles turn white.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Apr 10, 2024 12:51:43 GMT
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Post by Robot on Jun 7, 2018 15:47:45 GMT
"Peace, Lucas." Iga stated firmly, folding his arms across his front and letting his chin sink to his chest, eyes closed. Not truly chastising the boy, nor did Iga give him reason to remain calm. Parenthood would not be kind to him, if he ever made it that far. They were well, and a task completed, though to what end had not been explained or provided. With how Ritsuko had been so casually pulled from their ranks, he couldn't help but wonder...
Posture slackening again, he made the closest thing to eye contact that he could manage with this creature. "You are this place, its keeper, or representative. The trial we just underwent was a test. One that had been done before, and will be done again. To what end, and why we three?"
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 8, 2018 0:22:57 GMT
Superbia looked at the crystal woman and raises an eyebrow "What are you, some sort of Golem? I don't think I've seen your kind before." He looks closer before crossing his arms "No matter. What is your next quest for us, Oh and do we get to keep these monsters once we are done with them? I would like to take Minion with me when I go back home. He's proving a capable warrior and I could use him in my ranks"
Time was no matter to the Demon Lord. She could send them on quest after quest for centuries and he would just be growing in strength. He was at the beginning of his life and had millennia left to live. If he collected enough of these monsters then he wouldn't even need an army when he got back. A surprise attack from a missing prince, leading an army of alien monsters. No one would see it coming
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 8, 2018 1:20:46 GMT
"There is no other like me," she responds to Superbia. "Iga came the closest, in that, for all it matters, I might as well be this place. I am Myriad, but you may address me in whichever manner makes you most comfortable here. It matters nought to me."
"Now, now, Lucas," Myriad turns to him, with a chiding tone, "you have a debt to be paid. Once you have satisfied it, you will be free to go. To live out your life in whichever world you choose, free from service. And free from whatever you have accumulated over your time here."
She glances from face to face. "Since you seem to be mostly an inquisitive lot, I shall explain for your convenience. You are dead. Your world is, at least. Because, you see, the universe continually creates more and more worlds, each unique in some fashion. And each of them is powered by... shall we say, a Spark. When that Spark goes out, even if there is more to tell, the world fades. Forgotten. But, rather than letting it fade forever, I collect it here. This is the Forgotten Realm. The Unremembered Empire. The World of Illusion. The Land of Memories. People have had many, many names for it."
"For a time, I was content just watching the worlds that I rescued. But, after eternities of that... it got stale. So, this is me injecting some chaos into the mix. Guided chaos, certainly, but it is usually entertaining watching the attempts of mortals. And so, I take people from the worlds under my control, mix them here, and send them off. It is really such a small price to pay in exchange for avoiding oblivion, after all."
"And, so," she finishes, "that is why you are here. To entertain me. For the most part, of course, I will not interfere beyond giving you goals. Unless things start getting too stagnant, or you wander too terribly far from the path. Then you might find me giving a little nudge. As for why you three in particular? No real reason beyond I felt like it." Myriad shrugs.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 8, 2018 1:37:41 GMT
"..." This woman had no reason to lie about such things, but the idea that all he knew and loved had simply faded from existence gnawed at his insides like ravenous wolves. As many beings both ancient and timeless did she spoke of mortals in lowly terms, and it struck a nerve with him. Discipline alone would still his tongue and prevent his summary unmaking. What price was a life, and how long did it take for one to 'entertain' their way out of bondage? Iga recalled the shogunate, and felt he knew all too well the answer.
"You speak of prices, debts, and servitude. What cost must I pay to see the spark restored to my home?" There was no rashness, or anger in his tone, only a slightly forced deference and respect. "You must understand, that as a finite being it holds the only meaning for me."
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 8, 2018 3:30:40 GMT
Superbia scratched his chin "So they're all gone" This was not something he had expected, but it changed almost nothing. If his realm was gone, then he would just create a new one. Why stop at Nine Hells in that case? He could rule so much more...
"What if I choose multiple worlds? If I keep entertaining you for....say thousands of years. If I managed to do that, would you grant me dominion over worlds of my choosing? Ones that you've most likely grown bored with, If anything after a few thousand years under my control it would make them interesting for you again. And then we could repeat the process with new worlds. I'm VERY long lived after all" A devilish grin spread across his face. Yes, this would do nicely. The loss of his family was less than ideal, but his brother wouldn't want him to grieve. He would want him to continue forward and rule.
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Post by Pandora on Jun 8, 2018 11:15:29 GMT
As Myriad explains their purpose here, Lucas starts to feel hollow inside. The world he came from is doomed, and she plucked him out of it, apparently saving his life but only for her own entertainment. Her revelations weigh heavy on him, and the boy is speechless. Iga and Superbia appear to have already made up their minds on the matter and are attempting to bargain with Myriad, but Lucas simply looks down at his feet, questioning if it's worth playing along. Being shuffled from place to place, performing whatever task Myriad decides on a whim, with an unforeseeable end seems like misery, even if they would get something from it. But the alternative is... "What happened to Ritsuko?" he weakly asks, already anticipating the answer. Lucas finally realizes he's trapped. The god-like being could easily choose a new person more willing to do what she wants if he continues to refuse her, and even if he doesn't have any attachment to his life left, he's still afraid of dying in the end. So he timidly waits for the others to finish their business with her, idly flipping through the pages of his book before closing it quietly without moving around any of the bookmarks
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 8, 2018 18:04:20 GMT
"Oh, no," Myriad says, "your own worlds are very much okay. I would not pass up new toys like that. Simply think of them as... in stasis. Should you choose to go back after your service, it will be as if virtually no time has passed. If you disappoint... well, it will just continue on with you having mysteriously disappeared. That is what happened to Ritsuko. I did not anticipate the other soul inside of her lashing out so much in the company of others. And, while I could have removed that... there would have been little point in having her along afterwards. She was chosen for that conflict. So, she was dismissed."
"No, of course not," she replies to Superbia. "Not only do I highly doubt the antics of one mortal could keep me entertained for that long, I told you - you will be free of what you have accumulated here. That includes power. You will be as you were when you left... in a different realm if you so choose, but much the same as you were before. Perhaps if you truly surprise me, I could see about granting it for a short time, but do not delude yourself into thinking that you are special, mortal. I have seen much in my eternities."
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 8, 2018 23:24:18 GMT
"You do not find enjoyment in these things because there is no challenge in them. You are vicariously watching the struggles of lesser beings and hinging on something new catching your attention." Iga suggested in a quiet tone. "Lifetimes on lifetimes of experience, yes, but with neither rival nor partner everything is stagnant. Even our moments at your behest will be fleeting in the face of eternity." His wisdom imparted, he folded his arms behind his back and stood at attention. "Where would you have us go next?"
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 9, 2018 0:30:05 GMT
"I'm getting sick of the way you're talking to us" Superbias grin had dropped and his eyes narrowed "You're just a glowing bit of stone that's going around talking like you're God, but you haven't shown even a hint of power."
He cracked his knuckles and shrugged "Maybe you watched us on these crystals, or maybe you can read minds or something. But you haven't said anything that we don't already know, except things that can't be proven."
He turned to Iga "Iga, when you go back home, you will be the grandest leader of your country, and you will make sweeping reforms" he shifted to Lucas "And Lucas will be a grand stage performer, the likes of which have never been seen before"
Casually he looks over his shoulder at Myriad "All that you've said holds as much weight as what I just did. You're nothing but words, at the moment. You know what they say about power?" He turned around and let his mana flow wildly "Show, don't tell"
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Post by Pandora on Jun 9, 2018 2:49:19 GMT
Lucas is silently relieved when Myriad clarifies herself, though the way she words it leaves him apprehensive for some reason. And as Superbia picks a fight with her, Lucas quickly turns his eyes away from the demon lord, entirely unwilling to become a part of the argument on either side. He understands firsthand that both of them are much stronger than him, so he can't risk getting on the bad sides of either. Instead, all he does is scramble next to Iga and try to wait for the tense moment to be over.
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Post by DataNinja on Jun 9, 2018 3:18:57 GMT
"You are mistaken if you think that I find no enjoyment in this," Myriad says to Iga. "I very much do. Mortals are so... quirky. But, it's much more enjoyable when one world's quirks are introduced to another's. Eventually, I'm sure, I'll progress to more... thorough... interactions. But, for now, this is sufficient. I need not a rival or partner. I am sufficient."
"And," she looks at Superbia, "I have no need to showcase my power to you. You hold no influence over me, cannot demand me to do anything. Believe me or not, you have no choice in this matter. You seemed to want to know what was going on, but it holds no bearing in the end. Time has no meaning here, so eventually... you will find that the only thing to do is to pay off your debt. So, go. I tire of this discussion." She twirls around, flying apart back into the crystals, disappearing completely within. There are a few more pulses, before the crystal pillars shatter into millions of pieces, falling into the ground and being absorbed.
After a few moments, off in the distance, another pillar of light rises into the sky.
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I'm not going to say it was damage, but it was damage.
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Post by Robot on Jun 10, 2018 10:21:07 GMT
Iga took in what he was offered and digested it slowly. An ancient being not yet inured to the intricacies of the short lived. There was pride in her bearing and a haughtiness in how she carried herself, but Myriad also believed she had nothing to prove. "I would busy my hands and quit this place. Come." He made for the only exit presented to them.
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Post by Breakthelevee on Jun 11, 2018 2:21:16 GMT
Superbia storms off towards the light, rolling his shoulders and grumbling "Next time we see that....wannabe God, I'm gonna hit her in the face. See how strong she is then" He keeps walking and grumbling until he makes it to the light, holding out his hand towards it, hoping to get to where ever it leads as soon as possible.
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Post by Pandora on Jun 11, 2018 3:16:36 GMT
Lucas could only quietly sigh in relief when Myriad abruptly draws the argument to a close, even if it left Superbia in a sour mood. Although he makes sure to give the demon lord some distance, he also walks to the pillar of light, stopping to brace himself once he notices Superbia putting his hand towards it.
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