level: 3 XP ////////////////////////////// (23/30) word count: 445 day/time: day 3 - evening Location: The Forbidden Lands Temple Top Tag: @Holy Soldier
Unfortunately for Piper her attempt and initiating conversation did not quite as smoothly as she had hoped. Rather than responding to her questioning the mysterious woman grabbed her child and stared a her with fear in her eyes. Then the boss showed up, which was bad enough on its own, but it also caused the woman to retreat behind the rock she had been seated on. She did however seem to be at least vaguely interested in talking, if only because she didn’t exactly have any other options. The woman asking her how she had gotten here.
”I Climbed... oh. If you mean how we got to the forbidden land then we were transported here via a portal from Platform City. We’ll be leaving the same way if that’s what your interested in”
In order to avoid seeming threatening Piper made no moves other than glancing back at Boss in a mix of surprise and annoyance that he had somehow managed to get up here so quickly when she had had to make a painstakingly slow climb up here. She was also just a touch annoyed that he was more interested in the horse than the people she’d found.
”Hay Boss” she greeted him begrudgingly, before adding ”Yeah I wasn't expecting to find one up here neither. I ain’t got no Idea how she got the horse up here in the first place. Or how you got up here so fast. Please don’t tell me there's some super convenient stairs, ladders or an elevator that I missed?”
Horse and temple ascension talk was put on the back burner however, as the woman spoke again, saying that she would not let them “take him away” from her. Piper attempted to assure the woman that they meant no harm
”We ain’t here to take your kid miss, nor your horse, seeing as we ain’t kidnappers and there's already a bunch of free horses running around downstairs. Right Boss?” She said calmly, before reiterating ”We only here looking for answers to some questions about this place and the mutagen virus. None of us are here to take your loved ones and if anyone else happens to shows up to do so I’ll shoot them myself.”
Piper had a robin hood esque thing going on (not that she knew who robin hood was, but if she had she would have definitely liked his story) so she wasn’t going to go stealing horses from single mothers. Nor did she like the implication that there were people around who did want to take the horned boy away from his mother, so she was being entirely truthful when she said she’d shoot whatever slavers or scum wanted to take him.
“WHAT NO I AM FINE” Bowser respond to his attacker’s shows of concern while he picked himself off the floor. Again. Then after listening to him ramble for a bit the king told him that:
“YEAH GALEEM KINDA MESSED US ALL UP, SO WE’RE GOING TO MESS THEM UP. YOU UP FOR THAT? THEN YOUR WORKING FOR ME, BOWSER, THE KOOPA KING! GOT IT? GOOD. BECAUSE I’M STARVING”
Having sorted everything out perfectly the king tuned and followed the hamster towards the kitchen, doing nothing but raise an eyebrow at the dejected robot girl coming the opposite direction. He licked his fingers and tried to make his hair more presentable as he waited for her to pass, before barely managing to scrap his way through the door frame. Inside he found his love, worst enemy and a bunch of other nobodies. Fortunately Peach seemed to be more interested in teaching the argumentative poppy how to cook than engage Mario, who was obviously excited to see her, in conversation.
“HELLO BEAUTIFUL” He greeted Peach, before also greeting mama “ALSO HELLO NICE CHEF LADY” because even the king knew it was bad idea to be rude to someone who’s going to be making you food.
Bowser attempted to lean on a counter coolly, broke it, and then stood with his arms crossed casually leaning against a wall. As a result he just generally got in the way of everyone trying to make food.
“SHAME YOU MISSED THE FLIGHT EARLIER, BECAUSE LET ME TELL YOU, I WAS PRETTY AWESOME. REALLY SHOWED THAT WANNA BE WHO’S THE BEST ME. I.E. ME OBVIOUSLY” he gloated/flirted
When Bowser jr came to his senses he found himself in an unfamiliar room surrounded by unfamiliar playthings. He took a few moments to run though how he might have gotten here.
He remembered waking up and moping around his room because he had been grounded after the whole rabbit fiasco. Then his father called him from the moon because he wanted picked up after another failed kidnapping attempt. After whining about how upset he was about not being able to be the ring barer for his wedding, despite the fact that the ring was apparently six times his size, he had guilt tripped papa into un-grounding him and also into letting him plan their next scheme. Said planning had taken about 3 minutes because he was just that good a planner. He’d gone to the moon, picked up his dad and then he’d gotten a matching suit from the bunnies while the koopaling went and stole a weather control rod from some science nerd with swirly glasses. Then they’d gone to peach's castle, fought Mario for a bit before they were interrupted. Gone to a cliff to fight some floating hands and then got blasted only to end up here.
With all these cool toys!
Jr more or less forgot about the strangeness of his situation and instead got down to the business of discover for the second time all the neat things in the room playroom. In only a few minutes he had assembled a replica of peach's castle out of building blocks and was playing a game of kidnap the princess using every single amiibo as the pieces.
”ha ha ha, I have you now Mario!” said jr to Mario, who was dangling precariously from the battlements of peaches castle.
”nooooo!” cried peach as her hero was dislodged from his perches by a swift impact of jr’s base to his hand. He plummeted to the floor with a ”mama mia!”
Then Bowser came in along, scooped up peach and congratulated him ”GOOD JOB SON. I AM SO PROUD. LET’S GO GET ICE CREAM TOGETHER!”.
”Yay”Bowser jr cheered in response, but before the amiibos could go off to get ice cream together he heard something going on next door, which brought his attention back to his unfamiliar surroundings.
”huh, what was that noise?” the asked nobody in particular before carefully stepping their way through the mess of toys and pressing his ear to the wall to listen. Next door he could hear somebody making a minor ruckus as they pulled open drawers and tapped on walls. This was, naturally, very suspicious.
Jr glanced around the room looking for a weapon having realized that he might in fact be in danger. Several moments of rummaging in toy chests later and he came up with a large paintbrush about as tall as he was. The Gaddbrush might have served more often as a sports bat than as a weapon at this point, but it was still a faithful weapon none the less. A few practice swings left a familiar m on the wall with a pair of umlauts on top, painted in colorful, and dangerous, goop. Jr tapped the hard end of the paintbrush against the floor and nodded to himself before turning and making his way out of the playroom.
Outside was a more familiar sight, a hallway that looked to be part of peach's castle. The small dragon crept through this hall till they reached the door to the room that was in the middle of being pillaged. Jr pulled his bib up over his mouth, plastering a permanent toothy grin across his face, before he booted the door open and stepped inside, paintbrush brandished like a droopy spear.
”rawr” he roared adorably, announcing his presence to a young human girl who was currently rummaging around in a chest of drawers. Jr almost immediately recognized the room as Peach’s which meant that the hat kid was rummaging through contained… jr gasped at how scandalous the situation he had just come across was.
”Are you stealing the princess's socks?!” the both aghast and intrigued prince asked after pulling his bib back down.
After a few moments of awkward silence he then added excitedly ”Can I help!?”
Somewhere, far far away in a place beyond time and space.
A young squid stands on her stage. There's a massive crowd before her made up of dozens of species she has never seen before and she feels the unstoppable compulsion to rap. Her bff is there. She sees her bestie’s aching need and lays down a sick beat from a dj booth. Pearl cant stop herself, she begins to slam down the hottest improvised rhymes with a voice so powerful it can prevent extinction events. The crowd either goes wild or suffers acute secondhand embarrassment. There are no other options.
As the song reaches a fever pitch the crowd try and rush the stage. Most are held back by men with fists the size of their torso but one man gets past, determined to be heard, for he has something he must talk about. He is an ugly piece of shit with scrawny limbs, a hideous voice and a face only a mother could love. The man’s mother is a tube incapable of exhibiting emotion. In his hand he clutches a golden artifact that shines with otherworldly power.
He scrambles up onto the stage and now only one man separates him from the mic. Eddie Riggs, the greatest roadie that never was. He has busted his ass of to get this ridiculous show up and running in time and there is no way he’s going to let some gangaly grandpa ruin it for everyone. He rushes out from the sanctuary of the backstage and dive tackles the man who is ominously marching towards the center stage. Jack’s self insert demon oc dive tackles the intruder, arms wrapping around his hips and slamming them to the ground. He’s done it, the show is saved, or so he thinks before realizing something horrible. There is no torso attached to legs.
Vor, cut in half yet seemingly unaffected by the his lack of legs, grabs the mic with his free hand despite the protests of the pop idle. He raises it to his broken, cracked lips as a thousand magical space children in the crowd, most of whom are decked out in ridiculous neon fashion attire, collectively groan as the man speaks the his first words.
“They come to this place when they know they are not pure!“
This was going to be the longest minute of their lives all over again.
Game Origin: Super Mario Sunshine Personality: Bratty, spoiled and rude jr takes a lot after his doting father, both due to his upbring and due to his craving for respect and and acknowledgment of others, especially his father. Jr also generally dislikes been treated like a child, despite acting his age nearly all the time. He is somewhat smarter than his father, not that this requires much of an intellect, and a touch less stubborn as well, being able to swallow his pride if it is necessary. He is also somewhat lonely as a combination of his royal status, a lack of many acquaintances in his age group and, of course, his own rather abrasive attitude. The Koopalings, for example, act as more mentors or underlings than anything close to companions.
He also likes big dangerous machines and he really, really likes giant robots.
Background: Bowser jr is the only son of the Koopa King Bowser. First seen in super mario sunshine where he kidnapped peach and impersonated mario, Jr now has a long history of battling against mario, generally alongside his father but occasionally solo. Jr was also present at the failed cliffside battle against Galeem and was, along with almost everyone else, blasted Galeem almost immediately.
Specialty:Summoner, Combat Pilot, minor nuisance Level: 1
Experience: |////////// (0/10) Powers: Minion Captain: Bowser Jr can summon squads of minions to fight for him. These act more or less identical to strikers except there are more of them and each mook is individually weaker than a regular striker. Current minions are
Goomba Swarm
Koopa Corps
Additional types can be unlocked by mass soul absorption
Strengths: Leadership: Certainly not a born one, jr nonetheless has learned this skill in-order to filled the royal boots of his father some day. Unlike his father, who leads as something of a general, jr has lead his troops from the front. Or the back of the front at least, commanding squads of minions to do battle in his name while he manages their tactics and formation as a squad captain.
Pint sized powerhouse: Despite his short stature jr is actually rather strong, capable of lifting several times his weight, and has a fair bit of the dexterity that his father lacks as he can skillfully wield all manner of weapons and do a fair bit of platforming as well. Hsi shell also makes him fairly durable, tough nowhere near as much as his father.
Mechanical skill: Bowser jr has shown a fair deal of skill when it comes to the use of machines, having piloted (an possibly designed) numerous mech, ships, cars and other combat vehicles. He can aslo hack emails.
Weaknesses: Childish: reckless, impatient and impulsive, jr has a lot to learn.
Small: He might be tough, but the lad is still only waist high.
Spirits:
Inventory: Gaddbrush: also known simply as the magic paintbrush this weapon is capable of creating a harmful ink or goop like substance. This can be applied to enemies as a dot effect and to terrain to create hazard zones. Weapon wise it can either be used as a short spear or like a roller from splatoon.
Eddie Riggs: Literally just jack black leading a metal powered army.
Corupted Vor: Look at them, they come to this place when they know they are not pure. Tenno use the keys, but they are mere trespassers. Only I, Vor, know the true power of the Void. I was cut in half, destroyed, but through it's Janus Key, the Void called to me. It brought me here and here I was reborn. We cannot blame these creatures, they are being led by a false prophet, an impostor who knows not the secrets of the Void. Behold the Tenno, come to scavenge and desecrate this sacred realm. My brothers, did I not tell of this day? Did I not prophesize this moment? Now, I will stop them. Now I am changed, reborn through the energy of the Janus Key. Forever bound to the Void. Let it be known, if the Tenno want true salvation, they will lay down their arms, and wait for the baptism of my Janus key. It is time. I will teach these trespassers the redemptive power of my Janus key. They will learn it's simple truth. The Tenno are lost, and they will resist. But I, Vor, will cleanse this place of their impurity.
The flames of the pyres drew all lost souls towards their ravenous maws, their appetite insatiable. Untold numbers of souls had been consumed already. First the broken and frayed souls had been consumed, those who barely had selves anymore. Ruined by the void, by their arrival, their long gone deaths or banishments none would ever know, for they had not the will to resist the pull of annihilation. The weak and despondent had followed soon after. Then they had been joined by a slow trickle of new souls made from the dead that had grown into a stream and then a gushing river. These pushed the old souls into the flames while the flames themselves continued to pull them in.
Now only the strongest remained. Those who raged against the dying light, who pushed aside the torrent of souls and clawed their way away from the flames. Yet in the end none could truly escape death for where inches were gained as feet were lost.
The soul could feel the heat at its back as its limbs struggled futility against the current and yet still it fought on regardless. Here a tree was tossed into the flames to give it speed, there a parrot, a dolphin, a Selka, a fellow void soul. It hated that it did this, that it was sacrificing others to preserve itself. It hated this place that had robbed it of the power of the void. It hated how it didn't fit properly in the space here.
Yet it had purpose. A mission. One far more divine than anything in this cursed place.
It was made as an observer. It was her ever watchful eye and yet it had lost track of the very person it was supposed to watch over.
The other souls had been pulled into this place. Azura had clawed her way here just as the void soul now clawed it way away from the flames, though while she had unintentionally saved those it cast aside while it instead doomed them. It had followed the old tyrant as she fought her way through the tide only to be separated from her by this place’s master, tossed aside and then put in line to be killed by that damnable burning beast head. It’s only salvation now lay in Azura, a being that didn't even know of its existence, nor its vital importance to her.
She had entered this realm while death was not present and had tired, and failed, to save all who were to be committed to the flames. At the time it dare not tamper with the mental construct that had been enshrined in the woman’s mind to greatly, to force her to notice it and save it, for it dared not medal with the work of its own creator more than it had been intended to. It had however made a link and had made some miniscule adjustments to compensate for the fact that its charge now had a body again. Memories had been bleeding out. If the dam broke completely it could be catastrophic. So while it had had time it had adjusted the settings on the construct, letting it be more active so that it would, hopefully, nudge her into doing what needed to be done.
Alas, it still remain, and yet it saw now that death was once again absent. Here was an opportunity Azura could grasp if only she knew it existed. It used its power, to reach down and out to the construct in her mind for but a second, slipping ever closer to the flame when it did so, the exertion taking its toll even to send such a simple massage.
Hurry
Hurry
Azura shook her head in response, trying to sake free from the otherworldly feeling that had slipped over her brain for just a moment. She was not controlled or commanded, but her thought process was none the less shunted of course to a slightly different line of thinking.
She’d been following the Alma’s trail towards the coast of Atokhekwoi where they seemed to have found another sentient race when the effect had struck her. She had been going to investigate each new race one by one. But did she really have time?
She went to find Luis instead.
The great whale was found on the coast of Atokhekwoi closest to the Ihokhetlani camp. He had removed his armor, which floated idaly above the shoreline while the eclipse whale himself was further out in the water. Varios curios Cetaceans froliced around the titan of their kind, filling the ocean with song as they played in the waters of the bay Luis was bathing in.
Azura landed on the back of the armor construct that he had named Bruna and then waved a wing in his general direction.
”Hello. How was your meeting with the stone god” he whistled, his tone lacking the sullen edge it had had when last they spoke.
“It went well I think” she called back as Luis carefully emerged from the ocean watters without dsturbing the frolicing whales and dolphins. She was glad he had found some way of recharging his energy “I think their a good person for the most part. They are also an adorable wee crab. We talked about the problem and he said he’d help once he got proof, which is both a shame and also good I suppose. They also reminded me that one of the gods, Anzillu, has the aspect of demons, a word that sets off alarm bells in my mind apparently, and that they made a.. Self replicating flesh eating bacteria that leaked out of their sphere. Which sounds bad.”
”Apparently sets of alarm bells?” Luis asked, emphasizing the apparently part before thinking for a bit more and adding ”Oh. Huh. I see what you mean… Odd”
”Yes... It is… ” Azura said falteringly
There was a long silence as the constructs did their best to stop any peering behind the curtain
”Demons must be really bad then. Shame he didn't want to help right away too” Luis said finally.
”yes. On both counts. It’s particularly a shame because I think we had best get on with the invasion lan as soon as possible. There seems to be a lot of mortals around, the Alma have gone all over the place. And I fear that the issue with not being able to convince Ohannakeloi will raise its head when I go meet them.”
”Oh. ok.” Luis responded, ”I’ve been kind of hoping we could get this done sooner rather than latter” Azura opened her beak but Luis predicted her question ”I was going to says so earlier, but you’ve been occupied with the unexpected mortal situation. So. are we ready to go now or…?”
“There are three final things we need for the invasion of the sky pyres. First is a way to clear away the arid smoke that would choke the life from any who set foot in it, namly you, anyone aceal is bringing and the Alma. Also, i need a way to get everyone/thing we need there in the first place.” Azura said “For those two I’ll make a construct that will allow me to command and control the air over a much larger area and one that can do so for me even if I am otherwise engaged. It can create a safe bubble of air that can both keep us safe from the pyres and that can also be launched up to them.”
Her explanation made she set to work, a wordless melody leaving her beak which spread out before her and formed into Luftstone segments. These massive stones where abstract shapes with the odd hole bored in them that. When the wind blew through those holes it caused them emitted a singular note. Individually their shape and sound where simple, but as more and more formed they coalesced into a singular whole. The sounds of whistles, pipes, trumpets, horns and other wind instruments all emanated from the stone and gradually came together to harmonise harmonise as the construct took shape. Its final form was one roughly humanoid framed by a pair of static wings. Its arms had a second set of four limbs that drifted freely around the primary ones. It’s legs where narrow and ended in a pair of heel like spikes rather than feet. Its head was nestled in a massive armored coller, out of which it started with a singular soul gem based eye. It was armed with a pair of crescent bladed glaives which it gripped with all four of its limbs.
“I dub thee the Titan of Winds” she announced
All of this was made up of jagged stone plates and frames though which the wind howled, playing a symphony as it did that harmonised with Azura’s song. Together the titan and goddess sung into being thousands of new Alma to which she granted a new ability.
“ Bring truth and wipe away the lies For soon we shall travel heaven's skies No more shall souls be torn asunder For realm of death we will plunder There all shall witness, all shall see The foul depths of death’s cruelty”
As she finished singing the alma began to project small holographic screens from their forehead soul gems, displaying a thousand different angles of what they could see and hear. Mostly, this ment each other and Azura. Then there was a rapid switching of images as they began to project one another's sight until all showed a single perspective, one that very nicely framed Azura, the new construct and Luis with the gathering of sea mammals swimming in the background. Azura took a few moments to admire herself before turning to Luis
“And these will let us inform all of the mortals at once of the danger and our plan to help them” she explained, the birds all quietly echoing her as they kept recording
”With the speech we wrote. Like those crows we met.” Luis noted
“Exactly, but not just that. We can also show them the sky pyres as we assaulted them. Then they will be no doubt remaining that Katharsos is a murderous tyrant.” she said sounding rather delighted in her cunning despite the fact that she had been instantly caught plagiarizing K’nells idea of storytelling birds.
”That’s good… I’m turning them off now tough. Because hearing everything repeated like that is rather annoying” Luis said before shutting off Alma tv with his mind.
“oh. Ah yes. I suppose it is a bit.” she said before flapping over and landing between the shoulders of the new construct on what was clearly a deliberately placed pertch “Right then. Shall we be off to meet up with Aceal?”
”Is she ready?” Luis asked as the three giant flyers headed towards the nearest tall mountain to re-enter the blue. Most of the Alma followed, but some spread out across the world to find their fellow avians. They would pass on the new power to the others so that all would be ready for Azura’s announcement.
“Maybe. Maybe not. If not then we can always help her get ready.” she says, before reaching out with her mind to contact Aceal.
We spend a little time up in the pyres with one of the last void souls, learn that it is connected to Azura’s memory blackbox/construct. The soul sends a subliminal command to azura to hurry her ass up.
Azura’s line of thinking is altered slightly by this message. She decides that it is time to go to the pyres again, because she is pretty sure there are lots of mortals at this point and it would take ages to convince them all individually without any evidence of Katharsos’s misdeeds. She and Luis meet up again and talk a bit about her meeting with Ohannakeloi. They realise that both do and do not realize they both have the same black box in their minds when demons come up in the conversation.
Azura says that she wants to go to the pyres. Luis is cool with this. She then she makes a giant robot to control air for her and makes more Alma. finally she makes the alma able to record, transmit and display images and sound so they can show people what the pyres are like.
They go up into the blue for fast travel purposes while Azura Phones Aceal.
Start: 11 fp, 5 mp 2 fp, empowered by wind. extraordinary beast: The Titan of winds Other than being a massive warbot that can fly it can also form a massive bubble of air around it that it can use for use in space. Finally it has empowered wind manipulation abilities. 1 fp to give the ability for Alma to record, transmit and display images and sound. End: 8 fp, 5 mp Portfolio progress: Tonnikala (7/10) Birds (6/10)
Bowser’s retort to being called childish died in his throat as his double did, the explosion of the treacherous tyrent’s corpse blasting him and the others away. He fell to the ground with an oof while the mote of light they had been arguing over was blown away. Bowser groaned and picked himself up off the floor again for the umpteenth time as the explosion seemed to continue in a non destructive fashion, turning into a wave of purification that swapped through the halls, wiping way Galeem’s influence. As he dusted himself off Bowser was rather glad that this meant that he probably wouldn’t have to fight his family in the same way the heros had had to fight their friends outside.
Bowser would have been furious over the Centurion’s subsequent thievery of his rightful prize if he had noticed him take it occur. Fortunately for everyone involved he could not take his eyes off of the person who came walking down the stairs a few moments after Megadragonbowser’s curse upon her kingdom was lifted.
She was beauty, she was grace, she left a love stuck expression on Bowser’s stupid face
Bowser entirely misinterpreted the look of hope that showed on peach’s face when she saw he was not his double as a display of affection rather than relife that the other him was gone. A part of him, an almost instinctive on at this point, took this misinterpreted signal of interest and insisted that he whisk her away (read:kidnap) her at once so that they could be together again. It wasn’t his brains feeble attempts at pointing out how stupid an idea that this was at the moment, both because there where dozens of heroes around him a the moment and the fact that he would be instantly putting himself back in her bad books, that he that stopped him from acting on his heart's reckless impulses, but rather his stomach. Peach’s cooking was the stuff of legends and the offer of a feast, combend with the fact that he had had nothing but a super shroom to eat since he woke up let the king’s stomach come out as the master of Bowser’s decision making process for the time being. His heart graciously admitted defeat, knowing its day would come again soon enough, while his brain went off to sulk about the fact that it was getting ignored again.
He turned to follow his love like a lost puppy, only to be kicked in the face moments later by some beach hair bellend in a black outfit who’s arrival he had failed to notice, the king having only had eyes for peach right up until the moment that he hit the floor again.
Having been knocked out of his loving tance the downed bowser turned to look at Gene as best he could from his compromised position. Noticing that they appeared to be free of Galem’s power he jabbed a bright glowing claw of his mecha-mitt in the general direction of his attacker and demanded to know “WHO IN THE BLAZES ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO BE!” rather than just trying to incinerate them on the spot.
Naija flopped out of her shell and into a room on the Halberd‘s first floor. Not that she knew that was where she was. She panted as she pushed herself up right, the trip having left her short of breath, and then hoisted herself into the air with her wings.
“Never again” she swore before trying to get a grasp of her situation.
Looking around she realised she had no idea where on the ship she was, or where anyone else was for that matter. What she did know was that she was currently in a supply closet, as various cleaning supplies like mops, brooms, soap and buckets littered its various shelves and also, as a result of her violent arrival, the floor. It’s walls made of cold uncaring steel lit by a low red light. Poking her head out of the closet door she discovered that this was the aesthetic of the corridors outside as well, which consisted of a fairly long tunnel with doors at each end and number of rooms or corridors branching off of it on either side. There was no-one around. Her only company was the mess of cleaning supplies behind her and endless blaring siren that heralded the hero’s arrival. Naija, unaware that any that the red light and noisy alarm where not the usual state of affairs however and thought instead that this was the ship’s natural state. She notched its intact capture down several pegs on her internal priority chart as a result. She would not like to live here that was for sure. Once she got use to the alarm her ears could pick up other sounds around her and from them it seemed that those that did live on the ship did seem to be around, even if they were not in view at the moment.
The heavy cleaning of metal on metal that would turn out to be the Heavy Lobster’s footsteps echoed fro somewhere out there in the spiderweb of corridors. Those sounds weren't coming straight for her fortunately. What did seem to be coming towards her, at least gradually, was the rapid fire footsteps of what sounded like dozens of chatty individuals, their nattering only faintly detectable and impossible to comprehend with all the other sound blaring through the metal halls.
Naija had little interest in engaging whatever was out there alone and was far more concerned about the wellbeing of the rest of the team regardless. As a result Naija flapped her way up to the ceiling of the corridor she was in in a token attempt at staying out of sight and then set about traveling along it perpendicular to the wall the shell’s had hit in search of any other shells that had hit it while doing her best to avoid the loud clanking sound or smaller crew members. If she had them get close she would avoid them by taking detours around them or ducking into vents, closets or rooms if that would take her away from her intended search path.
If/whens eh found someone she’d greet them with a friendly, if quiet “Hello! Good to see you are ok.”
To say that Ohannakeloi was perturbed would be an understatement, in fact to say he was feeling any singular emotion at the moment would be quite the understatement.
Out in the western mountains Ohannakeloi stood on top of a mountain, or more accurately he stood on a thin layer of rock hiding the Buajaoi on top of a mountain. The serenity of the landscape held little for him at that moment for he had been getting disturbing prayers. First one from Ihokhe, off on his great mission about his encounter with another god and the rather unpleasant news to be learned of there, and then a rather short one in the main camp of the Ihokhetlani, the goddess Azura would be looking for him. So here he was, and he had no idea of what to say or even what would come next.
Ohannakeloi was not sure how he felt even now, the destruction of souls was worrying yes, but he had seen another worrying thing, the leakage from that realm of Anzillu. Ohannakeloi could not feel that there must be good reason for all that. They were divinites all together in this purpose of this world, surely the others could see that. Perhaps he should have payed more attention to his fellow divines before heading off into the world, interacted more, but there was nothing to be done about that past now, only to the future. It should not take long for another divine to find him, after this meeting perhaps he could think about such things more or take appropriate action.
From the direction of the Ihokhetlani camp she came, preceded by a gentle breeze and arriving basked in the light of her feathers. She was alone. Upon spotting him the rapidly approaching divine called out to him. “Hello there Ohannakeloi! I hope I am not interrupting but I was in the area and though it might be a good opportunity to speak with you in person.”
“Azura! You do not know how glad I am to see you, I have heard prayers of Ihokhe and others telling me of what you have told the Ihokhetlani.” Ohannakeloi felt some resolve from his turmoil of emotions, he was glad to be able to talk to another in a similar state and being as himself.
She banked round as she slowed, comin in for a landing just a bit of the way away, her decelerating flaps kicking up dust that would have struck him had she come in head on. Large talons gripped stone, iridescent wings were folded to her side and then the Goddess turned to face him.
“We must talk, we both have great deal to say but tell me first, how are you?”
“I’m doing well all things considered. Progress is being made and that's always something to be happy about. It’s all been so very hectic since the moment we all took our first breaths after the eternity in the Void, so I’m glad someone filled you in already on my current task. I’ll be taking some steps to hopefully stop me having to repeat myself over and over in future. We’ll have to see how that works out.” she said, before stopping herself and refocusing on Ohannakeloi “But enough about me. How are you Ohannakeloi? You’ve certainly been busy, that I can plainly see.”
“I’ve never been better, I’m glad the Ihokhetlani have turned out so well, Galbar seems sufficiently stable as the initial issues have settled somewhat, and Atokhekwoi is filling out nicely thanks to some other works, haven’t been back east to see what is there yet. There is still much to do and make, much more yes, but it will be all the better now that there are more to appreciate it all no?”
Azura nodded “You certainly made them well. Sturdy, self sufficient, and with the freedom to choose their own purpose. I also picked up the impression that their, ah, exuberant praise they seem to shower the divine with was more of a defense mechanism against those who take that sort of thing very seriously than a mandated behavior? Which is good in my opinion. I haven't had a chance to see much of this continent so far, this is the first time I‘ve ventured this far south. Who has been helping you, if I may ask? It’s always nice to hear about gods cooperating for once.” she said
“The Ihokhetlani are being fair and cautious, as a defense mechanism I do not know about that. I do not know who has helped either, these forests came and I know not who made them, as did some different kinds in the northwest, someone else but who I did not see. Bit of a shame that it covers up a lot of the good stone but it is no harm.”
“Ah I see” she responded, a touch embarrassed. “It seems I misinterpreted something Hase said then. My mistake. Anyway, it is shame you did not have a chance to meet the visiting gods, but I’m glad they left a positive mark on this land.”
“Indeed it is a great thing when the gods work together, although I must say, you have accomplished some great creations of your own?” Ohannakeloi settled more comfortably into the rock as he spoke.
“Oh. I suppose. Nothing so grand as this however. You’ve been told about my work with soul crystals of course. Apart from that I also made the floating temples and tiny colorful creatures you can see in the sky above us. I made these pretty parrots who, now that I think about it, might have been responsible for some of the plant life finding its way down here. They were made for the express purpose of spreading life you see. There is also Luis. He’s a giant flying whale. I would have introduced you but he decided wanted some space to think rather than come with me to meet you. I made an island up north with some mountains on it… it's all been rather sporadic really. I don't tend to stick to one place like you seem to have done.” Azura explained at length.
“I am glad to hear you have been so busy, I shall have to visit the north some time to see that. Traveling more and seeing others is something that I should do more. Tell me, I only met him briefly but I wonder still, do you know what Shengshi has been up to?”
“Shengshi? We haven’t met, though Asceal mentioned him briefly when we spoke some time ago. She mentioned him making a companion named Xiaoli and that he was engaged in some kind of feud with Kalmar? ” Azura cocked her head to one side as she attempted to remember “It didn’t sound extremely serious though? She seemed more disappointed than concerned if I remember rightly. She also mentioned he provided good hospitality, so I imagine he’d be very open to a visit by yourself.”
He stood up on his many legs eager to listen before replying, “Most excellent news, shame about the feud but to make a companion, even I who made the Ihokhetlani did not think of making a companion for myself. A visit would be good yes, I wouldn’t want to impinge however, I must send a message about a when a good time would be. In any case, you have spoken how you haven’t really stuck to one place, tell me of the others you have met. You mentioned Asceal, what is she like? I only have the barest impression myself of the Light goddess.”
“Personally I’m not sure if I like the idea of making people solely for that purpose. Moraly at least. Then again Luis is something of a companion for myself, though I did not make him for that purpose. Asceal also has the friendship of a resurrected soul from the void named Liana... she bobbed her head from side to side, “making someone who has to like you is cruel to the person you made. Also I feel like an earned friendship is probably worth a thousand times more than a forced one?” she finally said, before switching tracks to answer his question.
“Speaking of friendship: I’d like to think of Asceal as a good friend and comrade, even though we have only spoken on three occasions. She is lovely, realy. Kind and empathetic. The comet that lights up the night sky is hers, a reforging of the remains of the second sun that somebody blew up. I’d also hazard a guess that the lumiose island of the west coast of this continent is at least in part her work. She, I and Aelius are also working together on this whole soul situation.” she explained before running the conversation away from the topic of souls for the time being only to flounder into similar issues elsewhere “I’ve also met Ashalla and well… but then i have to talk about…. Maybe instead Li’kalla… or Parvus… oh dear.”
Azura gave a single humorless laugh and then said “It seems I can't talk about those I have met with without spoiling the present mood by touching on some catastrophe or other.” she sighed. “Ashalla’s creations are marvelous wonders to behold and Li’kalla is... Was such a sweet and precious girl… I don’t suppose you’ve had any meetings with the others that haven't been marred by dire events.”
Ohannakeloi listened with a great degree of interest, he may not agree with some of the sentiments expressed but to finally know of the others was a great desire that he did not known he had. “Well I have not met another god besides yourself and two others, although those two others were back in the palace of the Architect of the Spheres. You are the first I have met, or even talked with since coming to Galbar.”
“By the Void. That's quite the period of isolation in between. It’s been… honestly I have no idea how long now that I think about it, but certainly quite a while. Or not isolation. You were with the Ihokhetlani.” she corrected herself “Is there any particular reason as to why you haven’t spoken with the other god or have you just been to busy to head out and unfortunate enough to have not had any guests stop by so far?” she asked curiously
“Ah well, I was beneath the surface for a great deal of time, finding the right place and then having to stabilize the interior regions after what came from Anzillu’s realm got loose. Only later did I come up and make Atokhekwoi and later the Ihokhetlani, so I haven’t been the most accessible. You are correct in that I have not been fortunate enough to have guests or any others contact me, I seem to have assumed correctly that all of the others have been quite busy given what you have told me.”
“Indeed. Most of my encounters where chance one's or ones where I went to investigate something of clearly devine make. Odds are you’ve simply been unlucky since you came up to Galbar.” She insisted before thinking for a touch and asking, her concern clear in her voice “What has Anzillu’s realm done that you needed to contain?”
“Oh, I’m sure it will be fine once I speak to Anzillu, but since you ask there were some bacteria that seemed very unadapted for an environment outside of his realm. It was only of concern as they seemed to try to devour anything they came into contact with, from how they were leaking I assume they fill his realm although for what purpose they are for I do not know.” Ohannakeloi snapped his claws before continuing, “In any case, they were threatening the general stability and support structure of Galbar, I repaired and improved the system into my own realm and took measures to contain further leaks. The system itself was already under some strain from the work of the other gods so it is good I had the opportunity at least, Galbar should be fine as long as my realm continues.”
“I admire your optimism, but ah, having the domain of Demons does not inspire me with much confidence. I don’t remember much of my life before the void with any clarity, but the word ‘demons’ is ringing a lot of alarm bells apparently. An awful lot… At any rate the tales I’ve heard of the likes of Orvas, Vakk, Sartravius, Melantha and what I have seen Katharsos doing indicate that a number of the gods may be rather destructive in their nature. We’ve also already had one, possibly two, attempts at divine murder as well... Just be careful is all I am saying.” she warned
He snapped one claw and tapped his shell with the other saying, “I chose my form to be strong, glorious and protected. I am prepared in mind and body for any who would challenge me! Although to be fair, I’ve scarcely been in contact, let alone contestation, with the other divines.”
“Well that’s good to hear. I haven't been in direct conflict in any either so really I have no idea how a fight between those with our power would go. Anzuillu, Vakk, Katharsos and Sartravius have gone for great size if I remember rightly, where as Orvus and Melantha have the pretty common humanoid shape and size but with varying levels of being made out of dark energy of some kind. she contemplated “I should probably think about tactics to counter them at some point... I do know that we have been given a great deal of resilience. I’ve survived a two natural catastrophes and Asceal survived being inside a sun that exploded. So a fight probably comes down to containing or driving off your opponent rather than killing a god. Anyway. In summary. Good to know you are prepared.
Ohannakeloi simply snapped his claws again in response, evidently unconcerned about his defensive capabilities.
“I do believe that we should discuss a topic at hand now that we have gone beyond the more pleasant pieces of conversation. You are quite fired up in your speech about Katharsos, as I have been told, and you have a notable list of others who you seem to be in general opposition against. What do you intend to do Azura?
“While I have spoken of others I should dial back my accusations just a touch by saying that all of the misgiving I have with regards to them are a result of things I have heard rather than witnessed. Most from a trusted source it is true, but for the moment I simply intend to be wary of them and to warn others to do the same. Perhaps there are misunderstandings involved, or other sides to their stories. I cannot say for now. Melantha in particular is someone I can see possible reasons to empathise with. With Katharsos however, I have seen his crimes with my own eyes, and cannot stand idle by while he continues to commit them… you know most of what I am doing already.“ she said, before cautiously asking “How you feel about what Katharsos has done?“
“I do not know. I would think killing to be wrong, but then I feel it is justified under some circumstances, I could not think of something that would meet this scale and if what you have said is true it would be right to oppose the action. I cannot but think what would drive one to do such, if my memory is truthful Katharsos was the first to leave with such purpose after the Architect's actions, perhaps there is some secret knowledge but that is only a hypothetical. So I do not know for I do not know enough, and I do not mean offense but I only have one source for this at this time, so forgive me for not planning to take much action at this time.”
Azura made an exasperated sound before shaking her head “No I should not get frustrated by your response. Its a sound one, I too had to go see the sky pyres for myself when I was told. It’s good enough to know that you agree that such an act is unjustifiable. Aceal and Ashalla might be good people to ask if you don’t want to travel to the pyres right away. Aceal is with me in this while as Ashalla knows but does not seem indifferent to what Katharsos is doing. I won’t try and press you into joining us, instead can I simply ask that you look into verifying what I have told you and that you don’t make Katharsos aware of what I am doing to oppose him?“
“I will hold off on saying anything that may bring harm down on anyone, as well I will hold off on alerting Katharsos on anything that he would not already know. I make no absolute promises you understand, I will look into verifying the facts of the matter, the truth if you will. I will wait so as to try to avoid disrupting your efforts for now at the very least. I will have to travel to the Pyres if I am to get the information that I will need to know better, I do thank you for the references however. I would urge you not to act too rashly, I know you will do what you feel must be done and I do not advise you do otherwise, but I would take into consideration that if you can organize an attempt to get what you want once, you can do it again if you live. Since I think we both know what you will end up attempting whether soon or later, just don’t get killed in the attempt.”
Azura bowed her head in appreciation “Thank you Ohannakeloi. I appreciate your discretion and will take your advice to heart. It is a sick kind of calculus I must do, each moment of preparation paid for in lives spent. Though in this case that preparation is preventing more souls from going to the pyres. The Ihokhetlani have fortunately suffered no casualties thus far, but there seem to be other mortals around as some of the Alma have already moved on from here to places unknown. I’ll be needing to get the word out of my intentions to them so they can decide to be saved. After that it’s only a matter of time till word gets out and things escalate either way.“ Azura paused for a moment before adding “So I should probably get going soon, unless there are things you would like to discuss with me further?“
“I have nothing more to discuss in particular.” Ohannakeloi dug himself back out of the resting layer of stone he had settled into before continuing, “I wish you well on your journey, whatever that may end up being. I will see you another time.”
“Thank you again. It was good to meet you Ohannakeloi. Be safe.“ She responded, before turning, walking a bit away and then launching herself from the mountain and back into the blue skies that followed here everywhere.
Ohannakeloi and Azura meet on a mountain top and exchange pleasantries Many things are discussed, from the Ihokhetlani, to Azura’s creations and the gods she has met. Ohannakeloi express interest in meeting Shengshi and Azura tells him that she has heard he is an excellent host and relays some outdated news about the feud with Kalmar and his companion Xiaoli she got from Aceal. Ohannakeloi says that he has not had an opportunity to meet any gods since the Architect's palace due to being busy. He also mentions how he stoped the leakage of Anzuillu’s grey goo bacteria into his Sphere. Azra then badmouths/gossips about a bunch of other gods who people have told her are bad The issue with Katharsos, his soul murder and Auzra’s soul crystal solution are discussed last. Ohannakeloi indicates that he would oppose Katharsos’s actions if he can verify that Azura is speaking the truth. He says he will investigate and not alert Katharsos to Azura’s plans for the time being, but explicitly does not promise anything. Azura accepts this. Ohannakeloi warns her to be careful and not go rushing into things, while Azura counter that the every second she spends preparing results in more death that could have been prevented. Based on that line of thinking she gets antsy to head off and get back to work. The two bid one another farewell and Azura takes off, leaving Ohannakeloi on the mountain top
level: 3 XP ////////////////////////////// (20/30) word count: 353 day/time: day 3 - evening Location: The Forbidden Lands Temple Top Tag: @Holy Soldier@ONL@DJAtomika@Tenma Tendo
Piper was in the middle of refueling herself after her climb when the Boss yelled up at her. She’d been leaning against the wall of the walkway she’d found as she did it, but clanked her furnace shut and walked back to the edge when she heard him making a nuisance of himself. At being spotted she got yelled at some more which was fun.
”Oh did ya get tired of sulking and want to help? Good. Well you wanted answers, so that’s exactly what I’m looking for. Looks like there's only a bit more to look into regarding this here temple, so I’ll be done in just a tick. Then I’ll come help with these horse things whatever they are. If I’m not back soon I’ve found something. Or I’m dead. Anyway. See you later Boss.”
She shouted back before turning away and making her way up a short stairway that lead to a stone archway. Inside she found an overgrown secret garden, filled with more types of plants than she had ever seen in her life and heard the sound of something strange living deeper inside. With one hand on her holstered frontier shotty she cautiously went to investigate the sound and the garden, picking her way through the greenery till she came across the gown wearing woman, her child and another horse. She had no idea how the hooved creature had climbed up here.
There was a moment of quiet in the garden as she got over the surprise of meeting someone up here, and the woman presumably go over hers at the appearance of a guest, before she greeted the woman with a friendly ”Howdy” and raised her hand away from her weapon to wave at her once.
”I’m Captain Piper Faraday and I ain’t here to cause you any trouble. I’m with a group investigating the possible origin of something called the mutagen virus in these here forbidden lands and I hope you don’t mind if I ask you a few questions miss...” she said, ending with an attempt at prompting the woman to offer her her name.
Bowser took advantage of his allies following following up his attack to recuperate, a claw grasping his punched jaw to shoogle it side to side, setting it back in place with a few painful sounding cracks. After a few practice chews he got out the super mushroom from his jacket pocket and shoved it into his gob, chowing down on his nemesis's favorite snack to try and get an edge against his double. The moment the shroom hit his stomach the effect took hold and bowser increased in size by 50%.
“AHAHAHA” the now even more massive bowser laughed before flexing “NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE IT. WHO’S THE BIGGEST BADDEST BOWSER IN THE ROOM?” He asked rhetorically before ending his bout of showing off just in time to react to the flying furniture. His hand snapped out and grabbed the flying throne with an oversized claw, halting its killer momentum just in the nick of time.
“WHO’S A BUG NOW PIPSQUEAK!” He taunted Megadragonbowser while brandishing his newly acquired throne like like a liontamer, its for feet acting like four prongs of a spear. He stomped forwards as his allies unloaded their guns at the dethroned tyrant king and then stabbed forwards with the golden weapon, aiming to smash Megadragonbowser into the wall and pin him there.
As Azura flew up and away from Ihokhe and his companions to join Luis the eclipse whale who had been exploring their surroundings while she and the mortal had conversed.
“Hello Luis. I’m back. Sorry you couldn’t join it. Hope you weren't to bored?” she said one she had flown up to
”No I’m good. I met some others like me in the sea while you were chatting. Not the best conversationalists, but they were nice nonetheless. They were very impressed by my size and flying ability apparently.” he said
“Wait what… oh! Someone made regular whales.”
”Is that what they where? Ashalla apparently made them. Not sure why. So anyway, how did it go?” he said
“Some good. Some bad.” she said before recounting the conversation to Luis. In her opinion it had been a useful source of information, but she had bungled her part of the exchange fairly badly in places. “I hadn’t really expected to have to explain all this to mortal races yet. The gods are all racing ahead of my expectations and ability to deal with the consequences it seems. Not that I can blame them I suppose, it’s not like I want to make our plans public knowledge lest we alert Katharsos to them.”
”It’s out there now though right? Or will be soon. This Ihokhe fellow knows and you’re going to to tell the rest of his kind about it.” he said
“Yeah… Time runs short. I do need to tell the rest of them, but after that we’d best be prepared as soon as possible, because it’ll get out to the rest of the gods before long. To Ohannakeloi first if he hasn’t been told already… I’ll need to think of a better way to get my point across before long.” she said thoughtfully
”Do you want help with that? We could pre-prepare what you will say? I think that would probably help you alot.” Luis suggested tentatively.
“mmmm…. like a speech! Haha yes we can wright one up and then I can present it to the world!” Azura said elatedly, performing an excited barrel roll in the air as she did
”Then why don't we slow down our trip and think one up. I’m more than happy to help there”
And so that was exactly what they did. The pair spend some time bouncing ideas off each other, writing and rewriting the explanation of soul crystals and the nature of death. Things where going smoothly till they came across K’nell’s magpies during their trip. Their story both shocked Azura and agitated her greatly. Fortunately retelling the tale to Luis forced her to reflect on the tale rather than storm of blindly into the night to find Li’kalla’s lost souls, storm off to confront K’nell about the truth of his story or enter a rage and go to try and stab Vakk.
”Well that’s messed up” Luis responded matter of factly ”So what are you going to do?”
Rather than dwell on the regret of having left Li’kalla alone to be molested by evil tentacles Azura focused on what she could do right now. “I’ll call her” she told Luis
With that Azura reached out with her mind and tried to contact Li’kalla. What she got in response was silence that lingered ominously until a feeling of rage, hatred and hunger lunged out of the silence at her mind. Azura reeled in shock and slammed the connection shut before the feelings of the dragon overwhelmed her.
“Ok. Something is very wrong. I got nothing but rage. She was such a sweet girl, I have no idea where that might have come from.” she told Luis after taking a few moments to recover.
”So this K’nell’s probably telling the truth. Or some of it at least?”
“Seems so and we have just the tools for the job of finding these fragments of her soul if they exist and have somehow resisted the pull of the vortex. If you don’t mind, I’ll need to borrow some of your Alma” she said as she landed on one of Bruna’s temples.
Some of the Alma Luis was carrying to come out of the structures littering his armored back and meet her at his behest. The bird gathered around her as she picked at their minds, adapting their ability to detect intelligent souls in general to the task of finding a specific intelligent soul. As she got into the zen of editing the gems to find Li’kalla, the same zen that had let her miss the goddess's initial cries for help, she modified some of the others at the behest of the memory lock in her mind without her conscious mind being recognising that that was what she was doing. Since she had arrived in the Architect's universe from the Void the lock and her had formed a working relationship as they got used to begin alive again. It plucked information from the depths of her memory, scrubbed clean of any context and then presented her with knowledge she had used to make sense of the world without having experiences to base her understanding on. She did her best to ignore its existence, as she was supposed to, while still accepting its knowledge which is what had let it create its own little soul seeker without her noticing.
Once she was done most of the birds scattered to the winds to begin scanning Galbar for signs of the goddess’s shattered soul. The lock modified ones returned to Luis unnoticed. They would need to wait, for their target was to be found high above and was unreachable by mortal means.
“If K’nell is telling the truth then those will tell us soon enough. For now let’s keep going. Time grows short.”
”Alright then… if its short why don’t we take a leaf out of K’nells book. Spread this speech through the Alma. There might be other mortals by now right?” Luis said, having had time to reflect on their situation while Azura worked on the Alma
“hmmm. That’s a good idea. But let’s see how it lands first?” she suggested. It wouldn't do to have their speech sent out only for its first retelling to be a flop.
”Onwards to Ohannakeloi then?”
“Onwards”
Azura talks to Luis about her conversation with the mortal Ihokhe and concludes that it did not go as well as she had hoped. The two resolve that she should pre prepare a speech to give regarding death and soul crystallization While discussing this they encounter K’nell’s magpies and learn of the fate of Li’kalla Azura attempts to check on Li mentally, but receives only the angry, hungry thoughts of the dragon in response. Azura modifies a number of Alma to seek out Li’s soul. One of these is also modified by the mental block imprisoning her old memories to find a currently inaccessible soul. The two continue on their journey to go meet Ohannakeloi and his Ihokhetlani while the Alma scatter to the winds to atempt to locate the fragments of Li’kalla’s soul.
Start: 3 fp, 0 mp 0 mp soul crystal mutation. Modified some Alma’s ability to find sentient souls to instead make them seek out specific souls. Li’kalla’s and an unknown soul realted to Azura’s mental block. End: 3 fp, 0 mp Portfolio progress: Tonnikala (7/10) Birds (6/10
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