Lord Wraith

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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_{Location: Southern Forest - Pacific Royal Collegiate & University}

Take On Me #3.051: Temper Temper

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_{Interaction(s): None}

Previously: Hell Or High Water

The shade of the thick canopy overhead offered a cool reprieve from the midday sun as it beamed down over the Pacific island. Though still a temperate climate, Miguel could feel small beads of sweat dotting his forehead as he slipped his long coat off his shoulders and swung it over a forearm.

The forest path was well trodden, little evidence would be found on the main passage that most students and faculty took. But the brush was disturbed off the path, and the Fist quickly found an area that had been more well trodden. Deep footprints from burdened bearers remained even days later. A dart remained behind on the ground, nestled in the tall grass illustrating the hurry and sloppiness of this conquest.

Daedalus was growing more desperate.

The click of a gun behind him gave Miguel momentary pause. His ability began to kick in as thousands of scenarios and their logical outcomes raced before his mind. He could roll out of the way, he could spin and disarm. There was a chance of slipping on the damp soil though, the leaves beneath his dress boots didn’t exactly afford him the traction of a paved surface. But as the wielder of the weapon spoke, Miguel allowed himself a semblance of a grin before he relaxed at the intonation of a drawl.

“Y’all have five seconds to explain why you’re on my damn island.”

“You have a fifty-six percent chance of making that shot without me breaking your wrist and taking your weapon. Do you really feel that lucky, Chancellor?” Miguel replied while slowly raising his hands to the back of his head before bringing himself to his feet.

“Never tell me the odds.”

Without warning, Miguel spun around, dipping out of the line of fire. To his surprise, there was no shot, no echoing bang disturbing the forest. Unhindered, he attacked with a series of quick strikes, only to find his fists striking against Jim’s psionic barrier in a futile effort.

“Y’all didn’t see that comin’?” Jim asked, spinning the unfired gun around on his finger before holstering it beneath his arm. “I remember the last time we fought, I was still just a welp wet behind the ears and you still looked like a dog’s breakfast,”

“Ah, yes, the tenacious agent,” A slight tone of recognition marred the Fist’s voice, “I am surprised you don’t walk with a limp after I broke your leg in three places.” Miguel replied, relaxing his hands to his sides.

“Oh I still know when the rain’s coming thanks to y’all,” Jim snapped back with a sarcastic tip of his Stetson. “Now then, we gonna keep pissin’, or you all dried up and ready to talk ‘bout why Torres has y’all lurking around my island.”

“Where’s your mind reading special lady friend?” Miguel replied with a wry smirk. Jim cracked his knuckles before rolling his neck.

“Oh I won’t be needin’ her to get words outta Nakamura’s ol’huntin’ dog.” Jim replied, “Hate to have to tell Torres I put her hound down because it got rabies.”

“I thought we were done ‘pissin’’” Miguel stated flatly, “As you know Chancellor, the Foundation has its own reasons for being interested in P.R.C.U.”

“I’m well aware of that, but you’re looking into the disappearance of a student who was associated with Hyperion’s Children. Now, either y’all are looking to add some muscle to the Foot, or there’s more than meets the eye here.”

“Does the name ‘Daedalus’ mean anything to you?” Miguel retorted cooly, “I believe he’s infiltrated your campus and is hell bent on continuing his mission here.”

“What mission would that be?” Jim asked, crossing his arms unimpressed.

“To create a new breed of Hyperhumans.” The Foundation’s Fist replied.

“Tell me, how much information did your predecessor leave about Amma Cahors?”

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

As advertised in the original interest check, Commencement has been moving along a strong and steady rate, accomplishing over 200 posts in four months. However, we've lost some people along the way.

We're looking for one to three new players to join our existing roleplay. A character template is provided in the Character Tab of the game's thread. Applicants would be expected to familiarize themselves with the essential lore of the world and the overall IC thread thus far to integrate themselves with the game. New characters should bring something unique to the cast so as not to overlap with existing dynamics and abilities.

Prospective players are welcome to join the Discord to feel out the vibe and workshop their ideas with players directly, along with testing their personal compatibility. We have a very active and social group, so if that's not really you, you're probably not going to fit in here. Applications will first and foremost be decided by the GMs, however as introducing new players also affects the group as a whole, player perspective will be weighed accordingly.

What we can promise you out of the effort is an RP with an active cast and a proven track record of over two hundred posts in four short months. Our roleplay is built on the back of a GM-created lore doc which is constantly evolving with new ideas that expand the world. You would be joining a roleplay that holds players accountable and keeps track of activity and engagement while also ensuring everyone gets a turn in the limelight.

I understand it's a steep ask, but if you're a player who wants to put in the work then you'll be a great fit for P.R.C.U.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University - The 'Hype' Thread

Commencement has been moving along a strong and steady rate, accomplishing over 200 posts in four months. However, we've lost some people along the way.

We're looking for one to three new players to join our existing roleplay. A character template is provided in the Character Tab of the game's thread. Applicants would be expected to familiarize themselves with the essential lore of the world and the overall IC thread thus far to integrate themselves with the game. New characters should bring something unique to the cast so as not to overlap with existing dynamics and abilities.

Prospective players are welcome to join the Discord to feel out the vibe and workshop their ideas with players directly, along with testing their personal compatibility. We have a very active and social group, so if that's not really you, you're probably not going to fit in here. Applications will first and foremost be decided by the GMs, however as introducing new players also affects the group as a whole, player perspective will be weighed accordingly.

What we can promise you out of the effort is an RP with an active cast and a proven track record of over two hundred posts in four short months. Our roleplay is built on the back of a GM-created lore doc which is constantly evolving with new ideas that expand the world. You would be joining a roleplay that holds players accountable and keeps track of activity and engagement while also ensuring everyone gets a turn in the limelight.

I understand it's a steep ask, but if you're a player who wants to put in the work then you'll be a great fit for P.R.C.U.

Wraith's Little Workshop of Horrors

The Pack
-While many Hellions run in packs, the Pack is the joint name for the tense coalition born of convenience established between sentient Hellion leaders.
-Sentient Hellions, the Nephilim(Orcs/Giants result of Fallen breeding with humans), the Vamypr, Lycanthropes and Therianthropes, the Impish, the Lesser-Fae, and the Dragons
-Hellions

The Pact
-The Alliance of the Fae-born and the Witch's Brood.
-The Hexenbrut or Witch's Brood, the descendants of the Hexemalefik (Mothers of Magic, Sisters of Lilith)
-Fae-born or Draoi, descendants of the Greater Fae
-Draoi/Hexenbrüt

The Path
-The Path refers to the Jäger's sacred duty as Seraphkin, born to walk the path and keep the balance between Ünterland and Midyeden least either the Magni, or the Hellions bring magic into the Mundane world again.
-Heirs of the Mark, Legacies of Cain, Servants of He Who Is Above All.
-Weapons of the Venari Council
-The Jäger/Venari Council

Old Lore

In the beginning there was an Abyss. The Abyss was a dark void that occupied all time and space until the Light appeared. With the appearance of the Light, a seed was planted within the Abyss, a seed which began to grow and flourish under the Light, giving birth to a great tree. Within this tree flowed the very essence to life, a force made up of both light and dark known only as the Vis. It was through this essence that the tree was able to grow and upon its branches grew many blossoms. Within each blossom there was a universe, filled with numerous worlds. Some branches grew strong, supporting new growth while other branches were stunted, swallowed by the Abyss where they slowly died before breaking off from the tree and disappearing forever.

Born in the middle of several flourishing blossoms and surrounded by numerous universes filled with life of their own, our universe became known as Midyeden. The intersection at the tip of the branch, Earth was one of many realms which peacefully coexisted, joined together by the Vis. It was visited by many strange beings as they travelled from universe to universe across the Tree of Life and Death. However, this ended when a catastrophic event only known as The Joining occurred.

The Joining was a union of realms that brought all magic and remaining life into the same plane that Earth existed on. However, the records and origins of the event are long lost to the sands of time. What is universally agreed upon is that the Joining nearly wiped out all life on Earth. But Earth was spared compared to other realms that were completely destroyed when the Vis, or as it is referred to in common tongue; magic, conjoined them into the same plane of existence.

When the spheres opened to the other realms, Midyeden was flooded with the tears of the universe, the Joining, or Great Deluge covered the world in a flood, though it left behind the gift of magic in the form of a seed from the Tree of Life and Death. Refugees from the realms lost to the Joining declared themselves gods, using both their advanced technology and understanding of the Vis to wow and intimidate the human population.

Eventually mankind would seek the secrets of the Vis as they wondered where these beings they called ‘gods’ came from. Like so many other travellers, eventually a particularly curious human found the seed belonging to the great Tree. Filled with awe and wonder, they nurtured the seed into a sapling and then a tree. Drinking from its sap and eating of its fruit, the human gained knowledge no other mortal before them had ever known and became the First. It was at that moment humanity first learned of the magical force known as the Vis. Wanting to share the gift of the Tree, they took the seed of its fruit and returned to their people. Preaching the power of the seed, they instructed their people how to harness and use the magic from the Tree.

The human returned to the first seed and tended to it for the rest of his life. Though the human lived many years beyond the expectations of their people, the Tree could not protect them from the sword and they were cut down in their sleep. But death could not hold them as they escaped the Abyss, anchoring their spirit to Midyeden. Even in death they proved to be a teacher and they taught their pupils how they too could escape death. Living as shades and spirits, the First and their students continue to pass their knowledge on to those who seek the knowledge of the Tree of Life and Death.

Welcome to Ünterland

Mirroring our world, beyond the barrier of Limbo, lies Ünterland, an anachronistic version of Midyeden filled with magic and mystery. Ünterland is the home of the Hexenbrüt; the descendants of the ancient witches and the masters and mistresses of blood magic, the Draoi; the fae-blood imbued with a connection to the deep magic and the Hellions; cursed beings and beasts and all manner of undead and living horrors alike.

Midyeden
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Limbo
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Ünterland

Wraith's Little Workshop of Horrors

We're looking for one to three new players to join our existing roleplay. A character template is provided in the Character Tab of the game's thread. Applicants would be expected to familiarize themselves with the essential lore of the world and the overall IC thread thus far to integrate themselves with the game. New characters should bring something unique to the cast so as not to overlap with existing dynamics and abilities.

Prospective players are welcome to join the Discord to feel out the vibe and workshop their ideas with players directly, along with testing their personal compatibility. We have a very active and social group, so if that's not really you, you're probably not going to fit in here. Applications will first and foremost be decided by the GMs, however as introducing new players also affects the group as a whole, player perspective will be weighed accordingly.

What we can promise you out of the effort is an RP with an active cast and a proven track record of over two hundred posts in four short months. Our roleplay is built on the back of a GM-created lore doc which is constantly evolving with new ideas that expand the world. You would be joining a roleplay that holds players accountable and keeps track of activity and engagement while also ensuring everyone gets a turn in the limelight.

I understand it's a steep ask, but if you're a player who wants to put in the work then you'll be a great fit for P.R.C.U.

Bleach: Rise Of The New Generation

<Snipped quote by Brink>

Oh nah, I won't steal it. Just appreciating is all. It reminds me of Lord Wraith's formatting!

@Kalas

I guess steal was a poor word choice, use it I meant. I don't know Lord Wraith I'll have to check him out!

@Brink

👀

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

“You’re not Aurora,” Lorcán protested before the molten-eyed boy pulled back as the psychopomp became more insistent, leading him further from the fire as he body became colder and colder.

“I can’t go with you, you’re not my Aurora,” He repeated, looking through the smoke towards the dark canopy overhead, “I heard her, I need to get back to her.” Lorcán cupped his hands over his mouth before yelling.

“AURORA!” It was only met with the screams of creatures barely held at bay by the quickly residing fires.

“You’re going to break her heart if you leave,” The shade of Aurora argued, holding a hand out for Lorcán to take.

“I’m going to break her heart if I stay,” Lorcán argued, “I have to get out of here, I’ve been gone too long.”

“I know the way out, I promise you, I can show you the way.” The psychopomp urged, holding out her hand again, “I only want to help you, Lorcán. Just take my hand and this can all be over,” The took a step back, pushing her hand out further, “Please, Lorcán just take my hand and put an end to all this suffering.”

But Lorcán shook his head, turning to run before he tripped. The forest around him seemingly disappeared, the heat of the fire was replaced by the warmth of the sun. He toppled forward, falling for what felt like an eternity before falling through a glassy surface. Water splashed over his face, the familiar smell of the ocean washing over him as Aurora’s giggles filled his ears.

“I told you I can’t balance.” She stated, pushing her own wet hair back from her face. Lorcán’s heart skipped a beat as the sun refracted on the gold heart pendant, water droplets collecting on her skin, slowly following the subtle curve of her collarbone before disappearing between her bosom and into the sea.

Her smile was warm and mischievous, accented by her delicate jawline and heart-shaped face. Blue eyes like the sky above lit up with amusement as Lorcán steadied the board and held it again for her.

“One more time, Lady Dude, no more clam dragging, we’re getting you upright on this board.” Waiting until Aurora was kneeling on the surfboard, Lorcán clambered up behind her, gently placing his hands on her waist. His breathing quickened as his hands touched her bare sides, ensuring he kept them above her waist while keeping his arms from wandering beyond the small of her back.

Slowly, he moved his hands upwards, pushing water droplets aside as he traced her sides before joining their hands and slowly bringing her arms outward. A few playful squeaks and squeals escaped Aurora as she swayed slightly only for Lorcán to steady the board.

“You’re tickling me,” She managed to spit out in the midst of her fit of giggles.

“Not intentionally,” Lorcán replied before Aurora suddenly spun around and danced her fingers along the male’s ribcage. Lorcán reflexively pulled his arms in, as he twisted to get away before feeling two hands firmly plant on his back and he was launched back into the shallows again.

Shaking his long hair, Lorcán sprayed Aurora with a fresh shower of water before taking hold of the surfboard and tipping it. The sudden motion sent Aurora toppling from the board before she found herself caught in Lorcán’s arm, noticing for the first time just how big his biceps actually were.

“You caught me?” She asked, her ribs hurt from laughing as she looked curiously up to Lorcán’s face only for a pearly white smirk to come as the reply. The young man quickly lowered his arms, dunking Aurora under the surface as the girl squealed in protest, splashing as hard as she could before Lorcán let her free as she scrambled back to shore.

“I don’t think surfing is for me,” She called, “But that looks like a great wave, why don’t you show me how you’d do it?” Aurora gestured towards the horizon as the swells began to pick up.

The acrid smell of smoke returned as Lorcán’s nostrils flared. He turned to the swells, watching a wall of fire engulf the horizon and spread across the shallows as it raced toward shore. Getting out of the water, Lorcán ran across the beach only to find himself back in the forest, a scream echoing behind him.

“Aurora?” Lorcán called into the empty forest.

“Sorry, dude,” A voice replied as Lorcán turned to see a different woman leaning against a tree. “You’re stuck with me now,”

“And how are you supposed to show me comfort, brah?” Lorcán retorted to the shade as she stepped out of the shadow. She pulled down her hood, allowing her vibrant red hair to spill over her shoulders before holding out her hand and igniting the air into a blade of plasma.

“We’re past comfort,” Ryan smiled, “Now is time for a lesson in letting go.”

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_{Location: The Infirmary - Pacific Royal Collegiate & University}

Take On Me #3.047: Think About You

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_{Interaction(s): @Melissa - Aurora Mitchell}

Previously: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Ripley’s question had hung in the room for a few seconds before Cassander broke the silence.
“Where did you hear that word?” He asked, as Ripley sheepishly shifted from one high top clad foot to the other.

“Do you know what it means?” She asked, avoiding the question as Cass raised an eyebrow before shaking his head.

“Not really no, I mean, I know what I think it means but you’re now the second person to bring that up.” He replied referring to his trip with Aiden. “I think it’s some kind of creature, I did a quick search and it comes from a Native American myth but nothing I turned up really explained what’s happening with Roth.”

He looked through his shaggy blonde bangs, his green eyes studying Ripley’s body language. She had clearly done something she wasn’t supposed to have.

“So I ask again, where did you hear the term?”

“Uh,” Ripley’s voice trailed off a bit while her eyes looked to Aurora for an ally. “I may have followed that Alyssa girl instead of getting that snack for ‘Rora.” Ripley muttered, “And I may have thrown my ear into a room to eavesdrop on her and Luce…” She paused, turning back to Cass accusingly.

“Wait!” She snapped, “Where did you hear it?” Cass let out a sigh, it wasn’t that he was purposefully withholding information, it was that Aiden had asked him to remain vague about their trip to the Northern Peninsula lest all of Blackjack suddenly go up there looking for clues.

“When Aiden and I were in the forest, we encountered a woman named Ellara, it was her who told us about the salve and she mentioned a wendigo.”

“Luce and Alyssa were talking about reaching out to an ‘Ellara’, do you think it’s the same person?”

“How many people do you know named Ellara?” Cass snarked, prompting Aurora to interject.

“Not the time, Cass.” But her face contorted into one of confusion as she backtracked, going back to what he had said previously. “Wait, salve? What salve?”

“Ellara mentioned a salve made of crushed chrysanthemums would slow the infection, and Uncle Aiden had one made when we got back two days ago. But unfortunately, it didn’t have any effect.” Cass replied, running a hand through his hair. “It was pretty unconventional, so Uncle Aiden wanted to keep it pretty quiet.”

Aurora’s eyes went wide, “Chrysanthemums?” She blurted, “Jonas told me that a salve of crushed chrysanthemums would slow the spread, it didn’t work?” The girl shook her head in disbelief, the older man’s words from before coming back to her.

“Jonas?!”

Both Cass and Ripley repeated the name at the same time before looking to Aurora for an answer, Cass taking the lead once again.

“When you say Jonas, you just mean a student right?” He asked, “You’re not talking about Aiden’s mentor Jonas, former Chancellor, suspected Hyperion, tainted legacy Jonas?”

“Leo always referred to him as his grandpa,” Ripley interjected, before Cass shot her a look. “Well he did,” She argued as Cass rolled his eyes.

“Either way, that Jonas is dead,” Cass retorted, turning back to Aurora, “So who is this new Jonas?”

Realization crossed the redhead’s features.

“You don’t know… do you.” She breathed, remembering a few seconds too late that Lorcán had only just found out about the late Chancellor’s ability to show up posthumously, and Tori and Aiden had kept it quiet prior to that for a reason. The looks on Cass and Ripley’s faces said it all, and she cursed under her breath, running a hand through her copper locks, perplexed and a little distressed that she had revealed this secret instead of them.

“No, I’m talking about Jonas Jonas, as in Dr. Lehrer, Jonas.” Aurora bit her lip, trying to find the right words to explain it properly. She sincerely hoped Lorcán’s parents wouldn’t be angry with her, she couldn’t wait to have that conversation with them. “He’s dead but he’s also… not. I don’t know how to phrase this correctly.” Taking a breath, she tried her best.

“Jonas he, he can travel to different points in time, but he doesn’t exactly control where he goes. So yes, he’s dead, but past versions of him are, well, not.” The girl looked at Ripley, “You just asked me if I had seen a ghost, it was because Jonas paid me a visit a few minutes ago. Took one look at Lorcán and knew exactly what had happened without me needing to tell him, but couldn’t reveal anything other than to try a salve of crushed chrysanthemums.”

Aurora conveniently left out the part where she had told Jonas she’d switch places with Lorcán in a heartbeat, and the subsequent lecture.

“Aiden can explain more about it when he’s back, just let me apologize to him first for being the one to break the news.”

“I think the only way any of that is going to make sense is when I’ve had at least three drinks in me.” Cass replied with both hands pushing on either side of his head. He shook his head several times still trying to wrap his mind around exactly what Aurora had just said.

A small knock on the door interrupted the three as their conversation came to an abrupt halt. Turning to the door, a woman dressed in scrubs and a face mask held up a clipboard with Lorcán’s chart on it before stepping in.

“I just need to check on the patient,” She stated, Cass’ ears piquing at her voice. “I’ll just be a sec if you all don’t mind stepping out of the room so I can do a full examination.”

Cass looked at the woman again, her emerald eyes locking with his before she gave him a small wink and closed the door.

“How did Luce and Alyssa say they were getting in contact with Ellara?” Cass asked, interrupting Ripley as she struck up another conversation with Aurora.

“I didn’t understand to be honest with you,” Ripley replied, “Something about a summoning charm? Rune? I don’t know, it sounded like they were talking about witchcraft or gibberish at that point.”

“Stay with Aurora,” He ordered, “And shoot me a text when that ‘doctor’ leaves Lorcán,” He added before rushing away without an explanation. If Ellara was already in that room then he had no doubt that the other two were nearby, or at least one of them.

Rounding a corner, Cass saw the flowing locks of red hair leaning against the next adjacent wall just outside of the rooms in the secure wing..

“Townsend!” Cass yelled, causing Alyssa to jump, turning to see her classmate. “Townsend, why is Ellara in my cousin’s room?”

“You know my cousin?” Alyssa asked, “Wait, are you the blonde boy with cute eyes?”

“She said that?”

“She also said you were a moron.”

“Yeah, she said that,” Cass replied, “Still doesn’t explain why she’s in Lorcán’s room.”

“Ellara Van Abrams is the only chance we have to save your cousin from death.”

“Was the only chance you had to save your cousin.” A voice replied from behind Cassander as Ellara made herself known. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” She said with a small smile to Cass, before looking between both him and Alyssa.

“Your friend, cousin, whatever he is, he’s a goner. There’s nothing more I can do for him now.” She stated. “In a human, his Ünterseele would have already begun to devour his Überseele and the transformation would be irreversible.” Ellara shook her head, letting out a small curse that Alyssa didn’t recognize before the older woman continued speaking.

“But even as a Hyperhuman, even with the Einseele,” Ellara paused, “It’d still be a kindness to kill him now, the death he’s going to experience is far more painful than the transformation ever would be.”

“His unter and uber what?”

“What do they teach at this school?” Ellara asked with a raised eyebrow while turning to Alyssa.

“We’re really not that kind of school, school has a bad case of the ‘mundies’ if you know what I mean,.” She replied,

“I have no idea what either of you are talking about!”

Ellara shot Alyssa an exasperated expression before she looked back at Cass.

“Under and over soul.” She elaborated before further explaining, “The Überseele, or oversoul is seated in the brain. It contains the thoughts, memories, and personality of an individual. The Ünterseele or undersoul is seated in the heart. It contains the appetites, emotions and fears of an individual. You Hyperhumans however have one ‘unified’ soul. It comes with a lot of benefits, but it also means for your friend he’s being ripped apart.” Ellara eyes locked with Cass’

“Where a human would either become a wendigo or other undead hellion, your cousin will become an empty vessel as his soul is completely devoured, and an empty vessel is the perfect host for something far worse than a wendigo. I suggest you mourn his loss now and destroy the body while you still can.” Ellara warned, “Because I can assure you, that whatever comes through that portal, will take more than this school combined to put down.”

“You can’t ask them to do that Ellara Van Abrams,” Alyssa began to plead before Cass spoke over her.

“Better yet, we’re not going to do that.”

“Then you’re fools who’ve already damned themselves.” Ellara snapped back, “I’ve already saved you twice, don’t expect me to come running back here if you choose not to heed my warning. A vessel void of a soul is a surefire way for something to break free of Limbo, and there’s a reason that those that dwell are neither welcome on this plane nor Ünterland.”

“So you’re just going to leave?” Cass replied.

“I told you, there’s nothing I can do here so unless you want me to kill your friend, then I’m leaving.” Ellara replied ditching the scrubs and taking her leather jacket back from Alyssa who had been holding it. Adjusting her weapon holsters before swinging the garment over her shoulders she looked at Cass.

“Look, I’m not unsympathetic to your plight, but this is a futile fight. I’m not giving up, I just know when I’m beat and unfortunately there are people out I can still save so I have to keep on the Path.” Turning to leave, Ellara paused one more time.

“I hope you two do listen to me, but in the highly likely chance you don’t,” She gave a small smile, “I’ll hope for a miracle.”

Cassander watched for a few moments longer as Ellara continued down the hallway before she was lost in the infirmary staff and visitors making their way through the hallway. Shaking his head he turned back to Alyssa.

“I should talk to Aurora.” She said, taking a step before being stopped by Cass.

“No,” He replied, “She needs to hear it from me, you’ve done enough, but it’s time we start bracing for the worst.” He stated, “I can’t believe we’re going to lose Lorcán.”

Cass turned to leave, waiting until he had rounded a corner out of sight from Alyssa before he ducked in an empty room and closed the door.

Even that wasn’t enough to cover the angry sobs that followed.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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_{Location: Pacific Royal Campus - Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.046: Hell Or High Water

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_{Interaction(s): @Skai - Haven Barnes}

Previously: Broken Bones

Having sedated Haven again, Daedalus moved to a sink to scrub up for the procedure. Pained groans from his other subject echoed from a covered cage nearby eliciting a snicker of amusement from Daedalus as he looked around the labyrinth-like sub-basement that lurked beneath the Academic Quadrangle. This area was off-limits to staff and students alike, having been condemned due to flooding in the foundation years ago. Previously used by Isabella Christianson as a lab while she was in the employ of Yakob Kowalski, it had since been locked up while the Academic Quadrangle had been lifted onto a new foundation through a feat of Hyperhuman ingenuity.

That left the sub-basement disconnected and completely vulnerable to rats such as Daedalus.

Behind him, seated around a small card table were the three Hyperhumans in his employ, his agents who carried out the retrieval and disposal. They sat there content with a couple of bottles shared between them and a greasy pizza from who knows where. Cards in hard, wagering bottle caps from pillaged Hyper-Aid.

“Gentlemen, and lady,” Daedalus interrupted, leaning over the table, “I’ve put the girl down for a sleep, nothing worse than operating on an anxious subject. In the meantime, I should like to drain the boy of his blood, where have you placed the body?”

“The boy?” The first man asked only for the woman across the table to shoot him a glare. Massaging his temples, Daedalus took a deep breath before explaining.

“When I sent you to capture Haaaveeen, you said there was a boyfriend. As we can’t afford witnesses, I told you to kill him and bring me the body. Her boyfriend contains the very blood type we need to continue these experiments, it would be comparable to Subject Y except more readily accessible. Now, where’s the body?”

Two blank stares met Daedalus’ face as the woman began to shrink in her seat, her glare intensifying.

“We didn’t bring no body.” One of the men stated as the other eagerly agreed.

“Yeah, we injected him with the sedative, same as the girl and left him there so as not to arouse suspicion over two missing students.”

“You left a witness?” Daedalus snapped only for the one male to shake his head.

“No, he was sedated, he didn’t see anything.”

“You were supposed to use the poison.” The woman snapped, suddenly growing bold enough to speak only for a stern eye from Daedalus to quiet her again.

“Oh,” The first man replied, the realization suddenly dawning on him.

“Right,” The second man interjected, “Oh, right. The poison. The poison for the boy, the poison chosen especially to kill the boy, the boy’s poison.”

Reaching down to the discarded belt and bag, Daedalus picked up the syringe loaded with the poison, holding it up as if to prove his point before driving it into the neck of the second man. Injecting the syringe, he watched with a cruel sneer as the man’s eyes rolled back into his head, foam appearing at the mouth before blood poured out of his eyes and ears.

“What did-” The first man protested only to find a pair of blood-stained gloved hands on either side of his head. The last thing he heard was the sickening snap of his own neck before his lifeless body slumped into the chair and landed hard on the table.

The click of a gun caused Daedalus to pause as the woman managed to stand and draw her weapon before the madman turned on her too. The twisted surgeon simply smiled as he threw his arms wide.

“Oh please, please shoot-” The sound of the gunshot echoed through the thick concrete walls as Daedalus looked down to see a patch of crimson quickly pooling beneath his clothing. He laughed wickedly before an ethereal-like form discarded the body, the wispy blue essence swirling through the air before merging into the woman’s body. She staggered backwards for a few seconds before cracking her neck.

“Please shoot me.” She laughed looking down at the weapon and holstering it. Looking at their previous body, Daedalus smiled wickedly before skipping away merrily from the corpses. Wheeling their supplies on the nearby transportation pad, Daedalus rounded up their samples and victims before taking one last look at Haven.

“I told you, I won’t let anyone take you from me.” She sneered before pressing a button that set off a chain reaction of small explosives. Water from springs within the island began to rapidly flood the sub-basement as Daedalus and his experiments were whisked away by the transportation pad leaving Haven to suffer a watery grave.

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

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_{Location: Pacific Royal Campus - Dundas Islands, Pacific Ocean}

Take On Me #3.042: Broken Bones

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_{Interaction(s): @Skai - Haven Barnes}

Previously: Break My Baby

“You love these wings don’t you?” The man asked, looming over Haven running a hand through her feathers, tugging at them and caressing them. “The very thing that marks you as a Hyperhuman, as a sub-class, as a freak, you’ve found pride in them, how interesting.” A snort echoed through the room followed by a slight snicker before the man in the dingy lab coat continued to speak.

“How inspiring,” He cackled, “Where are my manners, I am Daedalus, the architect of a future of a world full of Hyperhumans who have pushed the boundaries of their evolution.” Daedalus boasted, a smug smile plastered over his face. “It’s a real shame you aren’t all as cooperative as Subject V, I could make you truly beautiful, Haaaveeen.” He dropped his tone to whisper, the way he said her name causing Haven’s blood to curdle in her veins before Daedalus gently wiped the back of his hand against her cheek, smearing Haven’s tears with sweat, grime and blood.

“Would you like to meet Subject V?” The madman asked Haven, spinning the girl around so that her gaze fell on the assembled remains of a person.”She’s beautiful isn’t she?” He asked Haven before softly caressing the skull of the woman’s remains.

“In another lifetime, she was known as Vanessa Bordeaux, the first victim of the Crestwood Killer. But what most people fail to stop and ask is, why Vanessa? Why was she targeted instead of, say, her brother?” Daedalus asked, looking at Haven as though he was engaging in a back-and-forth with the gagged young woman. “Vanessa Bordeaux had a Hyperhuman ability never since seen, the ability to imbue virumosis in another. Yes,” He stopped, pausing dramatically before continuing.

“She could create Hyperhumans. Did nobody ever wonder why all of Vanessa’s closest friends were Hyperhumans?” The man simply laughed to himself as though Haven had told him a hysterical joke.

“But thankfully Vanessa’s gifts carry on and we were able to exhume the body and recover enough DNA to replicate the effects of her abilities in others.” He smiled wickedly.

“Even in other Hyperhumans.”

He danced almost gleefully before gesturing to the syringes lined up nearby.

“By introducing trauma into the body and suppressing the existing Hype-Gene, we are able to force a new mutation whereby the Hype-Gene completely changes classifications to compensate. We can further accelerate the process by introducing DNA from subjects A and Y.” Daedalus proudly explained to the hostage Haven. “Though the true key was unlocked from Subject 00, the only one who evER GOT AWAY!” He roared, his mood once again changing on a dime before Daedalus kicked over a nearby light and sent a tray of instruments flying across the even more poorly lit room.

“HOW DARE THEY TAKE HER FROM ME!” He roared, “How dare they tell me to stop, what I was doing was for the benefit of us all! I am our saviour!” Daedalus was practically foaming at the mouth, jumping up on the gurney and leaning over Haven, spittle flying from his mouth every time he hit a dental sound and his tongue clicked against his stained teeth.

“Shh, shh, shh,” His tone softened as he stroked Haven’s face again before gently climbing off the gurney. “There’s no need to worry, Haaaveeen,” Daedalus soothed, looking down at the girl fondly.

“I won’t let anyone take you from me.”

Commencement: A Pacific Royal Collegiate & University RP

“What is this?” Lorcán’s voice cracked as the shade with Aurora’s face guided him through the forest, the flames parting as the psychopomp led him back along the path the stag had run.

“These are your first steps,” She responded, “Come, don’t delay, there is someone eagerly waiting to meet you.”

“Someone?” Lorcán repeated, “Waiting to meet me?” He asked, more confused than ever.

“Yes,” The psychopomp replied with Aurora’s signature smile, her eyes lighting up, the pinch of her cupid’s bow and playful dancing at the corners of her mouth. “She’s incredibly excited, she’s waited your whole life to meet you.”

“My whole life?” Lorcán asked, repeating the odd verbiage. The roar of the inferno was slowly fading in his ears the closer he got to the light at the edge of the forest. Shivers were running up and down his body, chills setting in as he slowed his footsteps and pulled away from the shade.

“I don’t want to go yet,” He stated, looking back towards the fire. “I’m not ready yet,”

“University is a big step,” Aurora replied from beside Lorcán as the pair looked out over the beach. It was the first weekend of September the year after Hyperion’s attack, the first year that Aurora and Lorcán were transitioning from the Collegiate programs into University. Aurora had declared her major in psychology, but Lorcán had yet to declare his.

As usual, nightmares had brought Aurora out to the beach, but for once, she wasn’t alone in the growing anxiety that came when the sunset. Lorcán’s stomach was in knots about moving into University and joining Blackjack, the same team both his parents had been on when they were students. The pressure of legacy was doing a number on the boy’s usually relaxed demeanor.

Lorcán looked to his right, Aurora was dressed comfortably in a pair of leggings and a baggy sweatshirt in a colour that managed to both bring out her eyes and accent her hair. He had seen her in a swimsuit, in uniform and even in a dress and still, there was never a time she looked more beautiful than she did now.

The pair had spent many nights out on the beach in this very spot. Lorcán swore it was the best spot on the entire island to look at the stars. They’d been out late before, but never to the point where they were both taking turns stifling yawns.

Lorcán looked down, feeling a weight against his shoulder, copper-toned hair catching the corner of his eye as he realized Aurora had fallen asleep against his shoulder. A smile crossed his face before he stifled another yawn.

Maybe this year won't be so bad after all.

“It won’t be, but you need to come with me.” Lorcán felt smoke fill his lungs again, prompting a cough as he took a step forward towards Aurora again. He knew she wasn’t his Aurora though and he felt himself starting to freeze, he felt worse the further he got from the fire.

“Please, Lorcán, come with me,” The psychopomp sounded eerily like Aurora as she pleaded.

“I can't lose you.”

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_{Location: The Infirmary - Pacific Royal Collegiate & University}

Take On Me #3.039: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

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_{Interaction(s): @Melissa - Aurora Mitchell}

Previously: Live and Let Die

Two days had come and gone since Lorcán had been transferred to his private room. A nurse had been in each day to change out his bandages but the wound underneath continued to look worse despite the salve. The veins in his arms had become blue while the skin spreading outward from the wound became darker and darker, the lacerations turning nearly black. The smell of the wound itself was absolutely putrid, nearly causing both Ripley and Cassander to gag on multiple occasions.

Aiden had convinced Tori to walk back to their apartment for a decent rest while both Ripley and Cassander had returned to class. That left Aurora alone at Lorcán’s side while the young man continued to slip in and out of consciousness. Even when he was conscious, Lorcán was rarely coherent, the fever and infection in his body leaving him in states of delirium.

Rothschild had joined Aurora and was curled up beside the girl on the small sofa adjacent to Lorcán’s bed. Tori had been ensuring the girl still was getting what sleep she could, eating and had plenty to eat. In a bittersweet way, it seemed that Lorcán’s mother had been enjoying having both Aurora and Ripley around, treating the pair as if they were both her own daughter having never had the chance to properly care for girls before.

The days had started to blur together.

Aurora couldn’t tell you how long she’d been sitting there, watching as her best friend fought for every breath he took. She felt absolutely helpless, but there was nothing to be done but wait. Her hands were tied, and that in itself was debilitating. But she found solace in staying by Lorcán’s side, keeping him company even if he didn’t realize it. She didn’t want him to be alone, and knew he’d do the same if the roles were reversed.

The redhead leafed through her book as she sat on the sofa, mindlessly running her fingers through Rothschild’s soft coat as she attempted to distract herself. She looked up from the words on the page every few minutes, as if she didn’t believe the consistent and metronomic beeping of the monitors. For once, the girl opted not to have her headphones in, the sound of Lorcán’s heartbeat the only thing she wanted to hear.

Needed to hear.

Rothschild let out a small whimper, lifting his head to look at Lorcán before exhaling impatiently and placing his head back on Aurora’s lap, pushing his brow under her palm as if to demand more affection from the girl. His head suddenly snapped to the side, the dog’s black lips curling upwards as a half snarl was caught in his throat only to disappear, replaced by a happily wagging tail as Aurora’s eyes were drawn to a man who had somehow entered the room.

He stood there for a second, as if just as lost about how he ended up in the small private room. A hand decorated with a signet ring rubbed over his smooth, bald head before he tugged on the blazer of his suit, turning to greet Aurora with a smile.

“Apologies for the intrusion, Miss Mitchell,” The man bowed humbly, “I rarely get much say in it.” He vaguely explained before turning to Lorcán unconscious form laid out on the bed beside him. An outstretched hand gently hovering over the bandages, as the man examined the boy with a familiarity that should have made Aurora uncomfortable. His nose wrinkled in protest at the odour coming from the decaying flesh before he took a step back and once again straightened the neatly pressed suit he wore.

“Ah,” He stated knowing, “I see my grandson has run into some trouble in the Northern Forest,” Jonas concluded, looking all too nonchalant about the entire situation. “Have they tried a salve of crushed chrysanthemums? It should help slow the spread.” He added, taking a seat across from Aurora before crossing his legs.

“And how are you, Miss Mitchell holding up? I imagine seeing him there like this isn’t the start to your final year that you had hoped.”

Aurora nearly jumped out of her seat, startled by the man’s sudden appearance, her novel falling to the floor with a dull thud. Gasping, her hand had moved to rest over her heart, pulse having skyrocketed. “Dr. Lehrer,” She breathed, recognizing him instantly with confusion in her gaze. However, it dissolved quickly, her conversation with Lorcán from the other day coming to mind, remembering that his spontaneous emergence happened from time to time. “I guess this is how everyone else feels when I just teleport in… I gotta stop doing that.” She stated, more to herself than to him.

The redhead watched as the older man examined Lorcán, raising an eyebrow at his neutral expression. She would have assumed he’d be just as torn up about this as the rest of Lorcán’s family, given how close she knew they were, asking questions and wanting answers. But at his mention of the Northern Forest, she realized that Jonas likely knew something that they didn’t, and nodded in response.

“I’m not sure what they’ve tried, but I’ll ask the nurse when she comes in to check in on him.” Aurora replied, leaning down and picking up her book and setting it on her lap. She reached out towards Rothschild and began petting him once more, seeking comfort as she spoke. “It’s been a rough couple of days,” She admitted, the bruise on her face, which had begun to fade, seemed to warm at the thought of the Trial on top of Lorcán getting injured. “I’m trying to stay strong, for him and for his family, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was scared.” Her blue eyes drifted over to his unconscious form, sadness in them evident.

“How much do you know?”

“I know many things, some that can ease suffering and many that are irrelevant.” Jonas replied, “But I am vowed to also allow the natural course to proceed, I am not of this here and now nor is this my place to interfere.” His expression softened, as he reached a sympathetic hand forward toward Aurora.

“And I know, that is unbearably difficult to hear. From where you’re sitting, I have all the answers and the means to save his life, to spare all of you the pain, the anxiety and the worry.” Jonas squeezed Aurora’s hand, “But truthfully, child, I unfortunately am not the one who can save him. Another still has a role to play and so the river continues to flow, no matter how many times I step foot into it, it continues to move around me.”

The redhead felt her eyes start to water, unable to stop the flow of tears that began to slowly fall over her freckled cheeks. It was cruel, that Jonas seemingly had all of the answers and yet, he held them just out of reach. But as angry as it made her, she knew it wasn’t his intention to do so. Aurora removed her hand from his and stood, not wanting the older man to watch her cry, and walked over to stand by the bed where Lorcán lay.

His tanned skin was dull, devoid of his usual sunkissed glow, and he looked fragile lying there, normally so strong and sturdy. “I can’t lose him Dr. Lehrer,” She almost whispered, resting her hand on the edge of the bed. “I thought he left me, during the Trial, and I truly didn’t know how I was going to go on.” The girl looked up at the older man, “He’s all I have.”

“Lorcán is suffering, his family is suffering.” She swallowed, “If I could switch places with him, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“My child, I do not mean to be cruel,” Jonas replied, “I practically see you as family, much like my beloved Aiden and Victoria. Not to mention, my grandson.” He stood, walking over to Lorcán again, “But switching places with him would not lessen the suffering, do you think fewer people care for you?” He asked, looking back at Aurora.

“The only thing that would change is that he was there and you were here,” He motioned, “Aiden, Victoria, Ripley, Cassander, they would all be here worried and anxious for your well-being. That’s not including the rest of your teammates, Miss Baxter especially would likely be researching everything she could to find a cure.” He paused,

“Nor your own mother,” Jonas added, “Lorcán would have moved heaven and earth to ensure she was here if the fates were turned. No, the suffering most certainly would not be less.”

He clutched his chest, before he suddenly disappeared and then reappeared again.

“Oh Miss A, I’m afraid our time has come to a close.” Jonas stated, vibrating again, “If I could leave you with one thing, after he wakes up, just-” And then Jonas was gone, his sentence unfinished and Aurora was again left alone with only Rothschild who let out a small whimper before putting his head down between his front paws.

“Hey ‘Rora, I’ve got some time between classes, can I grab you a snack?” Ripley burst into the room, barely looking up from her phone as she asked the question. The older girl's lack of immediate response was enough to draw her attention upward.

“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

Aurora quickly wiped at her tears, not wanting the younger girl to witness her losing her composure. She didn’t even have time to process everything that Jonas had said, all of his words rattling around in her head, more questions swirling in tandem. “I’m fine,” She deflected, knowing that Ripley wasn’t clued in to the older gentleman’s ability to show up from beyond the metaphorical grave. “Yeah, I should probably eat something, a snack would be good.” She mustered a smile, hoping it didn’t come off as forced as it felt. “Thanks, Rips.”

Turning around, Ripley ran out the door, her face colliding with that of another as a mess of red hair was pushed into her mouth before she managed to spit it out.

“Geez ‘Rora, you need to warn a girl before you teleport-” Ripley scolded before realizing that neither the hair nor the face belonged to Aurora.

“My apologies, friend, I just wanted to check on the boy from the forest.” The redheaded woman replied.

“You’re Alyssa right?” Ripley asked the familiar looking woman. “The one who found him?”

“Myself and Lucille Calder,” Alyssa replied.

“You really didn't see what attacked him?” Ripley asked as Alyssa's eyes darted to the left, before she nervously bit her bottom lip.

“I’d love to tell you the whole truth, but I can't.” Alyssa replied. “I hope he gets well soon.” She offered solemnly while backing into the hallway before spinning on her heels and heading in the opposite direction.

Ripley looked towards the vending machine remembering the snack she promised Aurora before opting to follow Alyssa.

Hanging back, she watched as Alyssa ducked into a room before silently slipping down the hallway and peeking into the room to see Alyssa alongside another young woman who she assumed had to be the woman who helped her bring Lorcán in.

Reaching to the side of her head, Ripley took a hold of her ear before taking a deep breath and giving it a tug. It popped off with less resistance than she anticipated before peeking around the corner again. Neither Alyssa nor her blonde companion noticed her and Ripley took the opportunity to quickly lob her detached ear across the room watching it land on a sofa cushion. Focusing on her ear, Ripley began to hear Alyssa’s conversation.

"If the cousin is asking questions, then Aurora will start soon too. Blackjack has a history of...prying."

Luce shook away memories of campfire soul-spilling and peer-pressured revelations.

"Lucille Calder, you know I can't abide lying." Alyssa retorted. "We should divulge the whole truth, even if they don't understand."

"It's not about understanding. They just won't believe us."

"We go to a school for people with superpowers. Ellara is wrong - they're more open minded than she says, they'll listen."

Luce pinched the bridge of her nose. In a way, this clash of perspectives was why they'd survived their 'gap year' so well, and continued to be such a steadfast pair. In other ways, it irritated Luce, especially when Alyssa held her to account. Being back at PRCU made Luce antsy, and she was certain Alyssa could see it.

"Superpowers are one thing - there's plenty of science to back it up. But there's no literature on Limbo, Ünterland, wendigos, or anything else we encountered in the last five years." She sighed, absent-mindedly drifting her fingers over one of the many scars that criss-crossed her skin, most of which she'd picked up during the pair's adventures in their time away.

'Good thing you can heal' indeed.

"Look. If you want to march in there and tell Aurora her boyfriend is dying because a wendigo infected him and is now attempting to devour his soul and turn him into the very same ravenous monster that we'll then have to put in the ground just like the first one, then you go right ahead. But it won't make a difference. The fight's up to Lorcán now. You'll just incite panic."

"He's not her boyfriend."

"Whatever! It doesn't matter!" Luce replied, exasperated and half-yelling, throwing her hands up. "If we want to fix this, we need Ellara. Can you get her back here?"

"She left me enough to make a summoning rune, I can get her attention."

Ripley ducked out of sight as the pair exited. Running into the room, she retrieved her ear before bursting into Lorcán’s room finding Cass had joined Aurora. They turned to look at her while Ripley looked from Cass to Aurora and then Aurora to Cass and back again.

“Do either of you know what a wendigo is?”