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Post by Warrior on Aug 14, 2022 13:12:44 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/dk4CQm0~png Hollow's outstretched hand would be leisurely lowered by Warrior -- a non-hostile gesture but still enough to deny his immediate request.
" Time and place. "
The Undimension didn't do them any favors either, and nobody was ordering Hollow to relinquish it, if he even could. That would go without saying though, as to avoid any hostility in the remark.
" We'll figure out Pandemic when we meet up in a safer place. There's no point in staying out in the open for longer than we need to. "
The claw marks were all the more indicative of that, now that he had noticed them as well. Without Joker (and begrudgingly Feint), they were even less geared to handle any new and sudden threats. Considering that this was NIA's own central location and it was in ruins, being caught here was also just a bad look for the public image.
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 14, 2022 13:23:18 GMT -8
...more appropriate words were never spoken.
A presence arises from among the non-existent wreckage of NIA HQ, moving along in silence for several moments as if searching in silence before finally coming to a halt not far from the group. Felt, yet not seen, it holds position for several moments in silence before rising from the ground as if pulling itself out of a pit of molten tar. Two double-helix appendages appear first, flailing upwards from the ground before pulling out a single red eye that encompasses the lanky being's entire head. The eye looks skyward as it frees itself, revealing a body made up of a double-helix nearly identical to its arms. Soon, this odd being rises and floats in place, bringing its mono-eye down and looking at the entire group before locking onto Merrill and slowly floating towards him, its arms and body hanging lifelessly behind itself as it moves.
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Post by Xypher on Aug 14, 2022 14:58:35 GMT -8
Merrill stood quietly, listening to Warrior's words and nodding, that it made sense to regroup and go from there. His head was now pounding, and he noticed that Joker was indeed missing. But before he could respond...
Soul-Space
Merrill made no effort and showed no sign of uncomfort as Apollon Flame changed and finally showed him his true colors. Burai had been correct in part regarding the Murian god. He nodded, accepting the beings words to heart and memory.
"Should he desire competition, then I will give it to him, given the opportunity. It is the least I can do. I cannot imagine being of one like him. Yet, whenever I do try to be understanding, it always fails. It is frustrating that beings never seem to wish to look beyond what they experience... Even I must work harder at that as well..."
He sighed, accepting that the Murian no longer wished to speak with him. He did attribute part of this as Death's fault, knowing the god chose to pick at Apollon.
Several other remarks and thoughts came to mind, but he simply let them go. He turned, giving a cold stare towards Death and an apologetic one towards Life, before quieting the area...
Net
Noticing the Clawmarks, and realizing that Joker was missing, was definitely a red flag. Merrill frowned shutting his eyes for a moment to adjust to all of the information.
"To be worthy.."
He muttered, with a sigh. He wasn't really given much time to think about it as Hollow reached out, speaking of danger. He opened his eyes, raising an eyebrow before his frown deepened, borderline into a scowl.
Luckily, Warrior stepped forward to deescalate the situation, giving him time to breathe. He chose not to respond or acknowledge Hollow's request.
In addition, yet another presence was felt as a new creature entered the area. While he couldn't pinpoint it, he noticed it and agreed with Warrior's words.
"We should indeed find a haven to rest and recoup before becoming complacent. Considering the devastation in this area, several times over, we are not safe here."
He crossed his arms, turning towards the new being. He watched it for several seconds, unmoving, but studying it carefully.
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Post by Warrior on Aug 14, 2022 15:11:32 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/dk4CQm0~png " ? "
Warrior hadn't noticed the creature until he saw Merrill looking toward it -- he wasn't as sensitive to a digital presence as Navis were, still limited just to his human senses.
He'd hold out his own palm now, directed at the creature while its attention was on Merrill and causing its perspective of time to slow to a crawl, its movements following suit. Warrior's Temporal Pause wasn't as refined as a more dedicated practitioner's would be, but entities with a low enough resistance to it would still find themselves susceptible.
" We're leaving. "
He didn't want any more encounters until they'd found their bearings. Nodding to Hollow so that he'd lead the way, he'd leave the creature in stasis long enough that they could make their departure.
(( Warrior -> Link Coming Later ))
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 14, 2022 15:25:41 GMT -8
With Warrior's motion, the being is completely entranced by the temporal pulse, freezing in place from Warrior's move. However, Warrior's departure turns out to be premature. While the first creature is successfully deterred for the moment, a second presence enters the area and another of these alien beings pulls its way out of the ground behind Merrill, also drifting in his direction while gazing on with its red eye. Soon, another follows suit, this one staring directly at Hollow for some time before making its way towards the Wizard, while the original breaks free from the temporal interference and begins its pursuit anew.
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Post by Warrior on Aug 14, 2022 15:59:47 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/dk4CQm0~png (( Exit Interrupted ))
" Ngh. "
Just how many could show up? His Temporal Pause was spent now, and even if it hadn't been, there was no way he'd be able to pause them all at once. The first one was at least delayed by it, but now they were approaching from several angles and who knew how many were to follow. He turned back to Hollow, still keeping track of the new arrivals while offering his query.
" Undimension is what it's called, right? Can it get us out of here? "
That was what he had called the method that he had used earlier to bring them to and from the Bermuda Maze, back when they crossed paths with Burai after defeating Nebula Grey. Its transportation seemed instantaneous enough to get them out of the area long before these DNA-esque creatures would close the gap.
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Post by Gaia on Aug 14, 2022 18:51:16 GMT -8
Hollow looked askance at Warrior as his hand was lowered, recognizing the lack of hostility in the gesture, and also seeing the value in the words spoken. No sooner had Warrior warned them against being out in the open than had things with DNA code for arms and ambulatory limbs come crawling out of the ground, as if at random, slinking towards Merrill and himself. More and more kept crowding around them; Warrior's attempt at slowing one down only succeeded against one, not against multitudes.
Armiger slinked in closer to Merrill, feeling a little startled, and Centurion raised his spear, crackling energy across his body. Hollow narrowed his gaze, glancing about at the growing numbers, and did not immediately respond when Warrior asked his question.
"The Undimension is not safe for traversing for anyone but myself at the time being, unfortunately, and I worry even that privilege is revokable. I can assist in another way, though," he responded, holding out his hands. Energy surged from his robe as murian symbols flared to life from his robe. The fabric of the Net bent to his whims, as it restructured itself to his needs.
The ground cracked and gave way, as he shattered the land around them and restructured it, pulling the other navis in his group closer together, and creating a chasm that would separate them from the gathering beasts. As the hole panels came into place, he expanded the chasm, isolating the monsters on their own little islands amidst the devastation he channeled, his control of the land not quite absolute, but potent enough.
Where his control of the land was far from absolute, his control of the elements wasn't. Magical energy crackled over his body as he unleashed his power, storm clouds rolling over head as his elemental mastery flooded forth. Black holes opened underneath the little mongers, threatening to rip them apart.
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Post by Warrior on Aug 20, 2022 15:57:37 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/dk4CQm0~png " That should buy us time. Everyone, jack out to my PET. We'll re-enter from another location. "
There was no network lock in place, and this way would probably speed up their travel time to go meet up with Xion, anyway. Without wasting anytime himself, Jake Pulsed Out and left the others to follow in his wake.
(( Jacob Rayner -> Pulse Out ))
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Post by Xypher on Aug 20, 2022 16:31:14 GMT -8
Merrill facepalmed immediately. From one situation to another, without fail, had yet again caused the group into some form of combat, and nothing they had met had seemed friendly. He sighed, making a slight comment to himself.
If Lalmonia were here, we might have actually not had to fight everything... I hope she is alright.."
"Have a soft spot for the young miss?"
Merrill could feel Death grinning, as if he was going to comment, but Life speaking up surprised both of them to silence. Without having shown any emotional change on his face, felt his eye twitch. He wouldn't admit it, but having Life slowly beginning to talk more was a good thing, in his mind.
Making up his mind, a small gleam appeared in his eyes. With a flash of bright light, he tossed an illuminated sphere up in the air, making anything looking at the group to have their vision altered as the light would burn their eyes.
"Let's Retreat!"
Merrill then teleported out, right behind Warrior
Merrill > Wherever Warrior went
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 21, 2022 12:26:46 GMT -8
Hollow's assault does little to phase the beings at first, as they simply slink around the rising earth and continue their pursuit. However, this changes quickly as the elemental assault follows, tearing them apart one at a time and leaving behind shining orbs of purple energy behind. The assault was successful, but perhaps it was also too pre-mature, as yet another of these creatures slinks out of the ground behind Hollow, staring at him with its singular, red eyes as it now begins to reach out to him, its double-helix arms seeking to make contact.
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Post by Gaia on Aug 21, 2022 12:32:04 GMT -8
The change of environment didn't seem to bother the creatures, but his elemental prowess was more than sufficient to destroy them. As the one reached out behind him, motes of energy from around Hollow surged up naturally to protect him, as arcs of black lightning coiled up and around the creature, preventing it from getting close.
Hollow, sensing the danger and recognizing the opportunity, simply nodded, and pulsed out of the space, following behind Merrill and the rest.
Armiger and Centurion, close by, readily followed behind them, unwanting to be left behind with the anomalies.
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 21, 2022 12:39:05 GMT -8
The last of the creatures recoils at Hollow's protective measures, and watches silently as the Wizard makes his exist. Soon, the purple orbs fade from sight, and the last of these creatures sinks back into the ground, leaving the area no different than before.
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Post by Gaia on Sept 7, 2022 13:40:58 GMT -8
Egregion had provided him a means to return to Netopia, where he had been grabbed from, and Xion would be returning to Netopia once he was ready, either way. Joker descended from the portal down where he had left the others, no longer able to see the vortex from which they had emerged, but noticing the signs of battle.
Blast marks covered the ground, which was warped and shaped as a massive island rising from a charred crater. He wasn't sure what had happened here, but it was evident that the group had to fight further to get out after they had escaped.
Energy began to coil around Joker as he glimpsed about, preparing to do what he must, as his main method of transportation was quite inaccessible. If he were to wait here until his allies were to return, then, he would like to be prepared for the inevitable fight that apparently they had only just escaped from.
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Post by Zane on Sept 7, 2022 17:14:53 GMT -8
"You're back as expected. And without all the extras."
It was a voice that he should recognize by now as Grom's own as he was approaching. Why he returned here could only be because of what he mentioned just now. But why he had business with Joker was anyone's guess. The energy that was coiling as it was wont to do likely meant that the giant was prepared for whatever had happened here. Not as if Joker knew what the cause behind that was.
"I have other things to take care of, but I may as well start here first. You have a few things that I should start preparing for now that they've become a factor again. I took the necessary precautions this time to not be caught unaware by the extra guest that hounds your shoulder. All that's left is securing you. You can come of your own volition or resist as you like to do."
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Post by Gaia on Sept 8, 2022 13:02:49 GMT -8
Joker turned to face the voice that he, by this point, did recognize. He narrowed his gaze at Grom, the navi's simple appearance belying a terrifying confidence and assurance of success. From what he had learned of Grom, before, the nihilistic Navi's presence was not a welcome one, and, yet, his words were sure and true.
His instincts told him that fighting was the option. That to lay down and accept defeat was a defeat worse than deletion. Truth be told, however, Joker was quite exhausted with this individual, with listening to his instincts and being rewarded with nothing to show for them. As he considered the Navi that was much smaller frame than him, Joker did not allow his defenses to falter, but did turn towards him without a display of force.
". . . What have I to look forward to, should I come of my own volition?" he asked, quite out of character, his eyes hard and steady behind his visor. "Honor me with a frank and as brutally accurate a response as possible, if you would."
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