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Post by Warrior on Jun 30, 2020 6:18:00 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/cqKbnSa~png " ?! "
Wait, was this actually happening right now? Did the guards actually just blue ball her again?!
This displeased her!
" You actually are just a bunch of wussies aren't you?! "
The scent unfolded from there: the ball throwing its own temper tantrum before playing duck-duck-goose with those present until it decided on who to land on. It's choice of the cat created a unique complication for herself unfortunately -- much like Shine, she had been tasked by NIA to pursue the cat navi, but given her own retaliatory combat paradigm and Nightshade's pact of pacifism with the orb, her preferred method of action was all but foiled now.
Grom probably wouldn't be too happy with that, but this pact was at least doubled edged enough to be its own burden, one that she sure as hell was happy not to have to carry herself.
She spoke up as Nightshade asked the guards to escort him to his next location, a plan coming to mind wherein she could still get some benefit from this outcome.
" I'll take you up on that. "
There was still a hint of fury in her voice over the guards' incompetence, but she approached Nightshade nonetheless after he made his speech.
" Before we set out for the Electopian Border though, I've got a small request for your new toy. "
It wasn't her preferred way of getting her answers, but things did work better this way in that she at least didn't have to do any favors for the voice in the globe to get what she wanted anyway. Whether or not the Knights were patient enough to let the scene play out was still its own concern, but on the bright side they couldn't interfere with Nightshade from inside of his Anti-Sea Bear Circle, so maybe they'd turn back to her as the next best thing to swing at.
... or to stand against, blocking.
" I just want to ask what it knows of the Dark Colony. Where it is and how to get there would be plenty to put me on my way. "
Ruination preventing wasn't on her agenda outside of Netopia, and this thing was interested in getting to Electopia by the sounds of it. Most of that place was blown up on a regular basis anyway, between Forrest Network and New Life. So at the very least, she didn't have any urge to interfere with whatever plans Nightshade and the globe had for each other, she'd just need a heading when all was said and done here.
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Post by Warrior on Jun 30, 2020 7:07:05 GMT -8
#s://yt3.ggpht.com/dzs1pRFP3cjjp3b41Q4Gud413Sp_7bEb70E073QA9yMNLK0A-eR6wHDTui4kk9cSvXPvpZfRsiYfEPM=s800-nd " Hmph! "
Shine pouted her lip at Nightshade's response, not really given the opportunity to do much else before one thing led to another and he ended up with the artifact inside of an invisible protective field. Both of her prizes were now distinctly out of her reach and all she could do was powerlessly watch without interfering with the magical circle.
She dragged her feet back to Regis, now that the scene was basically done with her, to voice her complaints on the matter.
" Suppose I'm gonna be poor forever with Chosen One over here taking the goods and denying my arrest. I guess the voice is picky when it comes to situational intentions. "
That was about all there was to do for now then -- Shine was more keen on avoiding any more trouble with the Creamland Knights than the others, so she'd keep her distance while the rest played out.
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Post by Regis on Jun 30, 2020 19:13:03 GMT -8
His hand clenched, then relaxed. If that's what it came to then it was fine with him. A genuine prize wasn't what he sought; the only sad part was neither a fight, nor information was learned here. Both equally disappointing, but perhaps the latter was the bigger one to hit from a logical perspective. Still, it didn't seem like everyone was as relaxed about the outcome as he was. The unknown woman in particular seemed rather unhappy with the situation; from the sounds of it, for a reason he could actually get along with if he were a bit more emotional about it. And of course the resident thief was displeased about it all in her usual unique way. He sent an amused look at her, a grin on his face.
"Not surprising given everything." After all... Eh. He wouldn't place too much though into it right now, despite the obviousness. Though as it is... There wasn't really much to do for him now in this area, was it? He was still a bit curious, willing to wait a moment to see how things played out. But...
"Well, given that this party is dying, is there anywhere else in particular to go? ...Though not sure if a stay in Creamland is too desirable..." The latter part of his statements came out as a murmur.
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Post by Unknown on Jul 1, 2020 7:40:24 GMT -8
As Nightshade seemed to allow the voice within the globe to share its memories with him, he seemed unable to prevent it from perusing through his own thoughts. Memories of past failures and confrontations lept back into the forefront of his mind, intermingled with the catastrophe and slaughter that the globe sung into his mind.
All those failures . . . all those times these very people condemned and hunted after you, and you would care to stand before them and follow procedure? Could you not just flee, as you did before, to the location of your pleasing? A tactical retreat is not the act of a coward - it is the act of a veteran.
The voice spoke sinister whispers into Nightshade's head, the world around him seeming more hostile with each passing moment. Even Feint, who approached him with the offer of the escort he requested, seemed to him as though her intentions were laid bare before him: He could see through her facade and knew, somehow, that she had no intentions of taking him to the Electopian-Creamland Border.
The Creamland Knights stood stoutly against Feint's insults, their composure and noble bearing far above simple squabbles and threats, but also knew it would be foolhearty to attempt in the matters of those employed by the NIA. They recognized Feint and knew she was on international standards; so long as she didn't break those protocols, they had no right to attack her, and she technically had the freedom to approach the castle, especially if the one before her was a quarry of hers. They had only one reason to distrust the cat-like Navi - the sphere which it held, and the fact that he had so carelessly approached their royal property.
They could not approach the cat to attempt an arrest, and a whole-scale battle seemed to them like the least appropriate answer to this situation. They had no choice but to stand down and allow whatever was to happen to follow through with its natural course. To Nightshade, them slowly lowering their shields and slacking up the circle around him did not just look like a sign of recognizing his words, true and meaningful they may be, but he saw their movements as cowards. As one, he felt he held more power in his hands than they did in their whole number.
Was this thing messing with his head? The Creamland Knights surely looked at him as though he were crazy, talking about this voice that now only he could hear, and they seemed somewhat impartial - in fact, even pitious - to his remarks of not being a hero. As he felt himself more and more aware of his surroundings, he saw the thief, frustrated and disappointed at her lack of the artifact, and knew in his heart of hearts that if he dared stay too long, if he did not get to where he needed to be, she would take it from him. She would harry him, and potentially force his hand into losing his prize - the knowledge, and the weight of the world that he was tasked to carry, could be stolen from underneath him. Everything and everyone, even the silent swordsman who had already relinquished his blade, seemed to be hostile, the sphere in his hand like a ticking time bomb of opportunity and envy.
"You are free to go," the Creamland Knights muttered without much enthusiasm, seeming to have finally given up. They lowered their shields completely and stepped away from him. "But only if you leave Creamland immediately. With the NIA officer present, the escort should be fine."
The NIA? Did Nightshade not have a quarrel with them? . . . Were the Creamland Knights really relinquishing him, or did they have an understanding with the NIA? He remembered what he felt of Feint's intentions, and knew that a simple escort would turn into a much worse scenario.
He did not have many options that would allow him to maintain his forceful pacifism, but if he did not, what horrors would he unleash? Everything seemed to him . . . everything felt to him . . .
Run!
First, in the sphere's voice . . .
Run!
In a voice that seemed somewhat far off, unclear . . .
RUN!
Even his own thoughts seemed to rise up in panic, as his own voice screeched at him to do what felt the most natural when surrounded on all sides by would-be thieves, assailants, captors, and conspirators.
Meanwhile, the world in his hands continued to pulsate, and continued to share its memories of violence and slaughter of a people commanded to prove their worth . . .
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 1, 2020 9:20:42 GMT -8
It was clear the thing was messing with his head. He had been manipulated a good number of times to know as much. He had been manipulated by the ONB, by the NIA, by Rosso, by Caliga. A good number of people.
"You see, Mr.Spirit. I am not really here for greatness or anything. I have but one desire, which to be honest, is not that hard to figure out. You wanna win me over? Give me a solid lead on getting my beast powers back. I've been running dry on that lately. Really, it's that easy. Power is cool and all, but I don't want just any power. I want THAT power. Nothing more nothing less. Feel free to poof me and everything else out of existance if that doesn't strike your fancy, but it looks like right now I'm your ticked outta here.
Also, you don't live this long without knowing how to flee. Be it cowardice or not, running in this instance would just get me killed. If I want to dip right now, I need to be subtle about it. Sit back, relax and watch the master at work." He spoke in his mind, seeing as by now it was apparently a public plaza for anyone strong enough to just waltz right in. That's the problem with someone who has little to nothing to lose. He hardly cared about anything else.
If anything, relieving his past memories only rekindled the fire inside him. If there was one think that motivated him to keep pushing, well, the globe would have no trouble knowing about it as it ravaged through the cat's thoughts. Now, whatever the artifact could do, there was something it couldn't alter:
His restless desire to reclaim his lost Beast powers... and his self preservation instinct. He would survive and reclaim his lost legacy, or he would die trying. Preferably the first over the second, but hey...you never know.
One thing was for sure though. This thing wanted outta there and he would be inclined to agree on that thought himself. There was little for him there, not that the ball thing decided to play with him. Though he was gullible, he was not that stupid. He still had the weird barrier thingy around him he would now call the Social Distancing (tm) Sphere. Pretty handy against any nasty virus out there but most importantly, it looked like other people couldn't get in.
First though, there was the problem of the Nia emissary. He did not know if the feeling of hostility was her own thing or a fabrication of the sphere, now driven by the desire to flee, but it was something he for sure needed to keep his eye on. Still, dealing with one navi instead of all the knights sounded like the better choice.
Turning over to the Captain, the feline sheepishly smiled. "Done deal! I'll be on my way then. Excuuuuse me, coming through!" He replied, hopping past before doing a 180 and walk a few steps backwards, tossing the sphere in his hands in the meantime.
"Oh an by the way, just a quick note-" he addressed Faint. "-you do anything funny, we all die. Now I would very much like NOT to die as I have things to do still but you're giving me some reaaaaal angery vibes right about now, so behave yourself if you really wanna tag along yeah? Good girl. Oh by the way, mr.Spirit here completely ignored your question, just so you know."
He flipped one more time and kept walking at his usual speedy pace. "Say, Mr.Spirit. These things I'm seeing. These people dying. This world crumbling. Who are they, where is this from?"
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Post by Gaia on Jul 1, 2020 11:10:21 GMT -8
There were many things that the sphere expected of its meddling, but hearing the voice of its chosen bearer talking to it condescendingly, as a mother would scold an overexcited child - or, perhaps, more accurately, as an overexcited child would scold another - was not one of these things. Its tempered demeanor fell silent for bet an instant as it considered the new information, these new memories that Nightshade presented it, this new purpose that it had not detected before.
This is your purpose? The very thing that defines your conviction? . . . Very well.
If it was a search for power, and a need to stand against that power, that allowed this wielder to function, then a taste of that the sphere could provide.
Your threats are empty, and your motives different from my first impression. Still, you hold true to my test, and show interest in my history.
If it is subtlety you need . . .
A power suddenly radiated from within the sphere itself, a strange and unknown sigil appearing from within it and floating just in front of Nightshade.
. . . Then behold, the power of Hadesun Gloom, the Murian God of Shadow.
{ Nightshade Obtains the Head Piece: Hadesun's Helm. This is a temporary Story enhancement. Do not add this item to your stats. Click to view.} Equip Slot: Head Effects: ???. Grants access to 5 Levels of the Divine Shadow Element. Divine ShadowA power possessed by only one being at a time, this preeminent and absolute power over shadows makes the wielder a master of deft movement and stealth. When slipping into shadows, they become invisible, and can travel through their depth as easily as a fish swimming through water.{Special Property: Supreme Initiative}The user goes first in battle. Against three or more enemies, the user takes an additional turn per three enemy turns. {Special Property: Shadow Assassin}When Activated: The user benefits from any effects that would trigger on the first turn of battle this turn.
Cooldown: 3-CD. Unaugmentable. {Special Property: Disappear}When Activated: The user's avoidances may avoid sources from Unavoidable Damage, avoid all hits of attacks, and may count as all the required avoidances against attacks this turn.
Cooldown: 2-CD. Unaugmentable. Strengths: Dark, Seeking, Elec, Aqua Weaknesses: Wood, Fire, Light, Blade, Bug Lv 5: Once per turn per avoid skill, any effect that triggers on avoid triggers an additional time. On the first turn of combat, the user's avoids avoid 3 additional attacks per use. On the first turn of combat, the user gains +200 damage. Speed Skills have all effects reliant on version, including uses and scaled progression, increased by 50%. Should this suffice your attempts at escape?
The shining purple glow surrounding the globe died down as it seemed to transfer some of its power to the cat-like Navi, everyone subject to the light-show as this incredible power flowed over him. A sinister helm fell over his head as his body shifted into a form befitting living, liquid shadow, the strange sigil spawning from the transformation now presented on Nightshade's torso, the only piece of his body with any color.
The Creamland Knights could not help but raise their shields in response to the sudden change, not to mention the extreme weight that this new power provided: Nightshade's very presence seemed to force the shadows within the environment to bend towards him, descending the very air around him into a new realm of twilight. They dared not raise their shields too high, for uncertainty of what this new form could do.
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Post by Warrior on Jul 1, 2020 11:48:50 GMT -8
#s://i~imgur~com/8w4a7DV~png
" ... "
Feint's eyes sharpened at -- or rather:
F→E←int's eyes sharpened at Niteshaid's remarks, giving off even angrier vibes that were directed at either him or his globe for not getting the answer she wanted. Or maybe she just somehow knew that he spelled her name wrong.
" Have it your way, then. "
Her condition wasn't met, so she didn't follow along. Instead, she'd resort to a third method of getting her answers, which involved her leaving the Knights alone for now but they didn't seem to be the type to swing the first punch anyway. Added to the fact was that Nightshade's new form looked even less likely to be something she could deal with given her current arsenal and all.
She activated her NIA Isolator to port back to HQ -- her operations in Creamland were done for now, fruitless as they were.
(Feint -> NIA HQ)
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Post by Warrior on Jul 1, 2020 11:49:02 GMT -8
#s://yt3.ggpht.com/dzs1pRFP3cjjp3b41Q4Gud413Sp_7bEb70E073QA9yMNLK0A-eR6wHDTui4kk9cSvXPvpZfRsiYfEPM=s800-nd "Well, given that this party is dying, is there anywhere else in particular to go? ...Though not sure if a stay in Creamland is too desirable..."
" Oh, don't be like that. There's still plenty of neat stuff here! I can show yo-- "
Shine was mostly oblivious to the scene unfolding with the 'Knights, Feint, and Nightshade until the Sigil's blessing drew her attention back to what was going on.
" Oh god, it copied my powers! Quick, let's bounce before it gets yours too! "
Well... that wasn't entirely the case of course, but narrow-minded Shine saw it as such. Nonetheless, she headed in a direction and let Regis decide whether or not he wanted to follow blindly to the location she never finished telling him before her departure.
(Shine -> Luminescent Citadel)
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 1, 2020 14:53:35 GMT -8
Nightshade looked over his body, changed by the sphere, which had quite the personality it seemed. So...a Murian God of shadows, whatever that meant. He had no idea what a Murian was. Let alone the cult around it. One thing he knew though. This entity had some power. Oh yeah.
"Okay, now you're just showing off though..." He answered the deity's question with a small tease, turning around and waving a thumbs up to the knights before he decided to take a left and disappear out of view. He took a deep breath, allowing this new power to permeate his being. Somehow, it felt more natural that way.
Then, partially guided by the sphere, he instictually moved closer to a shadow and just...slowly disappeared within it, his body simply becoming one with the shade. When he re-emerged, he found himself right at the border to Electopia Net. All that distance covered in an instant. The knights wouldn't be able to follow him at all. "Works like a charm though. So I guess I should thank you...uuuh...is it fine if I call you Hades? Imma call you Hades. I'm Nightshade, by the way, but you already knew that."
So at that moment it was just him, his thoughts and the sphere as it questioned his motives.
"Think it like this, Hades." He added after a moment of recollection. "You start out your life as a nobody, a sheep surrounded by wolves. All around you, people are capable of great feats, while you...well...you're nothing." He explained, deciding that as much as his new ability to m erge with the shadows was fast, a more traditional way to travel would be better as he spoke with the Murian God. Just hop roof to roof. Basically a straight line to...wherever he wanted to go honestly.
"Then one day, that nobody acquired something that could put him on the same level of the wolves, though with great effort...and painful sacrifices." The shadowy cat stopped hopping around at the edge of a ruined building, looking out in the horizon. Speaking about it hurt a little.
"You sacrifice so much, only for all your work to be pulled out from under your feet, your power is nothing but the illusion of being able to make a difference. Nothing but the scheme of a single guy capable of putting the world to its knees." He glanced at the sphere. The way he was now, he could hardly block Hades from his thoughts and mind. He didn't really want to oppose the entity either. So far he had no reason to fight against the connection. With how lonely he had been...he kind of welcomed it.
"You've seen it, didn't you? The way I left friends behind. Turned against my allies, my..." he trailed off as he thought at Inori and Caliga. "See, Hades. At this point, I am not really doing it for revenge. Say I find a way and kill Rosso out of spite. Killing him won't bring my friends back. It won't bring Inori back. It won't certainly make me any different from Rosso himself, he who butchered thousands for his plans."
The shadowy figure casually tossed the sphere forward, only to leap from his position and catch it midair right after. One frontflip and the shadowy cat navi landed gracefully on the other roof.
"It's a matter of principle. I have sacrificed so much for it to just be an illusion crafted by another. I want to show the world that I'm the master of my own destiny. That it ain't someone else who gets to decide if I am a somebody or a nothing. If I have power or not. That is why I want to get that power back, with my own hands." He concluded, slowing down his walking as he conversed with the entity cloaking him in shadows. "I'm...by no means a pacifist, though I am tired of fighting. Nor a good guy, though I once strived to be. That you must know by now. Still...I'm not dead yet, so I suppose you at least think I'm worth your time. And hey, if you still want to choose me for...whatever this is, I guess I should try to see if I can help you with it at least. You know, to thank you for...not giving up on me."
The navi decided to take a small breather there where he was, looking around to see if he was alone. "Looks like we're good. I can't sense anyone else around...your power is amazing. I haven't seen or known anything like it, ever." There was something otherworldly about it, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Was this entity a virtual program? Maybe. Maybe not.
"What about you, Hades? What's your story? Are those images I saw your memories?" It is said that curiosity killed the cat...and Nightshade was dying to know a little more about the entity that for some odd reason chose him...over literally anyone else.
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Post by Regis on Jul 1, 2020 16:01:49 GMT -8
He had turned to the masked Navi briefly, before quickly snapping back. That whole interaction was... interesting, to say the least. That would be- At her exclamation, he gave a sigh, lightly grinning. "I don't quite think that's how it works..." But maybe it was? It was hard to say. He gave a short glance back, before shrugging. He followed after the thief, not having much reason to stay here.
[Location Change: Luminescent Citadel]
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Post by Gaia on Jul 1, 2020 16:41:30 GMT -8
It was just a moment after the transformation happened, and the Creamland Knights were indeed powerless to stop it: Nightshade took a step into the nearby shadows, and in an instant he was but liquid. Instantly, the world fell away into deep shades, like a twisted remnant of the world Nightshade knew, all the world in an ethereal coating with the only thing retaining color being shadow. Each step he took, he walked miles, jumping between shadows cast between buildings, from people, from walls, as though he could scale the whole of the world in an instant if he concentrated.
He was surrounded by unfamiliar faces in the shadows, however, walking alongside him and casting long glances in his direction, as though there were others. Something that became immediately evident was that he was not alone in these shades, even with the shadow god's blessing hanging over him like a penumbral umbrella. All of their forms held up similar shapes and basic build, but they each seemed to have some sort of separate energy to them.
Who Nightshade assumed to be "Hades," as he called him, stayed silent as Nightshade wove through the cloying gloom, and stayed silent even throughout Nightshade's small debut of his life story. The farther they moved, the farther away the separate forms appeared, the less distinct they were. It wasn't the first time a life story had been revealed to him, and it was not the first time that he did not really care to listen to it. He did, however, for this bearer, strange as it may be, was his companion for the time. Before Nightshade had the time to turn out of the shadows and over the horizon to the Electopian Border, the being showed the first signs of aggression and power over him: Nightshade felt unable to move his own limbs, and instead found himself turning to stare out into the horizon.
I have listened to your story. I will not yet comment on it, for I wish to share with you a moment of mine.
The world of shadows gave way, as they rushed back towards the field of strange beings from before, all sharing the same basic design but each holding a different force. Turning to one, who appeared to have a wreath of flames around him, Nightshade suddenly got surging memories of this being on one world - a world that looked a lot like the one he now carried - waking up, and burning the world to ash in an instant by spawning a sun within its palm.
He turned to another, wreathed in epitomal hatred and darkness, and saw a world consumed by rage and anguish as brother turned against brother, friend against friend; no one was safe, as the world slaughtered each other until only one remained.
He turned to each being in turn, and Nightshade saw rushing terrors of an apocalypse wrought by each one that was either over in an instant or stretched out across months; great floods, monstrous storms, holy purges, the very earth coming to life . . . 18 beings the presumed god of shadow forced his attention to, 18 worlds he watched slaughtered. The song of pain and agony grew more intense with each passing vision.
Those worlds were faced with the same issue I presented before you at the castle. Worlds adjacent to yours . . . but each with an alternate future. Cruel, capricious beings present the test to countless worlds to ensure that those worlds do not repeat what ours did . . .
. . . we slaughtered ourselves to a number without any need for a test, or for a Ruination. When they failed their tests, those worlds were faced with the very same ours was for our follies: Hunted to a number, without escape, they destroyed every connection they had, and left a barren world with no allies, and no life.
I do not bring with me the Ruination. I come for different reasons . . . but I was curious how your world would respond to the test.
It was at this point that the being gave Nightshade his control back, and he was able to move out of the shadows and onto the Electopian border. It is at this point that the sphere is able to float away from Nightshade, instantaneously withdrawing the amazing power he felt within his grasp. His shadow helm melted back into the power around the sphere as it floated away.
In response to the story you told me, I have but two. For the first: Fighting only has one purpose, no matter how you put it: To win something over the victor. Good and Evil are subjective to the world. A wolf cares not how it fights over territory - it understands only that it needs that territory to survive.
Therefore, the only fight that can be truly evil and wrong is a fight without meaning.
For the second: Power also only has one purpose, no matter how you put it: To enable you to fight more efficiently, or to end fights before they begin simply by being better armed. So long as that power comes from a source that is not your own, you are never truly in control of that power, and your power will never be tempered if you rely on that power alone.
The sphere crackled with energy, suddenly, releasing a massive wave of power that pulsated from its core. A large, dark expanse opened up underneath it, as the globe turned about once more, sinking beneath the depths of the dark void that it opened. I thank you for bringing me to my location of request. Through your efforts, I have crossed a boundary across dimensions and time, and now have a footing to enter your world.
The power I have to bestow upon you that I promised, the power that would shape the world, turn your tide, is this:
The voice suddenly stopped booming from Nightshade's head, as a figure rose from the depths of the void . . .
He stands before Nightshade, a power from another world, and he radiates a force unlike anything Nightshade could describe. The piercing gaze of purple eyes from behind his visor seemed to drain the very heat out of the air around him, and he radiated a presence that made Nightshade reluctant to approach him.
"I am not Hadesun, or Hades. I am Burai. I come to your world in search for things that my world no longer possesses . . . I have nothing that I wish to give you, other than knowledge.
"You have been a useful pawn in my plan. For that, this once, you may walk away unharmed. The advice I gave you was genuine; as was the power that you tasted. I am a herald of the Murian people. Stand in my way, and I will strike you down. Spread that message, as far as you so desire," Burai instructs, as he turns. Holding out his hand of purple flame, he absorbed the essence of the void he left in the Net before him, glancing around for a moment.
"This world . . . is called the Net? It shares similarities with the Wave World. By that, I mean there should be an access point to the real world nearby - but your kind cannot enter there. There is a divide between the two worlds, although yours can still heavily impact the other, and vice versa. You allowing me free passage through your knowledge was quite helpful, Nightshade. I know much of your world that was once just conjecture.
"Oh, I just remembered," Burai suddenly paused, as though recalling something from a thing long past, as he turned to look back at Nightshade. "Your purpose intrigued me, so I delved through your memories through our connection. If you do nothing to halt me, and I can complete my goals, I will ensure that your lost pet is returned to you. Do everything in your power to ensure I can have what I want, and I can promise that to you."
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 1, 2020 20:57:21 GMT -8
"A fight without meaning..." Nightshade mubled as he mulled over what the figure told him. Sure he wasn't exactly wrong, then again he had already experienced what he was telling him. He relied on those Beast Powers to carry him through. They failed him. But if he couldn't look outside for a way to gain power then where was he supposed to look?
A power of his own...well...maybe he could find a way to make the beast's power his own. Who knows.
The guy in front of him was weird. What could he possibly need to find in the real world? He then followed with the whole "I let you live" speech Nightshade heard one too many times. At least he was considerate enough to not try and dispose of him right after he served his purpose. He even offered to bring back Inori if he helped him.
Well as far as "bad guys" go, Burai was certainly the nicest. Though Nightshade could not know if he would follow through with his kindness.
"Well, I don't really know if it'spossible to bring someone back once they have ceased to exist nor would I want to meddle with the dead, but its the thought that counts I guess. Besides, the past is the past. Dwelling too much on it would just drive me crazy. I learned my lesson, but for now I want to look forward on what I can do in the present time.
By the way...as you said yourself, I can't cross over to the real world, so I wouldn't really be able to help your search there either. I do not wish to stand against you either, though. No reason to so far." He answered, still going over the fact that 18 whole worlds just poofed themselves. In all honesty, his world wasnt far off that deep end either.
"Though I have really nothing to lose. My beast powers are gone, the world wants me dead and everyone I cared for died or turned on me. I guess it's worth a shot at least." Was he about sign a contact with the devil? Only time would tell. Besides, he didn't need to blindly follow the guy.
"Though you shouldn't have that much of a problem with that shadowy power of yours, I'll see if I can help you...provided that doesn't interfere with my own agenda. To be honest, I am quite tired of being a pawn. With you it'd be the fifth time. Thanks, no thanks." Nightshade would add. "If you want my help that's fine, I can see what I can do as long as it doesn't interfere with my own purpose and plans. Though as I said, I am tired of working for free or with the promise of things. I want something tangible for my efforts right here and now.
You want my help, you gotta teach me how to do that cool shadowy thing. No lending power, I wanna be able to do it on my own without external help. If this doesn't work for you, I am sure you can find someone else here who can do your bidding. There's not alot of people left, but hey you'll manage. You are a interdimensional being after all. You can work something out."
That were his terms. Was he crazy enough to make demands to someone capable of wiping the floor with him? Yes. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Besides, talking and inteacting with powerful beings was something he was very accustomed to, seeing as he was a magnet for those kinda people. Once you do it enough times, you kinda just accept the fact that you might as well be dead right there and just get on with it.
If Burai would humor him, great. If not, well, the original deal had been fulfilled so the two could happily go their separate ways and nothing of value would be lost.
"Oh ehm. One last thing. You do better keep a low profile, if you get deleted for any reason you simply cease to exist. There is also one guy around here, a guy much much stronger than you that you reaaaally don't want to cross paths with." He stated. "His name's Forte.exe and he's pretty much the exception to your rule. He spent centuries stealing and ammasing different powers and abilities for himself. He'll probably will try to gnaw on your cool shadow power if he gets the chance."
Well so...there's that. What now? Were they going to stare at eachother for much longer?
"So I guess this is a goodbye for now? Unless you wanna consider my offer. I do hope you find what you are looking for though, less you end up like me wandering the ruins in search for scraps all the time. It's not a good life trust me on that, but sometimes you gotta play the hand you're dealt. Even if it isn't good."
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Post by Gaia on Jul 2, 2020 6:37:34 GMT -8
Burai had learned much about Nightshade in a small span of time, and it was a small miracle the cat-like being at least stayed silent long enough to hear his spiel before giving his own. An interesting dilemma it must be, to suddenly have an unknown being of unknown origins before you. It reminded him of Earth's response when the FMians invaded.
He misunderstood his offer, but, that was just as well, as it led to a more useful understanding. This individual apparently wasn't all too concerned about an interdimensional being appearing in their world, because, as he put it, he had no real reason to stand against him. Hearing Nightshade mull over his options and the possibility gave him more time to glance around the 'Network,' marveling at the similarities between this world and the Wave World. As an EM Being, he could traverse easily here, but the technology was a bit off from what his form is used to. He kept shifting his frequency, trying to find just the right wavelength, which inevitably caused his footing to shift as he tried to find proper grounding. This wasn't his first time inside of a Net-Based Cybercore; his world still had old servers containing metadata for purposes of remembering what once was, and, yet, this technology seemed more advanced than he remembered.
His attention was brought back when Nightshade mentioned him needing help, which instantly caught his eye and brought his stern, heat-sapping gaze back up. It was in that moment that an intense presence radiated off of him, a sort of field of isolation, supreme and paramount loneliness.
"Do not misunderstand. I am more than capable on my own - it would just be less of a nuisance if neither you nor anyone else stood in my way
"You also demand much for someone who just declared they can provide very little. The power of the gods was something I let you taste simply to prove a point, and to get you moving. It bore the fruits I expected it to, as did selecting you from the crowd. The only one present uncertain of their own abilities, I knew you would race to where I commanded without question. Your unique search after this being that gives you your "beast powers" makes you something I despise, so consider the tangible reward for your efforts the right to continue standing in my presence without me striking you down; the power of the Murian Gods cannot be taught, and I have no intentions of bestowing that right upon someone so unworthy."
He was intrigued, however, by the notion of some being that Nightshade felt was incredibly powerful, as well as this phenomena that apparently made combat on this side far more dangerous. There were listings of this Forte in the Satellite Archives, but deletion was hardly ever permanent based on what he had read before. He had only one enemy that he ever truly crossed paths with in a dangerous bout, but the two of them always stalemated. If this world was more dangerous, as Nightshade promised, he might actually have a little competition. More to learn, more to acquire, and more opportunities to test himself against and foster a power greater than his accursed Link Power. 5That alone was worth the journey.
Burai turned away from Nightshade, here, glancing out across the expanse as he thought once again about the people that had gathered around his access point. Furrowing his brow, he looked around the area again, realizing they were definitely not at the heart of a city. "Those people, earlier - the Knights and that girl in the suit - they were both military or police of some capacity, were they not?
"I told you to take me to Element City. I thought you would've had a path to take me directly there, but instead I materialized a good ways from it. If you wish to be useful one last time, you can properly take me to my destination of request. If I am correct, we should have a trap waiting for a certain mouse."
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Post by Nightshade on Jul 2, 2020 8:12:25 GMT -8
"Reaaaaally now? You know how many times I heard that phrase?" Nightshade quipped, hands on hips and tail swinging above ground as he leaned closer to the guy. Different universes, but in the end some things just remained the same.
"How easy you forsake your ideals when it suits your convenience, then again, we all have some hypocrisy in us. No one is perfect, not even people from other worlds it seems. Having met my share of people of the "I am a strong dude" club though, I can say being a dick to others seems to be par of the course no matter what universe you're in." The cat navi stated with a shrug and a shake of his head.
"We pretty much confirmed you're (currently) stronger than me. You can mop the floor with me and yadda yadda you're not really proving anything to anyone. You know that I know that. Since we both know that, would it REALLY hurt you to like...I dunno. Ask nicely? Do you strong people get something out of manipulating others? Is that like...a kink or like a prerequisite to be a badass?" He added, obviously playing with fire, but at that point, the cat's memories pretty much explained the amount of chaotic neutral energy radiating off his behaviour. Showing he was scared or submissive wouldn't really help his situation either, in all honesty.
If he really went out, then he wanted to poof out of existence with a grin on his face. Maybe he had indeed gone crazy, but he had stopped questioning himself a looong time ago. Besides, at this point it was a game. He was openly challenging his own fate, who seemed so happy to thrust him into the hands of titans all day every day and twice on Sundays.
If the gods above pulling strings gave in and killed him, Nightshade won. And he knew they knew that >:)
"You can spin it how you want, but riddle me this: how is leaning on a god's strenght any different from what I am trying to do? In the end it is still technically NOT your own power. At least you didn't get your arm chewed off of ya I guess." He would comment, walking a circle around the alien to further inspect him. He certainly wasn't a navi. He could read that much into it. He had a weird buzzing aura thingy that kinda interfered with his already bugged code, and that was saying something. He could sense some kind of pressure coming off of the guy, but he was simply unable to process what it was. "Aaah forget it. I'm not really here to discuss philosophy with an alien on a multiuniversal crusade. Unworthy sinner as I may be, power is just power. Can't fault me for wanting to be better."
Then, out of the blue, the guy did something Nightshade did not expect. He actually asked if he wanted to tag along for the rest of the way to the ruins of Element city and did so in a less "waaagh imma murder you" way. "Uh, I guess that is as best as I am gonna get. Could still be improved upon, maybe add a smile or a please next time but hey so it wasn't that hard then. But sure I'll help ya. Honestly, at this point I am really curious to know who will be showing up when we get there. Nero? Magnolia? Blues? Oooh ooh. My bet is on Rosso. He's been awfully tame lately." He answered, hopping a few steps forward and motioning for the Murian to follow, then he also waved his hand to show the still smoldering ruins of the city they were about to delve into. "Welcome to the 26th millennium mr.Alien, where the world is fliped an everyone is out to get you. Make yourself at home." He stated with a cheeky grin, flipping around and starting to walk.
"Oh right, almost forgot. The knighty dudes and the spandex girl. You would be correct. In this world, each zone has his own enforcers. The place we come from, those knights are cops. The lady, Feint, is instead an agent from Netopia and works for the Netopian Investigation Agency, NIA in short. Where we are headed? Same thing, different name: ONB-Official Netbattlers. Lucky for you though, most of them are dead! You can thank Rosso for that one. In short, where we are headed is kind of a lawless wasteland, where you gotta watch your own back. Just the place for you yeah? Though as I said, it's Forte you need to be wary of. Trust me when I say it. Compared to him, you are nothing. I would know. I met him twice."
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Post by Gaia on Jul 2, 2020 9:47:59 GMT -8
Burai may have had time to discuss philosophy with the cat being, but, based on his current analysis, he didn't think the individual would understand him.
Still, he had a few responses to Nightshade's quips, that he responded to as they came.
"My strength is not the matter. My skill and knowledge is what has always separated me from those with natural power. For all my bluster, however, I at least have the decency to not use foul language," Burai quipped back on his notes about the 'strong guy club.' "I threatened you and showed you my power - I never once presumed that you were not a being to be reckoned with. Analyzing power is difficult at the time, so, thank you at least for clarifying that you feel as though you are on the bottom of the totem pole.
"Aside from your assertion that I need help, you have not done much to grossly offend me, so, I will provide you this advice. Perhaps it will make our next meeting less insufferable: Do not confuse curtness and confidence with arrogance and pride. I am aware of the respect I deserve, regardless of to whom I speak - you could learn a thing or two, rather than scrounging around on the floor like a cockroach waiting to be smushed. If you want someone to treat you with respect, start acting like you deserve it.
"The power of the gods that I bare is just that: A power. I do not lean upon it. I know that I am not the strongest person in this sea of power - I have done my research, although my knowledge is based on a different time. My skill and prowess should suffice to allow me to keep up, but the power that they possessed will assist in keeping battles shorter, and allow me to get to my goals faster. It is a tool, and, by definition, makes work easier - it is not a crutch, which, by definition, would make work impossible without. How you view the power of these "cybeasts" you chase after makes it a crutch. That is the difference between my use of their power and your need of theirs."
Burai turns away from him to once again gaze across the expanse, not worrying about Nightshade's circling bouts to study him further. He recognized a few of the names Nightshade stated about the trap that he expected, but most of them were entirely foreign to him. The world about him was intriguing, and he wanted to study this side a bit more before he worried about leaving over the other side.
"If what you say is true, then, I am looking forward to it. Let all who may come. It will be a good learning experience.
"I expect you can lead the way, then?"
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