|
Post by Genesis on May 14, 2021 15:40:30 GMT -8
*It was pretty clear when he was able to come in this close to the Sky Tower that whoever used to keep them out and make them climb it the long way was out of the picture. They arrived, but not exactly where he had chosen to do so. Even seeing the wings depart let him know it could have been that he missed his mark due to Sirius, but he could also see the hole up in the air. He had got them in next to the stairs that led up to here, but not in the center of the area itself. He'd address that in a moment because that was far from his biggest concern right now as he was still digesting what he learned from Burai on their trip here. The human world was being basically treated as if it were another test subject under the scope by Immortalis, making the consequences extend to both sides of their worlds be it real or otherwise. What was their endgame here and what could be done about it? If they took one wrong step and the real world took a fatal blow in return for this then they lost the battle regardless... ordinarily, anyway. With how little influence the human world was beginning to show over their world made it almost plausible to begin assuming otherwise. He'd keep that to himself as well as if he made that known knowledge then many who had a reason to fight no longer would have one against the new threat. The list of things he had to keep to himself just kept on growing, didn't it? And the ghosts that Burai managed to see, the experiments that took place... it was vague enough where it was difficult to discern who was used to do the deeds in question as well. It no doubt was at least in Rosso's league, and yet...*
"It's hard to see where this ends. It's on such a large scale and shows plenty of preparation, but their goal isn't visible. Reprogamming the human world and the cyber world, eliminating all the higher powers, using many of them for themselves while also being willing to part with those very same powers..."
*It was clear that at the very least they had it in for power in general, but to what end? To usurp their position? Unlikely. They weren't at all that interested in domination in his eyes. Those sorts of megalomaniacs usually voiced as such by now. And this wasn't just some wanton destruction with an aimless cause either. He'd be lying if he said he didn't care for what this all meant in the end, because knowing a goal made it easier to prevent it. But at the same time not knowing their angle made it difficult for others to consider them a force worth fighting. That was another point of interest: why attack on such a broad scale? It was pretty easy to slip through cracks in these parts: attack here and there, announce yourself somewhat, many would ignore the call to arms in favor of it being considered a threat that could be taken care of. Why go out of their way to antagonize all the organizations and higher powers? They were blatantly picking a fight with as many individuals as they could at once.*
"They've already made contact with Sirius too. With how grandiose he makes himself sound, it at least makes it clear that all of this is a stepping stone for him. It's going to weigh on my mind that I can't just let him treat our world as some big lab rat, even if that's already the case by our own doing. But I can't afford to stay too distracted by it. Besides, I think we have a guest who was waiting for us."
*It would bother him to just let it go, so he wouldn't. It was still on the backburner because Sirius had to be taken care of. And the other matter that he brought up just now as well: as he noted, the owner was out right now. So why had his jump not taken him straight to the top? ...Someone was expecting them and had cut them off ahead of time? He didn't feel anything, so for certain this one was with Immortalis rather than one of the Murians being thrown into their world after them. That or the one lurking about was good at masking themselves, which was equally annoying but at least something he was well accustomed to. They didn't have any time to lose anyway.*
|
|
|
Post by Zane on May 20, 2021 1:28:39 GMT -8
It was just as he proclaimed it, as something seemed to phase out of thin air in front of the rift between as it hovered down and fully took form after. It was what appeared to be a woman from the physique with flowing red hair, a black binding over her eyes and mouth as she was wreathed in all black, her arms bound as well. One would be left to wonder how she could know their presence was here, but from her back lifted up what appeared to be moving chains, red symbols appearing on the various bindings that were on her. She did not act, nor did she say anything to those that she was standing in front of. Entirely unlike what the others had met before, there was nothing that made itself readily apparent to them.
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on May 20, 2021 17:18:31 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/728347473344725113/113~png
He didn't notice their failure to reach the top, and just assumed that Xion came slightly off target. He, too, saw the wings as they departed, wondering what had been present here to attract Sirius' attention. His presence was already quickly moving throughout this world, which meant he was entirely unaware of it beforehand.
He really would have to bear the weight of another apocalypse if he wasn't careful.
Xion's responses to his story were to be expected, and yet, he couldn't help but agree that there was much to be left uncovered. They simply didn't know enough of where they came from, or their end goals, to properly combat this problem - a problem that he unintentionally worsened, and now interfered with his own plans. He'd never intended to be a problem this world would have to contend with.
Burai had also never intended to be caught in this world's endeavors, and yet he had no choice but to contend with him, as well.
"If they've been making contact with Sirius, so much so that Sirius would deign to use Immortalis as a mouth piece, then I'm going to wager that their influence goes far beyond your world. I told you that it was evident that these individuals came to your world from beyond - if Sirius is interested in something else on the way here, then it is something wholely new in the expanse of space.
"They're treating your whole reality like a petri dish."
As they touched down, Burai looked up at the great Sky Tower, but only got to enjoy its vantage point for a moment before a new figure stepped out from the void in the Net.
His abilities to analyze information were already being enhanced by Le Mu's presence within Laplace, getting a much finer reading on everything around him, but he had honestly quickly suppressed that power - it had almost been overwhelming, how much information She allowed him to glean from the making of things. He focused it on this new arrival, now, wondering what he could get of her, before he pulled a large broad sword from his hand - a sword he had yet to wield thus far, unable to pull Laplace quite yet.
"We're on a strict timeline, so either get out of the way or I'll remove you." It was a simple enough statement, but he knew he had what it took to back it up.
|
|
|
Post by Genesis on May 21, 2021 1:17:57 GMT -8
*That about added up all too well that their reality was essentially just a stepping stone. What a wild imagination they must have been possessed of to take things quite that far. It would be good if they were going about this with just a haphazard guess as to what they could accomplish, but they had spent many years in preparation for this, centuries even. With that small eternity in the eyes of many under their belts they picked this time because it lined up with their expectations and what they could accomplish. How to prevail in such a situation was going to be such a pain when they had nothing of precedence to base their experiences off of. Before all of that was the new arrival here, something he would have brushed off originally if he was still in a hurry. Instead he took the sight in and gave a moment of pause, his eyes narrowing as rather than prepare for combat as Burai had, it was clear that for the first time since Burai had met him that there was an uncertainty about him. Because while it was unfamiliar, there was something far too uncannily familiar here that was disturbing him. One that he couldn't ignore no matter how hard he would try to do so.*
"...Who are you?"
|
|
|
Post by Zane on May 21, 2021 13:42:28 GMT -8
For one of the first times going forward thus far, Burai's reading was at least able to tell him what this was before him. It wasn't an EM Being that he was staring at, but one that had a Navi as a baseline. A fairly advanced one at that, but beyond the ken of the Great Maker. As if they were two wholly incompatible beings that denied the understanding of one another, she merely tilted her head at both of their words. She neither answered Xion's question nor budged at Burai's statement. It wasn't without answer however, as there was one response that she offered after a small moment of time: tapping her foot on the floor.
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on May 22, 2021 12:51:14 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/728347473344725113/113~png
". . . Hpmh."
Xion seemed off-put by the thing's appearance, which was the only description Burai could give for it due to the fact that whatever it was seemed outside of the realm of Waves; which meant it wasn't digital, either. Whatever it was, it was forcing its existence within the Net all on its own.
Burai brandished the Mu Sword forward, dark energy curling up its length, intermingled with what little bit of the Great Being's power he could channel at this point. If he could delay this any, it would be more beneficial, but the longer he waited, the more time they lost in this whole endeavor.
". . . Begone!"
He arced the blade downward and swung it sideways, unleashing a wave of dark energy that curled off the edge and raced forward. The dark energy ripped through grass and stone alike atop the tower, and if it were to strike the mysterious interloper, would erupt into a cascading wave of dark power.
[Burai HP=18800/18800]
|
|
|
Post by Zane on May 22, 2021 13:27:35 GMT -8
She didn't move from her position, instead having the cords behind her move as it met the dark arc that came forth and clashed head on. The dark arc tore upward into the sky, eventually fading away as she stood her ground. She had stopped tapping her foot and tilting her head at least, but a well of power was clearly coming forth from her now. Burai's own instincts would begin to scream at this fount of power too, as if something was very wrong with what was about to occur sooner or later because of it. One's survival instinct when fight or flight came to mind, but thankfully still in her same sentry position.
Mobius Infinite Power, Finite Output. ° Preemptive Charges may be applied as desired ° All chargeable attacks are automatically charged once per turn ° One full-turn charged attack of choice is auto-charged once every Even Turn ° Charges are allowed to be held indefinitely when fully charged ° Triggered Auto Strikes have no interaction with this Giga Program
4 Preemptive Charges applied to Silence of Antiquity 2 Preemptive Charges applied to Silence of Noise
Full Turn Charge to Seal of Destruction.
[Fata HP=10,000/10,000]
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on May 22, 2021 15:28:46 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/748019205302910986/unknown~png
A dark coil sent his sonic boom into the air, having no effect on whatever this was. As her incredible fountain of power welled up, Burai felt the hair on the back of his neck rise, and an intense pressure rising within his chest, a sensation that something was terribly wrong at this moment in time.
Cold and calculating, then, were they? To strike while his weapon was resting, before he had fully resonated with that power he had strived to claim. He felt that incredible power, and knew within his heart somewhere that in order to stand against it, he would have to tap into a power he had already absorbed, and that he didn't need the Laplace blade to control. Not that it would give him much control of the matter - it, too, had a will to survive, and already his eyes were turning their signature red hue as the black energy coiling off of his body intermingled with the destructive red cloud.
". . . Take care of him, for me. Complete my purpose."
He didn't turn as he spoke his sentence, but Xion got the message as soon as an indicator informed him of a message that was sent to him. It had no topic, but there was an attachment. Burai hoped that this was a precaution that was terribly unnecessary, but, his senses were already leaving him. The last word from his mouth erupted into a cacophonous roar, which shrieked throughout the network. The quaking energy from his body culminated as the cloud of energy surrounded him, and Burai crouched down like a feral beast. Still wielding the Mu Sword in one hand, he suddenly lept forward, crimson energy and dark power roiling off of his body in tandem as he fought for his own survival. The power he radiated only came from the welling of his power, it seemed, as he tapped into an even deeper well of power held by the Crimson Dragon within.
[Crimson Access] - [Unstable] By far Burai's most powerful state, Burai accesses the incredible well of power he achieved by absorbing the remaining data left over from his rival's destruction of the Crimson Satellite. The power is supreme and grants an incredible control over bugged data, but is used at the expense of his soul. -- Burai's Main Element becomes Crimson Lv5. Crimson has double the normal effects of Bug Lv5, but the user is always immune to any negative effects produced by the element. Non-Crimson entities are always weak to Crimson damage. -- Grants access to the Skills: Noise Generator, Eminence, The Ultimate Material, Crimson Core, and The Ultimate Server. Modifies the effects of other skills. Grants access to the Attacks: Crimson Missile, Noise Burst, Meteor Grave Laser, and Jamming Blast. -- Stabilized Access: When activated willfully, Burai must accomplish ? each turn, or else become unstable. -- Unstabilized Access: When ? occurs in battle, or Burai fails to accomplish his goals while access is stabilized, Burai becomes Unstable. While Unstable, Burai is Berserk, and forcefully activates Indie Isolation and Laplace (if able). Burai becomes Stable again in 3 turns, or if defeated while Berserk. During any turn that Burai successfully inflicts damage equal to 50% or more of the target's max health before mitigations, Burai does not tick down this timer. During any turn that Burai lands an attack that would deal 200% or more of the target's max health in a single hit before mitigations, Burai's timer resets. -- This power can never coincide with a Divine Element.
[Special: Laplace cannot be accessed at this time]
[BuraiZZ HP=38,800/38,800]
Support:
[Crimson Σ] - Burai inflicts 500 Unavoidable Crimson Damage to all enemies. Increases by its base value each turn.
One Full-Turn charges applied to Burai Break. One full-turn charge applied to all attacks.
[Crimson Burst] x30 -- 16,635 Dark/Crimson S-Damage -- Released at 25% damage per attack slot used to charge attacks. Deals full damage on full-turn charges, instead. -- Hits All. If Hits: Successive hits deal +50% Damage. If avoided: Successive avoids require 1 additional avoidance.
|
|
|
Post by Genesis on May 22, 2021 17:15:37 GMT -8
*He didn't quite get the same feeling as Burai did in this instance, but he was well aware that things were not as they seemed. And from Burai's words and the empty message he also understood that this was even worse than it appeared to be. Which meant that now he had to keep his distance so that things didn't reach their worst outcome when they didn't need that to happen to them right now. So he would respond in kind and respect that his best condition would be fighting on his own.*
"Got it."
*So this time he used his darkness to form a set of wings on his back and kick back rather than try to go forward, moving to hover outside the range of the battle thanks to his awareness of what it looked like when Burai was attacking at his best, though not quite when he did so unhinged. And ideally Burai would make it out of this fight in better condition than either of them were expecting from here. But given their time of attack with their calculations, they had picked the most optimal time to attack like this.*
|
|
|
Post by Zane on Jun 5, 2021 13:02:27 GMT -8
It looked like he would be making his move in earnest now then. And as the Mu Sword with all of the power roiling behind it would come down, the chains moved this time as instead of ear-shattering thunder, a dull thud was all that erupted from the collision. It was far from grand and remarkably quiet, far too much so for the great power that he gained access to in his unstable state. But that would be the next sign that was even more telling for Burai after his attack was that he was all too aware of it. The feral display would dissipate and allow him complete control of himself as the great beast that would hold those reins would be silent. The sword he held felt like paper, the analysis he could usually use to predict was inert, and his reliable barrier and power was all silent. All of the power he was able to hold pride in was... gone, leaving him with only his own isolation to keep him afloat as the cords moved abruptly and swiftly, likely aiming to attack him in his even more vulnerable state. But instead all they did was touch him gently and aim to push him back to the position he had started at. Even without words it was plain to see what the message was as the chains moved back behind her. His instincts were still flaring up, letting him know that despite her gentle reminder she was all to prepared to see this through his way if he saw fit to continue trying.
Silence of Noise The power to silence Noise and Crimson alike, rendering it inert. For ? turns, all Noise and Crimson-related effects are negated and cannot be used. ?
Silence of Antiquity The power to silence Antiquity, rendering it inert. For ? turns, all EM-related effects are negated and cannot be used. ?
Full Turn Charge + Mobius to Seal of Destruction.
[Fata HP=10,000/10,000]
|
|
|
Post by Genesis on Jun 6, 2021 9:48:24 GMT -8
*To say the least, it was more than clear that they weren't even wrong to assume the worst was going to happen here. Because if this was going to be a fight, it wasn't going to share the definition of a fight at all. It was going to be akin to a slaughter if it was to be seen through to its conclusion. So this was another result of how thorough their research into the field was, was it? They must have gone even deeper than just their connections with the Murians to pull off such a feat. He wasn't as terribly influenced as Burai himself was, but he was more than aware of the implications of it. And the same could be said of the actions she took shortly after tipping that card off to him. While they were pressed for time, it was not as though Burai was unreasonable enough to not realize exactly what situation he was in, floating back down and placing a hand to his shoulder for emphasis.*
"Stand down, Burai. We'll do this their way for once. If they want us to wait, we can wait. They aren't impeding our overall progress, just preventing us from meeting them halfway. Otherwise she would be pressing her advantage yesterday."
*This would be a better outcome as well, as it meant that they wouldn't need to pass the torch. Make no mistakes that he would have done so if he had to, but it was better if he didn't have to do so. He was all for taking responsibility and he had enough of that as it was even without having to tack that one on to it.*
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Jun 6, 2021 16:30:34 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/748019205302910986/unknown~png
One pulse of energy brought the roaring within his skull to a complete stop. In an instant, the power of that mighty predator was quelled, the crimson roiling off of his body ceased, and his eyes reverted to their normal yellow hue.
He stood, confused as he regained his senses, standing in an animal-like state. Usually, that incredible power was only bested by beating it out of him, or waiting for it to pass. Whatever this was, whatever she had accomplished, she had quelled the power without confronting him directly. Another pulse of energy, and he felt his body quiver, as the energy sustaining him in his current form almost melted away. It was everything he had to force himself to remain stable and not simply disperse, or to lose his Waves altogether. Pushed away from the entrance, he watched as his legendary defense formed and broke away, his sword disintegrated into wave matter, and his birthright completely failed him.
Burai looked up at her, dumbfounded, and was only surprised more by the sensation of Xion's hand on his shoulder. Turning, he glared at Xion with an intensity that would have normally caused the Murian Rejection Barrier to shove him aside, but even that unique application of Loneliness Waves was useless, here. He was at least intelligent enough, as Xion presumed, to see where this was going.
He shrugged away Xion's hand, and brought himself to a slow stand. It wasn't unheard of - a power that stripped away Waves. Le Mu had that power, and he had even dealt with the likes of Dealer using it as a defense mechanism, before. He had never stood against it like this, though. He didn't seem at risk of losing his Wave form entirely, but all of its executive features were useless to him. Given the situation, he saw where this was going. ". . . Hmph. You're right. Standing in our way is bothersome, but it ultimately won't slow us down any more than to just wait for them."
Burai stepped farther away from the rift, just in case he was still too close, and glanced sidelong at Xion. With a simple command, he rerouted the contents of his previous message, and reclaimed what was his. Without Le Mu's power fully attuned, he wouldn't be able to press pass her advantage.
|
|
|
Post by Zane on Jun 7, 2021 11:28:57 GMT -8
With him backing down and neither making a move forward, she stayed her position and didn't approach them. Though while she was doing so she eventually had one of the cords move to get their attention, not because they had violated anything in particular for the space between them. Instead it was a sign that both would be able to recognize after the cord moved a bit more as a sort of distress signal. She had one of the chains move to then point at them, equating that they were in distress of some kind. It wasn't very clear on what kind of distress that happened to be since there was literally nothing wrong right now, but she did having the cord write very simple instructions in the floor for the two of them to clear the air for them through her silence.
'When the human arrives, take her and her collaborators with you. The Undernet is fine.'
|
|
|
Post by Genesis on Jun 7, 2021 11:59:06 GMT -8
*His eyes could show his smirk even if his face could not at Burai's reaction. It made sense he was temperamental with his isolation and all and now having to just be in the world like the rest of them. He was going to just take a seat and wait it out until he saw the cord move to get their attention and tilted his head ever so slightly at the end message. They were in danger of some kind? Not from her but from something else? Wouldn't it just be desirable to have them be caught up in the wake of the blast unknowingly instead then? Why tip them off in the first place? Well, maybe they were still fine with letting them continue their work toward Sirius was all that could mean. He would just leave it at that for now even if it was all too clear the picture had more to tell.*
"Adds up that they know Feint's on her way. Guess she picked up someone too, though collaborators instead of partners adds up with her quirkiness. If the Undernet is the safe zone that means everywhere else is the splash zone. We might want to go pick up your guest with the Moon Disaster. I can leave a copy behind here to fill her in and get us on the move and then have it just take care of the others on top of that."
*He'd know if it got destroyed by the woman here too or met other circumstances, but otherwise it was their best bet. He could imagine someone arguing against his logic, but again she could have pressed her advantage yesterday if the goal right now was just taking care of them.*
|
|
|
Post by Gaia on Jun 7, 2021 12:05:11 GMT -8
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/340189121500938240/748019205302910986/unknown~png
She stayed her position, but he could still feel that energy welling up within her. It didn't appear that the option existed for them to wait for her to lose that power and strike, then. He watched her chains moving towards them, uncertain if they were moving to destroy him regardless, but instead watched as they maneuvered through the air, trying to indicate danger.
So they weren't allowed to move forward, but to stay here was also dangerous? He narrowed his gaze, confused. "What . . . what nonsense are you getting at? One and the same with those that would besmirch the power of my culture, and willing to destroy us in our entirety if we were to stand against your current wishes, but also insistent on ensuring our safety? Everyone of you makes my blood boil."
He turns to Xion, considering their options anew. "I don't like this. There's more to this than meets the eye," he started, knowing he wouldn't have to explain it all to him. He listened to Xion's plan, mulling over the possibilities within his mind, and ultimately came to the same conclusion. "Hmph. The fool would probably wait to be destroyed just to see if he could survive and brag about it . . . we need to collect him. If you can handle the rest of them as they arrive, then I'll accompany to you to the Moon Disaster. I last detected his power somewhere near the city you call Element City, in the Electopia Network. He's taken a stadium as his stage."
|
|