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Post by Gaia on Mar 27, 2023 13:59:53 GMT -8
Hollow
Hollow beamed into Element City proper rather than use his wormholes to travel, unsure of just how much longer he would have before even his own natural methods would fail him. Traveling was becoming more and more dangerous, but he had come to the conclusion that, in the grand scheme of all things, he was perhaps less of a concern to the enemy forces than others, due to his typical complacency with non-violence unless it was shown he needed otherwise to survive.
Since the decision he made back in Netopia, Hollow had been rather twisted on a lot of matters, chief among them being the nature of the collapse of the Wave World. Only barely aware of the alternate realm that he originated from, he felt it as a grave loss of information to now be barred from it, to say nothing of the implications it had for their adversaries to be able to destroy it so simply. With its loss, he desired answers, and as desire was so fleeting for him, he chased after it once he recognized it.
Moving through the city, which was just barely managing to collect itself, he cast out his senses, speaking to the air, the ground, the trees, the very water that flowed, and asked it to show him the path to the resting place of another being of incredible elemental energy. Element City was a focal point of power, of that much could be sure, but, not too recently, it had become the final resting place of the legendary Life Virus, yet another individual that commanded the Elements supreme. He sought after wisdom in its power, even if it no longer mingled here, and wondered what other secrets he would find hiding within the ruins of the City should he continue to search.
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 14, 2023 12:06:03 GMT -8
...it would take a while, but eventually the winds, the water, the trees, and the very heat of the artificial sun above would offer themselves to Hollow, giving him direction... or perhaps leading another to him...?
Breaking into the light from a nearby alleyway, the form of a strange yet familiar Navi would walk into sight. Adorned in blue, armored plates that cover his body in a manner similar to a robe, the Navi has a very distinct design that strikes an instant feeling of kinship, as do a pair of void, yellow eyes that peer out from above a long, sharp protrusion that appears to be a stylized, metallic beard that juts forward. Above all of this, a distinct wizard hat with a red gem and two swept-back protrusions similar to his beard shades his blackened face with its wide brim, calling attention to the purple and black Navi symbols on his shoulders and his long arms that flare out like sleeves at the ends. Each arm terminates with red jewels where his hands should be to give an appearance similar to scepters or magic wants, adding even more to the mystical feeling that this Navi exudes; a kindred spirit.
It doesn't take long for the Navi to take note of Hollow, and turn his empty, yellow eyes to the Wizard, revealing no expression or visible change of demeanor as he does so.
MagicMan: Oh, perhaps I've stumbles upon someone interesting on my journeys?
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Post by Gaia on Apr 16, 2023 15:00:43 GMT -8
Hollow
The elements always made sense to Hollow. He could call them to him, shift them to his needs, even summon strange warriors he remembered nothing of connected to them. To follow after them as they pulled to him was as natural as following after a navi that could speak. As they pulled on him, though, it felt less like they were answering him directly, and more like they were speaking between two separate entities at once; the elements hummed with an excitement in the air, a connection between them and another that understood them just as well. Resonating with that energy was a familiar magic that Hollow recognized.
He turned the alleyway, and there he was. As emotionless yellow eyes met his own of the same, Hollow rotated toward him without really seeming to move. The mask over his face didn't waver in front of the dark red flames that made up his form, the two wizard-like beings sharing many similarities. The question had crossed his mind then, as well, whether or not Lady Vega had used this Wizard-like Navi as inspiration at all when designing him, or if the strange technologies she used to craft him simply had a mind all their own for his most optimal form. The question, like many others, had an answer that was lost to him, and while the wizard-like Navi seemed capable of feeling emotion, the notion was still very lost to Hollow, the true and first among man-made Wizards of the Wave World.
"I recognize you," Hollow said simply, an observation moreso than anything else. "You were in the temple that led us to Gigamerica, during the attack on Bayside," he continued. Detecting no imminent hostility from the wizard, Hollow remained the same, keeping his distance for the moment but considering him all the same. "I believe you work with the World 3? Why are you here?"
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 22, 2023 20:22:59 GMT -8
MagicMan reaches up with his wand-like hand and touches the brim of his hat, lowering his head slightly as he does so as if to acknowledge Hollow's words.
MagicMan: I am, and I'm here making sure that things are alright. Contrary to popular belief, the WWW is no longer about wanton destruction and chaos. We cause problems where we must, but we also work from the shadows to ensure that the net works as it should... and I've a feeling that working from the shadows is something that you may understand a bit more than some others.
MagicMan's eyes glow beneath the brim of his hat, seeming to glimmer at his words as he lowers his arm to rest at his side.
MagicMan: And what brings you to this beautiful city, hmm? Visiting a friend, perhaps? Out to do some shopping? Or perhaps you're searching for something?
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Post by Gaia on Apr 22, 2023 20:43:46 GMT -8
Hollow
A history lesson, then, from one ancient of the Net to another ancient? Hollow was by no means new to this world, and had wandered around the Net without purpose for centuries. He knew that the World 3 was more complex than a simple night-time terror story of ne'er-do-wells and fiends.
What did MagicMan know of him, then, to know that he was proficient in handling things behind the scenes? To know that he was content working from a place that no one saw him, but could feel his presence, and know that something was different because he had been there? How would MagicMan know that Hollow had spent years as the unseen and unflinching protector of a human woman, and, since then, had silently trudged the Net looking for purpose and finding it and himself devoid of it?
Perhaps, instead, MagicMan referred to the infamy that Hollow had gathered while Xion used his form and his name.
He considered MagicMan's words carefully, watching the Navi move with whimsy and intent, as he pondered that question, himself. He knew what he had come here to do, but what was he really here for? The two things did not align perfectly. His search for answers was connected to the powers that he wielded, but it was deeper than just that.
"Visiting a friend would suffice as a partial answer, although looking for something is more appropriate," Hollow answered simply, never for one moment taking his eyes off of the other. "Five centuries ago, my master and friend died. I have been searching ever since for something that held familiarity, purpose, or even importance to me. And yet, time has passed me by, and still, I feel nothing."
He held up one sleeve and tapped into the power of the elements, strange symbols forming into the air at his command as they transformed into interlocking cogs and the hands of a clock. "An individual I chose to trust has revealed to me that the situation is not all that I remember it to be. There are questions I have no means to answer, and memories that do not align with my observations. This . . . confuses me, if such a term is accurate for my emotional capabilities."
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 22, 2023 21:22:01 GMT -8
MagicMan's eyes narrow as he looks Hollow over, hearing out his short explanation without interrupting. However, once Hollow finishes speaking, a single Virus with a strange sigil glowing within its shadow appears beside MagicMan; a Scuttlest, pearly white and shining in the shadows of the alleyway like daylight. MagicMan looks to it, communicating wordlessly for a moment before turning back to the one before him.
MagicMan: Indeed... I sympathize with your story, and understand your plight. The truth can be a harsh thing to face, especially when it doesn't line up with what you believe...
MagicMan holds up both of his want-like arms and points them towards Hollow, causing a bright blue, almost spectral flame to take form between them. A flame that casts an eerie, blue light on his body that is still dwarfed by the glint of his eyes.
MagicMan: For example; whether your memories are true or not, I can divine one absolute fact about the true nature of your past....
MagicMan releases the flame, returning his arms to his sides as he does so
MagicMan: Old though you may be, I am older still; a member of the original line of Navis to exist on this net, and your design and powers are unmistakable to me. The viral data within you calls out to me, your power as a summoner beckons to my soul... and your elemental power speaks to mine. Just as lightning and flame are kin, I can guarantee that all that you are was based on my own design
MagicMan once again puts the edge of his wand-hand on the brim of his hat, looking to Hollow from beneath.
MagicMan: You are a child of my design, one made after my own likeness.
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Post by Gaia on Apr 22, 2023 21:52:00 GMT -8
Hollow
Hollow noticed the little creature that appeared in MagicMan's shadow, recognizing the Scuttlest, one of the pets of the Life Virus that he had been searching for just a second ago. While he considered talking about it, he let it go for the time being, and instead listened to MagicMan's words.
He looked at the flame that MagicMan produced, feeling the energies pulled from it and realized that MagicMan was comparing himself to Hollow. Hollow was unsure what he thought of this observation, having made it now twice himself, but knew that he had little care for MagicMan's performance, and he cared even less for the presumption that could perhaps be held that he owed MagicMan anything.
Hollow released a pulse of energy from him that darkened the space between them, a dark expanse engulfing the flame entirely. He narrowed his gaze at MagicMan as the flame was snuffed out, and simply shook his head, the first movement he had made since he had found MagicMan. "A possible observation. Perhaps it is more apt to say that we were both designed from the same root, and our similarities are due to variance and circumstance aligning, rather than causality and intent.
"You and I cannot be of the same design, for I was designed by something entirely differently than you. You, a Navi, are made of 0s and 1s, and strict lines of code. Myself? A language so different that my data file appears entirely empty; thus, Hollow." Hollow drifted closer to MagicMan, his eyes unchanging, but the difference between their designs becoming more evident, as Hollow channeled a a darkness quite unlike what MagicMan possessed.
"Do you know anything about the Murian people? About Dr. Orihime Vega's work? She designed my form. Do you say she was without imagination, and had to steal from your creators'?"
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 23, 2023 8:04:59 GMT -8
MagicMan is unphased at Hollow's return show, instead... laughing under his breath at Hollow's insinuations.
MagicMan: Perhaps it is just speculation on my part, perhaps you're right and this is just a mere coincidence set in motion by similar designs. Perhaps we are unrelated despite what I've said today... but wouldn't that be so terribly sad for you if that was the case?
MagicMan raises one of his arms, and soon the book constantly attached to his back, the Tome of Cheating, detaches itself and moves before him. Without paying it heed, it begins to flip page after page, one at a time as MagicMan continues to speak.
MagicMan: You see, while I am no expert in the Murians or Dr.Vega's work, I am familiar enough with it. But you miss my point entirely; I'm not blaming your dear doctor of plagiarism, rather utilizing the same design for a reason...
MagicMan's eyes shine, looking past the pages of the Tome of Cheating as he speaks to Hollow.
MagicMan: ...a purpose.
MagicMan's eyes fall back to the book as he continues to flip the pages one by one, casually scanning its pages while he speaks.
MagicMan: You see, our design is not one made by mistake, my friend. We are designed not only to be, but to do
From the pages of the Tome of Cheating rise four programs; each a small orb with a tiny bit of data orbiting it at a diagonal slant. Red, blue, yellow, and green, the orbs take their place to box in Hollow and MagicMan where they hover in silence.
MagicMan: Why do you think that you have an affinity for viral data and the elements themselves? Do you honestly believe that your design was a mere fluke? No, the fact that you're here with me now tells me that you are designed for so much more, my friend. You were created...
The four programs speed from their position and collide with one another directly above the Tome of Cheating, and in a flash they disappear. In their wake, a small, black orb takes form with a smouldering purple core, orbited by multiple smaller programs. The malevolent program gives off terrifying power, as the Tome of Cheating at last turns itself towards Hollow, revealing in its pages the programs that he'd just seen, the one that hovers before him now, and a picture of an absolute the center.... a picture of the Life Virus.
MagicMan: ....for destiny.
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Post by Gaia on Apr 23, 2023 11:35:14 GMT -8
Hollow
So terribly sad, were it, if Hollow and MagicMan were not two of the same cloth? Why would it be so, Hollow wondered to himself. Was it because MagicMan assumed that relation, and connection, was what Hollow was chasing after? Hollow didn't know, truth be told, but he knew he did not feel sad at the thought of not being related to MagicMan.
MagicMan continued his game of show and tell, trying to convince him that he had divined the purpose of Hollow's creation beyond just the needs of his master, but what destiny itself had in store for him. The power of the four elemental programs, wielded by the Life Virus, amalgamated together into the core that MagicMan showed to him . . . Hollow had just been seeking out this power, and for it present itself here without him explaining his intent, he found it intriguing, to be sure.
He stood unflinching and unchanging at the power that was displayed, the incredible energy not phasing him. MagicMan presumed that he was designed to somehow relate to the Life Virus, but Hollow's affinity to viral data was of a different caliber entirely. He controlled a specific group of entities, could summon them to his command, and make them do as he pleased, and they were nothing like the viruses that the Net possessed. Still . . . the power of the Life Virus may have something to show him for all its similarities.
"You believe this enigma, destiny, if it would apply at all, would apply to creatures such as you and I that are artificial, without natural souls? An interesting hypothesis.
"What would you postulate, then? That I am capable of contending with it? Controlling it? Even mastering its power in its absence? Why allow me to do such things, if we share such a margin of similarity? Why not go after it yourself?
"I have difficulty following your intention, as well. The Life Virus has already been deleted, according to the public archive. It fell during the attack on New Life, just days ago. Even if destiny did have plans for either you or I to manage the Life Virus, someone else beat us to it."
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 23, 2023 11:57:27 GMT -8
MagicMan once again laughs under his breath, amused at Hollow's displayed lack of understanding of his inferences.
MagicMan: Not everything is so overt, my friend. I'm not saying that you are here to carry the symbol of World 3's revelation. Rather, I'm telling you that you likely have the power to carry and harness so much more than you do now. That within you lies the potential to do great and terrible, should you so desire, things. Untapped potential, and fortune not yet obtained. You analyze much, but miss so much more as you do so. For example; your statement is correct. The Life Virus was indeed destroyed... or rather, the first Life Virus was...
The page on the Tome of Cheating turns again, and the black orb suddenly shifts to bright blue and purple. And holding it is the visage of a demonic, red creature that wraps its entire being around the newly reformed core, seeming to stare at Hollow with a snarling expression and vacant eyes while holding greedily onto this otherworldly orb. As the page of the Tome of Cheating rests, it shows the Life Virus, but transformed; darker, more jagged, and with hands mutated and doubled, each arm ending in two hands that face one another palm-to-palm.
MagicMan: ....but that was neither the only Life Virus nor the greatest Life Virus. Vastly superior in every way; I give you the Life Virus R
The book closes and returns to its original place, the core disappears, and soon MagicMan returns his want-like hand to the brim of his hat, laughing under his breath as he does so.
MagicMan: Protection, destruction... they're meaningless sentiments without power, my friend. And where the door to one source of power may close, another will always open. Find your power, and then your path will make itself clear.
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Post by Gaia on Apr 23, 2023 12:32:39 GMT -8
Hollow
MagicMan seems to be trying valiantly to convince Hollow of something, and Hollow still is unsure of his intentions in it all. A message of inspiration, to be sure, or perhaps a Navi just wishing to ensure that another being did not hide themselves in the shadows when the world needed them most? Hollow still couldn't determine it.
Hollow knew he was capable, and capable of so much more than what he presented, or even what he had accomplished so far. What MagicMan showed him to make his point was the evolved form of the Life Virus . . . that even a creature such as it had more power to possess. He narrowed his gaze at MagicMan's correlation between power and purpose, of the importance that power had to accomplish a purpose. Form and function had a direct correlation, to be sure, but what of that is true between power and purpose?
MagicMan was at least right on one thing. Hollow was a literal being, designed with astute senses to make direct observations. He had considered how it hindered him, but knew he had little power to change that of himself.
"Power does not lead to purpose. Power is nothing more than an enabler, and as history has taught us, power is not a deterrent to opposition, but rather its encouragement. Power leads to challenge, challenge incites conflict, and conflict breeds ruins. Where there is no challenge, it instead leads to corruption."
He made a clear and concise observation of the role of power in their world, and, yet, he did not turn away from MagicMan, nor did he take his mind off of the power of the Life Virus R that he had been shown.
". . . Do you intend to show me the Life Virus R, then? Point me in a direction to find my power, as you put it? Or simply attempt to encourage me to use the power I already have for something I have no knowledge of how to begin?"
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Post by Raven8 on Apr 24, 2023 17:32:58 GMT -8
In response to Hollow, MagicMan simply laughs under his breath, lowering his arm and shaking his head in response to Hollow.
MagicMan: Wise words when written on paper, but in practice they don't always go as you may believe. There is far more to power than you seem to understand...
With that, MagicMan turns his back to Hollow, once again laughing as he does so.
MagicMan: I don't see any need for something along those lines; doing so will only lead to conflict, after all. Be seeing you.
An ethereal blue flame rises and engulfs MagicMan, hiding him from sight before receding, revealing the mystic Navi and his summoned virus no longer in the area, with Hollow now alone.
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Post by Gaia on May 7, 2023 11:22:01 GMT -8
Hollow
With Hollow intractable, MagicMan seemed to lose his interest in guiding Hollow along in his little game and retreated. However, Hollow had already seen what he wanted - the power that he sought after was real, and from what he could tell, MagicMan held that power as his own.
He reached out a hand after the magician left, reaching out to his control of the powers that were foundational to the Net's existence. His connection to that power was given to him by a power more ancient than the Net itself, even if he were younger than MagicMan. Ancient symbols carved into the air at his command, the mastery of magic and power crafting them into interlocking gears and cogs as he tapped into a power, and turned back the clock, even temporal energy bending to his will. All magic had the same root, so while he was not incredibly proficient with it to use it offensively, simply this little bit, to study what he wished, should be easy.
He turned back the clock just until the ephemeral flame that MagicMan had used to depart was revealed to him. Leaving the gears and cogs floating in time where he had created them, Hollow floated forward, seemingly without moving at all, and analyzed the flame, wanting to find within its information where MagicMan had traveled to.
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Post by Raven8 on Nov 9, 2023 8:18:32 GMT -8
...except, Hollow would find something very peculiar in his attempt to rewind the data of the network. While everything rewound as expected, the flame from MagicMan's disappearance doesn't re-appear, and no information conveys itself from where he had been moments before. It's as if something on the net now denies Hollow the right to track the mystical Navi that had just been there moments before, denies him the right to peer past whatever curtain now falls before his very eyes.
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Post by Gaia on Apr 19, 2024 20:53:03 GMT -8
Hollow
As the results of his efforts came to him, Hollow contended with the Network behaving as though MagicMan had simply never been present. No response came from him, the first Wizard, and instead he about faced, considering his original plight now that this was an effective dead end.
He supposed that there was still one place that he had yet to travel to. A single, certain answer that he had been avoiding since he discovered it. A place where answers were bound to exist - the only thing of a life long behind him that he remembered.
Knowing that it was dangerous, Hollow risked what he had left of the Undimension, holding out his hand. The familiar eye flared to life on his palm as he accessed the extradimesional space, willing it to take him to a familiar place.
[Hollow -> Center of the Maze]
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