onewiththerevel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
onewiththerevel) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
nexus_crossings2018-05-05 10:43 am
onewiththerevel) wrote in nexus_crossings2018-05-05 10:43 am
Bringing in Spring with a worthy revel
[With the changing of seasons, many Nexus visitors are very happy to see the snow melt away and life returning to their beloved home. Spring is here!
It appears overnight: a large pantheon in the center of the Nexus forum, and once can only guess how such a great building was erected without anyone noticing. Atop the Patheon are two golden thrones, adorned with gemstones of great value. No one seems to be sitting there, but they seem to hold a great deal of importance to the cloaked humans who guard the Pantheon entrance.
The land in front of the Pantheon is paved with smooth, old stones in the shape of a large circle. Lush flowers and grass grown along the outskirts of the cropping, full of beautiful and exotic plants. Truly the host of this revel wants even nature to bend before their whim.
On the left and right sides of the sides of the circle are two long marble tables, where different food and drink await those who enter. Freshly cooked meat. Ripe fruits and unsullied wine. Whatever your heart desires, be it simple or sweet, you will be hard pressed to not find it on one of the tables. Near the tables is also a large group of tents, adorned with many plush chairs and sofas for those who like to relax while indulging.
The center of the circle has a large bonfire pit, carved of fine stone, lit with a brilliant (almost unearthly) red fire. Comforting to those seeking warmth or invigorating to the souls of the weary: it carries an important symbol for the revel: let your soul burn as hot as the flames inside. Which, to the satyr, it means that everyone present should be partying and indulging with one another. There seems to be plenty of space for dancing and socializing alike, whatever your preference may be.
The entrance into this festivity is monitored by a group of half-human, half-goat satyr. They don’t seem to be picky about who gets let in, assuming you’re not here to ruin the fun, but it would be wise to check it with them first. This is a masquerade-style party, so all of the guests need masks.
But there can’t be anything possible wrong with such a wonderful party, right? Perhaps things are not all as they seem….]
((Here's your OOC guide guide to this event. Post when you can as you like, no worries. Have fun!))
((The second half of the event is live link here Please read the OOC thread so you know the details!))
It appears overnight: a large pantheon in the center of the Nexus forum, and once can only guess how such a great building was erected without anyone noticing. Atop the Patheon are two golden thrones, adorned with gemstones of great value. No one seems to be sitting there, but they seem to hold a great deal of importance to the cloaked humans who guard the Pantheon entrance.
The land in front of the Pantheon is paved with smooth, old stones in the shape of a large circle. Lush flowers and grass grown along the outskirts of the cropping, full of beautiful and exotic plants. Truly the host of this revel wants even nature to bend before their whim.
On the left and right sides of the sides of the circle are two long marble tables, where different food and drink await those who enter. Freshly cooked meat. Ripe fruits and unsullied wine. Whatever your heart desires, be it simple or sweet, you will be hard pressed to not find it on one of the tables. Near the tables is also a large group of tents, adorned with many plush chairs and sofas for those who like to relax while indulging.
The center of the circle has a large bonfire pit, carved of fine stone, lit with a brilliant (almost unearthly) red fire. Comforting to those seeking warmth or invigorating to the souls of the weary: it carries an important symbol for the revel: let your soul burn as hot as the flames inside. Which, to the satyr, it means that everyone present should be partying and indulging with one another. There seems to be plenty of space for dancing and socializing alike, whatever your preference may be.
The entrance into this festivity is monitored by a group of half-human, half-goat satyr. They don’t seem to be picky about who gets let in, assuming you’re not here to ruin the fun, but it would be wise to check it with them first. This is a masquerade-style party, so all of the guests need masks.
But there can’t be anything possible wrong with such a wonderful party, right? Perhaps things are not all as they seem….]
((Here's your OOC guide guide to this event. Post when you can as you like, no worries. Have fun!))
((The second half of the event is live link here Please read the OOC thread so you know the details!))
no subject
Once everyone has connected, Jeff presses the button on the PINpoint, sending the group elsewhere...
And by elsewhere, it's a completely surreal world.
The PINpoint teleports everyone to the top of a mountain; the skyline above is painted a deep blue, full of pink and purple clouds, while stars twinkle above them. There doesn’t seem to be a sun or moon in the sky, but the area is lit up by some unseen force. Surrounding the group is a large circle of statues depicting the strongest legendary Pokemon of lore. In the center of the open shrine is a large statue of Arceus, which is staring down at those who dare set foot in this hallowed ground. The source of light and all power seems to stem from the statue.
Gengar can be seen waiting at the steps of the altar, and when he sees Jeff and company show up he floats over and...Wait, why is Jeff bleeding? The Ghost Pokemon seems upset, scrambling and pointing to the Arceus statue. It’s pretty clear that the mission was to get here without dying.
“Sorry Gengar...I kept you waiting…” Jeff seems to be playing off the fact that he’s been stabbed and is bleeding to death, even keeping up a friendly smile. Gengar gimes an unamused look to Caspar and Adia, while the other two Pokemon try to nudge the group forward.
no subject
"Legendary pokémon," Caspar murmurs. He's done his research. His gaze lands on the statue in the center. "That's Arceus," he tells Adia, who stares at the statue in fascination. She can feel its power from here, or at least the power of what it represents.
Looks like Caspar's memory of Madrone's words was more on the nose than he had assumed. He spots Gengar and gives the ghost pokémon an unamused look in return, not wanting a repeat of their previous interactions.
Watching Jeff try to put on a brave face for his pokémon breaks Adia's heart a little, and without further prompting, she approaches the center statue, not wanting to waste time. "What do I need to do?"
no subject
"You need to..." Saying this is merely a bluff, because Jeff just fears what will happen if Caspar knew that he has no idea how to get a Pokemon god to talk.
It seems like the altar react to Adia's presence when she steps into the middle of the room, the floor of the temple lights up and the statue somehow comes to life. The area glows with a warm light, as the celestial deity steps off the pedestal he was standing on.
"Humans. Thou are not permitted to step foot on this land, but I sense despair and trouble in your hearts." Telepathy is unfortunately the way Arceus speaks, which might bother someone in the room. The Pokemon rests his eyes of Jeff, then Adia. "One who is tainted by darkness, desiring light. Another is full of light, but cannot comprehend darkness. Thou are similar in this sense, kindred spirits who desire answers. Tell me what you desire, envoy of the moon."
no subject
This is not the first time that a god has communicated with Adia, but she is no less humble for the experience. Her gaze slowly rises from Arceus' gold hooves to his hooded, alien face, her heart light but her head full of confusion. What should she ask of The Original One? Is it presumptuous to request its help? What does it care of the Nexus?
"I..." She glances at Jeff briefly and clears her throat. "That is, we... we're here to request a blessing. There's a god of Chaos threatening a place called the Nexus. It's a crossroads of reality, and... well, it's not terribly stable on the best of days, and Nyarlahotep only wants to make it worse." She bites her lip, clearly worried for the future. "Many of your... people? Your creations. They call the Nexus home now. They could use your benevolence."
Think of the pokémon, Arceus. They don't deserve this.
no subject
"To defeat a God, you must wield the power of a God. Those of the moon shall bless your journey." As if on cue, the statues of Cresselia and Darkrai light up in a swirl of pink and black energy. Arceus takes a step backwards, and in a flash of white light, a scythe appears on the floor of the shrine. It carries a pink and blue aura, but the metal is dark like the night. Three dull-colored gemstones are embedded near the blade of the scythe.
"Reap the three corrupted essences from the disciples of Nyarlathotep: wisdom, emotion and willpower. Thou can then slay the God of Chaos with his own power. Whether you wield the weapon or pass it along to another soul, you must return here once Nyarlathotep has been slain, Adia Costas." He stares outward, eyes focusing on two statues: one of Dialga and one of Palkia. "Return to me with the completed weapon of the moon and I will bestow the power of time and creation to you."
What does that mean? There might not be that much time to question it, as Jeff falls to his knees quickly, losing his grip on Hydreigon's fur. His breathing is getting worse by the second...
no subject
Slowly, she bends down and take the scythe into her hands. She knows how to use one, but not to kill a God. At least Arceus gives her the option of passing that duty onto someone else. "I'll do my best," she says to the deity, bowing her head in a gesture of humility. She almost adds that she doesn't need any sort of powers in return, but thinks better of it, not wanting to offend his generosity.
Jeff collapses and she almost drops the scythe. She holds it in one hand while reaching out with the other, not quite touching him, biting her lip worriedly. "Jeff doesn't have much time," she says to Arceus. "We... we should take him somewhere."
Caspar, who had been entering the pokémon temple's coordinates into his PINpoint, looks over at Jeff and frowns. "The witch and that creepy kid are two of Nyarlahotep's disciples. Does that make you the third?"
no subject
"Thou wishes to perish is this place of sanctity. There is nothing that I can do to help one who was pierced by a cursed weapon." His eyes rest on Jeff solemnly. "You will die. It is inevitable."
Jeff just laughs a little, still wearing a smile on his face. "I've done a lot of bad things. It's finally time it all catches back up to me." From the mess of Pokemon fur, Jeff looks at Caspar calmly and without hesitation. "Nothing slips by you, does it, Caspar? Yes, she made me her pawn...years ago...but that's not important now. One of you needs to handle this, before time runs out."
no subject
The multiverse's judgement is final. No more miracles.
The scythe pulses gently with its pink and blue aura, as if understanding its purpose, but it takes a moment for Caspar and Jeff's words to catch up to her. When they do, her eyes widen anxiously. "No," she whispers. "No, I can't --"
"I can do it," Caspar says smoothly. The truth is, this isn't how he imagined taking out Jeff, and now that the opportunity is upon him, he feels no satisfaction. But he won't let the burden fall on Adia.
She nods reluctantly, but when she tries to offer Caspar the scythe, she feels it resist, a gentle tug on the back of her mind. She concentrates on that feeling, trying to suss out the source. "No, it... it needs me to do something else." Turning the staff in her hands, she points the blade at Jeff, but not in an intimidating manner, and focuses on the energy she feels within him, the energy that resonates within the scythe itself, letting it do what it was designed to do: harvest.
no subject
"Where's your pretty smile? Don't look so sad for me..." How can he still be smiling this entire time? Coming to terms is the only logical explanation. "Goodbye, Adia..." He closes his eyes, taking slow breaths of air while she points the scythe blade at his chest. The room grows dark, but the sensation is only something Adia can see or feel. Caspar and the other Pokemon are still there, but it feels like the space around Adia is different because she's wielding the scythe.
A glowing pink outline hovers over Jeff as the scythe pulses with blue, pink and yellow energy. Mesprit is holding a small orb in its hands, which is the harvested soul, no doubt. Without saying a word, the Pokemon gently places Jeff's soul onto the blade, where it vanishes in a sparkle of light.
Without being overwhelming, Adia might find herself catching the inner visions and emotions of her stalker. The memories of his life, as an outsider looking in. Curiosity of a young Jeff playing in the garden; the confusion of a young boy whose father and mother are yelling at him, while he cradles a bruise on his face. Loneliness experienced by a teenager while walking though the halls of his high school. Anger while staring at a torn up red doll, a knife grasped tightly in his adult hand.
Another blink. Mere seconds pass in the dark shrine.
Tranquility can be felt while staring out at the Nevada landscape full of horses as Jeff holds a cell phone in his hand. Happiness in walking the vibrant streets of Las Vegas, Josh Washington at his side. Despair, as a visibly distraught and crying Jeff sits on the edge of a hotel bathtub, staring down at a woman's dead body. Fear as Jeff stares out a destroyed Japanese city, clutching his PINpoint tightly in one hand, the shadow of Nyarlathotep can be seen in the distance.
Hope. The last emotion in the heart of a man who only wanted change.
A mere minute has passed since the harvest: the room is lit once more by the twilight skies that hover over the shrine. One of the gemstones on the scythe is no longer cloudy, replaced by a beautiful pink color, revealing the Rhodonite stone and all its glory. As for Jeff, well...the sad expression being worn by Hydreigon and Persian is enough to say something.
He's gone.
no subject
Keeping the scythe level, she doesn't move when it darkens around her. This is her task to complete. She does look up at the strange rabbit-like pokémon who harvests the soul, but says nothing to interrupt its work. She lets Jeff's memories and emotions wash over her, not judging, merely reacting as they pass. Sadness for his lonely childhood. Worry over the torn doll. A small smile as she experiences the running horses from Jeff's point of view. A flicker of astonishment at the appearance of Joshua Washington. Regret and sympathy for the death of the woman who did love him, and the city brought to ruin.
When the light returns, she lowers the scythe and whispers, “Goodbye, Jeff.” No one needs to tell her that he’s gone. She can only hope that his final sacrifice wasn’t in vain.
Caspar steps over to her and helps her to her feet. He looks solemn, but relieved — at least until his gaze falls on the other two gems. Then his expression turns grim. “We should go,” he says quietly.
Leaning against Caspar, she nods absently, but can’t seem to tear her gaze away from the three grieving pokémon. “I can take you to Professor Madrone’s lab,” she offers them. As for Jeff’s body, she has no idea what to do…
no subject
The ghost Pokemon floats over to Caspar, pointing to the PINpoint. Upon examining the device, it only has three coordinates input into it. One is for the Nexus plaza the second is for this location. But where does the third lead to? The text and numbers all reflect Japanese kanji and a strange icon has been added to the coordinates. A red flag which indicates that the user flagged this world as dangerous. Is it the destroyed city Adia saw in Jeff's memories? That's a very strong possibly.
For now, only Gengar wants to return to the Nexus, and if Adia or Caspar try to move Jeff's body, they'll be met with resistance from Hydreigon and Persian alike. They want time to grieve and will figure out what to do with their master's body in the future. Perhaps Pokemon have a special way of dealing with humans who die in their presence.
no subject
A literal red flag. Great. He glances at Adia, then pockets the PINpoint. They can figure out where those coordinates lead and how that ties into the rest of this mess later. For now, they ought to get going.
Persian and Hydreigon don't need to worry about either human trying to move Jeff's body. "Will you get them home safely, when they're ready?" she asks Arceus, who has been watching over the proceedings silently. She wouldn't dare interrupt a mourning pokémon, but she wants to make sure that they aren't stranded here... wherever 'here' is.
no subject
Returning to the Pantheon, Adia and Caspar might notice that things are quieter than before. With the sword destroyed, the anti-violence field and all PINpoints seem to be functional again. But the sounds of screaming have now been replaced with crying, distraught Nexus citizens. It's the Kahn and Demon invasions all over again...people have fear and doubt about what has taken place here. Even though they haven't been gone for very long, it feels like hours have passed, but the setting sun indicates that they were only in Arceus' realm for mere minutes.
The satyr and cultists are gone, having fled or died for their cause. It's time to regroup and figure out the next course of action.
no subject
She nods softly, sniffing back unshed tears, and offers her free hand to Gengar, but the ghost pokémon refuses, sitting on top of Caspar's shoulders instead.
"Are you kidding m-- OW!" Caspar winces as Gengar pulls on his hair impatiently. "Alright, I'm going!"
He pushes a button on his PINpoint and they're transported back to the Pantheon. Caspar immediately shakes Gengar off and smooths back his hair in a quick, irritated motion. It looks as though they've only been gone a short time, and though it's still a mess outside, things haven't gotten any worse.
Adia is first to spot their friend. "Harley!" she calls out, scythe resting against her shoulder. "Hey, Harley! Are you okay?"
Gengar floats over to Poochyena, giving the dark pokémon a once-over. At least it's not all humans and whatever Adia's stupid boyfriend is in the Pantheon.
no subject
But there was no sign of the crazy kid either, so her mind automatically went from attack mode to protect mode. There were people who needed saving. And she had set to work to find those who needed help. That is where Poochyena had come into use. He would sniff out the hurt and injured … and Harley would help out those that she could. However she could.
When she heard her name called by a familiar voice a weight of worry lifted off her shoulders. "Adia! Caspar!" She runs over to them. More concerned about their well-being, then her own right now.
Poochyena sniffs at Genger when the ghost pokemon floats over. Then gives a quick bark in greeting.
no subject
Unlike Adia, Caspar, and Harley Katsuya has heard no sign of the Nexus' serial killer, the child genocidal maniac, nor the witch who brought them together and into the Nexus. When the cultists began crying out the Crawling Chaos by name his reaction had been one of a soldier thrust back into a battlefield he'd thought was long gone. Later perhaps he will be ashamed to admit he'd shot and killed several of the cultists without hesitation. The officer had been determined to fight off every last one of them--but the magic ceased.
Panic followed as minds free from their dreamlike nightmares struggled to comprehend the madness surrounding them. In the stampede to escape, more fires caught and spread. Down the steps of the Pantheon a plume of fire erupts but there is no cultist behind it, nor any unaccounted for pokemon. Officer Suou burns away the fallen debris blocking a thoroughfare for escape before kicking aside the charred remains and ushering a mother and her child through.
Someone else is trying to get the survivors out of here, it would seem.
no subject
Her words catch on the lump in her throat as the events of the evening try to catch up to her. Caspar reaches out and gently pats her back. "Her stalker's dead," he tells Harley. "Turns out he was just the tip of the iceberg. We got a little help, though, for when this Nyarlahotep asshole comes back."
Anything else he might add is cut off by that giant plume of fire. He peers down the steps warily. More trouble?
Adia looks, too, and gasps at who she sees. "It's Katsuya!" She waves her scythe high above her head to attract his attention. "Katsuya! Up here!"
no subject
"Tip of the iceberg? Was a crazy little girl involved?" Harley is still not sure who Nyarlahotep is... but knows this is not resolved yet.
"Katsuya?" Harley peers down. And waves at the young man, as Adia waves her scythe to get his attention.
no subject
As for Adia herself...
"What the hell?" That's definitely Adia. That's definitely Adia swinging around a giant scythe over her head like it's a flag trying to get his attention. She's going to behead someone with that thing. Possibly herself. He's hurrying up the stairs, taking them two at a time in his concern.
"Why are you...? It doesn't matter right now. You all have to get out of here."
no subject
Hey, the scythe-waving got his attention, didn't it? The blade is well out of decapitation range, but she respectfully lowers it when Katsuya bounds up the steps, not wanting to stress him out (more). "Katsuya, was that you creating fire? How long have you been here? A witch tried to summon a god of chaos, but --"
The curse was broken, but the damage remains. She stares behind him at the destruction left in the riot's wake.
"I agree," Caspar says flatly. "We need to get out of here and talk about what just happened." He recognizes the look of someone who is trying to restore order.
no subject
"It ain't over... is it?" Harley guesses, judging that fact by how serious both Katsuya and Caspar look right now.
Meanwhile Poochyena has decided to stick by Gengar's side until he is given direction from Harley to do something else. When Harley checks on her Pokemon, she gives the ghost pokemon a big wide smile. "I like your smile."
no subject
Nothing Officer Suou is hearing about any of this is making him feel more at ease. His first instinct is paternal and sudden--rage that Harley would attack a child. It's tempered when he remembers Nyarlathotep can wear any face. Even that, no, especially that of whatever will be most difficult for one to attack. His gaze snaps back to Caspar and Adia once he's gotten himself under control again.
Katsuya nods.
"I was neutralizing the cultists working at the ritual as swiftly as I could, yes. Nyarlathotep isn't a force to be trifled with and in a multiversal hub allowing him access to innumerable worlds would be apocalyptic. For many worlds." He looks over his shoulder back to the smoldering fairgrounds with a hardened gaze. Katsuya's reluctant to leave this place until he's certain the danger has passed.
Certain Nyarlathotep has been held back.
"I can't leave until the job is done. I won't let another world fall into his grasp."
no subject
"One of Jeff's pokémon," Caspar tells Harley in a tired aside. "He's a real charmer. The other two stayed with his body on... crap, I don't know where we were." Could this night get any weirder? He's not sure it's possible. He drags a hand across his face, not wanting to get side-tracked into a morality discussion. "That little girl is one of Nyarlahotep's disciples. You want the job done? Then talk to Adia. She has something that can help."
He looks over at his girl, who is still staring at the festival ruins, as if in a trance. He nudges her gently and she blinks, coming back to herself. "Oh, um... well, it's a long story, but one of Nyarlahotep's disciples, Jeff, had a change of heart. He'd... he'd been stalking me for a while, pretending he was my friend... but in the end, he didn't want Nyarlahotep taking over the Nexus, so he found the coordinates for a legendary pokémon temple. Arceus, the... well, he's a god, too, I suppose. A god of time and creation. He blessed me with this scythe. It absorbs the souls of Nyarlahotep's three disciples, and then it can be used to stop Nyarlahotep himself."
She tilts the staff so that Katsuya can get a good look at the three gems just underneath the blade. Two are dull, but the one in the middle shines bright. "That's... um. That's Jeff in the middle there. He died saving me and Caspar from that girl. I... I didn't have to kill him to get his soul, I just... concentrated on him..."
Caspar frowns, but says nothing. He knows it won't likely be as easy for the other two.
no subject
She checks her ammo while listening to Caspar talk about Nyarlahotep's disciples. And one thing is for certain that something has to be done. She will just keep her ears open to how she can help.
Clearly Katsuya never played Persona 3
The talk of trapping souls in a holy weapon to use against the god makes him balk outright though.
"That, there has to be another way. I've seen that sort of thing done before, when--" And then Harley brings up an enchanted spear and the color drains from his face while Katsuya tries not to lose his nerve in front of these people who don't know enough to understand the danger they're in.
What kind of fate being noticed by the Crawling Chaos is. And he's finding out himself that it means never really being free of the god's whims. Even if you think they're dead and gone.
"Trapping souls in weapons..." Katsuya's hand drifts over his own chest. He can feel Helios' burning will belying his own anger over such an idea. That would make them no better than Nyarlathoteps own minions. But Adia has no Persona and neither does Harley. There's not even a second to stop and wonder if a Cylon can have a soul to convert into a Persona, they don't have time for this kind of thoughtful discussion and debate.
"So we find Nyarlathotep's disciples, and we kill them. We power the scythe and we use that to stop the Crawling Chaos." He doesn't have much for ammo on his person for his pistol. Helios is going to have to do a lot of heavy lifting if the going gets rough. It's been a long time since Katsuya's had to rely on his persona so heavily. Thankfully, he won't be alone.
"Harley has combat experience as do I. We can do the bulk of the subduing if Caspar and these creatures are focused on keeping Adia and the holy relic safe."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)