KAIJU FIGHT #5

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #5

CONTENT WARNINGS: cult-like symbols and implications, brainwashing.

▶ 001. LORD OF THE FOREST.

Throughout the days leading up until October 15th, the captives will be forced down to the dungeons for their “punishments” to be doled out. All of the punishments seem to be completed methodically, almost as if the followers of the Lord of the Forest had centuries of experience. While no explanation is given, it becomes clear that the sacrificial ritual has begun. While the Outsiders may not be privy to what this entails, there is one rule that will be have made clear to them: once the ritual begins, it can no longer be stopped. However, there is still a sliver of hope. On the morning of the 15th, a small message will have been pushed out by LILITH. While they haven't completely reestablished their connection to the network, they are able to get something out.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME:
HEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEIGHT: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
CLASS: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA.
ABILITIES: Ư̴͚͈̓͊̅͐́̇͛̂͌̏͠Ņ̷̧͕̣̦͉̟̣̽̽̌̓̈́͒̈́́̔̊̚͜͝K̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃Y REǸ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̹̆̃S, GK̷̗͖̜̟̮̬̜̳̍̈́̽͝Ǹ̵̠̳̯͕̠̻̖͔̹̖͑ͅỎ̶̖̲́̒͒͒͜W̵͈͍̻̞̮̻̏̍͠N̷̥͚̳̳͙̟͓̆̃
EXTRA NOTES:

It is an incredibly sparse message. It seems to be working with any information the ocular implants were able to detect in that second, and the information gets fed back in the form of a distorted debrief sheet. However, it does act as a sign that LILITH is still actively working on gaining access to their communication lines once more, and are tirelessly working to send help. With this sudden jolt of a message, they will feel an extremely heavy disturbance composed entirely of rift energy—it appears that whatever kaiju is dwelling here is able to effectively work with the rift in order to negate abilities. But perhaps the clues all strung together have already painted a similar picture as to what is to come, and to what to continue to expect.

Now that the sacrifices have all but been made, it is time for the Lord of the Forest to be summoned.

All captives who have been forcefully dragged, or psychologically drawn to the dungeons, will find themselves face-to-face with the Lord of the Forest, also known by their title of PRICOLICI. The creature is a bit difficult to make out due to its ability to shape-shift: at times mimicking a human wearing some sort mask in the form of a wolf’s skull, and at others, taking on a form of a monstrous wolf-like creature that awaits all Outsiders— those presently within the dungeon, and those that exist outside of it, ready to be lured in.

Or that should be the case, but The Lord of the Forest appears to be a kaiju unlike all others. While it is summoned for a brief period in which the Outsiders bear witness to its true form, it seems to disperse back into the rift soon afterwards, much like savoring each of its sacrifices in a temporary state of hibernation.

(Note: Details of the specific events that happened leading up until this point can be accessed on the kidnapped log. Please be advised that there are heavy trigger warnings for these topics.)

▶ 002. FIND THE CAPTIVES.

Due to their brief communication and joint efforts following the network post, it becomes clear that all signs point to Bran Castle as the place where the captives are being held. This becomes ever more apparent as the fog gradually begins to lift, and the outline of the castle can finally be seen from the distance of the forest’s perimeter.

If there were still any doubts surrounding Bran Castle as a place of interest, many of the villagers will instantly form large groups in order to stop Outsiders from heading towards the castle. They will spare no effort to achieve this. What initially starts off as peaceful dissuasion and psychological tactics, such as using the children to cling to the Outsiders leg and crocodile tears… quickly escalates to outright fighting with pitchforks and other makeshift weapons from the farm. Additionally, Outsiders who have purchased the poison dagger from LILITH will find that the “safety” on it is released, and they can be utilized on the locals with no need for additional clearance. It looks like the network wasn't the only thing affected by the spotty connection.

In this skirmish, the Outsiders trying to make their way to the castle will find that a handful of these villagers aren’t your run-of-the-mill farmers. They’re stronger, faster, and the Outsiders will discover that they have incredibly sharp teeth. They are vampires! Or, an entity that seems close enough to the ones of legends. They will not only be attempting to fight Outsiders off, but will also resort to biting them. If an Outsider is bitten, their bodies will feel almost feverish, as if an incredibly slow-acting poison has entered their bloodstream. But, being bitten by a villager does not guarantee one to be turned. While it is possible, it is a much lower chance.

Once Outsiders do make it to the castle, they will find that there will be several more attendants from the castle waiting for them at the gates, all prepared to fight tooth and nail to prevent their entry. It’s clear the objective becomes to break past them and find the dungeons below the castle!

▶ 003. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN.

Following the pathways of the castle to the dungeons below will not be easy. All the attendants present seem to have been waiting for them behind every nook and cranny of the castle. Outsiders will be met with their fervent attempts to stop them. It is a matter of life or death for the attendants and like the villagers, they seem to have no issue with throwing their own necks out in order to preserve the sanctity of their ritual.

Outsiders will also find various areas in which wolfsbane will be in bloom. Unlike typical wolfsbane these seem particular potent and will make the air taste bitter, and cause tingles, nausea, and hypotension if exposed to for too long. It appears even the attendants avoid them to a degree.

For those who make it to the dungeons, they will find that it is a lot bigger than it appears on the surface. A lot of its structure seems to lead deep underground, suggesting that it may even extend further out from the perimeter of the castle itself. There is a certain smell to the place that cannot be masked, years of sacrifices evident in every inch of its walls. There are over hundreds of cells, some still holding skeletal remains, alongside other ancient looking items: an old book, a worn out doll, a bloodied servant’s apron—they all appear to be pieces from a past that was long forgotten.

The Outsiders will not get to explore easily, however. As soon as they make their way past the threshold where the cells are all lined out, they will feel a chill up their spine. It's almost as if eyes are watching them in the dark, and they are. If they look up, they will realize there are hundreds of bats with glistening teeth that are all lining the ceiling, all lying in wait. They are minions of the Lord of the Forest, and their supersonic screams can stun and cause momentary deafness.

To make matters worse, it is not just their sharp teeth that hurt on impact, but they have a keen thirst for blood similar to the villagers. Being bitten by one will cause the Outsider to potentially begin to lose control of themselves and will have an insatiable thirst for blood, even at the expense of their fellow teammates. Additionally, those who are bitten will find themselves moderately more susceptible to psychic brain washing, and may cause them to momentarily join the enemies side.

▶ 004. THE FINAL RESCUE.

While the battle has already started within the village and the castle, suddenly the familiar ping of their oculars will alert them to the following message from Yamakawa—

"Angels of LILITH, we have connection. Rescue your team mates no matter the cost!"

With the connection reestablished, the main objective of the mission becomes one thing: RESCUE. For Outsiders who may have still been left at the village, or engaged within their own horrors, they are all advised to head to the dungeons as soon as possible. The coordinates for the deepest cells are sent alongside directions, with a constant warning to avoid direct contact with the kaiju there. The kaiju has long been absorbing rift energy and LILITH strongly advises against any attempts to engage with it until more information is known.

After half an hour, LILITH gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission. Villagers, cult members, anyone. This includes Outsiders who may have temporarily been brainwashed, with the caveat of bringing back their bodies as they may be able to save them.

As they get further into the dungeons, they will find themselves susceptible to the side effects of rift poisoning. It is far more potent with each step, and will take laser focus to make one's way all the way to the last holding cells. There they will find the several of the castle’s most devout followers desperately calling out for The Lord of the Forest, as if summoning its presence.

…


…

…

… and The Lord of the Forest answers the cries of its followers. The initial part of this battle is difficult as the kaiju's abilities paired with the abnormalities of the rift result in weakening the powers of all living organisms around him, including the powers of the Outsiders. However, due to the phases of the moon, its abilities to nerf powers seem to have diminished slightly - they are able to use their abilities at a lower output, or at times they will find their abilities can cut in and out. After five to ten minutes of the Outsiders actually engaging the creature, they will find LILITH has effectively sealed the rift below the dungeons. It is far from perfectly done, but will allow the Outsiders the window of opportunity to use their all in their battle with the Lord of the Forest before backup arrives.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: PRICOLICI
HEIGHT: VARIES
WEIGHT: VARIES
CLASS: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
LOCATION: BRAȘOV, TRANSYLVANIA
ABILITIES: SHAPESHIFTING, IMMORTALITY, NIGHT VISION, SUPER STRENGTH
WEAKNESSES: SUNLIGHT, HOLY RELICS, GARLIC, WOLFSBANE
EXTRA NOTES: This kaiju has a malicious intent to all humans besides those who praise it. It's said it will bless all of its followers abundantly on this Earth and grant them immortal life.

The battle against the PRICOLICI will not be made easy, especially as its weaknesses are not as straightforward to tap in as most elements. However, LILITH will provide utmost support for the Outsiders who want to try their hand at defeating it. While it was once believed to be immortal, perhaps due to the disconnection of the rift and the moon, it does seem weaker the longer the Outsiders engage with it. There are also pockets in which wolfsbane bloom in secret in the dungeon, and the PRICOLICI will evade these specific areas, as well as any places containing holy relics.

▶ 005. AFTERMATH.

The remaining villagers do their utmost in attempting to ground the LILITH medical cruiser, using cannons and other primitive weapons against it. Fortunately, they do not succeed. With the LILITH medical crew all present, they begin their work promptly. Outsiders can not only use the medical cruiser as a temporary base and resting point, but those with severe injuries are ushered in for emergency surgeries and other necessary procedures. Those who can heal are encouraged to take care of the ones with less major injuries in order to lighten the load on LILITH’s medical robots... and Dr. Spim, of course.

When the final battle finally winds down, several more mission objectives crop up. While no formal decision is pushed on the Outsiders this time, they are given several choices.

Although LILITH has permitted Outsiders to take their own stance in whether they want to kill those involved in the ritual, including the villagers, they do state the final request to spare the children, which they plan to bring back to Neo Tokyo. Those who do not wish to engage in the taking of lives will be encouraged to continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders. Finally, all Outsiders are tasked to take with them any goods that LILITH could benefit from, including any sources of food.

Once this has all been completed, they will all be encouraged to leave Transylvania behind.

Back at base, they are presently working on the cure for those who were bitten and turned. While the brainwashing element has been resolved through persuasion tech, it wasn't possible for them to fully reverse the other side effects. LILITH staff are requesting those affected to remain indoors until they figure out what they need in order to completely rid them of this ailment.

(Note: The above mission objectives in this section are all optional! Please remember that you only need to engage in the plots and ideas you are comfortable with. If you would prefer your character to leave early to take the others back to recover at base, that is completely fine. We want this to be flexible and for people to play with what inspires them. You are also free to come up with other ways your character can help during this time, as long as it does not break any game rules.)

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to fifth kaiju log!

Thanks to the Outsiders' efforts, they were able to engage with the kaiju in this fight. Due to them piecing the clues of the skulls helping to destroy the fog, they were able to gain access to Bran Castle. As they have also kept their suspicions of the villagers, some even including to sacrifice them, they were able to unearth them being associated with the cult, and able to uncover their involvement. Outsiders were also able to add wolfsbane as a weakness to the kaiju due to the messages exchanged between the kidnapped and non-kidnapped - and so this detail was also added into the log. We appreciate everyone’s engagement in this and hope you have fun with this outcome!

Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the minions. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below! Additionally, we did clarify some questions in regards to vampires/general weaknesses here, as well!

For the vampire prompts, feel free to work with the setting in how you want your character to experience being turned, and potentially turning others. It was made vague to allow flexibility, so if you'd like to have your character just feed off of people without turning them, that works. If they want to turn all their friends, that is also 100% okay. Those who have been turned are welcome to play with that as they see fit. As mentioned, LILITH will be actively working on the cure, and this will be something revisited in the TDM, or on our quest board, so be on the lookout for that!

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. LORD OF THE FOREST: On the days leading up to the 15th, kidnapped characters are brought to the dungeons to receive their punishments. The punishments are administered in a way that suggests that the followers have many years of experience, and that they are all part of a sacrificial ritual to summon the Lord of the Forest; once the ritual begins, it can't be stopped. On the morning of the 15th, LILITH is able to send out a distorted monster debrief sheet that the captives will be able to briefly see before experiencing a heavy disturbance of rift energy. Captives in the dungeons will also be able to see the Lord of the Forest, but it will disperse back into the rift after being summoned.

2. FIND THE CAPTIVES: The Outsiders figure out that the captives are held in Bran Castle; the fog gradually lifts and the outline of the castle will be visible. The villagers will do everything they can to prevent the Outsiders from reaching the castle, from using the children to persuade them to stay to more violent means. Outsiders who have a poison dagger from LILITH are able to use it on the villagers without prior clearance due to the spotty connection. Vampires are among the villagers attacking the Outsiders; if they are bitten, their bodies will feel feverish. Once Outsiders reach the castle gates, they will have to break through the castle attendants to reach the dungeons.

3. THE DUNGEON OF CASTLE BRAN: Outsiders must fight through more attendants inside the castle as they make their way down to the dungeons. The layout of the dungeons is much bigger than it may seem on the surface—with over hundreds of cells, some of which still contain the remains and personal effects of previous villagers who have been sacrificed. Bats, minions of the Lord of the Forest, will attack the Outsiders and those who are bitten may begin to lose control of themselves with a thirst for blood. Bitten Outsiders may attack their teammates as a result, and may also be more susceptible to psychic brainwashing.

4. THE FINAL RESCUE: LILITH confirms the main mission objective of rescuing all the captives and gives formal clearance to kill anyone interfering with the mission, which includes any Outsiders who may have been temporarily brainwashed. The bodies of any fallen Outsiders must be brought back as LILITH may be able to restore them. Going deeper into the dungeons will cause side effects of rift poisoning to manifest. The Lord of the Forest appears to engage the Outsiders; its ability to weaken abilities is diminished slightly due to the phases of the moon. Five to ten minutes into the battle, LILITH seals off the rift below the dungeons, allowing Outsiders an opportunity to go all in on attacking the Lord of the Forest.

5. AFTERMATH: LILITH's medical crew arrives to begin treating injured Outsiders. Those who are able to heal or have medical experience are encouraged to treat Outsiders with minor injuries to lighten the load on LILITH's medical staff. Once the battle winds down, Outsiders are given several options on what to do next: kill the followers and the villagers, but sparing the children (who will be brought to Neo Tokyo); continue assisting and escorting any injured Outsiders to safety; taking any goods from the village that will benefit LILITH, including food sources. Once completed, Outsiders will leave Transylvania to embark on the journey back to Neo Tokyo.

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Comments

Silco | Arcane | Brimstone

[zauneyete]

1. MOB JUSTICE

[ Does he have much care to deal with the castle? Not really, but of course, after the Forest Lord caused him to get attacked, Silco is feeling a little personally affronted by the thing, and wants a little justice. Against the villagers for getting him stuck here, against whatever's going on because he's had to be here for forever with no amenities? A guy just needs his creature comforts of cigars, a decent drink, and a shady underbelly to spend his time in.

Rude that he's been here instead. So when the mist starts to recede and the Castle is looming in the distance, it's pretty easy to put two and two together. It's also easy to see the crowd of villagers amassing around the path towards the forest. It's annoying, of course, but can he really be surprised when they have been so swayed by their adoration of the Forest Lord? No.

The first indication that something is different, is the safety is off on the dagger that he'd found in his quarters, and if that is not a welcome sight, he doesn't know what is. The villagers are holding fast, with cries of Please, we beg you, don't leave us with nothing, you don't understand — and that's... probably all that Silco needs to try to shove through the first one, an annoyed: ] Learn to deal with your shortcomings like the rest of us, hm? [ Which, to be fair, was this one of the original villagers who heard him disparage the Forest Lord? Probably. The man hefted his sythe, reaching to pull it up, but before he could start, one of the children latched onto his leg, crying and wailing. ]

Get off — [ He actually kicked at the child (not hard) enough to try and dislodge it, but the man seemed to use the opportunity to step back, and hoist his scythe up and into the ready position, about to swing —

Well, Silco hasn't exactly been the type to welcome help, but an ally is an ally, right? He's still trying to dislodge the child. ]

2. SAME AS IT EVER WAS

[ Escaping the first bulwark of villagers was only the first hurdle to cross, and though he'd already made very good use of that dagger while facing off after the first few villagers that tried to stop him, he was feeling fairly (over) confident. Faced against Kaiju, Silco had very little capability, but facing off against normal, run-of-the-mill people? Please! It's finally the time for him to hold some kind of advantage. Which he does with some sort of swift efficiency, his blade finding its way into bellies with a quick flick of his wrist, before its pulled free. It isn't battle, it's efficiency.

Which focused on that is why he didn't notice the lurking villager until it was too late.

Twin pricks of pain registered. It's sharp, and familiar, like a memory dredged up from a world away, something that makes a neuron activate in his mind, a familiar shock and a sequence that followed. Unblinking, he is all too still as the creature — and it must be vampire, mustn't it? — fed, perhaps delighted that the prey had stopped when it started to feed. Silco's fingers trembled, and perhaps one could imagine it's from shock, the way his right hand twitched, and wound —

Until there was a blade in his hand. Slimmer, not the dagger from LILITH, but a simpler one. Slim with a flip blade, the blade reading 'Che la mia ferita sia mortale' and the person who had given him this dagger had also ensured this memory was ready and available. It's why he can guess at what to do (he is wrong) and so while the creature takes its fill, it doesn't realize what's happening until it's too late.

That slim knife plunged into the Vampire's thigh quickly, and with a twist, he pulled it free, and ripped himself from the creature with it. ]

Oh, I remember this.

[ Will it work the same? He doesn't know. But in the middle of all the chaos, fighting, and now vampires, Silco stood there, and licked the blood clean off of his knife, one eye ever-open, starting at the vampire while he did it. It worked that way last time, surely it would again. Never question a man who's trying to recapture the power he once had, even if he looks the opposite of normal doing it. He heaves a breath, and turns to look at the creature that bit him, and he waves his ineffective little knife, as if he were mocking him with it, a twitch of a nasty little smile on his face. ]

3. BREAKING AND ENTERING

[ Though he's feverish — had he been feverish the last time? — once they are closing in on the castle, it's easy to start disappearing in hallways, or at least it seems to be easy, but plenty of attendants are there to stop him, which either gets him in another fight — or that hunger is starting to take hold. That old, familiar thing. Something that lurks in his gut and makes every single person he encounters full of potential (food) and that's such a welcome feeling he stops in front of a door, his hand near-gripping into the wood, before he turned to appraise whoever approached — whether it was an attendant (food) or... you (maybe food), it's up to you, but his feet are moving quick on stone with that simple knife in his hands to make things easier.

Or maybe you find him a little later, deeper into the "dungeon", peering into a hidden space with wolfsbane, before he takes a few steps out, a look on his face of disgust from the taste of it, and he pulled an arm over his mouth to cover it, before he probably stumbled, and maybe even ran into... well. Whoever was there. You? One of the kidnapped Outsiders? Maybe one of those vampires creeping above? He scoffed, and says: ]

Do you have to follow so close?

4. IN THE WRECKAGE

You know, I tried to tell you once, what would happen.

[ The voice is familiar to anyone who's seen the horrible little man in the past. There's a child nearby, watching as he's rooting around in a storage unit, looking for food or supplies. He's a young kid, who's looking at Silco with all of the anger that a tiny child can hold, and the man's not even looking at the kid. ]

Just because you found the idyllic lies of someone else easier to swallow doesn't mean that they were correct, child. [ He pulled out a few bottles of that horrid drink they serve and made a face at it. Well, LILITH probably wouldn't want it, but who knew? Maybe the staff would like to crack it open. ] So, the question is, what are you going to do now? Enact revenge? On some of us? Me, if you want? [ A laugh. ] Or are you going to become exactly what you need to be, to survive? It's not my choice, either way, but perhaps the next time someone promises you a safe, and comfortable life, you'll question it, hm? It's for the best, really.

[ Is he out here traumatizing a child? Or helping? Look, he thinks he's helping, but the way the kid looks, it's really not. Not ever orphan can be the perfect vessel to project his own issues on, after all. ]

5. WILDCARD

[ Look, just toss me w/e! Silco is around, doing what... horrible old men do. Just give me a prompt of what your character is doing and I'll roll with it, or anything. If you want a closed starter, just HMU at hundreds ]

CLOSED to Vergilius

[zauneyete]

[ The dank, near-quiet of some of the hallways in the dungeons makes it the perfect grounds to hunt down more of those attendants, maybe find a few hidden corners to let his fingers look for valuables. Really, though, he was looking for — something else to sate that old, familiar hunger. It may have been months since he arrived here, but not long enough to erase how that hunger felt, and what it meant. Power, of course.

True, real power. It's such a heady feeling that he almost forgets himself, hearing the first screeches from deeper in the dungeon, towards the cells. There's a part of him that stirs at the sound, something in between hunger, and a sway that leads him looking for someone nearby. It doesn't really quite matter to him whether it's another Outsider or an attendant or —

Or maybe someone better?

His feet were not-quite silent (but barely so) on the stone floor as he caught sight of Vergilius turning a corner, and he stalked to follow, his eye a bright giveaway in the dark that he couldn't quite help. ]

[immortalpoet]

[Maybe someone better. Maybe someone worse.]

[Vergilius is restless. See, that's why he's learned over the years to steel his heart in such matters - emotions shouldn't come into play. They shouldn't. But his worry itches under his skin like a terrible little worm, and some of his focus is scattered o other places. On a night like this....yes. He and Roland faced foes like this. What a time to remember.]

[That doesn't mean he's blind and dumb, though. What with the creatures around, he's not the type to be ambushed so easily. Vergilius steels his sword, his own red eyes shining bright as he turns with no warning, holding his sword out to...]


[A rather familiar face. He blinks, lowering his sword.]

...Silco. What are you doing here?

[zauneyete]

[ Better, worse... Probably both, actually. The first outsider he finds... Of course it's Vergilius. They seemed to meet at the oddest of times, didn't they? Silco can't say that he minds all that much, given that he's still somewhat outclassed the moment he encounters someone other than a human. His lips twitch, and a single glowing eye meets two in the dark. ]

The same as everyone else, I imagine. Trying to follow our... "Orders".

[ Still with a touch of belligerence as always. Maybe that's why he thought to ask. Silco had certainly made no secret that he wasn't really swayed by the prospect that some of them were fine. After all, he would be, were he in their shoes.

Did he know what they were going through? No, but that didn't matter. He could have survived it just fine, because he could survive anything at this point. ]

Anything useful thus far? [ He asked, though hunger gnawed at his insides and made him too keenly aware that there was a fresh font of what he wanted right in front of him. He waited though, his hands winding behind his back, looking up at Vergilius with a tipped head. What was Silco, if he was not patient? ]

[immortalpoet]

You really don't like authority, huh.

[An understatement. Silco has never smacked of someone who'd bow his head to anyone else, let alone LILITH. His cynical statements on the network were also evidence of that.]

[The sword lowering to his side, he turns to glance down one of the dark corridors, his eyebrows furrowed.]

Not yet. This damn castle is like a labryinth. And then on top of this mess, we have these blood-sucking creatures. Have you run into them, yet?

3

[the_fourteenth]

[It's not an attendant, and it's not a vampire. It's an unfortunately familiar face under that hat, smeared with blood that mostly isn't his, sword in hand looking quite the same. His breathing is heavy, lungs scorching and head aching from the wolfsbane and rift poisoning. But, this self-proclaimed protector seems otherwise uninjured, if a little mentally muddled. He stumbles a few steps back from Silco.]

I-I wasn't-- [He squints at Silco, grip tightening on his sword. No one can really be trusted right now, but especially not this guy, even on a good day.]

Are you-- alright?

[He really doesn't know what else to ask. Besides:]

Have you seen any of the captives?

[zauneyete]

[ Silco, in contrast, looks... better than usual. Maybe a little more flushed than his pallid skin normally suggests, but there's a brightness to his eyes and a sharpness to his gaze that he so often doesn't have. Normally, he looks somewhere between bored and hateful (like the contrast between his gaze) but there's an alertness that he normally does not feel, and it's obvious on his face, his movements just a touch too sharp.

He remained stock still, not even moved slightly by Raidou's shock. ]

No, but I'm not looking for them.

[ He said, with a roll of his eyes. Now come on, when did he give off the air of someone who would help? ]

I'm looking for whatever it is that runs this whole operation. [ He's going to Speak To The Manager (Try to kill it) ]

[the_fourteenth]

The kaiju. I haven't seen it. But, that-- feeling.

[The rift effects, unmistakable. It wanes and waxes in different parts of the dungeon. Raidou rubs his forehead reflexively, thinking of the effect it has on them.]

The headaches and nausea. The worse it gets, the closer you are. That's the rift. I suspect it will be near it. But this place. Too big. Too many cultists. I haven't--

[It's hard to prioritize when everything is chaotic. Does he rescue the captives first, find the kaiju, or take care of the cultists? From the amount of blood on him and his weapon, it seems like he's been doing a swift job of the latter, at least.]

Don't try to approach it alone. The kaiju.

[zauneyete]

[ Silco scoffed.

He hadn't been too affected by the rift poisoning yet, probably because he hadn't gotten close enough — or maybe it was the vampirism — but it meant he needed to go deeper, if he was going to have any hope of taking care of it. ]

Do you think I'm an idiot? Me?

[ Silco had the presence of mind to gesture downward at himself, then back up.

As if to say: look at me. ]

I know better than to attack something like that without a proper plan.

1

[demandsatisfaction]

[Despite the fact that she has been here less than two months and still doesn’t know anyone especially well, rescuing missing companions is Lilias’s first thought when the looming castle comes into view through the fading mist. The gathering of the people makes their complicity obvious; it’s a damning change, considering the residents’ apparent ignorance about the whereabouts of the missing until now. To her disappointment—though not her surprise, really—it seems virtually the whole village is in on the act.

Still, she tries to argue her way through instead of forcing anything. Easier to retreat and then sneak past than to force her way through a gathering mob. She’s just begun to move away from the crowd, having failed to browbeat the men and women before her into letting her pass, when she notes Silco trying to shove his way through, attracting the ire of a farmer and the clinging objection of a local child.

She sees the farmer heft his scythe, and realizes things are about to escalate steeply.]

Sleep.

[From half a dozen paces away, her hand lifted in an unconscious gesture toward the man, she brings the smothering weight of slumber upon him. The farmer and his scythe both wobble and then crumple to the ground, completely senseless.

A few of the people blocking the road turn to her, hefting various farming tools with grim intent. The atmosphere becomes, if anything, more threatening than before.]

… Shit.

[zauneyete]

[ Silco was left with just a crying, clinging child in an instant, and he blinked (winked) once, twice, before he heaved a breath, and turned to keep moving through the villagers, and normally he would have. It was what made the most sense. Efficient, and clean. He had one skin to preserve, and it was his. She'd be fine, anyway, with powers.

What changes his mind — "changes" — is the fact that one of the villagers close to him looked to Silco, and then her, and then Silco again. 'They're workin' together!' he'd hissed to the pack of them, before turning to go for the obvious target (Silco) while the rest went for him. It's short lived, of course, because while Silco doesn't have farm tools, he has a dagger, and he flashes it in his hand, before he moves low and tight, and catches him on the arm, before he's moving forward. The kid on his leg? Kicked off in the aftermath.

He hissed in annoyance when he ends up near Lilias. If there's one thing that can be said for Silco, he's at least a survivor. The man he'd caught with his dagger... wasn't, with the poison from the dagger already doing its work. ]

I don't suppose you can do that again, can you?

[demandsatisfaction]

[This current situation is unfolding just about as badly as it possibly could, given the circumstances. At least if her intervention had caused sufficient distraction for Silco to slip through, she could beat a hasty retreat knowing she’d helped him out. Now they’re both in hot water, and most of the paths forward she can think of promise to be at least somewhat bloody.

Well, at least no one is stabbing the child.

Lilias is already backing away from the crowd, but the villagers are converging, and soon they’ll be forced to either retreat or try to fight their way through. As she glares at the problem before her, her familiar swoops in to perch on her shoulder, turning its red stare upon the villagers as well.]

Only one at a time.

[It’ll be a problem if the villagers start waking each other up, too; at best, the distraction could buy them a few moments’ room to breathe. As if to demonstrate, she glares at a man levelling a pitchfork their way and he slumps to the dirt.]

We can try to punch through, or I could make a distraction and we can slip away: find a less obtrusive route.

[zauneyete]

[ He breathed out a soft scoff of annoyance, but it's obvious that it's not directed toward her, but instead directed toward the villagers still stirring and trying to put themselves to rights before they came back in. He was a survivor, above all things, and he does not intend to let this be the end of him. Not after everything he's been through, everything he's been subjected to.

It incensed him to run, though, too. He should be better than this by now. He once would have been able to control the villagers themselves, pressing his fingers into their skin and dispensing madness and power, and they would have torn apart friends and family on his command. He hated it here, as much as he hated Kenos, and a world to return to where — No, that had been wrong. No.

He reached up, to run his fingers down his lips. ]

Distraction.

We work smarter, not harder, hm?

Keep us from gambling with our lives.

4

[kaizou]

[It takes a certain type of Outsider to remain behind in the village for especially long after most of the carnage is over—maybe two certain types, since there are surely people rounding up surviving children to shepherd them off safely to the med bay. That's one type of person finishing up the work of dealing with this place. Neither Silco nor Gigan are that person. Gigan, for his part, is largely seeking out survivors, and not to facilitate their escape.

He has seen this horrible little man around and knows him as an Outsider, but doesn't recognize him as the one he's spoken to on the network before. It's just that he isn't a villager, so when Gigan hears human voices in this storeroom and sticks his head in through the door to see if it's someone who needs murdering, he concludes (perhaps incorrectly) that it isn't.

Instead, jovially:]

You making a friend in here? Gonna bring him home with us?

[zauneyete]

Hm.

[ He says. Silco is currently stooped over a hope chest in someone's house, rummaging through it for valuables. There isn't much, but he's pulling out a few coins, before he stood and moved to the next chest — something that looked to be a touch more useful. Some roughspun bags filled with seeds, a few satchels that when he sniffed them — were definitely tobacco — and a few handtools. He skipped those. ]

I don't rightly care what he does.

[ He says, and looks a the kid, staring at the two of them with wide, teary eyes. ] He bothered me while we were trapped here, and I thought I would do him a kindness, and dispense wisdom.

[ No, he was proving the point that he was right. Of course he was.

To be fair, the only kind of kid Silco's going to pity is going to be a very specific one, and this kid doesn't have the spark of a little monster like Jinx had. ]

[kaizou]

[It isn't easy for Gigan to maneuver in the small village houses, so he's largely been leaving any pillaging to the other Outsiders. That doesn't mean he isn't curious, though, so he takes the time now to squeeze his way in, bending down low to fit through the door. The fact that the child lets out a whimper of fear that the monster is coming inside is just an added bonus.

That said, Gigan doesn't threaten the kid overtly, simply settling in nearby to get a good look at the situation—namely anything interesting that's being stolen.]

LILITH wants us to bring the kids back with us. Pretty funny, huh? It's like they're trying to collect things that'll just wanna kill us off later! Humans are pretty easy to manipulate when it's about kids. You guys are nasty.

[He aims this at both of them, his tone unchangingly friendly.]

4

[uncourteous]

[ ... and here is someone to potentially make it all worse.

considering all they've experienced and seen in the hours leading up to this aftermath, he can't say he is entirely in his right mind. rather, he may have lost it long ago, and this incident merely triggered its much needed revival. he's covered in blood, and he even drags in the body of villager; one he casts to the side, before walking into the storage unit. he stumbles in without any real sense of caution, almost as if he owned it, or was entirely in his right to waltz in.

it's clear, he was here to only further his bloodshed, but he's stopped by the sound of a familiar voice. for some reason, it takes him back to his own past. maybe it's because it sounds to him as projection. or maybe, a part of him wonders if something having told him these words back when he was still naive about the world... if anything would have changed. as if to quiet his own inner considerations, he speaks quietly: ] And what fun are you having here without me?

[zauneyete]

[ The kid in the room, who looks like he's somewhere between scared and about to combust with ineffective, childish anger turns to Callisto, and then back to Silco, wide eyes looking every bit like he's trying to figure out if the man is here to help him kill Silco, or help. He decides on veering closer to help, and the kid backs up a few steps.

Silco, on the other hand, stands up from the stoop he'd been in, bent over a collection of supplies and preserved food, each one sealed up and neatly stacked for the off season. He was not the kind of man to turn his nose up at preserved food, especially after eating whatever LILITH had offered. He would have pocketed one of the jars, but, well.

Well. There wasn't much need for that, was there? A find just a hair too late. ]

Scaring children, stealing food... [ A laugh. ] I feel like I'm returning to my youth.

[ Silco, it should be noted, had a bad youth. ]

I'm afraid there isn't much left, unless you also want to dispense life lessons to the child. Maybe he'll start to listen.

[uncourteous]

[ he passes an impassive glance towards the child, as if he simply didn't exist, or wasn't even worth being a metaphorical blip on his radar. then he focuses back on silco. ] If you're taking these materials, you should do the deed quickly.

[ he then draws his sword, using it to merely point at some bag of grains and over preserved items that have yet to be used. however, at the bit of scaring children, he releases an dark sort of chuckle. ]

Life lessons? What is a better life lesson than... [ he tilts his blade towards the child, who at this point, likely sees callisto has definitely not come to help. or that seems to be the case as he struggles to maintain eye contact when held at sword point. well, the kid didn't cry or scream, so that was pretty promising. ] snuffing out a flame? Did you have a different idea?

[ what life lesson was silco wanting to impart on this child so badly? especially, when callisto feels like he's already been holding back a fair amount just engaging with the villagers. ]

4

[bemist]

[ She's not here to protect the innocent children from the irritated and jaded rants of anyone, partially because he's right. Anyone promising a safe life is only going to be the one to trample it in the future, once one's guard has been lowered enough and they sense an open opportunity.

Has she talked to this man before? No. Gebura keeps to herself more often than not, save the few people who attach themselves to her for reasons she still doesn't quite understand or fully trust.

But still, she chooses to speak now, studying him with a pair of mismatched eyes and still very bloody. Only some of it is hers, but who isn't a mess right now, anyway? ]

If they decide to listen to you after all of that, I'd be impressed. But I wouldn't hold my breath on it.

[zauneyete]

[ Right now, blood is an easy way to catch his attention, and blood on someone is like splashing oneself like honey to look for bears in the woods. His head snapped too-quickly toward her, and she's got the lucky of honor of meeting another mismatched gaze, although Silco's just looks... off, as always.

He looks fairly worse for wear, covered in cuts, bruises, scrapes and no lack of bite marks. His lips twitched in understanding.

She was right, obviously. ]

I would be too, but... [ A sigh, dramatic. ] We do what we can to shape the future, don't we? The least I could do is try.

[ The sigh of a martyr, but Silco was...really not a martyr at all. ]

[bemist]

[ As soon as his head whips towards her, her eyes narrow in a clear warning--namely, that this will be her only warning, and the giant fleshy-looking great sword she's got at one side, decorated with a few uninterested-looking eyes, is not simply just for show.

But those few seconds pass and Gebura chooses not to address it, glancing instead at the kid. ]

I'd say you tried hard enough. [ Did he. ] Whether the kid takes your advice or not, I don't think we're going to be sticking around long enough to find out.

3ish

[newphew]

[ hunter's out here too, with flapjack in staff form, making his way through the dungeons. he's lagging behind the main group, and silco will be able to tell why pretty quickly from the smell of blood. he's already injured, and looks worse than the last time silco saw him (in which he was already taking a few hits to keep silco alive). seems like some other people have already tried to take a chunk out of him... and succeeded. anyway. the smell of blood is already in the air. he takes a second to catch his breath, tightens the tourniquet on his left shoulder. he hasn't noticed silco yet ]

[ this is probably fine ]

[zauneyete]

[ It's...not fine, actually.

The scent of blood drew Silco in from one of the side rooms, the smell of it something he catches, even though he's had plenty in the hallways here, practically gorging on it since the moment he'd found one of those vampiric villagers, and had made it turn him.

He was, unfortunately, just a little bit mad.

Silco stands in a doorway, still in his coat and usual garb. It doesn't mean he hasn't had to bandage plenty of injuries, from the slice on his thigh from Tezca, his wrapped arm, but the bites (multiple) stand out on his neck.

He cleared his throat.

He was perhaps foolish to speaking, but. Silco was not a smart man. ]

You're bleeding. [ He pointed out. ] Bad time?

[newphew]

[ hunter whirls around at the sound of his voice, bracing himself -- before realizing it's silco. he doesn't quite relax, but he doesn't seem as startled as before. ]

Oh. It's you.

[ he's rude. his eyes scan silco, frowning at the bites, but he hasn't encountered any vampire outsiders yet. thus, an outsider being turned isn't on his bingo card of things to be paranoid about. still, silco seems to be in one piece. hunter will take that as a win... not that it particularly shows. he huffs in mild annoyance instead ]

Is anyone having a good time?