TRAVEL/KAIJU LOG #8

[synfluxmods]

ANGELS FALL INTO THE UNDERWORLD

CONTENT WARNINGS: death, disease, COVID-like illness, drugs, loss of limbs, gore, violence, hallucinations

▶ 001. OUTSIDERS UNBOUND (TRAVEL)

There are no alarm blaring this time, no signals dispatched to the Outsiders’ oculars. With all of the organization down, the Angels of LILITH are left on their own to find the source of this crisis and solve it. And find it they did: an effort led by Aventurine, Jinx, Rin and Murasama was able to locate Ereshkigal somewhere underground in the country of Iraq. Raidou was able to ascertain that this location is Kûr - the Underworld spoken of in ancient Sumerian legends - and Tezcatlipoca used his divinity to confirm what many feared: the missing goddess has been corrupted and has become a calamity attempting to end humanity. What of the seven others who have disappeared? Tsurumaru, Ratio, Silco, Godzilla, Yzak, Bakugou and Hiyori? Are they corrupted too or are they prisoners? And what of Yuji who foolishly leaped into a rift in an attempt to rescue his friends? According to Dante’s efforts to connect with them, they are safe but they aren’t exactly in their right mind. But in what way?

Those questions may be answered soon as Outsiders depart for their next mission. Yesod and Shinn were able to further refine the search and identify the location of the Underworld’s entrance: in the archaeological dig of Nimrud, where the ruins of the Temple of Ishtar are found. Gilgamesh, who is seemingly a regular of Kûr, may be able to guide the Outsiders once they get there.

The trip to Kish however is nothing like previous travels. Where LILITH is typically an organized and orderly organization, the Outsiders have to devise their own methods of getting there. Kaga and Akagi are flying LILITH’s cruiser to Kish and will take anyone willing to go with them. Others may also use a data portal to go to Egypt and from there travel to Iraq - it is the longest way, but also perhaps the safest?

▶ 002. KUR KIGAL IRKALLA (RUINS OF THE TEMPLE OF ISHTAR, IRAQ)

Upon arriving, the heat is scorching and the sight is one unlike any the Outsiders have seen before. No futuristic buildings nor old-fashioned houses can be found - instead, there are the ruins of a three thousand years old city. Dr. Masuda welcomes the Outsiders, explaining to them the ongoing archaeological efforts that have been undertaken to restore the site thanks to modern technology.

And indeed, a few ancient buildings on the outskirts of the ruined city are fully restored. Due to the unique circumstances, Outsiders are allowed to use them and enjoy all the comfort from ancient times. Though there are beds, they are made with reeds with stone pillows; if you are fortunate, you may find one of the few pillows made with wool and feathers. At the very least, as far as food is concerned the Outsiders will not suffer: the archaeologists offer bread, cheese, and meat stews all cooked in the ways of ancient Mesopotamia. Blank clay tablets and reed pens can also be found, toys for children made of clay and little statues depicting various deities. There are also a lot of broken statues, and Dr. Masuda has an explanation for those.

"Our troubles began last month with an earthquake. Upon assessing the damage, we found all of Ishtar’s iconography throughout the ruins destroyed. What’s weird is that nothing else’s been damaged - it’s like someone or something vandalized all things related to her. Then in the deepest chamber of the temple, we found a tunnel that wasn’t there before. According to our tools it leads to an underground cave. Dr. Jones and his team decided to explore it, but they haven’t returned yet."

He will take the Outsiders to the Temple of Ishtar, which still lays in ruins and hasn’t been restored. Statues depicting the goddess are all shattered, and upon reaching the deepest chamber underground: an opening. Flashing a light inside will reveal a tunnel with no end in sight. As they stand by the opening, Outsiders will find their tracker rings and localization magics reactivating: their companions are deep inside the cave.

▶ 003. GATE OF GRAVE KEEPER (FIRST GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD

After a period of traveling through the dark cavern, the air is cool and smells sharply of earth and iron. They will be greeted by a pale glow. When they come close, they will see the light coming from several cages that line a single path which leads them deeper and deeper - all identical to the one Ereshkigal is usually seen carrying around.

They might notice random pitfalls of various depths and strange rock formations with characters scratched into the surface. Were those the names of long lost Outsiders or maybe figures from home? They disappear when you look away, becoming illegible after. Was it maybe a trick? Further up ahead, figures can be seen and voices can be heard in the distance.

Those who decide to run ahead will find themselves facing someone from their past. They act normally at first but after a while, the Outsider may notice something amiss. Regardless of who they are, they will try to convince the Outsider to "join them." Should the Outsider falter, they may be afflicted by the Rift, triggering feelings of grief and regret and even make them turn on their allies.

For those strong enough to resist the illusions, the figures become frustrated and lash out. They shed their illusions and reveal themselves to be skeletal spirits that slash at the Outsiders with sharp claws. They are relentless but simple enough to defeat with regular attacks.

Defeat the spirits and carry on ahead to find a mausoleum: the sealed gate. Many gallû spirits guard the gate. A dark, hooded figure calls out from atop the mausoleum. They look down on the Outsiders with cold, steely eyes.

"I didn't expect so many to make it this far. I'm surprised."

The figure draws their sword and on cue, the spirits attack. Defeat them to enter the mausoleum and fall deeper into the underworld.

▶ 004. GATE OF REASON (SECOND GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD)

As Outsiders descend further into the Underworld, the ocular network becomes spotty, making it difficult to keep in contact with each other, though it is still possible with concentrated effort.

Upon exiting a narrow passageway, they are greeted with a pathway that branches into two, with what seems like Rifts at each end. Despite their appearance, they do not give off any Rift energy, nor do they cause any Rift poisoning symptoms.

Cackling laughter resounds as a Gallû Spirit bursts into existence from blue flames. When it speaks, the voice that comes out of it is eerily familiar:

“You’ve proven you can fight, but what of your mind? Use your brain and make your way towards me, or suffer a foolish death.”

Immediately, the world descends into chaos. It blurs, twists and undulates unpleasantly. Colors mix, yet somehow retain their shape. It is a vivid hallucination, as if one had taken psychedelic drugs. The Gallû Spirit cackles again as it disappears, leaving them to their doom.

Entering either portal will lead Outsiders to a wide cavern with even more portals. The cracks in the ground and streams of deep, rushing water are wide enough to fall into. There are slopes, rocky platforms and other natural cave hazards. Portals dot the walls and ceiling, tilted sideways or even upside down. Others traversing the maze can be seen sideways and upside down, even if they feel they're right side up. It's an Escher maze. For the especially keen, they may notice the faint scent of chalk lingering around some portals. Or, instead of the echoes of cave ambiance, the portals emit silence with the occasional flutter of a page, as if they’re in a library.

Once they find the exit, Outsiders are greeted with a gate decorated with Greco-Roman motifs, sandwiched between stone shelves lined with carvings of tablets, books and scrolls. Sitting atop the frame that juts out of the rocky walls is a familiar man in unfamiliar form, playing with a cube containing a blue flame and looking bored out of his mind.

“Not bad. Five points.”

▶ 005. GATE OF EXCISION (THIRD GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD)

From the last gate, Outsiders will have to navigate semi-narrow passageways and fissures, lined with bioluminescent mushrooms. It’s easy to get lost, so make sure to use the buddy system to make your way through! It opens into a chasm, leading to a dock, and a lake. The buildings around the dock are decrepit and old.

In the middle of the lake, there is sharp ironwork interlaced with patches of stained bottle glass, and the top is inset with a small, teal gem. Getting to the gate seems easy. It’s just in the middle of the lake, and a little swim never hurt anybody, right? If Outsiders try to swim, it will subject them to rift poisoning, and staring at it might tempt them to jump in.

There are Gallû spirits are dressed up like half-pint thugs, and their glass covered faces are pretty disarming! They wait alongside five monstrous forms in shredded clothing that the particularly observant will notice look like explorer’s garb – it’s Dr. Jones and the missing archaeologists!

"Do you know the difference between a man and a monster? Is it a fact of nature, is it something one is born with? Is a monster truly just nature? Sometimes, but not necessarily. Being a monster is often a choice. Becoming a monster is simple. It takes a simple choice. It means you have chosen to do whatever it takes, to take what you want. To hold power in your hands. We all understand that. Can you become the monsters you must become, to survive?"

With the last word, the archaeologists and the Gallû spirits attack. Though difficult, if Outsiders are able to defeat Dr. Jones and his crew of corrupted, shimmered archaeologists and Silco, then a path towards the door will lift from beneath the water to the gate.

▶ 006. GATE OF SURVIVAL (FOURTH GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD || KAIJU FIGHT)

As the Outsiders descend a black staircase, they find a towering gate lit by flickering blue flames and a brick path leading to an endless field of lava. Thunder cracks as rain hisses against the magma. Overhead, clouds churn, lightning dancing through the Underworld’s ceiling.

A roar echoes from the gate and Gallû Spirits rise from the stones, clad in cheap monster suits like in a low-budget film. Both these spirits and the erratic lightning strikes are a threat as the kaiju unleashes torrents of malevolent red energy. The violent red energy pulses through its body, shining along its scales and feathers.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: 𒃀𒀭𒂠𒍠𒁠𒇠𒇠𒀀
HEIGHT: 13m
WEIGHT: ???
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: The Underworld
ABILITIES: Produces a high temperature energy and is capable of using it as a method of ranged attack. Armored Scales, sharp teeth and claws, tail is likewise a dangerous weapon. Intelligent. Amphibious, resistant to extreme climates.
WEAKNESSES: EMP effects can interfere with the creature’s energy attacks. Exposure to music or verse causes confusion that will make attacking easier. Angering it will cause the creature to fight more recklessly, leaving openings that can be exploited.
EXTRA NOTES: Exercise caution attacking the creature from behind, do not engage it should it enter water.
RIFT EFFECTS: Corruption, Sumerian Fever

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

CW: GORE, LOSS OF LIMBSThe battle is savage, with Lucy and Gilgamesh delivering the strongest blows. Lucy’s attack lands early in the fight, and the confusion caused to the kaiju by Raidou and Taryon’s recitals coupled with Akagi, Donatello, and Dearka’s musical interference allows for a clean cut that removes the beast’s right arm! Thanks to Hunter’s ice magic, the beast is frozen solid in ice long enough for Kadaj to strike in deeply! Bravely, Muramasa allows Cagalli’s Akatsuki to throw him towards the kaiju like an angry sword wielding baseball. Capitalizing on Godzilla’s weakened legs Athrun seizes his tail and sends Godzilla tumbling to the ground. Nanami further unbalances the kaiju, allowing Gilgamesh to capitalize on this with his own attacks, the force of which knocks the kaiju hard enough that the tail rips right off!
END CW
This makes Godzilla very upset and sends him into a rampage! Thankfully, Aventurine’s falling poker chips keep everyone from the worst of the retributions. Aki, Vash, Lucy, Geto, and Shinn manage to land in attacks even as the continued damage leads to Godzilla charging his attack, the red glow from his mouth intensifying. All of those efforts give the perfect opening for Harumasa’s arrow to land a perfect hit! His arrow flies true, finding a gap in the scales of the kaiju's throat and delivering an electric shock into his body, sending the beast falling to the ground with that final decisive blow.

The kaiju manages to rise to his knees for a brief moment, so he can fire a final blast of red energy skyward, igniting the clouds and dispelling the storm. The majority of Rift Energy has been purged from his system. Fully spent, he collapses with the glow fading from his body. The spirits vanish, magma cools, and the path ahead clears.

Beyond this gate is an area of respite. A field of clay flowers and sculpted trees awaits, devoid of all life but providing a chance to rest and recover after their trials.

▶ 007. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to the 6th travel log but 8th kaiju log... We'll just call it the 8th kaiju log. As mentioned in the last mingle, the June event is a player plot in which the Outsiders have come together in order to resolve the present crisis.

In this event, all seven gates of the Underworld will have to be crossed and their guardians defeated! However, your character doesn’t need to play out going through every gate. They can let others deal with the earlier gates to focus on later gates. Though they are not featured in this log, Yzak, Bakugou, Hiyori and Ereshkigal will have their own trial/battle in the second log. It is possible to encounter them in this log if they have a top level and come to check on their fellow guardians protecting the earlier gates.

This event is longer than usual so please refer to the event breakdown below for summaries if necessary. Additional information may be provided in top levels of characters involved in the player plot planning.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

001. OUTSIDERS UNBOUND (TRAVEL) With none of the usual alarms or notifications, Outsiders are on their own in terms of figuring out the current crisis. Through the collective efforts of the Outsiders, they will have discovered a route to Ereshkigal and potentially the missing through Iraq. Outsiders are expected to find their own way to Kûr - the Underworld,whether with some help or through the data portal through Egypt.

002. KUR KIGAL With their arrival to the old city, Outsiders are provided shelter in the form of restored buildings that have been retro-fitted for their comfort. With food and shelter no longer a concern Dr. Masuda takes the Outsiders to the Temple of Ishtar where the trials await them deep in the tunnel and caves systems.

003. GATE OF GRAVE KEEPER In the first gate, Outsiders may find pitfall traps and strange gravestones with familiar names written on them. Gallû spirits can manifest as figures from characters' pasts and will try to convince characters to succumb to the effects of the Rift. Overcoming the trial and defeating Tsurumaru will allow Outsiders to pass to the next gate.

004. GATE OF REASON Outsiders must battle nauseating hallucinations and navigate a portal maze with dangerous traps and Gallû spirits. They can find portals that smell like chalk or sound like turning pages to reach the exit. Reaching the end and defeating Ratio will lead to the next gate.

005. GATE OF EXCISION Outsiders must work together to move throughout fissures, dangerous water, and trap buildings. They can encounter the missing scientists who are drugged to be berserk, stronger, and have more stamina. Defeating them and Silco will allow Outsiders to move on to the next gate.

006. GATE OF SURVIVAL Outsiders must climb up a staircase and fight Gallu spirits while avoiding energy blasts from Godzilla. The environment is very stormy and hot because of magma. Defeating the kaiju will allow Outsiders to move on the next gate but also provide them with a moment to rest and recover.

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Comments

Closed To Lucy

[30storieshigh]

[ It's not just his failure to Ereshkigal or his maiming that has Godzilla feeling sour. It's his failure to Lucy that strikes him the hardest. After all the things he's said to her, the assurances to stay by her side, the admittance of how deeply his feelings for her go, the plans they've made, he goes and does all of this. Not all of his own fault, perhaps, but that doesn't change the facts of things. He abandoned her. Not only that, he struck out at her in anger, he nearly forgot who she was and it cost both of them dearly for it. The worst part is Godzilla knows for a fact the injury to Lucy's body doesn't hurt her half as much as the harm she's inflicted on his own. He knows her. She'll be blaming herself for his injuries for weeks to come.

The stump that is the base where his tail should be twitches as he tries to coil the appendage around the wounded diclonious protectively as they recover, letting their nanomachines do work on healing one another. Of course there's no tail to coil around her any longer, a fact that has him heaving a sigh of bellowing smoke. He settles for lifting his as of current larger than usual (yet also smaller than his full size, funny how that works) head, gently nuzzling against Lucy with his muzzle. ]

My apologies are a thing freely given and felt within the heart, a fact that should not require voicing. [ He rumble quietly, his eyes closed as he lets himself focus on the reassuring weight of Lucy's presence ] Yet one thinks they are ill equipped to make accounting for what has occurred here. I have failed this world, my Friends... and yourself. There is little forgiveness to be spared for such actions.

[saudadist]

[ Her leg aches. The stump of her knee gives her flashes of pain every few seconds, and the rest of the time it's just throbs that threaten to leave her dizzy. Before, it was pure rage that kept her from going into shock. Rage, and her cybertentacles wrapping tightly around her knee and what remained of her calf to cut off the bleeding there. Now, however, she can only focus on healing him. The implant works overtime to close her wound and his both, but with her Corrupted state, it's hard to tell if her sickly pallor is because she's trying to stay awake or because of the same magic that corrupted Godzilla and their colleagues.

She runs her hand over the big lizard's snout in steady strokes. So far, nobody's been stupid enough to come near him with her practically glued to him. Her tendrils stay lax and twitching on the ground, though, waiting. The first person to look at Godzilla in a way she doesn't like will get a hell of a slap. ]

Don't talk so much. You should be focused on resting.

[ She'd chide him harsher than this if she possessed the energy. ]

[30storieshigh]

[ The throbbing in his body would subside if it wasn't for his own implant working at overtime to heal her wounds in return for her efforts to heal him. That enhancement really was one of the better decisions he's made. Absently he considers he'll need more now, loathe as he is to take metal onto his form, he needs two arms to hold her properly...

Her instructions earn her an amused snort and a roll of his eyes. ]

B-bah... One who makes residence within a domicile built of the shattering reflective material should not make to throw stones.

[ Glasshouses.

He keeps his eyes on her as she strokes his snout for a little longer, though the soothing action is too much for him. Coupled with his exhaustion he's soon closing those eyes and relaxing under her watch. Rankled as he is that he can't defend her fully she's taking up the slack, it doesn't take a genius to realize her tendrils lie in wait to strike any who'd bother them. ]

An inquiry. Things are... muddied still, unclear. Were you always possessed of such length in horns?

[saudadist]

[ He's in good enough shape that he can argue with her. That's good. She doesn't even mind the "glass houses" crack either. She should be resting, but here she is trying to heal him up more than herself. Foolish. ]

I don't know when exactly it happened, but it's recent.

[ She turns her head to press her lips to his massive brow in a gentle kiss. However weakened they both are, she's going to conserve her energy for any would-be intruders. Anyone who dares shatter this peace they have now will regret it. Until that moment comes—and hopefully it doesn't!—she's content to cling to him and stroke him with her exhausted hands. ]

They were long like this before...feels like it was forever ago now.

[30storieshigh]

[ The massive difference in their sizes might as well not exist for how keenly he can feel her kissing him. Likely it's his imagination but that brief show of intimate affection seems to have healed him that much further, how curious... (He doesn't remember that deeper intimacy makes the implants work better, scattered as his mind is. )

A thoughtful hum rumbles in his throat as he cracks open a singular eye, looking up at those horns of hers for a moment. ]

It is... cute, I believe is the word...? Yes, cute. [ He closes his eye again and chuckles. ] However you are one given to the capability to have anything "look good" upon yourself.

[ A pause as he shifts his massive bulk, further taking weight off his left side, then a sigh. ]

Yourself and Nyuu-hime...? The pair of you have been well in my absence?

[ The way says that it's almost casual, like he's been on a short work trip or vacation rather than a kidnapping that lead directly into a near battle to the death. Godzilla knows he'll have to confront and account for his actions, sure, but if he can spend just a little while longer in Lucy's embrace then he'll delay as long as he can. ]

[saudadist]

[ He's so... even now, he's cracking wise and calling her cute. Asking about her and Nyuu. Not even thinking about himself. It pisses her off!! But that's just how he is. He worries about others over himself. It's aggravating when she feels the same way for him. ]

We've been fine...aside from worrying sick about you. [ She pays no heed to her missing lower leg. The pain from it is easy to ignore now. All that matters is hugging him, stroking his snout, and pressing her cheek to the rough scale of his face. ] I'm gonna be mad at you for a while for this. Just so you know.

[ She wants to sound tough, angry, but it's hard to keep it up. She's just so relieved. So, so happy, now that he's finally back in her arms. In a moment of exhaustion, she relaxes against him and sighs. ]

I wanted to see you so badly, you stupid lizard...

[30storieshigh]

[ She's frustrated, he can tell. Subtle tension in her muscles, a slight tilt to the curve of her mouth as she considers him. He gets it. He's not entirely unaware of how she must feel, having gone through his own tumultuous time when she was abducted in Brasov.

Though... it's worse for her, isn't it? Not only was he taken after promising to stay beside her, she was forced to do battle with him. He... he maimed her. Even with the bleeding halted the stump where part of her leg used to be demands his attention. He did that. To her. A person he promised to protect and stay beside.

It's not his fault, he knows that, but it is. That anger that drove him is a part of him no matter how much he wants to deny it. He'll have to remain vigilante in the future to ensure no corruption can turn him again. ]

I would hold concern if you were not of angered disposition of this.

[ He actually manages to chuckle. It's very much like her to be mad at him right now, she has every right to it too.

A content sigh escapes as he closes his eyes, allowing himself to enjoy the sensation of her weight against him. This size is vexing. Perfectly suited for brutal combat yet entirely ill-disposed to holding her. He has to settle for her laying against him like this, which is pleasant, but he longs to have her once more in his arms... er... just arm singular now, isn't it. That's vexing too. ]

We are of a mind and heart then. Whilst my mind was my own the lack of your presence was what was most upon my mind. One thought to liberate Ereshkigal from this place before such timing as her goals were fully realized and then make reunification with you, it was... hmm. Misguided in final goal.

[ He lets out a huff of smoke, cracking an eye open to look at her, regret in that lizardy orb that stares at her. ]

I am sorry, my Beloved. I have been an ill "boyfriend" in this circumstance. I shall devote my efforts to making amendment for it.

[saudadist]

[ Her heart thumps and twists in her chest. Of course he'd blame himself for her condition. None of this was his fault, as far as she's concerned. It's not his fault nor Ereshkigal's. She refuses to blame them for anything, not when they've been hurting so much too.

She presses another kiss to his massive, scaled brow before nuzzling her cheek against him. Her hands stroke along his skin: one over his snout and the other over the back of his head. ]

We're even, baby. I fucked your arm up pretty good. [ A leg for an arm. That's even, isn't it? It slowed him down, and now he's sane enough to speak with her. Her leg is a small price to pay for having him back with her. ] Let's not think about it anymore than that, okay?

[30storieshigh]

[ Even are they? She's not wrong in that assessment the more he thinks about it. The both of them forced to battle, giving up a part of their physical bodies but ultimately being reunified in a kind of wholeness that holds far more importance than simple limbs.

The kissing and her words soothe him fully, leading to a purring rumble starting up in his throat. There's no concern that she holds bitterness in her heart for this, else she'd not tend to him so sweetly. ]

Ah. Yet we must linger for a moment upon it. [ Very carefully he lifts his head up, pressing his muzzle to her forehead in the best version of a kiss he can manage in his inflated size. ] You fought well, fiercely. Like the Titan you are. A confession, one feels no small measure of pride in the capability to call one so brilliant their "girlfriend."

[ He grins as he lays his head back down so she can once more easily grasp onto him, that purr in his throat growing louder. ]

I am proud of you, Beloved.

[saudadist]

[ A knot swells in her throat. It takes far too long to swallow it back down, but once she does, she chuckles softly and squeezes his currently oversized head in a half hug. It's the best she can do for now with him so big. She can't help herself. It's that "Beloved" that keeps getting her. ]

Just don't make me do that again, okay? I might not kiss you as much if we have to go through this a second time.

[30storieshigh]

[ At her both eyes open wide in startled concern. ]

An ill thing... disastrously ill. Should there be circumstance that would require such I shall ensure to "kick my own ass".

[ He's... he's joking around. That fake shock gives way to another chuckle as he nuzzles against her, his remaining arm coming up to gently wrap around her and hold her as close as he can manage. ]

Once Friend Ereshkigal is retrieved we shall take time for ourselves one thinks, yes? A stay in one of the more comfortable dwellings to facilitate our mutual recovery.