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synflux2025-06-15 10:41 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2025-06-15 10:41 pm
KAIJU FIGHT #9
BEYOND THE GATES (KAIJU FIGHT #9.)
ā¶ 001. GATE OF HEROES (FIFTH GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD.)
The Underworld halls and passages abruptly end in a massive cavern, filled with grinding vibrations of high tech engines and many thrusters firing in succession. Hovering in place amid the spacious chamber is a gigantic aerial stronghold primed with energized force fields above a dangerous chasm of pillars. Any Outsider who's spent time with Bakugo might recognize this as his hero academia transformed: U.A. - The Flying Fortress. The gate they need to access lies within.
Those who cannot fly or traverse the air freely must deal with the Pitfall grounds beneath U.A., a grouping of flat-topped spires linked together with ropes, wires, and cables. Trying to navigate them with the thrusters firing above is difficult enough, but some of the pillars are (visibly) booby-trapped with powerful landmines, combustive cursed energy blood, and mechanical explosives alike.
Passing through U.A.'s force field barely grazes the Outsiders who enter, as its goal isn't to keep people out but to utterly strip Outsiders of rift poisoning and debris. Like a purification filter, there will be no signs of rift poisoning within U.A.'s protective walls. Outsiders can take time to rest amid the campus' trees, dorms, pathways, and towering H-shaped school.
Don't rest too long. The sound of machines revving and metal crashing heralds an army of green-plated robots approaching. Red sensor eyes lock onto the Outsiders. U.A.'s fleet of Villain Bots are combat testing robots designed to create battle simulations, and they mean business. Wait, is that a white rabbit hopping around? Yep! Get too close, and they burst into a dark swirl of energy. And those roses blooming in the grass? Approach them and they erupt in a volley of nails.
With the chaff weeded out, the Outsiders can finally approach U.A.'s school proper and the two figures standing atop it. Explosions burst and flare, a threatening display around a hero's hands, while spectral blue flames ignite on a sorcerer's fists.
"Oi, you shitty extras! Making it all this way here just to die? Sucks to be you!"
"Hey, don't forget about me! I made a promise, didn't I?"
One of the Outsiders' strongest tag teams finally takes the stage.
Those who cannot fly or traverse the air freely must deal with the Pitfall grounds beneath U.A., a grouping of flat-topped spires linked together with ropes, wires, and cables. Trying to navigate them with the thrusters firing above is difficult enough, but some of the pillars are (visibly) booby-trapped with powerful landmines, combustive cursed energy blood, and mechanical explosives alike.
Passing through U.A.'s force field barely grazes the Outsiders who enter, as its goal isn't to keep people out but to utterly strip Outsiders of rift poisoning and debris. Like a purification filter, there will be no signs of rift poisoning within U.A.'s protective walls. Outsiders can take time to rest amid the campus' trees, dorms, pathways, and towering H-shaped school.
Don't rest too long. The sound of machines revving and metal crashing heralds an army of green-plated robots approaching. Red sensor eyes lock onto the Outsiders. U.A.'s fleet of Villain Bots are combat testing robots designed to create battle simulations, and they mean business. Wait, is that a white rabbit hopping around? Yep! Get too close, and they burst into a dark swirl of energy. And those roses blooming in the grass? Approach them and they erupt in a volley of nails.
With the chaff weeded out, the Outsiders can finally approach U.A.'s school proper and the two figures standing atop it. Explosions burst and flare, a threatening display around a hero's hands, while spectral blue flames ignite on a sorcerer's fists.
"Oi, you shitty extras! Making it all this way here just to die? Sucks to be you!"
"Hey, don't forget about me! I made a promise, didn't I?"
One of the Outsiders' strongest tag teams finally takes the stage.
ā¶ 002. GATE OF TRUTH (SIXTH GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD.)
Straight to the point, just like its Guardian, it's a short passageway to the next gate. When it opens up to their next trial, the area is brighter and smoother, the floor checker-patterned with black and white stone. It's essentially a huge chess board, and the Outsiders stand on one end of it.
The gate stands just beyond the opposite side, tall and imposing and so close. It looks like it's been carved out of steel with a simple design. In the center, a large hourglass is fixed on a rotator, the sand still at the bottom. It's blue-tinted, paneled, and vaguely familiar to some. The Gallu on the opposite side of the board wear different colored uniforms. Atop the gate is the Duel Blitz, its beam rifle in hand. Perched on its shoulder is Yzak himself, twisting his precious, bone-made black bishop chess piece between his fingers. He leans forward, sharp blue eyes staring the arrivals down as if sizing up prey.
"Come on over, then, if you have the capacity not to bullshit me."
The Gallu disappear.
"You're on a timer, too. So tick-tock, or else..."
He lifts his free hand at the Outsiders in a gun cocking motion, the Duel mirroring with its beam rifle. The hourglass begins to rotate and reset.
It's a simple walk across the floor. Some squares are fine, but others? One of the spirits springs up, grabs an Outsider's throat, and Yzak's voice echoes with a question. Honesty will cause the Gallu to crumble and Yzak will seem to reel mentally, clearly affected. Lie even a little and the Gallu can tell, inflicting something (rift effect/physical/player choice) as a punishment. The answer must be spoken out loud - to the spirit, to Yzak, to those around you.
Admit some hard truths about yourself, and you'll be rewarded by the hourglass turning again, stopping halfway into the rotation to leave an opening, allowing the Outsiders to proceed through the gate and advance.
The gate stands just beyond the opposite side, tall and imposing and so close. It looks like it's been carved out of steel with a simple design. In the center, a large hourglass is fixed on a rotator, the sand still at the bottom. It's blue-tinted, paneled, and vaguely familiar to some. The Gallu on the opposite side of the board wear different colored uniforms. Atop the gate is the Duel Blitz, its beam rifle in hand. Perched on its shoulder is Yzak himself, twisting his precious, bone-made black bishop chess piece between his fingers. He leans forward, sharp blue eyes staring the arrivals down as if sizing up prey.
"Come on over, then, if you have the capacity not to bullshit me."
The Gallu disappear.
"You're on a timer, too. So tick-tock, or else..."
He lifts his free hand at the Outsiders in a gun cocking motion, the Duel mirroring with its beam rifle. The hourglass begins to rotate and reset.
It's a simple walk across the floor. Some squares are fine, but others? One of the spirits springs up, grabs an Outsider's throat, and Yzak's voice echoes with a question. Honesty will cause the Gallu to crumble and Yzak will seem to reel mentally, clearly affected. Lie even a little and the Gallu can tell, inflicting something (rift effect/physical/player choice) as a punishment. The answer must be spoken out loud - to the spirit, to Yzak, to those around you.
Admit some hard truths about yourself, and you'll be rewarded by the hourglass turning again, stopping halfway into the rotation to leave an opening, allowing the Outsiders to proceed through the gate and advance.
ā¶ 003. GATE OF BOUNDARIES (SEVENTH GATE OF THE UNDERWORLD.)
(cw: suicide)
An unassuming and quaint hospital sits in your view. But it's quiet. Empty. There are no Cars and no personages on this solitary lot besides you. Should you choose to enter the double doOrs, the halls are just as still. It's as though everyone got up and left their stations exactly as they are.
This was not a drill.
Wander the rooms and you might run into your fellow "OUtsiders". You might run into a dead end. Travel up the floors and back down again. The longer you stay, the more youR nerves may fray. Look back whence the way you came and the door to the outside is gone, there's no escape.
Enjoy your sTay.
Wander and wander, wander and ponder, the flutter of a butterfly's wings over Yonder. The steady ticking of a nearby clock. The echo of your steps while you walk. For all the rooms and all the corners you might search, there's only one place that this gAtekeeper might find heR perch.
Once you riDdle out your destination, our cheerful winged friends become an infestation. Barring your path at every opportunity, poisoning your blight at a touch, from which even your gods have no immunity. The only remedy sits upon her gate—strange tail swishing, tears streaking, fangs bared, and inconsolable as of late.
"We HĢ“Ķ Ģ¢ave to diEĢµĢ½Ģ," she sighs, hoarse and cracked from an eternal cry. "It's the onLĢ“ĶĢy way. PĢµĶĶlease, let MĢ“ĢĢ¹EĢ“Ģ¾Ģ© kill you."
In a ruined white night gown, she drops from her gate and lands on all fours, succumbing to the intertwined fate. The whites of her eyes a luminescent yellow, voice shifting into a strange and distorted bellow.
With a lunge, red in her eyes, this battle for humanity has begun.
An unassuming and quaint hospital sits in your view. But it's quiet. Empty. There are no Cars and no personages on this solitary lot besides you. Should you choose to enter the double doOrs, the halls are just as still. It's as though everyone got up and left their stations exactly as they are.
This was not a drill.
Wander the rooms and you might run into your fellow "OUtsiders". You might run into a dead end. Travel up the floors and back down again. The longer you stay, the more youR nerves may fray. Look back whence the way you came and the door to the outside is gone, there's no escape.
Enjoy your sTay.
Wander and wander, wander and ponder, the flutter of a butterfly's wings over Yonder. The steady ticking of a nearby clock. The echo of your steps while you walk. For all the rooms and all the corners you might search, there's only one place that this gAtekeeper might find heR perch.
Once you riDdle out your destination, our cheerful winged friends become an infestation. Barring your path at every opportunity, poisoning your blight at a touch, from which even your gods have no immunity. The only remedy sits upon her gate—strange tail swishing, tears streaking, fangs bared, and inconsolable as of late.
"We HĢ“Ķ Ģ¢ave to diEĢµĢ½Ģ," she sighs, hoarse and cracked from an eternal cry. "It's the onLĢ“ĶĢy way. PĢµĶĶlease, let MĢ“ĢĢ¹EĢ“Ģ¾Ģ© kill you."
In a ruined white night gown, she drops from her gate and lands on all fours, succumbing to the intertwined fate. The whites of her eyes a luminescent yellow, voice shifting into a strange and distorted bellow.
With a lunge, red in her eyes, this battle for humanity has begun.
ā¶ 004. THE ABYSS (KAIJU BATTLE.)
Upon reaching the depths of Kƻr, outsiders are greeted by an empty seat made of rocks, ruined columns, and the rift where the waters of the abyss should be. Ereshkigal is already transformed and towering above the rift. Her voice is deeper than usual, colder and distant.
āI commend you for having come so far. But there is no hope for humanity. I shall put an end to your foolish hopes and keep your souls safe forevermore!ā
As seven ethereal spears appear around the corrupted goddess and shoot at the outsiders, Rin and Lucy open up the offensive — all while trying to call out to Ereshkigalās true nature. They are not alone in doing so, a number of other outsiders following them. Indeed, Hunter tries and reminds her that people care for her. It causes Ereshkigal to hesitate, allowing Kaga, Kadaj, Raleigh and Donatello to attack her.
Following sage advice, Archer takes a shot at praising Ereshkigal, which leaves her very confused — helping Yato who takes advantage of the opening to deal heavy damage. Aki summons a blizzard of cherry blossoms that lasts for the entire battle, lowering visibility. Ereshkigal is taken aback, her next attack missing Raidou as a result. Unfortunately, it also causes Asagami, Laios and Vergilius to miss some of their attacks. Furthermore, Vash, who has been corrupted, tries to stop his own comrades!
As the assault continues with Nanami, Leonardo and Yesod, Akakagiās paper shikigami leave the goddess burned, allowing for Murasama and Yuta to deal even more damage. And seeing how the praise worked once, Dearka and Gilgamesh do it again, but with a twist: they also insult her! This creates enough of an opening for Cagalli, Shinn, Harusama and Aventurine to attack. Tezcatlipocaās and Danteās words manage to get her to hesitate further, allowing Hunter to land a critical hit.
The battle takes its toll on the corrupted goddess and Outsiders alike, but suddenly a giant ethereal spear forms in her skeletal hand, twice her size and crackling with energy: her Noble Phantasm. She aims it at Geto, the blow shaking the foundation of the Underworld itself as she strikes. Anyone standing around him will be wounded or knocked out.
Ereshkigal pulls the spear back and prepares to pierce Taryon this time — but as he speaks and even apologizes for his perceived misdeed in allowing this to happen, the skeletal enemy freezes. After a moment of silence, the gigantic spear vanishes and Ereshkigalās beastly form explodes. The rift vanishes, revealing the dark waters of the abyss beneath it. Outsiders with good eyes may see Ereshkigal has returned to her normal form — unconscious, bloodied, yet no longer corrupted. Though she fell into the waters of the abyss, someone has leapt after her. But that is likely to be the least of anyoneās concerns for the ground starts trembling...
āI commend you for having come so far. But there is no hope for humanity. I shall put an end to your foolish hopes and keep your souls safe forevermore!ā
ā ā ā MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Ereshkigal
HEIGHT: 20m
WEIGHT: ???
CLASS: Evil of Humanity | Beast: Null
LOCATION: Underworld - The Abyss
ABILITIES: Can lower the atmospheric pressure. She must be quickly defeated or else the atmosphere may become unsuitable for life. She can materialize ethereal spears and attack multiple targets at once. She is capable of unleashing her Noble Phantasm - an unblockable attack directed at a small area. She can control the ground to trap or separate Outsiders and weaken their offensive abilities.
WEAKNESSES: She can become stunned or confused briefly under the following conditions: Being complimented or praised. Being reminded of her true self.
Mocking and insulting her may cause her to attack prematurely, resulting in a miss. However, her following attack will be more powerful.
EXTRA NOTES: Those already suffering from Rift poisoning and effects are warned to be careful in case effects worsen.
RIFT EFFECTS: Corruption, Sumerian Fever
ā ā ā ATTACHED PHOTO:
As seven ethereal spears appear around the corrupted goddess and shoot at the outsiders, Rin and Lucy open up the offensive — all while trying to call out to Ereshkigalās true nature. They are not alone in doing so, a number of other outsiders following them. Indeed, Hunter tries and reminds her that people care for her. It causes Ereshkigal to hesitate, allowing Kaga, Kadaj, Raleigh and Donatello to attack her.
Following sage advice, Archer takes a shot at praising Ereshkigal, which leaves her very confused — helping Yato who takes advantage of the opening to deal heavy damage. Aki summons a blizzard of cherry blossoms that lasts for the entire battle, lowering visibility. Ereshkigal is taken aback, her next attack missing Raidou as a result. Unfortunately, it also causes Asagami, Laios and Vergilius to miss some of their attacks. Furthermore, Vash, who has been corrupted, tries to stop his own comrades!
As the assault continues with Nanami, Leonardo and Yesod, Akakagiās paper shikigami leave the goddess burned, allowing for Murasama and Yuta to deal even more damage. And seeing how the praise worked once, Dearka and Gilgamesh do it again, but with a twist: they also insult her! This creates enough of an opening for Cagalli, Shinn, Harusama and Aventurine to attack. Tezcatlipocaās and Danteās words manage to get her to hesitate further, allowing Hunter to land a critical hit.
The battle takes its toll on the corrupted goddess and Outsiders alike, but suddenly a giant ethereal spear forms in her skeletal hand, twice her size and crackling with energy: her Noble Phantasm. She aims it at Geto, the blow shaking the foundation of the Underworld itself as she strikes. Anyone standing around him will be wounded or knocked out.
Ereshkigal pulls the spear back and prepares to pierce Taryon this time — but as he speaks and even apologizes for his perceived misdeed in allowing this to happen, the skeletal enemy freezes. After a moment of silence, the gigantic spear vanishes and Ereshkigalās beastly form explodes. The rift vanishes, revealing the dark waters of the abyss beneath it. Outsiders with good eyes may see Ereshkigal has returned to her normal form — unconscious, bloodied, yet no longer corrupted. Though she fell into the waters of the abyss, someone has leapt after her. But that is likely to be the least of anyoneās concerns for the ground starts trembling...
ā¶ 005. ESCAPE FROM THE UNDERWORLD.
With the riftās disappearance, the Sumerian Fever immediately ceases, though its after-effects may still be felt. Likewise the corruption no longer spreads, even though it may still take a while (or a good beating) for its effects to dissipate. Perhaps more importantly, the trembling intensifies, an earthquake rocking the entire Underworld and causing it to collapse!
Held together with magic from another world, there is nothing left to sustain it. First the cage with the souls disappear, followed by all the GallĆ» Spirits. Be careful not to miss a step while running back to the surface, or you may plummet and fall into the abyss. Collapsing platforms and paths may require jumping or finding creative ways to pass over them. Itās a bit of a rocky exit, especially while carrying the wounded and formerly corrupted outsiders, but it could be worseā¦
ā¦ Will it be worse?
On the way out, a collapsed wall reveals a previously unexplored room filled with all sorts of gems: emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and the like. Should anyone be tempted to take one (or more) of those gems, two ghouls will appear, each holding a clay tablet upon which the words āUSELESS GODDESSā are inscribed. The entities cackle and — oh, dear! The room starts collapsing on itself, better leave it immediately! And — wait, why is there a giant boulder rolling towards you now? Run! Are those arrows flying from the wall and lightning bolts striking the ground?
The escape has become a veritable adventure! Such is the fate of anyone activating the trap that was meant for this elusive āuseless goddessā Ereshkigal had been preparing for. And it is also the fate of everyone else really, since the trap doesnāt differentiate between thieves and innocent passersby just trying to escape impending doom.
Held together with magic from another world, there is nothing left to sustain it. First the cage with the souls disappear, followed by all the GallĆ» Spirits. Be careful not to miss a step while running back to the surface, or you may plummet and fall into the abyss. Collapsing platforms and paths may require jumping or finding creative ways to pass over them. Itās a bit of a rocky exit, especially while carrying the wounded and formerly corrupted outsiders, but it could be worseā¦
ā¦ Will it be worse?
On the way out, a collapsed wall reveals a previously unexplored room filled with all sorts of gems: emeralds, sapphires, diamonds and the like. Should anyone be tempted to take one (or more) of those gems, two ghouls will appear, each holding a clay tablet upon which the words āUSELESS GODDESSā are inscribed. The entities cackle and — oh, dear! The room starts collapsing on itself, better leave it immediately! And — wait, why is there a giant boulder rolling towards you now? Run! Are those arrows flying from the wall and lightning bolts striking the ground?
The escape has become a veritable adventure! Such is the fate of anyone activating the trap that was meant for this elusive āuseless goddessā Ereshkigal had been preparing for. And it is also the fate of everyone else really, since the trap doesnāt differentiate between thieves and innocent passersby just trying to escape impending doom.
ā¶ 006. AFTERMATH.
Dr. Masuda is waiting at the exit. Mere moments after the last Outsider has escaped, the tunnel crumbles and the path to the Underworld is forever sealed. Analysis tools reveal the inside of the cave has returned to the way it was before — as if the Underworld had never existed. However, any gems grabbed on the way out can be kept. The sole physical reminders of this adventure. That and any wounds that have been sustained, of course.
All of the disappeared Outsiders have been rescued and are (mostly) well, the corruption is gone and the Sumerian Fever is a distant memory. Communication has been reestablished with LILITH headquarters, and there is confirmation the staff is slowly recovering from this ordeal.
While Outsiders may be expecting a congratulations from the Commander, their oculars are oddly quiet as they had back to base. However, seemingly out of nowhere, SYNTHIA delivers a sudden message:
All of the disappeared Outsiders have been rescued and are (mostly) well, the corruption is gone and the Sumerian Fever is a distant memory. Communication has been reestablished with LILITH headquarters, and there is confirmation the staff is slowly recovering from this ordeal.
While Outsiders may be expecting a congratulations from the Commander, their oculars are oddly quiet as they had back to base. However, seemingly out of nowhere, SYNTHIA delivers a sudden message:
"Hello, my dear children. It is my misfortune to deliver to you all this message;
Commander Shiro has passed away. Captain Yamakawa will be taking the position of Commander with a heavy heart."
ā¶ 005. AFTERWORD.
This is Kaiju Fight #9 and the conclusion of a player plot hosted by Melodie. Thanks for everyone involved in this event! All comments in this event count for 2 points towards June AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. GATE OF HEROES: Bakugou & Yuji's gate, which consists of booby traps, pitfalls, villain robots and the corrupted teen tag team themselves, proves for a challenge to Outsiders.
2. GATE OF TRUTH: Yzak's gate is quite different, asking Outsiders a handful of questions (player's choice) that must be answered honestly to proceed.
3. GATE OF BOUNDARIES: Solve the riddle and fight the fight.
4. THE ABYSS: The results in full detail of Ereshkigal's battle.
5. ESCAPE FROM THE UNDERWORLD: An earthquake shatters the Underworld, and Outsiders must escape through an array of booby traps, ceasing opportunity to take some gems. The corruption and illness are beginning to fade away entirely.
6. AFTERMATH: The Outsiders make way back to Neo Tokyo, only to receive news that Commander Shiro has died.
3 - ARE YA WINNIN' SON? (after a week or so) (lmk if this doesn't work!)
What did he care about the people he attacked? They could handle it. None of them were dead. He'd managed to stab Tezcatlipoca, but hey. He also lost a hand in that altercation.
So for the most part, Silco seems to be doing... fine. More than fine, if the spirits he catches Yuji with, are anything to go off of. He's smoking a cigar, and just happens to pass him... wherever he is after he'd finally leaves Nanami's 24/7 company.
He shuffles near him, blowing a cloud of smoke in the air. ]
Oh, don't look so down. We all made it back perfectly safe.
no subject
[ Yuji looks a little bit healthier.
It's going to take longer than a week for him to fully recover and look like himself again, so he still looks tired and gaunt, but there's a familiar warmth to his cheeks again, and he's able to move without looking haggard and exhausted.
It's still been hard to him to face a lot of the people he's hurt, and he's glad Nanami was able to forgive him for what he's done, but he's not really been able to face Choso or Geto or some of the others, the anxiety of it coiling in his stomach and making him feel a little broken and shattered. He's tired emotionally, now, and when he sees Silco...
He's not sure if it's relief or nerves that fills his stomach. ]
That's not the point, though, is it?
no subject
[ He gestures with a hand, all new and fresh, it only twitches oddly sometimes now, just enough that he can tell it isn't quite aligned, but it looks perfectly normal, nothing that makes it stand out, other thant he fact that it's oddly smooth, and lacking in any of the faded and faint scars it used to bear. ]
Are you blaming yourself? For what was done to you?
[ He asks with a roll of his eyes. Sure, they were still themselves, but the corruption did the most of it, right? Well. For most of them. Silco had one person to apologize to, and that was his daughter, and it had little to do with the corruption, and more to do with. Well.
What came before. The mess of all of it. ]
Because if I remember correctly, you held on for quite some time, didn't you?
no subject
[ It isn't the first time, but Silco doesn't know that. He's seen some of Yuji's memories, but nothing that would explain this particular reaction, the heartache and discomfort that he feels, the strange echo of something he had thought he had left behind. He didn't want to be in this position again, he thought he was freed from it, but here he is again.
Another mistake. Another time where he's told it isn't his fault, when his heart feels too heavy a burden to carry and his body is still tired and trying to recover.
Trying to ignore the way Silco rolls his eyes, Yuji frowns. ]
I still did it, even if the Rift was involved.
no subject
[ He says bluntly.
Mostly.
It's mostly the truth, a little bit of a lie. He doesn't feel bad about stabbing Tezcatlipoca. He doesn't even think much about the Outsiders he harmed. They're... well. They probably underestimated him anyway. There's one exception. ]
There is only so much you can resist. Every man has his breaking point. [ And that's what it was, right? The point at which the will faded? ]
No man's will is unending. We all have a moment at which it falters. You found it, and nobody was killed. This had less collateral damage than some of our choices in the past.
no subject
[ Yuji's hands shake as he looks up at Silco, his eyes flat, wounded, the emotions flickering over his face. He's never been able to hide how he feels, and it doesn't seem as if he's about to start now, not when he feels as if he's been turned inside out. ]
I almost killed Choso. I hurt so many people I care about. Even if the Rift made it happen, that doesn't undo all the hurt they're feeling. It doesn't make it just go away, does it?
[ He shakes his head. ]
I have to do something to make it right.
no subject
His jaw tightened. ]
And do they blame you?
[ He asked, simply, after a long moment. ]
Or are you blaming yourself for them?
no subject
[ Yuji's read his texts, now. He knows what they've said to him. Who cares if that was before they found him, before they saw what Ereshkigal and Ratio had done to him? Why should that matter? ]
Choso said I was as bad as our father, and he's a mass murderer. Raidou is furious with me. Yuta-senpai said the same. So, yeah, maybe they do blame me. Does it matter either way?
[ His voice is still hoarse, but he's shouting, or close to it, all the same. ]
I blame me, and so do they, so it's meant to feel like this, all over again!
no subject
[ He says. He nods. He puffs on his cigar, and he lets Yuji yell, or close to it. They hated him, for something that wasn't his fault, did they? Yeah, that sounded about right. He'd just tried to help, and in return... they all simply... hated him for doing so. For getting wrapped up in it. For being changed and forced ā and unlike Silco, who thinks that the rift corruption did very little for him (delusional) ā to become the monster he seemingly didn't see himself as.
He could accept doing terrible things. They could accept him doing terrible things. But only when it served them.
The moment it went sideways, the moment he wasn't convenient, or palatable, they turn on him.
How typical. ]
They might, then. [ He says. It's matter-of-fact, his tone. Yuji, you've activated the 'he's just like me fr' neuron ] They always do, in the end. Everyone does. It doesn't matter that you were out of control, or that it started by trying to help, does it? It doesn't matter that you endured weeks of whatever it was Ratio did to you. [ A wave of his hand at that. ] It doesn't matter that you defended people that they were trying to put down, does it?
In the end... we still have to live with it. Their decision on who we are. We have to live with the consequences, our guilt. It doesn't matter whether we chose it or not, or whether it was right or not. All that matters is the moment.
Maybe that's all they will see.
You're lucky, boy. [ Is he, though? ] This isolation, it is best to learn this early. You have more time to learn to live with it.
[ silco... ]
no subject
He feels...
Empty.
The exhaustion is still there, lingering inside of him, and even a week hiding away with someone who did care about him and did forgive him isn't enough to undo the damage from weeks of corruption and starvation. He can't think rationally, he can't wrap his mind around what he is meant to do or meant to feel when he looks at his hands and sees nothing but blood - the blood of people he had promised to take care of and protect.
How can he blame them for the things they said? He blames himself.
The words that come out of Silco's mouth should be annoying, should make him want to argue back and fight, but he's simply too tired for it right now. It's strange to think that a few weeks ago he would've died for this man, but right now he wishes he would just stop talking. The mental wounds are far, far too fresh.
He can't deal with this. ]
It matters. It was meant to be the good outweighing the bad, but I keep doing bad. Every time I try to do something to help, I make it worse. But that's something I've already said I can deal with, because I'm a sorcerer. I'm fighting to save as many people as possible, to keep their memories alive, so I can deal with this.
[ He doesn't have a choice. ]
And I'll shoulder the consequences of that.
no subject
[ He fishes out his flask, and uncaps it. Should he be drinking while still in recovery? Absolutely not. Is he?
Yes.
After he takes a swig, he offers it to him. ]
Some of us are cursed [ hah ] to never really be able to help, despite our best efforts.
All we can do is continue on.
The question is: will you break from the weight of them? Or will you persevere despite that?
no subject
He's just not legally allowed to drink, so. ]
I haven't broken before. I don't want to break this time.
[ Even if it's agonising. Even if it hurts, so deeply, down to the core of who he is.
He remains unbreakable. ]
I'll keep getting up.
no subject
He takes another drink, before he caps it and puts it away. ]
That's good.
You should never give them the satisfaction of succeeding. Even if it's out of pure spite that you continue on.
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[ Look. He's a good boy. :) ]
Thanks for checking on me, Silco-san.
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Hm, well. You seemed to make sure I lived through our...little event. It seems prudent to see how you're doing in return.
[ Yeah. It's just payback. ]
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[ Get kindness'd, Silco. ]
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I'm only doing what is necessary to keep you functional, boy. You're clearly worked up about it.
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[ He knows your type, loser. ]
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If you don't want any...
[ waggle waggle goes the flask ]
Then I'll be on my way, hm? Let you wallow a bit more.
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[ Jeez! ]
1/2
long look. His head tipped, one eyebrow drawn down. Yes, in confusion. ]
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He doesn't pay attention to it. ]
Underage? From drinking? Whoever heard of such a ridiculous thing?
I was at least half your age when I had my first drink. [ might be exaggerated... slightly. ]
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[ Not quite what happened, but. Hey, he misses you, Higuruma. ]
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What good is a law if you don't break it?
[ Asks... the literal crimelord... sorry, sorry. Chembaron. Legally distinct. ]
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[ What is he meant to say here actually. ]
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