synfluxmods: (Default)
šš‚šš¢šš—šššš•ššžšš” š™¼šš˜ššššœ ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-08-11 10:49 am

KAIJU FIGHT #10

KAIJU FIGHT #10


CONTENT WARNINGS: bugs, insects, wasps (prompts 3 and 4), insect stings, rift poisoning, medical testing (antidote to the sickness) and emotional side effects.

ā–¶ 001. FIND THE HIVE.

Reports of mysterious drumming deep in the forest seem promising. With the assistance of local scouts, they also find a clear path of destruction marked by dead plants and fallen insect kaiju. After collecting enough data, LILITH Mexico calls back the Outsiders and their scouts to regroup and recover for what they believe to be the final battle.

Based on their understanding of the region, the clues they've found, and Rift readings, they suspect a human-threat level kaiju is at the location of a known ancient temple. The reason they called the Outsiders back, however, is because it seems like not just one but two of these kaiju might be there. They want the Outsiders to recoup their strength before they head out.

Additionally, they believe one of the kaiju is one they have records of. A long time ago, during the first kaiju attacks, a plant-like kaiju they called "Nephenthipula" appeared and destroyed many cities which resulted in them becoming swallowed up by the expanding jungle. Over time, it simply went dormant and the forest became what it is today. They don't know why it suddenly returned but they suspect it might have something to do with the forest.

Before the teams are sent out, Dr. Flores approaches. Thanks to the hard work and research the Outsiders have been able to do, a basic antidote has been created that should be effective in helping to deal with most of the symptoms that they’ve been experiencing. There’s a very limited amount, however, and he recommends that the Outsiders are cautious: once it’s gone, there won’t be any more until the kaiju is dealt with.

The other downside? It’s not completely refined, so some Outsiders might continue to face side effects. He has more good news to offset this, though: Based on toxicology reports and additional reports about abandoned hives and dead colonies, he suspects the second kaiju might be a wasp of some sort.

Both the wasp kaiju and the Nephenthipula are located deep within the jungle, further even than most outsiders have dared to travel. Interestingly, based on the coordinates they have received so far... they both seem to be in the same vicinity. Before being sent out they will be warned to prepare for a potential double battle.



ā–¶ 002. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIPULA

The trip to the designated coordinate is fraught with danger. The forest seems to close in on itself, like it is protecting whatever it is that the Outsiders are trying to reach. The vines almost seem to take on a life of their own, the deeper into the jungle they travel. Forest creatures will attack outsiders, divebombing and trying to stop them when they take breaks from the trek deeper into the jungle. The deadly plants will become more aggressive, and the deeper Outsiders go… the quieter it gets.

The animals stop attacking. The vines almost seem half-hearted as they move deeper. They are thinner and weaker. Many are cut or rotted. They’ve been chewed through and though they still try to stop the outsiders, it is more like stopping the inevitable. As Outsiders breach the treeline, they’ll come into a clearing, where not only the Nephenthipula resides, rising from the forest like a raging colossus, but it is focused on a ruin. On trying to destroy it, its vines try to slap down stone towers, and strangle out parts of the ruin, but on the Outsiders' arrival, its focus is now fully shifted to focus on the new arrivals. Now is your chance, but Outsiders will find that they have to split up, and while some stay and fight the Nephenthipula; intel says that the Vescidae is inside the ruins but there is no clear way in.

Outsiders will quickly realize the Nephenthipula is not alone. In response to the plant kaiju, the entire forest seems to come to its aid. Vines will spread across the battlefield, attempting to tangle and strangle the Outsiders. Different vines manifest thorns, carnivorous flowers, and razor leaves to deter them even more.

Local kaiju also join in. Mutated jaguars, monkeys, snakes, and iguanas appear to further hinder their advances. From above, mutated butterflies, hummingbirds, and beetles rain pollen dosed with Rift energy. On top of the usual Rift sickness, this one seems to have an additional effect as well. The longer Outsiders are exposed to it, the more reluctant they are to attack the plant life and animal kaiju. They will feel a bond with the forest and become aggressive towards Outsiders causing harm.

The forest is their ally. They have to protect the forest at all costs. If that means turning against their friends then so be it. As long as Outsiders ally with the forest, they will find that they can call on it to assist them in limited capacity. They can use vines to block attacks and command some of the mutated kaiju to attack. Fortunately, Dr. Flores' antidote uses resources from the forest itself to counter some of these effects.



ā–¶ 003. INTO THE HIVE.

Observant Outsiders may notice an entrance into the temple. They will have to find a way up the steps, over living and dead vines. Occasionally the vines cover the entrance so Outsiders will have to destroy them again and again to enter.

With this being the only entrance and the vines controlling how many can enter at a time, it is essentially a bottleneck. Those who enter first will have to be ready to respond quickly because sentry wasps the size of housecats will charge at them. They are small, fast, and aggressive but weak. Their stings are incredibly painful to victims but fatal to the wasps which die shortly after. However, after being stung, the Outsider may notice they are attacked more frequently, as if they have been specifically marked.

Eventually, the sentry drones die or retreat, granting them peace. The inside of the temple is covered in a paper-mache like material. Instead of the regular comb shaped pattern one might expect, the combs are shaped like stars. From deep inside the temple, they will hear a steady drumming sound. Following the drumming sound will lead them to even more sentry drones as well as larger soldier drones that are far more aggressive.

They will have to navigate the catacombs of the temple to find and kill the queen. Surprisingly, characters that have been stung will instinctively know which direction they need to go in and will feel drawn to its location. They will also be able to telepathically communicate with others who have been stung or significantly affected by the hive's rift energy.

They will encounter more sentry drones as well as larger solder drones that are far more aggressive. They will also find comb filled with a thick, sweet, milky colored substance and larvae in the center. Characters affected by the hivemind will know this is a precious, nutrient rich resource. Maybe it might be worth collecting?


ā–¶ 004. OPERATION: VESCIDAE

The drumming sound becomes practically deafening and the Outsiders will find themselves in a great, open hall. The walls are carved with designs all the way up to the ceiling which is filled with stars. In the center of the hall they will see the Queen Vescidae. Her wings beat in a steady, drumming sound that echoes off the walls as she takes to the air and attacks.

As she attacks, drones will fly down from the ceiling to her aid. The venom from their stings is very potent and fast acting. At first, it clears the mind of their victims but some Outsiders react to this differently. Some Outsiders become incredibly calm and relaxed, as if all of their concerns– including the battle– are unimportant to them. Others will find that their new clarity makes it easier for them to focus, making them react to attacks faster and giving them an energy boost. For those who are particularly unlucky, however, the venom seems to wipe their minds completely, making them incredibly susceptible to the hypnotic beating of the Queen Vescidae's wings.

Certain Outsiders may suddenly find themselves turning on their friends as they become loyal to the hive. Their priority will become protecting the queen. By essentially becoming new drones, they become a part of the hive's hierarchy and can order lesser drones to assist them. Outsiders that still have Dr. Flores' antidote can protect themselves and potentially save some of their friends.

In a closed space, the battle is especially chaotic and it only gets worse when parts of the temple-hive begin to crumble and collapse. Vines pierce through the walls and outside attacks make the entire hive tremble. Letting in light and fresh air from outside which provides some relief. Shinn is able to land a critical attack on the Vescidae which stuns it. It staggers in the air disoriented and this allows the Outsiders to attack more easily. Shoto sets it on fire and it frantically begins to fly into the walls of the hive, causing more of it to collapse. Eventually, a reckless attack from Geto brings it down once and for all, putting an end to it.

The Vescidae smolders as parts of the hive and temple collapse around it. As parts of the ceiling collapse, they can see the traditional star designs up close. At the center of each star is a drawing of a striped insect.


ā–¶ 005. AFTERMATH.

Outside the hive, the battlefield and temple are swallowed up by vines and plantlife. In all of the chaos, it is impossible to tell where the Nephenthipula stops and where the Nephenthipula begins. They finally get a break when Ereshkigal's spears do massive damage, severing many of the Nephenthipula's vines. This makes it easier for Outsiders to attack closer or allows them to focus on holding back the forest and lesser kaiju. Weakened by everyone's efforts, the Nephenthipula eventually grows tired which allows Raphael to find an opening. The kaiju falls to the ground and begins to wither. As it turns to dust, a voice whispers, "How could you all do this to us and this planet?"

With its most powerful fighter defeated, the forest has taken a major blow. It still tries to defend itself but all of its attacks are much weaker. It does not stop until the hive temple begins to crumble and the beating sound from within comes to a stop. Suddenly, everything goes silent as the vines still and the lesser kaiju stop to observe.

Finally, the forest breathes. The vines recede and the lesser kaiju return to the jungle, leaving the Outsiders alone.

With the kaiju dealt with, it’s like a heavy weight has been lifted from the city, and the air itself feels less oppressive. Many of the issues that Outsiders had been dealing with seem to settle, the way of nature restored. It’s not all perfect, and there are still some lingering effects of pollen and other issues, but things seem to be better, to say the least. The Rift energy that had plagued the landscape settles and, over time, begins to recede.

One of the more lingering effects is the sickness affecting the civilians. Dr. Flores, using the research materials that Outsiders had returned to base, has begun to create a cure for the strain. There’s a catch: there’s no one to test it on except the Outsiders, so he reluctantly asks for their aid in seeing how effective it is. At first, it doesn’t seem to work too successfully, so Dr. Flores requests the venom of the Vescidae and the royal honey-like substance in order to supplement the cure, and tasks Outsiders with bringing samples of the venom back to base. Once this is added, it works far better.

There are various side effects as the cure is tested. The happier of Outsiders might find themselves prone to bursts of anger and irritation, while the more bitter team members could find themselves experiencing bouts of ecstasy and euphoria. As night falls, some might find themselves irrationally afraid of the dark and struggling with a chronic case of insomnia, which nothing seems to relieve. Thanks to the kaiju venom, there are still lingering effects from previous ventures into the jungle… The same violence and extreme emotions from before (yes, those too).

In addition, in the city there is another kind of testing, the kaiju left more than just venom behind, after all. Some vendors, perfumers, and even bars and smoke shops are making use of the remaining pollen, and Outsiders might find themselves asked to try a free sample, or get sprayed with a random perfume without their asking. Surely it’s fine! You might find yourself subjected to some of the pollen effects, like the increased hunger (of any kind) so you might want to go satiate those munchies, pronto!

Once the cure has been tested appropriately, Dr. Flores begins to make the rounds on the locals, dealing with the most sick first. The cure is also handed out to the Outsiders, so they can do their part. Dr. Flores congratulates the Outsiders on their success, and seems genuinely pleased - and proud? - of the work they’ve put in. What’s that about blood sacrifices…? He doesn’t want to hear about any of that. Just hand over any remaining insects, please, and get ready for a return to home.


ā–¶ 005. AFTERWORD.

This is Kaiju Fight #10! All comments in this event count for 2 points towards August AC. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them below.



EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. FIND THE HIVE: Outsiders receive coordinates and useful information for their upcoming battle. Dr. Flores provides a basic antidote to protect them.


2. OPERATION: NEPHENTHIAPULA: The Nephenthipula is found outside a temple. The forest and native kaiju assist the Nephenthipula. Some Outsiders might feel a bond with the forest and turn on them. Dr. Flores's antidote can protect and cure some of them.


3. INTO THE HIVE: The temple has been converted into a hive. They fight drones while searching for the queen. They also find a royal honey-like in some of the combs.


4. OPERATION: VESCIDAE: The Queen Vescidae can induct Outsiders into the hivemind. Dr. Flores's antidote can protect and cure some of them.


5. AFTERMATH: The Nephenthipula is defeated and whispers an ominous question to the Outsiders as the forest retreats. Dr. Flores asks the Outsiders to collect venom and royal jelly from the battlefield to create a better cure. Outsiders can opt in to test the new antidote.



gorb: (cxlix.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-23 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
( Surprisingly he stays very well behaved throughout the praying part, even if something about it leaves him a little itchy. Maybe that's the knitting together of skin though. It's still a far cry from Shoko's method of healing, and like always he feels a strange little pang that she's not here. It passes. He refocuses. He lets Jessica fix him without pulling away in a strange discomforted rage. He even waits until she's done to breathe out, a wobbly sound.

Maybe he could have kept the pain. It was a distraction.
)

Thank you.

( Somewhat sincere, turning his wrist. ) Good as new.
mace_pray_love: (eyes closed)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-24 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't open her eyes right away, and just nods at the thanks he offers. She's feeling a little shaky after whipping out her most powerful spell.]

You should still take it easy, even if you're feeling better.

[She takes a deep breath, and finally opens her eyes. Her patient looks much less injured than before, so goal accomplished.

Fully slipping out of priestess mode and back into exhausted teen, she sighs.]


Do we really have to drive in those jeep things to get back to the base? They'd better have a big banquet waiting for us when we get there. I'm pretty sure I could eat a whole horse!
gorb: (c.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-24 10:51 am (UTC)(link)
I've heard horse can be kind of stringy. Maybe they'll have something better. Tacos?

( He's trying to rack his brain for any idea of the usual cuisine, it's not like he goes out of his way to eat anything he can't prepare for himself, and they're in an unfamiliar place. He briefly remembers the girls going to some place that did spicy food, but the less he thinks about that, the better. It's harder to keep the spasm off his face, and so he pats down his pockets, producing one ( 1 ) singular squashed granola bar. )

Here. I don't think the flatness does much to the taste, but unless your jeep is fully stocked it's all I've got.
mace_pray_love: (yay)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-24 06:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Her eyes go wide, then narrow.] You're joking, right? They don't really eat horses here.

[She's pretty sure he's teasing. She hopes. She's still going to take that granola bar from him, though.]

Thanks. I'm starving!

[She eagerly tears the wrapping away, and is about to shove it whole into her mouth, but forces herself to stop. She breaks the bar in half and offers it back to Geto, in case he's similarly ravenous after getting healed up.]
gorb: (lxxix.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-25 09:39 am (UTC)(link)
( He waves off the offer, disinterested. His appetite tends to be mercurial at the best of times. )

Some humans do. It's not something I've tried, but I've heard about it. But then, some humans eat other humans, so it's not surprising. ( Just casually conversing about cannibalism, nbd. He's seen the kinds of curses wrought from that. He used to own one. ) I doubt they'd force you to, that's not exactly the way to foster good relations, but then again, they do try and offer up the spoils of our warfare as sustenance so what do I know? I don't eat in the cafeteria for that reason.
mace_pray_love: (angry)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-25 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[With her offer to share turned down, Jessica devours the bar in a couple of indelicate bites. She inherited her appetite from her dad, a Beastman pirate king.

She's only really half listening, but at the mention of cannibalism, she gulps down the granola in her mouth and glares at Geto.]


Nuh-uh! They definitely don't, so stop trying to scare me! The cafeteria food is kinda gross, but it's not people.

[They're doing the best they can with what they have... probably. Every time Jessica has tried to cook, even with top quality ingredients, it's turned out way worse than that. She's really in no position to judge culinary talents.]
gorb: (31)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-26 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
( He laughs. It's marginally less unhinged, but it's still somewhere in the same realm. )

I meant they'd not force you to eat horse. I doubt even LILITH would go as far as to sacrifice their own. That's what we're for, a more expendable cannon fodder. ( Back on his anti-LILITH bullshit. ) Just don't consume anything questionable looking, that's all.

( Now the fight is catching up to him. He's all healed thanks to her efforts, but there's some kind of exhaustion wearing down on his shoulders. The longer he's away from the fight, the nearer his thoughts creep. He does not want to be out here, in somewhat of a public eye. )

We should head back. I'll give you a lift.

( Look, there's suddenly a massive white dragon sweeping from behind the ruins. She stops just before the two of them, hot breath disordering their hair. ) She's quicker than walking.
mace_pray_love: (shocked)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-26 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jessica's knee-jerk reaction is to look for the sketchiest food she can find and bite into it while maintaining eye contact with Geto just to be contrary... but alas, they're in a jungle clearing, not a cafeteria, so there's no food to be found.]

Yeah, let's g-EH?

[...Geto just summoned a dragon. A big white dragon?? Excuse Jessica while her jaw drops.]

YOU'RE A DRAGONMASTER?

[damn it, this is how the cult gets you]
gorb: (pic#)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-27 10:16 am (UTC)(link)
( Oh.

He laughs without meaning to, genuine for a moment. Rainbow dragon bows her head a little, coming closer to Jessica.
) Not quite. I'm a curse user. ( Is he? That implies he still uses his technique for evil, and he's felt more and more like a sorcerer again these days. It's not the time for introspective though, Geto merely hops onto the dragon's back and holds a hand out for the girl. ) I thought you'd prefer her to the bird. The beak gets moist, it can be uncomfortable travel. Are you coming?

( He'll give her the cult spiel another time, when he starts it up again. )
mace_pray_love: (umm)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-27 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[Jessica squints at Geto in suspicion as he laughs again. At least he sounds less manic this time. He says he's a 'curse-user', which sounds evil. But he's friends with a dragon, who are protectors of the planet and are forces of good. So he's gotta be good, deep down, otherwise the dragon wouldn't put up with him.

Yeah, it's gotta be a language issue, like how some of the boys Jessica talks to here keep calling their magic 'quirks'.

She takes Geto's hand and hops up onto the dragon's back. Oh boy, this is exciting! She can't wait until she can tell her friend, the aspiring Dragonmaster Alex, that she rode on a dragon before he did!]


Of course I'm coming! ...but why would a bird get moist?
gorb: (cxliii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-29 10:14 am (UTC)(link)
It takes passengers inside of its mouth.

( The girls hadn't minded it as long as the journeys were short, or there were treats at the end of it, though the thought is once again a lancing pain. He doesn't think he'll use that particular curse for that particular employ anymore. It had been a cute callback, but -. )

Of course you could ride its back just like this, but it has four wings, and that can be uncomfortable.

( Rainbow dragon waits until she's situated, and then with an almighty leap they're up in the air, soaring above the treetops. )
mace_pray_love: (point)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-29 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
WHAT? GROSS!

[Cool Dragonmaster status revoked, Geto!

She pats Rainbow Dragon so she knows she only means Geto, not her as well. Rainbow Dragon is an angel and Jessica's thrilled she's here.

The dragon lurches upward, and Jessica's arms latch around Geto's waist in an iron-strong bear hug. She doesn't scream, but it's a near thing.

But soon enough, the stomach-churning nervousness gives way to delight at the gorgeous scenery below and the thrill of wind rushing through her hair at high speeds. It's way faster than any boat she's been on. She relaxes her death grip to point out a shimmering lake as they pass over it. So pretty!

Ok, provisional cool dragonmaster status restored.]



gorb: (36)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-08-31 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
( Her excitement hurts in a way he hadn't anticipated. Maybe he should have though. Geto remains largely nonverbal though he does make a sound when she points out the lake. And if he lets rainbow dragon take a more twistier, daredevil adjacent kind of path then that's nobody's business.

Jessica just might as well enjoy it while she can, is all.

Eventually the vans appear back in sight, and without a word rainbow dragon draws them closer to the earth. He hops off first, in case she needs help, shadowy eyes but some sort of genuine feeling behind it.
)

See? Much better than walking.
mace_pray_love: (yay)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-08-31 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a delightful flight for Jessica, and as they go in for the landing, her arms squeeze around Geto in what might be holding on for safety, or what might be a hug.

She slides off of the dragon all on her own once they reach the ground, her exhaustion momentarily overridden by the exhilaration of the flight.]


That was so much better! Why do you not fly everywhere all the time?
gorb: (cvii.)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-09-01 01:38 pm (UTC)(link)
( A shrug. )

Sometimes it's simpler to do as LILITH instructs instead of forging my own way. I might miss valuable intel if I'm not a part of the convoy. I do prefer rainbow dragon to those cramped jeeps though. I'm glad you enjoyed your time with her.

( Maybe that's how he starts the cult. Free dragon rides. )
mace_pray_love: (sigh)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-09-01 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
It was amazing! [She turns to the dragon and gives her another bow.]

Thank you, Rainbow Dragon!

[So, yeah, dragon rides seems to be the ticket to a successful cult recruitment, at least in regards to Jessica.]

Ok, I was serious about you taking it easy. Get something to eat, then go lay down, Priestess' orders!

[She is a teenager and also not a doctor, so 'priestess' orders' probably don't hold as much sway as a real prescription would.]
gorb: (are)

[personal profile] gorb 2025-09-01 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll do just that.

( He will not. He will go and find Gojo Satoru instead, and maybe try beating him up. Or kiss him in the jungle. Who knows. Don't be friends with shady cult leaders, kid.

He's climbing back on rainbow dragon's back now that he's delivered the teenager back, but he gives her a jaunty little wave.
) Thank you again for your help, priestess. Don't overwork yourself.
mace_pray_love: (shocked)

[personal profile] mace_pray_love 2025-09-01 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wait, he's leaving? That's not doing either of the things she told him to do!]

You're... welcome....?

[And he's off to do... whatever non-restful activities a lying liar adult gets up to. Bye, Geto. Jessica doesn't know what to make of you even a little.]