KAIJU FIGHT #1

[synfluxmods]

KAIJU FIGHT #1

CONTENT WARNINGS: thalassophobia, natural disaster, drowning, body horror, violence, blood & gore.

▶ 001. SEAS THE DAY.

On the morning of the 1st, sirens will blare, forcing every Outsider and Neo Tokyo civilian awake. While it hasn't been activated for a while, every citizen within the city knows this alarm all too well - it wails through the city whenever a Kaiju has been detected, ordering everyone to return to their homes immediately and stay there until they receive further information. Outsiders gazing at Neo Tokyo will see the armored city in its full technological splendour for the first time today. Once the civilians have returned to their homes, machinery within the buildings will work like clockwork, sinking each and every LILITH-augmented building beneath the ground. Just in time, too, because the waves are starting to roar again, crashing beyond the shore and flooding the city once more. Observant Outsiders may note that not every building has been modified. The older ones remain standing, vulnerable to the impending flood. Does anyone live in those buildings? The answer is yes, but that's not a priority at the moment.

Every Outsider will receive a summon, ordering them to prepare for battle. The Kaiju has been identified and located. It's show time.

"Angels of LILITH. We have located the Kaiju coming from beyond the sea. A full mission brief including the information we have gathered will be sent to you immediately. For now, make your way to the bay where your transport will be waiting. Be prepared for anything, but mostly, be prepared to swim."

Waiting for the Outsiders at the bay appear to be ... expensive-looking, personal yachts? This has to be a mistake, right? It's no mistake. Through intel LILITH has exchanged with international companies, it appears that this particular Kaiju has a fondness for overturning civilian yachts, and there's no better way to attract it than to leave it its favourite bait. The goal is to attract these Kaiju towards the boats and then attacking.

The ships may look like they're outfitted for a fancy yacht party. In fact, some exploring down below deck in the lounging room, one may find caviar on fancy ritz, oyster tower, little finger sandwiches with the crusts cut off and bougie smelly cheese that nobody in LILITH's pay grade can identify. On another table, there is fancy ramen spoons filled with microgreens, crystal jelly vinegarette, and a thin slice of parmesan cheese. Some further looking may find some fine aged wine, but you're not here to drink and party, you're here to fight a Kaiju! Right? Right.

Despite the fact everything about these yachts just look like... fancy yachts... they are actual warships that are mounted with naval artillery such as swivel guns, missiles and torpedos. Spears, harpoon guns and fishing nets can also be found and used if an Outsider is more comfortable getting extremely close to the monsters. There's no time for a proper seafaring course, so Outsiders will be given a quick run down on how the controls work, and be sent on their way. They will also be given a special jewel-like implant that attaches to the skin, right along the forehead, and told to wear it if they need to go into the water. "Don't worry about it," the LILITH crew says. "But it'll be one hell of a ride if you use it."

Alongside the crew, Seok Dang seems to be also assisting (?) though he's gotten a hold of the reception food down below. Did he smell like fine wine? Possibly. But that's definitely a fancy, half eaten cracker in his hand. He's also got on a bright, neon life preserver. Maybe someone doesn't know how to swim.

"WHOOO HELLA YEAH, MOTHERFUCKERS. Don't know how to swim? Don't'cha worry. Daddy Dang has got you covered. I know CPR! I give the best CPR! 💖 I'll rescue ya. TONIGHT, WE BALL!"

Nobody uses that phrase anymore, but you know what? You do you, SD.

▶ 002. WHALE WATCHING.

Minutes into their ship's course, the boats will rock violently, as if those already violent waves have somehow come alive. There is something in the water! The mission brief would have been shared with them sometime during their trip, but maybe Outsiders want to pull up on their implant the image and debrief shared once again now that there is some action. The orca-like Kaiju trying to reach the shores of Neo Tokyo is called Shachimon, and she's been the cause of the violent waves and flooding we've seen for the past few weeks. Alongside of her and are her children orca who love to mimic everything their mother does. The biggest one, the matriarch of the pod, is over 60 meters in length - large enough to swallow a boat whole. The younger ones are smaller but just as ferocious, spanning from the size of a car to the size of a bus. The youngsters are a size small enough that they can leap out of the water, sometimes crashing down onto people and ships. Beware!

Shachimon will be fighting to knock over boats, or climbing on boats with their amphibious legs. Once they get their hands on humans or Outsiders, they pull them into the water, tearing them limb from limb to feed. Their control over the waves are no joke, either. With a powerful swing of their tail, they can conjure up tsunamis capable of overturning ships. The matriarch, if left to her own devices, seems bent on submerging Neo Tokyo to make food of all its citizens.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Shachimon
HEIGHT: Younger whales are 4 - 18 metres. The matriarch is 60 meters in length.
WEIGHT: 1500kg - 5000kg
CLASS: Highly dangerous.
LOCATION: Large bodies of water
ABILITIES: Use of sonar to detect any water movement. Fast swimmer. Very sturdy body thanks to all that whale blubber. High intelligence - commonly works together as a pod to take down prey. Capable of creating tsunamis that overturn boats. The largest Shachimon can sink a city if not stopped.
WEAKNESS: Electricity (since it will be inside water), dissection, spearing its eyes or blowhole. Loud vibrations within the water can stun or confuse it.
EXTRA NOTES: Dislikes and will attempt to overturn civilian yachts. Carnivorous, eating marine life and human flesh. Sadistic personality, may play with their food prior to eating.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Lead the Shachimon away from the shore.
✖ Extermination of Shachimon in the water and if they reach the shore.
✖ Protection of nearby fishermen's boats and civilians within those boats.
✖ Teamwork to destroy the matriach Shachimon.
✖ Bring back specimens (live or deceased) for research purposes.

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

As a note, Outsiders who wish to remain on land and help civilians there may do so. There are waves flooding the city, and some of the smaller, quicker Shachimon will have made it to shore. They will need to be taken care of before they can terrorise the city.

▶ 003. OCEAN GEMS.

Shachimon are most deadly in the water and their go-to strategy is to pull others into their turf, where they have the advantage. That's where those jewel-like implants come in. These implants, called OCEAN GEMS, when attached to the skin, temporarily modify the body. Once activated, nanobots will invade the bloodstream and alter the user's lungs, giving them a set of breathable gills. Their legs will also be altered, giving them fins and the tail of a fish. This is a recent invention by LILITH ever since the first Shachimon was spotted a few years ago, and the technology is still experimental. This means that the transformation process will be significantly uncomfortable, feeling a bit like being asphyxiated and having your legs sewn together at the same time. Deactivating the gem and turning back feels just as uncomfortable, and being experimental technology, it can take a while before the user can successfully revert back. Those who want to fight in the water and lack any weapons or abilities that can be used can request Seok Dang for a weapon. There's a limited supply, but they will be given a special trident. Directly driving the spear into one of the kaiju will electrocute it, giving a higher chance for higher damage. These tridents will be handed out to those who want to use their Ocean Gem and ask.

It's up to Outsiders whether they want to use this new technology or not. Being able to fight the monsters on their own terrain is certainly an advantage, so LILITH would highly encourage it.

▶ 004. MEDICAL BAY.

Healers and those with medical experience will be placed on the warship with a red flag on it. Dr. Spim & Alex will also be present on this ship to assist any major injuries to both LILITH and civilian fisherman alike. This ship is bigger than the others, and while stocked up with the same artillery, it is also stocked with beds and medical supplies. This will be the Outsider's naval medical bay during the siege on the Shachimon and all injured Outsiders or civilians will need to be transported there. This ship will also need to be protected heavily, because once the Shachimon catch on that all the injured, vulnerable prey are being transported to the larger ship, they will start to target that ship in particular. Characters that need immediate medical help should be transported to this ship via a dataportal. Each yacht has a dataportal that can teleport anyone instantly to the medical ship. The dataportals are also located down below deck to prevent them from getting damaged.

▶ 005. THE CALM AFTER THE STORM.

It's a bloody, soggy and gruesome battle and the seas' waves begin to calm down, the sea filled with kaiju carcasses. LILITH's clean up crew is working hastily to collect these corpses, but with the Outsiders' occupied and recovering from their fresh battle, help is limited. Search and rescue scavenges the sea to find any civilians who didn't make it or may need medical help. Meanwhile, the valiant teamwork and effort has paid off. After many hits from many different weapons, artillery, natural abilities, etc. the matriarch kaiju has been downed and sank to the bottom of the ocean floor. LILITH's team will work to retrieve the massive carcass, though it will take awhile. Those who put in notable effort will receive praise and a little extra payout. Outsiders will see an instant transfer of funds to their account: 340,000,000 KRYPTOS. This is roughly about 2500 USD.

The intense battle will have lasted several days and Outsiders are free to go from land to sea as little or as often as they like. It is all over, though, and Outsiders will be called to return to the MAIN BASE for rest and recovery. LILITH will also be searching for the rift where the kaiju came from while Outsiders recover. A message from an unknown voice will pop up an hour or so after all Outsiders have returned to the MAIN BASE. Outsiders may use this time to socialize in a commons area, wash up in the showers, get a meal in the cafeteria or rest.

"Good work."

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our first Kaiju log! All prompts are highly encouraged but OOCly optional. ICly, characters can choose to fight in the ocean, on the ships or stay behind on land and protect the city. At the end of the siege, characters who accepted an Ocean Gem will be asked to return it. It's experimental technology, so LILITH will need to do more tweaking before they can properly release it. Outsiders who use the gem may have whatever fish tail they like, as long as it is a sea creature.

Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the smaller kaijus. The main fight with the Shachimon matriarch will be determined via a HP-based system (See below).

Please note that all tags in this log count for 2 reward points each. Ask any further questions below!

Below is also the month at a glance. We understand the CALENDAR has been a little inconsistent, but the mod team is sorting all of this out. Expect a FEEDBACK POST this month as well so we can check in with the playerbase and make any adjustments to the game. This log, even if the time stamp says JANUARY, will count for FEBRUARY AC.

FEB 1st: Kaiju Fight Log in LOG COMMUNITY
FEB 15th: Text Post in NETWORK COMMUNITY
FEB 25th: Mod posted MEME COMMUNITY; FEEDBACK POST is live.

Thank you all for being a wonderful and understanding playerbase!

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Comments

[frostfist]

[ Girl please, pick up the phone.

And hang on, isn't it supposed to be his job to be cracking the ice-related jokes and one-liners here? Damn, imagine holding onto a job in this economy. But fine, whatever, he can put up with this for a little longer. Whatever it takes to shake some sense back into her.

Though first, he needs to keep his balance in the wake of this assault. He does fall at the impact, though only so he can drop and roll, using the force of her slam to roll further away. ]

Thanks, but no thanks. I've tried that before and it doesn't work out so great.

[ One more roll has him on his feet, pivoting and standing so he can return (friendly) fire by blasting a wall of ice her direction. ]

C'mon Rodya! I know you don't want to freeze either!

[axethrows]

[Sorry Wrio, there is another ice-related presence on this boat. The good news is that corrosion never last long, but that doesn't mean she can't cause some last minute damage.

The wall of ice does push her back with enough force and she gives off one last swing into the boat out of sheer frustration before she lands on her knees and her body slumps in exhaustion. The shards of ice coming out of her body slowly start to melt and drop onto the ship, disappearing into nothing and her appearance defaulting back into her plugsuit appearance. Rodya keeps her head down as she is slowly recollecting herself.]

...

[Her fellow Sinners have seen her in various forms of weaken, pitiful states in combat, but she still doesn't like to look like this in front of anyone. She does everything she can to not show her weaknesses and yet life will continue to be cruel. She cannot get everything she wanted and that fact will always be bullshit.]

I don't... [It's a mumble, but it's a response.]

[frostfist]

[ He winces a little as she lands onto the deck, the impact apparently enough to knock some sense back into her. A positive outcome, even if the knowledge of having hurt someone he likes sends a small pang of guilt through his heart. He's hurt enough people, both people he'd loved and people he'd once loved but no longer. Now it's time to protect rather than destroy.

The response, quiet though it is, fills him with a little hope, and he lowers his fists so that they're hovering in front of his torso instead of up high by his face. Slowly, he takes one step towards her and then another. He'd like to hope that whatever's possessed her is slowly fading now, but better to be safe than sorry. ]

I know it's tough. I know you've been through a lot. [ She's only ever alluded to her past, but it's enough for him to know that it hasn't been great. ] You're only going to go through more here.

[ Another few steps, and then he's holding out one hand. ]

But you don't have to go through all of it alone. There are people here willing to help, if you'll let them.

[axethrows]

I know. [On knowing that it's tough. On knowing that she went through a lot and she will keep going through it a lot. She bears the weight of her sins and the cruelties of life on her heart as her punishment and yet she keeps moving on as she drags her feet. Because the world will still keep moving even if she freezes in place and she doesn't want to freeze. Not yet.

"You don't have to go through all of it alone." ... Why does that sentence sting her heart so much? Why would anyone want to deal with her personal baggage? Everyone else got their own problems, she doesn't need to add hers on top of them even if they are willing.

She puts her hand into the one that is held out for her, slowly and hesitantly but she is still taking that step to reach out and grab that hand. Because she feels no cruel intent from Wriothesley (or he's a master on hiding it, but that seems impossible due to how much time they shared together and she got a feel on his character) and she enjoys his presence.]

Old habits are hard to break- [She pulls herself back to her feet before letting go of that hand to rub her face to get rid of the lingering numbness that was left from her skin being frozen.] And... Geez, do I really have to get into this now?

[She really doesn't like to talk about this, especially when there are other dangers around them right now.]

Sorry about that. You okay? [She has to ask okay.]

[frostfist]

[ He heaves another sigh of relief when she picks herself up and takes his hand, fingers curling tightly around hers as he helps her up. They might not have known each other for long but length of time has never correlated with how much he likes a person, and he's always found her company enjoyable and fun. It would be a shame to lose that, but beyond that it would be a shame to lose someone who seems like a genuinely good person. ]

We can save the explanations for later.

[ Later, when they're still not in the thick of things and there aren't countless kaiju still swimming through the waters surrounding them. And truthfully, as much as he'd like an explanation, the simple fact that she's doing better is much more important. ]

How are you holding up? I can take you to medbay.

[ He'd definitely prefer if she got some rest, but in the end it's her call to make. ]

[axethrows]

[It might be only to her and she won't say this out loud, but... There is a certain warmth in holding Wriothesley's hand. It gives her a sense of security, a small crutch of stability during a rough moment. A hand from someone that wouldn't take advantage of her during this weak moment unlike someone from The City offering a hand and expecting profit out of it.]

Yeah, I guess I owe you one for that stunt. Let's go take a break.

[Normally, she would swing back into battle after corrosion like everything is normal, but she might make the other party worry more so she will take the option to give herself some rest before returning to combat. She will lead him the way to go to the dataportal so they can go to the medbay.]

The short version of the explanation is that I have my own arsenal of weapons and armor from my own mind. I don't have my full set right now, but I have my own one and another that I gotten from an Abnormality. They are like special monsters that come from emotions. [She huffs a little bit as she thinks.] Of course, as they say... There is always a cost with borrowing power, right?

[frostfist]

[ He's grateful that she decides not to jump back into the fray. It would have been her choice at the end of the day to decide where her limits are and how far to push them, but the fact that she's choosing instead to take it easy puts him at ease.

Even if the explanation that follows makes his heart heavy. It's not so surprising since as she so correctly states, every great power comes with a great price. ]

I hate to state the obvious, but that doesn't sound very fun.

[ Sorry Rodya. ]

Is there any way to stop…that…from happening?

[axethrows]

It's not, but you kind of grown used to it after a while. I don't like losing control of my own body, but it is what it is.

[That is not a normal thing to say, but it's the truth. u_u]

Using an Abnormality's power does drain your mental energy so once you are not clear in the head, you are at risk for it to take over. Sure, it might attack stronger once you are possessed, but it sees everything as an enemy in it's eyes including your own teammates. You can only hope they get away in time before you hurt them bad.

[She's going to avoid bringing Dante and their Overclocking powers into this as it would make it more complicated plus talking details on Dante outside of vague comments is a big no-no to her.]

Oh! The stronger the Abnormality, the more powerful the power is, but the risk for possession is higher. This one is only a TETH level though so I can use it for a good amount of time before I lose myself. Compared to my other ones, this one isn't so bad.

[She hums in thought as they enter below deck, moving towards the dataportal.]

I could have set a fire or blown up part of the ship with some angelic magic bullshit.

[frostfist]

[ It may not be a normal thing to say but it is a very valid thing to say.

Other abnormal things to say: literally every other part of the explanation that followed behind. Not because any of it's wrong but simply because it's so outside the realm of what he's used to. There are Archons and gods and monsters in Teyvat, sure, but the dangers that threaten his tiny corner of the world have always been so much more mundane.

He's really gotta expand his horizons more now, otherwise it's going to be pried open for him. ]

I'm very glad that didn't happen. [ But also: ] You sure it's okay to tell me all this? What if I'm some sort of undercover spy sent to collect information on everyone?

[ He's not, but he does have several suspicious bones in his body. ]

[axethrows]

[Expanding horizons... She's in the same boat as other worlds are not like The City. Part of her is a little jealous that while they have their own problems, it seems a little more peaceful and easier. Wrio's little quip on being an undercover spy did get a small "pfft" out of her before she nudges his arm with a little bit.]

Then your grand secret reveal sucks and you need to work on it. [Jokes and ironic banter in general does help.] It's okay. If I end up getting in trouble over it somehow, I can deal with it.

[She stops before the dataportal and turns to the tall man. Rodya doesn't say anything right away as she takes a minute to get her thoughts. She wonders if it's okay to show him her own E.G.O., but at the same time, he might see it for himself down the road. There isn't really a reason to hide it, but she's also not really ready to talk about why it's like that...]

Here... Let me show you something. You're probably gonna see it later at some point anyways-

[Well, she took that step now and she takes a deep breath. She opens her hand towards him and the air swirls in her palm before an axe of ice manifests and she clutches it tight. It's rugged, cracked, and the head of the axe is a gradient from the dark blue ice to a deeper red color. As soon as it manifests, her own clothes has changed. She doesn't say anything yet as she waits for Wrio to make his comment.]

[frostfist]

[ Damn, shot down immediately. But in this particular instance he doesn't mind. The fact that she can still crack jokes, that she's feeling well enough to elbow him lightly and tease him…it does more to reassure him than any doctor's note could. It doesn't change that things might get worse in the future, that one day her transformation might get so bad she won't return from it, but for now this is enough.

A small smile plays on his lips, a good-natured reply to her own light-hearted humor. ]

I hope if you get in trouble over it that you'll let me help you out.

[ It's a genuine offer, made with sincerity. Ideally that day won't come but if it does, he'll be there. They may be teammates but he also likes to think that they're a little closer to friends now, able to lend a hand whenever it's needed.

Though his smile fades again once she stops and turns to face him, releasing another secret into the air. This time it's an axe, cracked and red, a dangerous looking thing that doesn't match his easygoing image of her, even if the way she grips it in one hand is perfectly natural and comfortable.

He peers at the axe, and then at the new clothes now adorning her body. She looks—different, sure, but her eyes have the same clarity they've always had. As far as he's concerned, it's not the clothes that make the man (or woman, in this case) but the heart and intention underneath. ]

Is this also something that comes with a price?

[ He'll thank her for showing this to him too but later, once he understands what's happening. ]

[axethrows]

Mm... It probably did. Everything has a price, yeah?

[Even if you don't know it or you are unsure on what exactly was the cost. The axe really does fit naturally in her hands, as her eyes glance back down to look at it. She brings her other hand upwards to rest the axe's head on her palm.]

This one isn't from an Abnormality or anything. This one is my own power- [A chuckle as she exhales a breath.] It's a piece of me. It's my E.G.O., which is the name folks gave for these weapons.

[Her grip tightens on the handle, staring at her rough reflection in the ice. Looking at herself in the cracks and the bloodstained ice... If she was by herself, she would have thrown the axe into the wall out of sheer instinct by now. She is holding restrain this time because she's actually trying to talk serious here.]

It's an ugly looking thing, ain't it? It actually shatters so easily when you put enough force into your strike, so I usually throw it. The shatter it makes on impact hits pretty hard. Even when it breaks... I can always bring it back and repeat the process. Like picking up the pieces...

[Her mind becoming clear after recovering from her corrosion is both a good thing and a bad thing, right now it's a bad thing as she is going back to a somber mood that her heart is screaming to quit doing what she is doing right now, but... She really, really is tired on living in the way the City shaped her in and a few folks did tell her that she should speak the thoughts that she held back in her mind.]

Even when I hate to admit it... It really shows who I am, even the ugly parts that I don't like to show or talk about.

[Pictures are worth thousands of words after all, so maybe showing her E.G.O. is one method she can use to help open up a little better.]

[frostfist]

[ Again, he's quiet as she explains the intricacies of what he's looking at and what it all means. It's all quite different from what he's used to, but nonetheless useful information to have that he tucks away for later. (If only he knew about Delusions, but alas.) More important to him than the existence of EGOs and Abnormalities is the defeated look on Rodya's face as she stares down at the axe in her hands.

Rodya's only human, prone to the same insecurities and fears as everyone else. The fact that she rarely shows her serious side makes the contrast even more stark now. It's a rare moment and one he doesn't intend to dismiss. ]

Is that what you think?

[ The question comes out soft, but he gives her no time to answer before continuing. ]

I think it looks strong. Resilient. Even the sharpest rock gets worn down by too much exposure to the ocean waves, but both you and this [ with a gesture towards the weapon ] are still here, still holding on to your shape and purpose. If the axe breaks, you can piece it back together. And if you break...

[ He trails off momentarily, giving her hands a small squeeze. ]

There will be people here to help put you back together.

[axethrows]

[She lets him speak his mind, which honestly? It's nice to hear those words from someone. Wriothesley is lucky that he is not from The City otherwise he would be so different compared to what he has shown right now. A weary smile grows on her lips.]

Every coin has two sides. One side might be more shining and attractive while the other is beaten and rusted. People are the same way and they are more likely to do whatever it takes to hide the ugly side. Some don't even want to admit that the side exist in the first place.

[Like her. She doesn't want to show her vulnerabilities, sorrows, and the rest of her baggage that she carries in her heart. She doesn't want people to worry, pity and look down on her. She wants people to see her good qualities, to show how amazing she is-]

Even if I had nobody to help me put myself back together, I will still pick up the pieces and keep moving on. Though... A change of pace is always nice, even when you are stuck in old habits.

[She lets the axe disappear so she can touch Wrio's hands back. Not exactly holding on to them, but letting her fingers trace over them.]

The first step in another direction... It's hard, but it is not impossible.