Complete Megathread Alarm

[Luthien]

84 / 200

  Explorers League  

 ​

Location Start: Level-V Egg Room
-11 HP from Vern and gas

Location End: Level-V Egg Room
—

They had all known the high price, and had accepted it willingly as they headed deeper into MITHRA, but that didn’t make the pill any easier to swallow.

It almost fell as it time had stood still once more, her gaze entirely focused on the airborne baby without any thought for the danger that surrounded them or the electrical field below. Her only thought had been to pull Emme towards safety, she could figure out the steps that followed afterwards, before a cold chill ran up her spine and caused her heart to skip a beat.

She couldn’t put a word to the feeling that suddenly stirred deep within the pit of her stomach, a familiar sensation picked up by her heightened senses as they shifted to high alert. Her gaze drifted away from Emme for just a fraction of a second, back to the hunk of floor that @Harper had tossed upwards to protect her, before the sharp tip of a blade pierced it like a knife through butter.

"YOU!!!" It was impossible to miss the vitriol that covered her voice as Lúthien caught sight of Vern, a nimble step placing him above the blonde elf as he gathered the baby into his embrace, before the crumbled rocks pelted both ranger and tigress back.

"Give. Her. Back—" Her voice was drowned out amidst the sea of chaos that erupted into their room, the AlMother of Magic having fought hard to reach them. She barely managed to scoot back as the sickly green smog spread in front of her, before the multitude of minds and their emotions flooded her senses as Szofrit was skewered and breathed her last.

One by one she felt their consciousness wither away, crimson eyes finally forced to look away from her singular goal as they desperately sought him among the carnage. She spotted the hunter’s hunched for atop the magia, stiff and unmoving, followed by the familiar shapes of the others that even a distorted vision couldn’t miss. Only one was missing among them, but she knew her unnie had suffered the same fate as the rest of her friends.

A wave of anger rushed through as she forcibly wiped the tears that had stained her face, though it took a moment for the elf to realize it wasn’t entirely her own. The mighty roar of Harper snapped Lúthien back to her senses, just in time for a thousand pinpricks to sink deep into her skin, before the shared energy from @Tick Tock washed over and refueled her spirit.

There would be no miracle to wind back time and liberate them from their fate, but there was still something she could still do here and now. The familiar red string protruding from her chest confirmed as much, the fated thread stretching outwards in the same direction that Vern had taken off with little Emme.

"VEEERN!!!"​

She had many unsettled accounts with that creeper, but none of them mattered now as her gaze zeroed into the fragile bundle he currently carried. Accelerator’s words had reached and resonated with the elf, and not even the crumbling state of the chamber would dissuade her from trying to save Emme one last time.

Magic gathered to her fingertips with an unnatural ease Lúthien had yet to experience before and, despite the thin trickle of blood on her nose, she had never felt in better form than right now. A verdant gale began to form on her left while a swirling cloud of pinks and blues took shape on her right, before the elf slowly brought them closer until they blended into one.

A palm pressed against the tigress’ back without hesitation, allowing some of the power to flow into Harper. It would speed up the tigress immensely, but perhaps the most important aspect of it all was how a new red thread pulled the beastfolk in a singular direction—honed right towards Vern. "Ahylios." Her gaze turned towards the blue-haired man next, barely noticing the pinkette at his side as they pierced into his own. She’d never force her will onto another, this was a choice only he alone could make.

"Will you come save Emme," A hand extended towards him, offering him another part of the gathered energy currently pulsing in her grasp. It wouldn’t last forever, she knew as much, but she’d give everything regardless of the risk for one last chance. "Or will you fail that child again?"

Part of her knew it was unfair to call him out like that, especially when her own personal emotions and experiences were mixed into the words. They had all failed the baby in one way or another, but things could’ve been different had they known… if Accelerator had trusted them instead of being kept in the dark.

---

❰ Player Sheet ❱

Lúthien is offering Accelerator a choice and waiting (approved by Asch) for his response, but regardless of it she will be going after Emme and try to save her one last time.

With TT's help she's managed to summon and perfectly blend her Astramancy and Aeromancy to their limits... but it won't last forever.

 

[Raid Boss]

Intermission

After he snapped out of his faded state, the bespectacled scientist squeezed @Imoogi's upper arm to beckon her attention. "Young woman... Take me back to ze blue-headed magia. Please. I'll give you a sample of ze mother corruption slime..." he wheezed. "Ze single-minded fool wishes to become a hero. That... cannot do..."

* * *​

@Rael and @Luthien words were like two forks scraping the inside of the blue-magia's mind whose only working arm reached up and buried itself into his blue locks clutching his internally-fractured head. Accelerator and Ahylios gritted, the two logos simulating the future and battling with itself...

Accelerator was the survivor, because the keychild needs some kind of guidance from her kind.

Ahylios was the guardian, what was the point of surviving if they lost the keychild? The life given now is the key to the future.

Accelerator saw comrades.

Ahylios saw himself the martyr, one who Szofrit liberated from the shackle that was their mission.

The two egos battled tirelessly in the metaphysical confine, all the while the count to zero neared.

* * *
​

@MAI the tethered chronomancer made her way blindingly toward Vern.

* * *​

Meanwhile, Harper crossed the veil that led her into the dusty stage whereupon Reta assumed a defense stance, a concentrated emerald gracing his blade. It was the same color as the eyeline running across his metallic helmet.

"Here stands Reta and his Blade of Justice. I promise you that the child is safe. Enough lives have been lost already. The baby is also the key to our future so press forward no longer. Turn back now or face Ryuujin's judgement, Tigress. We have rescued those in need of help when the meltdown began, my conscience is clear for this single showdown if you insist. I would rather Ryuujin not shed needless blood this night.

Reta made his warning, glowering at Harper with the silhouette of an overwhelming snake-like behemoth behind him. His resolve firm and promise to engage in combat even firmer.

A single step forward is all it takes.

[Final Warning] Turn around or face the insurmountable fevered fear. (Make a Berserk Mastery Check. DC 60.)

 

[Imoogi]

The plan had been simple. Drug up the researches, get everyone to the elevator, bail before the entire damn facility fell on her head while the others were busy playing reverse hot potato.

And then the old man woke up.

"Look gramps, if you wanna limp over there yourself, it's your funeral-"

"-wait, you're serious about that? The mother slime?"

Imoogi's eyes widened as Ordnung promised the one thing that nothing else in this stupid game had given her. Loot.

She grinned, freshly-grown fangs stained red. "Fine, I'll get you over there, but if things turn south I'm leaving ya. I ain't going down with your ship."

"Change of plans! You guys keep moving - Pinkie's pet knows the way! I'm gonna take your boss on a field trip!"

Imoogi waved the others towards the exit before she changed course towards Accelerator. Was this stupid? Most certainly. But Imoogi had something even more powerful than the promise of loot driving her.

She was a teenager and therefore immortal.

Rolls

Imoogi relays Rael's directions to the scientists and starts carrying Ordnung towards Accelerator.

@Raid Boss​

 

[Raid Boss]

Intermission 2

Ordnung nodded. "As you should." He also raised a hand to adjust his glasses. "Just a sample though. You have to cultivate ze rest yourself." The scientist replied dryly.

When the tall blond made his way back to the blue-haired magia, he eyed the struggling Accelerator with something akin to pity behind those thick specs. "...to be called inflexible from ze likes of me is an insult..." Ordnung groaned as he beckoned the two elves and the kneeling magia. "I did not want to have to use this since it does not belong to just me and we might be able to salvage it after this place is buried. However, desperate time calls for desperate measure. Your part ends here, Ahylios. I will fight for your future."

Accelerator cranked his head up to look at the man. "A-all that time. All that ef-effort. Manpower. Lost. Irretrievable."

"Things made by man can always be rebuilt, but ze life man has lived and ze wisdom of man experience is forever lost. Head to ze hidden elevator." Ordnung sucked his his breath sharply as he turned around and offered a deep bow as an appology to those who have made the miracles of that place possible. Many of the researchers who realized what was about to happen panicked and tried to rush to their leader to protest, but were waylaid by Clarissa.

"Both consciousnesses condemn. Your. Ir-irresponsible. Inefficient. E-emotional. DE-decision. Progress lost," Accelerator responded, attempting to stand up.

"Now zen," Ordnung rolled up his white sleeve and revealed a black glove with intricate circuitry lining its form. He turned toward the rest of those who were present and let out the last of the words his heavily damaged body was capable of forming. "Ze MITHRA itself is a machine of sort. With careful detonation, I can cut off ze kidnapper's path. Use ze disruption to retrieve ze keychild."

Without another word, Ordnung detonate the first of the many priceless research chambers nearly 7 years in the works. The explosion of the gas pipe caused the ducts to suck up all the dust floating on the other side of the debris-filled room, revealing the enemies' position. He turned to the group and gestured for them to get moving.

(Anyone who has yet to take a formal action may post below.)

 

[Luthien]

84 / 200

  Explorers League  

 ​

Location Start: Level-V Egg Room
—

Location End: Level-V Egg Room
—

Between a rock and a hard place, one look at the blue-haired magia said more than any words could…

"I’m sorry," the words slipped out before she could stop them, the harsh stare finally softening as she looked at the man. "That was unfair of me."

He had tried to do what he’d considered the best given the situation, something that was no different from anyone else still present, and she had no right to judge him for it. If anything she’d been taking out her own frustrations on him, an old learned behavior that Val had thought she’d overcome after all this time.

"Get everyone to safety, Rael—" Crimson eyes finally turned to look at the crystalline blue of her dreamsister, before the tall figure of Ordnung shuffled closer with @Imoogi’s help. Though she hadn’t been fond or trusting of him at first the blonde had to admit he’d grown on her over time, and she had hoped he’d escape with the others to live another day.

{ Never a dull day here in MITHRA, huh?} Thoughts were given a voice that only the headmaster could hear, a wry smile on her lips before she held out a hand to correct his words. "Don’t refer to them as just the keychild... let’s not burden a baby’s shoulders with expectations on their birthday."

It made no difference for the ranger, she didn’t wish to save Emme just because the child was a rumored key for who knew what or where… She cared for the Emme they’d met so long ago now and, despite the lack of a proper communication channel while they’d been growing inside the egg, Lúthien had come to view the lifeform within as someone precious and dear.

There was nothing else she could do for her friends, the system had already claimed its dues from them, but she could still try for Emme.

The strength she’d meant to share with Ahylios was reabsorbed instead as the ranger cracked her knuckles and loosened her limbs, readying herself to give it her all on this final attempt that Ordnung sought to grant them as he risked it all. A look was given back towards the man and the intricate glove he’d revealed, his unwavering stance despite what was at stake helping to steel her own resolve.

"Ready when you are~" A dry chuckle accompanied her words as the elf crouched low in preparation for her own plan. The red string protruding from her chest was still visible, taut and ready to pull Lúthien towards the small babe entrapped in Vern’s arms. She focused the magic towards her hands and feet, the once verdant wings now sparkling with cosmic energy as they materialized around her ankles once more, before the crackle of electricity flowed outwards as a herald of what was to come.

A look ahead confirmed that @Harper had caught the attention of the armored Reta, the pair about to engage in a duel, while nearby the familiar figures of @MAI and @Ueno Mizuki were already about to engage with Vern.

Just this once Alfather, grant us a miracle… She’d never been a devout person IRL, but somehow she couldn’t help but think of Gwyndolainn at this time. Perhaps it was due to her elven traits, and while They never answered her calls it didn’t felt like her words fell into a bottomless abyss. I’ll pay whatever price you ask for if it means that child will be able to walk their own path freely.

She bolted forwards with inhuman speed as the first explosion rang, a shooting star that raced wildly ahead—weaving through obstacles, friends, and enemies alike with a singular focus on her mind: to save Emme.

---

❰ Player Sheet ❱

Carrying out that held action (Astamancy + Aeromancy combination), currently buffed by @Tick Tock and using the chaos of battle and the explosions Ordnung has started to trigger in the hopes of pulling a fast one on Vern and save Emme.

 

[Harper]

18 / 215

Level-V Szofrit

Harper's advance was unrelenting, the beastkin's field of vision narrowing down to her target and not much else, her footsteps drilling into the ground with enough force to leave printed pawprints onto the solid ground as she rushed her way in.

But one would find the bravery to stand in her way. And his stern warning managed to strike true inside the tigress, if only for a moment.

The glow in her eyes subsided, and the aura seemed to start to dissipate as she slowed her stride. Deep inside, the rational part of Harper, perhaps rightfully fearing the death that the swordsman promised should she continue her advance, tried to take the reigns of her destiny.

She could barely stand, what hope did she have of-NOT HAPPENING.

Harper didn't have enough left in the tank for a entire duel. But a mexican stand-off was more than possible.

Her muscles tensed hard enough to the point that some of her injuries were smothered off, slowing her blood loss if only ever slightly. Her claws and canines somehow gained a inch. And the heavy, purple aura that she emanated coalesced behind the beastkin.

It had a form. Vague, but the visage of something was inprinted on it.

Something bestial. Primal.

This was not the aura of a primed martial artist which denoted years of experience.

Nor was this the aura of a peppy hero that showed off their bravado and confidence.

This was the aura of a bloodlusted beast, which only called forth death.

Reta's condition was simple: One footstep forwards would be enough to confirm her answer.

Harper would give him several.

She was coming. Fast.

Actions:
Mastery Check
1d100 (80) + 15 = 95

Battle Spirits | Harper | 1943C8 | May My Anger Roar!

TLDR: Harper is inbound.


Play Sheet

 

[Ronja Bubblyfoot]

-94 / 200

Location: Level-V Szofrit
-137 HP
DEAD

Ronja was more than certain of the fate that awaited for those that decided to go as far as possible to end that nightmare. Yet, she was as determined as she could be to put an end at this along with anyone else that had sealed that non-verbal sacrifice pact to end the Mother that was out of control.

"..."




With emotions blocked away from her mind, at least at first, she didn't flinch at @Lune when she has been destroyed by @Yugam's power, and not even at @Fiora Di Angelo, her own lover, when she was mercilessy caught by stray attacks, especially the one coming from the Commander, that caught Ronja herself.

When the attack landed, and the consequence of their all-out charges were brought forth, Ronja's eyes flickered once again, with the eerie, scarlet tone to it being replaced by her green, weakened gaze.

.

.

.

.

.

Ronja's biomagitech heart recovered its beat, however erratic. A mimicry of a heart pulsing with the last of its strengths, in a desperate attempt to fuel her body with some 'life'.

With the little life that lingered in her body, Ronja sought for Fiora... And with her beloved aiming for the same, they eventually held each other's hand, with a warmth tingling Ronja's skin, bringing a faint and apologetic smile to her lips. She had no strength left to voice her apology, nor to move closer to Fiora.

Her fingers twitched against Fiora's, and she slipped one gasp before her eyes flickered once again, being replaced by an empty, grey tone.

... And moments later, Ronja was no longer in Terrasphere...

 

[Rael]

140 / 180

Status
▪ Location: Level V
▪ Normal

Given the present circumstances, Rael awaited the advisor's answer with as much patience as she could. Glances were stolen now and then towards the end of the corridor as figures familiar and unfamiliar clashed against one another, their goal the same.

Her breath caught in her throat but for a moment as she laid eyes upon Vern for the first time in months, a sequence with an all too well-known ending playing out in seconds. The conversation, holding hands with a prisoner, truth overshadowed by madness, the onslaught of attacks that followed, and the explosion that saved her life.

A second presence drawing near the pair brought a measure of relief, short-lived as it was, for Rael saw emotion itself painted unrepentantly upon the ranger's face - @Luthien. Rael's lips pressed together to form a thin line, though she made no attempt to rebuke her, knowing the futility of such an endeavor.

For better or worse, Luthien would always be ruled by the heart.

Thoughtless and reckless, she was.

She would imbue every nook and cranny with the determination blazing in her eyes if it brought her closer to achieving her heart's desire, unable to see past the present. Rael, in contrast, levied the long-term against past and present, and held both as sacrifices to achieve a worthwhile vision that not even she could determine the form of.

Before either could press further, Ordnung cut into the conversation with a finality that left no room for argument. Children scolded, they were not, but as she beheld the researcher's bloodied face for a second time, she found herself unable to offer an apology that would be suitable enough for the weight of burden and sacrifice that he would now become the bearer of.

"Do not be a hypocrite, then, and do not call it a name that does not belong to it, but a vision of it you once saw. A name can become a burden just as any other," she reproached, though her countenance remained soft towards her long-time dream companion. "A name can be decided on later."

"I know better than to say it, but on the hope of guilt making you reconsider... Take care of yourself."

Rael nodded at their instructions, and left a fragment of her magic made manifest in the form of the Seamstress to stand guard by the head of MIT.

"Command received - obedience... No, assistance."

She then turned to the Magia beside her and kneeled to assist him, Ordnung's directive and Luthien's words clear in her mind.

"Both consciousnesses..?" She reiterated, momentarily taken aback, confusion apparent in the rapid blinking of blue eyes as she tried to assign meaning and understanding to a mere two words - and subsequently failed in doing so. "No, that does not matter now."

As he moved to stand up, she moved with him, reiterating her offer of support more forcefully the second time around. The elf would guide him to the elevator and any other found across her path, but she would always remain by his side.

Yet...

"A future is not earned in a single moment's victory, and never by one creature or object alone. It is the culmination of continuous effort and unwavering resolve, and it is earned. Never given, never promised, but taken and shaped by the very same hands that would partake in it. Any who have hopes for the future have equal say in what would become of it, as well as the right to see it for themselves."

"Or so the stories say. As their collector, I should like them to be true."

What she tried to achieve with those words as she helped him towards the exit, she did not elaborate upon, face impassive as ever.

"Mr. Ordnung, last name unknown, current head of MIT. I'm the Seamstress, here to help you. But if I may..."

"You look a bit beyond help."

The Seamstress drew her daggers as she took a step in front of him, poised to repel any incoming attack that would deign to intrude upon this last recourse.

"Not to worry, though. I'm here, and will keep you safe for as long as you need!"

"But if you fall, then... I would hear your last words." (She pauses, lowering her gaze and then returning with a full blossom of a smile.) "That's pretty grim though, so let's not think about it for now and give it all we got!"

Always a witness.
Always collecting stories as they unfold.
The Storyteller's duty shall never know an end.​

---

Rolls

▪ Buff: +00
▪ Save: +00
▪ Inspire: +00

• Takes Accelerator/Ahylios to the elevator.
• Leaves her summon with Ordnung to act as his assistant and bodyguard, that he might execute his plan without interference.

▪ Build Sheet

 

[Celestine]

80 / 180

-100 Exceed

If one had the ears of a fox, they might’ve heard the quiet sound of slurping coming from an inconspicuous wall, amidst the cries of agony, screams of vengeance, and grinding of metal.

Sip.

"My, these have done themselves the real mess…" Celestine quietly remarked, hiding just behind the illusion of a wall pushed forward a few feet from the real one. Taking another sip of her cinnamon tea, she let out a relaxed sigh. Comfortably hiding away while giga-powered crazies magic'd each other to death... Easily one of her top 10 favorite pastimes.

"I am hoping they are having themselves the fun, though."

Sip.

There was too much going on to even keep track of. Lots of robots, though. Cel wasn't the biggest fan, but she adored children, and so she found herself silently rooting for murder momma and her two champions. All the more, once Levi out-murdered murder momma.

"What bag of the scum..."

Angry sip.

"Blechk! cough cough..." Celestine choked as the distant explosion knocked her forward, throwing tea down her windpipe, and spitting her out through the fake wall, into open view. Tragically, her teacup flew from the hand, shattering on the ground. Snapping back to her feet, Cel dusted herself off just in time to see several figures charging toward her at superhuman speed. Or rather, toward the strange shadow portal past her.

She paused for a brief moment. Given another few seconds to think about it, she might've continued to abstain, but seeing the two who'd tried to unite mother and child now working together to stop the baby snatcher... it brought a tear to her eye. In that split second, she followed her gut and reached forward, grabbing MAI's hand.

The moment their fingers touched, a spark of celestial magic erupted, like magics feeding off each other to bend time and space to their whim. The world vanished before the two, knocking walls away to reveal an eternity filled with swirling galaxies, collapsing chunks of ceiling turned to falling stars.

Celestine spun and twirled together with MAI, their dance carefully threading the needle between the fragments of the collapsing world. She even incorporated the strange wood tether, bouncing off it, then briefly walking it like a tightrope. Despite the urgency, between the two of them, time had bent to the point of breaking, leaving their dance to take part in the cracks.

"I was not going to do myself an involve, but childs should be growing up with the friends of the mother, no?" She offered a warm smile as she swung MAI forward, within reach of the baby. All that was left was for her to take hold.

Celestine curtsied, winked, and let go of MAI's hand with a final, "Good luck." As she stepped back, the starry illusion faded, giving way to the grim reality of the collapsing facility. Celestine gripped tight to the wooden tendril, preparing herself for the return yank.

Rolls

Assisted @MAI (Max-power Exceed to go all out!)

Play Sheet

 

[Raid Boss]

Once Harper steeled herself against the raging fear of the titan behind Reta with her own bloodlust, she broke the stand-off by breaking into a sprint.

The moment Harper took her first step forward and sprinted toward Reta and the avatar of death behind him, the masked youth readied his blade. The emerald glow intensified as he entered a fighting stance.

"Face Ryuujin's Judgement!!!" Reta shouted.

In a flash of steel too quick for the eye to follow, Reta unleashed his ultimate technique. The air shimmered as an enormous snake-like titan materialized in a bright emerald energy, coiling around his blade as he headed straight for Harper. With a thunderous roar, Ryuujin lunged forward, jaws agape.

The creature's ethereal form crashed through Harper like a tidal wave, its burning radiance fizzling through every single hair on her body when the two duelists exchanged a blow so powerful that their immediate area turned completely white for a second, hiding their movements in line strokes on someone's sketch.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though the tigress was going to fall. However, seconds passed and she was still on her feet, bloodied and broken, but unfallen, clinging to that last spark of life through sheer will. After the dust had settled, Ryuujin dissipated into emerald specks swept up by invisible wind.

With emerald glow leaving his blade and his suit, Reta stood up straight and turned around to face Harper. He had completely lost to Harper's indomitable will.

"Dammit. You got me completely beat. Vern and our boss are never going to let this up," Reta spoke as he scratched the back of his head. After he took a second to recover from the huge blow to his ego, he jogged past Harper, who was clinging to dear life and gave her a two-fingered salute as he headed toward Alexina who was up ahead in the dust veil.

"I've got to go help my boss. Let's have a rematch if we ever meet again. See ya around, Tigirl!" And just like that Reta was gone with the wind. Harper's duel did fortunately stop him from helping Vern with his predicament.

· · ·​

When the pink-haired elf offered her shoulder to the blue-haired Magia and offered him advice, he took more than a few seconds to digest the conflicting thoughts swirling in the confines of his mind as he ripped himself away from the front line, away from the bloodied Ordnung. The last he saw of the scientist was an unemotional face nodding at Rael, affirming her action.

"My pu-purpose. The water is muddied. I ca-cannot seem to think straight-tt. The mind is split into the de-desire to survive and th-thrive and the pur-pose assigned to me. Is this the same f-freedom that Szofrit felt? Though it's not dissonance, the ego is strong and the desire to live is frightening. My purpose. He-help the Starcalled by an-any means necessary. I wish to preserve this life. For it holds meaning for the child and... others. Those that helped me. Our child. Our story. But it is not my purpose. The mind is hea--." After what seemed like an eternity of internal discord, Accelerator slumped, exerting the weight of his heavy body onto Rael. One of the researchers nearby ran over to Rael to help support Accelerator.

"Oh, thank god he's alive," the blond man said. "Let me help you carry him to the elevator. It should be ready any moment now."

· · ·​

Ordnung, who was now standing together with the Seamstress in front of the clearing dust veil, cast his weary eyes on the collapsing MITHRA with his gloves at the ready. Some part of his body had gone cold by now and not even the presence of a beautiful summon could warm him anymore.

"I'll entrust my final words to you before the lights go out," he wheezed out a breathless reply.

"Aaaaaah! You can't think of such broody thoughts or they will happen! Just ask my depressed cow. She can't even tell you because she'd already passed." Clarissa butted into the exchange between the two.

"Look, Mr. Ordnung. I'm not sure you even know my name, but I have pride as a lab tech. If you can't stand, I'll be your legs. If you can't lift your arms, I'll do it for you," she shouted.

"Unreasonable. Go to ze elevator with ze researchers and Accelerator, now. What good is it to help a dead man, Clarissa?" Ordnung intoned firmly.

"You know, for someone who is as obsessed with efficiency as you, this is all so inefficient. You started a place where people help one another, yet you went off to die on your own. Isn't our oath to solve mysteries and improve the lives of people together? So, d-don't take my job from me!" Clarissa raised her voice as she looked up at the scientist. Big beads of tears were welling up in her eyes.

"..." Ordnung did not know how to respond to such a teary retort. "There is a high chance we will get crushed by the collapsing MITHRA. I hope you realize that you won't come back as a lander, you know?"

"Then I'll make sure we won't. Believe in me and the human spirit. I'll make sure we both survive this even if it costs me my life." Clarissa flashed Ordnung a toothy grin.

Though he wanted to say something, the scientist had no words left for the hapless girl. With a gesture for her support, Clarissa raised his arm and helped him aim the explosion.

"Tell me when the baby-snatcher gets near ze silo-shaped implement, I will detonate it zen and buy ze others some time," Ordnung instructed Clarissa.

"OH! He's there! Now, Mr. Ordnung!" Clarissa yanked Ordnung's suit jacket with urgency when she spotted Vern getting close to the silo.

Ordnung snapped his fingers.

BOOO--!!!

· · ·​

As the chaos unfolded, Luthien managed to use the dusty veil to reach a good vantage point where she waited to intercept the heavily injured Vern carrying the baby.

BOOOOOM!!!

That opportunity came soon enough when Ordnung's detonation threw Vern completely off course, opening him up to Luthien's plan to free the baby from his grasp. Just as she was about to carry out her plan, a chilling voice raced up Luthien's spine.

"Not on my watch."

When the dust cleared, the lacerated and bloodied Alexina could be seen eyeing Luthien with murderous intensity. In the blink of an eye, an iron maiden made out of blood opened up where the elf was and would have slammed shut on her had it not been for some kind of verdant energy dissipating the spell. The feedback caused Alexina to shriek as she experienced the phantom pain on her body.

In that moment, Luthien got her spell off and cocooned the crying baby in gravitational energy and separated her from Vern.

"SHIT!" the bandaged youth shouted as he reached out to grab the baby.

MAI who had used every boost imaginable and received a substantial boost from Celestine appeared out of nowhere and snatched the baby before Vern could, her sudden entrance vaporizing the air from how fast she was moving.

The battle-hardened assassin instinctively swung his blade aimed at MAI's neck with lethal intent. Fortunately for MAI, Mizuki retrieved MAI with her tether, yanking her out of Vern's attack range.

"FUCK!!!" Vern screamed as a second explosion launched him into the ground at full speed and would have subsequently splatted him had Reta not intercepted in the nick of time with his slide.

After the catch, the magia ninja transitioned into a sprint as he princess-carried Vern while one explosion after another followed them one room at a time.

The two could hear Clarissa shouting on the other side of the room with incredible excitement as Reta ran for their lives, "Welcome to the MIT! EXCELSIOR AND BEGONE!!!"

When Reta reached Alexina, he shouted, "The wacky science man and his lab monkeys got us good, boss. We gotta get out of here before the entire place crushes us. I don't know about either of you, but I am definitely not into that."

The pink-haired woman replied with absolute composure. "Worry not, darling. We still got the second thing we came for."

"Come. Let them take their win gracefully," she said.

A light smile formed on Alexina's face as she turned around a last time and made eye contact with Luthien before she disappeared into the shadow portal together with Reta and Vern.

· · ·​

After they completed their mission, Ordnung slumped onto Clarissa. As she propped up Ordnung with his arm slung around her neck, the lab tech looked on as her beloved workplace started to really fall apart now. In fact, a giant floor chunk came down and cut them off from the other side of the room where they could access the secret elevator that everyone was crowding around now.

"Leave me… Don't sacrifice yourself… for a faithless like me… I really... don't believe in miracles..." he gasped softly before closing his eyes.

"No, no, no! Stop that! You have to keep the pilot light on!" she jogged her legs to warm herself up, looking around for a way out of the biggest predicament of her life.

"I won't let you buried yourself alone down here, Mr. Ordnung. The world's got so many wonderful mysteries left to crack... Put your trust in me, please. I'll get us out of this pickle somehow... It's just a puzzle, right? And if we don't solve it, we'll die. Ahaha..." she said.

Though Clarissa's words were big, the shoes she had to fill were much bigger.

Cycle 9

Rules

• This is a megathread so all megathread rules apply.
• Up to 2 characters per OOC account may participate in the event.
• Max 1 reply per character per cycle.
• Max word count is 700 words excluding BBcodes.
• If you would like to take a personal moment with others, branch off via a private thread in the regular forum.
• Any communication can be done either by making a private comms thread or posting in the event's official comms thread.
• To interact with any NPC, tag me in the comms thread.

Meta

• MAI has received all the help she could get and does not have to contest with Vern.
• The hidden elevator has been revealed by Rael's summon.
• There are a bunch of people crowding around the hidden elevator as of this cycle. It should be able to take everyone up to the surface. The ride won't be smooth, however.
• Leave MITHRA this cycle or you will get buried.

 

[Tick Tock]

7 / 175

 Unaffiliated

​

YEET

There was nothing else for her to do, no eyes to meet nor words to be said as Tick turned her back on everyone with her last surge of strength granted to the chocolate elf. Even if she was a little curious on the true finale prior to a curtain call, her core aches from the torture she submitted herself to. Boss's orders...

Yet for some reason it's always Tock the one left behind. As her mangled, cracking shell drags itself towards what amounts to a secret backdoor, an out-of-jail card, the explosions begun to ring and the rest of MITHRA to fall.

All she could do is watch like some gargoyle, back against a wall, with her legs giving in what little strength they had. She wasn't the first to get in, yet she made sure she wouldn't be the last for when the ride begun. They just needed a few more passengers in, specially the ones still troubling themselves with the baby.

Her mind drifted back to her sister, incapable of letting down that guilty itch in her bossom telling her to get over it. Yet the weakness she felt... Tick couldn't even clench her teeth, stuck here with pent up emotion and a lack of will to break the monotony this sadness brought along.

"Tick lost robomama. Tick lost Tock... Tick wants, but Tick can't gain. Only lose."

Tick wrapped her arm around her legs, curling on a corner as she tucked her head in and closed her eyes, letting only the abrupt shaking within MITHRA rock her from side to side in hopes that could put her asleep within the elevator. Perhaps it could end faster this way. Bring herself back to the shop.

"Loss is the only thing she can't really lose, Tick guesses."​

 

[Eva]

As the elevator opened, Eva was already there in the corner, seemingly playing with the device as the researchers and others boarded the big elevator. Her eyes, scanned through the survivors as if trying to note the absence of a few known faces.

"Headmaster Ordnung is not here." And some more. Fiora di Angelo, Yugam, Ronja Bubblyfoot, and Lune. There should be no other safe way to evacuate. Did she miscalculate? "And we have three, no, four fewer starcalled than I expected. Mind telling me what happened?"

"R-TZZZ-sistance. Tick tried, but we got difficulties. Couldn't kill mama quick-LY. Some of them got in the way- Tock died, and they died, because of them."

"Some. You mean starcalled." Her left eyebrow raised, a rare sight for the normally disinterested Eva. No emotion showed, but the woman was still visible more offended than upset. Like when a wind blew and destroyed your perfectly assembled domino. "Any other external variables outside of the sudden Aristocrata interference?"

"Tick only saw swords and redhead knight. Tick calculated th-th-trajectory. Aimed for mama before she could end everyone... Tick included." The porcelain magia explained. "Tick alive thanks to him. Owes me and Tock dinner."

Captain Levi was the one to finish Szofrit, huh? Talk about a narratively fitting end. The last piece of data was useless and unimportant to her, so at the moment she just let Tick talk while actually noting down key points. "I'll review your recordings later, as for now, I have information to reassess." About the entirety of Starcalled, and individual ones.

"Someone should see if the headmaster is coming along. We have minutes before this whole facility goes down." The inventor mentioned dryly to the others, not interested in involving herself with this mess.

 

[Imoogi]

The deed was done. The others had their things, the old man had done his job, and the elevator was right there. Imoogi had nothing left to do but escape...

...

One small problem, though.

"...wait."

"You ancient fucker! You can't just promise me shit and go dying before you give it to me!"

Yes. That was the problem. No emotions here! No guilt or attachment at all! She just knew that if she tried to waltz up to some MIT survivor demanding her just rewards that they'd say no, and she couldn't have that!

...unfortunately, Imoogi was out of explosives. Her acid wasn't going to be able to eat through the rock fast enough. Pudding was... unreliable And while she had strength potions aplenty, even she had to admit that they wouldn't make her strong enough to solve the problem in front of her.

That catgirl, though. @Harper, was it? She seemed strong. Beat to shit, but strong. Which meant she could be useful.

Imoogi drew two fang darts, one in each hand. One contained a powerful healing draught. The other, a strength buff. Both were incredibly experimental. Possibly dangerous. Definitely not meant to be used at the same time.

Shadow magic dampened her steps as she walked up to the nearly downed Harper. She muttered the words of an Animancy spell to draw as much life force from the dead and doomed to charge her potions. Soon, she was behind the tiger, and she took careful aim.

"Sorry, punchy, but I need you to punch one last thing for me!"

Imoogi brought both fangs down, one on each side of Harper's chest, and let both potions flow.

"Feel better? Now let's see you punch that rock!"

Rolls

Imoogi stabs Harper with experimental life force-enhanced healing and strength potions.

 

[MAI]

‎

174 / 220

Status
‎ ‎ Playsheet
‎ Location: Level-V (Szofrit)

MAI was used to moving at high speeds when she made the most use of her abilities. But she was not used to speeds like this. It felt as if her body was being torn apart as it fought against air tension, the mechanical joints screeching as they were pushed to their limits. But she had to prevail, for this was her one chance to succeed. And with the help of everyone who aided her both directly and indirectly, and with a good chunk of luck, she succeeded. With the child held firmly in her hands and against her bosom, she was pulled back by Mizuki back to safety.

"Thank you-"

The whole experience stole her breath for a moment, but she quickly recovered. With the golden keychild in her arms, she never felt more vulnerable. Even though the enemy was retreating, seemingly for good, the magia quickly went on the defensive, ramping up her Aura and securing the child in her protective embrace.

"You... right- they called you Emmy, right? I will protect you, no matter what."

Even if it would cost her her life. It seemed that other friendly faces were also retreating to some kind of elevator. Time to escape, then. But as she started moving back herself, she noticed the commotion on the other side of the room. Biting down on her synthetic lip, she knew that she couldn't just run over there and help. There was no time and she had someone else to protect. But she had a few more tools that went unused on this day, and what better time than now?

The camouflaged metallic case that she stored Szofrit's arm inside of appeared once again, this time opening fully and releasing all that was inside, safe for the aforementioned relic from the Mother of Machines. And what was inside was a swarm of small drones. An autonomous collective that quickly received a telepathic order. MAI herself retreated to the elevator after this, but the drones swiftly started flying over to the rubble where Imoogi and Harper stood.

"SEARCHING - SEARCHING - !!!."

"TARGET ACQUIRED - ASSESSING - LIKELIHOOD OF STUPID AND RECKLESS SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR - HIGH. ADMINISTERING FIRST AID."

As the drone assessed Harper's situation, it sprayed the tiger girl with a fine blue-ish mist. A refreshing sensation that provided at least a small healing effect. A few more joined in a seemingly desperate attempt to help and keep the woman alive, while a few more stayed on standby, waiting for the way to be cleared so they could tend to any potential injured on the other side - in this instance, Ordnung.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎❰ Actions ❱

MAI is retreating to the elevator while unleashing the remainder of her autonomous drones stored inside of her weapon in hopes of providing the last bit of support she can give, trying to keep everyone left behind alive until they make it out.

Rolls

N/a

 

[Harper]

1... / 215

Level-V Szofrit

Time seemed to slow down as the two combatants were set to clash. Ryuujin's roar would be met by one of Harper's own, the animalistics sounds coming out of her mouth being unrecognizable from the peppy friendly beastkin from just a few minutes ago.

Whatever was taking the reins of Harper right now, it clearly didn't care much for saving the baby or anything else past her objective of tearing Vern apart. Even as Reta's attack was engulfing her, her gaze was fixated on not losing track of the speedster.

And then, they collided.

For a moment, Harper was blinded, her senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of the attack engulfing her body. Her nerves screamed. Her muscles were torn apart. Her blood boiled.

And yet, at the end of it all... She still stood.

Her flesh was rendered and torn enough that her bones were visible in multiple areas, and chunks of her tail were straight-up missing. And yet she stood.

Standing, however, was pretty much all she could manage right now, the beastkin barely being able to roar in frustration as both Reta and Vern made their escape. And with her quarry gone, Harper's rage would slowly subside...

The agonizing pain, however, would quickly take its place.

Harper didn't even have the remaining energy to scream, instead just whimpering as she barely held herself upright and awake. If there was any consolation, it was that through their combined efforts the baby was taken back and was seemingly in safe hands. Now all she had to do was to get the hell out of th-

BLAM!

A large section of the floor above sectioned the collapsing room, trapping @Luthien and others on the other side.

She gritted her teeth. While moving was difficult, she was somewhat sure she could make it to the elevator still, even if at enourmous effort. Heck, her mind was screaming at her to do so, courtesy of @Imoogi . And at her current conditions, it was logically the only option avaliable to her.

Yet, her crippled legs still tried to do their best to move towards the wall.

Harper didn't know what she could even do. Her arms were severely injured, if not outright useless by this point. But she still heard people who needed help.

She wasn't sure what to do, but she was sure she needed to do something.

Focused as she was, Imoogi managed to completely sneak up on her. Normally that would've earned the snake beastkin a quick reaction and capture by the tigress's tail, but Harper didn't have the energy to even manage that, merely letting out a grunt at being stabbed.

Whatever she was stabbed with though, it sure worked fast.

She could immediately feel some of her energies coming back. Far from tip-top shape, but still enough to act. Paired with @MAI 's drone healing, snarky comments that Harper gracefully decided to ignore aside, she was able to make a difference. And she wasted not a single moment.

"Second time I've been doped just today... WADA better not hear of any of this..."

Approaching the wall, Harper took a deep breath.

Just treat this like the weights you pull at the gym Nicole... Except, you know, with people's lives at stake.

With a confident shout, she digged two of her hands into the solid piece of floor, creating her own crevices to which hold it, before starting the arduous process of lifting it overhead. With every second she spent flexing her muscles, more blood gushed out of her wounds, and it was not like she had much left!

Yet she was determined.

They had saved the baby! They had killed Szofrit! They had gotten all the hard parts are out of the way, the finish line was in sight!

Enough people had died on her watch today. She wasn't going to let that number get any higher.

Actions:


TLDR: Harper, after being pumped full of Imoogi drugs and MAI healing juice, tries to lift the floor piece blocking Luth, Ord and Clare out of the way.


Play Sheet

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

39 / 225

Elevator
+25 (Flat) to Nature Magic MA

Given how @MAI was using gravity magic to keep herself as light as possible, pulling her back once she had her arms wrapped around the golden child was remarkably easy: it wasn't like the child weighed much either, so all things considered Mizuki was mostly pulling her own root-arm back and her two passengers came with. In fact, she had more difficulty halting the momentum of her arm, dropping MAI and her new ward next to her rather than slinging them in the other direction of the room.

The magia's gratitude was answered with a quick nod, but there wasn't time for platitudes. The place was about to collapse, so now that they at least had secured the golden child they had to escape with all haste.

Get going! We don't have any time left!

Injured as Mizuki was, her ears were still working just fine. Snippets of the dialogue between the intruders were picked up by her, the caenis narrowing her eyes and letting out a growled cursing as they mentioned having achieved another objective. Under different circumstances that would have been enough cause to chase the intruders down and figure out what else they'd achieved while they came here, but she wasn't in any condition to continue the fight. That, and even if she somehow, miraculously, managed to capture one of them without any resistance it might already take too long for her to then also escape safely.

Which meant that, frustrating as it was, she'd have to swallow the knowledge that they'd only partially foiled the plans of the intruders. Turning towards the elevator to which every survivor was heading with all haste Mizuki joined them, dropping onto all fours to reach the elevator as quickly as possible. At least she'd managed to keep all her limbs functional: one of the benefits of her shapeshifting abilities was that she had some control over how exactly damage affected her, and in this case retaining her mobility was a top priority.

Once she reached the elevator she glanced back to see if everyone else was making it, but while the majority of non-intruders appeared to be doing the sensible thing a familiar striped figure was... doing something else entirely.

Mizuki didn't immediately figure out what was driving @Harper to try to lift the rubble: with everything that was going on at the same time she'd missed the tight spot some of the others had ended up in as the rubble formed a barrier separating part of the room from the exit. However, the answer quickly came to her, and she gritted her fangs as she lifted her treant arm once more.

Frankly speaking, there was a good chance that the place would collapse before Harper could finish saving those trapped behind the rubble. Mizuki wasn't heartless, but there were times that you had to accept that there was nothing else you could do.

However, given that she'd already reached the elevator herself Mizuki could at least try to help. Maybe get some more people to escape this disaster alive.

Thrusting her transformed arm forward it once again rapidly grew into a full arboreal leash, this time aimed at Harper and the people the tigress was trying to help. Regardless of whether Harper succeeded in time or not Mizuki's wooden limb would grab her by the waist, and if the martial artist did manage to get the rubble out of the way in time those trapped behind it would also find themselves seized.

There was no time to be gentle or precise by this point: once she had a solid grasp on everyone who could still be saved Mizuki would try to secure herself inside the lift and pull them in, clawed hind paws digging into the metal floor and her free, untransformed front paw scarring the elevator wall to help anchor herself.

Given the hurry they were in she couldn't guarantee a safe landing, but better that they all smacked against the back of the elevator and broke some bones than they were crushed outside of it.

Rolls

Mizuki enters the elevator before combining her Nature Magic and Metamorph to grab Clarissa, @Harper, @Luthien, and Ordnung, trying to pull them all into the elevator with her Martial Arts strength before the room collapses.

Build Sheet

 

[Celestine]

80 / 180

Celestine twiddled her thumbs as she took her place in the elevator, smiling away and trying to maximize her 'I definitely belong here' vibes. Some people were trapped, but there were already several others on it, so all that was left was to wait in the crowded elevator.

Instantly, Cel lit up as the robot girl entered with the little child. "Awwh, hello~!" she chirped, swirling a finger in front of the baby's face and summoning a little star to orbit around it. "What a small and cute! Why were you doing a hide in that egg, silly~?" Celestine continued to gush over the child for a while, more-or-less ignoring everyone and everything else.

After a long, drawn-out moment of fawning over the baby, Celestine finally acknowledged MAI. "Be yourself a good mother, okay? Do the--"

She was cut off once she noticed @Ueno Mizuki whipping people into the elevator like rags. "Jeez...!" Cel exclaimed, standing in front of MAI and the child to protect them from the flying bodies. "This is not the safe place for such a small."

Rolls

Entered elevator, protected MAI & Emmy from high-velocity bodies.

Play Sheet

 

[Raid Boss]

With the thick veil of dust shrouding the entirety of Level-5 and the sound of rock and metal bending from the structural collapse, the red-head wasted no time, his still glowing eyes from the technique, scanned the chaos around him to look for anyone who was still alive to usher into the hidden elevator.

"Everyone who can move, to the elevator. Now! If you need help, just shout for me!" Levi's voice struggled to cut through the cacophony of crumbling infrastructure and panicked shouts.

Upon hearing the moans of a researcher who was trapped underneath a collapsed wall chunk, he came over and directed another researcher to help rescue the man from the rubble. After the man was free, Levi made his way to the fallen floor chunk that has split the party. Tried as he might, hurling conjured swords into the stone and metal hindrance did not do much.

Standing before the massive blockage, Levi knew that had he been on the other side, he would have wanted someone, anyone to wait for him, and so he waited before turning his back to the ones on the other side, living on a prayer to whatever divine benevolent enough to help the Starcalled.

· · ·​

On the other side of the massive floor chunk, Harper's body jolted with the volatile and unholy concoction of Imoogi's experimental drugs and MAI's healing energies. Those two forces raged within the girl's body battling it out like two clashing tidal waves fighting for supremacy. The tigress's muscles bulged unnaturally, veins swelling like cords beneath her fur. With a primal roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of MITHRA, Harper gripped the floor chunk and lifted.

For a while, nothing moved, but the Tigress' stretched and overworked muscles and sinew, struggling to stop themselves from distending from her bone. Then, she heard an unhuman sound and the gazing eyes of something… other.

L̵̫̏I̸̟̓̈́ͅF̶̪͖̽̍T̷̜̫̍͛

CRACK! BOOM!

What was unmovable before moved.

The floor chunk shifted, groaned, and finally shattered under Harper's superhuman strength. As the dust cleared, a tiny path barely big enough to squeeze past revealed itself. The cost of a miracle born of an unbreakable will, cooperation, and a lot of drugs weren't cheap, however. Harper's form lays motionless on the ground, life ebbing away with each labored breath. She fought for her life a final time as the Beastlord eyed her form.

Clarissa, seizing the moment, sprang into action. Her eyes blazed with determination as she slung the an arm of the unconscious Ordnung over her back and slowly dragged him to the tight squeeze.

"Hey!" she called out to Imoogi, gesturing at Harper, "Is she still alive?" she asked.

Staggering under Ordnung's weight, Clarissa slapped the tapered cheek of the blond headmaster, "h-hey, don't go to sleep, you're never going to wake up again. Don't die on me okay? I promise to get you out of here, just hold on a minute longer."

Just then, the compound let out a haunting groan. Time was running out.

· · ·​

"HEY! Is anyone still alive on the other side?" Levi shouted. "I'm going to try to make the path bigger. Get moving. Now!"

Cycle 10

Rules

• This is a megathread so all megathread rules apply.
• Up to 2 characters per OOC account may participate in the event.
• Max 1 reply per character per cycle.
• Max word count is 700 words excluding BBcodes.

Meta

• Get on the elevator by the end of this cycle or die.
• @Harper You have been noticed by the Beastlord. Your path is branched. You may choose to shrug off death at this juncture or plunge yourself into the darkness.
• If you didn't get to make a post last cycle, you may take a bit more liberty with how much you can do in your post.

 

[Luthien]

84 / 200

  Explorers League  

 ​

Location Start: Level-V Egg Room
—

Location End: Level-V Egg Room
—

Dust and debris provided the perfect cover for the ranger as she sped through, the elf hidden from view as she waited for the promised distractions from Ordnung. BOOOOOM!!! The whole room shook as the tremors expanded, the chaos of the explosion providing the perfect opportunity for Lúthien to close the remaining distance—

"Not on my watch."
"Shit—!!!"

She’d thought Alexina too injured to act after the damage she’d sustained from Szofrit’s act, though the massive Iron Maiden created by the woman showed otherwise. Attempting to counter it would mean dispelling her current spell, and Lúthien knew she wouldn’t get a second opportunity to catch Vern off guard before he disappeared with the newborn in his arms.

C’mon, just a little more… please!!! They were so close now, and the blonde chose to gamble her own safety as Lúthien’s magic reached towards Emme. For a moment it seemed like she’d been a moment too late, the bloody spikes within the coffin closing faster than her spell could cross the distance between her and the baby, before a foreign energy flared around her—a verdant flare that canceled Alexina’s spelland triggered a magical backlash onto the woman.

"Gotcha!"
"SHIT!"

She couldn’t help the victorious smile on her face upon seeing the surprised look on the man’s face, but there was no time to revel in her success when Emme still wasn’t safe. A blur to her left made her aware of the incoming magia, the elf’s hand pulling on the astral energy encompassing Emme and keeping her safe to line her up with @MAI’s path.

"Take her and get outta here, MAI!!!" For a moment it seemed like Vern’s blade would be too fast for the magia, before the vines and tendrils attached to MAI tensed and Mizuki pulled them back just in the nick of time.

"FUCK!!!"
"Hah! Get fukt—!!!"

She was barely able to get the words out before another explosion went off around them, forcing the assassin towards the ground in record speeds while blowing the ranger skywards. It’s only thanks to the verdant wings still materialized into her ankles that Lúthien managed to correct her course, doing her best to dodge as the explosions continued as she sought the safety of solid ground.

It wasn’t hard to spot Clarissa as the woman shouted loudly, crimson eyes turning back to ensure they were gone before they locked into Alexina’s gaze. They were too far for her elven ears to properly discern the spoken words between them, but the light smile in the woman’s face placed the ranger on edge regardless.

​

"Y’know, for a faithless you sure draw a loot of fucking miracles…" A poor attempt of a joke as the blonde tried to keep Ordnung awake and engaged with them, having become trapped along with the duo when the floor above had caved in. "So what’s one more for today, right?"

Her hands were pressed against the man’s chest and side, a soft glow enveloping them and the spots Lúthien touched as the blonde worked hard to imbue as much energy as she could into Ordnung in the hopes of keeping him awake and away from death’s embrace. They were running out of time, she was running out of time.

Between her growing headaches and the rapid blinking in her UI Lúthien knew she wouldn’t be able to keep this up for much longer, but she could hear the commotion on the other side as the others tried to create a path they could use to reach the hidden elevator. { We’re almost there Ordnung, so don’t give up just yet old man. } Her voice popped into his mind, partly to try and jerk him awake but also because it felt easier than speaking right now.

CRACK! BOOM!​

What should’ve been impossible transpired before their eyes as the massive concrete slab slowly shifted, a relieved sigh escaping Lúthien as she moved to support Ordnung’s other side. The man’s consciousness continued to drift in and out, and she could only hope her attempts to keep him alive had bought the head of MIT enough time to make it out of the collapsing deathtrap that MITHRA was turning into.

"Hurry it up, Levi! Ordnung keeps fading out!!!" She called back to the redhead before taking a step backwards, continuing to help Clarissa as together they supported the weight of the taller man. Once the gap was large enough she’d continue to assist the lab tech in getting Ordnung to the elevator, but not before calling for @Imoogi to help drag the collapsed tigress to safety.

---

❰ Player Sheet ❱

Attempting to heal Ordnung just enough that it keeps him stable, and assisting Clarissa on dragging him to the elevator once Levi makes the hole big enough for them to pass through.

 

[Harper]

1... / 215

Level-V Szofrit

Harper had no Chronomancy knowledge. This was a fact as clear-cut as water being wet.

Yet, once she started pulling, time seemed to grind to an agonizing halt as It. Didn't. Move.

It wasn't too dissimilar to when she'd try a new personal best at the gym. Once her hands got on the bar and she started trying to bring the weight up, it would initially resist its ascent. From there, she would either persevere until the weight was beaten, or would drop it to lift another day.

Unfortunately, there wasn't another day when it came to other people's lives. So all she could do was keep lifting.

Yet the battles had taken their toll on the tigress. Even with the cocktail of drugs and healing sprays she was on, Harper was far from peak condition, and it showed in her efforts. And her acute hearing made the beastkin keenly aware of her rapidly-deteriorating tendons and ligaments. Her shoulder ligaments and ACL/PCL's, especifically, were at their very limit.

But she had to keep pulling. People were depending on her. She had to do it. SHE HAD TO!


Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried and how much she wanted, it simply didn't want to budge an inch. And just when she was about to feel every inch of her bones give away... A voice shook her to the very core, and every strand of fur in her body stood upright as she felt a gaze dig upon her.

A single word spoken: Lift.

Not as a request, or a plea, or even encouragement.

It was a order. And she would follow.

As if spurred on by an invisible force, the floor chunk finally started to move under Harper's efforts. It rose, rose, rose... And then crumbled, making a small pathway for those stuck on the other side. The floor chunk, however, wasn't the only thing that fell apart.

*POP*

Though it would go unheard to most, it was crispy and clean to Harper: The sound of her knee ligaments going FUBAR. And on cue, her knees would buckle as she fell like a puppet getting its strings cut. That, of course, was only the opening act of the plethora of punishments she'd suffer from exerting herself much past her breaking point.

To the point that, when Clarissa asked if she was still even alive, all Harper managed to respond with was a weak groan and a wave of her striped tail. It was pretty much all she could muster.

And all this time, she could feel IT. WATCHING HER.

Was it the grim reaper, waiting to claim her? Or was it a manifestation of whatever brought her bursts of rage, watching down in disgust?

Whatever it was... It would have to content itself to disappointment.

Because Harper wouldn't just roll over and die.

Some people would gladly lock themselves in this world, eager to enjoy their new lives. Nicole was not one of these people. She had dreams. Aspirations. All things that made her venture in Terrasphere very much a temporary thing, with her deaths as her countdown clock. So you best believe she'd make use of the few free lives she had!

And that started by not biting it inside a hole in the ground for nerds for starters!

Breathing was like inhaling brimstone, yet she took air inside her lungs. Moving was like crawling through sandpaper, yet she turned onto her belly and started to pull herself forward with her forearms.

Living was painful, uncertain, and very hard right now. And death, not final as Harper's would be, was very much inviting as sleeping through homework could be. It would be just as easy too.

Yet she decided to live all the same. Besides, it would be reeeeeally uncool to bite it after getting all the hard parts out of the way, wouldn't it?

"Haaah...Gaaah....Haaah..."

Thus began Harper's agonizing crawl towards safety. In her head, there was no thoughts on whether she'd make in time or even make it at alive.

All that she could think about was surviving. And thus, she chose to keep going.




Actions:


TLDR: She endures.


Play Sheet