Complete Comms [DRAGON.End] Plowing Ahead

[Ash Vargold]

((Takes place between Phase 1 and Phase 2))

Spoiler: Atmosphere

At the front line, a group of Starcalled push forward as a group with goals running contrary to most. Harper's plow protects them; Luthien's insight guides them, and the rest guard the perimeter.

"So, Luthien - what's your plan?"

Ash is playing rearguard, focusing more on spell than sword to keep the magia from pursuing them. He's getting very good at guiding spirits to target the core. He still isn't sure if Magia have souls, and he lacks the insight to find out, but the biological components they do have are easy enough to sap.

"You've pulled unusual info before, but I doubt you've been taking naps on the battlefield."

@Luthien @Yugam @Rael @Asher @Zelrius @Harper

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki had been carving her own path forward at the frontlines, relying on nimbleness rather than raw force, when she heard the heartbeat of the living advancing before her. And if that wasn't enough of a hint, the large mass of metal being pushed forward like some kind of bulldozer killed any chance of the other team's advance being subtle.

Under different circumstances, Mizuki would have been approving of others making such good progress. However, it had become clear to her that they couldn't convince everyone to approach Szofrit with the intent to capture rather than kill, which meant that anyone who reached the leader of the enemy magia before she did was a potential risk to the plan. As such, the luna wolf growled to herself as she changed tactics, dashing between machine and magia until she was close enough that even in the midst of battle she could identify the members of this vanguard.

That's... an unusual way of moving forward.

Popping up from amidst the magia she tackled one to the ground, quickly punching its shoulders and knees to disable it before looking up at the others. Recognising the pink elf and the bullman she relaxed a little. The odds that these people were part of the plan increased significantly.

What are the seven of you doing so far ahead of the main force?

@Asher @Ash Vargold @Harper @Luthien @Rael @Yugam @Zelrius

 

[Luthien]

The combined attack from Yugam and Zelrius had cleared out a large portion of the magia standing in their way, while Harper's improvised plowing approach cleaned anything that stubbornly remained. Surprise had colored her face upon seeing the familiar redhead, a wave given in the direction of the dual blade wielder, but time was of the essence and there was little time to properly catch up or exchange pleasantries.

"Well, not exactly a p-plan..." She was thankful for the trust the others gave without question, even if the blonde wasn't sure she deserved it. "But there's a less guarded path this way."

Her own trust is placed on all of them to keep her safe, the ranger just a few steps behind Harper as her entire focus remains on guiding their growing party and maintaining the fragile link tethering her to the Golden Egg—having almost lost it when an angry aura had radiated from Vargold's body without warning.

"No time for naps out here, but it's the inspo I used to set up our mind comms." She tapped her right temple to emphasize her point, aware it probably sounded ludicrous to most that weren't acquainted well enough with the ranger. "Emm somehow tapped in and, while I can't make out their words, they're using it to guide us."" A commotion to the side caused her to notice Mizuki as the fellow caenis joined them, giving her the best summary the elf could think of as they continued making their way forward. "Speedrunning over to Robomama and Emm—or trying to, at least."

@Ash Vargold | @Asher | @Harper | @Ueno Mizuki | @Rael | @Yugam | @Zelrius​

 

[Asher]

Why were they so far ahead? Good question. Not one that Asher was being paid to think about right now. Instead, he elbowed a Magia that had gotten too close, cracking the plate over their face and wincing as sparks flew and it fell back into the swarm of enemies around them.

Were the Starcalled really always this reckless?

Not to be the odd man out here, but who is Robomama and...Emm? I thought we were heading to Sassafrass.

He'd question about the tapping in another time...

[ @Ash Vargold | @Luthien | @Harper | @Ueno Mizuki | @Rael | @Yugam | @Zelrius ]​

 

[Hanno Futaba]

< Coming from [S4 Finale] DRAGON.End's Comms >​

"You guys sure love to get into some trouble, don'tcha?" Hanno asked rethorically, especially to the same Team that had asked for his help before, as a greet, approaching (along with @Attia Patal, if she had followed) them with a friendly but determined expression.

As he approached, despite being slightly catching the conversation a bit late, he answered @Asher's question.

"They probably mean Szofrit, the lady Trinity mentioned for us when we fought Eve and got rid of the Matrix-" Hanno responded, casting a quick glance to @Rael, as she was the one that was there with him, and the person that took the initiative to call everyone for this in first place.

His gaze shifted to @Luthien.

"No damn idea of who's Emm though..." Hanno rose an eyebrow.

@Ueno Mizuki | @Zelrius | @Yugam | @Harper

 

[Aerial]

The elegant and ethereal butterflies guided the curious (and indebted) woman to their summoner. She wasn't the only one, though. A familiar red-haired Eeyore arrived moments before she reached the healer (@Rael). The divine, or something like that, ensured she arrived in time to hear @Zelrius struggle to thank the healer.

Why did he look so- Wait, wait, wait! The way he looked at her, the way he spoke, the way he radiated pure awkwardness. Heavens above! Her dearest Eeyore was trying to flirt.

And failing.

Comedy amongst the tragedy. How could she let this opportunity slip through her fingers? Call it revenge for him mercilessly hitting her with a snowball and knocking her food to the ground.

"Smooth operator."

she "praised" her companion, clapping accompanying her playful tone.

"I know she's pretty but I don't think it's a good time to try to pick up women. With the war and all."

As if to prove her point, a group of magia tried to recklessly launch themselves at the group. They were promptly left over-loaded with electricity and twitching on the ground.

The makeshift group she'd unknowingly assimilated into was discussing.. Who the hell know? She agreed with @Asher's sentiments. Thankfully, @Hanno Futaba provided some explanation.

She was still burning with questions but instead of gleaming more information from the group, she attempted to elbow the red-haired swordsman.

"This is your time to truly impress her. Redeem yourself. I got your back."

Although, she'd like to know what the fuck she stumbled into. And if there was a solid plan and reasoning behind rushing forward to elf (@Luthien) knows where.

The approaching of @Schilva Flasch... who looked bewildered and windswept aka a mess.. saved Zelrius from Aerial's teasing.

"Oh, Mister Bartleby! This is a mission for the star-called not my NPC husbando."

Aerial tried to keep the morale high with her jester role because what else could she do? Besides fry some machines.

 

[Tick Tock]

Tick!

Insert confetti showering Tick.

Tock!

Insert Tock showering the confetti.

Big sis! (@Rael), what's the plan? Tick shall help in anything you need. We got a great deal of skills.

Yes yes. We just learned we are very good at genociding fleshy people and their significant others! Tock is positive this skill was by no means part of robomama's directive, but we will use it against her if you say the word!

Fleshy or beep boop... This is so sad, we are killing our fellow beepers... But it's all for jolly cooperation. All we ask, big sis, is for the Cube...

@Hanno Futaba and Rael herself, possibly others who were given information about their confrontation with EVE, would understand exactly what 'The Cube' was.

Can we keep it? Please! Tick will do anything, Tock can testify on that promise. If: Cube, then: Give to Tick. Else: It's goodie.

We bet her core might be just as good as the cube!

The small price of one cube for the help of two puppets sounded like a good deal!

 

[Schilva Flasch]

That last attack took a lot out of him. Having never used any of his trump cards before, the effect was satisfying as expected despite the exertion.

Retreating to the flank of the spearhead group moving furthest towards the frontline, Schilva continues his contributions by darting back and forth to knock back any encroaching foes that the other members of the push let get a little too close.

They just keep coming! There's no end to 'em!

Again and again his sword slices through plating and circuitry, again and again felling the machines that teem about them. All Schilva knew about the situation was that they had to get to Szofrit and that they would decide on a solution once that was accomplished. Head off the serpent and whatnot.

This 'Emm' though, was new to him. Probably had something to do with what he'd thought was a hallucination or further glitch earlier, that girl who'd popped up in his UI. 'Help'...

No time to ruminate. No time to do anything other than continue cutting out a path forward! While on flank guard duty, Schilva also made it a point to take inventory of those he was fighting alongside- oh hey, that looks like:

Wha...HEY! Not this shit again...is that really what you think of THE GREAT SCHILVA FLASCH?! AFTER I saved your sorry ass from getting smoked!?

@Aerial

 

[Harper]

"Oi lovebirds, eyes on the enemy! Ya can't go kissy kissy later if you are dead!"

Between plowing through magia and avoiding pitfalls and traps at @Luthien 's guidance, Harper would find time to be annoyed at @Schilva Flasch and @Aerial 's squabble behind her. She couldn't really afford much time to look at the new arrivals, busy as she was keeping the vanguard advancing, but her mouth was free enough to talk.

"We, and by "we" I mean me first and then the rest following suit, decided to stop dilly-dallying around and go towards Szofrid in as a straight of a line as humanly possible! She messed up Ronja's mind, so as her friends it is our duty to mess up her everything! Glad to have you joining the efforts, Mizuki!"

With her hands busy all she could give towards her lupine friend was a wave of her striped tail as she continued forwards, sending a group of magia flying to the side with a swing of her rightmost debris shield, the tigress being really satisfied with the results thus far. She could get used to fighting like this... But that was a topic to think about another day. She had to focus on Szofrid now.

"Emmy is... Uh... A child born from an egg? A golden egg, that is. Kinda like Szofrid's red egg but uh... Golden. In any case, Null told us back with The Calculator that she was training us for this, so we basically just need to hatch our Golden Egg and free Emmy before Szofrid can finish hatching her red egg. Yeah."

A moment of awkward silence followed the answer to @Hanno Futaba and @Asher , only being broken by the sound of a magia getting decked in the face by the debris shield.

"Got all of that? Cause I sure didn't! In any case, long story short we just need to beat Robomama's ass and we win! Easy Peasy. Now let's go."

@Rael @Ash Vargold

 

[Asher]

More people joined in behind Harper's shield and the line through the chaos was...expanding. Asher was thankful, of course, but now there was a competition of voices with the screams and cries and calls around them. It was slightly overwhelming.

Okay...just so we're all on the same page:
Golden egg good, red egg bad.
Null is a friend that we can trust?
So is Emm, who we have to hatch from the golden egg,
And Sassafrass has a red egg that she's also hatching?

He gently shakes his head, nearly getting caught off guard by a stray piece of debris that nearly breaks their line. He snatches it out of the air and sends it flying back toward the enemy who threw it.

Who...is gonna sit on the golden egg to hatch Emm?

[ @Luthien | @Harper | @Rael ]​

 

[Ash Vargold]

Ash almost stumbles at @Asher's comment.

"Uh. No sitting on it. It's too big to sit on."

"Back in the simulation, we had to 'heal' it' to make it hatch. Might be something similar here."

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"It doesn't matter if it is big~ I am gonna si-- Mph--"

Hanno muffled the fake faerin's reply to @Asher with a hand over her mouth.

"No, buddy. Not right now..." Hanno sighed, glancing at @Ash Vargold. "What kind of healing? In the same way Magia need mana to recover..?" He pondered.

 

[Luthien]

Slowly but surely the group had continued to grow, though at first the elf was none the wiser as she focused instead on her navigation duties. It wasn't until the collective emotions of the party began to tickle at the back of her mind that Lúthien finally looked back, her eyes widening at the sea of familiar faces with sprinkled new ones in the mix.

Oh Gwyn... that's a lot of players? Players that she might be leading to their death— That particularly intrussive thought was quickly bottled up and tossed into the deepest corner of her mind, she couldn't afford distractions right now.

"Sitting on it might take a bit too long too," She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her at hearing Asher's comment, before raising an eyebrow at the faerin girl that Hanno muffled. "We never tried other support actions like buffing, so it's anyone's guess if anything aside from 'healing' them could free Emm faster."

There was a pause as she considered it, before looking towards Hanno and Vargold as an idea popped into her head.

"Maybe all they need is a boost of magic...?"

@Aerial | @Ash Vargold | @Asher | @Hanno Futaba | @Harper | @Rael | @Schilva Flasch | @Tick Tock | @Ueno Mizuki | @Yugam | @Zelrius​

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Emmy...? Oh, you mean the Golden Child.

She frowned. She would like to rescue her as well, but given that they already had the nearly impossible task of curing Szofrit the luna wolf wasn't sure they had the resources to spare to take care of the Golden Child as well. However, she didn't think voicing that thought was going to get her any positive responses.

Rescuing her would be good as well yes. Do we have an idea of what to do with the Red Egg? Destroy it?

It was the safer option, but now that they were going out trying to help the corrupted magia it felt a bit... off... to still just treat the Red Egg as some kind of obstacle to be eliminated.

However, such questions would have to wait, as @Harper's and @Tick Tock's input made her snarl.

No, no, no! We're not here to kill the "beep boopers" and we're not using genocide skills against Szofrit. And we're not messing up her everything either! We need her alive!

After kicking another machine hard enough to send it flying, turning several other machines into pins that got bowled over, she shot a glare at @Rael and @Asher.

Didn't you explain the plan to them?

@Aerial @Ash Vargold @Hanno Futaba @Luthien @Schilva Flasch @Yugam @Zelrius

 

[Asher]

Simulation? So, this is all part of some big…plan?

Asher's eyebrows arch slightly as he speaks, his confusion and awe at all the information bombarding him evident as it marches across his face. He can't keep his expression neutral, no matter how much he would like to. Hell, it was hard enough understanding everything that he was being told, nevermind that it seemed as if someone or something was setting them up.

Still, he winces at Mizuki's sharp tone.

Now's as good a time as any, right?

His smile does not reach his eyes.

Rael—and I—believe that killing Snowsid will unleash something even worse onto the world. So, we don't wanna kill her, we wanna subdue her. If possible. It'll be difficult considering, well, as far as I've learned, she's done some terrible shit.

He winces.

Sorry. So I get people won't be…agreeable. But Rael believes she can be reset and I think, at the very least, we can get some more information out of her. Can't do that with a corpse…

[ @Aerial . @Ash Vargold . @Hanno Futaba . @Luthien . @Schilva Flasch . @Yugam . @Zelrius . @Ueno Mizuki . @Rael . @Tick Tock . @Harper ]​

 

[Rael]

Everyone speaks at once, all muttering or yelling about different things. @Tick Tock comes to her side, and all she can is to press a hand to the top of her head and offer her a smile to show that she acknowledges her. Her lips part, ready to give an answer, and then someone else cuts it off, screaming about something else.

Mizuki joins up in a surprising move, but soon it becomes apparent that the group is unaware of her own intentions, her own reasons for following them.

Everyone is so... I didn't have time, everyone, please, just-...

But no one stops, and with a shrug of her shoulders she orders her butterflies to form a circle around the group, a field of interconnected magic putting a halt to all the noises that would come out of their mouths, as well as the sounds of the ensuing battle, until she has finished saying her piece.

I don't want to kill her. I don't want to kill Szofrit.

That, right there, is the plain truth. What motives she may possess, what had led her to such a decision, would no longer just be freely exposed in a lengthy conversation that they did not have the time for.

All the Magia are infected with Dissonance. Hanno knows this, he was told the same as I, and Dissonance could infect players. What do we do then? I want to subdue her, and find out what caused this before it can happen again. And also, she knows more than we do about something greater.

The spell fades. Let the yelling commence anew.

[ @Aerial . @Ash Vargold . @Hanno Futaba . @Luthien . @Schilva Flasch . @Yugam . @Zelrius . @Ueno Mizuki . @Asher . @Tick Tock . @Harper ]​

 

[Yugam]

After Yugam and Zelrius had blown a hole through the magia, the small group had begun to press onward, fighting their way through the rapidly closing path that the two mages had managed to rip open. Slowly, they were joined with more and more people, some of whom Yugam recognized, and others he didn't.

While the other conversed, Yugam and Harper did their best to make sure the others were free of distractions, mostly. The rifle shots were loud, and soon were accompanied by the sound of a revolver as Unmei joined the defense, wielding Yugam's sidearm. What was taking them so long though? Half were joking around and doing...whatever the fuck they were doing, while other actually managed to remain on task, for the most part.

No, no, no! We're not here to kill the "beep boopers"-

I dunno, killing beep-boopers sounds like a pretty good plan right about now!

Yugam pivoted to shoot a charging magia, only to hear the distinctive click of an empty chamber. Growling, the man flipped the gun in hand, grasping it by the barrel as he used it as a baseball bat, sending the magia's head flying into the distance.

We are kinda in the middle of a battle here, guys!

Not that it mattered of course. Carry on every, ignore the frustrated humans.

Rael—and I—believe that killing Snowsid will unleash something even worse onto the world. So, we don't wanna kill her, we wanna subdue her. If possible. It'll be difficult considering, well, as far as I've learned, she's done some terrible shit.

Yugam looked over at the...what was this beastfolk anyways? Bull? Bison? The beastfolk as he loaded his rifle again and tossed Unmei a few bullets.

Seemed to me she thinks the badder thing is already out there. I think she's trying to get us to form ranks. In a really fucked up way.

Did it really matter if they were all dead though?

I don't want to kill her. I don't want to kill Szofrit.

And what if you have to.

Unmei beat Yugam to the punch. If it came down to it, they might not get a choice in the matter.

Look, we have a job to do here, and that's to stop the magia from killing or assimilating us all. Best way to do that is to neutralize Szofrit. If the only way to do that is to kill her, then that's what we need to do.

Yugam's rifle went off again, drilling a magia between it's optical lenses.

She's got valuable intel though. So I vote, we take her alive if at all possible. If we can figure out a way to disperse her dissonance, that's a bonus.

@Rael | @Aerial | @Ash Vargold | @Hanno Futaba | @Luthien | @Schilva Flasch | @Zelrius | @Ueno Mizuki | @Asher | @Tick Tock | @Harper ​

 

[Ash Vargold]

"What kind of healing? In the same way Magia need mana to recover..?"

@Hanno Futaba​

"...you know, I never made that connection. But it makes sense..."

Another magia is knocked away from the van. Ash pants, wishing his inventory wasn't locked behind a glitching UI.

As the conversation shifts, and @Rael's plan is revealed...

"She's got valuable intel though. So I vote, we take her alive if at all possible. If we can figure out a way to disperse her dissonance, that's a bonus."

@Yugam​

"I'm in the same camp. And if we have no other choice, then we can at least say we tried."

Ash staggers for a moment, heart rattling for a brief moment before evening out. Even surrounded by allies, there's no ignoring the fact that it's them against two armies now.

"...but if I have pick between players and Landers, I'm picking players. This game's taken enough lives already."

 

[Zelrius]

Zelrius had moments he wanted to interject - but between the constant use of fire, and slashing his weapons through Magia parts, and the way people continued to join the conversation and speak, all he could do was listen and process. That was fine; he figured no one wanted to hear about his opinion either way. The part most relevant to him was the exchange between @Yugam and the healer @Rael - a conversation between saving and killing. Something that @Ueno Mizuki had already mentioned to him. Something that Jin had thrown into conflict. Dissonance in all of the Magia?

There was a sidelong glance of confusion at @Aerial 's comment. There really wasn't much time to address or even connect what she was saying. Something worth asking her about later to save any awkwardness.

A thought came to him. Back in Vinergard, he had found and pulled out Jester. Then converted into their kind. But, more important than that actual act is what came after it. Their whole walk home back to Camp Hope, the two had been shadowed. Told by agents of Astor and his country to keep it a secret. They were hiding something then. They knew.

They knew.

There was information missing, and the pyromancer couldn't piece it together, not here, not now. There is some link between all of this. Dissonance, the haywire magia borne from the Dragonfall, the Kingdom of Astorea.

"Yugam is right. Capture is our first priority. If this Szofrit refuses, we don't have another choice. I don't really know many of you, but I trust Mizuki. If she insists on no genocide, then I will hold back on that. "

He stopped, an awkward pause. The sentence felt incomplete, like he hadn't gotten his point across.

"...And encourage you guys to do the same."

Though it seemed @Ash Vargold was already in the same boat as Yugam, which Zelrius also elected to take part in. Could they come to an actual consensus here?

@Rael | @Aerial | @Ash Vargold | @Hanno Futaba | @Luthien | @Schilva Flasch | @Yugam | @Ueno Mizuki | @Asher | @Tick Tock | @Harper ​

 

[Luthien]

Rael's hot take on how to deal with Szofrit came as no surprise to the ranger, one ear kept on the serious conversation happening while the rest of her focus remained on guiding the ever growing party through whatever path Emm was mentally guiding her through and hoping it would pay off. A deep breath crossed her lips as the elf steeled her resolve, pushing her own personal feelings regarding Robomama to the side for the time being.

"I agree on doing anything possible to capture instead of kill Szofrit," Her gaze focused on her fellow dreamsister with whom she'd spent countless dreamful nights trying to make heads and tails of the few puzzle pieces they'd been given. "However, if I have to choose between her or us, I won't hesitate to finish her."

After all, and despite the race she played within this game, she was only human... and Szofrit had already harmed Ronja enough, she wouldn't allow the magia to get her hands on anyone else Lúthien held dear and near to her heart.

"Null gave us a hint before, if there's a way to stop Robomama then that answer might lie in Emm—our golden egg."

@Aerial | @Ash Vargold | @Asher | @Attia Patal | @Cleo Looker | @Hanno Futaba | @Harper | @Rael | @Schilva Flasch | @Tick Tock | @Ueno Mizuki | @Yugam | @Zelrius​