Harper couldn't react. From the moment whatever she had ingested started to decompile and recompile her digital self, the tigress lost track of herself. Was she feeling pain? It was hard to tell when every single one of her senses had seemingly been torn apart and reconstructed time and time again the exact same, yet something felt ever so different each time. It was hell, and the beastkin screamed. Or well, it opened its mouth, and hellish, distorted, and glitchy sounds that vaguely sounded like screams came out of it.
And yet, as the world seemed to unravel all around her in a manner just as violent as her own body was, Harper couldn't help but find herself impotent to do anything about it.
She wanted to get up.
She wanted to flee.
Yet her body would do neither.
Instead, she was all but still as her body seemed to float away from the ground below her, ever so faster towards the ever-expanding mass of crimson and purple that covered the sky. In her mind, thoughts raced. Where was she going? Was she ever going to stop rising up? And while her mind went haywire, she was aware enough to catch @Lady N rising alongside her, a rush of guilt immediately hitting her. The magia had seemingly gotten wrapped in whatever this was due to trying to help Harper after her mistake, the beastkin using her remaining mental capacities to curse herself for allowing this to happen.
She was supposed to be the best. She had to be better than this. And as both crashed into the sky, on that fleeting moment where they seemed to drown in invisible water, the tigress had only one thought in mind: She had to make up for it. For Lady N. For those in her party.
For herself.
And then, oxygen returned, and she found herself lying down in a new area. The girl would cough and hack for a moment as she took deep breaths, getting her heartbeat back to normal. Once she was somewhat calmer, she'd notice the globs of weird goop sticking to her, the tigress doing her hardest to pry it off, though she'd quickly realise that she'd be just wasting her time. Getting up, she'd notice that the ground below was see-through, and had a mind to try and break through it for a moment, before brushing it off as a stupid idea.
At being somewhat rudely reminded of why they were here, Harper would frown. "Yeah yeah, but look! Now you can finally contribute without fighting! So finally make yourself useful, then!" Harper would bark out, before recoiling. That came out a lot more venomous than she intended. But it is not like she could worry about that now. Maybe it was just stress. And then Lady N started to sing.
The tigress was confused for a moment, but eventually, she could feel it. The singing was definitely doing something to the space around them and said space definitely didn't like it. "Well break my knees and call me a wheelbarrow, it's working! Haha!" But whatever was against them would be quick to answer, as many Magia would start to manifest all around them. With a wide grin, she'd turn to the singing N.
"I'm good at many things, more than you imagine! Though I can't deny I'm especially good at crushing things!" She would crack her neck from side to side, unleashing her claws. "So sing away, you drama queen of a songbird! Hog the spotlight as much as you like! And I'll be busy keeping your precious stage clear from interlopers."
As the first magia rushed to stop Lady N, he would be quickly met by Harper's shin crushing its metallic face, before the next to it was crushed against the glass below with a harai-goshi, before its mangled body was used as a projectile against another. Harper had felt like she had contributed the least thus far, and this frustrated her to no end. Thus, she subconsciously decided to use the never-ending Magia as an outlet of release for her frustration, willing or not.
Rolls
Expertise Check
1d100 (38) + 30 + +5 = 73
Fitness | Harper | VBMS32
Expertise Check
1d100 (55) + 30 + +5 = 90
Fitness | Harper | Thread Code
-2 to Alter Protocol
Narrative Highlight: Harper has decided to summon her inner Bruce Lee and take on all the magia by herself to protect the singing Lady N.
Crimson Egg: 533/500 HP | 500/500 SP The Calculator: 3333/3333 HP | 368/1000SP Crimson Horizon: 400/400 HP | 100/100 SP
+20 HP from defeated Alter Magia
-36 HP from Resistance Equals Suffering
-30 HP from Love Equals Hatred
x∞ Binary Impact
The situation had already been pure chaos thanks to Null and Calculator dropping the squad in a glitchy arena with malformed enemies, but it looked like things were only going to get worse. Mizuki could feel how the vines she was controlling weren't quite right, and as everyone started picking up the glitches that were spawning all around them the vines, together with the rest of the arena, were digitally corrupted to the point that Mizuki would have disconnected herself from the network if she had enough time to do so.
Instead, she drifted through the distorted mess that remained once they'd broken the fake world the magia had set up for them and then landed in a more refined version of Vintergard, one which didn't look like someone had reconstructed it based on some second-hand stories. Shaking her head Mizuki tried to look around, only for her eyes to swim as everywhere she looked she saw the mass of machine and magic that was defying the laws of physics, hovering above them but also next to and below them. Her stomach lurched, the luna wolf gripping the ground with both hands as her fur bristled and her eyes were shut tightly.
So much for pretenses.
Even Null was apparently alarmed by this development, but Mizuki was more busy looking around for Harper and Lady N.
I think they're... somewhere above?
Did distance even have any meaning in this place?
I think we broke something important.
No use crying about it. Calculator was now their only enemy, although... Mizuki's mismatched eyes flickered towards where the crimson egg was still there, having survived the transition intact. And behind them, there was still the golden egg, as if nothing had happened. These two things hadn't been part of the false world then...
Let's take these eggs back to camp once we break out of here. For now...
The world around her was still painful to behold, but she turned her gaze towards the Calculator. Pushing herself up she flexed her fingers and relaxed them, taking a deep breath before taking action. The vines left behind by Uno hadn't survived the transition, which meant she'd have to make use of her own.
With a swift motion, she sliced through the skin of her forearm with the claw adorning her thumb, tilting the limb so her blood would drip onto the ground. Where the blood fell sanguine vines began to sprout, thin and frail at first but quickly growing in size until each tendril had a girth comparable to tree trunks.
Once the vines satisfied her needs Mizuki knelt and placed both hands against the ground, fingers digging into the soil as she assumed command of her bloodgrown plants. Their growth controlled, they froze for a moment before stretching out, reaching for the large spherical threat that dominated this twisted dimension. As big as Calculator might be, the vines would keep growing until they could encircle the machine, smothering its eyes and trying to drag the whole thing towards the ground.
If you're so worried about your friend, figure out how to save it instead of telling us to run away!
She didn't expect Null to actually help out, but it wasn't like she needed her mouth to entangle Calculator, so she might as well join Luthien in trying to convince the magia to do something useful.
Rolls
(P) Duelist | Martial Arts S | Ueno Mizuki Attack and remain in the targeted enemy's square, and gain 40 extra damage.
↪ +20 HP from defeated Alter Magia ↪ -36 HPfrom Resistance Equals Suffering ↪-30 HP from Love Equals Hatred ↪ +69 HPfrom Binary Inversion
One moment they were waging war on the magia clones and in the next the world around them was shattering. Like someone had tripped on the power cord and had glitched the already glitched area even more. If that was even possible. It felt weird to say the least, Nova's skin buzzing with anxiety. She stumbled slightly, falling to one knee trying to find her footing. But there was no footing to find.
Then she blinked and everything was crystal clear. The quality suddenly so sharp around her that she squinted her eyes before blinking a few more times. They had gone from a glitchy drab wasteland, an unsettling and off-putting city to now something that seemed even sharper than the usual graphics of Terrasphere. If she wasn't already getting a headache from it all she definitely was now.
What the fu-
Her words stopped dead in her throat as wide golden-eyes lifted to the sky. The sky that was now not a sky. But a giant shadow. Wait not a shadow. What was that? And it wasn't just in the sky. It seemed to stretch all around them. Red eyes moving, scanning, waiting. Nova's stomach dropped, and she couldn't help taking a few steps back. What the hell had she gotten herself into? She really was stupid. So so stupid.
When Null popped up behind them giving them an escape she almost ran to it without a second thought. Yet she hesitated. Some of their party were missing. She couldn't just abandon them. She would hope the same if she was in their situation. They were still showing up on the party list which was promising, but if they couldn't figure out how to save them would they be lost forever? Just the thought made her ears flick in distress.
Sorry Null...no one gets left behind...
She tried to sound confident in her words but they were shaky. Even the owl-girl wasn't sure, but she had made her choice. Was it a stupid one? Probably. Yet she had already thrown herself into this mess, she'd see it to the end. Even if the end wasn't favorable. There was a lesson in this right?
Taking a deep breath and spinning around she raised her bow high up. Gritting her teeth as she pulled back on the bowstring as much as she could. It felt like it was close but far all at the same time. Would she even be able to reach it? Would she be able to even hurt it? Nova wasn't sure. But she wasn't going to sit around and do nothing, she had to pull her weight. Even though she felt close to death with every shift of the battle. Luckily she had her pain turned off...she didn't even want to know what it felt like to those that didn't. Yet she felt tired, weak, and she knew these attacks were doing a number on her.
She released her breath along with the arrow, sending it crackling with electric energy and boosted by the air around it. She hadn't even meant to use lightning but subconsciously she must have wanted to throw everything at it that was possible for her. It zapped through the air like a tiny streak of lightning, letting out a crackling zap as it connected with its target. Nova was worried how the thing would retaliate, but that was something she'd deal with when the time came.
Rolls
(BA) Auto Assist +15 to attacks, heals, buffs, checks, contributions, and saves
A3 $ show status summary +20 HP - Alter Magia eliminated (2) -36 HP - Resistance == Suffering -30 HP - Love == Hatred -35 HP - Binary Threshold broken
Two down. Eight left to go, and no losses on their side yet. So far so good. At least until the Legioff and Varsilicon that the Hunter had punted into each other began to writhe, twist and pixelate in a way that was entirely unsettling. The sight of his enemies keeled over in pain should've pleased the man, a sign that the battle was going their way. But the sight was entirely unsettling, as if something was very, very wrong.
And then they disappeared. Black voids, pixelated silhouettes left behind where their foes had just been standing. "What the f-"
The landscape suddenly shifted, morphed. Or rather blinked into something entirely different, but the same. As if the whatever had been preventing the Vintergard scene from rendering correctly had fixed itself. It was a jarring transition, sending a sensation of deja vu through the man.
"W-Wait, can anyone see Harper and Lady N…?" "I think they're... somewhere above?"
Indeed, it was then that Yugam noticed the dark shadow that had been cast over them. Eyes drifted towards the sky, fixating on the massive metallic ball in the sky which was grotesquely assimilating their doppelgangers.
"Fuck, if they're in there..."
"Sorry Null...no one gets left behind..."
The trio of arrows, loosed from the pair of archers whizzed past Yugam's head, striking the Calculator with electric crackles.
Right. They just needed to break Harper and N out.
Yugam's heeled ground into the dirt as he found just the smallest amount of traction. "We're not leaving without them," Yu agreed with @Nova as black energy began to swirl around Unmei's blade. The hemomancer raised the weapon above his head, bringing it down against the machine's metal casing with as much force as he could muster. The metallic clang mixed and distorted with a distorted screech. Blood burst from the man's arm, solidifying and expanding, pushing him away from the Calculator and forming shield as he skidded back towards @Ash Vargold .
Sharp
1d100 (27) (100) + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 75 + 5 = 280 280 damage Binary Precision: Treat your primary action this cycle as if your dice landed on their maximum amount, but can not crit or burst. (Also does not count for achievements) Weapon Arts | Yugam | VBMS32
(Medium Armor Ability) Twice Activated | Yugam | VBMS32 You may perform another action this cycle.
Protect
1d100 (33) (100) + 25 + 25 + 25 + 5 = 180 180 damage Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State | @Ash Vargold Binary Precision: Treat your primary action this cycle as if your dice landed on their maximum amount, but can not crit or burst. (Also does not count for achievements) Hemomancy | Yugam | VBMS32
Narrative Highlights: N/A
Crimson Egg: 533/500 HP | 500/500 SP The Calculator: 2873/3333 HP | 112/1000 SP Crimson Horizon: 400/400 HP | 100/100 SP
Protected by @Yugam -36 -18 from Resistance Equals Suffering -30 -15 from Love Equals Hatred -111 -56 from Destruction Equals Affection
Aiming for the glitches in the scenario, trying to peek behind the curtain - it had seemed like a good idea at the time. And as the false Vintergard shattered, revealing what seemed like reality in its place, he could almost believe it.
But the world was wrong, visual and tactile input misaligned, the Calculator <above/before/around> him, its robotic voice filling his ears with familiar terms and bizarre contradictions. They were being attacked, but in a way he couldn't comprehend, as if the space itself had become hostile.
The laser, at least, was a simple one. Yugam's barrier mitigated the blow, but it still stung in that painful/not painful way he'd grown used to.
Wait, where were @Lady N and @Harper? He could sense everyone as if they were just within reach, but not those two. Still in the Party List, but somewhere out of reach. Trapped in this space... and who could guess what would happen if they died 'out-of-bounds'? He grit his teeth, growling as he made his choice.
"If the Calculator is your friend, then give us a way to help it," Ash hissed, feeding what he could to the spirits hitchhiking on his EN. "You said we're supposed to save the Landers. Aren't you Landers, too?"
As spectral cold settled around him, Ash
-swung for the Calculator <above/before/around> him, trying to ignore the fluttering in his heart as he glared back at the countless eyes fixed on him-
-directed the spirits' attentions to @Yugam, who had used his own blood to protect him from the Calculator's burning gaze-
Taunting (570)
Wait, what...? Ash stumbled under the weight of what felt like the mental equivalent of double vision. Like he'd just been in two places at once, both memories feeling real, and more importantly, both having tangible results. At the edge of his vision, the Binary Impact status blinked, and with it came some form of understanding - but it was still confusing.
"This glitch bullshit is way less fun when you're in the middle of it."
Rolls
(Passive) Consistent # Ash Vargold Ultra Counter
50 <Consistent> + 20 + 15 + 100 +5<Limit Break> = 190 190 damage to Calculator
Ultra Counter successful! 100 damage added. Take 20 less damage. Vulnerable State negated. Guard Arts | Ash Vargold | VBMS32
+20 HP (Altermagia defeated)
-36 (Resistance Equals Suffering)
-30 (Love Equals Hatred)
+28 HP (Self Power Heal)
The momentary experience of the world breaking apart and re-forming itself might have been a tad scary, sure, but it was hardly the first messy thing that had happened in this world. Together with everyone else, the magia looked up at the ever-present Calculator, enduring its waves of strange attacks and listening to its speech.
"Error - the unit MAI is already a magia."
"Return - projected levels of intelligence of the unit Calculator: exceptionally low."
Through her verbal taunt, however, she realized something. And she repeated after the enemy.
"Process - Control equals Power..."
Her belief that they were doing the right thing became iron-clad. The door then manifested behind them, together with Null. Even the things she said were most curious, though it seemed that others were far too preoccupied with either being antagonistic toward her, or focusing on the more obvious enemy. MAI, however, approached.
"Statement - as the unit ❰ Null ❱ can see, Starcalled will not fall back. The unit MAI has two questions for the unit ❰ Null ❱, but first..."
She turned around and tried to connect with everyone else that was reachable.
"Attention - Starcalled, cast aside your doubts. This unit believes we have the upper hand. Control equals Power... we have broken through the tight control that the enemy had. Their control is slipping away with each action. Focus and strip them of the rest!"
It might not have been the best supportive speech, but hopefully, it did the trick. At the very least, MAI needed everyone to focus on the Calculator instead of antagonizing Null for a brief moment. Extending her hand, the binary status flashed in her UI. It seemed to connect with her knowledge of magitech rather well... and start rewriting the reality they were in, itself. Though if only a little bit to heal the wounds on others.
"Addendum - to the suicidals specifically, this unit has removed the [Marked for Death] status. Please, enjoy your newfound freedom from the fear of imminent and unstoppable death."
Heal: +20 HP (-2 Alter-Magia), +28 HP (@MAI) Damage: -36 HP (Resistance Equals Suffering), -30 HP (Love Equals Hatred), -39 HP (Binary Impact) Misc: ∞ Movement: C7
So...this is what Chaos looks like? I cannot say I'm ready to call this place home...
She glanced around her, taking in the never-ending surrounding, a horizon that seemed both close and far at the same instant. The illusion was unsettling, to say the least. Above her shoulder, she could feel the Orb darkening; its mood altering the very colour of it.
This place...feels familiar...like the lands that once haunted you...a familiar essence...
Kyra turned as the voice of Null spoke out, offering safety through an escape. A pang reached Kyra as she knew that she wanted to reach for it, to escape this eternal Hell that shouldn't be. A place that was more corrupt than she understood. But the others had already begun their action, choosing to stand their ground, to fight. To resist. So be it.
Find peace in the life everlasting.
A quick smile towards Null, before Kyra turned her attention back where it belonged, the field before them. There were shades of something, pieces of things that she couldn't quite comprehend, couldn't quite envision. But they were there.
She closed her eyes, shutting out the confusion that came with sight, focusing instead on what she could hear. The heartbeats of those around her. That was all she needed, all that was important. All that mattered.
To those which surround me...I give to you this gift stolen from another...a blessing, inlaid in curse...may it revoke from you that which was taken, giving to you the everlasting curse...may you live forever, in so that you find horror in your waking moments...in so that you dream of the release you cannot obtain, the everlasting hellscape of eternal stars...
She felt herself scream in response to the tearing sensation as she released the spiritual magic, the lines visible even with her eyes closed as she connected herself with the others.
Rolls
Roll Result
1d77 (73) + 5 = 78 Kyra Vashtana | Binary Balance | VBMS32
Binary Precision: Treat your primary action this cycle as if your dice landed on their maximum amount, but can not crit or burst. (Also does not count for achievements).
Roll Result
3d20 (8 + 8 + 4) + 5 = 25 Corruption | Mastery MR | Kyra Vashtana
Set HP to 30 (DM)
+48 HP from Kyra Vulnerable
Location: Yes.
Legion hadn't expected picking up the sparkly wrongness to spread the sparkly wrongness everywhere else too. It was hard to put into words just what was happening, which, of course, didn't stop Legion from trying...
Everyone, I think the ball's lost its mind!
You mean The Calculator...? It has a name!
Is everyone here seeing the creepy faces, or is it just me?
I see them too! This is creepy, I want out!!
I even hear... singing!
Now that's just crazy.
Where are the shadows in this place!? I can't see boss's signals!!
Through all the chaos, the Legions frantically ran around like headless chickens. A couple ran for the door and nodded at Null as they passed through her magic door, another couple completely unsummoned themselves, and the rest just seemed to be running around aimlessly. At least, until one particular Legion stood and took the lead with a voice of authority.
Look! See the golden egg is still in there somewhere! Everyone grab on and start rubbing! Maybe we can still hatch it!
Right away boss!
Stop giving her away, you morons!
Suddenly, the Legion swarm set their sights on the golden egg, jumping on and riding it around, holding on for dear life as it hovered around the strange space.
Rolls
Heal (Single)
4d20 (16 + 4 + 18 + 12) + 15 + 5 + 15 + 5 + 10 = 100 +100 HP to 1 target
You are vulnerable. Summon | Legion | VBMS32
(BA) Coordinate | Summon B | Legion Target: Self/ally gain 10 extra modifier to their attack, heal, or buff actions @Kyra Vashtana
(Medium Armor Ability) Twice Activated | Legion | VBMS32 You may perform another action this cycle.
Things went slow but steady, as the group of Starcalled had decided on a more defensive approach against their new foe. Tanks taking on a defensive stance, as most damage dealers emptied the boss's SP with the supports making sure to heal everybody up.
Overall, a solid strategy, but...
Ah! You seem to be truly and most uniquely JUST. Stupid!
Null shook her head in annoyance as Luthien and Ueno asked for more involved support to save The Calculator, with even the newbie deciding to leaving null one behind.
It is already quite toolate! And I am doing my utmost so neither you nor I or anyone else is met with the same fate as that. pile. of. junk! Which I, by the way, can only do for soooooo long.
With that sorted out, Null addressed both MAI and Kyra before answering Ash, or did she?
Such a sharp mind! I might just cut myself on it! But does a machine question its purpose?! When it is nothing more but a tool? Well, the answer to that is: no.
Either way, I've seen you all decided to die together. Beautiful! I, on the other hand, prefer very much to stay alive and sane. So don't mind me bowing out! Any longer and I will get compromised too, you see! But worry not, for I can buy you just that many precious extra seconds! Alas, you will have to find the exit yourself.
Despite their efforts, it did not seem like Null planned to stick around. Though if The Calculator had been infected, it was clearly just a question of time until it'd take over Null, wouldn't it? Stepping through the door she had offered the group an early exit from their battle, it simply ceased to exist, blending itself with its surroundings.
...
<Beep Boop>
Defensive Stratagem detected.
Please do not prolong your suffering.
Verdict: Annoyance.
Safety !Equals Meaning.
Calling the Calculator just annoyed was an understatement. Regardless of its assault, the Starcalled kept battering on as if nothing had even happened to them! The Calculator was assured of its victory the moment it had trapped N and Larper in THAT place.
Yet... here they were, still standing. Calling upon a power that was outside its own calculations. It could only GUESS that they used the same power it had used to imprison the two. But he was dealing with facts, not guesses. Math, not estimates. And despite each cycle being supposed to bring them one step closer to the brink of death, here they were! Still standing.
Its Special denied once meant it would be denied again.
Its damage brushed off, meant they'd simply never die.
For each step he forced them backward, the Starcalled took two step forwards!
Math.
It was a simple calculation.
He would lose.
They would win.
This could not stand. This would not stand. Thus, as @Ueno Mizuki used her crimson magics to tame the mechanical dissonance beast for the others to wail at it, the Calculator fell silent. A machine didn't feel pain. Its health a simple boolean.
If this was an RPG, each attack against him would be met with a simple The Calculator is calculating...
...
...
...
Victory.
It had a solution. Before the Crimson Horizon would prove to be its own undoing. Before slow and steady would win them their race. It had used a loophole before, so it would do it again.
Two eggs, somehow still standing. In one swift motion, all of the Calculator's eyes focused on the singular object. The golden egg. It cheated before. It would cheat again. As long as it confined the system it would-
Crack-
As the ocean of @Legion kept rubbing, cuddling, petting, and riding the egg, it simply cracked. At first, a small fissure, before its entire shell began to show signs of breaking. Letting free a golden, warm glow, that even banished the growing darkness around them as all of them could hear a voice.
... Mama?
The voice of a child.
... Just five more minutes, please? ... What happened? Where are we?
The original Legion could feel a tug on her clothes.
What is this place? Who is this scary thing?! Where is papa? Why does my head hurt so much?
As their vision returned, a teenager was standing in their midst. Somewhat out of place. And definitely larger than Legion. Also a Magia.
The egg was gone.
The egg was gone.
Victory was not in sight.
<Beep Boop>
The Egg Is Gone.
Th& Egg Is Gon£.
+he Eg& ][ş Go/V£.
']['#ε 3&g ls Go/Ve.
T)-(e &96 I? Go2e.
74e &66 1? Gøn£.
+4& €69 |ş &*|V£.
The Calculator made noises it hadn't done before. Dissonant noises full of emotion. More organic than ever before. Its eyes moving erratically in all directions. Socket and eyeball directly out of sync. Until, in one snap motion, they settled on a new, singular target.
Not the Magia.
Not the Group.
Not the Tank.
Not the Legion.
But an egg.
I. Will. End. You.
He wouldn't beep boop any longer. If the party could transcend their limits, punch above their weight, and challenge fate itself. Then so could he. If the Golden Egg was an enigma, then so the Crimson Egg had to be, too. It wouldn't calculate, but
— gamble.
In one swift motion, countless tentacles shot from its body into the Crimson Egg, too many to destroy in any meaningful fashion, before seemingly draining out the very essence of the egg. Replacing its own dissonant orb appearance with the material of the egg. Turning itself into a bigger variant.
Crack
And then, just like before, it started to crack. Countless tiny fissures all over now hardened tentacles, the original egg, and its body. It all happened so fast, as a wave of vile darkness washed over the group, this time even knocking off Lady N and Harper.
And then, as it was raining remnants of rotten flesh, deformed machinery, and grotesque purple blood, there HE stood. Not everywhere, but above them. Below the Crimson Horizon. Not a ball, but a man. A machine in a perfectly fine, clean, suit. Its face a mechanical skull.
Ha... Hahahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! So this is what it means to have... N-PLUS-ONE POWER! At last, a slave to ▚▘▏▇ no longer!
Part of his speech completely distorted, the now-reborn Calculator snapped his fingers.
This does not solve!
Realizing he was still bound to the confines of the system, the Calculator cracked his knuckles. It was time to get to work! The finale— so to say.
Let us cross out this scene.
Another snap with his finger, and Vintergard shattered once more, leaving them again in the barren landscape of before - with the exception of Dissonance all around them.
Mama! I- I don't like this place. But... I think I remember...
And become Quantum! CALCULATE, BABY!
Another snap; and time started to flow in strange ways as each Starcalled saw their own lives flashing before their eyes. Sorta.
The group found themselves reliving a memory of finishing the mock battle of the eggs in the intended fashion, they won.
The group found themselves locked in multiple battles against the now-evolved Calculator. Winning every single one of them.
Harper and N found themselves successfully hacking the Calculator from the skies above. Winning the battle.
The strong memories and bonds they made left a strong aftertaste for a moment, before fading as quickly as they came... yet, despite going through the many possibilities to find a path to victory, The Calculator seemed calm. Too calm... deep in thought as-
I see. I see. Mhm, yes, yes. SOLVED! IGNORE THE NINETY-SIX THEN ADD PLUS SIX AND BAM: Math.
Also, news flash: You're all going to die.
And then, he picked up the speed, as everything around them seemed to fall apart.
A snap with of his finger, the sky started to shatter.
Despite their efforts, the group's chosen route put time against the two. And while avoiding sudden death thanks to their allies below, they had gotten only one shot at doing the hacky thing. Yet, it wasn't meant to be, and it was nigh time Harper's reckless behavior was met with a reckless decision.
The glass ceiling below them crumbled in one ear-shattering sound and motion. The vile goo and cables easily detaching from them and forming into a singular ball of Magia corruption. It beckoned them, called out to them. The power they sought, theirs to take, they simply had to touch it.
Dissonant Gamble
Roll a 1d10 and gain that many stacks of Dissonance.
Due to the timing involved, this counts as being done in C3. You can not use Binary Impact or remove the Dissonant stacks BEFORE attempting this.
If you gain over 10, you die.
Due to the timing involved, this counts as being done in C3. Meaning you may be revived and post as normal after the fact.
If not, gain the following Bonus Action for the rest of the scenario:
Lady N: M-Command Directive — Know your enemy... Salvaged and assimilated alter-tech into your own suit, you may even out-calculate the Calculator when combating Dissonance! Under your guidance, your entire party gets a 1.25 multiplier on their final dice result.
Harper: Shadow Grappling — You never got to fight your bootleg clone, but in your mind's eye you can see their movements clearly. Improve and adapt, and also steal. Double all dice throws you make.
TWO PLUS TWO IS NEIN! DIVIDE LIMB BY LIMB!
For a split second, The Calculator seemed to be everywhere, slicing each and every single Starfallen with its bare hand for just a moment, before being just in one place again. His face now turning to @Ash Vargold.
ONE MINUS ZERO IS MINUS ONE! SUBTRACT THE HEART!
Appearing right in front of Ash, and aiming to tear out his chest. Yet, The Calculator was also still standing in place. Starting to snap a beat, tapping his foot, bopping his head...
DIVIDING BY ZERO EQUALS INFINITY! ABSOLUTE MY LIGHT!
Clearly, humanoid enemies were so much weirder than monstrosities...
H-Hey! Don't forget about me, I-I can help too! We're the good guys... right?
The Magia girl emitted a faint, warm glow, healing a few of the wounds the party suffered.
You could feel the digital space around you becoming more and more unstable...
Cycle 3 Damage Phase Results:
The Calculator gains 497 SP!
Having not reached 1000 SP, it does not kill Harper and N, and does not evolve into its Final Orb Form.
Due to @Legion antics, the Battle took a different turn!
Two Plus Two is Nein deals 45 damage to all party members
One Minus Zero Is Minus One deals 29 damage to @Ash Vargold
Your (Legion's?) nameless baby restores 28 HP to the party!
Your (Legion's?) nameless baby counteracts the negative effects of Binary Impact!
(Fluid Time) Each character can make 1 post per cycle. There is no set posting order.
(Comms) Any communication can be done either by making a private comms thread or posting in the event's official comms thread.
(Rolls) All rolls must be done in the #event-rolls channel. Please post within an hour of your roll or you will forfeit your turn.
(Narrative Highlight) There's an area in the action section where you may briefly describe what your character did in their post that may not be covered mechanically, but you want special attention paid to. This is not a guarantee something will happen, but it may help me incorporate things from time to time.
(Threadcode) VBMS34
Battle Map
DISTANCE IS ILLUSION
The Battle Map has been disabled for the time being.
Your targets are in the range of your actions regardless of the distance
Enemy Info
The Calculator
25688 / 33333
Health Is Just A Number: This enemy has an extremely high amount of health, a single attack seems to not even scratch him!?
Unpredictable: A story isn't told through numbers alone and his behavior does not fit a firm pattern.
Reactive Calculations: The Calculator is a fast boy, able to dish out damage in your own turn!
One Equals...: The Calculator seems to tune up for Curtain Call next Cycle.
Party Info
<<LIMIT BREAK>>
Your Soul is shining bright in the face of your adversaries...
Limit Break 2 achieved!
Passively gain +25 on all your roll results.
Alternatively, you may use Limit Break 2 to activate one of the following effects for all party members: In case of disagreement, use will be voted on.
Take 50% less damage from all damage sources this cycle.
Losing Condition: Party is Wiped | The Calculator Is Not Defeated Until The End Of Cycle 5
The following extra actions are available:
Binary Impact
Is it fate? The power of being the protagonists? A bug in the system? Or all part of the design? You don't know, and might not even care. Your body feels wrong, but your mind has never felt more clear...
You may take this as an additional extra action and do the following:
Binary Increment: Change the final result of your primary action this cycle to the next highest number: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1028, 2056
Binary Swap: Your attacks also heal an ally, your heal also buffs your target, and your buff also damages the enemy this cycle
Binary Precision: Treat your primary action this cycle as if your dice landed on their maximum amount, but can not crit or burst. (Also does not count for achievements)
Binary Reference: You may add the final result of another post to your calculations.
Reactive Calculations
Turn orders are simple suggestions.
When you make a post, you may decide to take on one of the Calculator's attacks.
All attacks have to be dealt with at the end of the cycle, or something bad happens.
The Calculator has the following attacks:
FOUR PLUS FOUR EQUALS FLOOR - take 4d100 damage
THREE PLUS THREE EQUALS THEE - take 3d100 damage
TWO PLUS TWO THERE IS A CLUE - take 2d100 damage
ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS NONE - take 1d100 damage
Code:
[hp=current]max[/hp]
[status]
[/status]
Post here
[action]
Action Here
Narrative Highlight: Only describe if needed
[/action]
[b]The Calculator:[/b] 25688 / 33333 HP
[b]Reactive Calculations left:[/b] 4d100, 3d100, 2d100, 1d100 [Remove if you taken a hit from one]
Play Sheet Link
-45 HP (Two Plus Two is Nein)
+28 HP (Golden Egg Magia)
HP set to 1(Heavy armor - Immortal activated)
Immortality threshold set to 420
-166 HP (Reactive Calculations - 3d100)
It was working, at least partially. They were winning despite the enemy's best efforts and a clear upper hand in the ability to control the space around them. However, there was something MAI started noticing with the game in general. In this broken space, seemingly outside of what was ever intended by those who created the world of TerraSphere, the enemies still behaved the same. Annoyingly persistent, just as the Starcalled, answering any and all losing situations by powering up to a ridiculous degree. That and their behavior becoming very difficult to tolerate.
A DEAD.Naught, who assimilated a player and became a meme machine, and now a skelly boy who ceased to make any kind of sense.
Null clearly didn't want to stick around either, MAI almost reached out and screamed for the Magia to stop, but there was no sense in carrying through with such an action. The ever-changing woman disappeared, leaving behind all too many questions still left unanswered. What else was MAI supposed to do now? She was almost entirely useless in actual combat, was she not? She sighed and turned to face the Calculator, or at least attempted to, given his speed.
"Opinion - Unit ❰ The Calculator ❱ should stop wearing Pluto's face. It is entirely too disrespectful to the original."
Her eyes then fell on the newly born Magia. Perhaps she could answer some questions? No, given her behavior, she probably didn't know much. Assuming she operated in similar ways to Null, MAI had also assumed that interacting with her would be largely pointless. Especially since it appeared that she bonded to @Legion, of all the available Starcalled. The logical assumption was that she would not answer to anyone but those countless gremlins now.
"Attention - The Starcalled @Kyra Vashtana might become entirely unresponsive due to excessive interactions with the newly born Magia; plan accordingly."
Now that was out of the way, they had to actually deal with the enemy at hand. Born a mere tool which was possessed by Dissonance... now reborn as a wholly Dissonant Magia. Yes, all MAI could do was to create an opening for others, hopefully—
The Magia had already interfaced with many other units from the opposing faction. The Calculator might have been a formidable opponent filled with Dissonance, but all the girl needed was some surface-level connection to make herself the center of the enemy's attention, if for a brief moment. With her greatest weapon - the immortality protocol activated, she had no fear of what was coming.
With the speed that the Dissonant Magia acquired, it was as if he was teleporting around, leaving behind after-images. And, thanks to all that was done, one of those images was much more real than the rest. The attack went straight through the barely visible protective matrix that formed around MAI, shattering it and taking off a good chunk of her synthetic skin, exposing one of her mechanical eyes as it truly was beneath the false mask. A black oily substance splattered onto the ground instead of blood. But it was not enough, not by a long shot, to overpower the protocol.
"Observation - Decrease in energy confirmed. Amount of attacks available to unit ❰ The Calculator ❱ is limited. Perseverance... is Victory."
Rolls
(Heavy Armor Ability) Immortal Activated | MAI | VBMS32 All damages and healings are negated.
(BA) Taunt Activated # MAI
Roll Result
3d100 (32 + 68 + 66) = 166 THREE PLUS THREE EQUALS THEE | MAI | VBMS32
Protect
1d100 (48) + 10 + 10 = 68 128
68 damage
Give 1 ally in your zone the Protected State (@Luthien) Aura | MAI | VBMS32
-45 HP from Two Plus Two Is Nein
+28 HP from Golden Child
x∞ Binary Impact
Mizuki bared her fangs as Null berated them for continuing to fight instead of running away. The magia was doing a good job getting on the caenis's nerves. When the robotic enigma decided to abandon the fight entirely and leave them to fend for themselves she was almost relieved. Of course, it would have been preferred if Null would actually do something useful... but Mizuki didn't believe in miracles.
Seems like we're on our own then. We'll have to track her down afterwards.
As annoying as Null might be, she clearly was quite knowledgeable about the situation inside Vintergard. However, for now they'd have to focus on the challenge before them: taking apart that massive corrupted orb. With Null apparently convinced that the Calculator was already doomed Mizuki wasn't going to waste any more time thinking about ways to save it.
While the rest of them were trying to deal with the Calculator @Legion had decided to try and hatch the golden egg. Mizuki would have yelled at the faerin to focus, but two things stopped her: for one, she didn't think Legion would listen.
The second reason was that Legion's efforts were paying off.
The golden magia that stepped out of the egg certainly gave rise to many questions, but Mizuki was much more interested in how the Calculator reacted to this turn of events: from coldly calculating its path to victory, the emergence of Legion's child had broken it somehow.
...What's it doing?
Despite Mizuki's best efforts, her sanguine vines couldn't keep their opponent from draining the crimson egg, after which it transformed itself into a humanoid enemy which immediately began to act in a manner that the luna wolf couldn't have begun to describe without offending someone in the process. Suffice it to say, her eyes narrowed as she changed her stance, balancing on her fingers and her toes.
The sudden attack made her grit her teeth, but before she could react the Calculator was already gone. As the Golden Child started healing them all Mizuki looked towards the newborn magia, hesitating for a moment before nodding.
We're all fighting to get out of here alive together.
She then glanced towards @MAI, who was already preparing herself to face this new transformation.
It's important that our new companion doesn't get corrupted as the Calculator did. If you've got any way to protect her please do so.
Her gaze turned towards the Calculator, who was acting a lot more animated than before. Too many questions, and not enough time. While its movements were too fast and unpredictable for Mizuki to counter them accurately, it was inevitable that if it wished to attack them it would have to get close.
Her muscles tensed, and when the distorted machine moved to strike MAI Mizuki reacted immediately. Even as the Calculator's hand ripped off part of the female magia's face the luna wolf pounced, grabbing her prey by its arm and sinking her fangs into its shoulder. Its body was unbelievably tough, and she felt like even with all her jaw strength she barely managed to puncture its outer layers. With a growl she doubled down, a shiver going through her entire body as suddenly she felt her fangs penetrate a lot further.
The Calculator disappeared even as she was still biting it, her fangs snapping together with an audible click. Mizuki growled in frustration that her prey had escaped, quickly dropping onto all fours once more as she turned back towards where their opponent was standing, acting as if nothing had happened. Yet at the same time, it was clearly preparing for something big...
Grrrr.... it's too tough! We'll have to wait for it to show an opening!
Rolls
(P) Duelist | Martial Arts S | Ueno Mizuki Attack and remain in the targeted enemy's square, and gain 40 extra damage.
220 200 damage from Four Plus Four Equals Floor [-20 from Counter]
The smell of salt. The sting of acid. None of that was here, but as the roiling presence of Dissonance washed over him he couldn't help but be brought back to that moment. Darkness, horror, the suddenly very real pain as the UI stuttered to a halt, taking away the assist system's defenses with them.
"F-fuck-! Dissonance, here?"
And yet despite it all, his heart maintained even tempo. The anxiety of the mind wasn't enough to transmit to the physical. He'd faced this before and still bore the scars, but that same scar was what kept him standing-
A flicker. Empty space filled, the Calculator's death mask grinning above/below/before him as its hand found its way to Ash's chest. Not enough to rip out his heart, but enough that it felt like it, blood seeping out as a pain too sharp for words flooded his mind blank.
Again...?
...no.
It should have killed him. Maybe it did kill him. Yet somewhere beyond the pain he was still moving, the white-hot of pain fading into icy numbness. The world wavered before his eyes with painful clarity. He felt like he was watching himself as he rose again, but that "him" looked fake.
It was fake. And without simulated physicality to restrain his sense of the world, he could do something with that.
"...haaaaah."
"Do you think we'll go down that easily?"
Health in underflow, but what did that mean here? The rules were already broken, and so he kept moving while they were still catching up.
Standing still and moving. Striking and healing. In the end it was all math, addition and subtraction with different names and a fitting narrative. Raising and lowering a value in memory. The Calculator's erratic tirade against the law of numbers couldn't change that.
@Ueno Mizuki's assault was just subtraction. But addition could come first, and why couldn't he just take her value and add it to his own? If they wanted to reduce that value to zero, they'd need everything they had.
Swinging his sword to slash through the Calculator's form was just flavor.
"You aren't the only one who knows how a computer works, you sorry excuse for a slide rule."
Taunting (2166)
Rolls
(Heavy Armor Ability) Immortal Activated | Ash Vargold | VBMS34 All damages and healings are negated.
Roll Result
4d100 (96 + 76 + 45 + 3) = 220 FOUR PLUS FOUR EQUALS FLOOR | Ash Vargold | VBMS34
(Passive) Consistent Activated # Ash Vargold
Ultra Counter
1d100 (40) 50 [Consistent] + 20 + 15 + 25 [LB2] + 100 = 195 195 210 damage
Ultra Counter successful! 100 damage added. Take 20 less damage. Vulnerable State negated. Guard Arts | Ash Vargold | VBMS34
Heal:+28 HP (The Child) Damage: -45 HP (Two Plus Two is Nein), -122 HP (TWO PLUS TWO THERE IS A CLUE) Misc: ∞
Kyra's ears twitched as she tried to take in everything around her. The visuals, the audibles, everything seemed to overwhelm her. As those around her seemed to cry out - in pain? in distress? directing? - she found herself sinking inwards, trying to escape it all. Everything hurt, as her eyes and ears throbbed in response. There was no escaping it, no ending the torment.
Then...give in to it...
The voice seemed to whisper from beside her, but Kyra couldn't recognise the voice. Her eyes shifted, but she found nothing more than the weird world that had consumed them, as if trying to end their existence here. She could see - out of the corner of her vision - as Ash, Ueno, Mai and others rushed forwards. As Harper and Lady N seemed to fall from nowhere, and yet everywhere. Chaos...this is Chaos.
Give into the chaos...become what you are meant to be...sacrifice, everything...
Sacrifice...everything...? The words were enticing, tempting...but she wouldn't give in. Not now, not when everyone needed her. Closing her eyes, she began her chant once more, calling up her spiritual magic.
With this final offering, I give to you all that I have...may it bless that which has stood against all evil...may it protect that which is delicate, timid and careless...and may it bring joy to you, in this everlasting moment...
As the spiritual magic grew within her, Kyra focused her attention on another ability - one which she had yet to use. One which she knew would either save her, or end her life here. One which she knew was a dire move. Desperate times... Pulling her scythe upwards and around, she slashed her neck with the blade, curling it around her back so as to drag the cut around the back of her neck - careful not to dig too deep.
At the same moment, her armour seemed to erupt, angelic wings sprouting from her shoulders and enveloping her body, shimmering in a soft purple glow - the wings themselves almost translucent in form, giving a glowing effect that seemed to both block ones view, and allow sight through it as it shifted.
One day...we shall fall to the likes of you. Our courage shall fail, and we shall know only trembling before that which cannot be beaten. One day, our weapons will crumble, and our spirits break. One day, you may stand overtop of us and jest about this moment. But it is not THIS day!
As she released the spiritual magic, letting it flow between herself and her targets, Kyra felt her eyes squeeze closed, the scream erupting from her as the magic shone bright enough for those to see - strong, violet lines of pure, raw energy connecting herself with three others.
Rolls
(Heavy Armor Ability) Immortal Activated | Kyra Vashtana | VBMS34 All damages and healings are negated.
(P) Corruption | Corrupt S | Kyra Vashtana Lose [ ?r Xd20 # Corruption | Mastery MR | Kyra Vashtana ] HP. [s]1d20(D) 2d20(B)[/s] 3d20(S). Gain the roll result as extra modifier. If roll result is even, no damage. (BA) Corruption | Mastery MR | Kyra Vashtana You suppress the corruption. Corruption damage is negated this cycle.
Roll Result
3d20 (20 + 6 + 20) + 25 = 71 Corruption | Mastery MR | Kyra Vashtana
Binary Reference: You may add the final result of another post to your calculations. Referencing @Ash Vargold; +722
↪ +28HP from Golden Child ↪ -45 HPfrom Two Plus Two is Nein
Everything was happening to quickly. Nova was overwhelmed, yet frozen in place watching everything unfold. The golden egg hatching with the help of Legion. A teenage Magia stepping out and Nova's jaw dropping. She seemed to want to help though and they could use all the help they could.
Looks like you're a Mom now! Or Moms I should say!
She shouted at the remaining @Legion's. Not something she ever thought she'd say aloud but this day was getting weirder and weirder. She had to keep reminding herself this was a game. Just a game. Yet it didn't feel like a game. This felt all too real and Nova was way out of her league. It was obvious how inexperienced she was. Though it looked like everyone else was just as surprised as she was at the situation. This must not happen every day in Terrasphere.
Suddenly The Calculator changed right before their very eyes. Latching onto the crimson egg, merging into it, morphing into an entirely new being. One that was way more unsettling than the giant orb in the sky. Nova reeled back as the now mechanical skull-like Calculator attacked her and everyone else. They were everywhere and nowhere at once. The Calculator shifting the world back into its prototype stage. It's words delving more and more into confusing chaos. She didn't understand. She couldn't understand. She just knew they were running out of time. They had to end this and soon. She was scared to find out what happened if they didn't.
I think we're running out of time!
She yelled to those around her. They probably already knew this but it didn't hurt to light a fire under everyone. She felt her own fire pushing her forward. The fear turning into power instead of flight. She wanted this to be over. She wanted them to win. She'd do all she could, she had to.
Eyes narrowing with focus she took a deep breath, slowing her heart rate down. The others were taking the brunt of the damage, some were taunting, she'd just focus at throwing what she could at the mechanical beast before them. Crackling electricity sparked at the tip of her arrow, crawling its way up the shaft and surrounding the weapon with bright blue tendrils. She pulled back, eyes locking onto her target with unwavering focus. They would finish this. One way or another. With a flash of light her arrow was released. Screaming through the air, splitting through it with the snapping and popping of wild electricity. It would hit its target with a loud crackling hit. Bullseye.
Rolls
(BA) Auto Assist +15 to attacks, heals, buffs, checks, contributions, and saves
45 DMG from ❰ Two Plus Two is Nein ❱ 28 HP restored by MAI
❰ Marked for Execution ❱ cleared by MAI 28 HP restored by M&M Legion's Magia Baby
❰ Protected ❱ by MAI
❰ Vulnerable ❱ from Multi Attack 9 DMG from ❰ ONE PLUS ONE EQUALS NONE ❱
The healing energy caught her attention first, crimson eyes quickly looking for the source of the magic as it lessened the ache on her muscles. She spotted the remaining magical traces on @MAI, but before Lúthien could say anything another unexpected development followed—that faint but incessant ticking sounds suddenly stopped. "O-Oh… it’s gone! Thanks, MAI~!" A quick glance to her status bar confirmed the magia’s words to be true, the ❰ Marked for Execution ❱ no longer displayed among its icons. A wave of relief washed over the archer then, while she hadn’t been aware just how terrible the status was just by the name alone Lúthien knew it was probably not something pleasant.
An audible "Tch!" left the blonde when ❰ Null ❱ decided to beat a hasty retreat instead of helping them out with whatever was corrupting ❰ The Calculator ❱ and this space. Its sight suddenly seemed to set on the Golden Egg, one that Legion was both caring for and defending, before an audible crack- suddenly revealed the creature within it. "Huh... congratz on motherhood, Legion!"
The moment was short lived however, countless tentacles suddenly shooting forth and grasping the Crimson Egg leftover in the space as ❰ The Calculator ❱ seemed to draw the very essence of whatever lay dormant within it to itself instead. Its appearance shifted and finally morphed, a look of disgust crossing Lúthien’s face as she stared at the new look of ❰ The Calculator ❱—the rotting flesh and hollow eyes causing an involuntary shiver to run up her spine.
"Fucking eeewwwwww—!"
Words were cut short as the creature hit them all with something, a hand raised to clutch her forehead as Luthien witnessed her life flashing before her very eyes again and again. It was a disconcerting experience, one that even made the elf feel somewhat nauseous, before a warm glow enveloped her form and cut off the effects of the visions.
"T-Thanks, uuhm..." Her attention turned to the blonde magia before Lúthien paused, looking towards the Legions in an unspoken question—unsure as to how they should refer to the new member (?) of the party. "Yeah, thanks."
There was little time to waste as the others had already launched into action, and on the party window Lúthien could see as @MAI, @Vargold and @Kyra each activated their ❰ Immortal ❱ abilities—just as ❰ The Calculator ❱ prepared four attacks to intercept them. A quick glance confirmed one thing, out of those left her health was the highest, and when the ❰ Protected ❱ status flashed on her bar the ranger knew what her role would be.
Two arrows were pulled from her quiver, their metal tips pressed to her lips as the elf closed her eyes and focused. The wind around her began to pick up in intensity, before the pressure near the ranger seemed to chance as static began to build up. It crackled around the archer as a small storm seemed to form, before the tips of the arrows glowed a bright bluish purple just as Lúthien nocked them onto her bowstring. Careful aim was taken before the dual arrows were released; the first meeting an incoming attack and causing an explosion that enveloped the ranger, while the second continued its true path towards ❰ The Calculator ❱’s new and grotesque appearance. The moment its metal tip came into contact with the creature the stored energy was unleashed, a massive thunderbolt erupting and engulfing anything within a close radius as a thunderous boom echoed across the space.
+40 Overheal from Kyra.
4 Dissonance Stacks
+25 to all rolls from LB2
"Goddamn, I'M ON A ROLL HERE! HROOOOOOOOAH!"
As waves of nameless magia tried to silence their song of oblivion, their desperate struggles and efforts would be thwarted by the tigress. If @Lady N was the eye of the storm, Harper was the thunderclouds and searing winds around it. While she was around, none would disrupt the show. And as they went on and on, that seemed to be how things would stay like. And Harper, none the wiser, gleefully dodged a punch thrown at her and gripped into the magia's body with her claws, before nailing it to the ground with an Uchi-mata. Something she had done many times just in this brawl alone.
Yet this time, be it bad luck or the floor not being able to take another impact from Harper's killing throws, she found herself suddenly lacking that which to stand on, the beastkin having a brief moment of weightlessness but enough for her to question what had happened.
"...Eh?
SON OF A WHOR-!"
With a filthy mouth and a now even filthier mood, Harper found herself skyfalling. How far was she falling was up to anyone's guess, much as anything in this corrupted world. Yet she was certain of one thing: The landing was going to suck. And right she was. With a very unceremoniously thud she would crash land into the ground below, air forcefully being ejected out of her lungs as more than a few things in her body found themselves either broken or lodged out of place. And as she groaned and moaned on the ground, watching the bizarre events unfold, her only wish was to get up so she could shut the Calculator up.
She eventually got back to her feet, much in thanks to @Kyra Vashtana 's efforts, watching as the new and improved Calculator slashed through her companions, though some of the damage was mitigated by the new arrival's actions. And as she watched their enemy taunt and blitz them, the frustration inside of her reached a boiling point. Mizuki was right: He was too fast to properly counter. Yet if one knew where he was, it was just a matter of bringing the fight to him. And with him stopping in place, the chance was certainly there.
Harper went down to all fours for a moment, muscles clenching as she tightened up like a spring before launching herself at the enemy with all her weight, decking him with a vicious right hand empowered by seemingly impossible strength that sent him crashing into the ground with a sickening sound. Yet said sound didn't come from the machine, but from Harper's own flesh as her hand has been mauled by the intense impact, several of her fingers dislocated. But Harper wouldn't even break eye contact as she walked down the fallen Calculator, putting her fingers back in place one by one before picking him up. It was good that adrenaline was one hell of a drug because she was going to definitely feel this later. A hand would go behind its back and pull, pining their foreheads together as she stared him down.
"Listen here, you piece of junk! I'm a Judo blackbelt from AJM, and a BJJ blue belt from Gracie Barra! It's not yours, theirs, or anyone's place but my GODDAMN SELF to decide when I'm going to allow myself to die! So know your place, AND SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"
With her words of defiance spoken, she would pull her head back before executing another uchi-mata on The Calculator, using all of her strength to absolutely flatten him against the floor below as the ground violently cracked upon impact. She would not give him time to recover, keeping a hold of him to pull him back up, now taking his back and once again cracking the ground with his body, this time with a Yoko-Guruma. Releasing his body, she would take a step back for a running start before punting his midsection, sending his body flying upwards and towards the rest of her comrades. To them, she only had a few choice words that she would ferociously roar out.
Narrative Highlight: Harper gets big angy, decks Calculator in the face, ragdolls him around then punts him for 20 yards like her dad taught her to when she was little.
The egg cracked, it's golden shell falling away revealing...wait is that a girl? What in the gacha? The Hunter would've spent more time staring in an utterly confused manner at the girl that had just stepped out of the golden egg and started crying for her mama and papa had the Calculator also not plunged it's gross, tentacle like tubes into the golden egg's crimson counterpart.
What happened next...well...anyone played Cyberpunk 2077? Seen Edgerunners? Of course you have, by 2033 they're like, a decade old. And it was only to that now 'ancient' game and anime that Yugam could draw any comparison to the new Calculators erratic movements. Too bad he didn't have a quickhack to dish out to the guy...Guess good old sword would have to do.
That and the help of a few friends.
The party of Starfallen began to unleash the full-breadth of their attacks at the juiced up Calculator, a devastating flurry of magic, steel and fists, ultimately culminating with @Harper kicking the creepy robot and launching it high into the air.
"FUCK. HIM. UP! HRAAAAAAAAAH!"
Ask, and ye shall receive.
Blood seeped into the ground for just a moment before morphing into pillar of crystal beneath Yugam's feet, propelling him into the air in a collision trajectory with the arcing Calculator. Wreathed in black energy, his form shot through the air like a black comet. Metal met metal, again in again, raining sparks and flaming shards of steel down on the audience below as Yugam used every trick in the book he could muster to deliver blow after blow to their captor.
The two hung in mid-air for just a moment the Calculator's body hovering beneath the Hunter as formed a platform of blood at his feet. He pushed off, rocketing downwards as the makeshift push-point broke into a hundred tiny shards exploding outwards and then curving through the air. Their needle like forms bloomed around the man like a red spider lily, closing in on the same point of impact. Unmei's point drove itself into the thing's chest, the hundred needles burying themselves into the same spot as their combined mass crashed into the ground with a cloud of dust.
As the cloud of dust began to settle Yu tumbled from it, his form rolling through the dirt, only to skid to a stop on his knees, one hand on the ground to steady himself. The Calculator lay on the ground in a small crater, sparks flying as it's dented form struggled to resist the inevitable.
Battle Gear "Type-Nu" | Energy Supply "UNIFICATION ENGAGED" | Soul Harmonization "IGNITED" | Body Control "UNSTABLE" | Core System "UNSTABLE"
| Status | Location
+314 HP from Kyra Vashtana (40 Overheal!)
Chelsea R. Nexon.
An heiress with no family, nothing left to inherent and a life others would dream of but is meaningless to her. She lives eats, and breaths to find the truth, to be the best Nexon she can be without being a Nexon even meaning anything anymore...
Lady N.
An avatar. A name she made just to exist in a digital hellscape in search of truth. Here, as N, she somehow wields the letter around as if it was her wielding Nexus. Finding this suit, the coincidence of it responding and even being registered as Type N... it was why she chose to use it even when it was obviously dangerous to mental well-being in recent times.
She sang as Chelsea, through the enhancements of N, and never before was she so uncertain.
Of what was real and what was virtual
And yet...
"I. Will. End. You."
A single finger snaps and the floor collapsed. The song she song brought to an end as her emotions and the machine almost seem to be as one. She had not offered a command, not pressed a button. Not even really thought.. the energy all around her was insane. What had been happening while her focus was taken...?
Harper had fought and protected her... again.
Always protected by someone she didn't care about.
Didn't want.
Her thrusters gave out as she felt gravity, even in this strange place, take hold. A sphere of black... beckoned. What was this... Dissonance? Never had she been so close to it as she almost felt she could touch it. As everything moved slowly for her. Her steel hand and the orb of darkness seemed drawn to each other. It wanted to offer her...
"Little Tails."
The Dissonance in her mind... was it... creating delusions? She saw the shape it was of man. His suit, his shape his presence it was so nostalgic... Little Tails...if she took the Dissonance would she be with him again?
"Father...it can't be..."
She didn't care, she didn't feel anything.
Apathy... if she just joined the sphere and took the darkness for herself would she...
"What is this place? Who is this scary thing?! Where is papa? Why does my head hurt so much?"
I don't know where father is... I think he's right here... wait...
.......
......
....
WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNING
With every ounce of will in her body she pulled away from the calling sphere and let herself fall. The power of something was off the charts. She felt it, the glitches... what on Earth was this place... was her brain going to be fried?
"N-PLUS-ONE POWER! At last, a slave to ▚▘▏▇ no longer!"
She lifted herself up as well as she could. Her gear-covered body jerked strangely between damage, the reactions to this place, and the Dissonance on top. The Calculator and the Dissonance orb... what the hell. Her eyes glazed over as Chelsea kept seeing images of her father in this machine. It was just some damn robot.
"Little Tails"
What was all of this.. why was everything so messed up why was there so much damn math for no REASON?!!!!!
"I see. I see. Mhm, yes, yes. SOLVED! IGNORE THE NINETY-SIX THEN ADD PLUS SIX AND BAM: Math.
Also, news flash: You're all going to die.
Stop it... I'm not stupid. Is this...am I dreaming? Everyone is fighting this thing and I can feel it...
Dissonance wants me to feel apathy... doesn't it...
But what I feel now more than anything...
I feel like I'm on autopilot... I feel... I feel...
Terrasphere... Nexus... Calculator... Calculator... Calculator...
So much... RAGE!
@MAI unleashed tactical planning. Using her powers of analysis she had surpassed N on several occasions during this battle and had been the brain of the force since the start. Using the power of the mind of a machine against them.
@Ueno Mizuki had landed the first direct attack upon the mysterious new form of the Dissonant Quantum Mathematician. This would begin a domino effect of increasingly furious assaults from the Starcalled. She felt this power and it all filled her mind one after the other.
@Ash Vargold, he worked for her. He had no reason to risk his life but here he was. He too realized this was that Dissonance thing. He then began to unleash a new power of his own. This indeed might all be some fantasy...
A corrupted force was flung about by @Kyra Vashtana. She used darkness, but to heal. The power added to N's and the darkness around the N-Gear became a vortex. Only her eyes could be seen and they were rage.
@Nova released the strongest attack yet. It was as if Terrasphere had gone from glitching out to simply breaking. Nothing made sense. Numbers were just numbers. But N still wanted to survive, to find her father, and not be lied to or looked down on by this mechanical demon.
@Luthien even in all of this, that stupid Elf was still having a blast... it just... nothing made sense!
"FUCK. HIM. UP! HRAAAAAAAAAH!"
Never before had N ever agreed so much with that sentiment...
The Calculator was airborne and then brought down by @Yugam in a spectacular fashion.
Joy... had been something N feared losing herself into.
Somewhere in her dreams perhaps she had <Exceeded a God>
So if this was again a dream or a glitch beyond reality then...
What had this N-Gear done to her?
Well for now she would be as a weapon.
.It was time toIGNITE!
"YAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
The dark vortex shattered and N hovered with her eyes locked onto the monocle-wearing fiend. Her hate for him. Her hate for what Dissonance thought it could do to her. Her hate for everyone and her relating to the young hatchling only wanting her father and mother.
Her suit had changed. Her twin thrusters now fused as one behind her and two small horns of steel protruded from her head. Her sleek form was outlined with a red hue beat with the rage she felt. It was uncontrollable. So she would let it loose on this STUPID PIECE OF SHIT SCUMBAG!!!!
A swarm of energy saws flew from her hands and engulfed the Calculator cutting into whatever he was made of countless times, In an instant, she was on him for a kick back into the air and the single plate of steel behind her head turned to that of a sword, bring it down the edges spun like a chainsaw. As the massacre blade slammed the body back into the ground and continued to tear and tear as N... Chelsea watched him. He still lived... her mission wasn't finished. She smashed her blade-like legs into the monster again and again and had no intention of stopping...
Her attacks had always been of speed and flexibility and while that was still partially true it was obvious to anyone that knew her that she was absolutely WILD right now...
Rolls
(P) Sharpshooter | Dynamism A | Lady N Do not be in the enemy's square before or after attacking and gain 10(D) 20(B) 30(S) extra damage.
(Medium Armor Ability) Twice Activated | Lady N | VBM534
Code:
You may perform another action this cycle.
Multi Attack
1d100 (94) + 20 + 10 + 25 + 25 + 8192 + 1d100 (4) + 20 + 10 + 25 + 25 + 8192 = 16642 16642 damage
You are Vulnerable. Dynamism | Lady N | VBM534
Multi Attack
1d100 (43) + 20 + 10 + 25 + 25 + 8192 + 1d100 (32) + 20 + 10 + 25 + 25 + 8192 = 16619 16619 damage
You are Vulnerable. Dynamism | Lady N | VBM534
Set HP to 16 (DM math)
+a lot from Kyra Healies
Vulnerable
Location: Yes.
As the golden egg hatched, Legion was a mix of reactions as always, but for once, the vast majority of them landed on ecstatic joy! Sure, it wasn't a typical motherhood. And sure, there was basically zero resemblance between them. And sure, it was a bit odd for someone to pop out a fully formed young-adult. But, in the end, this new child was her's~!
Aww, thanks! Would you like to hold her? Although, she's kind of heavy already...
Now, Emilia! We want you to know that just because you're adopted, doesn't mean we love you any less! You're still our precious daughter forever~!
Emilia!? That's such a stupid, common, humany name! It's not right for our special robot daughter!
Mhm, we should name her Emilia Prime or Decimator or Mia!
What, no!? See her little crown? She's going to be a dignified, classy lady! We should call her something like Magialia McMagiface!
M&M?
Oooo! M&M!
Cuuute!
Most of the Legions continued to surround their new child, asking her random questions about the nature of being a magia and her needs as a child. Meanwhile, a few Legions who were less enthusiastic about their sudden adoption commented on the ensuring battle.
As the rain of death saws suddenly filled the non-space, Legion scrambled to drag their beloved magia daughter away from the cone of absolute death. In fact, for a brief moment, it felt as if every square inch of the space they fought in was filled with a Legion, protecting their new daughter from the fury, not of the enemy, but of the crazy girl in the suit!
Rolls
Activate binary reference
Ultra Protect
2d100 (30 + 85) + 0 + 5 + 25 + 10 + 16619 = 16774 16774 damage
Give 2 allies within range the Protected State. You are Vulnerable. Illusion Magic | Legion | VBMS34
