(Story Tracker) Hope in Danger!

[Raid Boss]

Travelers, prepare to sortie, Camp Hope IV is undergoing an attack from the Dragonship enemies in the (S4) Team Time EX thread.

This event is not particularly deadly (don't hesitate to join with a lower-ranked character), but the lose condition (Camp Hope being overran) is high.

The theme for this event is Tower Defense. We will employ the 1.1c playtest rules and all mechanics are expected to be used, but positioning passives will be particularly useful here.

Your character has three potential "ins":

• They are undergoing their own assignment at the Camp and are aware of the attack. (If you've been following the Time EX thread(s) and have a rough idea of what's going on, this is a great option for you.) Characters who's entering the thread with this option should be aware that:
  • There's been rumors of a Dragonship siege the past couple days from an unknown and unconfirmed source
  • There was an incident at the Relaxation Tents, which had it quarantined
  • There was an explosion at the prison last night
  • The Lions and Camp Hope's security personnel fought each other in the streets amid the arrest of the Camp's Commander, Norn Jormund due to accusations of treason.
• They are near Vintergard and are contacted by the network of comms operators sending out alerts.
• They are contacted by any of the thread participants: @Rael @Kyra Vashtana @Ash Vargold or @Hanno Futaba

 

[Raid Boss]

Hope in Danger!
Cycle 0

There was one word to describe the weather: miserable.

Thick clouds bundled over the sky, blotting out the sun and casting everything in a dimness that made the ruined cityscape of Vintergard even more desolate at a distance. Droplets splattered intermittently against the ramparts of the hastily-reinforced gates of Camp Hope, the heavens threatening cloudburst, but the storm had not yet arrived, leaving the atmosphere charged. Charged with anticipation, charged with trepidation. And cold. So miserably cold, as if winter had arrived already.

It was a creeping cold that seeped deep into the bones, but no material could be spent on bonfires now. Only through labor was the chill chased from one’s fingers and toes, and the inhabitants of Camp Hope labored infatiguingly. Forges burned so hot that they scorched, pyromancers working with smiths to hotforge blades and barbs, shovels and shields. Merchants and their caravans evacuated all their commercial wares, leaving behind only food, potable water, and medical supplies. Burdenbeasts snorted and heaved against trodden earth, their massive frames pulling forwards greater constructions, while the most fleet-footed adventurers were scrambling in every which direction, delivering supplies to and fro to the sappers out in the field.

Three times. Three times now, that Camp Hope IV had survived the onslaught of the DEAD.naught. Three times too, that they have failed to destroy it.

It had returned stronger than before, evolving with each iteration, and they have numbers greater than ever before as well, with Astorea’s government finally moving towards the reclamation of Vintergard.

This would be the fourth. This would be the last.

“Hammer those stakes deeper! It’d be disastrous if the ballistae became dislodged during the opening salvo! Medical team, where’s the report on our supplies? Lions, get those constructs to the salvage team!”

Levi’s voice carried well through the camp as he strode, calling out orders and observations throughout. The Lions Pride had always been the shield of Astorea, and in this critical moment, he would gladly take the mantle of responsibility here.

Sweat slicked his forehead, and his body chaffed beneath his armor. Between chaos of unexpected betrayals, the troubles that less-scrupulous adventurers have caused, and the near-endless amount of tasks he had to supervise, the man’s mind was fraying at the ends. But it was in this moment as well that he was in his element, even as his eyes burned from sleep deprivation, even as his armor had long lost its sheen, and that fearless smile of his remained.

He was the red-headed devil, the Lord Commander of the Lions Pride, and, most importantly, he wasn’t even the one under the most duress.

"Chin up, Meriam,"

Levi said, eyes glancing over at the untouched cup of tea by the smaller woman.

"What's the report from our forward scouts?"

The faerin rubbed her eyes, letting out a long sigh. Exhaustion was more acceptable for her to show compared to the Lion’s shining paragon, and all this was fundamentally unpaid overtime.

“Not great. Or good.”

The Faerin’s brows furrowed.

“Might be bad. Faster than before. Sporting a triple-barreled tank cannon too. Omni-directional physical shields. Escorted by a detachment from the Ruined Palace, according to the Far Seers. And…”

Levi's gaze remained on that tea cup. The fluid. It was shaking. Minutely, but growing.

“...it’s scorching the earth behind it.”

Meriam winced.

“Won’t be able to flank it from behind like last time.”

“Well, wouldn’t be a challenge otherwise.”

Brave words.

"I trust it's still on course?"

“Through the trench, heading towards the Northern Gate.”

“An AI with a grudge.”

Levi nodded. That was within calculations. For all the futuristic weaponry of the Dragonship’s magitech soldiers, the mechanical titan remained stubborn in its focus of destroying Camp Hope from up close, and it had been due to that nature that they had managed to hold off its attacks for so long. As long as it continued to charge, as long as they continued to charge in kind, the gate would remain.

“I’ll continue on and out then. Keep up the good work, Meriam.”

She didn’t respond. More messages were coming in, frantic messages about how the arrival of that Camp Crushing machine was imminent.

But the two had both been well aware of its advent.

It was the rumble of thunder, where there was no lightning.

It was the smell of ash, where there was no fire.

It was malice birthed from the binary, where there ought to have been but rationality.

“TAKE YOUR POSITIONS AND STEEL YOURSELVES!”

Levi’s voice rang bright, revolting against the oppressive skies.

“THIS CAMP CRUSHER HAS FAILED THRICE. AND TODAY? IT SHALL NOT SURVIVE FOR A FIFTH ATTEMPT!”

The Sword of the Fated Hero sang as it surged from its scabbard, a mirror sheen to reflect its wielder’s peerless valor.

“LIONS PRIDE! TO ME!”

And whether accompanied by fellow braves or alone in heroic solitude, Levi strode forth, towards the thunder, the furnace, the steel.

What Commander would he be, if he led not from the front?

[ … ]​

Meriam groaned as he left.

Heroic speeches were fine and everything, but his voice had certainly blown out at least one of her eardrums. She gazed at the cup of tea once more, the fluids shaking frenetically against the sides of the dainty cup, and drank the cold, mildly-caffeinated fluid down in one gulp. She’d need the energy anyways, to continue coordinating for tho-

The Faerin stopped. Blinked. Then swore in a language that couldn't quite be translated.

Her connection with the scouts had been cut.

❰ Play Post ❱​

 

[Raid Boss]

Hope in Danger!
Cycle 1

Spoiler: Mood

The lone red-headed knight stood alone in the horizon, casting his fluttering cape behind him as the camp defenders put their minds and muscles together to rig the battlefield with traps in preparation for the rumbling force that was heading toward with a singular objective. Elimination.
Levi’s finger wrapped firmly around the handle of his trusty sword and drew it one swift motion holding the pommel against his heart as he recited a spell.

Tyldr, patron of knighthood, grant me your sword and the strength to protect those under my charge. DEUS GLADIUS!

When Levi assumed a battle stance with his sword pointed at the approaching enemy, swords began to manifest around him, all spinning in place while pointing in the same direction. After his summoning, Levi turned his head around and shouted his command across the dusty battlefield.

Stick together, watch each other’s back! Taunters, push forward with me, my blades are with you!

· WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING ·​

❰ S K Y · L A N C E ❱​

Before anyone had a chance to react and carry out their next move, the sky grew dark as the air turned rancid from the sudden charge of magic as a massive energy beam ripped across the battlefield and beelined toward the wall. The moment the beam smashed into the wall reinforced with Dragonship platings, a roaring magical flame exploded up, down, and sideways, which would have burned the wall-defenders with metal-melting heat had it not been for the wall shielding them. Where the beam struck still resulted in a massive explosion that dealt an unimaginable amount of damage.

Meriam, who was caught off-guard by the beam hitting near her, would have been incinerated had it not been for one of her pre-summoned companions generating a shield to protect her and the people around her before it was dusted in the blinding light.

Alistair!!!

The faerin could only mutter a half-scream before the explosion threw her off the wall. Fortunately for her, Meri’s somehow managed to grab onto a ledge at the front wall B7 amid her flailing.
The source of the Tank Buster then ascended from the horizon, towering over Levi and the other defenders as it approached them at full speed on six massive legs carrying that which was heavy enough to break the earth each time it stepped down. The Dragonship tank approached the group at top speed and with guns blazing. The sounds of bullets raining down on the obstacle in the path of the death machine was loud enough to deafen anyone standing in the field.

Meanwhile, the DEAD.naught was turning its side and the areas behind it into a burning hellscape like a cape fluttering in the winds behind it as if to signify that there was nowhere to run, that the death machine would crush hope once and for all.

❰ Play Post ❱​

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Levi

And as the breath left his lungs, his commands resounding clearly through the battlefields, the Starcalled responded in kind, a storm of steel and sorcery to match the ferocity of the DEAD.naught! From the forefront, @Hanno Futaba rose, the Faerin possessed with an outsized courage. His ghastly shield erupted into a mass of tendrils, rupturing ground that stalled the treads of their titanic foe, whilst creating plenty of cover for others to approach with. And in the chaos of dissonant tendrils and ceaseless gunfire, @Hyakin Heliodoros's shield flew true through the earthen debris, the silver-lit armament unwavering in its aim as it sliced through all in its way to slam with an echoing gong against a leg joint of the tank. Before the young man himself could fall back, Levi pressed his hand against Hyakin's back, righting him once more.

A mighty blow.

The red-headed devil grinned.

But the catgirl looks to have gotten the best of it this time.

And indeed, @Nyancy's evocation of heavenly wrath roared with a brightness that rivaled the DEAD.naught's own Sky-Lance! Lightning, materialized from the heavens and drawn to the silver-lit shield, struck the towering Camp Crusher's side with craterous force, causing even such a gargantuan collective of machinery to quiver, ever so slightly, creating a gap, a pause.

One that @Fina Drago did not let slip past.

Scampering doggedly past the ruinous terrain, hair singed and face dried by the sheer heat that emanated from the engines of the DEAD.naught, the arcane weaponmaster evaded blasts of anti-infantry cannon fire until she finally skidded beneath the belly of the iron beast, evoking the spell she had prepared beforehand. Translucent chains snapped outwards from the aether, snagging onto all six limbs, stalling them just in time for @Toko, ever an artiste with geomantic spellcraft, to switch from random pits to intentional pits.

The DEAD.naught sank. It would not be able to leverage the full might of its speed this time, and with a wrathful burst of radio static, the iron beast leveled one of its siege cannons upon the prone Beastfolk that snared it.

It would wipe Fina off the face of the planet. Not even ashes would rem-

From the distance, Levi lunged forth, propelled by his God-blessed Blades. Bullets fragmented out of existence as they struck his form, @Erick Styker's temporal protection displacing the histories of gunfire just enough that the Commander of the Lion's Pride could advance undeterred. Even the flames sprouting from the disjointed plates of the Camp Crusher only brushed against him as if a soothing spring rain; the divine energies of @Glamdark's blessings had converted into a cowl that disintegrated in place of Levi's flesh.

Light gathered within the cannon's barrel, but at this distance, his sword would undoubtedly be faster!

EMBER EDICT!

Eight blades collided in sequence against the length of the DEAD.naught's barrel, exploding with arcane force to send the cannon pointing skywards instead. Destructive light pierced the weighty clouds, causing a spot of skylight to grace his presence as Levi landed on his feet, the Fated Hero's Sword unmarred by its encounter with Dragonship-steel. He interposed himself between the magitech monstrosity and the fearless, though perhaps reckless, Fina, more arcane swords manifesting in her defense.

Up, Fina. For our next collaboration, we'll slice off one of its legs entirely.

The Swordmaster's steely gaze remained dauntless, even as the Titan rotated its own barrel back into place, prepared to exact its own vengeance.

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Meriam

Awawawa!

Meriam flailed frantically when she was picked up by the unique-looking Magia. When her feet touched the ground again, she waved to @MAI, shouting after the girl who was heading away despite not knowing whether or not the Magia could even hear her over the sounds of battle.

When the faerin turned her head toward the horizon, she saw Levi leading the charge on the hulking armor, @Ash Vargold protecting the vanguard with his spirits, @Rael sending her minion to assist the trappers, and @Kyra Vashtana tuning her ballista to the sound of carnage, everyone was fighting to protect the camp. Despite having ran ragged from forgoing sleep and being involved in a slew of trouble during her time with the aforementioned friends, the faerin caught her second wind and sprung into action.

Running down the wall, Meriam twirled her lantern staff and summoned her magical beasties companions to help repair the wall.

Vy, put out that magical fire! Gero, use your tongue and catch that fallen piece of plating! Raskan, blast the plating Gero catches with fire so it fuses with the rest of the wall again!

Although the little faerin started out strong, she gradually slowed down and eventually came to a stop, barely holding herself up with her staff.

Ah-haah… Guh… I feel so sick, I'm going to hurl… c-crap, wasn't that one of the symptoms of mind-down?

 

[Raid Boss]

Hope in Danger!
Cycle 2

SYSTEM START
BOOTING CONSCIOUSNESS DRIVES
...
...
CONSCIOUSNESS INITIATED
READING MEMORY CORE
...
...
...
ERROR FOUND
REBOOTING MEMORY CORE BACKUP
...
...
MEMORY BACKUP SUCCESSFUL
"EVE" IDENTITY FOUND
...
UNKNOWN UPDATE FOUND
...
...
"XS-EVE" IDENTITY BOOTED
...
CHECKING FOR DIRECTIVE PROTOCOLS
...
...
...
DIRECTIVE FOUND
DIRECTIVE FOUND
DIRECTIVE FOUND
ERROR
...
...
MULTIPLE DIRECTIVES FOUND
OBJECTIVE UNCLEAR
...
..
OVERRIDE INITIATED
ERROR
ERROR
ERROR
...
...
DIRECTIVES SET
AWAKENING

Those with high awareness (over 50) at the most north-western end of the battlefield may have noticed the distant group of unique magia soldiers gathered around a 9-foot pillar of white metal. The curious object sat on a large portable-looking platform with crab-like legs and had two long light bands running up and down the sides much like the Travelers gaming computers might.

Oh, how simple it would be just to play something else stored on one of those little computers now wouldn't it? The Starcalled are a special bunch considering they are still here.

The rogue squadron of face-obscured humanoid magia did not take any hostile actions and remained to themselves. Surrounding the platform in a tight ring formation. It was then that the pillar trembled and bolts of white lightning ran over it in a rather dangerous display. The pillar shook and smoke rose as several bolts coursed over and around it farther and farther outwards. Many bolts of energy crashed into several of the magia guards, causing them to light in flame and fall apart in the wake of the mysterious "storm".

The rest did not move from their post or even seem to react at all to the fall of their companions.
The magitech pillar's lights went out...

Click

The object swung open.

The Sound of Shattering Hope

Spoiler: Cycle 2 Theme

A slender, feminine-looking magia of silver-colored metallic lay within, arms flat to her sides. The figure's face much like the magia guarding her was covered. A set of crimson rays of light came from the mask sweeping over the area like a sniper rifle seeking its victim. The rays passed the soldiers of steel that remained around the platform. Running from bottom to top before moving to the next. They would each crumple into a heap of metal. Sparks of the same electricity that covered the pillar earlier now streamed from the resting silvite to each of them and then back into her. As if collecting something from each or simply deactivating what was now no longer necessary?

The contained was unchained. A hand of steel rising into the world from its resting place.

A sudden clasp of that sleek silver hand upon the side pulled the rest of her body out of the steel coffin of sorts. An uncanny step of the pointed metal appendage that was her foot upon the platform that awaited her. Long white locks blew out behind her made of fibers that no living creature in Arcia would possess. The flowing white garment that covered her torso billowed as she fully exited onto the platform

Legs clasped tightly together.

Her arms spread outwards, beckoning.

A field of energy enveloped her body as she levitated.

A rock nearby shattered to pieces.

Several birds fell out of the sky, dead.

Insects beneath the platform and all around the area scattered, borrowing as deep into the earth as they could to escape or helplessly trying to flee whatever was causing them to burst, creating a crackle and pop throughout the area.

Yet she remained motionless, simply hovering with her head tilted upwards and arms outstretched to the battlefield. The sound that shall not be heard by the limited, primitive creatures of flesh and blood.

The stage was set.
A song for God alone.
A song that would blanket hope.

Those with Harmonics of B or above would barely hear something first, perhaps a voice on the wind reciting inaudible lyrics of an unknown tongue. Then those who could hear magic would begin to hear the voice, one of serenity only to build into one of ill omen.

All others with enhanced hearing would still hear nothing. They could not hear the soundwave that came from the silver magia. A hymn of the unhearable pitch, existing almost in a plane of its own and manifested itself as destruction, like everything else that came from these murderous machines.

Then came your piercing headache. Blood trickled down your ears, your machines began to jam up and if you were a magia yourself... your very body began to ignore your movements. You, who chose a body that should not exist in this simple fantasy world. Your limbs became sluggish as your vision was filled with incoherent text.

The ballistae trembled, and the gates rattled from an unseen force.

The DEAD.naught reacted to this silent terror with its reply. What lay within the DEAD.naught activated and emerged from various ports on the sides of the massive siege weapon. Like a swarm of steel, they surged out. Summoned by the hymn to destroy, to assimilate, to reign.

Sentries flew forward and sought the primitive human traps.
Regulators marched to eliminate the walls of soft flesh between them and the gate.
The Overseer emerged last. It hovered close to its allies and looked to be communicating with them.

Starcalled, your death by your new superior machine overlords is nigh.
Threat targeted, bullets rained, and the Sky Lance struck true.
The hymn for the end of (camp) hope has begun.

❰ Play Post ❱​

 

[Raid Boss]

Narrator's Update

As the bullet-razed war continued the rising harmonic symphony of @Cain Darlite @Bluebird and @Rael would relieve the mental anguish of the many Starcalled. Those with magia bodies regaining control as the commanding power of Hope's Requiem was being beaten back by the camp's most advanced bards.

Hope too had a sound after all.
Alas...

The silver magia heard their voices, heard the magia's rejection of her whims... and she recorded it all. For this was but a prelude.

She adapted.

The DEAD.naught began acting strangely. It retracted much of its artillery into its near-impenetrable armor. The entire magia raid force seemed to just slow for a moment. As if waiting for something to happen before proceeding.

Spoiler: XS-EVE's Reply

XS-EVE lowered her arms to her sides and tilted her head downwards. Shapes began to form behind her. Although it was impossible for anyone so far to know what.

Her voice became more aggressive louder more commanding.
She sang her song for God.
And for her new Mother.

DEAD.naught

• Is acting less aggressively for a moment.

XS-EVE:

• Rows 3 and 4 (blue ringed area) are being approached slowly by the enemy. Perhaps she is preparing to do something there?

 

[Ashifili*]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Levi

Location: 2B
Vulnerable

The Requiem of Hope resounded, a canon of the end. But the Starcalled had faced such dark ends head-on countless times, and had triumphed over and over again, regardless of what prophecies their nemeses foretold. Against the inaudible sound that threatened to split his very skull apart, Levi held his sword tight, his blood boiling upon the scorched wastelands. Boiling, and then igniting! The static that stabbed at his cerebellum was torn apart itself by the intonations of @Bluebird, while the dark skies shone with @Rael's arcane script, verses as free as swallows taking to the skies, as whales diving to the depths. Poems to be admired properly, if only the circumstances could have allowed for it.

The circumstances would not allow for it, but they gave him strength regardless! The art of an era far-removed from Terrasphere drove past the Magia Songstress's accursed art, forcing her to take measures far more direct, and Levi chased down the DEAD.naught, unfettered by such portents of doom.

All the more reason for me to take to the front.

This body of mine can be remade as many times as necessary, but your life, back in reality? That can't be replaced, @Fina Drago. And that's why I'm here!

Arcane blades scaffolded the erupting earth, sheltering both from the flames as they neared ever-closer. Their approach did not go unnoticed, of course, but the Overseer's interception was prevented when its sensors went haywire, individual data points from an entire multiverse forced upon its systems by @Erick Styker's Chronomancy, while the cries of the Sentries went unnoticed once another piercing blast rocked the DEAD.naught's form, all its focus turned directly upon @Azykia.

There was a concentration of lethal intent, a desire to retaliate with its full capacity, but…it began retracting into itself instead, the arcane nail breaking off as even its leg joints fused into the rest of its form. Soon, there would be nothing else to strike, beyond the sort of armor that could withstand everything outside of a Critical Strike.

Levi redoubled his efforts, leaping into the air as Fina's earth-rending nail pinned one leg down to the ground. Suspended there, above DEAD.naught, his eyes searched for a target, and then spotted a mark: plates bent and busted by @Toko's initial barrage. An opening he could take advantage of to rip into the inside and shred the Titan's gears from within.

"VOLATILE VERDICT!"

Four blades overlapped his longsword, detonating in sync to send him flying back towards the DEAD.naught with ever-greater velocity.

But the helm-splitting slash struck just shy of the dented plate, leaving a groove in the armor yet not exposing any delicate wiring beneath. The red-headed devil clicked his tongue, somersaulting back to land beside @Vina Skysong . There was a flash of frustration that emerged upon his countenance, before he let it go with a sharp exhale.

Fine music for such a battle, Skysong! Don't suppose you've one to open up the skies as well?

Rolls

RECKLESS - VOLATILE VERDICT
4d100 (44 + 70 + 5 + 8) = 127
127 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Swordmaster | Levi Pendragon | 1341C2

DEAD.naught
▪ HP: 13446/20000
▪ SP: 593/800

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Meriam

Location: C7

Uuu...

For some reason, unbeknownst to the two girls, @Aloe and @MAI, Meriam started choking up.

I can't just stop now, my friends are out there fighting and there's a girl (@Luthien), who's trying to find the love of my life away from the camp. I couldn't possibly run from my responsibility now.

She sniffled.

L-lets do our best together, four houp... Dun go dwying on me, uweeeh!

Clearly, an endless night has been tough on the girl.

Rolls

Crying

DEAD.naught
▪ HP: 13335/20000
▪ SP: 593/800

 

[Raid Boss]

Hope in Danger!
Cycle 3

Spoiler: Theme

The several-story tall platform scurried like a spider towards the war of man vs machine. By now what lay behind the magia songstress, XS-EVE was more than apparent.

Swords.

Swords of obsidian steel and surges of energy channelling through them. Flying blades as numerous, no... far more numerous than the waves of Sentries that filled the air in Vintergard.

A great storm of literal edge to clip the wings of hope.

The hymn may have come to an end, but the clashing of magic and steel filled the battlefield together with warcries, panic, and the whizz and whirl of machines being torn apart as ruthlessly as they did themselves. That in essence was a harmonic chime that resonated with the silver magia's sensors.

Saviors?
Unclear.

She registered their personalities, their feelings, through the music earlier and the sounds of war now. They were certainly not God. They were not her priority anymore. the multiple directives within her clashed, and one screamed loudly through the distorted buzzing of code within.

Useless.

She rose hand's in a sweeping motion until they touched over her head. The swords twirled and adjusted to point toward the battlefield. She lowered her arms, and the blades launched like missiles into the fray.

BOOM!!!!

The platform beneath XS-EVE suddenly buckled. It then toppled as her pointed feet landed upon it and glided down to leap off onto the rocky earth. Checking back over her shoulder would indicate what she picked up already. The platform had lost several of its legs from a sudden attack.

God?

The magia turned and headed towards the west where the energy source of the attacks had come from. One may find the metallic tendrils of steel upon her carefully configured design an oddity. Considering the discoveries made by other parties.

Perhaps eventually it would make sense after all.

· WARNING · WARNING WARNING · WARNING ·​

❰ B L A D E · S T O R M ❱​

The swarm of blades would wash over the center of the battlefield like a high tide. Tearing streams of cosmic distortion in the fabric of reality, thankfully that closed as quickly as they opened. One could not say the same for the wounds upon your flesh if you were left in the mass truncation of resistance

After the massive attack, the Magia disappeared from view.

As if on cue, the rest of the magia raid resumed.

The stars themselves will answer the magia's call...

[ • • • ]​

The supportive War Machina fell, one after the other.
The song of their people ultimately proved to be ineffective.
The Starfallen are incredibly persistent in their path of self-destruction.

The first time hope was crushed, they returned. Second time, they came back stronger. Third time, hope truly never dies, like a parasitical infection. However, the cure had been prescribed. Hope will be crushed like the previous times. This was the future pre-written that the armored machine must execute.

Beep Boop.
Unusually high threat level confirmed. Converting to emergency protocols.
Disengaging inhibitors A5 E6 B2.
Activating suppressive units.
Establishing Contact with Station Omega-2.
...
...
...

Beep Boop.
This is Magia Chronosphere Unit One-R69. State your request.

Beep Boop.
Requesting immediate backup for the elimination of Alpha-level threat.
Requesting access to planetary-type weaponry for the culling of hostile lifeforms

Beep Boop.
Processing request by USER: DEAD.naught-R17.
Faulty segments detected.
Request denied.
Counter-measures initiated.
Assessing visual information...
...
...
Engagement confirmed.
Combat Scenario VBMH-R17.
Scenario confirmed DEAD END.
Initiating Bad End Divergence Protocol.
Altering history... ... ...
What will be, has always been.

Deploying Magia Chrono Unit-D-US. Prepare for impact!
Deploying 526f626f74205761696675 for scenario VBMS3-0.
Please do not contact us again.
Connection terminated.

As the heat of the battle died down for just a moment, four shadows garnered far up above the very skies. Growing larger and larger until it became clear that these Unidentified Fantastic Objects were going to crash into the very battlefield they were standing on!

CRASH A dark, large, metallic rod stuck struck deep into the earth.
BOOM It's slick design so similar, yet unique to the rest of the War Machina.
KASHOOW Without missing a beat, each pylon shot out multiple support beams surrounding it.
CRACK A faint glowing orb lit up at the very top.

Without missing a beat, each of the pylons shot out a tether toward the DEAD.naught, surrounding it in a faint glow that quickly increased in intensity. As the Starcalled eyes adjusted to the light, they could see how countless images of data sprinkled forth like tiny little particle effects. Each showed the very same battle they were fighting. All the same, yet every single one being was slightly different.

This must have been how it has been updating itself, visual training.

In some, the tank never made it to Camp Hope, destroyed right at the start.
Constructing Anti-Titan-Buster Composite Plating.

Another, the tank easily succumbed to the defenders' smart trapping.
Improving Treadmills with Hexa-Flux-Coating.

A third, its cannon was ultimately too weak to really put a dent into Camp Hope.
Initiating Sky Lance Upgrade Protocol.

A fourth, it was the ballistae operated by the defenders on the wall who lay it to rest.
Activating Anti-Anti-Fun mechanism.

After countless iterations, the DEAD.naught would be prepared against any and all circumstances that could possibly put a dent into its plans! Literally. And just a bit longer, and the temporary upgrades would be its own, forever.

Beep Boop.
Chronoshift upgrade injection successful.
Connection stable.
mpm execute start-upgrade.
Assimilating Magia Chrono Unit-D-US
...

It would become the DEADER.naught, but like any updates, it must remain inactive for the time being...

❰ Play Post ❱​

 

[Raid Boss]

Special Event

This is a direct continuation of Team Ego's 10th cycle and its follow-up post.

At the corner of the battlefield where a Regulator had just touched ground, the orb on its head exploded into a thousand pieces and were realigned into the shape of a torii as the surrounding area was bursting with a powerful spectral energy.

From it, a familiar blonde and his retainers, @Ilusa Nakhalee, @Seto Kurama, and @Schilva Flasch emerged.

Spoiler: Spirit Gate

Reinforcement has arrived.

Update

• Any Team Ego member who is taking the Spirit Gate may start on A2 or B1.
• Regulator 3 has been destroyed.

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Astor

Location: A2
Vulnerable

This is a direct continuation to Team Ego's merger with the main thread.

The king in gold was stunned by what had just happened to him when he, @Ilusa Nakhalee, and @Seto Kurama passed through the Spirit Gate. He gritted his teeth in annoyance at being duped by the Sunclaw escorts. Insolent mongrels, all of them. They knew the price, yet kept it hidden to force his compliance.

Astor thought about how he would kill them when they meet again. And in the case where they don’t, he would assign a party to drag them back to the world of mortals where their punishments would be decreed. It’s the kind of punishment that would make them regret ever coming back at all.

Before he ventured too far into his own thoughts, the fire and overwhelming heat and the sound of clashing between man and machine brought him back to reality. The defenders were overwhelmed and as part of the cavalry, he needed to alleviate that pressure right away, starting with the pylon that needed to be destroyed before it merged with the DEAD.naught.

Seto, Sword of Astorea, I command you to sharpen your steel and cut down the enemies of Astorea, failure is not permitted.

The moment Seto received his command, he became shrouded with a golden aura as a buff status with a crown icon appeared in his UI. [Ruler’s Command]. Astor then pointed at the Regulator.

Before Astor could talk to Schilva Flasch, the speedster was already gone.

Afterward, Astor turned and noticed something out of place with Ilusa. It seemed as though her eyes were glowing with a light, the same color as the glowing spectral clouds they encountered when they walked through the Spirit Gate. He asked,

Ilusa, are you alright? Your eyes are glowing. What happened?

Just as he was about to extend his hand to her face as a concerned expression docked on his face, a sudden explosion on the ground cut their interaction short.

Rolls

Power Buff - Ruler’s Command
2d100 + 50 / 3 = 75

@Seto Kurama gains: +75 to attack actions for 3 turns on the condition that he attacks the Regulator [Location: A3], once it dies, he can keep the rest of the buff charges.
Gain the Vulnerable state
Ruler | Astor Balthas | 1341C2

Plating Pylon
▪ HP: 1168/1500

 

[Raid Boss]

Special Event

This is a direct continuation of Team Scout's 11th cycle and its follow-up post.

Amid the frantic rush to take down the pylons that was sent down to reinforce the Camp Crusher, the DEAD.naught came to a complete halt as it initiated its upgrade. While a lot of the attention moved away from it, those who continued fighting it at melee range would feel a tremor beneath their feet.

In seconds, a massive Bloodwurm the Scouts fondly referred to as Tubby broke out of the ground with an ear-piercing high-pitched screech before ramming into the DEAD.naught at peak momentum with @Seigi Ling Ling @Magi Heart @Yugam @Cleo Looker and @Ueno Mizuki barely holding on.

REEEEEEEEE-EEEEEEEEE-EEEEEEEEE-EEEEEEEEE-!!!​

Wurm Express

Reinforcement has arrived.

The DEAD.naught takes 500 damage from being rammed by Tubby, who then punctured the magia's hard armor with its razor-sharp teeth.


DEAD.naught
▪ HP: 11782/20000
▪ SP: 611/900

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Meriam

Location: C7 > B7 > B6
Vulnerable (ultra vulnerable if more people joined the explosive tile)

Meriam's heart was bursting from being protected by @MAI and @Aloe, who, despite being a lot newer to the game than her were doing everything they could to comfort and protect her. A pang of guilt stabbed Meriam right in the heart. She, who had been always been a crybaby and end up being useless to those around her, was completely overwhelmed by how she felt at that moment.

The Meriam in real life wasn't any different, just taller, and not as cute as the white-haired doll face she wore in-game. She met all the qualifications of a NEET, not in education, employment, or training. They might as well add an extra T in the acronym, because she was never truly "There" anyways, despite occupying precious space in a house far too small for a family of six. She half-existed with three other siblings and middle-aged parents, who are so busy working to feed the kids that they might have given up on her.

She often wondered if they would kick her out if they hasn't given up, since she was taking up space and resources from the more ambitious siblings. She would prefer that. Despite what others might think about her condition, she got along with her siblings, though, her inability to leave her room except to go to the bathroom severely limited her ability to take care of or interact with them. They know why she locked herself in. They sympathized with her, but can't exactly help. After she had to be the one to take the first step, which she was never able to, despite how much help she had received.

Things changed when her siblings got her a VR Headset and Terrasphere. In that world, she became Meriam, a peppy albeit awkward midget, who was cute enough to be noticed by others. She took the first step at breaking out of her shell, exploring a fantastical world, fighting monsters, finding treasures, making friends, and even falling in love. Finally, she could live in a world where she was unfettered by the world beyond the glass.

Some people had told her that she was living in a fantasy and that it was all a game, but she had seen people who were UI-locked, and had seen confirmation of their deaths on dubious chat sites. However, she never stopped playing and checked off one of the three deaths allotted to her. She continued, knowing the risk. She couldn't stop until she could take that step out of her house, but no matter how much she played the game, true changes were impossible.

After the first death, Meriam was starting to fret at the prospect of dying for real, so much so that even when she had the opportunity to save her teammates amid a dungeon delve gone wrong, she opted to run. Retribution came quickly in the form of her second death when she failed to escape after deserting her allies. Some of those teammates disappeared from her friend list after that, which had stayed with her since. She never did talk to any of those players again. She didn't know whether they removed her or if they became UI-locked.

Since then, she gave up on the dangerous life of adventuring and took up a cozy job as an Astorean comms operator, where she could pass her time quietly in-game as the fetter from the real world began to creep up on her.

Things changed when she got tangled up in the mess at Camp Hope, initiated by Team Time EX, however. What started as a zany adventure turned into a massive plot thread involving corrupted magia, cold-blooded murderers, and her crush being UI-locked. And there it was, that deep and subtle horror of Terrasphere found her once more and presented her with its gambit. Would she be able to change before Meriam, the player is terminated? Whether or not the passionate Time EX members had inspired her, Meriam forced herself to take the wager. She was unable to ignore the fact that many people on the battlefield right then risked losing their real-life potential just to protect digital data. If they were going to do that then she, who had never been able to conquer the real world, would rather use her last life to protect the potential of those who could walk so much further than her.

After the faerin let out a sigh of resolution, Meriam ripped herself away from MAI and dashed toward Aloe, saying, "N-no, I'll protect you this time."

When she got to Aloe's ballista, Meriam jumped off the wall and let her Mana Mantle, which took the shape of her scarf float her down to the Sky Lance Upgrade Pylon where she raised her staff and shouted into the flaming smokey sky.

"Andorea, Faelord of Divine Embrace, answer my call and heed my summon, for I, your faithful servant dedicate her life to beseech your protection to all those who are within my grasp!"

After which, the sky momentarily turned dark as a massive spectral stag rose from the pylon standing up on its high legs before crashing down onto the pylon, dispersing its form into a spectral coat that covered everyone within range.

Rolls

Ultra Protect @MAI @Aloe @Kyra Vashtana
Twice Activated
Protect @Chrys

If anyone else entered the explosive tiles, Meriam will opt to go double Ultra Protect and take Ultra Vulnerability.

 

[Ashifili*]

Hope in Danger!
Cycle 4

Spoiler: Theme

A streak of white and brown through the scorched lands, and the bunny-eared beastfolk shattered the Hexa-Flux Coating, volatile chemicals turning the flames green and purple as she sprang back into action elsewhere, heart beating strong even as life drained swift.

A collection of warriors bold and brave marched steadfast towards the Sky Lance Upgrade Protocol, their heavy armors and stalwart hearts steadying themselves for the upcoming blast. They will not die, but it was certain to hurt. And despite this, the cyberwinged magia took aim and fired, setting off the cataclysmic reaction that would scar them all.

A duo tested their might, circular saws and bulletfire spraying against the hardened Pylon, and yet such weaponry remained ineffectual. It left marks though, fractures. Points of weakness that a man, perhaps the fastest man, exploited, dashing through the apocalypse to deliver a payload that exploded with thunderous force. A duststorm rose, tides of arcane force buffeting all nearby, and yet...

When the dust cleared, they blinked out the spots that seared their gaze. The Anti-Titan-Buster Composite Plating had been blown to smithereens.

As for the Anti-Anti-Fun Mechanism?

None dared try their hand at it.

And with clicks that sounded like the triggers of a single-shot rifle, the protective shells of the module disengaged, revealing the armaments of the evolving DEAD.naught.

Receiving… receiving… receiving… paused.

What did it need?

Lightning flashed, arcing from cloud to cloud, tendrils of heavenly might searing into the eyes of the Starcalled. Thunder resounded seconds later, a reverberating shockwave that could be felt even to the pits of their stomach, and in that instant of sensory overload, between the flames and the pylons, the sentries and the overseers, the writhing worm and the bursting bomb, it took a moment for them to register it.

To register the DEAD.naught breaking out of its chrysalis. Not to reach out for its new armaments, not to reach out to call for more support from the heavens, but rather for a single individual, lying in the field.

[ Quinn ]​

Massive appendages, made of gun barrels and armored plating, plucked the fresh corpse off the ground and, like a farmer snapping a grape off the stem, separated Quinn's head from his body. The body fell, limbs splayed out at impossible angles as it struck the cratered ground, and another flash of lightning lit up the darkening world. Moonsong could see it. The last flash of green hair, before the DEAD.naught retracted Quinn’s head into its body.

Assimilation…Completed.
Pseudo-Personality Designation… Completed.
Mastery Duplication… Summoning… Arcanamancy… Illusion Magic… Martial Arts…
…Completed.
Beginning Oversoul Fabrication.

The wind howled, furious, a storm truly descending upon them all. Those with any inkling of an understanding of magic could feel it rippling through their body, the grieving wrath, the sorrowful disdain, and the absolute hatred of the Djinn Zahaadragan! Lightning crashed against the armored plates of the DEAD.naught as gale-force winds whipped debris and shrapnel, scorching and scarring the battle-hardened chassis of the monstrous Magia. It groaned under the duress of the storm spirit’s barrage and yet, the howl of the wind began to change.

It began to distort. To deform. To dissonate. Each howl weaker than the last. Each strike leaving a smaller mark. Until…

What do I need?

A sense of humor. A sense of spite. A sense of…humanity.

The clouds burst, heavy droplets blanketing the slopes that the protectors of Camp Hope IV made their last line of defense. The scorched wastes turned opaque, steam rising up in great plumes. And within the curtain of rain, the DEAD.naught began to contort. Damaged plates fell, embedding themselves into the ground. Gears shifted and switched, breaking out of its sleek, slanted form. Weaponry fused with arcs of lightning and bursts of arcanamancy. Legs locked in sync as the body sank to a lower point of gravity. And, with a final touch, what once was dark green and gunmetal gained a golden hue, all signs of the prior battle wiped away.

The DEAD.naught was reborn. And as its first act?

A voice, familiar even through the static, sounded out bright and cheerful.

“Ha! Amazing. It’s like. Everyone. Setting up for a
comPOUNDING. WHOA! Autocorrect: Terminate.
It's wise for. Everyone to log out.
A-hem. Right. That sounds better.
Kay, if you want to stay and tango, let's all become Magia.”

And finally, the pylon flew out, anti-projectile defenses studding the MEME.naught's broad back like acupuncture needles! Ah, so this was emotion! So this was joy! So these were sensations! The kiss of the rain, the sizzling of pain, the tranquillity of exhaustion, the sheer information overload of human memory!

Ah, the warmth of another human’s body against his own, as they copulated for the sheer pleasure of it.

Pistons pulsated, lightning crackling over his joints as he built up power feverishly. Tubby, that ever-hungering worm, had its love for @Yugam overridden in that very instant, its bestial instincts kicking in after a short eternity of domestication, telling it to run, run, run! But its own maw had snagged upon the sharpened edges of the plating that it had chewed through and then, it lurched skywards, letting out one final screech.

The MEME.naught had lept. High enough that the storm responded.

Waves of lightning converged upon his golden, majestic form, and, grasping the charred worm that had been such a bother to him, he RKO’d Tubby, slamming its length down against the side of the trench. Beneath, the Starcalled themselves scrambled, desperate to escape, to withstand the shockwave whilst the very essence of a calamitous storm smashed into them. Even those off in the scorched lands found themselves in peril, the heavy steam that rose conducting the ever-present electricity.

There were sparks, and then, there were eruptions, beautiful fireworks that lit the dreary day with reds and blues, yellows and greens.

And there was the MEME.naught, looming above it all, that familiar voice sounding out a familiar laugh.

“Exuberant! Excellent! And look! Now you’re all lined up!”

His torso rotated, six barrels lined up to aim down the side of trench. Oh, but there were so many of them, huddled together, trying their best to hide like little reckless apes in caves! The ALU counted them up instantly, a wholly miserable collective of seventeen Starcalled! Aim it straight down, and a Sky Lance could vaporize them before they let out another strike!

“Oh, but don’t worry. I’m not so into phishing in a barrel, you see? Learned all about tech knuckle support, so we’ll take it easy, my friends! It’s clear to me, honestly, that you can’t really hack it now. I’ll even demo it for you. Watch!”

A gun barrel slammed into @Hyakin Heliodoros, caving in the silver-haired knight’s shield. He flew back, almost too fast to be seen, before being embedded into the wall behind him.

“Welp. I got you there, buddy. What were you thinking, calling me outdated, when you’re out and about with C-rank armor? C’mon now! Get some common sense in that thick head o yours!”

A cannon leveled its sights upon @Hanno Futaba, before a dud of a tank shell shot out, sending the faerin flipping backwards into @Glamdark, both of them tumbling against the overcharged terrain.

“Oof, I missed the catgirl. Guess bowling with faerin ain’t so easy after all. But hey there, Hanno! I’d love to see you try scrapping, but honestly, you’re not going to. Got so many friends to protect, right? I can totally understand! Tell you this! Pick three others and leave. I’ll let you go for free!”

A foot raised, eclipsing @Moonsong's entire form…but set down gently beside her instead.

“Ah…but I can’t do it after all. Babe, trust me when I say I’ll respect your decision. Hell, I can even emphasize with it. The whole remaining human thing. But I can’t just let you do this to yourself either. Why fight so hard for Vintergard anyways? It’s not real.”

A spark of light. The budding of energy. That final Regulator, surviving the onslaught of the Sword of Astorea, charged its beams, prepared to pierce straigh-

“But I am.”

Arcane artillery atomized that Magia.

“Take a step back and think about it. Maybe I’m dead in ‘reality’, but this isn’t so bad! Assimilation might even be what’s best for us. We’ll be immortals, Dayeon! Unaging, unchanging, and utterly invincible. 20k HP don't lie, you know. ”

The MEME.naught righted himself once more.

“And as for the rest of you…”

His torso dipped down, then up, and finally, he hopped.

“Kobe Bryant!”

A perfect three-pointer barrage of arcanamantic warheads smashed into the wall, sending rubble scattering down, down, down.

“Now time is money, and a place is just a place, so how ‘bout you all pack up your bags and try next time with Camp Hope V? Think I’m just about ready to switch gears and kick things up a notch anyhow.”

Mastery System…Complete.
MP Retrieval…Complete.
Downloading Alter Mastery: Dynamism........6%.....18%....25%...

❰ Play Post ❱​

 

[Asch]

Cycle 3's Damage Phase

Errata for the last damage phase. Sorry for the mix-up. This should make it clearer for those calculating Eruption.

(Environmental) Eruption

• If you had ended your turn on a scorched tile in C3, take 15 damage (protect and vulnerable apply).
• If this damage source activates Immortal, the passives' effects will persist until the start of Cycle 4's damage phase, when it will wear off.

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Post - Levi

Location: A4
Vulnerable

Weary with the weight of the world on his sword, Levi bit his lip, silently bemoaning the fact that no matter how many swords they threw at the Camp Crusher, it shrugged off all of their efforts and unwaveringly marched toward its one destination. In a way, it was kind of admirable, and the man absolutely detested that he felt that way toward an enemy wiping out his allies.

After closing his eyes to take a deep breath, it was a new world when he reopened the ruby pairs to glance upon the newfound form that the DEAD.naught had taken. A player? Assimilation? Levi winced, not at the cringey quips, but at the fact that they had run out of time.

With the blade reflecting a brief glance from a certain slimy Treasure Hunter (@Chrys), who aimed the ballista at him briefly, Levi narrowed his eyes and lifted his chin as if to challenge the unknown gawker. How Levi was able to feel the gaze from such a distance is perhaps one of the seven wonders of the world, one could say that his sense of justice always seems to alert him to shady characters.

Drawing his blade once more, Levi assumed his stance and called on the Godswords. In an instant, he cut through the burning heat with sheer willpower to position himself at the enemy’s rear where he made a sharp trust, directing the four swords toward the Camp Crusher with explosive force. However, a certain Lepus' ears were in the way.

EMBER EDI-- AH HEY! WATCH OUT!

The redhead shouted at @Toko to duck. Whether or not she ducked, four of his eight swords would have zipped past… or through her and skewered the assimilated Quinn’s exposed plating. The rest of the sword, however, remained by Toko’s side, floating around her as if protecting her from their owner’s near misfire.

Apologies! I was perhaps too eager to lay an ally to rest. Are you alright?

Levi asked the Lepus.

A conversation might have been had; however, another eruption of heat separated the two.

Seeing the direction the battle was heading in and the heat running a lot hotter than before, he had to do something drastic to give the defenders one leg up on the machine that was about to enrage.

I have one shot at getting this right. Please put your trust in me. If anyone is able, provide me with some cover.

Levi called out to everyone within earshot as he thrust his sword into the ground and wrapped his hands around the pommel. The swordmaster then closed his eyes as if to tune out the sound of battle, after which, he began to channel all of his remaining energy into his holy weapon. Where his blade was connecting him to the earth, new swords began to manifest with their tip plunged into the ground.

Even if he were attacked, Levi would remain stalwart, taking everything thrown at him. After all, he was the Shield of Astorea, and shields do not run from death.

It was their last shot to take the titan down, and in order to win big, one has to discard safety.

Rolls

ULTRA COUNTER - EMBER EDICT
1d100 (85) + 25 + 25 + 75 + 50 = 260
260 damage
Counter successful! 75 damage added. Take 25 less damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Swordmaster | Levi Pendragon | 1341C4
-25 Damage Taken for @Toko

DEAD.naught
▪ HP: 6676/20000

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: NPC Updates for the rest of C4

Location: A4 (Astor and Levi) A3 (Haito)
All vulnerable

As much as the king wanted to check in on his felis companion, the dangerous battlefield did not afford them so much as a second to talk and checkup. When Astor saw the Camp Crusher snatch Quinn's head and assimilated him into an abominable man-machine, it was his cue to get into position and do some work for once, despite how fresh his injuries still felt.

Seeing @Ilusa Nakhalee on the other side of the fire burst, he shouted at her to go forward and heal the frontliners, who were struggling to hold the enemy back.

Ilusa, we have to keep the frontline's health up. Handle it for me while I empower them. Don't get hurt, okay? We have a lot to talk about still.

---

After the exchange with Ilusa, the blonde lowered his hands to his side and ignited his palm, which was now facing behind him. The resulting blast propelled him through the shouldering heat until he found his landing near Levi, who still had his eyes closed amid his combat preparation.

Huh, are my ears deceiving me, or is that a distinguished guest, I hear?

How was your vacation, Your Majesty? I was informed that you were blessed by the attention of many-a Sunclaw beauties amid your sabbatical while the rest of us dirty peasants were toiling in the fields.

Levi's tone was respectful, but his words were laced with venom.

I don't remember asking you to sow the fields with the corpse of our citizens, Lord Commander. Behold, one of them even sprouted. The fruit of your labor, I reckon?

In any case, why don't you focus on serving Astorea as its shield and not its mouth?

Astor sniped back, unfazed by Levi's comments.

Anyone nearby would have seen the massive vein pulsing on the Knight Commander's head, threading to blow up at a moment's notice.

Before any more quarrel erupted between the two, the battle progressed as many of the scattered allies pushed toward the Camp Crusher's rear to push a combined attack.

Astor looked through the ranks of the frontline picking out the best investments for his Command. Once he had decided on his targets, Astor grabbed a random NPC who was fondling the air and asked him to identify the king's betting horses. After which, the blonde's red eyes turned into a glowing majestic gold as he decreed his command.

@Toko, @Ueno Mizuki, @Aroda, I bestow upon you the King's Blessing, may your attack finds your target true and seize victory!

Once his eyes returned to normal, Astor dodged a wurm-chunk that nearly hit him, putting him back to back with Levi.

Levi, how much longer do you need?

Going as fast as I can, Astor. But even if I manage to summon enough for each person, they are going to struggle to trudge through all that fire. You need to help me.

I have an idea, but it's going to put me in mind-down immediately afterward. Can you drop to the ground right after I do? Maybe your armored corpse can serve Astorea one last time.

Levi wanted to say something but decided to let that fish go as he resumed his own task and let Astor prepare his spell.

Silence returned as Astor focused on summoning a spell circle beneath him the size of which Levi had never seen before, the redhead wondered what had happened to Meriam. He had worked with the faerin before and was aware of her pushing toward the third death.

Just as he was completely alone in his mind with nothing to focus on but the worst fears, anxiety overwhelmed him.

---

Haito, the young caenis boy who was almost the twin image of Haira, except a lot smaller, was on Tubby, the Bloodwurm with Team Ego when it burst out of the ground and proceeded to be demolished by the transformed DEAD.naught. After that sequence, he was scrambling around on the scorching battlefield, dodging attacks left and right in a rush to move out of danger while following his second savior, @Magi Heart around.

When Astor joined the fray with the cat lady he had heard about before, but without Sakkarin or Haira in tow, the worst fears befell the boy, kicking him into overdrive. Was he going to lose Magi the same way he had lost Jester, his sister, and his mentor? There was no way he was going to let that happen, especially someone who had not only saved him once but continued looking out for him. How could he not be attached?

"I-I'm gonna stay with you, sis!" the boy shouted at Magi. "I ain't gonna let you die. I-I'm gonna protect someone else this time! AAAGH something something guardian protect this sister!"

After making such a bold claim, he clung onto Magi's side and began glowing, conferring the power of spiritual protection onto Magi, but at the cost of making himself vulnerable, since he was nowhere near proficient with the protective magic he was channeling. Stupid boy.

Rolls

(Astor) Power Buff - Ruler's Command
2d100 + 50 / 3 = 72
@Toko @Ueno Mizuki @Aroda gains: +72 to attack actions for 1 turn when they attack the MEME.naught
Gain the Vulnerable state
Ruler | Astor Balthas | 1341C2

(Haito) Protect
No damage
@Magi Heart is Protected.
Gain the Vulnerable state

 

[Raid Boss]

Hope in Danger!
Cycle 5

The MEME.naught whizzed and whirled as it engaged in a death match with 20-some toddlers, wailing on him where it hurt, not that it could feel pain anyways. What good is pain going to do for a machine specifically built to fulfill the singular purpose of crushing camp, hope, and love.

The toddlers, he could deal with, but he wasn't about to take the unprompted call-out lying down.

Have you ever heard of localization? Gotta make sure the non-Americans understand that it's gonna be a good shot right in their face. Here, have another Kobe Bryant!

He launched a bomb directly for @Azykia, which smashed into her with an explosive force that sent her diagonally through the wall where she and the blasted blocks smashed directly into Chrys.

BOOM. Perfect. 11/10.

Just for those perfect shots, the MEME.naught felt the need to quip. You could say that they were written into his DNA. Just like how breathing is a prerequisite to be human, quipping is what he does.

Hey! Anyone lost their child at the store? She's getting really fucky. How about you all stop attacking me and get the child a goddamn therapist? @Ludmilla Orphys

Sick shit? You absolutely got it, this shit is sick, bro! Check out my moves!

Whoa, you alright? A healthy young man shouldn't be heaving that much on garbage collection day. @Schilva Flasch @Aroda

Hey Vargold, we bonded over some shroomies, remember? Just wait for me, I'm heading over here to give you a high-five, though, it might just smear you, haha! Big gun-shaped hands are dumb. Who invented this anyways?

Whoa, amazing! I can't believe I'm fighting a Picasso drawing! @Nyancy

Huh? 86, that old-ass anime? What year you living in, granny? @Lady N

Ouch, hey! Why does it feel like I've been hit by a wet noodle? Oh wait, that's just Seto's crits as usual huh? Hey king! You looking for your butterknife? @Seto Kurama

Nice poem, @Cain, but just to prove that I'm the better poet, I don't have to cut a single word from my reply, that's right, I'm just that good.

Damn, angry much, @Hanno? Maybe being a living bowling ball really isn't your life's calling after all.

Phew, consider yourself lucky if I didn't manage to get to you since my quip meter got filled.

After the MEME.naught had filled its quip meter, it began fixing its eyes on the goal once more. However, he was completely taken aback when @Ueno Mizuki crashed down on him like a comet, tearing a hole through the back portion of its body, and leaving behind a caenis-sized gape where metal and oil spilled onto the ground.

OUCH! That seriously hurts.

BLAM! Without a single quip or a warning, the gunhead came for Mizuki at blinding speed, smashing into her with earth-parting force and hurling her directly into @Magi Heart and partly Haito. There was an explosion of dirt, ember, and smoke where the three collided. The gunhead then immediately turned and whipped @Ayna Nietzsche into @Bradwynne in the same way.

Spoiler: Mood

W-wha, huh?

Immediately afterward, the DEAD.naught's speech changed, expressing a kind of confusion that wasn't present prior. @Moonsong was able to climb all the way up to the gunhead while the machine was in a dazed state.

Hey, hey, hey! What's happening? Why is everyone so short?

And then the gunhead turned and noticed Moonsong's blood-covered face.

Dayeo- Uh, hey you! What's going on, why are you looking at me like that?

He asked. However, it only took a second for him to register everything that had happened, starting from the moment he was cut down by XS-EVE and had his head ripped off. Mizuki's critical attack must have snapped him back to his old self. A soft reboot.

A sinking feeling set in when it became clear that he had assimilated with the DEAD.naught and was the one wreaking havoc on everyone.

Ah, uh, JUST in case you guys don't already know. It's not actually me lighting everyone up, alright? I sincerely apologize for my evilbot-self.

Quinn apologized to everyone there, though he wasn't sure that was going to be enough to make up for the pain he's caused.

Permission to Activate Djinn Module Granted.
Initiating Activation.
Override Permission Granted.
Initiating Override.

Oh, shit. Oh no. No no.

Quinn hyperventilated in a panic, though iron lungs don't behave anything like those made of flesh. With each intake, he drew air into the internal chamber where it passed through cooling radiators and was ejected from the heat-dissipating outtakes as hot steam.

Through some miracle, Quinn was able to open the cockpit, where it was just his head connected to the internal mainframe via thick, Magitech cords that had replaced what was left of his spine. In such a setup, Quinn was fixed in place, unable to move anything other than his face and eyes, which turned toward @Moonsong. Down from where the head was located was the lamp that's been powering up the DEAD.naught.

Dayeon, grab the lamp and rub it against my cheek. Hurry!

Several cords were wrapped around the lamp, however, it was still pliable enough for Moonsong to wrestle it up to where Quinn's cheek was.

With a single rub, a familiar form appeared above the idle DEAD.naught, Zahaadragan, the machine-enslaved djinn. With the owner technically changed, he looked down at Quinn with an expression that was a cross between anger and confusion.

Zahaad, I wish that you would kill me along with the DEAD.naught.

It is the gravest crime for a Djinn's to strike their master. I will be punished for my transgression and, it will all be for naught anyways, considering that severing your head from the machine will not stop it. You should know this, Master.

The Djinn furrowed his brows.

That's the point.

The youth grinned.

……

For once, the normally-irritated expression on Zahaad's face changed into that of hesitation, which immediately darkened into a murderous shade as he straighten his fingers and drew his right hand back as far as he could. After a brief pause, he thrust his hand toward the exposed Quinn head sticking out of the cockpit.

Before Zahaad could finish the motion, however, multiple magic circles appeared all the way down the Djinn's arm, completely locking it in place. Zahaad pushed through, but the moment he was able to touch a single hair on Quinn's face, the Djinn exploded into a burst of lightning, severing the lamp and ejecting it from the cockpit. The burnt lamp fell a long way down the cliff.

SWEET, IT WORKED! HIGH-FIV--

……

Override Complete.
Restart Operation.

Oh yeah! I'm back, baby!

NO

……

Corrupted Data Detected.
Initiate Data Deletion.

……

……

……Kenji ……Kenji. The fuck are you doing? We're on overtime. GO!

Suddenly, Quinn saw himself on the basketball court, a ball in his hand, hoop ahead, opposing team in the way, a bunch of familiar teammates surrounding him.

Downloading Alter Mastery.
Dynamism........80%.....88%....96%...100%
Download Complete.
Activate Dynamism

The DEAD.naught enraged the moment his dynamism reached [ 100% ]. With the module fully activated and engaged, the metallic part around his legs shifted to reveal lightning-charged thrusters.

Sparks discharged from the thrusters as the DEAD.naught turned into a blur from sheer speed, leaving a field of lightning behind it that struck anyone within range.

Not even the much smaller mech in front of it could stop it from moving through.

Thanks to the dynamism, the hulking machine was incredibly fast despite its size. It ran at the edge of the cliff, one of its arms bobbing up and down as if it was dribbling a basketball.

……

……

……

Now Deleting Corrupted Data.
Remaining Data: 90% ………… 83% …… 76% …

……

The environment around Quinn flashed. One moment, he was standing on the fiery battlefield with screaming people flickering in like a glitched movie. The next moment, he was on the court, surrounded by screaming fans and teammates urging him to run.

He ran toward the goal.

Now Deleting Corrupted Data.
Remaining Data: 71% ………… 66% …… 58% …

……

A series of memories flashed through his mind like a photo album rapidly being scrolled through. He helplessly watched as each photo that was being flipped through burst into small squares that faded into the darkness.

At first, it started with the people whom he had interacted with in Terra.

The names went first, followed by the face, and by the end of it, he couldn't even recall a single person standing on the battlefield except Moonsong.

He ran as fast as he could.
Heading for the goal.

Now Deleting Corrupted Data.
Remaining Data: 55% ………… 49% …… 44% …

Memories of his childhood and friends were the next to go.

Now Deleting Corrupted Data.
Remaining Data: 39% ………… 35% …… 31% …

Next were his close relatives.

Was that mom?
What was her name?
Huh, who was that?

Now Deleting Corrupted Data.
Remaining Data: 29% ………… 27% …… 25% …

Who was that?
Dayeon.
Huh? Dayeon.
Who?
Dayeon.
Who...?
DAYEON!

……

……

FUCK OFF, ROBOT. THOSE ARE MY MEMORY. I WON'T LET YOU TAKE THEM FROM ME.

……

……

Quinn shouted into the void, standing still, alone on the court, ball in hand, sweat rolling down his cheek.

Fragments of his memory slipped through his fingers like sand no matter how hard he clung to them.

He needed to dribble the ball and keep running. Time was ticking down on the scoreboard. He's going to miss the shot if he doesn't run faster.

He needed to take that shot as if his life depended on it.
He had made a promise.
He was late.

I'm gonna take you to the big stage, I promise.

Quinn said, looking straight ahead at the hoop high over the wall as the Dynamism-empowered hulking machine ran toward it.

He was so close.

Now Deleting Corrupted Data.
Remaining Data: 24% ………… 23% …… 22% …

Almost there.

Most of the sand was long gone by then. His palm felt light.
He was no longer shacked by the accident that took his legs and future.
His body had never felt lighter and his legs more nimble.
This time for sure, he will take her there.
To the big stage.

---

Astor watched the entire thing unfold amid his spell preparation, starting from when Moonsong managed to climb up onto the MEME.naught where she managed to help Quinn summon the massive Djinn.

When their plan succeeded and the machine lost access to the Djinn's power, the blonde felt a bit more hopeful about their situation.

The moment the MEME.naught enraged and activated his dynamism, the area he and Levi were in was charged with deadly lightning that ripped their allies apart. Had it not been for those brave few who took the hit for them, they might have lost their spells.

With the MEME.naught taking off and leaving behind a field of destruction all around it, Astor expected heavy damage and casualty on their side. He sincerely hoped they will have enough people to finish off the MEME.naught, though, even that is a tall order, considering how it phased from side to side, dodging some attacks with raw speed.

While Astor was afforded all the time to reflect amid his spellcasting, Levi had to maintain almost all of his attention on his, which gave him a much less comprehensive understanding of what was happening at that moment. Regardless, all he needed to do was to finish his sole task.

The moment Levi finished preparing his spell, his eyes snapped open as he raised his sword to the sky.

VOLANTE DEUS GLADIA, become the wings of my allies!

At that moment, all the swords that had been summoned reacted to his voice and began to take flight like a flock of birds, dispersing throughout the battlefield where they would be wielded. At that moment, Levi winced as he felt all the energy leaving him as his body keeled over with his front touching the ground.

Levi, you bastard.

Astor completed his spell seconds after Levi, which meant that he was going to be the one on top. The king cursed his luck.

By the power of vested in me, I, Astor Balthas, confer upon you the Ice King's Regalia. May his grace keep you from harm.

Right after Astor finished his chant, his body slumped over Levi's as his consciousness faded.

---

With the MEME.naught rushing through the edge of the elevated platform in a thunderous blaze, a lot of it had been melted by the lightning and scorch, turning them into boiling mud that poured into the valley beneath.

The enemy had gotten to the wall and was in movement, if not stopped, it will jump over the wall and complete the singular purpose it was made for, crushing Hope.

❰ Play Post ❱​

 

[Raid Boss]

Spoiler: Cycle 5 Extra

@Magi Heart - When @Ueno Mizuki came barreling toward you after being smacked by the gunhead, Haito perked up.

"It's that caenis sister! Oh no, oh no, I've got to save her too. Come here wolf-sister, I'll catch you and save the pink sister! AAA!!!" the boy made a warcry as he jumped out in front of you, intending to braking Mizuki's flight and soften the blow for you.

He might have not been the brightest candle among the bunch, but at least he has heart.

As it is currently, Haito will take the collision damage for you without you needing to push him into it. Should you allow him to be in the way, you may negate your collision damage. With all other sources of damage on the tile, including Eruption and Dynamic Lightning Rush, and Haito being vulnerable, he will die unless you do something about it.

Will you stick to your original plan or will you deviate? The choice is in your hand.

@Ash Vargold - Being high up on the wall with the ballista has its benefits. For one you had a front-row seat to watch Azykia go flying from the Kobe, the entire drama with Quinn unfolded from a safe distance, and how the MEME.naught closed the distance in a fast amount of time, appearing right in front of you.

It felt as if you were watching a movie in 3D, or at least that's how Vern must have felt since he was watching the entire thing in real-time through your eyes.