#OC: Linn | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

nkn0va · 6 months ago

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200 post celebratory oneshot

So...this is gonna be my 200th post, so I decided to do a little something to commemorate since my 100th post was a meme. I haven't posted the last couple days because I was trying to fucking come up with something to do.

This time it's not a Six oneshot. This will be a hypothetical (non-canon like everyone else's, obviously) UNIST Arcade mode for my unib OC! Hope this new style of writing goes over as well as the last ones...

Please like and reblog this took fucking forever

The air was thick with a palpable, almost suffocating tension, a very familiar one. It was that time again already? I guess when you're as busy as I am the days sort of blended together. It had hardly felt like a week since the last Hollow Night. Was I perhaps wasting away my youth, too busy to enjoy the prime of one's life? Perhaps I was. If I let these thoughts out to Linne at least, she'd probably give me a very lengthy lecture.

It's not like I had much of a choice though. As a descendant of the Night Blade watching over the Night is a duty I was born into. Unfortunately that's come with some...unexpected duties. Such as watching over the newbie, Hyde.

He was...rough around the edges, but he definitely had potential, even ignoring the fact that he of all people ended up with the Insulator. Can't help but feel bad for him though, it's not like he asked to be given a legendary weapon and thrust into the world of the Hollow Night. That's a big reason why we've told him to hang back tonight. He was still inexperienced and he was being hunted by some dangerous people for the Insulator.

Paradox...

Ever since she appeared she's been nothing but problems for everyone involved, especially us. Amnesia's been getting too much power for their own good. Many of them have gone drunk with it now, Paradox herself even more so. As an In-Birth with Night Blade blood flowing through me, I have to be the one to disband them, by force.

If acting as an In-Birth as well as Linne and Waldstein's teachings have taught me anything, it's that you have to cut off the head of the proverbial snake if you even want to have a chance at throwing a group out of power. No one being able to do so in the case of the Night Blade is the only reason it's survived for so long. That leaves me with only one option.

It's time to put an end to this charade, I've waited long enough.

Placing my cloak over myself, I set out into the Night, passing through into the realm of EXS. Though silent, the air speaks volumes. Tonight's going to be one that no one will soon forget. For better or worse, that remains to be seen...

~~~

(Stage 3)

By now I've already dispatched a few In-Births. No one too powerful. A lot of rookies had started running around as of recently, though I suspect that luck's about to change. As a matter of fact, it likely changed a while ago. I stop in the middle of the street, raising my voice enough to be heard.

"You can come out now. You're not as slick as you think you are."

I hear footsteps behind me now, the stranger knew he was caught. A figure stepped out from behind a nearby tree in the park just on the other side of the road. As he came out of the shadows, I could see his face now. If the rumors were right I knew exactly who this was. I turn and narrow my eyes at him, though my cloak hides the expression I'm giving him.

"Bloody Chaos, the brains behind Amnesia."

My stalker only let out an exasperated sigh, adjusting the red-framed glasses on his face. "I use that codename one time on an operation years ago, and it's been spreading like a virus...just Chaos is fine, please."

"Alright, Chaos. Mind telling me why you've been following me as long as you have?" Despite meeting under the Hollow Night, and likely knowing how this altercation was going to end, Chaos could only chuckle. It was almost a bit unsettling despite his surprisingly affable demeanor. Not the attitude I'd personally choose to have, but sure.

"So you knew after all. I'd expect nothing less of the fabled Hydro of the Night Blade. Let's just say I know quite well why you're here already. That should be sufficient in answering your question."

Right, of course. Not like I was really expecting anything else. Though the choice of going for flattery was odd. Not like it was going to get him anywhere.

"I'd expect you to be a bit more on guard if you're here to try and stop me. If I were one of my colleagues you would've been cut down already."

"Oh, I'm quite aware of that, believe me. That's why I opted for stealth. Though that attempt clearly fell through quite embarrassingly."

"You must be quite confident, then. Clearly you're no fool, you have to be hiding something."

This only made Chaos laugh again. "You're not half bad yourself. Though if you'll allow me to be completely frank I'm a bit nervous. Direct combat's never been my forte, even if I give it my all I may not be able to defeat you."

"Then cut let's cut the talk, shall we? Let's see what Amnesia's fabled tactician can truly do."

"Now that's a sentiment I can get behind. I don't imagine I could convince you to give up your mission with words anyway." Chaos then brought opened up that odd book he was carrying about, which summoned a large beast. That...thing was easily three times the size of a large dog, and those claws and fangs could definitely mess me up if I wasn't careful. It's sheer strength along with it's master's quick wit and cunning would most assuredly make for my most difficult fight so far tonight.

I had no reason to hold back. Letting my EXS out in full force, orbs of water encased my hands before they took shape into twin wielding blades.

~~~

(Stage 6)

I was quickly closing in on my destination. The place where all In-births gathered, where my target lied. However I felt another presence, however faint it was. A strikingly familiar one at that.

In a flash I materialize a Hydroblade and strike, clashing with a curved dagger that was strikingly familiar. It easy to figure out who it was.

"Not bad, you almost got me that time. I'd expect nothing less of the Assassin."

Seth had struck from above, my deflection of his blade blowing him back through the air before he landed a fair distance away. "I suppose you've been getting better after all. However I'd suggest you don't let that get to your head. That could get you killed."

"That's supposed to be my line. I am technically your senior, as far as matters directly involved in the Hollow Night go. So I suggest you get out of my way, this is supposed to be my fight."

Seth could only close his eyes and scoff. Even under the high collar, it didn't take a genius to tell he wasn't in the mood. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. The sins of the Night Blade are mine to bear and mine alone. Even if an ally gets in the way, I won't hold back."

I can only let out a sigh. Despite his quiet, normally unassuming demeanor he was as stubborn as ever. "True that may be, it's still too much for you to bear. You've got some growing up to do. You and Hyde are more alike than you'd think."

"Me and Hyde? Alike? Don't make me laugh. I'm nothing like that inexperienced rookie. He's not ready for what the Hollow Night has in store for him. If he keeps going the way he's going, he'll only end up dead."

"You're not in much of a position to talk yourself, whether you realize it or not. Even if I'm not much older, I can still tell you have a lot to sort out. That doubt and grief you carry within you... you still have yet to cast it out for good. Only then can you call yourself a worthy successor of the Night Blade."

He stayed silent. It seemed as if my words had struck some kind of chord in him. One could only guess what he was reflecting on. Perhaps some point in his past that set him on the path he was on now?

"...Perhaps you have something of a point. That only makes my mission even more of a necessity. If I'm to truly overcome this strife, I must dispose of Paradox and free the princess from her curse myself."

"Well, then it seems we're at an impasse. We both know the rules, so let's cut the cheap talk short."

~~~

(Stage 9)

I've come across an increasingly dense amount of In-Births by this point the further down I'd gone into the Night. That could only mean I was getting close to the Abyss, if that along with the thickening EXS in the air was any indicator. Just a little more to go and-

Oh no...you gotta be kidding me...

"Hyde?"

Hyde froze at the sound of my voice. He knew he was busted. He slowly and nervously turned.

"Oh...hey...fancy seeing you here..."

"We've been over this. You were supposed to stay out of the Hollow Night. What do you think you're doing here? You don't seriously think of taking on Paradox."

Hyde, knowing he'd been caught, sighs in exasperation before recollecting himself. Surprisingly fast at that. "Yeah, I was heading to go do just that. I can't just sit by on the sidelines and let you, Linne, and the old man do everything for me. I gotta do something."

"I respect the sentiment, but have you forgotten what's at stake here? We can't risk her getting her hands on the Insulator. If she does everything we've worked for will be gone in an instant with nothing we can do about it."

"Yeah, I know that...but at the same time isn't it the best chance we have at defeating her? If we wanna take her down we have to go at her with everything we've got, Insulator included."

"Normally I'd be inclined to agree, but you're far from ready to take on the most powerful In-Birth on record. Charging at her as you are now is needlessly reckless, I can't in good faith let that risk be taken."

"If you're really gonna fight Paradox, why don't we just do it together? We'll be much safer than if we just did it alone. I might not be as experienced as Linne or as strong as the old geezer, but it'd better than no one, right?"

"I don't think you fully grasped it the first time we explained this to you, but let me say it again. Whether or not I win against her doesn't matter. If she beats me, nothing of value will be lost, but if she beats you and takes the Insulator, we lose everything."

Immediately this seems to set off Hyde, his voice raising. "Nothing of value lost? What the hell's wrong with you, man!? You are of value! To Linne, to Wald, to me! Think about what would happen if you died, how many people that would devastate!"

Even in the face of hostility from someone I call a friend, I have to remain calm. Getting angry won't solve anything. "In comparison to the greater cause of the Night Blade and fixing the mess we created, my life is a small price to pay. You might not understand, but that's fine. Maybe one day you will."

"No, and I don't want to! If you're really trying to face Paradox by yourself, then I'm gonna have to stop you."

"Funny, that was supposed to be my line. This night won't last forever, there's only one thing left to do."

~~~

(Stage 10)

I finally made it. So this is what the Abyss looked like all along. It's...surprisingly grand, almost like a huge altar, though that's probably rather fitting. On the far side of the room was another gigantic door, no doubt the door to the Abyss itself. I'd have been completely alone if it wasn't for someone else standing there at the center of it all.

"My, my, it's about time someone showed up. And it's none other than the Night Blade's beloved Hydro. I unfortunately don't have anything to offer you, but do make yourself at home here."

God, that smirk...something about it just pissed me off. I can't let her get to me. It'd only make the situation worse. Under my cloak I take a quiet, deep breath. I needed to keep my head clear and my body light, so I could fight with everything I have.

"You can skip the shit, Paradox. We both know why we've been brought together tonight."

This only made the crazy woman giggle smugly. "My, my, such forwardness of you, Hydro. I'm quite flattered. Is this a-"

"Don't even think about it." I quickly cut her off, knowing exactly what she was going to say. She was trying to act smart and fluster me, but it's clear she had a long way to go before she could do it well. "I'm here to stop you. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Oh, but why would you ever think of doing that? We could be so much more together. With your skills and my soon to be power of the Re-Birth, we could be truly unstoppable. Aren't you tired of it all? Tired of bending to the will of the Night Blade, to that accursed princess? If you join my cause, you could finally be free, we can crush all our opposition. The Night Blade, the Licht Kreis, all of them. And in their place we can build a new Night in our own image. The way we see fit, and rule everything together. No one will be able to stand up to us. Doesn't that sound so exciting?"

She was talking to me like I'm another one of her idiot cronies that she can convince merely with the promise of supreme power. She's going to come to regret that.

"Cute attempt, but useless. I don't want power. Haven't you ever heard the saying? Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Your power even now has already driven you mad. You're not fit to run a children's science fair project, forget the entire world."

That seemed to understandably piss off Paradox. That's how you get in someone's head, if the soured expression on her face was any indication.

"Why you little... it seems you need to learn some manners. I suppose sometimes a child won't learn how to behave without a proper spanking."

The thick EXS in the air around the altar allows me to near instantly materialize a Hydroblade. This was it, it was going to be the toughest fight of my life. No backing down now.

"You're more than welcome to try. Now drown in the endless depths of eternity."

~~~

(Story END)

"Ugh...how...did you..."

Paradox was on the ground, having been blown back by my finishing blow, beaten and now soaking wet. I wasn't any better off though, her blades had proved quite the challenge. I was gonna need first aid as soon as possible after I got back home. At least all the cuts were covered by my cloak.

"Simple, really. You let the ego your power gave you go to your head. You didn't take me seriously, and that's going to be your final mistake."

Someone like Paradox didn't deserve any final words. With pinpoint precision I threw the Hydroblade in my hand straight through, instantly piercing her vessel.

"Sleep for eternity, Paradox. And may we never have to encounter the likes of you again."

~~~

(Play Good Mooning End for maximum vibe)

Finally. It was one long night, but it was finally over. The sun was beginning to rise on Kanzakai, the dawn of a new day, and new possibilities. No matter how many of them pass, each one is the opportunity for something new. I guess in a way such a universal constant was what kept Linne sane during her long years of cursed immortality.

Speak of the Devil, though...

"Hey, there you are, I was looking all over for you."

Now that the night was over, I could finally let down my hood. I take it off and let the first rays of sunlight hit my face, taking a deep exhale out. "Sorry about that. Wasn't too much trouble, was I?"

"Quite the opposite, actually." I could spot the tiny, yet sincere smile on her face. Not a common sight, indeed. "I sensed a pretty huge loss of power. I'm guessing that means you did it."

I nodded in confirmation. "It was a damn close fight, not being as experienced as you are, but I managed to pull through. Her vessel's been pierced, she won't be bothering us again anytime soon."

"You've done good, then. Glad all those hours teaching you hasn't gone to waste. You even managed to beat Paradox, and Hyde too by the looks of things."

I let out a sigh remembering my encounter with Hyde. "Stubborn as ever, he is. Thank God I caught him outside the Abyss when I did, or things could've went bad."

"You can say that again. Though he seemed to be in pretty sour mood when I found him. At least he's already gone home now, so he and the Insulator are safe."

"You do remember you still have to hold up your end of your bargain with him, right? He deserves answers after everything he's went through."

"Yeah, no need to remind me. When the time's right, the time's right. He'll know everything. One day."

Linne pauses for a moment, her face becoming one of thought. "I have to ask, though. Did you...actually kill Paradox?"

I open my mouth to respond and then stop myself. I didn't really stop to confirm she was dead or not. All I knew for sure was that I pierced her Vessel and cut off her EXS abilities. "I...don't know, to be honest. I know I pierced her Vessel, but that's it. Should I have killed her or...?"

"I won't tell you what to decide on that. Whether you chose to kill her or not was your choice to make. The important part is that her Vessel is pierced. If she survived, she won't be nearly as much of a threat. As a matter of fact, I doubt Amnesia will even accept her as a leader now without her powers."

"Yeah...I guess that's a good point."

Her face turned serious once more. "That doesn't mean we can afford to relax now, you know this. There's still a lot of unruly In-Births out there that are going mad with their power like Paradox all the time, and Licht Kreis showing up certainly doesn't make things easier."

I can't stop the sigh that escapes me at the thought of having even more work to do even after such a long, vicious night as the one I just had. "Yeah, yeah, you're right. You can be a real piece of work sometimes, you know that?"

Linne eased up, finding amusement in my exasperation as she giggled lightly. "Come on, 'Hydro', relax. You did plenty of good tonight, you've more than earned your rest for now. Speaking of which though, we should probably be getting home. It's already almost morning. Imagine the ruckus it'd cause if someone found Wald passed out on the road somewhere."

The image in my head of the old geezer faceplanting somewhere in the middle of town completely unconscious makes me let out a laugh of my own. "Yeah, no kidding. It'd be like seeing the Rake or something out in broad daylight."

The immortal princess' face turned to one of confusion. "The...the what now?"

Her confusion only gets another laugh from me. "Not important. Though maybe sometime I can teach you." With that I walk off back towards the city to head home. I could hear Linne sighing in exasperation behind me.

"I swear...you kids with your modern day gadgets and nonsensical stories..."

I can only laugh louder now as she jogs to catch up with me before slowing down to match my pace. It's only a matter of time before she's more gently laughing along with me.

It...was a nice moment. A rare moment of solace for the both of us, a kind of moment Linne had taught me well to cherish.

(Ending song: Heart Beat Breaker)

#under night in birth #oneshot #oc #chaos #seth #hyde kido #hilda #linne #long post

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