#ir event: security breach p2

[apexquartz]

Jasper expected consequences.

If she chose the wrong side in this war, she expected to be punished for it; expected to have her fleeting sense of superiority stripped away once again, expected to end up worse off than where she started.

She didn’t expect a floating mass to blot out the sky, raining down legions of monsters.

It’s clear that NULL were never her friends—she didn’t want them to be. But the bigger surprise is that the Stars still call for her help, and even allow her to keep her power. Surely they knew she was working against the city, entirely willing to sell them out? What are they playing at, keeping someone like her around?

There isn’t much time to reflect. The invading enemies don’t seem to care who anyone is; they attack indiscriminately. If they’re trying to destroy the planet, their methods are really inefficient, but if they’re just trying to intimidate...

They could use a few pointers.

Summoning her helmet, Jasper sets her sights on a target and rolls into a spindash—flattening the unfortunate creature as well as a dozen others in her path until she smashes into the side of a building.

She shakes rubble from her hair and off she goes again, not even looking back. Logic holds that the stronger enemies should be up on the island, so she needs to find an access point. The mooks she’s seen so far aren’t worth her time.

A beam of light rises ahead, made all the more visible by the darkness the city has been plunged into. She’s stopped for a moment to gain her bearings when something crashes against her side, knocking her off her feet.

Something heavy. She grapples with it, gripping at rough skin and matted fur until she finally forces its weight off her. She scrambles upright before it can attack again.

And finds herself standing nose-to-nose with... the exact same gem, set in an uglier face.

The monster is hulking and eyeless, its twisted form shot through with off-coloured spikes. Though it is much larger than she is, it crouches on all fours as if to look her directly in the face, gnashing its many teeth.

“Wh—uh—how?!”

Of course, she’s never seen this thing before.

She’s been it. Her form remains tarnished by horns and bluish patches, remnants of the corruption; reminders that she will never be perfect again. She still remembers, though it was only a brief moment she existed in that state, the feeling of it. The total loss of control—after everything else, herself was the last thing left to lose.

“Get OUT of here!”

There’s no way to reason with it, much less ask why two of her can even exist at the same time, so Jasper does the only thing she can do: she throws herself at it, headfirst.

Her monster stands firm and takes the hit, tearing up concrete under its claws. It raises a paw and swipes; she dashes underneath it, sweeping the hind legs and climbing onto its back.

Outspeed her. Outsmart her. Use her strength against her. Sounds familiar.

There’s no weak point to hit on its back. Just an unyielding mass of spikes and hair that she clings to as it starts running, taking sharp turns in an attempt to dislodge her. It lets out a low, drawn-out cry.

Sensing trouble, she lets go. In the same moment, the monster rolls onto its back, narrowly missing crushing her.

It’s just the kind of mistake Jasper would make.

Jasper doesn’t hesitate, letting out a fearsome roar of her own as she slams her foot down on its exposed underbelly. The corrupted Gem writhes and screeches in pain as she throws punch after punch at its head, but it isn’t enough. It won’t go away.

A massive paw strikes her across the face, flinging her clear. The monster rises to its feet, exhausted but undeterred. She stands, too.

How can they be so evenly matched? This thing is a broken, worthless Gem! She was defeated by Peridot, of all—

That’s it. If she can find a sharp metal object, that might work where blunt force has failed.

There must be something, in the mess of the city—she dodges a charge, running to dig through a pile of debris. 

“No, no, no...”

Another charge, another narrow miss as the beast slams its weight down on the rubble, further scattering it.

“...YES!”

Her hand closes around a piece of metal beam, its end broken off in a jagged point.

She turns her makeshift spear on the monster, letting it impale itself with the force of its own attack.

Only it doesn’t.

The weapon is swatted aside, and in an instant it is upon her, pinning her under its merciless claws. She struggles, but she can’t get free—and at last, the cold sinking fear sets in.

It doesn’t speak. It doesn’t even know what it’s doing. And yet, Jasper hears her own words, echoing off the confining walls of a sandstone canyon:

“You SUFFER because it’s what you DESERVE.”

She manages to pull one arm free, and it’s all she can do to keep the monster’s snapping jaws away from her gem.

Under the crushing weight of her own failures, a profound sense of weakness spreads through her body.

What is she good for, if she can’t even win against herself...?

[rhythmortem]

@redlichbluelich

It hadn’t taken me long to get used to the constant tired ache of the crypts- the air was damp and my muscles always felt tired, but you could never rest. Resting only meant death- and honestly, I’d like to keep my death count to a minimum.

Of course, nothing would be easy. And that was made obvious when I came across a skeleton in some sort of robe, moving about a small room. I was reminded a bit too much of Death Metal for my own liking, which meant I was instantly on guard- and ready for a fight.

[ombraventi]

@malevolute​

Vaati recognized the feeling of rhythm, though the song was different from those he recalled Octavo playing. He’d been curious, but assumed his friend had merely branched out somewhat in the heat of this scuffle. What he didn’t expect was to bump into Octavo literally, turning about to the beat and finding his friend in the midst of a battle with some weird old guy and another golden lute.

“Who’s the old weirdo?” 

He quickly fell into rhythm, aiding in the battle- but he couldn’t say he was as experienced as the others were at this sort of battle, finding it much harder to make his magic connect when everything moved to the beat of a song.

[courageousguise]

Stand Again

Words: 601

Link had recognized it right away- Majora. The mask had shown itself when everything had started to get worse, along with leagues of monsters from Termina and Hyrule. It was familiar… but in the worst sort of way.

However, he had all of his items back. All his masks, all his magic- which of course… meant that yet again, he had the mask of the deity with him once more.

It always made him nervous. Even though he was supposed to be brave, be courageous, holding the mask in his hands always put a worry into his mind. Especially since that… challenge he’d had to go through. The images of the destroyed Termina landscape weighed heavy on his mind… but so did his conversation with the deity.

And, in the end, he knew he could never let Majora roam freely.

Putting the mask on would always be overwhelming. There was simply too much for his body to hold- the power of the deity was vast and ancient and overflowing, even for a child holding the power of the gods.

Worry not, young warrior.

The deity’s voice was… reassuring, in a sense. Still distant, nigh incomprehensible… but there was a sort of understanding between two old souls, two warriors who’d spent too much time in battle.

Now was not time to communicate, and Link knew that. There was much he wanted to discuss- to learn about the deity. Fear and curiosity mixed equally… but now, they had to fight Majora.

This would be different, though. Much different. Link wasn’t being carried by anger, like he’d been back in Termina. There was no moon falling to the ground, and more importantly, an understanding between him and the deity. Their actions were far more synchronous, though he was still being swept in the tide- he knew that the mask would come off in time, and the deity would return to rest once more.

But for now, it was time to fight. The mask didn’t spend long as just a mask- quickly it shifted and twisted until it was once again Majora’s wrath, a horrible twisted creature whose movements made scars across the landscape.

They would not let this monster win. They would not let this monster have its way. They would strike it down.

Their form moved with the grace of an experienced warrior, their knowledge mixed and benefiting both. They dodged strike after strike, trading blows with Majora. The helix blade was held tightly in their hands, making a wide slash to push the monster back, back, back.

This was a fight that would be won. There was no doubt in either of them- it had to be won. For Link, it was for everyone around them. For all of the friends he’d met, the people he knew. For the Deity, it was to do battle with his oldest enemy. Regardless of reason or drive, their minds were in sync.

And together, they were able to fight. Together, Majora went down- its wrath falling once more to the hero and the deity, leaving him to stand, quiet.

If you seek my aid, young warrior, then call upon me. Until then, fight, and let your courage guide you.

The Deity was the one who removed the mask, leaving Link standing alone once more. The mask’s painted wood felt warm, alive- all of his masks had a soul to them, and this one was no different.

Majora had been taken care of, yes… but he still had more to do.

And until this disaster had been stopped, he’d do everything he could to help everyone.

[apexquartz]

The novelty of the situation has started to wear off. There are only so many enemies Jasper can fight without even knowing why she’s doing it, what she hopes to achieve beyond the fighting itself.

Maybe she’s had an encounter that left her a bit shaken. She’s trying not to think about it. She’s catching a break in the ruins of a dark alleyway—Jasper, hiding! She’s trying not to think about it. Her hands have gone strangely numb, her form occasionally glitching out around the edges. She’s trying...

She can’t not think about it. Her gem is cracked; she can see it! Wherever she goes, whatever she does, from the moment of her creation, her gem has always rested within her line of sight.

Ahead, she sees the orange glow of a fire. Not a destructive blaze, but a controlled one. There must be humans here, resorting to their old ways now that the power has been knocked out.

It would be none of her business, but then a familiar figure appears, backlit by the survivors’ campfire. She’d recognize that boy anywhere. As if it hasn’t been only a few short years since she found out he existed. In some way, she’s always known him...

She freezes. The last time they spoke, he’d clearly told her not to follow him. But it’s not as if she’s here by choice, and these are especially dangerous times. And as for the damaged state she’s in... there’s no reason to be self-conscious. He’s seen worse.

It’s not as if she has any dignity left to protect.

“MY DIAMOND!”

Instantly energized, Jasper rushes to stand at Steven’s side, though keeping a respectful distance. What is this feeling she has? Concern? Relief? Dread? It doesn’t matter now. She has something outside herself to focus on.

“You’re here, too? You’re not having any trouble, are you?”

@gempathic​

[rhythmortem]

REANIMATE — ☠

words: 540

warnings: death, undead, zombies, head injury

I could feel the rhythm before I heard it. I just knew it- at first, I thought it was Octavo again. But the young bard was nowhere to be seen, he wasn’t here… which began to quickly fill me with a sense of dread. I’d already seen some monsters that were just a bit too familiar to my own world… which could mean only one thing.

Octavian.

I ran towards the source of the music, sword in hand. I didn’t know how he could be back after mom and grandma had dealt with him and that lute, but it didn’t matter. It was my turn now, and I’d put him back into the grave he’d come from.

I’d learned since my time in the crypts, but more than anything, I’d learned not to hesitate. Each missed beat had been like a dagger to my heart, almost literally- hesitation got you killed in the crypt. Which meant doing things over and over and over again. And this time, I really wasn’t in the mood for that.

I could hear him laughing, but I couldn’t see him. Ever since I’d made my way up to this place, it’d been nightmarish- until I’d stepped into a graveyard. It’d felt… familiar. Too familiar. And unfortunately, I only finally recognized it just a few moments too late- I could feel something grabbing onto my leg from below and pulling, the dirt caving in around me as I fell down, down, down into the crypts.

Shit, I found myself thinking, not again.

There was a blank spot in my memory from when I landed, but I knew what’d happened this time. I knew how I’d ‘survived’- I hadn’t. Again. But this time, I was prepared already. I wasn’t going to be played- it didn’t matter how many tries it took, I’d get myself out of this again.

Of course, I could already tell it wouldn’t be easy. It felt like there was somehow more monsters than there’d been last time, and the crypt wasn’t like I remembered… it felt like it kept changing- probably as a result of whatever was going on with this floating chunk of land. The entire place felt unstable, unsteady- not good.

I found myself just hoping that this entire crypy wouldn’t just disappear while I was still in it- I did not want to get myself stuck six feet under like that. That sounded way worse than the head injury I’d just sustained, so… no thanks on that front.

Hopefully, I wouldn’t end up dying too many times. If things were the same, I knew how the crypts liked to orient themselves, and I knew their tricks. Or at the very least, I knew the traps to avoid- pits, knives, all sorts of things that’d kill me in an instant. And had killed me, before I’d gotten used to this place the first time.

More than anything, though… I hoped nobody else would end up following me in here. It was bad enough being stuck down here again, but I could handle it. Other people, though? That was a different story entirely…

But enough of that. It was time to dive forward once again, into the crypt of the necrodancer.

[ombraventi]

@flynni​ plotted

Vaati was now frustrated. Incredibly frustrated. Beyond everything that’d been... happening here, he’d been sent home and pulled back in the span of about half an hour, not even giving him enough time to get the complete light force. He was angry, and while the city going to hell gave him a bit of an outlet, it wasn’t perfect.

No, the ideal stress relief came along in the form of Eugene Fitzherbert, totally unaware of Vaati’s presence. Well now, that wouldn’t do- it was time to harass him, and harass him Vaati did. With a shrill laugh he summoned up a swarm of keese to swoop down at the man’s head- that’d show him!

“Hello, Eugene. Why don’t you meet my pets?”

[ombraventi]

Hello, Darkness.

words: 849

warnings: violence, death, injury, blood, verbal/emotional abuse, neglect

Vaati was already feeling restless- lost. He didn’t know what to do, not now. Not anymore. He moved more on instinct than any sure-defined thoughts- running from place to place, teleporting when he needed, but never really staying too long.

There was no point to staying.

What was he doing, though?

Nothing. Not much of anything. Just… running about, causing problems.

“You haven’t changed at all, have you Vaati?”

He spun about, the voice finally snapping him back to reality. He was thinking straightforward again- because the person in front of him was the person he hated most.

“Master. How lovely to see you.”

“You’re still using that vile form… a disgusting mockery of a Hylian.”

“Hah! And you look pathetic as ever!” Though his master was not currently stuck as a hat, that didn’t change much. Still just a horrid old man. “Why do you show your face in front of me, master? Do you wish to get a taste of my power once more?”

“I underestimated you before, Vaati. But this time… I will not be taken off-guard. I’ll make up for past mistakes, and erase you like I should’ve done long ago!”

“Oh ho? What’s this, master? I don’t think I’ve ever heard such words from you.”

“Vaati… you were a wretched mistake. I’ll level this entire city if it means I can deal with you!”

“Hah! Try me if you dare, master! I’ll destroy you!”

Thought his words were sharp, Vaati could feel all of this cutting into him. He was not thinking about what was going on, his brain wasn’t working quite properly- so the idea that this may not have been Ezlo didn’t come to mind.

Because his former mentor had confirmed every bad thing Vaati thought about himself. But he’d already known it, of course. He’d already known he was little more than a monster… that his mentor had always hated him. That he’d been a burden. A mistake.

A mistake.

After all, what else could he be? A sky minish who would never reach the clouds he should’ve been born among… a mistake borne of one foggy day.

Whatever was left of him kept breaking, fragmenting, and he didn’t know how much he had left.

“I don’t care, master. I don’t care. I don’t care at all. Because you’ve never cared about me! A horrible, stupid, selfish teacher! Just a wretched rat who only cared about his self-image!!”

“Vaati… so pitiful. Is this what you’ve become?” His master’s voice cut to the bone, the look of cold disappointment so much more painful than anything else he could’ve possibly said. “A mad monster, just like those you freed from that chest. You’re no different from any of them, truly. I blame only myself for not realizing what you’d become sooner, when I could’ve dealt with you before you caused anyone harm.”

“Shut UP! I’ll just KILL YOU!!!”

Magic met with magic, two skilled mages locked in combat with the intent to kill. What Ezlo was lacking in raw strength, he easily made up with in skill- he was far older, far more experienced. And… he’d made the wishing cap. He knew better than Vaati how it worked.

“Pathetic, Vaati. I expect more of my student.”

“SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!!!”

He didn’t care that Ezlo was just riling him up- it didn’t matter. None of it mattered. He was already what everyone thought he was, right? He was nothing more than a monster. Just a monster, just a killer, just a demon. Why even hold that back? It didn’t matter at all.

His form was warping, he was losing control on everything, but it didn’t matter to him. Nothing mattered. Everything was worthless and pointless, and he didn’t care what became of anything. All he wanted was to kill Ezlo, to do that here and now.

But that was right where Ezlo wanted him.

The attack came from his blind side, too lost up in the moment to have thought about using the wind to compensate for his lost vision. Just a single bolt of magic, sharp enough to rip right through him- his body collapsed to the ground after, just staring up at the man he’d once seen as a mentor.

“Y-You… my… bad eye….”

“You’ve grown too careless, Vaati. I expected so much more of you, and you’ve done nothing but let me down.”

“…”

“You’ve become a monster. All you do is harm people. As your master, it is my duty to ensure you can never hurt anyone ever again.”

“You… all of this… was your fault…”

“I would give you pity if you would take the blame you deserved, Vaati.”

“I don’t… want your pity. I… hate you… master.”

A single bolt of magic while the elderly minish was unprepared was enough- Vaati knew he would die, but he would not die alone.

How ironic, it seemed, that they would die together like this. How terribly, terribly ironic.

 And as he lay dying, he couldn’t help but think.

     Maybe, in a different life, things could’ve been different.

[ombraventi]

@malevolute​

Time had managed to numb things, somewhat. However, this was all still far too much- even though it had been days, Vaati was still... distracted. Just getting by, not doing much else than that. The problems only compounded with the return of the cap’s full power, no longer needing to eat or sleep meant he only had more time to dwell on everything.

He was numb. It was the easiest way for his mind to protect itself from everything. But even in that state of mind, he managed to recognize his friend- of course Octavo would be alive again. He’d died too, and he’d come back. It was only natural.

But... surely this time, Octavo would hate him. So Vaati truly didn’t expect much, even after making eye contact, to slow to look away in time.

“...Hello, Octavo..”

[rhythmortem]

@malevolute

“Seriously? You fell in here too?” I sighed, looking over at Octavo. There wasn’t enough time to pause for a real conversation- at least, not without keeping on beat. Thankfully I had enough experience in the crypts to know better than to let up, but Octavo? Well... it’d be interesting to see how he’d react on the other side of the lute, at least. 

“Keep your guard up- these crypts aren’t like Hyrule. The monsters here hit harder, and there are all sorts of instant deathtraps. And every time you die, you just get to start right over again. He’s a sadistic old bastard like that.”

[rhythmortem]

@underteika

“Careful there- you have to keep on beat. Pay attention to the music, everything here has to move to it. Us included.” I didn’t recognize the stranger, but I wasn’t going to just leave them alone here. I’d at least had some vague warnings about what the crypts were like back in my world... and while I wasn’t sure entirely what to expect here, it was better than nothing.

“The guy in charge is at the bottom here, and as long as this music plays, I’m stuck here. I don’t know if you’re in the same boat, but... well, either way, I’m not letting him do whatever he wants.”

[rhythmortem]

General zombies / death / undead tw for Cadence for this entire portion of the event!!!

So, for cadence’s part 2, we’re getting a lovely visit from Necrodancer the first, Octavian! As well, due to.... unfortunate circumstances, Cadence is now dead. Until she is able to get her heart back from the Necrodancer, she’s locked into her current location- she must stay where she can hear the music, and she must stay on beat, or else it will harm her. Which means no escaping that nasty lil crypt until she’s got her heart back.

As well, as a fun added bonus, if you want your muse to also be cursed by the Necrodancer, congratulations! All you have to do is die within this general vicinity, and that’s something he would gladly do for you. Of course, if you’re also cursed, then your muse will have the same restrictions: stay where you can hear the music, and stay on beat. 

If you want your muse to be affected by this but don’t want to be limited with other threads, that’s a-ok!! it doesn’t have to take up the full span, and considering cadence is familiar with the situation she’ll be doing well to clear the crypt and help get anyone else who ends up trapped out also. So it’d totally be do-able to get cursed, but still have time in the event to do other stuff. 

I’ll probably be doing up a starter or plotter call later, but yeah! as well, feel free to use the crypts as a setting for your own threads if you want, you don’t need to involve cadence in this. she’ll be around, but there’s plenty of other monsters within the crypt to fight and more than enough to explore. So have fun, go wild!

[rhythmortem]

@lastritesprosecution​

“Are you doing alright?” They didn’t look like they were doing too hot- which... to be fair, I couldn’t blame anyone for being distressed. After all, I was used enough to being cursed to stay moving to a rhythm, but that wasn’t really normal.

“If you’re not moving, try to sway on beat a little. It helps make it easier, a little less disorienting while you’re getting used to it.” At the very least, we weren’t far from the entrance. The effect of the curse wasn’t as strong when you were further from the lute.