Everything about it is eerie. If you're able to see past all of the green smog- it's only endless hills and rocky formations as far as the eye can see. No signs of plant life, a cry of any kind of animal, it's just... nothing. Some parts of the grounds are cracked open, complete total destruction of earthquakes having racked the lands. As far as you can tell, anyways. What you do know is that this world is a hazard. It's hard to believe it's even a world to begin with. What could still be alive here...? Is there anything alive here?
The sensation is dizzying, catching yourself as you move a bit uncertain on your feet, with some light-headedness that's impossible to ignore. It's almost as if you're having just a bit of difficulty breathing... Oh, huh. That would be because you are. There's something about the air around here- if there's even air to begin with. A strange green miasma is spread all around you that makes it hard to tell apart what's the ground beneath you or just the endless void. Even the shapes of other people beside you are kinda hard to make out at first.
Every breath you take is a struggle, but it isn't too bad at first... you feel like you still have some time to gather your bearings.
Maybe you can start by checking up on whoever else is here with you? ]
this could be worse for chang geng, probably. thanks, 18!
what catches him off guard, first, is actually the armor, but he steadies himself with the large sword so that he can actually get his bearings and assess the situation. after a few, steadying breaths, trying to get his vision to focus on their surroundings gets easier. there's nothing that's... immediately threatening? the vast emptiness is threatening in its own way, but they can probably collect themselves right now.
he reaches up to push the faceguard of the helmet up with his free hand, entire expression a furrowed, frowning squint. ]
As far as new locations go, that this comes with new clothes is unexpected.
[That calmness...indeed, it's November. There he is, already standing up. Instead of his usual suit, he's wearing robes and already has a staff in a hand. Still...he seems to be having a bit of a hard time adjusting -- holding his chest with one hand and taking deep breaths]
Hello, Chang Geng. It seems the air is not as breathable as it should be. Let's try to go back as quick as possible.
[He's pretty sure there will be health issues if there's a long stay]
[ Wicked's breath is notably ragged, and it might be a little difficult to see that she's squinting underneath her armor. One hand gripping onto the axe she had awoken next to, holding it against the earth to keep herself upright. There's a bead of sweat that drips down her chin, something that she quickly wipes away with the back of her hand. ]
She unsteadily gathers herself up, for the moment not even paying any mind to her outfit or the chakrams at her hips. Oh. It's so hard to breathe? Hello? For a moment, she looks woozy, and he face goes a little more pale.]
Hello, November. This might be like one of those trips the living have been on.
[ chang geng frowns even more, doing his headcount and taking stock of who's worse off. chinatsu is right back on the ground, so she's the one he moves over towards - setting a hand on top of wicked's equally armored head in passing - before easing down to kneel next to her. ]
He's right, though, we'd best get moving. Try to keep your breathing steady - if it's poison, then as little of it you breathe deeply, the better. [ he offers poor chichi his hand to help her up with him. ] Let's get you back up to your feet, Miss Chinatsu. If you feel dizzy, please lean on us.
[We have arrived and there's one person down. Chang Geng, moving to Chinatsu, gives some reassurance -- he's a doctor, after all, so he decides to leave that to him. Fanning with his hat to try to keep this potential poison away from his face, November walks around in a circle, getting used to the feeling of walking with robes]
What about you, Wicked? Will you be able to hold up well?
[Chang Geng seems to be in a pretty good state, Chinatsu definitely is not doing okay, what about you?]
She leans a bit more on her great axe, peering over to where Chinatsu had fallen and Chang Geng goes to aid her. When Novemeber speaks her response is a little slower, as if her brain is just barely keeping up with the situation at hand -- it's the air, she realizes, and the tight growing pain her chest. ]
I'm fine. [ And, with that, she coughs up a few petals a deep shade of blue. ] Stayin' in one place will be bad for us, right?
[ She takes in their surroundings -- even if it's a wasteland there has to be something interest? Something to hit? Something that'll make the damn air easier to breathe in?!?!?! ]
[Honestly, going down helped a little? It made the blood rush to her head, giving her a good ol' inner slap back in the game. Also, the air is less polluted near the ground even if it's still really bad.
She picks herself up onto her hands, taking a moment to breathe deep even if Chang Geng literally just said not to do that in case it's poison. It's fine.]
We... got... pulled... away...?!
[She looks up at Chang Geng, then at the others, then around, but takes the hand so she can get back to her feet with some help. The touch, she realized, makes her think of a connection.] Sorry... I'm ready. [She also
coughs up some purple petals. It's fine.
Once she is on her feet, she will reach out to touch November's arm. Closed Position, binch. He's been dance partnered. Get ready to be powerful later.]
[ Yeesh, you all aren't really doing all that great huh. You should maybe try to be more honest about your feelings too! Unless you plan to grow a garden here...
By now, it's almost as if you've exhausted most of your breaths. It's getting increasingly harder to breathe. Your vision is blurring in and out, darkening, huh... it would be really unfortunate if it ended right here, wouldn't it? Fortunately I'll do my best to not let any of you die on this cyoa. I mean it, don't you dare. :beegunr:
Just as you all begin to close your eyes, whether you're supporting one another or fighting it solo- there's an almost... warm feeling that washes over you.
At the same time, a quite familiar voice sounds out to you, and yet it's as if the voice comes from within your very own mind. ]
...Hello? Can you hear me? Do not be afraid!
Here, let me help you.
[ Suddenly, your next intake of breath isn't nearly a struggle as it has been for the past few minutes. Your lungs are definitely thankful. It's not entirely gone, you know that from the way the green miasma plagues the air still, but at least you're no longer on the verge of suffocating, so there's.. that? A flash of blue flies over head, a striking color against the dark and green miasma coating the rocky platforms and empty hills around you.
Once it settles, a blue bird flutters in the middle of you all. ( Let it be known, she isn't a small bird either. She's the size of a hawk.) That earlier voice is still there, and there's no mistaking who this is. After all, you know Meteion, don't you? ]
I'm so glad you're alright! For a moment, I had completely lost sight of you all.. you're not hurt, are you?
[ In the distance, there seems to be a notable glow from the darkness of the lands. It's bright, almost beckoning you all. Meteion notices it just as you do. ]
I can sense them in that direction. [ Her voice is softer, clearly anxious. ] ...It's best we keep moving, it isn't safe here.
Let me know if you need a moment to rest, okay?
[ She doesn't fly far or zoom on ahead, just carefully flying around as you guys start to move. And as expected, she's checking up on each one of you to make sure you're okay. Eventually, she decides to perch on Chang Geng's shoulder to keep close to you all.
..You.. are okay, right? There's a lingering feeling of dread deep down in each one of you, but it's easily brushed aside in the presence of Meteion. Assuming you stay close by to her and don't wander too far ahead, that is. But hey, I don't control you, you do you! ]
[ i throw meteion like a football, instead of staying close (no)
a small cough escapes him, red petals falling free, but chang geng forces his breathing to stay even, in the miasma. he'll stay close to chinatsu - gives her a quiet it's alright when she apologizes, and they're on their feet again - and keeps an eye on wicked and november both, but he's just.
trying to remain steady. he can't treat poisoning without an antidote. but people came back from their trips, right? if they find their way out from theirs, then they'll be able to recover, and everything will be fine. eventually.
the familiar voice is a comfort, though. in more ways than one?? apparently??? ] ... Meteion?
[ she can stay perched on his shoulder. he's fine with that, even if he's bemused by this. ] Where are we going, then..?
Since we now have a direction to walk in, I have something I should inform. [Looking at his staff November thought for a moment] It seems the...abilities I can use require me to stand still. I may have to keep some distance, if there's any trouble.
So I want to ask, Meteion: why isn't it safe here?
[Other than the noxious atmosphere there seems to exist here, that is]
I'm assuming it's whatever the fuck's in the air. We -- [ She's taking a couple steps forward, her world only slowly correcting itself with Meteion's presence. Using the axe as a walking stick; the first step feels unfamiliar, the second she leans forward like she might fall.
But she can't.
She straightens herself at the third, clicking her tongue. ]
Point us in the right direction so we can start getting a move on, Blue. Preferably wherever the air's clear and we're not all about to keel over... [ That said: ] And maybe somethin' that I can kill.
[THE VOICE.....but there is a pretty (big) birb. Oh... She drags herself along with the others, reaching out to put a hand on Wicked's back briefly when she sort of teeters. She is a support DPS, it's fine. Also same hat!]
Just do what you can, November-san. I'll move for the both of us. [November: stationary. Chinatsu: LET'S GOOOOOOOOO] So it's fine.
[Maybe.]
Mete-chan do [a cough from the air] you know where we are...?
[ I'm so glad you guys are asking questions because if anyone seems to have an idea what's going on, it seems your newly bird companion does! She tilts her head to gently boop her beak against Chang Geng's helmet, hello. ] There's a settlement, not far from here if we head East. It should be safer there.
[ as for November's question, she ruffles her wings and looks out towards the green miasma still covering most of their surroundings. ]
It's as Wiku-chan says, staying here means we're likely to eventually suffocate. I can ease it a little for now but.. not forever. We need to find a way to move on from these lands. ..We aren't alone here either..
[ As they begin to move carefully, in the distance here and there.. masses of shadows can be seen among the miasma. It's too hard to tell what, however. ]
We are at the most farthest end of the universe, other than this very last star... there is nothing else any further. Here is where the Meteia nests. As for a name, you can call it, "Ultima Thule."
[ boop. chang geng brings his hand up to scritch his fingers over the white feathers at her chest, careful with the gesture even if she's a decent sized bird - considering, you know. armor. ]
Ultima Thule. [ filing that away. he looks out towards the undistinguishable masses in the miasma, adjusting his grip on the massive sword in his other hand. november's information is also filed away. ]
From what I can understand, with our armor, Wicked and I could take the focus to allow you to set up where necessary if the time comes, November. Especially if Miss Chinatsu is able to help cover ground for the both of you. [ maybe? innate knowledge of skills is wildin, he's just guessing based off of what he knows and what he can tell from their party and what chinatsu says... ] But I'd like to continue towards where Meteion is taking us before the miasma or our distant company decide we've overstayed our welcome, if possible.
We keep moving. I see nothing to gain by sticking around here. In an unknown place like this one, any safe area should give us time to get used to our situation.
[He smiles a little at Meteion]
Besides, I'm inclined to trust Meteion on this. [She knows far more than any of them do -- which is not hard, they all seem to know zero about Ultima Thule] If she says in that settlement we may be safe, it's in our best interest to listen.
[ Looks at her armor and then briefly glances at both November and Chinatsu... ]
Yeah. If somethin' manages to slip past me I'm expecting you to make sure these two don't get smacked around, 'kay? [ She gestures this comment towards Chang Geng before she looks over... East.
She glances between them, but then starts after Wicked. Advance it is! Something green comes off her and surrounds them? Hooray! They move....faster! Well, until they run into something dangerous, and then they will not. But it's fine.
They can run into things more quickly this way! :)]
What can even survive here to be up ahead...?
[She says this in the way that's like...... assuming it's going to be something horrendous and awful.]
[ It isn't long before it becomes clear enough, an opening where there is less miasma- a source to that bright glow. Or rather... glows. Various large draconic beasts seem scattered around this small area. A few around a waterhole that seems anything but drinkable. The colors of the murky liquid are various shades of purple and green. Despite it, there are a few ghastly-looking dragons around it, lowering themselves to drink. There also seems to be a familiar face kneeling by the waters, talking with one of the dragons. If the dragons feel the presence of their newly arrived company... they do not react. Some more dragons appear to be further in the background, either asleep or merely laying down and peering off into the distance.
However, before you can move any closer does something dark, black flicker at the corner of your eyes. A bird not unlike Meteion comes into view, a strange black watercolor-like sensation ripples briefly over the bird's form just as another voice sounds out to you inside your mind just like Meteion's.
A voice that... in a way, is almost familiar. Similar to the one accompanying you, and yet... different. It is almost monotone. Void of any emotion. It seems to address the party first. ]
Why are you here? Are you truly that desperate for your end? And you... you should already know what will come from this.
[ It's clear who it refers to, Meteion's voice sounding out quietly, almost in a plea. ]
Please. I need to understand. If you found the answer, do you truly believe it's this...?
What is there left to understand? Let's start with this one here, what you see is a memory of a world that once was. A world suffering a slow death, whose denizens cried out for the release of oblivion. This was their answer given.
... ...
You should've stayed on the star whence you came. Though, I suppose it doesn't matter, your end will come either way.
[ With another blur of black, the black avian is suddenly gone from sight. It's just Meteion now who quietly flies in place. After a moment, her voice softly pipes up. ]
I.. can feel it from them, the dragons. There's so much... suffering. An almost endless despair.. [ her voice sounds almost pained, as if she's feeling it directly. as if to escape it, she flies closer to Chang Geng, though her attention remains focused on the ghostly outlines of the beasts. ] Maybe if we ask around... we can find out what happened here.
[ With your attention focused back to the area, the dragons still seem to not have reacted. But with the feeling you get from the air, you wonder if it is because they deem you all as no threat, or they simply just don't... care. Though, one dragon in particular rests on a hill nearby, staring at the group with sharp green eyes until it resumes looking North.
...Whatever the reason they have, what will you do now? What is your next course of action? ]
[ Well, seems like everyone is in agreement here! Which is good, Meteion certainly looks as relieved as a bird can appear. She's proud of this gathered group.. you guys are getting along so well!
And lucky for you guys to have Chinatsu here, that buff quickening your pace a lot faster than you normally would move at. At no cost to your stamina too, you feel as if you're walking but really you're almost jogging without exerting any extra breaths. ]
I don't, I'm sorry... a few others moved on ahead after we got separated from you four, I figured it'd be faster if I went scouting to find you.
[ Which, with the pace they're going thanks to that sweet Speed Boost, it looks as if... ]
[ thanks to chinatsu, they make quick time - although into what, he's not sure, taking everything in as they make their approach. dragons are a thing of myth, in great liang. inspiration for transport and armor and weapons, but not a thing that could be considered living and breathing. or something that was, once, like these maybe were.
it almost makes it easy to miss jiuqing, in all of this. but logic tells him that they are dead, and she is not, and this might be an illusion instead of the real thing. still - ]
... it's alright, Meteion. We'll find out what's happened. Don't pay it any mind for right now. [ he holds his hand up to where she flies close to him, but will let her fly away again if she wants to go to someone else in the party or scout the area herself. ] I'm going to see if this is the real Miss Su, but I'll keep an eye out.
[ still, he has to know. regardless they might learn something. heading that way, while keeping an eye on their surroundings in that direction! ]
[Meteion is one thing. She's dead, after all. November had thought that, perhaps, the rest were the other graveyard residents, but no, that...that is Jiuqing. Who should be alive. Did she die all of a sudden? If not, this can't be good. This also makes him a tad wary of Meteion, admittedly, but he decides not to voice that for now.
Still, he calls for Chang Geng unsuccessfully because I say it'd be silly not to poke everything, so more power to you, Chang Geng, I'm rooting for you and also please don't die.
November turns to Wicked and Chinatsu]
If you see anybody we know is on the living side, if you approach them don't go anywhere with them.
[As for what he'll do...]
That dragon over there noticed our presence and it didn't try to burn us to death right away. I'll attempt to interrogate that one.
[Having said that, November began walking in that direction, yup. If anyone wants to come with him, they're welcome.
November approaches slowly, attentive to any sign of hostility, whether it's from this dragon or anything else in the area]
[ She's just gonna swing this big ol axe onto her shoulders, one hand reaching out to grab Chang Geng by the arm. Still a bit disoriented, but not as bad as before; clutching onto him. ]
Eleven's right. Damien once thought he had seen me and got his throat ripped out -- you really wanna test that? If you're gonna go, at least let someone tag alone.
[ Imagine... the two dps and two tanks split off. ]
[Wow...........actual dragons. What is happening here.]
Wicked-san is right. Some of the others have seen me in the places they went, but I wasn't ever there. They used me against them, too.
[Doesn't mean it still won't work on them, haha! Or that they shouldn't see what's going on here. She watches Chang Geng go that way... and November go the other way... It should truly be Tank/DPS, Tank/DPS, but...
...she starts going after November? Because she's worried, and also... her... dance partner... the dps........... She stops hesitantly, then doubles back.] Wicked-san, please make sure November-san doesn't do anything stupid. [She will
go after Chang Geng. And... switch dance partners... Sorry, November...!]
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