EVENT #13: ADVERSITY 8765546

[expiationmods]

EVENT #13: THE BEAST INSIDE US ALL

THE STORY SO FAR (click to expand)

-Over time, characters have discovered that the world of Expiation is actually a large, elaborate simulation run by an AI that seems to be intent on helping them atone for their crimes. This news is well-known by the Chosen, enough so that any new character who wishes to handwave this knowledge is able to do so.

-In September 2024, that AI needed to be reset as a consequence of some catastrophic systems failures. So far, there has been no downside to this reset–but the AI has also been strangely absent since then.

-Things have been quiet in Aldrip since September, aside from the routine arrival of new Chosen. The locals seem less than happy with the Chosen, though, as if they have already branded them all criminals. As if they no longer trust them…

EARLY MARCH / MARCH 11TH

Something doesn’t feel quite right, does it?

There’s a strange feeling in Aldrip, something tense and strained, as if something’s about to happen. The black lines outside of the Aldrip travel further into the city and begin to spread the miasma. The fields, crops and the portion of the forest continue to wither away as a result. The signs of catastrophe. The air is thick, as if it itself is waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Very abruptly, it does.

The earth quakes as something erupts from the ground: huge, snakelike heads, towering as tall as a two-story building. These heads seem to circle the city of Aldrip: a ring of threat, keeping everyone and everything within the city limits. These heads don’t change locations, and they only attack if someone gets too close. They seem almost like they’re waiting for something. At first, however, they’re invulnerable to damage. Those who get too close may be injured or even killed if they try…

TRANSFORMATION

As soon as Fauna hears the rumblings of the Beast, detects the presence of a monster, she's off without waiting for any information. Confronting monsters is what she does, after all. She transforms and attempts to destroy the Beast with her full might, but despite the fierce fight, she's unable to land any decisive hits. Eight heads are too much to fight alone, and as the fight drags on, she's cornered, and takes the Beast's attack head-on, canceling her transformation and sending her flying. But as she's blown away, from her pockets, seeds fall- A pair of seeds to grow trees from, or something greater. The seeds, divine items with no divinity to empower them, fall to the ground, and are absorbed into the Beast's black body...

What is it you wish for, deep down? What do you desire?

Those Chosen unlucky enough to be affected by wish seeds may find this wish consuming their thoughts and driving their actions. Slowly, surely, they find themselves…changing, turning into something that is not a human. These changes may be slow and painful, or they may be instantaneous. We encourage you to be creative in these changes, both physical and mental, but also to warn for potential body horror or any body part trauma that might need a content warning.

I wish… I wish…

Driven nearly to madness by their own desire, by whatever’s happening to them and whatever physical changes it brings, these Chosen may be dangerous, with uncontrollable urges or new powers they aren’t used to. Can their aggression be directed toward the coming fight? Time will tell.

SLAY THE BEAST

So much anger, hatred and pain, all rolled into a single calamitous entity, baring its fangs at the entire world. It's almost a little embarrassing for it to be out in the open like that, even if the other Chosen don't necessarily realize it's a part of him. It's not too long after the Black Beast's first appearance that Ragna makes his way to face it, though not before he makes sure everyone else has some information necessary to finish the job afterwards. But first, he would need to ensure they even stand a chance against the monster, and he came up with only one solution that could work ─ and that's to do so from within the Beast itself. And so, with a final sigh, muttering "What a pain in the ass," under his breath, Ragna approaches the giant creature unarmed. The nearest heads turn their attention to the man, immediately attacking and ripping him apart, devouring the remains.

Something has changed. Impervious until now, the Black Beast soon shows evidence of wear and tear: hits land, cuts remain, and its fighting becomes more vicious…but more desperate, too.

If the Chosen have any hopes for defeating this creature, now will be the time. Maybe if they hit it with everything they’ve got, they’ll be able to bring it down–one head at a time.

SAFE...TY?

In the past, there’s been protection. In the past, there’s been so-called “safe houses” that have been created by the environment for noncombatants or those who don’t wish to fight.

But no such thing appears.

Nothing will hold the monsters back, nothing will hold the effects of the Black Beast back as they rain destruction on the city. It seems as if the Chosen are on their own – for those who don’t wish to fight, or can’t fight, they must band together to find protection of their own. Characters who are able to fight may need to help protect these areas where those sorts of Chosen have decided to hunker down for safety. The locals have vanished completely, locked so tight into their own houses that Aldrip businesses come to a halt.

That is, unless Chosen work together to keep it going.

AFTERMATH

The Black Beast is finally put down after the hard and exhausting fighting. The black lines around the city fade away, and it seems the Chosen who have transformed… are unaffected. Those Chosen who find themselves confronting their “wish” will discover that they soon change back, shedding monstrous forms for their familiar forms. However, the Chosen who don’t confront their wishes will keep their monstrous forms, either fully or partially, for the indeterminate future. They might continue to struggle to keep their sense of self and fight against the monstrous urges. Maybe they continue to be more aggressive, have a hard time recognizing a friend from a foe and have a distorted view on what is their wish. Effects don’t wear off over time, this time. There’s no magical “reset” where they wake up one day and find themselves back to their normal selves.

No, either they confront their wishes, or they stay like this for… ? It’s up to the Chosen.

WILDCARD

Make your own fun! Just because it’s not in the prompts doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Have at it! Go crazy! Try not to break anything (too much)!

♡

Comments

[chimericalclaw]

Hm?

[Eyebrows raised, he glances down at himself, and—oh, right.]

Ah, it's not mine. I found Fauna injured and brought her here.

[he doesn't care about things like that a few smears on his clothes in crisis mode okay!!! Moving on to what he wanted to respond to, though—]

I'm glad you're not having to deal with anything like that again, but I hope you'll be careful. [He pauses for half a second, then,] Actually, can I ask you for a favor?

[digthefuzz]

[So it's someone else's blood. They really have to stop meeting like this!]

Oh. Is she doing okay?

[He has to ask that much before addressing Altius's request.]

Don't worry, I do always try to be careful. But, um, yeah, ask away!

[chimericalclaw]

[He nods faintly, though his expression tells a slightly different story, a slight furrow in his brow and his eyes momentarily tired.

But first:]

Along the way, if you see any major damage that could block people traveling through... or anyone affected you can't easily rescue. Can you let me know when you get the chance? I'm trying to organize a larger volunteer effort with Colonel Miller.

[Kurt's ability is impressive and terribly helpful, but there's only one of him. Other people will need to move throughout Aldrip, too, and Altius will need to adjust his suggested routes based on what's happening out there.]

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt tries not to read too much into his expression. She's probably fine! He should just focus on the favor. Kurt nods along.]

Yeah, understood. Sounds like a good idea! [It'll definitely ease his conscience about people he can't save by himself if he can pass along word to others who can.]

I'll make sure to pass word along whenever I'm in a situation like that. [He snaps a quick salute.] You can count on me!

[chimericalclaw]

[With a smile partly pushed through his apparent anxiety over the situation, he replies,]

Thank you, Kurt. You're a great help. [He pats the young man's shoulder, keeping his hand there for a moment.] Hopefully we can offer you the same if you find yourself in trouble.

[He says we, but even he'll admit the people potentially helping only vaguely includes him. He's not planning to do much of throwing himself into the fray, to say the least.]

[digthefuzz]

[He does smile at the reassurance.]

Thanks, I appreciate that. As long as we've got each other's backs, that's what matters, right? [He does have his fellow X-Men too if he needs back-up, but it doesn't feel like a bad thing to have multiple options, especially given how widespread this thing is.]

As long as we all stay in touch, I'm sure we'll all end up where we're needed when we're needed.

[chimericalclaw]

That's right.

[He returns his hand to his side and glances over his shoulder, through the doorway into the infirmary. It's not that he doesn't think the other workers aren't doing their job, but—well, all the locals have locked themselves away, so they're going to be understaffed, and he doesn't trust that the girl won't try to shuffle her way out as soon as she wakes up...

A breath almost like a sigh leaves his nose, but he turns back to Kurt. There's a sense of hesitation in his question.]

I don't suppose I can do anything for you before you go?

[digthefuzz]

[He doesn't want to dawdle given the urgency of the situation, but he takes the moment to think about it. He does want to give Altius a chance to be helpful too.]

Well I guess I could use some hydration before I go poofing around. Got anything to drink?

[chimericalclaw]

[Altius gets the impression he's being humored, but that's fine with him, ultimately. He smiles a little, expression implying he knows he's being a bit ridiculous.]

Of course. [He turns towards the cabinets nearby.] Coffee or tea? Or we have juice and water, if you prefer.

[digthefuzz]

[A little bit of humoring, a little bit of genuinely wanting something, it's all good!]

A little spot of tea sounds cool. And a bottle of water for the road? Please?

[chimericalclaw]

Coming right up, sir.

[And so he gets to busying himself with that. But after a minute or so...]

Do you have to manage dangerous situations like this, where you come from?

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt takes a moment to relax and smiles gratefully as they chat.]

Sometimes. It'd definitely not an everyday thing! And not on this scale. Most of the time we go into action, it's to stop rogue mutants, but we save people from disasters too. We even stopped a train collision once! No giant monsters, though - just a giant robot once!

[chimericalclaw]

[He doesn't remotely try to make his response a few moments later sound as lighthearted as the words might imply.]

It sounds like you're practically an expert.

[In how many universes must children end up with the responsibility of so many lives on their shoulders? Children, whose most significant concern should be homework, or deciding what kind of work might interest them...]

Who is "we"?

[digthefuzz]

[He does sound like he's not that chill about it... but Kurt just doesn't pay it mind, while sipping from his tea.]

The X-Men. They're the team of mutants I'm with back home. And kinda here too! There's a few of us here, just everyone else is from different versions of our world.

[chimericalclaw]

Like Scott.

[It's not a question; even without his tendency to read everyone's public communications, the young man told Altius about it himself.]

Do you work as a team here as well?

[digthefuzz]

Exactly. And yeah, we kinda do. It's not as formal as it is back home. A lot of the time we just coordinate while doing our own things, but it depends on the threats.

[chimericalclaw]

I see.

[Altius still thinks of it as haphazard... but no matter; his tone is plain, rather than an expression of his doubt. He's made a specific request of Kurt, and he'll reach out to Scott to see what the other mutant is planning. The others will perhaps find some way to be of use. Or perhaps not.]

Well. I'm no X-Man, but hopefully we can work together well enough, hm?

[He's fetching that bottle of water for Kurt now; when he hands it to the young man, it will be accompanied by a pat on his shoulder.]

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt finishes his tea with s refreshed exhale.]

Of course! Getting along and cooperating with others is another part of being an X-Man, after all. And it's part of being me, too! So we're totally cool to team up.

[He accepts the water bottle with one hand and smiles while giving a thumbs up with his other hand.]

Thanks, man. I'll keep in touch!

[chimericalclaw]

[He says his goodbyes then, getting to work at the clinic as Kurt gets to work with his patrolling and deliveries of things and people. When the young mutant sends whatever information he finds, Altius responds promptly, sharing how any of his friends who've ended up at the clinic might be faring with him in exchange.

But in the middle of the week, he simply stops responding, and disappears.

It's probably not hard to guess what's happened to him, given the circumstances. But he's not easy to find, even if anyone specifically goes looking for him. It's probably only by coincidence that Kurt finds himself in a part of town that looks partly eaten away, holes in the shadowed street and an entire chunk of bricks missing from the darker side of a building.

The darkness seems thicker here, though as more of a force than a substance. A deep voice calls from somewhere that seems close—very close.]

Kurt.

[digthefuzz]

[Kurt was on high alarm after Altius went missing, after how actively they were coordinating together. There's not many possible explanations, none of which are good ones.

Kurt has found no sign of him, and now he's in a particularly unsettling part of town. He keeps his eyes peeled for any civilians in danger - but he stops in his tracks, a chill in his spine as he hears that voice. He immediately whirls around as he tries to identify the source.]

Who's there??

[chimericalclaw]

[The only thing Kurt might immediately spot is some sort of dark mist that had risen behind him—but almost as soon as he turns, it also starts to move in a half-circle, slowly swirling as if to retake its place behind the mutant.]

You can calm down, it's alright.

[There's little chance he can't identify it as Altius's voice, though perhaps he hasn't heard this level of consolation before. Some of the mist curls over his shoulder, bringing a numbing chill with it.]

[digthefuzz]

[He whirls around, while trying to follow the trail of the dark mist, and he shudders when he feels the chill. All the while, he tries piecing this together. Especially considering how he's been on his mind since his disappearance, Kurt does think he recognizes that voice.]

A... Altius...? [He asks uncertainly.] Is that you...?

[chimericalclaw]

[The mist comes together within a few seconds, gathering into a denser cloud until most of its edges are discernible enough as the man whose name Kurt has called, standing close with a hand on Kurt's shoulder. It's only the shape of him, though—he's clearly a living shadow, and his eyes glow in yellow, his pupils sharp slivers like a cat. Still, his expression seems sincere enough with its mild concern...]

You've still been working hard, haven't you...?

[digthefuzz]

[His eyes remain wide as he takes in Altius's current form. There's no denying it's him! In some other form. Kurt slowly nods along.]

Y-yeah. I've been doing my best. Trying to help everyone I could, and... and trying to find you.

[Everything about this is weird. Perhaps not too weird by mutant standards, but still - Altius's hand is on his shoulder, but he can't properly feel it.]

...What happened to you? [He thinks he knows, but he hearing what Altius has to say about it sounds like the first step.]

[chimericalclaw]

[As if Kurt's answer has saddened him somewhat, the shade seems to let out a breath, though he has no lungs to speak of.]

It's nothing you need to be concerned over. I am sorry if I worried you.

[It's subtle, at first. The longer his hand remains on Kurt's shoulder, the more bits and pieces he steals from the young man—his feelings and opinions about himself, whatever confidence or uncertainty he may have in his actions, thoughts about what sets him apart from others. With something like lament in his voice, he continues:]

You shouldn't have to be caught up in all this...