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

[luneminary]

[His heart beats for Scott, it really does — especially when a part of him does want to let him go, because Kotone and Scott has been meant to be together in times like this. They should be stronger, not hurting like this.

But Scott can’t even push him off, not in this condition, and that renews a sense of urgency in Ryoji’s part, as well.]

I would be more comfortable in being able to face her together — but can you even stand like this? Do you have the strength to walk there yourself? I’m dangerous too, Scott, and I can’t make sure that I wouldn’t end up hurting you too as I fight her back.

[Ryoji is too nice to tell Scott that he would just be a burden under his current condition.]

[laserguy]

[It hurts a lot. Ryoji's words. Not what he said, but what he hasn't said. The implication that he'd only impede Ryoji from helping Kotone and just making the situation worse. He wants to tell Ryoji that it doesn't matter, that he'd be fine still and that their connection matters more, but has his hand continues to tremble against his wrist, like he's showing how weak he actually is right now, those words remain lodged in his throat. Logically, he knows that Ryoji is right. And the reason why he's here in the first place is because of Kotone and the wish seed's influence on her, overriding everything.

But it still hurts so much. Remaining stuck here, letting Kotone continue to roam around without support. Maybe someone else has helped her by now? Which would be good, but.

His head lowers, unable to look at Ryoji, hand slipping from his wrist and displaying a sort level of defeat that is probably rare on the mutant. He just... wants to be there for her. She's the most important person to him.]

...You're saying that I would just get in the way. [He says, quietly.]

[luneminary]

[He flinches. Because as much as Ryoji doesn’t want to admit it, it’s the truth — it’s exactly what the concern lies in his mind, the very thing keeping him from letting Scott get back in the fray. Of course, he doesn’t think of Scott as a burden or a hindrance, but the fact of the matter is that he’s not strong enough to look after someone else. He’s not good at protecting others in battle.]

The sooner you rest, the sooner you can go back to feeling normal. And maybe you could be able to do something by then?

[His voice falters so much, once again painted with the very things he doesn’t say. Doesn’t say that someone could have handled Kotone by then. Doesn’t say that there’s nothing else Scott could have done.]

I’m…I’m sorry. If there’s a way I could heal you I would, but your wounds are too grievous for me to let you go out there. I can’t let you die.

[And that’s the most important part, above everything. Above even Scott’s own feelings on the matter.]

[laserguy]

[Even if Ryoji had said nothing else, his silence-- that minute flinch would be enough to answer Scott's question. His hands curl atop his sheets, head still tilted downward like he doesn't want to look at his friend at all. It feels ridiculous to rest now, just so that he can maybe help later. They feel like empty words and it's not fair to Ryoji, but he can't help but feel that way. For all they know, it would be too late for Kotone.

Then quietly, voice still carrying something pained in it:]

She shouldn't have to be out there in pain because of me.

[He doesn't want her to suffer a second longer either.]

So, you go back out there, Ryoji. Just leave me here. [He's not important right now. He's at the clinic with other people looking after him. He has more important things to do now than stick with Scott.] You're wasting your time with me.

[luneminary]

[Guilty as charged. What else can he do but prolong the silence, prolong what is necessary for him to do? And yet Ryoji doesn’t want to make Scott feel helpless at all, even if…Well. Even if there is some truth to the matter.

In the end, hands overlap Scott's faltering ones, grasping them with a faint determination.]

I will go, but only because Kotone is in more danger than both of us. But Scott — you’re not a waste of time. Please remember that.

[Scott has done all that he could, must have done something to help out with Kotone already. This rest is well-earned, not a procession of defeat. If only Ryoji could convey such feelings to his friend.]

[laserguy]

[He looks over at their clasped hands with worn eyes, which is mostly hidden behind the visor he's wearing. Scott knows Ryoji is only trying to support him, but he can't help but silently gaze at their hands for a second before finally drawing his eyes to look at the worried teen. Scott doesn't feel much better about anything, that gnawing hopelessness and anger at himself still keeping subdued. Maybe he should try harder to be better, but he's upset with pretty much everything.

So, he doesn't directly respond to Ryoji's comment.]

I'll be fine. [So reassuring.] I'll be here when you bring Kotone back.

[luneminary]

[He wishes he could do more. Maybe be strong enough to bring Scott with him. But he isn’t, and that would just put more risk to his life. So Ryoji swallows this hurt, and carries it with him.

Kotone would know what to do, he thinks. Once she’s back to normal.

Ryoji stands up as he prepares to leave.]

I’ll get her back, I promise.