❪ event ❫ hour of ruin

[natha]

HOUR OF RUIN     Sometime after midnight, after preparations have been put aside in favor of drinks and rest, a thunderous beating of wings shatters the air — the High Dragon Ysverai, once again risen. The sound echoes high off Namarak Mountain, but travels easily to both Wyver and Olympia: scream after scream rends the still night, as though a creature were dying rather than being born again. Having only had days to plan their defense against the creature, Olympia and Wyver snatch up their arms. The Royal Guard and the Knightryders can be seen on their steeds hurrying through the cities, because Ysverai doesn't remain isolated at the mountain's peak for long. There are pictures of Ysverai in abundance throughout both cities, but the creature that circles in the sky looks nothing like the majestic creature spoken of in history books. Even from far below, wounds and lacerations can be seen marring what should be smooth scales, and blood falls with every beat of the dragon's wings. The damage becomes more clear when moonlight illuminates Ysverai, revealing the rotting dragon for all to see. The sight of flesh peeling away and thick blood where it oozes from his cracked, greyish hide is as frightening as the power he possesses. REASON'S TRANSCENDENCE     Mad from the anguish of his forced revival, Ysverai will show none of his renowned wisdom or compassion, mindless and seeking to inflict his pain onto whatever emerges in his path. His very presence creates chaos: animals (Olympia | Wyver) domesticated and wild, flee from the merest hint of his approach, panicked and stampeding in wild droves. The reason is obvious: organic matter exposed too long to his presence begins to rot and decay. A field he lands in rots and lies fallow. Buildings crack and crumble, their supports pitted and corroded as though they've been left in disrepair for years. Even the ground that Ysverai walks upon is tainted; a corrosive sludge bubbles up in his massive, clawed footsteps, the ground beneath him putrefied and toxic, oozing corruption. This sludge can be tar-like, poisonous and sucking people in like quicksand; panic, and you'll only sink faster. Prolonged exposure to Ysverai takes a mental toll on anyone in his proximity as well. Effects similar to those from being near his heart — selfish desires and lowered inhibitions — will begin to fester in those around him. Every time Ysverai roars, pain will run through all those that hear him — a pain not just physical, but of true, anguished heartbreak. Those who hear Ysverai will feel (to a degree of your choosing) a sharing of his pain, the agony of flesh rotting from their bodies, blood oozing from under their skin, and a terrible, incandescent fury — and beneath that, a gut-wrenching sadness. This effect is further enhanced by any exposure to Ysverai's blood, and being drenched in greater quantities will cause one to become more in sync with the dragon. Finally, Ysverai is aggressive, attacking anyone and anything that approaches. He starts by breathing out a smog, acidic and putrefying — characters caught directly by this attack will find that medicine and healing magic of any kind hurts them for hours after exposure. The dragon will ignite the smog to breathe fire, if sparingly. IN WYVER     Ysverai's shadow falls over the near reaches of Wyver first. Upon hearing Ysverai's cry, the dragons in Wyver become completely frenzied, turning against their partners among the Knightryders without the slightest resistance. Those familiar with dragons might deduce that they're in pain, though they don't show any sign of injury. The dragons knock their riders off their backs in midair and dive at citizens, jaws wide. Any attempts to soothe them will be long fought, achieved with great difficulty, and will see them retreat into a cowering state. It's not just the airborne Knightryders taking to the defense of the city however, and people on the ground are mobilizing as well. On rooftops across the city are cannons set to fire harpoons. And if the spearheads alone aren't enough to injure the beast, they're coated with a paralyzing poison as well. Unfortunately, the soldiers stationed on the rooftops are prime targets to the frenzied dragons populating Wyver's skies, leaving the cannons open for ordinary citizens to use should they choose. Left alone too long, and cannons may fall under the control of the few remaining radicals that had opted not to flee the cities to join up with their leader Raysc, choosing instead to wait for an opportune moment to unleash their anger on the people of Wyver. These radicals will need to be dealt with before they can turn the cannons upon Wyver's defenders. IN OLYMPIA     In Olympia, the gryphon partners of the Royal Guard react with immediate hostility to anyone showing signs of Ysverai's influence. Their keen senses allow them to pick up the smell of Ysverai's blood and they attack anyone with so much as a drop of tainted blood on them. Those who bear lingering effects of Ysverai's mental attack and who remain in sync with the dragon after hearing Ysverai's cry are also targeted and must face the gryphons' wrath without mercy or restraint. The gryphons must be disabled, for Olympia will not look upon any injury to their prized steeds lightly. However, the gryphons also show some resistance to Ysverai's cry, which is a great boon in battle against the dragon — gryphons that have lost their riders will be available for use, able to carry two passengers at a time. The people of Olympia aren't planning to restrict their offense to pure brute force, and the mages of the city can be seen across Olympia wielding enchanted chains, using telekinesis in the hopes of restraining Ysverai and assisting in the airborne troops. But like the decaying buildings and wildlife, Ysverai is warping the magic around him, the chains faltering as they approach him, whipping back toward the city instead to cage whoever happens to be closest. It's not just the enchanted chains either, but other magic might behave erratically in his presence, as if the very essence of the spells have been corrupted. VIRTUOUS VERSE     Both cities realize they need to seek survival rather than victory against Ysverai, switching gears to carry out diversion efforts and evacuation plans. It falls to refugees to continue the offensive while the Royal Guard and the Knightryders devote their attention to ensuring the safety of the citizens as they flee. With official forces stretched thin, civilians and refugees alike will also need to step up to help herd citizens toward safety among a maze of collapsing buildings. Others will need to see to gathering resources for the evacuation, and while gathering non perishables is easy enough, it's considerably harder to wrangle livestock into cooperating amidst such chaos. Those fighting may be asked to act as bait for Ysverai. Chatter through official troops speaks of a switch in strategy: the objective now is capture the dragon's attention and draw him away from the populous cities and towards the South Outpost. Whether or not it's possible to defeat the dragon remains uncertain, but there's no question that it will be easier to battle him without worrying about civilians. THE RAGE     Luckily, the dragon is indiscriminate in his rage, and easily lured so long as a suitably infuriating target is before him. It doesn't take long to draw him to the South Outpost, but the trail of destruction he leaves in his wake is vast. Once there, the combined forces are greeted not just by Ysverai, but also by the appearance of Ysverai's master. How bravely you've all come to meet your doom! Great heroes, one and all, ha! I welcome you, bring your best. Show me the power that's protected Olympia and Wyver, all that you have to offer me, whatever pitiful excuse for valor you seek to cling to when the fear has you cowering in your beds. All will be for naught in the face of Ysverai's might! Let history witness the day the glory of war is reignited — the day that Wyver remembers its fangs once more! Come, Ysverai, last and greatest of the High Dragons! Come, and restore Wyver to its rightful place! Come, fulfill the promise as our protector that you could not in life! Raysc lifts a gleaming device as he issues his command. Red lights blink and blood, the same oozing liquid that drips from Ysverai's many wounds, runs in clear tubes through the device. Ysverai rears back as Raysc makes adjustments to a control panel — and then lunges forward, mouth agape. With a single swallow, Raysc meets his end. Raysc's attempt to control the dragon has only enraged him further, spurring Ysverai on to new heights of fury. It's become more vital than ever to face the dragon and take him down here and now. A few effective strategies are learned from research efforts and observed while defending Olympia and Wyver: goading the dragon into breathing fire will hurt him, burning him from the inside out, and attacks to his joints, eyes, wings, and exposed bone are effective. Ice is a natural repellent to dragons and can be used defensively or to weaken the dragon's hide. Healing spells will also react unnaturally to Ysverai's flesh, hastening his decay. However, while concentrated efforts will lock him down, Ysverai cannot be permanently killed in this state — his flesh constantly rots and spawns anew. Attacking him here is to protect civilians, keeping him busy to avoid mass destruction elsewhere. Therefore, the battle is one of attrition, a matter of a race against time. You must destroy his flesh faster than it is able to regenerate to have any hope of victory. Finally, when Ysverai is weakening, little more than bones with a few last vestiges of rotten meat hanging from a skeleton, the pathetic remnants of the last High Dragon takes to the skies. His wings are barely intact enough to carry him, yet desperation lifts him, higher and higher, until he lets out one great, earth-shaking roar. A roar that carries across the battlefield, sending all who hear it to their knees. A roar that shatters the swords in soldiers' hands, that rends apart the very air itself — Ysverai's last act, a great curse upon El Nysa, to bring down the sky. AND THE WORLD STOOD STILL     The terror of Ysverai's destruction hangs overhead — a tear in the sky, darkness pouring through, tendrils reaching down towards El Nysa to swallow up the planet in the dragon's final act of revenge. And yet nothing moves. A halo of brilliant light surrounds the rift in the sky, holding the grasping, hungry tendrils in check. And on the planet, not a creature moves. Not a blade of grass stirs. You're not able to even draw a breath. No matter where you are, not even the heart in your chest is beating. Everything has stopped — time has come to a standstill. In a wash of light, an aurora of transport, you find yourself delivered to Thesa Station. Darma stands before you, her expression solemn, perhaps even grim, though that may just be a trick of the station's harsh lighting. She explains what has happened in short order: planetside, time has been completely frozen. We have seen the birth and end of worlds. The rise and fall of civilizations infinite times over. We have seen all threads of possibilities that could have lead to this very moment... Or should have. Perhaps you might doubt our sincerity when we say this comes as a surprise to us, as well... Special technology has been used to blind us. To this day, we only know of one region capable of creating and utilizing such technology... you will find this technology in a city known as Nadril. We understand that you have created a life down in Wyver and Olympia, but now we must ask that you put that life on pause. We ask you to travel to Nadril and find the original Refugee, and with him, answers. As you will discover, he does not wish to speak to us. It is no matter. By now it is too late to keep the Nysan public unaware of our existence. We commend the efforts of those who wish to protect their comrades on the battlefield below, but a creature like poor Ysverai, twisted and warped, given unnatural life with terrible magic and technology, does not simply go down with manpower. Please, leave Ysverai to us. Time on the planet will remain stopped while we determine how to deal with the dragon. For now, rest and recover your strength. We have returned, and soon, there will be new refugees awakening. Perhaps you might like to prepare yourselves to greet them? I'm sorry that I can't answer more questions, but for now, all our attention must turn to finding a way to stop what Ysverai has wrought. A bank of monitors behind Darma displays the battlefield below: Ysverai's frozen, looming figure and the breach in the sky, and the Natha's halo, holding the destruction back. Though time passes normally on Thesa Station, El Nysa remains frozen, and all Refugees are unable to return to the planet until Ysverai's menace is dealt with. Luckily, with the Natha's return, full functionality has also returned to the station. The lights and environmentals are back to full power, access to all areas has been restored, the cafeteria is serving its normal offerings, and there's no evidence of any glitching or malfunctions. Doubtless, the period of rest is much needed after the hard-fought battle. For now, with time on El Nysa at a standstill, there's little else to be done but enjoy the reprieve aboard Thesa Station. FINAL OOC NOTE     Characters that reach an AC length action thread in this event will receive 2 rep for all factions, including Natha. Note that while these are split up for ease of processing, players may submit for all three. OLYMPIA | WYVER | NATHA Players can expect this event to run three days ICly before everyone is teleported to Thesa Station! From thereon, all characters will be grounded at the Station until the Test Drive Meme later this month. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs ● bestiary taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp ● quest bulletin calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[gekkajuu]

I think I'll feel better taking a shower, too.

[In part to get clean; in part to take another mental step away from everything that happened. Really, the return here was so sudden...]

As long as they're frozen, they'll be just fine. It'll be harder on us than on them, since we have to miss them.

[They'll be fine, of course. It's just -... They've gotten really used to their animal friends, haven't they? So many things about caring for them have become a habit, too.

Still, frozen is frozen - and since everything is frozen, they should be safe.

Getting clean it is, then. Atsushi walks over to the shower area, feeling tired in a way that is no doubt more mental than physical. Once there, he strips of his clothes - yet another set too stained and torn in battle to wear again, probably (in spite of how he deliberately goes for short sleeves and pant legs to accommodate his transformations, le sigh) - and gets the water running. He should have maybe collected some clean clothes somewhere, first, but he doesn't mind just wearing a towel on the way to the room.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Yeah. You’re right.

[The pets will be fine. Nothing can harm them while the entire world is frozen. Still, Chuuya hopes that the both of them have at least managed to stick together somehow.

Chuuya follows Atsushi into the showers, stripping down to nothing but his collar (thanks leather) before stepping beneath the showerhead. Almost immediately the dragon’s blood begins to wash away, now a dark, almost black color as Chuuya scrubs it away from his skin. The warm water is a comfort to his aching body, but there’s still a sense of loss that threatens to overwhelm him. Who knows what’s become of their home back in Olympia? After all of Atsushi’s hard work, too...]

...will you wash my hair?

[It’s an unusual request coming from someone like Chuuya, but really, even Mafia executives crave soft touches every now and then.]

[gekkajuu]

[The request is unexpected for sure, but not unwelcome. If anything, it's very welcome indeed, because there's no better way to distract Atsushi from his would-be negative thoughts than to have him care for somebody else.]

Of course!

[The enthusiasm may be a little much, but it's so genuine, he can't keep it out of his voice.

While the dragon's blood is a dark reminder of what happened, seeing it wash off Chuuya makes Atsushi feel a little cleaner, too. Grabbing the shampoo, he puts some in his palm and stands behind Chuuya, bringing his hands up to very gently massage it in.

Seeing Chuuya at a distance, Atsushi has never felt the man looks small: his attitude more than makes up for his stature. But having Chuuya this close always confronts Atsushi with how the man is smaller than him, and that's always a little amazing.

It doesn't make him think less of Chuuya. If anything, it makes him admire the man more, to contain so much self-confidence and strength and kindness in such a small package.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Thanks.

[Atsushi’s fingers massaging his scalp are magical, and Chuuya leans his head back with a pleased sigh as he works the shampoo into those ginger locks. A little pampering goes a long way with Chuuya, and he could sure use it after all that dragon bullshit.]

I’ll wash yours too, if you want.

[He’s really not in any hurry to get out of the shower, because after this comes sleep, and that’s bound to be plagued with nightmares. If he can relax enough to fall asleep at all.]

We’re both gonna need new outfits after this, huh?

[His attempt at humor probably falls flat, but hey, it’s better than talking about everything they’ve lost.]

Of course sleeping naked isn’t so bad.

[gekkajuu]

[They haven't lost anything... probably. The Natha will fix it all, Atsushi thinks. Admittedly, he'd rather have solved the dragon problem himself, with the other refugees - but that's silly, isn't it? As long as they couldn't defeat the dragon, leaving things to someone who can is a much better idea.]

Please. [As long as they're here, he may as well take advantage and let Chuuya wash his hair in return. While Atsushi isn't worried about sleeping - nightmares are common for him too, but still not as much as they used to be - he's in no hurry to get out of the shower, either. It's nice to let any worries and unwelcome thoughts clogging up his brain rinse off with the dirt.] There, I think you can rinse now.

[Finally pulling his fingers away from Chuuya's scalp, he waits for Chuuya to do his thing, enjoying the warmth of the shower, and the fact that he's not alone. Everything else is a little blurrier right now. Being ripped away from the fight like that really is like an emotional hangover.]

We'll have a blanket to sleep under, anyway. [That's good enough for him. He doesn't mind being naked in bed with Chuuya. It's more the "what if someone somehow walks in??" that makes him want at least some semblance of cover - and a blanket is good enough for that.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[If the mansion is still standing Chuuya will be happy, but even if it isn’t, at least a lot of the other refugees made it out alive. Buildings can be replaced, lives not so much.

Chuuya rinses the rest of the grime from his hair, already feeling much lighter than before. It was like the dragon’s blood was a poison threatening to seep through his skin, and he’s glad to see it go. The warm water helps wash away a bit of the tension in his muscles as well, which results in Chuuya’s limbs feeling all noodly, but at least he’s still standing.]

Got it.

[Once Chuuya wets Atsushi’s hair he lathers it up with shampoo, working his fingers through the short, choppy pieces of hair as well as the long bit in the front until he gets down to Atsushi’s scalp. Just as Atsushi did for him, Chuuya starts massaging his scalp in slow little circles, making sure to wash every inch.]

True.

[Chuuya has no shame in his nudity, especially not now.]

...I’m glad you asked me to live in the mansion with you and Dylas. You didn’t even know me that well when you asked.

[gekkajuu]

[Ahhh, this really is bliss... Atsushi never feels quite as spoiled as he does when Chuuya washes his hair. He leans back his head to get more of that touch... and to make his head a little easier to reach, maybe. (Not that Chuuya can't float up there, but why should he bother?)]

I'm glad I asked, too.

It was partly because we were from the same place, at first [and partly to keep an eye on Chuuya, though that part has long since been forgotten] but... I think we've become closer in even more ways, since.

You've taught me a lot of things, Chuuya-san.

[Mostly sex. But, you know. Those were some good lessons right there.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

[At least Atsushi isn’t too much taller, but Chuuya still has to reach up to wash his hair. He doesn’t mind at all, though. It’s honestly kind of therapeutic for him too, and it doesn’t involve getting drunk off his ass, so that’s a plus.]

Yeah. It’s nice.

[Atsushi is one of the few people that Chuuya can say he truly trusts, and that’s saying something when backstabbing was an everyday occurrence in his old life. Atsushi is just so kind, and though that can definitely backfire on him, Chuuya is glad that at least some people can remain selfless despite their terrible pasts.

Chuuya rinses Atsushi’s hair before starting to wash his back unprompted.]

You don’t have to call me Chuuya-san all the time, unless you just want to.

[It’s kind of nice being respected enough to earn a title like that, but he’s used to everyone else dropping the honorifics, so it’s whatever Atsushi wants to do.]

And I dunno what all I’ve taught you, but I hope it comes in handy.

[gekkajuu]

[Atsushi looks over his shoulder at that.]

More than "wanting to", it's basic politeness? But if you'd rather I didn't, then I won't!

[He's already dropped honorifics for a bunch of people, including Reign because Reign asked for it, pretty quickly.]

... Here - let me wash your back, too.

[He doesn't mind Chuuya doing it to him - actually, he rather likes it - but it would feel selfish to accept that kind of attention and not give it in return. Atsushi is the younger one, so he should do all these things for his senior!]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Actually, maybe I’ll let you keep calling me that. You’re the only one here who does.

[It can be like, their thing.]

Sure.

[Chuuya gathers his hair up and pulls it to the side to give Atsushi full access to his back. It’s a huge display of trust on his part, considering his past, but it’s not like he expects Atsushi to feel honored or anything. This is probably normal for someone like him. Or maybe any touch at all that isn’t meant to hurt is still new to the guy, considering his past. He can understand that sentiment as well, having seen it with Akutagawa.

Either way Chuuya is practically falling asleep on his feet now, all relaxed and warm and pampered like this.]

When you’re done we can go find a room to stay in. Unless there’s other people you wanna check on or something.

[It’s selfish, but Chuuya kind of hopes Atsushi opts to stay with him instead.]

[gekkajuu]

[Maybe "honored" isn't the right word for how Atsushi is feeling, but he definitely feels something, watching Chuuya move his hair like that. Still, he can't let that distract him from what he set out to do.]

... I know I should check on people, but... there's nothing I can do for them that the Natha can't do better. And if anyone got left behind, I can't go back to the planet either...

[He really should check on people, but he doesn't want to. He doesn't want to find out that someone didn't make it, or anything like that. If there was something he could do to help, that would be different, but under current circumstances, he would just be torturing himself. He should rest first.

So he finishes washing Chuuya's back, quickly enough.]

There, all done. [He knows he's making the right choice in resting before anything else, but he still has to take a deep breath, trying to accept it.] ... Let's find a room.

[thetaintedsorrow]

You’re right. There’s not much we mere humans can do.

[There’s a clear undertone of contempt in Chuuya’s voice now, because as much as they owe the Natha, he really has to wonder if everything wasn’t somehow their fault in the first place...

But there’s no point in thinking about that right now. Chuuya shuts off the water and finds them both towels to wear outside, and luckily the hallways to the rooms are empty and silent. It’s actually a little eerie, but it’s better than being caught up in a flood of refugees, and Chuuya picks an empty room for them to share.

It seems like this one has a bit bigger bed instead of the usual bunk beds, and after toweling off a bit more Chuuya climbs in it and pulls the blankets up over him.]

...it’s not home, but it’ll do.

[gekkajuu]

[It really is a little eerie, how there's practically no one in sight - but then, no doubt everybody needs their rest after what happened... or healing. It's all been a little much, Atsushi thinks. Still, he doesn't like how swept up in things he got, himself. Maybe it's true what they say after all, about tigers and dragons being doomed enemies...

Crawling into bed with Chuuya, Atsushi cuddles up to him on instinct. He hates himself a little for feeling the need to do so in the first place, but he knows that Chuuya won't judge, and that makes him feel safe. It's partly even why he does it, maybe: proving to himself that Chuuya doesn't mind, so he can feel safe.]

... It's funny, isn't it? Olympia really has become our home.

[thetaintedsorrow]

Yeah. It has.

[Chuuya accepts Atsushi cuddling up to him like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and he starts petting Atsushi’s hair and gently scratching his scalp in an attempt to soothe him. Maybe the world is fucked unless some miracle happens, but at least they’ve managed to find a small moment of peace admits the post-dragon chaos.]

We’ll get to go back. Eventually.

[Maybe it won’t be the same, but still, at least the planet didn’t outright explode or anything.

Despite being the one doing the comforting Chuuya rests his forehead against Atsushi’s once again, just for the reassurance that physical contact brings.]

Maybe Olympia and Wyver won’t tear each other apart again anytime soon after this.

[He doubts it, but.]

[gekkajuu]

We will, yes. The Natha will take care of things.

[Maybe Atsushi shouldn't have so much faith that this will turn out all right, but he sees no reason not to. The Natha said they'd handle the dragon, so they will. Even if there's been some damage to the city, Atsushi doesn't think it will be nearly as bad as it could have been. And if the refugees can do something for the Natha while they take care of the dragon, going to that other city, then that seems fair enough.]

The leaders will be fine, but I'm sure that there are some in Olympia who will use this as proof that Wyver will always be unruly.

I wonder how the story could be told in a way that limits the damage...

[It's not like the Natha will take public credit, presumably? So how the eventual defeat of the dragon is told will be important for the political future of the planet.]

[thetaintedsorrow]

Yeah...

[How does he tell Atsushi that he doesn’t have complete faith in the Natha like he does, especially when the guy sounds so sure of everything? Maybe in the past he would’ve said exactly what was on his mind without hesitation, but some part of him wants to spare Atsushi the assholish hope crushing Chuuya knows that he’s capable of. Besides, maybe everything will turn out okay! There’s really no way to know just yet.]

Maybe. We’ll see.

[Chuuya is too tired to think about the future in too much depth right now, so he’ll just close his eyes and enjoy Atsushi’s warmth for a while...

But apparently sleep isn’t happening, and it’s making Chuuya incredibly restless.]

...tch. There’s no booze around here, is there? Can’t really go to the cafeteria nude.

[Maybe he’ll just press closer to Atsushi instead, as if it’s some kind of substitute for his usual form of escapism.]

Are you gonna sleep?

[gekkajuu]

You could use the sheets as a toga?

[He's... actually half serious? And also half joking, because his jokes suck ass. The unfun way.

Atsushi is honestly exhausted, but his brain keeps spinning and spinning all the same, getting absolutely nowhere. It makes him even more tired, and thankfully that should be enough to get him to sleep pretty easily. He's never had any problems sleeping; it's just the occasional nightmares that have his sleep interrupted.]

I think so. Part of me doesn't want to, but... it's probably best to get rested up while we can.

Wraps this up

[thetaintedsorrow]

Nah. That would look weird.

[The joke flies right over Chuuya’s head. Like a lot of things.]

Okay.

[It wouldn’t be right for Chuuya to keep Atsushi awake after the day they’ve had, so he’ll settle for resting his head against Atsushi’s chest and listening to his heartbeat. It’s odd, thinking that only hours ago they were facing the end of the world, but now they have the opportunity for a new beginning, and that’s something Chuuya won’t take for granted.

Even if he still doesn’t fully trust the Natha.]

G’night.