❪ event ❫ what is the storm—?

[natha]

What is the storm —?     The sky is falling. The moon draws closer, visibly now. Whether you've found out from Nurray, or somewhere else, everyone now knows that in about a week, Thesa will collide with El Nysa. However, not all is lost - Nurray has a plan. Old technology is being powered by the storm somehow, giving the developers in Nadril the means they need to create a device capable of jumping back into the past. The device can only transport to one singular point in time per activation, but passing through is a better chance for safety than remaining. As long as you're in Nadril you'll make it, which is why she'll urge everyone to try to get all their business done and travel back north. At first, it was a mere atmospheric pressure drop. Headaches, a sense of dread in the gut, and a chill that would not be quelled drifted over all of El Nysa's inhabitants. And then the days grew shorter. By hours at a time, until there was nothing left but night. Still lit with stars, people turned to Thesa, to their scholars, to their shamans for answers. None came, only exploding lights in the sky. One by one, stars began to burst, like the grimmest of fireworks. For one dreadful night, the sky was alight once more with the death of the surrounding galaxy as thousands of stars extinguished in a blaze. And then came the lightning, low hanging clouds and whipping wind that howls at all hours. It brings with it calamity, beasts and fog and a reality shattering effect that progresses ever closer. Against these unstoppable odds, the people of Nysa are finally united - desperate, and determined to preserve their homeland. IN WYVER     The life that imbues the jungle town has gone still. Animals do not seek shelter - they simply lay forlorn, lethargic and unresponsive to even their dearest handlers. The wild creatures are no different, with predator and prey supping from the same stream, seemingly resigned. Once vibrant plant life droops, blotted into obscurity by the darkness that surrounds. Only the people of this great kingdom remain lively, though their actions are fueled by desperation, than valor. A rally cry rings out over Wyver, even to Olympia, begging anyone who is able to fight. Beasts no one has ever seen before have begun to attack, roaming the city and the lands surrounding as if it is their hunting ground. These creatures are cobbled together from the many worlds the storm has consumed - perhaps your own included. They could bear familiar technology, animal features, or even a loved one's visage. No matter their composition, they are always amalgamous, and always crazed. The valiant warriors fighting these creatures have more to worry about than just the monsters. Their own bodies may become entangled and fused - an effect that only wears off when one retreats from the storm's epicenter. Specters also drift through the onslaught, oddly peaceful compared to the frenzy surrounding. They are wholly composed people, memories from planets devoured. Someone you know, perhaps, stuck in a loop - the same five minutes - for hours before fading away. They cannot be killed, doing so will simply reset the loop; they will vanish on their own, as mysteriously as they came. I. THE FRONTLINES Wyver might not be able to fully understand exactly what is happening, but they've already assigned a task force to combat these apparitions that have begun plaguing the jungle Kingdom. But the Storm is sentient; it has always gathered what it's known of the habitants of the universes the Storm has swallowed. And as it begins to unravel El Nysa, it will begin to learn of your time here — yes, it knows that you are trying to stop the Storm from happening, somehow. It knows you're looking to fight you way back north, and it simply cannot let that happen. After all, El Nysa is an anomaly created by Darma. All of its inhabitants, organisms, and even existence were not supposed to be. The apparitions start off monstrous at first, taking forms of ghostly bestiaries. Your weapons won't do much to get rid of them — they will disappear, but only temporarily, until they come back. Each time, more evolved than the last — until it's able to take on the form of someone who has left you, someone who has returned to the stasis chambers in Thesa, awaiting to be devoured by the Storm. Your partner will likely be doing the same, haunted by images of their loved ones of the past — and there is a possibility that as you fight along with your partner, that these apparitions will combine into ghastly, wretched creatures, serving no other purpose than to spook you into submission. They will fight you, embrace you, and seduce you into staying. "Let the Storm take care of this," they'd stay — "You've got it all wrong. You and that Witch had it all so, so wrong." Will you make it out of Wyver, or will you let the Storm take you? IN OLYMPIA     All of Olympia is awash in fog. It creeps in around each and every corner, so thick it is almost difficult to breathe, and even more difficult to see. You can hear the panicked citizens all around you, although through the fog, their shapes are indistinct and almost menacing. A family fleeing from something might look like a quick-moving, multi-headed monster, or perhaps a lone man hauling his belongings to safety on his back might appear to be an imposing creature with wicked claws. And then, of course, there are the figures that look achingly familiar to you, like someone you've lost or care for deeply… but then, when you catch up to them, they vanish, only to call out for you from somewhere further in the city. Tread carefully — with your impaired vision, it would be all too easy to inadvertently wind up injured. Of course, this isn't solely due to the hazards obscured by the mist, although that is certainly part of it. The fog has a quality to it that serves to amplify the desires and lower the inhibitions of everyone exposed to it. II. SILENT HILL Similarly, Olympia isn't properly equipped to deal with a crisis like this. Wars, they are certainly accustomed to — but when their very own land is indiscriminately being torn apart by alien forces, it is uncertain to know for sure what they can do. Word from Nadril is that the inhabitants up north has opened its gates for everyone to enter — this is news to Olympia, but they do not hesitate to migrate to the chilly gates regardless. The first obstacle, of course, is to find a way out of Olympia. The fog is debilitating, but you may not immediately notice it. It starts small. A spark of annoyance at getting cut off by someone you barely saw coming might twist itseful up in you until it becomes unbridled rage. Simple fear becomes indescribable terror, and of course, people are at their worst when they are acting on fear. If what you want is an escape, you may find yourself willing and able to do things you simply could not fathom in order to get out of there. If what you want is riches… well, there is plenty of wealth ripe for the taking, should you simply ambush someone fleeing or break into their homes. The longer you spend in the fog, the more difficult it will become to fight back these urges. If the fear doesn't completely paralyze you, you may find that there is a rather unconventional yet risky way of alleviating this ailment -- which might require someone you trust. The thing is, upon holding someone, all of your fears will be transferred unto that person. It will then be your duty, then, to escort them out of the fog before your fears start to completely deteriorate your ally's psyche. Move quickly, or you may both be crumbled by the weight of this Storm and its fog. IN NADRIL     The journey north is treacherous, but not without its own rewards. Nadril is marked by a storm that is raging at the territory's edge, as if the forces of nature are attempting to do away with the border itself. Strangely, the storm seems to be stopped by the borders — electricity crackles in midair as snow and ice whip about, disintegrating when they touch what seems to be an invisible dome sheltering the area. Inside, the weather is even stranger. The iced-over lakes have begun to thaw, and it is warmer and brighter than anyone here can recall it ever being — almost as if it is summer near the Olympia-Wyver border, not the dead of winter near the northernmost part of the isles. There is an almost palpable level of unease as those who live here full-time attempt to adapt to their new climate. Everyone is working, however. At the center of Nadril is what they all hope will be a solution to their problems: they claim it is a time machine, and that they have tested it through simulations and believe that it can, and will, work. They are already using it to help combat the storm at the borders — at times it does manage to penetrate the dome, but when it does, engineers turn back the clock an hour at a time to so that they can divert power to the parts of the shield that they know will need reinforcement. Be careful when this happens — it would be very easy to run into your own double in such a circumstance, and that could be… awkward, until enough time passes to bring you back to the "present" and you merge once more, taking on the memories of everything that you and your double (or triple, or quadruple) have experienced. Operating such a machine will take manpower, which the people of Nadril are prepared to provide. However, the undertakings they will require in the past — waking the gods, who they believe can provide protection from the Storm if you can convince them — will require all of you. Relying on a single person to change history is untenable. Only by working together will you be able to make the jump to the past and secure your future. III. INCEPTION Most importantly, there will need to be volunteers to undergo stasis. Pods that were similar to those in Thesa can be found all over the city center, beckoning people to sleep now, and hopefully wake to better tomorrow. But just as the Storm benefits some technology, it negatively affects others — but this is to do with the mind more than technology itself. For one, those undergoing stasis will find themselves dreaming of a better time in their lives — be it their homeworld or some other happy memory of theirs. The Storm magnifies this dream — everyone within a certain radius will find themselves entering the dream, despite being wide awake. Inside this dream, you will know instantly that something is awry. The events of reality, of the awoken, are beginning to seep into the sleeping person's dream. The lines between dream and reality become blurred, and you've been tasked to ensure that they remain asleep. That means that you must guide them into believing that nothing is awry with their happier memories, that they are not dreaming, and guide them through it. Ensure that the nightmares of reality be kept at bay, and that they may sleep through it all. The Ark of the Woken     The Ark of the Woken awaits, its chambers an imposing majesty of their own. Compared to the sleek design of Thesa, the Ark is a cobbled together patchwork of technology. But even with its exposed wires and manual input systems, Nurray promises it will get the job done. That is, once the pods have been brought to it from Thesa. The targets are Thesans who have previously awoken, however, no one has time to actually inventory the sleeping ones brought to this hamlet. If you choose to bring someone else, you'll probably get away with it. The procedure is harrowing - severing the pods from Thesa runs the risk of interrupting the life support system inside. To compensate, there is a small device that can be hardwired into a port on the back of the pod. It's fragile, and the function it provides only lasts twenty minutes. You have that time to move the pod to a small ship, and pilot it planetside yourself. Nurray suggests traveling in pairs - the Natha duo pilot ships are faster, and more reliable. However, they rely on a neurolink between pilots. If one is not focused, the ship may begin to malfunction. While navigating through rough turbulence, each pilot will be able to feel the others emotions, and hear whispers of their thoughts. All while the storm clouds around them play glimpses into their memories. Snippets, only seconds long, from the perspective of the pilot, provide easy distraction. Stay on task, and make your landing safely - your lives and others are depending on it. A Simpler Time     Your seven days is up. You have (mostly) achieved all your tasks, and you are now waiting. Those harrowing last hour may stay with you forever — while your peers tirelessly secure the time machine's effectiveness, you watch as Thesa draws closer. It's closer to you than you've ever seen it, more menacing than you realize as it threatens the lives of everyone you ever cared for. Alria, the lesser known moon, is first pulled toward Thesa, crushing a side of it. You may witness debris spilling into space and dissipate into the atmosphere. You might think, perhaps, that those were bodies of some you were told not to bring to the Ark. But you're assured many times that that won't matter, that this can be fixed if you simply wait and watch. The time machine will work. It's into the final minute, and time seems to stop — yet, you feel your breath catch as Thesa penetrates the atmosphere. You can no longer breathe, and gravity loses all its bearings on the laws of physics. As you float into the air, you're wondering if the light that engulfs you is an explosion — you might wonder if it could be death. At the very least, you are among people you've known on this planet. It isn't as though you were never meant to survive the first Storm. Simply close your eyes, and the Storm run its course. In the distance, you hear a muted voice. What is the Storm, But an attempt to cleanse the world — Of its anomalies? Open your eyes, Traveler, Where are you now? FINAL OOC NOTES     Welcome to El Nysa, Year XXX. Due to the time warping of the Storm, this event will not strictly follow the 1:1 ratio. Additional information about this world will be revealed early next month! For now, play at your pace. RNG for NPC threads will announced later tonight! RECOMMENDED LISTENING: Live Forever 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

[lednikovyy]

"Yeah, we should." The fog is practically suffocating. Bucky wants to finish their task and get the fuck out of it, but it's hard to turn his back on whatever that is. It sends a chill up his spine, but he shudders and otherwise ignores it. Neither of them are going to turn their back if there's trouble. He knows that with confidence. At least he knows exactly how capable his backup is this time.

Part of him wants to ask Bucky if he's actually okay, but he wouldn't appreciate it from someone else, so he just keeps his mouth shut and keeps moving. Sometimes it's easier to push through things when you just don't acknowledge them.

[deadthenred]

They don't need to go far, although the fog makes it hard to tell exactly where they are, and how much they're heading off course.

Charging through the mist is Captain America, the one Bucky knows best, from the war, with the little wings on his head and everything, shining somehow with four-color brightness, even in the haze of the fog. He looks righteous. And angry.

Bucky steps back.

[lednikovyy]

The sight is still startling. As far as he knows, his own Steve is in cryo right now. He's got the shield strapped on his bag and he's not sure he'll ever get the chance to see Steve wield it again.

Except here he is. The outfit's a little different, but it's unmistakably...

"Steve?"

[deadthenred]

Even though it's impossible, Bucky believes it. Steve did have that effect on people.

"Look, Cap," he says, shouting a little in excitement, "we gotta—"

But whatever Bucky says, either of them, it's clear Steve isn't listening. Instead, he's charging, quicker than a man should be. "You got the costume wrong, robot. I'm not going to let you take my place. I won't let you betray what I stand for!"

And then he throws a punch.

[lednikovyy]

Bucky flinches back. This is all wrong. Everything about this is wrong and there's a prickling feeling at the back of his neck about it.

"Bucky!" He shakes his head. It's really no time to squabble about names and the bizarreness of there being another him and another Steve, but he's still thrown by it. His hands clench at his sides.

"What the hell is wrong with him?"

[deadthenred]

Bucky's own eyes narrow.

"This isn't real, this is—" His worst nightmare. And of course, because this is Bucky Barnes we're talking about, this actually happened. As soon as he realizes this, the punch passes through him like vapor.

"He thinks I'm a robot." There's a pause. Even if this isn't real, it still feels raw, the blind rejection. "Because of the arm. He doesn't know it's me."

[lednikovyy]

"He's not real." But even as Bucky says it, he knows an image of Steve would throw him, too. Some things cut a little too deep.

He reaches for Bucky's shoulder and does his best not to look at Steve-that-isn't-Steve. "He figured it out eventually, right?"

[deadthenred]

"That I'm not a robot? Yeah." That hadn't even taken very long. "Who I was? I dunno. I don't think so."

[lednikovyy]

"What do you mean who you were?" Bucky throws him a concerned look. He knows a little about what Bucky's been through and how Steve got him all of his memories back, but he really only knows what Bucky's told him and in some weird way, he figures he's okay to prod for answers, because Bucky has to know he doesn't have to answer anything he doesn't want to.

[deadthenred]

"Oh right, you don't know..."

His voice trails off, the thought unfinished. Bucky takes a moment to breathe, pulse still beating fast from seeing Steve again. Seeing Steve angry like that. He brings a hand to his face and pushes his hair back.

"I told you Steve died, right?" He knows he did. "He left instructions, if anything was to happen to him, he wanted it to continue. He wanted Captain America to continue. So it did."

Another hesitant pause. He really has been avoiding talking about this with Bucky, for reasons he can't quite put a name to. "Then something went screwy with the Cosmic Cube and it brought Steve from the '40s into the present."

[lednikovyy]

Bucky nods. Some details that people tell him can come and go, but he listens pretty intently to Bucky, even if he pretends not to. He wants to hear about this other world with this other him and Steve who are still so close even if they're different. Bucky likes the idea of that, like maybe they were meant to be friends no matter what.

"Sounds like it would've been rough on both of you."

He can't imagine that Steve seeing him now. Sometimes he doesn't even want to let the current Steve see him. Maybe that's why it's easier to talk to Bucky sometimes instead. They haven't known each other long, but they have a lot of the same scars.

[deadthenred]

"I don't think he knew it was me. Just someone else dressed in a goofy outfit carrying a shield." And unlike his counterpart, Bucky had aged significantly since the war. Not as much as he should've, but enough that he had to shave now, and no one carded him at bars. Which was just as well because all his ids were fake.

"But yeah," he admits. "It stung."

It was his worst nightmare at the time, come to life. Maybe it was still his worst nightmare.

[lednikovyy]

He squeezes Bucky's shoulder. It's hard to know what to say, because he thinks they have an honesty thing between them--trust or something close enough--and he's not the sort of guy who gives out placating lies, anyway. But then he's also not sure what Bucky wants to hear or what would help. It would have stung him, too. He remembers fighting Steve back when he hadn't known who he was and in his worst moments, it plagues him.

"Steve would never hurt you on purpose." It's something he knows is true without a doubt.

[deadthenred]

He doesn't flinch at the hand on his shoulder, which is close enough to acceptance for government work.

"You're right." It was easy to lose sight of, some of the time. Steve had given him back a life, and it hadn't always been a great one. Just his. "Not on purpose. He isn't like that."

[lednikovyy]

"He'd do his best to make it right if he hurt you by accident, too." He tries to throw Bucky a little smile. "'Cause he's not perfect, but he's damn close. There can't be a Steve Rogers out there who doesn't do the right thing whenever he can."

[deadthenred]

"And that's why it stings." He looks down at the feet he can't see in the fog, and then back up. He's not breathing as hard, now. Even if the words feel heavy, they don't make him shake.

[lednikovyy]

"Yeah." Bucky does get that and he doesn't know how to take the sting out of it. It's complicated and it fucking sucks. He knows it does.

"Let's get moving. You can keep talking if you want or we can just go back to pretending we're both mentally healthy adults. It's probably our greatest skill, anyway."

[deadthenred]

He quirks his mouth at that. Part of him wants to insist he's an adult. There were some people, in his old life, who still called him kid. But then, he isn't as old as he should be.

Bucky swallows that impulse, and instead says, "Steve did come back, and he didn't…" Didn't what? Didn't get mad and punch him. Didn't laugh in his face.

He takes a step forward, and then another. "He let me keep the shield."

[lednikovyy]

"Well who are you to question Steve's judgment?" Bucky almost smiles. "Between the two of you, who's got their head screwed on better these days?"

And he knows the answer, of course. Back in the war, he would've called Steve crazy and himself just as crazy for following him, but now? He figures they're both still crazy, can't imagine a version of either of them who isn't, but Steve's the one who's level-headed. He knows what he's doing.

"He let you keep it 'cause he thought you'd do good with it."