[OPEN] Mission 155

[soul_mods]

Characters: Open to those who signed up here.
Location: An unmarked cavern system outside Death City.
Rating: Various.
Time: March 18th, sunrise.
Description: Shibusen agents brave underwater caverns to take out the first of three Madness emitters.

Missiongoers pile out of the mirrors early in the morning, just as the first hints of sun start to color the walls of the sandstone canyon red and purple; it'll be the last bits of real light they'll see for at least a few hours. The atmosphere is electric -- there're quite a few new (and old) arrivals who're eager to see some action, but just as many people who're feeling rather more apprehensive… And for good reason.

The only way to their destination is blocked by a few hundred yards of sunken tunnels. Luckily they've been provided with mouthpieces, breathing apparatuses with enough oxygen to last about ten minutes: more than enough time, provided that the guests don't lose their way in the dimly-lit, twisted caverns. It's as easy as following the person in front of them, right?

Upon emerging safely from the pool onto mostly-dry land, they'll find themselves in an immense cavern, illuminated by countless, blue fungi clinging to the walls and ceiling, looking like stars dotting a night sky. Already the first signs of the way Madness has been corrupting the wildlife are evident: the mushrooms exude strange spores that make some people's head pound the same way the increasingly noticeable Madness wavelength does.

As they travel further into the watery caves and explore its many branches, they'll begin to encounter creatures twisted by Madness: moles, snakes, beetles, centipedes, all grown to monstrous proportions, some with a venomous bite that quickly turns their victim feverish and delirious. The more daring fighters can easily dispatch those and delve even deeper, and it's near the source of the Madness, in the chamber housing the emitter itself, that they'll encounter the kishin eggs.

There're dozens of them-- eyeless, white, vaguely human-shaped things, but despite their blindness they have no problem finding their quarry, fighting with claws and exuding their own Madness wavelength. If the missiongoers can stand strong against the kishin eggs and the ever-present wavelength given off by the Madness emitter, Shibusen's specialists will have enough time to shut the machine down for good.


OOC NOTES.
- The event summary post containing all relevant links is located here.
- Make your own threads, but please indicate in your subject line [CHARACTER(S) | LOCATION | OPEN/CLOSED] and, if applicable, if you need a kishin egg NPC!
- The locations are the sunken tunnels, the medics area, the cave system, and the emitter chamber, but only the medics will have their designated sub-thread.
- If you have any further questions, the mod thread on the coordination post is here!

Comments

[Akiha & Sion | Cave System | Closed]

[ritsu_kouyou]

The trek through the underwater portion of the caverns hadn't been hard, though Akiha didn't like how she was going to have to fight kishin eggs or other enemies while dripping wet. Once out of the water and divested of the scuba equipment for the time being, she wrung her hair out and tossed it over her shoulder.

She immediately grabbed her head and grit her teeth. Was this pounding in her head the Madness Wavelength? It reminded her a lot of what it was like feeling her blood pulsing through her body, trying to drive her to more murderous impulses. Shaking her head sharply, she pushed the pressure back through sheer willpower just as she has for years. And to think, she'd been enjoying the days of not feeling it...

Sliding her gloves on, she flexed her fingers and started down farther into the cavern. "Let's not dally, Sion."

[computations]

Thankfully, Sion didn't have much to worry about in terms of water. With her hair always so tightly drawn, it didn't exactly soak up too much and only required a few shakes. Though beware of the whipping braid. Still, she was out and ready.

Outwardly, she didn't show any signs of being under any pressure. As always, Sion internalized her issues and wasn't exactly forthcoming about any problems she was having. Oh, the pressure was there but Sion used the functions of her mind to shut off and localize the sections that were under the mental assault. It was difficult to do but easier than fighting a constant back and forth war.

"Understood."

Sion follow Akiha further in and kept a good eye on things. Right now, she felt that her own observations could prove to be beneficial in the long run so she took in every detail she could, memorizing any branches in case they needed to split in a hurry.

[ritsu_kouyou]

After about five minutes of silence as they picked through the cavern, looking down side branches to see if there were any enemies laying in wait, Akiha gave a displeased sigh.

"Shinigami-san hadn't been kidding when he said we were going to be assigned to a safer section. Tch."

[computations]

There was a moment where she held her chin and then gave a nod. That type of decision made sense. Sion didn't understand Akiha's frustration though. Sometimes things didn't always pan out as planned, something that was fairly common in the field of science.

"His decision was appropriate. If new fighters were to get harmed badly in their first mission, the number of volunteers among new residents would dwindle drastically."

[ritsu_kouyou]

"Just because I understand it doesn't mean I have to like it."

Akiha shot her partner an annoyed glance. "It makes me feel like I'm being talked down to."

[computations]

"You are being talked down to."

That seemed obvious enough. Where else would it go? A superior would never talk upwards to an inferior.

"It is not an inherently bad thing. That is just how this works. He has more experience than you so he must talk down to you."

[ritsu_kouyou]

"I don't like being treated like a child with no combat experience or knowledge." It wasn't something she was used to dealing with. "I am a Tohno, Sion."

She paused at a branch and peered down it. Glowing in the dark depth were two red points. Eyes. "About time."

[computations]

"You may be a Tohno, yes, but how much combat experience do you have? Do you even have the nerve to kill a person?"

Sion knew the answers to those questions so she didn't need a reply. But if Akiha wanted to oblige her, that was fine too.

"...is that an enemy?"

[ritsu_kouyou]

Akiha felt no need to answer those questions, though Sion could certainly feel her irritation at them through their link. Thankfully, they had something else to focus on than Akiha's grumbling.

"We'll find out in a moment," she replied, heading directly down the passage with one hand held back for Sion.

[computations]

Speaking of being talked down to, it was going to take Sion a while to get used to this arrangement. Even if Akiha wasn't intentionally being abrasive, Sion couldn't help but let it irritate her a little.

Either way, she knew what was being asked of her. Pulling in on herself mentally, she transformed into her weapon form, putting herself in the hand that Akiha was holding out.

Do not overextend yourself.

[ritsu_kouyou]

The less irritated Akiha was, the less abrasive she'd be. She certainly wasn't doing it intentionally, but it was how she was.

Closing her hand about the staff, she rest it on her shoulder as she moved deeper into the passage toward the glowing eyes.

I'll try not to.

It wasn't as if they'd managed real combat together yet. Some things only worked out once an actual threat was presence. The closer Akiha drew to the glowing eyes, her footsteps quiet, the calmer her wavelength became. Perhaps it was focusing on the possible enemy that was allowing her to become far easier to resonate with.

Then the eyes shifted to look at Akiha and a growl came from the area. She immediately stopped.

Does Nevada normally have bears?

[computations]

Here was a chance to be useful outside of being a long stick meant to bash someone. Well, it was good being backup either way. Her brain filtered through information she had learned over time and pinpointed anything of use.

Yes. The black bear is native to the state of Nevada in the United States.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Do the live in caverns like this? It seems a bit too far underground for them, but that sounds like a bear to me.

Akiha was grateful that she had such a fount of knowledge as her partner. It was very reassuring that Sion would know something about practically anything they come across that wasn't specific to this reality alone.

[computations]

I am still unsure as to the season here but black bears do hibernate in caves and other closed off areas during the winter months. If the season lines up properly, it would be natural for one to be in a cave, especially with a water source nearby.

Hopefully she didn't bore Akiha with that explanation. She still had more but was certainly holding back. Thankfully, talking in this fashion didn't take long, certainly not as long as talking out loud.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Early March is considered the very end of winter. Regardless, it sounds like a bear to me and its eyes are glowing.

Akiha took a more proper hold on the staff. Shall we go find out if we're right?

[computations]

Bears do not have glowing eyes. They simply reflect the ambient light.

She just had to throw that out there. But it could be important. Either way, she did send Akiha agreeable emotions to confirm her question.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Do they reflect that light RED?

Akiha drew closer, being careful at where she was placing her feet but never quite taking her eyes off the glowing pair down at the other end of the tunnel. It growled louder seeing her approach, but so far it was holding its position. She was pretty sure whatever this was, bear or not, it had become warped by the Madness Wavelength.

Maybe it wasn't too far gone yet...

[computations]

Depending on the angle, yes. But I doubt that is the current situation.

In Sion's terms, a bear might be easy to beat...if she had powers. But now she was suddenly realizing how unaware she was of her own damage potential. If Akiha could not hit the animal hard enough, they could be in deep trouble.

[ritsu_kouyou]

They could be, and Akiha was aware of it. But she was confident that they would accomplish what they set out to do. There was really no other acceptable option. She wouldn't accept this place as her new home. No, she wanted her mansion. She wanted her maids. She wanted Shiki.

So, they would defeat this... bear.

...I don't recall there being any special of bears with saber teeth.

Because that was what was snarling at her now that she was close enough to see details. It was hard to tell exactly how big it was, but it was, as far as Akiha could tell, a bear. With giant fangs, glowing red eyes, mangy fur and what she could only guess was bone protruding from its back.

[computations]

I....do not either.

Sion was once again running thoughts through her mind. It could be a Saber Toothe Tiger. They were known to have the physique of a bear but...well, it didn't quite look like that at all.

Be wary. The teeth are not for biting but for slashing. Much like a hippopotamus. They will be as sharp as razors.

how did 'species' become 'special' in my last tag?

[ritsu_kouyou]

Yes, because I know exactly how to fight a hippopotamus.

Akiha's sarcasm was felt keenly through the link, but then cut off as she had to bring the staff up to block those very teeth she'd been warned about as the bear... thing lunged at her. She hoped Sion was durable in her weapon form and didn't feel the impact much as the strength of it was enough to make Akiha stumble a few steps backwards.

[computations]

There was a gasp from Sion right before she took the blow. She didn't feel any pain but somehow, she figured she was going to end up with bruises later. If not on her body, on her soul. Or something. As long as it kept Akiha safe, she supposed she would deal with it.

Aim for the eyes. If you put them out, this will go much quicker.

Sion did have a beak on the end of the falcon head that could work great for that, if used properly.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I know that; I'm not an idiot.

For someone who's normal powers relied on line of sight, Akiha was well aware of how effective blinding tactics were. Regaining her feet, Akiha darted forward to strike at it's head but had to jump to the side and off the stone wall to avoid a very large paw with claws that looked slimy.

The cavern in this tunnel was too narrow to properly maneuver in. Akiha was going to have to figure out some way to get close since it looked like she wasn't going to be able to flank it

[computations]

Sion could feel what Akiha actually wanted through their connection. Unfortunately, nearly every way to get close would be dangerous. Far too dangerous. Up to and including finding a way to jump on the creature's back. Which could also end in disaster.

You have two options. You can slowly retreat or force the animal to do something drastic. The later is more risky.

[ritsu_kouyou]

But more effective.

Troublesome things eventually went away on their own but it took time. The way to make them end quickly was to act. That, of course, didn't mean it would lead to a solution, but it would end the situation. So, Akiha shifted her grip to her right hand only, just a few inches past center toward the falcon head to offset the balance issue Sion had in her weapon form. She had just enough room in the tunnel to start to twirl the staff, letting the forked end whip over and over before her.

Gritting her teeth, she steadily advanced on the bear. She needed it to feel threatened. Akiha might not have access to her demon blood here thanks to that damned machine, but that didn't stop her from being what she was. Underneath it all, she was a predator. She needed this bear to realize that fact.

Akiha wasn't sure if it was working or not, so she feinted a lunge once she got close enough, the staff still twirling in her single-handed grip, and that was enough. The bear reared up, bone protruding from its back up over its shoulders scraping part of the rock walls. It towered several feet over Akiha, but it gave her room to work.

Immediately stopping the staff and bracing it under her arm, ready to parry with, Akiha drove her left hand right into the bear's abdomen, now exposed to her, under its ribs as if it was a person she was hitting. Clearly, anyone watching would think her insane as such a strike wouldn't be able to do anything to a bear, but Akiha wasn't striking to inflict pain. She struck to absorb using her Meister ability.

The bear let out a wounded sound that, had Akiha been the type of girl to care, would've pained the heart and energy surged through the Meister. Akiha vaguely wondered if Sion would feel any of the whole process through their link as she's never actually used her ability with Sion in hand.

The bear lurched to the side as it recovered, leaving just enough room for someone as fast as Akiha to get through. Now she was behind the bear and the narrow tunnel would work in their favor, making it hard for the bear to turn around.