[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

[prosecutory]

Instead of faltering the moment Genesis assumed his Weapon form, Edgeworth managed to stand his ground instead of allowing the weight of the sword to overwhelm his one-handed grip. Not that the weight would make him stagger; the blade seemed lighter this time, compared to their past attempts to resonate. That was a good sign. But he still needed both hands to wield the Rapier, so he quickly held it in front of him in a guard position, and advanced slowly, guided by Genesis' light.

Hopefully the prosecution was as ready as it claimed to be.

The creatures were approaching, but judging from how they shuffled and sniffed and tilted their heads, it was easy to tell that they were blind. Edgeworth had the advantage of sight, but he knew that the kishin eggs' other senses would be sharpened with the crippling of one. He was silent as he poured his soul wavelength into his Weapon, feeling that familiar warm sensation of power about to course into him as he stepped forward in a lunge.

However, the nearest creature heard his steps upon the cave floor, and suddenly struck out with its claws. Edgeworth backed away quickly, narrowly escaping getting clawed, and promptly blocked another incoming swipe with the Rapier.

[recitings]

In the meantime, Genesis studied his meister's movements, allowing Edgeworth to fight this on his own for a while. But he couldn't help but want to push him forward-- make him go after the creature aggressively as soon as an opening was made. After all, an opponent is always open once his blow has been guarded against.

Now! Genesis urged Edgeworth to swing the sword sideways as soon as he parried another hit, using a little of their resonance to move his hand so they were quicker, effectively using that little window of time to kill the creature.

But that was just one-- there were more coming in now, sensing that they truly were under attack by the pair.

Go aggressively, don't falter. I'll help you.

[prosecutory]

Edgeworth could feel Genesis guiding his hand as he continued to engage the one creature that had nearly ripped his shirt open, and allowed him to do so, knowing that he was far more experienced in battle. Obeying his Weapon's directions, Edgeworth could almost feel the life flee from the strange monster when he dealt the killing blow.

He didn't have long to celebrate or even take a breather, and stepped to the side, trying to figure out where to strike first. If he used his Meister ability now, he would give their position away. Then again, they had already given it away somewhat by attacking one of the creatures. Besides, his ability would bend them to his will.

If he was lucky. And he had to save it for another time. For now, one wayward creature had broken away from the pack, moving toward Edgeworth's left but twisting as it searched for its quarry.

Edgeworth didn't reply to Genesis, but strode forward, swinging the blade at it with gritted teeth. His opponent lashed out with a howl, and he hurriedly sidestepped before slashing at it again. The adrenaline of a fight was now coursing through him along with the power of resonance; he had to be careful not to get reckless.

[recitings]

Good.

Genesis firmly praised Edgeworth as he let him take full control of his movements. But if his meister ever got reckless, Genesis was sure to catch his error. In fact, he takes full advantage of their resonance to subtly enhance how his meister performed. By timing the weapon's weight, Genesis could prevent inertia from getting the best of his partner, setting him off balance.

At the same time, he took care to nudge his meister towards some enemies he probably could not see, such as the one he could sense was going for their extreme left.

Swing left!

The more the worked cooperatively, Edgeworth may soon notice how stronger Rapier's fiery glow became.

[prosecutory]

Edgeworth had only the briefest glimpse of the Rapier glowing more brightly before he twisted toward his left so fast that he was amazed he didn't pull a muscle, now too focused on staying alive and fighting to notice any more changes in his Weapon's appearance. He swung as Genesis instructed him to. The blade connected - although a bit too hard, and the prosecutor winced as his grip was jarred slightly.

Luckily, he recovered from that promptly, rearranging the way he held the Rapier in the small window of time he had before the enemy reached out with its claws. It never raked cloth or flesh; it only met the Rapier. Edgeworth raised one foot and attempted to knock the creature off balance by kicking it in the shin.

It worked, but unfortunately, Edgeworth himself also ended up off balance. He staggered forward with a gasp, nearly falling to his knees but managing to place his other foot ahead of him to stay upright.

[recitings]

Stay steady! Are you alright?

Genesis reached out to Edgeworth, concerned for his Meister's well-being. Although they were becoming stronger together thanks to the training they did every morning, there were still many things Edgeworth had to learn-- one of them being how to properly make use of the Rapier's weight like a SOLDIER could.

In any case, they seem to have cleared the enemies around them for now and can proceed forward. If there were any others, they could possibly fight them off with fire. After all, these blind creatures so used to dark and cold would surely shrink away from intense heat and light.

[prosecutory]

Yes!

Edgeworth took a deep breath, glancing down at his feet, and then at his hands. No damage was done to him, at least, and he could still stand. The creature he had kicked was down as well and would no longer be getting up, but he paid it little attention. Looking around, he could see that some of the monsters had fled into the shadows, deeper into the cave.

I'm all right.

Bracing himself for more battles ahead, he strode forward, the Rapier once again in guard position and his hands holding it properly.

[recitings]

Alright. Let's keep on forward now. We just have to remain strong against the madness and ward off enough creatures to give the technicians time.

Genesis remembers how he spotted Sephiroth not too far off, his hand appearing to bear a wound-- possibly self-inflicted. The ex-SOLDIER was aware that he was possibly stronger against the madness than his comrade was, but still, it felt like an omen to him. If it was that bad for him, then what could it be like for the both of them-- Genesis especially.

[prosecutory]

With the danger behind them, Edgeworth once again took notice of how cramped and dark their surroundings really were - even with the light of the Rapier. He set his mouth in a thin, grim line, trying to keep those thoughts at the back of his mind. This was the worst time to let his imagination get the better of him.

He didn't answer Genesis anymore in his thoughts or with words, but answered by continuing to walk forward, no longer needing his flashlight. Edgeworth slowed down slightly to listen for any signs of incoming enemies, or allies - and to also calm himself. Sensing Genesis' soul wavelength through the Rapier helped, at least.

[recitings]

Genesis remained as quiet as Edgeworth was, taking his time observing their surroundings. It was difficult, working in the dark. But he was rather thankful that his weapon form dealt with the element of fire. At least that made him a source of light for the both of them.

There was murmuring within the caves. Genesis was sure that those were their comrades. But he had an ominous feeling that they were going to face foes again. It's no surprise. After all, the closer they were to the emitter, the more likely they were to go up against monsters. But it definitely wasn't helping that both the madness and a substance in the air were numbing his mind.