Mission 138 - A TOTAL KARMA COMPRESSOR SYSTEM CALLED "GARLAND"

[srwu_mods]

cubey@aol.pl (21:09:07): Once again, Unity Group returns to the ominous underwater dome.
cubey@aol.pl (21:09:46): Rex Cavalier is gone. Without its guards, the serene flower fields are peaceful... almost unsettlingly so.
cubey@aol.pl (21:09:59): But it's still there.
cubey@aol.pl (21:10:20): Under the giant sword struck into the ground... the source of PRAYERs is still there.
cubey@aol.pl (21:10:30): And if nothing is done, they will keep coming back. Over and over again.
cubey@aol.pl (21:10:43): Kagura's condition is stable.
cubey@aol.pl (21:10:45): Time to finish this.
cubey@aol.pl (21:10:52): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddyd8WxIOUY
tormterra (21:13:31): Kei was there, focused on making sure nothing got the drop on them. "I wonder where this place came from in the first place."
tengusaur (21:14:09): Hetepheres: "It is an artifact of the ancient civilization that created the PRAYER. Or perhaps, a better term would be... that became them."
drascin (21:15:09): Kagura: Not all of them, General, just a few guardians. And To answer your question, Kugimiya... GARLAND created it. Like it created a lot of other things.
Wyverncakes (21:15:30): Mizuki: "So long as we can finally stop them from showing up again, I can live with not knowing what just happened to them."
Aero (21:15:54): Willis: "This is the third time you guys have been back here right? Hopefully this times the charm."
drascin (21:16:10): the Apostle floats in front of everyone else, taking point and heading towards the massive sword in the center of the garden
tengusaur (21:16:22): Hetepheres: "I get the feeling you shall get that answer regardless. Let this be the final battle! After you, major."
drascin (21:17:10): Kagura: Now, I should warn you. GARLAND was the lynchpin of a civilization more advanced than ours. The armies it's protected with are undoubtedly immense.
drascin (21:17:48): Kagura: It would take a fleet to perform a frontal assault.
tormterra (21:17:57): Kei: "We'll just have to deal with it...Earth used to be pretty crowded, didn't it?"
drascin (21:17:58): well, aren't you a ray of sunshine, Kagura
Aero (21:18:34): Willis: "Our entire system is full of them."
tengusaur (21:19:33): Hetepheres: "We shall encounter resistance of massive proportions? Very well. I expected no other."
drascin (21:19:54): Kagura sort of chuckles
cubey@aol.pl (21:20:13): Kagura floats up towards the massive sword. This is the key. But the question is - how to use it to open the gate?
drascin (21:20:36): Kagura: I knew there was something I liked of you people. But I don't bring people to die in futile battles against massive forces. I have a plan.
drascin (21:21:20): And with that, she lands on the pommel - and bursts into a pillar of light!
cubey@aol.pl (21:21:42): For a second, nothing happens.
cubey@aol.pl (21:22:04): Then, the earth under your feet starts to rumble as the giant weapon... turns.
cubey@aol.pl (21:22:41): Rumbles - and starts to open. The ground splits in two.
cubey@aol.pl (21:22:49): The garden was the gate. The path is opening - downwards.
cubey@aol.pl (21:23:37): For those of you who had experience with it, the descent looks familiar. It is the insides of a Shaft.
cubey@aol.pl (21:23:53): The largest Shaft yet, both in width and height. In fact, you cannot see the bottom.
drascin (21:24:06): Kagura: Welcome to the Tree, ladies.
Wyverncakes (21:24:10): Mizuki: "One last time, then."
cubey@aol.pl (21:24:25): Instead you can see something else - a swarm of drones.
Wyverncakes (21:24:51): "I see what you meant by guards too."
drascin (21:25:04): Kagura: I told you, I have a plan.
cubey@aol.pl (21:25:08): More drones than you ever saw in one place before. Their numbers are immense and they all float in the shaft, ready for your advance.
drascin (21:25:22): You can almost hear the grin in Kagura's voices
tengusaur (21:25:37): Hetepheres: "Let us know what you need us to do to unleash it."
drascin (21:25:40): she advances slowly, in her Apostle
drascin (21:25:53): Kagura: You see, I'm going to knock.
tormterra (21:26:18): Kei: "What is it? I'll try to keep an eye out for ways to keep us on it."
drascin (21:26:51): the Apostle advances up to the center, and glows as Kagura shouts with a powerful voice
drascin (21:27:37): Kagura: I CALL UPON THE HONORED DEAD! MY NAME IS KAGURA, AND I BRING THE DAWN WITH ME!
cubey@aol.pl (21:28:26): The drones continue floating towards you...
cubey@aol.pl (21:28:49): And suddenly
cubey@aol.pl (21:29:42): "Will this thread... bring us to the end?"
cubey@aol.pl (21:29:59): A shining, vaguely humanoid figure appears in the air in front of you.
cubey@aol.pl (21:30:08): "The children can only love. Why was it abandoned?"
cubey@aol.pl (21:30:16): Another one joins it. And another, and another.
cubey@aol.pl (21:30:24): They form a circle in the air.
cubey@aol.pl (21:30:34): PRAYER Kernels.
cubey@aol.pl (21:30:51): "We are but signs. We do not regret our defeat."
cubey@aol.pl (21:31:01): "We will wait... until dawn blots out the castle."
drascin (21:31:02): Kagura, of course, recognizes most of those. She killed several of them
cubey@aol.pl (21:31:15): The kernels of PRAYERs you killed before - they each speak up, one by one.
tormterra (21:31:22): Kei was quite on edge as the strange things started happening, but she isn't hitting any triggers just yet. They hadn't attacked and Kagura hadn't told them to fight
cubey@aol.pl (21:31:45): "Our prayers are not needed. Their use is lost."
cubey@aol.pl (21:31:52): "Our choice was without reason... but not a gamble."
cubey@aol.pl (21:32:03): The drones are moving to the sides. The path is clearing!
cubey@aol.pl (21:32:09): "The gate will open."
cubey@aol.pl (21:32:15): "It is well... for this is how we built ourselves."
drascin (21:32:19): Kagura: Your work is done. Your prayers are over. We are the new dawn you have waited for. Let us through, and you will not regret it!
cubey@aol.pl (21:32:26): "We are the sign of glory. Our prayers are the victor."
drascin (21:32:36): Well, that's encouraging
drascin (21:32:43): Because Kagura intends to be the victor
cubey@aol.pl (21:33:12): The kernels start to disappear, one by one, just as they appeared.
cubey@aol.pl (21:33:17): Only one remains.
cubey@aol.pl (21:33:25): The shining figure you saw last.
cubey@aol.pl (21:33:37): Rex Cavalier: "May dawn end the silent King who binds us!"
cubey@aol.pl (21:33:52): The last kernel disappears as well. The drones give you a wide berth.
drascin (21:33:55): Kagura: May it be so.
cubey@aol.pl (21:34:00): Or that is left, is to follow the open path. Deep down below.
drascin (21:34:10): Kagura turns to everyone
drascin (21:34:28): Kagura: Well, it worked. The guardians will let us through.
tengusaur (21:34:54): Hetepheres: "...I will not ask questions."
tengusaur (21:35:23): Scaraber simply moves in to descend down the shaft. But Hetepheres is ready, in case something aggressive appears after all.
drascin (21:35:28): Kagura: I will answer any that I know how to answer
drascin (21:35:42): Apostle begins heading down, into the light-filled depths of the Tree
tormterra (21:36:53): Kei: "...Let's save them for after we get out." She nodded in agreement with the Gebian
Wyverncakes (21:36:57): Mizuki has the DuskBird move on through as well.
Wyverncakes (21:37:15): "They're not going to turn and attack us on our way out, assuming we pull this off without a hitch right?"
cubey@aol.pl (21:37:21): The drones stay away from you as you descend. Though after a few kilometers down below, they stop appearing outright.
cubey@aol.pl (21:37:24): But the way down continues.
cubey@aol.pl (21:37:30): At this rate, the descent is without end...
drascin (21:38:55): Kagura: And if you look to your left, or your right, or anywhere, you will see parts of GARLAND, the largest computer system to exist on Earth
drascin (21:39:14): Some of Kagura's sardonic demanour seems to be reappearing in the endless descent
cubey@aol.pl (21:39:54): In the distance - something seems to be shining.
tengusaur (21:40:06): Hetepheres: "What is the purpose of this computer?"
cubey@aol.pl (21:40:08): It is not the end of the path yet, but an object is visible.
cubey@aol.pl (21:40:36): Approach may be difficult however.
drascin (21:40:41): Kagura: To create and maintain an Utopia that could not exist without warping the world, Hetepheres.
tormterra (21:40:59): Kei: "And a computer just warped the world like that?"
cubey@aol.pl (21:41:01): Suddenly, a wave of drones flies off from its direction, interrupting the conversation as they engage your group!
cubey@aol.pl (21:41:21): These ones are not standing down. And they are drones you have never seen before...
drascin (21:41:22): Kagura: And here we- incoming!
cubey@aol.pl (21:41:49): Initiative: Kagura, Hetepheres, Kei, Mizuki, Willis
cubey@aol.pl (21:42:11): Shooting a swarm of projectiles that limits your freedom of movement, the drones charge towards you - upwards, from their perspective!
cubey@aol.pl (21:42:18): Though while you are inside, it seems perspective has no meaning.
tengusaur (21:42:18): Hetepheres: "I doubt you are able to make those stand down as well as the previous ones, are you?"
cubey@aol.pl (21:42:22): Kagura, Hetepheres, Kei, go
cubey@aol.pl (21:42:26): Enemies: Unnamed Drone x12
cubey@aol.pl (21:42:33): Unnamed
http://img.atwikiimg.com/www40.atwiki.jp/hellsinker/attach/103/366/388.png
drascin (21:43:26): Kagura: These aren't guardians. So I presume GARLAND himself sends them?
drascin (21:43:49): Kagura: Either way, just wreck them.
tormterra (21:44:12): Kei: "Understood."
tengusaur (21:44:12): * Hetepheres rushes in, Scaraber nimbly dancing between the incoming barrage of projectiles as it's getting closer and closer, and at melee range, it suddenly draws four khopeshes at once and slashes repeatedly at one of the drones, aiming at its thinner, connecting parts! +
cubey@aol.pl (21:45:31): The drone accelerates! It tries to ram its appendages into Scaraber, which passes by it and slashes, causing the enemy to come apart at its weakest point and explode.
cubey@aol.pl (21:45:53): But while it happens, two others focus their barrage at Hetepheres while charging at her simultaneously.
cubey@aol.pl (21:45:54): React!
drascin (21:45:57): *And true to what she just said, Kagura is going to meet up the barrage the drones shoot with her own barrage of wide beams, meeting them pound for pound and then more with counterfire! Wide area destruction is what PRAYERs are best at, after all!+
tormterra (21:46:00): * "Willis, support the general. I'm marking three drones that are key to breaking their fire and their formation to allow her to close safely and avoid getting surrounded by their formation. You need to fire at them in the order I ping them to avoid a response." +
Aero (21:46:15): Willis: "Got it."
tengusaur (21:47:27): * Hetepheres proceeds to avoid the barrage at a sharp angle, while getting close to one of them in order to use its body as a barrier from the shots. Scaraber has its golden, anti-physical Noble Barrier right now, so she's less concerned with physical attacks and more with energy blasts.+
cubey@aol.pl (21:47:42): The Apostle's barrage cuts through the enemy cannonade, beams piercing and destroying two drones before they can refocus their efforts.
cubey@aol.pl (21:47:51): Three others try to shoot Kagura down, however...
cubey@aol.pl (21:48:28): These are the three Kei highlighted - if they can be removed, then...!
cubey@aol.pl (21:48:30): Regardless, react.
Aero (21:49:44): * Strahlend takes a page out of its sister machine's book and forms a large metallic bow in its left hand. He waits for the targets to be marked by Purple-Two, nocking the bow with several large arrows to be fired when the signal was given. "There." The arrows are then fired out in quick succession in the exact order indicated by Kei. +
cubey@aol.pl (21:50:44): Hetepheres dodges to a position to the side of the drone, but the force of its impact is enough to send the Scaraber spinning, even with the Barrier neutralizing all damage that matters!
drascin (21:50:53): *And seeing that coming, instead of focusing on dodging, the Apostle is going to set up a sudden current of lightning bolts around the drones attacking it, to make sure they can't dodge+
cubey@aol.pl (21:51:10): The two drones slowly turn around, preparing to assault the beetle unit from behind.
cubey@aol.pl (21:52:25): One of the drones is pierced by a arrow and explodes mightily. Another follows the first's fate as Strahlend continues with its supporting fire.
cubey@aol.pl (21:52:48): With little place to maneuver, the drones are unable to dodge effectively, but one of them creates a barrage of projectiles that fall just a bit too close to comfort to the Apostle.
cubey@aol.pl (21:53:18): Mizuki, Willis, go
tengusaur (21:54:16): Hetepheres: "Much more powerful than ordinary PRAYER drones. As expected of the defenders of GARLAND."
drascin (21:54:47): Kagura: They seem smarter, too. That was coordinated fire
tormterra (21:55:49): Kei: "GARLAND probably controls them directly."
Wyverncakes (21:56:19): * The DuskBird speeds into the fray in Jet mode, spiraling around before she can flank one of the drones and do a fly-by, her right-side wings slashing at its head, mid, and lower sections.+
Aero (21:56:53): * With the path cleared for Heph Willis nocks another set of arrows, covering each of them with a reflective anti beam coating before releasing them all at once in order to hit as many of the drones as possible. +
cubey@aol.pl (21:58:02): The drone tries to evade DuskBird by juking to the side, but it's cut up. At the same time, Willis continues his barrage, hitting another drone and suppressing the rest somewhat.
cubey@aol.pl (21:58:43): Three drones are firing their artillery in coordinated barrage now, while those that are now behind you are using this opportunity to try to slam into the DuskBird, and Strahlend while their pilots are distracted.
cubey@aol.pl (21:58:45): React!
tengusaur (22:00:48): # Willis
cubey@aol.pl (22:00:56): Approved
Wyverncakes (22:01:25): * With drones attacking from up close and far away, Mizuki's course of action is clear! The machine breaks off and falls back, switching to humanoid mode to let its whip fling that charging drone into the path of its comrades' fire!+
tengusaur (22:03:13): * Hetepheres: "Behind you." Scaraber moves in to intercept the enemies moving in behind Strahlend, and form a barrier of blades with its khopeshes. As soon as any of the drones are close enough, Hetepheres blocks their advance, bracing against it, and then strikes in retaliation! +
cubey@aol.pl (22:05:04): While she evades the projectiles, Mizuki finds that redirecting a fast and impetous drone is no easy task. She secures a grip and damages it, but the DuskBird is dragged behind uselessly!
cubey@aol.pl (22:05:16): Moreover, this causes several of the beam projectiles to hit against its frame.
Aero (22:05:46): * "There's just as much in front." The bow in Strahlend's left hand breaks apart and forms several dozen shields that are also quickly covered in the same reflective coating he used earlier before they are all sent spinning forward to deflect the barrage away from him and now Hetepheres. +
Wyverncakes (22:06:30): Mizuki: "... Stubborn and tough!"
tengusaur (22:06:44): Hetepheres: "I know. I figured you would do better at handling these."
cubey@aol.pl (22:07:16): Willis tries to intercept the barrage at the front - and is mostly successful. At the same time, the drone slams into Hetepheres' blockade, with Scaraber creaking... but she stops it, and slices back.
cubey@aol.pl (22:07:46): As the fight continues, another smaller wave of Drones moves closer to your position.
cubey@aol.pl (22:07:56): These are the guards of the object which you can see clearly.
Aero (22:08:07): Willis: "Usually this situation is reversed."
cubey@aol.pl (22:08:34): A round yet seemingly somewhat angular, large shining orb.
cubey@aol.pl (22:08:42): No, it's not an orb.
cubey@aol.pl (22:08:51): This must be it. The core of GARLAND.
cubey@aol.pl (22:09:07): Even though its form is more reminiscent of something else.
cubey@aol.pl (22:09:24): Enemies: Unnamed Drone x11 (2 damaged), the GARLAND Egg
cubey@aol.pl (22:09:27): Kagura, Hetepheres, go
drascin (22:09:38): Kagura sort of stops on seeing that.
drascin (22:09:46): Kagura: ...I... think I remember this
tengusaur (22:10:27): Hetepheres: "What do you remember, Major?"
tormterra (22:10:45): Kei: "Anything we need to look out for?"
tengusaur (22:11:27): * As she asks this, Hetepheres kicks away from the attacking Drones, aiming to put some distance between Scaraber and them - and as she does so, she aims her laser staff, and fires a long burst of quick, rapid blasts in the direction of two of them! +
tengusaur (22:11:35): (also the barrier shifts to silver)
drascin (22:11:42): Kagura: GARLAND is in there. As is everything else... [Kagura sounds like someone trying to remember something near-forgotten] ...I think we need to crack it. There was something to it... ugh
Wyverncakes (22:12:18): "Is it going to require anything special, or just a hard enough hit?"
cubey@aol.pl (22:12:20): The assaulting Drone is damaged and easily dispatched, and the rapid blasts make short work of the other to which Mizuki's DuskBird is stuck.
cubey@aol.pl (22:12:47): The incoming ones put up a blanket of energy blasts flying towards the Scaraber, though. React!
Wyverncakes (22:12:53): Alright, and free now!
Wyverncakes (22:12:54): #
cubey@aol.pl (22:12:57): Approved
drascin (22:13:09): *Frustrated, Kagura discharges her frustration by grabbing to a passing drone (seeing how she's the only one smaller than them) and beginning to pummel it with massive beams as it flies+
Wyverncakes (22:13:11): Time to return the favor!
Wyverncakes (22:13:15): Mizuki: "Hold on!"
Wyverncakes (22:13:52): * Having learned her lesson, Mizuki settles for firing two Abyss Gaze beams into one of the drones attacking Heph to make a gap in their crossfire!+
cubey@aol.pl (22:15:05): One of the fresh Drones is slowed down, and obliterated by Kagura.
tengusaur (22:15:26): Hetepheres: "Against these enemies, this is the configuration in which my Noble Barrier shines!" Scaraber proceeds to evade the incoming blasts by flying sideways, firing a few more laser shots at the enemy attacked by Mizuki. The anti-beam silver Noble Barrier shines brightly while she does so, indead. +
cubey@aol.pl (22:15:27): While she is attacking, another one tries to charge at her from behind, all guns blazing to make it harder to dodge.
cubey@aol.pl (22:15:28): React!
cubey@aol.pl (22:16:01): Mizuki and Hetepheres destroy another Drone, and the latter weaves between shots, a few strays deflected by the barrier.
cubey@aol.pl (22:16:09): Kei, Mizuki and Willis - go
Wyverncakes (22:19:01): * The DuskBird draws its whip again, but Mizuki's not in any hurry to try throwing drones around again just yet. "Let's see about softening you up first." Picking out a damaged drone, the DuskBird's whip is flicked out, surging at the drone to pierce clean through it!&
drascin (22:19:43): Kagura: There was something to it, yes. Hmmmmm... [Kagura sounds mighty displeased] ...I don't know. But I know that Rex Cavalier wanted to pummel it into the dirt. So I'm going to try that and see if anything comes to mind
cubey@aol.pl (22:20:42): A drone that used to be suppressed by Willis is attacked by the whip again. With some resistance, it melts through its armor and comes out on the other side.
cubey@aol.pl (22:20:54): However the drone continues firing, having all it has.
cubey@aol.pl (22:20:57): Mizuki react!
Aero (22:21:32): * Willis charges forward, recollecting the shields he casted off earlier back into Strahlend. A large axe and lance are formed in Strahlend's hands before the axe is tossed at the nearest drone that he could spot. +
Wyverncakes (22:22:32): * So much for making a kebab-flail. The DuskBird jukes to the side and channels Void energy through its whip to the drone to blow it apart!+
tormterra (22:23:40): (Enemy count?(
drascin (22:23:42): *Seeing the drone coming at her directly, the Apostle realizes it can't really dodge without running into the wall of shots. I mean, Kagura is pretty sure it can take it, but she's also pretty sure she'd try to reach whatever GARLAND has in store as fresh as possible. So several blades of LUNA manifest in the air, waiting... and as the drone is about to hit with the ramming motion they slam into its side with massive force to deviate it a few degrees and past Kagura!+
cubey@aol.pl (22:24:09): Enemies: Unnamed Drone x7 (1 damaged), GARLAND
cubey@aol.pl (22:24:16): The latter does not seem to be doing much yet
cubey@aol.pl (22:24:58): Willis' axe embeds itself in a drone, damaging it. The drone decides to counter by charging at Strahlend! React.
cubey@aol.pl (22:25:17): Mizuki cuts the barrage short by detonating her target.
cubey@aol.pl (22:27:33): Kagura's blades rip into the drone. Its path is changed, and instead of hitting into the Apostle it merely grazes it... before splitting into several pieces which explode one by one. The drone, I mean.
tormterra (22:28:50): * "General, help out Mizuki by taking out some of the ones near her while she's distracted. If you come from below...Their below, not some objective one at this angle you should be able to move in a blind spot while they're focused on her." +
Aero (22:29:49): * "Got you." As the drone begins its charge Willis activates his Core Cells, giving another order to the axe embedded inside of the drone. With a simple command the axe explodes out in an eruption of wires that attempted to tear their way through the entire drone. +
tengusaur (22:31:32): Hetepheres: "Good idea. Support incoming while they are distracted." Scaraber flies on the trajectory pointed out by Kei, waiting until the enemies are all in one line, turned back to the Gebian general, and then points with the laser staff, and fires a single, focused beam, trailing it over the attackers!+
cubey@aol.pl (22:31:41): The axe explodes on the charging drone's surface, and the enemy is skewered into several parts which fly off in random directions, only vaguely towards Strahlend.
cubey@aol.pl (22:32:15): Hetepheres burns her powerful beam through a pair of drones simultaneously.
cubey@aol.pl (22:32:23): The other two are facing towards the Scaraber, but...
cubey@aol.pl (22:32:32): that's all there is - the GARLAND egg is unprotected.
cubey@aol.pl (22:32:37): Kagura, Hetepheres, go again.
drascin (22:34:18): Kagura: Alright then. Let's try this...
tengusaur (22:34:51): Hetepheres: "I shall keep those distracted while you break the egg, major!"
drascin (22:34:55): *And indeed, the apostle's "limbs" open, and it lets go a huge beam towards the "egg"+
tengusaur (22:36:28): * Scaraber draws its electro-whip and cracks it in the air, before flailing into the direction of one of the drones, trying to latch onto it and throw it into the other opponent - after which Hetepheres follows by firing a focused laser beam at both of them again! +
cubey@aol.pl (22:38:15): Hetepheres tries to recreate Mizuki's attempt - which is not any easier, as the enemy shoots at her after being grabbed. Another round of energy blasts coming!
cubey@aol.pl (22:38:23): To make matters even more complicated...
cubey@aol.pl (22:38:58): Kagura fires at GARLAND.
cubey@aol.pl (22:39:04): ! Emergency Reboot Signal Confirmed
cubey@aol.pl (22:39:24): Suddenly, an emergency signal flares up!
cubey@aol.pl (22:39:30): Now running Incubation protocol.
cubey@aol.pl (22:39:36): ! Warning: Remain far from nucleus during Operation.
cubey@aol.pl (22:39:44): ! Warning: Mortal danger! Second level managers should vacate immediately!
cubey@aol.pl (22:39:59): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b04MDTNMWE
Aero (22:40:23): Willis: "That's not good."
Wyverncakes (22:40:35): Mizuki: "Kagura, tell us what you just did."
cubey@aol.pl (22:40:35): The surface of GARLAND explodes in a volley of projectiles, arranged into a roughly flower-shaped wave, making weaving between the barrage extremely difficult!
cubey@aol.pl (22:40:40): Kagura, react.
cubey@aol.pl (22:40:53): Hetepheres needs to react as well.
drascin (22:41:10): Hearing the alarms, Kagura freezes. That sound. That stirs her memory.
What GARLAND is. How it works.
And the hatred of Rex Cavalier for the Utopia gained at too high a price.
cubey@aol.pl (22:41:18): The GARLAND starts moving around with surprising speed for its mass, yet its surface remains undamaged...
tengusaur (22:42:47): Hetepheres: "..." She doesn't like what's happening. But questions can wait for later. For now, she uses the whip to quickly swing around the drones, to their backs, and THEN fire at them! +
drascin (22:42:52): *The Apostle glows purple as Kagura dives striaght in, icily focused, moving around the "petals" carefully, with all the skill of her time as Executor and with a new determination+
drascin (22:43:34): Kagura: I remember now. How GARLAND works.
drascin (22:43:37): Kagura: If we want to fight GARLAND, we need to give it enough fuel to reboot and wake up.
cubey@aol.pl (22:43:38): The drones too are barraged by this new outburst, which allows Hetepheres to get to relative safety and destroy both of them.
drascin (22:43:54): She sounds cold
cubey@aol.pl (22:44:01): Kagura dodges precisely, getting out of harm's way of the first barrage.
cubey@aol.pl (22:44:09): But GARLAND looks ready to fire more...
cubey@aol.pl (22:44:19): Kei, Mizuki, Willis, go now.
drascin (22:44:31): Kagura: This core is partially sentient. Make it hurt.
drascin (22:45:13): Yeah, okay, that kind of cold, old hate sounded like something of Cavalier's vendetta is spilling over, here
drascin (22:45:36): You may not be compatmentalizing those extra memories as well as you thought, Kagura
Wyverncakes (22:45:47): Mizuki: "... If that what it takes."
tengusaur (22:46:05): Hetepheres: "If this is its power in its partially-awakened state, then I can only wonder what can it do when it wakes up filly, major."
drascin (22:47:40): Kagura: GARLAND is probably the closest mankind has gotten to omnipotence, General. Does that answer your question?
drascin (22:48:09): Kagura: But we are not going to fully wake it up. Just enough.
tengusaur (22:49:02): Hetepheres: "Very well. A brief moment of consciousness, before we put it to sleep once again - forever."
Wyverncakes (22:50:07): * "That near-divinity won't do it any good at the end of the day." The DuskBird hangs back to not avoid the spinning storm of petals, its left hand growing blacker and blacker by the second. "Besides, it's just just humanity it's having to fight here!" With a sweeping gesture, Mizuki sends an arching blast of Void energy at the GARLAND.+
tormterra (22:50:09): Kei: "...Understood." She didn't like this plan one bit, it sounded like it was going to blow up in their face, but if it was the best they had, that was it
cubey@aol.pl (22:50:46): The void blast causes GARLAND to shake.
tormterra (22:51:03): * Either way, not a lot of clever plans she could come up with for simply attacking a stationary object that she knew nothing about and which defied any knowledge she had to make use of her sensors to learn about. She simply unloaded her weaponry and hoped it would be enough. +
cubey@aol.pl (22:51:18): Around you, the walls of the Tree shine and distort briefly. Two sweeping waves are shot towards the DuskBird, each consisting of a swarm of smaller projectiles. React.
cubey@aol.pl (22:52:33): Kei adds to the barrage, with GARLAND moving rapidly - it's very close as it unleashes a circular barrage in all directions, including of course Purple Two's present location. React!
Aero (22:52:42): * Willis joins in on the assault, creating a rather large swarm of stakes before sending all of them towards GARLAND. +
cubey@aol.pl (22:54:31): The stakes embed themselves into the pristine shining shell one by one.
Wyverncakes (22:54:51): * As the shots come the DuskBird switches to its Bird mode. The machine twists and bends as it maneuvers through the shots, Mizuki focused on getting out but never taking her eyes off of the swarm she was trying to weave through.+
cubey@aol.pl (22:55:16): Energy bullets suddenly materialize in thin air around Strahlend, and are responding by engaging one by one in a pattern similar to the attack Willis just used!
cubey@aol.pl (22:55:16): React.
tormterra (22:55:31): * Kei immediately jumped into action, speeding towards her own, subjective up to try to get far enough away that the burst had spread out far enough that she could slip between the bullets. Even if her shields could hopefully take a stray one or two. +
cubey@aol.pl (22:56:58): Mizuki spots openings between the two waves even as they converge, and with DuskBird's speed she manages to dodge towards them.
drascin (22:57:11): (sorry, was distracted for a sec. Still in time to # Kei?)
cubey@aol.pl (22:57:20): Kei's survival instincts flare up, her and the AHSMB working in unison to get out of there.
cubey@aol.pl (22:57:28): (A bit too late)
cubey@aol.pl (22:57:49): A few shots pummel against her energy barrier, which pushes Purple Two back but the shield holds, for now.
cubey@aol.pl (22:58:00): Kagura and Hetepheres, go.
Aero (22:58:37): * "Zephyr." Strahlend's wings open up, revealing the thrusters of the machine as it changes into its high speed form. The machine immediately flies straight up to get out of the cage of energy bullets coming towards him. +
cubey@aol.pl (22:59:25): Willis escapes the bullet hell, ramming his way through only a single projectile which deals insignificant damage.
drascin (22:59:29): *Kagura moves in to attack, navigating the bullets and giving a nasty cut with her swarm of LUNA blades every time she passes nearby, but not going for killing blows. She's just cutting+
drascin (23:00:42): Kagura: Suffering. GARLAND is powered by suffering. Something needs to hurt to give it enough juice. And I choose you rather than us!
tengusaur (23:00:51): Hetepheres: "Bitles, launch!" Scaraber aims foward with a commanding gesture of its hand, causing the four small drones to launch from its shell and circle around GARLAND, constantly peppering it with lasers. At the same time Scaraber does the same, flying around the giant enemy and firing its staff repeatedly. +
cubey@aol.pl (23:02:20): GARLAND's movement grows frantic as it is being cut by blades and beams. It moves from side to side, going to a stop to release an energy wave, and then instantly accelerating in the opposite direction, repeating the pattern several times.
cubey@aol.pl (23:02:35): Kagura and Hetepheres have a multi-layered energy attack coming in their direction. React!
drascin (23:04:06): *That is going to force the Apostle to back up a bit, moving to the sides to weave between the waves as it flies backwards to not be at point blank range+
tengusaur (23:04:26): * Hetepheres keeps moving, albeit her trajectory changes a few times in unpredictable ways, and she tries to aim for openings in the enemy's bullet hell pattern. She relies on the silver Noble Barrier to intercept any grazing shots. +
tormterra (23:04:42): Kei: "...Somebody made a computer powered by suffering?"
cubey@aol.pl (23:05:48): The waves grow less intense the farther they go from the origin source, but it puts a pressure on the two of you, making it hard to continue the defensive maneuver.
cubey@aol.pl (23:06:01): And yet the GARLAND only intensifies with its attacks, if anything!
drascin (23:06:09): Kagura: Yes. Innocent suffering, preferably. A perfect, post scarcity, peaceful Utopia for millions kept by a few children suffering forever. Sounds like a deal, doesn't it?
cubey@aol.pl (23:06:11): You have an ominous feeling regarding its activation...
drascin (23:06:23): Kagura sounds cold as hell
cubey@aol.pl (23:06:28): Kei, Mizuki, Willis - go
tengusaur (23:08:16): Hetepheres: "...I cannot fathom what kind of technology would work like this."
Wyverncakes (23:09:05): * Deciding to take a risk, the DuskBird moves to try to weave through the petals like it did before with the streams of shots. Anything to get into range so she can... "Now-!" The DuskBird switches to humanoid mode, still hurtling at the GARLAND core so she can deliver a flying kick into its side!+
tormterra (23:09:08): Kei: "...Yeah."
drascin (23:09:16): Kagura: They called it a Karma Compressor. Cavalier had no idea how it worked, so neither do I.
tormterra (23:10:50): + "It's pattern keeps changing, but I can analyze it pretty quick to guide you to openings to allow you clean shots. Mizuki, the opening you're in will close in ten seconds. Follow the path I highlight to get out and into a different one that will be open for longer, giving you a chance for a clean shot before having to dodge again." +
cubey@aol.pl (23:11:44): The GARLAND is pushed down despite its size, parts of its outer shell cracked and flying to the sides after the kick.
cubey@aol.pl (23:11:59): It responds to the assault with a stream of continous energy bolts, all firing towards the DuskBird!
cubey@aol.pl (23:12:03): React and also take Kei's action
tengusaur (23:12:56): Hetepheres: "Karma..."
tengusaur (23:13:23): Hetepheres: "I think I know how it works now, on the level of a layman at least. And I do not like the implications."
Aero (23:15:08): * Strahlend forms several more stakes around him, this time laminating all of them with a reflective coating before sending them towards the GARLAND to both continue the pressure on it and also clear the massive amount of projectiles fired at DuskBird. +
Wyverncakes (23:15:30): * Mizuki at least has Kei's escape path to guide her out this time and get in a better position. "Karma or not... this thing needs to go. For any souls of the past lingering still, and for everyone now... we're here to save them all! Abyss-!" And with a thrust of its hand, the DuskBird releases another blast of Void energy at the GARLAND. "SANCTION!"+
cubey@aol.pl (23:16:11): Mizuki is getting out of harm's way, and continues with a follow up - while the enemy still fires.
cubey@aol.pl (23:16:47): However the projectiles hit against the anti-beam spikes, and with Kei's attack vector in clear display, the damage DuskBird takes is limited.
cubey@aol.pl (23:17:07): As blasts fire around it and hit its armor, the unit's melee void attack hits...
cubey@aol.pl (23:17:21): The GARLAND shines in preparation for a massive counterattack...
cubey@aol.pl (23:17:31): Nucleus Reboot Successful
cubey@aol.pl (23:17:41): Discarding Nucleus enclosure
cubey@aol.pl (23:17:45): The shine starts to dissipate
cubey@aol.pl (23:17:56): !Warning: Access while core is unstable will
drascin (23:18:00): Kagura: ...okay, get ready, because I have no idea what comes next...
cubey@aol.pl (23:18:01): Protocol Open. Confirm access privileges.
drascin (23:18:14): Kagura: ...crap
tengusaur (23:18:31): Hetepheres: "..."
drascin (23:18:36): Kagura: I don't have access privileges. And anyone who would have would be dead nineteen fucking millenia ago!
cubey@aol.pl (23:18:54): ...
drascin (23:18:58): Kagura: Everyone get ready for a serious clusterfuck, because I doubt this thing is going to take intrusion well!
cubey@aol.pl (23:19:06): System Status: Contacting root users.
tormterra (23:19:35): Kei: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (23:19:50): Users' permission granted. Nucleus enclosure discarded.
drascin (23:19:57): Kagura: ...what?
cubey@aol.pl (23:20:19): With an almost pleasantly optimistic message, the GARLAND's light seems to fade. Its barrage and movement also cease.
drascin (23:20:29): Okay, yeah, Apostle just stops in midair, and even its nonhumanoid shape transmits pretty well the coplete "what the fuck" Kagura is feeling right now
cubey@aol.pl (23:20:36): You have no access privilege... but it seems, someone did.
drascin (23:20:39): Kagura: ...what just happened?
drascin (23:21:06): yeah, when even Kagura is confused, you kow you've stepped in mighty weird
tengusaur (23:21:30): Hetepheres: "Your guess is as good as mine."
drascin (23:21:41): the Apostle looks around, trying to find if there's anyone else there with them
cubey@aol.pl (23:21:59): Will you access the core? Y/N
cubey@aol.pl (23:22:11): There is no one here. Only another message.
drascin (23:22:22): Kagura: ...fuck it. Here we go. Y.
tormterra (23:22:42): Kei: "Yeah, no idea why either."
cubey@aol.pl (23:22:53): The GARLAND... cracks
cubey@aol.pl (23:23:06): Its shell explodes, revealing...
cubey@aol.pl (23:23:19): Something?! Around you, the Shaft starts to spin.
cubey@aol.pl (23:23:30): You are not sure where you are anymore as the area starts to shift and abruptly change.
cubey@aol.pl (23:23:43): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvuudQrJJEg
cubey@aol.pl (23:23:51): In front of you, you more sense than see a presence.
cubey@aol.pl (23:24:08): Something immaterial, surrounded by wireframes of lines that shift and change around.
cubey@aol.pl (23:24:13): Blinking in and out of existence.
Aero (23:24:38): Willis: "Astral Shifting huh..."
cubey@aol.pl (23:25:21): Around you, a giant number of projectiles materializes from thin air and starts flying towards your position!
cubey@aol.pl (23:25:28): Kagura, Hetepheres, go now.
cubey@aol.pl (23:25:44): Enemy: Glitched Kaleidoscope
drascin (23:27:02): Kagura: We're inside now! Remember, this is not reality!
cubey@aol.pl (23:27:02): Around the enemy, the fireframes seem to form some kind of circular barrier.
cubey@aol.pl (23:27:05): No, it's not a barrier.
cubey@aol.pl (23:27:23): It feels more like a prison. Chains that contain it.
drascin (23:28:37): *And with that, Kagura zooms in, assaulting the immaterial thing in the center with a rain of LUNA shards as she strafes all around+
tengusaur (23:28:56): Hetepheres: "What a bizarre existence... It is time to end it! Scarab Power!" A burst of energy emanates from Scaraber, and its golden Noble Barrier intensifies in color! The Gebian machine rushes forward, drawing its swords again, lunging with all four at once at the opponent, and then slashing repeatedly one by one, the swords vibrating at sonic speed! +
drascin (23:29:14): Kagura: Damn it. I miscalculated on something. I thought GARLAND wanted to finally go down. That's what I felt. Why is it fighting so much?!
cubey@aol.pl (23:30:15): Your attacks are hitting the lines as projectiles fall down on where you once were. The frameline seems to become more distorted for a moment...
cubey@aol.pl (23:30:48): In front of you, something shining suddenly appears, a vague shape of a hand, and unleashes a barrage of hundreds of quickly moving energy spheres, pummeling against everything in its path!
cubey@aol.pl (23:30:52): Kagura, Hetepheres, react.
Aero (23:31:03): #?
cubey@aol.pl (23:31:04): *Did you lose something?
cubey@aol.pl (23:31:06): Approved
cubey@aol.pl (23:31:39): Another message seems to be received somehow. A pleasant sounding one.
cubey@aol.pl (23:31:42): *Is it this?
cubey@aol.pl (23:31:46): *It was found.
tengusaur (23:31:48): Hetepheres: "It is a computer. Perhaps it cannot fully deny its core programming." Scaraber quickly engages in evasion, slashing at any spheres that come close in an attempt to deflect them. +
drascin (23:32:27): Kagura: ...that voice. GARLAND? But then what is this thing? And what was lost?
drascin (23:32:39): Thinking quickly, though, Kagura quickly amends
drascin (23:33:04): Kagura: We wish to see the lost item!
drascin (23:33:10): Hey, worth a shot
Aero (23:33:51): * Strahlend spreads it's nanomachines and within seconds the barrage of spheres are bombarded with a stream of reflective stakes that fly out towards all of the projectiles, attempting to either deflect them away or force them to detonate away from their targets. +
tormterra (23:34:10): Kei looked over the scene lost in thought. "I don't think it is our target. It's chained here, like it needs to be kept fixed for the whole thing to work. If we break the chains there's a chance it will leave on its own, stopping the whole thing. If anything in here actually responds to physical force in a way we can understand, at least."
drascin (23:34:45): *As she answers the pleasant voice, Kagura is dodging the energy speheres, trying to swat them away from the others in defense+
cubey@aol.pl (23:34:57): The barrage is too much. Hetepheres tries to evade and cut into projectiles that go for Scaraber regardless, but there is too many of them.
cubey@aol.pl (23:35:21): Both Scaraber and the Apostle start being bombarded and damage accumulates against their thick armors...
cubey@aol.pl (23:35:40): But Willis' stakes hit through the balls and towards the enemy behind them.
cubey@aol.pl (23:35:45): Suddenly... a wireframe chain breaks.
cubey@aol.pl (23:35:49): THE RING OF DEPENDENCE ○●●●●● WAS BROKEN.
drascin (23:35:52): Kagura: That... actually makes more sense. This place works on metaphysics. If we break the chains...
cubey@aol.pl (23:36:10): Around you, the location seems to stabilize somewhat.
tengusaur (23:36:12): Hetepheres: "...Well spotted, Kei Kugimiya. Let us try that."
cubey@aol.pl (23:36:30): You are flying at a maddeningly high speed through a sky with no land nor water in sight.
cubey@aol.pl (23:36:39): *In that case, commencing process for return of lost item.
Aero (23:36:44): Willis: "Well...there's your answer."
cubey@aol.pl (23:36:46): *Confirming memories of item and ownership experience.
cubey@aol.pl (23:36:50): Willis, Mizuki, Kei - go!
drascin (23:37:18): Kagura is taking the barrage, but between grunts still finds a moment to say something
drascin (23:37:29): Kagura: When we come out of this, remind me to suggest you get a bonus, Kugimiya
tormterra (23:37:38): Kei: "...Did it just make a random Buddhist reference?"
cubey@aol.pl (23:37:41): Also the barrage is cut short when the environment changes.
Wyverncakes (23:38:47): * Focusing in on another chain, Mizuki ejects some feathers -"Abyss Greatsword!"- which combine with her whip to form her new fancy blade. The DuskBird delivers a spinning slash to cut down one of them!+
cubey@aol.pl (23:39:37): Mizuki starts cutting on the wire chain when suddenly a new type of projectile starts accosting her from the flank.
cubey@aol.pl (23:39:46): Materializing in thin air and quickly flying towards DuskBird are...
cubey@aol.pl (23:39:50): Mistletoes.
cubey@aol.pl (23:39:54): A large swarm of Mistletoes!
cubey@aol.pl (23:40:13): The same tiny fairies as Kagura's kind. React.
Wyverncakes (23:41:13): * Better safe than sorry. The DuskBird flaps away, letting each beat of its wings buffet the fairies to send them flying away too!+
tengusaur (23:41:34): Hetepheres: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (23:42:09): Each Mistletoe creates a small energy field as it passes by. Mizuki throws them off target, but the fields rattle the DuskBird and cause damage to its inner systems!
cubey@aol.pl (23:42:21): The Mistletoes fly off into the distance and disappear.
Aero (23:42:41): * Strahlend makes a direct charge towards another one of the chains, forming Quicksilver and slashing at it as he passed by. +
drascin (23:43:12): Kagura: In case we needed any more confirmation that Graveyard didn't make jack shit about Mistletoes...
cubey@aol.pl (23:44:04): Dunn. The sky darkens considerably, just for a moment. Something in front of Willis tries to interrupt him attacking the chain. A barrage of energy bolts is fired, but as they near Strahlend - they disappear.
cubey@aol.pl (23:44:09): Only to reappear and attack from behind of it.
cubey@aol.pl (23:44:10): React.
Wyverncakes (23:44:16): "... Could any of their mistletoes do anything like that though?"
tengusaur (23:46:08): Hetepheres: "They cannot manifest their power on their own like that, normally..."
Wyverncakes (23:46:49): "'Normally'?"
tengusaur (23:47:34): Hetepheres: "Ask Major Kagura to share her experiences after this is over."
Aero (23:48:02): * Strahlend continues on its path, placing the chain between itself and the energy bolts coming from behind it. At the last second he flips on the spot to face the projectiles changing Quicksilver into another reflective shield to rebound the projectiles back at the chain in case it missed them on the first passthrough. +
drascin (23:48:09): Kagura: There's no "their". Mistletoes were stolen, Onodera. All Mistletoes originated in this civilization. Me included.
Aero (23:48:28): Willis: "Wait....Kagura was a Mistletoe!?"
drascin (23:48:52): Kagura: But these? Aren't real. Just images. Ideas of them. No people there. Fire at will.
tormterra (23:49:02): Kei: "Yes. It wasn't a secret...But she was far older than we knew."
tengusaur (23:49:25): Hetepheres: "...Willis." Scaraber shakes its head.
drascin (23:49:28): Indeed, Kagura herself seems to have like zero qualms about mowing through any mistletoes waves coming her way
cubey@aol.pl (23:50:18): Strahlend quickly accelerates, positioning the wireframe chain between itself and the barrage. The barrage that seems to have some homing ability as a few blasts hit Willis' unit... but with the attacks' help, he cuts the chain down!
cubey@aol.pl (23:50:24): THE RING OF FEAR ○○●●●● WAS BROKEN.
cubey@aol.pl (23:50:31): *Return accepted.
cubey@aol.pl (23:50:36): Kei, Hetepheres, Kagura go
Aero (23:51:06): Willis: "H-hey, it's not like anyone ever told me."
Aero (23:51:12): Probably for obvious reasons.
Wyverncakes (23:51:56): "Two down."
drascin (23:52:34): *Well then, Kei pointed out the targets. There's chains. Kagura has blades. Tthe course of action seems obvious. The Apostle charges head-on, aiming to slice off one of the chains by coming at the thing from the side+
tengusaur (23:53:15): Hetepheres grabs her laser staff with all four arms (Scaraber's, that is - she only has two normally), channeling energy into it. And then she rushes towards the chains, a long energy blade extending from the staff as she trails behind her. With a single strike, Scaraber ascends, launching a powerful, spinning cleave with the giant laser blade at one of the chains! +
tormterra (23:54:16): * "Yeah. And each one gives a Buddhist reference...No, that's too stupid. Anyway, we don't really have much choice but to continue. General, I can chart you a path through the crowds that should work well for your current shield. Mizuki, target these three enemies on the path, they're the only thing likely to be able to strike at her with the wrong kind of attack while she moves." +
cubey@aol.pl (23:55:01): The chain is being cut down, the double attack thinning it out to a single thread...
cubey@aol.pl (23:55:34): The vaguely limb like presences reappear - to the sides of Kagura and Hetepheres.
cubey@aol.pl (23:55:51): One of them starts bombarding them with energy bolts. Those that miss are intercepted by the other - and fired back!
cubey@aol.pl (23:55:53): React, both of you.
cubey@aol.pl (23:56:07): (There are no enemies left except for... whatever is going on here)
tengusaur (23:57:05): * Scaraber quickly starts evading, using the trajectory provided by Kei, and at the same time aims the laser staff and launches the blade at the thread, turning it into a beam! (react+Kei's action) +
27 October 2015
tormterra (00:00:03): (Oh, I thought that it was spawning random mistletoe illusions that could still attack and the like)
cubey@aol.pl (00:00:16): (These are gone now)
drascin (00:01:26): *Kagura is right in the thick of it, so turning the shield to full and blocking seems like about the only option here to do without losing all assualt momentum+
tormterra (00:02:04): (Are we still stuck in bullet hell at least or is it just the core or whatever it is and the chains?)
cubey@aol.pl (00:04:01): Hetepheres' final shot managed to sever the thread, and right on time! Kagura couldn't take much more of the barrage. But your assault brought fruit... and the bullet hell around you momentarily silences.
cubey@aol.pl (00:04:12): THE RING OF ADMIRATION ○○○●●● WAS BROKEN.
cubey@aol.pl (00:04:27): Enemy: Floccinaucinihilipilification
cubey@aol.pl (00:05:02): (It is just the core and the chains, but who knows what may happen next?)
cubey@aol.pl (00:05:26): Willis, Kei, go.
tormterra (00:07:02): * Once again, just a stationary enemy that wasn't attacking, leaving little for her to suggest. So instead she turned to a chain not currently having somebody up close and trying to cut it to see if her chain guns and beam guns were enough to destroy one of them." +
cubey@aol.pl (00:07:47): The chains are being damaged by Kei - but as you continue with the assault, a familiar attack pattern.
cubey@aol.pl (00:08:00): The Mistletoes have returned, and are making a beeline for the Purple Two!
cubey@aol.pl (00:08:02): React.
drascin (00:10:39): #
cubey@aol.pl (00:10:44): Approved
tormterra (00:11:52): * The guns immediately spun away from the chain to focus their attention on the mistletoes while Purple-2 proper started weaving through the bullets guided by both Kei's survival instinct and analysis of the pattern by its onboard computer. +
drascin (00:13:38): *Kagura flies into the Mistletoe wave, the powerful energy fields of the Apostle flaring in plasma and fire and exploding in a fiery orange/green shockwave to delete these cheap knockoffs+
drascin (00:14:34): Kagura: I'm not going to have Kugimiya hurt by a bunch of chinese shop imitations.
Aero (00:15:11): * With the Mistletoes being taken care of by Kagura, Willis takes aim at the chain Kei was firing at before unleashing yet another barrage of metallic stakes to rain down and hopefully the destroy it with the damage the chain had already taken. +
cubey@aol.pl (00:15:23): Kagura's energy field overwhelms the fake mistletoes', allowing Kei to shoot them down easily. In fact, she can continue the attack.
cubey@aol.pl (00:15:38): The strained line is then pierced by the stakes.
cubey@aol.pl (00:15:46): THE RING OF BLIND LOVE ○○○○●● WAS BROKEN.
cubey@aol.pl (00:15:51): It breaks.
cubey@aol.pl (00:16:16): *Removing all operation cues.
cubey@aol.pl (00:16:26): Kagura, Hetepheres, go.
drascin (00:18:33): Kagura: Okay, making headway! Now don't let up!
tengusaur (00:19:16): Hetepheres: "Let us see what the last two rings have for us in store. What emotions were they built on. Bitles!" Double the amount of the small bits launch, flying around one of the chains as they focus their lasers on one point and constantly fire beams at it, trying to make it break. +
drascin (00:20:25): *Being too far after her last stunt, Kagura is is going to turn her nonexistent guns (where the Apostle shoots from is something of a mystery) on the thing, and begin shoooting a barrage of cutting shots at the rings, trying to shatter them+
cubey@aol.pl (00:22:29): Floccinaucinihilipilification starts to shift around, blinking in and out of existence, making aiming at it hard - and at the chains, too.
drascin (00:23:02): Kagura: Cheeky little-
cubey@aol.pl (00:23:08): To make it harder, the Mistletoes appear out of nowhere again - suicide rushing the Bitles, and creating small explosions of energy as they go through and towards to the Scaraber.
cubey@aol.pl (00:23:14): Hetepheres, react.
cubey@aol.pl (00:23:49): At the same time, energy bullets appear from thin air and attack the Apostle from a quickly changing attack vector, one which does not seem to have any consistency to it, other than its pure aggression.
Wyverncakes (00:23:51): # Heph
cubey@aol.pl (00:23:56): Approved
Wyverncakes (00:24:53): * "Seen that trick before. You're not getting anyone else with it!" The DuskBird flaps its wings more this time, but she's not just letting wind do the dirty work this time. A storm of feathers are unleashed at the fairies too, to tear them all apart.+
tengusaur (00:25:41): Hetepheres: "You still keep fighting, even though your cage is almost broken? Very well then!" Scaraber backs away, firing a wide beam from its laser staff, trying to evaporate the Mistletoes - and maybe damage the chain some more as well! +
cubey@aol.pl (00:28:16): The Mistletoe swarm is quickly obliterated by lasers and feather attacks. The chain behind it is hit as well...
cubey@aol.pl (00:28:17): Almost there!
cubey@aol.pl (00:28:23): Kei, Mizuki, Willis go
Wyverncakes (00:30:29): (Enemy headcount?)
cubey@aol.pl (00:30:44): Enemies: Floccinaucinihilipilification
tormterra (00:30:57): * "There'll probably be more enemies soon, so we need to use the opening while it's there. The blinking is somewhat irregular, but not completely random, so the chains should get back in roughly 5-7 seconds. Major, keep attention on that chain and strike it just as it returns, everyone else, make sure her back is kept free while she does so." +
cubey@aol.pl (00:30:58): The current chain is damaged
drascin (00:31:31): Kagura: Received and moving.
cubey@aol.pl (00:31:50): Kagura, take the Kei-given action!
Wyverncakes (00:32:50): * Floccinaucinihilipilification might be moving and shifting around, but Mizuki still tries to get a sense for the rhythm of its shifting as she charges in, rearing back for a two-handed strike with her sword!+
drascin (00:33:01): *And indeed, Kagura flies closer, counting carefully... and snipes, shooting a split second before the chain appears with a powerful, thin blue beam in order to hit right as it materializes!+
cubey@aol.pl (00:33:55): Mizuki's attack does not go unnoticed. The enemy has its full attention on her - continous waves of projectiles swing through the battlefield. But this time there is eight of them, as they strike in three dimensions simultaneously. React!
cubey@aol.pl (00:34:12): *Task completed. Lockdown will begin after return.
cubey@aol.pl (00:34:23): *We sincerely thank you for extended patronage.
cubey@aol.pl (00:34:39): With Mizuki taking the attention, Kagura can fire unbothered.
cubey@aol.pl (00:34:45): THE RING OF AGGRESSION ○○○○○● WAS BROKEN.
cubey@aol.pl (00:34:54): The penultimate chain breaks!
drascin (00:35:46): Kagura is trying to contain the sarcastic retort to GARLAND as it speaks
drascin (00:35:56): do not taunt the demented computer
cubey@aol.pl (00:36:34): Enemies: GARLAND
Wyverncakes (00:36:42): * That many waves of attacks, coming from so many different angles... Mizuki ejects the feathery blade from her whip, reforming them into shielded spots to take the shots for her as she switches to Jet mode to get away!+
cubey@aol.pl (00:36:57): The true form is revealed...
cubey@aol.pl (00:37:38): With Kei's instructions in mind, Mizuki can time her defense to evade the worst of the attack, and get away before the barrage penetrates her barriers and deals any critical damage.
cubey@aol.pl (00:38:03): Last chain remains - Willis, Hetepheres, Kagura, go.
tengusaur (00:40:02): * Hetepheres aims her laser staff and charges energy in the form of a visible orb at its tip, while the remaining Bitles gather around her. And then, at the same moment, Scaraber and the Bitles all fire, a single large beam surrounded by several smaller ones, all of them heading for the last remaining chain! +
drascin (00:40:46): *Alright then, one final assault. The five components of Apostle lock in place as Kagura takes aim, and unleashes a massive storm of energy waves at the GARLAND fragment in order to pummel it into immobility and try to break the final barried+
Aero (00:42:16): * One last wave of stakes joins in on the barrage fired by the other two focusing on the chain, the only thing he could do now was ensure that the path to the chain remained clear. +
cubey@aol.pl (00:43:20): The sky around you seems to slow down, and the view distorts itself again...
cubey@aol.pl (00:43:23): *One last thing...
cubey@aol.pl (00:44:35): In a final barrage, a giant number of projectiles is formed. Held aloft above the GARLAND and the chain, it falls down directed by a visible arm-like appendage.
cubey@aol.pl (00:44:59): It slams down, and then explodes - projectiles flying in all directions, all to stop your attacks.
cubey@aol.pl (00:45:04): To stop the final chain from breaking.
cubey@aol.pl (00:45:08): React!
tengusaur (00:47:07): Hetepheres: "This attack... GARLAND is despate!" Scaraber quickly starts evading, trying not to get hit by too many of these projectiles. The Bitles are sent forward, in an attempt to go over the enemy's barrier and fire at the chain. +
tengusaur (00:47:14): *desperate
drascin (00:48:01): *Screw that, you're not going to take this from Kagura in the last second. The Apostle bursts into flame and doubles down on its barrage, focusing all of its strength into a mass of spiral coruscating beams to shatter anything in its path, with all the determination of Kagura and the millenia-old hate of Rex Cavalier converging in this one goal+
Aero (00:49:25): * "Hopefully this is the end then." Strahlend glimmers again and it begins evading, hoping that the combination of partial invisibility and anti energy coating would keep the machine safe from any glancing shots. +
cubey@aol.pl (00:50:29): Hetepheres and Willis are on the defense. Their attacks are cutting the strand, the last circle's wireframe becoming thinner, its form dishevelled...
cubey@aol.pl (00:50:43): But they are forced away by the barrage.
cubey@aol.pl (00:51:15): A barrage that pummels the Apostle mercilessly, holes tearing in its unconnected body parts, one after another.
cubey@aol.pl (00:51:29): *We hope you enjoy our storage.
cubey@aol.pl (00:51:33): Kagura's attack rages on
cubey@aol.pl (00:52:04): It bursts through the swarm of hostile projectiles, a fiery assault heading towards...
cubey@aol.pl (00:52:10): THE RING OF ABSOLUTENESS ○○○○○○
cubey@aol.pl (00:52:15): WAS BROKEN.
drascin (00:52:40): Kagura: Did that work?
Wyverncakes (00:52:59): Mizuki: "We'll see soon enough."
cubey@aol.pl (00:53:00): The Apostle is going down, burning. Through damage it sustained, but not only that.
tengusaur (00:53:08): Hetepheres: "That is the last one of them... What shall happen now, we can only see."
cubey@aol.pl (00:53:15): The chains around GARLAND are broken.
cubey@aol.pl (00:53:25): And the computer's core being...
cubey@aol.pl (00:53:40): Seems to lift, the space around you distorting...
cubey@aol.pl (00:53:46): A flash of light!
cubey@aol.pl (00:54:15): You are inside the Tree. The shaft, now darker, and empty.
cubey@aol.pl (00:54:24): Also - you are on the very bottom of it.
cubey@aol.pl (00:54:44): Your units heavily damaged, battered.
cubey@aol.pl (00:54:52): But you are here - and GARLAND is not.
drascin (00:55:08): Kagura: It said it would shut down when we recovered the lost item
drascin (00:55:19): Kagura: Keep an eye out for anything that might be it
cubey@aol.pl (00:55:53): It does not take much to find the lost item. It is the only thing here except for you.
cubey@aol.pl (00:55:57): Or rather, things.
tengusaur (00:55:58): Hetepheres: "There is no guarantee it is not going to be aggressive, either..."
drascin (00:56:07): Apostle moves with a bit more difficulty than it did before. But at least it moves. Some good things to be said for heavy plating, has to be said.
cubey@aol.pl (00:56:23): Five objects - small but hi-tech. They may be advanced but their form is very familiar.
cubey@aol.pl (00:56:30): They seem to be some kind of containment pods.
cubey@aol.pl (00:56:32): Or perhaps
cubey@aol.pl (00:56:35): Coffins
cubey@aol.pl (00:56:43): MISSION COMPLETE
drascin (00:57:07): (can I open them in mission? Seems to make more sense, since only people here would see what is in there)
cubey@aol.pl (00:57:52): (Okay)
drascin (00:58:17): Kagura: Cover me in case there's another trick.
tengusaur (00:58:47): Hetepheres: "...I am ready."
drascin (00:58:58): Somehow, though, Kagura doesn't think so. These look... peaceful. She gets out of apostle and approaches the five coffins, and finds whatever mechanism they have to open
drascin (00:59:34): and activates it, slowly
cubey@aol.pl (01:00:14): One by one, the pods open.
cubey@aol.pl (01:00:21): Inside them, you find...
cubey@aol.pl (01:00:33): Children.
cubey@aol.pl (01:01:03): Unmoving, eyes closed. They are not alive - they seem to have perished, unsure how long ago. But whatever the circumstances... it feels peaceful.
cubey@aol.pl (01:01:13): Like if something finally gave them long awaited release.
drascin (01:01:20): Kagura: ...
drascin (01:01:34): Kagura: Can't say I didn't expect this...
tengusaur (01:01:43): Hetepheres: "...The power source of GARLAND."
cubey@aol.pl (01:01:49): That's in four of the pods. But the fifth...
cubey@aol.pl (01:01:56): ???: "Nyaaa...."
cubey@aol.pl (01:02:03): Something stretches as you awaken it.
cubey@aol.pl (01:02:10): It's a cat - just a cat.
Wyverncakes (01:02:12): Mizuki: "..."
tengusaur (01:02:17): Hetepheres: "..."
tormterra (01:02:31): Kei: "..."
drascin (01:02:39): Kagura: ...this, I admit, is unexpected.
cubey@aol.pl (01:02:57): Cat: "Hello. What are you..."
Aero (01:03:10): Willis: "Ah...it can talk also..."
cubey@aol.pl (01:03:14): The cat can talk! But it falls silent as it looks around outside of its coffin.
cubey@aol.pl (01:03:17): And notices the other four.
cubey@aol.pl (01:03:20): Cat: "..."
cubey@aol.pl (01:03:24): It looks sad.
tengusaur (01:04:07): Hetepheres: "I wonder what will Skald and Archibald say when they hear about this."
drascin (01:04:08): Kagura: ...I think we should take these five outside.
tengusaur (01:04:17): Hetepheres: "We should, yes."
cubey@aol.pl (01:04:22): Cat: "Wait! I need..."
cubey@aol.pl (01:04:42): The cat jumps off the coffin and looks around, turning several times.
cubey@aol.pl (01:04:48): Cat: "I need to find something."
drascin (01:05:15): Kagura: Such as?
cubey@aol.pl (01:05:29): Cat: "... I don't remember."
cubey@aol.pl (01:05:34): "771."
tormterra (01:05:43): Kei: "They need a proper burial. Even after all this time."
cubey@aol.pl (01:06:04): Cat: "771. That's all. Sorry..."
cubey@aol.pl (01:06:10): It looks sad and miserable.
tengusaur (01:06:13): Hetepheres: "A number is very little to go with, I am afraid. But let us see..."
cubey@aol.pl (01:07:26): The end brings more questions than answers.
cubey@aol.pl (01:07:28): BUt, one thing for sure.
cubey@aol.pl (01:07:38): Around you, the GARLAND systems start turning off one after another.
cubey@aol.pl (01:07:50): The lost thing has been found. And the PRAYERs are no more - this time, for good.
cubey@aol.pl (01:07:54): TRUE END REACHED
drascin (01:08:13): Kagura: The process has started. In a few weeks, GARLAND will finally be down. For real. It's... over.