aionlogs | EVENT #1: THE EMPTY THRONE (PT 2)

EVENT #1: THE EMPTY THRONE (PT 2)

The Empty Throne Pt 2

ESCAPE

As more and more of the prisoners awaken to the Pleroma's power, it soon becomes clear that conflict is inevitable. Strength that was locked away blossoms once again, and simply waiting is no longer an option; those that remain in the cavern have made their choice, and they will not be kept there so easily.

By means that may not be immediately apparent, the Pleroma have found themselves able to cast a spell that will ensure their freedom... but only if they can last the half hour it may take to complete. Whatever this power, Xishen, the Aion orchestrator of the Kenoma's ritual, seems able to sense it. As it begins, she will appear at each of the Kenoma's sides.

"The Pleroma has taken hold of them," she says. "Stop them now, or when you see them again, it will be as your mortal enemies. If you believe in the Kenoma's promise, take a stand. The Regent is watching."

For those that heed her, it will not be hard to find the congregation of Pleroma, the first seeds of their teleportation magic taking form. What's more, the fires of their hope have been stoked by this new chance at survival, granted them a surge of energy born of the Pleroma, compensating for the poor state of their bodies. The tension comes to a head, between those that would follow the Regent's path towards a better universe, and those that would seize the wild power of the Pleroma to escape.

Whatever violence ensues, eventually it will come to an end. Despite the Kenoma's efforts, the teleportation spell will come to fruition, enveloping the Pleroma in a sea of light and warmth. The Kenoma can only watch as fractals of blinding color whisk the Pleroma away.

VALLEY OF INNOCENCE

You will find yourself at the Shrine of the Innocent, surrounded by a valley of flourishing wildflowers. As you step from the shade of the monument, you will find your arrived here just in time to enjoy a warm spring spring morning, the sound of birds and gentle breezes tickling your ears. The sun slowly drifts past the horizon, its rays reaching out to you, as if in comfort. The air itself is alight with a strange aura of peace, as if committing violence here would be a sacrilege. There are no man made structures as far as your eyes can see.

Flowers of all shapes and sizes can be found here, and so can fresh water and various fruits and berries. All of them are safe to eat, and seemingly grow in abundance. There are animals here as well, all the common types one would expect from a place like Earth, with the occasional odd addition. While you can try to hunt them, you will find yourself unable to follow through on any attempts to hurt the creatures here. In turn, they regard you as familiar, and will fearlessly wander close as they inspect these new arrivals. In the distance, you may even catch sight of what appears to be a unicorn, only for its ephemeral shape to disappear from sight just as quickly.

The Pleroma will find safety and comfort here for a time, before they recover enough to travel onward. At some point during the afternoon of the first day, they may spot the occasional humanoid figure moving in the distance; when attempting to move in their direction, they will find an assortment of clothing set out across the grass as if in offering. It will come in many sizes but in mostly plain colors, fitting a general aesthetic of 'things a fantasy peasant might wear'. There will also be some blankets, wrapped cheese, jams, jerky, and bread left alongside them.

While there are trees and brush enough to find shelter, the Pleroma will find they hardly need to while resting here. The weather will be picturesque, a comfortable temperature even at night, and there will be no disruptive rain or aggressive wind. Of course, nothing lasts forever, and even though there could stay here for days, what if the Regent's forces are on their way? Once again, they must find the strength to carry on.

THE TRIWATER

As the Pleroma vanish, those claimed by the Kenoma are left in the darkness of the throne room. The Hylician soldiers are clearly agitated by the fighting, but Xishen herself seems unflustered. She will only sigh before quietly coming to the aid of any Kenoma that still need it, providing some light healing magics and explaining that their work here is over. With the Pleroma gone, all that's left to do is to return to Achamoth.

Things move quickly from there. The camp grounds are packed up, and soon enough the Kenoma will be ushered towards the river at the edge of the forest, to board a particularly large river vessel. As the Hylician soldiers prepare to go their separate ways, you will be told that you are to take the Triwater river to the capital city of Achamoth, where you will finally meet your new master, the Regent. The vessel is big enough for all of you, and it will set off the moment everyone is boarded. Suddenly, the world of entrapment and ruins you've been living in since your arrival will be left behind, leaving you to ponder the nature of your future.

The boat itself is well equipped and comfortable for what it is. A variety of colorful hammocks are hung in the lower decks and are open to be claimed for the journey back, which will take a day or two. The Kenoma will be offered a change of clothes of a similar style to what they already have if necessary, and there are plenty of blankets and cushions available to make life in the hold more comfortable. There are dice available for games of chance as well as some mystifying decks of cards that seems to have twelve suits with five cards each, themed around the Legacies. The twelfth suit is for the Regent.

Though the sailors controlling the vessel will mostly keep to themselves and leave the Kenoma alone, one of them will occasionally play harp music on the deck. Though they probably don't actually need help running the ship, they will let the Kenoma help them with chores and ship running tasks if they are so inclined; generally speaking, these sailors just seem like normal people, albeit a bit shy of their passengers. If you're polite to them, they may even gives you a river tour of Horos. On this ride alone, you'll get to see several magnificent bridges spanning the Triwater's width. At night, you are treated to a clear spring sky filled with stars.

As you make it closer to Achamoth, you'll notice the landscape shift, becoming mountainous and dotted with more and more military watch posts. The land becomes increasingly lifeless in a way that's hard to put your finger on, nature giving way to man-made creations of impressive architectural prowess. Soon, you will meet the person behind it all.

QUESTIONS

Can my Kenoma character fight against other Kenoma and/or help the Pleroma?
Yes, though if you do this you must describe what your character has done in a reply to the "Committed Actions" top-level below. This way, the mods can be aware of what happened and have your character treated accordingly. They are unlikely to receive immediate consequences if they don't hurt their fellow Kenoma, but their choices will follow them into Achamoth. If a Kenoma vs Kenoma conflict escalates into serious violence (attempted or successful) committed by the Kenoma rebel, Xishen will intervene and consequences will happen immediately which may restrict their actions until the next event post.

Can our characters leave the valley?
They can, yes, but really this event is just meant to cover the day or two they spend recovering before finding a more permanent place to go. You are free to have your character investigate the valley and probe the spaces beyond it, but please save any plans for large scale travel to the next event, which will be happening on April 2nd. The game will move into a 1:1 time ratio as of then.

Can our characters leave the boat?
Technically yes, but any Kenoma who wander too far will get in trouble. You are expected to report to the Regent, and behaving as if you are considering doing otherwise will not make an good impression.

Does the hope-based Pleroma boost last into the valley?
The boost to Pleroma characters will fade shortly after arriving in the valley, like coming down from a high. They'll have to recover the normal way from there.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Real full of yourself, aren't you. [ He meets that disgusted look evenly as he gives a low exhale, bordering on a derisive laugh. ] Don't flatter yourself, I wouldn't want you even if you were my type.

[ At least he's being honest about that part; there's not even a hint of lust or attraction in the way he looks at her. Gen instead assesses her in silence for a moment, gauging her more as a prospective threat -- then looks away dismissively. Even having learned very well that looks can be deceptive when it comes to the strength and abilities of people here, it's hard for him to see her as much of a threat. Or as someone to respect. ]

Never said you are or aren't allowed to do anything. Do whatever you want. [ Just like he's allowed to think she's kind of stupid for whatever she does. ] You were the one who brought moods first. What, you trying to get a party started around here or something?

Ugh. Guys like you are the worst.

[ Hmph! She (wisely) holds her tongue of any other rude remarks she has lined up for the time being. Mostly because they're on a boat and if she really gets into it with this guy, it's going to be weird for the rest of the trip. But, noted: this guy has bad taste!

When she sees that dismissive look, she thinks to herself that it doesn't bother her that so many people on the boat look down on her - really, it makes sense. She's made it known she's pretty much normal. But a part of that is strategy, too; it's better to be underestimated, she's found. No one expects anything cruel or lethal from someone small and unassuming. But when she finds wherever these weirdos took her Death Note, things will be different (or so she thinks.) ]

I don't want a party, okay? But I did think everyone would lighten up after getting out of that place, and realizing they're on the stronger side of the two. People like you are dedicated to being mad all the time, though, I guess...

[ She says that less maliciously, more like an observation than further fuel to the fire of this interaction. ]

[ He's used to hearing much worse on a regular basis back home, so the half-hearted insult goes completely ignored. Whatever. Instead, it's Misa's following comment that earns a raised brow. ]

The stronger side?

[ Gen finally sits up from where he'd been leaning against the railing, correcting his atrocious posture enough to suggest that he's properly paying attention to what Misa has to say now. ]

You sound pretty confident about that. Were you part of that whole mess of fighting?

[ Even as he says it, doubt and skepticism leech into his words; despite knowing that some people here are capable of magic or ludicrous feats of strength, he still can't imagine this ditzy-looking girl jumping into the midst of all that chaos. No -- it's more likely that she was a bystander, right? And he'd been in no position to get a look at the big picture during the skirmishes, as distracted as he'd been exchanging blows (and mostly getting the shit kicked out of him). Maybe she managed to get a better look.

If it really seemed like their own side had a significant advantage despite letting the Pleroma run in the end, he wants to know. ]

[ His doubt and skepticism fly right over her head, and she answers earnestly instead: ]

No, but there was somebody I had to hurt. I'm actually wondering if I'm gonna get in trouble for it, since he was on our side...

[ She rambles on about it without thinking about whether or not she should actually give this guy the details - well, too late now. The second half is said more quietly, anyway, her eyes momentarily drifting away. It's not from guilt of hurting someone— but the awkwardness of admitting it so brazenly. ]

But didn't you see that girl with the blue hair? Ciel. She got her throat all slit and was completely fine. [ Her tone finally becomes more serious than the flippant way she'd been speaking before, some sense of awe leaking in. Obviously, she sees most of the people aboard as way out of her league. ] There are some crazy strong people on this boat. Not to mention how this side sounds like it has most of the resources.

[ He's more observant than a lot of people would assume and definitely hears that first bit. But for better or for worse, decides to reserve it in his back pocket for the moment, giving only the slightest squint before moving onto what Misa says next. ]

Yeah -- but there's crazy strong people [ he echoes her exact wording with surprisingly little derision; for all his tough-guy posturing, he's also still just a teenager with a similar level of vocabulary ] on that side, too. I dunno about this Ciel girl, but there's people who can use bullshit like magic. On both sides, I think. We probably do have the advantage of resources, but ... getting too confident's probably a stupid move.

[ Not like he's the most cautious person in the world, either, but he's a little humbled after receiving an impressive beatdown at the hands of one of those 'bullshit magic' users.

That said, Gen takes a measured drag of his cigarette as he looks Misa over sharply once more. Nursing the smoke for a moment as he considers his words, then comments, ]

I already get there's basically nobody normal here. But you sound pretty calm after seeing someone get their throat slit, too. [ 'Are you also a weirdo freak?' being the insinuation. ]

My parents were killed right in front of me a few years ago.

[ It's said without any bite— it's just a blunt, matter-of-fact statement. She's made peace with her parents' death, and brings it up openly to people who ask. And she isn't looking for pity or sympathy, not that she thinks this guy can feel a shred of that even for a cute, adorable girl like herself. It's more to put things into perspective for him. ]

After seeing the same thing happen to them, seeing it happen to someone else... [ It's not as bad. Still horrible. But it could never be as traumatic as what had happened to her family. ] I don't know. She ended up being okay. So it's fine, right? I've seen it before... and at least she got to live.

[ The only way she can rationalize not being reactive to all this violence is convincing herself that it's fine, no big deal. She's killed hundreds of people before, so why should seeing it happen have any affect on her? All she has to do is ignore it, which is what she had done until she found out that Ciel was actually alive. That was even better— because then the narrative became that she didn't have to freak out because the girl had actually lived.

She sighs, brushing her hands beneath her hair so she can flick it out. Talking about this stuff is such a drag, that's why she'd been trying to remain upbeat. But this is interesting too - as much as she would've rathered to get an understanding of this person through a normal conversation, this is telling her so much about him. Misa gives a shrug. ]

Shouldn't I say the same thing about you? You're acting all aloof and cool [ air quotes ] despite saying how serious this all is. Where's your explanation, huh?

[ Misa won't be getting any sympathy from him, no. But Gen doesn't seem to garner any satisfaction or vindication from the revelation, either. It's accepted as the blunt statement of facts it is, and as the information settles in, he at least has the tact to avert his gaze for a moment. ]

S'that so.

[ ... he can't really imagine seeing his own parents killed. Especially can't imagine what it'd feel like for someone with (probably) more normal relationships with their family. Can't really picture the emotional turmoil it must cause. But he can at least understand how seeing something so brutal must affect one's ability to process all the violent bullshit that's been sprung on them here, and so he drops the issue.

He still doesn't respect Misa all that much, but he can at least sympathize with her in that regard. ]

I'm acting like this because everything's serious, dumbass. [ Despite the casual usage of that insult, there's no real venom in his delivery. Maybe Misa can recognize it as the same sort of casual bluster that so many guys their age employ. Almost friendly, in its own terribly obnoxious sort of way. ] You think I wanna be dealing with all this bullshit? Everyone here's a wizard or spaceman or demon or whatever, but I'm none of that.

[ It's the closest he'll get to admitting that he's really struggling to acclimate. But still, after a pause he adds, ]

Not that I'm gonna freak out or cry or whatever. Waste of energy. [ And embarrassing, obviously. Something something, machismo and juvenile pride. ]

[ She catches it— the slight softening of his response, if it can be called that. The words are rough, but there's little malice underneath. And it's that little sign that inspires her to feel confident with acting haughty again, pointing a finger at him. ]

So what you're saying is that you're completely normal, just like me.

[ The words are almost smug, but similar to him, they're not really demeaning or berating. Actually, she feels glad to find someone else that isn't some insane robot or a magician. Not that she'd ever let him have the satisfaction of knowing that it's comforting to have someone a little more similar to her around. ]

We're in the same, boat then. Well— other than literally. You can't make fun of me at all!

[ Because in the grand scheme of things... doesn't this mean he's equally as useless as she is? In her mind, now she really has no reason to feel intimidated. ]

[ Something about this ditzy girl saying they're 'in the same boat' immediately rankles at his nerves, and it's that irritation more than any real desire to start a fight that has Gen snapping, ]

Why would that stop me from making fun of you the next time you say something stupid.

[ Ugh. He'd never liked having to interact with the more frivolous girls in his class back home, either. Of all the things he'd find impossible to escape in an alternate world, airheaded girls sure wasn't one of them.

Still ... that insufferable retort given, Gen stares at Misa for a moment longer before changing posture. Sitting up cross-legged with chin propped up on one hand; the closest a career delinquent can get to looking attentive, really. He's definitely interested in the prospect of a fellow 'normal human' despite the veneer of bad-boy apathy. ]

What year you from? And what country. Last time I thought someone was normal, he said he was from hundreds of years in the future before the world got hit by a meteorite or something, and I ain't falling for it again.

Japan, 2004. I'm from Tokyo— but I just moved there recently.

[ She answers simply and easily enough, grinning. Honestly, she's feeling pretty pleased knowing that this guy probably hates being on the same level as her. It makes her feel a little triumphant, enough so to brighten her mood and boost her confidence. Not even being told that she'll definitely say something stupid in the future annoys her, for now. ]

That's not the future to you, is it? It'd be nice if we could be from around the same time, too... [ Because she has yet to meet anyone who seems like they might know the drastic world events happening in her time, but she's at least (barely) smart enough to not bring them up until she gets a confirmation. ] But, well. It's impossible to guess when we're all wearing the same type of clothes. You look like you should be wearing some delinquent's uniform.

[ Huh. He's still expecting some sort of stupid twist -- like she's from a 2004 Tokyo controlled by robots, or she's actually a ghost or something -- but for now he'll settle just for having someone present from the same country, and roughly the same time period. ]

Not the future. Other way around. [ He gestures with his cigarette, drawing a little arch with the streamer of smoke. ] It was 2020 when I ended up here. So you're a decade and a half behind.

[ And while, frankly, a sixteen year gap is a little hard for him to fully digest, given it's just short of his own age ... it's better than a few centuries' difference. So Gen resists the urge to call Misa an old hag (for now) on the way to addressing her comment. ]

Yeah, I was a delinquent, but I just wore the school uniform. A gakuran, our school was old-fashioned. I'm ... was a second-year. [ Pause. ] What year were you?

[ He'd guess she's a first-year, maybe? She's not a middle-schooler, is she? ]

[ That actually gets her to snort out a laugh, a hand coming to cover her mouth. ]

Pfft. No way, I'm already done with school. Which makes you a few years my junior, since I graduated last year.

[ Did she need more reasons not to feel inferior to this guy? No, but the age thing does just that, as if it even actually makes a difference here. Not only was this kid born way later than her chronologically, but even in the current time in this strange world, she's still a comfortable two years older. In her mind, that's plenty to feel entitled to some respect. Or at least some higher ground. ]

What are you, sixteen? Seventeen? Good thing you told me you're a second year, or I wouldn't have guessed.

[ Ugh.

Misa can probably see the regret manifest in his expression almost immediately, eyes narrowing and lips pressed together thinly as he kicks himself for making that assumption. Because honestly, even having know this girl for all of five minutes, he can tell this little slip-up is going to make her even more insufferable going forth. ]

Yeah? The way you act made it real hard to tell you're any older than me. I'm seventeen.

[ So he says, but that retort's a little lacking in punch; he knows it's not quite the scathing remark he'd like it to be, more just an obligatory response he feels he needs to throw out, and moves on quickly. ]

So -- what then, you were a uni student before you ended up here?

[ He's already silently preparing for her to say something ridiculous. Like 'mecha engineer' or 'demon hunter'. ]

Nope! I gave up on school after my parents were killed. The trial and everything...

[ There's a breezy and casual sense to the way she says that, a genuine shrug of her shoulders that gives very oh well energy. Clearly, despite the trauma of the situation, she's not that hung up over it, at least not visually. ]

Nowadays, I work full-time as a model. I'm getting pretty famous. I'm even in commercials for big companies or dramas sometimes. [ She explains this in detail as if he will care at all, looking down at him for the first time with genuine interest. ] You're from the future, so you've probably never heard of me, though.

[ also.... she has a feeling she'll be dead by his time?? That's part of why she sounds so certain he's never heard her name before. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT #1: THE EMPTY THRONE (PT 2)

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