”Kaori_luv”
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When Evil Takes Root (15) : Destiny City is always being expanded and renovated, so controlled forest fires and forest demolition are common enough. And yet, the forests seem bigger. Darker. There’s no logical explanation to it, but logic has nothing to do with it if you pay enough attention. Sometimes, the trees seem to move--more than just how the wind manipulates them. Sometimes, a particularly mangled tree with sharp bark and long, clawlike branches will stand out amongst the others. It isn’t always in the same place, and it isn’t always alone. They can look like normal trees–until they don’t. And by the time you notice, you’re too close to stop them. In the blink of an eye, they’re upon you. They don’t quite run as much as they do slither, and their branches are always longer than they appear. Especially when they are slashing at you or trying to squeeze you. Some of the trees have strangely human shapes molded into them, covered in dark bark. Hopefully it’s just your imagination but you really shouldn’t try to find out what happens if one of them manages to catch you. Any area with one of these trees will feel unnaturally heavy, and when they have congregated it feels exhausting, as if they are draining the energy right out of the air–and you. They fear only fire and seem to feel pain; if you hack at their branches or peel their bark, they bleed. If in too much danger, they will flee into the trees. Once you lose sight of them, it’s impossible to find them again–unless they want you to.
Note: If you choose to encounter these strange tree-like monsters, your character will recognize they are not youma. The trees either do not understand or do not care to listen to human words. It will always disappear back into the forest before it can be caught or killed, and if any bark or branches are broken off of it then these will quickly wither and petrify. Under close scrutiny they appear to be normal wood though they do not match anything Earth has seen and when dated may seem to be up to two hundred years old.
This RP can be used as a battle requirement as long as there are two powered characters involved; you must be interacting with another player’s powered character. This does not count as the ‘one youma battle’ per stage for growth. This can only be used as a battle requirement once per character, but there is no limitation for how many times a player can use this prompt.
Even if your character falls unconscious or becomes trapped by the tree, they must be rescued, either by someone else or a bystander. They may wake up somewhere else, away from the trees and with no explanation, but they will feel exhausted and will be nutrient deficient.
This RP can be used as a battle requirement as long as there are two powered characters involved; you must be interacting with another player’s powered character. This does not count as the ‘one youma battle’ per stage for growth. This can only be used as a battle requirement once per character, but there is no limitation for how many times a player can use this prompt.
Even if your character falls unconscious or becomes trapped by the tree, they must be rescued, either by someone else or a bystander. They may wake up somewhere else, away from the trees and with no explanation, but they will feel exhausted and will be nutrient deficient.
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Tortuga waited quietly on a hill overlooking the city in the far distance, absently fiddling the little green star charm he had been given earlier. It was more or less a smudge of light and noise but it was that distance that actually had him relaxing for the first time in days. The calm sirene night around him, where the sounds of small nocturnal animals and insects proclaimed him as alone, allowed him to just breath. His mind wandered and drifted but unlike other times it didn’t start to spiral into darker and darker thoughts. No, this time it was mostly just spacing out. Absently noting the gloriously cool summer night, the twinkle of fireflies in the field, the glow of light from the city, even the muffled rumbling of the closest road. It was just background noise for him. Nothing there. Nothing to worry about, or think about, or even dream about. Day or otherwise.
He was waiting for Vimi to show up. They were meant to spar, using the forest behind him as a training ground. It was much much easier to fight on flat solid ground. The forest was going to be full of holes and roots, various things that they both would have to navigate around. Much like some of the larger parks in the city. At least out here they were less likely to be spotted and if they were there was plenty of cover to hide and power down before a fight occurred. Besides, he wanted the breather of the forest. That knowledge of just disappearing into the undergrowth was oddly appealing to him.
The redhead silently hoped Vimi wouldn’t come. That way he could just continue to enjoy the silent night, soaking in the stillness and having not a care in the world. At least for the little while that the sparing was set for.
He was waiting for Vimi to show up. They were meant to spar, using the forest behind him as a training ground. It was much much easier to fight on flat solid ground. The forest was going to be full of holes and roots, various things that they both would have to navigate around. Much like some of the larger parks in the city. At least out here they were less likely to be spotted and if they were there was plenty of cover to hide and power down before a fight occurred. Besides, he wanted the breather of the forest. That knowledge of just disappearing into the undergrowth was oddly appealing to him.
The redhead silently hoped Vimi wouldn’t come. That way he could just continue to enjoy the silent night, soaking in the stillness and having not a care in the world. At least for the little while that the sparing was set for.
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Viminal frowned walking toward her cousin with a frown on her face, not really liking the location he’d chosen for their spar. It was creepy, too quite in the middle of the night, but at least without the sun there was at least a reprieve from the June heat. Though her outfit was far more equip for summer that it was for winter, since she lacked sleeves and pants.
“Did you have to pick the woods, we could have just used an abandoned lot or something … next time Im picking the meeting spot.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, still frowning, “alright cuz, how do you want to do this? No magic though, seeing as how I currently don’t have any and won’t have any until I make it to squire, not that I see that happening in the near future.” Never the optimist and still begrudgingly participating, but getting better. The determination the family was known for was more a slow slimmer in Vimi.
“Did you have to pick the woods, we could have just used an abandoned lot or something … next time Im picking the meeting spot.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, still frowning, “alright cuz, how do you want to do this? No magic though, seeing as how I currently don’t have any and won’t have any until I make it to squire, not that I see that happening in the near future.” Never the optimist and still begrudgingly participating, but getting better. The determination the family was known for was more a slow slimmer in Vimi.
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Tortuga turned towards his cousin and just gave her a look, “Considering how often s**t has occurred off-world or in a park, something a bit more challenging makes sense to me. But sure, you can pick the next place.” He honestly wasn’t concerned either way. Sparing was more or less a required chore for him so he wouldn’t argue if she wanted to spar someplace a bit more easy. “I know. No magic, promise.” He held up three fingers like he was making a boy scout pledge. He also made a mental note to talk to Shang about getting her her ring. Considering how much of a pain in the a** the older knight had been with his wonder trips it was about time to sic him on Vimi. Besides, he was a bit curious as to what a Venus knight’s aspect did. Jupiter’s was interesting but since he didn’t use it much it wasn’t all that useful to him so how would Vimi’s help. If it helped at all.
“Ok so there is a small clearing just inside the tree line. That's the starting point. If either of us reach this tree line the spar is done.” He started into the woods, “Come on.” The redheaded knight slipped into the shadows of the trees, careful of his steps. It didn’t take him long to come to the clearing. Purple eyes scanned the area, absently noting the rather gnarled old tree that looked like it would fall in the next storm. The ground would be sketchy by it that was for sure. He took a position on one side of the grassy spot, mentally marking the dips and holes that he walked over, and waited for Viminal to get settled. “Ready?”
“Ok so there is a small clearing just inside the tree line. That's the starting point. If either of us reach this tree line the spar is done.” He started into the woods, “Come on.” The redheaded knight slipped into the shadows of the trees, careful of his steps. It didn’t take him long to come to the clearing. Purple eyes scanned the area, absently noting the rather gnarled old tree that looked like it would fall in the next storm. The ground would be sketchy by it that was for sure. He took a position on one side of the grassy spot, mentally marking the dips and holes that he walked over, and waited for Viminal to get settled. “Ready?”
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Viminal’s frown deepened when they went further into the woods, as peaceful as it was, she was still creeped out and her gut feeling was saying to get out of there. She didn't really have a good reason, but good instincts were always in one's favor.
She gave her cousin a look when they reached the clearing and shook her head. “Seriously,” she said, “you dont have the heebie jeebies … like at all.”
She shook her head at him and took a stance hoping it was her gut feeling that was out of whack and not his because man did she not wish to be here right now. She steadied herself and tried not to think about it before nodding at her cousin to signal she was ready.
She gave her cousin a look when they reached the clearing and shook her head. “Seriously,” she said, “you dont have the heebie jeebies … like at all.”
She shook her head at him and took a stance hoping it was her gut feeling that was out of whack and not his because man did she not wish to be here right now. She steadied herself and tried not to think about it before nodding at her cousin to signal she was ready.
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“Forests at night can cause the creeps.” He shrugged, fairly use to the general unease forests at night can cause. “I’m not picking up any chaos, are you? Besides, it's when things go silent that stuff is really about to happen.” Tortuga grinned at his cousin, noting the various noises that meant the nightlife wasn’t disturbed. They were fine. This was going to be a good change in pace for Vimi, and for him as well.
With that in mind he ran straight at her, intending to engage using his larger and heavier build to try to get her on the ground. It wasn’t exactly ideal but his magic was the distance stuff, something that they weren’t going to use in this spar. He was so focused on his attack that he missed some very tell-tale signs of danger. First was the sudden chatter of birds as they took wing from the few trees on one particular side of the clearing, then the dead silence that followed. That enough would have been bad but the sudden creaking of wood, as if the tree was being tossed about in a storm, on a calm, windless night added to the eeriness.
Granted none of that mattered because a split second after all sound stopped, and right when the creaking of the wood started, a sinewy thin shape came whipping out of the darkness, slashing down at Tortuga’s unguarded back.
With that in mind he ran straight at her, intending to engage using his larger and heavier build to try to get her on the ground. It wasn’t exactly ideal but his magic was the distance stuff, something that they weren’t going to use in this spar. He was so focused on his attack that he missed some very tell-tale signs of danger. First was the sudden chatter of birds as they took wing from the few trees on one particular side of the clearing, then the dead silence that followed. That enough would have been bad but the sudden creaking of wood, as if the tree was being tossed about in a storm, on a calm, windless night added to the eeriness.
Granted none of that mattered because a split second after all sound stopped, and right when the creaking of the wood started, a sinewy thin shape came whipping out of the darkness, slashing down at Tortuga’s unguarded back.
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Viminal nodded, still feeling uneasy, but tried to put it off as her cousin came at her. She should have been focused on him, but when it got so quiet you could hear a pin drop and her focus instantly shifted. Everything happened so fast she barely had time to react, she did it without thinking. Side stepping her cousin, her weapon was in her hand and she was swinging at a tree trying to attack him.
“s**t, Tortuga! Watch out,” she shouted, backing away from the plant … weirdest ******** tree she’d ever seen. What was going on?
Her head was on a swivel as more trees seemed to be coming to life and she glared at her cousin. “I ******** told you …. God you're never picking the location ever again. Of all the …”
She gave a bit of a screech, dodging another swipe.
“s**t, Tortuga! Watch out,” she shouted, backing away from the plant … weirdest ******** tree she’d ever seen. What was going on?
Her head was on a swivel as more trees seemed to be coming to life and she glared at her cousin. “I ******** told you …. God you're never picking the location ever again. Of all the …”
She gave a bit of a screech, dodging another swipe.
—
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Tortuga wasn’t exactly expecting an attack from the back, nor Vimi’s shout and attempted assistance. So it wasn’t overly surprising that he ended up nearly eating grass. He was able to catch himself but glancing around he saw that, yes, his cousin was right. He shouldn't have picked this spot. Luckily he had a few tricks up his sleeve. One he actually only got relatively recently. Sadly it wasn’t something he had gotten a chance to try in the city. It had been bad enough on his wonder. No way was he going to use it in a populated area.
“Vimi, when I shout ‘now’ duck and close your eyes!” He yelled at his cousin even as he crouched down and after a moment murmured ‘Jupiter’s Wrath’. A ball of light rapidly formed in his hand and he threw it as hard as he could upwards and towards whatever was attacking them. “NOW VIMI, NOW!”
The flash of light and sound had his ears ringing, and even shielding his eyes hadn’t helped much with the after image. But it had made two things clear to him. “It's two of them! At 12 and 3.” They were the only two things flinching in the clearing, any animals that had been still around most definitely weren’t anymore.
“Vimi, when I shout ‘now’ duck and close your eyes!” He yelled at his cousin even as he crouched down and after a moment murmured ‘Jupiter’s Wrath’. A ball of light rapidly formed in his hand and he threw it as hard as he could upwards and towards whatever was attacking them. “NOW VIMI, NOW!”
The flash of light and sound had his ears ringing, and even shielding his eyes hadn’t helped much with the after image. But it had made two things clear to him. “It's two of them! At 12 and 3.” They were the only two things flinching in the clearing, any animals that had been still around most definitely weren’t anymore.
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Jupiter’s Wrath - This spell forms a ball of light that can be tossed into the air, or a crowd, and after approximately 1.5-2 seconds the ball of light ‘explodes’ in a flash of light and a rumble of sound, much like a uncomfortably close lightning strike or a flashbang. The spell can only be thrown up to 20 feet from Tortuga before it fades away harmlessly and can be used up to three times in a fight. The light and sound can affect anyone, including Tortuga, in a radius of up to 20 feet from the spell’s location, but the closer you are to the center of the ‘detonation’ the louder and brighter the spell will be.
Ultimately the spell will cause no physical damage but it could cause those unprepared for it to startle and injure themselves. There might be some residual ringing of the ears or light spots after the spell fades away depending on the player.
Ultimately the spell will cause no physical damage but it could cause those unprepared for it to startle and injure themselves. There might be some residual ringing of the ears or light spots after the spell fades away depending on the player.
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Viminal was busy trying to dodge swiping branches to really respond to her cousin, but she hoped he realized she heard him and listened for whatever it was that he intended to do. When he shouted, she ducked down shutting her eyes tight. She could see the flash of light behind her lids, illuminated the darkness.
She opened her eyes and paused a chill running down her spine, “what do you mean 2 … do you not see all those eyes.” She was shouting because her ears were ringing, not realizing how load she was
She hopped up and backed away from treeline, eyes roaming over the two trees that shuffles forward toward her arms swiping out to slash at her. “********,” she said, “do something Tortuga.” She slashed at the branched, eyes going wide when the bark came away and the tree appears to bleed. She paused and then she noticed it.
“Tortuga … they look like people,” she whispered, before she was ducking the attacking tree once more.
She opened her eyes and paused a chill running down her spine, “what do you mean 2 … do you not see all those eyes.” She was shouting because her ears were ringing, not realizing how load she was
She hopped up and backed away from treeline, eyes roaming over the two trees that shuffles forward toward her arms swiping out to slash at her. “********,” she said, “do something Tortuga.” She slashed at the branched, eyes going wide when the bark came away and the tree appears to bleed. She paused and then she noticed it.
“Tortuga … they look like people,” she whispered, before she was ducking the attacking tree once more.
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His options were limited. It wasn’t like he had a very useful weapon, or that his knight magic did anything all that useful. They were at a disadvantage here and he really didn’t have much choice in the matter. Knowing this he did the only thing he could think to do, he used the magic in his electric ring… once again glad as all hell he had been given all those years ago, to sent zap after useless zap of electricity at the tree creatures.
It didn’t seem to do much outside of making the trees bristle a bit, but mostly he just noticed some leaves shooting off as if a strong gust of wind blew them away. “At least they aren't getting closer,” He yelled at his cousin. “I don’t know what they are but they aren't people! They aren't youma or anything chaotic that I’ve felt before.” There was no energy signature from the trees that he felt. Not that it mattered. They were under attack so it didn’t matter if he knew what they were or not.
“Run Vimi! Run! Head towards the city,” He shouted at his cousin, “I’ll be right behind you!” He would stay behind and delay the trees as long as it took. Besides the slight smell of burning wood was starting to get just a bit stronger. Maybe the ring was causing more damage then he realized it would.
It didn’t seem to do much outside of making the trees bristle a bit, but mostly he just noticed some leaves shooting off as if a strong gust of wind blew them away. “At least they aren't getting closer,” He yelled at his cousin. “I don’t know what they are but they aren't people! They aren't youma or anything chaotic that I’ve felt before.” There was no energy signature from the trees that he felt. Not that it mattered. They were under attack so it didn’t matter if he knew what they were or not.
“Run Vimi! Run! Head towards the city,” He shouted at his cousin, “I’ll be right behind you!” He would stay behind and delay the trees as long as it took. Besides the slight smell of burning wood was starting to get just a bit stronger. Maybe the ring was causing more damage then he realized it would.
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Electric Ring:
The stone in this ring is a vivid, bright yellow and the ring grants the spark of Electricity. When the ring is equipped, the wearer can be in any form and will have the passive ability to function as a small emergency battery that has an undying charge. When wielded it is just strong enough to recharge a phone or other small electronic. It is not strong enough to short circuit anything or cause damage. Its true power shines while in powered form, though! Striking any inorganic surface with the ring will send an electrical charge through it up to ten feet away. The spark is just enough to startle the first person it reaches but it is not strong enough to cause any lasting damage. The target may feel a tingling sensation but all symptoms should fade within thirty seconds. While there is no limit to how many times the ring can be used, only one spark can be released at a time. The ring cannot be used directly on any organic material.
The stone in this ring is a vivid, bright yellow and the ring grants the spark of Electricity. When the ring is equipped, the wearer can be in any form and will have the passive ability to function as a small emergency battery that has an undying charge. When wielded it is just strong enough to recharge a phone or other small electronic. It is not strong enough to short circuit anything or cause damage. Its true power shines while in powered form, though! Striking any inorganic surface with the ring will send an electrical charge through it up to ten feet away. The spark is just enough to startle the first person it reaches but it is not strong enough to cause any lasting damage. The target may feel a tingling sensation but all symptoms should fade within thirty seconds. While there is no limit to how many times the ring can be used, only one spark can be released at a time. The ring cannot be used directly on any organic material.
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Vimi gave her cousin a look, and rolled her eyes at him, batting at the tree, swiping at her trying to take a piece out of her. “Shut up Tortuga … I'm new to this NOT Stupid! I can feel that, just as well as you can … it's just very weird that they look like people,” she shouted with some effort.
A moment later Vimi found herself screaming, the tree having slashed her arm, blood running down from the slash. “********,” she groaned frowning and not have more than a moment to collect herself before she was trying to fend of the monster again.
Her cousin was telling her to run and she gave him another incredulous look, “are you crazy … Do you have a freaking death wish? I run! You run! Both together or neither!”
She was not about to do that I be right behind you bullshit, lest she find her cousin, not right behind her. She’d have to go back in.
A moment later Vimi found herself screaming, the tree having slashed her arm, blood running down from the slash. “********,” she groaned frowning and not have more than a moment to collect herself before she was trying to fend of the monster again.
Her cousin was telling her to run and she gave him another incredulous look, “are you crazy … Do you have a freaking death wish? I run! You run! Both together or neither!”
She was not about to do that I be right behind you bullshit, lest she find her cousin, not right behind her. She’d have to go back in.
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He wasn’t able to run or to more than duck slightly as he did what he could with his ring to keep the trees back. Vimi wasn’t listening to him! Even when the tree lashed out at her, and at him, she still didn’t budge. He only hissed when one of those flying branches scored a glancing blow to his forehead, drawing blood.
“On the count of three then!” He yelled back at her, quickly running through everything in his head even as he started to count. “One,” Tortuga tensed. “Two,” He shook his head, trying to keep the blood from running into his eyes, “THREE! Jupiter’s Wrath.” On the count of three he called out that little ball of light once again but this time he tossed it right at one of the trees and before it really even left his hands he was up and sprinting at Vimi. He grabbed her by her arm and started to book it into the trees even as a flash of light and rumble of thunder lit up their path in front of him.
He didn’t stop until they were halfway down the grassy hill and quite some distance from the treeline. There he dropped his hold on his cousin and wiped at his forehead, not overly concerned about the blood he just smeared on his face. Head wounds always bled like a mo’fo.
“On the count of three then!” He yelled back at her, quickly running through everything in his head even as he started to count. “One,” Tortuga tensed. “Two,” He shook his head, trying to keep the blood from running into his eyes, “THREE! Jupiter’s Wrath.” On the count of three he called out that little ball of light once again but this time he tossed it right at one of the trees and before it really even left his hands he was up and sprinting at Vimi. He grabbed her by her arm and started to book it into the trees even as a flash of light and rumble of thunder lit up their path in front of him.
He didn’t stop until they were halfway down the grassy hill and quite some distance from the treeline. There he dropped his hold on his cousin and wiped at his forehead, not overly concerned about the blood he just smeared on his face. Head wounds always bled like a mo’fo.
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Vimi frowned when her cousin spoke but nodded and braced herself to run when her cousin started counting. She listened … one … two … three …
She forgot to turn so when her cousin's magic went off she found herself shouting out in pain the damn attack momentarily blinding her. It mattered very little because her cousin grabbed her arm, running with her. Her vision was swimming and she struggled as she ran. “Tortuga, stop … stop … I can’t see.”
She rubbed her eyes roughly trying to keep up with her cousin. “Tortuga …”
She forgot to turn so when her cousin's magic went off she found herself shouting out in pain the damn attack momentarily blinding her. It mattered very little because her cousin grabbed her arm, running with her. Her vision was swimming and she struggled as she ran. “Tortuga, stop … stop … I can’t see.”
She rubbed her eyes roughly trying to keep up with her cousin. “Tortuga …”
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He hadn’t dared to stop. At least not until they reached the ‘safety’ of the grassy hill before the city really started. It was there that he let Vimi go, there that he just breathed even as the last of the light spots in his own vision faded.
“You pick next time. Definitely.” Tortuga informed his cousin even as he pulled his sash off and started to administer first aid to himself. “You good? Or do I have to go back in there for my bag?” There wasn’t anything in the small pack that couldn’t remain in the woods. Just a small first aid kit, towel, and some water. Nothing he wanted to face those demonic ents for that was for sure.
“You pick next time. Definitely.” Tortuga informed his cousin even as he pulled his sash off and started to administer first aid to himself. “You good? Or do I have to go back in there for my bag?” There wasn’t anything in the small pack that couldn’t remain in the woods. Just a small first aid kit, towel, and some water. Nothing he wanted to face those demonic ents for that was for sure.
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Vimi practically collapsed when they stopped, going to her knees and rubbed her eyes shaking her head. “Im fine … how long does this last. My vision is less than ideal at the moment. Im not sure I can walk in a straight line.”
She looked to her cousin even if he was blurry and white dots swam across her vision. “Next time I pick … or we just stick to the damn park.”
She chuckled, “you're lucky, Maia would reading you the riot act and telling you to get more in touch with your damn instincts … consider this your rant cuz.”
She looked to her cousin even if he was blurry and white dots swam across her vision. “Next time I pick … or we just stick to the damn park.”
She chuckled, “you're lucky, Maia would reading you the riot act and telling you to get more in touch with your damn instincts … consider this your rant cuz.”
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”Yeah, yeah. I know, my bad.” Tortuga muttered and absently shrugged, “It shouldn’t take all that long. Kind of like getting hit with high beams while driving at night. At least that's what it feels like for me.” He flopped back into the grass and just looked up at the stars waiting for his night vision to get back to normal. No point in leaving when neither of them could see properly.
FIN
