"We opened the door to the shadows...

[nightbeyondfire]

The man sat alone, back slumped against a wall as he stared down at the pistol in his hand, unloading and reloading it in silence. Over and over again. How long had he been here, ignoring the sounds of life around him and the chatter and racket from the communication device on the ground along with the discarded necklace? Days? Weeks? Months?

It didn't really matter. None of it did anymore.

Load. Unload. Reload.

"You look like crap."

The man looked up, staring upwards at his only companion for what felt like an eternity. Himself... only different, like seeing a photo negative version. The colors were all wrong and there were a few things off.

It had no eyes. He'd found that strange once before the feeling had been bled out of him.

Load. Unload.

It was this thing that had shown him the truth. It had started with whispers in his mind when he was alone and had grown from there, appearing in shadows, taking the place of his reflection and finally standing right there beside him exposing the plain, hopeless reality of where he'd found himself.

An ugly grin split the negative version's face.

"So, what's the hold up, jackass? You know what you have to do now."

Load.

Yeah, he did.

-------------------


In the early morning, it happened without warning. A shudder ran through the entire city and for just a moment it was almost as if reality itself... bent for a moment, warping out of shape before snapping out of place and one of the buildings of Genessia's skyline vanished into a rising cloud of smoke and dust.

The thing rose up out of the cloud, standing over the buildings around it. Misshapen, grotesque, it could only be called humanoid in the most generous of terms. Its body was colored in splotches of red and black, its limbs twisted with the right arm many times larger than the spindly left and it stood on legs that should have been bent and twisted too awkwardly to support it at all.

The head swiveled from side to side on a too-long twiglike neck, wide, blanket white eyes that seemed painted on searched the city and a toothless mouth opened wide in a low, groaning howl that rumbled over the city.

The creature’s body convulsed and with a chorus of sickening splits and cracks its body bristled with weapons, and they all fired as one, shearing the top floors off of the next several blocks and covering the rest of the town in burning debris.




Through the city, every communicator screamed out a deafening alert, which was followed by the voice of the AI.

“CORRUPTED ELEMENTS DETECTED. PLEASE ASSIST IN PURGING IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED SURVIVAL OF THE CITY AND ITS INHABITANTS”


[OOC: Subthreads are up. Post in them for combat, or go nuts with planning/reactions through the rest of the comments.]

Comments

Aftermath/Clean up (Either thread with Her or among yourselves, anything is awesome!)

[whos_this_bitch]

She didn't involve herself in the fighting too much, not because of intervention but because of collateral. the potential here was too big, and it's only the creatures here that deserved her Wrath, despite what some people might say about some of the incidents that have happened so far. But now she's getting involved. It's definitely her turn.

After the monster has gone and the fighting has died off, depending on where you are, you might see a certain deity picking her way through the rubble and destruction, until she hits the center of the city - as close to dead center as she can get - looking about and shaking her head a little sadly (and disapprovingly) as she can get. From there, it doesn't take any great sense of being able to sense power to feel her gathering what she can for what she's about to do as she rubs her hands together in preparation.

As God gathers her power, The air will feel heavy and laden with charge - the kind of feel that comes before a thunderstorm - to anybody with no sense of power. Even they can feel it. To those who have any sense of magic or psychic power, they're going to be hit with the feel of a massive energy in the center of town, pulling inwards as if gathering for a blast. It's off the charts, and it will feel neutral. While she herself tends to give off a generally warm feel to sensitives, this mass of gathering will feel completely neutral, both the possibility for a mass of anger and destruction as well as the possibility for love and healing. Anger at what has become of the city, sadness for the security of homes that people have lost to the creatures, the promise of better things than the current situation, the warmth of the sun, the coldness of winter, a mother's love and desire to protect, life - It's everything; and probably nothing they've ever felt before unless touched by pure creation. They wouldn't be blamed at all for not knowing whether to run from it, attack it, or bathe in it, or be simply be overcome by it.

It begins to wash over the city. It's slower than it would be back where she was fully connected to the power of heaven and creation, not quite an instantaneous fix, but the effect as it pushes out from the center is more than visible. As the surge of Power goes down through the streets, it touches everywhere. As it pushes over the streets, they clear the instant her Grace runs over it; as it moves over the buildings, they fix and you'd never even know they had been fallen moments before. Clouds of smoke and dust dissipate and clear, lingering fires still crackling go out completely, and it takes only minutes for the entire city to be as if it was never touched.

After the fix, the power of creation leaves the streets of the cities more suddenly, not fading out in the same manner it had built but cutting out and disappearing, the only sign of the power of creation was there will be the smell of ozone in the air as if there was a great storm.

She herself is going to slump after she's finished, for the moment completely exhausted. She'd used almost everything she had access to here and she's completely drained. Her intention is for people not to see her after that feat drained like this, for she has not too much pride for it to be sinful, obviously, but just enough that she doesn't like those contrary images. She makes it about three feet before she collapses onto the sidewalk, however.

get close enough, and you'll find her breathing and definitely showing signs of being alive. There's no signs of injury on her body. There might be a soft snore or two though. You'd better believe this chick is just sleeping right here.

[celestial_wizard]

That was a BIIIIIIIIIIIIG magic spell for someone to be able to fix up all the damage that monster did. It was no surprise to Lucy that the woman collapsed to sleep it off shortly afterwards. She's still amazed at the extent the repairs that were done - it was like the monster never even showed up.

What kind of magic WAS that?

Nevermind - she walked over to where the other woman had dropped to check on her and.. y'know, God might not mind sleeping in the middle of the area like that, but she really should rest somewhere more comfortably. Maybe Lucy should take her back to Fayren, to one of the inn rooms?

[whos_this_bitch]

Lucy walks over, but she doesn't really stir all that much until Lucy is right beside her. Then she stirs a little, her eyes open a little bit, and she just grins her bright, sunny grin before nodding back to sleep.

Anywhere will be fine, Lucy.

[celestial_wizard]

Anywhere nothing! Lucy blinked at God's reaction and..quite frankly, between that and the bizarre platypus hat pet she reminded Lucy more and more of the First. She knelt, pulling the woman gently up so she could piggy back her.

Good thing she wasn't an overweight lady or she'd have trouble. She's managed to carry Natsu like this though - heck, if she hadn't managed it she might have called on one of the other spirits to help her.

[whos_this_bitch]

Carrying her is easy enough, especially as she's not heavy at all and... short. As standards go. All in all, a good mix for being easily carry-able.

Pulling her up elicits another slight stir, not much more than simply cracking open an eye to check it's still Lucy, before burrowing into her neck a little bit and probably letting herself get way too comfortable. You're right. Anywhere is not fine. Right here is perfect! Body heat to keep her warm, shoulders as a convenient headrest, Walking giving a gentle rocking motion that's unendingly soothing... Perfect.

[Will delete if this isn't okay.]

[explodewiththerage]

Natsu was a few blocks away still, mopping up the last straggler he could sniff out when the sense of magic on an enormous scale washed over him. It wasn't anything dangerous but the power was staggering even for the Dragon Slayer. So naturally he followed it back to the source. Only to find Lucy.

"Lucy?! What happened? I felt this really strong magic and- Hey isn't that the lady from the Inn?"

You're all good :3

[celestial_wizard]

Lucy squeaks in surprise - yah God, you're getting WAY too cozy thar. She glanced over her shoulder, bewildered, then mentally shook her head. Spotting Natsu when he was approaching, Lucy nodded towards the snoozing woman.

"Yeah, it is. That big magic was her - all these buildings that were wrecked? She fixed them - and then just passed out afterwards. It must have really worn her out. I didn't want her to sleep on the ground, so I thought I'd take her back to the Inn at Fayren at least. "

Absolutely! and Feel free to skip me btw. She's just here, snoozing for a long while XD

[whos_this_bitch]

Natsu's arrival doesn't inspire a stir this time, finally dragged deep under enough that she doesn't even sense a second person's arrival. She might have underestimated the drain that fixing such a relatively large area was going to have on her, but it's not really something she's had to deal with just yet, mostly minor incidents and usage meaning it's a new experience to be hit quite so hard.

She's just clinging tight like a koala in her sleep, a faint smile on her face as she dreams of Home. Are you sure it has to be the inn? Clearly she's not a burden at all. And she's so comfy~

[explodewiththerage]

"Woah really? That's amazing." Natsu had to admit this development put the lady in a whole new light for him. In a way she kind of reminded him of the First Master, Mavis. Still now they had her in their care so a decision would have to be made.

"Hmmm that's a good idea. It's not like we know where she lives. You want me to carry her for you?" Though now that he looked closer that was likely easier said than done.

'Hime! [voice]

[baconandsnausages]

[He wasn't going to just ignore this invasion of the city. Up until the point in which the building he'd been sniping from had been targeted and he'd had to vacate, forced to also abandon the high-powered weapon (unfortunately - he definitely needs another one, goddamn it), at which point he had found himself in the streets with just a handgun and two knives which... needless to say hadn't ended perfectly. Or even what could be counted as 'well'. However, by some miracle - he's not even going to claim it as something else - he's managed to survive until the end. Just about.

He knows he's bad enough that he can't just slink off somewhere until he's feeling a bit more up to speed, so that means he's going to have to swallow what he has of his pride and what he has of not liking to actually show when he's hurting, and actually contact someone. His first thought is Mom (shut up), but he knows that as much as he wants her, the most she could do is take him to the clinic. He's going to need action a little bit faster (not to mention a hate of hospitals). The next, and in hindsight most obvious, thought is Orihime. She does that healy thing, and as much as he's going to hate her to tell her to basically drop everything... He really, really has to hope that she has also got the habit of carrying her comm around. Or at least, during the important thing.]

Orihime? I kinda- [coughing that's wet and probably gives up his state as well as if he'd videoed her] ...Okay, I really need your help right now. [He gives her his position. She'll find him pushed up against a wall, covered in deep gouges and bite marks. It's probably a testament to his stubbornness that he's even still conscious, even if it's barely.]

Dean-san! [voice]

[leekspins]

[Orihime's surprised to be getting a radio call now of all times. She kind of suspects it's someone like Dean or Mary, calling to make sure she's okay. She's fully prepared to reassure them of this fact, especially in light of how she wasn't even...wasn't...]

[But before her thoughts can trouble her too deeply, she hears the pain in Dean's voice, and her heart just about torpedoes into her stomach. He was HERE?]

[She doesn't even ask where he is, and thankfully she doesn't have to. He provides the information, and she's zeroing in on his location with her spiritual powers.]

I'm coming, hold on!

[He's not the sort of person who would want her to waste a lot of words on him, even though it tears her up inside...especially when she sees the shape he's in. Tearing around the corner, her eyes widen with shock once she's able to pick him out.]

[Though her breath sticks in her throat, she doesn't need her voice to send Shun'ou and Ayame ahead of her, enclosing Dean within that gold dome of light. She reaches his side shortly after, just outside the barrier of her shield, and drops to her knees.]

I didn't know you were here...I didn't mean to make you fight alone...!

[Ackshun!]

[baconandsnausages]

[They'd talked about this, but he'd never seen it in action. 'S pretty. And definitely working, which is awesome. ]

It's fine. I was fine. Until the building I was in got hit. Then it seemed like I was pulling in aggro from everything on the damned street. [There's a pause before he adds-] and I lost my rifle. [...He's totally not pouting]

[Ackshun!]

[leekspins]

[Orihime blinks at him for a moment. His rifle...? She then smiles wearily, and her body slumps forward with a little laugh. Of course he'd be worried about the gun.]

I'm just so glad you didn't die.

[She pushes the heel of her palm over her cheek. When did it start getting wet? She can't help it, she's missed him, and she's been worried sick that M would find him and torture him in some horrible way.]

I'm sure we'll find it again, once you're better. I'll help you look.

[baconandsnausages]

[He smiles at her, not quite the bright sunny grin, but getting there.]

Takes more than that to put me down. Your words, they hurt. [Teasing entirely, hiding what's left of his pain - even if by the end of this it's going to be mostly emotional by the looks of things - and trying to turn her frown upside down. Or, you know, just stop her crying. Don't cry, Hime D:]

Don't worry about it, I can get another.

[He shifts, but it's more of a restless way now. He's not used to just sitting and being looked after, even as hands off as this is.] Are you okay? Did you get hurt?

[leekspins]

I'm fine. Amelia-chan and I made a pretty good team!

[Her smile is awkward as she tries to put on a cheery face. She's still upset about Dean's injuries, and there's that little nagging concern in the back of her mind about the monsters. But she's not sure how to express it.]

Sorry. You're right. You're definitely very tough, this was probably really easy for you compared to the other monsters, ne?

[baconandsnausages]

[....At least his was better than yours. Now he's concerned. And even if not fully healed, he's trying to wave away the fairies making the shield without really looking at them at all, trying to study her closer. She really doesn't look hurt...] I'm okay, you can stop.

[And then without much of a pause, he frowns at her, worried. Not even gonna answer her question.] What happened?

[leekspins]

[The shield doesn't vanish. Until he's in tip-top shape, she doesn't want to stop. He doesn't have much longer to wait, though, and she finally settles back with her hands in her lap as the shield breaks apart and her hairpins are restored.]

Nothing happened. But that's just it.

[She has no reason to hide it, especially given how much experience he has with monsters. He might know something where she doesn't. She puts a hand to the back of her neck, looking down one of the streets as her brow knits in perplexion.]

None of them tried to attack me. I know they saw me, they looked straight at me more than once. But it was like they just didn't see me as a threat.

[She'd destroyed a couple of them, too.]

I don't really get it.

[betel_geuse]

Naturally, that much magic and such a spell would attract Betelgeuse. He watches the clean up in awe and feels real fear, something he has felt only once or twice in the six hundred years, since he has died. He finds himself drawn to the woman on the sidewalk. There's something about her, but he can't define it. He walks over to her and kneels close.

"Yo, babes. You okay there? Not the best place to take a nap, know what I mean?"

[whos_this_bitch]

His voice brings her up into the shallowest pools of consciousness, enough for her to shoot a sleepy grin and gives him a thumbs up. Right here is fine.

[betel_geuse]

Betelgeuse sits next to her, lighting up a cigarette.

"Well, sleep if you want, but I'm not sure I believe ya. Nice job on the clean-up, though."

[whos_this_bitch]

She's not totally right back to sleep yet, so he might pick up on a weakly transmitted Don't forget to feed the platypus... He's near the middle tree... as she sends the thought at him. She's not got enough mojo for it even to cause a headache if she wanted to, the thought dropping in and out. And that's her entirely spent.

Seriously, don't forget to feed the platypus.

[betel_geuse]

He received the message and it's content irritated him. Really?

"Platypus?? Lady, I don't know nothing about no stinking platypus!" Betelgeuse protested.

He stood up, looking around for a clump of trees that might have an animal hiding in it.

"What the hell does a platypus eat, anyways?"

[whos_this_bitch]

she takes a minute to paw for her phone upon noticing him looking around here. In fstren Her fingers are barely working and her eyelids droop shut. There's a snuffle and a light snore.

Sorry, Betes, she's out like a light.

[betel_geuse]

Betelgeuse read the message and sighed. "Fstren? I hope your spellings better, when you're conscious, babes."

Still, it was a clue, so he set about finding out what it meant.

[whos_this_bitch]

Ususally. However, she was suffering from sleepy fingers. As soon as he realises it means Fayren, however...

It really won't be all that hard to find. The tree will have a neat little cross marker and everything. Not that she'll be answering any calls there for a while, but still.