Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

[voidtreckermods]

Ritual

The jellyfish is no more and as red team take stock of their injuries, or collapse from exhaustion the lights zip around them, singing their song of joy. They gather around the light that had been inside the jellyfish and now that it has been released it is obvious this light is different. Stronger. They surround it and the song gets even louder as they begin to move towards the plinth.

In the caverns where the purple and orange team are there is a stillness. For those in orange team still in the cavern they can only hope that the instructions they gave out had been followed. Luckily for them they have been, Purple team have done a remarkable job of defeating the crabs and cleaning the temple. The priests gather around the shell on the alter, arms linked together in prayer as they seek to re-sanctify their temple. As their prayer begins they will invite the voidtreckers to join them, though no one is forced into taking part in the ritual. They suggest that they use their strange wrist jewellery to open communication with their friends in Bui.

The monster on the beach is defeated and though the fight is still raging against the crabs, a beacon has been built and lit. The islanders who are not fighting gather around it, linking arms, drawing any voidtreckers who don't object to joining them into the circle.

The song begins hesitantly, almost as if everyone has forgotten the words and only half remembers the tune. The SCA translates, the prayer is simple, a blessing on the land and its people, deliverance from the darkness and hope for the future.

The light from the jellyfish reaches the plinth and is set upon it. The song heightens and the light shoots upwards, blinding in its brilliance.

Through the dark storm clouds a light streams towards the island, most of it towards the beacon on the island though there is a break away light that goes towards the train, where some of orange team have set up a second beacon. It swirls around those on the train roof, singing a song of happiness and bounces back towards the island.

The light reaches the main beacon and hits it with a strength that lights up the whole sky. The light splits more solidly into two and speeds off over the ocean. Light pours into the underground caverns, not caring about the ocean and rock in the way, the light pools into the shells, the caverns glow warmly.

Outside the storm calms, clouds roll back, the sun shines. The sea stills. The wind stops. The sun is rising, a beautiful dawn. Any monsters left scuttle away, vanishing into the ocean, away from Bui.

Those with any powers that they couldn't reach before find them returned in a rush. Those who can sense life find this world teeming with it. A song that dances between every plant and creature.

Some of red may have evacuated to the train but those who stayed to see the ritual through, the world around them seems to melt away and they find themselves back next to the rock pools. Among their number there are some confused looking islanders who intrinsically draw closer to those who helped free the lights.

Orange and Purple

Down underwater there's noise and a babble of voices as the citizens of Bui wake up. There's a shimmering around the city now, like a shield though they can pass through easily. Parents scramble to locate their children and all check on loved ones and friends.

The familiar voice of train announcements is heard through Orange team's SCAs. Orange return to the VoidTrecker Express. Once everyone is on board it flies low over the ocean, skimming the waves.

In the underwater temple the priests finish sealing the ritual and then it is time to begin the return trek. There are no monsters this time and after a few hours, as they emerge onto the first of the sandbanks they will find the VoidTrecker Express is waiting for them.

Red and Blue

The monsters gone, those of the island gather everyone from the rock pools and for a few hours everyone sleeps.

At about noon the islanders begin to stir, begin putting things to rights. Wood is moved from the strategic points to more communal campfires on the beach. Any dead monsters that haven't been gathered for food have been washed out to sea, disappeared into the depths. They begin to prepare food and won't turn away any helpers. Though those who have been fighting are encouraged to rest.

The islanders bring blankets and start to gather. Everyone is exhausted but the children, in the way of children find the energy to play in the sea and the sand.

Beach Day

Early afternoon the train lands on the beach and everyone gets a holographic message to their SCA.

Mission successful. Well done Voidtreckers. Enjoy the rest of your day. You will find suitable clothing in the dressing room. A new recipe has been added to the kitchen information points.

The dressing room is indeed open once more, this time it holds swimsuits of every style, shorts, t shirts, wraps and beach skirts. Sun hats and sunglasses can also be found. It's a bit of a mush mash but they should be able to cobble together something other than their uniform wet suits.

Time to laze around on the beach or for those who still have energy swim or play. A few hours later a ripple across the water brings some of those from Bui and they swim or lounge on rocks to talk.

Food and stories

Food is cooked and shared, the islanders will happily try the voidtreckers' offerings and share their own. As the sun begins to set they gather around the fires. Stories and songs are shared and there's even some dancing for the brave.

Voidtreckers can choose whether to sleep in their own beds or spend one last night on the island before the train flies off into the sunrise and into the void.

Comments

Ritual/Team Purple

[laurefindil]

After the ritual it was time to head back, which was going to be a trek on its own. Glorfindel hoped that whatever had been summoning the monsters here had also lifted. But at least he could sense the life around him again, and hear the Song.

He looked over at Lan Wangji and smiled. "Only a short walk back now, right, Otorno?"

[achickenformylove]

"Yes, that is a relief." He didn't exactly want to spend another ten days walking through the tunnels to back to where they had been dropped off in the first place. Not that he was particularly tired, but exhaustion and far off anticipation could make people anxious.

"You are well after the fighting?"

[laurefindil]

"Yes," Glorfindel said. "The wetsuit kept anything from sticking, fortunately. Once the ritual was complete and the fog lifted, and the Song came back, I got my second wind." He smiled brightly. Literally, as he was still glowing, brighter than ever, trying to extend the healing aura to everyone in the party.

"I don't anticipate it will take as long to walk back, without having to fight for every inch of progress."

[achickenformylove]

That was kind of him, trying to heal everyone in the group with his abilities. It would also make it easier for their healers like Wen Qing when they got back to the train.

"Of course. That will make it easier."

A normal walk rather than a normal walk with monsters.

[laurefindil]

For Glorfindel, this was just another part of the battle - afterwards you help the survivors heal.

"It doesn't look like we'll have to carry anyone either, except maybe one or two who are exhausted," Glorfindel said, looking around. "Are you and yours all okay?"

[achickenformylove]

It was standard for him too, but it was not a part that he liked to see. Especially not when two of those could have been his son and his husband.

"Yes, they are fine. I am strong enough to carry others if needed."

He had gotten better about his personal rule of not touching people. Plus, Gusu Lan disciples were all very strong.

[laurefindil]

"I am glad to hear that, Otorno," Glorfindel said. "That they are fine, that is. I figured you were plenty strong, and it is kind of you to volunteer to carry others."

He looked around. "Looks like Reno got Joss. I'm not seeing anyone else who needs help immediately." He looked over at Lan Wanji. "Shall we take point and see if the crabs are still there?"

[achickenformylove]

"If I am capable, it is only right."

As a teen, he had been loath to even hold onto someone in dire need, let alone let them cling to him. He was not a teenager anymore and had a better sense of himself in the world with others.

WangJi glanced around as well, not spotting anyone who seemed to be unable to walk on their own. "Yes, let's check."

He might not eat them, but others likely would and if they had been killed or had passed, it was a waste to let them sit.

[laurefindil]

Glorfindel wasn't aware of his new brother's issue as a young man, but he deeply admired the man he was now. Not everyone would be willing. Although he was noticing thatmost VoidTrekkers did tend to be of the variety that would. Made him proud to be amongst such august company.

"I have rope if we need it," he said. It had been drawn to his attention that not everyone had brought some on hearing they were going into a cave system.

[achickenformylove]

As someone who was a fellow fighter and willing to help the others in their group and make sure that everyone was in positions that they would be able to handle, WangJi had the utmost respect for his elf brother as well. He felt Glorfindel would have fit well in their world.

"I have some supplies as well." An odd thing to say considering that he appeared to be walking around with only his sword. The wonderful thing about qiankun pouch. He could carry so much and be unburdened.

[laurefindil]

"I rather envy that pouch of yours," Glorfindel said, admiringly. "Is that something made by specialists in your world, or is it something anyone with the right tools and enough energy could do?"

"That is very convenient for missions." He was not surprised that Lan Wangji was properly prepared.

[achickenformylove]

"There are a few who also envy it."

This was why it never left his side, apart from the fact that it was very useful and he kept important things in it.

"There are incantations sewn into the lining of the pouch which gives it the ability to hold more than one would think. With the knowledge of those incantations and spiritual energy, it is possible that anyone could make one. Some have made objects other than bags into qiankun pouches."

[laurefindil]

"I think anyone who tried to take it from you deserves what they get," Glorfindel said with a knowing smile. His new brother didn't get them, Wei WuXian would, he was certain.

"Hm, do you think that is something I could learn?" he asked. Spiritual energy he had, but was it the right type?

[achickenformylove]

"I suppose that they would. Even if I did nothing, Wei Ying certainly would."

"Hmm... perhaps. I will have to see if I remember what is sewn onto the qiankun bags. There were certain things the sect considered more important for their second master than others."

He and his brother were both supposed to uphold the good name of the sect, both groomed to be potential sect leaders, WangJi in XiChen's place should something happen to him.

[laurefindil]

"Of course. And if you decide that it is not something I should learn, I will respect that," Glorfindel said.

"Second master?" he asked, curious.

[achickenformylove]

“I will let you know further on that.” He knew that Glorfindel would understand if he decided not to teach him. There were factors such as protecting such important information.

“My brother and I are the sons of the former sect leader, heirs to Gusu Lan. My brother is older than I am so he is the First Master and I am the Second Master.”

[laurefindil]

"I suspect that if he is the First Master he must be utterly amazing," Glorfindel said. "I can hear the respect for him you have in your voice." It was a subtle thing, but just the way he said it made Glorfindel rather sad that he never had a brother.

[achickenformylove]

"XiChen and I have always been close. We really only had each other and Uncle. He understood me better than anyone else."

His brother had taken care of him many times and was the first person who could read him so easily. His son now could as well, but still not better than XiChen.

[laurefindil]

"I am sure he is glad that you have found happiness with Wei WuXian and Lan Sizhui," Glorfindel said.

"I unfortunately was an only child. But I had my cousins, at least."

[achickenformylove]

"I know that is what he was hoping for. That would be with Wei Ying. He approved of Lan Sizhui as my son and helped to raise him when I was unable to be with him."

"Were you close to your cousins?"

[laurefindil]

"May I ask why he needed to?" Glorfindel asked. "Were you out on a mission?"

He smiled. "One in particular, a cousin on my mother's side. We went in different directions once we came to Middle Earth, though, so our paths did not cross again until the Third Age."

[ooc: Making this up, actually, but it amused me, so...]

[achickenformylove]

WangJi was quiet for a moment. "I was trying to protect Wei Ying. He became an enemy in our world in his first life. I was one of the few who knew he was not the person the cultivation world claimed him to be. My brother sent elders of my sect to retrieve me before others discovered me there with Wei Ying and I, in turn, was disgraced. I fought with my own sect trying to protect Wei Ying. For that, I was punished. I was in too much pain most of the time to be with him when he was very young."

As much as he would have preferred to be with the child when he was younger, he wouldn't change what he had done to try and protect WuXian. Also, Sizhui had picked up XiChen's diplomatic nature.

"I see. It must have been difficult then if you had been close to your cousin."

[ooc: it's all good]

[laurefindil]

Again, Glorfindel was struck by how similar Lan Wangji's world was to that of the elves. He could be telling a story from the Noldor past. "It is hard to do something like that when you love someone," he said, speaking of XiChen's actions. "I am very glad it worked out in the end. It must have been very difficult for you in the middle, however."

"It was, but she wasn't the type to go to Gondolin and deal with Turgon, who was her cousin on her father's side," he said with a smile. "So she took a different path. When our paths did finally cross again, we did get to sit down and talk, and it was good. We are still quite close, though we live different lives."

[achickenformylove]

"It was. I missed him greatly. Having my son did help. I know that my brother only had my best interests at heart. If I had been discovered there, I would not have the status that I do in the cultivation world. And he looked after me and my son."

"It is good that the two of you were able to talk even if it had been a while. Family is important."

[laurefindil]

"Family is...well, Elves value family to a high extent. It has caused as much trouble as it has solved, though...perhaps more," he said, his eyes laughing. "The stories I could tell."