The Will to Fight: Start

[voidtreckermods]

"Good Morning Passengers, today is day six of the month of Kazoo." The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear.

Preparation

They have an hour or two to prepare. Enough time to read their briefs, make decisions, meet in their teams and gather anything they may need. The dressing carriage is open with tents and other basic camping equipment.

"Shortly arriving in system #86525656412355. Drop order is Orange and Blue followed by Red and Purple. Orange and Blue to doors, arriving in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

The train lurches as it exits through the void, before descending smoothly to the world below.

Blue and Orange

Arrival

If anyone peeks through the windows as the train lands they will see a glimpse of cracked and crumbling walls, a city on its last legs. As they exit the train, however, any passengers who aren't immune to magics influencing the mind will find themselves looking at grand, sturdy walls, flags with a blue field and golden tower fluttering from the ramparts.

They aren't too far from a gate, depending on where on the train they exited, and the gates are opened and unmanned. Inside, people are going about their business, selling their wares, while children run around playing among dogs and chickens.

The newcomers don't get too much attention, even though their hoodies and combat trousers seem very out of place in this city.

The Towers

The towers stand in each corner of the city. They are solid stone, no windows all the way up. The ground floor is the largest, grand doors leading into a functional yet beautiful foyer, and from there into smaller chambers. Wide, curving stairs lead up into the tower proper.

As they climb the towers they will come to the different levels which are all trapped, to dissuade intruders and train their disciples. They will be able to descend the towers and exit and enter again as many times as they like as they work their way up to the top.

The City

It will soon become apparent that persuading these people to fight isn't going to happen. The war has already been won, the demons were defeated. The world is safe once more. Welcome, travellers, to the Shining City.

Their SCA's show them the locations of the entrances to the catacombs. There are a handful, scattered around the city, clearly designed for quick evacuation should the city defences ever be breached.

Persuading people that the city needs to be evacuated might take a good while.

The Catacombs

The catacombs are cold and dark, lamps having gone unlit for months. Those that are sensitive or can sense magic in any way will be able to tell that at least here the wards hold: no demons will be able to enter.

The tunnels are narrow, able to fit two people side by side at their widest points, but more often than not they must move single file to avoid collapsed walls or leaning pillars. Or, sometimes, piles of bones spilled from the tombs set into the walls. Side tunnels extend out into the darkness, signposts or symbols marking old, unused storerooms, bunkers for temporary shelter, or private tombs and crypts.

At points the tunnels widen out into large chambers, rooms or galleries that have been used as cemeteries for centuries. At other points the tunnels have collapsed or become almost impassable. People will need to wriggle through the gaps or find ways to stabilise the tunnels in order to pass through.

Purple and Red

Arrival

"Red and Purple to doors." The train flies back into the air after dropping Orange and Blue at the city gates. It doesn't go very far; it's less than a minute later that they're landing again. The doors open and they can step out into the destroyed countryside.

They don't get much time to get their bearings as the train flies off again, because coming over a nearby hill is a band of demons, a gate crackling behind them. The band is mostly footsoldiers, with several of the larger breed interspersed.

It's hard to say which side is more taken by surprise, but the Voidtreckers will only have moments to ready themselves before the demons rush in.

Defending the City

It's a wide area to cover, surrounding the city, and there is plenty of work to be done. Bands of demons roam around, most headed towards the city. They run, claws digging into the ground, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. Sometimes they will have a larger demon or even two with them, armed with toxic whips that they use with dangerous accuracy.

Other times there will be smaller demons, carrying ornate daggers, whispering foul spells to drain and bind their enemies. These demons become more regular as the days progress as it becomes obvious that taking the city will not be as easy as they first thought.

Closing the Demon Gates

The gates nearer the city are smaller, and easy enough to find, but the SCA's of the red team pinpoint more and more gates as they open in the areas further out. Triangular markings on their SCA maps indicate distance and direction.

The gates must be closed from the other side, so the first thing is to enter them. Entering the gates feels strange, uncomfortable, as if something were tugging and clawing at their very being, trying to pull them out of their own skin.

That feeling lasts for a moment, albeit one that feels stretched, and then they are in the demon realm: a monochrome world devoid of life, where every step taken tires the body, where even existing is exhausting.

The gates are guarded, so adjusting will need to be done in combat. Smaller gates have fewer guards than the larger, but all will fight savagely to protect the keystone.

The keystones are smooth black obelisks about a foot high, usually stood on a plinth or set above the gate location as a centrepiece. Each can be destroyed by blunt force or any other ability able to shatter stone, and once it is they will have a short amount of time to leave before the gate closes. Their SCA will helpfully start a timer indicating this.

Comments

Tidus ; Red + some Purple!

[blitzcheer]

1; MISSION PREP: all teams

'Hey! You need healing, weapons, protection or extra food for the mission, drop by the locker car! We've got stuff to borrow out!'

It's a call over the ICP, along with whoever else might be doing so from the other teams in preparing the passengers. But in the armoury carriage (please, it's a giant locker room, get outta here) there sits a few of the same types of chests and suitcases set out, their contents seen. Lunchboxes to one side, 125ml potion bottles, sprays, ethers and healing labelled. There's some pistol guns set in view with rifles next to swords and shields, as well as the small ornamental bands known by some for their hammerspace qualities.

Suffice to say, anything seen here has a representative on display. Feel free to have your character to ask - Tidus will nod with a 'Hey' to anyone that takes an interest, be willing to talk people through what there is. The only condition is that anything not consumed be brought back at the end of the mission, and that names are taken on who takes what.

2; TRAIN ARRIVAL: red + purple

What Tidus was expecting of the demons is secondary to what's before him, what's going on. 'Those're demons?' the initial thought that comes to die, when the obvious objective comes next: To fight.

There's no splitting for the Purples and Reds yet, although Tidus isn't rushing to get to the gate when there's this horde they can help to deal with, know what they'll be up against inside those thingy-majiggers. He might be useful for those fighting more long-ranged; he's quick on his feet, doesn't keep close to his targets by bouncing back after a slash with his water-imbued blade, even kicking off the bodies of the demons (once or twice--these are some weird bodies). Perfect for just throwing in a shot, if you want.

But he's also good for giving some aid to others, in the form of an impromptu transparent barrier meant to dull physical hits, haste to give feet and reflexes speed. And he isn't shy about joining close with another Voidtrecker, raring to go.

"Been forever since we fought anything this ugly!"

3; DEMON GATES: red ( a )

"Sheesh, talk about...lively. This is what a realm is?"

Look, he's been trying to figure these things out for a while now. The sensation almost like apprehension keeps its clutches on him, doing so since they entered the gate, but Tidus works around it, focuses on what needs to be done. A cluster of tiny creatures follow behind him, mostly blue, one yellow and one white in their midst. At least, anyway, if they can be seen--visible only to those good-intentioned or good of heart, but capable of working on the smaller demons, to help out Tidus. Beings of nature, they have a way of distracting, annoying the demons with blasts of water that make the foe easier targets, and even depositing the most random of tiny heals on individuals.

They just kinda do what they like.

( b; )

But the task Red has in front of them is easy, just as it said on the tin. Go after the keystones - big black floaty things, thanks for the easy target! - and then find the next gate. Except that tension from the first gate never seems to leave the bones. Tidus rubs his neck in the travel between gates, keeping up with the pace, but tentatively-

"Whew, is it just me, or does this place feel...weird."

Tiring. Exhausting. Heavy. Please don't tell him he's out of practice here, he was training all the way up to this day!

( c; )

Thankfully, for his young pride, that exhaustion isn't just him. When they take rest, he does so willing to take a chat with anyone else sitting. Not watching guard like some have volunteered for any encroaching demons, but still looking back now and then over his own shoulder.

He'll also volunteer to fill up drink bottles with fresh water, from his higgledy supply. ...which may just look like Tidus handing over a bottle to the ground, and then it just fills, if your character isn't worthy of seeing Ghibli-esque creatures.

But for those who can't help but keep on their feet during this 'rest', he approaches them with a "Hey," a slice of a bread in hand to offer.

"You alright? Don't know if you've eaten, but this hits the spot."

4; CAMPS: red + purple

It's a long initial three days. Tidus sticks close to wherever Red sets camp, though fortunately, the Purples don't seem far behind. He'll check into the healing camp, not too badly messed up but still with an exhausted, "Heyyy, just tired, I'm alright. You guys need any help?"; not afraid of sitting down and just closing his eyes for five seconds on the makeshift seating of his own duffle bag elsewhere, wherever it is people come together.

...

and totally not starting to drop off there.

But he'll also help with some fighting on the Purple side, since he's around -- and even be happy to check up on familiar faces, to see how they're doing on this mission.

Camp

[fivemilesdeep]

Ryo gives Tidus a sidelong look at the pronouncement - this would not be the first time someone injured insisted they were fine, even near a healer - but as Tidus isn't visibly injured, he lets it slide for now. He can check him over later. "Not at the moment, but thank you." It's the first time in a while that statement has been accurate; for once, there's a lull in camp, and Ryo has been using it to assess supplies and straighten up a bit.

The next time he turns around a scant few minutes later, Tidus looks like he's falling asleep sitting up. Ryo sighs, grabs a blanket, and gently drapes it around Tidus' shoulders. Hopefully he can manage that without waking Tidus up - even a short nap sitting upright helps more than no sleep at all.

[blitzcheer]

"Cool, great!" is Tidus's response to Ryo's reassurances, relief reaching into the pull of his smile. Good, no need to worry; it wasn't like Terra, and that's comforting as Tidus gives a glance around the cornered off section for when people need check-ups. Well, it wasn't like they had to deal with the natives of the planet around here, which made him wonder about the city... but he leaves the healers with a wave and to look about the rest of the camp before taking his break.

Which isn't a scant few minutes later, thank you very much, Ryo!! But. It's still there, and the gesture might be appreciated. ...except the touch of even the soft weight of the blanket startles Tidus, between wanting to rise on his feet, his blue-water blade appearing near his risen hand--

but it clatters to the ground at his feet, never touched as his body swings back, and he falls flat onto his back. "Whaahhghgr--"

Those were probably meant to be words, and Tidus is blinking up, startled. A hand up and holding nothing. And-- oh, hai there, Ryo.

"Yo-- something up?"

Asked, like he isn't still flat on his back. You need something, dude??

3b; cw: suicidal imagery thanks Persona 3

[miseris_socios]

"It's not just you." Ken rubs at his face with an orange sleeve, pulling it out from the black cloak he's been given. It's far too big for him, but it's been pinned up for the moment. "Something about this place... it's like it's dark-element aligned. Not great news for me and Nemesis."

He turns and levels his spear at an approaching demon, glancing at Tidus as they move. He presses his Evoker to his head and fires, Nemesis appearing and flicking a hand. Paper seals crawl up the demon's body before exploding in a burst of light - not enough to take it down, but enough to hurt badly.

"Go!" Your turn, Tidus.

[blitzcheer]

Tidus mutters that to himself, 'dark-element' as it's said; the sight of the kid... not expected, but also nothing knew to Red's ranks, and not to a battlefield. He's trying to think what that could mean for him (can he do anything about dark-aligned elements? sheesh, no - isn't that something to do with Holy?), but the demons of this realm aren't here to give them long bursts of peace by the one that comes sprinting on all fours. Raising up onto its bipedal as it reaches them, meeting the form that the kid just shoots out from his head.

Or. Something? Okay, no time to unwind any of that right now--there's only time to act. Nevermind if it's a kid calling the shots, Tidus angles the brotherhood blade he carries ready and darts in with the demon in a staggered position. It raises out a claw in some means of defence, but the blade bubbles and bursts with a trail of water in Tidus's swing, removing the claw from its appendage, another to follow it.

The three higgledies of red, yellow, and white squeak and bounce within the hood they hitch a ride in, but none of this is anything immediately important. What actually is, is the other demon masking its approaching, sprinting fast and heading for the more visually-intimidating figure of the group in Nemesis. Smart enough to attempt and dodge if any papers are thrown at it, but who will be faster, who has what up their sleeve for an assailant looking to pounce and pin their target--that's to be seen.

1, YOU CAN'T KEEP ME OUT OF HERE WITH YOUR RED/PURPLE

[happyends]

Of course Madoka is going to stop by the armoury after hearing that announcement. Or, well, locker car, as Tidus has now lovingly dubbed it. And while she is mainly here because of the announcement itself, wanting to make sure to pick up some things before the mission, of course the girl can't quite resist checking up on Tidus before the mission starts either.

Especially when the description of the mission sounds relatively tough. Or maybe that's just because of the mental image of demons Madoka has..

"Tidus..!" Still, she manages to smile as she enters the carriage, moving up to the other. "It's so nice of you to arrange this.. Can I maybe take along a mana drive again? In case someone on the blue team needs some quick healing!"

we can't keep out madoka, she don't read

[blitzcheer]

It's a carriage filled with rows of lockers. It's a locker room, man!!!

"Hey!" But know what's even better than endless lockers? Madoka. The sight of her receives a wide grin and a cheerful greeting, even with the mission looming over their heads. Tidus looks around at everything set out, seeing where the one displayed display buckler sits, then kneels to the suitcase on its side.

"Healing mana drive? No problem! You wanna take some potions with you too? Everyone sounds worried 'bout these demons. Think of them like a back-up, if the mana drive isn't enough. Or give them to your team mates! I'm going with the Reds, this time."

He's pulled open the flap of the suitcase enough to bring out the mana drive, setting it where Madoka can grab it with a nod and a "There"--now, just let him get some potions.

"Light and Roland are busy being leads right now," he goes on with a scoff, though amused in its delivery, "so I'm stuck looking like the train peddler!"

Can you believe it, Madoka??

2

[sos_pilot]

Is it really any surprise Della was raring to go? Sure, fighting bare-handed is probably not the best idea, but she's having fun... so far.

When the barrier pops up, she lets out an impressed whistle, grinning back at Tidus. "Showing off already?"

[blitzcheer]

"Tryna keep you out of trouble!" Which yes, is an incredibly impossible task (it's that impossible, guys), but everyone can take procedures for their favourite duck mum. It's duller on the humour than it might be, with the look taken of Della, their situation of a lot of sharp claws and teeth they're dealing with accounted for-

"Not a good fight for going bare-feathered! I've got a dagger!"

Well, technically. Not one he can just throw out here right now.

1

[flatteries]

The moment Inigo sees their mission objective, his stress levels shoot up so much. After the last mission, he expected something kind of mild like that - and yet now it's talking about demons and sizeable forces. They just can't catch a break when it comes to this, huh. And while there's suddenly so many things on his to do list, like making sure his mom is going to be okay, and that Taiki is going to be okay without Gyousou, and making sure Roland isn't having an aneurysm over the idea of this mission..

There's definitely one other person he has to see. And thankfully Tidus is making it very apparent where he is stuck during this mission preparation time. Inigo doesn't go right away, considering he really doesn't want to have other people awkward lingering while he may have A Moment, judging by how worked up he's already feeling, but a while after the announcement he does make his way over.

He smiles, trying to seem as light and casual as possible. Hah. He, nervous? Right now? No way. Not like his hand is nervously fidgeting with the rings on his other hand or anything.

"Did Roland lock you in here?" H-Haha, just here to make some jokes, bro!!

[blitzcheer]

Inigo will find Tidus standing closer to one end of the carriage than the other, near to where the ICP can be accessed, but that's not what he's dealing with right now. He's a tapping foot, arms crossed, head slooowllly rolling, about ready to break out into a jog on a spot just for the fun of it. Standing around is soooo boring.

Especially when you have a mission to be impatient for -- one vastly more busy than the last, by the mission objective.

But seeing a friendly face does make Tidus's eyes lift, even if the commentary he's met with keeps his unimpressed expression. ...no, that isn't true. He was ready to complain the second he saw Inigo.

"I'll make him stand around and do this next time." Joke landed, joke returned, even if it isn't very joke-sounding on Tidus's end!! "Better place to catch people on the way to the dressing car, you know? That's what I was thinking." Ugh. "I'll do this somewhere more fun next mission. The dressing car?"

'Next mission'....next mission, Lightning can do it!!

2

[flatteries]

So maybe they didn't have to go their separate ways as quickly as Inigo imagined. Which usually would be a little awkward, but thank Naga, it's ever so much harder to think about that very hard when he's distracted with demon fighting. Especially when the demon fighting happens a little earlier than expected. Unfortunately Inigo is still fighting with his regular sword, not quite having come Jumblie-in-sword prepared for a battle so soon.

But in a way that 'earlier than expected' aspect is a good thing as well. Because it means that the purple and red teams are still together. That means more people to fight the demons - but it also means Inigo gets the chance to fall right into step with battling alongside Tidus, someone whose fighting style he knows so well at this point.

And someone who he can make dumb quips so naturally with.

"I don't know about that, we sparred just the other day!" Get it? Get it?

[blitzcheer]

Is it awkward? Fortunately, there's no real room to linger on that question, or let it manifest into anywhere close to 'yes--extremely'. No time for it even to be a question, as the horde over the hill are a far but catching sight, people moving around them - and the foe, too.

Tidus sprints into action, his weapon out, Gibbers already inside to make it bubble and glimmer. The pair more used to this arrangement, with Gibbers activating the element within that wasn't quite copied over when Picoclo duplicated it. But the demons are fast as well, at least initially; a good deal of their forces reaching ahead of the rest on all fours, jumping to pin, but with a speed that doesn't carry over when they rise onto hind legs.

Lucky for them. The fighting has Tidus occupied, not rushing to get to the gate atop the hill. He sees Inigo as he does other familiar faces, searching for another demon to occupy them, keeping out for any ready to swing themselves their way.

'I don't know about that, we sparred just the other day!'

Excuse you. Excuse you.

It shouldn't hit Tidus like it does: first normal, like the joke it should be; but it's not even a second before he thinks back to, what, not even five minutes ago? And this isn't the time for his emotions to get fuddled in his head, or his mouth to work without his brain:

"You weren't complaining in the locker room!"

So there, the remark almost taunts. Is he offended, is he not?? But demons aren't here to spare time for any thinking, as one steps out into a space amongst the moving figures, Tidus and it spotting each other in the same frame--Tidus lunges, his blade meeting claws and a burst of water resulting in a shrill cry from his target.

Camps

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks specifically makes it a point to find Tidus. He's powered down for now--on a break, because it's needed. He's got food with him though, and offers half to Tidus. "How's it going on the frontlines in the demon realm?"

[blitzcheer]

For the half of him that wouldn't mind if he closed his eyes this second and caught some z's, Tidus sees Trunks as he approaches without any droopy-eyed expression; instead, his face lifting with interest at the friendly figure, a "thanks" given as he takes the food offered and his back straightening by an inch. Just an inch though.

"Tiring," he groans, not minding the exaggeration in his voice. "They're way faster there than here, but that place just sucks the life out of you. Everyone feels it - doesn't matter who you are."

He puts his mouth around the food, breaking off a piece between his teeth. Less hungry than he is just haunted by the exhaustion that lingers in his limbs even after he's rested.

"What about on this side? Things don't look so bad. They got you on watch round the outside of the city?"

They being whoever. Trunks himself, even. But a guy who can move and fly like him must be pretty good to have when they want to keep demons from trying to sneak into a place as big as they're protecting.

Prep

[longforgottenpromise]

"You really have collected a lot..." He knows Tidus has been busy, he knows how hard he has worked on this and he's seen the supply lists, but seeing it all laid out like this is impressive.

Taiki has mostly come to see if he can be helpful, he's already spoken to Inigo who has asked him to go with Olivia on the orange team mission.

He's not sure how much use he will be, but he can carry supplies for people at least.

[blitzcheer]

"Not just me - I'm just the guy stuck playing hand out."

There's a fold of his arms, a half-humoured smirk to his face that leans into being playfully put upon, but it's a case of better him than any of the others. Plus, is Tobias going to really stand around handing things out? ... ... ...Tidus isn't asking.

But he's pleased, deep down; was the second he saw Taiki showing himself inside the locker room armoury carriage, and that fondness replaces all his joking easily. A concern as well working into the creases, the day that's ahead of them not far from his thoughts.

"Where're you going? You know? It looks like Orange or Blue's the safest bet."

For all the hope he and Inigo had to keep him on Purple. But even those two teams had something about demons; still, if they could get somewhere inside the city, keep the civilians and themselves safe... those catacombs, or wherever.

3c

[knifewithnoname]

She's been watching him, trying to figure out where that water is coming from. It seems different than when he fights with his water spheres but...

She doesn't know. She knows little of magic, never mind other-world magic. She puts it down to him being a water-based priest.

She is happy for the bread though. "I do be thanking you." She takes it with a grin and tries not to devour it too quickly.

[blitzcheer]

"You deserve it. You work hard!" He says it sincerely, hands free and breaking off a piece of the half-eaten lemba he has for himself. It wouldn't be a Red mission without B around -- or Tobias or Lightning, at that rate.

"You ever seen or heard about demons before? I heard a few things back on the train, but..." Tidus half-shrugs, none of it meaning anything. "There was something about a 'hell'."

Wherever that is.

Prep

[10billionpercent]

He would grab a lunchbox for him and Gen and one healing potion, just in case of emergency, all of which vanished into his arms band.

Then he would approach Tidus. "Can I take up a minute of your time?"

[blitzcheer]

Tidus has got a few small bags that has him kneeling by the suitcases, asked for from Webs back on Nion. One open now for a mix of the different potions to be grouped into -- a few 'just in case' goody bags to handed out later, but first to be stored away in his band.

But Tidus isn't so distracted not to look up, hands pausing mid-way into putting away a potion, until he places it in and looks at Senku proper, curious.

"What's up?"

4

[adregem]

As usual, Roland hears Tidus before he spots him. But what isn't unusual is for him to be hopping back and forth like this, especially when missions demand so much of their physical fortitude. He's glad to see him rest when he can. Pro as he is, there's always going to be a limit.

Roland is quiet as he watches Tidus's head bob up and down, ready to sleep if no one approaches him. He has no intentions of breaking his peace, so he tries a different tactic. Something to aid him in his respite, without being too boisterous. Their quiet moments had to be relished, where they can be found. Rannygazoo comes out of his little space in Roland's heart, cape fluttering weakly in the wind. Without a word, the little one is commanded to summon eight more of its helpers until they shuffle along to encirle Tidus without touching him once. Higgledies are not necessarily quiet either, so there's a chance Tidus will stir anyway.

Still. The goal is simple. Roland walks over to the circle they create and activates Hunker, Hunker. Tidus's body glows with effervescent green, hex marks tattooed in a sphere around his body. Just like that, he's boosted for more defense, sturdier, if only for a time.

He decides to join him there, no words to be said in his own fatigue, sitting on the ground with a knee up. A piece of fur in his hand, straight out of his arms band, fed to the ghost white sprite seated on his other leg.

3B

[mynameisallen]

"I mean, yeah." Considering where they were who wouldn't think it was weird before the exhausting feeling.

"But in more ways than you probably are thinking of."

2

[thawed_pride]

"You think they're ugly, try looking at them with scanning magic."

He's more of a mid-range fighter than a melee combatant, brandishing a shield on his left arm, while gesturing with his right. As he swipes his hand in a throwing motion, a snowflake-shaped blade a solid four feet across forms in the air in front of him and spins toward their enemies.

kind of 4 kind of wildcard

[flatteries]

Inigo finds himself lingering a bit longer at camp than he usually would have during other missions. But maybe it's since he keeps telling himself that he may spot a familiar face if he sticks around just a bit longer each time - a face he doesn't really see otherwise while fighting out there with other members of the purple team.

.. but sometimes, there's other reasons for lingering in camp. Like right now. The wound he received on his back may be gone at this point, completely healed up by a pretty big healing spell, but there's still some evidence left of what happened. Thankfully Inigo brought along his bear coat, so it's not like he's left without a shirt to wear for the mission, but it does leave him staring for a moment at the completely ripped and blood-soaked shirt he was wearing earlier. He could try and sew up the tears, at least, but it's not like there's some convenient nearby river to try and get the blood out of it. And there's a little (read: a lot) too much of it to just pretend all that red is meant to be there.

And if Roland sees it? He's going to flip out, Inigo is sure of it. Even if things ended up relatively well. So he's just sitting there with it in his hand, contemplating his options - but ending up so much in thought that he'd hardly notice it if he was suddenly approached.