middleofsomewhere | The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Blue

So Far

It's been a hard few days of cajoling the citizens of the Shining City into and through the catacombs. Many still talk about returning to the comforts of the city, scoffing at the idea of danger. But slowly, as they get further away from the city, more and more of them break out of the illusion. Though some remain lost in the illusion still, the majority are clear-minded by Kazoo 9.

Their mission changes from hurrying stubborn people along to comforting them as the truth dawns on them. The atmosphere becomes more desperate, more angry. More driven.

A plan is offered by the citizens: there is a cavern marked on their maps that opens up to the surface. It can be used as a base whilst any that feel able can go out to join the fight against the demons.

New Allies

Not long after breaking camp on the ninth day of the month of Kazoo they reach the cavern. However, it is clear straight away that something is wrong. The cavern is dark with no exits to be seen, and the Voidtreckers will quickly learn they are not alone. There's a small camp in the cavern, all humans, and after a tense moment they will welcome the citizens and their escorts.

Their story is simple: they were outside the city fighting when they got overwhelmed; they took shelter in the cavern but a gate opened nearby on the surface and caused a cave in. None of the scouts they had sent through the tunnels to the city have returned. Their food is running out and they were on the verge of heading to the city regardless of what they might find there when the Voidtreckers arrived.

Breaking Free

The cave-in is a large one, several metres thick at its weakest and blocking the exit to the outside completely. Those trapped here have made some progress but it's going to take a lot of hands, and potentially some magical help, to clear the blockages.

If they can clear it though, it will mean those who can fight, both citizen and Voidtrecker can begin to head back towards the city to fight, without having to re-enter the range of the illusionary Shining City.

The cavern makes a good staging point, and a secure place for those who cannot fight. Even with the blockage clear it is easy to defend, and holds the same sanctified protections as the tunnels themselves.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

This mission gets hectic as the long day goes by. Wangji looks around the cave-in. It's several metres thick and it's blocking the exit to the outside completely and there are so many rocks in the way.

He observes the scene before him. "We're trapped. We have to clear the way. We should try and move a few. I will help."

He's going to use his strength to lift and move the rocks out of the way.

Quatre nodded his head, surveying the cave-in. It was not a good situation, but it could be worse in his opinion.

"If we move those first," Quatre said, pulling himself up onto some of the rocks, confident that he was safe on the ones he had picked. "The others will be easier. It will also mean that others won't fall."

"Right, let's pick up and move these rocks. Just lift up one at a time." Lan Wangji begins to roll the rocks away and picks them up to clear the way.

"Just be careful when you lift. It's easier to push them away and roll them."

"Thanks," Quatre said, knowing that he wasn't the strongest person among this group. "Oh, yes, that is a good idea. Much safer that way."

Less likely he'd fall that way.

So the next rock he moved, he let it roll down a spot that was more sloped.

He isn't the strongest, but he doesn't expect many people to be strong. "It's okay. I will help."

Quatre's help is appreciated, so with his help, they rolled the big, heavy rocks away. With a huff, "Keep pushing. We have to clear the way somehow to help the others."

"Thank you."

With WangJi's help, Quatre was able to move the rocks more easily. It had been a long time since he had done that kind of manual work, but even if he was going to feel it tomorrow, he was going to keep going.

"It's helping at least. Everyone doing something is helping."

"You're welcome. Let's keep going and open the path."

He finds more rocks blocking the way, so using his manual strength, he pushes them, rolling them away to clear the path. At least, the bigger and heavier ones.

"Of course."

Quatre did the same though the rocks that he was able to handle were smaller. Still, every little bit counted for something even if he couldn't manage the largest of the rocks. When he was rolling the rocks, he tried to aim so the rocks rolled into other rocks so they won't roll into anyone.

After he pushes more rocks out of the way, he wipes the sweat off his brow with the back of his sleeves. Eventually, much of the way has been cleared.

"I think that should do it. How about you? Are you thirsty? I have some water bottles to give if you want water."

Quatre was pleased with their progress. Finally, people would be able to start making their way outside and out of the tunnel. Success.

"Yes, water would be lovely. Thank you."

Yes, a job well-down and a mission done together.

Wangji searched his backpack and hands him a spare water bottle to drink. "Sure, you're welcome."

Quatre smiled, accepting the bottle of water when it was offered to him.

"Thank you, Sir. And thank you for your help."

The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Blue

Breaking free

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