middleofsomewhere | The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Red and Purple

Dawn Attack

It's been a busy few days of fighting demons, attacking keystones and fighting both on the demon and human planes. On the morning of day nine of the month of Kazoo a gate opens close to the base camp that the two teams have made.

It seems the demons have decided to focus on this unexpected threat, because it is a sizable force, with a number of the large demons. They march towards the camp with single-minded focus, the opportunity to stop these unwanted defenders taking precedence over their desire to destroy the city.

The advantage to the landscape being as ruined as it is, is that there isn't much to stop the lookouts from seeing this force headed towards them. A gate opening is not subtle. There should be enough time to make sure the defenders are ready.

Scouting Ahead

Once that skirmish is won those on the Red team will find their SCA's beeping, with an exclamation point far out to the east.

A group of demons is congregating at the location indicated. Investigate why, defeat the demons and close any gates nearby.

It will take a while to get there and there is plenty to do on the way for those that follow the exclamation point. Roaming packs of demons, gates to be closed. Exhausting work, especially for those going in and out of the demon gates.

Protecting the City

Once it is clear that these defenders are not going to be easy to wipe out, the attacks on the city itself get more frequent. The demons have changed tactics: rather than sending in large groups they open many small portals, sending small strike teams to harry and target individuals.

Some of the attacks are clearly meant as traps: they open the gates in or very close to the city, to lure the Voidtreckers in to where they will be affected by the spell. Ranged attacks may be useful here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"... Yeah, I know. I just... wish I could do more." He wants to be able to do everything, like some people here seem to be able to do. It's frustrating on a very deep level.

"I know. We all do, I think." But not even Soldat, who isn't even a person, can do everything. This poor kid shouldn't have to think like that. "But that's what teams are for. That's why we're all working together, so we can support each other with our own strengths, and let other people support our weaknesses."

"I know. I know that's what a team is for." He speaks slowly, trying to control his temper. "But it just sucks when you can't help complete the main thing you're there to do."

As much as Ken likes to pretend he's an adult, he's still a kid. A kid with a need to prove himself and have attention and approval.

"That's. Kid." This is a very frustrating young man, isn't he. It's like he doesn't listen. Or just refuses to hear, maybe.

"There's a lot of things we're here to do," Soldat tries more more time. "There's not just one main thing. And sometimes. Doing what looks like the main thing ain't even the best thing for you to be doing. There's a guy holding base camp for us. Organizing healers and food and defending it, so we got a place to go back to after a day out here. Is what he's doing less important than somebody taking out a gate? Is the person researching the magic in the castle so they can bring the anti-demon power back on less important? The person guiding refugees out? C'mon, kid, we're all useful. In different ways. And that's fine."

They don't mean anything by "kid", but Soldat doesn't actually know Ken's name yet, so that's all they've got here.

"... Ken, not 'kid'." His jaw works for a momen twhile he tries to figure out what to say. He doesn't want to snap at this guy, but... it's not that it's not important. He's just tired of not being able to do things, to follow through with things that matter. To do things that other people look at and respect him for, rather than... support team.

"... I just want... I just want to... to... be the hero for once..." It's out before he can stop it, and his face burns bright read. He flips the hood on the coat up, partially hiding his face from view.

That's a lesson Soldat had to learn, themselves. How to know that support team is important, and how sometimes going out into the main fight might makes one a liability. A danger to one's team.

They sigh a little. "Ken, then. Sorry. I don't know what to tell you, there. I've never been a hero." No matter what Yondu calls them. "Don't even really like people looking at me too much. But if you're that worried about it. There's gonna be more missions. One every month. Might be your powers would be perfect for the next one."

"... Maybe. Hopefully. ... I just want to be able to do more." His team isn't here, this new team is weird, he doesn't like this setup... but he also doesn't want the others involved in this. Given this place, it's entirely possible they'd lose control.

"At least these things aren't some of the worst things I've seen." They're freaky, but not on the 'existentially disturbing' level of Shadows or Persona.

"Yeah, not me, either." The big upcoming demon battle will probably be close, but even that can't really stand up against the oncoming World Eater back in Beacon. The horde of horrible green-eyed spirits swarming towards the missile silo. The Chair.

They shake their head. "It's going to be tough, when we get there, though. In the morning. To the last gate." They already know there's going to be a hell of a lot of demons there, this time. And probably something more tricky.

"I know. I'm not worried." He probably should be. He knows he's going to have a rough time. He knows he hasn't really fought anything huge before, not like SEES did. But there's a calm over him, like when he was planning on confronting Aragaki. It's a cold sort of calm that's likely familiar to Soldat.

... It's also mostly dissociating, but it's not like he knows that.

Calm is easier to deal with than the touchy defensiveness. Soldat'll take it. Also, they don't actually know about disassociating in that fashion. That's just mission focus, right?

So they nod. "See if you can get a little sleep. We'll probably be back on the road in couple hours again."

Sure, Soldat. Call it that.

"I'll try. An hour or two, maybe. I'm not going to get left behind." He's not going to be able to cross that distance on his own if they leave without him.

It's all they can call it, when they can't see inside Ken's head.

"I'll make sure you don't get left behind," they say, and pick themselves up for a stretch. Maybe a quick patrol around the little camp. "Promise."

The Will to Fight: Ongoing: Red and Purple

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