Six Kingdoms: Apocalypse -- Gameplay Topic (IC)

[Onaku]

IC: Okuo - Metru-Koro

"Urgent... right..." He pinched the bridge between his eyes, closing them as he groaned internally. "Alright. We'll be there soon as we can. Over and out."

Handing the radio back to Triage, he turned back to the Turaga. "We can do better than point you, we can take you there directly." Following this, he turned to Triage. "We might not be enough space for three. Could you drive her if I use the dagger?"

@Harvali@Tarn@BULiK

[Tarn]

IC: Triage - Metru-Koro Ruins

Triage put the radio away. "Sure, of course. I'll see you back at the village," he said, placing a hand on Okuo's shoulder and then quickly pulling it back. "Uh...yeah."

He turned to Kardaka and started walking back to where they'd parked the bike. "Come on, it won't be a very long ride."

@BULiK@Harvali@Onaku

[Nato G]

7 minutes ago, EmperorWhenua said:

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

"People have always asked why things happen the way they do—what if they had gone a different way?—what if we had known then what we know now? History repeats itself. I represent the knowledge of those cycles, in the hope, with the intent, that the nobody will have to suffer through a cycle again. You see, Whisper... in a way, we're not dissimilar."

IC: Whisper - Kini-Nui

"They wished for knowledge... and you came... like Mata Nui did when they wanted a god," she said, her hoarse voice living up to her name.  

She understood what he was insinuating, but she wasn't sure she believed it. Nothing she knew already contradicted what he'd said about Aspects, but nothing confirmed it either. It was his word against her ignorance... and if what he was implying was true, then the being before was truly masterful in the art of deception. 

"If you're like me... then prove it."

@EmperorWhenua

[Eyru]

IC: Reliable Narrator | Ruins of Earth

"Oh, this is really too much!" the Administrator shrieked mechanically over the din of the fight. "How dare you profane this temple with violence? Blast these firewall restrictions..."

The battle continued. Despite the violent bursts of power, elemental and otherwise, the chamber appeared unscathed. Even the pillars of earth raised by Arkius did not destroy the walls or floor. It was as if the entire room was impervious to violence. For all their strength, it appeared the combatants did not have the power to leave even a scratch on their surroundings. The only damage they could do was to each other.

The violence ended as suddenly as it had started. Kat crashed into Kilo, knocking the robot to the ground, but the deed had already been done. The click of the Great Disk locking into place seemed to echo throughout the chamber, soft and loud at the same time. It was almost a command, like the temple itself was speaking: pay attention! Even the blind Arkius stood still, unable or unwilling to continue fighting. Everyone else turned their eyes to the machine in the center of the room, which began to hum as it powered up. The letters on the far wall lit up with a soft golden glow: NUVA.

The humming of the machine turned into a reverberating, and then into a rumbling. The air itself seemed to vibrate with energy as the mechanical device came to life. The disk glowed, and its surface became embossed with a strange symbol. It was a nuva symbol—different from, yet not dissimilar to the one seen on the disk in the ruins of stone. Then, in a blaze of light, the machine sank into the floor, taking the disk with it. Where the device had stood was now only a circle of pure light that spilled forth and lit up the entire chamber like the sun had risen far beneath the earth. A moment after the device sank into the floor, an answering circling of light appeared beneath Kilo, and the mechanical enforcer fell through the floor as if it had never existed at all.

Only Kat was close enough to catch even a glimpse of where Kilo went before the earthen floor closed itself up again. She saw a vast expanse of golden, liquid light. Like a beam of afternoon sunlight refracting through the water of a cresting wave, multiplied by infinity. It rippled and danced and coalesced, and the light of its beauty was beyond comprehension. It was too much for her eyes to even take in, but she couldn't look away, and then it was gone. But this brief exposure was enough. Already on the floor, Kat curled into the fetal position as her body began to change, altered forever by the light of the Krom. Eyes squeezed shut, she saw nothing, but she felt her body expanding as she grew larger and stronger. Her muscles swelled. She felt her mask shift as it squeezed itself closer to her face, then squeezed itself into her face, fusing with her permanently as the heat of the light melted it into a single sinewy skin. The others watched as her armor melted and reshaped itself before their eyes. The dull reds and greys of her armor were infused with light, and changed into deep blacks and fiery reds.

As the light faded, the transformation ended. As Katrin opened her eyes, which now glowed closer to pink than their old purple, she knew without a doubt that the old Kat was gone forever. She was no longer Katrin of the Flame. She was Katrin of the NUVA Proxima, blessed in the light of Tren Krom. Her connection to her element, already prodigious, had become even more powerful and finely-tuned. She could sense the heat generated by the friction of every piston; she could feel the invisible vapor of every breath in the air. She could sense the warmth of the deep movements of the earth, the pressures and movements far below the range of mortal understanding. As she struggled to her feet, she understood instinctively that, if any of her companions asked, and she considered them worthy, she could offer her element and the powers of her skin-like mask for them to use as their own while they stood near her. She knew, too, that a new mask was needed to replace her old one. Her Calix was not lost—it was now a permanent part of her, fused forever to her very being as a reminder of the power and benevolence of the Krom.

 

OOC: @pokemonlover360 @The UltimoScorp @Onaku @Tarn Katrin has received the boon of NUVA Proxima. Kilo has received the boon of NUVA. Kilo post to follow soon...

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

"You doubt me," he said with another deep chuckle. "You are right to be skeptical but you are already coming to believe. If I spoke the immutable truth it could be taken at face value; if I told a lie it would be clearly perceived; but you know it is a challenge in decoding where an Aspect's deceptions begin and where they end. Shadow obfuscates, after all," he reflected.

"What proof would you ask of me?"

[Nato G]

IC: Whisper - Kini-Koro

"Something only one of us could do."

[Daniel the Finlander]

IC: Niidak (Kini-Koro)

Niidak had found a small place that was almost what she was looking for, a little hut where refreshing drinks were sold. Of course, it was put together from scrap and the drinks tasted like sewage, but it was better than nothing. She paid the owner with the few widgets she had, then headed to find the marketplace so she could replace them with new ones. Preferably with enough so she could get by for a while without having to travel.

Unfortunately, things didn't go that way when she finally reached the market: The village was poor and while there was demand for her protodermis ingots and the Kanohi Miru she had found, the price was still low, while food was still relatively expensive. She also realized that if she went to retrieve the head of the mysterious statue, she'd have to test and demonstrate its powers, and she needed a mask for that. So, she could not yet sell the Miru. Nobody was interested in her knowledge crystal and the broken telescope, which did not surprise her. Therefore all she got was a handful of widgets in exchange for the ingots.

Niidak groaned to herself and headed back to Kini-Nui, and the portal to Ko-Pou. She needed to get the magical statue head. If it still worked when separated, it would be worth a lot, she was sure. Then she could finally have a vacation. On the way there, she looked around but did not see Sidra anywhere. She hoped they wouldn't go looking for her and end up thinking she had escaped with their tool in tow.

She passed through the portal, and saw the same guards who had escorted her to Kini-Koro. They did not seem to acknowledge her presence, standing still like that statue she had found. She walked by them without saying anything and left the ruins, not seeing the friendly guard who had helped her get through, not that she particularly wanted to. As she walked through the outpost of Ko-Pou, she thought of where she had left her hoverbike. She hadn't gotten any fuel for it, but she still wanted to check if anybody had stolen it.

OOC: niidak open for interaction while she's headed to the relic fields

Edited January 30, 2021 by Daniel the Finlander

[BULiK]

IC: Knichou & Taku Crew, Kini-Nui Hillside, The Taku

"Vahki aren't fans of troublemakers, eh?" Knichou joked, shooting Nale a sly, shlorp-y grin. "They'll come around eventually."

"Besides, if we're detected, we'll only need to hold out long enough for Okuo to transfer ownership of Ga-Metru's Central Taskforce Hive, then it should be smooth sailing, and we can command any nearby Bordakh to revert their loyalty swap. We'll stick together and be extra careful, of course, and won't let that happen in the first place."

~~~

Arnex raised an eyebrow at the Toa's story, it was practically a tall tale. If this was true... well... it would be useful to have a real warrior using all of these new weapons Knichou had conjured up for the airship.

"Wow, no wonder the Captain recruited you with a resume like that. Given his arming up of the Taku here, the Commander seems to think that there will be a clear enemy soon enough. At the very least, if one comes to town, we'll be the first thing they shoot at, so you'll know what to do then."

As she finished her duty and locked the door to the armory, she thought of the opportunity this gave her and Navu.

"You wouldn't happen to know how to use some of the guns we have, would you? I don't know about you, Navu, but a lesson from a bona fide war hero might come in handy."

[Snelly]

IC: Skyra Daring - The Taku -

Skyra grinned. “You bet a Brakas’ butt I can! I didn’t see a gun in there I haven’t shot before.” Skyra looked around. “You guys wouldn’t happen to have a shooting range in this airship?” 

OOC: @BULiK@Tarn @Toru Nui 

[Tarn]

IC: Jutori - Earth Ruins

"W...we did it!" the battered Jutori cheered. Kilo had, like Atamai before, disappeared into the floor as part of its NUVA transformation. And now, the Kat before them was a new person herself. There was still the problem of the enemy Arkius, but he had forgotten he still posed a threat in the moment of success. The Toa of Gravity went to Kat's side. "You alright? How...does it feel?"

@pokemonlover360@Onaku@The UltimoScorp@Eyru

[BULiK]

IC: Taku Crew, Kini-Nui Hillside, The Taku

"Of course not, that'd be ridiculous," Arnex said with a wave. "We do all our test firing into the mountainside. As long as it's not waking people up at night we don't get too many complaints."

[Onaku]

IC: Arkius and Arkius - Ruins of Earth

The ally Arkius was speechless. They'd done it. Kilo had activated the mechanism. Kat had received Proxima. They stood a chance against his counterpart now.

The enemy Arkius was seething. A bare moment had passed after Kilo had disappeared and Kat had transformed, Jutori had barely gotten out his words, before Arkius roared so loud that the chamber felt like it shook. Then, from his very being, an explosion of earth buried the entire chamber. 

From the earthen wall that now reached the exit of the NUVA chamber emerged Arkius holding the box of Great Disks under one arm, the Spear of Fusion in his other hand, and his axe on his back. Where he went, earthen barrier after earthen barrier sprung up behind him, blocking the corridors as he made his way to the mirrored chamber.

@Eyru@Tarn@The UltimoScorp@pokemonlover360

[The UltimoScorp]

IC Katrin Nuva - Earth Ruins:

The young Toa of Fire managed to get to her feet, light glimmering off of her armor as she looked down at her body.

There was a brief moment where she said nothing at all.

"I think.... I think I'm taller?" She said at last.

"Definitely taller. And.... And I feel.... A whole heck of a lot of power. Almost as if to accentuate the point, flames wreathed her form again. But these were different, instead of obscuring her body, they seemed to part wherever the eye fell, illuminating her and casting the room in dazzling gold tones.

"Whoa...."

Any other thoughts she had were swiftly cut off by the eruption of earth around them, and Kat instinctually threw her arms forward, and as if brought forth merely from the motion, a wall of flame erupted forth, reducing the soil to nothing as it came for them, leaving Kat and Jutori more or less alone, cut off from Arkius Nuva. And also Arkius.

But the two Toa were safe, for the moment.

Kat brought her hands up to stare at them in wonder as the inferno flickered away.

"That's uh.... Way more powerful than it used to be."

[NorikSigma]

IC: Zekev - Fort Nektann

It was a lazy day, just the way Zekev liked it. He had ambled about in the morning, making a show of running errands and fixing things. Now that most of the fort were taking an afternoon nap or too busy to push him around, Zekev could take a well-deserved 12 hour break in the shaded confines of one of the unused guard towers. He sat his rump down on the rickety chair he had found a few days ago and leaned back, propping his feet up on the sill of the window.

Ahhh, that hits the spot.

The past few months had been... hectic, to say the least. The back and forth travelling and fighting had not been kind to his psyche, on several levels. But it appeared he could finally catch a break.

He lazily peered over the sill of the window, and caught sight of the old task master, Drukarus. He seemed to be talking to several strangers Zekev did not recognise. Or perhaps they too were denizens of the Fort that Zekev had not bothered to know. He wondered what business they had, and hoped it didn't entail trouble.

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

The wizard-Aspect stared into Whisper's... face... sight... parapets... and knotted his brows again. Whisper asked for something more difficult to deliver than she probably thought, and most of the attributes she likely considered natural to Aspects was a more special case with Caedast's body. Desecrating someone wasn't an option without a willing participant, and knowledge of the taboos alone was not a sufficient enough proof of his nature. Stannis could stab himself in the chest with his spear... buuuut he'd rather not.

Then he realized the most prudent exhibition of his nature was also the most potent proof of his status and power. He almost chuckled yet again at the thought of it, though instead he simply smiled weakly to himself. This will be fun. It also could go badly, but thankfully the person he had in mind was as beyond reproach as himself in the eyes of the Builders, and would be a powerful ally if things went awry with anyone in the village. Stannis looked up to the sky to note where the sun was and then looked to the ground. Stannis' seated shadow was cast to the left of him and was a small window in the midday sun that shone down from a promontory in the sky. 

He closed his eyes and saw through another set. 

(Once-brother.)

An anguished groan could almost be felt in response, though perhaps it was merely imagined. Stannis was simply glad his desecrated was already sitting.

(... Watch your ###.)

 

"An Aspect of Makuta who has reached their fourth milestone in their Wish quest possesses the ability to teleport to the shadow of their desecrated," he prefaced his magical act, "but an Aspect of the fifth level can teleport their desecrated to them..."

And then Stannis mentally yanked at the invisible tethers that bound Toa Oreius Maru to him.

[Harvali]

IC Kanohi and “Collector” - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi nodded, “I … I think I will prepare first, we will need to send a message to Commander Vulimai, she needs to know. She … has been possessed by Whisper before, but she consented to it, it was before she had her mask infected. She got a look into Whisper’s thoughts, well, her surface thoughts, so she believes Whisper does indeed want to become flesh and metal, like us. But even if Whisper is … not dangerous to us, which she might not be, Vulimai needs to be informed.”

He nodded, “Thank you for this information, Aspect Sorilax. I will avoid mentioning your name. I … I would warn Vulimai on this danger myself, but right now Collector and I have work to do. I … I don’t know how much I can say, but we fear Kini-Koro might have a new vulnerability in its armor, so we will need to prepare, since all of us are connected. As I said, we have access to disks of weakening, and we may be able to use that to make more powerful melee weapons.”

”How?”

Kanohi gestured for Collector to lower his body, and explained in a whisper, ”I helped V-Vakama when he built my staff. And I can forge disks. And you built your blade. Together, with help from Sucordak, we may be able to build more Kanoka Blades.”

”Arm the village guard with Kanoka Blades? It’s possible. Though the mine has only opened up recently. We may not be able to mass produce them yet. Still, we could try to make some.” They glanced over to Sorilax. They … could they trust this stranger? Any more than Whisper at least? They wanted too, and his claims fit what Collector knew. Darn it, was that power lost to them too? Wait 

”Great. Though, we will give some to Kini-Koro too. Our Unity … it is how the Matoran of Po-Koro were saved, and is the most valuable help we have left.”

”Excuse me, Sorilax,” Collector looked to the Aspect’s weaponry, speaking directly to the strange Aspect, “That bow of yours … is it empowered with the abilities of a disk of freezing? Or … is it something else? Wh-where did you get it?” Was … was that the power of Ice?

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Kal the Guardian @Toru Nui

…

IC Kardaka - the Ruins of Metru-Koro

Kardaka swallowed, and began to walk towards the bike. It … it was made of metal, but it was no boat nor a beast. This was more technology from the Ark. Was the Ark technology always so Alien to her? Or had she forgotten that too, her memories as ill-fitting as her new body

As she stared at the craft she stumbled, tripping over her own feet. She fell against the ground, a cloud of dust embracing her. The Turaga groaned before planting her Badge of Office hard into the ground, pushing it against the dirt. She shakily rose back to her feet, and began to walk to the craft. She … she should focus on using her staff more.

Pressing the butt of her Badge of Office against the ground, she pushed off of it as a third leg. She began to walk slower, taking careful steps with her disproportionally large feet. 

OOC: @Onaku @Tarn 

Edited January 30, 2021 by Harvali

[Snelly]

IC: Skyra Daring - The Taku -

"Oh...yeah that sounds...that sounds...reasonable..." Skyra couldn't help but think about the earlier incident that lead to her banishment from Kini-koro. 

"Anyway! Wanna learn how to shoot electro-rockets? They're pretty fun~" 

OOC: @BULiK@Tarn @Toru Nui 

[Eyru]

IC: Oreius | Skies Over Zakaz

The Iapyx soared through the crystal-blue sky. Far below, the island was laid out like a children's playmat. Mountains were hills. Lakes were puddles. And the Tahtorak was at the center of a maelstrom.

Oreius sighed and leaned back in his chair. It had been a long month. Absent any other purpose, he had decided to track this enormous monster the locals called a Tahtorak and keep an eye on it. That hadn't been difficult. It had taken less than a week of reconnaissance to locate the lumbering beast within its personal storm, and once he found it, there was little chance of losing it. He had hoped that by watching its movements, he could discern what it was and how to beat it should it come knocking at the Matoran's doorstep. But all he'd figured out over the last few weeks was that this thing was, for all intents and purposes, completely unstoppable.

So he just kept an eye on it. He kept his airship well out of range, hoping to avoid the monster's notice, and followed carefully as it made its way across the island, leaving storms and rivers and its wake. His best guess was that it was searching for something. It seemed to wander without a purpose, changing direction as easily as the wind. It turned forests into swamps and plains into mud flats. It pulverized hills and turned valleys into lakes. It was a force of nature, oblivious to its own destruction. It didn't seem malevolent, just too big and powerful to care or notice the effects of its travel.

But that was all guesswork. Oreius stretched his arms over his head and considered what to have for dinner. His choices were dried bula berries or Mahi jerky. His stores were starting to run low—he had maybe ten days of rations left if he ate sparingly. After that, he would need to return to Kini Nui to stock up. But for now, all he had to do was keep watch. Looking for something to do, he pulled out an iStone he'd found while rummaging through the ship's storage compartments and started rereading the airship manual. He was on his fourth reread, and was pretty sure he'd have the wohle thing memorized by the time he got back.

Or not. Because, as fate would have it, he was going to be returning to Kini Nui a lot sooner than anticipated. It started with a tugging sensation, like someone was pulling on his arm. Oreius looked up, but no one was around. The sensation grew stronger, until it felt like some invisible force was pulling at his entire body. Heart racing, he checked the scanners, but there was nothing there. Just him and the ship and the empty sky, and the Tahtorak a ways off. Was it the beast? Had it sensed him at last?

No. As the force grew stronger, Oreius realized it was familiar. He knew the source of this power. It had never acted upon him like this, but it was unmistakeable. Just like a faint scent will suddenly bring almost-forgotten memories to vivid life, so the presence that suddenly filled the airship cabin pulled his mind thousands of years into the past. Simultaneously, his body body was being pulled somewhere, too. He was being summoned, inexorably and irrestibly. He could fight it, but he could not overcome it. And with the summoning came a voice:

(Once-brother.)

"Activate autopilot," he shouted as his body began to melt away into shadows. "Maintain altitu—" His voice cut off abruptly as he vanished. The chair was full of shadows, and then it was empty.

"Autopilot activated," the AI said. "Maintaining altitude." It was speaking to itself. There was on one else on board to hear.

The summoning was not painful. It was like gravity had simply changed course, and started pulling him in the wrong direction. Not in a physical direction though: it felt like he was being pulled into himself, in a mysterious direction equidistant between the four points of the compass. He felt himself falling through a space of absolute darkness, unable to see or hear or even breathe—

And then the world exploded into colour, and instead of a chair, he was sitting on solid ground. Everything was green. He felt grass between his fingers and heard water splashing nearby. He was sitting in someone's shadow: he looked up to see their face, but they were silhouetted against the sun. That didn't matter. He knew who it was. Staggering to his feet, he realized there was another being nearby. It was some kind of tentacled machine, and although it looked robotic, something told him it was not. He went to pull out his sword, but it was still back on the ship. He settled for a piercing glare instead.

"You," he growled at Stannis. "What sorcery was that?"

[Nato G]

IC: Whisper - Kini-Nui

"So some of them know, then," she observed, hiding her surprise as the enraged Toa materialised before her. She felt equal parts angry and impressed by what she witnessed. The way Stannis had vilified and sabotaged her during their first meeting... now she understood how he'd spoken with such certainty. "You haven't duped them all."

Edited January 30, 2021 by Nato the Traveler

[BULiK]

IC: Arnex, Kini-Nui Hillside, The Taku, Upper Deck

"Yeah, why not? Let's do this!"

[Kal the Guardian]

IC: Sorilax - Aspect of Light and Silence

Location - Stone Ruins

With - Kanohi, Collector

 

It seemed his warning was well heard and there were other matters the Co-Counselor needed to attend to that didn’t concern him, so Sorilax turned to leave back through the portal. The Vortixx stopped him, however.

”Excuse me, Sorilax,” Collector looked to the Aspect’s weaponry, “That bow of yours … is it empowered with the abilities of a disk of freezing? Or … is it something else? Wh-where did you get it?”

Sorilax turned back to the two, pulling the longbow from his shoulder. Frost formed on his unfeeling hand and a faint frozen mist formed a sort of after image as it moved through the air as he offered for Collector to take and inspect the weapon, “I received this bow for the completion of traveling through the Far Shore, accessed by the portal which is located in the center of the Kini-Nui temple. I have as of yet to test its capabilities. Have you any idea what they might be?”

 

OOC: @Harvali

[Onaku]

IC: Okuo - Metru-Koro

Okuo nodded with a reassuring smile, before turning to look in the direction of the Ice Ruins. "Aaaalright, lets see... gonna need a better vantage point..." He muttered to himself before he clambered up onto the roof of one of the sturdier looking buildings that were still standing. Pulling out his dagger, Okuo held it tight in his hand, looking in the direction of the ice sheet in the south, before he started focusing... and then he wasn't in Metru-Koro any more, but instead standing in the cold snowy expanse south of the deserted village, a shiver instantly shooting through his body as the change in climate hit him. Wrapping his scarf around himself tighter, he looked around, trying to locate the Ruins of Ice, which he did easily enough... along with a Muaka that stared at him in what looked like surprise. It quickly got over that surprise, though, and visibly started readying itself to pounce on the newly arrived morsel.

"Sorry, not gonna happen." As the Muaka's jaws snapped forth, they closed around empty air as the Toa who'd stood before it moments before disappeared into thin air as quickly as he had appeared. The Rahi was left wondering it had hallucinated the whole thing. 

Okuo meanwhile appeared out of thin air at the gates to Ko-Pou, still shivering.

@Sparticus147@Tarn@Harvali

[Tarn]

IC: Triage - Metru-Koro Ruins

"Hey! Are you alright?" Triage asked as he paused to checked on the Turaga. He wondered how long Kardaka had been in this form--she didn't seem at all accustomed to it. Despite her fall, the Turaga was soon back on her feet and making her way to the bike. The medic stepped in front of her. "Do you need any help? That was a pretty nasty fall."

@Harvali

IC: Jutori - Earth Ruins

Jutori braced himself, expecting to be pummeled by a wave of earth and buried alive. Instead, he felt the warmth of Kat's element as she burned away the soil, protecting the pair of Toa. She certainly did look different--much like those he'd seen undergo the transformation before, she now had a new spectacular look. "No kidding," Jutori said, thankful for the Toa of Fire's newfound power. "What about that Arkius, the good one? Did he--?"

The Toa of Gravity's optics widened as he realized the ally Arkius had been closest to the opposing one when he unleashed his element--the element their Arkius now lacked. He had been buried and could be lost to them if they didn't do something.

"We have to dig him out before it's too late!" he said, rushing over to a pile of earth and digging with his bare hands. Once it proved futile, he summoned the small reserve of elemental energy he'd recharged to scoop out a larger amount with gravity, but this still wasn't enough. An exhausted Jutori fell to his knees. "You gotta help me out here, I still feel like I got ran over by kikanalo..."

@Onaku@pokemonlover360@The UltimoScorp@Eyru

OOC: Last Jutori post until Kilo NUVA returns.

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

"It does not bring me joy, Whisper," Stannis said evenly, though inwardly he struggled to retain his composure. He hated asserting himself upon those who he desecrated, and there was a certain irony in summoning Oreius to his side as he did, as while the once-brother was both the most foolproof of beings he could summon he was also the one he most regretted enslaving as he had. "Some knowledge is a curse instead of blessing, some revelations blind instead of enlighten, but all knowledge carries its costs, and once it has been bought... it cannot be returned."

He looked back to Oreius, his once-brother, the man he previously trusted more than anyone else and loved as a family member as much as an Aspect could love the idea of a family. Stannis wondered what would have become of Oreius had Inu not nearly perished and the desecration ritual not occurred. Would Oreius have retained his spirituality and been less of an absolutist in the face of war and suffering? Some things, even Stannis did not know. "Hello, Oreius, and welcome to Kini-Koro."

@Eyru @Nato the Traveler

Edited January 30, 2021 by EmperorWhenua

[Eyru]

IC: Oreius | Kini-Nui

Oreius ignored the greeting and gestured towards Whisper.

"I take it that... thing is in on your secret now? Was that the only reason you brought me here? To prove you could?"

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

"You needn't tear Whisper to scattered dream dust," Stannis said coolly to his once-brother. 

"So, you see my powers now. I preached on the deceitful nature of Shadow and you did not believe my words—nobody believed—because nobody could consider fathoming that all that time I was talking about me. I spoke with authority on matters of Shadow because I am from the Shadows. But I am also from the Builder's dreams. And yet, somehow, I feel so strongly that I must fight to preserve the lore of the past so that everyone can create a better future. But I have never truly lied, only rationed truth. Do you believe me now?" he asked.

Edited January 30, 2021 by EmperorWhenua
edited with Nato's awareness

[Snelly]

IC: Skyra Daring - The Taku -

"Awesome. Grab some rockets and let's blow some #### up."

OOC: @BULiK@Tarn @Toru Nui 

[Nato G]

IC: Whisper – Kini-Koro

"But aren't you terrified?” Whisper interrupted, ignoring Oreius and instead drifting closer to Stannis. Her doubts were gone, replaced by a different kind of disbelief. “I’ve seen Aspects younger than either of us reclaimed by the antidermis, wishes unfulfilled… with an existence as long as yours, everything you've seen and experienced... how do you not spend every day dreading being undone?"

@EmperorWhenua @Eyru

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

"Every day," the Wanderer responded with a strong tone. "This is the farthest my spirit has ever gotten, and that is all the more reason for me to fight harder and stronger to   stop   the     cycle."

[Void Emissary]

IC: Parnassus | Fort Nektann

"Then let's all go together," Parnassus said, opening their arms wide, their dark cloak billowing out invitingly -- or menacingly. "Four voices might be more compelling to Barius than any one."

OOC: @Sparticus147 @Kal the Guardian

-Void

[Nato G]

IC: Whisper - Kini-Koro

"Then it seems our intentions are aligned."

[Sparticus147]

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow)

"I...I am..." Apex wasn't sure what to do. She had come so far, yet it didn't matter, for the shadowy shroud that wrapped her mind still clung tightly around her memory. But a memory rose back into prominence, "Wait, I remember, there is a ruin that exists still within the Fau Swamp. A small shrine, but if my memory holds true, there may be knowledge there I seek. Waveahk, if your wish is to learn the secrets of Xa, then you may accompany me upon this journey once more."

OOC: @Burnmad @Toru Nui

[EmperorWhenua]

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

It was true, of course. Their intentions were aligned, and while their end goals were different there was a certain harmony to their motives and the knowledge that they shared a path was a comforting power by itself. The caution came from the amorality of knowledge itself, and so while Whisper had been taught something she was looking for, the question now became what she would do with the information. Her intentions were one matter; her dispositions were quite another.

"Indeed. But then, answer me this: Do you care what happens to the Builders?" he asked directly. 

 

@Nato the Traveler @Eyru

[Kal the Guardian]

IC: Krrenchk - Skakdi of Stone

Location - Fort Nektann

With - Drukarus, Parnassus, Detsu

 

Krrenchk shrugged, “‘Kay.” It didn’t matter much to him now. No doubt Drukarus or Parnassus would do all the talking. He was just glad something might be happening. He needed to get out and do anything.

His mind wandered back to potential gear. Would boots of blades be too much? That might be too much. He made a mental note of that.
 

OOC: @Sparticus147 @Conway

[Eyru]

IC: Oreius | Kini-Nui

The pieces were falling one by one into place. Although he had arrived in the middle of a conversation, Oreius was not too dim to understand what was happening. Stannis was speaking plainly—or as plainly as he could—and that was something he rarely did. The two seemed to be kin to each other: the Toa of stone and the mysterious creature inhabiting the robotic body. Whatever Stannis was... was this creature another of his kind?

And their intentions were aligned. That was curious. Oreius had spent too much time apart from Stannis to remember his specific goals, but recalled that his leader had always preferred diplomacy to war and words to action. He was a quiet, grave man. One who preferred to hold council with kings rather than rule, and draw up strategies rather than fight. Oreius had long held tight to this knowledge as consolation that the man he had once called brother would never do evil. He may have been a duplicitous creature of darkness, but he was neither cruel nor tyrannical. He simply sought to both learn and dispense wisdom. So what was this talk returning to antidermis, of defeating cycles, of caring or not caring about these 'Builders'? There were too many secrets, but perhaps if he kept his mouth shut a moment longer he would learn some of them.

Edited January 30, 2021 by Eyru

[Nato G]

5 hours ago, EmperorWhenua said:

IC Stannis | Kini-Koro

"Indeed. But then, answer me this: Do you care what happens to the Builders?" 

IC: Whisper – Kini-Koro

The Aspect fell into a pensive silence as she pondered the question.

Why had Stannis asked that? Did he care what became of the Builders? What answer did he expect from her? What answer did he want from her? What would he do if he didn’t like the answer she gave?

The truth was that she didn’t care. Not really. She’d gambled with Taja’s life the moment she met her, without concern for the consequences. She’d carried out desecrations and infections without informing the villagers of what it would allow her to do. That she didn’t plan to use her powers on them didn’t change the fact that she could, or that she hadn’t warned them about it. At the end of the day, they were still all just a means to an end.

“They have given me trust, and experiences, and acceptance,” she finally replied. “And in return I have given them powers with which to protect themselves. My care for them is… transactional. I don’t intend them any harm, and I’ll help them protect this place if I’m present when it’s in peril… but I will not give my life for theirs, nor shed a tear for any who perish.”

@EmperorWhenua @Eyru

 

On 1/29/2021 at 9:37 AM, Vezok's Friend said:

IC [Zataka - Irnakk’s Tooth, w. Yumiwak & Co.]

:I offer no bargains, Mesi. Whatever happens next, happens next. I am asking if you wish to die as a mere footnote in someone else’s story?:

IC: Marrow (and minions) – Irnakk’s Tooth

If Marrow had still possessed eyes, he would have rolled them at the Aspect’s audacious, asinine arrogance. A footnote in someone else’s story… as if his defeat was a forgone conclusion, an inevitability so certain it was practically an afterthought.

That’s all the Mesi were in the minds of those who lived above. Animals and savages, nuisances worth less than the dirt they lived beneath. It was the self-appointed privilege of those who had everything in abundance, of those who believed that if they oppressed people hard enough they’d cease being people at all. The surface dwellers lived in luxury, pampered with technology and conveniences, squandering their potential with their political ploys and power plays. They knew nothing of true strength, nothing of living with nature, nothing but ambition and brutality.

But the Mesi… they knew adversity, for they strove and struggled each day just to survive. They knew pain, and power, and patience. Marrow had spent decades dedicating himself to avenging the thousand generations of degradation and dehumanisation committed against his kind, and he would wait no more. He and his companions had set out with the intent of assaulting Fort Nektann itself; they weren’t going to bend their necks in surrender to the first warskaks who assailed them.

So instead of responding to the telepath’s words, Marrow drew upon the power of his kraata, buffeting a short, powerful blast of air towards the four Skakdi. At the same time, he let out a soft, guttural hiss, a signal for Opal and Hakkzan to launch their attack.

The earth and rock in front of where Yumiwak, Zai, Korio, and Ysocla stood splintered apart in a storm of scorching shrapnel, and the already intolerable temperature within the tunnel increased to an excruciating degree, as a roiling geyser of pressurised lava erupted forth from the floor, angled towards the Skakdi, singeing the walls and ceiling as it splashed and sizzled towards them.

@Tarn @pokemonlover360 @Vezok's Friend

 

OOC: My understanding of everyone’s current positions is that Ysocla, Korio, Yumiwak, and Zai are more or less standing together, while Zataka is further back. The lava attack is directed at the Skakdi, so Zataka isn’t directly under threat at this point. Based on my earlier questions in the discussion topic, I believe this attack falls within acceptable boundaries for MC actions, but I’m happy to discuss and edit as necessary if there are any objections.

Edited January 30, 2021 by Nato the Traveler

[Eyru]

IC: Reliable Narrator | Ruins of Earth

Leaving all its possessions behind, Kilo-M9 fell into the floor and plunged into an ocean of blinding light.

The Kralhi did not fear death. Robots, after all, cannot feel fear. The closest equivalent was its primary objective to preserve itself at all costs. It understood that death was the cessation of function, and in the absence of function its directives could not be fulfilled. If it ceased to function, then who would bring efficiency to the city? Who would protect and serve the Matoran? These directives would be impossible to follow if its physical body suffered irreparable damage, so the unit sought to preserve itself against the cessation of function. But caution is not fear. So, when its green eyes blinked out and its servos whirred to a stop, it was not afraid. Kilo died with all the unflinching courage of a purely mechanical being.

Death is absolute. This was neither a half-death nor a deep slumber. It was Death, and it was as dark as the emptiness behind the stars. It was an infinity of nothingness: a void that expanded in all directions and for all time. Thought and memory did not exist. There was only absence. Kilo was dead for an eternity and longer, and then it was reborn. 

It returned to the temple through a doorway of golden light. All damage it had sustained in the battle was undone. It stood on stronger legs, each piston and gear bolstered with newfound might. Its eyes, once green or red, now shone with a golden glow. It felt a dormant power stir to life within its being: the elemental power of air. Alongside this power was another: the power of the Great Disk.

It took a step into the chamber. It was the embodiment of its new element. Even Katrin, whose powers reduced Arkius's attack to molten slag, knew instantly that she was outmatched. Her powers were great, but she still controlled them. The Kralhi was inseparable from its element. Control was not necessary: the power and the wielder were one and the same.

A singular vision filled the robot's mind. It was of the time before its rebirth, when it had been nothing. It stood alone bathed in white light, its body bearing neither possesions nor injuries. There was silence. Stillness. At last, its feet found a floor in a world of possibility. The floor was like a pool of water, rippling and transparent. Something below rose from the depths, or did it fall? Its feet found the floor as well, but in reflection of the Kralhi's own. One stretched upwards, and the other stretched down —an ancient power waiting to be claimed. The robotic being knew where this power could be found, and how to claim it: all that was needed was to let go, reach out, and become one in body and mind. 

The vision faded from its eyes, but remained vivid in memory. It stood in the temple of earth once more. The wall where the word NUVA had once been inscribed was now a portal of swirling rainbow light from floor to ceiling. Beyond were glimpses of a valley, a lake, and a temple. The chosen one knew the mystical power waited for it through this rippling portal. 

It also knew its name:

Citizen Pacification Unit K1R1 Kilo-M9 NUVA, bathed in the light of Tren Krom.

OOC: @pokemonlover360 @The UltimoScorp @Tarn @Onaku

[Harvali]

IC Kanohi and “Collector” - Tobduk-Koro

The Vortixx almost snatched the bow from Sorilax’s hands, feeling its cold. This was … different than a Kanoka Blade. It was more solid, with far less components. Like a solid piece. Collector turned it over in their hands, feeling the cold loft on their hand.

They put away their Kanoka Blade, and took aim of the bow with both hands. They were no archer, they were barely a swordsman for that matter. And they had no arrows to speak of. But could it hurt so much to feel the string…

Their optics widened as an icicle formed within the bow, cold arm manifesting and condensing into a spike of ice. This was not freeze, this was far beyond freezing. This was the Element of Ice, it must be. They took aim at an empty wall, and released the string.

The wall was struck by the icicle, but strangely it did not merely embed or chip itself on the wall. Instead the ice sprouted and blossomed into a long spike. They swallowed, and with trembling hands fired another arrow at the floor. Then one grew, but now into a miniature wall of ice.

”In-incredible,” Collector clapped their hands with glee, “I … I… I always wished to have this power, to be a Toa but I never believed…” Their fingers flapped in the air, their feet almost marched as they bounced against the floor. The Matoran would love them now, they have the power of ice, an actual element. They could create ice, shape it, this was wonderful—

“Collector,” Kanohi interrupted finally, “I know you are excited, and I am happy for you. But, I am sorry to bring this up, but, th-that bow belongs to Aspect Sorilax.” Not you.

Collector flinched, and shakily offered back the bow. “I … apologize. Thank you. I … hopefully I can visit the Far Shore sometime, once Tobduk-Koro is safer.” They struggled to release their grip it, they could get on with just their Kanoka Blade, like they always had. And maybe, maybe they could still get their mask desecrated. They already were being spied on by NU, it was not that different from what Whisper would be able to do to them. 

”I do have a question, Aspect Sorilax,” added Kanohi as the Fe-Matoran began to leave, “You said you changed your element, right? Could you also give someone an element who has none?” And Collector’s optics lit up like a thousand stars. 

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Kal the Guardian @Toru Nui

…

IC Kardaka - the Ruins of Metru-Koro

The Turaga winced, as she began to lumber her way to the bike. She … this slowness was uncomfortable, she knew she could move faster. Her biomechanical muscles screamed at her to run. But more speed meant less balance. And well, she could take this slow speed as part of her penance too, having to be patient and more thoughtful. It was a good thing.

Still was frustrating though.

Finally she replied, “I … thank you for your kindness. But you do not need to worry about me.” 

OOC: @Onaku @Tarn 

[Toru Nui]

IC: Waveahk (Kumu Peninsula, Shrine of Shadows) - Oh Boy, Here I Go Mutating Again

"Fine. What’s a few more horrifying metamorphoses? Just don’t expect me to sacrifice the blood of virgins to get this thing. I have standards, low as they are. Also, 'Xa'?"

@Sparticus147@Burnmad

 

IC: Ulkarr and Enra (Tobduk-Koro, Ruins of Stone) - I Will Not Be Ignored!

Well. That didn’t work. Evidently, the silence shield must work both ways. He could just barge into the middle of this shield of silence, but Enra had already laid claim to that plan.

"Uh, hello? I can’t bloody hear you!" She said, before walking right in front of Sorilax.

@Kal the Guardian@Harvali

 

IC: NU-8020S (Kini-Koro, The Taku, Communal Table) - Preservation of Functions

"Excellent. However, I must request that minimal damage be inflicted on hostile units. They did not choose Barraki rule, after all." Much like how they didn’t choose Matoran rule.

"Also, the more units whose functions are terminated, the less you will have under your command should we succeed."

@BULiK@Tarn

 

IC: Navu (Kini-Koro, The Taku, Armoury) - Weapons of Mass Percussion

Navu was dreading the damage this could do to her ear drums. "Uh... can I get some... noise-cancelling headphones, or something?"

@Snelly@BULiK

[Sparticus147]

IC: Vulimai (Kini-Nui)

Quickly moving out of Kini-Koro and down the valley towards the watchtower, Vulimai swiftly reached the site as she waited for the rest of the guards to arrive in order to be informed of their new duties. Though some had left when Vulimai spoke to them as a whole the month prior, informing them that she would not hold it against them to abandon a Duty they were not fit to commit. She was surprised by the conviction of those who remained, especially with how nearly all of them followed her in her steps when she allowed Whipser to infect her mask.

Though they griped and they moaned, dealing with the constant rotations and on-the-duty hours, they still held firm and did their best. She was proud of her guard, but she still feared if they were ready for actual combat, in any capacity. Her thought process was broken, as nearly a dozen Matoran approached her from the Ko-Pou portal. Turning her attention to them, and calling out for them to assemble in an ordered mass, she spoke to them with an officers voice.

"Guard Matoran, it has come to my attention that there has been an oversight in the defenses of Kini-Koro. The portals," She emphasized her point by pointing in the direction of one, "If information is to believe, there are supposedly six of these ruins that could open up portals to the valley. Though we understand the mechanism with which these portals activate, we do not yet know how to close them."

"So, from this moment forwards, with collaboration from Quartermaster Bronk, a retinue of guards shall be stationed within the valley watchtower twenty-four seven. You all shall be the first stationed here. Now to fully relay wha-"

Vulimai wasn't able to finish the relaying of her orders, as a rainbow portal materialized to the west of the temple, just south of Kini-Koro. Her worry and fear having boldly arrived, Vulimai instantly began barking out orders, "You there, on the end! Head towards the Ko-Pou portal and retrieve the half-a-dozen guards stationed outside. You, return to Kini-Koro and raise the alarm, get everyone indoors and the on and off-duty guards ready for whatever may arrive. Bring Toa Atamai to me if you can find them. The rest of you! Follow me and form a perimeter."

And like that, the guard were off, with the two message bearers dashing off in opposite directions as Vulimai and her eight remaining troops made their way towards the new portal. The guards were fumbling to get there weapons out, with them being the inexperienced majority, them pulling out Kanoka disks while keeping their other weapons in their holsters and sheathes. Vulimai was the first to arrive, slotting out the freeze Kanoka for her weakening one, as she took position and aimed it the portal, anticipating an attack but aware enough to inform the others to only fire upon her command.

OOC: @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Tarn @The UltimoScorp

IC: Apex (Kumu-Peninsula, Shrine of Shadow)

"That...Should not be necessary. I pray that the knowledge I seek will simply be there for the taking, but that would be too easy, unfortunately." She rolled her eyes and head in an exaggerated manner, her already preparing for whatever annoyances or set-backs she is too expect.

"And as for Xa, they are...Well...I am not fully sure who Xa-Kuta is or was. I only hold faint memories of my past, and their's is one that remains, if faintly. I do not know much about Xa-Kuta, other than she was one of my kin in times before and it is her writings that harbor the Taboos and knowledge of old. Now, shall we leave or do you hold more questions for me to answer?"

Though Apex asked Waveahk if there was anything else he sought to learn, it was obvious she was growing tense and anxious, as her wings fluttered and shifted in place.

OOC: @Toru Nui @Burnmad

Edited January 30, 2021 by Sparticus147
Added Apex