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thisavrou_log2017-07-09 01:05 pm
pillz) wrote in thisavrou_log2017-07-09 01:05 pm
The Demon Plot: DEATH OF GRINDING MADNESS [July Player Event]
Who: Ensemble production, all individuals who opted in to the plot
When: July 9-21
Where: Two inhabited planets around the Ingress
What: The demon plot kicks off, in which malevolent shadow beings, copies of existing characters, begin to materialize and harass the PCs across the worlds. Plotting post is here, and a network post will go up within the next 2 days from several PCs advising on how to end the plot.
Warnings: Violence, psychological themes, possibly past trauma, etc.
When: July 9-21
Where: Two inhabited planets around the Ingress
What: The demon plot kicks off, in which malevolent shadow beings, copies of existing characters, begin to materialize and harass the PCs across the worlds. Plotting post is here, and a network post will go up within the next 2 days from several PCs advising on how to end the plot.
Warnings: Violence, psychological themes, possibly past trauma, etc.
Death of Grinding Madness
The Demon Plot
(mild spoilers for The Raven Cycle)
The Demon Plot
(mild spoilers for The Raven Cycle)
On July 9, a demon begins to make its way through the Ingress, summoned through by a shitty teenager.
July 9-12
Harrying
Harrying
It's innocuous in the beginning. A movement in the corner of your eye, a shadow through a curtain-- merely a tree. But then the shadow figures begin to emerge into full being. Black-eyed wraiths that look like enemies, friends with whom you've had past conflict, or even you yourself. At first, it's merely harrying, minor harassment. Threatening gestures, broken gestures, jump scares.
Pursue them, and they disappear-- you might even catch a glimpse of how. They melt down into black slime, racing away across floors, through sewer grates, up walls, impossible to follow. By now, the worst of the climate freeze is over, but residual ice does pose a needles extra obstacle.
Pursue them, and they disappear-- you might even catch a glimpse of how. They melt down into black slime, racing away across floors, through sewer grates, up walls, impossible to follow. By now, the worst of the climate freeze is over, but residual ice does pose a needles extra obstacle.
July 12-15
The Violence Escalates
The Violence Escalates
In the days that follow, the situation only gets worse.
Sporadic harassment turns into outright attacks. The targeting is unmistakable. The shadow beings who can speak tell cruel tales of animosity, spite, even hatred. They are as deadly with their hands or strange powers as their doppelgangers are, and worse, they're functionally indestructible. Rip off one's head and it merely reforms out of sticky black ink. Limbs regenerate just as easily. The being might dispell for a few hours, but no doubt— it'll be back, if not to hurt you then someone you know.
The Savrii begin to notice. It's hard not to. While there is hardly an epidemic of panic, the disruptions are hard to miss-- broken windows, screams, random violence. Soon, the authorities begin to open safehouse facilities at which characters can seek shelter.
Sporadic harassment turns into outright attacks. The targeting is unmistakable. The shadow beings who can speak tell cruel tales of animosity, spite, even hatred. They are as deadly with their hands or strange powers as their doppelgangers are, and worse, they're functionally indestructible. Rip off one's head and it merely reforms out of sticky black ink. Limbs regenerate just as easily. The being might dispell for a few hours, but no doubt— it'll be back, if not to hurt you then someone you know.
The Savrii begin to notice. It's hard not to. While there is hardly an epidemic of panic, the disruptions are hard to miss-- broken windows, screams, random violence. Soon, the authorities begin to open safehouse facilities at which characters can seek shelter.
July 15-18
The Golem
The Golem
On July 17, something horrific begins to happen— several shadow beings merge to form a massive golem in Kauto R1. It is a grotesque, horrifying spectacle, of limbs and eyes and pulsating flesh. It reaches almost sixty feet in height. Combined together, this shadow creature is considerably less intelligent than the individual beings were. However, it is also immensely strong and regenerates just like the smaller ones did.
Within the mall, hundreds of daytime shoppers are trapped within. Luckily, they have food and climate control. Perhaps you're one of them-- or perhaps you're trying to get in to provide medical care.
In the meantime, the attacks from the individual shadow beings don't stop. Despite the intelligence exhibited by some, all of them seem mindlessly bent on tormenting their targets until they are killed.
Within the mall, hundreds of daytime shoppers are trapped within. Luckily, they have food and climate control. Perhaps you're one of them-- or perhaps you're trying to get in to provide medical care.
In the meantime, the attacks from the individual shadow beings don't stop. Despite the intelligence exhibited by some, all of them seem mindlessly bent on tormenting their targets until they are killed.
July 18-21
The Sacrifice
The Sacrifice
On the 9th day, a network post goes up (link pending, will be OOCly forward-dated to July 10th latest) revealing how to remove the invincibility of the attackers.
And by the 21st, the remaining beings utterly vanish without explanation— unless you happen to bear witness to the events that take place at St. Monmouth.
And by the 21st, the remaining beings utterly vanish without explanation— unless you happen to bear witness to the events that take place at St. Monmouth.
no subject
[If Darin's eyes could grow any wider, they'd pop out of his head. Words wouldn't come. He...He couldn't process what he was seeing here. There was Dromas and...Shiro? And another Shiro...?]
[Obviously, something wasn't adding up here, and Darin couldn't even begin to--]
Heh, you know, even I'm amazed to see that you're speechless. What, no sly remarks? No witty banter? No retorts? Here, let me help you make sense of what you're seeing...since we both know you think I'm your other half...
[The Shadow's hand combs through his hair once more, shaking the green away as if he were shaking away the rain after a summer shower. Just like that, his matching blue hair spikes back up. And with that, Darin's mind clicks to the only logical conclusion. Unfortunately, that conclusion wasn't any better than Dromas being here...]
Oh good...looks like our shadows are just as good friends as we are...
[With that, Darin straightens up and squares his shoulders, hand hovering closely to the dao sheathed at the small of his back.]
If you went through all the trouble of preparing this...place...for us, I'm guessing you want a fight. If that's the case, why don't you untie the real Shiro...make it a fair one?
[It was a gamble. They were brought here for a reason after all...]
no subject
[This is the part where, even given the situation, the Real Shiro grimaces. Like he's going to be sick. This is like hearing himself ... before everything. Even before Kerberos.]
[Like if every obligation and inhibition were stripped away. And maybe it will be, if they ever get out of this, and the others...]
[His expression fades. The others.]
Ooo, see. Sad Dorito gets it. Even if you untie him, he's not going to fight. He's not even looking up, poor traumatized bastard.
[It leans against the other shadow's shoulder, all lazy motion and sickle smiles.]
You think when he stops kicking himself for what I've said, he'll have any fight left?
After remembering everything that happened in our arena?
no subject
[He shakes his head. Shiro had his reasons. Shiro always had his reasons. And if he wasn't going to fight? Then that left only one thing to do.]
[With a flash, Darin's dao was out and in hand. He settled into an easy stance, resting the back of the blade in the crook of his arm while his empty hand slid up and out in front of him.]
Then I'll fight. I'll fight for him. Both of you!
[The bold statement is met with raucous laughter.]
Fight us both?! Oh please! Have you forgotten something?! I know what you know! In fact, I know more than you! I actually know what our powers are! I've listen to Diomuhr since the beginning! Which means...
[Darin's shadow turns to Shiro's and offers him a confident nod.]
You're outclassed. You're standing in an arena I built. A creation borne from our power...a power you're too scared to even tap into, let alone master! But don't worry...I'm not going to kill you right away. Not before I've shown you and your 'leader' here true despair...
no subject
[It laughs too. Knocking a shoulder against the other shadow, before it steps over, moving to roughly jerk the real Shiro's head up. By the stupid white clump of hair.]
Pay attention, pretty boy. Look at him -- he's taking your job. How's it feel? It's like you're back there all over again, isn't it? That's where your brain is.
You had so many chances to get over this! I can't believe you never even tried! But hey, maybe you don't wanna remember as bad as you say.
[Unfortunately, it looks like that's the truth. Because no sooner does it dawn on him where he is, what's going on, than his whole face drains of any kind of color.]
Like you're right back in the ring again? Except this time, it's not gonna be Matt who freezes up. And watches whatever happened to you.
It's you.
[The shadow then cheerfully waves at the other two. Like this is some kind of fun event.]
How about I leave him here? Make things a little more interesting, hm?
no subject
[Darin's shadow merely licked his lips. He could see it. He knew. Darin was already on a hair trigger, and if they could just push him over the edge, then the show would really start.]
[At first, all that leaves Darin's lips is a snarl. Feral and angry and his defensive posture nearly switched to offensive in a moment. But he bites back the hatred. He takes a breath, shaky yet steadying.]
Fine. As long as you don't lay a hand on him I don't care what you do. I can take you easily enough...
no subject
[This other shadow is giving it a hand, no pun intended. The least it can do is try to stoke the fires a little higher. Besides, it feels good to cut loose again. To provoke and destroy.]
[That's what it was made to do, after all.]
[Shiro's face goes from pained to quasi-conscious in a heartbeat, the only thing keeping him upright is the hand in his hair.]
no subject
[Reason flew from Darin's mind and the distance between himself and the shadows was erased. He's already gripping Shadow Shiro's metal hand in a grip that crunches the alien metal like it was made of aluminum.]
Wrong. Move.
[There was that tone again. A tone no one other than Shiro had heard before. A tone signifying something much worse was on the horizon. Darin tosses his dao up into the air and rocks back on his heels, snapping his arm back and then forward like the hammer of a gun. He cracks the shadow with enough strength that it looked and sounded like a speeding bus had driven into it, releasing his grip so that its frame could rocket back into the wall of the arena. He reaches up and catches his dao as it descends, then kneels to cut the ropes binding his friend.]
You need to get out of here. Check on the others. I saw my shadow at the house so I don't know if--
[He's cut short by a sucker punch that had just as much strength as his own. Darin's shadow had joined the fray, howling and laughing while Darin's frame similarly rocketed across the arena to bounce and crash into the far wall.]
Now we're getting somewhere! You don't hold back as much when you're dealing with monsters, am I right???
[The shadow glances down at Shiro.]
You don't even realize it do you. He's not doing this to save you, you know. He's doing this to prove he can be worth your time. He wants to be useful to you. Like a tool. A weapon.
[That said, he calls over to Shiro's shadow.]
COME ON, CHAMP!! DON'T TELL ME THAT ONE BLOW WAS ENOUGH TO LAY YOU LOW!! HAVEN'T YOU KILLED WORSE LOOKING BASTARDS THAN HIM??
no subject
[It's the arena, it's the Castle. It's both and neither and it feels like he's drowning while trying to keep his head intact. He's laying there, throat dry, limbs numb from being crouched and tied up for so long.]
[He wants to do something. Anything.]
[Then the copy of Darin speaks up. He doesn't hear more than a buzz in his ears, or see more than yellow eyes over a menacing expression. A threat to his people, and Lance bleeding and broken behind him unless he does something and--]
[He doesn't see it. It's not there. Something else is, but regardless, he's on his feet as the other shadow turns away. Jabbing glowing fingers forward like a fencer's thrust toward the shadow's back.]
[As across the way, darkness oozes back into a familiar form. Crouched and ready. Black eyes and glowing purple fingers a mirror for the real Shiro.]
Please.
We lived through Hell before.
no subject
[The shadow stumbles forward, bent at the waist. He starts to wheeze and that wheezing slowly shifts in tone to cackling. Gradually, he straightens up and turns a wild eyed gaze over his shoulder at Shiro.]
Really now? You already know we're stronger than you. We're demons! Monsters beyond your ilk! Beyond your reasoning! It's commendable that you would stand up to me but what do you really think that would accomplish?!
[The shadow reaches down and pulls a replica of Darin's dao from the stone. He casually brings it to bear when Darin appears behind him. He's already bruised, a few cuts opening up on his forehead and arms, but that doesn't slow him down. His arms hook under his shadow's arm pits and he holds him as the shadow laughs and starts to struggle.]
SHIRO!! GO NOW!! I'VE GOT THIS!! JUST TRUST ME FOR ONCE!!
[The shadow kicks up hard, then back, slamming his heels into Darin's kneecaps with a sharp crack, causing the man to stagger and release him. In an instant, his copy spins, bringing the dao around to slash. It catches Darin, opening a large gash across his chest as he frantically hobbles backwards to put some distance between them.]
Trust you?! He doesn't trust you! And you never believed he trusted you for a second! Don't act like you're as close as you think you are!!
no subject
It's not that! Of course he trusts him! Man, even I can't fuck that part up.
[It just saunters up, to where the fight is happening, hands shoved idly in its pockets. Completely unfazed.] He doesn't trust himself, blah blah yadda yadda. Existential bullshit.
[Meanwhile, the real Shiro has been trying to burn or otherwise shake the black gunk off his hand. To little avail. It especially doesn't help with the shadow hoists him up by the collar of his shirt, and casually tosses him at Darin.]
[Hard]
By the way. He probably can't even hear you right now. He's back in our own personal arena hell.
no subject
[With his legs shaking like a newborn foal's, Darin struggles to keep himself standing.]
Come on Shiro, come on. Snap out of it buddy. Don't let whatever they're saying get to you. I need you here, with me--
[Darin quickly spins and takes a sharp blow to the side of his head from his own shadow; it sounds like a bat cracking off of granite. The force causes Darin to drop Shiro to the stone, but at least it frees up his hands. Unfortunately, the blow was more than a little disorienting. It took all his strength to keep his wits enough about him to keep himself between his shadow and Shiro.]
[A fact that his shadow delighted in. He was taking measured shots; punches and kicks that would crack and shatter bone, but wouldn't send Darin ragdolling. No, he wanted him standing. Each blow rang out like the sound of cannon fire reverberating off of the stone arena walls.]
Is that so?? That's funny! This one here doesn't think he's trusted at all! And do you wanna know why??
[The shadow raises his voice enough for both Shiros to hear.]
BECAUSE YOU'RE HIDING SOMETHING FROM HIM AND HE KNOWS IT!! BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING YOU HAVEN'T TOLD HIM; SOMETHING SERIOUS, SOMETHING TERRIBLE!! AND BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T TOLD HIM, HE'S PRETENDED TO UNDERSTAND!!!
[A hand shoots out and seizes Darin by the throat, gagging him. Then, with a sharp jerk, Darin is driven headfirst into the stone floor with a sickening crunchsplat, sending cracks and fissures shooting out for several feet in all directions. Darin's shadow turns its black gaze to Shiro.]
All he wants to do is save you. But you're hiding something from him, aren't you? And he knows it. He knows he's not good enough. He knows that your team, your real team, will be the one to save you. Because he's weak. He's a joke. An inconvenience. He's only a part of your team because he's so pitiable.
[The venom and vitriol dripping with each word is in sharp contrast to the heartless grin smeared on the shadow's face. With a grunt, he tosses Darin's body away to tumble in a bloody mess near Shiro's shadow.]
1/2
[There's jeering, and he doesn't know if it's from his mind or real. If anything is real.]
I... don't...
[His voice is hoarse, crackling. He'd love to be able to fight through this fog. Love to be able to shake off everything that's happened so far. To focus long enough to do some good. But everything keeps sliding sideways. Keeps turning to bright, hot lights overhead and dust in his lungs and impossible odds and no one is ever going to come.]
[Everything hurts. Whether from the attack that started all this, or from the violence that followed, he doesn't know.]
[So much shouting. Making his ears ring...]
no subject
[That clicks something back into place. It makes his head pop up, eyes suddenly focused and wild. He isn't something that needs to be saved. He's supposed to be the one to save them.]
[His shadow, has hunkered down next to the heap of blue. Patting at him in a parody of the times Shiro clasped him on the shoulder or something like that.]
You know why he put you in charge, right? To keep you around. Because he's so sentimental he can't bear to lose anyone else. It's so sad. Like one of those memes the stupid blue one loves -- wah wah everyone I love leaves me.
He forgives so much because wow. This guy has some attachment problems. So, secrets or no, you're going to get followed around like he's a big dumb puppy --
[And then the top half of the trunk sails through the air toward the Darin shadow's head. With the bottom sliding across the ground toward the Shiro shadow's legs. The latter hits. The shadow goes reeling, and has to bring its arm up to deflect a sudden series of lunges with the real metal arm.]
[A distraction.]
[Maybe it's all he can do. But damn it, he's got to try.]
CW: Blood warning
[But even through it all, he's grinning. Not because he's cocky. Not because he's got a plan. But because the words Shiro's shadow is spitting, designed to hurt his lighter half, only manage to swell Darin's heart with pride. And so he chokes out a laugh.]
Y'know...I know you're trying to hurt me but...I can't help but feel a little...happy about that...!
[Darin pushes himself shakily to his knees...and then finally to his feet.]
But he should know...I'm not going anywhere anytime soon...!
[Bold words for someone who's barely standing on his own two legs, but he's glaring his own shadow down. Darin's shadow, roughly halfway between the distance separating the two friends, merely shrugs.]
But does he know why you're not going anywhere anytime soon? Should I tell him?
[He laughs heartily and stretches out his arm towards Darin. In that moment, the arena wall ripples like quicksand, churns and burbles until a massive stone hand erupts and stretches out, reaching for Darin's back. It wraps around him and yanks him back towards the wall with a rush, slamming him into it. Then, as fast as the hand melts away, barbed chains erupt out and begin ensnaring him like vines. He screams in pain as the barbs bite deep into his body, scraping and hooking, pulling his arms away from his body to hang him on the wall. Every time he thrashes and struggles, the barbs cut deeper, their hold tightens, and soon the wall is streaked with rivulets of blood.]
[Darin's shadow turns to Shiro.]
Let's have a talk, "best friend."
CW: Blood warning probably for the rest of the thread lbr
[As it's busy warding off furious blows from the real Shiro. Who's started fighting like a man possessed. And maybe he is. Maybe he is -- whatever well he pulled from to keep from dying in the arena before, it might very well be back. Feinting, dodging, striking in with glowing fingers, bleeding and bruised and still on his feet, as the shadow all but dances around him. Never tiring. Always smiling.]
[Up until the screaming.]
[Up until the arena is full of the smell of blood. Until the sight of it spilling across the floor catches his eye.]
[Everything goes dark.]
[The shadow catches those glowing fingers with its own. His legs seem to give out. Sagging under him as panic surges cold in his chest to war with the memories of hot lights, hot sand, terror and adrenaline in equal parts. He's frozen to the spot. Whole body starting to shake. He can't take his eyes off the spot.]
[He only moves when his shadow wrenches the arm back behind him, grinning as Shiro ends up crying out in the process.]
Better speak up. The flashbacks are strong with this one. [There's something sing-song in the words. It pulls a little more on the arm.] Pain only grounds him so long...! And we both know it.
no subject
You're going to love this. [He says this as much to Shiro as he does his counterpart.]
The reason he doesn't leave? The real reason? He doesn't just look up to you. He doesn't just want to follow your example. That much he's told you before. The sad part? The truly pathetic part? That dreck envies you! He envies you and covets everything you have! You're a hero! A self-proclaimed "Defender of the Universe!" You are everything that fool has dreamed of being for two whole decades! You have a team that idolizes you! A princess you're too stupid to admit you care for! You are their entire world!! And he...!
[The shadow releases Shiro's chin and marches over to Darin's prone form, yanking his bloodied head up so that Shiro can look into his green eyes. Darin winces and gasps as the barbed chains cut into him further.]
He wants what you have!! What you are!! Half the time he's torn between beating you senseless to make you see how lucky you are and just silently accepting he can never be worth a fraction of what you are!! When you were hospitalized after Eosoros he was kicking himself for weeks!! Not because he felt bad for putting you there!! But, get this, because he was jealous that everyone fawned over their fearless leader, knowing damn well he would never be surrounded by people who loved him that much! Because you will always be a hero. And the two of us?
[He leans right into Darin's face as the other tries to pull away, closing his eyes in shame.]
We're monsters. And we will always be monsters. We can't change what we were born as.
[With that, Darin's shadow releases his hold on his hair and begins sauntering back towards Shiro and his shadow.]
no subject
[Say that three times fast.]
[His eyes are glazed over -- both with pain and the multiple flashes back and forth from reality to memory. Things he wants to say bounce around on the tip of his tongue but won't come out. He feels lightheaded, short of breath. Only partly because of pain. Partly because of fear.]
I... don't deserve...
What? Don't deserve admiration? Don't deserve to be called a hero? Why? Scared of it going to your pretty little head? Scared everyone's going to find out everything you did? They already know you lost Allura, and she already forgave you! You just don't want to let it go, because, holy shit, then you won't have anything to beat yourself up with!
Or, you know, they'll find out everything you can't remember about the real arena. [It leans in closer, then, face pressed into the side of Shiro's head. Eyes on the crumbled body across from them. On the other shadow.] You're not a hero, Champion. You're a science experiment. You're a failed pilot. You're a murderer...
[He goes absolutely rigid. Hearing that. Completely freezes. Even the trembling in his limbs goes still -- like the ice pooling in his chest is real, literal. The shadow just laughs. Teeth press into an ear, a mocking sort of gesture, meant to tease more than hurt.]
Go on... Tell them what you did to Sendak. What you did to Chara. Tell them why you're no hero.
[... he's standing deep in the Castle vaults, until he's staring at a leering, alien face. There's a voice in his head, terror in every fiber of him. Where he doesn't know if this is real, if this is all in his head. But he can't stop it. He's trapped, as much as he wants to fight it, as much as he wants to deny it.]
[a monster ... broken and reformed ... what makes you think that you ... ]
[Jumbled. All the words tripping and twisting over each other. Until it's all he can do but lash out. Panicked. Striking out to make it S T O P -- Glass cracks under his hand. That staring, victorious face slipping away. Dropped into bottomless stars while he can't catch his own breath...]
I... I k...
[His voice is so small. So strained. The words like knives stabbing him in the throat -- he can't look away from the other person here. The other real life person.]
I killed him...
no subject
[The words erupt from Darin with way more force, way more conviction than his shadow thought possible at this juncture. It's enough of a surprise that it wipes the ever-present grin from his face as he turns to look at his counterpart.]
SO WHAT?! AH?! WHO CARES WHAT YOU DID?! YOU'RE A HERO, NOT A SAINT!! HEROES DON'T HAVE TO BE SPOTLESS, PERFECT INDIVIDUALS. HELL, FLAWS ARE WHAT MAKE YOU A HERO! BECAUSE DESPITE THE MISTAKES YOU'VE MADE, DESPITE THE HORRORS YOU'VE ENDURED, YOU'RE STILL PLANTING ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER! YOU'RE STILL MOVING FORWARD, STILL FIGHTING, STILL TRYING TO TAKE ON EVERYONE ELSE'S BURDENS INCLUDING YOUR OWN!
[Darin's rage starts to boil over and he starts thrashing against his chains once more, adrenaline overwriting the intense pain as the chains binding him continue to chew away at his body.]
A HERO ISN'T JUST SOME TITLE GIVEN TO THE MOST PERFECT INDIVIDUAL! IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE SUM OF YOUR DEEDS! IT ISN'T MEASURED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU SAVE OR HOW MANY PEOPLE IDOLIZE YOU! IT'S MORE THAN THAT! YOU'RE MORE THAN THAT!
[Darin's shadow begins to make his way over, glowering all the while.]
I'm getting tired of this...
[But Darin ignores him as he pulls and thrashed against the chains, tearing them free link by link from the wall]
LISTEN TO ME, SHIRO! FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, LISTEN TO ME! HERO'S ARE ALLOWED TO MAKE MISTAKES! WHAT MAKES THEM HEROES IS WHAT THEY DO TO ATONE FOR THEM! SO, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO?! ARE YOU JUST GOING TO STAND THERE AND TAKE THIS?! ACCEPT WHAT YOU'VE DONE! STAND TALL! AND KEEP WALKING FORWARD DOWN YOUR PATH! IF NOT FOR YOURSELF, THEN FOR EVERYONE ELSE WHO LOVES AND BELIEVES IN YOU! PIDGE, HUNK, LANCE, KEITH, ALLURA!
YOU'RE A HERO BECAUSE WE ALL BELIEVE IN YOU!
[He'd say more, but his shadow has clamped a hand tightly over his mouth, smashing the back of his head against the stone.]
That's enough out of you. You really think your little speech will reach him? You really think the words of that old man mean anything to anyone else other than you? You're a dreamer. Nothing more. And no one in this universe knows that better than we do.
Well, Dromas likely knows...it's probably why he's so disappointed in you...
[The sneer returns to his shadow's face as he starts to twist Darin's head, Darin's neck bulging as he tries to resist.]
Now...be a good little failure and break...
1/2 again oops
It's really fucking pathetic.
[It shoves him down. Using its hold on his hair to do so. He hits the ground hard enough to rattle teeth, expression still glazed, distant. Breathing short, sharply. While the shadow hefts the weapon it was given, twirling it experimentally as Darin keeps trying. It brings it down like a golf club, swatting the prone body to one side.]
Just admit it! Admit how afraid you are! Of yourself, of being the Black Paladin! Of everything in your head! Just cop to it, you stubborn shit! Then you'll see! See how much they all believe in you then! How much they'll look up to you then! That you're just as much a monster as your friend!
Just Ą̷̜̰͑D̶̢̧̠̞͓͓͇̬̭̮̬̤̲̈́̉̆̒̈́M̴̡̛̭̩͇͉̰̤̆̋̂͒̄͐̾̉̆̂I̴̧̢̨̞̜̘̫͈̱͒͆̈͆͑́̍̐͛͠͝T̷̢̢̰͓͖̝̼̦̮̞̬͚̄̅̑̾͘͜͜͜ ̵̨̨͖̤̼̖̞͂̽̀͒͊̋͋͂͘̕ ̵̨̛͎̯͈̱͉͇͖̞̑̐́͂̈́̐͑̿̿́ͅ ̸̙̥̟̜͆̿̓̏̔̓͆̓͂̅̐͗̿͒̕I̷̝̮͊́̇̉͆͝T̷̟̫̬̭͂̏͂̕!!
... right.
[The shadow freezes. For the first time, its grin falters. Shiro is attempting to get his limbs back under him. Trying to get back up on his feet. When he picks his head up, his nose is at a funny angle, half his face is a sheet of blood.]
What did you just say to me?
I'm... afraid. [That same labored voice, but it's less weak. He has an arm around his chest, ut he's stood up. Standing and wavering.] I can't -- I can't remember... not being afraid anymore. I'd -- I'd really like to stop.
[The shadow shakes its head, like it knows something. Like it's aware of something. But he's still walking. Slow steps forward. Hand flexing. Never looking away from the shadow. Not once. Holding its black-eyed stare.]
They all deserve to know that. But ... now, looking at you? I think... being scared is a good thing.
[He grasps the the weapon away from the shadow, who, suddenly, doesn't put up a fight. It's shaking its head still. Jerky, trembling motions. Watching him heft it in metal fingers. Watching with growing horror as he jabs it forward.]
-- It means I'm not like you!
no subject
[Monsters aren't afraid.]
[The weapon launches forward, thrown like a javellin at the other shadow where it holds onto his friend. If nothing else, it's got to be a decent distraction until he can get over there and hit it. Knock it down. Maybe it'll be temporary but.]
[He's got to try.]
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[His shadow cocks an eyebrow, then turns just in time to see the halberd pierce his side, black tar and tepid fluids trickle from the wound as he staggers and releases Darin's head. Slowly, exasperated, he looks down at the weapon embedded in his side, then back up to the paladin that pitched it. He reaches down and tears it free, not even bothering to acknowledge the stream of black blood that pours from the wound like molasses. In a few moments, the wound has sealed itself anyway, and Darin's shadow begins taking steps forward.]
[He runs his hand the length of the halberd and it separates, the weapon taking the consistency of wet clay. It separates into two equal halves before they reshape. A flick of each wrist later, and he's holding two gleaming short swords at his sides, his bored expression turning almost to malicious glee as quickly as the weapons had changed.]
You really think you stand a chance? Your friend can't do anything to me. He can't even tap into a fraction of the powers I can. What makes you think that you can do anything to me?
[He continues his strides forward.]
I have a brilliant idea. How about I skin you while he watches! Then, he can wear the skin and continue trying to fool himself into thinking he can actually be you! That'll really complete the illusion, won't it?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
[Darin's frame sags. He was losing quite a bit of blood and he felt his eyelids grow heavy. He was so tired now. If only he hadn't ever been picked up by the Moira. His worst fears were being realized right in front of him all because he was what he was. He shuts his eyes, clenches them shut, trying to find a way to drown out the scene unfolding before him.]
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[He holds his arm up and out, defensive. But not backing down, either. He can't. Neither of them will live through this if he does. For now, he doesn't dare glance back at his own shadow, the writhing, twitching pool of black sludge it's become.]
[This needs all his focus. Because there's got to be a way -- if his went down, it means this thing isn't invincible. Not completely. Light kindles, star-bright, across his fingers.]
You... gotta hand it to me.
[Was that a fucking pun.]
I don't know when to give up.
[He doesn't start forward so much as he shifts his weight. Ready to move. Ready to duck or roll or move. Something has to give. And hopefully it won't be the injuries or fatigue he can feel creeping up on him.]
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Then this one gets to watch another brother die in front of him. I wonder what kind of scar this will leave?
[Darin's muscles tense, rigid like steel when those words leave his shadow's mouth, and he snaps his head back up, eyes wide with fear. But his shadow is already on the move.]
[It comes in low, fast, and it doesn't strike to maim or deeply wound as much as it does to toy with. The first sword, on Shiro's right, comes in straight, the shadow knowing full well it will likely be knocked aside. No, instead he intends to roll with the strike, to spin and drop low to slice at the legs.]
No...Shiro...
I told you to run...! I told you to get back to the others!! WHY DO YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME?!
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[It moves for him.]
[He runs the other way. Toward where there's the most accumulation of debris from all the fighting. Then, one after another, the metal hand chucks the bits and pieces like fastballs.]
Because! [A hunk of rock.] I don't -- [The top of the trunk again.] -- really know where we are right now, Darin! [More rock.] That makes it a little difficult!
[All he's trying to do here is buy time. If he goes head to head, it's going to be over. But if he stalls...]
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[When an opening presents itself, the shadow deftly twirls both of his swords and drives them to the hilt into the ground, sending his magic coursing through the arena floor. It starts to churn like choppy sea water, and the ground begins erupting into towering spikes. They don't head straight for Shiro, instead they erupt randomly and sporadically all around with no rhyme, reason, or direction.]
You're putting up more of a fight than I expected! And I haven't even told you the worst parts yet!
[He plants a foot on the pommels and uses them to launch himself into the air, bearing down on Shiro.]
Like how he resents you for giving him the acceptance he's always craved! Because now it's impossible for him to do what he has to do!
[Darin grits his teeth. He knows what's coming next and he has to try and stop it. Whatever magic his shadow was using, he had to have it too, right? He had all of his moves, so it stood to reason that Darin had some time of power like his shadow. If only he could tap into it...!]
[He starts to thrash again, flexing his arms and kicking wildly with his legs. What good was all of that strength of his if he didn't use it when he needed to?!]
[With a powerful roar, he strains himself, the chains starting to snap and tear free from their moorings.]
NNNRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!
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thought I replied to this! whoops.
asldkmacl SO DID I lollll i'm doin' great over here
we are the strongest members of team voltron
go us~!!!
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