Endgame || Apocalypse

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Anyone
Where: Pandaemonium
When: March 05th
Summary: The first phase of endgame begins! The Heroes of Light are on their way to deal with Garland as they’ve left their unfinished businesses in the hands of their friends amongst the NPCs. How will it end? The mingle threads shall not be modded, only The Guardian will be modded. Please do not start individual threads for The Guardian, reply in a single thread. Starting from now on, the game is officially in endgame. Please do not post any new posts on Mognet or in the Log Community, unless they’re backdated to before this event. The second phase of endgame will be posted once The Killer Of World thread will have been unlocked and completed.
Warning: ̩̼͋ͬͅ.̷̳̗ͦͣ͐ͭͣͬ̈́ ̤̙ͫ̉.̨̯͖̗͓̥̭̣̂̄ͣ̏ͯͫ ̶̼̻̳ͫͧͥ̆.̭͎ͮ͂ ̳̤͓̖̫͌ͪͥ̄͗̐̌.͚͍̀ ͈̻̠̥̜ͦͦ̆ͨ͋.̼̹̹̠̟͚͎ ͙͇̲̘͖̉̌̒͂̈ͮ.͇͙͑̍̽ ̪̭̹̤͓̯̜ͦͣ̒̾͆͗ͦ͟.̝̯̲͗͊̽ ̛̙͌̈ͤ̚.̪̮̰̘͚̏ͦͤ ̲̼̺͓̣̝̐.͗ͨ͜ ̧́̑̄ͥ.ͬ͊̋ͣ ̝̠͍̭̯̽.́ ̊̽̈.̡̥̖̣͓̬̠̰͗͑͂ ͍̭̩̝̉͊̑̃̓ͤ̇.͆̔̀̈́̐̋ ͇̬̤̲͉̜͙̓̍ͦͯͤͥ̔.̯̻̺͔̰̞̙͋͡ ̻̼̣̮͖̮̋ͬ.̖̝̞ ͕̦̙̞̹̲̖̓̃.̌ͯͯ͟ ̺̘̪͊̊.̲͖ ̧̼̙̋ͦͧ̂́̑͑.̷̼̬̭͔͙̹̫ͦͧ̔̄͐̏ͫ ̱͎ͥͥ̈͝.̲̣͖̪͓̯ͩ̓̈̿ͧ̅́ ̪͈͚̺̦̝͎̒ͦ̇̚.̂̆ͯͦͩ̃̀̀ ̬͕̼̆.͎̃́͐̄͒̑ͪͅ ̠̳͎ͬ.̛̭͓͗͌ͪ ̴͉̱͉̘̯̟̔͐.̫̣̥̔͑͛́ ̝̭̤̜͖͎̙̈ͪ̿̓ͯ͂̚.̟̲̥̥͈̭̳̈̋ͥͦ ͔̩̈͋͐͗̚.͓̝̼͍̈ͧ͊ͅ ̥ͥ.̷̬͍͙ͥ̓͋ͅ ̪̯̠ͨ́̂.̱̙̘̫̰͕͈̎̓̊ ̧̻̃̎.̬̇̄ ̘̣̺̼ͯ͋̀.̯ͬ ̆͗͆̆̋͝.̴̞͖̫́ͬ͌̉̍̿ ̪̹̥͙̑ͅ.̵̻̮͓̉̃ͯ͑̊̈́̚ ͚̽̒̚͘.͇̮͇̻͍͈̠͂̓ͣ̀͡ ̩̠̖̋.̺͎͈̦̺̈́ͮͬ͌̋ͧͩ ̳̠͕͙̎ͩ͜.̛̆ͥ̒͑ ̘̠͓͚̱͗͜ͅ.̢̠̠̥͍̬̂̊͋͊̂̄̐ ̦͛.̰͚̫̱͙̩̅̓ ̲̜͌̒ͭ͑͠.̠̆̈̏͆̉ ̰̹̳̻̥̮̬ͨ̍̐̆͗ͫ͜.͕̥͔̳ͩ͞ ̣͓̥̑̍͊̽̄̀.̳̘̭ͭ̔̎̍͜ ̟̞̯̏.̙̯̦̞̱̘ͬ͐ͩ ̯̠̣͉̪̅̅ͣ́ͅ.̡͗̍̿͊͐͊ ̲̙́̽̽́.̝̟͇͈͚̿͝ ̑͜

Mingle Thread
The Guardian
The Killer Of Worlds

Comments

[fearlessherosheart]

"Then it would be more precise to say her soul has not departed," Tazendra said. "Her body is most certainly dead." She was very satisfied about this fact.

"But what does she intend to do about that?" Tazendra looked the crystal over. In theory, anyone who had confronted their Shadow should be able to handle it without possession, but that didn't seem particularly wise in this particular case.

[featherlike]

..."I do," Ace responded somewhat hesitantly to Ales' question, still trying to process what had just happened. He was getting ready to teleport the injured back to the hospital, but Ales made a fair point. Perhaps this was the only way to do it, and he seemed to be the only one with the Psychic Job.

Though it carried a certain risk, that wasn't the cadet's main concern by far. "I'll just have to ask that someone else escorts the wounded." He looked over his shoulder to exchange a quick glance with Tear. Quick being the keyword, for he knew she might not be overly fond of the idea. "Please."

[acceptedoblivion]

He may have been wrong after all... Seems almost like she wanted to die. A feeling he could relate to, though as Ramza neared Kalki's body, he held out a hand. "Careful- don't get too close."

Something was rather ominous about that Black Crystal in particular... and he didn't like it one bit. After chugging the potion given to him by Saori, Ira pointed at an empty expanse, black and blue swirling to life before his hand in a large Corridor of Darkness.

"There. This will take you back to Aqures Ixen. Gotta warn you, though. It may sting a bit." Dark power always came at a price, but this one particular skill he knew would come in handy at some point.

[damn_juicebox]

Rukia slowly relaxed from where she stood behind Jade. The healing spell that drove away her weariness gave her strength enough to rise to her feet with a grimace. The fury of the assault had vanished so abruptly that she could not feel true relief, although her gaze did linger a little longer than it should have on Jade's back.

It was really no time for admiration, however, that she knew. Something was wrong. All the while Kalki gracefully dodged their attacks, forcing them to strike one another instead, instilled Rukia with a growing sense of dread. They were not prepared to fight her, especially not on the heels of such a brutal confrontation with Garland and Chaos. And it was over so quickly? Much as Rukia would have liked to believe that the woman had simply had a fatal moment of carelessness, it didn't fit the facts. She stepped forward to stand beside Jade, reversing the grip of her sword so that the kanji stamped on its pommel started to glow in anticipation of the konsou -- soul burial ritual.

"We were provoked," she murmured to Jade. Doubtless he'd arrived at a similar conclusion, possibly much sooner than she had. "She goaded us into attacking intentionally, and opened her defenses. Why?" Nearly everyone had reached out to her, and she'd been willing to openly announce her designs upon this world with a nearly lethal demonstration of power.

Nearly.

Glancing at Sheena, Rukia nodded. If Kalki truly was an avatar, then the presence of her soul would be unmistakable were it present. Garland's should have been close by too, shouldn't it?

Her sandaled feet carried her closer to Kalki's still form. None of Rukia's attacks had been made with the intention to kill. It should have worn her down until the battle was concluded, not slayed her on the spot. Her eyes tracked to that black crystal and lingered there. Even with that brief glance, beads of sweat began to line her pale brow. It couldn't possibly be safe to touch. The energy it radiated made it difficult to pinpoint any wayward souls, but she knelt down next to Ranma prepared to plant the konsou's symbol on Kalki's forehead to see her laid to rest.

[jadethenecromancer]

"She was planning to die by our hand from the start, that much is clear." That was the only possibility that made sense. Kalki could have kept moving until the Heroes were out of energy and no longer able to cast healing spells, then finished them off. Instead, she had faced her death with the same confidence she always carried herself with.

Rukia was right. Kalki's attacks had been just dangerous enough to spur them into retaliating, and yet she hadn't killed a single Hero. And just when most of them had been weakened and vulnerable, she had given up. These were not the actions of someone whose plans were being foiled.

"This isn't over yet. Stay on guard." Jade hurried to finish healing anyone who was still at low health, starting with Aang and Levy. The aura radiating from the Black Crystal was unsettling. More than that, he knew it shouldn't be behaving this way. The one he'd held in the other future hadn't given off a feeling this strong.

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud remained where he was, quiet and still. He watched Kalki's body as the others milled about. He watched the crystal. He waited for them to do...something.

But more time passed and it seemed that things were settled. No, not settled. He couldn't shake the feeling that they somehow played into Kalki's plans here. She'd manipulated them before. Why should this be any different? Why would her plotting have fallen apart now.

The crystal made his skin crawl, even from here. The glow of it just seemed wrong, moreso than the black crystals they encountered before. But it was Sheena's words that helped him bridge the gap. Getting back to his feet he approached the body.

"She wanted us to do this. I don't know what her plan is, but I think we played into her hands again. If she really wanted to fight us then she would have done more than just teleport away like that." He glanced down at the crystal once more. He didn't want to leave it here but he could feel every bit of himself pulling away from it.

"I'm worried about the others, but it's probably not safe to stay here much longer. If we don't have a way to take it with us right now then we should go." He made sure to catch Jade's eye. They could talk about their theories later but his gut was telling him it was time to go.

[shinrasfinest]

"What happens, I wonder-" Sephiroth had landed after his Supernova, crashed to a knee close to the edge of the platform but then Jade's Curaga had caught him; still he remained on one knee as he carefully regarded Kalki's dead body and that ominously glowing black crystal. It took him a few moments but soon he was ready to haul himself back to his feet and tuck his long sword back along the outside edge of his arm.

"-to the soul of an Avatar of the Calamity once the Vessel is deceased. Provided that it has one at all."

Kalki had once been a Hero of Light, with a crystal containing the sum of all her past, present and future. Just like them. One might call it, that the crystal itself were a manifestation of the 'soul' of that individual, should such a thing exist in anyway that could be measured. When Kalki's original cycle of Heroes had failed, surely she lost that which truly kept her, as herself? Just as his doppelganger had been recycled.

He joined the others in gazing -not so close- cautiously as the black crystal continued to gleam as it lay on the floor emanating that darkness without any sign of giving out. Clearly Kalki had managed to use it to do something which they were still waiting for the result of, something potentially that might well have required her sacrifice, now given.

"We can't very well leave-" Blink. A quick glance back over his shoulder, passed other Heroes and to the stairwell that had also re-appeared on the opposite side of the platform from where most were. There was the exit, that even he felt a significant tug towards now that the battles were apparently over. Or perhaps that was something else pinging at his instincts to run...

"-wait."

He turned without much pause at all and began urgently striding across the platform towards those stairs. Moogles are experts in crystal-handling. If that barrier that had separated them were down now...he wouldn't put Spencer in such risk but there are others who were far more experienced with such matters.

[21stcenturyguy]

Santa was weak enough that he can reach into one of his cargo pockets and pull out a gas canister. If it looked like Johnny was gonna go all demon on the rest of 'em, he was gonna lob it at him. The Soporil inside would put him, and whoever else breathed it in, to sleep for a while.

"I can levitate. I could, you know, jump. It might break my fall, and I can teleport back once I find the others." He didn't have a lot to lose at this point in time. NBD.

[boomchucka]

There wasn't much left to do as Selphie watched Kalki go down without so much as a bat of an eyelash. The perky brunette stared at the dead woman with a puzzled look on her face. Talk was truly cheap and all of that boasting was for nothing. It felt like they were being played with like Palitutu did when they were all chasing her through their home worlds. The puzzled look slowly changed to a frown before Selphie finally sheathed her sword and cast Cura on herself.

She looked around the platform to quickly make sure that everyone was okay before she walked over to the ledge of the platform and looked down into the abyss below them. For all Selphie knew, there was certain way to get their friends, their allies back as she folded her arms across her chest. She felt sad at the loss of her friends but couldn't bring herself to feel relief that this battle was over. She didn't need to state the obvious that everything had felt entirely too easy.

"Cloud's right," she agreed. "I'd like to try and find a way to save the others but I don't have an idea besides lowering someone down on a rope. It's too risky though."

Selphie sighed. "We should get out of here and figure out our next move."

[shinra_dog]

Reno sighed and slowly lowered himself down onto the platform, then rolled onto his back. He still felt like he was at death's door, but at least for now he wasn't knocking.

"I wanna just go home. Yeah, Johnny?" He reached out toward Johnny, as if the demon he'd become might answer, might stop with the recognition of his lover. At least Santa had been of a more practical mind and thought to tranquilize him. Reno frowned with exhausted confusion as the Soporil dispersed around them but it wasn't long before his eyelids began to droop and the Turk dozed off.

[bag_has_snapped]

Tsubomi looked at the fallen crystal by the dead body of Kalki. This seemed just so wrong, but everyone was wanting to go home. Letting out a small sigh. "I'll stay and watch out for everyone. A-At the very least, I want to make sure everything is okay before I leave." Tsubomi said.

[dammit_flynn]

Yuri was standing in front of the dead body staring at it almost blankly. It didn't matter who had landed the killing bow, she was dead. It was as if she wanted to die just like Jade had said. He glanced back at Rukia, a moment seeing she was fine, following Flynn, Natalia, Asch and Selphie. If there were any faces he knew,he'd check on them too and offered potions or whatever he could do to silently heal them. He wasn't a White Mage so he didn't know what else to do beyond that.

They all looked fine. He seemed rather absent minded for a moment standing there where he body had fallen with his sword at his side.

He had every intent to kill her but all of this still felt very ominous. He closed his eyes and slashes the air a few times, roughly before going to pick up his discarded weapon. He would thank whoever ended up fully healing him, but at the moment he was quietly checking to see that everyone was at least unharmed and injuries were minor. Eventually, he made his way to the edge of the Abyss and stared down at it. Kalki wanted to be kill, yet she was dead and they should be happy right? He couldn't shake this discomforting feeling he was getting.

The Black Crystal. He had glanced at it before going towards the Abyss. He didn't know what it did but he didn't make any attempt to touch it. It seemed like Sepiroth was heading over to find someone, perhaps a moogle to handle it. He spoke to Cloud first since he heard the other's voice.

"Yeah, somethings not right about that Crystal. Even if she wanted to be dead, she could have managed to escape it by some other force. Just as she was toying with us when we were fighting her."

Sheena also had a point. He stared at the Abyss a bit longer before speaking, "I'm going to stay here and keep an eye out for anything we could use at our disposal. I also don't care where it ends or if it ends at all, I want to go into the Abyss. I'm not sure what happened but there's got to be something we can do."

Yet at the same time he made no move to actually jump, yet.

rwby s3 spoilers inside

[arcward]

Yeah, something definitely isn’t right; that was too easy. Still, he’s glad for the break – he could really use a rest right about now. He’s not sure how she could still be alive, but to be honest he hadn’t read up as much on the crystals as he should have and doesn’t really know what they can and cannot do.

He knows he shouldn’t let his guard down, but he can’t help but follow Yuri to the edge, looking down into the darkness. “I want to go down there, too. If there’s a chance that Pyrrha’s alive, I have to find her.”

He stares for a minute longer, considering his options. He loves Pyrrha with all his heart, and then some. He’s been working as hard as he can to change her future so that she doesn’t die when they return to Beacon, and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do everything he can to find her now. If she’s alive down there – and she has to be – she might be hurt, and Jaune might be the only chance she has.

There's still the crystal to think about, but it's in good hands. He takes a deep breath. This is probably a mistake. But it’s a risk he has to take.

Without warning, he steps right off the edge.

I’m coming, Pyrrha.

((ooc: please let him fall to his beloved))

[forcegalactic]

Kalki didn't phase out. She didn't fight against them. Well, that didn't bother him too much. Sometimes people got cocky and got shot while reveling in a moment of glory; that was common on Mars. Don't look a rocket-horse in the mouth.

"Y'all gotta get back and find help. Chances that the laws of regular space-time don't matter down there and they can get rescued before--"

And then Jaune stepped off.

Even if the Barkeep could pull a grown boy back up with Telekinesis, he wasn't near enough nor fast enough to stop him. Dangit, now they had an extra person to bring back.

"Anyone that needs to get someplace, hold onto me! I got the teleport power. And ain't there anyone else that can deal with that crystal before it starts causin' any more trouble?"

[ninjainviolet]

Sheena shook her head at Tazendra as she sheathed her sword. "I don't know. I do know that a soul was once attached to a Crystal back home until a new body could be found for it." And that was all she said as the others began approaching the corpse, giving the ninja to slip quietly away, her steps taking her as far away from the group as possible.

And near the edge.

She grew uncharacteristically silent--a definite klaxon alarm to those who knew her. Much more than seeing her suddenly jump into the Abyss to go after those who were down there would be. Nope. This time, she was thinking it over, and still reaching the same rash conclusion.

She was going down there. She didn't know what she'd find, or who, but she was definitely going.

Reaching the precipice, she peered over the edge and took up a diver's position and began to lean forward, one wry thought coming out softly.

"Well, I was about to fall into a hole sooner or later."

[bloodypast]

"Albel would never forgive me."

Someone who was usually quiet had been keeping track of those he cared about--including Sheena--and what was going on. Seems she was lost in her own thoughts, as Vincent followed her. Before she could lean too far, he looped an arm around her waist, careful of the claws of his gauntlet but pulling her back and holding her securely.

For good measure, he smoke-bombed them both away towards the center the platform as well, and kept that arm around her.

"We'll find another way, Sheena."

[needsteaplz]

Saori went back to Garland's body to search for the sword's scabbard. Honestly it was probably best to move away from the Crystal before she used the sword as a golf club and send it flying.

Since no one has really objected in her holding onto it until now, she might as well take it. Besides, it would've been a waste of well crafted blade from what she could see. She looked out into the Abyss, contemplating what should be done. The fight with Kalki seemed so one-sided just now. There was just no way that was it. Was this some sort of plan to break up the Heroes and make them into easy pickings? Saori swiftly sheathed the newly acquire sword as she pushed that thought aside.

Unfortunately, Eagle Vision doesn't work on tracking souls...What if it could see where the others went? "I'm not leaving until we can confirm where the others are. I have an idea." Saori walked over to the edge and cast Ceiling Walking on herself.

"I can try walk on the side and underside of the platform and see if I can spot anything." She crouched down, getting ready to plant her feet on the side of the platform.

[revitalise]

Kalki may have fallen, but it hardly meant that Tear would be letting her guard down—in fact, she becomes more tense as the crystal lay there beside its former owner, wanting to get further away from the object even with the distance and people already standing between her and it. Grimacing, she barely caught on when Ales made the suggestion for someone to fly down to search for the other Heroes. It was a sound idea, up until her partner volunteered himself for the task. "Ace..."

She couldn't stop him if he truly wanted to go through with the decision, and ultimately wouldn't try to, but she could at least allow her displeasure to be known with the way she spoke his name with mingled exasperation and trepidation. Sighing and acknowledging she'd done the best she could, there was nothing left for her to do but to accept Barkeep's offer to be Teleported away, secretly glad she wouldn't have to attempt the feat to get Akane and herself out given the state of her wounds, carefully adjusting her in her arms.

Watching the Heroes readying for whatever might be coming, the echoes of the vision that befell her months ago during the battle with Palitutu came to the forefront of her mind. Closing her eyes, she pushed the dreadful feelings away as best she could. "We need it... The fourth crystal. I know it feels dangerous, but we'll need it if only so one of the other Avatars allied with us... can use it."

Taking one last glance at the people around her, she took the extra time to look at her companions from Auldrant in particular, then lingered on her partner. "... We'll be waiting for your return, all right?"

[featherlike]

"... Yeah."

Once again, his voice wasn't exactly brimming with confidence as he walked over to the edge of the platform. Some Heroes had already given in to their desperation. If any more of them attempted to venture down into the abyss unprepared, they could be facing a much larger issue than it had originally seemed.

Then he took his first step, activating Flight. Unlike Saori, he wasn't bound by any limitations when he began his descent, but it seemed against all logic to just dive in headfirst. For that reason, he took his time, studying the heavy clouds beneath for any alarming signs. Should he as much as feel a tug at his feet, he would fly back up - or at least try to. After all, he wouldn't be of any use if he allowed himself to be drawn in by the darkness...

... But on the other hand, he was also desperate to know what's lying beyond.

[boomchucka]

"Jaune, no!" Selphie cried as the boy jumped off the edge of the platform. She reached out with her hands to try and stop him but was too late. Why did it have to be like this?

She heard Yuri nearby contemplating the same thing and marched right over to him and gripped his right hand tightly in one of her own. She couldn't tell what was going through his head but Selphie knew that was at the forefront of his thoughts. She knew they had to get their friends back before anything happened to them but she was grasping at straws. She just knew that her friend would do anything to save them, no matter the cost or consequence.

"Yuri..." Selphie said quietly, looking up at him with an alarmed look. "We'll find another way but don't jump. We need you here."

[worstintheworld]

"Out of the question!" Natalia's prim voice rang out across the distance from where she knelt next to Tear. Her eyes were locked firmly on Yuri as she stood, shouldering her bow. "Unless you have the ability to fly or teleport, you'll just be adding to the list of people we need to recover. There are better ways of finding them. That globe in the lab, does it not reveal our locations?" She turned her head to see if anyone else could confirm this. "It could be some sort of teleportation."

Her head turned to examine the Black Crystal with open suspicion. "Besides, I don't trust that...thing. What if it's set to explode and kill us all where we stand in one last act of spite? We need to leave, regroup, and make a new plan. Help us escort the injured back to the Enterprise."

Despite the firmness of her command, she meant no ill will toward Yuri. He'd been a good friend to her almost from day one. She trusted him. And she would not see him lost so easily.

1/2

[zodiac_brave]

Ignoring the Heroes diving off of the platform, Ramza stood, peeling off his now blood-stained gloves as he rose. He stretched out a palm over Kalki's body. The Black Crystal flew into his hand.

When he turned to face the remaining Heroes, his expression was serene, and his once-brown eyes now shone purple.

"I am sorry, my friends. This really is the only way."

2/2

[melodiesofdeath]

Advanced Jobs: Killer of Worlds (Onion Knight + Calamity Knight); Seeker of the End (Crystal Researcher + Calamity Knight)
Kalki after she took over the body of a Hero of Light, Ramza, as only they have the power to become one with the Calamity. Because Ramza's consciousness still lingers within this body, Kalki has the unique ability of wielding three Jobs at once.

Ramza-Kalki lifted the Black Crystal and cast one final spell. Although no damage or status effects befell the Heroes of Light, something very evident did happen:

> Apocalypse
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The ground started shaking as the floating platform slowly broke down, its edges crumbling and falling into the abyss. It wouldn't be long till the platform was gone altogether, and the flight of stairs leading back to the surface was dangerously shaking as well. Anyone who was on the edges only had a few seconds to run to safety. Kalki didn't seem to mind and stood right where she was-- Any attempts at attacking her would result in Ramza's body phasing out and avoiding the attacks.

The energy field preventing anyone but Heroes of Light from using the stairs vanished, and as such all the Moogles would be able to rush down if they so wanted. Odds were that the white balls of fur would be quite panicked upon being reunited with their companions as the shaking at the surface was far, far worse than it was around the platform, and they would be able to tell the Heroes of Light as much if they so wanted. They would also be able to tell them the Enterprise is on stand-by, if they need it.

[bag_has_snapped]

Tsubomi's heart sank seeing Ramza do this. This was what Kalki had in mind - die by their hands and take over one of them. Or maybe this was all Ramza's doing. It was too easy to blame Kalki for this - Ramza was always the good guy of the bunch, the one who espoused the idea of non-violence. Years of fighting would certainly take their toll on that sort of resolve, especially with what they've learned.

"Ramza, we trusted you!" Tsubomi called out. "The Knights trusted you! There was always another way! Why did you give up so easily?!"

[silencesfate]

He'd seen friends unable to control their actions before; it was completely, and utterly heartbreaking. This was not something Minato had hoped he would see again. The purple eyes were the cue. Minato shuddered, breath hoarse.

"Kalki."

His tone shifts to anger, and he futilely yells out.

"Why... how could you take him! Ramza...! Ramza-san! Snap out of it!"

Minato felt the rumble underfoot, signalling that there was no choice to stay here. Again, she was so calm, again, they played into her hands; taking one of their most idealistic left with her. Minato's eyes quickly fell back to those closest to the edge, fearful for their safety. He wasn't the likeliest to make it in time lest they lost balance, but he would damn well try if it came to that, if it came to sprinting to their rescue.