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Section B-3: Investigating the Source
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Post by Hanako Hoshidate on Sept 6, 2021 17:38:46 GMT
"Yeah, alright. Fair enough." Hana admitted when the Mistymon pointed out the obvious fact regarding the Heart. "The three of us going after this Connor guy with Kenny would definitely be a good idea, since there are three of us."
"Rush and I can go Mega as well, even if we've only reached our DNA Mega form, ShadowDurandamon, so far." Data added. "So we can hold our own as well if needed. If we find Connor and the Tylomon, the two of us together can probably stall him for a bit while Kenny and Skadi come and alert you guys. I'm slow as crap underwater, and splitting Rush and I up would not be a good idea."
Either way, the Mistymon's plan seemed sound.
As the assigned group of five searched the tunnels for their targets, Data would remain silent as he attempted to create a mental map of the path the group had traversed through the tunnels since leaving Cion and Mistymon with Examon, although the unnatural air pocket leading to an out-of-place orange light definitely caught his Tamer's attention as she cautiously examined the area.
After Hana silently gave Rush a signal, the Eosmon discreetly made a clone of himself that he sent off to scout ahead. At least the clone was sensible enough to stay low and move quietly, and use the terrain to try and avoid being seen as it scouted ahead. Move used:
Mirror Reflection: Eosmon creates two mirror copies of itself that have little offensive presence and last 2 posts unless hit (they shatter like glass when struck). 2 post cooldown. (Rush only made a single clone this time, though)
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Post by Cion on Sept 6, 2021 20:12:44 GMT
Huh... that was a surprise. For once, people actually heeded her suggestion and agreed with it unanimously. No matter the amount of factual reasons she brought forth, she was used to having her ideas dismissed for something else - not necessarily for the better or worse. It simply seemed as this was her fate - having her voice heard, yet unable to reach anyone. This hopefully not sole exception was quite a delight to her; so much so that for the briefest of moments a grin of disbelief graced her muzzle. But she was a soul who kept her composure, thus she nodded silently in acknowledgment.
As quickly as the plan was forged the remainder of the group departed. As clichéd as it was, it made sense that it was Cion who stayed behind to assist the other sentry in safeguarding the object of interest. She had innumerable means to avert and mend damage, and impose pressure through secondary effects. Besides, who was she to complain? She had already witnessed one miracle today. A second would have been impertinent to ask for. Hence the truly petite digimon did not mind as the titaness' all-encompassing gaze fell on her, not unlike a human staring down at an ant.
Despite their obvious differences in both physique and mentality, it appeared that the duo was capable of collaboration for a common cause. As they were left alone to their own devices, the vulpine pipsqueak shifted her frame to behold the injuries that her 'fosterling' had suffered. Aside from wear and tear, there was but a singular injury worthy of note present. A gash that was easily the size of the restrained Arniomon's entire body, yet merely a cut for the reptilian colossus. It certainly put things into perspective... but fortunately, it was nothing that could not be treated.
Still, that a mere Tylomon was able to inflict such harm was an oddity. Whoever this rascal and his partner were, they were undoubtedly dangerous. That and driven, but to what end she did not know. Sighing inaudibly, Cion decided that there was no point in pondering a topic that was bound to explain itself before long anyway. Instead, she gently floated downwards towards her temporary ally. And with every passing moment, the magnitude of the dragon's dimensions became clearer. It was well-nigh ridiculous, if not disadvantageous, how gargantuan she was.
Listening to her words, whose bass and echo reverberated not only in the deep waters but her every fibre, the unassuming fennec chose to contemplate them... and be cheeky about it. If permitted, or rather not prevented, she'd descend onto the tip of the drake's snout, right next to where her nasal bone protruded outwards to form her third, golden horn. She did so gracefully and unintrusively, like a single dandelion landing on the crown of a tree. And, if nothing else, the sheer force of the crimson sentry's exhaling nostrils underneath her paws should not affect her again here.
"Beholden? Au contraire, kindred spirit." She responded calmly as she outstretched her arms to ease the tension within them. Regardless of her power, the immense impact of this inhospitable environment on her was not anything she was used to. Her movement was somewhat inhibited, and she actually experienced her own weight again - as minuscule as it was compared to the pseudo-aquatic reptile.
Nonetheless, it was unbecoming to talk to her companion from the side. On these grounds, the scale beneath her not included, she faced the Examon directly... or rather looked her in the eye. There was an unquestionable mystique to the vista she beheld - a verdant, agleam canvas that was otherwise solely witnessed through machinery that provided high-definition closeup views. To behold the intricate patterns and ragged unevenness was fascinating. The constantly shifting, crescent-shaped void at its center that likely focused on the prying fox was an absolute contrast, yet it nevertheless blended in harmoniously.
A situation such as this was reasonable grounds for concern and caution, if not fear of life. This tiny but old soul however was not afraid, nor was she projecting her signature poise she had willingly chosen to relinquish. She was perfectly calm, perhaps due to her inquisitiveness, and was looking forward to interacting with someone so utterly antithetical to herself. "And is this apathy not precisely the problem why this world has stagnated for uncountable aeons?" She asked, her dulcet voice filled with curiosity and a bit of rhetorical sarcasm.
"I mean... fiends that surrender themselves to their ambitions, doomed to inevitably fail - so-called deities who slumber, only to intervene when those 'beneath them' are brought to their brinks - or sentinels bound to a singular, possibly never-ending function." She specified slowly, hoping that her conversationalist could follow and fathom what she implied. Kneeling down on one leg, a faintly iridescent veil manifested itself in streams around her hand. It was a soothing energy with a gentle aura, but she awaited permission and trust first before applying her support.
"And for what? So everything none the less remains the same anyway? ... Truth be told, I don't understand this, and neither am I sure if I ever will. I mean, to discard oneself so completely, to sacrifice the self for a purpose, regardless what it is. Maybe I lack a sense of insight that you can provide, but... as someone who cherishes her friends, and family, and beloved...
...
...I guess I'm just inquiring, and I wonder what it looks like on the inside of that titanic body of yours." Permitting silence to return to the watery abyss, Cion found herself blinking and then chuckling with rather candid glee. "Figuratively speaking, of course." She quipped heartily with a rapt smile, with the hope that a bit of levity served to lessen the tension of their fascinating interaction and this unusual endeavor.
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Post by Kenny O'Hara and Skadi on Sept 18, 2021 5:17:14 GMT
So it was settled.
Hanako and her partners were to join Kenny and Skadi in the tunnels, while Cion and Mistymon were to stay behind to nurse the Examon back to health. Not exactly too surprising there, but the side tracking down Connor would probably need all the help they could get. The wounds and scars covering Examon was more than enough warning for the both of them of the danger that lay ahead.
Raising his D-Nexus once more, the light engulfing Skadi as she took her Canandenmon form once more, Kenny would merely nod to the Mistymon as he hitched a ride on his partner's back, "We'll be back as soon as we possibly can." He noted, "I'll trust that you'll keep Examon safe until then."
With that, the Canandenmon would carry herself and her partner out from Examon's personal domain and into the tunnels alongside Hanako and co., not looking back as they entered the yawning entrance. Yet already, the images of the scarred empress had burned herself into her own mind. Is this what Connor's truly capable of? Should I be worried? Those thoughts had already brewed within her skull as she set foot inside the mire itself.
Needless to say, with Data doing the tracking for the group, Kenny and Skadi would merely lag behind, the Canandenmon keeping one eye out for potential threats. Even as she waded through the mire, her hooves would remain unfettered, shrugging off the mud otherwise caking them. Yet things remained eerily silent; perhaps a little too quiet for their own good.
"...?" Skadi herself would be the first of the two to notice the dry path of the tunnel, with Kenny quick to catch on. Of note of interest to the latter would be the mysterious orange crystals; not unlike the 'waterbloom' crystals before them. With Rush sending out his clones to investigate the dry path further, Kenny would sit himself up and scan the orange crystals with his D-Nexus once more.
Best assumption of his was that they were either merely lights that kept that part of the tunnel dry - the opposite of the waterblooms, or, worse case scenario, booby traps that would either, at best, ensare the victim, or at worst, subject the victim to a horrid demise. Yet, Skadi's glance towards the glowing orange crystals filled her with a mixture of curiosity and caution - almost like if they were outright daring her to touch them.
As for Kenny? He glanced down to the screen, hoping to at least get something valuable from the crystal's data.
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D-Reaper Scout
In-Training
Never The End
Posts: 0
OOC Name: NolChannel™
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Post by D-Reaper Scout on Sept 20, 2021 16:34:03 GMT
Waterbloom*
Enchanted stone produced by water attribute Digimon. Used to produce water in a limited area.
*Unknown specimen. Inverse enchantment detected. No known reference. Kenny's curiosity would reveal that these orange stones were, in fact, the exact same as those flooding the cave around them, but altered to the reverse effect. Of course, the text wasn't clear if it was "producing an area without water" or "absorbing water to create a pocket", but the end result was the same - and fortunately, Skadi's curiosity wouldn't amount to much. Should she dare to touch them, her nails would feel uncomfortably dry and the wool of the extended hand would dry out, standing on edge, perhaps quickly generating a small bit of static to shock herself.
There was no sign that these crystals could act as alarms - and based on the description, this was exactly in line with how Connor manipulated the tower back in the desert. With the main group far enough back, Rush was able to use his clone to scout a little bit further - and, eventually, spot the strange human hiding out in this strange space.
Suffice to say, fighting an Examon was not a trivial task. That he was pushed back was evidence of itself, but despite everything, he seemed in tact - more frustrated and thoughtful than 'desperate' or anything similar. And to his right, indeed, floated a Tylomon, Connor looking over its frame.
"Effective, but narrow... tch." Muttering to himself, more than anyone else, he'd let out a tsk, and tap his staff to the edge of the beast - the Tylomon receding, pulled back to that of an Armor Egg, adorned with Tylomon's blades, scales, and a single crest.
A crest, which Connor ran his thumb over, wiping clean - the egg further reverting to that of a simple, white 'blank'. "Never thought I'd find one of those wayward guardians here. Well, if we need to be more direct..."
He raised his other palm, a number of crests appearing as small lights above his palm. Whoever Connor was, he was treating this attack on the guardian as more a 'puzzle' than, well, the potential act of malice that it was. If anything, attempts between the Arniomon and Examon to communicate were nothing short of a divine comedy. One was barely the size of a rookie Digimon, and the other overshadowed all but the world's true titans. The wounds, though simple, would take time to mend, and with their allies deeper in the temple's cavern, the two elder Digimon would be left time to converse and wax poetic.
The Examon did not mind the diminutive Digimon's position, even as the fox rested upon the scales of its 'snout', Examon's own breath billowing as steam in the cavern's depths. "One who does not consider themselves beholden... perhaps 'resident'?" That was the simplest guess - but the rest of their conversation turned to what it meant to be so ancient.
"Ah... though question my own purpose."
The Examon's voice almost seemed tired at the realization. For what reason did she shackle herself here, nigh eternal? "As the truly ascended age and grow stronger, a rift begins to grow, separating oneself from their peers. Those only able to handle the 'day to day' become engrossed in it, but those beyond begin to see from a higher level. We become the support so that those who cannot worry about 'their beyond' do not have to. But in turn, those ancients may no longer fully understand the actions of those 'beneath them' - be it their own quarry or others. Does thou ask why I may seal myself so deeply away, and let my body wither to such a condition?"
The guardian chuckled.
"It is love."
It is love? "None are more honest and brutal than dragonkind. Left alone, their pride and honor would leave them at odds with the world. So I put a wish on this land's treasure, to forever leave this land scarred, yet bountiful in its secrets, its resources. So that their wrathful pride may be admired and honored, rather than shunned and resisted by the brunt of the world, I ensured that this land would be theirs. Tell me,"
"Is this reason not as good as any other?"
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Post by Hanako Hoshidate on Oct 2, 2021 20:02:57 GMT
As Rush observed Connor through the eyes of his hidden clone, he made sure to fill the rest of the group in on what he was seeing. "YEAH, I THINK I FOUND OUR GUY. CREEPY GUY WITH A TYLOMON, ALTHOUGH I'M NOT SURE IF THAT THING REALLY IS A TYLOMON SINCE THIS GUY'S SOMEHOW TURNED IT INTO SOME KIND OF BLANK DIGIMENTAL... EGG THING THAT I THINK HE CAN APPARENTLY MODIFY SOMEHOW. DEFINITELY SOME KIND OF CYBER-WIZARDRY SHENANIGANS THERE."
"Well, that's not good." Hana said, frowning at her partner's description before turning to Kenny and Skadi. "Do either of you know what he might be doing? Because we've basically got nothing here."
"Whatever this is, it certainly doesn't like something natural. And if he can turn this egg into something besides a Tylomon and maybe a BishopChessmon, we could effectively be flying blind here." Data agreed. "However, I still think we should go confront this guy before he picks his next tool to try and get at Examon again." Mirror Reflection Duration: 1/2
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Post by Cion on Oct 2, 2021 20:30:03 GMT
So be it... despite their differences, her benignancy was not shunned, but embraced. Nodding affirmatively, Cion closed her eyelids and focused on channeling her power through her soft touch. Placing her petite paw on the gargantuan scale beneath her, the iridescent aura quickly yet gently sprouted outwards, not unlike an ethereal twiner of chatoyant particles. Though titanic indeed, the fosterling's size made no difference for once. Before long, similar to sunlight elucidating dust and spores, the well-nigh enveloping was complete - and as soon as it was, the silver fennec shared her essence in an abrupt yet soothing surge.
Minor scars and blemishes of body and armaments alike vanished as if they had never been there. Even decay, be it natural or forced, partially faded away as if neutralized by the antithetic sway of creation. Yet the emphasis was of course the gash that was left behind by their common adversary. Although larger than the miracle healer herself, the might at her fingertips nonetheless served its purpose. Polygons and binary matrices formed themselves where substance used to be, quickening an supporting a physical process that otherwise demanded weeks of time and resources, if not more.
The leakage ceased, just as the unassuming fox had intended. However, this was the limit of any restorative technique, no matter how powerful. "The damage is too old. During a fight, I can prevent and nullify it, but as soon as scarring begins... nature takes over." She explained, almost in hushed whispers, certain that she was heard regardless. Releasing her grip and standing up, her eyes again met the unfathomable iris and pupil of the bipedal dragon the dwelt on. As the gleam of her healing gauze elapsed, solely the aureate and verdant gleams remained to illuminate the underwater abyss.
"So... gain plenty of rest, and nourish yourself as much and well-balanced as you can here." She continued with a rapt yet sincere smile. Admittedly, as her gaze briefly wandered, she wondered what the draconic sentinel did to perpetually sustain herself. She had not seen any aquatic life, except whatever the two guardians from atop had gathered, and moss was hardly substantial. Perhaps this mystery was bound to be answered eventually - similar to the fascinating conversation they were meant to have now.
Leaning against the golden horn, her stance rigid as to resist the impact of the heavily shifting snout underneath her, Cion paid utmost attention to what the Examon had to say in response to her questions and implicit accusations. She had longed since years for insight that used to be denied to her. She knew many of her kind - ascendants - who resided as people among others. Seemingly infinitely more however chose an existence so single-minded that it confounded her. They appeared bereft of reason, in spite of the purpose, and ultimately pointless in a realm that moved on without a single step taken.
A contemplative frown manifested itself on her muzzle. From the titan's choice of words, it sounded as if she considered herself a superior. An odd if not presumptuous thought, but the restrained Arniomon had no intention of demanding an apology. She was too poised for such pettiness, nor did she care. Instead, she wished to comprehend. "Their beyond?" She asked in between statements, unsure of what exactly the crimson paladin meant. Naturally, she had a few hypotheses, but she favored clarification over uncertainty.
"Love? No..." The vulpine lady whispered, virtually inaudible, shaking her head softly yet frequently in disbelief. It was impossible that this was out of affection. Withered passion maybe, but not unconditional devotion. Those who had vanquished the D-Reaper, and especially fiends like the embodiments of sin... it was surrender and indulgence, not self-abandonment. Love was personal and intimate, not vicarious and distant - nor did it beget apathy and evil. Syre was greater than this, with even greater potential still unclaimed.
"No. I have learned not too long ago that what you speak of is not love." She stated in the end, an expression of dolorous concern tainting her face, which was a keen contrast to the kind firmness in her dulcet voice. “You are... afraid.” She declared with a bizarre mix of unyielding certainty and harrowing realization. Accusing an entity that was fear turned flesh of this likely seemed fatuously arrogant, but to her it was obvious. After all, their ambitions used to be the same, but unlike the colossal knight, she had failed and was forced to move on or cease.
"Your reason, it is horrible - no... horrifying. Allocentric reasoning can be utilized to justify anything, suffering of the self and others in particular. You yourself can't possibly desire this... being. Like many functions, it is everlasting I imagine? A dreadful sentiment that ultimately leaves one with nothing else." She paused, thinking carefully on her phrasing, before continuing. She needed to fathom her own line of thought thoroughly. She finally had to.
"You do not deserve this fate, do you? It's not just. If I was one of those you shelter, I'd see my reflection with guilt and disgust. The idea that another has to... do this for me to be happy. I know of a few human myths that share similar notions of sacramental sacrifice, and they are utterly repulsive. No dragon, proud and free, would accept this. I do not claim to have an alternative to immediately alleviate your concerns, but... if they knew..."
And that was the crux, was it not? As it was so often the case, ignorance was bliss, until destiny came crashing down from the heavens to consume those unprepared. And when nescience continued to be the status quo, then everything was crystal clear. "... but they don't, right? You are a secret, as wished, not? If yes, then I admit that I was wrong. It is not apathy that begets this stagnating chaos. It is distance... to avoid losing control."
...
"Scorn me for doing so if you will, but I must ask you, with utmost sincerity and conviction. Could you conceive that your passion was a mistake? That this realm you have altered at your behest is a lie; a prison that not only confines time and reality itself, but sustains your worst fears for what might be. … That I see not a fulfilled dream of thriving, but the waking nightmare of a stagnating land for a stagnating people - both of them put to sleep by you, Examon, so you do not have to fear an unknown future that, despite our rare kind's tremendous power, we are completely powerless to shape in the face of everything and everyone else.”
It was unusual the way she uttered these sentiments. Her eyes had long since stopped focusing on her respondent, and her tone was filled with dreamful self-consciousness. If anything, although clearly directed at her fellow guardian, it was as if she was internalizing a monologized epiphany. At last, she harrumphed with a pained smile as she slowly shook her head anew. "Syre..."
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