The Keepers
Posts 90
Power Level 24
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Post by Sin Eater on Aug 7, 2016 12:54:44 GMT -7
Absorbing the damage Azoth was causing to the room meant that Sin Eater was hurt worse than her. But that likely wouldn't last long. Soon, Sin Eater predicted, Azoth would be too badly hurt to reliably use her power. That's when the fun would begin.
The sudden appearance of a portal caught Sin Eater off guard. So that's who Azoth had been calling. Possible strategies to fight the two of them together came to mind immediately, but Sin Eater pushed them aside for the moment. Based on what she knew about Azoth, both by reputation and through her own power, Sin Eater suspected that a different tactic might have much better long-term consequences.
"Ah, hello there, Geata." Sin Eater backed off from her assault. "If I had known that you were using Azoth to funnel information to our group, I would have let her be. Though, you'll have to tell me later how you sweet-talked Azoth of all people to the point that she put you on speed-dial."
Cheshire was materializing as well. Sin Eater had no idea what exactly his objective here was (not that she ever did), but the one certainty was that things were about to get quite a bit more interesting.
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The Keepers
Posts 234
Power Level 31
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Post by Azoth on Aug 7, 2016 22:12:31 GMT -7
It would only take one more hit before Azoth’s knees would begin to give and a single more before she was on her knees, wheezing and clutching her chest. Her head was pounding. Her mouth was open with pain. This was either Unhallow’s or Anonymous’s doing, and she only knew the prior to be present. But why would Unhallow target her with their powers? “Unhallow,” she gasped, speaking hardly loud enough to be heard over the panic of the building, “I thought we were friends. Why…?”
She only saw Geata arrive from the edge of her blurring vision. He’d actually come. It was mildly odd that Sin Eater knew Geata, but what she said gave her further pause. He wouldn’t do something like that, would he? He’d seemed sincere, back at her estate, during the chess game. Her head hurt. It was hard to remember exactly what had happened.
She looked up at Geata, eyes wide. “Is that true?”
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The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
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Post by Geata on Aug 7, 2016 23:13:44 GMT -7
Geata took a step back in surprise when a man appeared and kissed him on the forehead. He couldn't make heads or tails of what just happened, but the man's words made it clear that he was an enemy. And the effects of Unhallow's power, while more subtle than they had been at the ruined amusement park, were noticeable. As if Sin Eater wasn't going to be irritating enough. And when she spoke, it made it very clear that the masked super was going to have his hands full. Especially with the way Azoth sounded. "Oh, so it's going to be one of those days," he muttered while pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Azoth," he said cooly, trying his hardest not to let the irritation at the situation seep through his voice, "After this, I'll explain what the twerp is trying to insinuate whenever you like, alright? For now, we have to deal with the problems directly in front of us. So, please. Just trust me to have your back."
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on Aug 8, 2016 6:56:43 GMT -7
Even though no attacks came Unhallow's way, Azoth's words pierced their chest better than anything else could have hoped to. It was clear Azoth wasn't going to be able to do much of anything anymore, so why was Sin Eater still fighting her? It was one thing to play it safe, but this was something else entirely. Unhallow knew they couldn't afford to slow down right now, but even so it just felt wrong to let that continue. After a few steps towards where Anonymous was and a moment's thought, Unhallow sent a surge of energy towards Sin Eater in an attempt to give her a headache. Hopefully the signal to regroup would be enough to put a stop to that.
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on Aug 8, 2016 14:20:41 GMT -7
Just when he thought the building couldn’t be any more crowded, two familiar brain patterns appear as he read the thought of any super present nearby. It didn’t really take him long to know the owner of those patterns to be Geata and Cheshire.
“Great,” he exclaimed, “Portal-boy and Rhyme Nut are here too, just my luck.”
He isn’t sure why Geata would show up here; Cheshire he can at least understand, being a Keeper and all, but Geata have no business here. So either the kid just minding his own business when he noticed the commotion in the building, which is almost impossible to see from outside, or Azoth called him here. Since Cheshire came along with Geata, his brain patterns is all over the place that it’s quite difficult to tell if he’s working for or against Geata at this moment. It would take him some time, time that he clearly doesn’t have right now. With the present of four Keepers in the building and Portal-boy, Anonymous can see his work got cut out for him.
Soon enough, he can sense Unhallow's head-ache inducing power is getting stronger, meaning she's getting closer to where he is. He doubt he can hide from her weird sensory power, so there's isn't any point of hiding or running away. With that in mind, Anonymous get ready to see the familiar black-helmet wearing Keeper.
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Inactive
If I leave my grin behind, remind me that we're all mad here.
Posts 28
Power Level 24
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Post by Cheshire on Aug 8, 2016 19:24:16 GMT -7
A small chuckle escaped from his lips as the drama unfolded before his eyes. The lies, betrayal, the tension. It almost made him wish he was sitting in a recliner with a bowl of popcorn. Though that would change the outcome of the show, and that just wouldn't do. Not with so much fun to be had.
Interactive stories were always so much more fun to play with. He'd reach forward to gently stroke Geata's cheek with his left hand, all the while he'd bend backward to look at Azoth with a crescent moon smile.
"Trust is such a fickle feeling, one that when lost can leave you reeling. Once shattered by betrayal you will doubt the truth in his portrayal. Secrets kept from one who gives, one can't blame her if she chooses not to forgive."
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Aug 8, 2016 20:19:04 GMT -7
--- PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 analyzing combat data... Interference (Obfuscation) by An0nymou5 against Unhallow results in FAILURE due to suppression by the target's equal-or-greater immunity Interference (Reversion) by Sin Eater against Azoth results in SUCCESS, +5% combat advantage Accumulation (Information) by Cheshire against Maneuver (Speed) results in SUCCESS, +10% combat advantage Accumulation (Enhancement) by Unhallow against Maneuver (Field) results in SUCCESS, +10% combat advantage Maneuver (Field) by Azoth against Sin Eater results in FAILURE due to suppression by the equal-or-greater Interference (Reversion) Sin Eater used Maneuver (Speed) by Geata against Cheshire results in FAILURE due to suppression by the immunity granted by the equal-or-greater Accumulation (Information) Cheshire used --- Current conditions: Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow have immunity to Accumulation (Information) granted by the Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used An0nymou5 Azoth and Geata have immunity to Aggression (Destruction) granted by the Accumulation (Information) An0nymou5 used Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow have immunity to Aggression (Subdual) granted by the Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow have immunity to Maneuver (Speed) granted by the Accumulation (Information) Cheshire used Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow have immunity to Maneuver (Field) granted by the Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used Current advantage Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow have 55% An0nymou5 Azoth and Geata have 20% Current openings: Cheshire may BYPASS a chosen immunity of a chosen enemy at a cost of 15% combat advantage, removing any matching innate immunity from that enemy for the rest of the battle. (Click here to send in your next round's actions!)
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on Aug 8, 2016 20:51:55 GMT -7
Anonymous can obviously tell his attempt in slowing down Unhallow is pointless, seeing how the headache still lingered at the same level as ever. Not really sure why both Sin Eater and Cheshire are fighting against Azoth and Geata, but at the moment he couldn’t care less. Since Unhallow is right around the corner, Anonymous let out a long irritating sigh:
“Listen kiddo,” he said to Unhallow, “Clearly I can see you Keeper value the secretive information so much that you even fighting against your own teammate. Now, I’m certain we’re after the same thing here, so how about this:
If you’re willing to perhaps share this information with me, I’ll be willing to share a little information that I got that could be quite importance to you Keeper. If you’re not interested in information, which I’ll question your reason of being here, I’m certain I could be quite…useful, for any future favor that you have in mind. What do you say, kid? I’m sure we can come with an agreement between us.”
To prove he’s being sincere, Anonymous raised both his hand in the air, showing a sign of calling a truce to Unhallow as non-threatening to her as possible.
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on Aug 9, 2016 16:14:12 GMT -7
The fear and guilt Unhallow was feeling over this situation vanished in an instant. It made sense, it was silly to let something like this upset them so much. As difficult as it was to watch, this was for the best. No Keeper should be allowed to get away with leaking information to people, let alone Pandaemonium. Hopefully the next time Azoth thought about doing something so stupid she would think of this and wouldn't do it. Thus, Unhallow continued towards her destination, no longer concerned with what was going on elsewhere in the facility. They had one thing to do, there was no reason to worry about anything else.
Unhallow pushed the door open and squared themselves with the door. They almost laughed at Anonymous' display, but they just weren't feeling much of anything right now. One thing was clear though, there was no reason to be afraid, and for once their body and mind agreed. Unhallow wasn't afraid, they weren't afraid of anything right now. It was amazing how docile people could get when they realized they had no power over a person anymore. Unable to feel fear, the other emotions they held towards Anonymous started filling in the gaps. The memories of everything he did to them, the harassment, the mockery, exploiting their power and fully unleashing it and finding it hilarious, the events with Bloodbath, Unhallow never acted on these feelings, but now there wasn't anything holding them back.
"It is not my place to decide what is done with what I am looking for here. I am here to get it and stop anyone else from getting it. If you want to trade talk to Sin Eater."
Their voice was unusually calm, but there was a very noticeable venomous edge to it. Unhallow stepped forward towards the machine in the back with no concern that Anonymous was standing between them and the computer.
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The Keepers
Posts 234
Power Level 31
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Post by Azoth on Aug 9, 2016 16:48:06 GMT -7
With Sin Eater’s departure, there was little reason or want in Azoth’s mind to continue an assault against her. She was beginning to think this entire thing wasn’t worth it. She’d obtained very little from the lab, and for what, getting attacked by two people who should be her allies? Azoth was very ready to be very done with this place.
She put a hand to her throbbing head. Her breaths sounded like she’d swallowed a phone on vibrate. Right now sleep sounded considerably more appealing than whatever these clueless PHD prideballs had half-baked.
“Alright, Geata. My apologies for jumping to conclusions. Thank you for coming.” She said tiredly. Geata’s response calmed her raised nerves, and with Sin Eater gone, she could relax back into common sense. Even if Unhallow’s power’s effects still left a burning in her stomach.
She wanted to get up to her feet, but the weakness she felt throughout her body and the pain in her chest suggested her center of balance was likely not up to the task. Settling for straightening her back, she surveyed the area around them. “I have no desire to continue this fight or go further into the lab. It is likely time to withdraw.”
Azoth had been vaguely aware of Chesire’s presence before now, but the headache had deemed him not an immediate problem and therefore not presently important. However, he seemed to be bothering Geata? Azoth tilted her head questioningly and considered the likelihood she’d need to make an attack against the Keeper. “Geata, are you okay?”
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The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
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Post by Geata on Aug 9, 2016 18:38:56 GMT -7
Simply put, Geata didn't know how to react to the images inside the bubbles. Or to the fact that there were even bubbles in the first place, but that was for an entirely different reason. The images, though, were actually cause for concern. Watching your own death over and over, whether it was real or not, is something Geata decided would probably be pretty high on his list of disturbing things to happen to him. Other than that, though, he couldn't quite place a finger on how he felt about it. Not scared; he thought it might be closer to resignation, although that wasn't exactly it either.
Azoth snapped him back to reality. "Don't worry, kiddo," he said with a little forced warmth. "Thank you for believing me." He would've understood if she didn't, even if what Sin Eater said wasn't true. They were fairly incriminating accusations. "And you're right; it would probably be best to take our leave."
Her final question left Geata lost in thought. Was he alright after seeing that? Probably not, he realized. Even if he wasn't, though, it wasn't the time or place to have Azoth concerned about his well being. He turned to face her and winked at her. "I'm fine," he lied.
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Inactive
If I leave my grin behind, remind me that we're all mad here.
Posts 28
Power Level 24
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Post by Cheshire on Aug 9, 2016 20:04:39 GMT -7
He let out a small sigh as he shrugged overly dramatically. Not quite used to being ignored, but resigned to the fact that this scene wasn't the one he was meant to be in. Acting as a narrator rather than the star, his role for the two youngsters was to grant context and foreshadow what was to come.
"You may call the visions that you've seen lies or illusions, but if you believe them fiction then please dispel that delusion. While it pains me so to be the bearer of bad news, understand that what I offer is no ruse. The future is always shifting and changing, pieces moving to and fro are poised for rearranging. As a parting gift from me to you, I will tell you that arranging them is what I am tasked to do."
He began to walk backwards away from the two youngsters as an infectious giggle bubbled out from his wide smile. Each step back causing him to fade out of existence just a little more until there was nothing remaining but his crescent smile and mismatched eyes until that too faded away.
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The Keepers
Posts 90
Power Level 24
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Post by Sin Eater on Aug 10, 2016 0:21:47 GMT -7
Sin Eater's focus had turned back to the mission. With the other supers on their way out, it should be a simple matter to turn the place upside-down and look for useful information. They'd have plenty of time before the police arrived, especially since Cheshire had deigned to help out.
However, an unfamiliar sensation caused her to pause. Azoth's removal of the air around Sin Eater's mouth meant that the area was briefly plunged into a vacuum similar to what an unprotected astronaut would face. The pressure dropped to the point that the water in Sin Eater's tongue and gums was able to boil at body temperature, resulting in an unpleasant fizzing sensation. A moment later, her lungs began to burn as their pumping failed to bring in fresh air.
Sin Eater grimaced. Of all the tactics Azoth could have used to slow her down, this was an unfortunate one. Thoughts of how to get revenge were already swirling through Sin Eater's head, displacing her prior concern for the mission.
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Aug 10, 2016 0:49:26 GMT -7
--- PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 analyzing combat data... Cheshire takes BYPASS opening against An0nymou5 to remove his immunity to Aggression (Destruction). Although his physiology has fewer definite weaknesses than most, some parts are still more vulnerable than others. Interference (Reversion) by Sin Eater against Azoth results in SUCCESS, +5% combat advantage Interference (Obfuscation) by Azoth against Sin Eater results in FAILURE due to suppression by the equal-or-greater Interference (Reversion) Sin Eater used Interference (Obfuscation) by Geata against Cheshire results in FAILURE due to suppression by the target's equal-or-greater immunity Aggression (Subdual) by An0nymou5 against Cheshire results in FAILURE due to suppression by the immunity granted by the equal-or-greater Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used, +10% combat advantage Aggression (Confinement) by Cheshire against An0nymou5 results in SUCCESS, +30% combat advantage Aggression (Destruction) by Unhallow against An0nymou5 results in SUCCESS because Unhallow can ignore the immunity granted by the Accumulation (Information) An0nymou5 used due to their equal-or-greater immunity granted by the Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used, +30% combat advantage Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow have reached 100% combat advantage! They have secured the facility for themselves. All participants receive 10 Notoriety for their part in the battle! An0nymou5 receives an additional 10 Notoriety due to the Intimidation trait. --- Analyzing possible outcomes... 1. Destroy the lab completely. If they're going to be such an easy target for other information-gathering groups, it's what they deserve. Effect: Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow gain an additional +60 Notoriety2. Search the place thoroughly for anything useful. To the victors go the spoils. Effect: +10 Keepers Prestige Effect: Cheshire Sin Eater and Unhallow also get a piece of informationAs the first to oppose, Unhallow gets the final choice.
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Unaligned
Aw, what's wrong? Don't you trust me?
Posts 235
Power Level 30
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Post by An0nymou5 on Aug 10, 2016 1:27:38 GMT -7
He thought he could’ve prepare for what about to happen; after all, he didn’t really expecting Cheshire would suddenly vanished from where he was. Before he could even detect his little brain pattern, Cheshire already got him in his arm and started to spin around like crazy. As soon as the vertigo started to get to him, Unhallow suddenly gives off a terrifying level of power right into his head. God, it feels like his head is boiling in its own blood, he couldn’t think straight, he couldn’t speak, he couldn’t even focus on what going on around him. Everything just become blurry and all the sound just become white noise. Soon enough he could feel blood coming out of his nose because of such pain.
“Arg,” Anonymous barely made out one single word, the line of thought he have inside his mind is now all jumble up into a big disorganize mess. He want to tell Unhallow to stop doing what she’s doing; not because of the pain it’s causing him, but rather something else, something…much worst, a lot worse than what they all can imagine. But it wasn’t meant to be; he couldn’t say anything, and soon enough he could feel that horrible thing crawling back to his mind.
And just like that, his whole body gone completely limp and drop on the floor. Despite unable to move or speak, Anonymous let out an insane grin on his face, and began to laugh hysterically. The pain is still going through his mind, but he doesn’t care; he couldn’t move his arms or feet to get away, but he doesn’t care. He just kept on laughing maniacally, non-stop to the point that his laughter started to echo through the entire building. The laugh simply grow louder and louder each passing second. Poor Unhallow; she truly believe this thing of her could teach him a lesson on what he does to her. She truly believe that this is a suffice punishment for him.
She couldn’t be more wrong. What she did is something much worst without knowing; by doing this, she had created a truly terrifying monster, billions time worst than before. His brain can slowly heal back from the damage that they all did to him, but nothing will be the same ever again. And Anonymous couldn’t be happier.
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