006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

1. The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?


2. The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Comments

A

[memorate]

I'm not looking to get fixed.

[ Actually, he could use a lot of fixing, but to do so he'd have to admit that he's in any kind of pain to begin with. No way...! ]

Who the hell's Lord Barbatos?

[ He hasn't heard of anyone by that name, despite the seemingly important title. ]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Uh, who do you think it is? I kinda figured you'd know already, since...

[and now that he's starting to notice the other voices on the line, suddenly he's a lot less sure of his initial guess. hmm. bad.]

... or maybe not! I think there may have been a slight misunderstanding. Who is it I'm speaking to right now?

[memorate]

[ Why does this stranger sound so much like Kyrie... ]

Lord Barbatos sounds like someone who could know a lot about this world. Could also be a nobody with a fancy title.

Name's Cloud.

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Ahaha... unfortunately, I think it'd be closer to the latter than the former. Sorry to disappoint!

You can just call me Venti! But hmm, if you're not the voice of some mysterious glowing earth spirit, you must be... another outlander?

[memorate]

No, I'm a mercenary.

[ That's still an outlander. ]

Why did you think I was an earth spirit? Does the land usually communicate with you?

[ It actually wouldn't be that strange, knowing what he knows. ]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Sooo, like an adventurer? [yeah let's just keep assigning new titles to Cloud, close enough]

Well, what did you think when you came across a glowing crack in the ground trying to initiate conversation? Though I can't say I've encountered such a spirit before, it seemed the more likely explanation.

[memorate]

I thought I was hallucinating again.

[ That... particular thought wasn't supposed to be communicated, but Cloud has no control over what's private and what is going to be broadcast, not as of now anyway. ]

I guess it doesn't matter. I am a real person... it sounds like you are, too. Which means there are no spirits here.

Whatever happened to the earth, though, it's gotta be related to us being able to talk.

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

I wouldn't say there are no spirits here, ehe.

But I think you may be right about that one! The two do seem to be related. Well then, Mercenary Cloud, what do you think the next step should be?