Event: Passage in the Abyss

[letsplayamod]

[Well, even down in this squalid prison, you have gained some amount of levity. Just a day prior, an impromptu attempt to channel one of you to the land of the living put you into contact with not only the rest of your friends, but Athena herself.

That all comes to a sudden halt, but you're free to continue with perhaps a renewed strength. For once in a long while, it seems like things are getting interesting.

A day later, that's when the rumbling comes.]

That is it! I cannot wait a moment longer... My strength must return, and so my hunger must be sated.

[It's Typhon, he sounds mad.]

A mess of mortals, trapped in my personal cage. Perfect for feeding on!

[He sounds like he's on his way.]

Comments

[tripartites]

Everyone, fall back to the parlor if we must, but that has to be our last line...! [ theoretically, she thinks, she should be able to put up a barrier of red to bar something uninvited, but...

the flickering butterflies solidify into a phantasmal golden longsword gripped in her right hand. ]

[tailoredfate]

[It's a good thing Aglaea's long since stopped being able to feel fear. Or maybe she wouldn't feel it in the first place; week after week of threats and posturing with no real power to back it up has left Typhon barely a shadow of a beast in her eyes.

But she'd be a fool not to underestimate a foe just because she doesn't think he's as powerful as he says he is.

She flexes one hand, testing Mnestia's threads. She hasn't tried to use her powers since her death, but she can still feel them, and without her sword or Garmentmaker... she'll just have to rely on that, and the gift Athena gave her.

It's fine. Her threads never failed her before. As Sayo summons her golden sword, Aglaea steps forward.]

Worry not. So long as I'm still here, the parlor and those who wish to take shelter in it will be safe.

[necromants]

[Ah. It would seem the time has come to make a decision. The easiest one is to simply let this happen. Perhaps if Typhon consumes them, then Ivilezlei will stop existing and that would be a mercy for everyone, wouldn't it? A fitting end to one who betrayed them, killed three of them, and caused so many damn problems throughout his time existing.

...But.

But if there's one thing Ivilezlei and Zvei have in common, it's their complete inability to let things go when they damn well should. They both clung to hope in different ways, but they refused to give up. So rather unfortunately for everyone involved including himself, giving up and dying simply isn't an option.

Ivilezlei shrugs off the labcoat and draws all six tentacles from his back. Ugh, he wishes he had his staff, that would make things easier...]

I'm not in the mood to die again, so I'll fight with you. Trust me or don't, that's your decision, but I am a healer and I will do what I can.

[tripartites]

[ she's at war with herself for a moment, as ivilezlei states his intent to help. he's right enough that she doesn't trust him, but finally: ]

... Mm. Ivilezlei, was it? Fine. But... [ her tone grows harder, as the sword emits a red pulse of light. this is not a threat. it is a statement. ] Should you betray us again, I intend to do worse to you than Typhon could dream of. Endlessly. Is that clear?

[necromants]

Understood.

[He remembers the red text explanation, though he wouldn't have doubted her words even so.]

I am capable of healing, creating shields, and fighting, should it come to that. I will focus my efforts on keeping everyone in fighting form.

[And of course healing the noncombatants who are injured, but he figures that goes without saying.]

[rockymountaindie]

[ ...There are those who can fight, and then there's Alex, so. ]

I'll uh. I'll barricade the place.

???

[letsplayamod]

[The ground, what little there is in the void, rumbles beneath your feet. Typhon is on his way, that much is clear. And there's very little here to run away to...]

Hey! Can any of you hear me!

[Then, a voice, not recognizable. It reaches across the void, much as Typhon's did. Except this voice is directed right at you.]

You need to run, now!

[More quaking, only this feels different, like a strict pattern. Distant rumblings and clankings of metal draw closer, as a new addition to your little island rises up from the depths on a massive podium. Interlocking gears and wheels crank slowly as it connects with the edge of your prison; a small enclosed area, like the one Sayo has commandeered. Only this one opens up to reveal a rift hanging within.

It shimmers a shinny, glossy metallic hue. Like gold.]

In! Through here, quickly!

[rockymountaindie]

[ There's, like, little they can do? Little choice they have? But still, Alex yells back— ]

Who the hell're you?!

[letsplayamod]

I'm trying to save you! Phospho, go. Go! You have to guide them-

[A piercing cry fills the air. Swooping in from above you, and coming to hover just in front of the portal, is a bird coated in fiery flames. It caws at you, imploringly. Then, it flies straight through the rift.

Typhon's voice roars.]

What is that smell...? So familiar-- An intruder! You will be first!

[atu709]

... How familiar it is to be intruding on someone else's story like this.

[ but like. the fuck is she going to do in an empty void, lmao. rift time apparently! ]

[tailoredfate]

[Ah.]

If Typhon is angered at this presence, then that means they might as well be an ally to us.

[She doesn't entirely trust it, but...]

[necromants]

[Should he be the last one in the rift...?? Ehhhh whatever, in he goes!! Yeet!!]

Event START

[letsplayamod]

[Whether you trust the voice or not, it's clear that following into the rift is a better plan than waiting here for your doom's arrival.

Stepping through is as simple as opening a door. One moment, you're here, the next? You're standing at the entrance of a large maze. Winding tunnels stretch out before you. The fiery bird you followed through here flies far overhead, circling your position.]

Dammit! Try and get through! I'm on the other side!

[(In this event, players are tasked to pick a route and navigate a maze using their wits and powers, uncovering more of the map as they go. Rolling 2d6 will determine whether the players finds a trap (2-4) a normal route (5-7) or a secret passage through (8-12) along the way.)]

Map

[letsplayamod]

One

[letsplayamod]

[tripartites]

[ well, once it's clear that misane isn't going alone down the middle hallway, sayo steps towards the left one and speaks up. ]

I suppose I'll take this path... [ she sighs, looking ahead into the gloom. ] Who's coming with me?

[tailoredfate]

[Without hesitation, Aglaea steps up to Sayo's side.]

I will. Would you like me to take the lead?

Two

[letsplayamod]

[cannotunravel]

This seems dangerous, and we didn't have time to pick up anything to take with ourselves...

[Welp, time to get started. Misane steps right to the hallway and looks back]

Don't let me go by myself.

[Bad things happen when she goes by herself, you know! Her death proved it!]

[rockymountaindie]

[ Well, if that isn't a surefire way to make him follow her! ]

Right behind you.

[ Honestly, he shouldn't have gone by himself either. ]

Three

[letsplayamod]

5

[necromants]

[Hmm, splitting up with only one healer around is not really a great option... But also: if he wanders off on his own then no one else has to deal with him so win/win?? Off he goes, taking this path! He's not going to complain if anyone else wants to come with, though.

Lmao barely avoided a trap today, apparently...]

Epilogue 1/2

[letsplayamod]

[Following an extremely lucky turn of events from your local God of Life, each of you has managed to reach the final portion of the maze through your luck and quick thinking.

Before you, the exit to the maze. A swirling portal of golden hues, the same as the one you entered in the first place. It hangs in midair, dully reflecting your faces.

Behind you, the maze stretches out. The section that sank into the floor provides you with a greater view of it... and the threat coming up from behind. The walls of labyrinth bend and shudder, threatening to topple from the force of the beast rushing through them. Somehow, it's narrowed in on you fast faster than you managed.

And as it breaks free, well, what else would this monster be?

As it rears up on its hooves, muscular arms slamming the ground, horns leveled at you, the beast prepares to charge!]

2/2

[raiseyoulikea]

[Such a massive foe, it's pretty distracting, right? You might not notice the bolt of flame that shoots out of the portal behind you, until it's right over your head and swooping around the minotaur. The beast staggers from the sudden intense heat that pelts its face. It tries to strike, but the burning bird - and it is a bird coated in flame - always manages to be just out of reach.

It's a dance of distraction, disorienting dive-bombs on the minotaur until it's completely spun around. Perfect change for a second figure to enter the scene, swooping in on her own pair of bright wings... and wielding a massive hammer.

It barely has time to look up.]

Take this!

[And she brings the hammer down. The force of the blow shakes the ground momentarily, and it completely evaporates the minotaur in one strike.

The warrior, a woman of young age, clad in distinct armor sets the hammer down, turns to the rest of you, and says:]

So, did that look cool? You can be honest, no judgement, I've been working on my dramatic entrances.

[necromants]

[Unfortunately, Ivilezlei survived, and he is now sporting his own pair of wings which he definitely stole from a chest and does not plan on returning. His now. He'll even applaud at the entrance! Also unfortunately, he seems to be in a better mood, so it's back to peak gremlin (Zvei) hours.]

It looked very cool, miss! And you spared us from having to fight such a beast, so I think we owe you our thanks.

...Though if I may ask, who are you, exactly?