epidemiology | EVENT ★ LABYRINTH II

DEEPER

Following the marked path near the lake leads Audentes (and George) further into the maze, closer to the goal found at the center. Some other inmates (including Zymandis agent Mavahari) and correctional officers follow along, having picked up on the organized manner of Audentes and figuring it’s their best bet on getting out of here alive.

Unlike the dry stone and sand in the outer ring of the maze, this next section is overflowing with flora. Jungle vines cling to the walls to the point where seeing the stone underneath is a difficult task; trees sprout from between cracked tiles, bearing alien-looking fruit; branches and brambles cross certain parts of the maze, and will need to be hacked through unless you want to find another way around.

Water is more plentiful now as well, since obviously the plants need it to flourish. For the first time since setting foot in the labyrinth, a rain begins to fall, drizzling and gentle. This can be a respite or an annoyance, depending on how you look at it: while it’s soothing and can make collection of fresh, clean water easier, walking around in wet clothes is probably not that pleasant.

Your fellow ALASTAIR recruit George has inexplicably struck up a friendship with the Zymandis agent Mavahari, and they can often be found exploring the maze together, with Mavahari helping him due to his broken arm. They seem to be getting along well enough, but maybe checking in with George is in order.

Otherwise, survival is the name of the game; though the center of the labyrinth is closer, it’s impossible to tell how close, and how long to expect to be here. Collecting water is simple enough, but food is growing scarce. The tree fruits may be a good solution, but it seems as though some have unfortunate reactions to them, ranging from stomach cramps to rashes to fever and temporary blindness.

But an allergic reaction may just be the least of your worries.

LOVE ME LIKE A REPTILE

The monsters seen so infrequently in the outer ring of the maze are now a common nuisance. Giant insects and rats scurry about, hungry for whatever flesh they can find, but they’re easily defeated, particularly if encountered as a group. But with new terrain comes new, adaptive animals, and the labyrinth is no different.

Lizards are now the main threat: enormous and camouflaged, they stalk their prey and take their time, looking for the perfect opportunity to ambush. The lizards are three-headed, with each head containing fangs dripping with venom, capable of rendering its victims paralyzed within five seconds flat. Their blood is also poisonous, capable of burning through metal, not to mention flesh.

If a head is severed, the lizard will retreat back into the jungle, presumably to nurse its wounds but possibly to grow another head -- no lizard will ever be encountered with less than three heads, so it’s possible they have regenerative abilities. The best way to defeat one is to remove all three heads at once, or simply kill it in whatever way possible. The lizards are quick and mean, but not invincible.

Now more than ever, it’s important to take care in exploring the maze. Stray too far from the group or try to make it alone, and you might not survive.

OOC NOTES

Once again, we have a plotting post here and search requests for the next ring of the maze.

Please note: during the labyrinth event, all drops are ICly delayed. What this means is that characters who drop will be handwaved to still be around on auto-pilot until connection with Oska is resumed, at which point they will be transferred to a different team as usual.

If you have any questions about the labyrinth that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier. If you have questions for any NPCs, please direct them there as well!

Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ and you may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A pair of small hands touch his back only to immediately remove themselves and the owner makes a startled gasp.]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't see you.

[It's Nyuu, or rather--judging by the way her whole body is trembling and the softer tone to her voice, it has to be Nyuu. Lucy had a cold yet slightly majestic air when she was in control. Nyuu was nothing more than a frightened little girl at the moment.

Other than the torn orange jumpsuit, messy hair, and the fact that she looked too skinny, she seems okay, except... She's looking right at Peter, but there's something not right about her eyes. Rather than focusing on him, they're moving around constantly, never settling on one thing.]

( he's not expecting the touch, and stiffens slightly at the surprise of it. it takes a bit of doing to slip past his super senses, and these days it's never a good thing when someone does. nothing horrible happens, though it does make him turn to glance at the source.

of all the people he was expecting, it wasn't Nyuu. Lucy...? the last time they'd spoken it'd been to the reveal there were two of them, and it does take him a moment of hesitation to decide on who he's faced with. he decides on Nyuu, because the girl in front of him reminds him far more of the girl he met on the train than the one he'd met in the madness of the gala.

he shakes his head, though the gesture seems to be lost on her. ) No, it's fine. I'm fine. Nyuu, are you okay? ( he isn't willing to risk touching her, so Peter hopes speaking to her can get through to her when her mind seems a mile off. )

[Though it's been a very long time since Nyuu spoke to Peter personally, she's still able to recognize his voice.]

Oh, Peter-san! It's you.

[One could hear the relief in her voice. Nyuu had feared she touched a complete stranger, or one of the more dangerous inmates from the prison. Without her sight she wouldn't have stood a chance.]

I-I... [She hangs her head and wraps her arms around herself in a hug, but it does little to stop her trembling.] I'm not hurt, but I'm scared. [She sniffled.] I can't see anything right now.

It's me, yeah. I'm really glad to see you.

( he's not sure if the message he sent through her other personality actually got to her, but he hopes so. he should have added that he'd like to know if she ever came back to herself, but it's too late for that now. it's a moment late that he realizes that something seems a little off, and more than just how fearful Nyuu is. more that no matter the fact they're talking, and she's looking towards him, somehow she isn't looking at him.

he still doesn't connect the dots until she says it out loud. though it does make him gape a little — not hurt, but she'd been blinded? that counts as hurt in his book — before he shakes it off, because that won't help her. )

You can't see? How? Was it from the crash? ( a breath later, before, ) You can stick with me, okay? I can help you.

EVENT ★ LABYRINTH II

A.

i am so sorry for the wait. life has been ridiculous... you can ignore if you need to!

No, no, it's fine! RL's been rough for me as well.

i hope it will get better soon :( <3