epidemiology | EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

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EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

LABYRINTH III

The correct passageway to the inner ring of the maze is hidden behind a thick wall of vines. After cutting through the plants, the structure of the maze is noticeably different: the overgrown plants continue creeping up the walls, but the walls are no longer brick and stone, composed instead of some sort of blue metal with holes and divots carved elaborately into the surface. From some holes gush forth pure, clean water; from others, acidic liquid. The air is cool and crisp, the plants creating a lush, dim environment lit by eerie blue lights spread throughout this section.

The lizards, rats, and other monstrous creatures seem to be absent from this area of the maze, replaced instead by rhinoceros-sized beetles. The beetles each have a single horn protruding from the head, and their hard carapaces make them difficult to kill -- a better method might be to simply climb somewhere high and wait for the beetle to get bored. But unlike the other monsters encountered in the maze, the beetles seem to have something else on their mind beyond wanton violence: they can sometimes be found rolling massive balls of dung throughout the corridors of the labyrinth. (This might explain why the plants are so lush closer to the center.)

There is little time to explore this section of the labyrinth before there's a flicker of light all around and more ALASTAIR recruits suddenly appear, most dressed in a freshly pressed uniform and carrying extra food and supplies. They have been told that the cloaking surrounding Asterion Labyrinth is so strong and complex that Oska was only able to send in a handful of recruits at once for a relief effort.

In order to leave, they'll have to locate the escape mechanism that lies deep within the labyrinth; the remaining Asterion Prison correctional officers know its general location, but not precisely what it entails. All they know is that it will require technological cunning to operate and that it's heavily guarded.

After five days, the portal room is found.

THE PORTAL ROOM

The center of the labyrinth is a large, circular room with a raised platform in the middle. On this platform rests a circle of computer consoles surrounding another platform, on which sits an empty circular frame 2.5m (8') in diameter. This is the dormant portal, and it is now Audentes's task to turn it on and find their way back to Oska.

Because the portal is not made for interdimensional travel, it must be overclocked, which will cause it to burn out and explode once it is used. In order to override the safety protocols in place to prevent such dangerous tampering, the control panels must be unlocked -- and unfortunately, the locks are all complicated puzzles, ranging from the numerical to sliding pieces into place to complete a pattern. There are many of these puzzled scattered around the portal room, and once they are all unlocked, it's a simple matter of flipping the power override switches. Ignore the dangerous humming sound and the way the frame suddenly fills with violent purple energy. That's probably normal.

The new recruits have the correct coordinates to locate Oska, which has temporarily lowered its cloaking shield to allow Audentes to return. So there is a bit of a time crunch.

Adding more to the difficulty of the situation is the presence of a monster lumbering around the circular portal room. Six meters (20') high, the beast is best described as a minotaur, but perhaps not in the traditional sense: while it resembles a bipedal bull, it is an amalgamation of flesh and machine with its body covered in pistons and glowing lights. One of its hands is an enormous axe and it belches fire and acid. Despite its head resembling an herbivore, the piles of desiccated bones scattered throughout the portal room tell a different story.

Upon seeing the group, the minotaur charges. Mavahari, the Zymandis recruit, rushes to meet it with her sword drawn. Inmates and correctional officers do their best to fight it as well, but something becomes quickly apparent: it cannot be harmed by projectile weapons. The machinery of the beast keeps it protected from most attacks, though electricity will stun it and acid will corrode its metal. But in order to injure the minotaur, it must be stabbed between the metal plates where its vulnerable flesh remains.

During the battle, the minotaur fights viciously and without regard for its own safety. The first casualty comes early: the minotaur swings its axe toward Mavahari, who is pushed out of the way by George. The axe connects with him solidly, sending him flying into the wall with a shuddering impact. George lies there still, but there's no time to mourn. The beast continues its rampage.

Once the minotaur is defeated, you'll have to quickly decide what to do with the correctional officers and inmates who have followed Audentes through the Asterion Labyrinth. The overclocked portal won't hold forever, and the longer Oska leaves its cloak down, the better chance they have of being found by their enemies.

OOC NOTES

This log will last for six IC days: five days for exploration and one day at the center of the maze. We have also recently altered the calendar this month, so make sure you review it!

IMPORTANT: Participation in the solution poll is mandatory for August AC. Failure to participate will result in an automatic strike. The only exception is for those who are exempt from August AC. The poll will close on 11 August 23:59 UTC.

If you have any questions about the labyrinth that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier.

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

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Labyrinth:

Vines (Search):

[Sakura is exploring, finally, slowly, getting closer to the center of the maze when she spots something catch the light, amid some vines. She can't quite tell what they are without getting closer, which, of course, requires her climbing and swinging on the vines to get to them. To find they are a collection of throwing knives. She assumes someone might have lost them perhaps, from their recruits? So she climbs further across to get more, hoping to collect all of them just in case.

Only....to end up perhaps a little stuck herself. The vines entangling around Sakura herself when she reaches for the last one of the twelve she spotted. The way the vines restrict her prevents her from reaching for her necklace or cards to help use Sword to cut at them. Which leaves her pretty defenseless in such a position. But not enough that she can't call out for help.]

Wildcard:

[ooc: If you have any other ideas for the last of their time in the labyrinth, just hit me up! I just figured I should actually throw that up with the results of her searching the area.]

Portal:

Puzzles:

I...probably know more on computers than some of the recruits but....I'm still not sure on some of this?

[She's always been more athletic than one good with tech. That is more Tomoyo's thing, really. Which she then shares with Sakura in regards to calling her, recording her or taking photos or such. It's one thing to use a computer to type up homework or research for it. But this isn't quite so simple, is it?]

Monster Fight:

[Thankfully, her staff and cards seem fine even with everything with the labyrinth, enabling her to help against the minotaur. Her shield card helps against the acid and fire. And seeing as the guns and projectiles don't seem to be working, she doesn't bother with her bow, instead using the Sword card to transform her staff, to use that to attack instead. Which puts her right up in the creature's space, of course.

She can't help pausing though, when she sees George get in the way to save Mavahari, eyes widening as her free hand raises to cover her mouth.]

George-san?!

[But just because one of their own is down for the count in the moment, doesn't mean there isn't still the creature to deal with, unfortunately.]!

[Ban had been watching Sakura for awhile, silently assessing how she handled herself. He was fairly certain at least a few people could have flown, so getting up that high just seemed like a bad idea--but he was the last person in the world to warn others regarding upcoming mistakes.

So, he just watched in silence until it got really bad. Then, he chimed in.]

...Need a hand?

[She has Fly. Or even using Jump might have helped lessen her contact with the vines in avoiding getting herself entangled. But she had managed fine enough initially. So she had just kept going that same way. Only to find that wasn't actually quite working.

She can't even quite manage to turn to see him. But Sakura does hear the familiar voice. And isn't so proud that she wouldn't let him help.]

E-eh? Ban-san? Um, yes....

[With a little hop, Ban jumped straight into the air and drifted up--catching his heel on one of the vines close to Sakura that had its own support. While Ban wasn't really familiar with jungles, he could still tell where weight was supported and which vines looked healthier. With a few swipes of one hand, he tore up some of the vines clogging Sakura's forward movement.]

Here, try movin' a bit.

[Sakura isn't able to move to help much yet, so she waits and watches him jump and head over to her, waiting for him to free her. Once he does, she shifts slightly, tentative though more reassured with him being right there helping her.

She straightens, using her now free hands to activate the Jump card to thus help get herself out of the vines, encouraging Ban not to linger or else he might get caught like she had.]

Y'know, it's all about putting your feet in the right place and angling them the right way.

[They had a lull in time, so it didn't seem like too bad a time to give some advice. Ban took note of the magic Sakura used, keeping his gaze set on the ground to make sure the inmates hadn't seen it. Some inmates survived for the worst of reasons--so, he didn't feel like any of them getting the impression that Sakura was going unguarded.

Ban demonstrated his advice by taking a few slow steps from one hanging vine to another, lowering himself so he could slip between overhanging vines at the same time. He moved using the center of his feet, straightening them and bending them while he moved.]

You're real scary with magic but you'd be unstoppable if you got a good grasp of proper footing, missy~.

I -- I manage! I don't trip over all the time or always get stuck like that! I didn't expect the vines to sort of trap me like that, is all.

[Didn't expect them to literally curl around her to restrict her movement like that. Still, she isn't exactly the most subtle, or her magic isn't, given the slight gust of wind and light from the magic circle that appears at her feet each time she uses it to activate a card or her staff. She does watches him though, noting his footing, in case she comes across the vines again.]

Kahaha. Don't worry so much about me bein' a meanie, missy~. [Ban reached up to pat his cheek, choking out a hoarse little chuckle. He moved from vine to vine without pausing too much, ensuring that he wouldn't bend too much and allow anything to entangle him.]

I'm bein' serious. It wouldn't hurt if you took lessons as a swordsman. It could really help you as a sorceress.

I took lessons from Pearl. But...

[But. Well. She left, the same way so many others had thus far in their time with ALASTAIR. So that hadn't been for long. Sword made her an expert anyway when she used the card itself and not a practice weapon, so she never figured it to be an issue. Even if at times she might slip into it almost seeming more like dance moves considering who trainer her.]

Hmmm~. [Vague recollections of that one haggard and listless woman fell into mind and Ban gave Sakura a little bit of a pause.]

Most of being a swordsman is having good footwork and skill in the wrist. You've already got some skill in the latter, seein' as you've gotta be quick to draw your cards, but...

[He followed after Sakura at a fairly lazy pace yet somehow kept in line with her. He didn't have to look down or focus all that much. When it came to nimble footing, Ban's usual demeanor betrayed just how precise he could be.]

Footing saves your life in every situation ♪.

Footwork....I'm okay with athletics but I still sometimes have some clumsy moments.

[But perhaps with more training and practice. She might improve on it. Ban definitely seems a natural in spite of how careless he usually seems in whether or not he might get hurt, because of his healing. She can't help but to note that.]

Sorceresses don't tend to nail that kinda thing straight away~. You just gotta practiiice.

[Even Merlin wasn't one for fancy footwork. She had spells to fly and balance herself out--so, she never cared for acting like someone who should have been concerned about a melee fight.

Though, not everyone had the benefit on a literally bottomless pit of magical capacity.]

It's a guarantee you learned how to use your feet before you learned spells, right?

My feet? Well, I didn't learn about my magic until I was ten? So. I guess.

[He isn't wrong there. Obviously she wasn't aware of her magic until finding the book. Once she was already in school and all, old enough to take on the task set before her. As she was supposed to. As Clow guessed and prepared for.

It's a relief though. Once they make it to the other side.]

[ Like everything else in this jungle, the minotaur is highly intent on trying to kill them, something that Noctis isn't that big a fan of, especially when said minotaur is a raging ball of crankiness. In between all the dodging and darting around, he doesn't expect for the minotaur to take out George like that, eyes widening as he watches him collapse to the ground after colliding with the wall.

His fingers deftly move, sword appearing in his grip, wanting to do something but unsure what that is. The rest of his body draws forward before his mind can determine how and where, guided by his innate instinct to protect others. He immediately tosses the sword towards Sakura just so he can warp-strike to her side and all but carry her, getting her out of harm's way. For now, at least.

His mind still hasn't caught up with him as he catches his breath, unsure what to even say to a kid who had just been exposed to that level of brutality. One doesn't ever get used to the sight of death, and he has to stamp old memories from resurfacing just so he can focus on Sakura instead. ]

Don't take your eyes off the big guy. Let the healers and medics take care of George. You should probably tap out and find somewhere safe.

[ Right now, it's way too dangerous for her, especially when the minotaur has a very limited number of weaknesses, it seems. ]

[Sakura doesn't even immediately seem to register what is happening when she feels herself being lifted from the ground, but a slight turn of her head and that familiar voice inform her just who it is. Noctis.

She doesn't physically struggle while he lifts her and carries her. But she does protest.]

But I can help!

[She has Sword. Or she could help heal. But either way.]

[ He gets that impulse, and he's trying to help too, but he still doesn't think it's the best place for her to be. Nothing is even denting the minotaur, and Noctis is hesitant to use his magic with so many other people in range. He doesn't want to risk injuring them at all.

The axe swings in their direction once more before Noctis drags Sakura out of its way. His shield then appears in his hand, using that to cover the two of them before glancing around. ]

That guy took the brunt of the damage for us.

[ For Mahavari specifically. ]

Better if you stay on standby for any other injuries.

[ The hammer connects loudly and powerfully with his shield, the sound reverberating loudly and making Noctis wince in pain. ]

Ow, shit-!

[ He probably shouldn't have cursed in front of a kid, and he throws her a quick guilty look over his shoulder. ]

You didn't hear that just now.

You say that like I haven't heard swears before.

[Noct, plz. As a teenager now, she isn't so innocent. She knows the likes of Ban. And being involved with missions as chaotic as this and then some, she's heard things slip even when those around her might not want her to, or mean to come out with it around her.

Still, Sakura doesn't hesitate in stepping forward to hover her hands over his arm with the shield. Emitting a light glow, more soft than blinding, as she closes her eyes to heal him.]

Better?

A bit. Think we can hold out.

[ Especially since they're not the only ones beating up on that minotaur. It's just a matter of finding its weakest points, assuming it even has any. He doesn't quite know how to find out.

He'd gladly volunteer himself to try, but he doesn't think it's a good idea to leave Sakura's side just yet. Better to leave it to someone else for the time being as he continues to dodge blow after blow. The next one knocks him firmly off balance, sending him crashing backwards in a pile of limbs, the shield dissolving into blue particles. His back takes the brunt of the wall, old injuries rendering him breathless and on his knees before he tries to hail Sakura over. ]

Could use that healing right about now...

[ In fact, he's pretty sure he's seconds away from coughing up a rib bone, but he tries to joke his way through that so he doesn't worry her too much. ]

Edited 2017-08-21 00:17 (UTC)

[Sakura doesn't really get a chance to respond beyond a nod of agreement as she watches him dodge. And then get hit. She winces, quickly rushing over almost the same time he tries to summon her over in requesting that healing. Luckily for him, whatever he is injured with, she has the highest level of ALASTAIR's healing magic.

She kneels next to him after ensuring they would be protected by her Shield card creating a barrier in defending them from the creature while she heals him. Sakura's hands hover over him as she closes her eyes and a soft glow emits where the healing magic activates at his body. After a moment, she opens her eyes, biting her lip as she looks to him.]

Better?

[ Grateful to have some form of healing that isn't just smashing a potion on himself, Noctis manages to look relieved as he sits up. His stamina is down for the time being, but at least it doesn't feel like he's breathing in shards of glass any more. ]

Guess we're even now.

[ He gives her a small smile before climbing shakily on his feet and summoning a light sword this time. ]

Something tells me staying on the defense side isn't going to do much good. You didn't happen to see him get hurt by anything, did you?

[ Ignis' quick thinking could be of great use to him right now, especially when Noctis doesn't have the faintest clue what to try next short of just hitting with everything he's got and seeing what works. He just wishes he could do all that from a comfortably safe distance. ]

Hm. I'm not sure. But all this -- it's different from when I was just collecting the cards.

[So she's still a little overwhelmed even after doing this for over a year now. Almost two, actually. But Sakura tries her best to help where she can, finding the cards rather versatile at least. She glances to the creature, tilting her head for a moment.]

....Is he hurt where someone stabbed him with a sword?

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EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

Sakura Kinomoto l Cardcaptor Sakura

Vines;

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whoops i forgot we had a whole arc dedicated to that... /brains self

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monster fight.

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