EVENT ★ LABYRINTH III: THE ESCAPE

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

[keeper]

[ The truth is always better than a lie—she'd rather not lose a limb (or worse) while she's out here because of some miscalculation.

And, she usually operates solo as it is (too many big explosions and sparkles to keep track of), so the arrangement is just fine to her. ]

Leave it to me, then.

[ She gives her keyblade a small twirl for added effect, brandishing it at her side and listening closely as he calls out instructions. (Of all elements... She actually does not—in tragic irony—have a dedicated water spell, but it's easy enough to produce.) ]

I have ice and fire. Will that suffice?

[keeper]

...Pardon?

[ (Honestly, who is Robert Frost?) Andersen doesn't seem keen on answering, but then again there are clearly more pressing matters at hand, and Aqua nods again, beginning to cast as the Servant does likewise.

His is an odd incantation, but she doesn't dwell on it much (doesn't have the time to) as she weaves ice magic into the air, the spell sucking out all heat in the room. A smattering of giant, frozen clusters erupt around the minotaur, and before the points even finish forming she roasts the area with a molten rain of fire, effectively melting the ice.

The mechanical beast does not sit still for any of this, roaring as it's assaulted by several elements at once. Still dripping, it swings its axe towards Anderson before Aqua has a chance to call down a curtain of Thunder. So instead, she blitzes forward to knock its weapon askew, changing its trajectory with the entire weight of her body, away from Anderson.

(Hopefully he can create another distraction, before she's grand slammed into the wall again. If not, he'll have to patch her up again, oops.) ]

[keeper]

[ That is not quite the save she was expecting... But she'll take it. (!!)

He doesn't have to call out to her twice; she flickers next to him in a wink, bringing a spherical shielding spell around them as the minotaur lunges forward. Its bludgeon ricochets off the shimmering surface of her Barrier, deflect the momentum and sending the creature rocking backwards, at the edge of its balance. ]

—Pardon my reach.

[ She'll take the opportunity to scoop Andersen up in one arm and spring clear of imminent danger, magic bursting under her feet as she pushes off again midair to double their height. Her keyblade charges with lightning and she sends a wave of Thundaga crashing down below them, air sharp with the scent of burning ozone.

As the last of the spell putters out, she lands them both a good distance away from the minotaur (now flat on the ground, sparking and twitching), setting Andersen back on his feet. ]

Thanks for your help. Are you all right?

[keeper]

[ (Good thing too, or else... She probably would've dropped him and never heard the end of it. :weary:)

That said, she's mildly surprised to hear his compliments and responds with a modest tip of her head. ]

I'm afraid it won't be enough to slay it, however I suppose it buys us some time.

[ She glances over at her handiwork, and there are already other recruits rushing in to finish the job, bladed weapons brandished and ready to pierce between the heavy plates of armor. (She thinks she'll leave the task to them, for now...) ]

...How have you fared, Caster? It's been some time since we've last met.

[ Having held a contract ages ago, she's well aware of the maintenance that goes into sustaining a Heroic Spirit. And while she isn't about to offer herself as a Master candidate (it's... complicated... more strings attached than she'd thought), she's altruistic enough to at least offer him an ether or a magical handshake, should he need it. ]

[keeper]

[ She's glad to join him, away from the sounds of butchery. (She's not so softhearted that she'd hesitate to kill it herself, if it came down to it, but it doesn't mean it's anything pleasant.) Aqua is, however softhearted enough that her expression falls hearing the blunt announcement. (It isn't a surprise, but the idea of it is nonetheless dour.) ]

I see. My condolences.

[ —He probably doesn't want her sympathy, but there they are. (Lancer had never felt sorry for himself, either, as terrible as his own death(s) had been.) But she does brighten a little, ironically, at the last comment. ]

That's very true. ...And I've been here a long time, yes, but it hasn't been so awful.

[ She pauses for just a moment to give proper reflection to her time with ALASTAIR, and a smile flits to her face, almost wistful. ]

...Of course, it's been trying many times, but I've found reason to keep fighting. And of course, friends to keep fighting for.

[ She turns that Disney (TM) smile to him—sorry Andersen for this bucketful of sap: ] However long your 'deadline' might be, I hope you're able to as well.

[keeper]

[ LAYS IT ON THICK!! This is embarrassing.

He turns his face away but her gaze instictively follows, head tilting along the same direction in an attempt to parse his half-hidden expression. ]

That's quite dependable of you.

[ ...Sensing his discomfort under her scrutiny (though not necessarily understanding the reason for it), she eventually glances off to the side as well. ]

I understand your position, but I respectfully disagree.

[ A contract is a contract, but she feels it isn't right to treat Servants as mere tools. ]

...You're worth more than that, surely.

[ (And she believes the same for the others she's met, however briefly.) Nevermind the one in mind had truly been a deadbeat smh. ]

[keeper]

[ She finally relents, if only because he seems to grow increasingly bothered by her assertions. (Maybe she is taking it a bit far, she's rather prone to going off on heartfelt, gooey tangents...) ]

If you insist. ...Back to work, then?

[ Even with the minotaur (hopefully) taken care of, there are still puzzles to solve and a portal to get going... ]