acatalepsy_logs | PHASE 3: AKVOS: THE END.

PHASE 3: AKVOS: THE END.

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the great escape.

The Circle has quite a lot on their plate, this time around. Multiple players are fighting for the control of Akvos, and many difficult choices to make. No matter what path you choose, though, one thing is for certain: it is a bitter fight to the death to ensure that Akvos remains standing, one way or another.

There are three main areas for the characters to explore in the final log of Akvos: (1) The Kingdom of Akvos, where the King is fighting to seize control; (2) The Rift, where the characters will encounter the Dreamscapes; and (3) The Kingdom of Polankos, which is where King Ka'pouli has reigned since his arrival in the pocket dimension. Decisions made in all there areas will affect the outcome of Akvos, so get to exploring.

THE ASSAULT ON WAHINE.

The King’s forces will attack in three different fronts. There will be mermen attacking from above, riding saddled giant seahorses and manta rays, launching spears at the mermaid-warriors below with terrifying precision. They seem to be indiscriminate, in their aim -- the weaponry, charged with the same dark energy that the shadow creatures seem to be made out of, find their target in civilians and warriors alike, raining down a sea of terror upon the central stronghold of the Kingdom of Akvos.

The mermen will also be attacking at the ground-level, attempting to burst their way through the Palace Gates to flood the city with numbers. While the mermaids outnumber the mermen, the mermen are certainly more brutal than the mermaids. Some of them, though, in finding the city, are more concerned with looting it than with senselessly murdering everyone inside. Indeed, this is the most food they have seen in a long time -- and markets are destroyed in grabbing as much food and riches as they can, pressing closer to the Palace, and toward the Queen's stronghold.

And, finally, they will be attacking from below, navigating their way through a network of tunnels meant to transport goods and bursting their way into people’s homes, to sneak their way closer to their ultimate goal, which seems to be the Palace itself.

The Circle's main goal, here, is to protect civilians, usher theminto the underground strongholds beneath the Palace, and fight for their own lives should they attack the mermen first. Man the wall, if you so choose, to attempt to block the air attacks from the mantas. Fight on the ground, to protect Akvos from destruction. Or make your way to the underground strongholds and tunnels, to block access to the Palace. All of these will certainly assist in keeping Akvos safe.

In addition, please remember that shadow creatures (which can only be killed by magical means) are still making their way through the entirety of Akvos. While King Ka'pouli's forces are targeting the Palace of Wahine, the shadow creatures are still present everywhere. Get to killing!

INTO THE RIFT.

Some of you, however, have elected to traverse into the mysterious rift that appeared in the midst of the Fields of Akvosia. It looks like a black hole into nothingness, crackling with odd energy . . . and passing through it feels as though you have stepped through an icy waterfall. For a moment, you cannot breathe -- and then, you are treated to beauty.

The gaps between time and space are full of sparkling lights, bolts of rainbow starlight winding around you as you move through the uncertainty that is the void. It seems endless, but something inside you is tugging you forward . . . and, suddenly, there is a soft voice in your ear. A familiar one, to those who reside within the Circle . . . the confused voice of Astoria.

"Hello? My Travelers? How are you within the Void?" The Void? That word hadn't been used to describe whatever this magical place is before, but . . . well, a witch with the ability to send you all across the universe probably knows what she's talking about, right? "That should not be possible . . . who opened this doorway?"

You can tell her, or you can not. It seems to matter not, because: "Is this not getting through? Why can I not hear you . . . but I can feel you, I can -- please, if you can hear this, be careful. The Void is not something for mortals to interact with, and it can show you terrible things -- terrible things, so please--"

And, right before you have the opportunity to respond to our benevolent witch (or captor, depending on your point of view), you see a bizarre glass-like surface in front of you. It looks like a mirror, and you see a perfect reflection of yourself. It is absolutely captivating, and it beckons you . . . almost urging you to touch it. And Astoria's whisper grows a bit louder, more urgent:

"My dear Traveler, be careful what you encounter here -- can you hear me? Can you see me? I am trying to get you out of there, to bring you back home--Akvos is--"

But it is too late.

Your fingers graze the edge of the mirror, and you are pulled -- a sensation that is familiar to you, the same pull in your stomach that you feel whenever Astoria thrusts you across the universe, into new realities. And, when you blink your eyes again, and look around . . . you are no longer in Akvos, or the Void. You are somewhere entirely new.

Welcome to the Dreamscape.

THE KINGDOM OF POLANKOS.

Once the Circle emerges from the Rift and the Dreamscape, they will stumble into another world . . . but this one's wateris shallow, in comparison to the massive depths of the crystal-clear kingdom of Akvos. You can quite clearly see the surface, here, and there are shallows that allow you to come up onto islands, tropical in nature with fruit, odd creatures that appear to be multiple-headed monkeys and parrots, and sandy shores. It's a bit jarring to see, after spending so long underwater. Indeed, you emerge to trudge onto land, and look around, somewhat mystified that the deep-dwelling mermen would be from a place like this.

However, exploring the islands (which is not very difficult to do, as they are all small and will not take very much time) will yield the discovery that on the islands themselves are tunnels -- underwater caverns that thread through the islands to much deeper water. It's almost as if the islands themselves are barriers to the underwater caverns below -- shallow water, a layer of land, and then a (mer)man-made bubble of water below the barrier of land. And that whoever lived on these islands tunneled through them to find deeper water. Princess Kea, (who will attend on these journeys, while remaining in the water), will tell the Circle members that King Ka'pouli told her that when the mermen were cast out, they landed on solid land, and had to slowly dig deeper to their salvation.

Navigating through these tunnels will be somewhat perilous -- and the Circle members will need to carry Princess Kea to the nearest tunnel to get her into some water, because while she can breathe on the surface for a certain period of time, she cannot navigate the land as quickly as you people with legs. Additionally, underwater caving isn't exactly a blast, but the deeper you go, the more clues of civilization you can find. And, eventually, once you go deep enough, you emerge into a massive underwater cavern to find the small Kingdom of Polankos.

In comparison to the Kingdom of Akvos, Polankos is witheringly depressing. It is not brightly colored, nor open -- indeed, it is tiny, with mermen huddled together waiting patiently for the forces that went through the rift to return. There is not a lot to find here, save for some interesting weapons that possess a dark energy, versus a lightning energy -- and those weapons will be given to the Circle members who ask for them, because those who wield them are in no condition to fight. There is little food, little room to sleep, and these are a people clearly in need of assistance.

In order to get them out of Polankos, you will need to usher them through the tunnels back up to the Rift above -- it seems that King Ka'pouli opened the Rift on the surface, rather than risk the city below in case it did not work. The mermen there (who seem to be elderly and weak) will be eager for the assistance to get out Polankos, and at the promise of being brought into Akvos, they will happily go. There will be no resistance from them.

You may also see Princess Kea, who has filtered in and out of the Rift to assist on the journey -- teary-eyed, heartbroken at the sight of these individuals who require rescue, organizing the mermen with the promise of keeping them safe in Akvos.

"Hurry," she tells you, as she rouses another merman into getting to the nearest tunnel. "We do not have a lot of time to pull this off, and we must work quickly."

Additionally, please feel free to write up and work with your own prompts! These areas of the world are presented as jumping off points for your characters, not limitations. The idea of this world- as with all the others- is to explore -- you may use as much leeway as you want in order to come up with what your character will do, especially in the Dreamscapes.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask them back on the various threads back in the OOC post from before!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ she can certainly understand the shock and unease. alisaie has been wandering through dreamscapes for some time now, but she was just as jarred as konoha is when she first crossed that barrier herself. it is.. surreal, most especially when it is your own home you're seeing.

gods, it has been so long since last she set eyes on hydaelyn. months. near on a year now. not a day passes that she does not miss it, and these dreamscapes have made that homesickness all the more keen. this vista before her reminds her of the rolling hills of yanxia, its quaint, quiet towns and fields. ]

Aye, I can.

[ she draws a little closer as well, studying konoha's face for a moment before casting her gaze over the village again. ]

This is your home? It is beautiful.

[It’s hard to tell what’s real here. She doesn’t know why or how or where they really are, the entire thing has been disorienting ever since she cautiously stepped within, but this... This Konoha understands. Just in case, still believing in such simple proof of things despite all they’ve been through, Konoha reaches forward to briefly touch Alisaie’s shoulder.

She’s real.

Only then does her gaze follow, out towards the valley, the rice fields and faint dots of farmers wading through the paddies, weeding and tending, men and carts on the roads... a peaceful place.]

It is... I never thought I’d see it again...

[There’s a tremor in her voice, tears suddenly threatening her eyes, and Konoha quickly reaches up to try and wipe them away, shaking her head.]

Even if it’s just a dream...

[ alisaie knows that feeling all too well. not a day goes by that she does not think of hydaelyn. for all her faults and troubles, she is home, and nothing can make you more homesick than constantly moving about from place to place and never settling in somewhere new. the temple may be home base, but they are away from it so often, and they cannot return when they choose, so it is all but impossible to put down roots anywhere.

not that she's interested in putting down roots. she will never stop fighting to be home. but feeling adrift is in no way comfortable either. ]

.. I know.

[ she says gently, reaching to gently touch konoha's elbow - a small gesture, but alisaie isn't very touchy, so it's a lot!! ]

But you shall return home someday, I am sure of it. I have to believe it.

[And Konoha appreciates it.

Taking a bit of strength from the gesture, she puts her hand over Alisaie's and gets a smile on her face, though it takes a bit of effort.]

W- Well, I'm home now! I can show you everything-

[It was all here, right? So-]

Let's go see my parents! And Gonta! And my boss!

[ konoha's warmth is certainly heartening, her joyous excitement contagious, and alisaie can't help the smile that tugs at her mouth. things are dire in akvos, things are dire in general, it feels as if it has been a long time since she has had cause to be simply.. happy about something. even if she's happy on behalf of another, it still feels the same, filling her heart, warming her spirit. ]

I would love to see your home.

[ gesturing ahead of her. ]

Lead the way.

[She doesn't want to acknowledge that this might be a trick, that it might not be real, that she might have gone crazy... Any explanation that would conclude she wasn't home. Maybe it's foolish, or stupid, but-

Konoha all but drags Alisaie down the mountain, only the barest handle on safety preventing her from just grabbing the smaller woman and galloping down, mountain trails and rocks be damned.]

It must almost be time for the harvest, there's bound to be a lot going on down there! I'll introduce you to my parents, they're bound to love you! Only jinba have hair like you as young as you are, so everyone's going to think you're so beautiful, plus you're strong, too-

[Rambling on excitedly, she pauses at a break in the trees, looking out at the now much closer valley and village. Was that smoke... ?]

[ alisaie is definitely running under the assumption that this is not real, but it is real enough, and konoha could hardly be blamed - were their situations reversed, alisaie would not be able to resist, either. even in a memory, it would be so lovely to lay eyes on her homeland..

but there's no real time to consider that when she's being tugged right down the mountain - she can't move as fast as you, konoha, have mercy!! ]

U-um -

[ her face flushes hotly at the compliment, the tips of her ears red as rolanberries. ]

M-my hair?

[ what does it have to do with anything!! ]

Yeah, your hair!

[Its so hard to clip her pace to Alisaie's, but she manages it because... as desperate as she is to see her parents, she knows she can't leave her alone. She didn't speak the language, she looked so different that people would probably think she was either a foreigner or a god, and she could get lost in the mountains-]

There's only one girl I know with white hair, the priestess in town, and it's only cause she has a white coat!

[... So, jinba had white hair is her point, in the sea of humans with only black, but! She's too excited so she's rambling, pointing out spots along the way.]

And we don't really have women fighters here, either, so they'll be really impressed!

[ ah, that's not the first she's heard that. white hair is not terribly rare on hydaelyn, but she's gotten attention (positive and negative both) from the people here, so it's something she's sort of gotten used to.

anyway, it's all alisaie can do to keep up at this point, both physically and mentally, as konoha rambles excitedly. ]

No women fighters? But why? You're so strong.

[ konoha would be terrifying to fight.. ]

[She's actually pretty sure her mother will want to do Alisaie's hair, considering how long and lovely it was... last time she'd left Mikuni with her parents he'd come out with an entire 'do... But she'll just keep that to herself.]

Well, sure, I'm strong, but-

[Very strong, seeing as she just casually... picks up a small fallen tree that has landed on the path and pushes it off to the side on their way down- better clear it out before she made her next run up with supplies, it would be harder to move it burdened with luggage...]

The wars have been over for years now... and men are the soldiers anyway. Well, I mean, my boss carries a sword, but... I don't think she actually uses it that much anymore...

[As weird as she finds the idea of woman as soldiers in her world, she at least just finds it impressive in other worlds.]

[ well alisaie has plenty of opinions on women as soldiers and how someone so strong as konoha would make an excellent fighter, i mean she just picked up a tree?? she's a cavalry unit all on her own. but now isn't really the time to get into sexism in politics, for once she has the tact not to ruin the mood. ]

Well I should be glad to teach you any time, should you have an interest in learning.

[ alisaie loves swords.. ]

I mean, I've thought about learning something... but.

[How to say it... She struggles with it a moment, trying to think of the words. It's been months since she was taken from her world, and she's encountered so many dangerous things since then... had to be saved so many times. Yet...]

Do you ever think... Your life would be really different if you never picked up a weapon... ?

Mm..

[ alisaie hums thoughtfully, her eyes lifting to the wide, blue sky. it's been so long since they've really, truly seen the sky.. even if it isn't real, it's still lovely to behold. ]

In many ways, yes. I would not have been capable of walking the path I chose had I no ability in combat. It is not an easy way to live, but there is certain peace of mind in knowing that, even in some small ways, you can protect yourself and those you care for.

[ a wave of her hand. ]

But I mean not to pressure you. Only know that should you decide it worth pursuing, I should be glad to help.

Mmm... I appreciate it.

[And she did, it was kind of Alisaie to offer, but Konoha still doesn't know how to really phrase it, to express how she feels about fighting. If it was the war time... she'd want to protect her family, wouldn't she? She'd want to do anything she could...

But staring down at her hands a moment as they walk, she does try.]

The wars here have been over as long as I can really remember... There's a spear in our house, but. My father hasn't touched it in years. All of my parents' real children got killed in the fighting before I was born, so I just...

[Her brow furrows, lips purse... before she just smiles instead, fingers curling into helpless fists.]

I don't know. I never had to fight... and I don't know if I ever want to... But in the Circle...

[She might have to eventually. Might she.]

[ alisaie's smile thins into something more tight and sad. ]

I understand.

[ violence does not come easily to everyone. it does not come easily to most people, in fact, and that is not a bad thing. but sometimes the path ahead of you forces your hand, and taking up arms is what is necessary to keepo yourself and your loved ones alive. at least, that has been alisaie's experience. ]

Our position is precarious, and more often than not we are put into situations that behoove of us to fight.

[ it can't be easy for people like konoha, who have no martial skill, and no real desire to learn, either. ]

Nevertheless, you are a valuable member. Do not dwell overlong on it should you prefer not to learn to lift a sword.

[She hopes that's true. Konoha doesn't think herself useless because of her lack of fighting ability- in fact, she considers herself quite useful, especially after realizing so many people didn't have the practical skills she viewed as normal, such as growing crops, cooking with limited resources, and various forms of manual labor.

But... she just hopes that the burden of needing to be protected, not being able to fight for herself, doesn't cancel out that usefulness.]

I'm pretty good at picking people up and pinning their arms... it's really useful when drunkards get into fights and that type of thing...

[... But pretty useless if someone had a sword, maybe, but.]

I can kick, too. So no worries!

[... She just. Doesn't want to imagine having to actually kick a person.]

[ alisaie chuckles, her mouth pulling into an easier, warmer smile. she herself has struggled with uselessness in the past - honestly, she continues to struggle with it - but konoha is kind, and sweet, alisaie would never want her to feel that way. besides, she's not wrong. there are plenty of ways to be helpful without dirtying your hands with blood. ]

Fair enough, then. I would rather not be on the receiving end of one of your kicks, that much is certain.

Definitely for certain.

[People get killed by kicking horses all the time, okay? ... Sometimes. But she didn't want to dwell on that.

Any thoughts on it, though, fly from her mind when her home comes into view on the horizon, a small farm nestled against the mountain slope, humble but warm.

Breath catching in her throat, she reaches down and ends up groping for Alisaie's hand and ends up settling for her shoulder.]

That's my house. It's right over there-

[So why are her hooves glued to the earth?]

[ konoha trying to grab her hand when it's like ten feet below her tbh..

she gets it though, and it's probably testament to how much she likes and trusts konoha that she's not screeching at the touch of another person. she's come so far. in fact, she actually reaches to her shoulder to lay her hand over konoha's own, in a gesture of solidarity. ]

You do not have to go if you do not want to.

[ she says, shifting her glance upward to konoha's profile. ]

But should you go, you shall not be alone.

[She tries, okay. Height equality.

But the idea of not going, even if this might not be real, is so impossible to her that she can't even imagine it, and she shakes her head nervously, even as she squeezes the other woman's shoulder. (Thanks for the hand.)]

No, I have to-

[And with a sudden surge she leaps back into movement, trying not to gallop and leave Alisaie behind.]

[ well, that decides that..

alisaie hardly has the chance to begin to react before konoha is surging forward, and with a cry of surprise alisaie hurries after her, as far as her legs can carry her. they're long for her frame, because she's a baby gazelle, but she doesn't have much on someone with a pony body, that's for sure. \

[It's just right there.

Konoha gallops, hooves churning up the packed dirt road. She isn't as fast as a field jinba, heavier mountain stock, but she's swift with the desperation to reach her family, her hearts thumping a mile a minute-

But... her home doesn't get any closer.

Perhaps it had been too good to be true to expect that this dream was a good one and not a nightmare, that despite how real it felt it could be anything like reality. But no matter how far she runs...

They get nowhere.

Sweat beginning to lather on her sides, panting in confusion, Konoha finally slows, anxiously pawing the earth as she looks to Alisaie for answers, even though... part of her knows she doesn't have them.]

I don't-

I don't understand-

[ mountain stock or no, konoha is still very fast, and alisaie is an athletic young girl but still she lags behind. given that she's focused on keeping up with konoha, alisaie does not notice at first that the village isn't growing any closer, but soon enough it becomes painfully obvious that the road is stretching on and on, and much of it looks.. familiar. that tree stump, for example; had they not passed it already? twice?

oh, no..

catching her breath, alisaie draws up to konoha at last by the time she's slowed to a stop, and she peers down toward the town that seems no closer than when they first arrived. her face falls, and she meets konoha's gaze, but she does not know what to say. if this is some foul trick of the rift, she cannot say how to remedy it..

if there is any remedying it at all. ]

I'm sorry, Konoha.

[ she says, softly, a crease in her brow as she looks to the village again, her heart sinking in her breast. sweet as she is, konoha does not deserve this. ]

Mayhaps this is.. all that we are allowed.

[Konoha doesn't want to believe it, not with how real everything has seemed until now. How could it be so cruel as this? And why? What had they done to land themselves in such a hell?]

We're so close-

[There it was, still on the horizon. Still tantalizingly out of reach, humble and warm and inviting-

And despite herself, Konoha feels tears welling up, beginning to spill as she tries to pull her gaze away from the sight of her home, fingers twisting together so tightly that her knuckles grow pale.]

It's right there, Alisaie... It's- It's just right there...

[ no she cannot abide an innocent maid in tears!! alisaie's heard surges with sorrow, and a keen wave of protectiveness, but what can she do? the gods toy with them here in this place, and alisaie is but a small angry girl. her teeth grit and she opens her mouth to hiss a string of colorful opinions, but catches herself before they can tumble free.

her temper will do konoha no good, and worse, it may even upset her further.

so instead, alisaie breathes deeply. ]

I know.

[ she says softly, but tightly, her barely restrained aggravation clear enough in her tone, though she turns to look more fully up at her. ]

But you must remember, Konoha, that this.. is not real. It cannot give you what your heart desires, but know this, I am full certain that you will see your true home again, soon enough. It is waiting for you.

PHASE 3: AKVOS: THE END.

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