[sermon ?] —if you wanna cry, use my heart

[asipofbride]

WHO: Nicholas D. Wolfwood and you.
WHERE: the Metaverse - Noman's Land
WHEN: the month of May
WHAT: sọ̸͒m̷̥̽ĕ̷̛̜̺t̶̐̃ͅ𝔱𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰

the Eye of Michael and Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Pastor of the St. Michael's Church, do hereby enter into the following contract with respect to their work. the Pastor agrees to faithfully perform all duties as commanded in the Eye of Michael, effective ████ ███, █.█. ███, and to abide by all rules and regulations swearing in the name of the two Angels sent by God.

the Pastor agrees to receive immortal glory from the Priest ███████ through the Suffering of the Holy Angels.

in the event of abandonment of his duties, or in the event that the Executive Board determines that there is sufficient cause, the Pastor shall be permanently expelled from the Eye of Michael and St. Michael's Church, and the family members of the Pastor shall be Subject to the same punishment.

WARNINGS: medical experimentation, insects, body horror, needles, religious trauma, gore, death.

??? — NOMAN'S LAND — summaries and links

♫ HUNGRY!

Are you ever going to be fast enough to outrun everything, Judas?

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOPELAND;

The Dormitories and the Laboratories

Hopeland Orphanage, in its good and not so good days. Shadow Wolfwood will tell you to go the Laboratories; the Eye of Michael's enforcers wait to inject you with the drugs in Wolfwood's vials and make you better. Livio wants you to find the other children and bring them back to safey, but will eventually leave to find Wolfwood himself no matter how fast you go. Fight your way through the lab or save the children; both choices deliver you to the belly of the Eye.

CHILD OF BLESSING;

The Eye of Michael HQ

The Eye of Michael's training facilities and Plant storage. Once you're far enough in, you'll meet another Wolfwood who wants nothing more than to shoot you dead; you can either confront him or go around him. Going around him leads to a repeating looping of classrooms and expendable young Eye of Michael goons; going through him will be a battle to not get shot by a skittish, defensive little gunman who's very good at what he does. Both paths will lead to Legato Bluesummers and an older, enhanced Livio. Disabling or killing Legato and Livio will let you out into Julai in the middle of its last hour.

HIGH NOON AT JULY;

Julai

The city of Julai in its final day. You're emerging from ground zero of the Eye of Michael's weird cult tower and the city is being overrun by a giant plant organism that looks like Vash's mother. The military think you're part of it and will try and stop you, and the people of Julai are being menaced and mulched by the plants. Help them, or run. If you linger for too long, Millions Knives will find you and attempt to reduce you to fertilizer despite the best efforts of the Humanoid Typhoon that Wolfwood remembers. Eventually, the twins will go up--and everything will go white when they come back down.

HUMANITY;

In Kaisou

Trying to enter the Metaverse immediately after the July Incident is an exercise in futility. Wolfwood's space is just white static and the phantom feeling of coarse sand and unrelenting heat on your skin. You have been returned to Cathedral Hill for at least a night.

THE RUNNJING MAN;

THE the Outskirts of Julai;

Julai City is a hole that seems to span forever and all that's left are clouds of glimmering Worms and a rusted metallic scrapyard. In the center of the scrapyard, you'll find Nicholas D. Wolfwood at odds with Nicholas the Punisher. They're bound to the duty that they can't put down, the Cross Punisher standing like a tombstone in the middle of a sandy arena. The bigger, hungrier Worms will try their luck with bringing down all of you fresh hunks of meat. Save Wolfwood. End this.

Comments

[jackdawvision]

[He’s still pissed at Shroud for telling Zulius and Lapis, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to let him do something dangerous on his own. Call it vengeance, he supposes—if Edward can’t do the stupid plan alone then Shroud doesn’t get to do it either. So:]

Oh, no, mate, I’m coming with you. [As much as he wants to help Livio and the other children…the others have it well in hand by now. He’ll watch Shroud’s back, he’s got a Shadow forcefield and a Persona. Surely this will go just fine.

Surely.

…he’s going to check all four guns just in case.]

[whiteshroud]

No.

[He visibly stiffens, shoulders tensing at the idea of having company for this. If what he suspects is this way, bringing others into it---]

... I'm sure I'll survive whatever's there. I can't say the same for you.

[jackdawvision]

I’ve been in a gibbet in the hot sun, mate. I’m tougher than I look.

[The entire vibe of this place gives him the fucking creeps even without Eagle Vision turning up a thing. But for his pride’s sake he keeps his unease off his face and out of his tone, casual and cheerily roguish as ever.

The only thing that betrays him is the way his fingers briefly touch over a hidden blade, as if checking it.]

Besides, what was that you said about sharing burdens before? Surely you won’t mind if I shoulder this with you.

[advivo]

Listen to him, Edward.

[ dante's shoulders are tense, his expression grim. gone is the usual devil may care attitude he usually carries himself with. he settles beside shroud, looking at him for a moment before turning his attention to edward. ]

I'll watch this guy's back and make sure nothing catches him off guard. Go help Livio, we'll meet back up with you later.

[ you really gonna argue with a demon edward, don't do it. ]

[doubledollar]

...Whatever you find in there with Wolfwood, just keep him safe. I've dealt with the Grown-Up Livio for the last two years, so I'm sure ...

[ he can talk to little livio just fine. He casts a look over at Edward. ]

...

If you guys want to keep arguing who goes where, that's fine. But I'm going after Livio, and if any of you would like to come with me. I'd appreciate it.

[whiteshroud]

[EDWARD HE SWEARS TO GOD-

But before Jun can try anything to make Edward not make a terrible mistake, Dante steps in. He's still tense, but he lets out the smallest breath of relief.]

... Alright. We'll do all we can to protect him.

[Does he like the idea of Dante getting hurt? No. Not at all. But he's seen how Spardas can heal. Whatever awaits them, at least Dante will live through it. ]

[jackdawvision]

You go ahead, Vash, we’ll go after little Wolfwood.

[Yes, he is in fact ready to argue with a holy knight and a demon. Squishy and overconfident as he is over what he can handle. But he looks at them both and says,] I can handle myself. And I’m not going alone, either—whatever might be waiting for us, three can handle it better than two. Even a very capable two.

[advivo]

[ any other day dante might have argued further, but they don't have time for it. so dante relents, throwing his hands up in defeat. ]

I don't have time to be babysitting you, Ed. [ shroud can live through what is coming, dante can live through what is coming, but edward? as far as dante is concerned he is little more than a guy with a sharp knife. ] But fine, whatever. Do what you want, but don't go slowing us down.

[ with that he moves over to vash, taking the human typhoon's flesh hand in his own for a moment. ] I'll catch up with you later, angel. [ he brings it up to press a kiss to vash's knuckles before letting go, turning on his heel to walk back over to jun. ]

Come on, kid. Lets get moving.

[whiteshroud]

[Goddammit Edward. Shroud is practically shaking in frustration because not only is this not the first time this week he's had to deal with Edward being stupidly stubborn, but because this is possibly the worst time for it.

Fortunately for all, Dante speaks up before Shroud can follow through on the intrusive thoughts to break Ed's bones to keep him from coming along. Dante's right. They have to keep moving. There was a mission to complete. If Edward keeps insisting on coming, that's his own choice.

Attachments are obstacles, focus on the mission. Attachments are obstacles, focus on the-

He turns and starts following in the direction Wolfwood look. It's quiet, but if one listens close enough they can hear Shroud muttering a string of Japanese and Italian profanities.]

[jackdawvision]

[He bristles when Dante says "babysitting," eyes going hard and flinty.]

I'm fast enough to keep up.

[As Mary Read, may her soul rest in peace, would attest: trying to talk Edward down from a choice he's made is like trying to talk to a brick wall. Or a drowning rat determined to get to the piece of cheese at the bottom of the pool. It'll be his own bullheaded spite that kills him if nothing else does, she would say.

At least this time he's fully aware what he's doing, what the consequences might be, even if he doesn't know exactly what's waiting for them. He can guess.

He falls in step right behind the two, taking up the rear and pulling his hood up over his head.]

[advivo]

[ dante doesn't have to speak the languages to know shroud is pissed off, the mutterings still loud enough to be caught by his demonically enhanced hearing─ but he says nothing. for once dante is no nonsense and laser focused, eyes sharp and muscles tense. there is no telling what is going to be around the corner.

it doesn't take long for the hallway of the orphanage to crack and crumble away, stark white replacing old walls. each step makes his stomach sink more and more. he can hazard a guess where the path is leading them, begging the question as to why shroud was so against company. the implication of him understanding, even on some level, the shit wolfwood's been through sits heavy on his shoulders.

fuck.

he pushes the thought aside, buries it deep, and decides to unpack that later. get nick out of here first, that's all that matters. ]

Only one way to go.

[ and that's the doors straight ahead. ]

[whiteshroud]

[After he got the swearing out of his system, Shroud becomes silent as they walked further in. Mentally, he's preparing himself for what he knows is the likely scenario here. He remembers Wolfwood sharing stories of the torments the Eye of Michael put him through. It had been a half-joking conversation, acting like the time Wolfwood got folded into a chair was funny and not horrific- the kind of gallows humor that survivors cling to like a life raft.

But the tone aside, Jun had never doubted for a second what Wolfwood was saying was anything but the gospel truth. It'd been what made Jun feel comfortable around him - he understood.

The walls were now giving away to the look of medical labs. How many times had he been in places like this? If he didn't have a mission to complete, he'd probably run the other way. But knowing that's not an option, he's already prepping himself with the next best survival tactic: not letting his mind linger in the moment. Don't let himself think of his companions. Focus on his own survival.

As they walk through the doors, he eyes the cross-shaped tables. The audacity of them hit him in the face. Now in survival mode, the gallows humor once again comes out]

Oh cool. Never been crucified before.

[jackdawvision]

[Edward had been expecting a prison, one like a brig on a ship, or perhaps like the one he, Anne and Mary had been kept in. He'd expected, to some degree, to maybe see signs of torture here and there. This is—nothing like he thought it might be, and when he quickly blinks into his second sight to check, everyone in the room not the three of them is blood-red.

Well, uh, fuck. He flicks out both hidden blades.]

Get your weapons out, now. [This he says just as the doctors and soldiers are beginning to turn towards them.] They want us dead or worse!

[advivo]

Wouldn't recommend it, honestly.

[ dante almost wishes he could be surprised, but he isn't. not by the cross-shaped tables, not by the personnel with their creepy masks, and certainly not by the implications the room as a whole has. he glances to edward at his warning and laughs a bitter sound. ]

They don't want you dead, Ed. They want you 'remade'. [ with a surge of red energy devil sword dante appears in his hand and dante shifts his weight. ] We tried to warn you!

[ the devil hunter launches himself toward the horde of personnel moving toward them, his expression a mixture of manic joy and unbridled rage. if they have to cut down some assholes to get to wolfwood then he'll do just that. ]

[whiteshroud]

[It can't be seen thanks to his hood, but Jun nearly scoffs at Edward's exclamation. Yeah, no shit they're in danger, this is exactly why he tried to caution you away. ]

Wolfwood was a test subject in a cult's experiments to make the perfect soldier.

[Of course Dante would opt to fight. Jun on the other hand, doesn't summon his blade. Instead he stands back, knowing full well how this is going to end. How it always ends. Even now as Dante cuts through, more are taking their place.

The ones who openly fought the handlers never lasted long. ]

Last chance to turn back Edward. If these are his memories, we're not fighting through this.

[He's not going to waste his energy even trying. Instead, he's heading for that cross shaped table and the faceless personnel waiting there. He rather get this over with. ]

[drewthetower]

I'll go with Vash.

[Someone might want back up and worst case scenario, August can do emergency heals.]

[medicgunner]

I'll go with you. You could use a healer.

[A dedicated one, and this gives August the ability to go all out if he needs. Eunie's taught him a few things but right now it's best to do what you're best at.]

[doubledollar]

[ vash shoots both Eunie and August a smile. ]

Thanks, you two. I think a healer is definitely a good idea. And a quick thinker like Auggie, too.

[ vash is going to move to where Livio is, and crouch down to talk to him; face to face. ]

You think you could help us find the other kids? We'll get them back safely, no problem. You can count on us, Livs.

[asipofbride]

[ crybaby Livio is trying very, very hard not to live up to his name--looking up at Vash with wide, golden eyes when the man comes down to him, trying not to look too spooked by how big he is

he's gotta be brave, like Nico ]

U-um, yeah! Let's see... [ he's gonna have a little think about it, twisting his hands up in the hem of his shirt as he studies his feet. ] Alma likes to hide inside of stuff, Benzi thinks you can't see him through curtains, Patrick and Patricia are always in the same room, Marisha will move around if you haven't spotted her yet, and Kiylie is always climbing on stuff... does that help?

[ he can't quite meet your eyes, but he looks hopefully at everyone's knees. ]

[drewthetower]

Yeah, that helps.

[To the others:]

Julian and I can fly around and try to find them, and probably find the climber no problem.

[medicgunner]

Helps loads. Thanks, love.

[She can't help but be reminded of her own younger times playing hide and seek in an orphanage. Maybe that's part of why she decided to help here as much as a healer might be needed for a hurt kid.]

I've got good eyes for kids sneaking inside of things. I used to do it a lot and I know all the tricks so leave them to me.

[doubledollar]

Auggie takes to the sky and we can find the others.

Thanks, Livio, we'll find them for sure.
Do you wanna' come with me and auntie Feathers as we look for the others?

I'm sure together, we'll find them in no time.

[ he's gonna offer his hand to the kid and start heading out into the orphanage. ]

[asipofbride]

[ for a moment, Livio looks tempted--and then he fists his hands in his shirt and gives a little shake of his head. ]

Nico told me to stay here... I don't wanna get in trouble.

[ but man, there's something forlorn in his little golden eyes, longing to be helpful. ]

[medicgunner]

[Eunie can't really say no to a look like that. And she gets the little kid wanting to be helpful to find his friends.]

How about this, if you can see us from here and you catch a hint of one of your friends we'll look back at you and you can tell us if we're getting warmer or colder. Then you're still helping out, but Nico won't get mad at you. Sound good?

[doubledollar]

Don't wanna get you in trouble, kiddo.

So we'll take care of things.

Eunie's making a great compromise. [ honestly it'd be a help, to know if they're close or not... without pissing off the little shadow Nico. ]

If you feel you can't do that, though. We'll still figure things out.